US1795591A - Third-rail electric railway system - Google Patents

Description

March l0, 1931. R, F. ALLEN 1,795,591

THIRD-RAIL ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM Filed June 29, 1929 @f3 /lf ff i Z l- 27 25 fm 54 57@ @M7-:Ley

Patented Mar. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES RODNEY'F. ALLEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS THIRD-RAIL ELECTRIC RAILWAY SYSTEM Application filed June 29,

The invention relates to a third-rail electric railway system, and is particularly adapted for railway systems used for elevated railroads or interurban lilies.

One of the primary objects oithe invention is to employ a third-rail trolley which is secured to the truck body of the railway car and has the trolley wheel in Contact with the under surface of the third-rail, which latter is preferably held in elevated position beside the track of the railway system, and which third-rail is so constructed and placed in such ,a position as to be free from rain, snow, ice etc., at all times, in order that a positive and uninterrupted electrical contact may always be made by the trolley wheel with the third-rail.

Another of the primary objects of the invention is tol form th-e trolley and its associated parts in such a manner that a good contact between the trolley wheel and the third-rail, shall be established and maintained irrespective of any unusual obstructions7 roughness or foreign substances on the rails, or unevenness or inequalities therein, or variations in the height thereof.

It will be readily apparent that it is im portant, to maintain a perfect electrical contact between the trolley wheel and the thirdrail in order that the electric railway car and train may be under control and in perfect electrical operation at the will and control of the train operator.

It is another object of the invention to embody in the construction a rocking or oscillating element positioned with reference to,

and operated by, certain springs whereby smoothness and evenness of operation ot the third-rail trolley shall invariably and continuously be secured.

One of the further objects of the invention is to construct the third-rail trolley supports so that they may be readily adjusted lto suit conditions of assembly .and operation in order to secure satisfactory operation of the apparatus. Y

A further object of the invention is to construct the rocking element in such a manner that although the trolley may rock in either direction longitudinally of the truck and in 1929. Serial No. 374,848.

the-direction of travel of the electric railway car or train, no lateral or transverse motion of the trolley wheel will be possible.

The invention will be explained and more readily understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating one embodiment of the invention, but it will be understood that various changes and modifications of which the invention is susceptible may be made without departing from the spirit of the appended claims forming a part hereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of the third-rail trolley system of the invention shown in supported position on the truck of a railway car, shown in dotted lines, and also shows in section. a portion of the third-rail.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the structure of the invention in position on the railway car truck, on the line 2-2 of Figure l, and also shows the third-rail in section.

Figure 3 is a transverse View of the struc ture shown in Figures 1 and 2 on the lines 3 3 of Figures l and 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view or the rocker element of the structure.

Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the rocker element, and

Figure G is a perspective view of the rocher element.

The third-rail trolley mechanism of the invention is secured to the truck body of the electric railway car in any suitable manner. As shown in the drawings the structure of the invention is secured to the carriage 10 of the truck beneath the springs 11 and between the cushion springs 12 and 13. These various parts oi the truck are assembled with the wheels 14 and 15 which ride upon the rail 1G.

Vertical supporting bars 17 and 18 are secured to the truck body in any suitablel manner. The lower ends of each of the bars are provided with corrugations 19 and 20, respectively, adapt-ed to fit in corresponding corrugations 21 and 22, respectively7 of the transverse supporting bar 23 which extends from the outer lower ends of the vertical supporting bars 17 and 18. The vertical supporting bars 17 and 18 and the transverse 1.1, tion 31 by the curved arm supporting bar 23 form a structure in the nature of a stirrup for the support of the entire' trolley and rocker mechanism.

The transverse supporting bar 23` is provided with a pair ot outwardly extending ears or lugs 241 and 25. These lugs or ears 2st and 25 are integral with the transverse supporting` bar 23 and must be made of suflicient strength and rigidity to support the outer ends ot a pair ot relatively heavy fiat metallic compression springs 26 and 27, which are bolted to the ears 24 and 25, respectively, by means ot the sets oi bolts and nuts 28 and 2t, respectively.

A rocker element, generally designated 30, is loosely mounted upon the flat springs 2G and 27. The rocker element is formed with the rocker body 31, having a round bolt hole 32 extending transversely through it for the insertion of a bolt 83, preferably a round bolt. Extending outwardly from the main rocker body 31, and integral therewith, is the trolley arm support 34. The trolley arm support 3% connected to the main rocker por- The trolley arm portion 34 is provided with the square hole 36 extendingl vertically entirely therethrough for the reception and reciprocation oi' the rectangular depending stem 37 ot the bii'urcated trolley wheel arm 38. The trolley wheel 39 is suitably secured to rotate in the arms ot the biturcated arm 38. The trolley wheel 39 is mounted on a shaft fitted in the arms, and the shaft is suitably lubricated.

lVlien in operative position a relatively strong` compression coil spring.;` Ll() is placed about the depending stem portion 37. The upper end of the coil spring presses against the lower surface of the biturcated portion ot' the trolley arm 238 and the lower end of the coil spring` 40, is seated upon and presses against the upper face of the extended body portion or arm A of the rocker element. l`he lower end ot the stem :i7 o lE the trolley arm provided with an aperture through which is extended a limiting pin ll., which serves to limit the movement oi thc trolley arm Elta with its stein 37 through the aperture 256.

The third-rail 42 may be supported in any approved manner, the particular design of support not 'forming` a part of the invention. As shown the support t3, provided with the suitably insulated arm tat, is designed to hold the third-rail 42 in proper relative position to form electrical contact with the trolley wheel 39. The supporting` rod all may be either round or square, as desired` and it may be secured to the third-rail in any approved manner, eitner as shown, with the curved portion to which the third-rail is welded, or otherwise. secured, or it may have the arm extending directly in a straighty line and secured to the third-rail. The third-rail preterably is a channel iron with downwardly extending- {lang-es, such as L15 ande-(, so that at all times the contacting surlaec ot the third-rail with the trolley wheel 3f), will be dry and clear and tree from rain, sleet, ice, etc. The third-rail is prcferaliy made wide enough so that any drippinp's oi' rain or snow will fall away from the trolley arm, the coil spring,` and other associated parts.

The transverse suppfn-ting` bar 2B is adlustably secured in the lower ends oi the vertical supporting` bars 17 and 1S. Vertical slots 47 and 48 are placed in one end ol the, transverse supporting' bar 23 and extend into and through thc lower end ol" the vertical su pporting bar 17. Bolts and nuts l-O and 50, respectively. are iitted into the slots #i7 and 4:8 and permit vertical adjustment ot the har 3 carrying; the integral extensions 24- and and the flat springs 2G and 27. with relation to the vertical bar 17. A correspondine` pair ot slots 51 and 52 and bolts and nuts 5S and 54, similar in construction and mperation to the slots 1l-7 and i8 and the bolts and nuts 49 and 50, are placed in the other end ot the transverse bar 23 and the lower end of the vertical bar 18.

The round bolt 33, which extends in the aperture 32 through the rocker body portion 31 and into the transverse supporting bar 2". is provided at its outer end with a nut 55. rl`he nut and the. stem end ot the trolley arm are placed in such relative positions that the stem 37 will he tree to pass downwardly through the aperture 3G in the extension arm 34, past the nut without interference.

A spacer nut 56 is placed on the round bolt to maintain the rocker element Il() a suitable distance from the transverse supportingV rod It will be understood trom the 'foregoing description ot' the invention that in normal operation the trolley wheel arm will press against the under surface o't the third-rail` because ot' the action ot the compression spring' 4-0 which always tends to raise the trolley arm and cause the, trolley wheel lo malte the contact with the under surface ol the third-rail.

lt will also lie understood that the resistance offered by the third-rail to the in )ward action ot the spring;` 40 causes the depression ol the rocker element 8O against the normal upward action ot the flat flexible springs 2G and 27 causing' the tree ends oi" the latter to be depressed. These springs are sutliciently strong to resist complete bending or depression ol the springs and the passage between their free ends of the rocker element 30.

It will be obvious that Vin thc event that there is an irregularity, or unusual obstruction on the track rail, or a variation in the height of the track rail with respect to the third-rail, the trolley arm and wheel will rock longitudinally on the springs 26 and 2T through the medium or" the rocher SO secured by the bolt 33.

Althoiurh the entire trolley i liu arm Wheel and rocker are free to oscillate or tilt backwardly or forwardly longitudinally with the car, the trolley wheel is always kept in a straight forward position and ifree from lateral movement due to the rectangular forni of the stem 37, fitted in the square or rectangular opening 36. It will also be obvious that not only may the adjustability of the transverse supporting bar 23, in an upward or downward direction be secured, but lateral movement or displacement of the transverse supporting bar 23 and the flat iieXible springs 26 and 27 is prevented because of the connection of the ends of the transverse bar 23 with the ends of the vertical bars 17 and 18 by means of the corrugations 19, 21 and 20, 22, respectively.

It will be understood also that the thirdrail will be located the usual distance outside of the nearest rail of the track, and the usual dista-nce above the top of the rail, and that the rocker element, the trolley arm and wlieel and the supporting members for the entire mechanism will be of suitable and proper dimensions to cause the entire third-rail system to be correctly and advantageously operated.

Having thus described my invention, what I cla-im and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1 In a third-rail electric railway system the combination of a railway car truck, a stirrup secured to said truck, two flat springs secured at their outer ends to said stirrup, the free ends of sai-d springs being separated from each other, and a rocker movable on the free end portions of said springs, said rocker being connected with a trolley having a trolley wheel adapted to contact with a third-rail.

2. In a third-rail electric railway system the combination of a railway car truck, an adjustable stirrup secured to said truck, two flat springs secured at their outer ends to said stirrup, the free ends of said springs f being adjacent each other, and a rocker movable on said springs, said rocker being connected with a trolley having a, trolley wheel adapted to contact with a third-rail.

3. In a third-rail electric railway system the combination of a railway car truclr, vertical supports secured to said truck, a transverse support connected with said vertical supports and adjustable therewith, a pair ot Hat springs secured at their outer ends to said transverse support, and leaving a space between the inner free ends of sai-d springs, and a rocker spanning said space and adapted to rock on said springs, a trolley arm associated with said rocker and adapted to move relatively thereto, said rocker permitting longitudinal rocking movement of said trolley but preventing lateral movement thereof with respect to the third-rail.

4. In a third-rail electric railway system the combination of a railway car truck, of

vertical and horizontal supports, said supports being adjustable with each other in a vertical relation, said horizontal support having integral lugs or ears extending from its opposite end portions, a flat spring extending from each of said lugs or ears, a rocker adapted to rock on said springs, a trolley arm movably associated with said rocker, said trolley arm having a trolley wheel adapted to contact with a third-rail.

5. In a third-rail electric railway system the combination of a railway car truck, of vertical and horizontal supports, said supports being adjustable with each other in a vertical relation, said horizontal support having integral lugs or ears extending from its opposite end portions, two flat springs extending toward each other from each of said lugs or ears, but not meeting, a rocker adapt ed to rock on said springs, a trolley arm movably associated with said rocker, said trolley arm having a trolley wheel adapted to contact with a third-rail.

6. In a third-rail electric railway system the combination oit a railway car truck, vertical and transverse supports secured there to, flat lleXible springs secured at opposite ends of said transverse support, the free ends of which springs extend toward each other but do not meet, a rocker element adapted to roel: on said springs, the rocker element having a. main rocking portion and an outwardly extending arm portion, a trolley arm vertically movable with relation to said outwardly extending rocker portion, a trolley' wheel secured to said trolley arm and adapted to contact with a third-rail. n

7. Ina third-rail electric railway system the combination of a railway car trunk, vertical and transverse supports secured thereto, fiat flexible springs secured at opposite ends of said transverse support, the free ends orn which springs extend toward each other but do not meet, a rocker element adapted to roclr on said springs, the rocher element havingva. main rocking portion and an outwardly extending arm portion, a. trolley arm movable with relation tosaid outwardly ertending arm portion, a trolley wheel securedI to said trolley arm and adapted to contact with a third-rail, said main rocker Vportion being provided with a horizontal aperture "for a supporting bolt and said extended arm portion being provided with au aperture for the reception and reciprocation of the trolley v arm.

8. In a third-rail electric railway system the combination oi:` a V'ailway car truck, vertical and transverse adjustable supports secured thereto, flat metallic springs secured at opposite ends of said transverse support, the free ends of which springs extend toward each other but do not meet, a rocker element adapted to rock on the end portions of said springs, the rocker elenrent having a main rocking portion and an outwardly extending arm portion, a trolley arm v rtically movable with relation to said outwardly extending arm portion, a trolley wheel. secured to said trolley arm and adapted to contact with a third-rail, said main rocker portion being provided with a round horizontal aperture for a siubporting bolt, and said extended arm portion being' provided with a vertical Square aperture for the reception and reciprocation otl the trolley arm.

9. ln a third-rail electric railway System the combination of a railway car truck, vertical supports on said car truck, a transverse support adjustably secured to Said vertical supports, each oi Said vertical supports havine` corrugations at its outer lower end, Said transverse supporti having,` eorrugations at its opposite inner ends, said corrugations on Fsaid vertical and transverse supports being adapted to contact and register to avoid lateral displacement thereot, said transverse support being vertically adjustable with said vertical supports, said transverse support being' provided with outwardly extending integral lugs at iteopposite outer end portions, a lat metallic spring extending inwardly from each of said luge, a r cker adapted to rock upon the free end portions of said iieX- ible springs, said rocker having a main body portion with a round horizontal hole adapted to receive a Supporting' bolt, said rocker having' an integral outwardly extending arm, said arm having a square vertical aperture, a trolley arm having an enlarged biturcated head portion with a trolley wheel, Said trolley arm having' a dependent rectangular Stem portion adapted to reciprocate in said square vertical opening in Said outwardly extending rocker arm, and a coil compression spring,r surrounding said rectangular stem normally adapted to cause said trolley wheel to remain in contact with the third-rail.

l0. In a third-rail electric railway System the combination ot a railway car truck, an adjustable supporting stirrup, the adjustment ot said stirrup beine' .secured by aI plurality ot bolts and sloteI in the members ot said stirrup, one ot the members of the `Qtirrup having' outwardly extending lugs at its opposite end portions, flat metallic springs Secured to Said lugs at one end with their free ends extending toward each other but not meeting, a rocker element having' a main body rocher portion with a hole therein 'for the reception ot a rocking bolt, said rocker element also having' an integral outwardly extending,` arm, which has a vertical rectangular hole therein, a trolley arm having; a biturcated main body portion, a trolley wheel adapted to rotate between the bitur cated arms, the trolley arm having a depending' rectangula stem adapted to he reciprocated in said rectangular vertical hole in the outwardly extending rocker arm and a compression coil spring` surrounding said depending rectangular stem interposed between the bitureated portion oit the trolley arm and the outwardly extending' rocker arn'i portion.

ll. In a rocker element for a third-rail electric railway trolley system the combination ol'V a main body rocking' portion with a transverse hole therein for a bolt or other su pporting' member, otl an arm portion integral with said. main rocking body portion and extending' therefrom and having a hole therein at right angles to said g'irst mentioned hole 'For the reception of the stem of a trolley Wheel arm.

12. In a rocker element for a third-rail electric railway trolley system the cmnbinatirni ot a main body rocking portion with a horizontal round hole therein, o't an arm poi tion integral with said main rocking' body portion and extendin therefrom and having a vertical ,figuare hole therein4` said horizontal round hole being' adapted to contain a bolt for securing said rocker element and said vertical square hole being adapted to receive the rectangular stem of a trolley wheel arm.

In witness whereof, l hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day ot June, A. l). 1925).

RODNEY l?. ALLEN.

lon

lllfi liu

Images