IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING ACCIDENTS ON RAIL- WAYS, ALSO IN SHIFTING AND LIFTING RAILWAY CARRIAGES
Year: 1853

page_text: application
Leaters atent was not given
the
time prescribed by the Act.)
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Peter Armand le Comte de
Fontaine Moreau at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with his Petition, on the 10th November 1853.-A communi-
cation.
I, PETER ARMAND LE COMTE DE FONTAINE MOREAU, of the English
and Foreign Patent Office, 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, &
39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, France, do hereby declare the nature
of the Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING ACCIDENTS ON RAIL-
WAYS, ALSO IN SHIFTING AND LIFTING RAILWAY CARRIAGES," to be as
follows:-
The Invention communicated to me consists in certain mechanical
arrangements: Firstly, for enabling the driver of a train to change
the line of rail. Secondly, for communicating along the train.
Thirdly, for superseding turn-tables. Fourthly, for moving and lifting
railway carriages. Reference being had to the Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon.

page_text: NEW MODE OF CHANGING THE LINE.
The machinery for this purpose is represented in Drawing I. Figure 1,
elevation; Figure 2, plan. A, the main line; B, branch line, having
branch rails H, H', to pass from A to B. No alteration is made in
the construction of the existing turn points; the only change is
in the mode of working them. The two branch rails H, H', are
united by cross pieces c, d, Figure 3, in the ordinary manner. The
branch E is fixed to the rail H', and terminates outside the line by
an eye to which the cranks F are articulated, which at their other
extremity turn with the levers G, G. The cross pieces c, d, Figure 3,
turn the rails H, H', which turn at their other extremity the branches
c, d, and the levers I, J, placed at each end at a certain distance from
the point, being freely adjusted on their vertical axis. The rails H, H,
act in a similar manner. Each of the levers I, J, is provided with a
third branch, double the length of the others, on which turn the
pieces P, formed of two .symmetrical curves; the stems G, which are
each maintained on a support Q, which permits them to slide, but not
to rise or fall. Near the engine driver is placed the lever R, which.
carries a branch i, to which is attached a small crank j, which is united
to the excentric S. When the engine driver wishes to change the line
he lowers the excentric S, Figure 1; to the level of the pieces P. The
excentric meets the picces P, which it pushes outwards or inwards,
according to the required direction.
MODE OF COMMUNICATING ALONG THE TRAIN..
For the above purpose I employ an india-rubber pipe, as shewn in
Drawing II., terminated at each of its extremities by a speaking
trumpet. Figure 1, is a front view; Figure 2, a section. A, fixed
brass joint, to which is attached the india-rubber tube B by means
of cords tied round a neck formed for that purpose. A moveable
joint is fastened to the former at the parts A, D, by means of steel
joints b, screwed to the joint a.. The joint D carries two small
carries two small ears C, in the form of a hook, in a square opening
in each of the springs b.

page_text: MODE OF REPLACING TURN-TABLES.
Figure 1; Drawing III., is an elevation of the apparatus; Figure 2,
Drawing IV., a plan. The means I propose to employ for effecting the
above object is by digging a number of trenches perpendicular to the
direction of the line. I place in the bottom of these trenches two iron
lines a, for the wheels of a car M, formed of two lateral pieces A,
Figure 2, bound by the cross pieces B'. On the sides A are placed the
rails of the cars, which must be on a level with the rails of the main
line. The rods c, d, are set in connection with the pieces B¹, and serve
to enable the car M to pass on to the second line D; the car M then
takes the place which was occupied by the car N. By this means
the locomotive or tender is placed on the second line, and may then
be moved on it. The progress of the cars is arrested by a stop in the
rod c, d.
APPARATUS FOR MOVING AND LIFTING RAILWAY CARRIAGES.
Drawing V., Figures 1 & 2, Drawing VI., and Drawing VII.,
are side and end views of the propelling and lifting apparatus; it is
composed, firstly, of a lever or balance A, which is worked by the
hand round a fixed axis a; secondly, of a lever G, with two branches
placed squarewise; it may turn on the shaft d of the wheel I, and is
fastened to the lever A by the crank B turning on the points B', C.
At the extremity of the large lever A is the arm D, Figure 1, Draw-
ing VI., forming part of the latter; it is united to the branch F by
means of the crank E, the turning points of which are on d and e. The
branch F is much longer in the middle of its length for the passage
of the shaft d, and it has at its. lower extremity a catch G, which has
its turning point in D¹. When an alternate vertical movement is given
to the lever A, the catches in G act alternately on the cogs of the
wheel I, which cogs cause it to turn from right to left, or vice versa.
The frame of the machine is formed of two cheeks H, united by cross
pieces. On one side they serve to support the mechanism above
described, and on the other extremity is set a small roller K, which rolls
on the rail.

page_text: The wheel work is composed of a pinion M, which receives its move-
ment from a handle N, fixed on the shaft II, which transmits it to the
wheel O, and to the pinion P, fixed on the shaft I; and, lastly, the
pinion acts on the teeth of the rack Q. One of the edges has teeth to
receive the catch R of the cog wheel.
Drawings VIII. & IX., Figures 1 & 2, side and end views of a double
machine, the mechanism of which is similar to that above described.
Above the axle trees, against the cross pieces T, are placed the levers
for raising the locomotive or carriage which has run off on to the
principle line V, by means of assistant rails U, placed across the latter.
This rail is fixed to the cast iron chair W, and to the rail V of the line
by wooden wedges X, in the ordinary manner, as indicated in Figures 6
& 7. To raise the locomotive or the waggons on the road, and thence
on to the rails, I make use of cogged assistant rails; the moving wheel
must be employed also.