An Improved Appliance for Cleaning the Grooves of Tramway Rails.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 2nd June, 1890-Accepted, 5th July, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Appliance for Cleaning the Grooves of Tramway
Rails.
1, FRANK BRANSBY, of 6 Belgrave Terrace, Uplands, Swansea, in the County of
Glamorgan, Commercial Traveller, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows :-
This invention consists in an improved appliance for dislodging dirt, or other
matter or refuse from the grooves of tram rails and depositing the same clear of the
track.
The appliance consists of a "share" somewhat resembling the share of a plough.
At each end of the tram-car are fitted two such shares. They are hinged to a
plate over the plane of the rails and are capable of being raised and lowered on the
hinge, at will.
Bearing against the back of the share and tending to keep the latter in the
lowered position, that is to say with its point projecting into the groove of the rail, is
a spring.
By the use of this spring the share is enabled to yield on its hinge on coming
into contact with a stone wedged in the rail groove or with any similarly powerful
obstruction.
When not lowered, the share is held up clear of the rails by a chain or other
means.
NICHOLAS WATTS,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Appliance for Cleaning the Grooves of Tramway
Rails.
.
1, FRANK BRANSBY of 6 Belgrave Terrace, Uplands, Swansea, in the County of
Glamorgan, Commercial Traveller, 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 consists of an improved appliance which is carried by the traincar,
adapted for dislodging dirt or other matter or refuse from the grooves of the tram
rails and depositing the same clear of the track.
The appliance consists of "shares " somewhat resembling the shares of a plough,
two of which are carried at each end of the tram car.
To clearly explain the nature of my invention reference is made to the accompanying
drawings in which :-
Fig. 1 shows in elevation a portion of one end of a car with my appliance fitted
thereto.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of same.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the share and carrying arm detached.
Fig. 4 is a similar view of the latter only.
Fig. 5 is a similar view of the share.
Fig. 6 shows the share with its point detached.
Fig. 7 shows the point alone.
The share a is carried by a bent arm b which is pivoted or
plate c attached at some point to the framework of the car.
carry the shares are connected by rods, tubes, or bars, de so as
hinged to an arm or
The arms b b which
to form a species of

page_text: frame which is pivoted loosely on the pins f f attached to the arms or plates ce.
To
stiffen these arms they may be supported by a stay bar g if desired.
The shares are kept in contact with the rails. by means of springs h h attached
to the rod d and to short bars ii secured underneath the frame of the car. These
bars ii are of such a length as to allow of the springs having a lateral movement
when required. Adjusting screw nuts jj are intérposed between the springs and the
bar d to alter the pull or strain on same as required. In place of the two springs
one centrally placed may be used. These springs both tend to keep the shares in the
grooves and allow them to yield upon striking any obstruction.
To the other bar e a chain k is attached which is connected through a crank arm
to a rod passing beneath the floor of the car, which in turn is connected to a
second crank to which a chain attached to a pedal m is connected. This pedal is
placed in some position convenient to the driver. By means of a pin or other simple
device the driver is enabled to keep the pedal down when it is desired to raise the
share out of the grooves, as for instance when the car is running the other way and
the corresponding arrangement at the other end is being used.
The pins ff on which the frame carrying the shares works are of sufficient length
to allow of the frame moving laterally when the car is rounding a curve so that the
shares are kept always in the grooves of the rails. When on a straight piece of track
the frame is in about a midway position as shown.
Each of the shares a is provided with a point a¹ of hard steel which may be taken
off when worn to allow of another being substituted. To this end the point al is
first bolted or secured to the recessed portion n of the arm b and the share a is then
secured to the arm by means of the holes o and the corresponding holes in same in
which bolts or the like are secured.
I do not desire to confine myself to the particular arrangements shown for carrying
and operating the shares, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
An appliance for cleaning the grooves of tram rails consisting of shares pivotally
connected to a car and normally kept in the grooves of the rails by means of a
spring or springs and means for raising said shares substantially as described and
illustrated.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1800
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Applicant's Agent.