Improvements in Snow Ploughs.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 29th July, 1890-Accepted, 13th Sept., 1890
Improvements in Snow Ploughs.
I FRANZ FRIEDRICH THEODOR SCHEFFLER of 56 Jasper Street, Patterson, New
Jersey, United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Snow ploughs provided with rotating shovels or blades, by means of which the
masses of snow which block the rails of railways are taken up and removed sideways,
are already well known.
The present invention relates to improvements in snow ploughs working in the
above described manner, whereby, by means of special arrangements, certain incon-
veniences which attach to the snow ploughs of this kind, as hitherto constructed and
employed, are removed.
It may be first remarked that if the snow plough is arranged to dip so deeply in
between the rails as to remove the snow entirely from the rail heads, the employment
of the plough becomes impossible where, as at crossings and points, the space between
the rails is narrowed or blocked..
It is necessary, therefore, that the snow plough should be able to fulfil its object, and
at the same time that it should be so constructed that it may pass unhindered over
crossings &c.
This object is attained in the present invention by making the entire mechanism,
together with its base or cradle, capable of being lifted at front, the power necessary
for the lifting being taken from the driving mechanism of the rotating wheel. The
rear axle of the carriage serves as pivot and the front axle as point of support (fulcrum)
for the lifting mechanism.
The lifting operation is of course limited to a small height, as it will only be
necessary to lift the parts slightly above the level of the rail heads. - For the lifting
and lowering, it will be best to employ an official knowing the line exactly, such as an
engine driver, who, with the steering lever in his hand, will effect the timely lifting
and the securing of the lifted parts in position (which takes place automatically in
consequence of the lifting action), and the subsequent release and lowering of
the same.
In addition to this, there are important improvements made with a view to the
perfect working of the snow plough, as, for instance, the special form of the guard or
sheet metal covering forming the front portion of the plough; the arrangement for
changing the position of the exit opening for the snow that is to be cast out; the form
of the blades or shovels; and the arrangement of the driving mechanism.
The improved snow plough consists of a simple trolly carrying a frame for the
driving mechanism. In this frame a longitudinal shaft is arranged, provided at its
rear end with a cranked extension, which receives motion from a two-cylinder steam
engine through a triangular piece attached to both the piston rods and to the crank.
The longitudinal shaft carries, at its front end, a system of peculiarly bent knives,
which, when the snow lies very high, first break away the wall of snow by degrees,
and press the masses cut off therefrom rearwards into a conical drum or receiver, in
which turn the expelling wings or blades arranged upon the shaft.
A sheet metal covering is adapted to fit against the front portion of the drum or
wheel covering, and is by preference trapeziform.
The sheet metal covering has, on its underside, two recesses corresponding with the
profile of the rails, which recesses allow the metal cover to enter and project downwards
between the rails a distance at least equal to the depth of the wheel flanges, so that the
way for the latter will be cleared of snow.
The means for lifting the driving mechanism free from the rails consists as follows:
Upon the longitudinal shaft is arranged a conical friction clutch, upon the drum

page_text: of which a chain is fastened, and when the clutch is in gear, the chain is wound
up on the drum, and turns a segment, which forms with an arm a hell crank
lever. This lever is connected, by means of a rod, with an arm fitted to a cross
axle, which carries at its ends levers having their fulcrums upon the sides of the
frame, which rest upon helical springs adapted to the axle boxes. From the transverse
axle depend loops or eyes in the form of chain links, which carry a cross bar passing
directly under the frame carrying the working parts.
One of these last-named levers is provided at rear with a projection having spur
teeth into which a pawl can take.
The operation of lifting is commenced by putting the conical clutch into gear, which
applies tension to the parts mentioned, and lifts the transverse rod and the frame.
This lifting suffices to raise the sheet metal covering with the shovels above the surface
of the rails.
During the lifting of the lever, a spur tooth, or several spur teeth, will have passed
over the pawl, which now holds the entire driving arrangement in the raised position,
and the clutch can be released. If the parts are to be disengaged, the clutch is again
put into action, thereby pulling upon the entire driving mechanism; the pawl (which
for this purpose is provided with a lever) is thrown back, and the clutch is slowly
released, whereby the driving mechanism will be lowered.
With respect to the shape or form of the shovels or expelling wings, it should be
remarked that, as they always turn in the same direction, whether the snow is to be
expelled to the right or to the left, this shape or form should be the most favorable that
can be selected for the purpose.
From the boss projects downwards a plate forming a flat cone, upon which, by
means of angle pieces reaching almost up to the cutting edges, the shovels are secured.
The form of the shovels is in this case so chosen, that the greatest radius of their
segmental arc falls into the centre line of the expulsion opening, and forms, towards
the front, an advantageous cutting angle.
To effect the expulsion of the snow that enters between the shovels either in one or
the other direction, as may be desired, whilst the blades or shovels are turning in
the same uniform direction, according as the ground to the one side or other of the
railway is most suitable for the reception of the ploughed-out snow, one portion of the
periphery of the drum is cut away, and is covered with an adjustable portion containing
the expulsion opening. The position of this portion will be suitably adjusted on the
periphery of the drum by means of a segment rack secured to its outer surface, and
by a pinion operated by a hand wheel, which are fitted to a shaft having its bearings
upon the drum. The position of the expulsion opening determines the direction in
which the snow shall be thrown out, whether to the left or right of the railway, the
snow itself being impelled forward by means of the rotating shovels operated by
centrifugal force.
Dated this 20th day of October 1889
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Snow Ploughs.
1 FRANZ FRIEDRICH THEODOR SCHEFFLER of 56 Jasper Street, Patterson, New
Jersey, United States of America, 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:-
Snow ploughs provided with rotating shovels or blades, by means of which the
masses of snow which block the rails of railways are taken up and removed sideways,
are already well known.
The present invention relates to improvements in snow ploughs working in the
above described manner, whereby, by means of special arrangements, certain incon-

page_text: veniences which attach to the snow ploughs of this kind, as hitherto constructed and
employed, are removed.
It may be first remarked that if the snow plough is arranged to dip so deeply in
between the rails, as to remove the snow entirely from the rail heads, the employ-
ment of the plough becomes impossible, where, as at crossings and points, the space
between the rails is narrowed or blocked.
It is necessary, therefore, that the snow plough should be able to fulfil its object,
and at the same time that it should be so constructed that it may pass unhindered
over crossings &c.
This object is attained in the present invention, by making the entire mechanism,
together with its base or cradle, capable of being lifted at front, the power necessary
for the lifting being taken from the driving mechanism of the rotating wheel. The
rear axle of the carriage serves as a pivot, and the front axic as a point of support
(fulerun) for the lifting mechanism.
The lifting operation is of course limited to a small height, as it will only be
.necessary to lift the parts slightly above the level of the rail heads. For the lifting
and lowering operation, it will be best to employ an official who knows the line
exactly, such as an engine driver, who, with the steering lever in his hand, will effect
the timely lifting, and the securing of the lifted parts in position (which takes place
automatically in consequence of the lifting action), and the subsequent release and
lowering of the same.
In addition to this, there are important improvements made with a view to the
perfect working of the snow plough, as, for instance, the special form of the guard
or sheet metal cover forming the front portion of the plough; the arrangement for
changing the position of the exit opening for the snow that is to be cast out; the
form of the blades or shovels, and the arrangement of the driving mechanism.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1 is a sido elevation, partly in section, of the snow plough constructed
according to this invention.
Fig. 2 is a plan view.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation.
Fig. 4 is a partial rear elevation, partly in section, of the means for actuating the
plongh.
Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the plough proper; and
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the same.
The improved snow plough consists of a trolly or frame, of which the longitudinal
bars a serve as the base or support for the driving mechanism, and are adapted to
the axle boxes by means of the helical springs b.
This frame carries bearings d d for a shaft c, which has at its rear end a crank C,
to which motion is communicated by a two cylinder vertical steam engine, through a
triangular piece A, attached to crossheads B B of the two piston rods, and the crank
pin (, see Fig. 4. This piece A is capable of adjustment in one of the crossheads.
By this arrangement of parts, not only is the one sided arrangement of a horizontal
engine avoided, but intermediate gearing is dispensed with, and the apparatus is not
top heavy; thus, the heaviest parts of the apparatus being comparatively low down,
and also in rear of the rear axle of the trolly, will act as a counterweight, and thus
facilitate the lifting of the front portion of the plough frame on the pivot formed by
the rear axle.
C
The longitudinal shaft c carries, at its front end: a system of peculiarly bent knives e,
which, when the snow lies very high, first break away the wall of snow by degrees,
and press the masses cut off therefrom rearwards into a conical drum or receiver f, in
which turn the expelling wings or blades g arranged upon the shaft c.
Owing to the conical form of the drum f, when the snow is lying thick, the surface
of the drum will not press with its entire length against the wall of snow.
A sheet metal covering is adapted to fit against the front portion of the drum or
wheel covering, and is by preference trapeziforin, the effect being that, on the one
hand, the snow walls formed through the removal of part of the snow will stand

page_text: 1 1440
better or more uniformly, and, on the other hand, the resistance, in the case of a
small thickness of snow, will be considerably reduced, and quicker travel will thereby
be secured. The sheet metal covering has, on its underside, two recesses i i corre-
and
sponding with the profile of the rails, which recesses allow the metal cover to enter a
project downwards between the rails a distance at least equal to the depth of the wheel
flanges, so that the way for the latter will be cleared of snow. The working position
of this covering is shown by full lines Fig. 3, and the raised position by dotted lines.
The means for lifting the driving mechanism free from the rails, consists as
follows Upon the longitudinal shaft c, is arranged a conical friction clutch k,
upon the drum of which a chain is fastened, and when the clutch is in gear, the
chain is wound up on the drum, and turns a segment m, which forms with an arm n
a bell crank lever. This lever n is connected by means of a rod o with an arm p
fitted to a cross axle p³, which carries at each end a lever p², laving their fulcrums
upon the supports 9, which rest upon the helical springs adapted to the axle boxes.
From the transverse axles p³, depend eyes or loops in the form of chain links
which carry a cross bar t, passing directly under the frame a carrying the working
parts.
One of these levers p¹ is provided at rear with a projection p², having spur teeth,
into which a pawl u can take.
The operation of lifting is commenced by putting the conical clutch & into gear,.
which applies tension to the parts I m n o p p¹, and lifts, against the pressure of the
helical springs, the transverse rod t and the frame a. This lifting suffices to raise
the sheet metal covering h, with the shovels, above the surface of the rails.
During the lifting of the lever p', a spur tooth, or several spur teeth, will have
passed over the pawl, which now holds the entire driving arrangement in the
raised position, and the clutch can be released. If the parts are to be disengaged,
the clutch is again put into action, thereby pulling upon the entire driving mechanism;
the pawl (which for this purpose is provided with a lever handle) is thrown back,
and the clutch is slowly released, whereby the driving mechanism will be lowered.
In this lifting operation, a slight movement of the frame a around the pivot will
take place, the steam engine acting as a counterweight.
With respect to the shape or form of the shovels or expelling wings g, it should be
remarked, that as they always turn in the same direction, whether the snow. is to be
expelled to the right or to the left, such shape or form should be the most favorable
that can be selected for the purpose.
From the boss v projects downwards a plate w, forming a flat cone, upon which, by
means of the angle pieces a, reaching almost up to the cutting edges, the shovels g
are secured. The form of the shovels is in this case so chosen, that the greatest
radius of their segmental are falls into the centre line of the expulsion opening, and
forms, towards the front, an advantageous cutting angle.
To effect the expulsion of the snow that enters between the shovels, either in one
or the other direction, according as the ground to the one side or other of the railway
is most suitable for the reception of the ploughed out snow, one portion of the
periphery of the drum f is cut away, and is provided with an adjustable portion
containing the expulsion opening y, Fig. 5. The position of this portion will be
suitably adjusted on the periphery of the drum by means of a segment rack secured
to its outer surface, and by a pinion a¹ operated on by a band wheel, which is
fitted to the shaft having its bearings upon the drum. The position of the side y' o
the expulsion opening determines the direction in which the snow will be thrown out
whether to the left or right of the railway (see the dotted position, Fig. 3), the snow
itself being impelled forward by means of the rotating shovels operated by centrifuga
force.
The above mentioned peculiar form of the shovels at the operating edge is shew
in Figs. 1 and 3. The edge gl pares or cuts the snow from the bank or drift, an
directs it rearwards onto the shovel, by the centrifugal motion of which it is cause
to pass into the surrounding screen, from which it flies out through the discharg
snute y y¹. At g' is shewn the mode of bending back the outermost point of eac

page_text: shovel, which here acts in opposition to the centrifugal ejecting motion, to the end
that the snow also that is taken up by the outermost edge of the shovels shall be
directed backwards and thrown out through the shute.
are flaps which constitute the outer edge of the shield h, and which can be folded
either outwards or inwards, or, whilst working in the snow, can be held in their
outward position by bolts and sockets, in order to catch the snow from the whole
width of the track, and carry the same to the expulsion wheel for the purpose of
ejection.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In rotary snow ploughs, arranged upon a special vehicle and provided with one
driving shaft, the arrangement of a steam engine at one end of the driving shaft, for
the purpose of rotating the same always in the same direction, and without the inter-
vention of intermediate gearing, as shown and described.
2. The arrangement of a 2-cylinder steam engine, the piston rods of which are
connected by a triangular connecting rod A to the crank on the rear end of the
driving shaft.
3. In a rotary snow plough, the conibination of the surrounding screen or drum f
of the shovels 9, with the discharged shute y y¹, which is adjustably connected peri-
pherically to the screen, in order to allow the snow cut up by the rotating shovels,
to be thrown out on either side of the track at any desired angle, as set forth.
4. In the above construction of snow plough, the notches in the bottom edge of
the shield, as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a snow plough, the arrangement on the vehicle carrying the plough, of an
apparatus for lifting the front end of the entire snow plough, with the shield h, above
the rail heads, in which apparatus the fore axle of the vehicle serves as the fulcrum
for the leverage, and the rear axle as the pivot, as set forth.
6. The extension of the shield at its outer edges by flaps h¹, said flaps being
capable of being thrown in and out of operating position, as shown and described.
Dated this 29th day of July 1890.
+
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.