Disappearing Gates

A disappearing gate f or railroad crossings has bcen recently patented by Frederick Nichols of Lynu, Mass. The maiiy advantages of such a gate will be readily understood. lts construction is very simple, there being no cogs or gears. It is made of slidingand jointing bars and angle irons and can be constructed without greaí expense. A trench about four feet deep is dug on each side of the tracks across the street. The earth sides of this trench are supported by plates of boiler iron, instead of expensive masonry, bolted to U shaped iron castings. To these castings is fastened the lower and stationary part of the gate. The slit or opening through which the gate com.es up is, of conrse, protected from dirt, etc, by the top rail of the gate when it is down and when public travel is passsing over it. When the gate is up, the opening or slit is protected, as public travel over it is stopped. The bottom of the trench is of gravel or concrete, and it is graded toward one end to allow water which does not soak up to run off into a sewer or blind drain. At the side of this opening, on the street level, are cast iron plates covering manholes, which allow a man to go the entire length of trench to oil or adjust aay of the movable working parts. The gate is counterbalanced with weights, and friction is reduced to a minimum, thus making its operations easy. A bell signal is sounded before the gates are raised. At nightincandescent lanips are lighted by contact being automatically made as the gates are raised. Lanterns are used where electricity is not available. The gates are qüick and easy in action, can be operated by one man, where it often requires two by present methods. They can be operated from switch or signal tower in many instances. They will not interfcre with trolley wires or electric car tracks. The gates are raised and lowered by the simple movement of a lever on which is a latoh, securing