Improvements in Apparatus for Actuating Tramway Points.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1899-Accepted, 22nd July, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Actuating Tramway Points.
I, JOHN LLOYD, of 2, Morningside Road, Bootle, in the County of Lancashire,
Sugar Refiner, 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 is designed with the purpose of dispensing with the pointsman
on tram lines, and to enable the points to be operated by the driver of a tram
car.
In carrying my invention into effect I use apparatus consisting of two main
parts or features viz.:-(1) apparatus (hereinafter termed the car apparatus)
affixed to the platform of a street car in a position or positions convenient to the
driver and (2) apparatus (hereinafter termed the track apparatus) consisting of
a system of levers and mechanism, placed between the tram rails, flush with the
roadway and rails, and connecting the car apparatus with the point.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood drawings are
appended hereto illustrating one specific form thereof.
In these drawings:-
-
Figure I is a sectional elevation of the car apparatus above referred to.
Figure II is a sectional elevation of the track apparatus on the line 2-2 of.
Figure III.
Figure III is a plan of the track apparatus shown in sectional elevation in
Figure II.
In these drawings similar numerals and letters of reference indicate similar
parts.
In Figure I, 1 is a portion of the platform of a tram car. 2 is a standard
secured to the platform and through which a spindle 3 passes. This spindle 3
carries at its lower end a wheel 4 mounted in suitable bearings 5. The spindle 3
is enlarged at its upper end and boxed or hollowed at 6, and to this upper
end is attached a cap 7 through which a spindle 8 passes. The upper portion
of spindle 8 is provided with a coarse male thread 9 working in a corresponding
female thread in the crosshead 11 which is supported by pillars 12. Forming
part of, or fixed to, the spindle 8 are two collars 13 and 14, the lower one 14
fitting in the bore or hollow 6 in the upper end of the spindle 3. The spindle 8
has fitted to it between the collar 13 and the cap 7 at the upper end of the
spindle 3, a stout helical spring 15. 16 is a bearing supported by stays or ties 17
to steady and guide the spindle 3 when moved vertically.
In Figures II and III, 18, 19, 20 is a box built up of three castings, in which
the track apparatus is mounted. This box is fitted between the tram rails 22
and 23, with its top surface or cover flush with the roadway and tram rails.
Moveable or hinged plates 24 and 25 are fitted in the castings 18 and 19 on pivots
or spindles 24 and 25. These hinged plates rest at or near their ends on the
points of hell cranks 26 and 26 moving angularly on pivots 27 and 27. The
hell cranks 26 and 26ª are pivotted at 28 and 28 to connecting rods, 29, 29,
and 29, 29. The connecting rods are pivotted at their opposite ends 30 and 30°

page_text: to bell cranks 31 and 31 which are mounted on pivots 32 and 32. Transverse
to the connecting rods 29 and 29ª a sliding bar 33 is mounted in guides 33, 33ª
and pivotted at 34 and 34" to the bell cranks 31 and 31. Affixed rigidly to
the sliding bar 33 (at both ends or) at one end is an upright 35 passing through
a slot 36 in the top of the box and pivotted at 37 to the moveable point 21.
The connecting rods 29, 29, 29", 29" are fitted with turn buckles 38 and 38ª
for the purpose of the adjustment of their lengths and the connecting rods are also
made each in two parts 29 and 29 and 29" and 29" respectively. The ends of
the parts 29 and 29" are reduced at 39 and 39" and fit in and are capable of
sliding in the parts 29 and 29° which are bored to receive them. Between the
ends of the parts 29 and 29° and the shoulders formed by the reduction of the
parts 29 and 29" stout helical springs 39 and 39 are fitted.
For the purpose of preventing the hinged plates 24 and 25 from projecting or
working up above the roadway I provide them with tongues or buttons 40
and 40% and for the purpose of limiting the depression of the plates I provide
stops 41 and 41" cast on or fitted to the castings 18 and 19.
For the purpose of keeping the boxes free from water I provide them with a
trap as at 42 or traps and I also provide a suitable hand hole (as at 43) or hand
holes for the removal of any mud or dirt which might accumulate in the boxes.
One of the car apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 is fixed on each side of the
driver and at such places as to come vertically over plates 24 and 25. Normally
the wheels 4 will be raised as shown in the drawing clear of the plates 24 and 25
shown in Figure 1.
The driver raises and depresses the wheel 4 at will by turning the worm 9
to the right or left by means of the handwheel 10. When the worm is turned
to depress the spindle and wheel, the helical spring being of sufficient stiffness
or resistance is pressed by the collar 13 against the cap 7 at the upper end of the
spindle 3 depressing it and with it the wheel 4 onto the roadway. In the event
of any obstruction, due to inequalities in the roadway, coming in the path of
the wheel 4, the wheel is allowed to pass over it without jar by reason of the
helical spring 15 which gives before the spindle 3 allowing it to move upward and
receive the end of worm spindle S in the hollow 6. The wheel having passed
over the obstruction the spindle 3 acted upon by the spring 15 is again depressed.
When the worm is turned to raise the spindle and wheel from the ground to its
normal position the collar 14 bearing on the cap 7 lifts the spindle 3 and wheel 4
with it.
The depression of either the hinged plates 24 or 25 acting on the ends of the
bell cranks 26 or 26 move them angularly around their pivots giving a forward
movement to the connecting rods 29, 29 or 29, 29°, these again being pivotted
to the bell cranks 31 and 31 move them angularly around their pivots imparting
in the first instance to the bar 33 a right hand movement by reason of its con-
nection with the bell crank 31 at the pivot 34 or in the second instance imparting
a left movement to the bar 33 by reason of its connection with the bell crank 31"
at the pivot 34. The point 21 being connected by the rigid upright 35 with the
sliding bar 33 receives a right or left hand movement from it.
A tram car being provided with two operating devices such as illustrated
in Figure 1, if on approaching a point it is desired to move the point 21 to the
right or left the driver depresses either the wheel at his left or right hand which
comes in contact with the plate and so operates the track apparatus.
In the event of the two plates 24 and 25 being depressed at the same time the
helical springs 39 and 39 being compressed allow of the telescoping of the
parts 29 and 29" with the parts 29 and 29°, thus compensating for the opposing
actions of the two plates.
I desire it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific con-
struction herein before described as it is obvious that any qualified engineer
may modify the details to an indefinite extent without departing from the
spirit of the invention,

page_text: 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:
1. The car apparatus substantially as set forth.
2. The track apparatus substantially as set forth.
3. In car apparatus of the kind specified the means for obviating jar when
inequalities in the roadway are encountered consisting of spindle 8, recess 6,
adapted to receive said spindle, and helical spring 15 for maintaining the parts
in their normal position, substantially as set forth.
4. In track apparatus of the kind specified the combination of a hinged plate
as 24, bell crank as 26 attached thereto and to one end of connecting rod, bell
crank as 30 attached to other end of connecting rod and to sliding bar as 33,
upright as 35, slot as 36, and movable point as 21, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
5. In track apparatus of the kind specified the means for telescoping the
connecting rod substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this 5th day of June 1899.
For the Applicant,
J. G. LORRAIN, M. I. E. E., M. I. Mech. E.,
Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agent.