An Improved Three Way Railway Switch.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 5th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 29th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 6th Mar., 1897
We, SETH COLLINS ADAMS and HENRY PRINTISS CROUSE, both of Utica,
County of Oneida, State of New York, U.S.A., Mechanics, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In this invention there are located between each of the three pairs of stationary
rails and at the point of divergence four movable pointed split rails. In each set
of the four movable rails the points of two lie back of the other two, and the two
middle or inside rails are secured to a shifting bar and the two outer ones are
independent to move in one direction but. are moved with the shifting bar in the
other direction. For operating these two rails in the direction opposite to that in
which they are moved by the shifting bar springs are provided which operate
against the chairs of such rails. When the switch is closed all the rails are held
positively by means of the shifting bar. In opening the switch two of the movable
rails are operated by the shifting bar and two by the springs.
Dated this 5th day of May 1896.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.
An Improved Three Way Railway Switch.
We SETH COLLINS ADAMS and HENRY PRINTISS CROUSE, both of
Utica County of Oneida, State of New York, U.S.A., Mechanics, 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 railway switch of this invention is shewn in the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 being a plan view thereof in the closed position; Fig. 2 a like view in the
first shift position; Fig. 3 a like view in the second shift position; Fig. 4 a side view;
Fig. 5 a cross section taken at the side of the shifting bar with the rails corre-
sponding in position to Fig. 1; Fig. 6 a similar section corresponding to Fig. 2;
Fig. 8 a cross section including the springs; and Fig. 9 shews a modified
construction.
1, 2, are stationary rails secured to sleepers such as 3 in the usual manner
and which rails diverge at the switch substantially as shewn. Between the
stationary rails at the point of divergence are located the four movable pointed
split rails 4, 5, 6, 7, the points of the rails 5 and 7 lying back of the points of
rails 4 and 6. The rails 5, 6, are secured to the shifting bar 8 by clamps 5º, 6º,
respectively, so as not to be movable in either direction along the bar. The
rails 4, 7, are independent of the shifting bar to move in one direction, but are
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page_text: moved with the shifting bar in the other direction. This movement so far as
rail 4 is concerned, is caused by the hooked shoulder projection 9, and as to rail 7
by a similar projection 10 on the shifting bar.
Instead of projections 9, 10, a sleeve block 11 (Fig. 9) having fingers for engaging
the rail may be provided, which block will slide freely in one direction on the shifting
bar and be operated in the other direction by a fixed collar or shoulder piece 12.
For operating the switch rails 4, 7, in the direction opposite to that in which the
shifting bar is adapted to operate them, there are provided springs 13, 14, which
operate from a fixed support 15 against the sliding chairs 16, 17, respectively,
which are secured to rails 4, 7. The springs are mounted on a rod 18, which
holds them in operative position and which passes loosely through the bottom of
the chairs 16, 17.
The spring base or support 15 may be dispensed with and a single spring
extending from rail 4 to rail 7 employed, if desired.
To either end of the shifting bar 8 is attached any suitable form of switch target
devices which are so arranged as to provide for three shifts.
The operation of the switch is too obvious to require particular description. It
may however be noted that when it is adjusted to the position of Fig. 1, which is
the normally closed position, all the rails are held positively and the switch cannot
be maliciously displaced without breaking the mechanism. In this position none
of the rails are held by springs only, and therefore cannot by the use of a bar be
sprung and blocked into a dangerous position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination in a three way switch, of two diverging fixed rails, four
intermediate pointed rails, a shifting bar to which the two middle movable rails
are immovably secured, and having shoulders engaging from the outer sides only,
the two outer movable rails and springs acting against the outer movable rails from
the inner sides, substantially as described and shewn.
2. The combination in a switch of two diverging rails, intermediate movable
split rails 4,5 6, 7, a shifting bar to which rails 5, 6, are fastened, and having
means for engaging and moving rails 4, 7, from the outer sides only, and a spring
operating against the inner sides of rails 4, 7, substantially as described and
shewn.
Dated this 28th day of January 1897.
THOMAS R. SHILLITO,
89 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicants.