Patent GB-707995-A (GB)
Title: Operating device for tele-control systems with mechanical operating and latching means
IPC: G05G5/08
Filed: 1951-02-15
Abstract: 707,995. Railway - signalling interlocking; operating railway points. MATEMINE SOC. ANON. Feb. 15, 1951 [Feb. 16. 1950], No. 3661/51. Classes 104 (1) and 105 [Also in Groups XXIV, XXIX and XXXV] Sets of telecontrol distributers such as push buttons e are interlocked by a system of blocking cams, the system comprising pawl arms d freely mounted on a shaft f, each for depressing its associated push button e, and provided with blocking cams Fig. 5, or q, Fig. 17, which co-operate with blocking cams i, Fig. 5, or p, Fig. 17, fixed on a parallel shaft c which is operated through lost-motions key connections, Fig. 17, with the interior of the hubs of operating levers b (actuated by handles a) the selected one of which depresses its pawl arm d on to its push button e and after the lost-motion is taken up, moves the blocking cams p into position to block the cams q of the other pawl arms a; the lost-motion is different for each lever. Two sets of buttons e, e<SP>1</SP>, Fig. 1, which may control fluid or electric power, are contacted by pawls d, d', independently mounted on a shaft f and operated by rollers on interconnected levers b, b<SP>1</SP> which are provided with a handle a. The pawls may be shaped as shown to interlock their respective levers when operated, or may be shaped to return the levers automatically. The levers b, b<SP>1</SP> may be in the same or different planes and are mounted on a shaft c to which they are keyed with various degrees of angular play so that when a handle a is operated the shaft is rotated by a smaller amount. Corresponding to each button a cam i, Fig. 5, is secured to the shaft c and co-operates with a stop j on the pawl d to prevent actuation, or alternatively to maintain actuation, of the respective button when the shaft c is rotated; i.e. when a 'handle a is moved to operate pawl d, the remaining pawls d are latched. The keyways may be formed by split rings secured in the hmbs of the levers b. By providing various shapes and positionings of cams. stops and keyways various combinations of latching may be obtained. The shaft c is maintained in a central position, or in one of a number of positions determined by stop notches, by a spring (not shown). In order that all the levers may be returned and blocked in a central position by a single control, the hub of each pair b, b<SP>1</SP> has two horns m, m', Fig. 12, which cooperate with a cam n keyed to the shaft f. Various modifications are suggested. The shaft c may be divided into parts coupled or geared together in order to separate sub-assemblies; two or more pairs of levers may be coupled together, a cam i may be free on the shaft c and be operated by the hub of a lever b, with or without angular play, while a cam fixed to the shaft f could co-operate therewith to block the lever; the various keyings could be applied to the pawls d, d'; external controls could act to block a particular part of the mechanism. In an application of the invention to a marshalling yard, Fig. 15, where wagons arriving ajt A are formed into trains on tracks I .. IV and removed towards B. a panel, Fig. 16 has four handles controlling two sets of switches or valves, the one set operating the points 1, 3, 5, 7 and the other operating the points 2, 4, 6, 8. Stop blocks C on each track may be controlled automatically by the locomotive, manually by a shunter, or be connected with the corresponding points. Pairs of interlocking cams suitable for operation of the panel are shown in Figs. 17 and 21. For latching to the right, Fig. 17, hookshaped cams p, q are provided, the cam p being pinned to the shaft c which is keyed, with clearance, to the lever hub b, and the cam q being integral with the pawl d and freely rotatable on the shaft f. For latching to the left a cam t, Fig. 21, free on the shaft c is driven by a key k' on the lever hub, and co-operates with a cam u pinned to the shaft f. In a modification a cam, similar to the cam u, is pinned to the shaft c and co-operates with a cam, similar to the cam t, integral with a pawl d which is loose on the shaft f. A blocking cam, similar to that shown in Fig. 12, is controlled by apparatus on the track beyond the points 8 and co-operates with horns on the shaft c to block the turn-out controls until the tail of the train has passed the apparatus. An over-riding manual control for this cam is provided.