Wayside signal apparatus with adjustable signal position

• US 7,780,121 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2005
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Ashton, Michael Lee, Keck, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morano; S. Joseph
• Assistant Examiner(s): McCarry, Jr.; Robert J
• Application Number:
  US11/270,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20060251454A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,746 Days
• Field of Search: 246/473.R, 246/473.1, 246/477, 246/484, 246/485, 246/486
• US Class Current: 246/473.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 5/1863 Lamp mountings on a mast

Abstract

A railroad wayside signal cantilever (10) including an arm (22) with a signal mounting apparatus (28) that provides a degree of horizontal movement of the signal (26) relative to the cantilever mast (12). The available range of locations for securing the signal on the arm is sufficiently broad to allow a single cantilever design to be used for a wide range of site-specific locations. An extendable catwalk railing (54) is provided to accommodate movement of the signal without creating an unsafe gap between the railing and the signal.

Claims

1. A railroad wayside signal apparatus comprising:

a mast;

an arm supported in cantilever fashion from the mast for extending over a rail Line;

a plurality of signals , each signal attached to the arm at any of a plurality of horizontal positions relative to the mast by a respective mounting apparatus, each mounting apparatus configured to horizontally adjust its respective signal independent of the other signals, to provide a range of horizontal adjustment of each signal relative to the mast;

a catwalk along the arm;

a railing wherein the railing is disposed along the catwalk at locations remote from the signal; and

a railing insert for selectably extending the railing into an area proximate the signal when the signal is secured at any of the plurality of positions;

wherein each mounting apparatus includes an arcuate slot in a horizontal plane, and at least one fastener assembly positioned within the arcuate slot; and

wherein at least one signal of the plurality of signals is adjustable about a vertical axis, based on said at least one fastener assembly being loosened within the arcuate slot.

2. A railroad wayside signal apparatus comprising:

a mast;

an arm supported in cantilever fashion from the mast for extending over a rail line;

a plurality of signals , each signal attached to the arm at any of a plurality of horizontal positions relative to the mast by a respective mounting apparatus, each mounting apparatus configured to horizontally adjust its respective signal independent of the other signals, to provide a range of horizontal adjustment of each signal relative to the mast;

wherein the mounting apparatus further comprises;

a pedestal comprising a vertically extending portion;

a sleeve attached to the signal and receiving the vertically extending portion of the pedestal; and

a fastener selectably securing the pedestal to the arm at any of the plurality of positions;

and wherein the range of horizontal adjustment provided for a first signal is less than a range of horizontal adjustment provided for a second signal disposed on the arm farther from the mast than the first signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the fastener comprises a U-bolt extending around a member of the arm and through an opening in a mounting plate of the pedestal.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the opening comprises an arcuate opening receiving an end of the U-bolt and allowing rotation of the pedestal relative to the arm member.

5. A railroad wayside signal apparatus comprising:

an arm for extending over a track;

a signal mounting pedestal;

a fastener adapted for independently fastening the signal mounting pedestal to the arm at a plurality of horizontal positions relative to the track; and

a signal connected to the signal mounting pedestal,

wherein the signal mounting pedestal is operable to allow the signal to rotate about a vertical axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

the arm comprising a tubular member extending in a horizontal direction; and

the fastener comprising a U-bolt assembly extending around the tubular member and through an opening in the signal mounting pedestal.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the opening comprises an arcuate opening allowing rotational movement of the pedestal relative to the tubular member as the pedestal is moved between alternative positions on the arm.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a catwalk along the arm;

a railing wherein the railing is disposed along the catwalk at locations remote from the signal; and

a railing insert for selectably extending the railing into an area proximate the signal when the signal is secured at any of the plurality of horizontal positions.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fastener may be secured to the arm through any of a plurality of holes wherein the holes are at different horizontal positions relative to the mast.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the fastener may be secured to the arm at any location along the arm within a range of horizontal locations.

11. A railroad wayside signal apparatus comprising:

a mast;

an arm supported in cantilever fashion from the mast for extending over a rail line;

a lower catwalk and an upper catwalk supported on the arm;

a signal independently secured to the arm by a mounting apparatus operable to secure the respective signal at any of a plurality of horizontal positions, and operable to permit the signal to rotate about a vertical axis;

a railing supported along each catwalk wherein the railing is disposed at locations on the catwalk remote from the signal; and

an adjustable insert associated with each railing that is selectably extendable to extend the railing into an area proximate the signal when the respective signal is secured at a selected location.