IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN CONNECTION WITH STREET TRAMWAY POINTS
Year: 1885

page_text: I THOMAS MASSEY LYNCH of 10 Holly Grove, Seaforth in the County of
Lancaster Commercial Traveller do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN AND IN CONNECTION WITH STREET TRAMWAY POINTS, to be
as follows:-
My Invention relates to certain improvements in and in connection with that
class of street tramway points which are actuated by a device, or devices in con-
nection with and operated on the tram car so as to set the point correctly for the
coming tram car.
According to my Invention I connect the end of the facing point which is of the
usual construction (and jointed to the end of the rail in the usual way) to a toothed
quadrant or a bell crank lever, by a connecting rod which is jointed to, or near the
end of the point and to the said toothed quadrant or bell crank lever. One end of
the quadrant or bell crank lever is provided with a weight, the object of which is
to keep the quadrant and bell crank lever and thereby the point always in one
position, unless when operated as hereafter described. The other end of the toothed
quadrant, or bell crank lever, in the case of the toothed quadrant is geared to a
toothed rack, or in the case of the bell crank lever, is connected to a bar. This
toothed rack, or bar is connected to or bears against an auxiliary rail, or rails which
is placed in the tram line between the tram rails. This auxiliary rail, or rails is
so constructed and mounted that it, or part of it, is capable of being depressed by
a device on the tram car. This device may consist of a wheel, or wheels, a skid,
or skids mounted under the framework of the car, and provided with levers, rods,
chains and handles whereby the said device, or devices may be operated by the
driver, or conductor of the tram car in such a manner as to throw weight on and
depress the auxiliary rail, or rails before the tram car reaches the point and by
such weight to depress the auxiliary rail and cause the point through the toothed
quadrant, or bell crank lever and connections to open, or set the point for the
coming tram, and hold it open until the tram car has passed the point After the
tramcar has passed the point and the weight has been removed from the auxiliary
rail, the weight in connection with the toothed quadrant causes the point to assume
its normal position, the end of the toothed quadrant, or bell crank lever resting
upon a stop provided for that purpose.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in Connection with Street Tramway Points.
I THOMAS MASSEY LYNCH, of 10 Holly Grove, Seaforth in the County of
.Lancaster, Commercial Traveller do hereby declare the nature of my said invention
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 certain improvements in and in connection with that
class of street tramway points which are actuated by a device, or devices, in con-
nection with and operated on the tram car so as to set the point correctly for such
tram car.
According to my Invention I connect the end of the facing point which is of
the usual construction (and jointed to the end of the rail in the usual way)
to a toothed quadrant, or a bell crank lever, by a connecting rod, which is jointed
to, or near the end of the point and to the said toothed quadrant, or bell crank
lever. One end of the quadrant, or bell crank lever is provided with a weight,
the object of which is to keep the quadrant and bell crank lever and thereby
the point always in one position unless when operated as hereafter described.
The other end of the toothed quadrant or bell crank lever, in the case of the
toothed quadrant is geared to a toothed rack, or in the case of the bell crank
lever is connected to a bar. This toothed rack or bar is connected to, or bears
against an auxiliary rail, or rails which is placed in the train line between the
tram rails. This auxiliary rail, or rails is so constructed and mounted that it,
or part of it is capable of being depressed by a device on the tram car. This
device may consist of a wheel, or wheels, a skid, or skids mounted under the
framework of the car and provided with levers, rods, chains and handles whereby
the said device, or devices may be operated by the driver, or conductor of the tram
car in such a manner as to throw weight on and depress the auxiliary rail, or rails
before the tram car reaches the point and by such weight to depress the auxiliary
rail and cause the point through the toothed quadrant, or bell crank lever and
connections to open, or set the point for the coming tramcar and hold it open until
the tramcar has passed the point. After the tram car has passed the point and the
weight has been removed from the auxiliary rail the weight in connection with
the toothed quadrant causes the point to assume its normal position, the end of
the toothed quadrant or bell crank lever resting upon a stop provided for that
Пригрове.
The above description sets forth generally the object, nature, features and
purposes of my Invention, but that the same may be more clearly understood
I will now proceed to describe by the aid of the Drawings hereto annexed, which
form a part of this Specification, how my Invention may be carried out into
practical effect by others skilled in the art to which it belongs or is most nearly
connected. The Drawings are marked with figures and letters of reference corre-
sponding with those in the following explanation. Like letters and figures are
used throughout the various views to denote like, or corresponding parts,

page_text: according to my Invention.
Figure 2 shows the cross section through Figure 1 at X X.
Figure 3 is a section in elevation of the depression rail and slide.
Figure 4 is a view in elevation showing the point operating mechanism of the
tram car.
With reference to the Drawings a designates a facing point, the inner face of
which is rounded over, as shown at a¹, the rail being also rounded over at 'a' so as
to throw out, when the point closes, any stones, or hard substance that may be
between the point and the rail. b is the depression rail which is grooved and of
duplex form, each piece being of about equal length and borne on the slide d and
hinge jointed at either end. The extreme ends of the rail rest upon the bottom
of the bed o in which it lies and is contained, and which serves also as its guide,
and the abutting or inner ends rest upon the bead d of the slide d. It will be seen
that the bottom of the bed o inclines towards the inner end of the rail b thus
permitting of the necessary action and depression. The depression of the rail b
which is effected in the manner hereinafter described, communicates its movement
to the point a through the slide d, bell crank levere and connecting link f as will
be seen. In Figures 2 and 3 of the Drawings the rail b is shown standing at its
normal position. This position is obtained by the weight g which as will be seen
is suspended from the long end of the bell crank levere thereby causing a con-
tiduous upward pressure to be exerted upon the slide d and so keeps the rail when
not depressed, in the elevated position shown in the Drawings and it also effects
the resumption of its normal position after the rail has been depressed. As to
which position of the point a is its normal position, this will depend upon the
particular circumstances and needs of the individual applications and as will
be understood the mechanism will have to be arranged to suit the different
requirements. The point mechanism is enclosed in the case h which is sunk into
the road, or street and is provided with a cover, or lid i
The point operating mechanism of the car shown at Figure 4 consists of rocking
levers 1 mounted loosely upon the axle shafts of the car and having anti-friction
wheels 2 at their lower ends, the upper being the end to which the necessary power
is applied to depress the rail. At each of the upper ends there is also provided a
weight 3 which serves to keep the wheel 2 elevated from the surface of the road
or street when it is not in operation. This position is shown in the Drawings.
The lever 1 is preferably made in two pieces and joined together by bolts and nuts
through a flange as shown. The diagram of the car shown in the Drawings
illustrates one capable of being pulled from either end and shows a means of
operating the depressing mechanism from and at each end and it consists of cords,
or chains 4 passing over guide pulleys 5 to tread levers 6. It will be observed
that from which either of the ends of the car the mechanism may be operated the
motions of the levers 1 will be identical; one foot lever only may be used, and it
may be removed and used at either end of the car.
The operation of the mechanism is as follows. When it is desired to take a
junction for which the point of the tramway is not normally set, the operator upon
the car depresses the tread lover 6 according to which end he is operating from
and the car is travelling as soon as the wheels of the car are in proximity to the
depression rails b. The first of the wheels 2 which is arranged upon the tramcar
laterally to coincide with the rail 6 enters the groove of the rail b and through the
pressure applied at the tread lever 6 depresses it and thus switches over the point a
to the required position. Assuming the front pair of wheels to have taken the
point correctly, the correct taking of the point by the second pair of wheels
is assured by the continued depression of the rail 6 which being still depressed

page_text: maintains the point in the necessary position. The recovery of the normal position
of the point takes place subsequent to the passage of the car over it.
I am aware that depressing mechanisins have been proposed to be employed in
connection with street tramway points and cars and I make no claim to the use of
such mechanical devices generally, the points and features of novelty of this my
Invention being set forth in the claiming clauses herein below given.
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
}
First. In points of the type herein described the use of a central depression rail
in combination with a quadrant, or bell crank lever and a weight, or spring and
operating substantially as set forth.
Second. In points of the type herein described a depression rail formed of two
portions arranged and operating substantially as set forth.
J
Third. The arrangement and construction of point actuating mechanism sub-
stantially, as set forth with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the Drawings.
Fourth. The combination of the lever 1. and weight 3 substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
Fifth. The lever 1, wheel 2 and weight 3 arranged and constructed substantially
as and for the purposes set forth operating as described with reference to Figure 4.
of the Drawings.