Improvements in Apparatus for Closing or Opening Railway Points.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Aug., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 27th May, 1890-Accepted, 28th June, 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Closing or Opening Railway Points.
I, JOSHUA DOBSON Westfield Terrace, Penistone in the County of York Railway
Official do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
This invention has for its object to simplify the mechanism of apparatus for closing
or opening the points or switches of railways.
In carrying out my invention I propose to use a spring box fixed in a suitable
position on one side of the stock rails, and preferably with its centre placed opposite
the fourfoot rod that connects the points or switch rails, and I connect a rod from
the spring box to the fourfoot rod, or if preferred may attach it to the point or
switch rail direct.
This rod passes through the side of the spring box opposite to the rails, and in
the interior of the box it is made of sufficient width to allow of a slot being made
through it longitudinally for the vertical hand lever to pass through it, and of
sufficient length to allow the rod to be moved to its full extent backwards without
moving the hand lever, which would remain in its vertical position.
I propose to put a crosshead upon the end of the flat part of the bar or rod, and
on each side of the crosshead I attach a spiral spring having its opposite end
secured to the side of the spring box next to the rails; the action of these springs
is to be sufficiently strong to force the rod out to its full extent and close the points
to which it is connected. Although I prefer to use spiral or coiled springs and
arrange them in the manner described, I may use any other kind of spring that
will carry out the object for which they are required.
When the apparatus is in its normal or closed position, the hand lever is upright
or inclined forwards, and the open part of the slot extends in front of the lever, when
therefore the bar or rod is pushed back by the action of the points caused by a
passing train, the springs are extended, but the hand lever remains stationary, and
when the train has passed through the points the reaction of the springs, or their
power of contraction acting on the crosshead beforementioned closes the points.
The points can at any time be opened by pulling back the hand lever which acts
upon the back end of the slot; the lever being returned to its original position either
by hand or by the action of the springs.
A bell may be fixed at the back of the spring box in such a position as to be rung
every time the points are opened automatically or by hand.
According to another arrangement, instead of passing the hand lever through a
slot in the bar as previously described, I make the lower end of the lever forked, so as
to stand over the frame in which the sliding rod is carried, and I retain it in its
upright position by means of a spring fixed on each side of it.
On the rod or bar I fix two crossheads at some distance apart, they are provided
with rollers which work in slots in the guide frame and project on each side for the
fork of the lever to act against.
The spiral springs that control the rod are attached to one or other of the two
crossheads, so that they will work the rod in one direction or the other as the caso
may be.
Dated the 27th day of August 1889.
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Closing or Opening Railway Points.
I, JOSHUA DOBSON Westfield Terrace, Penistone, in the County of York, Railway
Official, 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 has for its object to simplify the mechanism of apparatus for closing
or opening the points or switches of railways.
The annexed sheet of drawings illustrates my invention, like letters of reference
indicate like parts.
Fig. 1, is an elevation of the apparatus, part of the side being removed to show
mechanism.
Fig. 2, plan of same with top plate removed.
Fig. 3, end view of the interior.
a
In carrying out my invention in the manner shown in the accompanying drawings
which I consider the most efficient, I construct a metal box or casing A, preferably
by casting it to the required shape and provide it with a lid or coverplate B, having
double lug C, to carry the hand lever D, which has its fulcrum or axis on the pin E.
In the interior of the box or casing A, I arrange two pairs of guide bars F & G; the
upper guide bars F, are returned to the sides of the box at H, leaving a space
between that point and the end of box.
The lower guide bars G. extend from end to end, this arrangement being to
enable the moving parts to be readily placed in position, and removed when
required.
Between the two sets of slide bars I place a crosshead I, either attached to or
made solid with the first length of the rod J, which is extended and connected
with the four-foot-rod, or it may be attached to the point or switch rail if
preferred.
Each side of the crosshead is provided with a roller K, which rests upon the
bottom guide bar, and projects beyond the guide bars to allow the fork L of the
lever D to work against them so as to reduce friction.
To each side of the crosshead I fix a coiled spring M, of suitable strength for the
purpose, and attach its other end to the end of box as shown, the object of the
springs is to draw back the rod J, and the points to which it is connected, to its
original position, after being forced open by a passing train or the like.
In this arrangement the rod J and the crosshead may be forced inwards by a
vehicle passing through the points, without disturbing the hand lever D, which
remains in its normal position shown in Fig. 1. The points can be opened at any
time by using the hand lever D, which it will be seen acts against the rollers K upon
the crosshead. Although I have mentioned two coiled springs M, I may use only
one placed round the rod J, and screwed at each end in a manner similar to that
before described, or other springs may be used that will effectively carry out the
object.
The action of the box may be reversed, by the springs being fixed to the crosshead
and to the back end of the box; a bell may also be used in connection with the
apparatus to be sounded when the crosshead is pushed back to the end of its
movement.
A modification of the way of obtaining the above described movement by the lever,
may be made by dispensing with the fork and passing the lever bar through a slot in
the rod J, the fulcrum being placed near the bottom of the box.
To produce a simple form of apparatus, I may dispense with the springs and use a
weighted lever D, the lower end of, which would be forked, and each arm of the fork
would also be forked to pass on each side of the ends of the crosshead. The weighted
lever would always retain the points either open or closed until thrown over the
opposite side.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A box A, having guide bars F. G. crosshead I, rod J, one or more springs M,
and hand-lever D), arranged in combination so as to form a switch box or apparatus
to open or close railway points substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
the the drawings annexed.
2. In the construction of a switch box or apparatus to open or close the points of
railways, a crosshead I, supported by and sliding between guide bars, and attached
to the switch rod J, being operated in one direction by means of a suitable spring or
springs, and in the other directions by rolling stock passing through the points or by a
hand lever when desired substantially as herein before described.
3. In the construction of a switch box or apparatus to open or close the points of
railways, a crosshead I, supported by and sliding between guide bars, and attached to
the switch rod the said crosshead being moved and held in either direction by a weighted
lever, and moved in one direction by rolling stock passing through the points,
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated the 24th day of May 1890.
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicant.