Improvements in the Method of Actuating the Crossing Points of Tramways.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left; 12th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 14th Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Actuating the Crossing Points of
Tramways.
I, THOMAS YOUNG, of 4 New Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Dentist, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the moving of tramway crossing points by the
passing of the tram-car or tram engine, so as to dispense with the services of a
points-man, or points-boy.
In carrying out my invention I utilize the groove of tram rails in which to place
my contact plate.
At a suitable distance from the tram point I form a V shaped cavity in one
tram-rail and a similar cavity in the opposite tram-rail, the tram rail would be
pierced through or near the apex of angular cavity to receive a crank-rod.
I next provide the front crank which consists of a parallel plate, rod, or tube
from which rises at each end a vertical arm or crank-rod.
I next provide the back crank which consists of a similar arrangement to the
front crank the front and back cranks are connected together by means of a
connecting rod, plate, or tube passing from the parallel bar of the front crank to
the parallel bar of the back crank thus converting the two cranks into a single
piece or compound crank.
:
The compound crank is placed in position under and between the right and left
hand tram-rails at or near the angular cavities, on each protruding vertical arm
of front crank would be secured a contact plate which may be a short flat plate or
which may be a circular disc.
The right and left hand vertical arms of the back crank would be passed through
either the right or the left hand rail near the movable point, the point being
connected to the vertical arm that passes through the rail on which such point is
pivoted.
In most cases one moving point only is provided at a crossing but where two
moving points are provided both arms of the lever can be utilized an arm being
connected to each moving point.
On the car or engine I provide a rod carrying by preference a roller or wheel
such roller or wheel being of suitable thickness to pass into the tram groove, on the
rod carrying the wheel would be placed a spiral spring.
My improvements for actuating the points of tramways would be used in the
following manner :- -When the cars are moved by means of an engine the rods
carrying the rollers would be connected under the engine, one rod for the right
hand tram-rail and one rod for the left hand tram rail; the spiral spring may be
made and connected so that the wheel and roller will run continuously on the
bottom of rail groove, in such cases when the roller reached the contact plate of
front lever the roller in passing over the angular cavity would be pressed into
the angular cavity by the action of the spiral spring and would thus press against
the contact plate and push down the vertical arm of front lever thus moving the
connecting rod within a circle and consequently moving the back crank, the move-
ment being conveyed to the vertical arm of back crank, thus moving the crossing-
point from one side of the rail-groove to the other side of groove; the roller wheel
after passing over the contact plate would travel up the incline or angle of cavity
until it reached the ordinary rail groove again, when it would continue to travel
along the bottom of rail groove until it reached another set of points provided
with my improvements the actuating wheel secured in the manner described

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THOMAS YOUNG.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Method of Actuating the Crossing Points of
Tramways.
I THOMAS YOUNG, of 4 New Street, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick
Dentist 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 has for its object the moving of tramway crossing points, by the
passing of the trám car or trani engine, so as to dispense with the services of
pointsman or pointsboj.
In order to more clearly explain this my invention and low it may be performed,
I have attached hereunto drawings, illustrating it,. upon which are figures and
numbers of reference, similar numbers referring throughout the several views to the
same thing or part.
...
Fig. 1, is a general view showing my invention as applied to a car or engine and
operating upon a point upon the one side of a trainway.
11-
Fig. 2, is a sectional elevation along the groove of the rail showing the position
and function of several of the parts.
Fig. 3, is a plan view of the arrangement.
Fig. 4, is a cross sectional elevation showing more particularly the back, or direct
acting crank &c.
'Fig. 5, is a similar cross section to that of Fig. 4, but showing more particular,
the front or first crank.
1, is the car or engine upon which is carried the operating mechanism hereinafter
described. 2 and 3 are the lines of rails upon which the car or engine travels.
4, is the point or switch, by which the direction of travel of the 'engine &c. is
controlled.
i
い、
In a convenient position of the rails 3, and coinciding with the rail groove 5, a
recess or deeper groove 6, is made, and in such groove is placed the contact plate or
arin 7; which is hinged at 8, or otherwise suitably carried. To the front end of this
arm 7, is connected the upright piece 9, which passes down through the hole 10, in
the rail, and which in its turn is again connected to the crank, (double or single)
arm 11. This crank piece 11, I will for description sake terin the first crank. 12, is
a part rotative shaft or spindle, carried in suitable bearings such as shown at 13, 13.
At the other end of this shaft 12, is secured the back or second crank 14, which, by
means of the link 15, is connected to the depending arm 16, which latter is formed
in one with the point or switch 4. A convenient slot 17, is made in the rail to

page_text: permit of a sideway motion of the arm 16, so that the said switch may be moved to
the one or other side of the rail groove.
Again. Upon the car or engine 1, is now arranged the operating mechanism
somewhat as follows:-
-
Carried in suitable bearings or guides 18, 18, is a vertical sliding rod 19, at the
lower end of which is placed a roller 20, or other suitable foot. By means of the
spiral spring 21, expanding itself between the bearing 18, and the adjustable
collar 22, there is a constant tendency for the said roller to be pressed upon the
bottom of the rail groove 5, or as much lower as it can go. This downward motion
may however be checked if desired, by means of the lever 23, which is attached to
a manipulating lever 24, and pressed by spring 25, engaging with teeth 26, so that
should the roller 20, be raised vertically, either by riding up an inclined surface, or
by means of the hand lever 24, the nose of the lever 23, would engage with the
teeth 26, and thus it would be retained in its raised position until again released
by an operator.
Its operation will now be seen to be as follows:-The engine or car is supposed
to be travelling in the direction of the arrow 27. The arm 7, lies in the position
shown in Fig. 2. Immediately the roller 20, is brought thereon, it (the arm 7) is
depressed thereby, as seen in Figs. 1 and 5. This action, part rotates the shaft 12,
and thus the crank 14, is moved to the one side, and thereby the arm 16, and the
switch 4, is moved to the other side of the rail groove.
It will be quite clear that the precise details in carrying out this my invention
may be considerably varied, and in many cases would require to be so by reason of
the different conditions under which it is applied; as for instance, the motion
and action of the arm 7, upon the switch 4, may, be made by means of cranks
and links, modified in their positions, but yet effecting the same purpose and
essentially in the same manner; also the form and shape of the said arm 7, may be
modified, as, instead of it being a hinged arm, it may be a curved or rounded
plate carried upon the upright 9, and merely having a vertical sliding motion.
Also instead of the roller 20, I may use variously shaped feet to the rod 19, and
use such operating foot with or without the manipulating handle lever 24. Also
as before stated I may use similar mechanism on one or both sides of the car or
rails.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
The employment upon tram railways and their cars or engines, of the mechanism
herein described and illustrated upon the drawings, in which a moveable roller or
other foot 20, is made to engage with and operate upon an arm 7, or rod 9, and
thereby to procure a to and fro motion to the switch 4, substantially in the manner
indicated.
Dated this 10th day of December 1892.
THOMAS YOUNG.