Gate for Draw-bridges.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 1st June, 1891-Accepted, 4th July, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Gate for Draw-bridges.
I, JOHN PITT BAYLY, of 18 Fulham Place, Paddington, in the County of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a com-
munication to me from abroad by Charles Brothwell, of Bridgeport, Connecticut,
U.S.A. Inventor,) to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in gates for draw-
bridges, which consist preferably of metal frames covered by metal lattice-work.
These gates are four in number, the larger two of which are swung upon vertical
rods, each provided at their lower ends with a crank-arın, which are connected
together by a rod or link. The two smaller gates arranged upon opposite sides of
the larger gates, are swung upon similar vertical rods to those aforesaid, and having
crank-arms at their lower ends, which are united by a connecting rod. A suitable
operating arm is pivoted to a crank arm on one of the vertical rods aforesaid of
each pair of gates, and by means of these operating arms the gates may be opened
or closed simultaneously.
Dated this 30th day of August. 1890.
J. P. BAYLY,
Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Gate for Draw-bridges.
I, JOHN PITT BAYLY, of 18 Fulham Place, Paddington, in the County of
London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (a com-
munication to me from abroad by Charles Brothwell, of Bridgeport, Connecticut,
U.S.A. Inventor,) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention has for its object to provide a system of gates for closing roadways
and walks, which shall be adapted for general use in connection with draw-bridges.
I have, however, illustrated my invention as applied in connection with a draw, and
as operated from the centre of the draw.
It has been found in practice that for this class of bridges it is desirable that the
gates should swing inward-that is, towards the draw-in opening, and outward in
closing. It has been customary to build the draws to make a quarter-turn to open
and a quarter-turn back again to close. I have recently, however, superintended
the building of a draw-bridge at Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.A., and in connection
with which I obtained U.S. Letters Patent No. 408,370, dated August 6th, 1889,
in which the draw in use is made to swing in a circle, and to change ends each time
it is opened and closed. As it was desirable in connection with this well-known
bridge to have the best gates that could be produced, a number of different gates
were tried, but none of them were able to operate satisfactorily and to stand the
hard usage
incident to the rapid working of this bridge. I have, therefore, devised
the set of gates which I will now describe to meet the requirements of this bridge,
and have found them satisfactory in every respect.
In the accompanying drawings forming part of this Specification
Fig. 1 is a diagram plan view of the draw and the ends of the roadway, the draw
being closed and the gates in the closed position as when ready to open the draw or
at the instant of closing;
Fig. 2 a similar view showing the draw closed and the gates oven ;

page_text: Fig. 3 n section on the liner in Fig. 4 looking toward the left;
Fig. 4 a section on the line y y in Fig. 3, looking toward the right :
Fig. 5 a detail view on an enlarged scale of an operating-yoke, an operating-rod,
an operating-arm, and a locking-hook;
Fig. 6 a plan view of one of the operative yokes detached;
Fig. 7a detail view of the upper end of one of the bifurcated locking-arms;
Fig. 8 a detail view showing a locking-hook disengaged by one of the lifting
brackets on the side of the draw opposite the operating rods; and
Fig. 9 is a detail view showing one of the operating-arms as locked by a locking-
hook.
In operating my novel gates I have dispensed entirely with cams, gears, sprockets,
chains, etc., and operate the gate by means of crank-arins, links, and rods.
1 denotes the abutment of the bridge proper. 2 the roadway, 3 the side-walks,
4 the draw, the roadway-gates, and 6 the side-walk-gates. These gates may be
made of any suitable material. In practice, however, I preferably make a frame-
work of gas-piping and cover it with heavy wire-netting, as shown in the drawings.
The roadway-gates are carried by vertical shafts 7, the lower ends of which rest in
steps 8, thus resting upon the abutment, as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. The side-
walk-gates are carried by shafts 9 which rest in similar spaces 10 which are
supported by a cross-piece 11, or in any suitable manner, it being understood, of
course, that these special details of construction are not of the essence of my
invention. The upper ends of these shafts are connected by bamls 94, which permit
both shafts to turn freely, at the same time embracing and supporting said shafts.
Near the lower ends of each of the shafts 7 is a crank-arm 12 and pivoted thereto
by an operating-arm 13 which extends forward through a support 14, and is
provided at its forward end with an angle-piece 15. 16 denotes another crank-arm
upon each of the shafts 7. Crank-arms 12 and 16 extend forward from shaft 7 at
approximately right angles to each other, as is clearly indicated in diagrams
Figs. 1 and 2. Each of the shafts 9 is provided with a crank-arın 17. Crank-
arms 16 and 17 are connected by a link 18. It will, of course, be understood that
the mechanism on the abutment at each end of the draw is the same, and that it is
the same on opposite sides of the abutment.
19 denotes à crank-arm on each of the shafts 7, and 20 a crank-rod extending
from crank-arn 19 on the shaft 7 at one side of the bridge to the crank-arm 19 ou
the shaft 7 at the other side of the bridge. The action of this cross-rod is to cause
the mechanisms on opposite sides of the draw to operate simultaneously in opening
and closing the gates.
At the centre of the draw are placed two vertical shafts 21, each of which is
provided with an operating handle 22 and with a crank-arm 23.
24 denotes an operating-rod, one end of which is pivoted to crank-arm 23, and
the other to an operating yoke 25 at the end of the draw. The construction of
this yoke is clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The arms of the yoke are curved, and
are placed at sufficient distances apart, so that when the draw is swang to the
closed position angle-pieces 15 upon operating-arm 13 will pass between the arms of
the yoke, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The lower end of the yoke 25 is pivoted to a
bracket 26 upon the draw.
27 denotes bel-crank levers pivoted to suitable brackets 27* on crosspiece 11
under the roadway of the abutment near the cont.ru thereof. One of the arms of
cach of these levers extends downward, and is bifurcated to embrace cross-rod 20,
collars 28 being provided on said rod to engage the lower ends of the bell-crank
levers. At the outer ends of the bell-crank levers are pivoted by a slotted
connection bifurcated locking-arms 29. When the cross-rod is moved longitudinally
in the act of closing the gates collars 28 engage the lower arms and the levers 27
swing the other arms upward and lift the hifurented locking-arms into position to
engage the gates, as is clearly shown in Fig. 3. These locking-arms move in
sockets or bushings 30, which hold them firmly in position. It will be noticed (see
Fig. 7) that one of the bifurcations of the arm is shorter than the other. This

page_text: permits the gate to pass to the closed position, after which the locking-arm moves
up slightly and locks it firmly, the position of the lower bar of the framework of
the gate in the locked position being indicated by dotted line in Fig. 7. The
instant the cross-bar is moved in the opposite direction, as when the gates are
thrown open, the locking-arms drop downward by gravity below the surface of
the roadway, so as to offer no obstruction to travel when the gates are in the open
position.
In order to provide a double lock for the gates, thus affording double security
and also insuring that the gates will be locked in the closed position under all
circumstances, provide straight spring hooks 31 on supports 14, which spring
downward when the operating-yoke is moved out of the way, and engage the outer
face of the angle-piece at the end of operating-arm 13 (see Fig. 9) thus making it
absolutely impossible to move said arm inward to open the gate until the hook is
lifted upward out of the way. It will be noticed (see Fig. 6) that the inner arm of
the operating-yoke is bevelled, as at 32, the bevel acting when the draw is swung
to position to lift the hook upward out of the way, as is clearly shown in Fig. 5.
In practice provide four of these locking-hooks and four operating-arms—that is,
one on each side of the draw at each end thereof. It will be noticed (see Fig. 3)
that I have placed one of the crank-arms 12 and the corresponding operating-arm
upon shaft 7 lower than the other one at the right, being the lowest. I have not
shown the two operating-yokes, but have shown the two operating-arms in Fig. 3.
It will be understood, of course, that the yoke at one end of the draw is made of
proper height to be engaged by the angle-piece on the lower operating-arm, but
that the angle-piece of the upper operating-arm will pass over it, the other yoke
being placed at proper height to be engaged by the angle-piece of the upper
operating-arm. This is in order to permit the draw to be used as a double ender
that is, to be caused to change ends each time it is opened or closed—so that
in swinging the draw to the closed position the upper operating-arm will swing
over the lower yoke, and will not be engaged until it meets the high yoke.
In practice I use but two operating-yokes-that is, one at each end of the draw
upon one side thereof-but use four operating-arms and locking-hooks, that is, I
use four if it is designed to use the bridge as a double ender, but two only are
required if the draw makes but a quarter turn to open, and is swung back to place
each time it is closed. When four operating-arms and locking-hooks are used, two
diagonally opposite to each other are placed at the high position, as at the left in
Fig. 3, and the other two diagonally opposite each other are placed at the low
position, as at the right in Fig. 3. Upon the opposite side of the draw to that
having the operating-rods and operating-yokes I place lifting-brackets 33. These
brackets may be secured in any suitable manner at the ends of the draw. I have
shown them as bolted to the under side thercof. (See Fig. 8, also see dotted
position of said brackets in Figs. 1 and 2.) At the forward end of each bracket is
a plate 34 which is rounded, as shown in Fig. 8, so that as the draw swings to place
the two locking-hooks that are not engaged by the two operating yokes will be
engaged by these plates and lift them out of operative position, as is clearly shown
in Fig. 8. It should be understood that the relative positions of the lifting-brackets
correspond with the positions of the operating-yokes one of the lifting-brackets
corresponding in positions with the side operating-yoke, and the other with the low
operating-yoke, the lifting-bracket upon the end of the draw having the high
operating-yoke, being low, and the lifting-bracket at the end of the draw having
the low operating-yoke, being high. This construction permits the draw to operate
continuously in a circle, making a half turn each time it is opened and closed, or
should it be desired to have the draw make but a quarter turn and to swing back
to place in closing, no change whatever in the parts would be required as the
operation would be precisely the same. The angle-pieces at the ends of the high
operating-arms will swing over the low operating-yokes and lifting-brackets, and
will be engaged by the high operating yokes and lifting-brackets.

page_text: In order that the arrangement of the operating-arms, operating-yokes, and lifting-
brackets, may be clearly understood, I have, in diagrams Figs. 1 and 2, indicated
the corners of the abutments having the low-operating-arms by b, the corners of the
draw having a high-operating yoke or lifting-bracket by e, and the corners of the
draw having a low operating-yoke or lifting-bracket by d. It will be seen that
whether the bridge is turned forward or backward, or whether it changes ends or
not, e will always pass over band will engage a and d, will always pass under a and
engage b.
น
The operation is as follows: Suppose the parts to be in the position shown in
Fig. 2. When it is desired to open the draw, the operator at the centre thereof
turns handles 22 from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2 to that shown in full
lines in Fig. 1. This movement forces the operating-rods outward. Before this
movement is made the operating-yokes and operating-arms will be at the position
shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. and at the completion of the movement they will be
in the position shown in full lines in said figs. The gates will now be closed, as in
Figs. 1, 3, and 5. Simultaneously with the movement of the operating-rods 20 will
be moved to actuate the rods on the opposite sides of the bridge. The collars on
these rods will engage bell-crank levers 27, swinging said levers on their pivots,
and raising the bifurented locking-arms toward the position shown in Figs. 3 and 7.
It will, of course, be understood that the movements of the bell-crank levers and
locking-arms are accurately timed so as to permit the gates to just swing past the
shorter arm and be engaged by the longer arm, as shown in Fig. 7. At the fully
closed position of the gates the lower piece of the framework thereof will be
embraced by the bifurcated arms, as clearly shown in Fig. 7. The manner in which
the draw is opened and closed, lins, of course, nothing to do with my present inven-
tion. The draw of the bridge to which these gates have been applied is operated
by an electric motor, as stated in my former Patent referred to. As soon as the
draw begins to turn the operating-yokes and the lifting-brackets will pass from
under hooks 31, and will allow said hooks to drop down over the outer face of the
operating-arms, as clearly shown in Fig. 9, thus affording a double lock for the two
gates controlled by each operating-arin, as it is impossible for said arms to be moved
inward to open the gates until the locking-hooks have been raised. When the
draw is swung back to place, or when the ends swing around into engagement with
the abutments the two high locking-hooks will be lifted by a high operating-yoke
and a high lifting-bracket, and the two low locking-hooks will be lifted by a low
operating-yoke and lifting-bracket, as has been already fully described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my snid
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The gate-shafts 7 and 9, by which they are carried, and crank-arms on snid
shafts, in combination with a link connecting crank-arms on a shaft. 7 and 9 on each
side of the bridge, a cross-rod 20, connecting crank-arms on shafts 7 on opposite
sides of the bridge, an operating-arm pivoted to the crank-arm on one of the shafts 7,
whereby the gates on both sides of the draw are operated simultaneously, operating-|
yokes 25, and operating-rods 24, substantially as described.
2. In combination, the gates, shafts 7 and 9, by which they are carried, crank-
arms cu said shafts, links connecting crank-arms on a shaft 7 and 9 on each side of
the bridge, a cross-rod connecting crank-arms on shafts 7 on opposite sides of the
bridge, bell-crank levors 27, collars on the cross-rod by which said bell-crank levers
are operated, and vertical moving locking-arms connected to the bell-crank levers,
which are moved upward to lock the gates when they are thrown to the closed
position, substantially as described.
3. The combination, with shafts 7, having crank arms 19, and a cross-rod con-
nected to said arms and having collars 28, of bell-crank levers 27, one arm of which
is engaged by said collars, and locking-arms 29, pivoted to the other ends of said

page_text: levers, whereby when the cross-arm is moved in one direction the gates are closed
and the locking-arms raise to lock them, and when the cross-arm is moved in the
opposite direction the locking-arms are allowed to drop and the gates are opened.
4. In combination, shafts 7, having crank-arms 12, 16 and 19, having crank-
arins 17, links connecting crank-arms 16 and 17, a cross-rod connecting crank-
arms 19 and operating-arms 13, connected to crank-arms 12.
5. The combination, with shafts 7, having crank-arms 12, and operating-arms 13,
pivoted to said crank-arms and having angle-pieces at their forward ends, of
operating-yokes 25 on the draw, adapted to engage the angle-picces when the draw
is moved to the closed position, and operating-rods 24, pivoted to the yokes,
whereby the gates are opened and closed.
6. Shafts 7, having a crank-arm 12, and an operating-arm 13, pivoted to said
crank-arm and having an angle-piece at its forward end, in combination with a
pivoted locking-yoke adapted to engage the angle-piece, an operating-rod pivoted
to the operating-yoke whereby the shaft is oscillated, and a locking-hook 31, which
engages the outer face of the angle-piece to lock the parts in position when the
yoke is swung out of engagement at the opening of the draw.
7. The combination, with operating-arm 13, having an angle-piece at its forward
end and locking-hook 31 on the abutment, of swinging operating yoke 25 and
operating-rod 24 on the draw, said yoke being bevelled, so as to lift the locking-
hook when the draw is moved to the closed position.
8. In a draw-bridge, two high and two low operating-arms placed diagonally to
each other on the abutments, and provided on their forward ends with angle-pieces
and locking-hooks adapted to engage said arms in combination with a high and a
low swinging operating-yoke and operating-rods thereon on one side of the draw
and high and low lifting-brackets on the opposite sides of the draw, so that in use
the draw may be moved either forward and backward or continuously forward, and
the locking-hooks will engage the locking-arms, and when the draw is swung to the
closed position the locking-hooks will be raised by the yokes and brackets.
Do 1
1001
J. P. BAYLY,
Per P. W.