Electric Railways.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd July, 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1890
Electric Railways.
I, FRANK MANSFIELD, of Temple Court, New York City, County and State of New
York, United States of America, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of
my invention for Electrical Railways, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to an electrical railway in which the motor cars, or electrically
propelled vehicles, are supplied by a current from a conductor or conductors extending
along the road, and it has reference more particularly to such a railway having a
sub-surface or underground supply conductor.
One of the principal drawbacks to railways having sub-surface conductors, with
which contact is made by means which intervene between the same and the car, is
that the current is apt to be short-circuited by many likely accidents, such for
instance as the accumulation of water or foreign matter at exposed points of the
circuit. One of the chief objects of my invention is to overcome this defect, and to
this purpose my invention principally consists, as more fully hereinafter set forth, of
a suitably insulated sub-surface main conductor having a series of movable connecting
devices, or branch conductors, also suitably insulated, for establishing connection
above the surface of the ground, the said connecting devices being automatically
brought into operation as the car moves along its track, and arranged such a distance
from one another that connection will always be established between the car and the
main conductor. The connecting devices or branch conductors are, by preference,
normally disconnected from the main conductor, so that the contact points thereof
may be maintained de-energized, or electrically dead, until the same are raised the
maximum distance, or nearly 50, above the level of the road bed. The points of
contact between these devices and the car are at such distances from the surface of the
road bed as to be above the level of ordinary surface water, and are so constructed
that when not in operation they may lie flush with the surface of the road-bed, so as
not to be an obstacle to traffic and, at the same time, be safely housed against injury.
The invention further consists in the novel and peculiar combinations and arrange-
ments of the various parts of the apparatus, all as more fully hereinafter described and
pointed out in the claims.
In the application of my invention, the movable branch conductors may be brought
into contact with the moving car, either by electrical means or mechanical. In the
accompanying drawings, I show one way of effecting the same electrically, and two
ways mechanically. There are many well-known constructions which may be adopted
for switching the branch conductors in and out of circuit with the main conductor as
the same are elevated into position for use and then restored to normal position.
In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive illustrate an embodiment
of my invention, wherein the movable branch conductors are electrically brought
into operative position by means of an electro-magnet carried by a motor car.
Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive, and Figs. 15 to 21 inclusive illustrate, respectively, two
different ways of mechanically bringing into operation the branch conductors.
Fig. 1 is a side view of part of an electrically propelled car carrying an electro-
magnet pick-up device for bringing into operation the branch conductors-the road-bed
in this view being represented in vertical, longitudinal section, showing the sub-
terranean, insulated main conductor with two branch conductors leading therefrom, one
of which is elevated into contact with the car, while the other is in normal position.
Fig. 1 shows a spring seated pick-up magnet.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of a connecting device shown in elevated position, in
which position it is energized, being in connection with the main conductor.
hio 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2.

page_text: BITC
device.
Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the electro-magnet on the car for operating the con-
necting devices.
Fig. 6 is a plan view of part of an electrically propelled car, showing the disposition
of the contact strips carried thereby. This view also shows how the electro-magnet
of the pick-up is energized by means of the auxiliary contact strips on the car.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of part of the casing of the connecting device.
Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view, showing in perspective part of the end of the car
carrying the electro-magnet of the pick-up, and showing in plan part of the car
carrying the auxiliary contact strips of the electro-magnet circuit.
Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the system.
Figs. 10 and 11 show in plan and side elevation, respectively, an electrically pro-
pelled car provided with a form of my invention in which a mechanical pick-up device
is employed the view in Fig. 11 showing part of the conduit in longitudinal, vertical
section.
Fig. 12 is an end view of the apparatus shown in Figs. 10 and 11.
Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on a plane indicated by the lines 4-4, Fig. 10.
Fig. 14 is a plan view of the devices for controlling the circuit.
Figs. 15 and 16 represent plan and side views, respectively, of another form of
pick-up device used in connection with my invention.
Figs. 17 and 18 represent end views of the apparatus shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the
former showing the branch conductor or connecting device in its lowest position, and
the latter showing it in its elevated position.
Figs. 19, 20 and 21 are detail views of the switching mechanism by which the
branch conductors are connected and disconnected from the main.
In all of the drawings, like numbers and figures of reference designate like and
corresponding parts throughout. Having reference to the electro-magnet pick-up,
illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9, A is an electric conductor passing from the positive pole.
of a source of electricity X, the return current being carried back to the same source
through the metallic body or part of the car and the car tracks, or through a suitable
copper return wire-one for each track, connected together, as will be understood from
the diagram in Fig. 9. This main conducting wire for supplying the current is
insulated throughout in any suitable manner, and is embedded in the ground. It is,
therefore, perfectly secure from injury, and, moreover, a current of a higher electro-
motive force can be used upon it than upon the insulated conductors generally
employed.
B, B, Figs. 1 and 9, are -the connecting devices. These are shown in detail
in Figs. 2 and 3. a is a branch conductor covered with suitable insulating
material, and connects the main conductor with a part of the connecting device, so
that when the same is in operative position, a circuit is established from this con-
ductor to the electric motor carried by the propelled vehicle. This connecting device
is constructed as follows:
C is a rectangular casing of suitable material set in the road-bed, so that the top
of the case is flush with the surface of the same. D is a flat plate of metal of a
convenient width, and is slightly narrower than the width of the case and is nearly
the length of the same. This plate D is pivoted upon a shaft E, arranged near
one end of the case near the top of the same. Upon the upper surface of this
plate D is a piece of metal or iron F, which forms the armature of the electro-magnet,
used to attract or pick up the plate.
Upon the under side of plate D is secured a removable closed box or shell G,
of metal, inside of which is a lining of insulating material, removable from the box,
and within this box are arranged two blocks H, H', of some suitable material,
separated from one another, but so inclined toward each other that the distance
between the box is smaller at the bottom of the box than at the top. One of these
blocks fills one side of the box, and the other H¹ is inclined upon its inner face,
and does not extend to the top of the case. Upon the surface of each of these

page_text: blocks, respectively, is secured a contact plate I, I, of suitable metal, which is
shorter than the inside face of the block. The plate I is electrically connected in
any suitable manner to the branch conductor a, which is connected to the main
conductor, and the plate l' is electrically connected by an insulated wire b to a
metallic block M on the end of the plate D and insulated therefrom.
In the space between the blocks H, H' is a set of loose metallic balls K, which
when the plate D returns to its normal position, and before it has descended or
closed on to the casing, are in the top of the box, but when the plate is tilted
back into open position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, fall into the lower part of the
chamber and establish connection between the plates, and consequently between the
wires a and b.
Upon the shaft N extending across the end of the casing C, and opposite the end in
which the shaft E is situated, is a sprocket wheel O, which is loose on the shaft, and
connected thereto by a spiral spring P. A chain S is connected by one end to this
sprocket wheel and the other end is attached to the plate 1). When the said plate
is down, which is its normal position, the chain is wound up upon the wheel by
the action of the. spring. but when the plate D is tilted back, it has a tendency to
return to its normal position, owing to the action of the spring. Thus the block M
kept in firm contact with the conducting strips under the car truck V.
Lis a quadrant shaped hood of thin metal which pivoted upon the saine shaft
as the plate D, and in such relation thereto that when the plate is lifted this hood
will be simultaneously drawn up, but when the hood has risen, as shown, it is
prevented from moving further by suitable stops d and the plate D imoves away from
it. This hood acts as a shield to the case C and prevents foreign bodies from falling
into the case when it is opened by the further movement of the plate D. When the
plate D returns to its normal position it meets with the shield or hood L and both
return to the case together.
Tare side pieces which are attached to each side of the plate 1) and are provided
with extensions of thin metal T¹. When the plate D returns to the case these side
pieces rest upon pedestals R in the bottom of the case and support the plate D. As
before stated, the normal position of the plate D is flush with the surface of the
road-bed, in which instance the case is completely closed and the connection between
the wires a and b is broken.
It is intended that the plate D shall be lifted by mechanism attached to the car and
that when lifted it shall connect the wires a and b and also make contact with 'a series
of metallic strips V, placed underneath a frame Y, attached to the trucks of the car
and insulated from the frame. One of the terminals of the motor is electrically con-
nected to these strips and the other terminal is connected to the metallic portion of the
frame of the car and thence through the wheels of the car and rails to the return wire.
This lifting of the plate D may be effected in several ways either by the action of
the electro-magnet or by a mechanical device upon the car. A convenient method is
by the action of an electro-magnet, as hereinafter more fully set forth.
U is an electro-magnet which swings upon a suitable support under one end of
the car and extends down to such a distance that when the pole of the magnet
comes over the iron block on the upper surface of the plate D it will attract the
same and adhere to it, and thus as the car moves along lift up that end of the
plate Das shown in Fig. 5. When it has been lifted up the circuit through the magnet
is broken, the conducting strip on the under side of the frame. Y comes into contact
with the piece, M, on the under side of said plate and as said piece makes a rubbing
contact with the strip V, a circuit is established from the insulated conductor A through
the motor.
The connecting devices B, B, are at such a distance from one another according to
the length of the car used that before the car in its forward movement has ceased to
be in connection with the plate D of one connecting device the electro-magnet on the
car will come over the plate D of the next connecting device in the series, it in turn
will be lifted and will make contact with the insulated strip V, before the preceding
plate has ceased to be in contact. Thus the continuity of the circuit is preserved.

page_text: The current which magnetizes the electro-magnet U is derived from the main
conductor A, by means of the arrangement of a series of short insulated conducting
strips,, placed between the strips V, at each end of the car. One pole of the
electro-magnet is connected to these short conducting strips at the opposite end of the
car, and the other pole is connected to the metallic part of the car and thence to the
return wire. When the contact piece M on the plate D comes into contact with these
short conducting strips v, v, a part of the current flows into the electro-magnet U and
magnetizes it, so that it is ready to attract the plate D when it comes over the said
plate, as shown in Fig. 5. The electro-magnet is detachable from the car and may be
spring-seated by means of spring U³, so that greater clearance may be obtained
between the magnet and the ground.
One manner of attaching the magnet shown in Fig. 8, wherein U is a magnet
that is suitably hinged so as to swing freely on a bracket U1, which is removably
mounted in ways U on the frame Y. The magnet is in electrical connection with
the small conducting strips v, v, carried under the car and indicated by heavy black
lines. c is a metallic clip for establishing the circuit between the magnet and the
strips,, when the bracket carrying the magnet is mounted in position upon the
frame Y, the clip being suitably insulated.
In order to prevent the formation of ice at the rear of the hinge of plate D
from checking the full backward movement of such plate, I provide the serrations,
which act in conjunction with such plate in breaking up the ice which may be
formed at this point. In order to ensure a continuous contact when the car is
moving over a curve, I place a series of conducting strips under the car, as shown
in Fig. 6. These strips may progressively diminish in length from the central strip,
as shown.
The plate D is of such length that the conducting strips under the body of the
car may be sufficiently far above the road-hed to be clear of any ordinary depth
of surface water, and thus avoid short-circuiting thereby. The case when made
of metal should, of course be suitably insulated, and all parts of the connecting
devices or branch conductors are to be made water-tight. The connecting or dis-
connecting of the branch conductors with the main may be effected through other
means than the contact or switch balls K.
Upon a curve the connecting devices B, B will not be in the middle of the
track, but will be placed near one of the rails at a distance proportionate to the
radius of the curve and the distance of such devices apart.
At the forward end of the car is arranged a suitably shaped device U*, which
depends from the car and is provided at its lower end with a brush, which is
designed and adapted to clear away obstacles or dirt from the connecting
devices B, B, arranged along the road-bed.
Referring now to the apparatus shown in Figs. 10 to 14 inclusive, the bar B
is suitably suspended below the car axles D¹, D) of the wheels G¹, G. To each
end of the bar B₁ is hinged, so as to swing horizontally, a bar (sustained by
trussing d. The bars C₁, C₁ are free to swing so that the car can easily go
around a curve as shown in Fig. 10. The hars B, C, and C, are composed of
a central part a preferably of wood, (see particularly Figs. 10 and 13) to each
side of which is pivoted angie irons (Fig. 13) by hinges h. The outer ends
of said angle irons are made flaring, as shown in Figs. 10 and 12. The
binges are provided with springs which cause the angle irons to normally bear
upon the part a. Depending from each end of the bar a' is a pick-up c¹, the
purpose of which will be described hereinafter. The pivoted bars C, B1, C₁ are made
equal in length to the car and the platforms P', so that they may be arranged entirely
out of the way.
R', R' designates the ordinary rails of a track resting upon sleepers E, E, bearing
upon cross ties T2 beneath the paving. A stringer F is provided midway of the
sleepers E, E, upon which the irons H2 rest having a slot S', in which the pick-ups c'
are adapted to travel. The stringer F¹ may be chambered to receive the main con-
ductor which is insulated throughout its length. At intervals along the way are
e

page_text: arranged cases f, g, flush with the surface of the road. At these cases the conductor e
Within
is provided with a branch conductor e', e, normally disconnected therefrom.
the cases g is arranged an operating device or turnstile in the path of the slot St.
The turnstile has a crank k, (see Fig. 13) that is connected by a link to the case
cover, which is pivoted so that the same may be raised and lowered by the
mechanism just described when the turnstile is struck by the pick-ups c¹ travelling in
said slot. The cover is provided with an insulated conducting plate g. adapted
to make contact with and slide along the angle irons and so complete the
circuit to the car. The insulated plate is connected with the exposed end of
one of the branch conductors e. These conductors e¹ and e² are covered with
insulating material. The latter, e², is affixed to, but insulated from, an elastic
water-tight drum head o in a suitable manner. The branch conductor e terminates
in a conducting piece within the interior of the drum, but is insulated therefrom.
Normally the terminals of the branch conductors e and e² within the drum stand
apart, the elasticity of the drum head holding the terminal of e away from the
terminal of e. Connected to this drum head o is a link n pivotally secured to a
lever m swivelled to the side of the box f¹ and adapted to be operated by a pin p
upon an extension of the cover, when said cover reaches its highest point. When
the turnstile is operated by the first pick-up, the cover or lid will be thrown
upward and caught by the flaring end of one of the angle irons b', which will
move in contact therewith until the end is reache, when the turnstile will again
be struck by the second pick-up and the lid closed. These operations cause the
circuit to be made and broken between the conductors e¹ and e. When the cover
reaches the limit of its upward excursion, the pin pimpinges against the lever m
forcing the link a downward depressing the drum head and forcing the con-
ductors e and e² in intimate contact, thus completing the circuit from e to e¹ and ea
to the angle irons and thence to the motor on the car from whence the current
may pass to the rails or to any return conductor back to the source of electricity.
Before this lid is disengaged from the angle irons, another is picked up, after
which the turnstile is struck by the second pick-up ci and the first-mentioned cover
closed, and so on, disrupting the circuit between è¹ and e² at said cover, as the
tension is by this means removed from the drum head o. The distance between the
pick-ups c should be a little greater than the distance between the boxes, so that
the continuity of the circuit may never be lost and sparking prevented. It will be
observed that the pick-ups are some distance from the flaring ends of the angle
irons 6, so that the covers can be actuated by the pick-ups without the interference of
the angle irons. The covers of the cases may be arranged to fall by gravity
when disengaged from the contact bars & instead of using the turnstile and the striking
device c' at the rear of the car.
It will be noted that the branch conductors are not made alive (energized) until the
cover bearing the contact plate reaches its maximum height above the ground, and
that the conductors become de-energized or dead as soon as the covers begin to fall, so
that there is no chance for the current to be short-circuited by ordinary surface water,
since the drum head o, as well as the other necessary parts of the connecting devices,
are water-tight.
In Figs. 15 to 21 inclusive, is shown a form of mechanical pick-up device which
differs only in construction from the one just described. Referring to these
figures, the electrically propelled car 10, which is provided with the usual railway
tracks 11, 11, has the electric current supplied to its motor 12 through branch con-
ductors 19, 19, leading from the main conductor 13, which is suitably insulated
throughout by material 14, and is buried in a centrally disposed stringer 15, upon
which is supported the conduit or slotted rail 16, for guiding the pick-up or lifter 20.
If preferred, an insulated buried return may be used in conjunction with the track-
rails, as this will afford a good return which will not be disrupted when a rail is
removed.
The motor 12, is in electric connection with the contact strips 17, 17, consisting of
angle-pieces of metal which are secured by their vertical flanges to the horizontál

page_text: wooden beam 18, shown as swung from the car-axles, but which may be supported in
operative position in any suitable manner. The other flange of each contact strip 17,
projects laterally so that the upper surface thereof may be conveniently placed in
sliding contact with the ends of the subsidiary conductors 19, which branch
from the main conductor 13, at intervals along its length, and are normally,
disconnected therefrom. These subsidiary or branch conductors are also insulated
throughout, being covered with suitable insulating material, and have exposed ends or
contact points for making contact with the strips 17, and are provided with switches,
as will be hereinafter described, for electrically connecting said branch conductors to
the main 13, when the branches are elevated at their ends.
The outer ends of the branch conductors 19, are supported by the hinged members
or arms 35, over which the conductors are led. The end of each support 35, carries a
contact plate 31, suitably insulated therefrom and in electrical connection with the
branch conductor. This contact plate serves as the exposed end of the branch
conductor, for making contact with the strips 17, on the car. Each conductor-support
is mounted on a rotative switch-shaft 25, which is journalled suitably in the switch-
box 26. In order to make this switch-box water-tight the shaft 25, where it pierces
the sides of the box, may be provided with elastic or soft rubber bearings, as 36,
Fig. 20, into which project the stretching-pins 37, fixed upon the shaft. As the shaft
rocks through about 30 degrees, these pins will stretch the rubber so that it will hug
the shaft and make a water-tight joint.
My improved pick-up or lifter, 20, for bringing the branch conductors into play,
consists in a slightly curved and inclined tongue or arm, preferably made of wood, and
armed at the end with a wear-plate 34, made of metal or any suitable material which
will withstand the wear. The pick-up is flexible so that it can be bent laterally on
itself, and is detachably hinged at 21, to the end of the beam 18, and projects down-
wardly into the slotted rail or conduit 16, through which the free end of the pick-up
travels. This pick-up is provided on each side thereof with a guide flange or strip 22,
over which the branch conductors slide and by which they are guided onto the
contact strips 17. Since these guide flanges are subjected to constant wear by the
branch conductors sliding thereover, they should be made of some tough and durable
material.
The beam 18, and pick-up 20, being made of wood, or any suitable non-conducting
material, insulate the contact-strips 17, and the guide flanges 22 on each side thereof,
from each other. These strips and flanges may be insulated from each other in any
other preferred way.
The car shown has two oppositely projecting pick-up devices 20, one at each end
thereof, so that the car may be run in either direction. However, since the forward
one is the active one, and it may be undesirable to have an idle pick-up device trailing
through the slot of the guide-rail, the forward one only may be used and the same
detached and applied to the reverse end of the car, when it is desired to run in an
opposite direction.
The projecting horizontal flanges of the contact-strips 17, are bowed out at the
centre of their lengths, so that they are much broader there than at their ends, as
clearly shown in the plan view thereof, in Figure 15. This construction is necessitated
by the curves in the track, which cause the contact-strips to assume such a position
relative to the vertical plane of the conduit, when the car is rounding a curve, as would
allow the branch conductors to drop off the flanges, if this precaution were not
observed.
The branch conductors 19, intermediate their ends contain a circuit completing
device or switch, consisting essentially of two contacts 23 and 24, which are normally
held apart, but are brought into contact by the rotative movement of one of them,
when. the branch conductor and its support are elevated. A somewhat extended
section of the outer free end of each branch conductor is made movable, in order to
allow the contact end thereof to be raised a suitable height above the road-bed to
reach the contact-strips on the car. These end sections and the supports 35 therefor
are provided with a suitable housing or casing 27, made preferably of iron, which may
....

page_text: be cast with the switch-box 26, or made separate therefrom. This casing is placed
transversely in the road-bed, flush with the level of the same and is supported between
the rail-stringer and the conduit, though any other suitable means of sustaining the
casing and box may be adopted. These casings are secured to the guide rail, or
conduit, by the angle irons 28, and are open only at the top to permit the hinged
conductor-supports 35, to be raised and lowered, and such openings are covered by
the broadened flanged back of the supports. The extreme ends of the conductor-
supports 35, take into the notches 29, 29, which are cut in the conduit or guide-rail,
so as to lie flush with the same and theso onds project across the slot of the
conduit, in order to permit the pick-up or lifter to run under them and pick
them up:
It will be possible to dispense with the use of a guide-rail or slot for the conductor
lifter or pick-up. In such case the ends of the branch conductors should be
normally elevated slightly above the road-bed, so that the depending pick-up could
run under them.
In the switch shown in Figures 17, 18, & 19, the contact 23, is a depending and
freely swinging arm, mounted on and insulated from the switch-shaft 25, this insula-
tion being clearly shown in Figs. 17 & 18. From the contact 23, leads the portion of
the branch conductor 19, which runs over the support 35 to the contact-plate 31,
thereon. The other portion of the branch conductor 19, which connects directly with
the main conductor 13, is in communication with the contact 21, which is carried
by the bracket 30, mounted rigidly on the switch-shaft 25, and from which it is
insulated. When the conductor-support 35 is raised to a certain height, the
contacts 23 and 24, will be rotated into contact in an obvious manner and will make
the circuit over the entire branch conductor, to the contact-plate.
To fully guard against the presence of water in the switch-box, I fill the box with
a yielding material 32, such as soft rubber, though any other elastic insulating
material that is solid will answer the purposes. This so embeds the switch-contacts,
that they will be well protected from any water that may find its way into the box.
At the same time, the material so yields as to allow the contacts to be moved into
electrical connection in an obvious manner. In Fig. 21 the contact 23, is provided
with the stretching pins or spurs 33, which I design to act as stretchers for the
surrounding gum to prevent the smooth surface of the contact from slipping on the
same. To ensure good contact between the switch-contacts, I form them each with
one or more prongs and provide the contacting face of the prongs of one of the
contacts with teeth, all as shown in Fig 21, so that as the prongs of the contact 23
are rotated towards its fellow contact, the teeth will cut through the dense embedding
material, as it is pressed or pinched between the contacts.
The operation of this construction may be described as follows: As the car moves
in the direction of the arrow, shown in Fig. 16, the forward lifter or pick-up 20,
runs under the ends of the branch conductors 19, extending into the guide-slot in the
path of the pick-up, which thereby elevates the same. As the car progresses the
branch conductor is raised up its full height and is placed into contact with the contact-
strip 17. This completes the circuit between the main conductor and the car-motor,
and each raised branch conductor serves to thus complete the circuit, so long as they
are in contact with tho strip 17, since elevating the branch conductors into such
position effects the closing of the switch 23-24. Upon reaching the rear end of the
contact-strip 17, the elevated conductor will be gradually lowered and reseated by
the rear pick-up 2 into its normal position without jarring.
It will be obvious that an insulated conductor, corresponding to 13, may be used
as the return, in which case the branch conductors will be duplicated in order to
convey the current from the other terminal of the motor to said return, instead of
the wheels and rails as at present.
Where a single track railway is used with cars that are not reversed end for end,
the cars obviously need only be provided with circuit completing devices upon one
side thereof. With a double track railway the branch conductors, or connecting
devices, could be arranged so that the cars need only carry circuit completing devices'

page_text: upon one side thereof, but it will be preferable to have the apparatus arranged sub-
stantially in the manner as I have herein illustrated it. The conduit required by the
forms of my invention that I have here shown and described is a simple one that
may be constructed without much cost.
It will be observed that by virtue of having the magnet U hinged so as to swing
freely, it will readily yield and give way to any obstacle it may encounter. This
also permits of the magnet being carried very close to the surface of the road-bed.
. :
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 :-
1 The combination in an electrical railway of a subterranean conductor insulated
throughout its length, branch conductors extending therefrom at intervals along the
way, the circuit of which is normally broken, a series of movable members arranged
along the way to which said branch conductors are connected, circuit completing
means for said branch conductors controlled by said movable members, an electro-
magnet carried by a car, and circuit completing devices on said car, with which the
branch conductors make contact when the movable members are raised by said electro-
magnet.
2. The combination in an electrical railway, of al subterranean conductor insulated
at all points throughout its length, branch conductors extending therefrom at intervals
along the way, pivoted plates at said branch conductors normally flush with the
surface of the way, circuit-making and breaking devices for said branch conductors
operated by said pivoted plates, a contact plate underneath the car, and an electro-
magnet arranged upon said car to raise said pivoted plates in contact with the afore-
mentioned plate carried by the car.
3. An electric railway having a subterranean main conductor insulated throughout
its length, movable branch conductors extending from the main conductor at intervals
along the way and normally disconnected therefrom, said movable branch conductors
adapted to be moved by mechanism on a travelling car and raised thereby a con-
siderable distance above the level of the road-bed and make contact with devices
on the car at an elevation above surface-water, whereby contact may be made between
the branch conductors and the devices on the car at a great distance above the
road-bed, for the purpose set forth.
4. An electric railway having a subterranean main conductor insulated throughout
its length, movable branch conductors extending from the main conductor at intervals
along the way and suitably insulated throughout, the said branch conductors normally
disconnected from the main conductor and normally disposed at or about the level of
the road-bed and adapted to be raised a considerable distance above the level of the
road-bed by mechanism on the car and placed in contact with devices thereon, the
raising of the branch conductors into elevated contact with the devices of the car
acting to automatically place them in electric connection with the main, whereby the
branch conductors remain disconnected from the main and therefore inert, until
elevated into contact with the contact devices on the car.
5. The combination in an electrical railway, of a conductor insulated at all points
throughout its length with normally disconnected branch conductors extending there-
from at intervals along the way, a pivoted plate carrying circuit-making and breaking
devices for said branch conductors consisting of a case having conducting plates
therein, the said case being carried by said pivoted plates, conducting balls arranged in
said case controlled by gravity, and a pick-up carried by a car for raising said plates,
for the purpose described.
6. The combination in an electrical railway, of a subterranean conductor insulated at
all points throughout its length, branch conductors a, b normally disconnected
extending therefrom and insulated throughout, boxes as C at said branch conductors,
pivoted plates D carried by said boxes, controlling circuit-making and breaking
devices for said branch conductors a, b, and a spring-actuated sprocket wheel and
chain connected with said pivoted plates, all adapted to be operated substantially as
and for the purpose described.

page_text: 7. The combination of the boxes C arranged at intervals along the way to house
branch conductors extending from a subterranean conductor insulated throughout,
the plates D pivoted thereto carrying circuit completing connections and adapted to
be raised and place said branch conductors in contact with circuit completing devices
on a car, and a hood L connected with said plate, substantially as and for the purpose
described.
S. The combination in an electrical railway, of the plate D pivoted to a box
arranged flush with the surface of the ground at intervals along the way for the
purpose described, of the edges, in the top edge of said boxes near the pivot of the
hinge, as and for the purpose described.
9. The combination of the box C, the pivoted plate D, conductors a and b carried
thereby, a circuit-maker and breaker between said conductors arranged to complete
the circuit between the same, spring actuating devices for drawing said plate to its
normal position, side pieces T attached to said plate, and pedestals for the same,
substantially as described.
10. As a means for controlling the circuit to a raised contact, such for instance as
a contact plate carried by a car at a considerable distance above the surface of the
way, of an electrical railroad, a pivoted plate D, circuit terminals and a case carried
thereby, having conducting balls controlled by gravity controlling said circuit
terminals and a contact device carried by said plate adapted to be put in com-
munication with the aforesaid contact when said plate is raised, substantially as
described.
11. The combination in an electrical railway, of a frame carried beneath a car, a
contact plate mounted upon said frame, a subterranean conductor insulated throughout
normally disconnected branch conductors extending therefrom at intervals along the way,
insulated throughout but having exposed ends, a sories of movable members arranged
along the way connected with said branch conductors, circuit completing means for
said normally disconnected branch conductors controlled by said movable members,
and an electro-magnet carried by said frame for the purpose described.
12. The combination of the electro-magnet U arranged underneath a car, the con-
ducting strips v, v arranged at each end thereof, a conductor adapted to be raised by
said electro-magnet and placed in communication with circuit completing devices on
said car and in the path of said strips, circuits leading from said strips to said electro-
magnet, as described, whereby said conductor and strips may be utilized to make and
break circuit of said magnet as the car progresses, to raise and release the successive
conductors for a portion of the time said conductor is elevated, substantially as
described.
13. The combination in an electric railway, of a pivoted detachable magnet, as U,
arranged underneath a car, pivoted plates arranged at intervals along the way bearing
conductors adapted to be successively placed in contact with circuit completing devices
on said car, and circuit completing means, as c, between the removable magnet
support and its circuit, substantially as described.
14. The combination in an electrical railway, of a movable magnet attached to a
car, contact devices carried by said car, pivoted plates having an electrical terminal
arranged at intervals along the way adapted to be raised in the path of said contact
devices by the aforesaid movably attached magnet.
15. The combination in an electrical railway, of a contact plate carried by a car, a
subterranean conductor insulated throughout at all points, insulated branch conductors
extending therefrom at intervals along the way, the intervals being less than the
length of the aforesaid contact plate, conducting strips carried at each end of said car
only, circuits emanating therefrom in which an electro-magnet may be placed, which
magnet is adapted to raise said branch conductors in the path of said conducting
strips and contact plate, whereby the circuit of said electro-magnet will be completed
but a short interval of time during the passage of the car and the circuit to the car
be completed at all times, substantially as described.
16. In an electrical railway, the combination of a pick-up on a car, a main con-
ductor insulated at all points throughout its length, with normally disconnected
ם

page_text: branch conductors extending therefrom covered with insulating material, but having
an exposed end and mechanism operated by said pick-up for raising the exposed end
of said branch conductors in contact with circuit completing devices on the car.
17. An electrical railway having its conductor insulated throughout, normally dis-
connected branch conductors at intervals along the way also insulated throughout,
circuit completing devices carried by a car and a pick-up on said car for raising said
branch conductors in contact with said circuit completing devices on the car.
18. The combination in an electrical railway of a main conductor insulated at all
points, normally disconnected branch conductors extending therefrom, at intervals
along the way, a pick-up on a car, a turnstile at said branch conductors operated
thereby to complete the circuit of said branch conductors and raise the same above
the level of the way in contact with circuit completing devices on said car.
19. The combination in an electrical railway of an underground conductor for
'conveying the current of electricity insulated at all points throughout its length,
normally disconnected branch conductors along the way, a turnstile at intervals along
the way for raising said branch conductors above the surface of the ground and
putting their exposed live ends in contact with circuit completing devices on the car,
and a pick-up on the car for actuating said turnstile.
20. The combination in an electrical railway; of an insulated conductor e, insulated
normally disconnected branch conductors e', e extending therefrom at intervals along
the way, a water-tight drum or other means housing the exposed terminals thereof,
circuit completing devices on the car above the level of the way, mechanism at said
branch conductors for connecting them together and raising the exposed end thereof
in contact with said circuit completing devices, and a pick-up on the car for actuating
said mechanism.
21. The combination in an electrical railway, of a conductor insulated and protected
at all points throughout its length and adapted to be raised above the surface of the
way, of jointed bars (, B1, C¹, carried by the car having pick-ups upon the same for
raising said conductor in contact with circuit completing devices carried by said car.
22. The combination hereinbefore set forth of the pivoted bars C, B, C, com-
posed of a central part a of wood and hinged angle irons 6' and carrying pick-ups,
all supported from the axles of the car substantially as set forth, a subterranean
conduit thereunder into which said pick-ups extend, a conductor, and means operated
by said pick-ups for raising the same in contact with said angle irons, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.
23. The combination as hereinbefore set forth, of a series of pivoted bars carried
by a car with circuit completing devices thereon and a pick-up at each end, a conduit
thereunder into which said pick-ups extend, an underground conductor insulated at
all points with normally disconnected branch conductors extending therefrom at
intervals along the way also insulated at all points, and a turnstile extending into the
path of said slot with intermediate mechanisin for connecting said branch conductors
and putting them in electrical connection with the circuit completing devices on the
car above the level of the way.
24. The combination in an electrical railway, of an underground conductor
insulated at all points throughout its length, branch conductors insulated at every
point extending therefrom at intervals along the way, a device on the car extending
into the slot of a conduit, boxes arranged at said branch conductors, a turnstile in the
path of the device extending into said conduit slot, and intermediate mechanism
between the same and the cover of the other box, an insulating plate thereon con-
nected with the branch conductor, whereby when the turnstile is operated by the
device extending from the car into the slot of the conduit, the circuit will be
completed to the car, and the exposed conductor terminal raised above the level of
the way
+
25. The combination in an electrical railway, of an underground conductor
insulated at all points, normally disconnected branch conductors also insulated at all
points extending therefrom at intervals along the way, having their exposed terminals
suitably protected, a device on the car extending into the slot of a conduit, boxes

page_text: arranged at said branch conductors, a turnstile in the path of the device extending
into said conduit slot, and intermediate mechanism between the same and the cover
of the other box and between the latter and the protected terminals, and an insulating
plate on said cover in electrical communication with said branch conductors, whereby
when the turnstile is operated by the device extending from the car into the slot of
the conduit, the circuit will be completed between the branch conductors and the
plate put in circuit with devices on the car raised above the ground.
26. An electrical railway having a turnstile arranged in boxes at intervals along
the way, a conductor insulated at all points throughout, normally disconnected branch
conductors also insulated at all points at said boxes having terminals suitably, pro-
tected, circuit completing devices carried by a car, a pick-up on said car operating
said turnstile to establish electrical cominunication between said conductors and raiso
the exposed end of said branch conductors above the level of the way, substantially
as described.
27. The combination in an electrical railway of a car carrying bars (1, B', C₁₁
composed of a central part a of wood with angle irons hinged thereto, pick-ups ¹
depending therefrom, a conduit having a slot S within which the pick-ups work,
boxes as f, g, arranged at intervals along the way, the former having hinged covers,
inechanism connecting the same to a turnstile in the line of said slot, a conductor e,
with branches e¹ and eat said boxes insulated as described, a water-tight drum head o,
devices intermediate of said cover and drum operated by said cover when it reaches
its highest point, and an insulating plate y upon said cover to which the conductor e
is secured, whereby when the turnstile is operated by said pick-ups, the cover will be
raised and lowered, the circuit between the conductors made and broken and contact
be made and broken with the angle irons above the level of the way.
28. The combination in an electrical railway of an insulated conductor, branch
conductors at intervals along the way, a pick-up carried by a car adapted to raise
the exposed end of said branch conductors in contact with circuit conveying devices
upon said car, and a guide-slot for said pick-up arranged parallel with the track.
29. In an electric railway of the class described, an insulated main conductor
provided with normally disconnected insulated branch conductors having movable
contact-ends, a guide-slot midway the rails into which said branch conductors project,
and a motor-car having a flexible pick-up device or lifter travelling in the slot, for the
purpose set forth.
30. In an electric railway of the class described, an insulated main conductor
provided with normally disconnected insulated branch conductors, a guide-slot into.
which said branch conductors project, and a motor-car having a hinged lifter or pick-
up device, for the purpose set forth.
31. In an electric railway of the class described, an insulated main conductor
provided with normally disconnected insulated branch conductors, a guide-slot into
which the branch conductors project, an electric-locomotive having an insulated
contact-strip and provided with a pick-up device having a guide-flange for guiding
the picked up branches on said strip, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
32. In combination, an electric-locomotive having a pick-up device provided with
a laterally projecting contact-strip, an insulated main conductor having insulated
branch conductors arranged along the way, a section of the free ends of the branch
conductors being hinged at points to one side of the area travelled over by the contact-
strip on the car, whereby the branch conductors may rest with their weight on the
contact-strip when raised into connection therewith.
33. In combination, an electric-locomotive provided with a pick-up device for
raising the branch conductors, a rail-stringer, a guide-slot into which the pick-up
projects, an insulated main conductor having normally disconnected insulated branch-
conductors provided with hinged outer sections, casings for said hinged sections, such
casings mounted between and supported by said rail-stringer and guide-slot rail,
substantially as described.

page_text: 34. An electric locomotive provided with a pick-up device for raising branch
conductors normally disconnected from an insulated main conductor into contact with
circuit-completing devices on the car, and having the supports 35 for said branch
conductors normally housed in casings 27 located between and supported by a rail-
stringer and the slot-rail in which said pick-up projects.
35. In an electric railway, an insulated main conductor provided with insulated
branch conductors having the contact-ends thereof shiftable, and a switch in each of
said branches comprising two contacts one of which may be rotated into contact with
the other by the shifting of the ends of the branch conductors, substantially as and
for the purpose set forth.
36. An electric-switch having relatively movable contacts which may be moved
into and out of contact with each other, combined with a yielding or elastic insulating
material (such for example as rubber) wholly embedding the contacts and normally
interposed therebetween, so that the contacts may bo protected for instance from water,
and yielding to allow the contacts to be electrically connected and disconnected,
substantially as set forth.
37. An electric-switch having two contacts which may be moved into and out of
contact with each other, an elastic insulating solid material (such as rubber) in which
said contacts are embedded, one of said contacts having a toothed contact surface, for
the purpose set forth.
38. In an electric railway, the combination of the insulated main conductor 13,
provided with the normally disconnected insulated branch conductors 19, 19, having
the switch-contacts 23, 24, connected to said. conductors, the switch-box 26, for
protecting the contacts and the yielding insulating material 32, in which the contacts
are embedded, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
39. The combination in an electric railway, of the beam 18 carried by the car, the
inclined pick-up devices 20, 20, extending oppositely from each end thereof into a
guide-slot disposed between the track-rails, insulated branch conductors extending
across said guide-slot along the way and having switches for connecting and discon-
necting them from an insulated main conductor, whereby as the car progresses the
forward pick-up or lifter 20, will gradually elevate the branch-conductors into contact
with circuit-completing devices on the car, and the inclined rear pick-up will gradually
reseat the said brancli conductors, substantially as described.
40. A pick-up device or lifter for raising one or more branch-conductors into
contact with circuit-completing devices on the car, consisting in a beam swung
beneath the car and having a detachable inclined tongue depending from said beam
and passing beneath said conductors for gradually raising them, whereby said inclined
tongue may be detached from one end of said beam and attached to the other end
thereof, when the car travels in an opposite direction, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
41. The combination in an electric railway, of a pick-up device having fixed flanges
or strips extending laterally therefrom, normally disconnected branch-conductors
arranged along the way and having exposed contact-ends and provided with switches
for connecting and disconnecting them from an insulated main conductor, conductor-
supports 35, hinged at one side of the slot-rail into which said pick-up projects and
near the track-rail, whereby said hinged supports rest by gravity upon said laterally
extending flanges and are sustained thereby, thus making a firm, close contact,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
42. The combination in an electric railway, of a pick-up device having fixed flanges
or strips extending laterally therefrom, normally disconnected insulated branch con-
ductors arranged at intervals along the way and having exposed contact-ends and
provided with switches located in water-tight boxes filled with yielding insulating
material for connecting and disconnecting them from an insulated main conductor,
conductor-supports 35 hinged at one side of the slot-rail into which said pick-up
projects and near the track-rail, whereby said hinged conductor-supports may rest by
gravity upon said laterally extending flanges and may be sustained. thereby, thus

page_text: making close and reliable contact, and whereby the switch-contacts are protected from
moisture and short-circuiting of the current prevented, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
•
43. An electric-switch having contacts in a water-tight box which contacts may be
moved into and out of contact with each other, a shaft controlling the circuit between
said contacts and journalled in said box in elastic insulating material, said shaft being
provided with stretching pins projecting into said elastic material for stretching the
same as described, to form a water-tight joint, substantially as described.
44. In an electric railway, the combination with a car, of a pick-up electro-magnet
mounted thereon and provided with one or more springs for holding the magnet
elevated when the same is not in action, whereby ample clearance between the
magnet and the ground may be obtained, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
FRANK MANSFIELD,
Per J. G. L.