Improvements in Car Fenders.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Car Fenders.
I, FREDERICK JACOB GRAF, a citizen of the United States, residing at
47 East 8th Street, in the City, County and State of New York, U.S.A.,
Lithographic Pressman, 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 fenders or guards for tram-way cars, and the object
thereof, is to provide a device of this class which is novel in construction and
operation, and which is mounted beneath the platform of the car, or one of which
may be mounted beneath each of the platforms of the car, in such manner that it
is retained beneath the platform normally, but may be projected whenever
necessary, by the driver or motor man, and which may also be automatically
projected under certain conditions and which is provided with means for drawing it
back into position, beneath the platform of the car, and also with means whereby
the notion of the car or the revolution of the wheels assist in the projection
thereof, and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the
construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter described and
claimed.
The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the
accompanying drawings form a part; in which :-
Fig. 1, is a side view of a car provided with my improved fender or guard;
Fig. 2, a plan view of one of the platforms thereof;
Fig. 3, a bottom plan view of the fender or guard showing also one of the axles
of the car, the platform of the car being removed, and a portion of the fender or
guard being broken away;
.
Fig. 4, a longitudinal vertical section of a part of the construction shown in
Fig. 3;
Fig. 5, a partial section on the line 5, 5, of Fig. 4;
Fig. 6, a partial section on the line 6, 6, of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7, a plan view of the fender or guard detached from the car;
Fig. 8, a side view thereof;
Fig. 9, a side view of the lever which forms a part of the operative mechanism,
and which is mounted on the platform of the car;
Fig. 10, a similar view of a shaft which also extends upwardly through the
platform of the car, and constitutes a part of the operative mechanism, a portion
of said operative mechanism being connected therewith; and,
Fig. 11, is a sectional detail of the construction shown in Fig. 10.
In the drawings forming part of this specification A, represents a tram-way car
provided with my improved fender or guard, one of which is mounted beneath the
platform at each end thereof, and said fenders or guards at each end thereof, are.
enclosed or bordered in as shown at a, and at one end said fender or guard, is
shown projected at a², and the same is shown in plan and in side view in Figs. 7,
and 8, and it consists of a frame composed of a rear end or bar B, a central cross
bar b, a front end rod or bar 62, the ends of which are curved backwardly, and
provided with a cross rod or bar 6, on which are mounted rollers 64, of rubber or
similar material, and the front end bar b², may also be covered with rubber tubing
or a similar material, if desired, and the rear end bar B, the central cross bar b, and
the front or forward end bar 62, are connected by parallel rods or bars, any

page_text: desired number of which may be employed, but seven of which are shown in the
drawings.
The central cross bar b, strictly speaking, does not form a part of the fender or
guard, but is rigidly secured to and forms a part of a frame which is suspended
beneath the platform of the car, and which constitutes a support for the fender or
guard proper. and mounted on each of the side bars 66, are strong spiral springs 66,
one end of which bears upon the cross bar b, and the other being provided with a
bearing, secured to said side bars or rods ", and secured to the five inner rods
or bars 6, in front of the central cross bar b, is a cross head C, to which is secured
centrally thereof, and longitudinally of the frame, a metal plate C³, one end of
which is secured to said cross head, and the other to the rear end cross bar B, and
the upper surface of said plate C2, is provided with upwardly directed transverse
teeth C³, and I also employ two supplemental longitudinal rods or bars C, which
form a part of the fender frame and which connect the cross head C, and the rear
end cross bar B, and pass loosely through the central cross bar b, by which the
fender or guard is supported and by which it is guided in its motion or operation
as hereinafter described, and it will be also understood that all of the longitudinal
rods or bars 6, pass loosely through the central cross bar b, and are free to slide
therein, and the supplemental rods or bars C, which connect the cross head C,
with the rear end cross bar B, are arranged below the other rods or bars 65, as
clearly shown in Fig. 8, and the forward end of the fender or guard is provided
with arms D, in which, are mounted rollers d, which are adapted to rest upon the
ground and support the end of the fender or guard when it is projected in front of
the car as hereinafter described.
The platform E, of the car, one of which is provided at each end, as will be
understood, is provided with a suitable frame, which is suspended therefrom, and
which comprises vertical hangers F, at each of the forward corners thereof, one
of which is shown in Fig. 4, and the lower ends of which are connected by a cross
bar F, and similar vertical hangers G, at about the middle of the platform, the
bottoms of which are connected by the cross bar or plate b, as shown in Fig. 4, and
extending from the cross bar b, forward is a plate g, the forward end of which is
secured to the cross bar F2, as is also clearly shown in said figure, and said plate g,
is provided near said cross bar F2, with a slot g², below which is mounted a plate
spring 9, the rear end of which is secured to the plate g, and the forward end of
which is provided with an upwardly directed head or projection g', and the rods or
bars 6, of the fender or guard frame are passed through the cross bar F³, at the
forward end of the platform as clearly shown in Fig. 4.
I also provide a vertically movable frame H, which is shown in Fig. 5, and
which is supported on the cross bar b, and which consists of vertical side posts,
which are united at their upper ends by a cross plate and which connect with
the cross bar b, by pins or bolts h³, which move in slots formed therein, and passing
through the hangers G, or mounted in vertical slots formed therein, is a shaft h,
on which is mounted a sprocket wheel, which is adapted to operate in connection
with the teeth or sprockets C³, on the plate C, and connected with the upper end
of the vertically movable sprocket wheel frame is a belt or chain K, which passes
over a pulley K, which extends forward, and connects with an arm k, of a
transverse shaft, which is provided with another arm k³, to which is secured
a cord or chain k, which passes over a pulley ko, and upwardly through the
platform of the car, and connects with a lever k, which is suitably supported
thereon, as shown in Figs. 2, and 9, and the transverse shaft k2, is also provided
with an arm k7, to which is secured a spring ks, one end of which is connected with
the frame at k, and a corresponding arm L, is formed on or secured to said
shaft, which projects upward, and backwardly, and is provided with a rod L².
It will be seen on an examination of Fig. 3, that two of the arms L, and two of
the rods L, are provided and said rods pass through the hangers G, over the
shaft, and through the vertical slots in which said shaft is mounted, and the
operation thereof, will be hereinafter described.

page_text: It will also be seen that two of the arms k', and two of the springs ks, are
provided, one set being arranged at each end of the shaft, as shown in Fig. 3,
and mounted on the shaft , at opposite sides of the centre thereof, are two pulley
wheels M, which are shown in Fig. 3, and one of which is shown in Fig. 4, and
mounted on each of said wheels is a chain, cord or belt M², each of which passes
backwardly, and around a wheel m, mounted on the adjacent axle of the car, and
each of said chains, cords or belts is crossed as shown at m³, in Fig. 4, and
supported by hangers m³, adjacent to the axle, is a shaft m', on which is mounted
a wheel m, on which is placed a chain, cord or belts me, one end of which is
secured to the rear end of the fender or guard frame, or to the cross bar B,
thereof, as in Fig. 4.
I also provide a vertical rod or shaft N, which passes through the forward end
of the platform, and on which is mounted below the platform a wheel N³, on which
is placed an endless chain or belt N, which is passed around two separate pulleys
at N, adjacent to one side of the frame, and carried backwardly and passed over
a pulley No, and then around a wheel No, on the shaft m'.
Mounted transversely at the front end of the frame by which the fender or guard
is supported, is a shaft O, provided with two central depending arms O³, one of
which is shown in Fig. 4, and both of which are shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3,
and the arms O2, are united at O and provided with an outwardly directed plate O*,
on which the lower end of the vertical shaft or rod N, is adapted to operate, and
the said shaft O, is provided with a plurality of downwardly directed pins 0³, which
are preferably six in number, and secured to the front of the frame, is a transverse
buffer O', through which passes a plurality of buffer bolts 08, provided with
buttons or heads and the inner ends of the buffer bolts 08, are adapted to bear
upon the depending pins Os, and also upon the arins or pins O2, when driven
inwardly and secured to one of the depending pins 03, is a spring 0, one end of
which is secured to the frame and which is adapted to draw the pins 0, and 0%,
outwardly, after they have been driven in by the buffer bolts, or by the rod or
shaft N, as hereinafter described.
Attached to the rear sides of the sides h, of the vertically movable sprocket
wheel frame H, are outwardly directed pins P, over which passes a chain or
cord P2, the ends of which are secured to flat springs P3, which are provided with
heads P, which are adapted to operate in connection with the cross bar b, of the
fender frame and to catch over the edge thereof, when the same is projected as
hereinafter described.
Mounted on the vertically movable rod or shaft N, above the platform, is
a ratchet wheel R, above which is a disk R2, and said shaft passes through a
plate R, above which is placed a spring R4, which is adapted to force the ratchet
wheel R, upwardly, and pivotally connected with the plate R³, at R³, is a segmental
plate R, to the upper side of which is rigidly secured a pawl R, and the segmental
plate Rs, is provided near its free end and on its inner side with a semi-circular
cavity R', and said plate is adapted to be pressed inwardly, beneath the ratchet
wheel R, and to hold the same in an elevated position in such manner that the
shaft N, cannot be depressed so that the lower end thereof, will strike the plate or
arm O, on the arms or pins O2, and when said segmental plate is forced inwardly
beneath the ratchet wheel R, the pawl Re, will operate in connection with the teeth
on the ratchet wheel so as to prevent the movement thereof, and passing through
the pawl R. and the segmental plate R³, is a screw threaded pin or bolt R³, by
means of which the segmental plate R, may be secured in position, beneath the
ratchet wheel or in position outside of said wheel, in such manner that said ratchet
wheel and the shaft N, may be depressed.
The upper end of the rod or shaft N, is provided with a wheel S, which is held
in place by a screw threaded cap S2, and said wheel is provided with a central
hub S3, which is screw threaded and by means of which it is mounted on the upper
end of the shaft or rod N.
The spring P³, berein before described, is secured to the cross bar b, of the fender

page_text: support, and when the fender or guard frame is withdrawn, beneath the platform as
shown in Fig. 4, and springs &, are compressed and the heads g, of the spring g³,
connects with the shaft u, on which the rollers d, at the forward end of the fender
or guard are mounted, and hold the same in its position, beneath the platform,
against the operation of the springs be, and the operation will be readily understood
from the foregoing description when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings and the following statement thereof.
If the car be in motion and a person or object be seen on the track, and it is
desired to project the fender or guard, the rod or shaft N, is depressed, by stepping
on the disk R³, or the ratchet wheel R, if the disk is not employed, and said wheel
is depressed together with the shaft, and the lower end thereof, strikes the plate O'
which is mounted on the arms or pins 0%, which are secured to the shaft O, and
said arms or pins are forced downwardly and backwardly and operating upon the
springs g, they release the head 9', thereof, from its connection with the forward
end of the fender or guard, and the latter is projected by the springs, a part of
the distance through which it passes and at the same time the shaft h, and the
sprocket wheel A, is revolved by the axle of the ear by means of the wheels m, and
the chains, cords or belts M', and the sprocket wheel A, operating in connection
with the sprocket teeth C, on the plate C, project the fender or guard to the full
extent as shown in Fig. 1.
It will be understood that the shaft h, is always revolved by the axle on which
the wheels m, are mounted, and in order to withdraw the fender or guard beneath
the platform, the frame in which the sprocket wheel , is mounted must be raised,
and this is done by means of the lever k, and the chains or cord k¹, connected
therewith, which operates upon the shaft, the arm k, and the cord K; after
which the fender or guard may be withdrawn by turning the shaft or rod N, the
operation of withdrawing the fender or guard beneath the platform, being
accomplished by the wheel N, which is mounted on said shaft and the endless
chain, cord or belt N3, which is passed around the pulleys N*, over the pulley N,
and around the wheel No, on the shaft m', on which is mounted the wheel m³,
which carries the chains, cord or belts me, which is secured to the rear end of the
fender or guard as shown in Fig. 4.
If a person or object should be struck by the buffer bolts 0%, said buffer bolts
will strike the depending arms or pins 03, and 03, and the result of this operation
will be exactly the same as that above described, the depending pins or arms O
operating to depress the spring g, and release the head thereof, from the forward
end of the fender or guard, after which said fender or guard would be projected as
hereinbefore described.
It will therefore be observed that the fender or guard may he projected by the
driver or motor mau by means of the shaft or rod N, or that the same result will
be accomplished if a person or object be struck by the buffer bolts O, and in each
of these operations, the fender or guard is only projected a part of the distance,
through which it moves, and the complete projection thereof, is accomplished by
means of the axle on which the wheels m, are mounted, and by the cords or
belts m³, which are connected with said wheels, and with the wheels M.
In the operation of raising the sprocket wheel frame H, as herein before
described, the rods L2, are first withdrawn so that they will not project through
the vertical alots in the side bars or plates G, in which the shaft A, is mounted,
and this is accomplished by the lever ko, at the same time as the sprocket wheel
frame is raised, the cord or chain K, being slack so that the said rod will be
withdrawn before the said cord or chain begins to raise the frame.
It will be understood that a person or object struck by the fender or guard will
be received thereon, or will fall thereon, and the passage of such person or object
beneath the car will thus be avoided, and the projection of the feuder or guard if
a person or object should be struck, by the buffer bolts O³, will also remove such
person or object from off the track, and in either event such person or object
cannot pass beneath the car, and by means of this device, constructed as herein

page_text: shown and described, the serious and sometimes fatal results which frequently
follow the striking of a person or object by a car when in motion, will be
prevented.
In practice, one of these fenders or guards is connected with each platform of
the car, and it is evident that changes in, and modifications of the construction
herein described, may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention,.
or sacrificing its advantages, and I reserve the right to make all such alterations
therein, and modifications thereof, as fairly come within the scope of the
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be perfornied, I declare that what I'
claim is :-
1. A fender or guard for tram way cars, which is mounted beneath the platform
or platforms thereof, and adapted to be projected therefrom and withdrawn
beneath the car, said fender or guard being constructed and operating as herein
described, and as shown in the drawing.
2. The combination with the platforin of a car, of a suitable supporting frame
suspended therefrom, and a sliding fender or guard which consists of a suitable
frame, which is adapted to slide in the bottom of the supporting frame, and which
is provided with springs by which it may be partially projected in front of the car,
and with a plate or bar provided with teeth or sprockets, and said frame being
provided with a sprocket wheel which is in operative connection with one of the
axles, and which is adapted to operate in connection with said teeth or sprockets,
so as to assist in projecting the fender or guard, substantially as shown and
described.
3. The combination with the platform of a car, of suitable hangers or supporting
frames, a fender or guard mounted in the bottom thereof, and adapted to be
projected in front of the car, springs connected with said fender or guard, and
bearing upon a portion of the supporting frame, and adapted to partially project
the fender or guard, and means connected with the adjacent axle of the car, and
with the fender or guard frame, for finishing the projection thereof, substantially
as shown and described.
4. The combination with the platform of a car, of suitable hangers or supporting
frames, a fender or guard mounted in the bottom thereof, and adapted to be
projected in front of the car, springs connected with said fender or guard, and
bearing upon a portion of the supporting frame, and adapted to partially project
the fender or guard, and means connected with the adjacent axle of the car, and
with the fender or guard frame, for finishing the projection thereof, said means
consisting of a sprocket wheel mounted in a vertically movable frame and adapted
to operate in connection with sprockets or teeth, formed on the fender or guard
frame, and said sprocket wheel being in operative connection with the axle of the
car, substantially as shown and described.
5. The combination with the platform of a car, of suitable hangers or supporting
frames, a fender or guard mounted in the bottom thereof, and adapted to be
projected in from the car, springs connected with said fender or guard, and bearing
upon a portion of the supporting frame, and adapted to partially project the fender
or guard, and means connected with the adjacent axle of the car, and with the
fender or guard frame, for finishing the projection thereof, said means consisting
of a sprocket wheel mounted in a vertically movable frame and adapted to operate
in connection with sprockets or teeth, formed on the fender or guard frame, and
said sprocket wheel being in operative connection with the axle of the car, and
the frame or support being provided with a spring which is adapted to hold the
fender or guard in its position beneath the platform and a shaft which extends
upwardly through the platform, and operative devices by which the connection
of the spring with the fender or guard is broken, substantially as shown and
described.

page_text: 6. The combination with the platform of a car, of a suitable supporting frame
or hangers suspended therefrom, a fender or guard mounted in the lower part of
said frame, and provided with springs by which it may be partially projected in
front of the car, and devices connected with said fender or guard, and with said
supporting frame, and with the adjacent axle of the car, for completing the
projection of the fender or guard, said supporting frame being also provided at
the forward end thereof, with a spring by which the fender or guard is retained
beneath the platform and means for operating said spring consisting of buffer
bolts which are movably mounted in a suitable buffer and which are adapted to
operate in connection with suitably supported pius or arms which are adapted to
bear upon said spring, substantially as shown and described.
7. The combination with the platform of a car, of a suitable support suspended
therefrom, a fender or guard mounted in said support, and means connected with
said fender or guard and with one of the axles of the car for projecting the same,
substantially as shown and described.
8. The combination with the platform of a car, of a suitable support suspended
therefrom, a fender or guard mounted therein, and adapted to be projected in
front thereof, said fender or guard being provided with a plate having sprocket
teeth or projections formed thereon, and said support with a vertically movable
frame, in which is mounted a sprocket wheel which is adapted to operate in
connection with said sprocket teeth, and the shaft of which is provided with other
wheels which are in operative connection with one of the axles of the car, and
means for operating said vertically movable frame consisting of a lever supported
above the platform of the car, and provided with a chain, rope or cord which
extends therethrough, and which passes over suitable pulleys in said frame,
substantially as shown and described.
9. The combination with the platform of a car, of a suitable support suspended
therefrom, a fender or guard mounted therein, and adapted to be projected by
springs, and by the momentum of the car, means for retaining said frame beneath
the platform, and devices for operating the same consisting of longitudinally
movable buffer bolts which project in front of the car, substantially as shown and
described.
10. The combination with the platform of a car, suitable supports suspended
therefrom, a fender or guard mounted therein, and adapted to be projected by
springs, and by the momentum of the car, means for retaining said frame beneath
the platform, and devices for operating the same consisting of longitudinally
movable buffer bolts which project in front of the car, and a vertical shaft or rod
which extends through the platform, and which is adapted to be depressed so as to
operate to release the fender or guard, and devices connected with said rod or
shaft for withdrawing the fender or guard beneath the platform, substantially as
shown and described.
11. The combination with the platform of a car, of a spring operated fender or
guard which is suitably supported beneath the same, and which is also provided
with operating devices which are in connection with one of the axles of the car
whereby it may be projected in front thereof, said platform being also provided
with a vertically movable shaft or rod, and means connected therewith, and with
the platform for withdrawing the fender or guard beneath the platform,
substantially as shown and described.
12. The combination with the platform of a car, of a spring operated fender or
guard which is suitably supported beneath the same, and which is also provided
with operating devices which are in connection with one of the axles of the car
whereby it may be projected in front thereof, said platform being also provided
with a vertically movable shaft or rod, and means connected therewith, and with
the platform for withdrawing the fender or guard beneath the platform, con-
sisting of sprocket teeth or projections formed on the fender or guard, and a
vertically movable frame in which is mounted a sprocket wheel which is adapted

page_text: to operate in connection with said teeth or projections, substantially as shown and
described.
13. The combination with the platform of a car, of a spring operated fender or
guard which is suitably supported beneath the same, and which is also provided
with operating devices which are in connection with one of the axles of the car
whereby it may be projected in front thereof, said platform being also provided
with a vertically movable shaft or rod, and means connected therewith, and with
the platform for withdrawing the fender or guard beneath the platform, consisting
of sprocket teeth or projections formed in the fender or guard, a vertically
movable frame in which is mounted a sprocket wheel which is adapted to operate
in connection with said teeth or projections, and devices connected with the
platform for operating said vertically movable frame, consisting of a lever,
substantially as shown and described.
14. The combination with the platform of a car, of a spring operated fender or
guard which is suitably supported beneath the same, and which is also provided
with operating devices which are in connection with one of the axles of the car
whereby it may be projected in front thereof, said platform being also provided
with a vertically movable shaft or rod, and means connected therewith, and with
the platform for withdrawing the fender or guard beneath the platform,
consisting of sprocket teeth or projections formed on the fender or guard, a
vertically movable frame in which is mounted a sprocket wheel which is adapted
to operate in connection with the platform for operating said vertically movable
frame, consisting of a lever, provided with a rope or chain which passes downwardly
through said platform, and which is in connection with devices for releasing said
vertically movable frame, and for raising the same, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 2nd dar of December 1896.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.