Rails, Bars, Tubes, and the like.
Year: 1886

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by ANDREW JACKSON GUSTIN, of Boston, in the County
of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Gentleman.]
Rails, Bars, Tubes, and the like.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst. P.A. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, and 323 High
Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
In this machine the straightening of the rail is effected by supporting the same at
two points or anvils and subjecting it at an intermediate point to a suitable pressure.
Heretofore straightening machines have contained pressure devices so arranged that
it was necessary to turn the rail or rod by hand in order to straighten the same from
different sides or in different directions as required. The machine is provided with
pressure devices acting from different directions so that the rail may be straightened
from all sides without being turned. This constitutes one of the leading features of
the invention.
Another feature of importance resides in the means whereby the crooks or
irregularities in the rail are rendered instrumental in controlling the action of the
pressure devices so that appropriate devices are brought into action automatically.
The invention further consists in various mechanical and electrical devices
hereinafter described.
For convenience the pressure devices which act on the rail will be hereinafter
designated as plungers and the rail supports as anvils.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine containing four plungers to act on
different sides of the rail, their operation controlled by hand-levers.
Figure 2 is a vertical cross section of the same.

page_text: Figure 3 is a sectional elevation showing a preferred construction of the plungers
and their operating heads, together with electric devices for automatically controlling
their action.
Figure 4 is an elevation in the nature of a diagram showing more fully the electric
connections.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation showing the electrical and mechanical devices for
controlling the action of one plunger.
Figure 6 is a section of the same on the lines.
Figure 7 is an elevation of the circuit-controlling devices used in connection with
the anvils.
Figures 8 and 9 are views of details which will be hereinafter explained, having
relation to the circuit-controlling devices through which the action of the plungers
is determined by irregularities in the rail.
Figure 10 is a sectional elevation showing a purely mechanical device for controlling
the action of the plungers from the rail.
Figure 11 is an elevation showing a device for a like purpose partly electrical and
partly mechanical.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, A, represents a rigid main-frame having a horizontal
central opening for the passage of the rail or other bar B, to be straightened. At
each side of the machine four anvils or supports C, are grouped around the central
opening, facing inward toward the respective sides of the rail passage. These anvils
may be screws, stationary blocks, or other appropriate devices.
In the frame midway between the two series of anvils, are arranged reciprocating
plungers D, facing inward from the respective sides of the rail passage.
These
plungers are free to revolve about their longitudinal axes, and are screwed at their
outer ends into operating yokes or pressure heads E, each receiving motion through a
transverse slide F, from an eccentric G. The eccentrics operating the four plungers
are carried by shafts mounted in the main frame and connected together at the corners
by miter-gears H. One of the shafts I, is provided with a driving wheel J, through
which motion is constantly communicated to the various shafts and eccentrics, the
latter being so arranged that the plungers are moved inward toward the rail passage,
in regular succession, one at a time. In their normal position the plungers are
screwed outward'into the operating heads, so that when carried inward they fail to act
on the rail. Any plunger may be rendered active, however, by screwing it forward,
and thus in effect increasing its length, so that when advanced it will act upon the
rail at a point between the supporting anvils on the opposite side, thus bending the
rail so as to correct any irregularity brought opposite the plunger. As a means of
conveniently elongating the respective plungers as may be required, each one is
encircled with a gear wheel K, engaging a second gear L, the shaft of which is
mounted in fixed bearings on the frame, and provided with a hand lover M, the several
levers having their handles conveniently grouped at one side of the machine as in
Figure 1, that they may be operated by the attendant. To support the rail in its
passage and permit it to be conveniently moved, horizontal rolls N are mounted in
opposite sides of the main frame, with their bearings on supporting springs O. These
rollers support the rail normally above the underlying anvils so that it may be readily
moved endwise, but when the upper plunger acts the pressure causes the rolls to sink
until the rail receives a firm bearing on the anvil.
The rails as presented to the machine will be bent at different points in their
length in different directions, that is to say outward on different sides. As the rail is
advanced through the machine the successive irregularities are brought in line with
the plungers, and the operator moving the appropriate hand-lever brings into action the
proper plunger.
It will be observed that in the use of this machine the rotation of the rail is
unnecessary, but that the attendant is required to exercise his judgment as to the
appropriate points at which to stop the rail and as to which of the plungers shall be
brought into action. In order to render the machine wholly automatic in its action,
it is proposed to combine with the series of pressure devices and their driving

page_text: mechanisms, controlling devices which are in turn controlled by the bent or irregular
portions of the passing rails. These devices may be purely mechanical in nature, or
they may be electrical devices or partly mechanical and partly electrical. In the
accompanying drawings is shown an apparatus for each of the above named
devices.
Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 represent the electrical apparatus for this purpose applied to
the machine.
Referring to Figure 4, it will be perceived that the main-frame, the plungers, the
operating shafts and their eccentrics, the rail-supporting anvils, and the gear for
imparting motion to the eccentrics are constructed and arranged in substantially the
same manner as in Figure 1, but that the end levers M, are omitted, and that the
yokes or heads E, instead of being secured permanently to the plungers are detached
therefrom, and arranged to reciprocate independently thereof, special devices which
will be presently described being provided for the purpose of enabling these
independent heads to communicate motion to the respective plungers when required.
These elongating devices are shown in Figure 3, in which, as will be seen, the
operating yoke or head E, is provided with an extension face, to bear on the outer end
of the plunger and drive the same toward the rail. This head is connected to the
yoke by a screw spindle a, and the two parts are provided with spiral bearing surfaces b,
to receive the pressure and relieve the spindle. A spiral spring c, is seated in a central
hole in the spindle and bears against a transverse pin d, passing through a slot into
the head. This spring holds the bearing surfaces in intimate contact and prevents the
parts from wearing. The head stands normally in its retracted or shortened condition
as shown in Figure 3, so that when moved forward it fails to encounter the plunger.
By turning the head it is advanced or elongated so that when moved inward by the
yoke and eccentrics it will drive the plunger before it against the rail.
The four plungers of the machine are constructed and operated in this manner. The
rotation of the pressure head to effect its elongation is produced by a gear K, secured
thereto and engaging a second gear L. It is preferable to construct the gears L, in
this form of the machine of a sector shape as shown in Figure 5, and to operate them
by a rod P, from a gear Q, driven by a second gear R. There will be a separate
controlling mechanism and gear R, for each plunger, and the four gears will be
mounted as in Figure 4, on a common continuously rotating shaft S, geared to turn
at a speed considerably greater than that of the eccentrics which advance the
plungers.
The rotary face E¹ is encircled by an operating pinion K secured rigidly thereto
and operated by a vibrating sector-rack or segment L pivoted to the main frame and
connected by an operating rod P to a crank pin on a gear wheel Q which receives
motion at proper times as shown in Figures 5 and 6, from a gear wheel R mounted on
a constantly revolving shaft S. This wheel is connected with the shaft through the
medium of friction plates or washers e, bearing against its sides and confined in place
by collars e on the shaft. To the side of the wheel R, around the hub thereon,
are applied two disks T and U. The disk T has on its periphery a series of ratchet
teeth 9. The disk of smaller diameter has a smooth circular periphery with the
exception of a projecting tooth i. The two disks are connected with each other and
with the gear wheel R. by tranverse bolts f which pass through short slots in the
gear R and through longer slots in the disk T their inner ends being secured to the
disk U, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, this construction permitting the two wheels or
disks to turn with reference to the wheel R and also to a limited extent in relation to
each other. The bolts are shouldered as shown, to hear against the face of the disk T
and thus secure the two disks firmly to each other while permitting them to be
adjusted as may be required to change the normal position or adjustment of the
plunger, leaving the disks free, however, to revolve together in relation to the gear R.
Spiral springs extend from the bolts to pins on the gear R and tend constantly to
turn the disks forward in relation to the gear.
An elbow detent lever V mounted on the frame is provided at one extremity with a
lip or projection n', to engage the tooth i, on the disk U, and thereby hold the two

page_text: disks and the gear R at rest, the effect being through the intermediate gear Q, rod P
and sector pinion L, to hold the face E' of the pressure head E, in its shortened or
retracted position so that the pressure plunger will not act upon the rail. The lever V
is provided at its opposite end with a shoulder O. When the lever is moved so as to
disengage the shoulder a' from the tooth, the friction devices cause the gear R to
turn forward until they are arrested in their movement by the shoulder engaging
one or another of the teeth g on the disk T. This forward rotation of the parts
operating the gear R, causes the intermediate parts, to turn the face of the pressure
head advancing it in such manner that when the head moves forward the face will
act on the adjacent plunger D, and force the same against the rail.
all
A spring W acting beneath the lever V tends to move the same and unlock the
gear, but under the normal condition of affairs this unlocking action is prevented by
the gravitating core or detent X bearing between the upper end of the lever V, and
the stationary abutment a² on the frame as shown in Figure 5. This core is of
magnetic material and is mounted freely and vertically within a helix or magnet X
mounted in a circuit controlled by the action of the advancing rail on the plunger. In
order to restore the parts to their original position after they have advanced to extend
the plunger operating device, I mount loosely on the shaft S in any suitable
manner, an internally toothed gear wheel which receives motion through
intermediate pinion m on the main frame, from a pinion e secured on the shaft. S.
This arrangement imparts rotation to the wheel which revolves at a speed much
less than that of the shaft S as is necessary in order to have the gear R and the
toothed disk revolve faster than the gear . The gear carries near one end a
roller & which acts at the proper time against the stud or projection ² on the lower
end of lever V to restore the latter to its original position after the disks have been
released by the shoulder and engaged by the shoulder O¹. When the lever is thus
restored to its original position the shoulder O¹ permits the disks and the gear Rio
turn forward until they reach their original position; in so doing the revolution of
the wheel is completed, and the face of the presser head restored to its original or
shortened condition." It is true in thus completing its rotation the wheel carries
the face of the pressure head outward momentarily beyond its operative position, but
the parts are so timed that this extension occurs during the time that the presser head
is moved backward away from the plunger so that it in no wise effects the proper
operation of the machine.
If the rail is straightened and the circuit broken by the first action of the plunger
the armature X, will be released, and dropping behind the detent V, will lock the same
in position to stop the gear at the end of the first revolution. If, however, the rail is
not straightened and the circuit remains closed the armature will remain in its elevated
position, the detent drop again out of action and the parts continue their revolution
causing a second operation of the plunger, and it is advanced beyond the point to
which it moved at the first stroke.
While the use of the above described mechanism is recommended, it is to be
understood that it may be replaced by any other suitable mechanism for controlling an
electric agency or plunger controlling device.
The contact devices for controlling the circuits above mentioned may consist of
fingers to come in contact with the crooked portion of the rail, or, the plungers
themselves may be used as a part of the circuit and as a means of controlling the
same, the current passing in such case through the plunger, the rail, the anvils, and
the frame. The straight portion of the rail will pass the plungers without contact,
but bent or crooked portions will by touching the faces of the respective plungers
complete the appropriate circuit and bring that circuit into action. Or, the plungers
arranged to be forced slightly backward by the contact of the crooks therewith, may
be used to operate circuit-closing devices. This is the preferred construction, and is
shown in Figures 3 and 4.
The plunger D, as shown in Figure 3, is urged constantly forward by a spiral spring,
connected thereto, and stands normally with its forward end in close proximity to
the straight surface of the passing rail. A bent portion acting against the plunger

page_text: will force it slightly backward. Adjacent to the plunger there is the circuit-controlling
finger, which holds the circuit normally open. As the plunger is forced backward
by the rail an arm », on its side actuates the finger 1, and closes the circuit, whereupon
through the devices shown in Figures 5 and 6, and above described, the plunger is
driven forward against the rail. The advance of the plunger permits the finger, to
open the circuit, but if the crook still remains the retreating plunger will again close
the circuit as before.
In this Figure is shown the finger 7, arranged to control two circuits, one
controlling the plunger adjacent thereto, and the other controlling the opposing
plunger at the opposite side of the machine. When a depression instead of an
elevation is presented to the plunger, the latter is permitted to advance beyond its
normal position, whereupon the finger y, closes the circuit calling into action the
plunger on the opposite side of the rail. This construction is recommended as being
more simple than the use of the separate finger for each plunger, and for other reasons
unnecessary to enumerate.
To prevent the accidental operation of two plungers at one time devices are
provided which open the circuit controlling one plunger automatically whenever the
circuit controlling the opposite plunger is closed. These may be variously constructed,
but as represented in Figures 3 and 4 they consist of fingers t, introduced into the
magnet controlling circuit, and completing the same through the insulated plate ",
applied to the appropriate gear L. When this gear is moved to cause the action of
the plunger on the rail the plate u, opens the circuit controlling the opposite plunger
between the fingers t.
For the purpose of advancing the rail through the machine past the pressure
devices power-driven feed rolls are employed which may form the lower anvils, or
independent rolls as preferred. One of these rolls is mounted, as shown in Figure 4,
on a shaft w, receiving motion through intermediate gears and a clutch y, from a
continuously rotating shaft r. This clutch, which may be of either of several
different constructions well known in the art, such for example as that in United
States Patent to Horton, dated July 4, 1882, No. 260,394, is controlled in its action by
a latch or finger, controlled in turn by an electromagnet a¹, mounted in a circuit having
branches through all the plungers controlled by magnets X¹. Whenever a magnet X,
is excited to cause the operation of the corresponding plunger, the magnet a¹, is also
excited and acts through the finger, to disengage the clutch y, and thereby stop the
feed roll, thus arresting the advance of the rail at a proper time to present its bent or
crooked portion opposite the plunger. When the current is broken to stop the action
of the plunger the clutch engages and the feed roll continues the advance of the rail
until its next crook is brought in position opposite the plunger. The pressure
devices and the feed devices act alternately.
To prevent the accidental operation of the plunger except when the rail is
supported upon two anvils, it is preferable to complete the plunger controlling
circuits through devices controlled either by the anvils themselves or through
equivalent devices located adjacent to the anvils to be acted upon by the rail, thus
rendering the presence of the rail necessary to the closing of the circuit. Figure 7
illustrates a simple construction to this end. The two anvils C, have their bearings
mounted on rubber or other elastic material e', so that they may sink slightly under
the pressure of the rail. The circuit is completed through fingers d', which tend to
rise and open the circuit, but the fingers e, attached to the anvil bearings act upon
these fingers and thus close the circuit when the anvil is depressed by the rail. As
both anvils must be acted on to effect the completion of the circuit it is impossible
for the plunger to be started until the rail is properly supported to resist its
action.
Reference has been made to the fact that the circuit is controlled through devices
operated by the bent portions of the rail. The circuit-controlling devices for each
plunger may consist of a spring finger ", lying adjacent to the plunger as shown in
Figure 9, and adjusted to come in contact only with those points of the rail which
are bent outward toward the same. Or the circuit may be completed, as shown in

page_text: .
the same figure, through the plunger. The contact of the rail with the plunger
causes the current to flow through the conductors, the plunger, the rail and the main
frame. In practice it is preferable however, to attach the several contact fingers or
circuit-controlling devices, as shown in Figure 8, to a bar Y, which is termed a
detector bar. This bar will be provided at its ends with rollers g¹, to ride freely on
top of the rail. The fingers 2, and 3, may be constructed as shown in said figure,
or in any other appropriate manner, the only requirement being that they shall be
controlled in their action by the passing rail so as to open and close the circuits at the
proper times.
The employment of electric controlling devices substantially such as shown is
recommended, but a mechanical device shown in Figure 10 or its equivalent may be
employed instead. In this case each plunger controlling gear L, is operated by a
rack on the middle of a reciprocating piston h¹, the ends of which are mounted in
cylinders, having inlet and outlet ports controlled by a valve j, urged in one
direction by a spring, and moved in the opposite direction at the proper time
through intermediate connections by a bar l', mounted in or adjacent to the plunger D,
with its end presented in position to be acted upon by the bent portions of the passing
rail. The parts stand normally in the position shown in the drawings, with the
pressure-head retracted so that the plunger. is not operated. A crook in the rail
acting on the bar , moves the valve so that steam or water admitted under pressure
from a suitable source of supply carries the plunger, to the right thereby operating
the gear L, and adjusting the parts so that the plunger is advanced.
In the apparatus shown in Figure 11. the rack bar, plunger, controlling valve, and
valve-controlling spring are arranged in the same manner as in the preceding figure.
But in place of the bar 1, and its mechanical connections, an electro magnet m¹ is
employed in connection with an armature on the valve spindle, to pull the valve open.
This magnet is mounted in a circuit embracing the anvil C, and plunger D. Straight
portions of the rail pass the plunger without contact therewith. The bent portions
encountering the plunger complete the circuit causing the magnet to open the valve so
that the gear L, will cause the advance of the plunger. It will be understood that in
the apparatus represented in Figures 10 and 11, the plungers, their operating heads,
and their connection with the gear L, will be the same or substantially the same as
shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3.
It will be observed that in Figure 11 the plunger controlling circuit also embraces
a magnet a¹, controlling a clutchy, through which the rail feeding roll is operated
substantially as before explained in connection with Figure 4.
The essence of this invention lies in the employment of pressure devices which act
from all directions on the rail and are controlled by the crooks therein.
Having described the nature of the invention and those forms of embodiment which
are best adapted for general use, it is desired to be distinctly understood that the
details of construction may be variously modified and the invention embodied in
various forms which will suggest themselves to the skilled mechanic without
departing from the limit of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a rail straightening machine, the combination of four pressure devices acting
in different directions with corresponding anvils or rail supports, whereby the rail
may be straightened from all sides without being turned.
2. In a rail straightening machine, a series of pressure devices to act on four
sides of the rail, corresponding opposing anvils to support the rail, and driving
mechanism to actuate said pressure devices in regular succession.
3. In a rail straightening machine, a pressure device to act upon the rail, an
operating mechanism substantially as described controlled in its action on the rail by
bends or crooks in the latter.
4. The method of controlling the operation of a rail straightening mechanism

page_text: consisting in applying the bends or crooks of the rail to control the action of the
mechanism thereon.
5. In a rail straightening machine, the combination of a straightening mechanism
and a rail feeding mechanism controlled in its action by the bent or irregular portions
of the rail.
6. In a rail straightening machine, the combination of a straightening mechanism,
electrically controlled devices to govern the action of the controlling devices and rail
supporting anvils acting to open and close the electric circuit substantially as
described; whereby the straightening mechanism is permitted to act only when the
rail hears upon the anvils.
7. In a rail straightening mechanism, the combination of a pressure plunger,
a constantly reciprocating head, an extensible face on said head to operate the plunger,
mechanism substantially as described for extending or advancing said face, electric
devices controlling the action of said mechanism and circuit controlling devices
adapted to be actuated by the bent portions of the passing rail.
8. In a rail straightening mechanism, a pressure device to set on the rail, and feed
mechanism to advance the rail past the pressure device, and devices actuated by the
bent portions of the rail to cause the alternate action of the feed devices and the
pressure devices whereby a rail is automatically stopped with its bent portion opposite
the pressure devices and its advance automatically continued when the bend is removed
therefrom.
9. In a rail straightening mechanism, a pressure plunger held normally forward by
a spring in position to encounter bent portions of the rail, and a circuit controlling
device actuated by the plunger when it is forced backward as stated.
D.. .:.
1002
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.