US1709344A - Railway gate - Google Patents

Description

c. H. GAGE Er A1. 1,709,344

RAIMM GATE Original Filed Sept. 2, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet l r4/wanton:

ill. GAGE@`` g5-Quim E. SEARLES,

April 16, 1929.

April 16, 1929. c. H. GAE' `El' AL RAILWAY GATE gwmmtou CHARLES H. GAGEw" ARTHUR E. SEARLES,

3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Sept. 2, 1926 Nm t W1 n i ll @n tls n* m o n n Wf a .m 3fm. uw MA. t GE m @H5 Dv u E o 6M H @C April 16, l929 c. H. GAGE ET AL RAILWAY GATE ARH aan,

Original Filed Sept. 2, 1926 PatentedApr. 16, 1929. l

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

CHARLES H. GAGE AND ARTHUR E. SEARLES, F WASHINGTON DISTRICT 0F COLUM- BIA, ASSIGNORS T0 LINN W. SEARLES, 0F CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND, WILLIAM D. RITER, OF XVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND WILLIAM A. FAISON, OF

RAILWAY GATE.

Application filed September 2, 1926, Serial No. 133,152. Renewed March 30, 1928.

My invention relates to improvements in Figure 1 is a plan view of a railway highrailway gates adapted for use at highway way crossing gate embodying my invention, crossings. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the saine,

An important object of the invention is to Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the 5 provide a gate of the above mentioned cliargate, parts broken away,

acter, so constructed that it will offer a proper Figure et is a fragmentary plan view ofthe resistance to the travel of an automobile or rods embodied in the gate, and associated elethe like, when the automobileA runs into the ments, indicating the manner of flexing one 0f same while the gate is closed, thus arresting the rods,

l0 the t-ravel of the automobile. Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on 60 A further object of the invention is to proline 5 5 of Figure 3, vide a gate of the above mentioned character, Figure 6 is a similar view taken on line (56 which will arrest the travel of the automobile of Figure 3, or the like, under ordinary conditions,v and Figure 7 is a plan view of the pivoted end 1which is suiiciently yieldable and flexible to of the gate, showing the supporting means 65 prevent undue injury to the automobile or to therefor, Y

the gate. Figure 8 is a side elevation of the same,

A further object of the invention is to pro- Figure 9 is a transverse section taken on vide means whereby the major longitudinal line 9`9 of Figure 3, portions of the gate are automatically re- Figure 10 is a longitudinal section taken on 70 turned to their normal positions, after enline 10`10 of Figure 7, and, gagement with a traveling automobile or the Figure 11 is a vertical section taken on line like. 1l`11 of Figure 3.

A further object of the invention is to pro- In the drawings, wherein for the purpose vide means whereby the vertically swinging of illustration, is shown a preferred embodi- 7 gate may also partake of horizontal swinging` ment of our invention, the numeral 15 desigmovement, in the event that it should be ennates a body portion of the gate, which is gaged by a traveling automobile or the like, preferably formed of an integral or continubefore it is held or lockedin the lowermost ous metal rod, bent upon itself between its position. ends, into a. generally U-shaped form. This A 'further Object of the'invention is to prorod thus bent provides a pair of main side vide means for returning the gate to the norrods 16, connected at their free ends by a loop mal position, and for holding the same in 17. The metal rod l5 is preferably formed of such position, when shifted horizontally in piano wire steel. either direction from the normal position. rlhe numeral 18 designates a vertically 35 A further object of the invention is to proswinging support or block, arranged at the vide a snubbing post which is yieldable in the opposite end of the body portion 15. This direction of the longitudinal axis of the gate, support or block is rigidly mounted upon a whereby a limited amount of flexibility is imhorizontal rock-shaft 19, journaled in stationi parted to the gate, when engaging therewith. ary bearings 20. The shaft 19 may be turned 9o A further object of the invention is to proby any suitable means, for raising and lowervide suitable means for imparting tothe gate ing the gate. The shaft may be manually suitable rigidity against action. turned or power operated, and the operation Other objects and advantages of the invenof the shaft may be automatically controlled tion will be apparent during the course ofthe by the approach of a train or the like. The U5 following description. support 18 is provided at its forward end with In the accompanying' drawings, forming a a flat extension 21, upon which is arranged a part of this speciiication and in which like nuhorizontally swinging block 22, having its merals are employed to designate likc parts rear en d projecting undera shoulder 23. The Se throughout the same, bien; Y is pivoted to the extension Q1 by 100 Cil opening 28 fri f body portion ot the gate be struck a `be strengthened it desired.

means ot a pin 24. The rear ends ot the rods 16 extend within grooves 25 'formed 1n the sides ot the block 22, and are held there by Vstraps 26 or any other suitable means.

The numeral 27 designates a shitting pin, having a reduced serew-tln'eaded end 28, engaging in a screw-threaded opening 2S formed in the forward end ot'the horizontally swinging block 22. This opening er;- tends through the bottom ot the bloclr 22 and is adapted to be brought into registration with a depression 29, 'termed in the tol tace ot the extension 21, ywhen the block 22 is in the normal or central longitudinal position. A ballcatch 30, is carried in the lower end ot the andis .torced downwardly by a spring 31 and is adapted to enter the depression 29.

Rigidly secured to `the opposi te edges oit the overhanging portion 23 ot the support 18, is a pair ot leaf-springs 33, which extend longitudinally of the support in a forwardly direction and hai/'e their tree ends engaging the opposite sides ot a roller-sleeve 34, rotatably mounted upon the pin 27. 1t might be stated at this point that ordinarily, the ball-catch 8O fitting Within the recess 29, will retain the body portion'15 ot the gate in the normal position, n alinement with the swinging support 18. rlhis swinging support turns vertically with the shaft 19. However, should the blow by a traveling vehicle before its tree end is locked against lateralmovement, by means to bev described, such body portion will then be capable ot turning horizontally upon the pivot 24. This will prevent undue injury or destruction otthe gate. [iter the body portion ot the frate is tree trein engagement with the vehicle, the spring or springs 33 will return the body portion of the gate to the normal position, and the ball-catch will enter the depression 29, and vagain loelr the block 22 to the extension 2l.

The numeral 35 designates a snubbing post as a whole embodying an inner stationary vertical channel-iron 36, Figures 1, 2, 3 and 11, which is rigidly attached to the upstanding arm et a generally lil-shaped anchor channel-iron 37, which is preferably embedded in concrete or the like ata peint suitably near the crossing and extendingunder the roadwa This connection is effected by means ot olts 38 or the like. lt is preterred thatj thesebolts be sufficiently strong to withstand all ordinary strains or shocks to which the gate is expected to be subjected, butin the event that the gate should ber subjected to unusual shocks or strains the bolts 3,8 will break thereby releasing the channel-iron 3S. Ot course,the inventionis in no sense restricted to this precise arrangement as the connection may n Arranged upon the outer side of the vertical channel-iron 36 is a shield or housing 39, which is generally U-shaped in horizontal cross section. A block 4() is arranged within this shield and is rigidly secured thereto by any suitable means. fit its lower end, the shield or housing 39 is pivoted to the vertical channel-iron 36 by means ot a transverse pin 41. rlhe shield 39 is provided in its sides, and near its end, .with curved slots 42, concentric with the pin 41, and receiving the ends or" a transverse pin 43, carried by the channel-iron 36. El plurality ot eompressible coil springs 44 are arranged within the upper end ot the shield 39, and are disposed between the block and the channel-iron 8G. 'lhese springs are held in place by trunnions 45 extending into the ends thereof and these trunnions are carried by the channel-iron 3G and block 40. The invention is in no sense restricted to the number or springs shown, as this number may be increased or decreased, depending upon the strength ot the springs or the amount o resistance required.

rlhe U-shaped portion 17 ot the gate is arranged to pass downwardly over the snubbing post 35 limited by contact with a stop 45, Figure 11, which may be in the form ot an angle-iron or the like, rigidly attached to the shield 39 or formed integral therewith. Above this stop, the shield 39 is provided with a recess 47, 'tor the reception of the U-shaped portion 17. T he purpose of this recess is to prevent the gate from slipping upwardly oli ot the snubbing post, when the shield swings inwardly, in the direction longitudinally ot the gate.

The generally U-shaped anchor channeliron 37 has one end attached to the channeliron 36, as explained, while its opposite upstanding end is preferably rigidly attached te the bearing 20, as shown.

lille provide means tor supporting the bod,Y

portion ot the gate against sagging action,

such means including an upstanding trame 48. This trame includes a pair ot upwardly' converging bars 49 see more particularly Figure 9. 'lhese bars are rigidly attached at their lower ends to a vgenerally yl-shaped bar 50, which is arranged upon the forward end et the block 22, projecting downwardly between the rods 16, and bolted to the forward end of the block, as shownat 51.v A. horizontal bar. 52 is rigidly attached to the upper ends ot the bars 49 and is'seeured at its ends to diagonal bars 53, which cross, and extend downwardly and are attached to the ends ot the I bars 49 and the bar 50, as shown at 54. Rigidly attached to the ends ot the bar 52 and the diagonal bars, by riveting, welding or the like, are brace bars 55, which converge rearwardly and are connected a coupling plate 56, which is pivoted upon bolt 5.7, attached to the pin 24. llashers 58 are preferably arranged above and below the coupling plate 56.

The horizontal bar 52 is provided at'its and its downward movement is at their ends with fle vcollars 76, which are `highway crossing. l K ure 11, the U-shaped portion 17 of the gate ends with openings for slidably receiving eyebolts 59, the rear ends of which carry suitably stift` compressible coil springs 60. Attached to the forward ends of these eye-bolts are pairs of diagonal guy Wires 61 and 62. At their upper connected ends, the bars 49 are provided with an opening for slidably receiving an eye-bolt 63, carrying at its rear end a suitably stii compressible coil spring 64. Attached to the forward end of this eye-bolt 63 are longitudinal guy wires 64 and 65.

The numeral 66 designates a cam yoke which is provided with longitudinal openings 67 to receive the side rods 16. This cam yoke is provided upon its rear side with cam faces 68, arranged to engage collars 69, which are adapted to be clamped to the side rods, in adjustment, by bolts 70 or the like. P'ivoted upon the central portion of the cam yoke is a coupling plate 71, having outer openings 72, for connecting with the inner diagonal guy wires 62 and an inner opening 73 for connect-ion with the inner longitudinal wire 64.

The numeral 74 designates a transverse spacing bar, the ends of which are provided with recesses 75, for thereception of the side rods 16. The ends of this spacing bar engage adapted to be clamped in adjustment .to the side rods 16 by means of bolts 77, or the like.. Pivoted or Votherwise connected with thisspacing bar 74, at its center, as shown at 78, is a coupling plate 79, having outer openings S0, for connection with the outer diagonal guy wires 61, and an inner opening 81, for connection with the outer longitudinal guy wire 65. The function of the transverse spacing bar 74 is to afford a connection bet-ween these gu f wires and the side rods 16, and also to retain the side rods suitably spaced, whereby they will properly fit over the snubbing post.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: Y

lVhen it is desired to prevent an automobile passing over a railway track, the gate is moved to the'lowermost position and is substantially horizontal, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, thereby closing the highway. Ordinarily two gates will be employed at each As clearly shown in Figwill rest upon the stop 46 and be within or adjacent to the recess or depression 47. Should an automobile approaching a railway crossV- ing, when the gate is closed, fail to stop and drive into the central portion of the gate, the gate would then function to arrest the movement of the automobile by increasingly applied resistance to the travel of the automobile. "When the traveling automobile contacts with the side rod 16 of the gate, near the center of the gate, the general action is to flex the gate laterally. This lateral flexing of t-he gate will cause the same to pull upon the snubbing post, causing the shield 59 to swing upon its pivot in a direction parallel with the normal longitudinal axis of the gate. This action, of course, compresses the springs 44 and these springs apply an increasing resistance to the flexing of the gate, which in turn is transmitted to the automobile. lVhen the automobile first engages one side rod 16 the action is to flex this individual rod forwardly, as shown in Figure 4 and the cam saddle 66 is also shifted laterally toward the opposite side rod. This individual flexing of one rod will occur before any perceptible compressing of the springs 44 takes place and affords the initial resistance to the travel of the car. The further travel of the car tends to fiez; both side rods 16 forwardly and this action causes the compression of the springs 44 which provides a further and increasing resistance to the travel of the car. Unless the car should be traveling at an excessive rate of speed, it will be found that the gate will bring t-he car to a stop, wit-hout undue injury to the car or to the gate. Then the car is removed from contact with the gate, the springs 60 and 63 pulling upon the guy wires 61 and 62 tend to shift the cam yoke 66 rearwardly upon the side rods 16. This action of the cam yoke causes the collars 69 to travel' outwardly upon the cam faces 68 and hence the side rods 16 will be returned to the outer or normal positions.

If the gate is partly lowered so that it can be struck by an approaching automobile but is not sufficiently lowered so that ithas proper locking engagement with the snubbing post then when the gate is struck by such automobile it will swing horizontally upon its pivot 24 and permit of the passage of the car, without undue injury, or destruction to the gate. This act-ion would be desirable where the gate is approaching its lowered or raised position but has not sufficiently completed the same to lock the gate in the closed position or to clear the highway. 1V h ile it is preferred to use the yielding snubbing post. in connection with the gate, yet the invention is in no sense restricted to the use of the snubbing post, as under certain conditions the snubbing post may be omitted and the gate used without it.

It is to be understood that the form of our invention, herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the sume, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of our invention or the scope of the subjoined claims Hari thus ldescribed our invention, we claim 1. A railway highway crossing prising a body portion provided with a loop, a support for the gate so that it may be raised and lowered, and a snubbing post arranged to be received within the loop when the bodyv portion is lowered, said snubbing gate, cointhe part.

2. A railway highway crossing gate, comprising a body portion having a loop, a support lor the gate so that it may be raised and lowered, a post, a member connected with the post and movable lwith relation thereto, and resilient means to oppose such movement or" the member, said member being adapted to be received within the loop when the body portion is lowered.

3. A railway highway crossing gate, comprising a body portion having a loop, a support tor the gate so vthat it may be raised 'and lowered, a stationary post, a shield pivvoted to the stationary post, and resilient between the shield and the post, said shield being adapted to be received within the loop when the body portion is lowered.

ll. A railway highway crossing gate, comprising a body portion having a loop, a support for the gate so that it may be raised and lowered, and a snubbing post arranged to enter the loop when the body portion is lowered` said snubbing post being rigid in a direction longitudinally of the road and resilient within limits in a direction transversely of the road.

5,. A railway highway crossing gate, comprising a body portion including a pair of spaced members provided near their ends with a loop, means for supporting the body portion so that it may be raised and lowered, said members being attached to the supporting means so that they are incapable ot moving longitudinally with relation thereto, a snubbing post arranged to enter the loop when the body portion is lowered, and resilient means engaging the men'ibers between their ends to oppose theV lateral flexing oit either ol or both members in a direction generally at aright angle to the raising amllowering movement oli the body portion.

(i. A railway high vay' crossing gate, comprising a body portion including a pair oit spaced members provided with a loop, mea-ns 'for supporting the body portion so that it may be raised and lowered, a snubbing post' arranged to enter the loop when the body portion is lowered, stops mounted upon the members. a cam saddle carried by the members and having cam faces to engage the stops and so arranged that the cam saddle is adapted to be shifted longitudinlly ot said members when either oi or both members are laterally flexed, and resilient means to oppose the movement oli the cam saddle longitudinally of the members.

7. A movable gate to be raised and lowered comprising, a body portion having end portions and embodying a pair of spaced rods,

ymeans carried by the gate and adapted to exert an increasing resilient action against the lateral flexing of either of or both rods, anda separate holding device for engagement with one end portion of the body portion and adapted to exert an increasing resilient action f gainst the further lateral ilexing of the rod or rods.

8. A movablegate to be raised and lowered comprising, a body portion having ends and embodyinga pair ot' spaced flexible elements, means carried by the gate and adapted to exert an increasing resilient action against the lateral flexing oi either ol or both elements, and a separate holding device for detachable engagement with one end of said body portion, said holding device embodyinga resilient part adapted to exert an increasing resilient action against the lateral flexing of the-element or elements.

9. vA movable gate to be raised and lowered, comprising a body portion including a onepiece element bent upon itself into a generally lil-shaped vliorm aliording spaced arms, and means engaging theintermediate portions oi said arms to exert an increasing resilient action against the lateral iexing'of either of or both arms.

l0. A railway highway crossing gate, comprising a body portion lincluding a pair of spaced longitudinal members, means for supporting the body portion so that it may be raised and lowered, stops mounted upon the longitudinal members, a ca-m saddle carried by the members and having cam Jlaces to engage the stops and so arranged that the cam saddle is adapted to be shifted longitudinally of said members when either of or both members are laterally ilexed, and resilient means to oppose the movement of the cam saddle longitudinally of the members.

11. A railway highway crossing gate, comprising a body portion including a pair of spaced longitudinal members which are adapted to be flexed laterally, means for supporting the body portion so that it may be raised and lowered, a member extendingr transversely of thelongitudinal members and having cam faces, parts carried by the longitudinal members to slidably engage the cam laces, and resilient means to oppose the movement oi the transverse member longitudinally of the longitudinal members.

12. ln a movable gate, a vertically swinging support, a gate element pivot-ed upon the support to swing laterally at substantially a right angle to the direction oit'movement ci the support, said gate elementhaving an opening near its r'eeend resilient means to oppose the lateral swinging movement of the gate element, a releasable latch for holding the gate element in the normal position in alinement with the vertically swinging support, and asnubbing element tobe received within the opening when the gate element is lowered. Y

llO

13. A railway highway crossing gate, comprising a body portion including :a pair of resilient rods having stops mounted thereon, means for supporting the body portion so that it may be raised and lowered, a transverse camvsaddle having elongated openings for receiving the rods and provided with cam faces arranged to contact with said stops, and resilient means to oppose the movement of the cam saddle longitudinally of the rods.

14. A. movable gate to be raised and lowered comprising a body portion including a pair of spaced resilient rods, means for raising and lowering the body portion, and means slidably engaging the resilient rods in their intermediate portions and adapted to exert a yielding action to oppose the lateral iexing of the rods.

l5. A movable gate comprising a'body portion including a resilient rod, a member mounted upon the rod and having a transversely arranged cam face, a part carried by the rod and engaging the cam face, and -means to oppose the movement of the member longitudinally of the rod due to the action of the part and cam face upon the lateral iiexing of the rod.

16. In a movable gate, a support, a block pivoted upon the support to swing horizontally with relation thereto, a gate body attached to the block for movement therewith, a pin mounted upon the block in advance of the pivot element, and a pair of spring arms attached to the support and engaging upon opposite sides of the pin. y

l?. In a movable gate, a support, a block mounted thereon, a pivot element connecting the block with the support so that the block may swing horizontally with relation thereto, a gate body mounted upon the block to move therewith, a truss structure mounted upon the block and having a part secured to the pivot element, connecting means between the truss structure and the gate body, a pin mounted upon the block in advance of the pivot element, and spring arms'mounted upon the support and engaging opposite sides of the pin.

18. ln a movable gate, a vertically swinging support embodying a lower portion and an overhanging shoulder, a block mounted upon the lower portion with itsv rear end eX- tending under the Voverhanging shoulder, a pivot element connecting the block and lower portion, a pin secured to the block in advance of the pivot element, spring arms attached to the sides of the overhanging shoulder and engaging opposite sides oi said pin and a gate body carried by said block.

19. A movable gate, comprising a body portion including a resilient longitudinal meniber, and means engaging the intermediate portion of the member to oppose its lateral flexing, said means including a plurality of members having relative sliding wedging engagement with each other.

20. A railway highway crossing gate comprising a substantially rigid support, a resilient body portion pivoted near one end to said support, a tensioning device, and means for detachably interlocking the free end of said resilient body portion with said tensioning device when the body portion is in the lowered position, said tensioning device allowing said iiiec end to nieve under heavy impact and returning the same to the original position after the pressure is removed from said body portion.

21. A railway highway crossing gate, comprising a substantially rigid support, a resilient body portion pivoted near one end to said support, a resilient snubbing device, and means whereby the free end ot the resilient body portion is detachably interloclred with said snubbing device when the body portion is in the lowered position, said snubbing device allowing said free end to move under heavy impact and returning the same to the original position when the pressure is removed.

22. A railway highway crossing gate, comprising a. substantially rigid support, a resilient body portion including a pair of rods having a loop near their free ends, said resilient body portion being pivoted near its opposite end to said support, and a yielding snubbing device, having a part for inserting within said loop when the free end of said body portion is in the lowered position, said yielding snubbing device allowing said free end to move'under heavy impact and returning the same to the original position when the pressure is removed.

23. A movable gate to be raised and lowered, comprising a body portion including a pair of spaced resilient rods, means for raising and lowering the body portion, a transverse member engaging the intermediate portions of the rods, an upstanding supporting structure connected with said body portion, connecting elements between the upstanding supporting structure and the transverse member, and yielding means to oppose the movement of the connecting elements in one direction.

24. A movable gate to be raised and lowered, comprising a body portion including a pair of spaced resilient rods, means for raising and lowering the body portion, a transverse member engaging the intermediate Vportions of the rods, an upstanding supporting structure connected with said body portion, and connecting elements between the upstanding supporting structure and the transverse member.

25. In a movable gate, a vertically swinging support, a gate element pivoted upon the support to swing laterally with relation to the support, resilient means to oppose the support,asnubbing device, and means Wherelatera-l swinging movement of the gate elebv the gate element has detachable engagement, a spring pressed rolling element conment vvitli the snubbing device. 10

. nected with the gate element and arranged to ln testimony Wliereoic We affix our sig- 5 engage the` vertically swinging support. and natures. y

tending to hold the gate element in the normal CHARLES H. GAGE. Y position in substantial alinement with said ARTHUR E. SEARLES.

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