CLEANING TRAMWAYS
Year: 1885

page_text: JOHN CUMBERLAND PART 17ª Great George Street Westminster Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for CLEANING TRAMWAYS, to be as
follows:-
A triangular cutter of star like shape adapted to the section of the 'rail.
The cutters or stars have each three blades one of which is always in action
clearing the top of the rail and the groove at the same time and throwing all the
dirt, snow, ice &c on each side so as to leave the rail quite free for the wheel to
work upon.
The stars or cutters revolve on a pivot which pivot is attached to a bar or bars
running alongside the car and so arranged that the apparatus can be lowered into
work or raised up when not required.
Should there be any irregularity in the joints of the rails the blade then in
contact will be changed for one of the others by a revolution of the triangle and the
operation will be continued so long as the blade is in place upon the rail.
Hitherto the method of clearing out, mud stones ice snow and other obstructions
from tram rails has been to use a pointed shovel or some similar instrument which
is forced along by a labourer the point of the shovel being fitted to the section of
the rail, the dirt &c being taken up into the shovel.
My claim is
1st The particular form of scraper, being triangular and so shaped as to fit on to
the flat surface of the rail and into the groove of the same.
The said scraper being also constructed to throw all the dirt scraped off or out
of the groove of the tram rail quite clear of the points of contact of the metals and
wheels of the tram car.
0
2nd The mode of fixing on to the car which is done by means of an attachment
to the grease box with guide for slide rod.
DL 1
2

page_text: JOHN CUMBERLAND PART 17a Great George Street Westminster Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
perforined, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:―
This invention consists of a triangular star or cleaner made in the manner shewn
in the drawing and marked A.
This triangular cleaner is so formed that one portion marked B rests upon the
top face of the rail and the portion marked C projects into the groove dislodging
any dirt stones or other matter which may be lodged upon or in the same.
In order to make this cleaner act efficiently it is fitted with a fork D in such a
manner that it revolves easily on its axis.
The fork D is fitted into an elbow joint and will move on a pivot in a vertecal
direction (E). This movement enabling the cutter to be lifted out of work by the
rod F which is attached to the lever G and is worked by a rod and arrangement in
some convenient position to be operated on by the driver.
This vertical action is also requsite in the event of the cleaner coming in contact
with any defect in the rails an enabling it to clear itself by turning over and
allowing the following blade to take its place.
This apparatus is placed in front of the wheels and attached in the manner shewn
or in such other manner as may be most convenient.
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.
The triangular form of cleaner which will rotate on its axis.
The elbow joint before described.
ML
Joffins