US744168A - Automatic switch. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED NOV. 1.7, 1903.

J. M. GOMER. AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

I INVENTOR.

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ATTORNEY.

and in like section.

' NITED STATES Patented November 1'7, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMATIC SWITCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,168, dated November 17, 1903.

' Application filed March 30, 1903. Serial No. 150,343. (No model.)

To whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH MARION COMER, a citizen of the United States of America, and aresident of the city of Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of Washington, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Automatic Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for automatically operating the tongue of a railway-track switch, and while it is designed especially for electric and horse car service it is applicable to other forms of track.

Among numerous objects attained by this invention and readily understood from the following specification and accompanying drawings included as a part thereof is the production of simple and inexpensive switchoperating mechanism embodying essential features of adaptability, utility, and general efficiency which allows the several parts to be compactly assembled and insures positive action of the apparatus to adjust the switch.

The above-mentioned and numerous other objects equally as desirable are attained by the constructions, combinations,and arrangement of parts as disclosed on the drawings, set forth in this specification, and succinctly pointed out in appended claims.

With reference to the drawings filed herewith and bearing like reference characters for corresponding parts throughout, Figure 1 is a side view, in vertical section, of a portion of a track-bed, taken longitudinally the track at a switch and indicates'my improved switch-operating mechanism in relative position and the casing therefor in like section on line 1 1 of Fig. 2 and viewed as the arrows fly. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the casing, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, disclosing the contained mechanism and a portion of the track-shown in relative position Fig. 3 is a view in plan of the pedal adapted for operating the switch mechanism mechanically and indicates parts of the guide-rail for the pedal-operating device. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of a track-switch, showing the tongue of the switch and a part of the tongue-adjusting mechanism; and Fig. 5' is 'a view in plan of a portion of a track at-a switch and indicates the improved switch-throwing apparatus in place.

Referring to the drawings, reference character 10 indicates the main rail of a track, 11 a branch rail, and 12 the switch-tongue, the latter being mounted for pivotal movement in any suitable manner and preferably formed with a laterally-projecting horizontal arm, as 14, fixedly connected thereto at the pivot.

The mechanism for moving the switchtongue on its mounting constitutes the essence of this invention and includes a crank, as 15, which includes a vertically-disposed shaft'16, to which the crank proper is fixed and which is suitably journaled in a casing or box 18, adapted to inclose the greater part of the mechanism. This box is suitably disposed beneath the surface of the track-bed with the crank 15 adjacent the end of the arm 14. and operably connected thereto by a rod, as 17, one end of which is pivoted on the pin of said crank and the opposite end extends loosely through a suitable transversely-disposed aperture formed in a downwardly-projecting lug, as 19, which is suitably pivotally mounted on said arm and projects into box 18 through a suitable aperture formed in the top wall. The rod is yieldingly operatively connected to said lug by means of oppositely disposed open coiled springs, as 20, which are set about said rod and confined against the lug by respective adjustable nuts, as 21, having screw-threaded engagement with said rod, so that the tension of respective springs can be adjusted at will. These springs are adapted to yieldinglyconnect said rod to the switch-tongue; so should any obstruction, as dirt or the like, accumulate between either side of the tongue and adjacent rail the 'rod can be moved against spring action, and thereby allow the crank 15 to be operated irrespectively of the blocking of the switch. As now considered crank 15 is operatively connected, through the medium of a pawl-and-ratchet contrivance, with a suitable pedal, as 22, which is mounted in the track-bed forwardly of the switch in any suitable manner and preferably comprises a pressure-plate, as 23, mounted on the free end of one arm of a suitable bell-crank 24, which is mounted on a pivot 25, supported in any suitable manner. This crank 15 is operably coupled to the pawland-ratchet contrivance by means of a pair of bevel-gears, the pinion 26 of which is secured to the lower end of shaft 16, and the wheel 27 is fixedly. mounted on a horizontally-disposed drive-shaft 28, journaled in casing 18 and also carrying a ratchet-wheel 29, fixed thereto, and a pawl 30 is pivotally mounted on a reciprocal pawl-carrier, as an elbow-crank 31, which is pivoted on said drive-shaft with one arm hanging pendent and the said pawl mounted on the free end of the other arm in operative relations to said ratchet. In the present embodiment pawlcarrier 31 is operatively connected to one arm of an angle-lever, as 32, by a connectingbar, as 33, which is pivoted at one end to the pending arm of said carrier and at the opposite end to the pending arm of said lever,

which is pivotally mounted on a suitable bracket, as 34, fixed to casing 18, with the other arm extending inwardly, and this angle-lever is normally yieldingly held in retracted position by a suitable spring or the like, as 35.

The pedal-crank 24 and angle-lever 32 are operativelyconnected with each other through the medium of an intermediate bell-crank 36, pivotally mounted in the case 11 opposite said lever, with one arm extending upwardly and the free end of the other arm lying over the free end of the horizontally-disposed arm of said lever, a connecting-rod 37, pivoted to said pedal-crank and said upwardly-extending arm of the intermediate crank, and a link 38, pivotally connected to the horizontallydisposed arms of the angle-lever and intermediate bell-crank, whereby said pedal is normally yieldingly held in raised position by spring 35 and when depressed serves to swing the pawl-carrier and thereby turns the drive-shaft a predetermined part of a rotation, which causes the bevel-gears to operate crank 15 and swing the switch-tongue through the medium of rod 17. When the pedal is released, spring 35 acts to return same with the intermediate connecting parts to normal position, while the drive-shaft, crank 15, and switch-tongue rest until again operated by a following depressions of the pedal. As now considered this pedal is mounted in line with the tread of a suitable guide-rail, as 9, sections of which are disposed at each side of the pedal, Fig. 3, parallel to the track-rails, and this guide-rail serves as a guide for a suitable pedal-operating device (not shown) mounted on the car and preferably consisting of a suitable roller arranged on a suitable reciprocal carrier operatively mounted on the car, so that the roller can be brought to bear upon the guiderail and serve to depress the pedal 23 as the car travels over same.

In the present instance a suitable operative detent or stop, as 39, is employed to regulate the movement of the drive-shaft, and this stop is secured to the downwardly-extending end of link 38 and comprises a rod extended to a point beneath the wheel 27 and having a laterally-projecting foot 40 extending across the periphery of said wheel, in which periphery suitable cavities or notches are formed at equally-spaced points to receive said foot when the stop is lifted, and thereby check the wheel, and this foot is suitably guided by a pairof bars, as 41, between which it slides to and from engagement with the wheel.

In the present embodiment this switchthrowing mechanism is arranged for actuation by electricity, which is conveniently applied through the medium of an electromagnet, as 42, suitablydisposed to attract one of the reciprocal parts of the switch-throwing,

mechanism, and as now considered preferably arranged in a suitable position to actuate the pedal 22, and thereby operate the switch. As now considered a suitable armature, as 43, is arranged on the free end of the depending arm of the bell-crank 24 of the pedal, and the electromagnet 42 is arranged in operative relation thereto, so that when energized it will influence the armature, and thereby cause it to move the bell-crank against action of spring 35. This electromagnet is preferably electrically connected to the rails of the track when the device is used on electric roads, so that the electric current which drives the cars can be utilized to energize the magnet, and as now considered suitable sections of oppositely-disposed rails, as 10, of the track which lie forward of the switch are insulated, and electric conductors, as wires 45, are connected to these rail-sections and to the electromagnet, and electric conductors, as wires 46, are connected to the rails of the track beyond the switch and to the electromagnet.

Granted construction and installation of this device in an electric road substantially as heretofore set forth an operation thereof to throw the switch by the application of an electric current would occur substantially as follows: As the electric car is approaching the switch from the right of Fig. 5 and it is desired to shift the tongue of the switch from the position shown in Fig. 4, for instance, the motorman allows the car to pass over the rail-sections 10 with the electric current turned on, and the electroinagnet is thereby energized by the current passing from the car through these rails and the wires 45, when it will attract the armature on bell-crank 24, and thereby operate the switch-tongue through the medium of the crank 15 and connecting mechanism. Should, however, it be desired to throw the switch mechanically, the pedal 22 is depressed by suitable means, as by a roller or the like adjustably mounted on the car, as heretofore set forth. Thus in case the electrical connections should get out of order and the electromagnet fail to act the motorman noticing that the switch does not operate as the car passes the insulated railsection can then app y the means adopted to depress the pedal mechanically.

This switch-operating device is simple of construction, has few parts likely to get out of order, and is positive in action. Furthermore, it possesses marked advantages in the arrangement of the parts for operation by either mechanical or electrical contrivances.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United'States of America, is

1. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated, the combination with a swingingly-mounted switch-tongue, of a notched Wheel operating the said tongue, a pawl-andratchet mechanism connected to the wheel for operating the same, and a stop moved by the pawl-and-ratchet mechanism to engage in the notches and retard the rotation of said wheel, substantially as described.

2. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated, the combination with a pivotally-mounted switching-tongue, of an arm projecting laterally from said tongue, a lug pivotally mounted on said arm, a rod slidably engaged with said ing, a coil-spring on the rod at each side of said lug, and nuts adjustably fixed on said rod and confining said springs against the lug.

3. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; the combination with a reciprocally-mounted tongue, and an operativelymounted pedal; of a rotatably-mounted crank operatively connected to said tongue, and spring-retracted paWl-and-ratchet mechanism op'erativelyconnected to said pedal and crank.

4:. In a switch operating device of the nature indicated; the combination with a reciprocally-mounted tongue, and an operativelymounted pedal; of a crank operably connected to said tongue and arranged for rotation about a vertical axis, a horizontally-disposed drive-shaft, bevel-gears connecting said shaft and crank, and spring retracted pawl-andratchet mechanism operatively connected to said shaft and pedal.

5. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; the combination with a reciprocally-mounted tongue, and an operativelymounted pedal; of a crank operatively connected to said tongue, a drive-shaft, gears connecting said shaft and crank, a ratchet- Wheel fixedly mounted on said shaft, a pawlcarrier rotatably mounted on said shatt,a pawl pivoted on said carrier, and spring-retracted mechanism operatively connecting said carrier and pedal;

6. In a switclroperating device of the nature indicated; the combination with'a reciprocally-mounted tongue and rotatably-mou nted crank operatively connected to said tongue; of a drive-shaft operatively connected to said crank, a ratchet-Wheel fixedly mounted on said shaft, a pawl-carrier rotatably mounted on said shaft, a pawl pivoted on said carrier,

a pivotally-mounted spring-retracted lever, a

bar pivotally connected to said carrier and lever, and means to intermittently operate said lever against spring action.

7. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; the combination with a driveshaft,a ratchet-wheel fixedly mounted on said shaft, a pawl-carrier rotatably mounted on said shaft, and a pawl'pivoted on said carrier; of a pivotallymounted spring-retracted angle-lever, a bar pivotally connected to said carrier and to one end of said lever, a pedal comprising apivotally-mounted bell-crank and a pressure-plate, a second bell-crank pivotally mounted intermediate said pedal and angle-lever, a rod pivotally connected to said pedal-crank and intermediate crank, and a link pivotally connected to the intermediate crank and to said angle-lever.

8. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; the combination of a reciprocally-mounted switching-tongue having a laterallyprojecting arm and a lug pivotally mounted on said arm, a rotatablymounted crank, a connecting-rod engaged with said crank and slidably engaged with said lug, coiled springs on said rod at each side of the lug, nuts adjustably mounted on said rod and confining said springs against said lug, a drive-shaft, gears connecting said shaft and crank, a ratchetwheel fixed on the shaft, a pawl-carrier rotatably mounted on said shaft, a pawl on the carrier, a pivotallymounted spring-retracted angle-lever, a bar pivoted to said lever and carrier, a pedal and means to operatively connect said pedal and lever.

In an electric railway, the combination with spring-retracted switch-tongue-operating mechanism, including a reciprocallymounted bell-crank; of an armature on said crank, an electromagnet, insulated rail-sections placed in advance of the switch, electrical conductors leading from said sections to the magnet and from said magnet to railsections beyond the switch.

10. In an electric railway, the combination with a spring-retracted switch-tongue-operating pedal; of an armature on said pedal, an electromagnet, insulated rail-sections placed in advance of said pedal and switch, electrical conductors leading from, said sections to the magnet and from said magnet to railsections beyond the switch.

11. In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; the combination With a driveshaft, a ratchet-wheel fixed thereon, a reciprocal pawl-carrier, a pawl on said carrier, spring-retracted carrier-driving means, and operative shaft-stopping means operatively associated with said driving means.

12, In a switch-operating device of the nature indicated; the combination with a driveshaft, a wheel fixedly mounted thereon and having notches arranged at equidistant points in the periphery,spring-retracted pawland-ratchet mechanism operatively associated with said shaft, and a detent related to ICC arms, a detent comprising a rod pivotally connected to said link extending to the gear on said shaft and having a foot adapted to 15 engage said gear, and means to guide said foot to and from said gear.

Signed at Spokane, Washington, this 30th day of January, 1903.

JOSEPH MARION COMER.

lever, a second bell-crank having a portion of \Vitnesses: one arm disposed parallel the other arm of PETER SAUER, said lever, a link connecting said parallel i J. A. YVILSON.

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