US1158878A - Switch for tramways and the like. - Google Patents

Description

A. WILKINSON.

SWITCH FOR TRAMWAYS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATlON FILED APR.8.19M.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

l/V VE/V TOR WITNESSES:

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH c0.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

earner carton ADOLFO ili ILKllINSON, OF BAHIA BLANCA, ARGENTINA.

SWITCH FOR TRAMWAYS AND LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application and April 8, 1914. Serial No. 830,364.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ADoLro lViLKiNsoN, a citizen of the Argentine Republic, residing at No. 66, 19 de Mayao street, Bahia Blanca,

Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Switches for Tramways and the like, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a novel system of switches for tramways and the like and has for its object the production of an apparatus which in combination with another device, placed on the platform or other convenient point of a tram car, will permit of operating the switch points without the necessity of stopping the vehicle.

Heretofore several devices have been proposed for avoiding the trouble of'having to effect switching by hand, by means of a lever or bar operated from the platform of the car or by means of switching devices of the kind used in connection with railways and operated by special attendants whose sala ries are an extra charge to the budget of the companies. However, all such switching devices are of a ra her complicated nature and inconsequence very expensive to install. Owing to their complex mechanism, these devices are also liable to get out of order easily and mistakes often occur in connection with the operation thereof. All these troubles are entirely avoided by the use of the device constructed in accordance with my present invention. On the other hand, many of the apparatus proposed as above stated, are not reliable in their operation, the switch points being often shifted only partially and the driver of the vehicle will only note this when the car has gone off the rails or any other disturbance in the regular advance of the vehicle takes place. This difficulty will also be eliminated by the device forming the object of this invention, as the shifting of the switch points must necessarily be complete and after switching has i been performed, the point is retained in the part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction heremafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the drawings, in which are illustrated one of the various possible embodiments of the several features of this invention, Figure l shows the apparatus in position for switchng a car on to the straight track. Fig. 2 IS a view similar to that of Fig. 1, but with the apparatus in position for switching a car onto the curve. Fig. 3 is a view of the general position of the apparatus between the rails, and Fig. 4: is a vertical section showing the operating rod which serves for operating the device placed at the middle of the platform of the car.

In all the said figures, the same letters of reference indicate like or corresponding parts.

Theapparatus consists of a sextant A, A, A", pivoted at F and guided in a track E into which enter two studs D, for the purpose of limiting the movement of the sextant. At a suitable point T of said sextant is pivoted a rod H, conveniently connected at its other end to the switch point which is to be operated. To the sextant A,- A, A is pivoted at R another sextant B, whose movements are limited by the stops D and the are S which latter, at the end of the stroke of the principal sextant, strikes against the bells l1. On the sextant A, A and A and proecting to a convenient height from the surface of said sextant, and level with the sextant Band the are S, are two bars C, of a suitable degree of inclination, the purpose and operation of which will be explained later on. v

The connecting rod H which slides within its corresponding guide, is provided with a curved projection J of a width equal to the length of the stroke of the switch point. The object of this projection is to hold the rod kl and the switch point attached thereto in position so that the passage of vehicles other than the cars on the track shall not vary the position of the switch point, while at the same time permitting the rod H to be actuated by means of the sextant to which it is connected,

'Theentire apparatus is conveniently secured to the sleepers of the track, being placed at the middle of the same and is in- 1" closed within fluted plates leaving between them a space G for the movements of the sextants. The plates which form the cover, are arranged at the levelof the surface of the ground.

' The apparatus which forms the object of the present invention, is operated from the platform of the'car by means of a rod or bar N, of suitable dimensions and so arranged that it will be caused to correspond with the groove G, said bar being provided with a spring P and adapted to be operated V by the hand or foot of the driver, or in any other convenient manner. In vehicles provided with central traction devices, the said bar may take at its upper part'the shape of a quadrant, in order to not interfere with the traction device. Generally, a handle or leverO is provided for actuating the said' bar.

Having now described the several parts which form the apparatus, its mode of operation will be readily understood from the following description: The bar N (Fig. 4)

upon being operated by means of the handle 0, descends against the action of the spring P, toward the groove G, and opens the slidable part which closes the central part between the two plates, by compressing the springs K. The bar N continues moving downward between the parts G until engaging against one of the bars C forming part of the sextant A, A, A, thereby causing this latter to turn toward the right or the left, accordingto the position in which it was found. The sextant on moving along and the bar N continuing also its movement, the latter will engage with one of the sides of the sextant B and push it toward the right or the left, according to the position occupied before initiating the movement, and

finally will engage with the side of the are S, thereby causing the sextant A, A, A" to complete its stroke until the arc strikes the bell, the use of which, though not absoagainst one or the other of the bells L. At this moment, the switch point has been completely thrown and the driver of the vehicle will'be advised of this fact by the sound of lutely necessary, will much assist to enhance the satisfactory Working of the device. The motorman will thereupon lift the bar N and return the same to its normal position. The

bar N, when approaching the outlet of the apparatus, will gradually rise to the level of the ground owing to the gradual elevation of the groove which by its ends supports and does not require any expensive struc tures, while the severalparts of the same may be constructed of any suitable material.

The very simplicity of its construction 1 renders the device less liable to get out of order While at the same time it allows of the points being operated when desired, by

means of a bar or lever.

The lubrication ofthe apparatus may be effected in any convenient manner, for instance, by means of small holes provided with plugs formed at the required places and in the covering plates.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different embodiments ofthis invention could be made without departing from the .scope thereof,it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is also to be understood that the language used in the following claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. V i V Having descrlbed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let 'ters Patentis: V .1

1. In a device of thecha'racter described, in combination, a trackand a switch therefor, a member pivoted between the rails of said track, a connection between said memher and the point of said switch, a plurality V of bars on said member, a member pivoted on said first member, means Vmounted on a vehicle adapted to engage one of said bars to cause motion of said first member and to subsequently engage said second pivoted member to cause further motion of said first V 7 member and the thereto, and means for limiting the movement of said first member.

2. A railway-switch actuating mechanism comprising, in combination, a switch-point, a pivotally mounted member, a connection between said member and said switch-point, two inclined bars fastened to said member,

a triangular shaped device pivoted to said member, plates mounted above said member and spaced apart to form a channel, and

.means depending from a vehicle adaptedtO enter said channel andto make contact with one or the otherof said inclinedbars and thereafter with said triangular shaped device whereby said member is rotated to shift said switch-point. V

3. A railway-switch actuating mechanism comprising, in combination with a track, a switch-point, a sector pivoted between the rails of said track, a rod connecting said sector and said switclrpoint, two inclined 130 switch-point attached members mounted on sa idsector, means mounted on a vehicle adapted to engage either one or the other of said members to move said sector, a second sector pivotally mounted on said first sector and adapted to be engaged by said means on a vehicle to cause further motion of said first sector, and a cam member mounted on said first sector and adapted to be engaged by said means on a vehicle to cause still further movement of said first sector to complete the throw of said switch-point.

at. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination, a track switch, a

' plurality of plates adjacent said switch, a

slot between two of said plates, a spring pressed slide adapted to close said slot, a depending member carried by a vehicle and adapted to move said slide to open said slot, and means mounted beneath said plates and adapted to be moved by said depending member after the latter has opened said slot,

the movement of said means causing the actuation of said track switch.

5. A switch shifting apparatus comprising, in combination, a switch-point, a pivoted plate, a connection between said switchpoint and said plate, a depending member carried by a vehicle, and a plurality of clevices on said plate adapted to be successively engaged by said. depending member to cause a complete throw of said switch-point in one direction and to be left in a condition permitting a subsequent operation by said depending member to throw said switclrpoint in the opposite direction.

6. In a switch shifting apparatus, in combination, a switch-point, a rotatable plate,

a: connection between said plate and said switch-point, two projecting bars upon said plate, a depending member mounted upon a vehicle and adapted to engage one of the projecting bars as the vehicle moves there-- over to rotate said plate, and a pivoted member upon said plate adapted to be engaged by said depending member to cause further rotation of said plate and to bring the other of said projecting bars into position to be engaged by a depending member upon a subsequent operation of the apparatus.

7. In a switch shifting apparatus, in combination, a switch-point, a rotatable plate, a connection between said plate and said? switch-point, two projecting bars upon said,-

plate, a depending member mounted upon a vehicle and adapted to engage one of the projecting bars as the vehicle moves there-- over to rotate said plate, a pivoted, member upon said plate adapted to be engaged by said depending member to cause further rotation of said plate and to bring the other of said projecting bars into position to be engaged by a depending member upon a subsequent operation of the apparatus, and a cam upon said plate adapted to be engaged by said depending member to cause further rotation of said plate to place said pivoted member in proper position with relation to said projecting bars to permit a subsequent operation of the apparatus.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ADOLFO WILKINSON. WVitnesses:

J. H. AINSWORTH, A. Siann.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

7 Washington, I). G.

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