IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR MOVING ENGINES AND D
Year: 1854

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Dunn, of the Windsor Bridge Iron Works,
Pendleton, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR MOVING ENGINES AND
D
"
Sealed the 17th August 1854, and dated the 8th March 1854.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Dunn at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 8th
March 1854.
I, THOMAS DUNN, of the Windsor Bridge Iron Works, Pendleton, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR MOVING
ENGINES AND CARRIAGES FROM ONE LINE OF RAILS TO ANOTHER, AND FOR TURNING
THEM," to be as follows:-
First, in constructing the body or frame of railway turntables of a convex
form, thereby giving strength and space for a large wheel at each end working
on the entire circular rail; these wheels being under the frame will be pro-
tected from dirt; and in supporting the said turntables by a roller at each end
working on a similar circular rail.
Secondly, in the application of several small rollers and a live ring in place
of the two side rollers above mentioned.
Thirdly, in constructing beams for turntables by rivetting two flat-bottomed
rails together, so that they may be turned over when the upper one is partially
worn, or in rivetting a flat-bottomed rail to an iron bar. Packings or strengthen-

page_text: ing pieces may be used between the rails or rail and bar, or the roller frames
of the turntable may be used to support the double rails.
Fourthly, in constructing railway turntables with a centre piece, the lower
part of which is spiral shaped, and in applying pressure to the spiral centre
from below, the effect of which will partially raise the table, and at the same
time cause it to swivel round.
Fifthly,. in making railway traversers with a centre pin so as to render the
traversing frame capable of acting as a turntable. When the traverser has been
made to move laterally the required distance, the centre pin is lowered into a
guide socket or footstep, and then the traverser can be swivelled round like a
turntable, the rollers being supported by a circular rail on the same or nearly
the same level as the rails for the traverser. The axis of the rollers of the
traverser may be made to radiate from the centre pin if required.
Sixthly, in mounting the rollers of ordinary turntables.or studs, the position
of which is capable of being adjusted from the outside of the turntable, thereby
enabling each roller to be regulated without the necessity of going under the
platform.
And lastly, in regulating the centre pin of turntables by a wedge and screw,
instead of screws only. as now generally employed.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Thomas Dunn in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
September 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
DUNN, of the Windsor Bridge Iron Works, Pendleton, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the seventeenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Thomas Dunn, Her special license that I, the said Thomas Dunn,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Thomas
Dunn, my executors, administrators, and assigns should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MACHINERY AND

page_text: APPARATUS FOR MOVING ENGINES AND CARRIAGES FROM ONE LINE OR RAILS TO
ANOTHER, AND FOR TURNING THEM," upon the condition: (amongst others) that I,
the said Thomas Dunn, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent..
NOW KNOW YE, that I; the said Thomas Dunn, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement,
that is to say
a)
The nature of my Invention consists, first, in constructing. the bodies.or
upper framing of railway traversers and turntables of a convex form, in order to
increase the strength and afford space for larger bearing wheels.
Secondly, in supporting turntables on side rollers working on an inner
circular rail or plate........
...
Thirdly, in the application of several small- rollers, and a live ring in place
of the side rollers above referred to when applied to my improved turn-
tables!
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**
.
Fourthly, in improved modes of constructing beams for railway turntables.
Fifthly, in making the centre piece of the platform of a railway turntable
with an inclined surface or surfaces in such wise that when pressure is applied
thereto the platform is partially raised and caused to swivel on its centre.
Sixthly, in the application to railway traversers of a centre pin,' so as to render
the same capable of acting as a turntablė.
***
Li
Seventhly, in causing the axes of the wheels of railway traversers to radiate
from a centre when traversers are used as turntables.
Eighthly, in so constructing turntables that 'the level of the rollers or
wheels on which the platform revolves can be regulated from the outside
thereof.
...: I
And, lastly, "in regulating the centre pin of turntables by a wedge and
screw, instead of by screws only as heretofore.
Having thus stated the nature of my Invention, I will proceed to describe
the means pursued by me.
.It..
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS...
On Sheet 1, Figure I is a plan of a turntable to which the three first of my
improvements are applied: Figures 2, 3, and 4 are sections of the 'same; a, a,"
are the foundation beams, which 'are constructed in the usual manner;' to them

page_text: are fixed the brackets b, supporting the circle c, within which the turntable
moves, and which I prefer to make of rail iron, but which may be made of
cast-iron segments, as is now customary; d is the body of the turntable, the
upper surface of which is of a convex form. The body of the turntable may
be put together lengthways in two halves, as shewn in Figure 3, or it may be
cast in two or more lengths bolted together, as shewn by the dotted lines a² in
Figure 1, or the whole body may be cast in one piece. The convex plates may
also be of sheet iron, attached at each end to the frames in which the wheels
revolve, and secured thereto by bolts or rivets.
The shafts of the wheels g revolve in bearings attached to the body of the
turntable. These wheels work on the outer circular rail h, and the shafts of the
wheels i, which revolve on the inner circular rail j, are supported in bearings
attached to the centre of the turntable; e, e, are the rails forming part of the
permanent way; and f, f, are the rails, which are cast with the turntable or
made of wrought iron, and fixed thereto. I prefer to support each end of the
turntable on two wheels or rollers, as shewn to the right hand of Figure 1, and
in Figure 3; but in some cases a single roller at each end is sufficient, as shewn
by dotted lines to the left of Figure 1, and in Figure 2.
By making the body of the turntable of a convex form, great strength is
obtained with comparatively little metal; the supporting wheels can also be
made larger than in the usual mode of construction. I also propose to support
the centre part of my improved turntables by the rollers k, shewn by dotted
lines in Figure 1, and in Figure 4; in this case the rollers or wheels i, and rail
are dispensed with; the rollers k bear on the circular rail 7, and revolve on
arms k', fixed in a centre boss k, and supported by the live ring k. The
centre pin m, which is adjustable by screws in the usual manner, as shewn in
Figure 4, must be used, whether the middle of the turntable be supported by
the side rollers i, or live ring and small rollers k, above described.
On Sheet 2, Figure 5 is a transverse section; Figure 6, a plan view; and
Figure 7, a side elevation of a turntable. In these views I have shewn another
mode of constructing turntables, with side rollers working on an inner circular
rail. Many of the parts of this turntable being similar to those before
described are marked with corresponding letters of reference. The wheels g
which move on the rail h, revolve on studs passing through the plates g', and
the two wheels i moving on the rail j, revolve on studs passing through the
centre plate i¹; the two end plates g' and the centre plate are held together by
the rails f; these rails are strengthened between the plates g¹ and by other
rails marked f¹, to which they are rivetted, as shewn in Figures 5 and 7. The
centre pin m fits into a socket m', which is cast with or otherwise attached to

page_text: the circular rail j. Figure 8 is a transverse section; and Figure 9 is a plan
view of part of another turntable to which a modification of my second and.
fourth improvements are attached. In these views the centre frame is sup-
ported by the four wheels i, and the middle and outer frames are supported by
the wheels g. All these frames are united together by the upper rails r and
lower rails r¹.
The spaces between the frames and the rails r and r¹ are filled up by the
hollow pieces 2; see section, Figure 10, which is drawn to an enlarged scale..
When the upper rails are damaged or worn, they may be put in the places of
the lower rails, and the lower rails put in the places of the upper ones.
On Sheet 3, Figure 11 is a plan and Figure 12 a transverse section of
part of a large turntable to which other modifications of the fourth and the
fifth of my improvements are applied. In this instance the centre frame of
the turntable marked n bears upon the rollers k of the live ring .. To the
outer frames marked n³, are attached the bearings of the wheels g, see section,
Figure 15; these wheels run on the circular rail h. The intermediate frames
n² are supported by the wheels g¹, which work on the circular rail h¹.. The
frames n, n, and n², are connected together by the longitudinal beams o, each
of which is formed of two bridge rails, as shewn in Figure 12. The square
bars o' are rivetted between the flanges of the bridge rails, and the oblong bars
03 fit within the rails to stiffen them. In some cases the bars o' and o³ may
be dispensed with, and the flanges of the rails rivetted together without the
intermediate bars; and in other cases the intermediate bar may be cast or
rolled in one piece, as shewn in Figure 18, or a piece of timber may be sub-
stituted for the iron stiffening bar, as shewn in Figure 14. The object of
constructing the beams of turntables as above shewn and described, is to com-
bine great strength with economy, and to enable the under beam to be brought
uppermost when the upper one has become worn. On referring to Figure 12
it will be seen that a small hydraulic press is placed below the centre of the
turntable. This press consists of the cylinder p and ram p¹; the fluid for raising
the ram is conveyed to the cylinder by the pipe p², which is in connection with
a force pump of the usual construction, or water under pressure without
pump may be used. The centre pin q of the turntable is fixed in the frame n
and guided below in the ram p¹, and the ram is prevented turning round when
rising by the stud p³, which fits in a slot in the ram. The lower part of the
centre pin q is made inclined or spiral shaped, and the upper part of the ram
p. is made with a corresponding. inclined or spiral surface; by this means when
it is requisite to turn the platform partially round, the ram p¹ is raised by the
pressure of the fluid conveyed into the cylinder p by the pipe p², and the action.

page_text: of the inclined surfaces causes the platform to swivel round its centre, the
amount of motion- imparted to the platform being governed by the lift of the
ram p', and by the latch n³, see Fig. 11, which is dropped into a recess when
the rails of the platform coincide with the rails of the permanent way, in the
ordinary manner. The handle q" is for turning the centre pin q back again for
the following move.
The hydraulic press with 'the ram and cylinder above referred to may be
dispensed with, and the inclined surface described as being made on the ram
may form part of a stud working in a socket; this stud 'may be raised and
lowered by the double lever s, shewn by dotted lines in Figure 12. The longer
arm of this lever is jointed to the vertical screw s¹, which. passes through a
standard s², and through a nut forming part of the handles; the requisite
power for raising and lowering the stud and the lower incline can thus be
obtained without the aid of hydraulic pressure.
Figure 16 represents another modification of my improved mode of causing
turntables to swivel by means of pressure on inclined surfaces. In this instance
the lever s, which is similar to the one shewn in Figure 12, is made to raise
and lower the clutch box t, the catches of which take into the spaces, between
the catches t', attached to the under side of the turntable; the clutch box. t is
prevented turning by a groove and key of the ordinary construction. It is now
shewn down; consequently, when the turntable is required to be swivelled
partly round, 'the attendant by turning a handle similar to the one marked s³,
in Figure 12, depresses the long end of the lever s, and raises the short end
thereof; by this means the inclined surfaces of the catches of the clutch box t,
acting on those of the turntable, cause the turntable to move as required.
Figure 17 is another modification of Figure 16; in this instance an anti-
friction 'roller u is mounted at the short end of the lever s; this roller is pressed
against the inclined surface u' of the turntable when the latter has to be
swivelled partly round; other combinations of this part of my Invention
might be given, but the foregoing are sufficient to illustrate it.
On Sheet 4, Figure 18 is a longitudinal section of a traverser which is
furnished with a centre pin to render it capable of acting as a turntable.
Figure 19 is a transverse section, and Figure 20 a plan of the same.
Figure 21 is a plan of part of the permanent way of a railway for the
traverser with a centre pin to turn upon. A is the body of the traverser,
which is supported on the four wheels B and four rollers C.
.
The axles of the wheels B revolve in bearings attached to the swivel frames
D, cach of which is furnished with a toothed segment D'. The shaft E is
supported in bearings at each end of the traverser, and upon it are the worms

page_text: E, gearing into the 'segments D', and the worm E', gearing into the seg-
ment F.; this segment has a lever F projecting from it, passing through a slo
in the centre pin G, which is guided in the cross rail A'. The footstep H,
shewn in Figures 18, 19, and 21, is for the centre pin G to drop into - when
the traverser has to be used as a turntable.. In Figure 21, the rails I. are for
the wheels B of the traverser to run upon when moving laterally, and K is a
circular rail for the same when the traverser is swivelled, round. The rails J
are part of the permanent way. When the traverser has been moved along
the rails I, until the centre pin G is directly over the centre of the footstep H,
the attendants by turning, the handles E. cause the shaft E to revolve... The
worm E, acting on the segment. F, presses the pin G into the footstep H,
and at the same time the worms E¹, acting on the segments D', cause the
frames D to swivel partly round, thereby, bringing the axes of the wheels B
into lines radiating from the centre of the footstep H. The traverser may
then be swivelled round upon its centre pin in the same way as a turntable.
I wish to remark here, that is some cases the machinery for causing the. axes
of the wheels B to radiate may. be dispensed with, as the extra friction on the
parts, occasioned by the. axes of. the wheels remaining parallel to each other
when swivelling round, would not offer much resistance....... 99
"
Figure. 22. represents a side elevation of part of another, traverser .con-
structed on the same principle as the one described in reference to Figures 18,
19, and 20.
Figure 23 is a transverse section, and Figure 24 a plan of Figure 22. The
same letters of reference are put upon corresponding parts. The traverser
which I am now going to describe is made with three sets of supporting
wheels, those in the centre being marked B¹. This traverser is intended for
turning large carriages. When it is used as a turntable, the centre pin G is
made to drop into the footstep L, shewn in Figure 23, which is made in the
platform. M; the centre of this platform is supported in the footstep N, and
near the circumference it is supported' on the rollers O, which are similar to
those of turntables of the ordinary construction. The object of this platform
is to bear the wheels B', while the outer wheels B are revolving on the cir-
cular rail K, described in reference to Figure 21; by this means carriages
requiring a very large turntable may be turned with great facility.
On Sheet 5, Figure 25 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 26 a plan, with
half of the platform removed, of an ordinary turntable to which the eighth
and ninth of my improvements are applied. In these views, P is the curb or
circular frame, within which the platform Q revolves. The platform. is sup-

page_text: ported by the rollers R, which are mounted on studs R', projecting from the.
blocks R. The screws S pass through holes in the curb P, and take into
nuts R', let into the blocks R2; the upper ends of the screws are furnished
with heads, and the lower ends bear on the lower flange of the curb P; by
this arrangement each roller R can be adjusted from the outside of the turn-
table independently of the others, whereas in turntables of the ordinary
construction the bearing rollers cannot be adjusted without the attendant gets
under the platform. The centre pin U fits in the footstep V, and this centre
pin can be adjusted by means of the wedge W, which passes through the
centre pin and through the boss of the platform and the nut X, which screws on
the screw Y, attached to or forming part of the said wedge; by tightening up
or slackening the wedge, it is evident that the level of the centre pin U is regu-
lated with great facility, and the injurious effect of unevenly tightening the
screws when the centre pin is adjusted by bolts, in the ordinary manner, is
avoided.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same, I wish it to be understood, that I do not limit myself to
the details herein set forth, as the same may be varied without departing
from the peculiar character of my Invention; but what I do claim is,―
First, constructing the bodies or upper part of railway traversers and turn-
tables of a convex form, as shewn and described in reference to Figures 1, 2,.
3, and 4.
Secondly, the application of rollers for supporting turntables near their
centre, as shewn and described in reference to Figures 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9,
and 24.
Thirdly, the application to my improved turntables of a live ring and sup-
porting rollers, as shewn and described in reference to Figures 1, 4, 11, 12, 16,
and 17.
Fourthly, the improved construction of beams for railway turntables, as
shewn and described in reference to Figures 5 to 14.
Fifthly, the improved modes of giving motion to the platforms of railway
turntables, as shewn and described in reference to Figures 11, 12, 16, and 17.
Sixthly, the application of a centre pin. to railway traversers in order to
render them capable of acting as turntables, as shewn and described in refer-
ence to Figures 18 to 24..
Seventhly, causing the axes of wheels of railway traversers to radiate from
the centre pin thereof when the traverser is used as a turntable, as shewn and
described in reference to Figures 18, 19, 20, 22, and 24..

page_text: Eighthly, the improvements in turntables shewn and described in reference
to Figures 25 and 26, whereby the wheels or rollers for supporting the platform
can be adjusted from the outside of the turntable.
And, lastly, the improved mode of regulating the level of the centre pins of
turntables, as shewn and described in reference to Figures 25 and 26.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Dunn, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Sixth day of September, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-four.
Signed, sealed, and delivered by the within-
named Thomas Dunn, in the presence of
THOMAS DUNN. (L.S.)
H. B. BARLOW,
Patent Agent,
Manchester.