IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR WORKING THE SWITCHES OR POINTS OF RAIL- WAYS
Year: 1873

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lanc,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR WORKING THE SWITCHES OR POINTS OF RAIL-
WAYS."—A communication from abroad by Henri Nicolas Rogé and
Pierre Hippolyte Baffoy, both of Paris, France.
Scaled the 15th July 1873, and dated the 20th January 1873.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 20th January 1873.
I, ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lanc, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR WORKING THE SWITCHES OR
POINTS OF RAILWAYS," to be as follows:
This Invention relates to apparatus, by the aid of which railway
switches or points may be set by the engine driver himself, thereby
dispensing with the services of the ordinary pointsman, and affording
additional security for the safe working of the linc.

page_text: The Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, Figure 1
of which shows a side elevation of a locomotive engine provided with
the apparatus of this Invention; Figure 2 shows a plan of a line of rails
provided with switches or changing places for one or two branch lincs,
also arranged according to these improvements; Figuro 3 is a plan on a
larger scale of a switch for a single branch line; Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8,
show details herein-after described. The reference letters apply to all
the Figures.
a, locomotive and tender; b, plate made of the form shown in Figures ‹k,
5, 6, and 7, and carrying a projection c; d, pivot of plate b, fixed on the
engine in such position that projection c will travel just above the level
of the line, as seen in Figure 1; f, stud carried on plate b, on which is
jointed a connecting rod g, operated by a hand lever to placed within
reach of the driver; h, quadrant plate, having notches for holding
lever to in three positions, 1, 2, 3, Figure 4 of c; i, main line of railway,
with changing places for two lines j, k, and three lines l, m, n; o, o,
movable tongue or switch rails of the two lines j, k; p, p, q, q, movable
tongue rails of the three lines l, m, n; r, r, the rods connecting tongue
rails o, o; 8, 8, similar ties connecting tongue rails p, p, q, q; u, bar for
setting switches o, pivoted at one end to a sleeper, and connected at its
other end with the tie rod r; x, y, similar oscillating bars of lines l, m, n,
pivoted at to a sleeper, and connected at their free ends with cross
Lics 8, 4, of switch rails p, q, respectively; a', weighted lever for holding
the switch rails o, o, in the position in which they are set by the pro-
jection c; b', c', similar weighted levers for switches p, p, q, q.
The whole being arranged as described the following is the action of
thic apparatus:-Suppose the locomotive to be travelling in the direction
of the arrow 4, Figure 2, and the lever w to be so placed as to bring the
projection c into the position 3, Figure 4, said projection on meeting
bar u will bear against its left side, and bring it to the position shown in
dotted lines in Figure 3, and thereby shift the position of the switch
rails o, o, by acting on the bar a, with which the tie bar is connected,
With
so as to cause the locomotive to pass from line i on to line k, k.
the parts in this new position suppose another engine to pass over the
points with its projection c in the same position d³, Figure 4, it also will
pass on to line k, k, but if the projection be placed in the position d',
Figure 4, it will bear against the right side of bar a, and bring it and
also the switch rails o, o, back to their former position, so that the loco-

page_text: motive will pass from line i, i, to j, j. The change of way for three
lines of railway is similarly operated. Suppose the locomotive to be travel-
ling in the direction of the arrow 5, Figure 2, if lever to be moved so as
to bring projection c to the position d', Figure 4, that is to say, in the
centre line of the rails, said projection will pass between the two oscil-
lating bars x, y, without operating either, and the locomotive would pass
from the main line i, i, on to line m, m, which forms a continuation of
same. If however projection c be in the position d², Figure 4, it would
bear against the left side of bar x, and oscillate the same, so as to shift
the switch rails p, p, and thic locomotive would pass from the main
linc i, i, on to line 1, 1. With the projection in the position d³, Figure 4,
it will bear against the right side of bar g, and cause it to shift tho
switch rails q, q, so that the locomotive may pass from the main line i, i,
on to line n, n. The projection c, before described, is made of taper
form, the point projecting downwards, and the sides flattened, so as to
form a kind of blade either to move the bars u to the right or left, or
pass between them, according to its position. Two projections c may be
placed on the locomotive, one in front and the other in rear, and both
operated by the same hand lever, to provide for running the locomotive
tender first, and with the same object a third projection might be placed
at the rear end of the tender, also operated by the same hand lever.
The oscillating bars u are preferably mado wedged-shaped, so as to
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 19th July, 1873.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, in the thirty-sixth
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Alexander Melville Clark, Her special licence

page_text: that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Melville Clark,
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 "IMPROVED
APPARATUS FOR WORKING THE SWITCHES OR POINTS OF RAILWAYS," a communi-
cation to me from abroad by Henri Nicolas Rogé and Pierre Hippolyte
Baffoy, both of Paris, France, upon the condition (amongst others) that
I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and
seals, 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 Alexander Melville Clark, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement, reference being had to the Sheet
of Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thercon (that is to say):
This Invention relates to means whereby railway points or switchics
may be set as required for the passage of a train by the engine driver
himself, thereby dispensing with the services of the ordinary pointsman,
and affording additional security for the safe working of the line.
In adopting these improvements no alteration is required in the
switches, except that the ordinary levers are replaced by one or more
pivoted bars, disposed longitudinally between the rails, and connected
with the movable tongues of the switch. A finger or projection is
carried at the front of the locomotive, which is set by the driver by
means of a hand lever in a central position between the rails, or to ono
side or the other of the centre line, as required. By this means, when
the locomotive approaches the points, the pivoted bars above mentioned
are caused to move in one direction or the other, according to the
position in which the finger carriod on the engine is placed, and thereby

page_text: to shift the position of the switch. The lever for setting the finger
works on a notched quadrant, and is held in place by a spring, so that it
cannot be shifted by the vibration of the engine. The especial feature
of the Invention is the arrangement and particular method of operating
the finger, which is made in the form shown, and fixed point downwards,
forming a kind of blade placed edgewise in the direction of the line which
moves the said pivoted bar or bars to the right or left, or passes without
operating them when it is not desired to shift the points. A second
finger may be placed on the locomotive at the rear, both being operated
by the same hand lever, to provide for running backwards, as is fre-
quently necessary, and with the same object a similar finger might be
placed at the rear of the tender in a tender engine, also operated by the
same land lever.
The oscillating bars are preferably made of a double wedge shape, so
as to present an inclined surface for the finger to act on.
Onc great
advantage obtained is that the driver may prepare beforehand while tho
train is running for changing lines, by setting the finger or fingers in the
proper positions.
This Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, Figure 1
of which shows a side elevation of a locomotive engine provided with
the apparatus of this Invention; Figure 2 shows a plan of a line of rails
provided with switches, or changing places for one or two branch lines,
also arranged according to these improvements; Figure 3 is a plan on a
larger scale of a switch for a single branch line; Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8,
show details herein-after described. The reference letters apply to all
the Figures.
a, locomotive and tender; b, plate made of the form shown in Figures 4,
5, 6, and 7, and carrying a finger c; d, pivot of plate 6, fixed on the
engine in such position that finger c will travel just above the level of
the line, as seen in Figure 1; f, stud carried on plate b, on which is
jointed a connecting rod g, operated by a hand lever to, placed within
reach of the driver; h, quadrant plate, having notches for holding
lever to in three positions, which respectively bring the finger c into the
three positions represented by the dotted lines 1, 2, 3, 4, Figure 4; i,
main line of railway, with changing places at the left hand side of the
Figure for two lines j, k, and at the right hand side for three lines l, m, n;
o, o, movable switch rails or tongues of the two lincs j, k; p, p, I, I,
switch tongues of the three lines l, m, n; 1,1º, tie rods connecting switch.

page_text: rails 0, 0; 8, 8, similar ties connecting switch rails p, p, q, q; u, bar for
switches o, pivoted at one end v to a sleeper, and connected at its other
end with the tic rod r; x, y, similar oscillating bars of lines l, m, n,
pivoted at to a sleeper, and connected at their free ends with cross
tics 8, t, of switch rails p, q, respectively; a', weighted lever for holding
the switch rails o, o, in the position in which they are set by the finger c ;
b', c', similar weighted levers for switches p, p, q, Q.
The whole being arranged as described the following is the action of
the apparatus-Suppose the locomotive to be travelling in the direction
of the arrow 4, Figure 2, and the hand lever wo to be so placed as to
bring the finger c into the position 3, Figure 4, said finger on meeting
bar will bear against its left side, and bring it to the position shown in
dotted lines in Figure 3, and thereby shift the position of the switch
rails o, o, by acting on tho bar x, with which bar is connected, so as to
cause the locomotive to pass from line ion to linc, . With the
parts in this new position, suppose another engine to pass over the points
with its finger c in the same position d', Figure 4, it also will pass on to
linck, k, but if the finger be placed in the position &², Figure 4, it will
bear against the right side of bar w, and bring it and also the switch
rails o, o, to their former position, so that the locomotive will pass from
line i, i, to j, j. The change of way for three lines of rail is similarly
operated. Suppose the locomotive to be travelling in the direction of
the arrow 5, Figure 2, if hand lever to be moved so as to bring finger c
to the position &, Figure 4, that is to say, over the centre liuc of the
rails, said finger will pass between the two oscillating bars x, y, without
operating either, and the locomotive would pass from the main line i, i,
on to line m, m, which forms a continuation of same. If however finger c
be in the position &, Figure 4, it would bear against the left side of bar x,
and move the same so as to shift the switch rails p, p, and the locomotive
would pass from the main line i, i, on to line 1, 1. With the finger in
the position d', Figure 4, it will bear against the right side of bar g, and
cause it to shift the switch rails 7, 7, so that the locomotive may pass
from the main line i, i, on to line n, n.
Figures 9 to 19 show modifications in the apparatus herein-before
described for working the switches or points of railways. These modifi-
cations consist, first, in the substitution of a conical friction roller in licu
of the finger or projection, whereby the shifting of the points is more
smoothly effected, and with much less friction; 2ndly, in arranging tho

page_text: oscillating bars so that the friction roller does not quit the same until
the locomotive is on the line on to which it has been switched; 3rdly, in
an arrangement of parts for setting the friction roller in position to
oscillate the bars in one or other direction as required.
Figure 9 shows a plan of the points for a line branching in two direc-
tions e, f; Figure 10, a plan of the points for a line branching in three
directions i, j, k; Figure 11 shows a plan on a larger scale of the oscil-
lating bar for working the points shown in Figure 9; Figures 12 and 13,
a double bar in the open and closed positions for working the points
shown in Figure 10; Figure 14 shows a top plan of the conical friction
roller; Figures 15 and 16, side views; and Figure 17, an under side plan
of the same; Figure 18 shows an under side plan of the mechanism for
operating the friction roller by means of a rod having a rectilinear
motion; Figure 19 shows the same in vertical clevation. The same
reference letters apply to all these latter Figures. a, rails; b, b', points
or switches maintained in position by weighted levers c; d, oscillating
bar (also seen in detached view, Figure 11), one end of which is pivoted
at point g, while the other end is attached to the tie rod of switch b;
h, h¹, double oscillating bars for the points shown in Figure 10. The
bar is attached to rod 1, and operates the tongues b, b, while bar h¹ is
attached to rod m, and operates tongues b', b¹. n, n, tic rods of the two
pairs of switch tongues; o, conical friction roller, forming a substitute
for the finger described in the first arrangement.
Figures 18 and 19 show another method of operating the conical
friction roller by means of a screw p, carrying a pinion q, receiving
motion from rod r. 8, slides, in which works a nut t, carrying the
roller o, and through which screw passes. By the aid of such an
arrangement the friction roller may be withdrawn more or less, so that
it will pass the switch bars without acting on same.
The adjustment of the friction roller may however be effected in many
other ways.
Having described the nature of the Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim as the
Invention to be protected by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is, the combination and arrangement of apparatus for working
the switches or points of railways, substantially as herein shown and
described, and illustrated in the Drawings, the characteristic feature of

page_text: which is the adjustable finger or projection on the locomotive, capable of
being set by the engine driver in any suitable position for operating tho
switches, as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Nineteenth day of July, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
three.