US890528A - Signal-recorder. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED JUNE 9, 1908. W. 0. REES.

SIGNAL RECORDER. APPLIOATIOIN FILED M227, 1907.

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TH! NORRIS PITIRS C0,, WASHINGTON, n. c.

PATENTED JUNE 9, 1908.

W. 0.- REES. SIGNAL RECORDER.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 27,1907.

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WILLIAM O. REES, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO KERSEY G. OOSLEY, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

SIGNAL-RECORDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 9, 1908.

Application filed May 27, 1967. Serial No. 375,869.

\ T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. REES, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal-Recorders; and I do 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, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in railway signal recorders, my object being to provide a device operated by clock mechanism and adapted to automatically record the throwing of a switch for the giving of a signal of any kind.

My improved recorder is also designed to indicate the time during which the switch is closed or the other signal given.

In order to accomplish this object I equip the face of an ordinary clock with a recording dial connected with the post of the hour hand and adapted to rotate therewith. A suitable marking device is mounted. in proximity to the said dial and adapted to engage the same.

This marking device if allowed to remain in its normal position would form a continuous circle onthe dial after the latter has made a complete revolution. The marking device, however, is connected with the means for operating the switch or other signal, whereby as the operating mechanism is actuated, the position of the pointer on the dial is changed, whereby the line indicated by the marker is made in a different arc from that formed by the marker before the said mechanism was operated, and when the operating mechanism is reversed, the pointer is allowed to resume its normal position thus continuing the marking of an arc coinciding with the original arc prior to the throwing of the switch or operating the signaling device.

In order that the dial may perform the recording function for the entire twenty-four hours, or perform its function during the time that the hour hand is making two complete revolutions, I provide means for automatically throwing the marking device outwardly, as soon as the recording dial has made one complete revolution, whereby the marking device records upon the dial nearer the outer edge or circumference of the latter during the second half of the day or twentyfour hour period.

Having briefly outlined my improved construction, I will proceed to describe the same in detail reference being made to the accoman in drawin in which is illustrated an embodiment thereof.

' In this drawing, Figure 1 is a top plan view of my improved signaling recorder. Fig.2 is a central vertical section of the same, the clock mechanism, however, being concealed. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view in detail, similar to Fig. 1, but showing the changed position of the parts due to the operation of the switch or the giving of any other signal. Fig. 4 is a plan view in detail of my improved recording dial. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of my improved device shown on a smaller scale and in connection with means for op erating a switch. This view is largely diagrammatic and is only intended to illustrate the general idea of the invention.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

Let the numeral 5 designate a suitable casing in which is located a clock movement 6 having an arbor 7 upon which the hour hand 8 is mounted. The ordinary clock face or dial 9, is provided with the usual characters for designating the time. Outside of the time dial is located the signal recording dial 10 which is connected with the arbor 7 by spokes 12, the said spokes terminating at their inner extremities in a hub 18 made fast upon the arbor whereby it is made to rotate therewith. The hands of the clock are located outside of the recordin dial 10 in order to prevent their being partia lly concealed by the spokes or radial arms 12. The recording dial 10 is provided with a removable card 14 containing time indications corresponding with those of the clock dial, that is to say from 1 to 12 both inclusive. This card when placed in position on the dial 10, is so arranged that the numerals thereon increase in reverse order from the time indications on the clock dial. For instance when the card is placed in position on the traveling dial, assuming that it is twelve oclock, the numeral 12 of the card will be in alinement with the 12 mark on the clock dial. The numeral 1 on the record card, however, will be at the left of the numeral 12 and the numerals on the recording dial will increase from 1 toward the left or in the reverse order from the time indications on the clock dial. Hence when it is one oclock, the numeral 1 011 the record card will be in radial alinement with the 12 mark of the clock dial; while when it is two oclock the numeral 2 will be in the aforesaid position and so on. The traveling dial 10 is provided with small brads 17 adapted to hold the record card in place and at the same time allow the same to be readily removed.

The marking device is provided with a holder 18 pivotally connected at 20 with one extremity of a rod 19, the two parts being so connected that the part 18 is allowed to swing outwardly to the dotted line position (see Fig. 1) to permit the ready removal of the record card. This connection, however, is such as to prevent the part 18 from moving in the opposite direction farther than the straight line position, since the abutting extremities of the parts 18 and 19, when in the last named position engage each other in such a manner as to prevent farther movement. The rod 19 is provided with a reduced part 21 slidably mounted in vertical projections 22 fast on a plate 23 slidable on a sup port 24 having guide flanges 25. Interposed between the forward projection 22, and a shoulder 26 on the rod 19, is a leaf spring 27 composed of two branches 28 and 29; The branch 28 is secured to the projection 22, while the branch 29 bears against the shoulder 26 and is free to move thereon. The part 21 of the rod 19 which engages openings on the projections 22, is formed angular in cross section to prevent its turning therein. The rear extremity of this red. is threaded as shown at 30 and a sleeve 31 forming a stop is threaded thereon, the said sleeve being provided with a head 32 for the purpose, the rod being threaded in the head, While the sleeve beyond the head is large enough to receive the angular part 21 of the rod. By adjusting this sleeve on the red, the return movement of the rod after it has been actuated may be regulated and controlled. To the rear extremity of the rod 1.9 is attached a cap 33 to which is connected one extremity of a link 34 whose opposite extremity is connected with an arm 35 of a bell crank lever 36 fulcrumed at 37 and whose opposite arm 38 is connected at 39 with a coil spring 40 whose opposite extremity is connected with a pull rod 41, the said rod being connected at its extremity remote from the spring 40 with an arm 42 of a triple armed lever 43 fulcrumed at 44. An arm 45 of this lever is connected with a rod 46 for actuating the switch tongues 47 of a track 48. The lever 43 is also provided with a manipulating arm 49.

The plate 23 is connected with the stationary support 24, by means of screws A passing through slots B formed in the slidable plate whereby the latter is freely movable. The heads of the screws, however, are wider than the slot to retain the slide in place.

A spring 50 is connected by means of a pin 51 with one of the projections 22 while the opposite extremity of the spring is connected. as shown at 53 with a stationary support 24. By virtue of this spring, the slidable plate 23 is normally under tension. to move rearwardly. It is locked, however, by one extremity 54 of a relatively long lever 55 fulcrumed at 56. The rear arm 57 of this lever is acted on by a leaf spring 58 whereby the extremity 54 is normally held in position to lock the plate against rearward movement. The lever 55 is provided with a forwardly projecting arm 59 whose forward extremity is in position to be acted on by a pin 60 carried. by one of the radial arms or spokes 12 of the traveling dial. llence every time the said dial has made a complete revolution or every time a period of twelve hours has elapsed, the pin 60 acting on the arm 59 of the lever will move the arm 55 sufficiently to release the plate 23 and allow the latter to move rearwardly, until a recess 61 in the plate 23 is reached, when the extremity 54 of the lever will engage said notch and lock the plate 23 against further movement. By vir tue of this construction, the marking device 63 is moved outwardly on the record card in a radial direction whereby its function will be performed on a portion of the said. card nearer the periphery of the same.

The marking device 63 may be of any suitable construction. As shown in the drawing it is in the form of a pen or pencil inserted in an opening formed in the pivoted device 18 and is so adjusted that its point is normally in contact with the record card.

When the device is in operation it may be assumed that it is twelve oclock, in which event the numeral 12 on the record card and also on the outer circumference of the traveling dial which is also correspondingly marked, is in alinement with the twelve oclock figure of the clock dial. It will also be assumed that the marking device 63 has its point at the spot designated 65 on the record card. Now as the arbor of the clock moves, the pencil forms a dotted are 66 during the first hour of time. switch or operates any desired signal by actuating the lever 43, whereby the marking device is drawn outwardly on the dial as indicated by the offset or radial dotted line 67. The larger dotted are 68 is then formed during the time that the switch or signal is held in the adjusted position. Again as soon as the lever 43 is released, the spring 27 acts to return the marker to its inward position as indicated by the offset or radial dotted line 69. The record card. indicates that the marker remained in this inward position for a number of hours forming the inner dotted are The operator then. throws the was done.

or until the radial dotted line 71 is formed, when the signal or switch is again operated drawing the marker outwardly and retaining it in this position during the formation of the dotted are 7 2 after which the marker is again released as shown by the radial line 73 and allowed to return to its inward position which it retains during the completion of the circuit as indicated by the inner dotted are 74. As soon as this complete revolution is obtained, the pin 60 acts on the arm 59 of the lever 55, to disengage the extremity 54 from the position immediately in the rear of the slide 23, whereby the latter acted on by its spring 50, is moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, whereby the marking device is thrown outwardly to the position shown in the last named figure, after which, the lever extremity 54 engages the recess 61 in the said plate and locks the latter against further movement. After this occurs the operation of the device continues as heretofore explained except that the dotted arcs and the radial or offset lines are formed on a portion of the record card farther from the center. By virtue of this construction, the device is adapted for use during the entire twenty-four hours without change. After such a period has expired the marked card is readily removable by throwing the pivoted part 18 outwardly to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 1 when the said card may be easily removed from its dial and a new card substituted therefor, after which the pivoted marker holder is returned to its normal position and the operation goes on as heretofore explained.

It is evident that by the use of a device of this character, no possible dispute can arise as to whether a certain switch was thrown or closed or a certain signal given, since the card itself automatically indicates exactly what That is to say if the switch was thrown or the signal operated where my improved device is in use, the fact will be indicated on the record card by the radial or oifset lines and the dotted arc connecting the said lines farther outwardly than the normal arc. By using the device in connection with a clock mechanism, the exact time during which the switch was thrown or closed or during which a signal was left in a given position will be indicated.

It very often happens that after a wreck has occurred, a dispute arises between the trainmen and the station agent as to whether or not a switch was closed or a signal given. The object of this device is to absolutely settle all disputes of this character by automatically indicating whether or not the signal or switch was operated. If such was the case it will be noted on the record card by the offset lines and the outer arcs connecting the same as heretofore explained. If such signal or switch has not been operated, the card will indicate a continuous inner circle formed by the marking device when in its normal position.

In further explanation of the specific con struction of the marking device proper as illustrated in the drawing, the said device is loosely mounted in the pivoted arm 18 and held in engagement with the record card 14 by a coil spring C engaging the arm 18 at one extremity and a shoulder D fast on the marker at the opposite extremity. Hence the tension of this spring acts to hold the marking device in engagement with the registering card at all times.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a signal recorder, the combination with clock mechanism, having a signal rec- 0rd dial mounted to rotate with the arbor of one of the hands of the said mechanism, of a marking device mounted to engage the said dial, actuating mechanism for a signal, and a suitable connection between the said actuating mechanism and the said marking device, comprising an adjustable rod to which the marker is pivoted, guides for said rod to engage, and a sliding plate integral with said guides whereby as the signal is operated the marker is actuated to change its position on the marking dial to indicate the operation of the actuating mechanism, and means for locking said sliding plate in different positions so that the record dial will register for more than one revolution, said locking means automatically operated by the travel of the dial substantially as described.

2. In a signal recorder, the combination with clock mechanism having a record dial connected to move with the arbor of one of the hands of the clock, the said dial being arranged adjacent the clock dial but not concealing the latter, a marker mounted to engage the recording dial whereby as the latter rotates with the arbor the marker forms an are on the record dial struck from the center of the arbor with a predetermined radius, actuating mechanism for a switch, and a suitable connection between the said mechanism and the marker whereby as the said mechanism is actuated, the position of the marker is changed to cause it to form an arc of a different radius, whereby the record dial indicates the movement of the actuating mechanism, said connection comprising a sliding plate provided with apertured lugs,

an adjustable rod passing through said lugs and connected with the marker at one extremity and the switch mechanism at the other extremity, and a means for locking said plate in different positions so that the record dial may indicate the movement of the actuating mechanism for more than one revolution substantially as described.

3. The combination with a time recording motor, having a record dial mounted on a rotatable part of the motor, a marking device arranged to act on the record dial, means for actuating the device, and a suitable operative connection between the actuating mechanism and the said marker, whereby as the said mechanism is operated, the position of the marker is changed and the operation of the said mechanism indicated on the record dial, and means whereby the record dial may be used to indicate the operation of the actuating device for more than one revolution, said means comprising a sliding plate, and a pivoted rod which is operated by the travel of the dial and is adapted to lock said plate in different positions, substantially as described.

4. The combination With clock mechanism having a record dial mounted thereon and having characters corresponding with.

the time subdivisions on the face of the clock, the said dial being so arranged that its characters increase in the reverse order from the time divisions or subdivisions on the clock face, the said record dial being mounted to rotate with a moving part of the clock, and a marking device mounted to engage the record dial and normally under spring tension to change its position, actuating mechanism for a signal, and a suitable mechanical connection between the actuating mechan ism and the marker whereby as the said mechanism is operated, the operating act will be indicated on the record dial, substantially as described.

5. In mechanism of the class described, the combination with a clock movement, of a record dial mounted to turn with an arbor of the said movement, a marking device'arranged to act on the said dial, a spring acting on the said device to normally hold it a predetermined distance from the center of rotation, the said marking device being mounted to reciprocate, actuating mechanism lor a signal or other device, and a suit able connection between the marker and the said mechanism whereby as the latter is operated, the marker is actuated against the tension of its spring, the latter serving to return the marker to its normal position as soon as the power ceases to act 011 the actuating mechanism, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I al'fix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' WILLIAM O. REES.

Witnesses:

DENA NELSON, A. J. OBR1EN

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