Improvements in Electric Railways.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Dec., 1893-Accepted, 27th Jan., 1894
CUMI DELE
Improvements in Electric Railways.
We JOHN CHARLES LOVE, of 817 Rookery Buildings, La Salle and Adams
Streets, Chicago, Illinois, Electrical Engineer, and ALBERT GALLATIN WHEELER
of same place, Capitalist, both in the United States of America, 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 electric railways of that class wherein
the electric conductor or conductors conveying the currents from the central
generating plant to the motors on the cars are located within a slotted conduit
beneath the surface of the roadway and wherein travelling contact devices are
attached to the car and extend into the said conduit for conducting the current from
the conductors therein to the car.
The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and pointed out in
the appended claims.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a view in central vertical section of the travelling contact devices
embodying the invention, together with adjacent parts of the car and conduit.
Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal or plan section of the parts upon the car,
taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an enlarged detail section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a detail vertical section on line 5-5 of Figure 2.
Figure 6 is a detail plan view of parts shown in Figure 2, illustrating the move-
ment of the trolley carrying bar.
Figure 7 is a detail section taken on line 7-7 of Figure 2.
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail side view of the contact device within the
conduit.
Figure 9 is a plan view of the same.
Figure 10 is a detail view showing one of the contact devices, illustrating changed
positions thereof.
Figure 11 is a similar view showing other changed positions thereof.
Figure 12 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the truck frame of a
car, showing a form of trolley bar carrier modified from that previously shown and
adapted to adjust itself automatically.
Figure 13 is a bottom plan view on a larger scale showing the carrier and its
supporting frame detached from the truck fraine.
Figure 14 is a top plan of the same, some of the parts being broken away for
clearer illustration.
Figure 15 is an end clevation of the carrier.
Figure 16 is a view in perspective of a line wire supporting device.
Figure 17 is a view in cross-section of the same.
Figure 18 is a perspective view of one part or half of the metal clamp.
Figure 19 is a perspective view of one of the gripping plates.
Figure 20 is a perspective view of one of the insulating blocks.
Figure 21 is a sectional view showing a modification of the construction illustrated
in the other figures of the drawing.
Figure 22 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through a conduit and illus-
trating one form of apparatus for maintaining the line wire under tension.
Figure 23 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1.

page_text: Figure 24 is a side elevation, on a larger scale, of the tension device for the
conducting wire.
Figure 25 is a transverse section, illustrating, in end view, the parts seen in
Figure 3.
Figure 26 is a longitudinal section of a telescoping or compensating coupling
for two sections of the conducting wire.
As shown in Figures 1 to 7 of the said drawings, A indicates the frame or
platform of the car, B the truck-frame, C C¹ the wheel axles, and C2 C² the wheels
thereon. D indicates the electric motor, which is mounted on a frame D' pivotally
supported on one, C, of the wheel axles at one end and connected at its other end
with the truck frame B by means of a bolt d and spring D, in a manner heretofore
common. E indicates a vertical supporting bar or arm which is attached at its
upper end to the truck and extends downwardly through the slot of the conduit,
into the same for sustaining the travelling contact device. Said bar E is supported
at its upper end by a horizontal carrying bar F arranged longitudinally of the car
beneath the center of the same and provided at its middle part with a guide
aperture through which said bar E is adapted to slide vertically, and with means
by which said bar is detachably connected therewith. The bar F is engaged at its
opposite ends with two transversely arranged horizontal guide bars GG', with
which the ends of the bar F have sliding connection so that either end of said
bar F may move or slide laterally thereon. The guide bars G Gmay be supported
in any suitable mauner from the truck frame. As herein shown, the said guide
bars G G are secured at their ends in the vertical flanges of two longitudinally
arranged angle bars suitably supported from the truck frame. In the particular
construction herein illustrated said bars are supported at their ends adjacent
to the axle by being extended upwardly and bolted to an end cross-girt B' of
the truck frame, and also by means of vertical bars attached at their upper
ends to longitudinal bars 2 which extend over the wheel axle and are also
attached to said cross-girt B'. The ends of said angle bars adjacent to the motor D
are shown as attached to a cross-piece which is secured at its ends to inclined
frame bars which are attached to central cross-girts B3 133 of the truck
frame said bars also affording support for the mctor frame D', in the manner
illustrated.
P
The carrying bar being supported upon horizontal, transversely arranged guide
rods, is obviously adapted for lateral movement, and the general purpose of this
construction is to permit the supporting bar E and contact devices thereon to be
moved or shifted laterally with reference to the car truck and to thereby prevent
binding of the said arm upon the sides of the slot in the conduit.
The carrying bar F, while adapted to slide freely at both ends upon the guide
rods GG, is not left free to move laterally at both ends when the car is running,
but a detachable holding device or retainer is provided at each end of the
carrying bar, whereby either one end or the other thereof may be held from move-
ment and the other end left free, so that one end of the bar may swing or oscillate
laterally while the other end is held from sidewise movement. The general purpose
of this construction is to enable one end of the carrying bar to move sidewise when
the car is going in one direction and the other end to move sidewise when the car
is going in the opposite direction, thereby affording a uniform action on the parts
under all circumstances. Devices herein shown for this purpose are made as
follows: H H are movable notched plates or retainers adapted to engage the ends
of the bar F. Said retainers are provided with notches of the proper size to
receive the end of the bar F, and the retainers are made movable toward and from
the bar so that they may be engaged with and disengaged therefrom at pleasure.
The outer ends of said notches are preferably widened or made divergent, as shown,
so as to form guide surfaces to insure the proper engagement of the retainer with
the bar and to shift the end of the bar to its central position in case it is located
at one side or the other thereof at the time the retainer is advanced toward the bar
for engaging the same.

page_text: In the particular construction herein shown the retainers H. H' are pivotally
supported so as to have oscillatory movement toward and from the ends of the bars,
said holders being attached to rock-shafts h² h³ which have bearings at their ends
in the vertical flanges of the angle-bars b. Suitable stops are provided for
limiting the backward movement of the retainers, said stops being herein shown
as formed by means of rods secured at their ends to the angle irons & band
extending between the same at the rear of the rock shafts 2 h³.
For the general purposes of the invention the retainers H H may be moved by
hand for the purpose of engaging them with or disengaging them from the carrying
bar, but said retainers are herein provided, as a more convenient means of operating
the same, with a device connecting the rock-shafts ³ in such manner that said
rock shafts will be turned or rotated together in the same direction, so that when
one of the retainers is lifted or thrown backwardly away from one end of the
carrying bar the other retainer will be thrown forward or downward into engage-
ment with the opposite end of said bar. As a convenient means of accomplishing
this result we have provided said rock shafts ³ with crank-arms the onter
ends of which are pivoted to a connecting rod. The extent of the oscillatory
movement of the retainers is somewhat less than one-half rotation, and the parts
are so arranged that when one of the retainers is moved by the hand to engage it
with or disengage it from the carrying bar, a corresponding movement will be
transmitted to the other retainer.
In order to enable the retainers to be easily actuated we have shown the
rock shaft of one of them extended to form ac actuating shaft which
extends to the side of the car (Figure 7) and is there provided with a hand lever
by which it may be easily turned to move the retainer to which the shaft is
attached.
??
As shown in the drawings, the bar F is provided with a central opening or slot
through which the bar E passes and in which is adapted to slide vertically;
said bar being supported at a desired height by means of a pin inserted through
one of the series of holes e e e in the upper end of the bar and adapted to rest
upon the top edge of the carrying bar F. To provide for detaching the arm E
laterally from the said carrying bar, the latter is made in two pieces or parts, to
wit, a main part F provided with a central notch, forming the central opening or
slot, and a plate or latch F. Said latch F is hinged or pivoted at one end to the
part F at one side of the notch by a pivot stud so as to swing in a vertical
plane, while its free end is adapted to engage with the part at the opposite side
of the notch, being for this purpose provided with a notch which is adapted to
engage with a headed stud on said part F. The end of said plate F² is positively
locked or held in place when engaged with the stud by means of a cotter-pin/3
which is inserted through a hole in the plate F and through a corresponding
hole in the section F¹.
The plate enables the supporting bar E to be easily disengaged from the
carrying bar when it is desired to remove the contact device from the car. The
sliding of the said bar E vertically in the carrier bar allows the contact device to
be lifted above or out of the conduit without disengaging it from the carrier bar.
This construction enables the cars to be easily run upon side tracks in a barn or
elsewhere when not in use, the bar with the contact devices thereon being at such
time lifted above the surface of the ground and the arm E being secured in its
elevated position by a suitable fastening device, that herein shown consisting of a
hole el near the lower end of the bar, through which hole a cotter pin is inserted
in position to rest on the carrying bar and thereby hold the bar in its elevated
position, as shown in Figure 5.
The contact device shown in Figures 8-11 embodies certain features of improve-
ment and is constructed as follows: To the lower end of the bar E is attached a
block I of insulating material, to each side of which is secured a metal plate J
provided with an outwardly extending horizontal bearing pin J. Mounted upon
said bearing pin is a vertically swinging trolley arm K carrying at its outer

page_text: end a wheel or trolley L. The arm K consists of three separate pieces or
sections K K K³, and these parts are pivotally connected with each other in such
manner that the extreme end of the arm is adapted to turn or rotate about an axis
extending longitudinally of the arm, and also about a transverse axis arranged in
a vertical plane. The arm being adapted to swing in a vertical plane about the
pivot J, its free end and the trolley thereon is therefore free to move in three
different directions, to wit, it is adapted to rise and fall in a vertical direction; to
swing or rotate on its own axis, and to swing laterally on its vertical, transverse
axis. The forms of pivotal connection between the parts K K² and K³ herein
shown are as follows: The part or section K' is provided at its outer end with a
cylindric pin which enters a socket in the section K³, said section K' being
held in engagement with the bearing pin by means of a screw stud³ which passes
through a transverse slot in the section K² and is secured to the said bearing pin
so as to permit a limited oscillatory movement of the section K on the bearing
pin, while holding the said parts from shifting endwise or becoming detached.
Said section K is provided at its outer end with a lug through which is
inserted a transverse bearing pin on which is pivoted the outer section K³ of the
arm said outer section being provided with a hub K which is offset from the
main part of the arm so that the trolley wheel L comes opposite or in the same
vertical plane with the pivot pin 7. The pivot pin or stud being arranged in a
vertical plane, on the same plane in which the entire arm K swings or moves, the
outer section K³ is adapted to oscillate laterally, or, in other words, to allow the
trolley wheel to swing toward and from the center of the conduit. This oscilla-
tory movenient of the outer section K³ is limited to the opposing surfaces or
shoulders on the sections K' and K³ respectively, so as to maintain the trolley
wheel approximately in its working position when disengaged from the conducting
wires.
In Figure 4 is shown in cross-section the conduit M and track rails N, said
conduit being provided with a central slot m having deep flanges m' m' at either
side thereof which form lateral spaces or grooves in which are located the con-
ducting wires 0. The depending flanges m' m' thus arranged serve to protect
the wires and prevent access thereto of mud or water which may enter the conduit
through the slot. The wires in a conduit of this kind are necessarily heavy and
supported at frequent intervals and stretched very tight, so that they are relatively
stiff and unyielding and incapable of any considerable lateral movement, and the
trolley carrying device being held from lateral movement by the sides of the slot
which engage the arn E, it is obvious that considerable freedom of movement and
capacity for adjustment in the trolley wheels is necessary in order to enable them
to follow the wire notwithstanding lateral variations in its position with reference
to the central slot of the conduit. For this purpose the arm K is jointed, as
described, the longitudinal pivot enabling the trolley wheel to assume a transversely
inclined position, as seen in Figure 11, so as to bear directly upon the wire when
the arm K is lifted slightly from its central position beneath the same, while the
transverse pivot enables the trolley wheel to swing laterally and to thereby follow
the wire easily and smoothly in passing around curves.
L' is a coiled spring attached at one end to the arm K near its free end, and at
its opposite end to the block I in such manner that the tension of the spring will
tend to hold the free end of the arm clevated and the trolley wheel thereon in
contact with the conducting wire. The spring is shown as secured at one end to
an eye attached to the stud ', and at its opposite end to an eye i secured to the
end of the block I; the part of the spring adjacent to the eye being carried over
a curved bearing surface of the block. L is a spring which is connected with
the said arm and extends downwardly to and is connected with said block 1.
Said spring L serves to restrain the arm K from rising to a vertical position and
therefore avoids possibility of the said arm being thrown backwardly past or over
the pivot when the vehicle is moving in a direction to carry the contact device
with the free end of the arm K forward. Said spring L is shown as attached to

page_text: Scented in the lower end of the stud and to an eye z in the end of the
block I.
While we have shown the trolley wheel as mounted upon the end of the arm K
to make contact with the conductor, yet as far as the operation of the said arm is
concerned, a sliding or other form of contact device may be employed in place of
the said trolley wheel with the same general results.
Two conducting wires are shown in the drawings as located in the conduit, and
the travelling contact device embraces two separate arms K and wheels or contact
pieces thereon. In the construction illustrated the plates J J carrying the said
arms are electrically insulated from each other by the block I and separate
electric conductors P P extend from the said plates to the motor on the car, this
construction obviously being adapted for use in connection with a distributing
system wherein both the supply and return conductors are formed by conducting
wires. The features herein claimed as my invention, however, may be applied as
well to other systems of distribution, as for instance, where a single conducting
wire only is used and the track rail constitutes a return conductor.
The conductors P P which lead from the plates J J to the motor are herein
shown as secured to the bar E, where they extend along the same, by means of
U-shaped plates P P which embrace the edges of the plates and form inclosed
spaces or channels within which the conductors are placed.
An important feature of the construction herein shown is that embracing a
laterally movable connection between the upper end of the supporting bar E and
the car, whereby said supporting bar while held in a vertical position is free to
move laterally with reference to the car and may thus adjust itself to the lateral
movement or variations in the position of the car or car truck relatively to the
conduit slot, in which the said supporting bar closely fits and travels, and a further
important feature of the invention is embraced in the construction wherein, in
connection with the supporting bar so connected with the car or truck, is employed
a contact device having trolley wheels or contact pieces which are free to move
both laterally and vertically with reference to the supporting bar, so that while
the said bar is allowed to follow the slot, notwithstanding lateral variations in the
position of the car or truck, the trolley wheel or contact device is also adapted to
follow the wire notwithstanding lateral variations of the wire from strict parallelism
with the said slot.
The swivel joint between the sections or parts K and K of the arm K is of
importance inasmuch as it affords the principal means of permitting lateral move-
ment of the top of the trolley L with reference to the supporting bar E in order
to compensate for variations of the conductor from strict parallelism with the
conduit slot. The pivotal connection between the sections K and K³, in the
construction shown, not only allows the trolley or contact piece to assume an
angular position with reference to the slot in passing around curves, but insures
that the contact piece or trolley wheel shall remain parallel with the wire or
approximately in the same plane therewith so as to run smoothly thereon; it being
obvious that when the arm K is inclined in the manner shown in the drawings, the
rotation of the section K on the section K' or of the section K3 on the section K³
will itself tend to throw the wheel L out of the same plane with the wire, but that
a partial turning of both of said parts will pertait the wheel to remain exactly in
the same plane with the wire. It is obvious, furthermore, that the pivotal joints
arranged as described, insure the smooth travelling of the trolley on the wire
whatever may be the angular position of the arm K. As for instance, if the parts
are so arranged that said arm is depressed into a horizontal position when the
trolley wheel is engaged with the wire, that the lateral movement of the part of the
trolley wheel engaged with the wire will be secured by rotation of the part or
section K on the part or section K, while if the said arm K is more nearly
vertical said lateral movement will be afforded mainly by movement of the
section 3 on the pivot k. It will of course be understood that the trolley wheel,
if free to take the position most favorable for running smoothly on the wire, will

page_text: stand parallel with the same or, in the same plane with the wire, and, as before
stated, such freedom of movement in the trolley wheel will be afforded by the two
joints arranged in the manner set forth.
In eonduit systems of this nature it is desirable, for many reasons, that the
trolley bar should maintain a fixed lateral relation to the slot of the conduit within
which it travels notwithstanding the lateral movement with relation to said slot of
the car body, or car truck, upon which the upper end of said trolley bar is
supported, as for instance, to avoid cramping or binding of the trolley bar in the
slot of the conduit, or in systems where two conductors are used to enable the
bar to maintain constantly a vertical position and to thus insure the equal pressure
of the contact devices upon the respective conductors.
It is also desirable that the carrier or frame which immediately supports the
trolley bar, and from which the said trolley bar depends, be pivotally connected
with the car body in advance (referring to the direction of motion of the car) of
said trolley bar at a point somewhat distant therefrom, in order to afford the
necessary freedom of lateral movement in the trolley bar, and at the same time to
rigidly support the bar, notwithstanding contact of the same with pebbles or other
slight obstructions that may lodge in the slot of the conduit.
While these ends are attained by the construction hereinbefore described
embodying a trolley carrier having its forward end confined and its rear end free
to move bodily upon its supports transversely of the car body, in the use of such
construction the services of an attendant are required at the time of reversing the
direction of travel of the car to remove, release, or shift the confining or pivoting
device at the other end thereof. In Figures 12 to 16 inclusive I have, however,
shown a construction of trolley bar carrier and its supports such that the reversal
of the direction of travel of the car will cause that end of the carrier which is in
advance to be automatically shifted to a position approximately in vertical alignment
with the slot rail of the conduit.
Referring to the said figures, A and A' designate the side beams of the truck
frame of a car, to cross girts a of which the supporting frame B of the trolley
-carrier C is attached at its ends.
The truck frame may be of any usual or preferred construction, that shown
herein consisting of longitudinal side beams AA, and A' A' connected at suitable
points throughout their length by cross girts of any approved pattern, though I have
shown herein only these cross girts a and a¹ as bear direct relation to the parts to
be hereinafter described. These side beams A and A, as shown, are connected by
stay posts or bolts A² A between which the bearing boxes a for the wheel axles
are secured, and resting upon the beams A A are coiled or other springs a³ to
support the side sills A3 A3 of the car.
As here indicated the cross girts a and extend laterally across the truck frame
and at right angles to the said beams A and A' thereof, the side beams being
braced at these points by the posts at a to the upper ends of which the girts a are
bolted, the lower girts being secured to the lower ends of said posts and to the
side beams A¹.
The support B for the trolley bar carrier C consists of a rectangular frame
comprising longitudinal side bars B' and end bars B and B³, the side bars B¹ being
of such length as to rest at their ends upon the cross girts a¹ of the truck frame.
Secured at a short distance above the end bars B2 and B3 and parallel therewith,
are keeper bars B, the space between said keeper bars B and end bars B and B³
being of proper width to receive the ends of the trolley bar carrier C; such space
forming in effect guide slots or ways within which said ends of the carrier C slide
and have free lateral movement.
As here shown the side bars B' of the supporting frame B are formed of angle
iron, one web of which extends outward horizontally while the other web brises
vertically, as best seen in Figure 15. The end bars B2 and B3 of this frame are
bolted to the under side of the horizontal webs of the bars B' at such distance
apart (in this instance) that their inner edges will abut against the edges of the

page_text: cross girts a¹, thus providing support for said end bars against pressure exerted in
the direction of travel, at the same time giving great rigidity to the frame B as a
whole. This frame is secured to the cross girts a' by bolts passing through the
horizontal webs of the side bars B, and through said girts.
The outer edge of each end bar 132 and B³ is shaped to form double inclines 6*
and 6 terminating at the longitudinal centers of said bars in a notch or recess 66.
which is formed at the junction of said inclines and, as best shown in Figures 13
and 14. These inclines and 5 extend from the inner edges of the side bars B¹
inward, and the notches at the meeting point of said inclines are desirably made
of semicircular form, as shown, the purpose of which construction will be presently
described.
The trolley bar carrier C comprises a metal bar or frame the central part C₁ of
which is provided midway between its ends C2 C3 with a vertical rectangular
slot c¹ for the reception of the trolley bar D, said bar or frame being of such length
that its ends C2 C3 may rest upon and be supported by the end bars B and B of
the supporting frame B. At the opposite ends of the carrier frame C are located
depending lugs or studs arranged at a distance apart equal to, or slightly
greater than, the distance from the bottom of one of the recesses of one end bar
of the supporting frame B to the outer end of the incline or of the opposite
end bar of said frame; the purpose of this construction being to permit one of the
studs, say, to be seated in the notch 6 of one of the end bars, say B², of
frame B, while the opposite end of the carrier bar C is free to play or move
laterally upon the other end bar 133 between the side bars B of said frame,.
without liability of binding of the stud against the inclines or 1 of said end
bar B³.
Owing to this construction of the trolley bar carrier C and its supporting
frame B, it will be seen that pressure upon the trolley bar D in either direction
of travel will cause a rearward longitudinal pressure upon the carrier frame C,.
resulting in bringing the studor e in contact with one of the inclines 4 or 65,.
and that said stud will travel inward upon said incline and become seated and
centered within the notch, the opposite end of the carrier being then free to
move laterally upon the end bar which supports it. The centering or confining of
the forward end of the trolley bar carrier C is thus rendered entirely automatic,
said carrier being shifted upon its supporting frame B immediately upon changing
the direction of travel of the car, inasmuch as the forward movement of the car in
the direction opposite to that in which it has travelled, and the inertia of the trolley
bar D and its trolleys combine to exert such rearward pressure upon the carrier as
has before been mentioned as effecting its movement.
In the instance illustrated the trolley bar carrier is constructed of a flat metal
bar C of somewhat greater length than the distance between the outer edges of the
end bars B and B33 of the supporting frame B. The centering studs and are
secured to the under side of the ends C and C³ of said bars C, but may be formed
integral therewith. These studs and are preferably cylindric or semi-cylindric
so as to turn freely in the notches & and to insure freedom of travel along the
inclines and of the supporting frame end bars 13² and B³, the notches / at the
center of said end bars being, as before stated, preferably semi-circular and of such
size that the studs will fit loosely therein without undue play, as shown.
In some instances we contemplate providing the studs and with friction
rolls, as shown at the left hand of Figure 13, to give greater freedom of travel
upon the inclines and ..
It is desirable that the trolley bar D be seated or held in a guide slot or passage
of some depth vertically in order that it may be rigidly maintained in its vertical
position. This end is conveniently attained in the construction shown by twisting"
the central part of the bar C a quarter turn, so that said central part C will.
stand at right angles to the ends C and C³ thereof, the latter resting horizontally
in the ways formed by the end bars B2 and B3 of the supporting frame B, and the
keeper bars B of said frame, while the breadth of the central part C¹ of said.

page_text: bar C is vertically disposed, as clearly illustrated in Figures 13 and 14. A vertical
notch or groove is formed in the flat side face of the central part of the bar C
to receive and form a vertical guide passage for the trolley bar D, a latch C* being
pivoted to the bar C in such position as to close, or form the fourth side of, the
guide passage c when the latch slot is in engagement with the stud cⓇ projecting
from the vertical face of the bar C.
The trolley bar D here illustrated consists of a flat bar of iron or steel seated
vertically in the guide passage of the carrier C, and arranged to house the
conducting wires d which connect the trolleys or other contact devices D' with the
car motor (not shown). The lower end of this trolley bar D travels in the slot of a
conduit in a manner well understood and carries trolleys or contact devices D¹
of any approved pattern which travel in contact with the line conductors E,
Figure 12.
to
As a convenient means for suspending or holding in position vertically the trolley
bar D, it may be provided with a longitudinal series of transverse openings
receive a cotter or other pin of sufficient length to rest with its ends upon the top
edge of the carrier bar C and the latch C'.
As here illustrated this device is arranged for operation upon a road wherein the
slot rail of the conduit is located centrally between the tram rails, but it will be
understood that it is equally applicable to roads having the conduit located beside
the tram rails, for instance in double track roads having the conduits located
between the tracks, as the only changes necessary would relate to the car or truck
frame and would not involve changes of or alterations in the trolley bar carrier C
or its support B.
It will also be understood that we do not wish to be confined to any mere details
of construction described herein, as such construction is merely illustrative of one
form of apparatus in which our invention has been practically embodied. We
intend our claims to cover all mechanical constructions wherein a trolley bar carrier
is automatically centered in its supporting frame at that end which may be in
advance and is free to move laterally upon said support at its rear end.
It will readily be seen that the same general result will be produced by making
the notches and inclines on the trolley bar carrier and by placing the studs on the
support, thereby reversing the construction illustrated, but the arrangement shown
is preferred for practical use.
In Figures 16 to 21 inclusive we have shown an improved construction in devices
for supporting the line wires or conductors of electric railways. In said figures
A indicates the wire or conductor, which in Figure 16 is shown as round or cylindric,
and in Figure 17 as provided with lateral grooves for engagement of the holding
parts of the supporting device therewith. The supporting device illustrated consists
generally of two gripping plates B B, a clamping device indicated as a whole by C
and consisting of two parts CC between which the plates 13 B are held or clamped,
and two blocks D D of insulating material which are interposed between the
plates B B and the clamping device.
The plates B B are alike and each is provided with a jaw to engage the wire,
and with a shank or body part which enters or is embraced by the clamping
device C, the parts C₁ C₁ of the clamping device being provided in their inner faces
with recesses which come opposite each other when the parts C Care placed
together, and constitute a socket to receive the upper ends of the plates B B and
the blocks D D of insulating material. The parts CC of the clamp are so shaped
as to come together or meet above the recesses ce so that the socket formed by said
recesses is closed at its top and open at its bottom. For holding together the
parts CC of the clamp, bolts E E are shown as inserted through the ends of' said
parts, which extend beyond the recesses cc; said bolts serving to draw the parts
of the clamp firmly against the insulating blocks D D and to thus securely hold
said blocks and the plates B B within the socket of the clamp, but means other
than said bolts may obviously be used for this purpose. Said parts Care further-
more provided with means by which they can be attached to or connected with a

page_text: stationary part of the railway structure, an underground conduit or other support
on or by which the supporting device is sustained in position. The device shown is
adapted for use in connection with means affording longitudinal movement in the
wire, such, for example, as horizontal guide rods arranged parallel with each other
and between which the clamp is adapted to slide. Guide rods of this kind are
indicated at F F in the drawings, and the parts C'C' of the socket are shown as
adapted to engage such guide rods by means of horizontal, exterior grooves c¹ c¹ on
the outer surfaces of the parts C¹ Ci of proper shape and distance apart to receive
the said guide rods, the support thus provided with grooves being obviously
adapted to slide on the guide rods and to thereby permit longitudinal movement of
the wire.
The insulating biocks D D are held in place within the recesses ee by means of
horizontal, inwardly extending flanges at the lower parts of said recesses, said
flanges being adapted to engage or extend beneath the said blocks so as to hold
them securely in place, even when the parts of the clamp are not drawn together
sufficiently to cause them to tightly clamp said blocks. As herein shown the
blocks D D are provided at their externally lower edges or angles with grooves or
rabbets to receive the said flanges ce so that the lower edges of the blocks
are flush with the lower edge of the clamp, or nearly so, when the parts are
assembled.
As shown in Figures 16 to 20 the plates B B are placed in contact with each
other and fit within recesses d'd in the inner or adjacent faces of the insulating
blocks D D, which are also placed together, the bolts E E in this construction
forcing the parts of the clamp together so as to bring the plates B B and blocks D
forcibly in contact with each other and to thereby securely clamp the wire between
the jaws of the plates. For securely holding the plates B B and the blocks D D
in engagement with each other, said parts are herein shown as being provided with
intermeshing or interlocking recesses and projections which are properly arranged
for the purpose stated. The particular arrangement of these recesses and pro-
jections shown is as follows: On the outer face of each plate B near its
end is a horizontal rib 2 and in the inner face of the block D is a
horizontal groove or recess d within which said rib closely fits. The said rib and
groove thus arranged obviously serve to prevent the plate from being drawn down-
wardly out of its place in the clamp. In addition to the said rib the plate B is
provided with a plurality of holes 33 (of which two are shown in the drawing),
said holes being adapted to receive a corresponding number of integral projections
or studs ³ ³ formed on the inner faces of the blocks D D within the recesses d' d'
thercof. Said holes 33 are shown as extending slightly into the rib ² and the
studs as projecting into the groove d², but the particular arrangement or
location of the said studs and holes is not essential and they may be modified in
practice in any way found convenient or desirable.
Gindicates a sheet or layer of soft rubber or other suitable insulating material
which we prefer to introduce between the parts of the clamp C and the blocks D D
to prevent access of water to the joint between said parts. By bringing the parts
of the clamp together over the insulating blocks and inserting a layer of soft or
yielding insulating material, such as rubber, access or moisture to the said blocks
from above is effectually prevented, the clamp thus made forming a hood to protect
the insulating blocks.
In Figure 21 we have shown a construction in the supporting device which
embraces some of the main features of the invention, but which differs somewhat
from the construction hereinbefore described. As shown in said Figure 21 the
plates B B are spread apart at their upper ends, and the upper part of each plate
is imbedded in a mass or block D' of insulating material. The blocks D D are
adapted to rest in contact with each other, and said blocks fit within the recesses ce
of the clamp in the same manner as do the blocks D D herein before described.
The construction illustrated in said Figure 21 obviously produces the same general
result as is obtained by that shown in Figures 16 to 20 of the drawing, it being
.
:
B

page_text: obvious that when the blocks D'D' are clamped or forced together by the clamping
device the jaws of the plate B B will be caused to grip or closely embrace
the wire.
An obvious advantage obtained by employing a metal clamp embracing the
insulating blocks is that said clamp affords a strong and advantageous means of
supporting the wire from the rods E E or other stationary support, whereby
possibility of detachment of the wire from its support, by breakage of projecting
parts of the insulator or insulating material, is avoided; it being obvious that
breakage of the insulating blocks when surrounded by or enclosed in the clamping
device is little liable to occur.
The employment of two gripping plates, combined with a support for the same
adapted to clamp or hold them against the wire, has the advantage of affording a
simple and strong support for the wire which can be easily and quickly applied
thereto and which is cheap and economical to manufacture.
In some cases it may be found necessary to provide means for maintaining a
constant longitudinal strain or tension upon the metal wire or strand forming the
conductor, thereby avoiding sag or droop of said conductor between its points of
support, and for automatically taking up or compensating for slack in such
conducting wires due to changes in temperature. A construction designed for this
purpose is shown in Figures 22 to 20 inclusive of the drawing. That form or
construction of mechanical devices which we have selected to illustrate this part of
the invention is one in which said invention has been embodied in practical
operative form, but it will be understood that we do not confine ourselves to the
exact details of construction shown therein as the said invention is capable of
embodiment in other forms and constructions of details not described in detail
herein.
One feature of this part of the invention relates to the straining or tensioning
of the conductor wires in the conduit to maintain them in horizontal aligument, or
practically so, with the slot rail, thereby avoiding, wholly or in part, the sag of the
wire between its points of support. In carrying out this feature of the invention
the wire forming the conductor or conductors is preferably, though not necessarily,
strung in sections of greater or less length, say from one hundred to one thousand
feet the length of the sections being determined by the particular circumstances
of the case.
At the end of each section of the conductor a clip or gripping device
is located, said clip or gripping device being connected to some point having
sufficient resistance to movement to sustain the desired tension, and the conductor
is put under tension by any suitable mechanism. This results in taking up the sag
of the conductor between its points of support. In sections of great length the
gripping devices might be used at required intervals, thus adapting this part of
the invention to the obtainment of parallelism, or practically so, between the
conductor and slot rail upon a continuous wire as well as upon the sectional
conductor mentioned.
In connection with this feature of the invention we employ devices which
maintain a constant and uniform tension upon the conductor notwithstanding the
expansion and contraction thereof, said constant tension being maintained through
the instrumentality of a yielding resistance, such as a spring or a suspended weight
arranged, preferably, to act in conjunction with the gripping devices before
referred to.
Referring now to said Figures 22 to 26 inclusive for a fuller understanding of
the features above mentioned, the conduit A may be constructed in any approved
manner, containing the_customary yokes A' A2 and A3 at intervals to support the
slot rails, not shown. The yokes are provided with horizontal supporting rods a
arranged parallel with each other side by side, and insulators B are mounted to
slide longitudinally upon these rods, said insulators being provided with depending
jaws or clips to grasp and hold the conductor C.
As before stated, the conductor or conductors are preferably arranged in sections
of greater or less length, the drawings herein being intended to represent the

page_text: junction of two sections 1 and 2, but as the respective ends of all the sections are
alike as to detail the illustration of one end of section 1 is deemed sufficient.
The arrangement we have adopted for the adjacent ends of two adjacent
sections, 1 and 2, is here illustrated as including yokes A' A² A³ and a fourth one.
not shown, between the outer two A' A' of which my tension devices are located,
a telescoping coupling D, to be presently described, being located between the inner
two A2 and A³ of said four yokes, and the whole of said devices being suspended
from supporting or guide rods a a extending through the four yokes mentioned and
secured rigidly to the yokes to prevent endwise movement thereof.
In this instance we have shown the straining devices and yielding teusion devices
as a single assemblage of mechanical parts comprising a spring or springs E, here
shown as compression springs, resting at one end against an abutment or
abutments E', a longitudinally movable block F bearing against the other end of
the spring, a clip or gripping device connected with one or more insulators B by
which it is suspended from the supporting rods a and an inclined or oblique
coupling rod fattached at one end to said movable block F and at the other end
to said clip G.
The abutment or abutments E' are carried by the supporting rods a and are
adjustably attached thereto in any preferred manner. The springs E (two being
shown herein, one for each rod a) surround the supporting rods a bearing at one
end against the abutments E' thereon, their opposite ends affording a yielding
support for the sliding or movable block F which is also mounted on said supporting
rods a and has free movement thereon longitudinally. The coupling rod fis
attached to the block F midway between the points of support of the latter upon
the rods a and is preferably adjustable lengthwise to admit of increasing or
decreasing the distance between the block F and the gripping device G. As shown,
the upper end of the coupling rod F passes through a longitudinal aperture in the
block Fand is threaded at its end to receive a nut f¹ by means of which the rod
may be drawn a greater or less distance through the block. The particular means,
however, for effecting this adjustment is immaterial as a turn buckle or any other
equivalent device might be used. An insulating coupling of any approved form
is interposed between the block F and the conductor clip G, said coupling forming,
in this instance, a part of the coupling rod f, as shown.
The clip or gripping device G shown comprises two longitudinally disposed
members g g arranged side by side, one of said members, y, being provided with
laterally projecting bolts g² which project through slots or openings in the other
member g', and are fitted with clamping nuts g³ by means of which the said members
or jaws of the clip may be drawn together to clamp the conducting wire C tightly
between them.
The member or jaw g is provided with one or more upward extensions g', two
being shown, each of which is connected rigidly with an insulator block B, said
blocks B being supported by and adapted to move longitudinally upon the parallel
supporting rods a.
The insulators B and block F, it will be seen, are designed to move or slide
longitudinally upon the supporting rods and may be all of the form shown,
consisting of a rectangular body having the longitudinal or side edges thereof
grooved to receive said supporting rods, or of any other preferred form capable of
the same function. For instance, in lieu of the pair of parallel supporting
rods a, a single rod may be used, angular in cross section, the insulators and
block F being then formed with an angular longitudinal passage to receive said rod,
so that they may slide but not rotate thereon.
To avoid endwise movement or slipping of the conductor C in the jaws of the
clip G it may be soldered therein after the jaws have been tightly clamped
upon it.
From the foregoing it will be understood that each conductor C of each
section 1, 2 &c., is not only subjected to opposite endwise strain by the described
devices secured to the opposite ends of the respective sections, but that by the

page_text: employment of springs, weights or other equivalent yielding connections E in
connection with said devices, as described, the tension upon said conductor remains
practically the same under varying temperatures. A yielding tension device at
only one end of each section of the conductor would he practically operative,
though I prefer the arrangement herein shown, especially in sections of great
length, as by this arrangement each tension device is required to compensate for
but half of the expansion or contraction of its particular section.
Another feature of this part of the invention relates to meaus for coupling the
adjacent ends of the respective sections whereby a continuous surface is presented
for the travel of the trolleys though the adjacent ends of the conductors of adjacent
sections are separated by a constantly varying space owing to expansion and
contraction of said conductors due to variations in the temperature of the
atmosphere.
h
The
This is accomplished in this instance through the agency of a suitably supported
tubular coupling D arranged in a horizontal plane with the conductors Cand
adapted to receive the adjacent ends of two sections. The coupling Dis
suspended from the supporting rods a by an insulator 1, said coupling and insulator
being located centrally between the yokes A2 and A³ of the conduit A. Other
insulators B are arranged between said yokes, their clips engaging the free ends
of the conductors C of the respective sections 1 and 2, one of said insulators being
located between the yoke A and the adjacent end of the coupling D, and the other
between the other end of said coupling and the yoke A³, as shown.
coupling D is composed of two tubular end sections d and an interposed central
section to which they are secured, as shown, said central or non-tubular section d¹
being grasped by the jaws of the clip of insulator B. The eud sections d are
of such diameter interiorly as to permit of the free end wise movement within them
of the ends of the conductor sections C but to prevent lateral play thereof, and are
preferably bevelled or chamfered at their outer ends to present a practically
unbroken surface for the travel of the trolleys. To provide against a possible
interruption of the current on the conductor Cincidental to the employment of the
coupling here described, the clips 6 of the insulators B adjacent to said coupling
are provided with eyes or loops to receive a short section of wire D', as shown,
the current then passing through the clips of said insulators and through said
wire D'. This wire D is clamped tightly within the eye of one of the clips 6
but left free to move longitudinally within the other, to admit of expansion or
contraction of said wire and the conductor C without disturbing the continuity of
the line.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the said is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :
1. The combination with a car and slotted conduit and a conductor therein, of a
travelling contact device embracing a bar extending through the slot of the conduit,
a support for said bar mounted on the car and laterally movable thereon, a
vertically movable trolley or contact piece supported on said bar and bodily
movable laterally with reference to the said bar, and a spring applied to throw
said trolley or contact piece upwardly into contact with the said conductor,
substantially as described.
2. The combination with a car, a slotted conduit and a conductor therein, of a
travelling contact device within the conduit, a bar for supporting said contact
device extending through the slot of the conduit, and a support for said bar
embracing a horizontal carrying bar arranged longitudinally on the car and having
laterally sliding connection at both ends with the car frame, means for holding
either end of said bar from lateral movement and means for detachably securing
said supporting bar to the carrying bar, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a car, a slotted conduit and a conductor therein, of a
travelling contact device embracing a supporting bar extending through the slot of

page_text: the conduit, a longitudinally arranged carrying bar on the car, having laterally
movable coniection at both ends with the car frame, means for holding either end
of said supporting bar from lateral movement, a vertically movable trolley or
contact piece carried by said supporting bar and bodily movable laterally with
reference to the path of said ear, and a spring applied to throw said trolley or
contact piece upwardly into contact with the conductor, substantially as described.
4. The combination with a car, a slotted conduit and a conductor therein, of a
travelling contact device within the conduit, a bar for supporting said contact
device extending through the slot of the conduit, and a support for said bar
embracing a laterally movable carrier bar, to which said supporting bar for the
contact devices is detachably connected and with which said supporting bar has
vertically sliding connection, substantially as described.
5. The combination with a laterally movable carrying bar, of a supporting bar
for a contact device, said carrying bar being provided with a guide aperture
through which the supporting bar is adapted to vertically slide, and with a movable
plate forming one side of said bearing aperture whereby the supporting bar may be
removed laterally therefrom, substantially as described.
6. The combination with a slotted conduit and car, of a travelling contact device
comprising a supporting bar attached to the car and extending into the conduit, a
trolley wheel or contact device, and an arm for supporting the trolley wheel,.
pivoted to the supporting bar and adapted to swing in a vertical plane, said trolley
wheel or contact device being connected with the arm by means affording lateral.
movement thereof relatively to the arm, substantially as described.
7. The combination with a slotted conduit and car, of a travelling contact device
comprising a supporting har attached to the car and extending into the conduit, a
trolley wheel or contact piece, an arm for supporting the trolley wheel or contact
piece pivoted to the supporting bar and adapted to swing in a vertical plane, and a
spring applied to lift said arm, said troiley wheel or contact piece being connected
with the arm by means including a pivotal joint the axis of which is arranged
longitudinally of the arm, substantially as described.
8. A travelling contact device for electric railways, comprising a supporting bar,
a trolley wheel or contact piece thereon, and an arm for supporting the trolley
wheel or contact piece pivoted to the supporting bar and adapted to swing in a
vertical plane and provided between its ends with two pivotal or swivelled joints,
one affording rotary motion of the trolley wheel or contact piece on an axis longi-
tudinal to the arm and the other a lateral, oscillatory movement thereof about an
axis transverse to the arm, substantially as described.
9. A travelling contact device for electric railways comprising a supporting bar,
a trolley wheel or contact piece, and an oscillating arm for supporting the same..
adapted to swing in a vertical plane, a spring applied to the said arm, tending to
lift the free end thereof, and a second spring applied to limit the upward movement
of the free end of the arm, substantially as described.
10. The combination with a trolley bar carrier which is capable of lateral
movement at both ends, of means for automatically confining the advance end of
the carrier when the direction of movement of the car is reversed, substantially as
described.
11. The combination with a trolley bar carrier which is longitudinally movable
relatively to its support, of means actuated by longitudinal pressure on the
carrier, acting to laterally confine one end thereof while leaving the other end free
to move, substantially as described.
12. The combination of a trolley bar carrier, and a support therefor, said carrier
and support being provided with lugs and notches adapted for engagement by a
longitudinal movement of the carrier relatively to said support, substantially as
described.
13. The combination with a trolley bar carrier and a support therefor, said
carrier and support being provided with studs and notches adapted to engage each
other by a longitudinal movement of the carrier relatively to the support, of

page_text: means actuated by the longitudinal movement of the carrier constructed to center
the forward end of the carrier so as to bring the lug and notch at that end of the
carrier into engagement with each other, substantially as described.
14. The combination with a trolley bar carrier and a support therefor, said
carrier and support being provided at each end of the carrier one with a notch
and the other with a stud adapted to engage the notch, the carrier being longi-
tulinally movable relatively to its support, the engaging parts on the carrier and
support being placed at such distance apart that those at one end only of the
carrier will be in engagement at any one time, substantially as described.
15. The combination of a supporting frame and a trolley bar carrier, one of
said members being provided with centering studs, and the other with opposite
inclines and a notch or seat for the studs at the end of said inclines, substantially
as described.
16. The combination of a supporting frame and a trolley bar carrier, one of
said members being provided with centering studs, and the other with oppositely
arranged inclines facing cach other and with a notch or seat for the studs at the
juncture of said inclines, substantially as described.
17. The combination of a supporting frame the end bars of which are provided
on their outer edges with opposite inclines terminating at their junction in a notch
or seat, and a trolley bar carrier supported on said end bars and provided at its
ends with studs to engage the inclines and notches of the end bars, substantially as
described.
18. The combination of a supporting frame the end bars of which are provided
on their outer edges with oppositely arranged inclines terminating at their junction
in notches, a trolley bar carrier supported on said end bars and provided with studs
arranged at a distance apart greater than the distance between the notches,
substantially as described.
19. The combination of a supporting frame provided at its ends with horizontal
ways and with outwardly facing inclines terminating at their junction in notches,
and a trolley bar carrier the opposite ends of which are seated in the ways of the
frame and provided with studs to engage the said inclines and notches, substantially
as described.
20. The combination with a conductor, of two gripping plates having jaws which
engage the conductor, and a support for said plates comprising a clamping device
engaging said plates and holding them in contact with the conductor, substantially
as described.
21. The combination with a conductor, of two gripping plates having jaws which
engage the conductor, and a support for the said plates comprising a clamping
device applied to hold the plates in contact with the conductor, and insulating
material interposed between the clamping device and said plates, substantially as
described.
22. The combination, with a conductor, of two gripping plates having jaws which
engage the conductor, and a support for said plates, comprising a clamping device
applied to hold the said plates in contact with the conductor, and comprising also
means by which said support may be engaged with the part by which it is
immediately sustained, substantially as described.
23. The combination with a conductor, of two gripping plates having jaws which
engage the conductor, and a support for the plates comprising a two-part socketed
clamp, and insulating material surrounding the said plates within the socket of the
clamp, substantially as described.
24. The combination, with a conductor, of two gripping plates having jaws which
engage the conductor, and a support for said plates comprising a two-part socketed
clamp, and two blocks of insulating material inserted in the sockets of the clamp
and surrounding the said plates, substantially as described.
25. The combination, with a conductor, of two gripping plates having jaws which
engage the conductor, and a support for said plates comprising a two-part socketed
clamp, and two blocks of insulating material inserted in the socket of the clamp

page_text: and surrounding the said plates, said blocks of insulating material and the plates
being provided with interpenetrating recesses and projections, substantially as
described.
26. The combination, with a conductor, of two gripping plates having jaws which
engage the conductor, and a support for said plates comprising a two-part socketed
clamp, and insulating material inserted within the socket of the clamp and
surrounding the said plates, the said clamp being provided with opposite external
grooves in its upper part for engagement with supporting rods, substantially as
described.
27. The combination of a conducting wire free to move longitudinally with
relation to its supports, and a tension device connected with said wire and exerting
a constant strain thereon, to compensate for contraction or expansion therein,
substantially as described.
28. The combination of a conducting wire free to move longitudinally with
relation to its supports and a tension spring acting on said wire to maintain a
constant strain thereon, substantially as described.
29. The combination with a slotted conduit, of a conducting wire supported
therein and free to move longitudinally with relation to its supports, and a tension
spring applied between a stationary part of the conduit and said wire and maintaining
a constant strain thereon, substantially as described.
30. The combination with a conductor consisting of a plurality of separate
sections free to move longitudinally with relation to their supports, of an automatic
tension device connected with each section and maintaining a constant strain
thereon to compensate for contraction or expansion therein, and a telescoping
coupling connecting the ends of the adjacent sections, substantially as described.
31. The combination of a conductor consisting of a plurality of separate sections
free to move longitudinally with relation to their supports, automatic tension
devices connected with each end of each section and maintaining a constant strain
thereon in opposite directions and a telescoping coupling connecting adjacent
sections, substantially as described.
32. The combination with the yokes of a conduit, a longitudinal guide bar
or bars connected thereto, insulators mounted to slide thereon, and a sectional
conductor carried by said insulators, of means for maintaining the conductor
sections under tension, substantially as described.
33. A tension device for electric conductors comprising a sliding block and
abutment, a spring applied between the said abutment and the sliding block, a clip
supporting the conductor, and an adjustable coupling rod connecting said clip with
the said block, substantially as described.
34. The combination with a conductor free to move endwise relatively to its
supports, of a tension device comprising a sliding insulator for supporting the end
of the conductor, a guide rod or rods parallel with the conductor for the insulator,
on which the latter is adapted to slide, a supporting clip for the conductor attached
to said insulator, a sliding block movable parallel with the conductor, an oblique
coupling rod connected with the said sliding block and with the clip, and a spring
applied to the sliding block to maintain tension on the conductor, substantially as
described.
35. The combination with a conductor free to move endwise relatively to its
supports, of a tension device comprising an insulator, a clip for supporting the
conductor attached to said insulator, a guide rod or rods for the said insulator
arranged parallel with the conductor, a sliding block, a guide rod or rods therefor,
arranged parallel with the conductor, an oblique coupling rod connecting the clip
with said sliding block, an abutment secured to said guide rod or rods, and a spring
or springs applied between the sliding block and the abutment for maintaining
tension on the conductor, substantially as described.
36. The combination with a conductor free to move endwise relatively to its
supports, of a tension device comprising a guide rod or rods arranged parallel with
the conductor, an insulator sliding thereon, a supporting clip attached to said
:

page_text: insulator, a sliding block and abutment on the guide rod or rods, a spring applied
between the sliding block and the abutment, and an oblique coupling rod connecting
the clip with the sliding block, substantially as described.
37. The combination with a conductor free to move end wise relatively to its
supports, of a tension device comprising an insulator movable parallel with the
conductor, a supporting clip attached to the wire and to said insulator, a sliding
block movable parallel with the conductor, a coupling rod connecting the sliding
block with the clip, said rod containing an insulating section, and a spring applied
to the sliding block to maintain tension on the conductor, substantially as
described.
38. The combination with the yokes of a slotted conduit, and a conductor therein
movable endwise relatively to its support, of guide rods attached to the yokes, an
insulator sliding on said guide-rods, a clip for supporting the conductor attached to
said insulator, a sliding block mounted on said guide rods, an oblique coupling rod
connecting the clip with the said sliding block, and a spring applied between the
said sliding block and an adjacent stationary part for maintaining tension on the
conductor, substantially as described.
39. A tension device for electric conductors comprising a supporting clip, a
sliding block, a coupling rod connecting the said clip with the sliding block, an
abutment adjustably connected with its support, and a spring between the sliding
block and abutment for maintaining tension on the conductor, substantially as
.described.
40. The combination with the yoke of a slotted conduit, and a conductor therein
consisting of separate sections movable endwise relatively to their supports, of
guide-rods attached to the said yokes, insulators sliding on the rods, clips for
supporting the ends of the conductor attached to the said insulators, sliding blocks
on said guide-rods, coupling rods connecting said sliding blocks with the clips,
springs applied to the sliding blocks to maintain tension on the conductor sections,
and a telescopic coupling piece connecting the ends of the conductor, substantially
as described.
41. The combination with the yokes of a conduit and a conductor, of a guide rod
or rods attached to the yokes, an insulator sliding on the guide rod or rods, a clip
for supporting the conductor attached to said insulator, a sliding block on said
guide rod or rods, a coupling connecting the sliding block with the clip, an
abutment adjustably mounted on said guide rod or rods, and a spring applied
between said abutment and sliding block to maintain tension on the conductor,
substantially as described.
42. The combination with a conductor consisting of a plurality of sections free to
move longitudinally with relation to their supports, of a telescoping coupling
connecting the ends of adjacent sections of said conductors, substantially as
described.
Signed, at Chicago, Illinois, this the 21st day of November 1893
•
JOHN CHARLES LOVE.
ALBERT GALLATIN WHEELER.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.