IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF POSTS OR SUPPORTS FOR RAILWAY SIGNALS AND TELEGRAPH WIRES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Stokes Williams, of Riverton, New Jersey,
United States of America, now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF POSTS OR SUPPORTS
FOR RAILWAY SIGNALS AND TELEGRAPH WIRES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Stokes Williams at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd December 1879.
JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS, of Riverton, New Jersey, United States of America,
now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF POSTS OR SUPPORTS FOR RAILWAY SIGNALS AND TELEGRAPH WIRES."
My Invention relates to posts or supports for railway signals and telegraph wires,
and has for its object the construction of such posts or supports of malleable iron or
steel, or other suitable metal, and in such a manner as to give to them the required
strength with comparatively little weight. The said posts or supports are
constructed of a series of tubes or bars, which are so combined as collectively to
constitute a framework, preferably smaller at or towards the top than at or towards
the base, or tapering from the lower part or base to the summit. The tubes or bars
are secured in their proper relative positions at intervals by means of metal plat-
forms, cross-ties or braces. These platforms are preferably castings of malleable
iron or steel, and are provided with apertures or holes for the reception of the said
tubes or bars, and the metal surrounding or partially surrounding these apertures is
so arranged as to spring sufficiently to clamp the tubes or bars placed in the same.
The said apertures are preferably elongated, transversely or laterally, to provide
for readily combining and securing the parts as hereinafter specified.
The said Invention also consists in forming such platforms or cross-ties so that the
said apertures for the reception of the tubes or bars may be reduced in size by
wedging, clamping, or otherwise compressing the same.
It also consists in constructing the said platforms or ties with apertures or open
spaces between the parts which hold the said tubes or bars, and preferably with the
metal of which they are constituted extending chiefly in the direction of the length
of the said tubes or bars, thereby ensuring the efficient bracing of the structure

page_text: with the slightest practicable weight. Moreover this construction affords the means
for readily connecting the upright tubes or bars with or disconnecting them from
the aforesaid platforms.
The said Invention also consists in the combination of the above described
improved platforms with tubes or bars so arranged as to form a post or support
which has a greater amount of metal at and near its base than towards its
summit.
The aforesaid platforms may be adapted to two, three, four, or any other desired
number of tubes or bars of such dimensions and shapes as may be desirable. As
constructed to be used with four tubes or bars the central portion of the platform
is open, or has approximately the form of a square frame, which has at each corner
one of the aforesaid apertures for the reception of a vertical tube or bar. Between
two of those apertures the said frame should have small lugs or other provision for
the attachment of a bar of T-iron or other form of lamp slide. When the post is
to have three upright tubes or bars, I prefer to arrange them so that the tubes or
bars occupy a somewhat central position in the platform, the shape of the
platform being conformable to this arrangement of the tubes or bars. The post
may be constructed with the two or more tubes or bars extending to its top or
summit, or with only the central tube or bar extending to its summit, and the other
tubes or bars terminating in one of the aforesaid platforms at any desired
distance from the summit of the said post.
When only two upright tubes or bars are used in the construction of the post, I
prefer to make the said platform ties or braces with apertures to receive the same.
These posts with two tubes or bars are especially applicable for telegraphic
purposes.
When the post is constructed with the greatest amount of metal at and near its
base, I prefer to construct the said post as follows, that is to say -I use in com-
bination with the aforesaid improved platforms or cross ties tubes of different
diameters at the lower and upper portions or at the lower, middle, and upper
portions of the said posts, those at the lower portion or base being the largest, and
I unite the different sized sections or lengths, which are to form one upright tube
by means of reducing sockets or couplings, and I prefer to have one of the said
improved platforms or cross ties placed immediately above the said reducing
couplings at each part of the post where the same are used.
Any suitable or required number of these improved platforms or ties may be used
with two or more of the upright tubes or bars in the construction of the aforesaid
posts, and any of the above described devices for securing the tubes or bars in the
said holes or apertures may be used in either of the various forms or modifications
of the said platforms or cross-ties.
The said Invention also consists in arranging a bar between the upright tubes or
bars which constitute the post for operating the signal which is attached to the
same. The bar is preferably square, and passes through square holes in cylindrical
bushes or castings placed so as to move upon or in the platforms. Or instead of
arranging the said bar carrying the signal centrally, I in some cases form extensions
from the posts or platforms within or upon which the aforesaid castings are placed,
and through the square central openings in which the said bar is passed. The bushes
or castings may in some cases be dispensed with, and a round bar may be employed.
By the above described construction I provide a cheap and efficient arrangement
for disc signalling, as the disc or signal can be readily secured to the bar and the
crank or pulley, to which the operating connection is made for moving the said bar
and operating the signal, can be cast upon or attached to the aforesaid bushes or
castings, and the signal bar passed through it or may be otherwise attached to the
said signal bar.
In order to provide a cheap and firm base, and a good lateral support for the
posts, I provide a casting or plate which is placed between the upright tubes or
bars, and is secured to or in connection with the post by means of the platforms or

page_text: ties, and the sole plate, platform, or tie; this central member can be of simple
or compound structure, and may be varied in sectional form as desired.
In some cases I provide wings or extensions at the base of the post, at or near
the surface of the ground; these extensions project so as to increase the width of
the base, and are especially applicable in providing the base for a telegraph post,
which is of greater width one way than the other. An efficient and simple form of
base can be obtained by using a metal piece with three or more projecting arms.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Stokes Williams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd June 1880.
JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS, of Riverton, New Jersey, United States of America,
now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
OF POSTS OR SUPPORTS FOR RAILWAY SIGNALS AND TELEGRAPH WIRES."
My Invention relates to posts or supports for railway signals and telegraph wires,
and has for its object the construction of such posts or supports of malleable iron
or steel, or other suitable metal, and in such a manner as to give to them the
required strength with comparatively little weight. My present improvements are
in part founded on those described in the Specification of former Letters Patent
granted to me and dated July 18th, A.D. 1879, No. 2940.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawings, in which,-
Figure 1 is an elevation of one of my improved signal posts, in the construction
of which I employ a series of tubes of the same diameter.
Figure 2 is an elevation of a post, in the construction of which tubes of different
diameters are used.
Figures 3 to 9 are top views of platforms or braces of novel form employed in
the construction of the said posts.
Figure 10 is a side view shewing one of the said platforms secured to the tubes
or bars of the post.
Figure 11 is a vertical section of a coupling to be employed in the construction
of the post shewn in Figure 2.
Figures 12 to 18 are plans, and Figure 19 a vertical section of modified forms of
platforms or braces used in the construction of my improved posts.
Figure 20 is a side view of an improved form of base for the said posts, and
Figures 21 and 22 are transverse sections of the same on the lines x, x, x¹, x¹,
Figure 20.
Figure 23 is an elevation of another form of base hereinafter described.
Figure 24 is a side elevation of one of my improved posts provided with a
rotating signal, and
Figure 25 is a horizontal section of the same on the line y, y, Figure 24.

page_text: Figures 26 and 27 are elevations in planes at right angles to each other of one
of my improved telegraph posts, and
Figures 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32 are horizontal sections of the same on the
lines z, z, z, z¹, 22, 22, 23, 2³, and 2, 2, Figure 26.
Figure 33 is a vertical section of the base of the said post.
Figure 34 shews in section a modified form of the said base.
Figure 35 is an elevation of another form of post.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
My improved posts or supports are constructed of a series of tubes or bars a,
which are so combined as collectively to constitute a framework, preferably smaller
at or towards the top than at or towards the base, that is to say, it is taper and
upwardly converging from the lower part or base to the summit. The tubes or
bars a are secured in their proper relative positions at intervals by means of the
metal platforms or tie frames, cross-ties, or braces b. These platforms are preferably
cast or otherwise formed of malleable iron or steel, and are provided with aper-
tures or holes c for the reception of the said tubes or bars, and the metal surrounding
or partially surrounding these apertures is so arranged as to spring sufficiently to
clamp the tubes or bars a placed in the same. The said apertures are preferably
elongated transversely or laterally as at o' to provide for readily combining and
securing the parts as hereinafter specified.
The said Invention partly consists in so constructing and arranging the metal,
of which the platforms or cross-ties are formed, as to provide for clamping and
securing the tubes or bars a in the apertures or recesses c. In Figure 9 I have
shewn screw bolts and nuts c² for clamping the said platforms upon the tubes or
bars a
The aforesaid platforms b may be adapted to two, three, four, or any other
desired number of tubes or bars of such dimensions and shapes as may be
desirable.
The posts shewn in Figures 1 and 2 have four tubes or bars. In this case the
central portion of the platform, as shewn in Figures 3 to 9, is open, or has approxi-
mately the form of a square frame b¹, which has at each corner one of the aforesaid
apertures c for the reception of a vertical tube or bar a Between two of these
apertures the said frame should when necessary have small lugs & or other
provision for the attachment of a bar e of T-iron or other form of lamp slide.
The said Invention also consists in constructing the said platforms or ties b with
apertures or open spaces between the parts which hold the said tubes or bars, the
metal of which they are constituted extending chiefly in the direction of the length
of the said tubes or bars, thereby providing for the lateral compression or clamping
of the tubes or bars, and the efficient bracing of the structure with the slightest
practicable weight. Moreover this construction affords the means for readily
placing and clamping the upright tubes or bars a in connection with or dis-
connecting them from the aforesaid platforms b, and obviates the cutting of the
upright tubes or bars and the permanent setting or straining of the holding or
clamping devices.
The said Invention also consists in the combination of the above described
improved platforms with tubes or bars so arranged as to form a post or support
which has a greater amount of metal at and near its base than towards its summit;
this part of my Invention is illustrated in Figure 2. In the construction of the
same I use in combination with the platforms or cross-ties 6 tubes in lengths or
sections of different diameter at the lower and upper portions, or at the lower,
middle, and upper portions of the said posts, as shewn at a, a, a, a, and I unite
these differently sized sections or lengths a¹, a³, a³, a³, by means of reducing
sockets or couplings f, as shewn in Figure 11.
Figure 12 shews a platform 6 wherein the apertures into which the tubes are,
inserted are extended laterally or transversely in an outward direction as shewn
at c¹, the tubes being clamped within the same by screw-bolts c², or by rivets or
otherwise.

page_text: Figures 13, 14, and 15 shew a platform b consisting of inner and outer portions
The inner portion 6* of the said platform is provided with suitable
recesses c to receive the tubes or bars a, which by lateral compression are clamped
firmly between said inner portion and the outer portion b by means of rivets,
bolts, or otherwise. The tubes or bars a are clamped and wedged between the
inner and outer portions b³, b, the sections of the platform b being secured
together, or in their proper relative positions, by bolts or otherwise. It will be
understood that this construction provides the means for readily securing and
bracing the parts firmly together to form the posts.
Figures 16 and 17 shew a series of T-shaped bars or plates secured in connection
with the platform b.
Figure 18 shews a sories of L-shaped bars or plates secured in position in one of
the said platforms. It will be understood that these T and L-shaped or other
forms or bars may be combined with platforms provided with suitable recesses and
clamping devices in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figures
13 to 15 of the Drawings. In Figure 10 the two parts b³, 63, of the platform are
so arranged as to receive and clamp the tubes within the recesses provided for
them when the said parts are drawn vertically towards each other.
To ensure the stability and retention in the ground of a post constructed of a
series of platforms and tubes as above described, I in some cases employ a base as
shewn in Figures 20, 21, and 22. The said base is formed of the series of tubes a
secured in the base sole plate or shoe a at their lower extremity, and between
the said tubes and firmly secured in the said base plate I arrange an X-shaped
piece or plate a, preferably of such a length as to enter one of the platforms bat
the lower end of the post as shewn. Or instead of forming the piece aº ✗-shaped
in transverse section, the said piece may be Y-shaped or of any other suitable form
which will impart the necessary stability to the said post with a minimum amount
of metal, and the said piece or plate may be of simple or compound structure. By
the employment of the plate or piece a great resistance is offered to any lateral
movement of the post when in the ground; this piece a need not extend to the
solo plate a*. In the base illustrated in Figure 23 I have shewn the sole plate a**
connected with the tubes a and the piece a" (which serves the same purpose as the
piece a in Figure 19) by means of ties, bars, or braces a³.
In some cases I provide wings or extensions at the base of the post at or near
the surface of the ground; these extensions project so as to increase the width of
the base, and are especially applicable in providing the base for a telegraphic post
of greater width one way than the other.
The post, shewn in Figures 24 and 25, is constructed of a series of rods, tubes, or
bars a, secured in their proper relative positions by plates or platforms b, as herein-
before described; instead however of being provided with a signal or semaphore
arm, as in Figures 1 and 2, the said post is provided with a rotating disc signal g,
which is secured to the rod or bar g³. This rod or bar g' is arranged between the
upright tubes, rods, or bars a; it is preferably square and passes through »quare
holes in cylindrical bushes or castings, so formed and arranged as to move upon or
in the platforms b or upon pieces supported by the said platforms. Or instead of
arranging the said bar carrying the signal centrally, I in some cases for extensions
from the posts or platforms within or upon which the aforesaid castings are placed,
and through the square central openings in which the said bar is passed. In some
cases a round bar may be employed instead of the square bar g'; g³ represents the
lamp carrying rod, secured in position by extensions from the platforms or post.
By the above described construction I provide a cheap and efficient arrangement
for disc signalling, as the disc or signal can be readily secured to the bar g', and
the crank or pulley g' to which the operating connection is attached for moving
the said bar and operating the signal can be cast upon or attached to one of the
aforesaid bushes or castings and the signal bar passed through it, or may be
otherwise attached to the said signal bar.
The posts or supports for telegraph wires, as represented in Figure 26 to 34, are

page_text: constructed of two tubes or rods a firmly secured together by metal platforms b.
To construct with a minimum amount of metal a base which will give the necessary
rigidity to such posts in the direction required, that is to say, in a direction trans-
verse to that of the wires supported by the same, I form the said base with wings
or extensions a*. In these Figures the platform 1 is provided with projecting
portions at 2, between which the wings a* are fixed, the said wings being secured
to the platform at 3, as shown; or the wings a* may be provided with projecting
arms having apertures to receive the tubes a, and the platform 1 may be dispensed
with. The said wings may also be provided at the lower end of the base with
projecting arms to receive the lower ends of the tubes a, the said arms being pro-
vided with suitable cutting edges to allow the base to be easily driven into the
ground.
It will be seen that the tubes a, the platforms b, and the wings a* are all secured
together to constitute the base for the post when erected.
In Figure 35 a post is shewn composed of rods, tubes, or bars a, secured together
by platforms, and with tubes or bars a terminating below the summit of the said
post to ensure greater strength and rigidity in the direction of the telegraph wires;
instead of two bars or braces a one only may be used.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and shewn how the same may
he conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I wish it understood that
I claim,-
First. The construction and arrangement of the various forms or modifications
of platforms, tie-frames, braces, or cross-ties b, by which I provide for readily
placing the bars or tubes a within recesses c, and securing and bracing the parts of
the post firmly together, substantially as described with reference to the accom-
panying Drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Second. The various modifications of signal posts or supports consisting respec-
tively of tubes or bars a braced and secured together by a series of platforms, braces,
or ties b, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 19 of the
Drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Third The construction and use of a base or underground frame, constructed
substantially as described with reference to Figures 20 to 24, Figures 26 and 27,
and Figures 31 to 35 of the Drawings, for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The construction and use of a post or support for telegraph wires
consisting of a series of rods, tubes, plates, or bars a, arranged and combined sub-
stantially as described with reference to Figures 26 to 35 of the Drawings, in the
manner and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Stokes Williams, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty third day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
TA S
TT TAS