Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 23rd Nov., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Nov., 1899-Accepted, 23rd Dec., 1899
I, JAMES S. PERRY, of the City of Kalamazoo, County of Kalamazoo, State of
Michigan, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion 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 improvements in railway switches in which the usual
construction of frog is replaced by a swinging rail, and to improvements in
swinging rails wherever they may be needed in railways, whether in switches
or crossings. I am aware that swinging rails have been used before my inven-
tion in switches and also in other relations, but so far as I am able to learn
these were not a practical success.
The objects of my invention are to provide a new and improved switch for
railways in which the improved construction of swinging rail is substituted for
the usual frog, and, further, to provide an improved swinging rail and a strong,
simple, cheap and efficient device for securing the same." Further objects will
appear in the detailed description.
I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means set forth
in this specification. The invention is fully pointed out and defined in the
claims. The structure embodying my invention is fully illustrated in the accom-
panying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which,
Figure 1 is a detail plan view of the switch.
Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of the swinging rail and its connections.
Figure 3 is a transverse, horizontal, detail sectional view through the turn-table
or pivot on which the rail swings, taken on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of
Figure 4.
Figure 4 is a detail transverse sectional view through the turn-table and rail
and adjacent parts, taken on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view of the stop for locating the
swinging rail positively in position.
In the drawing, all of the section views are taken looking in the direction of
the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similar letters of reference
refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
Referring to the lettered parts of the drawing, A A are the main rails of a

page_text: railroad track. A¹ A¹ are the rails of a side track or switch, all of which are
represented secured to the usual ties.
The style of switch here illustrated is what is known as a fly rail switch, and
as my invention does not pertain to this part of the switch, the same being
adapted to any style of switch in which a frog has heretofore been used, I will
not specifically describe the same, as I do not care to base claim on that specific
part. I will only remark that the fly rails are held together by the usual cross
coupling M, connected by a link K¹ to an arm K on the rock shaft G, which is
actuated from the switch stand by proper connections.
I provide in the place of the usual frog, a swinging rail B. The ties L L L
are especially equipped to receive, support and guide the swinging rail. On the
ties L L are placed plates F F respectively which serve as chairs for the ends
of the approaching rails. The rails are notched and spiked to prevent their
creeping upon the ties and chairs. To the inside of the rails A A¹ resting on
the chair F, are secured stops E¹, the same being projections from part E, similar
to fish plates which are bolted to the ends of the rails and form stops against which
the web at the end of the rail B strikes in swinging from side to side. The rails
on the plate or chair Fare provided with similar stops located on the outside
of the rails which positively locate the swinging rails in the same way in this
position. The stop is only of sufficient size to strike against the web of the rail
so that the base of the rail can swing under the same and remove any obstruction
at that point, so that the swinging rail will always operate perfectly.
The swinging rail is pivoted at its centre on a specifically constructed turn-table
which is an important feature of my invention. The tie L¹ is arranged below
the level of the track at this point and suitable blocks are put under the outside
rails. My improved turn-table is at the centre, and to it is secured the swinging
rail. The turn-table consists of a base plate D), having a circular head D,
connected thereto by a circular neck D, the cross section of which clearly appears
in Figure 4. This constitutes the pivot of the turn-table on which the rail swings.
Embracing this, preferably constructed in two pieces, is the swinging part of
the table. This consists of two equal symmetrical halves C, within each of which
is formed one half of a bearing, like a journal bearing, to receive the head D¹ and
neck, and the parts extend down to and into contact with the base 1) below,
which thus forms a broad, powerful support for the swinging rail. The upper
portions of the members are formed like two oppositely facing fish-plates.
Through these fish plates and swinging rail B at this point are bolts a¹ which
secure the same firmly in position. Bolts a are, through suitably projecting
ears at the ends of the members CC to retain the same securely in position on the
pivot head D¹.
From this it will be observed that my improved turn-table is very strong, all
of the bearing parts are protected from exposure to the elements, and that they
cannot be easily obstructed, the table easily brushing to one side any snow or
ice or other accumulations on the base plate D. It is also a structure that can
be very easily repaired or installed in position as all that is necessary is to secure
the proper elevation and spike the bottom plate I) in position.
By the structure also a perfectly continuous rail is secured, which is of very
great advantage as it increases the durability of the switch, and at the same
time avoids any very serious wear on any rolling stock passing over it. provide
a connection from this swinging rail to the switch stand which operates the
switch rails so that both are operated at the same time. This is accomplished
by providing a switch stand H having a connecting rod I therefrom to a suitable
eye I which is bolted to one side of the rail as clearly appears in Figures 1 and 2.
To this same rod I, connect the link J, which connects to an arm J, on the rock
shaft G, which extends along the track and is connected in any suitable way to
the switch rails to move them in unison with the swinging rail. Thus the
swinging rail (in the place of the frog) and the motion of the switch rails at
the ends are controlled by the same means effectively and practically.

page_text: I desire to state in this connection that other arrangements of switch stand
might be employed in this connection, and while I have shown guard rails in the
usual position occupied in connection with frogs, they are not, in this connection,
a necessity, but are merely put in as a means of greater safety like the guard
rails at a bridge.
It will be observed that by this arrangement of the swinging rail, the same is
made very short, thus securing great strength, and it will also be observed that
the structure can be shortened still further than I have here illustrated it by
placing the turn-table closer to one end of the rail, and adjusting the other parts
accordingly. This structure incidentally avoids the possibility of accidents so
common in connection with railway frogs which in connection with the fact that
this structure is cheaper and easier to produce than the regular frogs, makes it
very desirable and of great advantage over anything known to me. I am aware
that the details of this structure can be considerably varied, that additional
locking means to those I have shown can be provided for the swinging rail,
though I do not choose to illustrate them in this connection as my invention
pertains principally to the method of securing and locking a swinging rail in
a switch.
The turn-table as I show it is the preferred construction, though I will state
that other means of securing the rail might be adopted and the turn-table be
divided into a greater number of parts than I show. The exact structure with
few parts is best.
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:-
11
1. In a railway switch, the combination of the switch rails and the rails of
the main track, a switch stand, connection therefrom to the shifting rails, a
swinging rail occupying the position of the usual frog connected to the switch
stand and adapted to be swung from side to side, a turn-table to carry the swing-
ing rail consisting of a bottom plate D having the circular head and neck D¹
and D, blocks C recessed to form bearings to embrace said head having fish
plates above, a rail, and bolts to secure the said fish plates to the rail and the
blocks C together, all co-acting substantially as described for the purpose specified.
2. In a device for use in a railway track as a substitute for a frog or other
purpose, the combination of the bottom plate D'having a circular head D₁ sup-
ported on a neck D thereon, blocks CC with recesses formed therein to afford
a bearing to engage said head and neck, and rest upon the baseplate D) and
having fish plates formed on the upper side integral therewith, a rail to rest
within the fish plates and suitable bolts a a' for clamping the fish plates to the
rail and securing the blocks C together, all co-acting substantially as described
for the purpose specified.
3. In a device for use in a railway track as a substitute for a frog or for other
purpose, the combination of a bottom plate D having a circular head D sup-
ported on a neck D₁ thereon, blocks CC with recesses formed therein to afford
a bearing to engage said head and neck, means of securing the blocks together
to embrace the said head and neck, suitable plates on said blocks to receive the
rail of a railway, and the rail secured by said plates to swing on said head,
co-acting for the purpose specified.
4. In a device for use in a railway track as a substitute for a frog or for other
purposes, the combination of a bottom plate D having a circular head D¹ supported
on a neck D thereon, blocks CC with recesses formed therein to form a bearing
to engage said head and neck, means of securing the blocks together to embrace
the said head and neck, a suitable rail secured to said blocks, co-acting as
specified.
5. In a device for use in a railway track as a substitute for a frog or for
other purposes, the combination of a circular head I supported on a neck D",

page_text: a plurality of blocks with recesses formed therein to afford a bearing to completely
engage said head and neck, means of securing the blocks together to embrace
the said head and neck, co-acting as specified.
Dated this 22nd day of November 1899.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.