Apparatus for Operating Switches or Points from Railway Trains.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th May, 1892-Accepted, 2nd Ju y, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Operating Switches or Points from Railway Trains.
We, WLADIMIR FARANOWSKI of Podhajce Galicia, Manufacturer and FRANZ
GUNIEWICZ, of Dobrowody, Galicia, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for operating switches or points from railway
trains, which apparatus is composed firstly of mechanisms situated on the permanent
way in connection with the points and secondly of mechanisms situated on the
locomotive engine or other vehicle of a train, for acting on the first named
mechanisms.
The mechanism in connection with the switches consists mainly of a horizontal
reversing arm arranged centrally between the rails of the line, which acts upon the
points and which is operated by a sliding piece on the locomotive, which is lowered
to within reach of the said reversing arm when it is desired to act thereon. On
actuating the reversing arm, a lever or pulley fixed on its axis acts upon chains or
wire ropes fixed thereto at their oue end while the other ends are attached to
opposite sides of the shaft of the ordinary points lever, so that by the motion of the
horizontal arm, the said chains cause the points lever and consequently the points
to be thrown over into the opposite position.
The accompanying drawing shews the arrangement of mechanisms for carrying
out the above described invention.
Figures 1 and 2 shew respectively a plan and side view of the points-actuating
mechanism and
Figures 3 and 4 shew two different arrangements of the mechanism on the
locomotive for actuating the reversing arm of the first named mechanism.
On a strong vertical axis a supported by a suitable bearing at the level of the
sleepers, and at its lower end by a step bearing on a foundation in the middle of
the line of rails, are mounted firstly the horizontal reversing arm b which projects
slightly above the heads of the rails, and secondly, below the level of the
sleepers, a double armed lever c. The arm b has the shape shewn at Figure 1,
being made to widen out considerably from its free end. Consequently, a sliding
piece moving along between the rails on the left hand side of the centre line, and
in the direction towards the points Z Z, must, when coming in contact with the
inclined side b¹ of b, push the latter over to the right hand and consequently cause
it to partially rotate the axis a. The latter in its turn moves the double armed
lever c, which imparts a corresponding motion to the chains or ropes d d¹. These
chains pass over suitable guide rollers as shewn, to the shaft e of the ordinary
points lever W, to which they are attached, so that by the said motion of the
lever the chain d is subject to a pull which, being transmitted to the shaft e,.
causes the points Z Z' to be thrown over, and the position of the points-lever to be
reversed. If this shifting of the points requires to be indicated simultaneously by
a signal, or if the motion requires to be transmitted to another set of points, or to
an indicating apparatus at a station or central locality, the chains d d' are
connected to a second horizontal double armed lever before passing over the
guide rollers ffl to the lever W, and to the lever c¹ are attached the ends of other
chains d' d', which transmit the motion imparted to the lever c' to the said other
apparatus.
The described movement of the arm 6 is effected by a sliding piece which, when
required, is lowered from the locomotive.
The arrangement for this, shewn at Figure 3, is supposed to be worked by steam
power, and to be withdrawn automatically after actuating the points, while that
shewn at Figure 4, is supposed to be worked by hand by the engine driver.

page_text: In the arrangement at Figure 3 two steam cylinders A A', are arranged in
inclined positions symmetrically on each side of the engine. Steam being admitted,
say, into cylinder A', a piston therein, which is provided with a valve, is moved
downwards thereby, the valve being kept closed by the steam pressure. The
piston rod is thus brought with its lower end into the same plane as that in which
the arm b. moves. The lower end of the piston rod (as also that of cylinder A) is
provided with a claw or sliding piece, or, as shewn on the drawing, with a rotable
conical roller B₁ which, as the piston rod travels forward, is brought against the
suitably shaped edge of the arm b, and effects the pushing over of the latter as
described.
In order that the piston rods of the two cylinders A A¹ may simultaneously move
in opposite directions, their lower ends are connected by pivotted links C C₁ to the
beam D swinging vertically on a central horizontal axis, so that owing to the
motion imparted to this beam by the downward motion of the one piston rod,
the other piston rod is moved upward to the same extent.
During such motion the air enclosed in the cylinder A above the piston (whose
valve is closed) will be compressed, and consequently the suddenness of the action
of the steam on the other piston is lessened by the opposed resistance.
The automatic return motion of the pistons and their rods to the middle position
is effected by an excentric or crank on the axis of the beam D, which takes into
the forked upper end of a lever E turning on a pivot at its lower end, and
connected at O¹ to a rod with plates e¹³ that are acted upon by two springs E¹ E.
Thus on the beam D being moved into the one extreme position by the descent of
the one piston rod, the crank or excentric is thereby caused to move lever E over
from the vertical position so as to compress one of the springs, say e³, so that when
sliding piece or roller B' has effected the reversal of the arm b, and the steam has
become condensed in the cylinder A' by the cooling thereof, the force of the
compressed spring E2 will cause the lever E to be brought back into its middle
position and this, in acting upon the beam D will also bring this, and consequently
the piston rods back into their middle positions, in which the rollers B B are kept
at such a height as not to be liable to come into contact with any part of the
permanent way.
The pressure of the compressed spring E2 will be assisted by the compressed air
contained, as before stated, in the cylinder A, which will force the piston down-
wards. The steam in the cylinder A¹ being condensed as stated, the valve of its
piston will open to the pressure of the atmosphere to admit air to the space above the
piston; at the same time the water of condensation will escape through the opened
valve.
In the arrangement shewn at Figure 4, the downward motion of the sliding
piece. B or B¹ which acts on the rocking arm b as above described, is effected by
the beam D actuated by hand by the levers and rods h¹³ ³ ; the ends of the
beam being connected by rods C C¹ to the bars F F¹ which carry the slides B B'
at their lower ends and which slide vertically in guides m m'n n¹ on the engine
frame. On moving the levers h¹ &c. in one direction the beam D will be rocked
so as to cause the slide B' to descend while the slide B ascends, and on moving the
levers over into the reverse position the position of the slides will be reversed; on
moving the levers into a middle position, the slides B B will also be brought into
a middle position.
It will be readily understood that the slides B B' might be actuated in various
other ways without departing from the nature of the invention, the essential
feature of which consists in actuating a horizontally rocking arm situated between
the rails and connected to the points, by means of sliding pieces that are lowered
from the locomotive or other vehicle when required.
Dated this 24th day of September 1891.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants,

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Operating Switches or Points from Railway Trains.
We, WLADIMIR FARANOWSKI, of Podhajce, Galicia, Manufacturer, and
FRANZ GUNIEWICZ, of Dobrowody, Galicia, Electrician, 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 apparatus for operating switches or points from
railway trains which apparatus is composed firstly of mechanisms situated on the
permanent way in connection with the points and secondly of mechanisms situated
on the locomotive engine or other vehicle of a train, for acting on the first named
mechanisms.
The mechanism in connection with the switches consists mainly of a horizontal
reversing arm arranged centrally between the rails of the line, which acts upon the
points and which is operated by a sliding piece on the locomotive, which is lowered
to within reach of the said reversing arm when it is desired to act thereon. On
actuating the reversing arm, a lever or pulley fixed on its axis acts upon chains or
wire ropes fixed thereto at their one end while the other ends are attached to
opposite sides of the shaft of the ordinary point lever, so that by the motion of the
horizontal arm, the said chains cause the point lever and consequently the points to
be thrown over into the opposite position.
The drawing accompanying our Provisional Specification shews the arrangement
of mechanisms for carrying out the above described invention.
Figures 1 and 2 shew respectively a plan and side view of the points-actunting
mechanism and Figures 3 and 4 shew two different arrangements of the mechanism
on the locomotive for actuating the reversing arm of the first named mechanism.
On a strong vertical axis a supported by a suitable bearing at the level of the
sleepers, and at its lower end by a step bearing on a foundation in the middle of
the line of rails, are mounted firstly the horizontal reversing arm b which projects
slightly above the heads of the rails, and secondly, below the level of the sleepers,
a double armed lever c, or it may be a disc or equivalent device.
The arm has the shape shewn at Figure 1, being made to widen out considerably
from its free end. Consequently, a sliding piece moving along between the rails
on the left hand side of the centre line, and in the direction towards the
points Z Z must, when coming in contact with the inclined side of push the
latter over to the right hand and consequently cause it to partially rotate the axis a.
The latter in its turn moves the double armed lever c, which imparts a corre-
sponding motion to the chains or ropes d d'. These chains pass over suitable guide
rollers as shewn, to the shaft e of the ordinary points lever W, to which they are
attached, so that by the said motion of the lever e the chain is subject to a pull
which, being transmitted to the shaft e, causes the points Z Z' to be thrown over,
and the position of the points-lever to be reversed.
If this shifting of the points requires to be indicated simultaneously by a signal,
or if the motion requires to be transmitted to another set of points, or to an
indicating apparatus at a station or central locality, the chains d d' are connected
to a second horizontal double armed lever c¹ before passing over the guide
rollers ff to the lever W, and to the lever c are attached the ends of other
chains dd, which transmit the motion imparted to the lever c¹ to the said other
apparatus.
The described movement of the arm is effected by a sliding piece which, when
required, is lowered from the locomotive.
The arrangement for this, shewn at Figure 3, is supposed to be worked by steam
power, and to be withdrawn automatically after actuating the points, while that
shewn at Figure 4, is supposed to be worked by hand by the engine driver.
In the arrangement at Figure 3 two steam cylinders A, A' are arranged in

page_text: inclined positions symmetrically on each side of the engine. Steam being admitted,
say, into cylinder A', a piston therein, which is provided with a valve, is moved
downwards thereby, the valve being kept closed by the steam pressure.
The piston rod is thus brought with its lower end into the same plane as that
in which the arm moves. The lower end of the piston rod (as also that of
cylinler A) is provided with a claw or sliding piece, or, as shewn on the drawing,
with a rotatable conical roller B₁ which, as the piston rod travels forward, is
brought against the suitably shaped edge of the arm b, and effects the pushing
over of the latter as described.
In order that the piston rods of the two cylinders A A' may simultaneously move
in opposite directions, their lower ends are connected by pivotted links C C¹ to the
beain D swinging vertically on a central horizontal axis, so that owing to the
motion imparted to this beam by the downward motion of the one piston rod,
the other piston rod is moved upward to the same extent.
During such motion the air enclosed in the cylinder A above the piston (whose
valve is closed) will be compressed, and consequently the suddenness of the action of
the steam on the other piston is lessened by the opposed resistance.
The automatic return motion of the pistons and their rods to the middle position
is effected by an excentric or crank on the axis of the beam D, which takes into
the forked upper end of a lever E turning on a pivot at its lower end, and connected
at O¹ to a rod with plates ee that are acted upon by two springs E1 E2. Thus on
the beam D being moved into the one extreme position by the descent of the one
piston rod, the crank or excentric is thereby caused to move lever E over from the
vertical position so as to compress one of the springs, say e², so that when sliding
piece or roller B' has effected the reversal of the arm b, and the steam has become
condensed in the cylinder A¹ by the cooling thereof, the force of the compressed
spring E' will cause the lever E to be brought back into its middle position and
this, in acting upon the beam D will also bring this, and consequently the piston
rods back into their middle positions, in which the rollers B B₁ are kept at such a
height as not to be liable to come into contact with any part of the permanent way.
The pressure of the compressed spring E' will be assisted by the compressed air
contained, as before stated, in the cylinder A, which will force the piston
downwards.
The steam in the cylinder A' being condensed as stated, the valve of its piston
will open to the pressure of the atmosphere to admit air to the space above the
piston; at the same time the water of condensation will escape through the opened
valve.
In the arrangement shewn at Figure 4, the downward motion of the sliding
piece B or B which acts on the rocking arm bas above described, is effected by
the beam D actuated by hand by the levers and rods ¹³ ³, the ends of the
beam being connected by rods CC to the bars F F which carry the slides B B¹
at their lower ends and which slide vertically in guides m m', n n' on the engine
frame. On moving the levers ' &c. in one direction the beam D will be rocked
so as to cause the slide B' to descend with the slide B ascends, and on moving the
levers over into the reverse position the position of the slides will be reversed; on
moving the levers into a middle position, the slides B. B' will also be brought into
a middle position.
It will be readily understood that the slides B B' might be actuated in various
other ways without departing from the nature of the invention, the essential
feature of which consists in actuating a horizontally rocking arm situated between
the rails and connected to the points, by means of sliding pieces that are lowered
from the locomotive or other vehicle when required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. Apparatus for operating switches or points from railway trains consisting of

page_text: a tapering lever arm pivotted at the centre of the line of rails so as to swing
horizontally slightly above the heads of the rails, the axis of which arm carries a
double ended lever, disc, or equivalent device that moves with the lever arm band
that has attached to it the one end of two chains or ropes the other ends of which
are connected to the axis e of the point lever W situated at the side of the points,
so that by the movement in the one direction or the other of the arm b, the axis e
and lever W will be moved by the chains or ropes so as to bring the points from the
one position into the other, such movement of the arm b being effected by sliding
pieces B B which are let down from the passing train, substantially as described.
2. In apparatus such as is referred to in the preceding claim, actuating the
sliding pieces by means of two steam cylinders A A' mounted on each side of the
centre line of the vehicle, and having pistons the rods of which are connected to
the sliding pieces B B' and also to the ends of a vertically oscillating sway beam D,
so that on admitting steam into the one cylinder so as to lower its sliding piece, the
other sliding piece and piston are at the same time raised by the sway beam,
substantially as described.
3. In combination with the arrangements referred to in the second claim, an
automatic device for shifting back the pistons and their sliding pieces B B¹ to the
middle position consisting of an excentric or crank carried by and moving with
the axis of the beam D, and gearing with one end of a lever E that is acted upon
by two spring buffers E' E, e' e³, so that by the downward motion of the one or
other sliding piece, the one or other spring is compressed, and consequently tends
to bring the several parts back into the middle position when the depressed piston
and sliding picce are no longer acted upon by steam pressure, substantially as
described.
4. In apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim, the use for guiding the
sliding picces B B₁ in their motion, of a system of levers h h h h³h which are
connected respectively to the sway beam, and to vertically guided sliding bars F F¹
carrying the sliding pieces B B¹ substantially as described.
Dated this 19th day of May 1892.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.