Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 19th Sept., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 12th Oct., 1888
ROBERT COOKE SAYER 11 Clyde Road Redland Bristol Civil Engineer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows
The cable of metal or other rope is to run above the cars (and not under ground as
is usual at present) it is to be supported by light girders, connecting columns sunk
into the ground at the pavement curb or otherwise according to the width of the
streets, or else upon bent rolled joists or where the streets and buildings admit, it is
carried upon girders supported by the buildings and spanning across the streets: or
columns are sunk in the centre or at the sides of the roadways carrying cantilevers one
or both sides which support the pulleys and ropes: in each case suitable horizontal
pulleys support the cables so arranged that upon curves, straight portions, and
vertically at changes of gradient the cable shall not be able to leave the flanges of the
pulleys the pulleys are attached to the girders or cantilevers by light frames, and
arranged so that the lower portion on each side is at an acute angle to the cable and
shall thus gently guide the grip past the pulley drawing out the cable as it passes
which returns itself upon the pulley flange. At sharp curves at the intersection of
streets the cable ("up" and "down," single or double track) is changed in its course
by a large pulley (or clip drum if necessary) to each cable (up and down), the outer
of these is carried by a column fixed in the centre of the intersection of the two, three
or more streets, and is connected by a girder spanning the streets (as above) to the
corner of the pavement where it is bent down and goes into the ground, this girder
carries the other main and auxiliary cable pulleys: these large pulleys give motion to
an auxiliary cable at a lower speed, proportioned to the sharpness of the curve, and it
is carried by pulleys placed at a maximum distance apart fixed by the versed sine,
that the grip upon the cars can be worked at, to be described: the aforesaid large
pulleys carrying the main cable is raised above the general level, and this keeps the
main cable at the commencement of the sharp curve also above the general level, the
auxiliary cable being at the usual level, so that as the car approaches the sharp curve
the main cable attached to its grip is slightly depressed and upon being released rises
out of its way and is immediately ready to grip the auxiliary cable: the reverse takes
place upon leaving the sharp curve. When cantilevers upon central columns are used
the same principal obtains for working auxiliary cables. In the case of narrow streets
and room for one track only, the cable and cars are to run one way only and return

page_text: by parallel streets, or in a circuit. The main cable obtains its motion from a usual
stationary motor and its elongation and expansion and contraction is taken up in the
usual way by tail rope and weight: when it is more convenient to fix it below under
the street, then the weight is suspended in a well sufficiently deep for the purpose.
The usual and existing permanent way and rolling stock are to be used, sec Drawing
Fig. 1 which shows in elevation the mode of carrying the grip and the steel truss or
framework attached to the car for transmitting the motion of the cable to it, where
A is the cable the grip formed to traverse the width of the car: Care vertical
angles each side: d similar transverse connecting them to the frame of the car and
E is a transverse channel for same purpose and to carry the vertical rod and handle
and pinion for actuating the brakes, while fact as tie rods for bracing them together,
there being similar diagonals top and bottom: G are pairs of auxiliary wheels for
steadying the motion of the car, these have one journal that traverses the axle as the
car passes round curves, and an adjustable spring is provided to regulate the weight
the auxiliaries shall carry.
At Figs. 2. 3 and 4 the grip is shewn more fully in clevation and transversely
where H is the eliptical celular girder spanning the car and connecting the frames C
and, the ends rest within the channel J, the plate J2 is turned down and acts as a
slot guide for traversing the friction plate K, the ends of K being turned up to the
end angles L. L carries the ends of the bolt M that passes through and connects the
whole, and springs N are provided to modify the strain of starting &c. In Figs. 2
and A is the cable, the grip is formed of the jaws O, these carry within them a
longitudinal piece of soft metal: Q each side is convex in plan and is formed for
taking against the acute angular part of pulley frames (as explained): R is the hinge
and are the levers two each side: the whole is attached at the centre of R to
the bar T' to which is attached the flanged pulleys U that rest and work upon
(longitudinally) H, the end of T is divided and forms two inclines between which the
pulley W works: the spindle of R is prolonged each end and carries the loose
handle R2 and the trunnioned nut R³ to which is attached a pair of links V, the other
end of V being attached to the spindle of the pulley W outside the pair of friction
wheels W that work upon the aforesaid inclines: the ends of the levers S carry
trunnioned nuts in which works a right and left handed threaded rod upon the centre
of which is fixed the handle X, so that when the cable is to be loosed X is turned in
one direction. O is opened. P is straightened and the cable is free to pass over it:
to prevent its wear and that of A, by revolving R2 the nut R³ is caused to traverse the
spindle of R and with it V and W, and W2 working up the incline of T draws up W
and thus raises A upon which it works: the reverse of this operation lowers and
regrips A, and as the car traverses the track, the grip traverses H by means of U to
an extent proportionate to the curvature.
The brakes are arranged, as shown in part at Fig. 5 where A is one pair of wheels:
b is a vertical rod which carries (conveniently placed with the grip) a handle &³ (not
shown) it rests upon and passes through a steel plate that is carried by the channel E
(also shown in Fig. 1) and has a small pinion at its end that works in the cogged
sector C that is carried by the axle d: d also carries the levers the ends of which are
connected by trunnioned nuts to the rods G the other ends being connected as shown
to the straps that carry the brake blocks G2 for each side of all wheels, in each case
the block on one side being worked by a rod in tension, the other in compression (the
thrust of each being far below the axle) and thus eliminates all strain upon the axle
journals and springs: the upper ends of the straps carrying G2 are attached to the
frame of the car. A pair of levers are also provided and work a pair of slipper
brakes H (one to each rail) simultaneously with the wheel brakes, frames J keeping
them in position: either on the top or at E a ratchet and pawl is provided so as to
keep the brakes in position.
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page_text: ROBERT COOKE SAYER 11 Clyde Road Redland Bristol Civil Engineer 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 :-
These are applicable to cars hauled by means of a cable rope of metal kept in
motion by a stationary engine.
When the Cable runs above the Cars it is to be supported upon horizontal wheels
having flanges carried by cantilevers upon uprights let into the ground at or near the
edge of the footpath, or otherwise, and thence passing over vertical wheels supported
on top of a single hollow column and down within the column to the driving engine,
after passing over wheels hung between guides and fixed over a well in which the
tension weights are suspended from such wheels and returning in the same manner.
At sharp curves either when the Cable is raised above the Cars, or is below them,
Auxiliary Cables are worked by the Main Cable being turned round a clip or other
drum and giving motion to it: the axle of this drum carries and works with it on a
lower level a second drum of a diameter proportioned to the speed required, and this
drum bas the Auxiliary Cable turned round it and thus obtains its motion: when raised
above the Cars the Auxiliary Cable is lead to one of the Cantilevers hollow columns
and passed down inside it, and from thence to a well in which is hung its tension
weights in a similar manner to that of the main cable: the Auxiliary Cable runs at the
usual level for gripping, the main Cable being somewhat raised above it.
The grip for connecting the Cars to the Cable when it runs above them is formed
as shown on the drawing, which at Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show it in transverse, longitudinal
and horizontal sections respectively, and where A is a vertical tube or pipe arched over
on top, for supporting the ears that carry the grip hinge it is flanged at C, has
apertures at d. E and f for allowing the projection of the gripping levers and handles,
and at G to allow the lifting lever hanging bolt Q to pass it is also open at the
bottom.
:
There are two gripping levers H and J formed somewhat like a pair of scissors as
shown, and they hinge on the bolt K by means of two ears each in addition to the
levers, the ears are connected to the top enlargements of the levers which form the
grip proper at the lower end they are bent, and have similar bent pieces of strap
iron bolted on to them and in each case they support threaded trunnioned nuts L:
within L the right and left handed screw bolt M works: M has an enlargement in the
centre and carries the six armed wheel N. On the inside of the jaws of the grip
proper a piece of sheet spring steel Z or other metal somewhat softer than the Cable,
and having a vertical stem is held in place by the pins X that form part of, or is
attached to, the jaws as shown in section at Fig. 4, having a tendency to spring
outwards when the grip is opened, it also has ears at the ends in the centre curved
downwards, within Z the cable is gripped, or when open passes over it. The tube A
is supported by slides O of brass or other (and with or without small steel friction balls

page_text: or rollers) they are formed in two halves bolted together: upon the top of the upper
slide the flange C rests and is capable of horizontal rotary movement: the bottom
part of the top slide is bolted up to it with distance thimbles over the bolts: the top
member of the bottom slide similarly supports the lower, but it is in the form of a
circle (as shown at Fig. 3 in plan) for the purpose of supporting the travelling friction
wheel I', that carries the hanging bolt Q, that supports the lifting lever R, formed to
raise A for about three inches: so that when A is turned horizontally P travels with
it and upon the course indicated by the dotted lines.
:
The slides O are supported by small parabolic girders S (when the direction of the
Car is that of the arrow head) and angle irons T, that are placed transversely with
the line of Tramway: O are thus able to travel transversely across the Car for its
width when desired backwards and forwards. Thus at all times A may have a
horizontal rotary movement in either direction to any extent, and a vertical movement
(carrying P. Q. R with it) uniil N comes in contact with O also by raising R, A is
raised about 3 inches, and at the same time at any height, horizontally to any extent,
and for this purpose R enters a notch in the bottom of A: also at any stage of these
movements singly or combined, the grip can be opened or shut by working N. The
ends of S and T are braced together and to the lower frame of the car by tie rods.
The grips are placed at either or both ends or in the centre of the Car, and so that
the Cable Y runs above the heads of the passengers when standing on top, and all
vehicular traffic of the roads.
To grip the Cable, when it is above the grip: the grip is traversed across the Car
until below the Cable, it is then raised and turned to the angle of the Cable by R
with the left hand, and with the right N is turned, which grips it.
To ungrip for stopping N is reversed, and the brake applied.
To ungrip to release for another Cable, N is turned and in all such cases the Cable
is raised out of the way and the impetus of the Car causes it to advance to the point
where the other Cable is within reach.
The Brake is arranged to act simultaneously on each side of all the wheels and
upon each of the rails see Fig. 5 where one wheel A, and one slipper b, are shown, all
are adjustable as shown so as to act together: C is a vertical rod that passes through
a protecting tube d: C carries a handle not shown, that works the brakes (it is
conveniently placed near the grip): C passes through, is carried by, and works upon,
a steel plate E, and has a pinion f attached below the floor that works into the cogged
quadrant G, that is carried by the axle H H also carries the lovers J and K. the
ends of which are connected by trunnioned nuts to the rods M. N. O. P the other
onds of these rods are connected as shown to the siraps that work the brake blocks Q
to each wheel N is in tension while O is in compression, the thrust of each is below
the axle Z are suspended by struts hinged to the Car frame.
The levers L are hinged to the rods R that work as shown the cross section of
the slippers is similar to that of the tyre of the wheel A except that the flange is
sharpened so as to take readily into the rail groove and crush or throw aside any
obstruction therein.
A ratchet and pawl is provided for keeping the brake in position.
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
1st. The use of hollow uprights carrying cantilevers stretching over the roadway
for the support of the Cables together with the supporting vertical wheels on top,
over which the Cable runs and thence down within the column, and other similar
wheels at the bottom, and thence to others suspended between guides supported over
a well in which the tension weights are also suspended, and thence to the driving
engines.
Also the use of Auxiliary Cables (for sharp curves) worked by the Main Cables raised
above them, such auxiliaries being conducted down within the hollow columns to a
well where the tension weights are suspended substantially as described.
2nd. The construction of the grip, whereby it may receive a transverse motion for

page_text: the width of the Car, and may be turned horizontally completely round the circle,
aud may receive a vertical movement, or all these movements together when the cable
is gripped and propelling the Car, and at the same time the grip may be opened.
Also that the above movements may be effected by the handle R, and at the same
time the Cable may be gripped.
Also that by these arrangements the pulleys supporting the Cables may be at
greater distances apart than is now usual, proportioned to the curvature of the
tramway traversed, since the versed sine of the curve between two of the pulleys
supporting the Cable is traversed by the grip across the Car as it travels along, and
thus keep in the direction of the Cable while the Car travels round the curve, at the
same time being propelled by the Cable.
Also the spring lining or bearing of the grip jaws, and its being of softer metal
than that of the Cable, and the manner of securing it, and thus reducing the wear
and tear of the Cables."
Also the adaptation of this grip for working cables running below the Cars: or
the bearing (or lining) of the grip jaws only as required, substantially as described.
3rd. The construction of the combined slipper brake and wheel brake for stopping
the Cars, whereby each side of each wheel receives the pressure below the axle and
simultaneously pressing the slippers upon the rails with the form of the slippers
used, and the means of adjusting the whole substantially as described.
Dated this 18th day of September 1888.
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