Electric Railways.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 6th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 6th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 18th May., 1889
in Electric Railways.
I CHARLES JOSEPH VAN DEPOELE of 51 Center Street, Lynn, County of Essex
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Electrician 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in devices for establishing a traveling
electrical contact between a moving vehicle and a plurality of fixed suspended
conductors.
The present invention relates chiefly to a duplex form of contact device for
maintaining contact with both conductors, when both positive and negative line
conductors are suspended above the track, in contradistinction to the system employing
but a single overhead conductor for each track, the track rails themselves being
utilized as the return circuit.
The construction, arrangement, and operation of my improved contact device will
be hereinafter fully described and referred to in the appended claims.
In the drawings
Fig. is a side elevation showing a car provided with duplex contact devices
embodying my invention.
Fig. 2 is an elevation on an enlarged scale showing a contact arm, its support, and
the contact devices.
Fig. 3 is a plan view of the arm and contact devices shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 3ª, is a
section on line 3ª 3ª of Fig. 3.

page_text: Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in elevation showing a different arrangement of the
springs by which the independent contact carrying fingers are actuated.
Fig. 5 is a plan view of what is shown in Fig. 4.
Figs. 6 and 7 are also enlarged details showing other forms of spring support for
the independent contact carrying fingers.
Fig. 8 is a detail view on an enlarged scale showing the attachment of the spring
fingers of Fig. 3.
Fig. 9 is an elevation of the details shown in sectional plan in Fig. 8.
Figs. 10 and 11 are plan views showing slightly modified constructions.
Fig. 12 is a plan view, and Fig. 13 a side elevation showing a somewhat different
construction also embodying my invention.
Fig. 14 is a side elevation showing another form of spring.
Fig. 15 is a plan view showing two complete and independent arms.
Similar letters denote like parts throughout.
As seen in the drawings, A, represents the car upon the roof of which is mounted a
base B, suitably insulated therefrom, and formed with upwardly extending post or
stem b. Upon the stem b, is pivotally mounted a sleeve C, formed or provided at its
upper extremity with a fork D, in which is hinged an eccentric or cain E, from the
rearward portion of which extends an arm F, which as seen in Figs. 12, and 3, is
formed of a number of steel wires or rods assembled and secured together to form a
truss pole or arm. To the lower portion of the sleeve C, is adjustably secured a short
arm C, to which are attached the lower ends of a spring or springs e, the upper
extremities of which are connected to a band passing over the face of the eccentric D,
and by means of which the tension of the springs e, is communicated to the face of the
eccentric E, exerting an upward pressure upon the arm F and the contact device or
devices carried thereby.
The construction so far described is not claimed in the present application, since it
is included in the subject matter of another Patent application of mine dated
Aug. 9th 1888 No. 7578, and it is only referred to herein by way of illustration.
The
To the extremity of the arm F is attached a block or crosshead formed of two
portions G, G, each of which may be a block of insulating material, but they may
also be of metal, lined with insulation and insulated each from the other.
blocks G G are extended laterally in the form of hollow trunnions, each of which
forms a horizontal insulated bearing g g'. The blocks G, G', are secured to the
extremity of the arm F, in any suitable manner, as by bolts I.
A pair of short arms or fingers H, H', are pivotally supported at their inner ends in
the insulated bearings g, g¹, and provided at their extremities with contact rollers h, i,
for engaging the conductors PN.
Each contact carrying arm is provided with an upwardly acting spring J, J¹. As
seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3, these springs are of resilient wire the inner ends of each of
which are inserted in one of a series of holes j, in the blocks G, G', then coiled about
the exterior of the trunnions or journal boxes g g¹, and turned outwardly to engage the
fingers H, H' pressing them upwardly with the desired degree of force which can be
adjusted by placing the inner ends of the springs in one or other of the series of
holes j. The inner ends of the fingers H, H, extend through their bearings g, g' and
into enlarged recesses 92, 93, in the inner faces of the blocks G, G¹, when they are
secured by nuts or stops h2, h3, which are of sufficient size to limit the upward movement
of either of the fingers when disengaged from the conductor. Other forms of stops may
also be used as will appear.
The fingers H, H¹, being separately mounted and spring actuated will move
independently to accommodate themselves to the unavoidable differences in the height
of the conductors. The arm F is pressed upwardly by the tension springs e and the
fingers H, H', are also separately pressed upward in order, as just stated, to compensate
for any irregularity in the height of the conductors. The tension of the springs
actuating the fingers should therefore be practically equal to that of the main tension
spring e, so that the contact arm and fingers will maintain a substantial straight line
of connection between the inner end of the said arm F, and the devices in contact

page_text: with the underside of the conductor, allowing of course for variation in height of
the fingers H, H₁, where the suspended conductors are not in the same horizontal
plane.
The
In Figs. 4 and 5 I have shown two leaf springs K, K, each secured directly to the
contact arm F1, which is in this instance of insulating material, as wood.
springs K, K, press upwardly against the undersides of the fingers H H. In Fig. 6
a coiled spring K', is shown, and in this instance the springs are adjustably secured to
their support by a rotatable sleeve or collet k to which the inner end of the spring is
attached so as to vary the tension as required.
In Fig. 7 I bave shown the fingers as being wholly supported upon tension spings L
but not directly secured to the cross-head G. With this construction the springs are
secured to the insulating supports or cross head G2, and at their outer extremities
directly secured to the inner ends of the fingers H, H¹.
As seen in Figs. 4 and 5 fixed stops or projections M. are formed upon the
cross-head G³ instead of upon the inner ends of the fingers themselves to limit the
upward movement of the fingers either in case of a preponderence of strength in
the springs controlling the fingers, or in case one or both thereof should become
disengaged from the conductor.
In Fig. 6 a cord or chain may be secured to the underside of the fingers and to the
arm F, to prevent them turning over backward when disengaged from the conductor.
It will be obvious that the conductor by which the current is led from the contact
device to the car may be utilized for this purpose.
In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the steel truss pole previously referred to;s
utilized with this construction, and care is required to thoroughly and efficient y
insulate the fingers from each other, and from the arm F, the current being led from
the contact device or fingers by separate conductors P¹ N' supported in any
convenient manner upon the arm F, and extending to the car and thence to the.
motor.
As seen in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7, a wooden pole or arm F¹, is substituted for the
arm F, and with this construction the insulation of the fingers is simplified, and
conductors extending therefrom pass down through or upon the arm F³, and to the car.
The construction and forms already described, will be found to possess many
practical advantages, but my invention is not limited to the precise constructions
already described and the invention may be modified in several particulars for
example, a contact arm such as already described in my hereinbefore referred to
application, may be used, and establish contact with one of the suspended conductors
and one spring actuated finger be added thereto to engage the other conductor.
Such constructions are shown in Figs. 10 and 11. In Fig. 10 is seen a wooden arm F",
provided at its outer end with a contact trolley h, and to this arm is attached an
independent spring finger H², carrying at its outer end a trolley i. The finger H
is formed with an angular bend at its inner end, the said bent portion being pivotally
supported upon or within the arm F1. As indicated the said arm being of wood the
inner end of the finger is fitted through an aperture therein and upwardly pressed
by a spring J, coiled about its lower end, and engaging the arm F', and the
finger H2.
Independent fingers each provided with a contact trolley and made of resilient
material so as to require no additional springs, may also be used. As seen in Fig. 11,
the arm F, is provided with an extended portion Q, in the form of a thin resilient
rod or strip. A second similar rod or strip Q1, is provided which latter is attached
to a block or head g, at the extremity of the rod F, in a position diverging from the
extension sufficiently to engage the second conductor.
In Figs. 12, 13, and 14, a somewhat different but equivalent construction is shown.
The arm F is formed of two strips or bars of wood or other insulating material
eparated by blocks f³ also of insulating material and firmly united by bolts f
passing therethrough.
At or near the extremity of the arm F are secured pivots or bolts f³ f, each
ecured in one of the wooden bars f¹ƒ and projecting laterally therefrom. Upon

page_text: each of the pins f5f6, may be placed a bushing " of insulating material indicated
in dotted lines in Fig. 12. The bushing is, however, not essential since the pivot pins
are each separately mounted in an insulated support. Upon each of the latera!
bearings formed as just described, is pivotally mounted a rocking arm g², 4 provided
with a socket at its upper part for receiving the lower ends of fingers H2, H3, which
are provided at their outer extremities with contact trolleys h, i, as previously
described. The rocking arins 9', are each provided at their lower parts with a
downwardly extending ug g, in each of which is secured a rod or bar spring H*.
The lower extremities of the springs H, pass through guide bearings H5, through
which said springs have endwise movement so as to permit of their free action upon
the rock arms and fingers to hold the latter in alignment with the arm F2, except
of course when said springs yield in following the depressions of the conductors.
with which the trolleys respectively are in contact.
In Fig. 14 duplex springs H³, Hº, are shown, and said springs are rigidly attached
to the supporting arm F at their lower extremities by a suitable clamp 3, . The
upper extremities of the springs H³, H bear respectively against opposite sides of a
lug or extension g6, upon the lower part of the rock arm g' tending to hold said
rock arm and the finger supported thereby in alignment with the arm F2. The
spring H H are desirably connected by a clamp 5, which is rigidly attached to one
of said springs and encloses the other one but in a manner allowing endwise movement
of the said last mentioned spring so that while the stiffness of said springs is added to
by their being united in the clamp, their freedom of movement remains.
It will also be understood that two independently moving contact arms similar to
the one shown in another patent application, filed August 9th, 1888 No. 7578 may be
employed if desired, with good results. Such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 15,
but the method of supporting the arm is not herein referred to, since it is not essential,
and furthermore, because it forms part of the subject matter of my said other
application.
It will be apparent from the foregoing description that my invention is not limited
to any particular form of device, since the means employed may be greatly varied
without departing from the spirit of the invention. I have shown a number of forms
of duplex upward contact devices but many changes and alterations may be made
therein by persons skilled in the art, and I therefore do not limit myself to what is
herein shown and described, since the scope of my invention includes any equivalent
means for maintaining an under-pressure contact with two or more suspended clectric
conductors.
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':-
First. An upward pressure contact arm provided with two independent insulated
contact making devices, substantially as described.
Second. The combination with a plurality of suspended supply conductors, of an
upward pressure contact arm device comprising a plurality of independent insulated
contacts adapted to engage the said supply conductors, substantially as described.
Third. The combination with an upwardly spring pressed movable arm, of one or
more independently movable spring pressed insulated fingers mounted upon said
arm and carrying a contact trolley or trolleys, substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination with a movable upwardly spring pressed contact arm of a
pair of insulated upwardly spring pressed contact carrying fingers separately mounted
in the outer extremity thereof, substantially as described.
Fifth. The combination with an upwardly spring pressed movable arm, of contact
fingers provided with trolleys at their outer extremities, said trolleys engaging
parallel supply conductors, and tension springs for independently pressing said fingers
upwardly against the conductors, substantially as described.
Sixth. The combination with an upwardly spring pressed movable arm, of duplex
independent contact carrying upwardly spring pressed fingers and separate adjustable

page_text: tension springs for pressing said fingers upwardly against the conductors, substantially
as described.
Seventh. The combination of a contact arm, springs and compensating devices for
applying a substantially constant pressure thereto throughout its range of movement,
independent contact carrying fingers at the outer extremity of the arm for engaging
the conductors, and springs for maintaining upward pressure of the fingers, said
springs exerting substantially the same upward pressure as the springs controlling the
supporting arm, substantially as described.
Eighth. The combination with a moving vehicle and a motor propelling the same,
of an upward pressure contact arm insulated independent contacts at the outer
extremity thereof adapted to engage positive and negative supply conductors, and
positive and negative branch conductors extending from the separate contacts to the
motor, substantially as described.
Ninth. The combination with an upward pressure contact arm, of contact carrying
fingers mounted upon said arm and provided with means for separately pressing said
fingers against the conductors and stops for limiting the upward movement of the
fingers substantially as described.
Dated this 6th day of April 1889.
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Patent Agents.