IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY CARRIAGES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE- WITH
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edwin James Howell, of Old Kent Road, in the County
of Surrey, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY CARRIAGES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE-
WITH."
d the 26th January 1877, and dated the 6th October 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edwin James Howell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th October 1876.
EDWIN JAMES HOWELL, of Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVE
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY CARRIAGES, AND IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
This Invention relates, firstly, to a new and improved method of manufacturing
wheels to be applied to tramway and railway carriages, and consists of an inner
flange attached to each wheel, to which the brake can be applied, instead of to the
outer periphery of the travelling wheel itself, as is now practised, and which I
propose to effect either by casting the brake flange on the wheel when first made or
by rivetting the flange on, in which latter case it can be replaced if injured or worn
out before the wheel. This flange may be acted upon by means of a band or by a
block in the same way as the outer wheel is at present acted upon.
The second part of this Invention relates to a new appliance to facilitate the
traversing of curves; this it is proposed to effect by joining the axles of each pair of
wheels in the centres of its length in a box or bush supported by a spring attached
to the framework of the car by means of collars or flanges, and held loosely in
sockets, so that a sufficient individual play is given to each wheel.
The third part of this Invention relates to a new and improved mode of making
spiral springs for tramway and other carriages to obviate the tendency to give way
obliquely under pressure, and so secure a direct downward pressure on the spring,
and which I propose to effect by placing in the centre a metal pin enclosed in a
wooden or metal tube, around which the spring works. This tube is left shorter
than the spring, so as to allow of the desired play of the said spring.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edwin James Howell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 31st
March 1877.
" IMPROVE-
EDWIN JAMES HOWELL, of Old Kent Road, in the County of Surrey.
MENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY AND TRAMWAY CARRIAGES, AND IN
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
This Invention relates, firstly, to a new and improved method of manufacturing
wheels to be applied to tramway and railway carriages, and consists of an inner
flange attached to each wheel, to which the brake can be applied instead of to the
outer periphery of the travelling wheel itself, as is now practised, and which I
propose to effect either by casting the brake flange on the wheel when first made,
or by rivetting the flange on, in which latter case it can be replaced if injured or
worn out before the wheel. This flange may be acted upon by means of a band or
by a block in the same way as the outer wheel is at present acted upon.
The second part of this Invention relates to a new appliance to facilitate the
traversing of curves; this it is proposed to effect by joining the axles of each pair
of wheels in the centres of its length in a box or bush supported by a spring
attached to the framework of the car by means of collars or flanges, and held loosely
in sockets, so that a sufficient individual play is given to each wheel.
The third part of this Invention relates to a new and improved mode of making
spiral springs for tramway and other carriages to obviate the tendency to give way
obliquely under pressure, and so secure a direct downward pressure on the spring,
and which I propose to effect by placing in the centre a metal pin enclosed in a
wooden or metal tube, around which the spring works. This tube is left shorter
than the spring, so as to allow of the desired play of the said spring.
And in order to explain this Invention more fully I will now proceed to describe
the means whereby it may be put into practical effect, reference being had to the
inc eccomnenving these Presents.
Allison Shant
The first part of this Invention consists in a method of constructing railway and
tramway wheels with a flange or pulley cast or fixed thereto, to which the brake
block or band is applied so as to form the brake, instead of applying the said brake
to the outer periphery of the running wheel.
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 2 a plan of my improved brake
arrangement. A is the framework of the car; B, the axles; C, the wheels, on
which are cast or fixed by any suitable means a flange or pulley D of a smaller
diameter than the wheel; E are the brake blocks, which work against the flanges
or pulleys Dinstead of the outer periphery of the wheels C; these blocks are united
in pairs by means of cross pieces F joined by connecting rods G to a double lever H,
having its fulcrum at K, and suspended from the framework of the car; this lever
is governed and set in motion by means of handles L, chains M, and rods N. When
the driver wishes to put the brake on or off he turns one of the handles L, so as to
coil or uncoil the chains M round the spindles O, by which operation the lever H is
put in motion, bringing the blocks E in contact with or separating them from the
flanges or pulleys D.
Instead of the brake blocks above described friction bands may be used.
In some cases the brake blocks are made to act upon the inner flange of the wheel
as well as upon the brake flange or pulley D.
The second part of this Invention consists in a new mode of connecting the axles
in the centre by a box or bush, supported by a laminated spring attached to the
framework of the car, so as to allow the more easy and economically traversing of
curves, avoiding friction, reducing to minimum the breakage of wheels and the
danger of leaving the line of rails. In the Figures 1 and 2 this arrangement is

page_text: shown to consist in the axles B being formed of two parts b, b', furnished with
flanges or collars P working freely in boxes or bushes Q; these boxes or bushes are
connected to the framework of the car by springs R, on which the axles are sup-
ported in the centre and work. It will thus be seen that by this arrangement in
traversing curves, the outer wheels having to travel over a larger surface than the
inner ones, the wheels and axles being independent from each other, the wear and
tear is greatly diminished.
The third part of this Invention consists in a new node of working springs for
tramway carriages, which are shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.
Figure 3 is a volute spring S contained in a tube T, with movable cap U.
Figure 4 represents a tube T containing india-rubber discs S, and metal washers.
The india-rubber being in discs these can easily be replaced when worn out, and being
convex at their outer edge the full action of the springs is obtained.
Figure 5 shows a spring S, inside of which works the double socket or telescope T
and U.
Figure 6 is a coiled spring S contained in a tube T and cap U.
Figure 7 represents a spring S, inside of which is a tube Ŵ acting as a guide.
By the above construction of springs when the weight comes on heavily the said
springs give way always perpendicularly until the guiding tube or tubes and caps
meet, thus avoiding the bending of the springs obliquely, and reducing the chance
of breakage.
The above described improvements may also be fitted with suitable alterations to
railway carriages.
Having now described and set forth the nature and object of my Invention for
Improvements in the Construction of Railway and Tramway Carriages, and in
Apparatus connected therewith, I would remark in conclusion that I do not limit
and confine myself to the precise details or forms of apparatus before described, but
what I claim as my Invention is,―
Firstly. The application of an inner flange to a tramway or railway wheel or
pulley keyed on the axle in such a manner that the brake blocks or bands can be
applied to it so as to do away with the wear and tear caused by the action of the
said brake blocks on the outer periphery of the running wheel, substantially as
described and represented.
Secondly. The manner of applying the axles of tramways or railways in two
pieces connected and working in a bush or bearing, supported by a spring or springs
fastened to the bottom of the carriage, substantially as described and represented.
Thirdly. The application of a tube or tubes working with a spiral or volute spring
eting as a stop and guide, also a spring or india-rubber discs and metal washers in
metal tube or telescope tubes, substantially as described and represented.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edwin James Howell, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
TAKAN
EDWIN J. HOWELL.
(LS.)