MXPA96002714A - Railway level signal - Google Patents

Abstract

A railway signal having a housing in which the housing has an annular flange thereon. The annular flange has opposite surfaces, first and second. One or more portions of the second flange surface, preferably molten raised protuberances, are machined to have a selected height. A reflector is mounted on the first flange surface. A lamp receptacle bracket is also attached to the signal housing. The lamp receptacle bracket has a first end which is mounted on the one or more machined portions of the second flange surface. The lamp receptacle bracket also has a second end that has a lamp receptacle attached thereto. An insulation plate is placed between the flat portion of the lamp receptacle and the flat surface of the lamp receptacle bracket

Description

RAILWAY LEVEL SIGNAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to the signals used in railway systems and more particularly to the methods and apparatus for mounting the reflector and the lamp receptacle of a signal. in the signal housing. 2. Description of the Prior Art Currently in the railway industry, signals including those used in railway-level crossings are generally comprised of a reflector enclosed within a molten metal housing. A lamp receptacle is also mounted within the housing holding an incandescent electric lamp. The assembly of the incandescent lamp should allow the lamp to be positioned so that the lamp light is concentrated by the reflector and directed through a disc of colored glass appropriately. In this way, the proposed observer of a signal will perceive the expected indication of the signal. In Figures 1 and 2 a typical signal unit of the prior art is shown. The reflector used in the signal units of the prior art is mounted on the newly cast surface of the housing.

Shock absorbers of elastomeric material are placed between the reflector and the housing to compensate for the discrepancies between the two components. The lamp receptacle is suspended from thin metal bars or strips which in turn are mounted to the newly fused surfaces of the housing. When these signals are constructed, the distance from the receptacle to the reflector must be adjusted manually for optimum light output. This often causes the bending of the metal bands and the manipulation of the reflector. Such mounting means in the prior art signal is shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the prior art. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a level crossing signal of the prior art 5 generally comprises a parabolic reflector 7 enclosed within a properly configured molten metal box 6. A suitable door 8 contains a colored glass disk 9; the door 8 can be easily opened each time access to the internal parts of the signal is required. An incandescent electric lamp 10 is positioned in such a way that the filament of the lamp 10 coincides with the focal point of the reflector 7. The lamp 10 is retained by the lamp receptacle 11, which is held by appropriately configured metal bands 12. The liner or insulation tape 13 is placed between the lamp receptacle 11 and the metal strip 12 in order to electrically isolate the lamp receptacle 11 from the rest of the signal. It is necessary that this insulation complies with the insulation standards of the signaling industry. A molten metal bracket 14 supports the entire lamp assembly. The elastomeric dampers 15 are placed between the reflector 7 and the case 6. A single mounting bolt 17 is used to exert mounting pressure on the reflector 7 through a mounting plug 16, thereby compressing the elastomeric dampers 15 and retaining the reflector in the desired location. When the signal unit 5 is assembled, it is necessary that the assembly personnel flex the metal strips 12 in order to place the filament of the lamp in the focal point of the reflector to obtain the best light output of the signal. This can be a delayed procedure. Also, the tightening of the bolt 17 can deform the reflector and unmatch its optical efficiency. The degradation of the elastomeric mounting dampers 15 due to the weather and aging conditions can cause the reflector 7 to move, thus unpairing the light output of the signal unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses a method of construction of a railroad level crossing signal that does not mount the lamp receptacle and the reflector to freshly cast surfaces. The invention uses machined surfaces instead to mount these components. An improved lamp receptacle bracket is configured to hold a lamp receptacle that is already widely used in the signaling industry. The receptacle is mounted in such a way that it can be electrically isolated from the rest of the signal without the use of tapes, coatings, or other means of insulation applied manually. The main optical components in the currently preferred railway signal are a reflector and a lamp receptacle. The signal unit constructed by the proposed construction method will mount both the reflector and the lamp receptacle to the machined surfaces. Accordingly, the distance between them can be controlled consistently, with great precision, preferably at the focal length of the reflector. This precision will help assembly personnel to build the signals since only minimal adjustments will be necessary after assembly. The railway signal has an accommodation, in the which housing has surfaces, first and second, on it. One or more portions of the second surface are machined in order to have a selected height. The machined portions of the second surface are preferably each raised protrusions that first melt in the housing and are then machined. Preferably, the housing has a generally annular flange provided therein, and the first and second portions of the housing having machined portions are the opposing annular surfaces of the flange. A reflector is mounted on the first flange surface. As with the prior art signals, the reflector is dimensioned and configured in such a way that when the reflector is secured to the signal housing, the signal has a focal point. The focal point is the location of the signal in which a light source that is provided at the focal point is directed out of the signal as a beam of light. A lamp receptacle bracket is also attached to the signal housing. The lamp receptacle bracket can be made of any suitable firm material and is preferably made of aluminum. The lamp receptacle bracket has a first end which is mounted on one or more portions machined from the second flange surface. The lamp receptacle bracket also has a second end having a lamp receptacle attached to it. The lamp receptacle bracket has a generally flat mounting plate which is engageable and secured to the machined portions of the second flange surface. The lamp receptacle bracket further has an elongated extension portion. The extension portion of the lamp receptacle bracket is connected at its first end to the lamp receptacle bracket mounting plate and extends outwardly therefrom. The lamp receptacle bracket also has a connection portion that is placed at the second end of the extension portion. The connecting portion of the lamp receptacle bracket has a generally planar surface with at least one and preferably two slotted apertures provided therethrough. The lamp receptacle also has a generally planar portion with at least one and preferably two apertures provided therethrough. The flat portion of the lamp receptacle and the flat surface of the lamp receptacle bracket are disengaged and configured in such a way that the flat portion of the lamp receptacle is engageable with and insurable to the flat surface of the connection portion of the lamp receptacle bracket. When the flat portion of the lamp receptacle is coupled to the flat surface of the lamp receptacle bracket, each of the openings in the flat lamp receptacle portion is alignable with respect to the openings in the flat surface of the receptacle bracket. of lamp. In this way, the connection means, such as a threaded pin, can be placed through the respective aligned openings. The signal also has a light source. The light source is contained by the lamp receptacle. By holding the lamp receptacle bracket to the signal housing, the light source is placed at the focal point of the signal. The preferred light source is an incandescent electric lamp. The electrical insulation is preferably provided to electrically isolate the lamp receptacle from the lamp receptacle bracket. The preferred electrical insulation is an insulation plate placed between the flat portion of the lamp receptacle and the flat surface of the lamp receptacle bracket. The isolation plate is preferably made of molded thermopastic, such as nylon; however, any material from adequate insulation. The insulation plate can be secured in position by any convenient means. The preferred means for securing the position of the insulation plate is by the proportion of openings through the insulation plate. The openings of the isolation plate are then aligned with the aligned openings of the flat portion of the lamp receptacle and the flat surface of the lamp receptacle bracket. In this way, the connecting means, ie the bolt, for example, can also be placed through the openings in the insulation plate. These bolts are also electrically isolated from the lamp receptacle bracket by being contained within suitable insulating nozzles. It is also preferred that one or more portions of the first flange surface be machined in order to have a selected height. The reflector is then preferably mounted on the machined portions of the first flange surface. Preferably, three portions of the first flange surface are machined in order to have selected heights. The machined portions of the first flange surface are each preferably raised protuberances which first melt in the housing flange before being machined. In this way, the reflector is mounted on three machined portions of the first flange surface separating approximately 120 °. The lamp receptacle bracket described herein is configured so as to be easily adjustable in all three axes. Also, after the lamp has been placed in the desired position, the bracket can be reliably secured. In addition, since the reflector is mounted directly on the machined surfaces, the elastomeric mounting dampers are no longer necessary. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a description of certain preferred embodiments thereof shown in the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front elevation view partially fractured and showing hidden lines of a signal unit of the prior art. Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the prior art signal unit of Figure 1 shown partially in cross section and partially broken away, showing hidden lines. Figure 3 is a front elevation view partially broken away and showing hidden lines of the currently preferred signal unit.

Figure 4 is a partially fractional side elevation view showing hidden lines of the currently preferred signal unit. Figure 5 is a front elevational view of the preferred lamp receptacle bracket assembly. Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the preferred lamp receptacle bracket assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the railway signal 20 has a box or housing 18.

Preferably, the signal housing 18 is produced upon melting. The signal housing 18 is preferably melted from aluminum, but can be made from any other suitable material. The signal housing 18 has sides, front 19 and rear 21, and also has a first surface 23 and a second surface 22 thereon. The signal housing 18 contains a reflector 28 and a lamp receptacle assembly that is generally composed of a lamp 50, a lamp receptacle 30 and a lamp receptacle bracket 36. One or more portions 24 of the second housing surface 22 are preferably machined in order to have a selected height. The machined portions 24 of the second housing surface 22 are preferably each elevated protuberances that first melt in the signal housing 18 and then machined. It is also preferred that the signal housing 18 have a generally annular flange 26 provided therein. In this manner, the first and second surfaces 23, 22 of the signal housing 18 having machined portions 25, 24 thereon are preferably the opposite annular surfaces of the flange 26. A reflector 28 is mounted on the machined portion 25. of the first flange surface 23. As with the prior art signals, the reflector 28 is dimensioned and configured in such a way that when the reflector 28 is secured to the signal housing 18, the signal 20 has a focal point. The focal point is the location of the signal 20 in which a light source 50 that is provided at the focal point is directed out of the signal 20 as a light beam. The spring clips 56 tensioned by the metal screws 55 secure the reflector 28 to the machined surfaces 25. Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6, the present preferred signal 20 has a lamp receptacle bracket 36 for holding a lamp receptacle. 30. The lamp receptacle 30 supports a light source or lamp 50, typically an incandescent lamp therein. The lamp receptacle bracket 36 is fastened to the signal housing 18. The lamp receptacle bracket 36 is mounted at one end on one or more machined portions 24 of the second flange surface 22. The lamp receptacle bracket 36 also has a lamp receptacle 30 attached to an end opposite thereto. The lamp receptacle bracket 36 can be made of any suitably firm material and is preferably made of aluminum. The lamp receptacle bracket 36 further has a generally flat mounting plate 38 which is engageable with and secured to the machined portions 24 of the second flange surface 22. The mounting plate 38 of the lamp receptacle bracket 36 has openings 39 provided therethrough. The mounting plate 38 of the lamp receptacle bracket 36 is mounted to the machined portions 24 of the second flange surface 22 by means of a threaded bolt or screw 41 which is placed through the mounting plate opening 39 and the corresponding openings in the signal housing 18. The lamp receptacle bracket 36 also has an elongated extension portion 40 which is connected at one end to the mounting plate of the lamp receptacle bracket 38 and extends outward from the same. The lamp receptacle bracket 36 also has a connecting portion 42 which is positioned at an opposite end of the extension portion 40. The connecting portion 42 of the lamp receptacle bracket 36 has a generally planar surface 44 with at least one and preferably two slotted openings 46 provided through it. The lamp receptacle 30 also has a generally planar portion 32 with at least one and preferably two openings 34 provided therethrough. The flat portion 32 of the lamp receptacle 30 and the flat surface 44 of the connecting portion of the lamp receptacle bracket 42 are dimensioned and configured in such a way that the flat portion 32 of the lamp receptacle 30 is engageable with and insurable to the flat surface 44 of the connecting portion of the lamp receptacle bracket 42. When the flat portion of the lamp receptacle 32 is coupled to the flat surface of the connecting portion of the lamp receptacle bracket 44, each of the openings 34 of the flat portion of lamp receptacle 32 is alignable with the respective notched openings 46 of the connecting portion of the lamp receptacle bracket 42. In this way, the connecting means 48, such as a threaded pin, can placed through the respective aligned openings 34, 46.

The signal 20 also has a light source 50. The light source 50 is contained by the lamp receptacle 30. The lamp receptacle is in turn secured to the signal housing 18 by the lamp receptacle bracket 36. When fastening the lamp receptacle bracket 36 to the signal housing 18, the light source 50 is placed at the focal point of the signal. The preferred light source 50 is an incandescent electric lamp. The electrical insulation is preferably provided to electrically isolate the lamp receptacle from the lamp receptacle bracket. The preferred electrical insulation is an insulating plate 52 placed between the flat portion of the lamp receptacle 32 and the connecting portion of the lamp receptacle bracket 42. The insulating plate 52 is preferably made of molded thermopastic, such as nylon; however, any suitable insulation material may be used. The insulation plate 52 can be secured in its position by any convenient means. The preferred means for securing the position of the insulation plate is by providing openings 54 through the insulation plate 52. The insulation plate openings 54 are then aligned with the aligned openings 34, 46 of the flat portion of the insulation plate. lamp receptacle and the flat connection portion of the lamp receptacle bracket. In this way, the connecting means 48, ie the bolt, for example, can also be placed through the openings 54 of the insulation plate 52. A nozzle or sleeve 49 of any suitable insulating material, isolates the medium connection 48 of the bracket connection portion 42. It is also preferred that one or more portions 25 of the first flange surface 23 be machined in order to have a selected height. The reflector 28 is then preferably mounted on the machined portions 25 of the first flange surface 23. The reflector 28 thus supports a number of machined portions 25 on the signal housing 18. A number of mounting fasteners 56 secures the reflector 28 to the machined portions 25 of the first flange surface 23. The fasteners are made of silicious bronze, so as to exert force on the reflector when the screws 55 are tightened. Preferably, three portions 25 of the first flange surface 23 are machined to have selected heights. The machined portions 25 of the first flange surface 23 are preferably each raised protuberances that first melt into the housing flange 26 before being machined. In this way, the reflector 28 is mounted on the three portions machined 25 of the first flange surface 23 which are separated approximately 120 °. Accordingly, the lamp receptacle bracket 36 which positions the lamp receptacle 30 and, consequently, the light source 50, and the reflector 28 support a number of machined structures 24, 25 of the signal housing 18. The relative positions of the The reflector 28 and the light source 50 can thus be precisely controlled by controlling the amount of stored machining of the machined portions 25, 24 of the first and second surfaces, 23, 22 of the signal housing 18. The receptacle assembly of The lamp, shown in greater detail in Figures 5 and 6, consists of the lamp receptacle 30, the lamp receptacle bracket 36 and the light source 50. The lamp receptacle bracket 36 is melted or otherwise formed from aluminum or other suitable material. The lamp receptacle bracket 36 is equipped with suitable openings at one end and holes at the other end. The lamp receptacle 30 is mounted by means of metal screws 48 in the openings 46 of the bracket connection portion 42. The lamp receptacle 30 is a standard railway signaling receptacle which is already in use in other types of apparatus. Signaling. He The lamp receptacle 30 is designed to accept a standard one-contact 50-pin bayonet-type signal lamp. The metal screws 48 engage the threaded holes 34 in the receptacle 30 and are concentrically enclosed by insulating nozzles 49 where the screws 48 pass through the openings 46. An insulation plate 52 is interposed between the flat portion of the lamp receptacle 32 and the lamp receptacle bracket 36. Then, the screws hold the lamp receptacle assembly to the signal housing 18 on the mounting plate of the lamp receptacle bracket 38. The rest of the signal unit 20 is substantially similar to the signal units of the prior art. A focusing operation must be carried out after the assembly of the signal unit ensures that the signal unit distributes a concentrated beam of light. This focusing operation is carried out as follows. First, the metal screws 48 are loosened enough to allow the receptacle to move along the axis of the reflector by means of slotted holes 46, until the point where the most intense beam of light is emitted by the unit is reached. of signal. The screws are then tightened and the screws 41 that hold the lamp receptacle assembly to the box they are then loosened so that the lamp receptacle assembly can move around the plane perpendicular to the axis of the reflector. When the lamp receptacle is located in such a way that the light beam coming from the signal unit is parallel to the reflector axis, the screws that hold the lamp receptacle assembly to the signal box are tightened. The seating of the lamp receptacle assembly can then be immobilized by sealing the screw threads by any suitable means. Although certain current preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it is clearly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise incorporated within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (24)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore the property described in the following claims is claimed as property. A railway signal, comprising: a housing having surfaces, first and second, thereon, wherein at least a portion of said second surface is machined in order to have a selected height; a reflector mounted on said first surface, wherein said signal has a focal point in which a light source provided at said focal point is directed out of said signal as a beam of light; and a lamp receptacle bracket having a first end and a second end, wherein a first end of said lamp receptacle bracket is mounted on at least one machined portion of said second surface, and wherein a second end of said second receptacle. Lamp receptacle bracket has a lamp receptacle attached to it.
2. 2. The railway signal according to the claim 1, characterized in that said housing has a generally annular flange thereon, and wherein said first surface of said housing is a generally annular surface of said flange and said second surface of said housing is an opposite surface. of said annular rim.
3. 3. The railway signal according to the claim 2, characterized in that said lamp receptacle bracket has a generally flat mounting plate which is engageable and secured to said at least one machined portion of said first flange surface.
4. 4. The railway signal according to the claim 3, characterized in that said lamp receptacle bracket further has an extension portion having ends, first and second, wherein said extension portion is connected at said first end to said mounting plate and extends outwardly therefrom, and wherein said lamp receptacle bracket has a connection portion positioned at said second end of said extension portion.
5. 5. The railway signal according to the claim 4, characterized in that said connecting portion of said lamp receptacle bracket has a generally flat surface with at least one aperture provided thereon.
6. 6. The railway signal according to the claim 5, characterized in that said lamp receptacle has a generally flat portion with at least one aperture provided thereon and wherein said flat portion of said lamp receptacle is engageable and secured to said flat surface of said connecting portion of the lamp receptacle bracket.
7. 7. The railway signal according to the claim 6, characterized in that said flat portion of the lamp receptacle is coupled to said flat surface of the lamp receptacle, each of said at least one opening of said flat portion of the lamp receptacle is alignable with the respective ones of said at least one opening said flat surface of lamp receptacle bracket so that the connection means can be placed through the respective aligned openings.
8. 8. The railway signal according to the claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises an insulation plate placed between said flat portion of lamp receptacle and said flat surface of lamp receptacle bracket.
9. 9. The railway signal according to the claim 8, characterized in that said insulation plate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of molded plastic insulation materials.
10. The railway signal according to claim 8, characterized in that said insulation plate has openings provided therethrough, in which said isolation plate openings are alignable with said aligned openings of said flat lamp receptacle portion and said flat lamp receptacle bracket surface, such that said connecting means can also be placed therethrough.
11. 11. The railway signal according to the claim 1, characterized in that said lamp receptacle bracket is made of aluminum.
12. The railway signal according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a portion of said first flange surface is machined in order to have a selected height, and wherein said reflector is mounted on said at least one machined portion of said first surface of flange.
13. The railway signal according to claim 12, characterized in that at least three portions of said first flange surface are machined in order to have a selected height, and wherein said reflector is mounted on three machined portions of said first flange surface, generally separated 120 °.
14. 14. The railway signal according to the claim 12, characterized in that said at least one machined portion of said first flange surface are each raised protuberances fused in said housing flange.
15. 15. The railway signal according to the claim 1, characterized in that said at least one machined portion of said second flange surface are each raised protuberances fused in said housing flange.
16. 16. The railway signal according to the claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a light source contained by said lamp receptacle, wherein said light source is positioned by said lamp receptacle and said lamp receptacle bracket at said focal point of the signal.
17. 17. The railway signal according to claim 1, characterized in that said lamp receptacle bracket has a generally flat mounting plate, which is engageable and secured to said at least a machined portion of said first flange surface.
18. The railway signal according to claim 17, characterized in that said lamp receptacle bracket further has an extension portion having ends, first and second, wherein said extension portion is connected at said first end to said mounting plate and it extends outwardly therefrom, and wherein said lamp receptacle bracket has a connecting portion positioned at said second end of said extension portion.
19. 19. The railway signal according to the claim 18, characterized in that said connecting portion of said lamp receptacle bracket has a generally planar surface with at least one aperture provided thereon.
20. 20. The railway signal according to the claim 19, characterized in that said lamp receptacle has a generally planar portion with at least one aperture provided thereon and wherein said planar portion of said lamp receptacle is engageable and secured to said planar surface of said lamp bracket connection portion. lamp receptacle.
21. 21. The railway signal according to the claim 20, characterized in that when said flat portion of lamp receptacle is coupled to said flat lamp receptacle bracket surface, each of said at least one aperture of said flat portion of lamp receptacle is alignable with the respective ones of said at least one. an opening of said flat surface of lamp receptacle bracket so that the connecting means can be positioned through the respective aligned openings.
22. 22. The railway signal according to the claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises an insulation plate placed between said flat portion of lamp receptacle and said flat surface of corbel of lamp receptacle.
23. 23. The railway signal according to claim 22, characterized in that said insulation plate is made of a material selected from the group consisting of molded plastic insulation materials. The railway signal according to claim 22, characterized in that said insulation plate has openings provided therethrough, wherein said isolation plate openings are aligned with said aligned openings of said flat portion of lamp receptacle and said flat surface of lamp receptacle bracket, in such a way that said connecting means can also be placed through them.