Improvements in Switch Apparatus for Tramways and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 20th May, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switch Apparatus for Tramways and the like.
I, JAMES STIRLING, of 305, Dalmarnock Road, in the County of Glasgow, North
Britain, Draughtsman, 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, that is to say:-
My said invention has for its object to provide improved means for shifting the
switches of tramways and the like so that the switches can be operated from the
ear platform by the driver, thereby dispensing with a switch attendant on
the street.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood I hereunto append a sheet of explanatory drawings to
be hereinafter referred to in describing my improvements.
Figure, 1, of the drawings is a plan, and Figure, 2, a transverse vertical section,
showing my improvements in working switches. Figures, 3, and 4, are side
elevations on an enlarged scale of details in connection therewith. In these draw-
ings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like parts wherever
they are repeated.
In carrying out my invention I provide a rectangularly shaped box or frame, A,
which is fixed between the rails, B, so that its upper side will not project above
the street surface. The box, A, has within it a two armed lever, (," which is
centred on a pin, D, fixed to a snug, or boss. E, the longer arm of the lever being
connected to the switch, F, to be operated upon by a rod, G, and the shorter arm
being formed with projecting parts, H, J, for purposes to be hereinafter described.
Grooves, K, and L, are formed in the box, A, and when it is desired to shift the
switch. F, from the position shown in the drawings for example, the driver
presses a rod, M, formed with a curved tapered end, and passing through a hole in
the car platform, N, down into the groove, K, and as the car proceeds it carries
the rod along the slot and causes it to act against the projecting part, H, so as to
move the lever, C, and thereby shift the switch. When the switch. F, has to be
returned again to the tight, the operating rod, M, is passed through another hole
in the car platform, N, so that it engages in the groove, L, and acts against the
projecting part, J, of the lever, (, so as to return it and the switch to the posi-
tion shown in the drawings. The rod, M, is raised out of each slot, K, and L, to
its normal or non-working position by the action of a spring, P, when the pres-
sure has been released from the foot-step, or handle, Q, of the rod. To provide
against the slightest fouling action, however, vertical webs, R, S, are formed in
the way of each groove, K, and L, extending from a point a little beyond the pro-
jecting parts, H. J. to the end of the box, and shaped so as to form in each case
a kind of sloping channel, T, I, gradually lessening in depth and thereby causing
the grooves to be entirely filled up as the end of the box is reached. As the
rod, M, is carried along the box it is acted upon by one of the vertical sloping
webs, R, S. so that it is always raised gradually and without jar out of the grove
to the surface, of the box, and fouling is thus rendered impossible. The box, A,
is provided with a covering or protecting plate, V, and the grooves, K, L, are flared

page_text: at their entering ends so as to permit of the easy entrance of the operating rod, M.
The rod, M, is preferably worked by foot pressure, being made with a footstep, Q,
as shown in Figure, 3, but if desired it may he made as shown in Figure, 4, to be
worked by hand.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
1 claim is:
-
In tramways and the like, apparatus for operating the switches or points from
the ear platform by a rod, which passing through one or other of two guide holes
in the platform is made to engage in one or other of two grooves in a box or
frame fixed between the rails, the onward movement of the car carrying the rod
along the groove and causing it to act against a projecting part of a lever centered
on a pin fixed to the box, so as to shift the lever and the switch, connected to it
by a rod, to the position desired, substantially as herein before described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dotod this Savontaonth day of ineil 1800
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Ageút.