Safety detector for railroad switch points with visual indicator mechanism

A safety detector for a rail road switch point where a switch rail is intended to contact a stock rail in a given plane, said safety detector comprising

• a detector mechanism secured to said stock rail at said point,
• said detector mechanism having a spring loaded plunger assembly normally biased in the direction of said switch rail reciprocally secured in horizontal alignment with said switch rail at said point and electrical contact means connected to said plunger assembly for reporting contact or the lack of contact between said switchrail and said stockrail, and
• contact means on said switch rail at said point for reciprocating said plunger assembly against said electrical reporting means when said switchrail is in physical contact with said stockrail at said point,
• said detector mechanism having a closed housing located below and adjustably attached to said stock rail for containing said electrical contact means and plunger assembly,
• said plunger assembly having a contact end adjacent said stock rail and an end remote therefrom in contact with said electrical contact means,
• said electrical contact means comprising electrical contact members secured in said housing and means on said remote end for contacting said electrical contact members when said plunger assembly is reciprocated.

A safety detector for a railroad switch point where rails consisting of a switch rail and a stock rail are intended to contact one another in a given plane, said safety detector comprising:

• a detector mechanism adjustably secured to one of said rails at said point,
• said detector mechanism having means directed towards said other rail to report whether there is substantial contact between said rails at said point,
• a housing located beneath said rails adjustably attached to said rail to which said detector mechanism is secured,
• electrical contact means in said housing adapted to receive the report of said detector mechanism, and a connecting assembly connecting said detector mechanism and said contact means,
• said connecting assembly having a contact end adjacent said detector mechanism and an end remote therefrom in contact with said electrical contact means,
• said electrical contact means comprising electrical contact members secured in said housing and means on said remote end for actuating said electrical contact members when contacted by said connecting assembly, and
• a visual indicator mechanism connected to said electrical contact means for reporting whether said switch point is open or closed responsive to contact between said rails.