Improvements in or connected with Tramway Points.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Jan., 1893-Accepted, 25th Feb., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Tramway Points.
I, BENJAMIN FREDERICK COCKER, Managing Director, Cocker Brothers Ld.
Fitzalan Works, Attercliffe, Sheffield, in the County of York do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
By my invention I cause the tramway points to be operated or adjusted by the
driver of the car, instead of stopping the same to allow the conductor or other
person moving the points into required position by hand, as done at present.
To enable me to accomplish this, I fix (at a suitable distance from the pivotting
centre) on the underside of the movable point, a projection, boss or similar
contrivance of the requisite length, which said projection passes and works through
a radially elongated slot or hole in the bed of the crossing. Immediately under
this slot and attached to the underside of the crossing I fix a receptacle of steel,
iron or other material, the configuration of which may vary, but which I make
preferably of Tee piece, having a cap or cover at one end, and a short length of
pipe of required diametre. This pipe, which is attached to, and forms a continuation
of the Tee piece, lies horizontally under, and is secured to the crossing. In this
pipe I place a sliding plate or casting, having a slot, groove or elongated hole at
the required angle, through, or into which, the beforementioned projection or boss
may work and move.
One end of this sliding plate I cause to be attached to one end of a spiral or
other suitable spring, the other end being secured by hook or other means to the
cap on Tee piece. The other end of the sliding plate I attach to a chain passing
through a continuing length of pipe (placed under rail and crossing and through
openings in the chairs) until it reaches a point at which I fix or attach a second
Tee piece or elbow containing a trigger, compressing pin or similar arrangement,
which said trigger works in a slot or groove in the ordinary rail, at or about the
same level as the bottom of the groove in tram rail. In some instances instead of
having the spring attached to the cap and working in tension, I place it at the
other end of the sliding plate, thus compressing it when in action.
If found advantageous I can reduce in diametre the continuation length of pipe
by using a reducing nipple against which the spring may compress or impinge, and
instead of using a chain I attach the sliding plate to a length of gas pipe, (of
diametre to enable it to move freely inside the beforementioned continuation pipe)
and which is attached to the trigger by bell crank, dise, eccentric or other approved
mechanical means.
If found to be of advantage the pipe and Tee pieces can be dispensed with,
the appliance being fixed to the underside of rail and crossing, and merely covered
or protected by means of bent sheet iron plates.
To enable the driver to manipulate or operate the points, I fix at and in a
suitable position on the car, a disc, small wheel or lever of required shape, strength,
and size, worked by means of bell crank, eccentric, shaft or drop lever, attached to,
and operated by a treadle or lever on drivers platform.
In cases where it is desired to apply my invention to rails having continuous
chairs or sleepers I fix the appliance to the side, or underneath if found necessary
and obtain the required result by similar means to those herein described.
Dated this 22nd day of April 1892.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Tramway Points.
I, BENJAMIN FREDERICK COCKER, Managing Director, Cocker Brothers Ld.
Fitzalan Works, Attercliffe, Sheffield in the County of York, 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 :—
The object and aim of this invention is to place the moving, operating, or the
adjusting of tramway points, immediately under the control of the driver, or other
person in charge of the tram car without compelling the said driver or other person
to leave platform of the said tram car for the purpose of moving or adjusting the
point by hand as done at present, thus obviating a loss in time and the additional
trouble attending the same operation.
The accompanying sheets of drawings will illustrate and shew the various
methods or modifications I preferably apply or adopt under different circumstances,
and different systems of rails and chairs or sleepers, continuous or otherwise.
In now describing the mode or manner of working my invention, it will be seen
by refering to the accompanying drawings that,
Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1, represent a sectional elevation and plan, respectively,
of one method I adopt in applying my invention to rails (tramway) of what is
known as Kincaids section, which are carried on detached or separate metal chairs
or sleepers. It will be seen that on, and in, the fixed metal crossing A, which is
carried on and attached to the metal chairs 13, I place a moveable point C, of steel,
iron, or other suitable material and section, having on the underside and at the
wider end a pin or projection C', which passes through, and works in, a hole formed
in the bed of the crossing A, thus forming a pivotting centre for the moveable
point C. If found necessary this can be secured on the underside of crossing, by
washer, pin, nut or any mechanical appliance. Nearer the point of the moveable
portion C, and on the underside of the same 1 form another pin or projection E, of
suitable length and strength, which pin passes through a radially elongated hole or
slot in bed of crossing A. On the underside of this crossing A, and immediately
under the beforementioned slot or hole, I place a sliding plate of steel, iron or other
approved material F, having an elongated hole cut or formed in it, at the required
angle, to receive the pin or projection E. This sliding plate is carried and kept in
position by one or more suitable metal guides or brackets, and is provided with a
neck or shank at one end, having one or more loose or fixed collars, between which,
and the bracket or guide I place a spiral or other suitable spring G, of the required
strength, section and elasticity.
The end of the shank or neck I attach by any suitable means to a rod either
solid or made of a length of pipe H, of requisite strength.
This rod or pipe H, is carried or continued on, through, or alongside if found
advantageous, the chairs B, and is then coupled, at the required distance from the
point, to the short lever J, forming part of, or connected with the trigger or
compressing pin or lever K.
This trigger K, is secured in position (in the line of groove of rail, or by the side
of the same if necessary,) by a pivotting pin at one end, passing through rail, and
which said trigger or lever works vertically through, and in, a slot of required
length, cut in the bottom of rail groove, the sides of said slot partly forming a
guide for said trigger K, but the end of said trigger can be made to form its own
guide round the web of rail D.
When not in actual use, the top or upperside of trigger is at or about the same
level as the bottom of groove in tramway rail D.

page_text: The trigger K, is gradually depressed and the point (moveable) actuated or
operated by means of a small wheel or disc L, placed at or about the centre of
wheel base of car, and revolves, voluntarily, in, and is carried by, a lever M, or
other suitable contrivance, the lever M, being attached to the framework of
tramway car V, by a suitable carrier or bracket M', the reverse end of this lever
is connected to lever N, by coupling links, or any similar appliance, the other end
of lever N, is provided with a treadle or footplate N', on drivers platform in a
convenient position.
By another method, it will be ascertained by refering to Figures 3 and 4, Sheet 1,
I cause or make the rod H, to be coupled or connected to the sliding plate F, by
means of lugs on the same, and coupling pin the two extensions merely acting as
guides, at the same time removing the spring G, and placing the same in a con-
tinuation piece casting of box section P, placed at, and secured to the end of
crossing A. In this box P, 1 place the trigger or lever K, with short lever J, and
enable the said parts to be readily got at for inspection, or repairs, I form the top
portion to be used as a lid or cover Q, which can be secured to box portion P, by
bolts or keys. I also shew the wheel or disc L, carried and revolving in a forked
lever O, having suitable trunnions, and working vertically in two guides formed for
the purpose on a bracket M³, attached to the framework of car V. Between the
two guides beforementioned I place a spring, spiral or otherwise as circumstances
may determine, for the purpose of holding the wheel L, out of the groove when
not required for use. The forked guide rod O, is actuated by lever M, coupled to
beforemention truunions, carried by bracket M2, and then connected to lever N,
having treadle N', at the other end, and on drivers platform, or can be worked by
hand lever or levers, if found advantageous to do so.
Another modification is shewn on Sheet 2, Figures 5 and 6, which represent a
sectional elevation and plan, respectively, with my invention as applied to continuous
rails and sleepers. In this instance I use preferably a continuation piece or
casting P, of box section having a loose cover Q. The lever J is double or bell-
cranked and separate from the trigger or lever K, which actuates it by pressing
upon the enlarged end of bellcranked lever J, having on the lower side a flat or
similar spring G₁, instead of the spiral one before described. That portion of the
crossing S, which is immediately above the sliding plate F, can be made loose in
the form of a cover or lid and secured to the crossing by bolts or keys. If found of
advantage a chain R, with a hand lever N³, can be substituted in lieu of levers N,
and treadle N¹, as before described and shewn.
Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10, Sheet 2, are enlarged views of sectional elevation and
plan, but shewing a weight U, applied in place of and instead of springs G or G¹.
Where found necessary to do so the whole of the working parts under the rails and
crossing A, can be encased in suitable sized piping having Tee pieces and caps at
either end, and secured to underside of the crossing, but I prefer employing thin
bent sheets of iron or other suitable material, thus covering all working parts and
protecting the same from stones and dirt. This latter precaution is unnecessary
where continuous chairs or sleepers are used of box section.
When it is required to operate or actuate the point from either end of the
tramcar drivers platform, it is merely required to duplicate treadle N¹, lever N,
together with their substitutes the chain R, hand lever N2, and their carriers or
brackets.
It will be seen by the description given that to operate or actuate the point, the
driver or person in charge of the car, presses down the treadle N¹, or moves the
handle N, thus moving in a downward direction, the small wheel or disc L, which
on coming or pressing on, and down, the trigger or lever K, pulls or draws (or
pushes if required) the plate F, in the requisite direction, this plate having the slot
at the required angle, and in which the pin or projection E, works, thus moving the
point C from one side to the other. The springs G, G', or the weight U, being
used to return the point C, to its original position when the tramcar has passed the
same.

page_text: 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 ;
1st. The use of tramway or other points, actuated by the driver (or other person
in charge of the said tramear) from the platform, by means as shewn and described
herein.
2nd. The use of a sliding plate or casting, having an elongated angular slot or
groove, actuating a pin E, or projection on underside of moveable point, and in
combination of the same with the trigger or lever K, working in a slot in tram rail,
or in a continuation piece, and coupled by solid rod or length of pipe H, or similar
means.
3rd. The use of a spring G or G', or a weight U, for the purpose of returning
point to original position after being used, in combination with the beforementioned
sliding plate F, rods or pipe H, levers and trigger J, J', and K.
4th. The use of a trigger or lever K, working by the side of the rail, instead of in
the groove of the same, in combination with the beforementioned spring or springs,
levers, rods and sliding plate F.
5th. The use of a trigger or lever working in a detached box casting placed
between the two parallel rails, in combination with the beforementioned sliding
plate, levers and rods E, F, H, J, J, and K.
6th. The use of a continuation piece of section herein described, in combination
with any or all of the arrangements, or portions of arrangements, herein described
and illustrated.
7th. The use of any part or portion of the said arrangements in combination with
other portions, as generally described herein and illustrated or shewn on accom-
panying sheets of drawings.
8th. The use of pipes and Tec pieces or elbows in forming coverings, encasing
the above or herein described arrangements, and the combination of the same.
Dated this Thirtieth day of August 1892.
B. F. COCKER.