Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1886.
Complete Left, 14th Dec., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 26th Apr., 1887.
NEVILLE STRETTON 117 Vine Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Manager
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My improvements consists in constructing the moveable point or tongue so as to be
easily replaced in case of wear or accident expediously and economically, also securing
the point or tongue when not in use on a firm and steady seating entirely preventing
any risk of displacement by wheels of vehicles passing over it.
The point or tongue being Automatic in its action requires no adjustment by the
tramcar attendant being always in its proper working position.
This I accomplish by the following means.
I construct a hollow casting or box as shewn in Figs. 1. 2. 5. 6 and marked A
Fig. 1 being the plan Fig. 2. the longitudinal section Figs. 5. 6. the transverse
sections.
This casting or box I secure by means of bolts P to another casting B or framework
of tee or angle iron if the latter is preferred, this casting or framework B is con-
structed as shewn in Figs. 2. 4. 5. 6 being the sections, and fixed and embedded in
concrete or masonry, also the casting or box A is further secured by the bolt Q being
embedded in concrete or masonry having an anchor piece R.
The moveable point or tongue I make in two parts, the parts CD being secured to
each other by means of the screws, E, F and a projection G fitted into a seating made in
the part D, the part C being renewable when required by taking out the screws, E, F.
The other part of the point. is a bearing or auxiliary point strengthening the point C
and bearing on the casting A at H the other part projecting into the box or
casting A.
Both parts being screwed together move on the screw E which is firmly screwed in
the casting A, at the end of the auxiliary point or bearing point D at the part
marked J I place a moveable rod K around which a spiral spring L Fig. 6 is coiled,
one end of the spring bearing on the edge of the box or casting A the other end of
the spring bearing against the moveable point D, when the Gripper presses on the

page_text: point C it compresses the spiral spring which immediately forces the point back into
its original position when the gripper has passed.
I do not confine myself to this arrangement as the same can be accomplished by a
lateral spring bolted on the inside of the box A and pressing against the side of the
auxiliary point D or by means of a bent lever and a weight, I however prefer the
spiral spring as shewn in Figs. 1. 2. 6.
In the casting or box A I place a moveable lid or cover M so as to more
readily adjust or replace the spring or for the purposes of oiling or cleaning when
necessary.
The box or casting A is secured to the slot rails by means of lugs N which are
bolted to the slot rails..
Figs. 2. 3. shew a piece of angle iron which I rivet to the slot rail for the point to
rest or seat itself upon.
What I claim in my invention in Automatic Cable Tramway Gripper slot
points are
First. Constructing the point in two parts and securing them together and
providing them with bearings and working parts for the purposes and substantially
as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Secondly. The adaption of the spring to the moveable point for the purposes and
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Thirdly. The construction and adaption of a bed or framework in conjunction with
the casting or box for the purposes and substantially as herein before described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Fourthly. The adaption and fixing of the angle iron on the slot rails for the
purposes and substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Neville Stretton have hereunto set my hand this
6th day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty six
NEVILLE STRETTON,
117, Vine Street, Liverpool.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cable Tramway Gripper Slot Points Making them
Automatic in Action.
NEVILLE STRETTON 117 Vine Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster
(Manager), 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 improvements consists in constructing the moveable points or tongues, so as to
be easily replaced or renewed, in case of accident or when worn, also securing the
points or tongues when not in use on a firm and steady seating preventing any risk of

page_text: the point being depressed or displaced by the wheels of vehicles passing over, or the
toe of the point being raised by a heavy weight, I also keep the space between the
points the same as the space is between the slot rails thus preventing the feet of cattle
being caught in the points as the space between the points and slot rail is smaller
than the seating of the point, so that the point is resting on the corresponding seating
on the opposite slot rail before it leaves the one it is resting or bearing upon, thus
rendering it impossible to depress it either by work or accident. To prevent the toe
of the point being raised by any means, I form the tongue with a projection which
passes under and takes the slot rails-I also make the point or tongue Automatic in
its action requiring no fixing or adjustment by the Tramcar attendant.
This I accomplish by the following means. I construct a hollow casting or box for
the points or tongues to be fitted or jointed to as shewn in Figs. 1. 2. 4. 5. 6 Sheet
one and marked A Fig. 1 being the plan Fig. 2. the Longitudinal section Figs. 4. 5. 6,
the Transverse sections.
This casting or box I secure by means of bolts P to another casting B shewn in
Sheet 1. Figs. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 Fig. 2 being the elevation, Figs. 4, 5. 6. the transverse
sections.
In sheet 2, it is shewn in Fig. 2. 3. and marked A Fig. 2 being the elevation and
Fig. 3. the transverse section. This casting I make to support the box or casting to
which the points or tongues are jointed or fixed to.
This support B in sheet 1-and A in sheet 2. I also make in wrought iron of angle
tee or iron and rivetted or bolted together, I however prefer the casting but do not
limit myself thereto.
The support B sheet I and A sheet 2 whether in one or more castings or in a
framework of wrought iron I fix and embed the same in either concrete masonry or
brickwork.
To further secure the support B sheet 1 and A sheet 2-I embed the anchor plate R
Fig. 2, sheet 1. in concrete or brickwork or masonry and bolt the same to the support
by the bolt QFig. 1, 2. sheet 1.
In sheet 1. I construct the point in two parts, C. being the tongue or working part,
D the auxiliary or bearing point, Figs. 1, 2, 3. 4. 5. 6.
The two parts, C and D being secured to each other by the screws E F, also by the
projection Ĝ in part of the point C, which fits into a corresponding seating made in
the part D Figs. 24, sheet 1-The part C being renewable when required by taking
out the screws E F, The part D being the auxiliary or bearing point strengthing
the part C, is provided with wearing parts and resting on them on the casting A at H,
Fig. 2 sheet 1.
The auxiliary or bearing point part D projects and runs into the casting or hollow
box A Figs. 1. 2. sheet 1. and at the end of the point marked J I place a moveable
rod K around which I place a spiral spring Figs. 1. 6 marked L sheet 1. the spring
one end of which is bearing against the moveable point the other part bears on the
side of the box A the gripper in passing presses on the point C presses the spring
which immediately forces the points CD into their original position when the gripper
has passed.
I also place the lever and weight as arranged and shewn in sheet 2. Figs. 1. 5
and marked V S. W against the auxiliary point D sheet 1 at the point marked ..J
to move the point as described, should the same be desired, or a lateral spring
may be used for the same purpose bolted to the side of the box A and pressing
against the point D.
I do not confine myself to either one of the above methods but prefer to use the
lever and weight.
In the casting or box A Figs, 1. 2. 5. 6 sheet 1. I place a moveable lid or cover M.
for the purpose of cleaning and oiling or adjusting the several parts as may be
required.
In sheet 2. I construct the point H in one piece or casting Figs. 1. 2. 4. 5. 6 secured
to the hollow box or casting E by means of the screw G and bearing on the box or
casting and on the bearings Q Fig. 2. I also form the point with a projection 1.

page_text: which takes the slot rail and prevents the toe rising in case of a very heavy weight
being passed over the point.
To make this point automatic I place the hollow box or casting V as shewn in
sheet 2. Figs. 1. 5. 6 this is provided with the bent lever S constructed as shewn in
Figs. 1. 5 sheet 2. and being acted upon by the weight W as shewn in Figs. 1. 5.
sheet 2. the bent lever pressing against the projecting piece F on the point H and
being acted upon by the weight W presses the point on its original bearing when the
gripper has passed.
The box or casting V also the box or casting E sheet 2, and the box or casting A
sheet 1-I secure to the slot rails in the same manner as shewn in sheet 1 and
marked N Figs. 1. 2. In sheet I make the casting or box E Figs. 1. 2. so
that the ordinary paving stones may be used or if preferred wooden blocks or
concrete.
To provide the point C sheet 1. Figs. 1. 2. 4. 5. 6 with a seating or bearings I rivet
or bolt a piece of angle iron Fig. 2, O on to the slot rails on either side or if preferred
cast or roll the same bearings in the solid with the slot rail, To prevent wheels of
vehicles or neat cattle getting fast in the slot, I sink the bearings on the slot rail level
with the point or tongues and make the points wider than the space between the slot
rails thus giving greater strength to resist strain or weight and preventing the point
being depressed.
Having now described the nature of my invention and the manner in which the
same is to be performed I wish it to be understood that I claim as my invention of
Improvements in Cable Tramway Gripper slot points making them Automatic
in action.
1st. Making the points in one or two parts as shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
2nd. The adaption of the spiral spring to the moveable points as herein before
described and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
3rd. The adaption of a lever and weight to the moveable point for the purposes
and substantially as herein before described and shewn in the accompanying
drawings.
4th. The construction and adaption of a hollow casting or box for the points or
tongues to be jointed or fixed to as shewn and for the purposes as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
5th. The construction of the cast iron bed or wrought iron framework or bed in
conjunction with the hollow casting or box for the purposes and substantially as
herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
6th. The construction of the slot rails in the solid with bearings for the points or
rivetting on or bolting on angle or other iron for bearings for the points as herein
before described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof 1 the said Neville Stretton have hereunto set my hand this
14th day of December 1886.
NEVILLE STRETTON.