Improvements in Working and Locking the Switch Points of Railways.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct.. 1.90
Complete Specification Left, 21st July, 1891-Accepted, 5th Sept., 1391°
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Working and Locking the Switch Points of
Railways.
We JOHN PATRICK O'DONNELL of 2 Great George Street, Westminster in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, WILLIAM SMITH of 8 Geneva Road
Brixton in the County of Surrey, Engineer, and ILLIUS AUGUSTUS TIMMIS, of
2 Great George Street, Westminster in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention has reference firstly to that kind of working where facing switch
points on railways are both worked and locked by one actuating rod from the
signal box.
It has hitherto been usually effected by one lever in the locking apparatus and
the switch point safety bar or plunger or other form of point lock are worked
together at every movement of the said lever. Our object however for single line
loop facing points is (assuming that the facing points lie normally right for the
facing direction as they should do) to work the safety bar and plunger only when
they should be worked, that is to say, for the facing direction and not for the
trailing direction. When the points are required to be moved, that is for the
trailing direction the points only should be worked and not the safety bar and
plunger. Furthermore in most existing appliances for working and locking the
points by one actuating rod a parabolic crank or similar appliance is used which
moves the points a certain specified distance (that is approximately four inches)
so that if the stock rails move away from each other the points are still only
moved the specified distance (i.e. four inches) the switch tongue remaining gaping
open rendering an accident possible.
In reference to this portion of our invention we overcome the difficulties herein-
before described in the following manner :-
We employ in the signal box either one lever working to two positions the
normal position being in the centre or we employ two levers the movement of
lever say No. 2 locks the switch points and the movement of lever No. 1 actuates
the switch points.
Where one lever is used it can be arranged that the movement from the centre
forward locks the switch points and the movement from the centre or normal
position backward actuates the switch points.
Whichever method is employed a push and pull movement is given.
Where two levers are employed it is necessary to place immediately under the
tails of the levers or at any convenient or suitable spot a cross bar or sway beam
to one end of which lever No. 1 is connected and to the other end of which
lever No. 2 is connected. To the middle of the said cross bar the actuating con-
necting rod is fixed. The connections to the switch points are identical where one
lever is used working to two positions or where two levers are used; the connecting
actuating rod runs to where the safety bar is fixed at the points and terminates at
a second cross bar or sway beam and is jointed to its middle. At one end of the
said cross bar a rod is fixed which by means of a crank and suitable connection
actuates the plunger and to the same arm of the crank which moves the plunger
the safety bar is connected acting with the said bar and moves approximately half
the stroke of the plunger and a stroke equal to the stroke of the switch points,
that is, four inches. To the other end of the said cross bar or sway beam another
rod is jointed which by means of a crank and connections actuates the switch
points.

page_text: .
For the purposes of describing the action we will refer to where two levers are
employed it being understood that the alternative method of one lever working to
two positions is identical in its actuation, a cross bar or sway beam being fixed
under the tails of the two levers. When lever 2 is moved over it gives a push
to the sway beam or cross bar (lever No. 1 being normal); the other cross bar
is stationary and therefore forms a fulcrum, a push is therefore given to the
actuating rod which in its turn gives a push to the second cross bar or sway
beam at or near the safety bar (the other end of the second cross bar forms a
fulcrum and is connected to the switch points which cannot be moved from the
normal position by a push in so far as the method now described is concerned; it
is of course obvious that reverse movements can be given to the opposite levers)
and the forward movement of this sway beam or cross bar inserts the plunger and
actuates the safety bar. It is obvious that if lever No. 1 is moved the fulcrums
of both the cross bars are changed, lever No. 2 being normal changes No. 1 and the
safety bar not being able to move further down in consequence of its stops, the
other to the extent that while the safety bar and plunger remain normally unlocked
the switch points are worked over to the trailing direction.
The levers may
be reversed and also the opposite motions on the actuating rod to suit the
circumstances.
The second portion of our invention refers to actuating and locking the facing
switch points by one rod when the points are facing in both directions. In order
to effect this result we employ two levers in the locking frame, lever No. 2, say,
locking the points in either position and lever No. 1 for actuating the switch
points. A cross bar or sway beam is fixed under the tails of these levers
similar to that herein before described with reference to where the points are
worked and locked by one rod for single line loops. When the points are normal
the movement of lever No. 2 from the middle position back gives a push to the
actuating rod through the sway beam to the extent that it inserts the plunger and
works the safety bar for the points in the normal position. When the points are
required to be operated the facing point lock lever No. 2 is replaced to its middle
normal position and lever No. I is operated which pulls the sway beam, actuates
the rod and operates the switch points. When now lever No. 2 is moved from the
middle position forward it gives a further pull to the connecting rod which locks
the switch points and operates the safety bar.
In order that when lever No. 1 is operated to actuate the switch points it shall
not also operate the plunger and so prevent a correct movement of the points a
double locking bar as described in the Specification of O'Donnell, Timmis & Smith
No. 18720 dated November 22nd 1889, is provided.
It is obvious that instead of two levers, one of which works to two positions,
three levers can be employed a separate lever being for operating the plunger for
each position of the points.
With reference to the first portion of our invention hereinbefore described in
lieu of employing one lever working to two positions to effect two distinct move-
ments, one operating the facing point lock and bar and the other operating the
points, the same invention may be applied to operating two sets or more of points
that would normally lock each other, a push movement operating one pair of points
and a pull movement operating another.
In addition to one rod either operated by one or two levers working two sets of
points one or the other pair forming the fulcrum according to whether a push or
pull movement is given to the said rod, three or more sets of points may be
operated by successive movements of the rod in the same direction.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1890.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL,
2, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S.W.,
Agent for the said Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Working and Locking the Switch Points of
Railways.
We, JOHN PATRICK O'DONNELL of 2 Great George Street, Westminster in
the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, WILLIAM SMITH of 8 Geneva Road,
Brixton, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, and ILLIUS AUGUSTUS TIMMIS Of
2 Great George Street, Westminster in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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:-
Our invention has reference firstly to that kind of working where the facing
switch points of railways are both worked and locked by one actuating rod from
the signal box. This has hitherto been usually effected by one lever in the locking
apparatus, and the switch point safety bar or plunger or other form of point lock
are worked together at every movement of the said lever. Our object however
for single line loop facing points, is (assuming that the facing points lie normally
right for the facing direction as they should do) to work the safety bar and plunger
only when they should be worked, that is to say, for the facing direction and not
for the trailing direction. When the points are required to be moved, that is for
the trailing direction, the points only should be worked and not the safety bar and
plunger. Furthermore in most existing appliances for working and locking the
points by one actuating rod, a parabolic crank (that is a plate with a diagonal slot
operating the cross rod) or similar appliance is used which moves the points a
certain specified distance (that is, approximately four inches) so that if the stock
rails move away from each other the points are still only moved the specified
distance (four inches), the switch tongue remaining gaping open rendering an
accident possible.
In reference to this portion of our invention we overcome the difficulties herein-
before described in the following manner.
We employ in the signal box either one lever working to two positions, the
normal position being in the centre, or we employ two levers, the movement of
one, say lever No. 2, locks the switch points, and the movement of lever No. 1
actuates the switch points. Where one lever is used it can be arranged that the
movement from the centre forward locks the switch points and the movement from
the centre or normal position backward, actuates the switch points. Whichever
method is employed a push and pull movement is given.
Where two levers are employed it is necessary to place immediately under the
tails of the levers or at any convenient or suitable spot a cross bar or sway beam
to one end of which lever No. 1 is connected and to the other end of which lever
No. 2 is connected. To the middle of the said cross bar the actuating connecting
rod is fixed. The connections to the switch points are identical where one
lever is used working to two positions or where two levers are used; the connecting
actuating rod runs to where the safety bar is fixed at the points and terminates at a
second cross bar or sway beam and is jointed to its middle. At one end of the said
cross bar a rod is fixed which by means of a crank and suitable connection actuates
the plunger, and to the same crank which moves the plunger the safety bar is
connected acting with the said plunger, the said bar moving approximately half the
stroke of the plunger and a stroke equal to the stroke of the switch points, that is,
four inches. To the other end of the said cross bar or sway beam another rod is
jointed which by means of a crank and connections actuates the switch points.
For the purpose of describing the action we will refer to where two levers are
employed it being understood that the alternative method of one lever working to
two positions is identical in its actuation, a cross bar or sway beam being fixed
under the tails of the two levers where the two are employed.

page_text: When lever 2 is moved over it gives a pull to the cross bar or sway beam (lever
No. 1 being normal); the other cross bar is stationary and therefore forms a
fulcrum, a pull is therefore given to the actuating rod which in its turn gives a
pull to the second cross bar or sway beam at or near the safety bar (the other end
of the second cross bar forms a fulcrum and is connected to the switch points which
cannot be moved from the normal position by a pull, in so far as the method now
described is concerned) (it is obvious of course that reverse movements can be
given to the opposite levers) and the movement of this sway beam or cross bar
inserts the plunger and actuates the safety bar. It is obvious that if lever No. 1
is moved the fulcrums of both the cross bars are changed, lever No. 2 being normal
changes the first and the safety bar not being able to move further down in
consequence of its stops, the other; to the extent that while the safety bar and
plunger remain normally unlocked the switch points are worked over to the trailing
direction. The levers may be reversed and also the opposite motions on the
actuating rod to suit the circumstances.
Figure 1 illustrates the levers in the locking frame in a vertical position, the
downright connection being broken, and a plan of a junction illustrating the run of
connections to operate and lock the switch points and also operate the locking bar.
This figure illustrates where the points are facing in one direction, the movement
of one lever operating the points and the movement of the other locking the
points through the one actuating rod.
Figure 2 also illustrates two levers in the locking frame the tails of which are
connected to a sway beam, the said levers are illustrated in a vertical position, the
downright rod is shown broken, and between the downright rod and the horizontal
rod the usual crank and connection is assumed to be fixed.
The remaining portion of Figure 2 illustrates a plan of a junctions and the
connections necessary for locking a pair of facing points in both positions and also
working the said facing points, and apparatus also provided that through the
deferential plunger (described and illustrated in Spec. No. 18720 of 1889 which
locks the switch points in either position either one of the two stop signals may be
operated through the one rod. We will now proceed to describe the working of our
invention, reference being made for that purpose to the accompanying drawing.
In the accompanying drawing the same letters refer to the same parts or
substitutes therefor.
In Figure 1, No. 1 is the lever which works the switch points and is supposed to
be at the back of the lever in the drawing numbered 2 which locks the switch
points.
A is the tail of lever No. 2 connected by a short rod to the sway beam C; B is
the tail of lever No. 1 connected by a short rod to the sway beam C; D is the
downright rod from the centre of the sway beam. In order to insure a perpendicular
movement its end is projected through a roller or guide shown in section at E;
F are the usual rod and crank connections; G is the cross bar fixed adjacent to
the points; H are the rod and crank connections operating the plunger J and the
bar K L are the rod and crank connections operating the switch points. The
connections L are connected to one end of the sway beam G and the connections H
to the other end of the said sway beam.
The action is as previously referred to.
The arrows show the direction of movement according as one or other of the
levers 1 or 2 is operated.
The movement of No. 2 lever (No. 1 being normal) pulls the rod connected to it,
communicates a pull to the sway beam and a pull is communicated throughout the
connections and through the sway beam near the points the pull is communicated
to the rod operating the plunger and locking bar. When lever No. 2 is normal and
lever No. 1 is operated a push is communicated throughout and the points them-
selves are operated. The arrows show the direction of the push and pull and the
letters show the work resulting from such movements.
In Figure 2, No. 1 is the lever which operates the switch points and is shown at
4

page_text: the back of lever No. 2. Lever No. 2 is shown in the middle normal position and
operates backward or forward, forward to lock the points for the main and back-
ward to lock the points for the branch. The tail 1 of lever No. 1 is connected by
a short connection to the sway beam C. The tail S of lever No. 2 is also connected
to the other end of the sway beam C; D are the usual rod and crank connections
to the second cross bar G; H are the rod and crank connections from one end of
the cross bar G to the plunger J and locking bar K; L are the rod and crank
connections from the other end of the sway beam G, operating the switch points.
The arrows show the direction of the movements.
Lever No. 2 can move either backward or forward. It moves forward to lock
the points for the main and backward to lock for the branch. Assuming that the
points lie normally right for the main and it is required to lock them for that
direction lever No. 2 is moved forward, a push is communicated to the downright
rod through the sway beam and the connections and a push
given to the rod
and crank connections operating the plunger and locking bar, locking the points for
the main.
After lever No. 2 has been returned to its middle normal position and it is
required for the points to be moved over for the branch, lever No. 1 is worked over,
a pull is communicated to the downright rod, a pull is communicated throughout
the connections and the points are moved to their full extent until they cannot be
further operated, the switch abutting against the stock rail. When now it is
required that the points be locked for the branch, lever No. 2 is moved backward
also communicating a pull on its rod and as the points cannot move any further the
pull is communicated on the point lock and bar connections but in an opposite
direction to that in which they moved in locking for the main. They are therefore
moved in an opposite direction and the plunger is inserted, the bar moved, and the
points locked for the branch. There are therefore two full movements on the rod
in connection with the branch, the first works the points and the second locks them
in the same direction. When the points lie normally right for the main then there
is only one opposite movement, locking them for that position. As before the
fulcrums are changed according to which of the levers is at rest.
With reference to the distinct movements of the levers giving opposite move-
ments to a common rod for working and locking points, it is obvious that instead of
locking a pair of points it may be desirable to work two distinct pairs of points or
two distinct facing point locks whose movements are opposite and conflicting,
through the same common rod and that our invention as herein before described is
applicable for this purpose. It is again obvious that with reference to Figure 2 as
two separate and distinct movements can be given in the same direction through
one rod for distinct purposes and another opposite movement in the other direction
for another movement, that it may be desirable at times to operate two, say pairs
of points, which it is requisite should be moved to complete a road, and another
pair of points at another time which conflict with those previously referred to,
through the same connection.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
1. In railway switch point working and locking apparatus arrangements for
imparting two or more separate and distinct movements through the same single rod
for the purposes of actuating ground gear, substantially in the manner described.
2. In railway switch point working and locking apparatus arrangements whereby
the locking bar, plunger, and facing points are worked separately (never together)
through one rod, substantially in the manner described and as illustrated in the
drawing annexed.
3. In railway switch point working and locking apparatus providing a lever in a
middle position working, say for illustration forward for locking the points, and

page_text: from the middle position backward for working the points, substantially in the
manner described and as illustrated in the drawing annexed.
4. In railway switch point working and locking apparatus the application of two
levers operating two sway beams for locking (in either one or both directions) and
working the switch points of railways through one rod, connection from the first
sway beam to the second, substantially as described and as illustrated in the
drawing annexed.
Dated this 21st day of Tule 1901
JOHN P. O'DONNELL,
2, Great George Street, Westminster, London, S. W.,
Agent for the said Applicants.