US1393677A - Parallel ground-throw switch-stand - Google Patents

Description

v A T. H. EDELBLUTE. PARALLEL GROUND THROW SWITCH STAND.

APPLICATION. FILED APR.14, I921 Patented Oct. '11, 1921.

T E E H 4 s T E E "n s 2 %INVENTOR; 2.. 2/

T. H. EDELBLUTE. PARALLEL GROUND THRQW SWITCH STAND. 7

APPLICATION ma o 11311.14. 1921.

1,398,677. "Pfltented Oct. 11,1921. 2 SHEETS-SHEET-Z.

Ii 7 fig. 9 26 HI 2595 25 UNITED STATES PARALLEL GROUND-THROW SWITCH-STAND.

Application filed April 14, 1921.

To all w/lomit may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS H. EDEL- nLU'rn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Parallel Ground-Throw Switch- Stands, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention is for a switch stand, and relates particularly to a switch stand of the type in which the lever for throwing the switch is horizontal and close to the ground when the switch is in either of its two operating positions.

Switches of this type are particularly useful in mines and other places in which the space is very limited and where it is important that there should be no projections extendinn' any substantial distance abovethe ground level. Switch stands of this type have been made but, by reason of some of the parts being grooved or slotted, or in other types by the inclusion of gearing, the connection is not positive, and they are relatively expensive to build.

An object of the present invention is to provide av switch stand of this type which may be cheaply and easily made, and in which the parts are held against relative movement, and in which they may be positively connected.

My invention may be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of a preferred form of my invention with a portion of the supporting plate broken away;

ig. 2 is a similar view showing the entire supporting plate and showing the mechanism moved to the opposite position from that in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 shows a side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 1;

' Fig. 4 is a section on line IV-JV of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the device;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified construction;

Fig. 7 is a section on line VII-VII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 shows in elevation a portion of the side of the switch stand shown in Fig. 6.

Referrin to F ms. 1 to 5 of the (lI'fiWHlP, b o.

Specification of Iietters Patent.

Patented Oct. 11, 1921.

Serial No. 461,262.

5 represents asupporting plate which is arched in the center, as shown, and on the ends of which are flanges 6 adapted to rest on the tops of the cross ties, as indicated in Fig. 8, the flanges being notched, as shown, for the reception of fastening means. The supporting plate 5 is adapted to be placed substantially parallel with the rails and may be formed of a single malleable casting, or in any other preferred manner. Depending from one side of the arched portion of this supporting member is an integral lug 7. Projecting from a suitable point on the top of member 5 is a boss 8 having a central opening therethrough.

One end of the connecting rod for moving the switch point is indicated at 9, and it is pivotally connected at 10 with an arm 11 on the post 12, the upper end. of whichpost is rounded and shouldered as clearly shown in Fig. This rounded end 12' is threaded, and extends upwardly through plate 5 and boss 8, which provides a bearing, and a nut 18 on the threaded projecting end 12 ivotally holds the post in position. It is preferred that arm 11 and post 12 be formed from a single casting and that the upper end be machined, but I do not limit myself to such construction. An arm ll having one end rounded at 15 has its opposite end bifurcated at 16, and the two side members are adapted to embrace the post 12. A transverse pin 17 passing through the bifurcated end sections and through post 12 serves to pivotally hold the arm 14 on the post. rides a bell crank havinga. rigid arm 11 and a hinged or pivoted arm 14.

Projecting from lug 7 is a pin 18 which provides a pivot for an operating or throw lever 19 on one end of which is a weighted handle 20. The center of rotation or axis on which lever 19 turns is in the same horizontal plane as the axis of arm 14 and in the same vertical plane as the axis of post 12.

Passing through that end of the lever 19 which is not provided with a handle is a diagonal opening 21, the angle of which con responds to the angular position which is assumed by the arm 14 and the rounded portion 15 thereof when the bell crank is turned to either of the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The opening 21 lies in substantially the same horizontal plane as pin 17 when the lever 19 .iS in either of its two operating This construction nrois bifurcated, as shown.

as pin 37,

the parts were on dead center, as hereinbe- The rounded end of arm 1 1 projects through the opening 21,

mg forming a bearing therefor.

In Fig. 1, the parts are in position to hold a switch closed. Handle 19 is in a horizontal plane and does not'proj ect above support ing member 5. Opening 21, pin 17, and pin 18 areall in the and pin 18 .are on a dead center, so that any thrust on rod 9 cannot be transmitted through the bell crank'to operate the lever. When it is desired to open the switch, handle is lifted& and swung through an arc of substantially 180 to the position shown in Fig. 2, 'During this movement of the lever, opening 21, and consequently arm 14:, swing through an; arc. By\ reason of the pivot provided at 17, arm 1st may move vertically, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3. 1n otherwords, arm 1e may swing downwardly and then upwardly with the end of lever 19. This movement of lever 19, transmitted through arm 14, rocks post 12 on a vertical axis, swinging arm 9 in a horizontal plane, to thereby open the switch (not shown). \Vhen the lever has thus been moved in a vertical plane through an arc of 180, the arm 15 and pin 18 are again in dead center and the switch is automatically held againstopening through thrust on rod 9. V

The construction shown in Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive of the drawings is somewhat similar to that just described. In this construction, is an arched supporting plate, and 26 are the tie engaging flanges. Depending from the plate 25 is arelatively large curved lug 27. Pivotally supported by plate 25 by means of bolt 28 and nut 28 is a bell crank 29 having .anarm 30 pivotally connected at 31 to a connecting rod 32 for actuating the switch. The other arm 33 of the bell crank Hinged to arm 83 by means of pin 34 passing through the bifurcated end of the arm is an extension 35 having a rounded end 36. Pivoted on a pin 37 extending outwardly from lug 27 is an operating lever 38 having a weighted handle 39. The other end of the lever is slotted at 10, instead of having .an angular bore therethrough, as does the lever shown in Fig. 1, and the rounded end portion 36 of extension 35 passes through this slot.

The lug 27 is of such size and shape that the rounded portion 36 will bear against it. Thus, when the switch is in either of its two operating positions, the parts are held against movement by any thrust on rod 32 by reason of the extension arm engaging the lug, and lying in the same horizontal plane the effect being the same as if fore described.

In either of the two constructions descr1bed, 1t Wlll be seen that there is a disame plane and opening 21' rect positive engagement between the operating lever and the switch operating means. The arched supporting plate provides a guard which protects all the operating parts and serves as a supporting member for such parts as well Thus, the stand may be made very small and compact and will not project very high above the ties when in use. By reason of the end of the swinging bell crank arm being passed directly through the end of the operating or throw lever, a minimum number of parts need be employed. The throw lever, being pivoted between its ends to the depending lug on the arched supporting plate is free to be in a horizontal position at either limit of its throw. Various changes and modifica tions, however, may be made in the construction shown without departing from the invention.

1 claim as my invention:

1. 1-1 switch stand comprising a supporting member, a hell crank having two arms pivotally carried on the supporting member, means whereby the outer end of one of the arms may be moved in an arc relatively to the other arm, said means including a horizontally pivoted connection, an operating lever pivoted between its ends to the supporting member and arranged to swing through an arc of substantially 180 degrees, a handle portion at one side of the pivot, the part of the lever at the other side of the pivot having an opening therethrough through which passes the relatively movable 100 end of the bell crank arm.

2. A switch stand comprising an arched supporting member, having its central portion higher than the ends thereof, the ends "forming tie engaging means, a depending .105 lug portion on the supporting member, an operating lever pivoted to said depending portion, a bell crank pivoted to the'central portion of the supporting member and on the under side thereof, a pivoted arm on 1 the bell crank, the pivot for said arm being horizontal, said operating lever having an opening therethrough through which the outer end of said pivoted. arm extends.

3. A switch stand comprising a supporting member, a bell crank having two arms pivotally carried by the supporting member, means whereby the outer end ofone of the arms may be moved in an are relatively to the other arm, and a lever pivoted on the 120 supporting member and having an opening therethrough angularly disposedwith relation to the pivot of said lever and through which the relatively movable end of said arm is passed. 7

1. A switch stand comprising a supporting member, a bell crank having two arms pivotally mounted on the supporting member, means whereby the outer end of one of the arms may be moved in an are relatively 130 to the other arm, an operating lever pivoted between its ends to the supporting member and arranged to be swung through an arc of 180 degrees, one end of the lever having a handle thereon and the other end having an opening therethrough through which passes the movable end of said arm, said opening being disposed at an angle relatively to the pivot of said operating lever.

F. A switch stand comprising a supporting member, a bell crank having two arms pivotally mounted on the supporting member, means whereby the outer end of one of the arms may be moved in an are relatively to the other arm, an operating lever pivoted between its ends to the supporting member, one end of the lever having a handle thereon and the other end having an opening there through disposed at an angle to the pivot of said operating lever through which passes the movable end of said arm, said lever being so arranged as to be swung through an arc of substantially 180 and adapted to be substantially horizontal when at the limits of its throw, and the arrangement being such that when at the limits of its throw the parts are held against movement except by operation of the lever.

6. A switch stand comprising a supporting member, a bell crank comprising a post having two arms thereon, one of which is pivoted thereto on a horizontal pivot, a lever pivoted to the supporting member on a horizontal pivot, a handle on the lever, said lever having an opening therein disposed at an angle to the horizontal pivot about which the operating lever turns through which passes the outer end of the pivoted arm of said bell crank.

7. A switch stand comprising a supporting member, a bell crank comprising a post having two arms thereon, one of which is pivoted thereto on a horizontal pivot, a lever pivoted to the supporting member on a horizontal pivot, a handle on the lever, said lever having an opening therein disposed at an angle to the horizontal pivot about which the operating lever turns through which passes the outer end of the pivoted arm of said bell crank, said pivots for the bell crank and lever being in the same vertical plane, and the pivots for the lever and for the arm of said bell crank being in the same horizontal plane, and said handle being capable of movement through an arc of about 180.

8. A switch stand including a supporting member, a bell crank pivoted thereon, said bell crank having one of its arms pivoted, an operating lever pivoted to the supporting member and movable in a vertical plane through an arc of substantially 180 and adapted to be horizontal when at the limits of its throw, said lever having an opening passing therethrough through which extends the outer end of said pivoted bell crank arm, the angle of the opening corresponding to the angle assumed by the pivoted arm relatively to the axis of rotation of the operating'arm', the centers of rotation of the bell crank and the lever being in the same vertical plane.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS H. EDELBLUTE. Witnesses Lois lVINnMAN, M. H. PARMELEE.

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