US759634A - Railway switch-stand operating point-locks and distant signals. - Google Patents

Railway switch-stand operating point-locks and distant signals. Download PDF

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Publication number
US759634A
US759634A US12012902A US1902120129A US759634A US 759634 A US759634 A US 759634A US 12012902 A US12012902 A US 12012902A US 1902120129 A US1902120129 A US 1902120129A US 759634 A US759634 A US 759634A
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bar
switch
signal
lever
stand
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US12012902A
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Eugene M Robinson
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61RAILWAYS
    • B61LGUIDING RAILWAY TRAFFIC; ENSURING THE SAFETY OF RAILWAY TRAFFIC
    • B61L5/00Local operating mechanisms for points or track-mounted scotch-blocks; Visible or audible signals; Local operating mechanisms for visible or audible signals
    • B61L5/02Mechanical devices for operating points or scotch-blocks, e.g. local manual control

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  • My invention relates to switch-stands used upon railways to control and lock an adjacent switch and substantially at the same time to set a distant signal to-indicate the condition of said switch.
  • the object of my invention is to provide such mechanism which can be economically applied to any one of the several general forms of switch-stands now in use, which shall positively set at danger a distant sig- 112.1 before it is possible to disturb the setting of the switch-point in any way, and which will effectually lock the signal at danger until such time as the switch has been returned absolutely to its proper position for safety and then turn the signal to indicate safety.
  • Another object of my invention is to pro- Vide an automatic mechanism by which when the switch is set at safety and is accidentally run through or otherwise accidentally broken such accidental breaking will cause the signal to indicate danger.
  • My invention also consists in mechanism whereby when it is desired to repeatedly and continuously switch back and forth from a main track to asiding controlled by the switch, as in case of making up or distributing cars from a freight-train, it is possible to set the signal at danger and keep it there until such switching is completed, thereby protecting the switching-train, though the switch may in the meantime be repeatedly set back to safety or main-line position for the switching of cars, as above indicated.
  • My invention consists in mechanism capable of accomplishing the above objects which can be easily and cheaply constructed, which shall be of neat and compact form, eflicient in operation, and not liable to get out of order.
  • Figure 1 indicates a side view of mechanism embodying my invention, showing the switch-lever depressed to and locked in the position in which the switch is set for safety, usually the main line of the railroad at the point where the siding is attached.
  • Fig. 2 is the same view showing the lever-handle and attached parts moved to the position where the distant signal has been set for danger and before the handle has been turned to move the switch-point itself.
  • Fig. 3 is an end View of the mechanism-shown in Fig. 1, showing the method of connecting the switch-rod and locking-bar to the rail.
  • Fig. 4 is another end view of the parts as shown in Fig. 2, the handle being cut off close to the switch-stand.
  • Fig. 5 is a plan view of the rail, (appearing at the left of Fig.
  • FIG. 6 is a plan sectional view taken on line 6 of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 7 is practically the same view with certain portions broken away so as to show details of the signal-bar to be hereinafter described.
  • nFig. 8 is a side elevation of this signal-bar in its normal position.
  • Fig. 9 is a plan view taken on the same line as Fig. 7 showing' the'si'gnal-bar in the position which it assumes after the switch has been accidentally run through.
  • Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the lockingbar.
  • Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the compound signal-bar.
  • Fig. 12 is a plan detail view of the switch-stand in the position when the handle is lifted.
  • Fig. '13 is a detail plan view of the table of the switch-stand.
  • Fig. 14 is a sectional detail view on line 14 of Fig. 2.
  • Figs. 15 and 16 are detail views taken, respectively, on lines 15 and 16 of Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 17 is a detail view of the block, showingi tfin a position for assembling, but not 'in' a'position which it assumes in the operation of the mechanism.
  • a switchstand frame 27 made, preferably, of cast-iron.
  • This frame is preferably made, as shown in Fig. 1, withtwo portions on either side of the center exactly similar, so that it may be used, by boring necessary holes in the casting, either for a right or a left hand stand.
  • a lever-arm 30 J ournaled in a bolt 29, inserted in this frame, is a lever-arm 30, having its opposite ends connected by cables or chains 31 and 32 to a distant signal (not shown in the drawings) adapted to show danger or safety to the engineer of the approaching train; Connected to this lever by means of a bolt 34 passing through a slot 35 in its end is a signal-bar 36, adapted to slide back and forth across the stand, and being held in position by guides 37, cut or cast in the frame 27.
  • a bell-crank 41 On the bolt passing through the frame is a bell-crank 41, having one arm 42 engaging with the signalbar 36, connection being made by means of a pin 44 on the end of bell-crank 41 and adapted to slide up and down across the signal-bar 36 between the lugs 45 and 46, the end of the pin entering the slot 43 in the. bar.
  • a connectingrod 49 Connected to the other arm 47, of the bellcrank 41 by means of a pin 48 is a connectingrod 49.
  • This rod is connected at its upper end to a stud 50 on theblock 52, which is piv otally connected to the table by means of a stud 53, journaled in a lug 54 on the table.
  • This block has rigidly extending from it an upper finger 57 and has journaledin it a shaft 58, carrying on its lower end anotherfinger 59, somewhat shorter than the upper finger,
  • This shaft 58 has on its upper end a nut 61, adapted to fit againsta lug 62 on the side of the block 52.
  • This block 52 is so shaped, as shown in Fig. '12, that it serves as a lock to. hold the shaft 58 and finger 59 rigid with it in a fixed desired posi tion, as shown in Fig. 16. By taking hold of handle integral withnut 61 and lifting it up until the nut clears the lug 62 the nut, the shaft 58, andfinger 57, attached toit, may
  • nal-target 71 adapted to show the condition
  • switch-rail 7 6 Rigid with the lower end of the mast is a crank-arm 72, connected to the usual switch-rod 73, which is in turn secured to the head-rod 74, fastened by lugs to switch-rail 7 6 to be moved backward and forward against the main rail 77.
  • lever-arm7 8 Rigidly secured to the rod or mast 70 is the usual lever-arm7 8, having pivoted to it on the bolt a lever-handle 81, adapted to drop down 'il'liiO notches 82, 83, and 84 of the switch-stand table, thereby securing itself and the apparatus attached to it in a fixed position.
  • This lever has preferably the angular bend 64, so as to afford a good leverage to a man bearing vertically down on it as it reaches a vertical position, where the leverage would be normally short.
  • this lever may be locked, if desired, by a pad-lock 86, passing through a hole 87 in the end of the lever which extends outside of the weather-protecting hood 88.
  • the edge of the hood acts as a bearing-point for the lock and the lever cannot be raised when the lock is inserted.
  • Thelock is for convenience attached to the stand by chain 89.
  • Thehand-lever 81 just described is adapted to fit in the block 52 between fingers 57 and 59, there being so little play that the finger 59 cannot be turned-while the lever-handle is between them-in other words, so that it cannot be turned when the signal is locked at safety.
  • the axis of the bolt 80, on which the hand-lever 81 is pivoted, is, as shown in. Fig. 14, in substantially an exact line with the center of the stud 53, on which the block 52 is pivoted, so that when the hand-lever 81 is moved around to engage the notch 82 and the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig. 14 the hand-lever 81 will be between fingers 5.7 and 59, as shown in- Figs. 4 and 16.
  • either bar When these slots are in register with each other, either bar may be moved freely. This situation occurs when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When one bar is moved out of this position, it slides through the notch of the opposite bar, so that the edges of the notch in the opposite bar now bear against the solid parts of the first bar, thereby locking the op posite bar and attached parts rigidly in position; but if the opposite bar referred to be moved first through the first bar then the first bar and attached parts will be locked in the same manner. .For instance, in Fig. 7 the locking-bar 97,is locked against the signal-bar 36.
  • this switch-point moves the locking-bar 97 through notch 93 in signal-bar 36, and this motion progresses sufficiently before the handle 81 is entirely clear of finger 57, so that the signalbar 36 is now locked by locking-bar 97 in the manner heretofore described, thereby preventing the moving of the signal until such time as lever-handle 81 is again returned to the position shown in Fig. 16 between the fingers 57 and 59. I now continue to move lever-handle81 entirely clear of finger 59 and around until it is opposite notch 83, then drop it into said notch. This motion has moved the switch-point to the desired position for the use of the siding.
  • the switch When it is set for the main track, the signal will be held up by the friction of the signalropes and counterweight, as just described; but if the block 52 should drop and move the signal it would not make any difference, for, as just indicated, the switch is at safety position.
  • the bandle 65 is so located that when the block 52 is up it engages the padlock-hole on the end of the lever-handle 81 and prevents the insertion of the lock. (See Fig. 12.) This blocking of the padlock-hole is also assisted by the finger 57 when in the position shown in Fig. 12.
  • the signal-bar 36 is a plane iron or steel bar of the same general form as the locking-bar shown in Fig. 10; but as I desire to provide a mechanism for causing the signal to indicate danger in case the switch is run through by a train or otherwise forcibly broken and rendered unsafe for the passage of trains on the main track I provide a peculiarly-constructed signal-bar capable of causing the signal to work.
  • This modified form of bar is fully illustrated in detail in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 11. It consists practically ina toggle-joint or of two end portions 101 and 102, adapted to be always in line with each other and slide through the frame of the switch-stand on the guides heretofore described.
  • Pivoted to end 101 just described is an annular piece 106, having its angular arm 107 of the same length as and pivoted to arm 108 of the bell-crank 104 at 109.
  • the arm 110 of bell-crank 104 and the straight portion of angular piece 106 overlap each other when in normal position, as shown in Figs. 7 and 11, and are fastened together by a breakable pin 112.
  • This pin is preferably made of a size or substance of sufficient strength so that when the bar is subjected only to strain lengthwise, as in the setting of the signals by hand, the bar will act as an ordinary rigid bar would; but when it is subjected to severe transverse strain the pin will be broken and allow the apparatus to assume the position shown in Fig. 9.
  • the lever 30 and all signal mechanism may be entirely omitted and the device used as an ordinary switch-stand, the lockingbar and signal-bar combining, as heretofore described, to prevent the stands being locked until the switch is closed tight.
  • a switch-lever handle adapted to operate a distant signal and adapted to be moved backward and forward by said switch-lever, mechanism connecting said lever to the switch-point and a lockingbar and signal-bar each bar passing through a notch in the opposite bar whereby when said bars are in such a position that the said notches are in register with each other either of said bars may be moved and when one is moved from said position it looks the other bar.
  • a switch-lever handle adapted when moved lengthwise to set a distant signal and adapted to be so moved by said switch-lever
  • mechanism connecting said lever to the switch-point a locking-bar operated by the switch-point, said locking-bar and said signal-bar each passing through a notch in the opposite bar whereby when said bars are in such a position that said notches are in register with each other either of said bars may be moved, and when one of said bars is moved from said position it locks the other bar
  • mechanism composing said compound signal-bar normally held together by a breakable connection, adapted when broken by strain on the locking-bar to cause the distant signal to be set to danger.
  • a mast having operative connection with the switchpoint, a locking-bar rigidly secured to the switch point and extending through the switch-stand, a signal-bar adapted to set a distant signal and extending through the switch-stand and through a notch in said bar and having a notch within itself throughwhich the locking-bar passes, said notches being so arranged thatwhen they are in such a position that the notches are in register with each other either bar may be moved and when one bar is moved from said position it locks the other bar, a lever-handle adapted to move said mast on its axis and also adapted to move in the plane of the axis of said mast, mechanism detachably connecting said signal-bar to said lever-handle so that said lever-handle may be moved in a circle around said mast without operating the signal-bar and so that when the lever-handle is brought in contact with said mechanism and moved in the plane of the axis of the mast it does move the signal-bar.
  • a mast or shaft having operative connection with the switch-point, a locking-bar operated by the switch point and extending through the switch-stand, a lever-arm rigidly secured to said mast or shaft and adapted to move in a horizontal plane .to move said mast, a leverhandle attached to said lever-arm adapted to move up and down, a signal-bar adapted to set a distant signal, and adapted to slide through said stand across said locking-bar, there being a notch in each of said bars whereby they fit over each other and when they are in such a position that the notches are in register with each other either of the bars may be moved, and when one of said bars is moved from said position it locks the other bar, and mechanism adapted to detachably connect said signal-bar to said lever-handle so that by moving said lever-handle up and down it may move the signal-bar.
  • a mast having operative connection with the switchpoint, a locking-bar rigidly secured to the switch point and extending through the switch-stand, a signal-bar adapted to operate a distant signal and extending through the switch-stand and through a notch in said locking-bar and having a notch within itself through which the locking-bar passes, said notches being so arranged that when they are in such a position that the notches are in register with each other either of the bars may be moved and when one bar is moved it looks the other bar, a lever-handle, bent outward in the plane of the axis of the mast so as to afford additional leverage on being depressed, adapted to move said mast on its axis and also adapted to move in the plane of the axis of said mast, mechanism detachably connecting said signal-bar to said lever-handle so that said lever-handle may be moved in a circle around said mast without operating the signal-bar and so that when the lever-handle is brought in contact with
  • a signal-bar made up of two end portions, a bellcrank pivoted to one end portion, an angular portion having one end connected to the other end portion, a pivot connecting one arm of said bell-crank and the angular end of the angular portion,-a breakable plug or pin normally connecting the other arm of said bellcrank and the main portion of said angular piece together, whereby when the said bar is broken by transverse strain and one of said end portions is rigidly secured in position, said bell-crank will move the other end portion, substantially as described.
  • a block 52 adapted to be pivotally connected to the switch-stand and to be connected to the signal mechanism, a finger 57 extending from said block, a shaft 58 through said block 52 having a finger 59 on its end, a nut 61 on said shaft having a handle 65 adapted to assist in the turning said shaft, a lug 62 on the block adapted to lock the shaft in normal position and also in position when the finger 59 has been turned out of the plane of finger 57.

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Description

' No. 759,634. PATBNTED MAY 10, 1904.
E.'M. ROBINSON.
RAILWAY SWITCH STAND OPERATING POINT LOOKS AND DISTANT SIGNALS.
APPLICATION FILED AUG. 18, 1902.
NO MODEL. 6 SHEBTSSHEET 1.
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65665" I jzymiarx PATENTED MAY 10, 1904.
E. M. ROBINSON.
RAILWAY SWITCH STAND OPERATING POINT LOCKS AND DISTANT SIGNALS.
= 0N FILED AUG. B, 1902- 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.
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No. 759,634. PATENTED MAY 10', 1904.
E. M. ROBINSON.
RAILWAY SWITCH STAND OPERATING POINT LOCKS AND DISTANT SIGNALS.
APPLICATION FILED AUG. 18, 1902. H0 MODEL. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 3 No; 759,634.' PATENTED- MAY 10, 1904.
' E. M. ROBINSON.
RAILWAY SWITCH STAND OPERATING POINT LOOKS AND DISTANT SIGNALS.
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1 RAILWAY SWITCH STAND OPERATING POINT LOOKS AND DISTANT'SIGNALS. 7
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UNITED STATES Iatented May 10, 1904.
PATENT OFFICE.
RAILWAY SWITCH-STAND OPERATING POINT-LOCKS AND DISTANT SIGNALS.
SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 759,634, dated May 10, 1904.
Application filed August 18, 1902. Serial No. 120,129. (No model.)
To all whom it may concern.-
Be it known that I, EUGENE M. ROBINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Railway Switch-Stand Operating a Point-Lock and Distant Signal, of which the following is a specification in its best form known to me, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which similar numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views.
My invention relates to switch-stands used upon railways to control and lock an adjacent switch and substantially at the same time to set a distant signal to-indicate the condition of said switch. 1
- The object of my invention is to provide such mechanism which can be economically applied to any one of the several general forms of switch-stands now in use, which shall positively set at danger a distant sig- 112.1 before it is possible to disturb the setting of the switch-point in any way, and which will effectually lock the signal at danger until such time as the switch has been returned absolutely to its proper position for safety and then turn the signal to indicate safety.
Another object of my invention is to pro- Vide an automatic mechanism by which when the switch is set at safety and is accidentally run through or otherwise accidentally broken such accidental breaking will cause the signal to indicate danger.
My invention also consists in mechanism whereby when it is desired to repeatedly and continuously switch back and forth from a main track to asiding controlled by the switch, as in case of making up or distributing cars from a freight-train, it is possible to set the signal at danger and keep it there until such switching is completed, thereby protecting the switching-train, though the switch may in the meantime be repeatedly set back to safety or main-line position for the switching of cars, as above indicated.
My invention consists in mechanism capable of accomplishing the above objects which can be easily and cheaply constructed, which shall be of neat and compact form, eflicient in operation, and not liable to get out of order.
It also consists in many details of construction hereinafter more fully described and claimed.
In the drawings, Figure 1 indicates a side view of mechanism embodying my invention, showing the switch-lever depressed to and locked in the position in which the switch is set for safety, usually the main line of the railroad at the point where the siding is attached. Fig. 2 is the same view showing the lever-handle and attached parts moved to the position where the distant signal has been set for danger and before the handle has been turned to move the switch-point itself. Fig. 3 is an end View of the mechanism-shown in Fig. 1, showing the method of connecting the switch-rod and locking-bar to the rail. Fig. 4 is another end view of the parts as shown in Fig. 2, the handle being cut off close to the switch-stand. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the rail, (appearing at the left of Fig. 5,) showing the method of attaching the connected rod of the locking-bar to the rail. Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view taken on line 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is practically the same view with certain portions broken away so as to show details of the signal-bar to be hereinafter described. nFig. 8 is a side elevation of this signal-bar in its normal position. Fig. 9 is a plan view taken on the same line as Fig. 7 showing' the'si'gnal-bar in the position which it assumes after the switch has been accidentally run through. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the lockingbar. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the compound signal-bar. Fig. 12 is a plan detail view of the switch-stand in the position when the handle is lifted. Fig. '13 is a detail plan view of the table of the switch-stand. Fig. 14 is a sectional detail view on line 14 of Fig. 2. Figs. 15 and 16 are detail views taken, respectively, on lines 15 and 16 of Fig. 1. Fig. 17 is a detail view of the block, showingi tfin a position for assembling, but not 'in' a'position which it assumes in the operation of the mechanism.
Rigidly secured to the railroad- ties 25 and 26 or other suitable foundation is a switchstand frame 27, made, preferably, of cast-iron. This frame is preferably made, as shown in Fig. 1, withtwo portions on either side of the center exactly similar, so that it may be used, by boring necessary holes in the casting, either for a right or a left hand stand. J ournaled in a bolt 29, inserted in this frame, is a lever-arm 30, having its opposite ends connected by cables or chains 31 and 32 to a distant signal (not shown in the drawings) adapted to show danger or safety to the engineer of the approaching train; Connected to this lever by means of a bolt 34 passing through a slot 35 in its end is a signal-bar 36, adapted to slide back and forth across the stand, and being held in position by guides 37, cut or cast in the frame 27. On the bolt passing through the frame is a bell-crank 41, having one arm 42 engaging with the signalbar 36, connection being made by means of a pin 44 on the end of bell-crank 41 and adapted to slide up and down across the signal-bar 36 between the lugs 45 and 46, the end of the pin entering the slot 43 in the. bar. Connected to the other arm 47, of the bellcrank 41 by means of a pin 48 is a connectingrod 49. This rod is connected at its upper end to a stud 50 on theblock 52, which is piv otally connected to the table by means of a stud 53, journaled in a lug 54 on the table. This block has rigidly extending from it an upper finger 57 and has journaledin it a shaft 58, carrying on its lower end anotherfinger 59, somewhat shorter than the upper finger,
as appears in Fig. 16. v This shaft 58 has on its upper end a nut 61, adapted to fit againsta lug 62 on the side of the block 52. This block 52 is so shaped, as shown in Fig. '12, that it serves as a lock to. hold the shaft 58 and finger 59 rigid with it in a fixed desired posi tion, as shown in Fig. 16. By taking hold of handle integral withnut 61 and lifting it up until the nut clears the lug 62 the nut, the shaft 58, andfinger 57, attached toit, may
be turned through ninety degrees and nut 61,
nal-target 71, adapted to show the condition,
of. the switch. Rigid with the lower end of the mast is a crank-arm 72, connected to the usual switch-rod 73, which is in turn secured to the head-rod 74, fastened by lugs to switch-rail 7 6 to be moved backward and forward against the main rail 77.
Rigidly secured to the rod or mast 70 is the usual lever-arm7 8, having pivoted to it on the bolt a lever-handle 81, adapted to drop down ' il'liiO notches 82, 83, and 84 of the switch-stand table, thereby securing itself and the apparatus attached to it in a fixed position. This lever has preferably the angular bend 64, so as to afford a good leverage to a man bearing vertically down on it as it reaches a vertical position, where the leverage would be normally short. As is usual in switchstands, this lever may be locked, if desired, by a pad-lock 86, passing through a hole 87 in the end of the lever which extends outside of the weather-protecting hood 88. When the lever is dropped so the switch is closed, the edge of the hood acts as a bearing-point for the lock and the lever cannot be raised when the lock is inserted. Thelock is for convenience attached to the stand by chain 89. By lifting the handle 81 to a horizontal position and moving it round a semicircle at the top of the table and allowing it to drop into the desired notches 82 and, 83 (or 83 and 84 if the stand is oppositely connected. from the Way shown in the drawings) the switch is moved to the desired position and locked there in the manner long used in such apparatus.
Thehand-lever 81 just described is adapted to fit in the block 52 between fingers 57 and 59, there being so little play that the finger 59 cannot be turned-while the lever-handle is between them-in other words, so that it cannot be turned when the signal is locked at safety. The axis of the bolt 80, on which the hand-lever 81 is pivoted, is, as shown in. Fig. 14, in substantially an exact line with the center of the stud 53, on which the block 52 is pivoted, so that when the hand-lever 81 is moved around to engage the notch 82 and the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig. 14 the hand-lever 81 will be between fingers 5.7 and 59, as shown in- Figs. 4 and 16. .When the hand-lever 81 ismoved in a vertical plane about its axis 80, it will move block 52 about its axis 53, thereby, raising or lowering rod 49 and moving bell-crank 50, and consequently signal-rod 36, signal-lever 30, and signal- cables 31 and 32, thus setting the signals. Rigidly secured to the switch-point 76 by means of a lug 94 and bolt 95 is a locking-bar 97, adapted to slide through the stand-frame in suitable guides andthrough a notch 93 cut in the signal-bar 36., Thislocking-bar 97 has cut in it a notch 98, through which the signal-bar 36 is adapted to slide. When these slots are in register with each other, either bar may be moved freely. This situation occurs when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When one bar is moved out of this position, it slides through the notch of the opposite bar, so that the edges of the notch in the opposite bar now bear against the solid parts of the first bar, thereby locking the op posite bar and attached parts rigidly in position; but if the opposite bar referred to be moved first through the first bar then the first bar and attached parts will be locked in the same manner. .For instance, in Fig. 7 the locking-bar 97,is locked against the signal-bar 36. The great advantage of making the locking-bar 96 separate from head-rod 73 and atso that trains can pass on the main line the parts of the stand are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the switch-point of the main rail being against the main track or stock-rail. In this position signal-bar 36 is, as shown in Fig. 7, free to slide through notch 98 on locking-bar 97, and locking-bar 97 is locked in the manner heretofore described by the signal-bar 36, the notches on the two bars not being in register. handle 81 to the position shown in Fig. 2. This moves signal-bar 36 through notch 98 in locking-bar 97, and thus in the manner heretofore described sets the distant signal to danger. When the parts have assumed the position shown in Fig. 2, the notches 93 and 98 are in register with each other and either bar can be moved. With the parts in this position I now take hold of lever-handle 81 and move it along the top of table 55 in the manner heretofore described toward notch 83. As this motion begins the handle 81 starts to move out from its position shown in Fig. 16 between fingers 57 and 59 of the block 52. The turning of this lever handle 81 in the horizontal plane turns the mast 70 and crank 72, and consequently moves head-rod 73, thereby moving switch point 76 away from the main rail. The movement of this switch-point moves the locking-bar 97 through notch 93 in signal-bar 36, and this motion progresses sufficiently before the handle 81 is entirely clear of finger 57, so that the signalbar 36 is now locked by locking-bar 97 in the manner heretofore described, thereby preventing the moving of the signal until such time as lever-handle 81 is again returned to the position shown in Fig. 16 between the fingers 57 and 59. I now continue to move lever-handle81 entirely clear of finger 59 and around until it is opposite notch 83, then drop it into said notch. This motion has moved the switch-point to the desired position for the use of the siding. When now it is desired to reset the switch to main line, I unlock the lever-handle 81 and raise it out of notch 83 to the horizontal position and then move it horizontally in acircle toward notch 82. As it approaches that position the handle again passes into fingers 57 and 59 to the position shown in Figs. 16 and 2. In this position the notches of the locking-bar 97 and the signalbar 36 are in register with each other, and
I remove lock 86 and lift the lever-- either bar can be moved. In other words, the distant signal is now unlocked. I now start to depress the handle 81, and as soon as this motion begins the signal-bar 36 is moved through notch 98 in the locking-bar 97 a sufficient distance so that the locking-bar, and consequently the switch point, is rigidly locked in position. I continue to depress the handle until it reaches the position of Fig. 1, thereby completing the setting of the signal to safety. I now replace the padlock. From the foregoing it appears that it is impossible to move the switch-point until the distant signal has been completely set to danger and that it is impossible to reset the signal for safety while the switch-point is the least bit open. If it is now desired to do repeated switching from the main track to the siding, I first unlock the lever-handle 81 and raise it to the position of Fig. 2, as described in the last paragraph, and move it out from between fingers 57 and 59. I now take hold of handle and turn finger 59 through ninety degrees from its original position, as heretofore described, so that it is entirely out of the way of lever-handle 81. As the signal is usually counterweighted to make it normally show danger and as the friction of the chains or cables 31 and 32 running some hundreds of feet away to the distant signal is very great, the block 52 will remain up in a position as shown in Fig. 2, and the signal will remain at danger in the absence of mechanical power to move it, and as finger 59 has been turned out of the way of lever-handle 81 there is no mechanical power to move the signal. Accordingly I can move the lever-handle 81 back and forth between notches 82 and 83, letting said handle drop into said notches as I like, thereby setting the switch successively to main track or siding without disturbing the distant signal. Whenever the handle is moved so that the switch is set for siding, the distant signal will of course be mechanically locked, as heretofore described. When it is set for the main track, the signal will be held up by the friction of the signalropes and counterweight, as just described; but if the block 52 should drop and move the signal it would not make any difference, for, as just indicated, the switch is at safety position. When now the switching of making or distributing a train is completed and it is desired to pass on and leave the switch clear for a through train, I raise the handle 81 in contact with finger 57 and move it hori- Zontally, so that I can restore finger 59 to its original position, as shown in Fig. 16. I then depress handle 81 into the notch 82 and lock it in position. This motion sets the distant signal to safety in the manner heretofore described. In order to prevent the switchmans locking the switch when finger 59 is turned and the signal is at danger, the bandle 65 is so located that when the block 52 is up it engages the padlock-hole on the end of the lever-handle 81 and prevents the insertion of the lock. (See Fig. 12.) This blocking of the padlock-hole is also assisted by the finger 57 when in the position shown in Fig. 12.
For the purposes of the foregoing it has been assumed that the signal-bar 36 is a plane iron or steel bar of the same general form as the locking-bar shown in Fig. 10; but as I desire to provide a mechanism for causing the signal to indicate danger in case the switch is run through by a train or otherwise forcibly broken and rendered unsafe for the passage of trains on the main track I provide a peculiarly-constructed signal-bar capable of causing the signal to work. This modified form of bar is fully illustrated in detail in Figs. 7, 8, 9, and 11. It consists practically ina toggle-joint or of two end portions 101 and 102, adapted to be always in line with each other and slide through the frame of the switch-stand on the guides heretofore described. Pivoted to end 101 just described is an annular piece 106, having its angular arm 107 of the same length as and pivoted to arm 108 of the bell-crank 104 at 109. The arm 110 of bell-crank 104 and the straight portion of angular piece 106 overlap each other when in normal position, as shown in Figs. 7 and 11, and are fastened together by a breakable pin 112. This pin is preferably made of a size or substance of sufficient strength so that when the bar is subjected only to strain lengthwise, as in the setting of the signals by hand, the bar will act as an ordinary rigid bar would; but when it is subjected to severe transverse strain the pin will be broken and allow the apparatus to assume the position shown in Fig. 9. In the operation of this modified structure the apparatus is of course set in position, as shown in Fig. 1, with the main track clear. Consequently the end 102 of the signal-bar 36 is securely held in position by the pin 44 in the end of the arm 42 of bellcrank 41. Assumingnow that the train runs through the switch and forces it out of said position, this moves the switch-point 96 violently away from its normal position, thereby simultaneously moving the locking-bar 97. This sudden movement of the locking-bar 97 causes the edge of its notch 98 to exert a severe strain transversely to signal-bar 36, and assuming that this strain is sufficient to break pin 112 locking-bar 97 moves the bell-crank 104 from position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 9. As the end 101 of the signal-bar is held stationary, the movement of the appa- If desired, the lever 30 and all signal mechanism may be entirely omitted and the device used as an ordinary switch-stand, the lockingbar and signal-bar combining, as heretofore described, to prevent the stands being locked until the switch is closed tight.
I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact details of construction, which may be varied within reasonable limits without departing from the spirit of my invention.
I have another application, Serial No. 202,594, filed April 11, 1904, for a modified structure containing claims involving the use of a locking-bar attached to the switch-point, in combination with an independent signal operating lever, which does not operate the locking-bar, these elements, in combination with each other, and with or without other elements, and I hereby reserve for said application all such features now claimed in the new application, Whether they might or might not have been claimed in this application.
Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and for which I desire to obtain Letters Patent, is-
1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a switch-lever handle, mechanism by which said lever-handle is adapted to operate the switch-point, mechanism by which said lever is adapted to operate a distant signal and a locking-bar moving with the switch-point engaging said signal mechanism in such a way that said lever can only move one of said mechanisms at one time.
2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a switch-lever handle, mechanism by which said lever is adapted to operate a switch-point, mechanism by which said lever is adapted to operate a distant signal, engaging said switch-operating mechanism in such a way that only one of said mechanisms can be moved at a time, and mechanism within said signal mechanism so operatable by the switch mechanism that when said switch is run through, the distant signal will be caused to indicate danger.
3. In apparatus of the class described the combination of a switch-lever handle, a bar adapted to be moved backward and forward by said switch-lever, mechanism connecting said lever to the switch-point, a locking-bar rigidly connected to the switch-point, the said locking-bar and first-mentioned bar each passing through a notch in the opposite bar, whereby when said bars are in such a position that the notches are in register with each other either of the said bars may be moved and when one of said bars has been moved from said position it locks the other bar.
4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a switch-lever handle, a signal-bar adapted to operate a distant signal and adapted to be moved backward and forward by said switch-lever, mechanism connecting said lever to the switch-point and a lockingbar and signal-bar each bar passing through a notch in the opposite bar whereby when said bars are in such a position that the said notches are in register with each other either of said bars may be moved and when one is moved from said position it looks the other bar.
5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a switch-lever handle, a compound signal-bar adapted when moved lengthwise to set a distant signal and adapted to be so moved by said switch-lever, mechanism connecting said lever to the switch-point, a locking-bar operated by the switch-point, said locking-bar and said signal-bar each passing through a notch in the opposite bar whereby when said bars are in such a position that said notches are in register with each other either of said bars may be moved, and when one of said bars is moved from said position it locks the other bar, and mechanism composing said compound signal-bar, normally held together by a breakable connection, adapted when broken by strain on the locking-bar to cause the distant signal to be set to danger.
6. In apparatus of the class described in combination with a switch-stand, a mast having operative connection with the switchpoint, a locking-bar rigidly secured to the switch point and extending through the switch-stand, a signal-bar adapted to set a distant signal and extending through the switch-stand and through a notch in said bar and having a notch within itself throughwhich the locking-bar passes, said notches being so arranged thatwhen they are in such a position that the notches are in register with each other either bar may be moved and when one bar is moved from said position it locks the other bar, a lever-handle adapted to move said mast on its axis and also adapted to move in the plane of the axis of said mast, mechanism detachably connecting said signal-bar to said lever-handle so that said lever-handle may be moved in a circle around said mast without operating the signal-bar and so that when the lever-handle is brought in contact with said mechanism and moved in the plane of the axis of the mast it does move the signal-bar.
7 In apparatus of the class described, in combination with the switch-stand, a mast or shaft having operative connection with the switch-point, a locking-bar operated by the switch point and extending through the switch-stand, a lever-arm rigidly secured to said mast or shaft and adapted to move in a horizontal plane .to move said mast, a leverhandle attached to said lever-arm adapted to move up and down, a signal-bar adapted to set a distant signal, and adapted to slide through said stand across said locking-bar, there being a notch in each of said bars whereby they fit over each other and when they are in such a position that the notches are in register with each other either of the bars may be moved, and when one of said bars is moved from said position it locks the other bar, and mechanism adapted to detachably connect said signal-bar to said lever-handle so that by moving said lever-handle up and down it may move the signal-bar.
8. In apparatus of the class described in combination with the switch-stand, a mast having operative connection with the switchpoint, a locking-bar rigidly secured to the switch point and extending through the switch-stand, a signal-bar adapted to operate a distant signal and extending through the switch-stand and through a notch in said locking-bar and having a notch within itself through which the locking-bar passes, said notches being so arranged that when they are in such a position that the notches are in register with each other either of the bars may be moved and when one bar is moved it looks the other bar, a lever-handle, bent outward in the plane of the axis of the mast so as to afford additional leverage on being depressed, adapted to move said mast on its axis and also adapted to move in the plane of the axis of said mast, mechanism detachably connecting said signal-bar to said lever-handle so that said lever-handle may be moved in a circle around said mast without operating the signal-bar and so that when the lever-handle is brought in contact with said mechanism and moved in the plane of the axis of the mast it does move the signal-bar.
9. In apparatus of the class described the combination of a vertical switch-stand, a vertical mast mounted therein having operative connection with the switch-point, a lockingbar passing through the stand operatedby the switch-point having a notch therein through which a signal-bar is adapted to move, a signal-bar mounted in the stand passing through said notch of said locking-bar and having a notch in itself through which said locking-bar is adapted to pass, mechanism for connecting said signal-bar to a distant signal, a bell-crank pivoted to the stand having one arm engaging said signal-bar and having its other arm connected by a connecting-rod to a block pivoted to the stand, a lever-handle adapted to move the mast on its axis and also adapted to detachably engage said block so that when the lever is in engagement with the block and is moved up and down the signal will be operated and when the lever is moved in a horizontal plane the signal will remain at rest.
10. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a vertical switch-stand, a vertical mast mounted therein having operative connection with the switch-point, a lockingbar passing through the stand operated by the switch point having a notch therein through which a signal-bar is adapted to move, a signal-bar mounted in the stand passing through said notch in said locking-bar and having a notch in itself through which said locking-bar is adapted to pass, mechanism for connecting said signal-bar to a distant signal, a bell-crank pivoted to the stand having one arm engaging said signal-bar and having its other arm connected by a connecting-rod to a block pivoted to the stand, a lever rigidly connected to the mast and a lever-handle connected to said lever and adapted to detachably engage said block so that when the lever-handle is in engagement with the block and is moved up and down, the signal will be operated and when the lever is moved in a horizontal plane the signal will remain at rest, all the parts being arranged and disposed substantially as shown and described for the purposes set forth.
11. Inapparatus of the class described, a signal-bar made up of two end portions, a bellcrank pivoted to one end portion, an angular portion having one end connected to the other end portion, a pivot connecting one arm of said bell-crank and the angular end of the angular portion,-a breakable plug or pin normally connecting the other arm of said bellcrank and the main portion of said angular piece together, whereby when the said bar is broken by transverse strain and one of said end portions is rigidly secured in position, said bell-crank will move the other end portion, substantially as described.
12. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of the frame of the switch-stand, a block pivoted to the stand adapted to operate the signal mechanism, a lever adapted to move in one plane to operate the switch-point and adapted to detachably engage said block and when so engaging it to move in another plane to move said block about its pivotal point.
13. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of the frame of the switch-stand, a block pivoted to the stand adapted to operate the signal mechanism, one or more fingers extending from said block adapted to afl'ord detachable engagement with a lever-handle and said lever-handle adapted to move in one plane to operate the switch and adapted when in engagement with the fingers of said block to move in a different plane to move said block about its pivotal point. p
14:. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of the frame of the switch-stand, a block 52 pivoted to the stand adapted to operate the signal mechanism, having a finger 57 rigidly extending from it, and a finger 59 pivotally mounted on it in such a way that it can be turned out of the plane of said finger 57 and locked in that position.
15. In apparatus of the class described the combination of a block 52 adapted to be pivotally connected to the switch-stand and to be connected to the signal mechanism, a finger 57 extending from said block, a shaft 58 through said block 52 having a finger 59 on its end, a nut 61 on said shaft having a handle 65 adapted to assist in the turning said shaft, a lug 62 on the block adapted to lock the shaft in normal position and also in position when the finger 59 has been turned out of the plane of finger 57.
16. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of the frame of the stand, mechanism adapted to operate the switch-point, mechanism adapted to operate the signal mech anism, mechanism for padlocking the switchstand when the switch-point and the signals are at safety and mechanism adapted to prevent such padlocking at any time except when both the signal mechanism and the switch-point are at safety.
17. In mechanism of the class described, the combination of the frame of the stand, a lever adapted to operate the switch-point, and to independently operate the signal mechanism and to be padlocked when the switch-point and signals are at safety, mechanism for detaching said lever from the signal mechanism whereby said lever may be moved independently of the signal to set the switch-point at either .danger or safety and mechanism which, irrespective of the condition of the switch-point, prevents the padlocking of said lever when it is disconnected from the signal mechanism.
EUGENE M. ROBINSON.
Witnesses:
BLANCHE L. Wnsr, DWIGHT B. OHEEVER.
US12012902A 1902-08-18 1902-08-18 Railway switch-stand operating point-locks and distant signals. Expired - Lifetime US759634A (en)

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