IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FACING POINTS FOR TRAMWAYS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Scott of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
for an Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FACING POINTS
FOR TRAMWAYS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Scott at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th August 1882.
HENRY SCOTT, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster
AND RELATING TO FACING POINTS FOR TRAMWAYS.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention has for its object to so construct facing points for tramways, that
they are to a certain extent self clearing and not so liable to get choked with
street débris, as the facing points at present in use, and also to so construct facing
points that they can be worked automatically by the passage of the tram car.
My Invention consists in constructing a facing point in combination with a grid,
which grid is placed over a receptacle, which receptacle may, if desired lead to the
street sewer, or other street conduit, which will convey the rain storm, or other
waters, which may find their way into the receptacle.
The facing point is a V shaped tongue pivotted at its broad end to one end of
the grid, which is constructed so that the facing point works over the bars of the
grid and form with the grid, the necessary groove, in line with the tramway metal,
the sides of the grid being raised to the level of the tramway metal and the facing
point. The grid, if desired may be continued out on either side of the wheel
bearing portion. The bars of the grid are of A shape and the sides of the grid are
bevelled down so that the least possible obstruction is given to all stone, dirt,
gravel and the like that may find their way between the facing point and the
wheel bearing portion of the grid. By this combination of facing point all storm
and other waters will pass down the grid washing the facing point free from dirt,
instead of washing the dirt into the facing point as is the case with the common
construction of such points. The grid is placed over a receptacle which may be in
connection with the street sewer such receptacle being by preference provided
Povice 1

page_text: with a trap, and the grid and point are made removeable so that the receptacle can
be cleared of dirt accumulation when required. This construction of facing point,
saves much manual labour in clearing the point of dirt, so that it will work freely.
As a means of automatically working the point, I provide a rocking lever, or
equivalent device under the point. This rocking lever is connected to the point by
a bent arm and is operated by two vertical studs, which project one on either side
of the rail in front of the facing point. The point is worked by depressing these
studs, which depression is caused by a suitable projection attached to the front of
the tramway car, which is brought to bear upon the stud before the wheel enters
the facing point and so arranged that the driver of the tram car can cause the
depression of the stud on either side and thus guide the car by moving the point in
whichever direction required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Scott in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th February
•
1883.
HENRY SCOTT, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster IMPROVEMENTS IN
AND RELATING TO FACING POINTS FOR TRAMWAYS
My Invention has for its object to so construct facing points for tramways that
they are, as hereinafter described, self clearing and not so liable to get choked with
street débris as the facing points at present in use and also to so construct facing
points that they can be worked automatically by the passage of the tram car.
My Invention consists in constructing a facing point in combination with a grid,
or opening, which grid, or opening is placed over a receptacle, which receptacle
leads to the street sewer, or other street conduit which will convey away the rain,
storm, or other waters and débris which may find their way into the receptacle.
The facing point is a ☑ shaped tongue pivotted at its broad end to one end of
the grid which is constructed so that the facing point works over the bars of the
grid and forms with the grid the necessary groove in line with the tramway metal
the sides of the grid being raised to the level of the tramway metal and the facing
point. The grid if desired may be continued out on either side of the wheel
bearing portion. The bars of the grid are of
shape and the sides of the grid
are bevelled down so that the least possible obstruction is given to all stone, dirt,
gravel and the like that may find their way between the facing point and the
wheel bearing portion of the grid. By this combination of facing point all storm
and other waters will pass down the grid washing the facing point free from dirt
instead of washing the dirt into the facing point as is the case with the common
construction of such points. The grid is placed over a receptacle which is in con-
nection with the street sewer, or with a suitably constructed trap. This construction
of facing point saves much manual labour in clearing the point of dirt so that it
will work freely.
As a means of automatically working the point I provide a rocking lever or
equivalent device under the point. This rocking lever is connected to the point by
a bent arm and is operated by two vertical studs which project one on either side
of the rail in front of the facing point. The point is worked by depressing these
studs, which depression is caused by a suitable projection attached to the front of
the tramway car, which is brought to bear upon the stud before the wheel enters
the facing point and so arranged that the driver of the tram car can cause the
depression of the stud on either side and thus guide the car by moving the point in
whichever direction required.
The beforegoing being the nature, object, and purposes of my Invention, I will
now proceed to more particularly describe how the same may be carried out into
practical effect, and illustrate the construction of facing points and describe forms
thereof suitable for being employed in carrying my Invention into practice and for
that purpose
I have hereunto attached four sheets of Drawings illustrative thereof,
which Drawings are marked with letters and figures of reference corresponding
with those used in the following explanation. Like letters and figures denoting
the same, or corresponding parts throughout the various views and figures.
Figure 1 is a plan of a gridded facing point according to my Invention.
Figure 2 is sectional elevation of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a plan of the open construction of facing point,
Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of Figure 3.

page_text: •
Figure 5 is a plan of a modified form of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a plan showing another modification of Figure 1.
Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of Figure 7.
Figure 9 shows another modification of Figure 1.
Figure 10 is a plan of a gridded facing point according to my Invention in
combination with a mechanism for actuating the facing point.
Figure 11 is a sectional elevation of Figure 10.
Figure 12 is an end section of Figure 11 taken at the line A. B.
Figure 13 is an end section of Figure 11 taken at the line C. D.
Figure 14 is a side elevation of the truck of a tramway car fitted with an
apparatus for actuating the mechanism shown at Figure 12.
Figure 15 is an end view of Figure 14.
. The method of constructing a facing point for tramways according to my
Invention will be understood upon reference to the Drawings and consists in.
forming the bed on which the facing point switches, or moves a grid, or open bed.
Oue form of such a facing point is illustrated by Figures 1 and 2 in which A is the
facing point pivotted at A¹ over a receptacle C; the receptacle C being formed
with the usual side treads, or rails D. The gridded bed is formed by the lateral
bars band spaces & which extend between the side treads, or rails D. The feather
facing point A rests on these lateral bars b and has lateral movement thereon from
its pivotted end A¹ as will be understood. The bars b are preferably made of a
shaped section. The receptacle C is provided with an outlet C' from which
a pipe is led to the street sewer, or other conduit, or to a suitable trap. The
receptacle C is also provided with a door C2 by which access can be had to the
inside of the receptacle for removing any obstructing matter that may collect
therein. Another form may consist in constructing the facing point as shown at
Figures 3 and 4. In this case the lateral bars bare omitted and the point A works
over the open receptacle and bears only at its ends.
The use of the grid, or opening in the manner herein described is attendend with
great advantages, as the bed on which the facing point works is practially self
clearing and not liable to get choked up, with street débris as are the facing points
at present in use and the gridded, or open receptacle and outlet conveys away in a
ready and convenient manner, rain, or other waters and the débris which may find
their way into the receptacle. This gridded, or open construction of bed permits
the use of and successful working of an automatically operated point such as
hereinafter described.
Upon reference to Figures 1 to 9 inclusive, it will be seen that the extent and
nature of the gridding, or opening can be varied, namely it may consist of one, or
more spaces, or openings and that my Invention is not limited to the extent, or
nature of such gridding, or opening, it will also be understood that although I
have shown the receptacle C as constructed in one piece with the gridded bed, it
would be equally within the limits of my Invention to construct the receptacle C
of metal, cement, brickwork, or other suitable material independently of the bed,
the bed. forming a cover to the receptacle.
By Figures 10 to 13 inclusive there is shown a gridded facing point according
to my Invention in combination with a mechanism for actuating the facing point.
It will be seen that as a means of automatically working the facing point A,
I use the rocking lever F which has a jaw G which receives the projection a from
the underside of the point A. The lever F is fast on the shaft e which is supported
by the bracket K.-The other end of this shaft carries a lever H, the ends of which
are connected to and carry the forked studs J which are provided with the anti
friction rollers J¹ projecting through the bed as shown at Figures 10. 11. and 12.
The function of the studs J and the rollers J¹ is to throw over, or switch the point A
when one stud J is depressed. The necessary depression of the studs J is caused
by a projection attached to the tramway car and under control of the driver.

page_text: Such a projection is illustrated at Figures 14 and 15 and consists of the horizontal
bar M arranged on each side of the tram car as shown. The bar M is carried by
the two vertical rods N and is kept down by the springs n. The bar is raised by
the lever mechanism P which is connected by the rods Q to the operating lever R
on the tramcar. By the use of this mechanism, the driver of the car can lower the
projection M, so that it will, before the car takes the facing point, bear upon one
stud J and switch the point. I do not however claim the mechanism for working
the point as part of this Invention.
Having now described my Invention and shown how the same may be carried
out, I claim
First The use, in connection with points employed on tramways of a gridded, or
open receptacle, constructed substantially as herein described and for the purposes
set forth.
Second. The combination of parts consisting of a tramway facing point provided
with a feather point, pivotted to and working on a gridded, or open bed, in which
are received water and débris and connected with a sewer or trap for conveying
away what is received, substantially as herein described and shown in the Drawings
hereto annexed.
Third The respective modifications consisting of arrangements of_gridded facing
point arranged substantially as herein described and shown at Figures 1 to 13
inclusive of the Drawings hereto annexed.
In Witness whereof, I, the said Henry Scott have hereunto set my hand and
seal this ninth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
hundred and eighty three.