Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 13th Nov., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 14th Dec., 1888
I JOSEPH KINCAID of 11 Great George Street in the City of Westminster Civil
Engineer. do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as follows:-
The object of my Invention is to provide a point for tramways which can be used
either as a left hand point or as a right hand point or as a facing point, it being
readily altered to suit as either, and generally to provido a point of such a kind
that it can be used in any situation and with any make of rails.
According to my Invention I provide a tongue which can be turned to one side
or the other of the groove in which it works by an oscillatory movement upon an
inclined bearing situated centrally of the groove the tongue having its point end
deeper than its butt or rear end which butt or rear end has a projection in line
with it and engaging and capable of turning in a hole or slot in the casting. In
order that there may be practically no objectionable protrusion of any part of the
tongue from the line of the rails and road in whichever position the tongue may
be turned I make the incline of the lower edge of the tongue and of the bearing
on which it oscillates in a line with the point at which the upper edge of the butt
end of the tongue meets the upper edge of the rail part of the casting against which
it abuts. In order to make the casting capable of being joined up with all descrip
tions of rails I form at each end of the casting projections or recesses to which fish
plates chairs or equivalent means of attachment can be fixed, these means of attach-
ment being formed at the parts which are to be fixed to the casting of a shape to suit
the aforesaid projections and recesses thereon or therein and at the parts which are to
be fixed to the rails of a shape to suit the particular kind of rail with which the
point is to be used. The means I provide to enable the point to be used as either a
facing point or as a right hand point or as a left hand point consist of weighted levers
either of which can be brought into action as required. Projecting from the side of the
tongue is a bar or pin presenting double inclines and in proximity to this is a lever
having a doubly inclined projection thercon which by means of a weight with which
the lever is provided is caused to bear on the doubly inclined pin projecting from
the tongue. When the tongue is moved over in either direction the lever is thereby

page_text: moved away by the projection from the tongue and if the point should not have been
completely moved over one or other of the inclines on the doubly inclined piece on
the lever will act on one or other of the inclines on the doubly inclined pin projecting
from the tongue and so bring the tongue to its properly closed position. In order
to convert the point into either a right or a left hand point I provide a lever with
two arms (one of which has a weight on it) either of which armis can be caused to
bear on the projecting piece from the tongue the one arm bearing on the top of the
projection to press it down and keep the point end of the tongue pressed to one side
of the groove in which it works and the other arm of the lever being capable of being
brought into position to bear on the underside of the projection from the tongue to
press it against the other side of the groove in which it works so that the position of
this lever decides whether the tongue acts as the tongue of a right or of a left hand
point. In order to retain that one of the levers which is not in use out of its acting
position I provide a rest which can be moved to one side to support either lever out
of action but so that it acts as a stop to prevent when so required both levers being
in use at the same time. The part of the casting which contains the foregoing
mechanism and other parts which require to be specially fitted and arranged may be
made separate from the main part of the casting and be fixed thereto by bolts and
nuts or other fastenings so that the fitting can be done with greater accuracy and
facility.
Dated thin 12th day of February 1888

page_text: Improvements in Points for Tramways.
I JOSEPH KINCAID of 11 Great George Street in the City of Westminster 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:
The object of my Invention is to provide a point for tramways which can be used
either as a left hand point or as a right hand point or as a facing point it being readily
altered to suit as either and generally to provide a point of such a kind that it can be
used in any situation and with any make of rails.
According to my invention I provide a tongue which can be turned to one side or
the other of the groove in which it works by an oscillatory movement upon an inclined
bearing situated centrally of the groove the tongue having its point end deeper than
its butt or rear end which butt or rear end has a projection in line with it engaging and
capable of turning in a hole or slot in the casting. In order that there may be prac-
tically no objectionable protrusion of any part of the tongue from the line of the rails
and road in whichever position the tongue may he turned I make the incline of the
lower edge or bearing portion of the tongue and of the bearing on which it oscillates
in a line with the point at which the upper edge of the butt end of the tongue meets
the upper edge of the rail part of the casting against which it abuts. In order to
make the casing capable of being joined up with all descriptions of rails I form at each
end of the casting projections or recesses to which fish plates chairs or equivalent
means of attachment can be fixed these means of attachment being formed, at the parts
which are to be fixed to the casting, of a shape to suit the aforesaid projections and
recesses thereon or therein and at the parts which are to be fixed to the rails of a shape
to suit the particular kind of rail with which the point is to he used: The means I
provide to enable the point to be used as either a facing point or as a right hand point
or as a left hand point consist of weighted levers either of which can be brought into
action as required. Projecting from the side of the tongue is a pin or bar presenting
double inclines and in proximity thereto is a lever having a doubly inclined projection
which by means of a weight with which the lever is provided is caused to bear on the
doubly inclined pin or bar projecting from the tongue. When the tongue is moved
over in either direction the lever is moved by the projection from the tongue and when
the tongue is released the said lever returns and if the tongue should not have been
completely moved over one or other of the inclines on the doubly inclined piece on the
lever will act on one or other of the inclines on the doubly inclined pin projecting
from the tongue and so bring the tongue to its properly closed position. In order to
convert the point into either a right or a left hand point I provide a lever with two arms
(one of which has a weight on it) either of which arms can be caused to bear on the
projecting piece from the tongue the one arm bearing on the top of the projection to
press it down and keep the point end of the tongue pressed to one side of the
in which it works and the other arm of the lever being capable of being brought into
position to bear on the underside of the projection from the tongue to press it against
groove

page_text: the other side of the groove in which it works so that the position of this lever decides
whether the tongue acts as the tongue of a right or of a left hand point. In order to
retain that one of the levers which is not in use out of its acting position I provide a
rest which can be moved to one side to support either lever out of action but so that
it acts as a stop to prevent when so required both levers being in use at the same time.
The part of the casting which contains the foregoing mechanism and other parts which
require to be specially fitted and arranged may be made separate from the main part
of the casting and be fixed thereto by bolts and nuts or other fastenings so that the
fitting can be done with greater accuracy and facility.
And in order that my Invention may be clearly understood I will further describe
the same with reference to the accompanying drawings premising that I do not restrict
myself to the precise details of construction hereinafter described.
Figure 1 represents in plan a tramway point constructed according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a similar view of the point with the moveable tongue removed to show the
bearing surfaces on which it oscillates the cover of the box containing the weighted
levers for operating the tongue being also removed to show the arrangement of the
said levers. Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the point through the groove in
which the tongue moves and Figures 4. 5 and 6 are longitudinal sections through the
box containing the tongue operating levers illustrating respectively the arrangement
of the levers for a left hand point, a right hand point, and a facing point. Figure 7
is a transverse section through 1-1 of the toe end of the point and Figures 8 and 9
are transverse sections taken respectively along the lines 2-2 and 3-3 through the box
containing the tongue operating levers. Figure 10 is a transverse section along the
line 44 through the groove or recess in which the tongue moves. Figure 11 is a
transverse section at 5-5 through the upper bearing for the moveable tongue and
Figure 12 is a transverse section through the heel portion of the point along the
line 6-6. Figure 13 is a side elevation and Figures 14 and 15 transverse sections
taken respectively along the lines 7-7 and 8-8. Figure 13 illustrating the mode of
connecting the toe end of the point to a "tee" rail, and Figures 16. 17 and 18 illustrate
a mode of connecting the heel of the point to "tee" rails. Figures 19. 20. 21 are
views similar to Figures 13 14 and 15 showing the mode of connecting the toe end of
the point to a trough rail. Figure 20 being a transverse section along the line 9-9.
Figure 19 and Figure 21 a section taken along the line 10-10. Figure 19. Figures 22
is a side elevation. Figure 23 a plan and Figure 24 a transverse section showing the
mode of connecting the heel end of the point to trough rails. Figures 25. 26 and 27
are views similar to Figures 13. 14 and 15 showing the mode of connecting the toe
end of the point to a shallow "girder" rail Figure 16 being a transverse section on
the line 11-11. and Figure 27 a similar section on the line 12-12. Figure 25.
Figures 28. 29 and 30 represent respectively in side elevation plan and transverse
section the mode of connecting the heel end of the point to girder rails.
Referring to Figures 1 to 12 A is the moveable tongue fitted to turn or rock on
bearings B. on the bottom of the groove or recess Cin the main casting D of the
point. The bottom of the groove or recess is inclined downwardly from the rear
to the front end and the tongue A is correspondingly deeper at the toe end or point a
than it is at the heel or butt end a² at which latter part it has a projection a moving
in a slot or hole d in the casting D. and serving to prevent the heel of the point from
rising. The line of inclination of the bearings B on which the tongue oscillates
meets the top edge of the rail portion of the casting at the rear end of the groove
against the end of which the butt end or heel a of the tongue abuts as shown
by the dot and pick line in Figure 3 so that when the toe or front end of the
tongue is moved over from one side to the other of the groove Ca very slight
motion is given to the heel portion of the tongue and there is practically no
objectionable protrusion of the tongue from the line of the rail or road in whichever
position the tongue is turned.
To enable the point to act either as a facing point or as a right hand point, or as a
left hand point I provide on one side of the tongue a projecting bar or pin E having
inclined surfaces e e; on which pin a weighted lever F, mounted on a stud G in the

page_text: interior of the box H, bears to return to and maintain the tongue in its normal
position, after having been moved therefrom by a passing vehicle. The lever Fis
provided with two arms ff either of which may be caused to act on the pin E
according as the point is required to act as a right hand point or as a left hand.
point.
Figure 4 shows the lever in the position to act as a left hand point the said lever
being turned on the stud G so that the arm f bears on the top side of the pin E
to maintain the tongue A in its normal position shown in Figure 1, the dotted lines
in Figure 4 indicating the position of the lever when the tongue is moved out of its
normal position by a passing vehicle.
When it is desired to convert the point from a left hand into a right hand point
the lever is turned on the stud G into the position shewn in Figure 5 so as to
cause the arm f¹ of the lever to bear on the underside of the pin E on the tongue to
maintain the tongue in position on the opposite side of the groove or
recess C
to that shewn in Figure 1. The dotted lines in Figure 5 show the position of the
lever when the tongue is moved out of its normal position by a passing vehicle.
When the point is to be used as a facing point the lever F is turned out of the
range of the pin E on the tongue, and the lever I is brought into operation. This
lever is mounted on a stud K in the box H and is provided with a projection i
having two inclined surfaces corresponding to the incline surfaces e¹² on the
projection E. When the tongue A is moved over from one side to the other side
of the recess C the projection E by pressing on one or other of the inclines or
as the case may be causes the lever 1 to turn on its stud and the point 3, between the
inclined surfaces 2, to pass over the point e between the inclined surfaces e¹ and
if the tongue should not be completely moved into position the inclines on the lever I
will by reason of the weight so act upon the inclines on the projection E as
to force the tongue into its properly closed position in whichever direction the tongue
is moved.
The device for holding the levers out of action when required consists of a notched
segment I mounted on a stud L¹ in the box H as shewn in Figure 9 the said segment
having two notches to engage respectively with the levers F and I.
When the
lever F is in use the segment L is turned so as to bring the notch in position to
engage the lever I the lever F being free to move up and down at the side of the
segment as shewn by full lines in Figure 9. When the point is to be used as a
facing point the segment L is turned into the position shown by dotted lines in
Figure
against a stop 12 so as to engage the lever F the lever I being then
at liberty to move up and down to act upon the projection E as hereinbefore.
described.
If desired the lever F may be dispensed with and the point used as a facing point
only or the lever I may be dispensed with and the point used only as a convertible
right hand and left hand point.
The improved point may be employed with any description of rail by providing at
the ends of the main casting D of the point means for connecting thereto chairs or
supports of a form suitable for the section of the rail with which it is to be combined.
Figures 13. 14 and 15 illustrate the mode of connecting the toe end of the point to a
" tee form of rail. To a projection D2 on the casting 1) is connected by bolts m
fish plates M the outer ends of which extend beyond the projection D2 and have
rivetted thereto between the outer projecting ends a foot piece N. so as to afford
a firm support to the end of the rail O which is connected to the projecting ends of
the fish plates by cotters n passed through openings m² in the fish plates and through
openings n in the web ³ of the rail the said cotters when driven in securely holding
the rail in position against the upper ends or edges of the fish plates which are made
to correspond in shape to the underside of the head of the rail O. For connecting
the heel of the point to "tee" rails 1 provide in the heel end of the casting Da
web D³ as shewn in Figures 16 17 and 18 to which I connect by bolts m³ a casting D*
between which casting and the web D³ tarred felt d³ or other suitable packing may be.
interposed to prevent jarring.

page_text: 23
The upper surface of this casting corresponds in shape to the underside of the heads
of the tee rails which are connected thereto by cotters n in a similar manner to
that described with reference to the toe end of the point.
A simple mode of connecting trough rails to the point is shewn in Figures 19 to 24.
The projection D2 on the toe end of the point is connected by fish plates M. to a
casting N. the upper end of which is made to conform to the trough form of the under-
side of the rail. The end of the rail O rests on this casting and is held in close contact
with the casting by staples or dogs P driven from opposite sides of the rail into plugs
of wood p inserted in an opening formed through the casting N and fish plates M as
shown clearly in Figure 20 the upper ends of the staples P entering holes in the
depending sides or webs of the rail. The heel end of the point is connected to the
trough rails as shown in Figures 22, 23 and 24 by a casting D' of a shape correspond-
ing to the underside of the rail as shewn in Figure 23, the said casting being secured
to the web D3 by bolts m³ as hereinbefore described. The ends of the rails O are held
securely in position on this casting by bolts R and nuts S the heads of which bolts
enter recesses in the casting and are provided with eyes or openings through which
pass rods Tintroduced through openings 2 in the depending sides or webs of the rails
and through slots n³ provided for them in the casting D₁ so that by means of the
nuts S the rails may be drawn into contact with and held securely in position on the
casting.
When the point is combined with girder rails the toe end of the point may be con-
nected to the rail simply by fish plates as shown in Figures 25, 26 and 27 the upper
and lower edges of the fish plates M being preferably made to correspond in shape
respectively to and bear against the underside of the head and foot of the rail as shewn.
The heel end of the point as shewn by Figures 28, 29 and 30, is connected to the
rails O by a casting D bolted to the web D³ as before described-the two rails at
the heel of the point being arranged one on each side of the casting and secured
thereto by bolts m passing through holes in the webs of the rails O and the casting D
and secured by nuts as shewn.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of any said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I claim is :-
1. A point for tramways capable of being used either as a left hand point; as a right
hand point, or as a facing point, by means substantially as herein before described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
2. In points for tramways a moveable tongue deeper at the toe end than at the heel
end and capable of being oscillated on inclined bearings from either side to the other
of the groove or recess in which it is situated the said tongue having a projection (a³)
moving in a recess in the casting and serving to prevent the heel of the point from
rising substantially as hereinbefore described and shown.
3. In points for tramways a moveable tongue capable of being oscillated on inclined
bearings from either side to the other of the groove or recess in which it is situated
the inclination of the hearings constituting the axis on which the tongue moves being
such that there shall be practically no objectionable protrusion of any part of the
tongue from the line of rails, into whichever position the tongue is turned substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
4. In points for tramways the combination with a movable tongue arranged to
oscillate on an inclined axis of a double armed weighted lever either arm being
capable of being brought into position to operate the movable tongue so as to cause it
to act either as a left hand point or as a right hand point as required substantially as
hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
5. In points for tramways the combination with a movable tongue arranged to
oscillate on an inclined bearing or axis, of a lever having a double inclined projection
arranged to act on a double inclined projection carried by the movable tongue substan-
tially as and for the purpose herein before described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 6. In points for tramways the combination with a movable tongue arranged to
oscillate on an inclined bearing or axis of the levers F and I substantially as and for
the purpose hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7. The combination with the subject matter of the last preceding claiming clause of
the notched segment L, or its equivalent, for retaining one of the levers out of action
when the other lever is in use, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
8. A point for tramways provided with means whereby it may be used with rails of
any section substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 13 to 30
of the accompanying drawings.
9. The general combination and arrangement of parts constituting a point for iram-
ways which may be used at will either as a facing point or as a right hand point or as
a left hand point substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
Figures 1 to 12 of the accompanying drawings.
10. The several combinations and arrangements of parts for connecting a point to
various forms of rail as hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 13 to 30 of
the accompanying drawings.
T
1
1000