US731643A - Switch for traction-rails. - Google Patents

Description

' No. 731,643. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903.

HOWARD WILLIAMS & HENRY WILLIAMS. SWITCH EUR TEACTION RAILS.

.APPLIUTION FILED MAR. 25. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET '1.

' No. 781,643. PATENTBD JUNE 23, 1903.

HOWARD WILLIAMS & HENRY WILLIAMS.

SWITCH FOR TRAGTIUN RAILS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 25. 1903. N0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,INVENTORY n: mms r-rrnns co., maremma.. wAsumcJoN n c No. 731,643. f` ',PATLNTLD JUNE 23, 1903.

HOWARD WILLIAMS L HENRY WILLIAMS.

SWITCH FOR TRAGTION RAILS. APPLIoA'IIoN FILED MAB. z5. 1963.

N0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES r Patented June 23, 1903.

`PATENT FFICE.

SWITCH FOR TRACTIO N -RAI LS.

` SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 731,643, dated June 23, 1903.

v Application iled March 25, 1903. Serial No. 149,540. (No model.)

To CLZZ whom, it may con/cern:

Be it known that we, HOWARD WILLIAMs and HENRY WILLIAMS, citizens of the United States, residing at Murphysboro, in the county of Jackson, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in `Switches for Traction-Rails, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the'accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a switch for traction-rails, and is particularly adapted for use In connection with a movable traction-rail` carrying means to be engaged by a driven member upon a carrier.

i sume a straight or curved line coincident with the track-rails with which it cooperates.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure vl is a plan of the switch; Fig. 2, a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3, a detail vertical section on the line 3 3 of Fig. l; Fig. 1I, a detail perspective of the adjoining ends of two of the sections of the track-rail; Fig. 5, avertical section upon the line 5 5 of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a plan similar to Fig. 1, with the movable traction-rail removed; Fig7 ,a vertical section on theline 7 7 of Fig. 6,

` and Fig. S a detail elevation of switch-stand.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures of the drawings. The letter A designates track-rails of any desired construction and `constituting the main line, as shown in Fig. l, while A A' indicate the rails of a switch-track approaching the main line upon a curved line, one of which rails is provided with a throw-point A2, and one of the rails A of the main line is provided with a similar point A5. The parts described merely constitute the ordinary construction of switch, and the traction-rail B has its iixed sections disposed between the track-rails, as

shown. This traction-rail is also provided with a movable portion comprising independ= ent sections B', pivotally secured together by `bolts B2, passing through lugs B3, carried at the meeting ends of the sections. This, trac= tion-rail may be of any desired character, so constructed as to be of sufficient flexibility to yield in the movement from one position to the other, and the present illustration merely discloses one form capable of this object. In this illustration the sections B' are composed of two parts B4, suitably secured together and carrying between the same a metallic plate B5, suitably apertured to constitute a rack for engagement with adriving gear or pinion carried by the motorLcarriage. This rack -plate may be secured in position by means of pins or projections B, extending in opposite directions therefrom into the timbers BfL of the sections. Each of the sections B is provided at their adjacent en ds with contactshoes B7, suitably secured thereto and provided with an upper aperture BS and a lower aperture B. The upper set of these apertures is adapted to receive a bolt B10, by which the movement of the shoes in one direction is limited, while an operating-cable O passes through the lower apertures and is secured at the end of the movable section by a suitable bracket O. This cable may be of any desired material, preferably of wire rope, and extends at opposite sides of the movable sections of the traction-rail parallel therewith and thence to a pivoted crank-arm O2, which is connected by a rod O3 to a switch-lever O4, suitably pivoted at O5 in a stand C, which may be disposed upon either side of the track. From the extended end C7 of the switch-lever a bar or rod C8 extends to the throw-rails A2 and A3 for the purpose of operating the same simultaneously with the movement of the traction-rail. Each of the extended lengths of cable O may be provided with a suitable turnbuckle O9 for adjusting the length thereof when found necessary.

The movable section of the traction-rail is adapted to be supported above the level of the trackrails so as to move over the same by any desired meansfor instance, blocks D, suitably disposed between the track-rails in proper position to carry the weight of the movable section-while at the free ends of the main and switch tracks a supporting-block l adapted to be operated by latched with its standthe D', behind which a hook D2, carried by the free end of the section, is adapted to engage, and thus hold the parts against longitudinal movement in. both of their positions. For the purpose of stopping the movable section in proper alinement with the fixed traction-rails stops DLL are likewise provided upon the fixed sections, against which the free end of the movable section abuts, and similar stops D5, Fig. l, are providedupon the track-rail supports in order to bear against the movable section at different points, and thus insure a proper alinement and curvature throughout the length thereof.

For the purpose of retaining the movablev section in position the traction-rails upon both the switch an d main tracks are provided with latches E of similar construction. These latches may be of any desired form-for instance, a sliding bolt E', as herein shown, a crank-shaft E2, mounted in suitable bearings to extend beneath the rails, the arm E3 at one end of said shaft being connected to the bolt upon the traction-rail of the switch-track by a rod E4, while a similar arm E5 is provided with a link E5 for connecting the bolt E of the traction rail upon the main track. The shaft E2 is also provided with an arm E7, extending in an opposite direction to the arms E3 and E5, to which an operating-rod E8 is pivotally connected and extends to a crank-arm E, pivoted at one side of the main track. For the purpose of normally throwing` the latches this operating-rod is provided with a spring F, surrounding the same and bearing at one end upon a iixed projection F', carried by the rod, and at its opposite end against a support F2, through which the rod passes. For the purpose of operating the crank-armE-g a connecting-rod lF3 extends therefrom and is pivotally connected to the lower end of a lever F4, said lever being pivoted at its upper portion F5 to the switch-lever C4 and has extending' from its pivot an angle-arm F5, carrying a latch FT to cooperate with the switch-stand, and above the pivot F5 a bell-crank lever F8 is pivoted to the switch-lever CL and connected with the arm F6 by a link F, so that when the latch F7 is released from the switch-stand F the tracklatches will also be retracted against the tension of the spring F.

In the operation of the invention it will be seen that the movement of unlatchin g the switch lever simultaneously releases the latches for the movable traction-rail, which may the-n be shifted by the movement of said lever, and as soon as the switch-lever is retension-spring immediately causes the bolts of the rail-latches to contact with the rail and retain it in proper position. With the parts in the position shown in Fig. l it will. be seen that a movement of the switch-lever will, through tension upon the cable C at the right of the movable section, move said section into alinement with the switch track and simultaneously forth its merits, what shift the throw-points of the switch. During this movement the sections of thetractionrail are permitted sufficient oscillation to establish the curved line coincident with the switch-track rails, so as to insure a constant and complete contact with the traction-rail of the motor carried by the vehicle. The invention is adapted for use in any character of railway having a traction member adapted to be engaged by a rotative motive power upon a vehicle for the purpose of driving the same upon a grade, but is especially adapted for use in mines where the motive car is supplied with a gear or sprocket adapted to engage the rack carried by the movable section and Where it is desirable to shift the motor from one entry to another, as these entries run at numerous angles from each other. It will be observed that a complete traction-rail is provided in either of its shifted positions and the necessity of a complicated construction of traction-rail connections from each of the tracks is avoided and the traction-rail shifted simultaneously with the switch.

It will be obvious that changes may be made in the details of construction and configuration without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described our invention and set secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a device of the class described, trackrails having movable s\vitel1points,iixed traction-rails disposed between the track-rails, a movable section of traction-rail, and means for simultaneously moving said movable section with the switch-points.

2. In a device of the class described, trackrails having movable switch points, fixed traction-rails disposed between the trackrails, a movable section of traction-rail, means for simultaneouslymoving said movable section with the switch-points,"and stops to limit the movement of said movable section in each direction.

3. In a device of the class described, a trackrail, a fixed traction-rail disposed between the same, a switch-track, a movable portion of said traction-rail comprising independent sections pivoted together, and means for shifting said sections from one position to another.

4. In a device of the class described, a trackrail, a fixed traction-rail disposed between the same, a switch-track, a movable portion of said traction-rail comprising independent sections pivoted together, parallel cables ex` tending from the free end of said movable portion, and a switch -lever for operating said cables.

5. In a device of the class described, atrackrail, a fixed traction-rail disposed between the same, a switch-track, a movable portion of saidtraction-rail comprising independent sections pivoted together, parallel cables extending from the free end of said movable portion, a switchlever for operating said we claim, and desire to IOO IIO

cables, oppositely disposed shoes upon the meeting ends of said sections, and means for `limiting the movement of said shoes away from each other.

`6. In a device of the class described, a trackrail, a fixed traction-rail disposed between the same, a switch-track, a movable portion of said traction-rail comprising independent sections pivoted together, parallel cables extending from the free end of said movable portion, a switch -lever for operating said cables, oppositely-disposed shoes upon the meeting ends of said sections, a bolt connecting said shoes to permit a limited movement thereof, a fixed block beneath the free end of said movable portion, and a hook carried by4 said portion adapted to engage behind said fixed block.

7. In a device of the class described, a movable traction-rail comprising opposite timbers, an apertured metallic plate secured between the same, and projecting lugs at each end of said plate for pivotally securing adjacent plates together.

8. In a device of the class described, a movable traction-rail comprising opposite timi bers, an apertured metallic plate secured between the same, projecting lugs at each end Soc of said plate for pivotally securing adjacent plates together, and angular apertured shoes secured upon the opposite sides ofA adjacent ends of the sections of said traction-rail.

9. In a device of the class described, main and switch track rails, a movable switchpoint for connecting the same, a fixed traction-rail between said track-rails, a movable portion of traction-rail, operating-cables upon opposite sides of said movable portion, a

`pivoted crank-lever having the cables from opposite sides of the movable portion connected at opposite sides of its pivot, a switchlever connected to said arm, and a throw-bar extending from said switch-lever to the throw-rails.

l0. In a device of the class described, main and switch track rails, fixed traction-rails disposed between the same, and a flexible movable section of traction-rail' adapted to be shifted from a straight to a curved position.

1l. In a device of the class described, trackrails having movable switch points, fixed traction rails, disposed between the trackrails, a movable section of traction-rail, a latch upon the track-rails for retaining the traction-rail in position, means for primarily releasing said latch, and means for simultaneously moving said traction-rail and switchpoints.

12. In a device of the class described, trackrails, fixed traction-rails disposed between the same, a movable section of traction-rail,

latches carried by the fixed traction-rails to engage said movable section,V a spring for normally retaining said latches in a locked position, and an operating-rod for shifting said latches.

13. In a device of the class described, trackrails, fixed traction-rails disposed between the same, a movable section of traction-rail, latches carried by the fixed. traction-rails to engage said movable section, a spring for normally retaining said latches in a locked position, an operating-rod for shifting said latches, a switch-lever connected to operate said movable section, a latch upon said switchlever adapted to engage the stand thereof, and a connection between said operating-rod and switch-latch for shifting the former preliminarily to the movement of the switchlever.

11i. In a device of the class described, trackrails, fixed traction-rails disposed between the same, a movable section of traction-rail, latches upon the fixed traction-rails consisting of sliding bolts adapted to engage the movable section, a crank-shaft having arms connected to said latches and an arm extending in the opposite direction to the latch-arms, an operating-rod, a tension-spring for normally forcing said rod in one direction, a crank-arm for shifting said rod in the opposite direction, and means for operating said crank-arm.

l5. Ina device of the class described, trackrails, fixed traction-rails disposed between the same, a movable section of traction-rail, latches upon the fixed traction-railsconsisting of sliding bolts adapted to engage the movable section, a crank-shaft having arms connected to said latches and an arm extending in the opposite direction to the latch-arms, an operating-rod, a tension-spring for normally forcing said rod in one direction, a crank-arm for shifting said rod in the opposite direction, a crank-arm for oscillating the movable section, a switch lever and stand, a connection between said lever and the crankarm for the movable section, a lever pivoted upon said switch and provided with an angularly-disposed arm, a switch-latch upon said arm, a bell-crank lever pivoted to said switchlever and connected to said arm, and a connection extending from the lever pivoted upon the switch-lever to the crank-arm for operating the rail-latches. In testimony whereof we' affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

I-IOWARD WILLIAMS. HENRY WILLIAMS.

Witnesses i ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, IRA ANDERSON.

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