Improvements in Switches and Crossings for the Trolley Wires in the Overhead System of Electric Traction.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 19th May, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 17th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 18th Mar., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches and Crossings for the Trolley Wires in
the Overhead System of Electric Traction.
ALFRED DICKINSON of Birmingham Road, Darlaston, Civil Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention is to facilitate the working of the trolley which travels along the
underside of the wires used for conveying the electricity, at such points where they
converge, diverge or cross over each other. The switch is made of brass or other
suitable material and is suspended to suit the trolley wire.
It is formed with a moveable tongue underneath which guides the trolley down
below the wire on which it is travelling and causes it to travel on a side or branch
wire in any desired direction, and, when the trolley is coming in the direction in
which the wires converge, opens when pushed by the trolley and allows it to travel
uninterruptedly on the main wire. The movement of the moveable tongue is
controlled by means of springs so arranged as to hold it in its proper position and
permit of an uninterrupted passage of the electric current.
וני.
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1000
A. DICKINSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches and Crossings for the Trolley Wires in
the Overhead System of Electric Traction.
ALFRED DICKINSON Birmingham Road Darlaston South Staffordshire Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement :-
My invention consists of a switch or crossing to facilitate the working of the
trolley wheel which travels along the wires, used for conveying the electricity, at such
points where they converge, diverge or cross each other, and to permit of an
uninterrupted passage of the electric current.
In order that my invention, and the manner of applying it, may be clearly under-
stood I have appended hereunto one sheet of drawings which I will now proceed to
describe.
The
Figure 1. is an inverted plan of the switch, the trolley wires, being denoted by
the letters A. A1 and A2, the letters B. C. denote the fixed tongues of the switch
and the letter D. the movable tongue working on the pivot E. and held against
the plate F. by means of the stud G. which moves within the slot H.
letter J. denotes the bridge and guard which prevents the trolley wheel becoming
jammed within the switch should it leave the trolley wires before entering the
switch. The letter K. denotes a hollow lug, cast upon the plate F., in which the
coil spring L. is fixed and the letter D shews the position of the movable tongue
when the switch is open.
Figure 2. is an inverted elevation of the switch shewing the trolley wires A. A'A',
the fixed tongues B. C. and the movable tongue D. which projects below the tongue B.
and works on the pivot E; and the stud G. holds the tongue against the plate F.
The letter K. shews the hollow lug within which is the coil spring L. and the
letter J. denotes the bridge and guard.
When the trolley wheel is travelling along the trolley wire A¹ and it is required
to reach the trolley wire A' the movable tongue D., when closed, forms a crossing,

page_text: as it projects below the tongue B. and permits the trolley wheel to pass under it,
but should it be necessary for the trolley wheel to pass from the trolley wire A¹
to the trolley wire A. the movable tongue D. is pulled over to the position D'
which opens the point and allows the trolley wheel a clear passage in the desired
direction.
When the trolley wheel is travelling from the trolley wire A' to the trolley
wire A', the movable point D. being closed and projecting below the tongue B.
permits the trolley wheel to cross it and to pass to the trolley wire A¹ and in the
case of the trolley wheel travelling from the trolley wire A. to the trolley wire A¹
the trolley wheel passes along the tongue B. and opens the point by pushing the
movable tongue D. to the position D¹ the point being automatically closed, after the
passage of the trolley wheel, by means of the coil spring L.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is ;-
1. An automatic point or switch for the overhead trolley wire system of electric
traction substantially of the form shewn and herein described.
2. A movable tongue, projecting below the fixed tongues, forming a crossing from
one wire to another substantially as shewn and herein described.
3. A movable tongue, kept in position by a spring, forming a switch or point for
diverging from one wire to another substantially as shewn and herein described.
4. A movable tongue, kept in position by a spring, forming a switch or point at
which two wires converge, being opened by the passage of the trolley wheel and
automatically closed by a spring substantially as shewn and herein described.
5. A bridge and guard, at the heel of the point or switch, to prevent the trolley
wheel from striking the point or switch in such a manner as to injure either, sub-
stantially as shewn and herein described.
Dated this 16th day of February 1893.
ALFRED DICKINSON.