Suiter Swantz IP takes a look back at past inventions and inventors with our Patent of the Day.
On this day in 1909, Peter McGrath, was granted U.S. Patent No. 926,816 for a RAILWAY-SWITCH.
An excerpt from the patent states:
I claim:
1. The combination with the switch, of a shaft arranged transversely of the switch and connected therewith to operate the switch when the shaft is oscillated, a locking device for the switch in connection with the shalt, and means on each side of the switch adapted to be operated by a moving train for throwing the switch, said means comprising a shaft arranged transversely of the track, a connection between the said shaft and the first named shalt whereby they will oscillate in unison, rods arranged transversely of the shaft, and in parallel relation, a carriage slidable on the rods, springs for retaining said carriage at one end of the rods, the carriage being provided with a slot therethrough, and an operating arm pivoted in the slot, the said arm having a horizontal portion lying within the slot, and a vertical portion for engagement by a moving train, a spring for retaining the arm in normal position, and means whereby the movement of the carriage will oscillate the shaft.
2. The combination with the switch, of a shaft arranged transversely of the switch and connected therewith to operate the switch when the shaft is oscillated, a locking device for the switch in connection with the shaft, and means on each side of the switch adapted to be operated by a moving train for throwing the switch, said means comprising a shaft arranged transversely of the track, a connection between said shaft and the first named shalt whereby they will oscillate in unison, rods arranged transversely of the shaft and in parallel relation, a carriage slid able on the rods, springs for retaining said carriage at one end of the rods, a spring supported arm pivoted to the carriage for engagement by mechanism on a moving train, and means whereby the movement of the carriage will oscillate the shaft.
3. The combination with the switch, of a shaft arranged transversely of the switch and connected therewith to operate the switch when the shaft is oscillated, a locking device for the switch in connection with the shaft, and means on each side of the switch adapted to be operated by a moving train or throwing the switch, said means comprising a shaft arranged transversely of the track, a connection between the said shaft and the first named shalt whereby they will oscillate in unison, a carriage slidable transversely of the last named shaft, an operating arm pivoted to the carriage, and adapted for engagement by means of a moving train whereby to move the carriage in one direction, a spring for returning the carriage, and means where by the movement of the carriage will oscillate the shaft.
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