IMPROVE- MENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING SAND OR OTHER SUITABLE MATTER ON THE RAILS OF RAILWAYS TO PROMOTE ADHESION OF THE Loco- MOTIVE WHEELS THERETO
Year: 1865

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to David Perfitt Griffiths Matthews, of Newport, in
the County of Monmouth, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING SAND OR OTHER SUITABLE
MATTER ON THE RAILS OF RAILWAYS TO PROMOTE ADHESION OF THE Loco-
MOTIVE WHEELS THERETO."
Sealed the 24th April 1866, and dated the 31st October 1865.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said David Perfitt Griffiths
Matthews at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 31st October 1865.
I, DAVID PERFITT GRIFFITHS MATTHEWS, of Newport, in the County of
Monmouth, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING SAND OR OTHER
SUITABLE MATTER ON THE RAILS OF RAILWAYS TO PROMOTE ADHESION OF THE
LOCOMOTIVE WHEELS THERETO," to be as follows:-
The Invention relates to means by which facility is given for the distri-
bution of sand or other suitable matter upon the rails of railways to promote
adhesion of the wheels thereto.
In carrying out my Invention I employ, say, four boxes applied to the
engine or to the tender, or other number of boxes may be used. Two of
these four boxes are within the other two, and they contain sand or other
substance suitable for the purpose (wet or dry). These boxes may be termed
inside boxes and outside boxes: they are fitted with perforated valves which
[Price 8d.]

page_text: are coupled by rods to a rocking or weigh shaft or by other suitable means, in
order that the rails on each side of a line of railway may be simultaneously
and uniformly sanded in front of the wheels to which adhesion is to be given
when required.
The apparatus may be arranged and worked in various ways, but a method
which I prefer to adopt consists in each case of an inside box or hopper, the
bottom of which inclines to the centre (where practicable) at such an angle
that the sand will slide thereon and conduct itself into a chamber in the
apparatus where the fine sand will be separated from the coarser, after which
process the fine sand will be conducted by a pipe on to the rails, and the
pebbles or the coarser of the sand will be discharged into the bottom of the
outside box. The sand or other substance used for this purpose will be
retained in the chamber and box by a partly perforated disc valve, which may
be dished to clear itself, the concave surface of which will be fitted with a
semicircular valve, both of which are made fast to spindles, and the former
valve held to its seat by a spiral or other suitable spring or by weights.
propose working the same apparatus by conical valves coupled as above, but
fitted with cranks and weights.
I
The same apparatus I can work with eccentric disc valves (or by other
kind of valves), and keep them tight by springs or weights, and couple them
as before mentioned.
The apparatus is brought into operation simultaneously to act on each
rail by the engine driver or other attendant.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said David Perfitt Griffiths Matthews in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 30th April 1866.
ΤΟ
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL CONE, I, DAVID
PERFITT GRIFFITHS MATTHEWS, of Newport, in the County of Monmouth,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, in the twenty-ninth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said David Perfitt Griffiths Matthews, Her special licence that I, the said
David Perfitt Griffiths Matthews, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said David Perfitt Griffiths Matthews, my executors,

page_text: administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed; should and lawfully 'might make, use, 'exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS
FOR DISTRIBUTING SAND OR OTHER SUITABLE MATTER ON THE RAILS OF RAILWAYS TO
PROMOTE ADHESION OF THE LOCOMOTIVE WHEELS THEкETO," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said David Perfitt Griffiths Matthews, my
executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or
one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
74
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said David Perfitt Griffiths Matthews,
do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement thereof, that is to say:
The Invention relates to means by which facility is given for the distribution
of sand or other suitable matter upon the rails of railways to promote adhesion
of the wheels thereto.
In carrying out my Invention I employ, say, four boxes or chambers applied
to the engine or to the tender or other carriage. Other number of boxes
may be used.
Two of four boxes or chambers are placed within or are sup-
ported over the other two, and they contain the sand or other substance
suitable for the purpose (wet or dry). These boxes or chambers may be
termed inside boxes and outside boxes; they are fitted with perforated valves
which are coupled by rods to a rocking or weigh shaft, or by other suitable
means, in order that the rails on each side of a line of railway may be simul-
taneously and uniformly sanded in front of the wheels to which adhesion is to
be given when required.
The apparatus may be arranged and worked in various ways, but by a
method which I adopt an inside box or hopper is employed, the bottom of
which inclines to the centre (where practicable) at such an angle that the sand
will slide thereon and conduct itself into a chamber of the apparatus, where
the fine sand will be separated from the coarser, after which process the fine
sand will be conducted by a pipe on to the rail, and the pebbles or the coarser
of the sand may be discharged into the bottom of the outside box or be allowed
to fall away by the side of the rails. The sand or other substance used for

page_text: this purpose may be retained in the chamber and box by a partly perforated
disc valve, which may be dished to clear itself, and may be fitted with a valve,
both of which may be made fast to spindles, and the former valve held it its
seat by a spiral or other suitable spring or by weights.
The same apparatus may be worked by conical valves coupled as above, but
fitted with levers, cranks, and weights, or the apparatus may be worked with
eccentric disc valves (or with other valves), and kept tight by springs or
weights, and coupled as herein mentioned.
The apparatus is brought into operation simultaneously to act in distributing
sand on each rail by the engine driver or other attendant.
But that the Invention may be fully understood, I will by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings proceed to describe means pursued by me.
Sheet 1, Figure 1 is a part outline of a locomotive, showing the apparatus
according to my Invention applied thereto, and part of Figure 3, a front view
of the box and section of the smoke box. a is a circular box to contain the
sand; this box is conical at the bottom end to cause the sand to slide into the
outlet and on to the valve r, thereby causing the sand to leave the box freely;
b is a hinged part of a cover for this box to receive the charges; c, fixed part
of the cover; d is the valve spindle, which may be made in the solid of the
valve or otherwise, and is made to rock to and fro by working the handle 1 in
order to loosen and agitate the sand or other matters by means of the agitator
p, which is made fast to the valve spindle, and the whole is suspended from the
cap by a swivel pin. The rocking motion for loosening and working out
sand from the boxes is also necessary to free the valve r and its seat q when
closing it from stones or other matters which may lodge between the valve
and its seat at the time of shutting off the sand; e is a rocking lever keyed
on the spindle d, to which is coupled the connecting rod n, the other end of
which is connected to the handle 1; f is the valve spindle cap, made to allow
of the said spindle d rocking or working therein; g is a suspension or coupling
link for coupling the lever h and the valve spindle d; h is the main lever,
keyed on the spindle i, as shown in Figure 3; i is a transverse spindle made
to pass through the smoke box, as shown in Figure 3, for the purpose of
coupling the sand box and its gearing on the right-hand side of the engine,
thereby dispensing with connecting means necessary for otherwise coupling
the apparatus on both sides; ; is a stuffing box bracket as shown in Figure 3,
Sheet 1; k is a rod (either end of which may be screwed) for opening the
valves by screwing into the nut fixed in the forked end of the lever b11; 1 is a
handle or hand lever, which is coupled to the rod n for working the agitators p
and rocking valve r; m is a crank handle keyed on the spindle k, for working

page_text: or turning the rod k; n is a connecting rod for working the agitator, and it
is coupled to the lever e. There is one of these on each side of the engine.
o is a stay bracket; p. is an agitator, which is jointed in order to give way to
the angle of the box on opening the valve r; q is a valve seat bolted or
rivetted to the cone of the box; r is a suspended conical valve for regulating
the supply of sand and distributing the same; s is a chamber open on two
sides, and which serves as a wind screen and shelter, it may however be
inclosed and provided with a hole or holes for the escape or removal of the
coarser sand or stones; t is a frame for carrying the sand pipe u, which con-
duets the sand from the box on to the rails; v is a wire screen to prevent
large portions of stone or other matter entering the sand pipe u. The pipe u
is provided with a canvas tip w, hinged, pinned, or tied to sand pipe u;
represents a handle bent over the boiler, which may be employed for
working the rocking connecting rod n, the adoption of which will dispense
with the lever and spindle y; y is a spindle or weight shaft for coupling
the connecting rod on the right-hand side, for which purpose this spindle has
a single lever forged on its end for the right-hand side, so that both agitators
are worked together by the lever handle, see Figures 7 and 8, Sheet 3.
The eccentric in dotted lines and dotted circle and lines in red shows an
arrangement for working the agitators, which may also be worked from the
periphery of one of the wheels on each side of the engine. For details of this
apparatus, see Figures 6 and 7, Sheet 3.
Figure 6. is a transverse spindle made to pass through the smoke box, as
before described in relation to Figure 1, and if not so passed or extended
through the smoke box, the connecting rods and gearing of the box upon the
right-hand side of the engine will be the same as that shown here upon the
left-hand side; " are standards or supports for the spindle i, both of which
are bolted to the fixed cover c, similar to those shown in Figure 8; k is a con-
necting rod lever for opening the valves keyed on the spindle i, but if this
spindle is not extended through the smoke box the lever must be made in the
solid of the spindle i, as shown in Figure 8. is a connecting rod of the
agitator coupled to lever e; m is a connecting rod for opening and shutting
valves; n is a radius or guide link; o is a weight for keeping valves shut when
no sand is required.
Figures 7 and 8 are two views of a locomotive, showing another arrange-
ment, the details of which are shown in Figure 3, Sheet 3; the only difference
in the Figures are that the inside and outside boxes are in one casting; (other
details are shown at Figure 9 on Sheet 3). " is an inside box made of
wrought or cast iron or wood, but if made of wood it is to be lined with sheet iron

page_text: tinned, the bottom of which is to incline to the centre at such an angle that
the same will slide thereon; g" is an outside box with a hand hole q" in one
side for clearing out the stones or other matters discharged from the box or
hopper is a spindle for opening valves r; j are standards for supporting
spindle i; k is a connecting rod lever made in the solid of the spindle i for
opening valves r; 1 is a hand lever keyed on inside spindle y (see Figure 9,
Sheet 3), which spindle has forged on its other end a single lever for working
the agitators on the right-hand side, so that the agitators of both boxes are
thereby coupled; 1 is a hand lever keyed on outside spindle z for opening
valves of both boxes on each side of the engine by another single lever !, 1,
keyed on its other end for coupling the connecting rods on the right-hand side,
as shown in the Drawing, Figure 8; 1, Figure 7, is a connecting rod for
working the agitator; m is a connecting rod for opening valves; o is a weight
for keeping the valves closed to retain the sand when not required; q is a
hand hole in one side of box for clearing out stones and other matters dis-
charged from the hopper f"; t, bearer or support for connecting rods 1
and m.
Figure 2 and part of Fig. 3. a is a supply box or tank thrown as a saddle
tank over the smoke box for the purpose of drying the sand or other substance
with the heat from the fire-box, out of which tank or box the sand is con-
ducted by the hose or bag pipe d into the hopper f¹¹ when required, entering
the hopper at the covered opening e; c, c, are hinged doors or lids for covering
the charging opening of the box, which doors can be made to open parallel
or in line with the box, as shown at b, Figure 3; c" is a padding of sponge
or hemp tied around the funnel for absorbing rain water and other moisture
in order that the sand may be kept dry; d is a hose pipe or bag pipe for con-
veying the sand into the hopper, shown held up by pin and cutter; e is a
covered opening into the hopper fl; h is a disc-dished valve perforated about
half way around with holes, which may be about inch square or inch
diameter, for the purpose of screening the sand; these holes are over the hole
or bore of the sand pipe conveying it on to the rails. Everything remaining
in the hopper fl too large to pass through the said holes will be allowed to
fall out by causing the valve h to leave its seat, which is made to do so by
compressing the spring 1. The valve spindle i extends through the hopper
and spring 1; i is a semicircular valve (or nearly so) fitting the dished side of
valve h, and held close thereto by a nut bearing upon a brass washer and a
seat of india-rubber, for the purpose of covering the holes of the valve h in
shutting off the sand supply, and which valve has a spindle about 3" diameter
passing through the spindle i and lever n; j is a tubular spindle from valve h

page_text: geared to lever m; k is an inside valve spindle in solid of valve i, and geared
to lever n; is a steel spring for the purpose of keeping the valve h up to its
seat to prevent sand or other matters from escaping from the hopper; m is a
lever keyed on the spindle for working or rocking the valve h; n is a lever
keyed on the spindle for working the valve i; o is a connecting rod for
working the valve i, which rod has a slot link to allow for the backward and
forward stroke of the lever pin n; p is a connecting rod working or rocking
the valve h, which is coupled or pinned to the lever m; q is a hand hole for
clearing out stones or other matters falling from the hopper fl. Figures !
and 2, Sheet 3, shows details of these boxes; q", valve scat bolted or riveted
to hopper fl
Figures 4 and 5. a is an inside circular box, the periphery of which for
nearly half way round it has round or square holes. Into this box the sand
is put, and the box is made to revolve by the mitre pinions e, and thereby
screening the sand into the outside box d, the bevelled sides of which conduct
it into the sand pipe when it is required upon the rails. The screening portion
of the periphery of the box a may be made of wirework of a suitable mesh.
Instead of the pinions e, a worm and wheel may be used for giving motion to
the boxes; b is a cover hinged to the outside box d; c is a sliding door, at
which opening the box is charged with sand and emptied of the stones, &c.
remaining in the box after the fine sand has been sifted or screened therefrom;
d is an outside box or frame having within it inclines to conduct the sand
into the sand pipe i; e is a pair of mitre pinions keyed on the spindles j and h;
for giving a rotatary motion to the boxes a; is a bracket to support the
spindle has shown; g is a steel spring for clearing the holes in the periphery
of the box a of stones or other matter; h is a driving spindle which extends to
the foot plate of the engine, and there enters a bracket, and is fitted with a
hand wheel or handle to give motion to the whole; i is a sand pipe for con-
ducting the sand on to the rails, the bell top of which is fitted with a door
and fastening, which must be opened when clearing the box of stones or other
matters; j is a spindle extending through the smoke box from one sand box
to the other, which must be made fast by keying to the boxes a, which are
thereby made to revolve together and constantly keep the sand on the move;
k is a stuffing box bracket for the spindle j.
Figure 1, Sheet 2. a is a saddle tank or box placed over smoke box;
b is a cast-iron bracket forming a support and guide; c, c, are doors covering
the charge opening, which may be made to open at the sides as shown at b,
Figure 3, Sheet 1; d is a spindle, to which is made fast the agitator e and hose

page_text: pipe g, and which is used for opening the hose or bag pipe g; e is a hinged
agitator having arms; f is a wind screen; g is a hose or bag pipe made of
strong canvas or any suitable material, made fast to a ring in the solid of the
spindle d, as shown in Figure 10, Sheet 3, which pipe or hose is made to
open by the downward action of the spindle d; h is an india-rubber band
for closing upon the pipe g and spindle d, to retain the sand or other matter,
and it is made to expand by the action of the pipe g and spindle d; i is a
wire screen to prevent stones or other large portions of matter entering the
sand pipe; k is a lever coupled to spindle d; 1 is a connecting rod for working
the agitators, and is extended to the engine men, as shown in Figure 7; m.is
a connecting rod for opening the hose or bag pipe g. The blue lines show
another arrangement for working the above by a foot treadle placed at the
engine man and stoker's standing.
Figure 2. g is a bag for containing the sand screened by the valve i; his
an india-rubber band; i is a perforated valve for screening the sand or
other matter; is a forked lever for opening and shutting valve i, and
keeping the same upon its seat q by weight o; is a connecting rod for
rocking the valve i, and for screening and agitating the sand into the bag
g; m is a connecting rod coupled to the lever k for letting out the sand
from the bag g, in the same way as that described in Figure 1; see Figure
11, Sheet 3; o is a weight fitted with leather or wood pads o¹¹; d is an inside
spindle coupled to the bag g; see Figure 11, Sheet 3; e is the outside
valve spindle; el, a guide stay; e, an agitator with three or other number
of blades..
Figure 3. g is a sand chamber with a packing h; i is a perforated valve
made fast to the spindle e for screening the sand; k is a screw for regulating
the sand from chamber g, which is worked by mitre pinions q and hand
wheel n; is the connecting rod for the rocking valve i; m, the hand wheel
spindle which is extended on towards the engine men, and it is supported by
a bracket similar to s; n, a hand wheel; o, a chain and pulley for giving
motion to the gear on the other side; p is a hand wheel spindle support, and
support for the lever i; q are mitre pinions; r is a bracket; s, a hand
wheel spindle support.
Figure 4. e is a hinged or jointed agitator; ), a wind screen; g is a hose
or bag pipe shown opened, it is acted upon in closing it up by the two levers i,
which may be in shape similar to a fitter's callipers; h is a forked lever
for closing and opening the levers i, the spindle of which goes through the
smoke box to work the levers on the other side; i are levers, right and left

page_text: hand, shaped to suit the diameter of the bag pipe g; i is a connecting rod;
k is a lever coupled to the spindle d; m, connecting rod for working the
agitators.
i
Figure 5. is a double lever for closing the cords or springs i upon the
pipe for stopping off the supply of sand when not required; h, a single
lever for the same; i are cords or springs acted upon by levers h, h, to stop
off the sand supply in closing up the bag pipe g; i, j, are connecting rods of
levers h, h.
Figures 6, 7, and 8. e is a clutch for rack x; f" is a single lever keyed on
tubular spindle for coupling valve on right-hand side of engine; is a single
lever in the solid of inside spindle for coupling and working agitators on right-
hand side; i is a wire screen; 11 is a connecting rod of the agitator; m is a
connecting rod of the valve r; n are standards for supporting spindles y and
z; q is the valve seat; r is a valve, in the solid or otherwise, of spindle d;
s are circular strips for securing sand pipe; t is a rest for connecting rods;
v, sponge or hemp or other pad; r, rack for holding open the valves by clutch e.
Figure 4, Sheet 3, represents a half longitudinal section and half elevation
of an eccentric valve box; Figure 5 is an end elevation, partly in section; r is
the valve; q is the valve seat; el is an agitator: j is the spindle of the agitator;
e is a lever for working the agitator; n is a lever for opening and shutting
valve r; 1, a spring for keeping the valve up to seat q.
Having thus described my Invention, and means which I adopt in carry-
ing the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to the precise arrangements shown and described; but what I do
claim is the means or apparatus for distributing sand or other suitable matter
on the rails of railways to promote adhesion of wheels thereto, substantially as
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said David Perfitt Griffiths Matthews, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of April, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six.
DAVID PERFITT GRIFFITHS MATTHEWS. (L.S.)