US297885A - Interlocking-machine for signals and switches on railroads - Google Patents

Description

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INTBRLOGKING MACHINE FOR SIGNALS AND SWITUHES 0N RAIL-ROADS No. 297,885. Patented Apr. 29, 1884.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL WARRICK, OF BATTLEGREEK, MICHIGAN.

INTERLOCKING-MACH INE FOR SIGNALS AND SWITCHES N RAILROADS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 297,885, dated. April 29, 1884.

Application filed October 15, I883. (No model.)

ing at the city of Battle Creek, in the countyof Calhoun and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Interlocking-Machine for Signals and Switches used on Railroads and Railways, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in that class of interlocking-machines in which several levers work independently of each 7 other upon a shaft, and are so arranged by suitable mechanism that not more-than one tain an interlocking-machine which can be easily and cheaply applied to existing'signals and switches. I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which' Figure 1 is a front sectional elevation of the entire machine. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same with look-bar lever removed. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the machine without the upper portions of levers, and showing a different position of the lock-bar. Fig. 4 is a plan, and Fig. 5 an elevation, of the lock-bar, and Fig. 6 an end elevation of bracket and part of signal-lever, showing lock-bar applied onthe outer periphery of hubs of signal-levers.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The signal-levers a a a" a, Figs. 1 and 2, having hubs b, and of which a, Fig. '2, forms a part, are free to turn upon a hollow shaft, 0, which is stationary in brackets (I. These brackets hold the entire machine in place. The collars e e e e are entirely separate from levers a a a a, and are secured to their places on shaft cqby a set-screw or other convenient mode, recesses f being provided to r ein place. A look-bar, h, with recesses i L 1.

hub b of lever on.

45 in-upper edge (see also Figs. 4 and 5),is free to slide horizontally in a groove or keyway formed in shaft 0 and in the hubs b of the levers a a, 8220., the sliding movement being controlled by the lever j and quadrant is, Fig. 1. The recesses z, &c., in lock-bar h are each made the length of their corresponding hubs, b, of levers a, and are also of such depth that the remaining section of lock-bar is entirely within the shaft 0, and therefore offers no impediment to the levers a, &c.', being turned on shaft 0. In Fig. 1 the spring-catch of the lever j is set in notch (marked 0) of quadrant-k. This, as will be observed, locks all the signallevers, as some portion of the full section of lock-bar h is within the groove of every hub 72 of levers a.

-The mode of operation is as follows: To move signal-lever a, (also marked 1,) first move lever j into quadrant-notch 1. This will bring lock-bar h into the position shown in Fig. 3, with the recess it, exactly within the turn upon shaft 0 when its spring-catch is released from collar 0, as no portion of the lockbar h is within the groove of hub 12 of lever a, (see Fig. 3,) but the remaining levers a a, a. are still looked, as some portion of the full section of lock-bar h is within the groove of each of the remaining hubs b. I will now presume that the lever a has been moved in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2, to operate the signal. Thelevers a a a must remain locked until lever a is returned to its original position, as the lock-bar h cannotbe moved until the groove in hub!) of lever a is brought into position for full section of lock-bar h to enter.

The above description applies to the operation of any other of the signal-levers. The numbers below notches of quadrant k correspond with those on signal-levers a; Thus, if signal-lever a (marked 2) is to be moved, first place lever j into quadrant-notch 2. The lever a by means of a wire rope, Z, orby any other usual mode.

Although preferring to use the lock-bar h, as above described, I may use it on the outer periphery of the hubs b by providing a groove Ioo This leaves lever a free to Fig. 2, operates the signal or switch 5 or its equivalent thereon, and making suitable provision on brackets d, or otherwise, to hold lock-bar h in place. (See Fig. 6, which illustrates this arrangement.) I may place lock-bar h at any angle, not being restricted to the vertical position in Fig. 2, or the horizontal, as Fig. 6.

I may use any required number of signallevers a.

I am aware that prior to my invention in terlocking-machines have been made with out- 4 side locking-bars operated by the spring \Vhat I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination of the signal-levers a 20 a a a, the grooved shaft 0, and recessed lock-bar 71, all substantially as set forth, and for the purpose specified.

2. The recessed lock-bar h, in combination with the hand-levers a a a a, and immediately engaging or disengaging the same, and operated solely by its own lever, and arranged either outside or inside the huh I) of the levers, all substantially as described.

SAMUEL WARRIOK.

\Vitnesses:

ALrroN B. ATWATER, ALBERT D. WRIGHT.

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