Improvements in Cable, Railways.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Apr.,. 1895-Accepted, 13th, July, 1895.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cable, Railways.
1, CHARLES ISAAC, EARLL, of, 26 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, in the County
of Dutchess, and State of New, York, United States of America, Superintendent,
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 a cable railway, the object. of which is to provide,,in
connection with the track-structure and cable. of a cable, railway,. a. simple, and
effective mechanism or apparatus for, automatically shifting, a, cable. from a point
below the path of movement of the cable-car grip, to a point. in alignment with the
path of movement of, and in position,, to, be, automatically engaged by, said grip;
thus enabling the cable to be automatically, placed in the grip, while in motion,
should said grip approach.or come, adjacent to, said apparatus,, without the, cable
therein; also to so construct and organize, said. apparatus, as to. permit, the, free
passage of the grip,. when carrying, the cable, without interference to the movement
thereof.
In the drawings, accompanying, and forming part of this Specification,
Figure 1 is. a, plan view of, a, portion of a, track-structure of a, cable railway
embodying my invention in the preferred, form thereof: said figure showing, the
cable-elevating apparatus or, cable-shifting carrier,, as fixed. against, lateral
movement, with relation, to the grip-slot of, said structure,; and, showing the grip-
slot, as curved or deflected, laterally-adjacent to said apparatus, with relation, to a
straight line..
Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same taken in; line.aa, Fig. 1,
the cable being shown, in dotted, lines, and a, portion of the cable-car grip being
shown.in said grip-slot:
Fig. 3 is a transverse, vertical, soction of a portion of, the track-structure, taken
in line bb, Fig. 1, looking toward the right hand. in said, figure, showing in dotted
lines the grip passing the cable-shifting apparatus, without a. cable in it.
Fig. 4 is a similar cross-sectional view, taken in line cc, Fig. 1, looking toward
the right hand in said figure, and showing the grip, in engagement with.a cable.
Fig. 5. is a plan view of a, portion of a track-structure, showing the, cable as
supported in its normal position by the. cable-carrier.
Fig. 6 is a plau. view of a portion of the track-structure, showing a modified form
of cable-shifting apparatus embodying my invention.
Fig. 7 is a transverse, vertical section of the same, taken, in line d-d, Fig. 6,
looking toward the right hand in said figure; and.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the cable-shifting-carrier, and, one, form of shifting-
mechanism for said carrier.
Similar characters designate like parts in,all the; figures.
In the preferred.form thereof, herein shown and described, my, present, invention
resides, in the combination with the track-structure of a, cable-railway, having a
grip-slot, and with, a cable-car grip supported for movement in, said slot;, of, a
cable-elevating or shifting. apparatus comprising a, peripherally spiraled, cable-
shifting-carrier, or worm, revolubly-supported adjacent. to. the grip-slot,, and
adapted for supporting, and, for.. automatically-shifting, the cable. from, a point
below the path of travel of the grip-jawe,. to a point in horizontal, alignment
with. the path of: travel of saidi jaws; and, means for, shifting, the, cable-car

page_text: "
grip and the cable, the one transversely of the other, all of which will be more
fully hereinafter described.
For convenience, and to avoid complication in the drawings, my improvements
are shown in connection with a system of cable-traction in which but one cable
is employed, and which is known as the "single-cable system"; but it will be
understood that by a simple duplication of some of the elements, my improve-
ments may be practically used in connection with a system of cable-traction
known as the "duplex system"; or a system employing two cables side by side.
This invention provides means whereby, at certain points along the line of
the track-structure of a cable system, the cable may be suddenly and automatically
placed in the cable-car grip, the only operation required of the grip, being that
it shall be opened just previous to its passing the points, where said cable shall
be taken in.
The grip, employed in connection with my improvements, may be of the usual
approved form of "side-grip"; i.e., a grip which takes the cable in at the side,
and preferably one that is attached to the car in such a way, that it may have a
lateral movement, relatively to the car.
The track-structure, shown in connection with my present improvements,
comprises the usual track rails R and R', which, along the line of the road except
at the several pits, are supported upon the usual yokes Y. Midway of the width
of the track is the usual grip-slot S, which, except as elsewhere herein described,
is parallel with the track rails. The track-structure also has the usual conduit D,
wherein the cable M, is supported along the line of the road by the ordinary
supporting sheaves (not shown) placed and operated in the usual manner. Over
the power-station pit, or over any intermediate or terminal pits, the track-structure
is supported by the usual bridge-work, comprising plate girders and masonry-
arches, forming the roofs of the pits in a well known manner, illustrated in a
general way, in the cross-sectional views of the drawings.
In the drawings, I have shown two modified forms of cable-shifting apparatus
embodying my present invention, which apparatus, broadly, comprises a revoluole-
carrier C, having cable-shifting spirals, as will be hereinafter described, a cable-
car grip G, and means for shifting the cable-car grip and cable-carrier, one
transversely of the other.
In Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the cable-carrier is shown revolubly-supported in a
fixed position, and provision is made for shifting the cable-car grip transversely of
said carrier; whereas, in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, the cable-car grip is shown
supported to have no transverse movement, and provision is made for shifting the
carrier transversely of the grip.
As a means for shifting the grip transversely of the carrier, as is necessary in
the construction, shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, the grip-slot S, which is formed
between the two slot-rails 2 and 3, is shown curved laterally of the track,
adjacent to the cable-carrier, to form the two curved portions P and P, the one P,
of which, is in advance of the carrier, and the one Pi, of which, is in the rear of
the carrier.
This form of ineans for shifting the cable-car grip transversely of the track-
structure and the operation thereof is substantially the same as the means employed
in cable roads for carrying a cable-car grip past a fixed sheave, one form of which
is shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 536,611,
granted to me, April 2nd, 1895, to which reference may be had.
The cable-shifting-carrier, which constitutes a most important factor in my
present invention, consists of a worm or spiral-drum, revolubly-carried by a shaft 5,
journaled in suitable bearings 6 and 7, herein shown as secured to horizontal
beams 8 and 9, supported at their ends by the masonry of a pit U, in which the
cable-shifting-carrier is located.
In the preferred form, thereof herein shown, the carrier-wheel C practically
comprises a hub 10, annularly-flanged at one end to form a rim 12, of greater
diameter than said hub. Formed in the rim 12, of the carrier-wheel C, is a

page_text: continuous annular-groove-13, concentric, telthe axis of said wheel, and adapted for
supporting the cable therein, designated by M, in its normal-running position, without
affecting any lateral movement thereof, and formed, in the, hub, 10, are continuous
spiral grooves 14, which near the outer end of said hub will preferably, be in the
same plane and concentric to the axis.of.the carrier-wheel;whereas, at the inper
end of said hub, or that portion adjacent to the rim 12, they become concentric
to said axis, and merge into the annular recess 13 in the rim 12; the eccentricity,
of that portion of the hub adjacent to the rim, being sufficient to abruptly lift the
cable from the spiraled.hub-portion of the wheel, to the, annularly-grooved
rim-portion.
While it is preferable to employ a cable-shifting carrier, of the particular
construction, herein before described, it will be obvious that a, cone-shaped spiral.
wheel, having an annular-flange in the. periphery of the base thereof, might be
employed with good results; therefore, it is not desired to limit this invention, to
the particular form of wheel shown in the drawings.
"
In the form illustrated in Figs. 1. to 5 inclusive, the spiral-carrier C, revolves
about its center. in a fixed. position with the .continuous annular-groove of the
rim 12, in direct vertical alignment with the normal, path of movement of the
cable M; the upper edge of the rim of said carrier. being substantially in alignment,
and in the same plane as the cable, as. most clearly shown in Figs. 2, and 5, the
spiral-hub.of said carrier having its periphery. below, and in. vertical alignment
with, the path of-travel of the cable-car-grip jaws, saidi hub-portion, being located
sufficiently below the said grip, as to allow. sufficient, clearance, to, permit the
passage of the grip, without interference or contact with the carrier. The
deflection of the rim-slot with relation to the normal path of movement of the
cable is sufficient, at that point adjacent to the carrier, to cause the cable car grip,
when it arrives in its travel at a point adjacent to said,carrier, to be carried to one
side of the rim -12, of said carrier, a sufficient, distance, to pass the carrier, without
contacting therewith. Referring to Figs. 1. to 5-inclusive, it will, be seen that the
cable M, as it lies in the groove 13, of the periphery, of the spiral-carrier, is, in
the same vertical plane, in which the cable runs normally in the conduit, and that
the grip, in passing in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 2, is carried out to
one side (in this case right-hand side looking from the. right hand in Fig. 1), so as
to clear the rim of the carrier which extends above, the bottom of the grip.
In practice, the groove 13, which is circular, will carry the cable somewhat above
the elevation in which it is carried by the grip. If the grip passes the cable-carrier
with a cable in the grip, the cable is led off. from; the rim 12 of the carrier, by being
pulled outward at one side, as the grip approaches said carrier. After it has passed a
sufficient distance beyond the carrier, the cable, sags, and finally, drops onto the
spirally-grooved hub 10 of said carrier,, whence it. is guided by, the continuous
spiral laterally toward the rim,- and finally elevated by the eccentric, portion of
said spiral, and carried into the continuous circular-groove; 13,, in said,, rim,
where it remains until again engaged by the grip. If the grip passes, without, the
cable but with the jaws open, ready to receive it, the deflection of the grip-slot
at P will carry the. grip to one side of the .cable, allowing the grip to pass, the
carrier without interference with the cable; and the deflection at P, after the grip
has passed the carrier will throw said grip inward, and bring the same into position
for engagement with the cable with its jaws above and below said cable, as will be
readily understood, by reference to the several figures referred to. In practice the
deflections P and P of the grip-shifting grip-slot will be in such proximity to the
cable-shifting-carrier, as will enable the grip to be carried away; from the cable-
carrier, sufficiently to prevent. interference thereof with the cable, just..before it
reaches a point adjacent to said carrier, and insure a return movement of said, grip
immediately after passing the carrier, or, as soon after it has passed, as is
practicable, so that it may receive a cable before it reaches a point where the
cable has sagged too much, to allow it to be taken in by the grip.
11°
Referring to Figs. 6-to 8 inclusive, the grip-slot, S, is short, in parallelism with

page_text: the normal running portion of the cable, and the cable-carrier C, which is of the
same construction as the cable-carrier herein before described, is revolubly-supported.
for transverse movement with relation to the grip-slot and grip with the grooved
rim 12 normally out of alignment with the traveling-cable, the hub 10, being in
this instance, preferably in vertical alignment with said cable; means, as herein-
after described, being provided for shifting the cable-carrier to bring the rim 12
thereof into alignment with the cable M. In this instance when it is desired to
throw the cable M into the grip, assuming the cable to be in its normal position
illustrated by dotted lines 16 in Fig. 6, the grip will be allowed to pass the carrier,
and may be stopped at about the position shown in Fig. 6, when the carrier will be
moved inward to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, bringing the cable M
into the position shown in dotted lines in said figure and between the jaws of said
grip, after which the cable-carrier will be retracted into the position, shown in full
lines in Figs. 6 and 7.
In the drawings, Figs. 6 to 8 inclusive, I have shown two slightly modified forms
of mechanism for shifting the cable-carrier transversely of the grip-slot. In the
form illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the carrier-shaft 5 has revolubly-secured to one
end thereof, a collar or head 17, to which is pivotally-connected a link 18,
which link is pivoted at its opposite end to the lower end of a shifting-lever 19,
fulcrumed at 20, and having a key or bar-receiving head 21, at its upper end
adapted to receive the end of a bar 22, (shown most clearly in Fig. 7) by means of
which said lever is operated. In practice the opening to the pit U, adjacent to the
lever 19, is covered by a plate or cover 251, which is slotted in alignment with the
upper end of the lever 19, to receive and permit the operation of the rod 22.
spring 22 may be provided, as shown in dotted lines, for retracting the shifting-
mechanism.
A
In the modification, Fig. 8, the operating-device for the link 18 (which link is
connected to the carrier-shaft in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 7), consists
of a revolubly-supported pulley 24, connected to the end of the link 18 by a crank-
pin 18, and having chain-receiving grooves, in one of which is secured a chain 25,
having a handle at its upper end by means of which said pulley may be rotated in
one direction, and in the other of which grooves is secured a chain 26, having a
weight 27, at its free end adapted for imparting a retracting movement to said
pulley. In this instance a stop will be provided for limiting the retractive
movement of the carrier C. This stop may comprise a projection 28, upon the
pulley 24 and an abutment 29, in position for engagement with said projection.
By the construction and organization of mechanism illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7,
if desired, the cable M may be withdrawn from the grip G as it approaches, or
after it has passed, the carrier C. In the first instance, by simply opening the
jaws of the grip, just before the grip reaches a point adjacent to the carrier, the
carrier, being in its normal position illustrated in Fig. 6, and in the second instance,
the cable, being thrown into the grip by the carrier being moved into position
shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, may be again withdrawn from the grip, by simply
opening the jaws of said grip, and shifting the cable-carrier from the position
shown by dotted lines, to the position shown by full lines in Fig. 7.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. In a cable-railway, the combination with the track-structure having a grip-slot,
the traveling-cable, and with the cable-car grip movably-carried in said grip-slot,
of a revoluble peripherally-spiraled cable-shifting-carrier fixedly-supported, as
regards vertical movement, below and adjacent to said grip-slot, and adapted for
shifting the cable from a point below the cable-car grip to a point in horizontal
alignment therewith; and means, substantially as described, for horizontally-
deffecting that portion of the cable adjacent to said carrier to shift the cable into,
or out from, said grip, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 2. In a cable-railway, the combination with the track-structure having a grip-slot.
and with the cable-car grip movably-carried in said slot, of a traveling-cable, a
cable, a cable-shifting-carrier revolubly-supported adjacent to said slot, and having
one or more spiral grooves adapted for receiving and shifting the cable vertically
of the path of movement of the grip, and having a peripheral continuous circular--
groove adapted for supporting the cable in a plane coinciding with the path of
movement of said grip, and means substantially as described for shifting said cable,
horizontally or sidewise, at a point adjacent to the carrier, to carry the same-
into, and out from, said grip, substantially as described, and for the purpose set
forth.
3. In a cable-railway, the combination with the track-structure having a grip-slot,
and with the grip of a cable-car, of a revoluble peripherally-spiraled cable-shifting--
carrier fixedly-supported, as against vertical movement, below, and adjacent to,.
said slot, and adapted for shifting the cable from a point below the cable-car grip
to a point in horizontal alignment therewith, and means for changing the positions.
of the grip and cable-carrier laterally relatively to each other, substantially as
described and for the purpose set forth.
4. In a cable-railway, the combination with the track-structure having a grip-slot
and with a grip movably-carried in said slot, of a traveling-cable, a revoluble
cable-shifting-carrier fixedly-supported, as against vertical movement below said
slot, and having spiral grooves in different planes adapted for engaging and
automatically-lifting the cable from a point below the path of movement of the
grip to a point in horizontal alignment with said path of movement, and means for
changing the position of the grip and the cable-carrier, laterally relatively to each
other, substantially as described, and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a cable-railway, the combination with the track-structure having a grip-slot
and with the cable-car grip supported for movement in said slot, of a cable-shifting-
carrier revolubly-supported below, and having a peripherally-spiraled portion in
vertical alignment with said slot, and having a continuous circular-grooved portion
normally at one side of said slot, a cable normally-carried in the continuous
circular-grooved portion of said carrier, and means substantially as described, of
changing the position of the grip and cable-carrier, laterally relatively to each
other, to carry the cable into, and remove the same from, the cable-car grip, during
the traveling movement thereof, substantially as described.
6. In a cable-railway, the combination with the track-structure having a grip-slot,
and with the grip of a cable-car of a cable-shifting-carrier revolubly-supported
upon a fixed axis below, and in vertical alignment with, the grip-slot, and comprising
the concentric spirally-grooved hub-portion; the annular concentric rim-portion of
greater diameter than the hub-portion, and having a continuous circular-groove
formed therein, and the eccentric-portion intermediate to the rim and hub, and
having a groove in continuation of the groove of the hub-portion which merges into.
the groove in the rim-portion, and adapted for engaging the cable, lifting the same
from a point below the path of movement of the grip, to a point in horizontal
alignment therewith, and for supporting said cable in horizontal parallelism with
the path of travel of said grip, substantially as described, and for the purpose set
forth.
7. In a cable-railway, the combination with the track-structure having a grip-slot,
and with the grip of a cable-car, of a cable-shifting-carrier revolubly-supported
upon a fixed axis below, and in vertical alignment with, the grip-slot, and comprising
the concentric spirally-grooved hub-portion; the rim-portion of greater diameter
than the hub-portion and having a continuous circular-groove formed therein, and
the eccentric-portion intermediate to the rim and hub portions, and having a groove
in continuation of the groove of the hub-portion which merges into the groove in
the rim-portion, and adapted for engaging the cable, lifting the same from a point
below the path of movement of the grip to a point in horizontal al-gnment
therewith, and for supporting said cable in horizontal parallelism with the path of
travel of said grip, and means for horizontally-deflecting that portion of the cable.

page_text: adjacent to said cable-carrier, substantially as described, and for the purpose, set
forth.
8. In a cable-railways the combination with the track-structure having a grip-slot
and with a cable-car grip supported for movement: in said grip-slot, of a revoluble
peripherally spiraled cable-carrier fixedly-supported? as against-vertical 'movement;
adjacent to said grip-slot, and adapted for horizontal movement transversely of said
slot; and shifting-mechanism for said cable-carrier consisting of levers in connection
with, and adapted for, shifting the cable-carrier together with the cable supported
thereon, into, and out from, the cable-car grip, substantially as described, and for
the purpose set forth.
9. In a cable-railway, the combination with the track-structure having a grip-slot
and with a cable-car grip supported for movement in said' slot, of a revoluble cable-
shifting-carrier fixedly-supported; as against vertical movement, upon a longitudinally-
movable shaft below, and adjacent to, said' grip-slot, and having peripheral spiral
grooves in different planes, adapted for engaging the cable, and lifting the same
from a point below the grip to a point at. one side of; and in alignment with; said
grip; and shifting-mechanism for said carrier, consisting of a link pivotally-
connected with said shaft, a lever connected with said' link and adapted for imparting
› longitudinal movement to said shaft, to shift the cable-carrier horizontally and
transversely of said slot, and a retracting-device in position and adapted for
retracting the carrier, substantially, as described, and for the purpose set forth.
Dated the 23rd day of February 1895.
&
CHARLES ISAAC EARLL.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.