Improvements in Tramway Points Operated from the Vehicle.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Sept., 1893-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Tramway Points Operated from the Vehicle.
I, ROBERT PARNABY, 25, Carter Street, Newport, Middlesbro, Engineer's
Foreman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
_
Improvements in tramway points operated from the vehicle, by the driver, at
any convenient distance approaching the points (without alighting or stopping
the car) by the arrangement of a lever, and a special wheel to run in the groove
of the rail (only) which comes in contact with the points arrangement and throws
it open, which remains so until the car passes over; when the same wheel detatches
the arrangement and the point then falls back to its original possition, and re-
mains self acting with car wheels on returning the invention can be made to
work either right or left-hand points, and also be fitted to points that are already
laid.
P
1 1000
Improvements in Tramway Points Operated from the venicie.
ROBERT PARNABY, 25, Carter Street, Newport, Middlesbro', Engineer's
Foreman, 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 relates to improvements in tramway points operated from the
vehicle whereby the driver may at any convenient distance approaching the points
adjust suitable small wheels made and arranged to run in the groove of each rail
immediately in advance of vehicle wheels in order to operate on points either in
right or left hand side of the permanent way. These operating runners or wheels
are adjusted by a lever and screw similar to the brake gear and fitted conveniently
near to it on the end of vehicle.
In the annexed drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved tramway
point operating mechanism and Figures 2 and plan views shewing the point
in the closed and open positions respectively. Figures 4 and 5 are details herein-
after more particularly referred to.
According to my invention a small wheel termed hereafter the operator A
Figure 1 is attached to a similar lever to that employed to actuate the ordinary
brake and is arranged so that it may be lowered to engage with the groove of

page_text: the tram rail in which it turns until it meets the crank a which it depresses in
turn actuating the rod M R suitably attached to the crank aforesaid and which
rod is connected to the plate H shaped as indicated in Figures 2 and 3 and pivoted
or fulcrumed at F so that the movement of the crank a when depressed by the
operator A is transmitted thereto by the rod M R moving the same and causing
the pin P upon the nose piece of the plate to engage with and shift the point b
to close same. The plate His retained by means of the pawl or click which
engages with the end of the plate as shewn in Figures 2 and 3 and more particu-
larly Figure 4 and which pawl or click is carried by the forked end of the rod RR
Figure 1 provided with a counter balance weight C B and actuated from the
crank R to which the rod R R is connected. When the operating runner A passes
over the crank R it depresses same releasing the pawl C from its engagement with
the plate which is thereon returned to its normal or operative position by the
weight B acting upon the point band returning same to its original or "closed"
position Figure 2. An opening is formed in the point case sloping downwards
into a recess through which any dust or accumulation of matter is forced by the
movement of the point and falls into a recess formed to receive it, thereby pre-
venting the accumulated matter interfering with the free action of the point
which is of importance to ensure the efficient movement of the point. An anti-
friction guide S is provided for the rod R R Figures 1, 2 and 3.
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:-
First. The method of and means employed for operating the points of tram-
way lines and the like from the vehicle substantially in the manner and for the
purposes herein set forth and shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Second. In tramway points actuated from the vehicle the employment of an
operating wheel or runner A attached to the tram and worked by the tram driver
in combination with the hereinbefore described point opening and closing mech-
anism and release gear and self cleaning arrangement all as herein set forth and
shewn.
Third. The herein before described mechanism and release gear for opening
and closing tramway points operated from the vehicle comprising a pivoted plate
or carrier H for operating the point by means of the crank a and the motion
rod M R in combination with the releasing crank R releasing rod R R retaining
pawl C and balance weights before referred to all as herein more particularly
described and shewn.
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