Year: 1886

page_text: I ALFRED DICKINSON of Tramway Depot Darlaston in the County of Stafford
Tramway Manager do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has for its object improvements in devices for cleaning the groove
and upper surface of Tramway rails in order that the friction in vehicles using the
same may be minimised and prevent the vehicle from leaving the rails which they
very frequently do especially in snowy and frosty weather my improvements are as
follows:-
I hang at the front of the engine or other vehicle a horizontal shaft by means of two
brackets having adjustable arms hung therein for raising or depressing the elevation
of the shaft and upon each end of the shaft I fix a scrape holder which are capable
of turning a limited distance upon the said shaft each being independent of the other
in this turning action for adopting themselves to their own rail this being accomplished
by chambering out the holder sufficiently to allow the key of the shaft to turn the
required distance freely but each key is so placed that when the shaft itself is turned
by means of a chain or other device coiled round a grooved or other pulley fixed to
the shaft at the side of one of the hangers the scraper holders are turned together
The chain or other means for lifting is
thus lifting the scrapers from the rails.
operated by the Engine driven with a band wheel which winds the chain up upon its
spindle and thus the whole is regulated easily.
One of the scraper holders is capable of a latteral movement, so as to compensate for
any variation in the gauge and it is kept in its proper position or brought back
thereto by a spring or springs at each side. Each scraper is kept up to its work by
a coiled or other spring attached to a rod above the shaft from which it may be
detached and it is capable of considerable side play.
S
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Cleaning. the Rails of Tramways.
1 ALFRED DICKINSON of Tramway Depot Darlaston in the County of Stafford,
Tramway Manager do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
My invention has for its object improvements in devices for cleaning the grooves
and upper surface of Tramway rails in order that the friction in vehicles using the
same may be minimized and prevent the vehicle from leaving the rails which they
very frequently do especially in snowy and frosty weather my improvements are as
follows
I hang at the front of the engine or other vehicle a horizontal shaft by means of
two brackets having adjustable arms hung therein for raising or depressing the
elevation of the shaft and upon cach end of the shaft I fix a scraper holder which are
capable of turning a limited distance upon the said shaft each being independent of
the other in this turning action for adapting themselves to their own rail this being
accomplished by chambering out the holder sufficiently to allow the key of the shaft to
turn the required distance freely but each key is so placed that when the shaft itself
is turned by means of a chain or other device coiled round a grooved or other pulley.
fixed to the shaft at the side of the one of the hangers the scraper holders are turned
together thus lifting the scrapers from the rails. The chain or other means for lifting
is operated by the engine driven with a hand wheel which winds the chain up upon its
spindle and thus the whole is regulated easily. One of the scraper holders is capable
of a latteral movement so as to compensate for any variation in the gauge and it is
kept in its proper position or brought back thereto by a spring or springs at each
side. Each scraper is kept up to its work by a coiled or other spring attached to a.
rod above the shaft from which it may be detached and it is capable of considerable.
side play.
In order that my invention may be thoroughly understood and the more easily
carried into practice I have appended hereunto two sheets of drawings upon which
are five views showing the details thereof which are important as the general
principle of rail cleaning has been known for many years and has been the subject of
three of my previous Patents, but the details necessary for success have not been as.
perfect as could be desired.
Figure 1 shows the device in general elevation as it appears when attached' to the
back of the Tramway engine and is in action upon the rails.
Figure 2 is a part elevation add a part section of a portion only of the parts shown
by the previous Figure.

page_text: Figure 3 is an end elevation of the device in action as shown by Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a broken off cross section through the cutter holders B or B¹ and
through the shaft A.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation through the middle part of shaft A looking to
the right hand and showing the mode of lifting the scrapers from the rails when not
in action.
The apparatus is carried by and fixed to the front of the engine C by means of the
brackets D and D₁ and the adjustable arms E and E¹ as in my previous Patent
No. 7672 A.D. 1886 and the whole of the scraping parts are supported by the
shaft A.
According to this invention it is convenient to have a continuous key way a¹ in
the shaft A though it is not absolutely necessary that it should run all the way along
but for convenience of manufacture it is better and there is no objection to it. The
adjustable arm E embraces the shaft A direct which is capable of turning loosely
therein but the adjustable arm E¹ embraces the pulley block casting which con-
tinues through the arm E¹ at h¹ and the pulley block H is secured to the arm E¹
by the collar and 3. The chain F is carried around the groove h of the block H
sufficiently to enable the chain to turn the shaft a distance sufficiently to lift the
scrapers out of action and well clear of the rails and this is accomplished by the
block H being fast by a key h which carries the shaft around in the bearings of
the arms E and E¹ upon h¹. This is of course accomplished by means of any
suitable hand wheel gear upon which the chain F is wound near the engine driver.
The details of the scraper blocks B and B₁ for carrying the scrapers K and K' are
important. They are constructed each in one casting and having the chambered
recess b² as seen more clearly at the section Figure 4. A key a² is fastened or bedded
at each end in the shaft A in such a manner that when the shaft is turned by the
chain F Figures 1 and 5 the key a Figuro 4 will bear against the shoulder 63 and
carry these biocks round until they are free of the rail as indicated by diagram
Figure 6 when the chain F would be tight as the springs M and N have a constant
tendency to pull the scrapers down upon the rails P because the chains m¹ and n¹ are
taken round the pulleys 6 and 6 in such a direction as to ensure that action and thus
when the chain is lifting the scrapers K, K' out of action the springs M and N pull
against it. These blocks B and B are hung between two collars a³ and at at one
end and as and a at the other end with a sufficient liberty or space a as at one end
and a a, at the other end that it naturally adjusts itself to any variations in the
gauge. Springs such as rubber or steel may be inserted in the spaces a", a³, a³ and a¹0
if desired but generally speaking there is no need for such. The scrapers K may be
made reversible as shown and in two widths k¹ and 2 when desired so that the two
parts may be removable separately as the wear upon k is more severe than upon k².
It will thus be seen that the scraper K in its block B and spring M is capable of
independent action and dealing with its rail P and that scraper K' in its block B¹ and
spring N is also capable of independent action and upon the rail P₁ and yet by the
lifting of the chain F both are simultaneously lifted off the rails out of work as shown
by Figure 6. The blocks B and B are so important that I have appended a
perspective view thereof at Figure 7. The springs M and N may be attached to a
rod n² and staple n³ fast to the front of the engine or through a chain m². In the case
of the rods, there is provision for a sliding action upon the staple n³. The
scrapers K and K¹ are screwed in their blocks B and B¹ by the set or other screws 6°.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I would have it understood that I
am aware of the existence of Patent No. 12641 A.D. 1885 granted to Edwards &
Record & drew my Specification with this patent before me & therefore do not wish to
claim anything contained therein but I declare that what I do claim is :-
:-
First The improvements in devices for cleaning tramway rails herein set forth
in which each scraper is capable of independent actions upon a shaft through its

page_text: own spring and upon its own rail with both under the control of chain F substantially
as herein set forth and illustrated upon the drawings.
Second In tramway rail cleaners the special blocks B and B¹ chambered out and
working upon a shaft A over a key or other fast part or protection a² substantially as
and for the purpose herein set forth.
Third: In tramway rail cleaners the combination of the fast pulley block H with
the arm E¹ for lifting the cleaners substantially as herein set forth.
Fourth-The improvements in tramway rail cleaners herein set forth and illustrated
upon the drawings.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1886.
Complete Left, 22nd July, 1887
Complete Accepted, 23rd Aug., 1887.
Improvements in Devices for Cleaning the Rails of Tramways.
I ALFRED DICKINSON of Tramway Depot Darlaston in the County of Stafford
Tramway Manager do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as
follows:-
My invention has for its object improvements in devices for cleaning the grooves
and upper surface of Tramway rails in order that the friction in vehicles using the
same may be minimised and prevent the vehicle from leaving the rails which they
very frequently do especially in snowy and frosty weather my improvements are as
follows:-
I hang at the front of the engine or other vehicle a horizontal shaft by means of two
brackets having adjustable arms hung therein for raising or depressing the elevation
of the shaft and upon each end of the shaft I fix a scrape holder which are capable
of turning a limited distance upon the said shaft each being independent of the other
in this turning action for adopting themselves to their own rail this being accomplished
by chambering out the holder sufficiently to allow the key of the shaft to turn the
required distance freely but each key is so placed that when the shaft itself is turned
by means of a chain or other device coiled round a grooved or other pulley fixed to
the shaft at the side of one of the hangers the scraper holders are turned together
thus lifting the scrapers from the rails. The chain or other means for lifting is
operated by the Engine driven with a band wheel which winds the chain up upon its
spindle and thus the whole is regulated easily.
One of the scraper holders is capable of a latteral movement so as to compensate for
any variation in the gauge and it is kept in its proper position or brought back
thereto by a spring or springs at each side. Each scraper is kept up to its work by
a coiled or other spring attached to a rod above the shaft from which it may be
detached and it is capable of considerable side play.
Dated this 10th day of December 1886.
GEORGE BARKER,
77, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Cleaning the Rails of Tramways.
I ALFRED DICKINSON of Tramway Depot Darlaston in the County of Stafford,
Tramway Manager do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement :-
My invention has for its object improvements in devices for cleaning the grooves
and upper surface of Tramway rails in order that the friction in vehicles using the
same may be minimized and prevent the vehicle from leaving the rails which they
very frequently do especially in snowy and frosty weather my improvements are as
follows:-
I hang at the front of the engine or other vehicle a horizontal shaft by means of
two brackets having adjustable arms hung therein for raising or depressing the
elevation of the shaft and upon each end of the shaft I fix a scraper holder which are
capable of turning a limited distance upon the said shaft each being independent of
the other in this turning action for adapting themselves to their own rail this being
accomplished by chambering out the holder sufficiently to allow the key of the shaft to
turn the required distance freely but each key is so placed that when the shaft itself
is turned by means of a chain or other device coiled round a grooved or other pulley
fixed to the shaft at the side of the one of the hangers the scraper holders are turned
together thus lifting the scrapers from the rails. The chain or other means for lifting
is operated by the engine driven with a hand wheel which winds the chain up upon its
spindle and thus the whole is regulated easily. One of the scraper holders is capable
of a latteral movement so as to compensate for any variation in the gauge and it is
kept in its proper position or brought back thereto by a spring or springs at each
side. Each scraper is kept up to its work by a coiled or other spring attached to a
rod above the shaft from which it may be detached and it is capable of considerable :
side play.
In order that my invention may be thoroughly understood and the more easily
carried into practice I have appended hereunto two sheets of drawings upon which
are five views showing the details thereof which are important as the general
principle of rail cleaning has been known for many years and has been the subject of
three of my previous Patents, but the details necessary for success have not been as
perfect as could be desired.

page_text: Figure 1 shows the device in general elevation as it appears when attached to the
back of the Tramway engine and is in action upon the rails.
Figure 2 is a part elevation and a part section of a portion only of the parts shown
by the previous Figure.
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the device in action as shown by Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a broken off cross section through the cutter holders B or B¹ and
through the shaft A.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation through the middle part of shaft A looking to
the right hand and showing the mode of lifting the scrapers from the rails when not
in action.
The apparatus is carried by and fixed to the front of the engine C by means of the
brackets D and D₁ and the adjustable arms E and E' as in my previous Patent
No. 7672 A.D. 1886 and the whole of the scraping parts are supported by the
shaft A.
According to this invention it is convenient to have a continuous key way a¹ in
the shaft A though it is not absolutely necessary that it should run all the way along
but for convenience of manufacture it is better and there is no objection to it. The
adjustable arm E embraces the shaft A direct which is capable of turning loosely.
therein but the adjustable arm E embraces the pulley block casting which con-
tinues through the arm E¹ at h¹ and the pulley block H is secured to the arm E¹
by the collar and h³. The chain F is carried around the groove * of the block H
sufficiently to enable the chain to turn the shaft a distance sufficiently to lift the
scrapers out of action and well clear of the rails and this is accomplished by the
block H being fast by a key h' which carries the shaft around in the bearings of
the arms E and E¹ upon h. This is of course accomplished by means of any
suitable hand wheel gear upon which the chain F is wound near the engine driver.
The details of the scraper blocks B and B¹ for carrying the scrapers K and K' are
important. They are constructed each in one casting and having the chambered
recess b³ as seen more clearly at the section Figure 4. A key a³ is fastened or bedded
at each end in the shaft A in such a manner that when the shaft is turned by the
chain F Figures 1 and 5 the key a³ Figure 4 will bear against the shoulder b³ and
carry these blocks round until they are free of the rail as indicated by diagram
Figure 6 when the chain F would be tight as the springs M and N have a constant
tendency to pull the scrapers down upon the rails P. because the chains m¹ and n³ are
taken round the pulleys 6 and 6 in such a direction as to ensure that action and thus
when the chain F is lifting the scrapers K, K' out of action the springs M and N pull
against it. These blocks B and B are hung between two collars a³ and a at one
end and a³ and a at the other end with a sufficient liberty or space a' a8 at one end
and a a, at the other end that it naturally adjusts itself to any variations in the
gauge. Springs such as rubber or steel may be inserted in the spaces a', a", a and al
if desired but generally speaking there is no need for such. The scrapers K may be
made reversible as shown and in two widths and when desired so that the two
parts may be removable separately as the wear upon k¹ is more severe than upon k².
It will thus be seen that the scraper K in its block B and spring M is capable of
independent action and dealing with its rail P and that scraper K¹ in its block B¹ and
spring N is also capable of independent action and upon the rail P₁ and yet by the
lifting of the chain F both are simultaneously lifted off the rails out of work as shown
by Figure 6. The blocks B and B₁ are so important that I have appended a
perspective view thereof at Figure 7. The springs M and N may be attached to a
rod n² and staple n³ fast to the front of the engine or through a chain m³. In the case
of the rods there is provision for a sliding action upon the staple n³. The
scrapers K and K¹ are screwed in their blocks B and B¹ by the set or other screws 66.
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 I claim is :-
First The improvements in devices for cleaning tramway rails herein set forth
in which each scraper is capable of independent actions upon a shaft through its

page_text: own spring and upon its own rail with both under the control of chain F substantially
as herein set forth and illustrated upon the drawings.
Second In tramway rail cleaners the special blocks B and B¹ chambered out and
working upon a shaft A over a key or other fast part or protection a² substantially as
and for the purpose herein set forth.
Third-In tramway rail cleaners the combination of the fast pulley block H with
the arm E¹ for lifting the cleaners substantially as herein set forth.
Fourth-The improvements in tramway rail cleaners herein set forth and illustrated
upon the drawings.