US1130340A - Trolley-switch. - Google Patents

Description

J. JJRUDDIOK.

- TROLLEY SWITGH.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.10, 1913.

1,1 30,340. Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Inventor.

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HE NORRIS PETERS c0, FHIOTO-LITHOU WASHING TON D. C,

Patented Mar.2, 1915.

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J. J. RUDDIGK. TROLLBY SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 10, 1913.

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J. J. RUDDIGK.

TBOLLEY SWITCH.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR.'10, 191s.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NORRIS PETERS 50., PHOIO-LITHO-I WASHINGTON. D. C-

part sra rs JOHN J. RUDDICK, 0F NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES ELECTRIC SIGNAL COMPANY, OF WEST NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORA- TION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

TROLLEY-SXVITCH.

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Application filed March 10, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN J. RUDDICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newton, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Trolley-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to trolley-switches such as are used in connection with electric signal systems for electric railways, and in some respects is an improvement upon the trolley-switches shown in patent granted to me #915700, dated March 16, 1909. Dilliculty has been experienced indevices of this type on account of the failure at times to operate satisfactorily, and on account of the breakage and rapid wearing of the trip which is engaged by the trolley-wheel to operate the switch and the associated parts when the speed of the trolley-wheel is very high. This breakage and wear is largely due to the fact that the trolley-engaging trip has, so far as I am aware, been arranged to swing or move in the direction in which the trolley-wheel is moved, so that the trip is necessarily caused to move for a distance at the same speed as the trolley-wheel, and when the trip is pivoted as it usually is, a considerable portion of the impact of the blow with which the trolley-wheel strikes it is resisted by its pivot, causing the same to wear rapidly.

I have discovered that the above objections may, in a large measure, be avoided by arranging the trip to swing transversely of the trolleywire, it moving about an axisin parallel relation with the trolley-wire, as the speed and distance of movement necessitated in such case is much less than is necessitated under like conditions, where it swings longitudinally of the wire, that is, forward and backward, even though an equal allowance for variations in wear of the trolley-wheel is made. Further, the strain and wear on the pivot of the trip and the liability of breakage is greatly reduced. In devices of this character, usually, a double set of circuit-controlling devices are employed, and suitable connections through which the trip operates them, so that one circuit will be closed when the trolley-wheel passes in one direction and another circuit will be closed when the trolley-w 1681 passes in the opposite direction. This result is readily accomplished when the trip is ar- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Serial No. 753,222.

ranged to move longitudinally of the wire, as it is moved in opposite directions from a middle position according to the direction in which the trolley-wheel is moved, but this is not true when a transversely moving trip is employed, as the same motion will be imparted to such a device whichever the direction the trolley-wheel is moving. Hence, 1n accordance with my present invention 1 have provided two trips, arranged side by side for operating the two circuit-controlling devices. Also in accordance with this invention I have provided means to prevent the operation of either circuit-controlling device when the other is operated by the first trip which is engaged by the trolleywheel, so that operation of the second trip is ineffective. Also in accordance with this invention I have connected each movable contact-arm directly with its trip by a yielding connection, and have arranged the inertia-devices so as to be operated by or through the medium of the contact-arms, and then by providing means for engaging the contact-arms a very positive and effective arrangement is obtained.

The invention also has for its object the provision of means for attaching the trolley-switch frame to the trolley-wire in such manner that a rapidly moving trolley-wheel will not suddenly leave the wire and jump the trolley-engaging trip when encountering the switch.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a trolleyswitch embodying this invention, the top part of the casing being cut away. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan View thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation thereof, partly in central longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4, Fig. 3, the parts being moved to abnormal position by a trolleywheel. Fig. 5 is an enlarged front elevation of one of the contact-arms and inertiadevices. Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevation of the contact-arms, inertia devices and associated parts, in normal position. Figs. 7', 8 and 9 are detail views of the parts shown in Fig. 6, in different positions which they will occupy. Figs. 10 and 11, respectively, are detail sectional views taken on the. dotted lines 10-1O and 11-11, Fig. 3.

10 represents the frame or base-plate for supporting the operating-mechanism, which is adapted to be arranged on the trolleywire 12, and 13 a housing erected on said frame which incloses said operating-mechanism. The operating-mechanism here shown comprises two circuit-controllers and actuatingmeans therefor, made substantially alike, and illustrating a double trolleyswitch designed to control two electric circuits, but some of the features of the invention are applicable to a single trolley-switch for controlling a single circuit. In case of a double switch I provide two trips 20, 40, both of which are pivoted on a stud 21, supported in lugs on the under side of the frame 10, said stud being arranged in parallel relation with the trolley-wire 12, so that said trips swing about axes in parallel relation with the trolley-wire, and in planes disposed transversely thereto, thereby having a lateral or sidewise movement as contrasted to a movement forward and backward, as heretofore. Said trips are arranged over the trolley-wire, their axes being in a vertical plane at one side of the vertical plane of the wire, and their engaging-portions occupying a position in a plane at the other side of the wire, and, normally, said trips occupy an oblique position with relation to the vertical and rest against a suitable stop, see Fig. 11, with their lower ends extended downwardly beyond the stop far enough to be engaged by the flange of a trolley-wheel which rolls along on the wire. Said lower end-portions of the trips have engaging-faces adapted to be struck by the trolley-wheel, made of a substantial width and convexly curved transversely, so that as the trolley-wheel passes along the wire in either direction one of its flanges will engage first one and then the ,other oblique and engaging-face and thereby swing the trips upwardly and outwardly from the wire. As said trips are arranged one in advance of the other they will be operated successively, the order in which they are operated obviously depending on the directi on in which the trolley-wheel is moved. Arms 22, 42, are formed integrally with said trips, 20, 4:0, or otherwise connected therewith, thus forming in connection therewith tripping-levers, and said arms extend upwardly from said pivot-stud 21, into the housing, and the upper ends of said arms are connected respectively by springs 23, 4:3, to contact-arms 24, at. Said contact-arms are pivotally mounted at their lower ends on studs 25, 4-5, supported in lugs rising from the upper side of the frame 10, and said pivot-studs are arranged horizontally, so that the contact-arms move about axes in parallel relation with the trolley-wire and with the axes about which the trips move. Said contact-arms are arranged in upright position, and their upper ends are adapted for engagement with resilient contactsprings 26, L6, respectively, when swung forwardly by a movement of the trips. Said contact-springs are fixed to blocks 27, 47 of insulating material supported on a bracket 28 erected on the frame 10. Inertia- devices 29, 49, are also pivotally mounted for convenience on the studs 25, 45, respectively,

adjacent the contact-arms 2 f, 4:45, and said inertia-devices are of substantial width and respectively provided with lugs 80, 50, which project laterally and extend 1n front of the contact-arms 24, H, and normally occupy positions in engagement with said contactarms, so that when either of said contactarms is drawn forwardly by the action of its corresponding trip it will move the corre sponding inertia-device forwardly in the same direction. Springs 31 and 51 are connected respectively at one end to said inertia-devices 29, l9, and at their other ends to the contact-arms 2%, 4A, the intermediate portions thereof encircling the pivot- studs 25, 45, thereby yieldingly connecting said inertia-devices with the contact-arms. Also return springs 32, 52 are connected, respectively, to the inertia-devices and to the ends of short arms 3%, which are pivoted to upright posts 33, 53, erected on the frame. Also said inertia-devices have shoulders 23%, 54, see Figs. l and 6 at their extremities adapted to engage the upper ends of said posts 33, 53, when in their normal position, said posts thus serving as stops therefor.

A detainingdevice (55, is mounted on a pivot-stud 66, arranged horizontally and in parallel relation with the aforesaid pivot studs, and disposed midway between the contact- springs 26 and 46, and in front of the contact-arms 24, 4st, and said detainingdevice is provided at one side of its pivot with divergently extended fingers 67, 68, and has a spring 69 connected with it at the opposite side of its pivot from said fingers, which tends to swing it and thereby move its fingers toward the contact-arms 2t, 44.. The finger 67 has at its extremity a c"ossbar 70 and said contact-arms 24: and are provided respectively with extensions 36, 56,,having forwardly extended lugs 35, formed with front engagingfaces arranged in position, respectively, to engage the said cross-bar 70, said cross-bar being normally held in engagement with said lugs f.

by the spring 69, as represented in Figs. 3 and 6. The finger G8 has at its extremity a cross-bar 71, and the upper ends of the lugs 35, 55, terminate in a plane below and slightly in rear of said cross-bar 71, and f from engagement therewith, as represent d in Figs. 3 and (3, so that when the finger is moved downward said cross-bar will occupy a position in front of said lugs. A lockingdevice is also provided for the detainingdevice, which may or may not be engaged by said detaining-device according to conditions, as will be hereinafter described. As here shown said locking-device consists of an arm 75, arranged in front of the contact arms 24, 44, and pivoted at its forward end at 76 to an car on tne bracket 28, its rear end being extended between said contactarms near the other pivotal supports, and having at its extremity a fiat-surfaced footpiece 77 for engagement, normally, with the lower ends of the lugs 35, 55; and said locking-arm is held in engagement with said lugs by a spring 78. Said locking-arm also has a notch 79 at a point intermediate its length for engagement with the extremity of the finger 67 of the detaining-device when said detaining-device is moved by either contact-arm. Said detaining-device and locking-device when associated together and with the contact-members constitute an interlocking-mechanism for said members, adapted to be operated by either member which is first operated to control the movement of the other member, so as to prevent said other member from engaging its contact-spring, and subsequently to be controlled by said other member, said other member, which is last operated, resuming its normal position first and operating the interlocking-mechanism to disengage the member which is first operated in order that said member may resume its normal position.

The operation of the above described parts is as follows z-Assuming for example, that the trolley-wheel is moving in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 3, its flange will first engage the trip 20, and will swing the same outwardly and upwardly as indicated in Fig. 4. This will cause a sudden pull on the spring 23, which will, in turn, cause the contact-arm 24 to be drawn forward quickly into engagement with its corresponding contact-spring 26, and close a circuit, said arm moving from normal position shown in Fig. 6 to position shown in Fig. 7 and then to position shown in Fig. 8. As said contactarm 24 moves forward quickly it will move its associated inertia-device 29, forwardly by its engagement with the lug 30 on said device and by the time said contact-arm engages the contact-spring 26 said inertia-device 29 will have acquired considerable momentum, so that its movement will be continued until its momentum is overcome by the spring 31, which begins to act as soon as said device moves out of engagement with the contact-arm 24, and by the force of its return spring 32. Said inertia-device 29 moves forward, for example, to the position shown in Fig. 4, and during such movement in advance of the contact-arm 24, will, through the medium of the spring 31, act to hold said contact-arm in engagement with the contact spring 26. The inertia-device 29 is, however, immediately returned by its springs 31 and 32, and on its return movement its lug 30 will engage the contact-arm 24 and will move it out of engagement with the contact-spring 26 and open the circuit. As the contact-arm 24 moves forward its lug 35, being in engagement with the cross-bar 70,

--on the detaining-device, will move said de- When the trolley-wheel engages the othertrip 40, immediately after engaging the trip 20, there will be a tendency to perform a like operation, but it is important that the contact-arm 44, even though moved shall not be moved far enough to engage its contactspring, and it will be noted that when the contact-arm 44 starts to move forward by reason of the pull upon its spring 43, through its trip 40, the cross-bar 71 on the detainingdevice, will have been moved into the path of the lug 55 onsaid contact-arm 44, as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, so that the lug 55, on said contact-arm will engage said cross-bar 71, and will further move said detainingdevice from a position shown in Fig. 8, to the position shown in Fig. 9, and cause the extremity of the finger 67 of said detaining-device to engage and depress the locking-arm 75, until, while moving along thereon, it enters the notch 79, therein. The detaining-device is now locked against return movement; and said contact-arm 44 will have been moved only a part of its stroke and hence will not have engaged its contact-spring 46.

Upon return movement of the inertia-device which is associated with the contactarm 24, the lug 35 on said contact-arm will be engaged, but said contact-arm is held against return movement by engaging the cross-bar 71 on the detaining-device by reason of the detaining-device being held by the locking-arm, and will not be returned to normal until said detaining-device is disengaged. Upon return movement of the inertia-device associated with the contact arm 44, the lug 55 on said contact-arm will be engaged, and as said contact-arm is free to be returned to normal it will be immediately returned, and during the final part of its return movement the lower endof its lug 55 will engage the foot-piece 77 on the to disengage the detaining-device also by said contact-arm t-t. Whether the detaining-device will be moved into engagement with the locking-arm by a movement of the second contact-arm in operating will depend...

upon the speed or" motion of the trolleywheel, yet the provision of a locking-device is desirable to prevent the said second contact-arm in operating from engaging its contact-spring under all conditions. It will thus be seen that when the trolley-wheel is moving in the direction described, engagement with the contact-spring 26 only will take place but when the trolley-wheel is moving in the opposite direction an opposite operation will take place.

As trolley-switches are usually constructed their supporting-frames are connected with the trolley-wire throughout their length, and the trip is arranged about midway the length of the frame. When a rapidly moving trolley-wheel suddenly encounters a switch the tendency is for the wheel to suddenly leave the wire and it sometimes jumps the trolley-engaging trip, and this tendency is augmented in case the wire has sagged. Herein the supporting-frame is connected with the trolleywire only at the middle and its end-portions are recessed to receive the trolley-wire and to permit sagging of the wire and admit of upward deflection of the wire, thereby avoiding the objection above noted.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3, 10 and 11, the frame or base-plate 10 has bolted to it at each end a foot-piece 80, which is arranged beneath the frame and extended from end to end thereof or thereabout. Said foot-piece 80 is recessed along its lower edge at 81, see Fig. 10, from each end thereof inward for a short distance to receive the trolley-wire l2, and along the middle it is formed with a longitudinal projection 82, see Fig. 11, which enters a groove in the side of the trolley-wire l2, and thereby forms a clamping-member at one side of the wire. Along the middle portion of the foot-piece another clamping-member 85 is provided for engagement with the trolleywire, said member being screwed or otherwise connected with the foot-piece opposite its clamping portion or member, said clamping-member 85 extending only along the middle of the foot-piece, so that the trolleywire is permanently engaged for a short distance only at the middle of the switch and adjacent the trolley-engaging trips. The recesses which are formed at the ends of the foot-piece are of sufficient depth to admit of sagging of the trolley-wire, and of an upward deflection thereof, as shown in Fig. 3. As the trolley-wheel moves rapidly along on the wire it will not encounter a permanent obstacle until it arrives at the clamping-members of the switch and even though the trolley-wheel should at this 1noment leave the wire, the trips, or at least the first trip, will be engaged and operated. The provision here made for supporting the trolley-switch on the wire is of advantage in connection with any form of trolleyswitch, hence the particular construction of trolleyswitch is not material.

I claim 1. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a pivoted contact-member, a pivoted trolleyengaging trip, a spring connecting said contact member and trip, said contact-member and trip being arranged for movement about parallel axes arranged in parallel relation with the trolley-wire, substantially as de scribed.

2. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a trolleyengaging trip, a pivoted contactmember arranged for operation by said trip, an inertia device associated with said contact-member and arranged for movement in one direction by said member and for moving said member on its return movement, and a return spring attached to said inertia device by which said device and contactmember are returned, substantially as described.

3. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a trolley-engaging trip, a pivoted contactmember arranged for operation by said trip, an inertia device yieldingly connected with said contact-member and also arranged for movement in one direction by said member and for moving said member on its return movement, and a return spring attached to said inertia device by which said device and contact-member are returned, said yielding connection between said contact-member and inertia device permitting the latter to move independently in advance of the former at the end of its movement in one direction, substantially as described.

4:. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a pivoted trip arranged for engagement with a trolley-wheel, a movable contactmember yieldingly connected with said trip and an inertia-device arranged for movement in one direction by said contact-member when said member is moved by the trip to close a circuit, and means arranged to return said inertia device, said device being arranged on its return movement to engage the contact-member and move said member to open the circuit, substantially as described.

5. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a pivoted trip arranged for engagement with the trolley-wheel, a movable contactmember yieldingly connected with said trip and operated by it in one direction and an inertia-device arranged to be moved by said contact-member in one direction and said device having means associated with it to move it in the other direction to move the contact-member on its return movement and restore said member to normal position, substantially as described.

6. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a trolley-engaging trip, a pivoted contactmember yieldingly connected therewith, a pivoted inertia-device arranged adjacent said contact-member and having a lug arranged in front of said contact-member, whereby said device is movable in one direction by said contact-member and said contact-member is returnable to normal position by said device, and a return-spring connected to said device, substantially as described.

7 In a trolley-switch, the combination of a trolley-engaging trip, a movable contactmember yieldingly connected therewith, and

' an inertia-device yieldingly connected with said contact-member which is movable with said member in one direction and then in advance thereof by momentum and a returnspring arranged to return said device and contact-member, substantially as described.

8. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a trolley-engaging trip, a pivoted contactmember arranged for operation by said trip, a pivoted inertia device arranged adjacent said contact-member having a return-spring attached to it and having a lug arranged in front of and normally engaging said contact-member whereby said inertia device and contact-member are movable together and the inertia device is also movable independently thereof, substantially as described.

9. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a trolley-engaging trip, a pivoted contactmember arranged for operation by said trip, a pivoted inertia device arranged adjacent said contact-member and yieldingly connected therewith and having a lug arranged in front of and normally engaging said contact-member whereby said inertia device and contact-member are movable together and the inertia device is also movable independently thereof, substantially as described.

10. In a trolley-switcl1,tl1e combination of a trolley-engaging trip, a pivoted contactmember arranged for operation by said trip, a pivoted inertia device arranged adjacent said contact-member and movable about the same axis, a return-spring attached to said inertia device, a lug arranged on said inertia device which extends over the front of the contact-member and normally engages said member whereby said inertia device and contact-member are movable together and the inertia device is also permitted to move independently thereof, substantially as described.

11. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a trolley-engaging trip, a pivoted contactmember arranged for operation by said trip, a pivoted inertia device arranged adjacent said contact-member, a spring connecting said inertia device with said contact-member, a return spring attached to the inertia device, and a'lug arranged on said inertia device which extends over the front of the contact-member and normally engages said member whereby said inertia device and contact-member are movable together and the inertia device is also permitted to move independently thereof, substantially as described.

12. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a pair of pivoted contact-members, a pair of pivoted trolley-engaging trips yieldingly connected with said members and a pair of pivoted inertia devices arranged for movement 1n one direction by said contact-members, and means for returning said inertia devices and contact-members, said contactmembers, inertia devices and trips being arranged for oscillation about parallel axes arranged in parallel relation with the trolley-wire, substantially as described.

13. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a pair of movable contact-members, a pair of trolley-engaging trips for actuating said members, pivotally mounted to swing about axes approximately in parallel relation to the trolley-wire, and a pair of inertia-devices arranged for movement in one direction by said contact-members, a returnspring for each inertia device arranged to return said device and its associated contactmember, and an interlocking-device arranged for engagement with said contactmembers, substantially as described.

14:. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a trolley Wire-section, a support, a pair of movable contact-members, a pair of trolley-engaging trips. independently movable transversely of said Wire-section when engaged by the trolley-wheel, to operate said contact-members, respectively, and means operated by either trip to permit operation of one contact-member and prevent operation of the other contact member, substantially as described.

15. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a support, a pair of movable contactmembers, a'pair of trips disposed in the path of the trolley-wheel and successively movable by said wheel, transversely with respect to the trolley-wire, as the wheel passes in e ther direction, means disposed to be operated by either trip, as it is actuated, to prevent operative movement of the contact-member of the other trip, substantially as described. I

16. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a support, a pair of movable contactmembers, a pair of trips for operatingvsaid members, having trolley-engaging portions normally arranged in the path of the trolley-wheel. said trips being movable transversely of said path by the trolley'wheel, in

succession, as the trolley-wheel passes in either direction, and means operated by either trip to prevent operative movement of the contact member associated with the other trip, substantially as described.

17. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a support, a pair of movable contact-members, a pair of trips, movable by the trolleywheel transversely of said support to operate said contact-members, respectively, a detaining-device for preventing operation of either contact-member when its associated trip is actuated, and means, actuated by either trip when it is operated in advance of the other, to operate said detaining-device thereby to prevent operation of the contact-member associated with the trip last operated, substantially as described.

18. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a support, a pair of movable contactmembers, a pair of trips, each having a yielding connection with one of said members and arranged to be successively actuated by the trolley-wheel, as it passes in either direction, to operate said members, and a de taining-device movable by either of said trips, when actuated in advance of the other, to detain the contact member of the other trip against operative movement, substan tially as described.

19. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a pair of movable contact-members, a pair of trips, successively movable in corresponding directions by the trolley-wheel as it passes in either direction, and operatively connected to said contact-members, respectively, a detainingdevice normally held in an inoperative position, and means, oper ated by one of said contact-members when moved to operative position, to move said detaining device to detain the other contactmember against operative movement, substantially as described.

20. In a trolley-switch the combination of a support, a pair of pivoted contact-members and contact-springs adapted to be engaged by them, a pair of pivoted trolley-engaging trips movable by the trolley-wheel transversely of said support and arranged to operate said contact-members, respectively, a pivoted detaining-device associated with both contact-members and a lockingdevice for said detaining-device, substantially as described.

21. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a support, a pair of pivoted contact-members and contact-springs adapted to be engaged by them, a pair of pivoted trolley engaging trips movable by the trolley-wheel transversely of said support and arranged to operate said contact-members, respectively, a pivoted detaining-device associated with both contact-members and a lockingdevice for said detaining-device which is associated With both contact-members and is operated by them to disengage the detaining-device, substantially as described.

22. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a support, pair oi"- movable contactmembers and contact-springs adapted to be engaged by them, a pair of trips movable by the trolley-wheel transversely of said support to operate said contact-members, respectively, a detainingdevice associated with said contact-members adapted to be moved by either member into position to prevent the other member from engaging its associated contact-spring, a pivoted lockingarm intoengagement with which said detaining-device is movable, said locking-arm being moved by either contact-arm to disengage the detaining-device, substantially as described.

23. In a trolley-switch, the combination with a support, a pair of movable contactmembers and contact-springs adapted to be engaged by them, a pair of trips adapted to be moved by the trolley-wheel, transversely of said support to operate said contactmembers, respectively, a detainingdevice associated with said contact-members and a locking-device for said detaining-device, said detaining-device having two arms, each arm adapted for engagement With both contact-members, and means arranged on each contact-member for moving the locking-arm to disengage the detaining-device, sul;1stan tially as described.

24-. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a support, a pair of movable contact members and contact-springs adapted to be engaged by them, a pair of transversely movable trips for said contact-members adapted to be operated successively by the trolley wheel, and interlocking mechanism associated with said contact-members, adapted to be operated by either member to prevent the other from engaging its con tact-spring, substantially as described.

25. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a support, a pair of movable contactmembers and contact-springs adapted to be engaged by them, a pair of transversely movable trips for said contact-members adapted to be operated successively by the trolley-wheel, and interlockingmechanism associated with said contact-members, adapted to be operated by either member to prevent the other member from engaging its contact-spring and adapted to be operated by the member which is operated last to lock the member which is operated first, substantially as described.

26. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a support, a pair of movable contactmembers and contact-springs adapted to be engaged by them, a pair of transversely movable trips for said contact-members adapted to be operated successively by the trolley-Wheel, and interlocking-mechanism associated With said contact-members adapted to be operated successively by said members to prevent one member from engaging its contact-spring and to lock the other member in engagement With its contactspring, and to be operated by the member Which is operated last to disengage the member which is operated first, substantially as described. I

27. In a trolley-sWitch,the combination of a support, a pair of movable contactmembers and contact-springs adapted to be engaged by them, a pair of transversely movable trips for said contact-members adapted to be operated successively by the trolley- Wheel, and interlocking-mechanism associated With said contact-members arranged to be operated by the member first operated to engage and prevent operation of the other member and to be operated by the initial movement of said other member to engage the member first operated and upon subsequent movement of said other member to disengage the member first operated, whereupon both members resume their normal positions, substantially as described.

28. In a trolley-switch, the combination of a support, a pair of movable contact-members and contact-springs adapted to be engaged by them, a pair of transversely movable trips for said contactmembers adapted to be operated successively by the trolley- Wheel, and interlocking-mechanism associated With said contact-members and moved by the member first operated to prevent the other member from engaging its contactspring, and subsequently controlled by said other member to hold the member first operated in engagement with its contactspring and subsequently disengage said member, substantially as described.

29. In combination With a trolley-switch frame, of a foot-piece, means to connect said foot-piece at the middle portion thereof to the trolley-Wire, said foot-piece having Wire-receiving recesses between the points of connection With the Wire and each end thereof, made of a depth to admit of defiection of the Wire, substantially as de-- scribed.

30. In combination With a trolley-switch frame, of a foot-piece, and clamping-members at the middle of the foot-piece to en gage the trollev-Wire, said foot-piece having recesses extended from its ends inward to contact-member in engagement With its conv tact-spring While moving in advance of the contact-member, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

. JOHN J. RUDDICK. Witnesses B. J. Norms, H. B. DAVIS.

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

Washington, D. G.

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