Patent Publication Number: US-9428201-B1

Title: Locomotive blue light reverser key

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 from, nonprovisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/294,863, entitled “Locomotive Blue Light Reverser Key,” filed on Jun. 3, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,156,481. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/294,863 is a continuation of, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 from, nonprovisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/841,458, entitled “Locomotive Blue Light Reverser Key,” filed on Mar. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,156. This application incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/294,863. This application also incorporates by reference U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/841,458. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to railroad safety, and more particularly to devices for notifying locomotive operators of blue signal procedures. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     Locomotives are operated by railroad controllers to operate on railways that extend throughout the continent. At times it is desirable to conduct certain procedures on the railroad that may require a locomotive to remain standing and not be moved until it is safe to do so. These procedures typically involve railroad employees conducting inspection of the railway, conducting safety tests, performing repairs, or working on locomotives. Federal Law mandates that blue signal protection be provided to railroad employees whenever they are conducting such work. This is also known as a blue signal procedure. During a blue signal procedure, a blue signal must be displayed at each end of a locomotive, among other locations. Although the blue signals may notify railroad employees and locomotive operators, there is a risk that the blue signals will not be visible to a locomotive operator. A safer mechanism for notifying locomotive operators of blue signal procedures is desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     A locomotive blue light reverser key comprises a handle portion and a shaft portion that is connected to the handle portion. The shaft portion is attached to the handle portion and extends from the handle portion. The handle portion includes a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a switch mechanism, and a battery. A blue tinted lens is attached at an end of the handle portion. A locomotive operator uses the blue light reverser key when a blue signal procedure is in effect on the railroad. During a blue signal procedure, locomotives are not permitted to move and must remain stationary. The blue signal procedure is mandated under Federal law whenever railroad employees are conducting inspection of the railway, performing safety tests, carrying out repairs, or working on locomotives. Any movement of the train may result in serious injury to a railroad employee. 
     In normal operating conditions (no blue signal), a locomotive operator inserts a reverser handle into a reverser. The reverser is part of a control stand in a cabin of the locomotive. In addition to the reverser, the control stand also includes a dynamic brake and a power throttle. The dynamic brake is used to decelerate the locomotive, and the power throttle is used to control diesel engines or other power providing units of the locomotive. The reverser handle controls the forward and reverse rotation of the motors to selectively drive the locomotive forward or backwards. The reverser is set to one of three positions: neutral, forward and backward. The reverser handle is also removable from the reverser. Because the reverser handle is removable and controls the movement of the locomotive, the reverser handle is also referred to as a “train key”. 
     In a blue signal procedure, the locomotive operator activates the LED on the handle portion and inserts the blue light reverser key into the reverser. The shaft portion does not engage any locking mechanism within the reverser. The shaft portion does not include any V-notch or indentations that will trip a locking mechanism in the reverser. In this fashion, the blue light reverser key prevents the reverser from rotating to the forward position or to the reverse position when the blue light reverser key is inserted into the reverser. As a result, a train operator will not be able to accidentally move the train after the blue light reverser key is inserted into the reverser. In addition, the blue light emitted from the blue light reverser key also notifies other train other operators that may enter the cabin unaware of the blue signal protection. Moreover, because the blue light reverser key occupies the reverser, a train key capable of controlling the reverser may not be inadvertently inserted. 
     In another embodiment, a blue light reverser key includes a handle portion having an LED, a switch mechanism, a battery, control circuitry, a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver, and an antenna. An RF signal received onto the antenna is detected by the RF receiver and in turn, causes control circuitry to control switch mechanism to activate the LED. All locomotive operators equipped with a blue light reverser key having the RF receiver will be notified of the blue signal. For example, a railroad employee upon deciding to initiate a blue signal condition generates an RF signal transmitted from a master controller using an antenna. The RF signal is detected by each of the reverser keys carried by the locomotive operators, and each of the locomotive operators receives notification of the blue signal condition when the LEDs are activated. 
     In yet another embodiment, a reverser key includes a handle portion and a shaft portion having a V-notch that unlocks a tripping mechanism within the reverser of the locomotive. The reverser key is a fully functional train key and is usable by a locomotive operator to control the reverser and drive the train forwards and backwards. The handle portion contains at least one electronic device, and contains a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a switch mechanism, and a battery. The reverser key has a dual use in that it functions as a train key to control the reverser and also functions as a flashlight providing convenience to the locomotive operator. 
     Further details and embodiments and methods are described in the detailed description below. This summary does not purport to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, where like numerals indicate like components, illustrate embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a locomotive  100  operating on a railroad during a blue signal procedure. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of a control stand  103  of locomotive  100 . 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of a novel locomotive reverser key  112  that emits a blue light. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective diagram showing the reverser key  112  being inserted into reverser control socket  123  of the reverser  106 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective diagram of the control stand  103  after the reverser key  112  is inserted into the reverser  106 . 
         FIG. 6  is another perspective diagram of the control stand  103  after the reverser key  112  is inserted into the reverser  106 . 
         FIG. 7  (second embodiment) is a diagram of another embodiment of a novel reverser key  200 . 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing how several locomotive operators are notified of the blue signal procedure using novel reverser key  200 . 
         FIG. 9  (third embodiment) is a diagram of another embodiment of a novel reverser key  300 . 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a methods  400  in accordance with one novel aspect. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of a locomotive  100  operating on a railroad during a blue signal procedure. During a blue signal procedure, the locomotive  100  is not permitted to move either forwards or backwards and must remain stationary. The blue signal procedure is mandated under Federal law whenever railroad employees are conducting inspection of the railway, performing safety tests, carrying out repairs, or working on locomotives. A blue signal must be displayed at each end of rolling equipment. The blue signal must be a clearly distinguishable blue flag or blue light by day, and a blue light by night. Reference numeral  101  identifies a blue flag. A locomotive operator in locomotive cabin  102  may see blue flag  101  and understand that a blue flag procedure is in place and the locomotive must remain stationery. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of a control stand  103  of locomotive  100 . The control stand  103  includes a dynamic brake  104 , a power throttle  105 , and a reverser  106 . Dynamic brake control handle  107  is used to control the dynamic brake  104  to decelerate locomotive  100 . Throttle control handle  108  is used to control the power throttle  105  to drive diesel engines or other power providing units of locomotive  100 . Reverser handle  109  controls the forward and reverse rotation of the motors to selectively drive the locomotive  100  forward or backwards. The reverser handle  109  is set to one of three positions: neutral position, forward position and backwards position. In  FIG. 2 , the reverser handle  109  is in a neutral position. Rotating reverser handle  109  in the direction of bold arrow  110  would result in the reverser handle  109  being set to the forward position, whereas rotating reverser handle  109  in the direction of bold arrow  111  would result in the reverser handle  109  being set to the reverse position. 
     Reverser handle  109  is removable from the reverser  106 . A reverser socket on the reverser  106  allows the locomotive operator to insert and remove the reverser handle  109  from the reverser  106 . Because the reverser handle  109  is removable and permits the locomotive operator to control the train, the reverser handle  109  is also referred to as a “train key”. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the reverser handle  109  must remain in the neutral position until the blue signal procedure has ended. If, however, the train operator removes the train key and departs from the cabin to allow a new train operator to enter the cabin, then there is a risk that the new train operator will not be aware of the blue signal procedure. As a result, there is a risk that the new operator will insert the train key, move the train forwards or backwards, and cause injury to a railroad employee. 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of a novel locomotive reverser key  112  that emits a blue light. The reverser key  112  includes a handle portion  113  and a shaft portion  114 . The handle portion  113  provides a handle for holding and gripping the locomotive reverser key  112 . Shaft portion  114  is attached to the handle portion  113  and extends from the handle portion  113 . Handle portion  113  comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED)  115 , a switch mechanism  116 , and a battery  117 . A lens  118  is attached to an end of the handle portion  113 . The LED  115  emits a clear or white light, however, the lens  118  is tinted blue causing the reverser key  112  to emit a blue light when the LED  115  is switched on. In the example of  FIG. 3 , the switch mechanism  116  involves rotation of bezel portion  119  that causes metal contact between LED  115  and battery  117  resulting in LED  115  to emit light. In another embodiment, the switch mechanism  116  is a push button switch located on the handle portion  113 . In yet another embodiment, the switch mechanism  116  push button that is activated by pressing lens  118  inwards towards handle portion  113 . In yet another embodiment, the switch mechanism  116  is a sliding switch located on the outer surface of the handle portion  113 . 
     Reverser key  112  is not usable to operate locomotive  100 . The shaft portion  114  is unable to disengage any locking mechanism within reverser  106 . The shaft portion does not include any V-notch or indentations that will trip a locking mechanism in the reverser. A protruding edge  124  extends from a top edge of the shaft portion  114  to prevent the reverser key  112  from rotating while inserted in the reverser  106 . In this fashion, reverser key  112  prevents the reverser  106  from rotating to the forward position  110  or to the reverse position  111  when the reverser key  112  is inserted into the reverser  106 . As a result, a train operator will not be able to accidentally move the train after reverser key  112  is inserted into reverser  106 . In addition, both the handle portion  113  and the shaft portion  114  are powder coated blue so that a train operator readily will know that the reverser key  112  indicates that a blue signal procedure is in effect. The combination of the blue color of the reverser key  112 , the blue light that is emitted from the reverser key  112 , and the inability of the reverser key  112  to operate the train, will prevent the train operator from moving the train while the blue signal procedure is in effect. 
     The handle portion  113  has a first diameter  120  that is greater than one inch. This diameter provides storage capacity for battery  117 . The shaft portion  114  has a second diameter  121 , and the first diameter  120  of the handle portion  113  is at least one and a half times the second diameter  121  of the shaft portion  114 . In addition, a length  122  of the reverser key  112  is greater than three inches to provide space for battery  117  and other electronics within handle  113 . However, the length  122  of the reverser key  112  does not exceed eight inches, otherwise it would be unwieldy and difficult for a locomotive operator to carry. 
     In the example of  FIG. 3 , the handle portion  113  and the shaft portion  114  is manufactured using Aluminum alloy 6061-T6. However, reverser key  112  need not be constructed of metal and may be constructed of thermoplastic polymer or thermosetting polymer using injection molding techniques. Although in the example of  FIG. 3  the outer surface of reverser key  112  is a blue coating, the outer surface may be of a different color, such as white, black, red, orange, yellow, green, red, violet or any combination of colors. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective diagram showing the reverser key  112  being inserted into reverser control socket  123  of the reverser  106 . After the locomotive operator receives notification of the blue signal procedure, the locomotive operator inserts the reverser key  112  into the reverser so as to prevent accidental operation of the railroad and to inform other operators that may enter the cabin unaware of the blue signal protection. In addition, because the reverser key  112  is occupying reverser control socket  123 , it is not possible for the operator to accidently insert an operable train key and move the locomotive. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective diagram of the control stand  103  after the reverser key  112  is inserted into the reverser  106 . 
       FIG. 6  is another perspective diagram of the control stand  103  after the reverser key  112  is inserted into the reverser  106 . 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram of a second embodiment of a novel reverser key  200 . Reverser key  200  includes a handle portion  201  and a shaft portion  202 . Handle portion  201  includes a Light Emitting Diode (LED)  203 , switch mechanism  204 , battery  205 , control circuitry  206 , a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver  207 , and an antenna  208 . An RF signal  209  is received onto antenna  208 . Receiver  207  detects the received RF signal  209  and causes control circuitry  206  to control switch mechanism  204  to activate LED  203 . A lens  210  is tinted blue resulting in a blue light being emitted from reverser key  200 . Utilization of reverser key  200  permits a railroad employee to notify all locomotive operators of the blue signal. After the reverser key  200  is activated and emits a blue light, then the locomotive operators will be informed of the blue signal condition and will know to insert the reverser key  200  into the reverser  106  to prevent any movement of the train. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram showing how several locomotive operators are notified of the blue signal procedure using novel reverser key  200 . Three locomotive operators  211 - 213  are each equipped with reverser keys  214 - 216 , respectively. A railroad employee  217  initiates a blue signal condition by installing blue flag  218 . Railroad employee  217  generates an RF signal  219  transmitted from master controller  220  via antenna  221 . RF signal  218  is received onto reverser key  214  causing reverser key  214  to emit a blue light notifying the first locomotive operator  211  of the blue signal procedure. RF signal  218  is also received onto reverser key  215  causing reverser key  215  to emit a blue light notifying the second locomotive operator  212  of the blue signal procedure. RF signal  218  is also received onto reverser key  216  causing reverser key  216  to emit a blue light notifying the third locomotive operator  213  of the blue signal procedure. In this fashion each of locomotive operators  211 ,  212  and  213  receives notification of the blue signal condition and can proceed to insert of their respective reverser keys into the reverser to prevent any train movement. 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram of a third embodiment of a novel reverser key  300 . Reverser key is similar to reverser key  112  in  FIG. 2 , except that reverser key  300  includes V-notch  301  that unlocks tripping mechanism within the reverser  106 . Reverser key  300  is a fully functional train key and is usable by a locomotive operator to control the reverser  106  and drive the train forwards and backwards. Reverser key  300  includes handle portion  302  and shaft portion  303 . Handle portion  302  contains electronic devices convenient for use by a locomotive operator. In this example, handle portion  302  comprises a Light Emitting Diode (LED)  304 , a switch mechanism  305 , and a battery  306 . In this fashion, reverser key  300  has a dual use in that it functions as a train key to control the reverser  106  and also functions as a flashlight. 
     The handle portion  302  may include other electronic devices of utility to a locomotive operator. For example, handle portion  302  may include a Global Position System (GPS) module that would provide the train operator with GPS coordinates. Such positioning information is useful to the train operator when the train operator needs to know their precise location or to determine the distance from a destination. Handle portion  302  may include a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) module used by the locomotive company to track each train operator and to gather information such as which trains were operated by a particular train operator. The handle portion  302  may include a microphone so that a train operator may record notes and other observations during operation routes. In addition, handle portion  302  may include a microcontroller for controlling and communicating with other electronic devices. The handle portion  302  may include a wireless interface module for performing wireless communication with a wireless local area network on board the train. The handle portion  302  may include a camera module permitting the train operator to take photographs. In addition, the handle portion  302  may include a fingerprint sensor so that only certain qualified train operators may have access to the reverser key. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a method  400  in accordance with one novel aspect. In a first step (step  401 ), a removable locomotive reverser key is used to indicate a blue signal procedure on a railroad. For example, in  FIG. 4 , a train operator receives notification that a blue signal procedure is in effect. The train operator activates the LED  115  of the reverser key  112  causing a blue light to be emitted from the reverser key  112 . The train operator then inserts the reverser key  112  into the reverser control socket  123  of the reverser  106 . In this fashion, the train operator uses the reverser key  112  to indicate that a blue signal procedure is in effect and the train should not be moved until the blue signal procedure ends. 
     Although the present invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments for instructional purposes, the present invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and combinations of various features of the described embodiments can be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.