US1510320A - Automatic train stop - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 30 1924. 1,510,320

A. HAMILTON AUTOMATIG TRAIN STOP Filed Aug. 2 8. 1925 Patented Sept. 30, 1924.

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ABRAHAM HAMILTON, O33" CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA.

AUTOMATIC TRAIN STOP.

Application filed August 28, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAHAM HAMILTON, a citizen of the Dominion of Canada, residing at Calgary, in the Province of Alberta, Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Train Stops; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in train stopping devices, and particularly to devices by means of which a flagman may cause the automatic stopping of a train when approaching a danger zone.

Another object is to provide a simple and novel track device by means of which the pilot of the locomotive actuates means for opening a valve, located on one of the cars of the train, for exhausting air from the train pipe, for the purpose of applying the brakes of the train.

A further object is to provide a simple device of this character which is readily portable so that it may be quickly and eas ily placed on the ties of a railway for op eration by the approaching locomotive.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a locomotive and car, showing the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the car, showing the position of the cord and air valve, as well as the trip.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the track device which is engaged by the pilot of the locomotive.

Figure 4: is a vertical longitudinal central sectional view through the device shown in Figure 8.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 represents the ties and 11 the rails of a railway, with which are associated the pilot 12, of a locomotive, and a portion ofa car of the train 13. 7

On the car 13 is located a valve 14 which is properly connected, by the pipe 15, with the train line 16, said valve'having a cord 17 connected therewith and extending downwardly through the floor of the car and laterally of the car. through a conduit or casing 18, a portion of the cord being exposed,

The normal move the arm 30 so that the arm 27 will be Serial No. 659,816.

in a horizontal portion position, as shown at 17. This exposed portion of the cord is adapted to be engaged and pulled by a means to be now described, whereby the valve will be opened, to reduce the air pressure in the train pipe to such a degree as to apply the brakes and bring the train to a stop.

The means adapted for opening the valve is portable, and is adapted to be placed in position on the ties, between the rails, by a flagman, to serve as a means for stopping a train approaching a Zone of danger, and to obviate the passage of the train by the signal flag of the fiagman.

This means includes a member, designated as a whole by the numeral 19, which is removably secured to a tie in the path of the pilot of the locomotive oi": the approaching train, and a means 20, placed on the ties at a distance from the member 19, but in the direction of the approaching train.

The member 19 comprises a base block 21 which is formed with an opening 22 through which is passed the spike 23, which spike is driven into the tie to such an extent as to hold the block against being jarred from the tie by the vibration of the aimroaching train but which will be readily withdrawn when the pilot of the engine engages with the loop to be referred to later herein. Mounted 011 the block 21 is a vertically extending loop member 24, which is adapted to be engaged by the pointed front end of the pilot 12, and by means of which the loop is moved forwardly. Similarly secured to the ties, at the point indicated at 20, is a base block 25 having a supporting bracket 26 on its upper face, adjacent one end, and hinged to the base block is an arm 27, which. when in vertical position, is stopped by said bracket. Adjacent the bracket or block 26 the base block has a cavity 28 formed therein, and pivotally supported in this cavity, and projecting upwardly through a longitudinally slotted plate 29 secured over the cavity, is an arm 30, said arm having its free end held in engagement with the hinged arm 27 by means of the spring 31, connected to the arm 30 and to one end of the cavity. tendency of the spring 31 is to thrown upwardly against the stop block 26. The outer end of the arm 27 is formed with a longitudinally extending central finger 32, and the pair of hooks 33 arranged at the sides of the finger and inwardly thereof, said hooks being arranged to extend in a direction toward the approaching train, when the arm is in vertical position, for the purpose of engaging with the horizontal portion 17 of the valve cord. In the other end of the base block there is formed a central longitudinal lug 34:, on which the said finger 32 is arranged to rest, when the arm 27 is in lowered or horizontal position. Around the finger 32, and the lug 34, when thus engaged, is disposed a ring 85, which is carried by one end of a chain 36, said chain having its other end secured to the before-mentioned loop 24. Thus, when the pilot of the locomotive engages with the loop 24 the base will wrench the spike 23 from the tie resulting in the chain being pulled to draw the ring 35 completely from the finger 32 and the lug 3 L, thereby permitting the spring to draw the arm and swing the arm 27 upwardly against the stop block 26, and in position for its hooks 33 to engage the portion 17 of the valve cord, and thereby open the valve and reduce the air pressure in the tram pipe, with the consequent stopping of the train, in time to avoid an accident.

Ordinarily when a train stops for a period of time greater than intended, or when a train has met with an accident of some character necessitating its stand on the track, and another train is due to pass on the same track, the flagman runs up the track to signal to the approaching train that there is danger of collision ahead. It often happens that this signal is disregarded or not seen by the engineer of the ap proaching train, with the result that the train crashes into the rear of the standing train. It is the purpose of the present invention to provide the flagman with the members 19 and 20, which, when he wishes to stop a second approaching train, runs up the track, secures the members at their proper distance apart, on the ties, between the rails, after which he draws the arm 27 down and secures the same by means of the ring 35. Then, when the train approaches, the pilot of the locomotive will strike the loop 24, giving the chain a sudden jerk to draw the ring 35 from the lu 34: and linger 32. Immediately the arm 27 flies into ver tical position, and when the train passes over the arm, the hooks 33 engage the portion 17 of the valve cord, opening the valve and causing the application of the brakes of the train.

What is claimed is:

1. A train stopping mechanism including a track device comprising means for projection into the path of a train carried valve operating means, means secured to a tie and arranged to be engaged by a train and detached from the tie, and a connection between the train engaging means and the first-named means for releasably holding said means out of the ath of the valve operating means.

2. A train stopping mechanism comprising a track device including an arm arranged to be projected into the path of a train carried valve operating means, means secured to a tie and arranged to be easily disengaged therefrom by the pilot of a locomotive, and a flexible element carried by the ilot actuated means arranged to releasa )ly hold the said arm out of the path of the valve opera-ting means 8. A train stopping mechanism comprising a track device includingan arm normally urged into the path of a train carried valve operating means, means for holding the arm releasably out of the path of the valve operating means, means arranged to be engaged and moved by the pilot-of a locomotive, and connections between the lastnamed means and the arm holding means for withdrawing the holding means upon actuation of the pilot moved means.

i. A train stopping mechanism comprising a track device including a base arranged to be temporarily secured to a railway tie, means carried by the base and normally urged into vertical position to engage a train carried valve operating means, the last-named means being movable into horizontal position, means engaged with the base and the first-named means for holding said means in such position, and a pilot operable means connected with the holding means for withdrawing the latter to release the first means. i

5. A train stopping mechanism comprising a track device including a base, an arm normally spring urged into vertical position for engagement with a train carried valve operating means, a pro ection on the arm, a pro ection on the base, a retaining ring releasably engaged with the projections for holding the arm in horizontal position, a second base, a pilot engageableloop on the second base, and a flexible element connected with the loop and with the ring for withdrawing the ring upon actuation of the loop by a pilot.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my sigma-- of two witnesses.

ture, in the presence ABE HAMILTON. Witnesses L. CrR. SOUTER,

H. J. NOLAN.

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