Apparatus Attached to Tram Cars for Clearing the Rails.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1898
QT.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus Attached to Tram Cars for Clearing the Rails.
We, JOHN JENNETT, Tram Driver, and ARTHUR ALLEN, Clerk, both of Christ-
church, Canterbury, in the Colony of New Zealand, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of this invention is to provide a simple apparatus to be attached to
tram cars for the purpose of expeditiously and effectively clearing the rails whilst
the cars are in motion.
t
Our invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings
wherein;-
Fig. 1 is a part side view of a tram car, showing the portion of apparatus for
the one side of car.
Fig. 2 is a transverse section through centre portion of apparatus on one side
of car, showing part of connecting rod.
Fig. 3 is a transverse section showing the mode of securing the longitudinal
bar to the axle box.
A is a longitudinal bar of iron or steel on each side of car, the ends of which
rest upon the respective axle boxes and secured thereto by clips (a) the ends of
which pass through said bar and are secured by nuts;
A spring b is attached to the end of each bar, having a hook at bottom, for
securing it to the axle box; this spring is to allow for vibration of the bar A
when the car is in motion.
The two longitudinal bars A are connected in the centre by a cross rod B
running at right angles.
At each end of this rod, but on the inner side of the bar A, a sleeve C, having
a vertical bar D within same, is fitted; the said rod passing through the sides
of said sleeve and through a long slot in the vertical bar which is placed in a
vertical line with the groove in rail; the said sleeve being secured to the rod B
by means of lock nuts (c); the rod B being screw threaded for the purpose.
The lower end of the bar D is bifurcated to receive the upper end of a dove
tail shaped clearing point E which is held by a bolt and nut (d) on which the
said clearing point is loosely fitted; a spring (e) is secured to the bar D on each
side, to retain the said point in a vertical position.
The bottom of this clearing point when in use extends to the bottom of the
groove in rail.
The inner edges of these clearing points are bevilled so as to force the mud
or dirt from the grooves in the rails inwards.
A swell or flange is formed on the top edge of the bar D having a tapped hole
through which a set screw (f) is passed; the lower end of which has a shoulder
against which a collar (g) is loosely secured to enable the set screw to turn in it;
this collar rests upon the top edges of the sleeve C, so that upon turning
the set screw the bar D be lowered as desired to allow for the wear upon the
clearing point E.

page_text: When not required for use the bar D can be raised and a suitable bolt inserted
through the slot but under the collar (g); such bolt may be attached to the bar
by means of a chain.
Hangers Fare bolted to each of the bars A, each being connected to the bar 1)
by a suitable spring G to retain the said bar in a vertical position.
It will be readily seen that as the car travels, the clearing point E removes
all mud, dust or other obstruction from the groove of the rail.
If the clearing point E is forced out of the groove when passing points, the
springs (e) cause it to resume its position within the proper groove,
In cases where the brakes are on the inner side of the wheels the bars A require
to be cranked.
In dusty weather a hanging guard of sheet iron or other suitable material may
be attached to each side of car preferably the full length in order to confine the
dust raked from the grooves by the clearing points.
::
".
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:
1. The apparatus attached to tram cars for the purpose of clearing the grooves
of the rails whilst the cars are in motion, constructed, arranged and operating
in the manner substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompany-
ing drawings.
2. In apparatus attached to tram cars for the purpose of clearing the grooves of
the rails, the combination with a bar such as A on each side of the car and
resting upon the axle boxes, of a vertical adjustable bar fitted within a sleeve
and mounted upon a cross rod B, and provided with a clearing point such as E
pivotally connected thereto between two suitable springs; such adjustable bar
being retained in position by suitable springs connected to hangers such as F,
substantially as and for the purpose herein described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
D
1
711
ea
1000
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
Chartered Patent Agents, 53, Chancery Lane, London.