US3707627A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency trip apparatus for a braking system
Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Co
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Filing: 1970-12-16
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Granted: 1972-12-26
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Expires: 1990-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An electric trip switch device for railroad service utilizing a magnetic reed switch in proximity with a permanent magnet, which acts upon the reed switch. A magnetic conductor is adapted to move between the permanent magnet and reed switch in accordance with the actuating mechanism of the trip switch being engaged by a trackside detector to control the reed switch operation. An interlock circuit responsive to the electric signal provided by the reed switch may be employed to control application and release train line wires to produce a trip switch initiated brake application. Reset means comprising an electro-magnet is provided to momentarily reinforce the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnet to initially close the reed switch contacts following a trip switch actuation, after which the contact closure is maintained by the permanent magnet.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles W Sheppard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:53
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L3/00; B61L3/02; B61L3/04; B60; B60T; B60T17/00; B60T17/18; B60T17/22; B60T17/228; B60T7/00; B60T7/12; B60T7/16; B60T7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
Emergency trip switch apparatus mountable on a railway vehicle for engagement with a trackway detector device to provide an indication of the vehicle passing the detector, said apparatus comprising: a. magnetically responsive switch means for providing said indication when operated from a closed condition to a normally open condition, b. a permanent magnet spaced from said switch means a distance sufficient to prevent the magnetic faces of said permanent magnet from operating said switch means to said closed condition and to permit the magnetic forces of said permanent magnet to maintain said switch means in said closed condition following operation thereto, c. a selectively operable electro-magnet arranged in reinforcing relationship with said permanent magnet to effect in cooperation therewith actuation of said switch means to said closed position, and d. actuator means including a magnetically conductive shield member operative in response to engagement of said actuator means with said detector for movement into the space separating said switch means from said permanent magnet, thereby to direct the magnetic forces thereof away from said switch means to allow said switch mEans to assume said normally open condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
Emergency trip switch apparatus mountable on a railway vehicle for engagement with a trackway detector device to provide an indication of the vehicle passing the detector, said apparatus comprising: a. magnetically responsive switch means for providing said indication when operated from a closed condition to a normally open condition, b. a permanent magnet spaced from said switch means a distance sufficient to prevent the magnetic faces of said permanent magnet from operating said switch means to said closed condition and to permit the magnetic forces of said permanent magnet to maintain said switch means in said closed condition following operation thereto, c. a selectively operable electro-magnet arranged in reinforcing relationship with said permanent magnet to effect in cooperation therewith actuation of said switch means to said closed position, and d. actuator means including a magnetically conductive shield member operative in response to engagement of said actuator means with said detector for movement into the space separating said switch means from said permanent magnet, thereby to direct the magnetic forces thereof away from said switch means to allow said switch mEans to assume said normally open condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said electro-magnet is effective to maintain said switch means in said closed condition only so long as the magnetic force provided by said permanent magnet is effective to act upon said switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said switch means is a reed relay disposed in such an attitude that the reed contacts thereof operate in a horizontal direction to effect said open and closed conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
The apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said actuator means further includes a trip lever having a hinged midpoint formed by the adjoining ends of outwardly extending arm segments, the opposite ends of which are pivotally carried by a support member attached to said vehicle to permit displacement of the hinged midpoint from a normal depending position to an actuated position responsive to engagement with said detector device, said shield member being engageable with the hinged midpoint for movement therewith into the space separating said switch means from said permanent magnet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus, as recited in claim 4, wherein said actuator means further comprises: a. a follower engageably disposed between the midpoint of said trip lever and said magnetically conductive shield member, and b. spring means disposed between said support member and said follower for urging said hinged midpoint toward said normal depending position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus, as recited in claim 4, wherein said support member is provided with elongated slots in which the ends of said arm segments opposite said hinged midpoint are supported for limited movement to define said depending position thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-26 | 1976-06-26 | 1976-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-26 | 1980-06-26 | 1980-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-26 | 1984-06-26 | 1984-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |