US532122A - Railway-signal - Google Patents

Description

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J. WAYLAND. RAILWAY SIGNAL.

N0. 532,122. i Patented Jan. 8, 1895.

connection with the semaphore.

NrTEjn STATES JAMES WAYLAND, oE NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

RAI LWAYx-S'IGNAL.

SPEIFCATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 532,122,1dated January 8, 1895.

l Application led January 24,1894. Serial No.497,874-.. (Nomorlel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES WAYLAND, a citizen ot the United States, residing at Newark,

in the county of Essex and State of 'New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway SignalingSystems; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters and figures of referencemarked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to cert-ain improvements in that class of railway signaling systems and appliances represented by the one illustrated in my Patent No. 492,598, dated February 28, 1893.

The objects of the present improvements are to reduce the cost of and simplify the construction; to render the signaling mechanisms more reliable and certain in their op. erationsyto more effectually prevent interference in the actions of certain parts; to

venable the working parts to act more simply,

and with reduced wear and strain; to enable a very limited movement of parts at the rail,

to effect an increased movement at the signal or at the mechanism immediately beneath the semaphore; to enable the train acting on one instrument or device to operate two separate signals Widely apart on the road and to secure said result by purely mechanical means, and to secure other advantages and results, some of which will be referred to hereinafter in connection with the working parts.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like letters and numerals indicate corresponding parts in each of the views, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing the signal and its co-operating parts in their danger indicating positions. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the same in their safety indicating positions. Fig. 3 is a detail plan showing the rail, a tread lever and a plunger, with certain catching or locking mechanisms arranged therewith'. Fig. 4, is a sectional elevation of the same, taken at line x, and'Fig. v5 is a section taken at liney. Fig. 6 is a detail of a nut for use in connecting a certain lever and a vertical rod in Fig. 7 is a showing the signaling posts and appliances, and illustrating certain means for transmitting power mechanically to another signaling post or station at a distance. Figs. 8, 9 and lO are details showing the relations and construction of a weighted arm, chain connection and a drum, and Figli adetailof a counterbalancing spring and connecting rod.

In said drawings, a, indicates an ordinary railway rail; b, a signal post, and c, a semaphore pivotally arranged upon said post, and controlled by a train of mechanisms connecting with the railway rail.

In the former patent above referred to, a construction was shown in which the spring, controllingthe lock or catch at the rail, eX- tended vertically downward into a receptacle or pocket below the rail, in which position it was liable. to be surrounded by water, which, when frozen, rendered the spring, and the parts depending thereon, inoperative. In the present construction, I avoid this disadvantage, and provide a more easy working and reliable construction, all the parts of which are at the level of the rail.

Theimproved catch or lock mechanism comprises a horizontal box, d, attached in any suitable manner to the rail, and extending at right angles to said rail, as shown in Fig. 3, a tread-lever, a catch for holding said treadlever temporarily and suitable springs as will be now more particularly described. Upon said rail is pivoted or fulcrum'ed the tread lever, e, which is similar in construction to that shown heretofore. Said tread leverfextends longitudinally with respect to the rail, through recesses or slots formed at the ends of said box, or between said box and the rail, the said recesses being sufficient in size to allow free play to said tread lever. Said tread lever, after having been depressed by the locomotive, caught, and, afterward released, is thrown upward from its depressedposition, by a spring, f, which brings it into a'position to be acted on by the spring-controlled plunger hereinafter described. The said lever is provided with an incline, g, and a catch projection, h, similar to those in the earlier pat-l perspective view of a section of the track ICO ent, and which are engaged by asliding plungerf, having the co-operating incline, j, and

projection la. The said sliding plunger is cyon its fulcrum and which relations are conducive to an easy movement. A spiral spring, h', adjustably held on the plunger between the bearings n, andthe nut,

m, serves to throw the plunger normally toward the tread lever.

adjustably held in place by a bolt, o', and nut. Thebolt is held rigidly within athreaded perforation, p, in the bottom of the box, and the sprin g, f, extends through an aperture crpassage formedfbetween the bearingl, and `the sides of `the box, and into engagement with the under side of the tread lever. It is y.thus held securely in place without danger of disarrangement when the wheels of the locomotive or train depress the tread lever. The catch parts are thus arranged sothat there will be no danger of freezing.

The mechanisms described are protected from improper manipulation andfrom the deteriorating action of the weatheig-by a sheet metal cover, p', of any suitable construction.

The plunger, z', extends away from the rail,

or the catch thereat through a perforation, gf

in the box, and at a point adjacent to the post, b, the said plunger is provided with a conical collar or sleeve, fr, having preferably a sliding movement, whereby it may be adjusted on the rod by the nut s. It may be fastened rigidly upon the plunger or integrally formed therewith. Said conical sleeve or collar, r, is prevented from moving longitudinally away from the roller bearing s beyond a desired limit, by a nut or collar, s', of any suitable construction, preferably, however, allowing an adjustment of the collar upon the plunger. The said plunger at its extremity is provided w ith a flexible connection, preferably a chain, t with a drum or shaft, t2, around which the said chain is adapted to wind when turned. Said shaft is arrangedin suitable bearings and at its extremity may be recessed, as at tw, Figs. 8 and 9 to receive the conical bearing on which the shaft turns. The said plunger, e', with the conical sleeve, extends through or between two roller bearings, s, t, one of which is upon a xed stud, u, and the other upon a lever, c, fulcrumed at fw, upon a stud or xture 3. Said lever at its longer end, or the end opposite that having the roller s, connects with a vertical rod 4, joined by means of a exible connection 5, with the drum or pulley 6 of the semaphore. Where thelever, Q), connects with said rod, 4, the former is slotted as indicated in outline, to prevent binding of parts, and the nut, 7, at the extremity of the said rod, 4, is Arounded as shown in detail Fig. 6, to prevent friction and binding. y

The roller bearing, S, of the lever, c, is so The spring, f, which. directly acts on the tread lever to raise the same from its lowest depression, bears uponA a projection, o, formed within the box, and is` related to the sleeve, r, connected with the semaphore rod, .4, as that, when the plunger, t', is thrown longitudinally away from the track, the weight, 9, is allowed to act to drawA the semaphore blade to the danger indicating position, and with it the rod, 4, and lever e, to abnormal positions where they remain while the plungeris in caught engagement with the tread-lever.

In connection with the oscillating drum or shaft, t2, I have provided a weighted carrying arm, t3, which is rigidly fixed at one end of the drum. The manner of tixing said weighted arm is shown in Figs. S, 9 and l0, where the said shaft or drum is provided with a head t4, on which the arm, slotted to receive said head, is closelylitted andffastened.

.The weighted armisheld at an incline by a catch, t5, so that, when releasedit.will quickly gravitate and turn the drum or shaft, t2, in its bearings. The catch, t5, iscontrolled by an electro-magnet and armature and circuit wires extending tothe opposite end of the block, and thereat provided witha circuit changer of any suitable kind adapted tobe operated by the passing train, affectthe circuit and occasion anoperation ofthe said catch, t5, in

`any manner common in this branch ofsignaling. The chainv connection, t', is slack so as to allow the weightedA arm to acquire considerable momentum before it acts ,to draw the plunger backward. When `it has acquired vthis momentum, it counteracts the power of the spring, h, within the box, d, draws the cooperating catching parts e, lfrom holding relationand admits `the return of the treadlever to its raised position. The spring h, immediately regains its Ipower and throws the `plunger toward the track, forces the wedgelike sleeve or collar, r, between ,the rollers, s, thus turning the lever, c, on itsfulcrum and drawing the semaphore to its safety indicating A position andthe ,arm,t3, into caught relation with the catch, t5, controlled by the circuit.

It may be observed `that the wedge, working between the two rollers, one afixed and the other a movable one, serves, with yan easy draft, to give a multi-plied movement to the said movable roller-and the lever carrying the same. I thus secure anincreased movement at the semaphore with a decreased movement 0f the plunger `and tread-lever and yet the movement is more easy than if the longer arm of the lever v, were extended.

Where I desire to establish a cautionary signal or station and operate it mechanically from the signal above described, I employ an inclined, or wedge shaped, projection, 20, on the plunger, e', at a suitable point thereon, which Aengages a longitudinally movable connecting rod, 2l, extending alongthe side of the track to adistantsignal station, 22, where it connects by means such as a bell-crank, 23, and rod, 24, with the semaphore, 25.

The connecting rod, 21, where it engages IOC IIO

the incline 20, is beveled to coincide thereconnterbalance one another.

with and secure an easy movement. The rod, 21,'may be supported and thus prevented from sagging by a series of rollers, 26, andat its ends is connected with oppositely bearingtion is disturbed by the action of the train,`

after the disturbing force is withdrawn, said springs serve to return the rod to its said normal position. l

When the train operates the plunger by the means hereinbefore described, the connecting` rod, 21, is pressed longitudinally against the pressure of the nearest spring, 27, disturbing the balance and enabling the spring at the opposite end to draw the rod so that it will operate the signal. I am aware that various means may be employed to disturb the balance of the passage of a train, and that various forms and arrangements of springs may be used and that in lieu of springs other balancing means may be employed, without departing from the spirit or scope of this feature of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new is 1. The combination with the home and distance signaling stations and means for operating the signals thereof on the passage vof a train, of a connecting rod and springs arranged at the opposite ends of the same, each of which is normally under tension or compression and capable of drawing upon and 'operating said rod when the other has its normal tension or compression. disturbed.

2. The combination with the signal post, its semaphore and connections, a tread-lever, and plunger having means for converting its longitudinal movement into movement at right angles with a counterbalanced connecting rod, said rod acted upon by said plunger` and operating a distant signal, and said signal, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with the home signal post, its semaphore and connecting means, a tread-lever,'plunger operating said connecting means and operating, longitudinally, a

connecting rod extending along the track, said connecting rod and counterbalances controlling the same,and mechanical appliances operable by said counterbalanced connecting rod, substantially as set forth.

4:. The connecting rod and xtures for supporting the same at its ends, in combination with springs normally un der tension,bearing on said fixtures and said rod and tending to draw the said rod, each toward itself, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with the signaling post andy its appliances, the track, a plunger en- The springs exert gaged by a tread lever, a box having a bearing o and a lateral bearing, Z, of said treadlever, a horizontally disposed spring bearing at one end on the under side of the tread-lever, adj ustably secured at its outer end to a suitable fixture and between said fixture and its inner, or tread-lever-engaging end, engaging said bearings o and l, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with the track, and tread -lever having an inclined bearing, a plunger engaged by said bearing and having a lateral oscillation or movement to secure parallelism atthe bearings.

7. In a railway signaling system, the combination with the track and tread-lever, a box having a vbearing Z, a horizontally movable plunger arranged in said bearing and being of a cylindrical shape thereat whereby it is allowed a lateral oscillation as well as the horizontal sliding movement, and signaling means connected therewith.

8. In arailway signal, the combination with the track, and tread, e, of a plunger, t', hav-- ing opposite inclines to enter between rollers on fixed and movable bearings, said rollers and bearings and means connecting the movable bearings with the signal, substantially as set forth.

9. In a railway signal, the combination with the track and tread-lever, of the plunger with opposite inclines arranged betweentixed and movable parts, said fixed and movable parts being in connection with the signal, and said signal, substantially as set forth. v

10. In combination with the track, tread, e, and plunger, c', a collar or sleeve arranged on said plunger, rollers, s, t, one on axed bearing, u, and the other on a lever, v, said bearing, u., and lever,v, the rod,4, and semaphore, all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

11. The improved .signaling apparatus, in which is combined with the track, a tread, e, a plunger, i, engaged by said tread at one end and at its opposite end carrying an inclined bearing, r, a lever, v, acted upon by said inclined bearing, a rod connected with the semaphore and said semaphore, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. y

12. The improved signaling apparatus, in which is combined with the track, a tread, e, plunger fi, carrying an inclined bearing, r, at its end away from the track, a lever fu, having a roller s, a rod connected with the semaphore and said semaphore.

13. The improved signaling apparatus, in which is combined with the track, tread lever and plunger engaged by said tread leverand extending horizontally away therefrom toward the signal, an adjust-able cone arranged on said plungeand held thereon by a nut and a lever connecting with the' signal and engaged by said cone, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth. l

14. In a signaling apparatus, the combination with the tread and plunger, a chain or IOO IZO

flexible connection if', a drum or shaft on which said flexible connection may wind,a

Weighted arm and a catch for Aholding said arm and shaft or drum from turning.

l5. In combination, in a railway signal, with a catch and spring for holding the parts in@ caught engagement, a chain or flexible cou-` nection, a drum adapted to Wind said flexible connection, a falling weight arranged in con-4 nection With said drum to turn the same and' a catch for holding said Weight in its elevated! position, substantially as set forth.

16. The combination with the track, depressible tread for the car Wheel having a catch Jro'ection and a .seriner actuated tluntrer' J t :a b

adapted to engage said projection and hold the tread in its lowered position, of a Winding drum and flexible connection of the same with the plunger, a Weight adapted to gravitate When releasedand impart momentum to the drum whereby it may overcome momentarily the power of the plunger spring and release the tread,substantially as set forth.

17. In a railway signaling System, the combiuation with the track, tread, and catch for as set forth.

18. In a railway signal, the combination with rolls s, t, arranged on bearings, 1111, the latter of Which is movable and operates a signal, of opposite inclines of the plunger, t', movable between said rolls, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 17th day of 45 January, 189e.

JAMES WAYLAND. I'Vitnesses:

CHARLES H. PELL, LoUisA BROWNE.

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