US398975A - Railroad-frog - Google Patents

Description

' 3 Sheets-Sheet 1,

(No Model.)

G. B. PRICE RAILROAD FROG Mar. 5, 1889.

a Sheets- Sheet 2.

(N0 Model.)

0 B. PRIOR.

RAILROAD FROG.

Mar. 5, 1889.

2; Patent %,/6 WM 2.1w? m E EE l MP) l 3 Sheets-Slieet 3.

(No Model.)

0. B. PRICE.

RAILROAD FROG.

Patented Mar. 5, 1889.

UNITED STATES PATENT @EETcE.

RAILROAD-FROG.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 398,975, dated March 5, 1889.

Application filed July 5, 1888.

To aZZ whom, it only concern:

3e it known that I, CHARLES E. PRICE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, .\lleghen v county, State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in RailroadFrogs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to railway-"frogs, and more 1mrticularly to that class of frogs which is patented to me in United States Letters Patent No. 353,002, in which there is an unbroken main-line rail and the frog is made movable, so thatwhen the main line is open it is moved entirely away from the main-line track; but when it isdesired to have the train pass on the siding the frog is moved into place, and is of such construction that the wheels of the cars passing to and from the siding will ride over the main-line rail upon a practically unbroken track.

The object. oi. my present invention is to improve the construction and arrangement of such frogs and the means of operating them,

whereby they shall be simple and positive in their action and more effectually accomplish the results desired; and to these ends my invention consists in the construction and arrangement of parts, substantiallyas hereinafter more particularly set forth.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a plan of a railway and siding having my improvemcnts embodied therewith and showing the parts in position for the passage of the train upon the main line. Fig. 2 is asimilar view showing the parts in position tor the passage oi. the train to the side track. l igs. 3 and t are trz'insverse sections of the frog on the lines .11.! and 7 p, re

spectively, looking in the direction of the ara good bearing for-the moving apparatus, and

row 2. Fig, 5 is a perspective view showing the frog in its position over the. main-line track. Fig. o is a side view of the same. Fig. 7 is another perspective view showing one portion of the frog and the spring frog-rail, and Fig. 8 is an elevation of the switch-stand.

In the drawings, A is one of the main-linetrack rails.

A is the other main-line rail, which is bent to form the outside rail, B, of the side track.

Serial Nd. 279,104. (No model.)

A, the portion A of which is not secured to the sleepers, but is tapered at its end to form one of the points of the switch.

B is the other rail of the side track, and B is the leading-in rail. of the side track, and is fixed at one end by the chair Z), and theother end is tapered to form the other point of. the switch. The leading-in rail l3 and the movable portion A of the main rail are connected by a suitable plate or bar, C, so that they will move together, as is usual with the switch-points, and these may be moved by any suitable devices, although I prefer to make use of those to be hm'einafter described. The guard-rails D 1) are placed parallel to the main and side track. rails adjacent to the frog in the usual manner.

The movable frog 1 consis essentially, of

5 two sections, 2 3, the outer ends of which are A is a continuation of the main-line rail pivoted at the points i- 5, respectively, and are pivoted together at the point ($,so as to be moved in unison. The section 2 of the frog, which is shown more particularly in Figs. 5, (I, and 7, consists, essentially, ot a body portion forming a tread, T, which, when the frog in position, formsa continuation of the rail B, and this tread is extended into a flange, 8, which passes over and rests upon the face of the main-line rail A as shown more particularly in Figs. 13 and 7. This liange gradually tapers on its upper surface toward the point 9, and thus forms an inclined wayfor the passage of the wheels of the ears il", perehance, the train should. pass over the main line when the frog is set for the siding. The free end of the section is pointed at 10, and recessed adjacent to the point along the tread T at 11, to furnish a free passage for the flange of the wheels, and the base 12 is extended. to furnish has an extended slot, (3, to permit the movement of the sections 2 and 3 together.

The section 2 is intended more especially as aguard-rail, but is so formed that the flange 13 rests upon the top of the main-line rail A and is tapered or inclined toward its end 5, so that the wheels of the train passing over the main line when the frog is in position will ride up the incline without danger of derailment. The free end it ol? this section 3 is bent, as shown, and when the frog is in position it lies upon the base 12 and against the portion 11. of the frog-section 2, and thus it serves both as a guide-rail for the train passing over the frog and as a means of elevating the train on the main line, as before set forthv Connected to or forming an extension of the leading-in rail B is the spring guard-rail 15, which is arranged to lie normally away from but inside of the main rail A when the frog is set for the main line; but when the frog is moved in position for the siding the spring guard-rail is also moved up to and against the inside of said rail A and forms 'a practically unbroken continuation or connection of the tread between the leading-in rail B and the frog-section 2, as shown in Figs. 2 and '7. This spring guard-rail may be moved by any preferred means, but should be provided with the spring device 16, which will permit of its being forced away from the main-line track by the flange of the wheels of tl1e train passing over the main line when the frog is'set for the siding.

Itis understood that the switch-points are also provided with the usual springdevices, 16, so that they may be forced away from the main-line track to permit the passage of the train when necessary. It will thus be seen that even when the frog is set in position to transfer to the siding and through inadvertence a train passes on the main line over the frog the guard-rail 15 will be automatically moved away by the flanges of the wheels of the train, and the train will ride up and down the inclines of the frog-sections and safely pass over them without danger of derailment. This arrangement is not only a safeguard to the ordinary passage of trains, but permits the use of the ropein side tracking cars, as it will be readily understood that the engine can be in a position between the switch-points and the frog, and then the points and frog can be set in position for the side track and the car connected to the engine by the rope will readily pass along a practically continuous side track, while the engine moves safely over the frog along the unbroken main track.

It will be observed, further, that by makin g the frog in two sections connected to move together and pivoting each section at its outermost end I am enabled to throw the frog away from and clear of the main track by a comparatively slight movement of the operating mechanism, and the advantages of this construction are evident to those skilled in the art.

\Vhile, as before stated, the switch-points and frog-sections may be operated by any suitable and proper means, I have produced an arrangement which I have found exceedingly simple and effective, and which I preferably make use of, and this consists, essentially, in a switch-stand, 17 preferably having the usual target, 18, arranged thereon, and provided with the usual handle formovin it. In the lower part of this switch-stand is arranged a wheel or lever, 19, connected to the rod of the stand, and on the under side of this wheel is attached the connecting-bar 20,whieh is used to operate the switch-points through the connection 0, and it will be seen that by turning the switch-rod a quarter-turn one way or the other, as the case may be, the switch-points are moved into and out of contact with the main-line rails in the usual manner. V

Adjacent to the track and opposite the frogsections I arrange another wheel or lever, 21, supported in a suitable frame, 22, and to the under side of this wheel, at diametrically-opposite points, I pivotall y secure the connectingrods 22 23, the former of which is connected to the spring frog-rail 15, and the other, 23,1s

connected to the base 12 of the frogsections.

It will thus be seen that when the wheel 21 is rotated a cpiartenturn only the connectingrods operate to simultaneously move the spring guard-rail and the frog-sections to or from the mainline track, and when the frog is moved to position for the side track, as shown in Fig. 2, it will be observed that the connecting-rods 22 23 are substantially in line and upon their dead-points, so that the frog is securely locked in position against accidental derangement.

In order that the switch-points and frog may be operated simultaneously, I connect the wheel 19 of the swit'eh-stand with the wheel 21 by means of a suitable chain, rod, or other similar device, and in the present instance I have shown the rods 24 25 connected at their ends to chains or links 26, which are fastened to the wheels, so as to move positively with them. In the present case I have fastened the chain to the wheel 19 by means of a pin, 27, Fig. 8, and the chain is similarly fastened to the wheel 21. By this arrangementit will be seen that whether the switch-lever is turned one way or the other to open or close the switch it will always exert a pulling action upon the wheel 21. For instance, when the lever 28 of the switch-stand is turned to the right the force is exerted through the rod 25 to turn the wheel 21 in the same direction and to close the frog, and when, on the contrary, the lever is turned to the left the pull upon the wheel 21 is by means of the rod 24, and turns the said wheel to the left to open 'the frog. This arrangement of devices is very advantageous, especially in this class ofswitch and frog devices, as it enables the operator to have a positive connection between the parts that will insure their operating together; and this arrangement can be applied not only to such connections, but to all switch-and-frog operating devices, and it will be observed that I am enabled to use it with equal facility even when the connections are obliged to pass around corners or angles, asI avoid the usual thrust to move the rod in one direction, and get a distinct pulling action in each movement of the switch.

Another feature of advantage which is ap parent from the use of my operating means over the ordinary crank-rod is, that in the use of the eranlnrod in order to get a full throw the switch-arm. has to make a full half-circle or turn, whereas by the use of my appliances to get a complete and full throw only a quarterturn is necessary. Thus the ordinary switch signal-lamps can be placed dircctly upon the switclrshaft, and when the switch moved to one position for the main track. the white lights will be disclosed both up and down the track, and when, on the contrary, it is moved. to the side track the red lights will be disclosed in both directions.

\Yhile I have thus described what I consider to be the best embodimcntof my invention, it will be evident that the details of construction and arrangement may be greatlyvaried without departing from vention may be used alone or in combination with the parts shown, or with other equivalent parts.

\Vhat I claim is 1. A movable frog constructed in two parts arranged to be thrown on and oil the main rail at one side thereof, substantially as described.

2. A movable frog constructed in two parts hinged together and arranged at one side of the main rail to be operated by a single connection to throw them upon the said main rail, substantially as described.

3. A movable irog constructed in two parts connected to move togetherat their inner ends and arranged to be moved simultaneously to and from the main rail, the outer ends of the two parts being pivotally attached to the track and arranged at one side of the main rail, substantially as described.

i. A movable frog constructed in two sections pivoted attheir outer ends at one side of the main rail, in combination with an actuating device connected to the sections at their inner ends, substantially as described.

5. A movable frog constructed in two parts hinged together and arranged to be operated simultaneiimsly, one part acting to form a continuation oi the side-track. rail and the other operating as a guide-rail therefor, substantially as described.

6. A movable frog constructed in two parts and connected to move together, one part forming a continuation of the sidetrack rail and an inclined way for the main traclc, and the other part forming a guard for the sidetrack rail and an inclined way for the main track, substai'itially as described.

7. A. movable frog consisting of two sect-ions connected together, one section being pivoted at one end adjacent to the sidetrack rail and arranged to form a continuation of said rail, and having a flange arranged to overlap the main rail and furnishing a bearing for the wheels, and the other section being pivotally i mounted adjacent to the main rail, substantially as described.

the spirit thereof, and that certain features of the ini S. A movable frog consisting of two sections connected togethenone section being pivoted at one end adjacent to the side-track rail and arranged to form a eontinuatimi of said rail, and havin a flange arranged to overlap the main rail and it'urnishing a bearing for the wheels, and having a recess, as ll, for the passage of the wheel-flanges, substantially as described.

9. A movable frog consisting oi? two sections connected together, one section being pivoted at one end adjaccntto the main track and having an inclinedii'lange, as 1 adapted to overlap the main rail, the free end being bent to act as a guard-rail, substantially as described.

10. A movable frog consisting of two sections, one having an extended base to which the other is pivoted, and a cimnecting-rod sccured to said base for operating the sections simultaneously, substantially as described.

11.. The combination, with a main rail, of a movable frog on one side of said main rail, and a spring rail on the opposite side oflthe main rail movable independently of the frog, substantially as described.

12. The combination, with the main rail, of a movable frog consisting of two sections pivotally connected together and arranged to form a continuation of the side-track rail, and a spring-rail movable independently of the frog and arranged to form a continuation of the leading-in rail, substantially as described.

The combination, with the main rail, of a movable frog consistin of two sections pivoted together and arranged one side of the main rail, and a spring-rail movable independently of the frog arranged at the other sideof the main rail, and connecting-rods for the frog and springrail, the said rods being secured to the opposite sides of the operatingwheel, substantially as described.

1;. The combinai ion, with the movable frog consisting of two sections, one forming a continuation of the side-track rail and having a flange overlapping the main rail, the other section forminga guard-rail for the frog and having a flange overlapping the main rail, of a spring-rail forming a continuation of the leading-in rail, and connections with the frograil and spring-rail for moving them simultaneously, substantially as described.

15. The combination, with a continuous main-line rail, of a movable frog forminga continuation of the side-track rail and hav ing a portion overlapping the main rail and a spring-rail movable independently of the frog constructed to meet the overlapping portion of the frog and constituting therewith a practically continuous side-track rail over the main rail, substantially as described.

16. The combination, with the movablefrogsection having a pointed ilange overlapping the main-track rail, of a spring-rail arranged to complete the leading-in rail and protect said flange-point, substantially as described.

l7. The combination, with a switch-staml ITO connected to operate the switch-points upon a quarteriurn, of a movable frog and guard rail pivoted at two points upon the same side of the main rail, and 0 eratiug-wl1ee1 e011- neeted to opemre both u pen. a quarter-turn, and connecting-rods between the operatingwheelv and switch-stand, whereby the wheel is operated. by :1 direct pull in either direction, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name IO to this specification in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses. v

CHARLES B. PRICE.

W itneses:

E. 1%. BATES, A. II. KELLoee.

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