CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTING THE RODS FOR THE WORKING OF RAILWAY SIGNALS, POINTS, AND CROSSINGS, OR OTHER LIKE CONNECTIONS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Smith, Managing Director of Jaines Russell &
Sons, Crown Tube Works, Limited, Wednesbury, in the County of Stafford,
for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTING THE RODS
FOR THE WORKING OF RAILWAY SIGNALS, POINTS, AND CROSSINGS, OR OTHER
LIKE CONNECTIONS.”
Scaled the 23rd September 1876, and dated the 28th March 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Smith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th March 1876.
JOSEPH SMITH, Managing Director of James Russell & Sons, Crown Tube Works,
Limited, Wednesbury, in the County of Stafford. "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN
CONNECTING THE RODS FOR THE WORKING OF RAILWAY SIGNALS, POINTS, AND
CROSSINGS, OR OTHER LIKE CONNECTIONS."
My improvements consists in fitting in the ends of a tubular connecting piece a
solid bar of iron of the same diameter as the interior of the tube, and I key it to
the same by a cotter passing through the internal bar and the external tube, putting
the cotter through in a heated state, and riveting it on the external ends. The
end of the connecting tube being taped I screw over it a collar; in this condition
I apply the connecting part or tube, which like the former is also taped, and which
I screw into the collar before-mentioned, leaving the internal bar sufficiently long
as to permit of a slot being formed through it, as also the outer connecting tube.
Into this slot I apply (by preference) a flat split cotter corresponding in thickness
and breadth to the length of the slot, with which I effectually secure the parts
together. Instead of useing a solid internal bar the said part may be made from a
short length of tube, so as to have a clear way in the interior. The advantage
of this connection is its simple construction and its positive connection for setting
up, yet admitting of being readily disconnected when required.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Smith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th September
1876.
JOSEPH SMITH, Managing Director of James Russell and Sons, Limited, of Wed-
nesbury, in the County of Stafford. "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN CONNECTING THE
[Price Rd1

page_text: and the manner of realizing my compound joint so as to make the parts inter-
changeable will be understood by the description of the following Figures
Fig. 4 is a top view of an iron block, cast or otherwise, of which Fig. 5 is a longi-
tudinal section taken through the dotted line f, f, of Figure 4. Through this block
a hole is formed and enlarged each end for receiving steel bushes marked g, 9,
flanged on their outer ends for better defining their position. These bushes are held
in position by the set screws h, h, Figure 4, or other equivalent means, and as the
block is weighty a handle is applied for moving it around or adjusting, which
handle (marked G) is broken off for convenience of space. Vertically through tho
block are two slots marked and ¹, which slots also pass through the steel
bushes.
Fig. 6 is an end view of the preceding Figures 4 and 5. Tho vertical dotted
lines m, m, define the position of the vertical slots in relation to the bushes g, g.
H is a hardened steel punch placed in position for use, and which punch continues
up of a uniform size in width and thickness of the slot through which it passes, as
at Figure 5. With these appliances I insert the internal bar (as here shown marked
F), by preference in a heated condition, when by forcing down the punch H a slot
will be formed right through it, its length and thickness being the exact counter-
part of the lower terminal working part of the punch, and as the block, Figure 5, is
fitted with a central pin projecting from its bottom side marked I, and the bed or
bench for it to work on having a corresponding hole for receiving the said pin. It
is evident that as the punch H is driven down, and the slot p formed, the block has
only to be turned half way round, and the punch II placed in the slot ¹, and driven
down in like manner, when the slot p will be likewise formed through the bar F,
which I have shown separate at Fig. 7, the rectangular slots being defined by dotted
lines marked and p³.
If preferred the rectangular slots and e, Figure 4, may also be bushed with
steel, or, what perhaps would be better, gun metal in the shape indicated by the
dotted line 7, 2, or otherwise.
The power for pressing or driving down the punch or punches (for forming the
said slots through the bar) may be derived from an overhead eccentric or crank
action in connection with the vertical bolt, Fig. 8, but the details of the motion are
not necessary to be here shown; notwithstanding, by the same means (with internal
support) the corresponding slots in the outer tubular rods B and D may in like
manner be formed, and again with the appliances exhibited the same may be
variously modified in shape and construction, provided that means are conserved
for holding the bar F and piercing the slots through the same of the exact distance
apart. And with these conditions I wish it understood that what I claim and
desire to protect under these my in part recited Letters Patent is, the construction
and use of a compound joint for the purposes specified, consisting of an internal
slotted bar or its equivalent, the cotters c and.ce or their equivalents, the screwed
collar A, and slotted rods B and D when constructed, arranged, or combined
together substancially in the manner herein fully described and set forth in the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Smith, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventeenth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand sight hundred and seventy-six
Witness,
GEORGE F. A. GRIFFIN,
Clerk to Mr. J. S. Cockings,
17, Ann Street,
Birmingham.
JOSEPH SMITH. (L.S.)