Improvements in and connected with Tramways.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Aug., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 22nd May, 1894-Accepted, 23rd June, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Tramways.
1, MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH of 161 Trinity Road, Upper Tooting, in the
County of Surrey, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows: -
This invention relates more particularly to electric tramway systems, although
it is in part applicable to rope or ordinary systems. The invention can be most
clearly described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 represents a sectional view of a double track electric system.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing one method of draining the channels in
which the conductors or ropes are employed.
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are plan views of different points on the system.
According to this invention it is proposed to form the rail in two half sections a a
which can be readily rolled, and place between them at intervals where the bolt
holes would go a third double bulb like section b which will not only tend to support
and stiffen the rail, but also to bring the two half heads into proper alingnment.
Where the rail is set in concrete the bottom flanges may be left turned out as
indicated, at the extreme right and left sides of Fig. 1, but where it is requisite to
attach the sections to metallic or like ties it is proposed to turn the bottom of said
rails inward so that they may engage with projecting pieces c on the tie. With
this construction the bolting of the two rail sections together also causes them to
engage with the catch plates on the tie, the same method being employed for
attaching the rail sections at the points where the drain pipes from the channels
are placed, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2. A further advantage of this form of
rail is that it enables one half section to overlap the contiguous ends of opposite
more even surface for the
sections thus "breaking joint" and producing a
wheels.
In the construction shown one side of the channel is formed by the rail and the
other side by a rolled girder d somewhat of inverted T shape form but curved near
the top in order to provide an overhanging covering for the conductor e which is
secured in the channel at suitable intervals, preferably in the manner hereinafter
described. The girder d is connected and is strengthened at intervals by cast-iron
or like plates secured in turn to the ties or to the sole plates, thus enabling a
comparatively light girder d to be employed. The conductor e is preferably held
in the jaws of an insulating holding piece g which in turn is held in position by by
wooden or other clamping wedges has most clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5.
At suitable intervals it is proposed to employ a cross-tie between the channels of
the two systems.
This cross-tie is of V form and conducts the water which
accumulates in the channels down the pipes i to a common drain j, as clearly shown
in Fig. 1, thus enabling a single drain to be used for a double track system.
Where a channel cross tie is not desirable the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 may be
employed to secure the same results. In this case the rail sections are secured to
sole plates c where they rest on the drain pipes. At suitable points are placed
manholes k as shown in Fig. 3 in order that any stoppage of the drain or pipes
may be readily investigated, and at the points at which the conductors & are
supported hand holes or insulator boxes are provided as indicated in Figs. 1
and 5. The collector is preferably formed of a spring piece m, the tendency of
which is always to bear against the conductor e while the return may be conveniently

page_text: made by means of a like spring piece n bearing against the edge of one of the rail
sections a as clearly shown in Fig. 1.
Dated this 22nd day of August 1893.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
For the Applicant.
Improvements in and connected with Tramways.
I, MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH of 161 Trinity Road, Upper Tooting, in the
County of Surrey, 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 :-
This invention relates more particularly to electric tramway systems, although
it is in part applicable to rope or ordinary systems. The invention can be most
clearly described by reference to the drawings accompanying the Provisional
Specification, in which :-
Fig. 1 represents a sectional view of a double track electric system.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation showing one method of draining the channels in
which the conductors or ropes are employed.
Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are plan views of different points on the system.
According to this invention it is proposed to form the rail in two half sections a a
which can be readily rolled, and place between them at intervals where the bolt
holes would go a third double bulb like section b which will not only tend to support
and stiffen the rail, but also to bring the two half heads into proper alignment.
Where the rail is set in concrete the bottom flanges may be left turned out as
indicated, at the extreme right and left sides of Fig. 1, but where it is requisite to
attach the sections to metallic or like ties it is proposed to turn the bottom of said
rails inward so that they may engage with projecting pieces c on the tie. With
this construction the bolting of the two rail sections together also causes them to
engage with the catch plates on the tie, the same method being employed for
attaching the rail sections at the points where the drain pipes from the channels
are placed, as clearly indicated in Fig. 2. A further advantage of this form of
rail is that it enables one half section to overlap the contiguous ends of opposite
sections thus " breaking joint" and producing a more even surface for the
wheels.
In the construction shown one side of the channel is formed by the rail and the
other side by a rolled girder d somewhat of inverted T shape form but curved near
the top in order to provide an overhanging covering for the conductor e which is
secured in the channel at suitable intervals, preferably in the manner hereinafter
described. The girder d is connected and is strengthened at intervals by cast-iron
or like plates f secured in turn to the ties or to the sole plates, thus enabling a
comparatively light girder d to be employed. The conductor e is preferably held
in the jaws of an insulating holding piece 9 which in turn is held in position by
wooden or other clamping wedges as most clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5.
At suitable intervals it is proposed to employ a cross-tie between the channels of
the two systems. This cross-tie is of V form and conducts the water which
accumulates in the channels down the pipes i to a common drain, as clearly shown
in Fig. 1, thus enabling a single drain to be used for a double track system.
Where a channel cross tie is not desirable the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 may be
employed to secure the same results. In this case the rail sections are secured to
sole plates c where they rest on the drain pipes. At suitable points are placed
manholes k as shown in Fig. 3, in order that any stoppage of the drain or pipes

page_text: may be readily investigated, and at the points at which the conductors e are
supported, hand holes or insulator boxes are provided as indicated in Figs. 1 and 5.
The collector is preferably formed of a spring piece m, the tendency of which is
always to bear against the conductor e while the return may be conveniently made
by means of a like spring piece n bearing against the edge of one of the rail
sections a as clearly shown in Fig. 1.
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. In tramway systems a rail formed of two sections in combination with a third
supporting aligning and strengthening section, and with or without lower clipping
flanges, substantially as described.
2. In tramway systems the combination with a rail of a suitably supported
girder or piece which with said rail forms the channel, a conductor located in
said channel and spring collectors and return contact maker, substantially as.
described.
3. The general arrangement and combination of parts forming the improved
tramway system as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying:
drawings.
Dated the 22nd day of May 1894.
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agent,
For the Applicant.