IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR STOPPING RAILWAY TRAINS
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Shaw, of Dublin, Ireland. Printer. for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR STOPPING
RAILWAY TRAINS."
Sealed the 11th January 1861, and dated the 12th July 1860.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Shaw, at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 12th July
1860.
I, HENRY SHAW, of Dublin, Ireland, Printer. do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOX STOPPING
RAILWAY TRAINS," to be as follows:-
The improvements relate to the application to each of the wheels desired of
a railway train of apparatus adapted to pass between the wheel and the rail.
The apparatus which I denominate a drag-wedge is of the form of a half or
part of a circle of corresponding section and diameter to and in front of the
wheel proposed to be drag-wedged. It is connected with the buffing appa-
ratus supported on a moveable leg or fulcrum resting on the axletree of the
carriage. The toe of the drag-wedge is bevelled to a thin edge like a chisel
to facilitate its being drawn into action by passing between the wheel and the
rail. A rod, chain, or other band carried along the carriages may bring the
The wheels of the
drag-wedges of the entire line simultaneously into play.
engine may also be available for the drag-wedges applied by a crank move-
ment. The chain or other band may be wound up round, or rods drawn, by a
drum or otherwise at the disposal of the guard or engine driver or other
[Price Sl.]

page_text: person in charge of the train.
A guide bar connected with the lower parts
of the drag-wedges will lift them from off the wheels as they are elevated and
carried out of action.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Shaw in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th
January 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I. HENRY
SHAW, of Dublin, Ireland, Printer, send greeting
WHEREAS Her most Excellent. Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-fourth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself. Her heirs and successors. give and grant unto me, the
said Henry Shaw. Her special licence that I, the said Henry Shaw, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Henry
Shaw, my executors, 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 STOPPING RAILWAY TRAINS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Henry Shaw, my executors or admini-
strators, 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 performed,
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.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Shaw, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the Hollowing
statement thereof, that is to say:--
The improvements relate to the application to each of the wheels desired of
a railway train of apparatus adapted to pass between the wheel and the rail.
The apparatus, which I denominate a drag-wedge is of the form of a half or part
of a circle of corresponding section and diameter to and in front of the wheel
proposed to be drag-wedged. It is connected with the buffing apparatus sup-

page_text: poried on a moveable leg or fulcrum resting on the axletree of the carriage.
The toe of the drag-wedge is bevelled to a thin edge, like a chisel, to facilitate
its being drawn into action by passing between the wheel and the rail. A rod,
chain, or other band. carried along the carriages, may bring the drag-wedges
of the entire line simultaneously into play. The wheels of the engine may
also be available for the drag-wedges applied by a crank movement.
The
chain or other band may be wound up round, or rods drawn by a drum or
otherwise, at the disposal of the guard or engine driver, or other person in
charge of the train. A guide bar connected with the lower parts of the drag-
wedges will lift them from off the wheels as they are elevated and carried out
of action.
But that the nature of my improvements, and the means which I adopt in
carrying the same into effect may be fully understood. I will proceed to
describe the Drawing annexed.
Figure 1 shews a longitudinal section of the lower part of a railway
carriage with adaptations thereto according to my improvements: Figure 2
represents an under side view of the same: Figure 3 shews my compensating
tubular connecting slide rod with guard chains: and Figure 4 shews a section
of the collar and traversing levers. represented on Figures 1 and 2.
a, a, shew parts of the ordinary framing; b, b. b. the bearing wheels affixed
on axles B; c. c, are apparatus, which I denominate drag-wedges adapted to each
of the wheels b; d. the fulcrum or moveable leg. on which the drag-wedges c. c.
are supported, which fulcrum d rests upon the axle bearing on a pin or pins
fixed in a flange on the axle box, or in the lower frame, which is in connec-
tion with or bearing on the axle or axle box, from the lower parts of which
fulcrum or moveable leg, arms, or guide bars branch out in connection with
the drag-wedges; e is the toe of each drag-wedge, and which may be bevelled
to a thin edge, that when it is pressed down upon the wheel tightly it may be
caught in by the rail. Thus may the drag-wedge be not only available for
simply retarding the motion of the wheel, but where a necessity would appear.
stopping it altogether by rubbing the drag-wedge also on the rail. I prefer to
have the face of the drag-wedge next to the wheel buffed or lined with wood
or other material, by which the friction on the periphery of the wheel may be
effectual; is an iron guide bar, reaching from fulcrum to fulcrum, and is
drawn to and fro by the action of the levers g. g, or other mechanical arrange-
ment; is a longitudinal brake rod supported on the steps i, i, which steps
rest or have their bearings on the transverse beams of the lower frame a;
each step i has the form of a two-pronged fork inverted. Between the prong3
is placed a collar, which allows longitudinal play to the brake rod, but by being

page_text: keyed into a longitudinal slot grooved in the brake rod it will rotate with the rod.
Upon the surface of the collars are screw threads, which give motion to the
transverse levers . which being in connection with the guide bars/acinate
the drag-wedges: j. j. are spiral or other springs upon the longitudinal brake
rod, which admit of its being used as a central buffing apparatus (which rod
at its extremities may be made fast to that of the contiguous carriage), and
which rod provided with suitable joints may be rotated (by means of a toothed
wheel and screw, a pair of bevelled wheels, or other arrangement) at the
engine or other part of the train. This rod may also be used as the traction
rod, or it may be used as a brake rod only. forming its connection with the
contignous carriages by means of a tubular rod presenting a similar square or
round section to that of the brake rod, and sliding over it. Or by another
arrangement for actuating my brakes, or any other kind of brake, to the
central longitudinal brake rod of a square section I connect the brake rod of
the contiguous carriage by my compensating tubular coupling slide rod having
the hole at each end rectangular, which rectangles being at right angles with
each other will afford vertical and lateral play to the brake rods, and which
brake rods as they slide longitudinally in the tubular rod will also rotate when
required. I have a short guard chain fast to the tubular rod to keep it in its
place on the brake rods: k, k. k. k, are snugs for tie rods from drag-wedge to
drag-wedge.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the means
which I adopt in carrying the same into effect. I would have it understood
that I do not confine myself to the precise details shewn and described, so
long as the peculiar character of the improvements be retained; but what I
do claim is, the adaptation and combination of means for effecting the stoppage
of railway trains, substantially as explained.
In witness whereof, I. the said Henry Shaw, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
Witness,
STEWART TAITE.
Dublin.
HENRY SHAW. (.s.)