IP Library › Granted Patent US 12691917
Granted Patent B2
US 12691917 · App. 18/353,628 · Granted Jul 28, 2026

System for testing railroad crossing signals

Inventor: Joshua A. Applegate (Queen City, MO)
B61L27/53
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12691917
App. No.
18/353,628
Granted
Jul 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A railroad crossing signal test system includes a power source, a timer device configured to provide periodic electrical pulses, and first and second relays. The first relay can be configured to alternately provide the periodic electrical pulses to a left and right light of the railroad crossing signal. The second relay can be configured to alternately change a polarity of a common connection between the left light and the right light of the railroad crossing signal. The test system also includes a first switch configured to test a bell of the railroad crossing signal, a second switch configured to enable flashing of the left light according to the periodic electrical pulses, and a third switch configured to enable flashing of the right light according to the periodic electrical pulses. The system also includes test leads for electrically coupling the test system to test terminals of the railroad crossing signal.

Claims (56)

1 . A railroad crossing signal test system, comprising:

a power source;

a timer device;

a voltage regulator electrically coupled to the power source;

a first relay and a second relay;

a plurality of test leads, comprising:

a first test lead and a second test lead configured to operate a bell of a railroad crossing signal;

a third test lead configured to operate a left light of the railroad crossing signal;

a fourth test lead configured to operate a right light of the railroad crossing signal; and

a fifth test lead configured to energize a common connection between the left light and the right light of the railroad crossing signal; and

a plurality of switches, comprising:

a first switch configured to operate the bell of the railroad crossing signal, the first switch electrically coupled to the first test lead and an output of the voltage regulator and is configured to supply power from the voltage regulator to the first test lead;

a second switch configured to enable flashing of the left light of the railroad crossing signal, the second switch electrically coupled to a coil of the second relay and a normally-closed terminal of the first relay;

a third switch configured to enable flashing of the right light of the railroad crossing signal, the third switch electrically coupled to the fourth test lead and a normally-open terminal of the first relay; and

a fourth switch configured to enable the railroad crossing signal test system, the fourth switch electrically coupled to the power source and the voltage regulator;

wherein:

the timer device is electrically coupled to a coil of the first relay and is configured to provide periodic electrical pulses;

the second test lead is electrically coupled to the output of the voltage regulator;

the third test lead is electrically coupled to a normally-closed terminal of the second relay; and

the fifth test lead is electrically coupled to a common terminal of the second relay.

2 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 1 , wherein the power source is a battery that is both removable and rechargeable.

3 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of switches comprises a light.

4 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 3 , wherein:

the light of the second switch is configured to flash in synchronization with the flashing of the left light of the railroad crossing signal; and

the light of the third switch is configured to flash in synchronization with the flashing of the right light of the railroad crossing signal.

5 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 1 , wherein the flashing of the left light of the railroad crossing signal alternates with the flashing of the right light of the railroad crossing signal such that the left and right lights are prevented from being illuminated at the same time.

6 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an enclosure; and

a removable lid comprising a plurality of raised features configured to disable the plurality of switches when the lid is in a closed position on the enclosure.

7 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of test leads are retractable into the enclosure.

8 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 1 , further comprising a fuse that is installed between the power source and the fourth switch.

9 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 1 , wherein the periodic electrical pulses from the timer device cause the left light and the right light of the railroad crossing signal to flash between 35 and 65 flashes per minute.

10 . A railroad crossing signal test system, comprising:

a power source;

a timer device electrically coupled to the power source and configured to provide periodic electrical pulses;

a first relay configured to alternately provide the periodic electrical pulses from the timer to a left light and a right light of a railroad crossing signal;

a second relay configured to alternately change a polarity of a common connection between the left light and the right light of the railroad crossing signal;

a plurality of test leads configured to electrically couple the railroad crossing signal test system to test terminals of the railroad crossing signal; and

a plurality of switches, comprising:

a first switch configured to test a bell of the railroad crossing signal;

a second switch configured to enable flashing of the left light of the railroad crossing signal according to the periodic electrical pulses; and

a third switch configured to enable flashing of the right light of the railroad crossing signal according to the periodic electrical pulses.

11 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 10 , further comprising a fourth switch configured to enable the railroad crossing signal test system.

12 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 10 , further comprising a voltage regulator electrically coupled to the power source.

13 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 10 , wherein the power source is a battery that is both removable and rechargeable.

14 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of switches comprises a light.

15 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 14 , wherein:

the light of the second switch is configured to flash in synchronization with the flashing of the left light of the railroad crossing signal; and

the light of the third switch is configured to flash in synchronization with the flashing of the right light of the railroad crossing signal.

16 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 10 , wherein the flashing of the left light of the railroad crossing signal alternates with the flashing of the right light of the railroad crossing signal such that the left and right lights are prevented from being illuminated at the same time.

17 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 10 , further comprising a fuse that is installed between the power source and the timer device.

18 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 10 , further comprising:

an enclosure; and

a removable lid comprising a plurality of raised features configured to disable the plurality of switches when the lid is in a closed position on the enclosure.

19 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of test leads are retractable into the enclosure.

20 . The railroad crossing signal test system of claim 10 , wherein the periodic electrical pulses from the timer device cause the left light and the right light of the railroad crossing signal to flash between 35 and 65 flashes per minute.