Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Sept., 1887
Specification Accepted, 15th Nov., 1887
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E. 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:-
This invention relates to an underground conduit for the supply conductors of an
electric railway or for the traction cables of a cable railway or for both the traction
cables and the supply conductors where the respective systems (cable and electric)
traverse in common the same course or street for a certain distance.
The invention relates further to the accommodation of conductors of electricity for
the transmission of telegraphic, telephonic, heating lighting or power currents; and
for the ducts or tubes for pneumatic or hydraulic systems of communication; in
short to a single combined way wherein manifold systems of intercommunication
controlled from a terminal station or stations now in use can be all separately housed
with economy to the projectors and safety and convenience to the general public.
The object of this invention is to attain this end by simple means; to produce a
structure that will resist as far as possible the destructive action of the soil; and to
enable the various parts to be cheaply and readily set in place and those subjected to
wear to be removed without difficulty.

page_text: An additional object is to give perfect insulation to such parts as carry the electric
currents and to make their actions reliable in all conditions of weather.
To this end the invention consists in a special form of supporting bracket placed at
intervals along the line of the conduit for firmly supporting the various tubular ducts
used in the systems adverted to above as well as cables for traction railroads and
electric supply conductors of improved construction.
The novel features of this bracket and its combinations with other parts of the conduit
will be hereinafter explained.
The invention also consists in an improved bed for the before mentioned brackets
to prevent them from settling or sinking and to reduce any liability to fracture or
strain which might arise from the shocks of surface traffic.
Furthermore the invention consists in novel means for locking the car rails in position
and for rendering their removal and replacement perfectly easy when substitution or
repairs are necessary.
The invention embodies also an improved means of supporting the railway supply
conductors and their insulators to the walls of the conduit. It comprises morcover an
improved insulating duct or tube for buried electric wires; and other details of
construction which will be more fully explained hereinafter.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a perspective of a single track conduit the filling of cement and paving
being removed from a portion on the right to illustrate the distribution and structure
of the several parts.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a form of bracket for a double track conduit
the various parts of the latter being shown in position the paving being omitted.
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of a form of bracket now used in New York
City as to slot rails and braces. Features of this invention are added however to show
how a simple conduit could be adapted for both cable and electric railways.
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of a bracket provided with a collector channel
having interior recesses to hold the supply conductors and its insulation in place.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal view of figure 4 taken respectively on the lines and zz.
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 show various forms of insulators and the way in which they
are secured to the sides of the conduit as well as the manner in which the conductors
are affixed to them.
Figure 11 is a detail view showing a simple form of conductor support.
Figures 12, 13 and 15 show various modifications of the supports for the railway
supply conductors.
Figure 14 is a detail view showing how the supply conductors are secured to the
supporting brackets.
Figure 16 shows in section a completed tube used as a housing for the electric
supply conductors.
Figures 17 and 18 show in sectional view two distinct types of joints for said tubes.
Figure 19 is an end elevation of Figure 16.
Like numbers of reference indicate similar parts in all the views of the drawings.
In putting this invention into practice a trench of suitable depth is first
excavated along the line of way in the bottom of which are placed at distances
corresponding to the distance between the brackets the supports or ties 1, 1, which
constitute the foundation for the said brackets. These ties are formed of insulating
cement such as asphaltum or similar inelastic water proof non-conducting material or
a concrete of broken stone and cement might be substituted.
It is found that such ties make an admirable foundation.
By reason of the oily nature of the asphaltum it refuses to absorb moisture from
the neighbouring soil; by its inherent insulating properties it guards securely against
electric leakage; by its non-elastic properties it reduces the chances of breaks liable to
result from the continuous pounding on the rail joints by the travelling vehicles by
deadening the shock and thus preserves the life of the brackets. To avoid concussion
from surface traffic a layer of sand or coal tar (see Figure 1) may be placed between

page_text: the concrete filling and the paving blocks 18 inasmuch as the same will to a great
degree prevent the roadway from absorbing any moisture and will greatly relieve the
pressure on the slot rails 5,5, due to the freezing of such moisture.
The brackets are made of a single piece of cast metal as shown in Figure 1.
A perforated diaphragm or web 38 is surrounded peripherally by wide
flanges 2, 3, 4, and 6 which in addition to giving strength to the casting provides a
wide bearing surface for the track rails 8, 8 slot rails 55 and for the railway supply
conductors 13, 13 as shown.
The brackets may be constructed to any suitable width and breadth to suit the
character of the traffic over the roadway.
In any particular case this will become a question for the engineer.
For a single track railway the form shown in Figure 1 is preferred, substantially,
and for a double track system that shown in Figure 2.
In some cases however it may be found convenient to use some portion of a line for
both a cable railway as well as for one operated by electricity; as, for example, where
an electric railway branches into a street previously occupied by a cable conduit; in
such instance the forms are adopted shown in Figures 3 and 4 it only being necessary
to have the collector chambers of greater depth to prevent interference of the cables 27,27
with the supply conductors 13, 13.
A cable line provided with the brackets could be readily adapted for electric railway
purposes, or, where a cable conduit structure already exists, the sides can be tapped
and the supply conductors and supports 12, 12 suitably attached thereto as hereinafter
explained; and when the combined surface is utilized the conductor supports 29, 29
are secured therein as shown in Figure 3; or the sides may be provided with inclined
lugs 34 as shown in Figure 4 into which such insulators as are shown in Figures 6 and 10
are slipped.
The brackets are provided at their centres (see Figure 1) with a slot through which
the depending collector or contact devices can pass.
Said slot is made sufficiently wide to permit access of the hand to the conductors 13, 13
when the slot rails are removed; a provision necessary in case of repairs.
Each slot rail 5 and each rail 8 has a bearing on the bracket of one half of the width
of the latter and is fastened to it by a bolt 23 (see Figure 2).
The slot rails when seated incline inwardly toward each other to reduce the exterior
width of the opening and are braced against lateral displacement by screw threaded
tie rods 7 extending through to the slot rails on one side and the corner of the bracket
on the other the rods being adjusted by clamp nuts 15, 15.
The central opening 6 in the bracket is enlarged as shown in Figures 1 to 4 and the
sides of the chamber have undercut recesses 33, 33 (see Figure 4).
Along the edges of the bracket slot are downwardly projecting lips or flanges 17
which deflect any water or other foreign matter which may enter the chamber or
may flow along the bottom of the slot rails away from the conductors when the latter
are secured in place.
Suitable recesses are cut in on the brackets to form a firm seat for the slot rails (see
Figures 1 and 2).
The bottom flange of the conduit opening in the bracket is also curved slightly
upward at its central portion in order to increase the strength of the brackets at that
point and deflect water etcetera away from the centre of the conduit channel.
On the sides of the upper surface of the brackets are undercut transverse recesses
shown in detail in Figure 13 of a width greater than the base of the track rail which
in turn is so bevelled as to fit snugly in one side of the said recess.
When the rail is pushed into its seat or recess a lock plate 16 rhombus-shaped in
cross-section is slipped under the opposite recess and bolted to the flange 4 of the bracket.
An admirable and adequate rail fastening is thus secured which by virtue of its
arrangement will allow the rail to be readily removed and replaced when necessary;
a proper guage of track and non-spreading of the rails are likewise secured.
In the web or diaphragmmatic part 9 of the bracket are formed circular

page_text: apertures 10, 10 for the admission of the paper ducts or tubes 11, 11 shown in Figure 1.
which are designed to receive and house the various buried wires etcetera.
These tubes contain the conductors for telephone, telegraph, electric lighting or
electric distribution purposes; or they may be utilized as pneumatic carriers or to
convey hydraulic power in which latter instance the tubes would be preferably made of
metal.
These ducts are placed in position on the brackets the insulators 12, 12 are put in
place in the undercut transverse recesses and a removable conduit core or former (not
shown) is then introduced between the brackets.
Concrete 14 in a plastic form is now poured into the spaces between the tubes and
around the former or conduit core and the sides are thereby shaped as shown in
Figure 1.
When the mass has set sufficiently the conduit core is removed and the railway
supply conductors 13, 13, are inserted into the insulators 12, 12, which are preferably
secured against longitudinal movement by the concrete on either side of the bracket
(this refers principally to the form of insulation shown in Figure 7). Other means
for securing the insulators in position may be employed.
The slot rails 5,5, are then secured in place, the track rails 8, 8 fastened and the
roadway paved preferably with Belgian block 18.
The filling between the brackets is preferably artificial stone.
The various supply wires protected by the tubes 11 are carried through as the work
of laying the conduit proceeds or may be afterwards pulled through by means of any
well known expedient.
When a double track system is adopted a form of casting such as shown in Figure 2
is preferred.
It will be noted from the illustration referred to that the space between the track as
well as that between the rails of each track is utilized as a conduit for the various
types of ducts hereinbefore mentioned.
In Figures 6 to 10 a variety of modifications of the insulators for the supply
conductors and joints for securing them to the sides of the collector chamber and to
the conductors are illustrated. It may he made of terra-cotta, glass, porcelain or
equivalent material.
Fig. 13 represents the conductor secured by a tongue and groove joint, the said
conductor being slipt into the insulator after the latter has been affixed to its
bracket.
In Figure 7 the supply conductor 13 is slipped over a doubly outwardly extending
flange the insulator 42 being secured to the conduit wall as in Figure 9.
Figure 8 shows another shape of the tongue and grooved joint and Figure 9 shows
the same secured to the wall of the collector chamber.
Figure 10 shows in detail substantially the same form of insulator 40 and
conductor 13 as illustrated in Figure 2.
In figures 12, 14 and 15 are shown different means for supporting the supply
conductors.
In figure 11, 85 represents a supporting pin bolted to the flange of the bracket.
Over this pin is slipped a recessed conductor the recess at that point being lined with
insulating material as shown in figure 15.
The support 46 in Figure 12 is of a curved T shape over which the corresponding
grooved conductor 13 must be inserted in a longitudinal direction.
In Figure 15 an eye bolt 82 is secured to the flange of the bracket and the
support 84 for the conductor is suitably insulated from the support as shown.
The paper ducts 11, 11 shown in their proper relative positions in the conduit (see
Figures 1 to 5) should be strong, of high insulating power and moisture proof so that
if the concrete should at any future time absorb moisture they will be able to
resist it.
These before mentioned tubes are readily formed by an organization of apparatus
which will not be shown or described herein as the same will form the subject matter
of a future application.

page_text: A section of tube is placed through one of the circular apertures in the web of the
bracket and the end of the adjacent section is nested in the flaring mouth of the other
the joint is then sealed through a suitable perforation (not shown) in the cylindrical
flanges 10 with the concrete 14, used for a filling between the tubes.
At suitable intervals along the conduit are placed drain pipes opening from the
collector chamber into a sewer or surface drain below the level of the conduit, so that
any water which might fall into the conduit or be introduced by flushing is readily
conducted through the said drain pipes one of which is shown as 36 Figure 5.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent and in what manner
the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is:-
1. A railway conduit comprising brackets having a central web and peripheral
flange an interior opening of the same contour as the collector channel undercut
recesses on the walls of said opening to support supply conductors and downwardly
extending drip flanges at the mouth of said opening in a different vertical plane for
the supply conductors as specified.
2. The combination in a railway conduit of a bracket having a central web and
peripheral flange an interior opening of the same contour as the collector channel
undercut recesses on the walls of said opening to support supply conductors
downwardly extending drip flanges at the mouth of said opening in a different vertical
plane from the supply conductors and suitable bearings in said brackets for the slot
and track rails respectively.
3. A conduit bracket for a double track railway consisting of a single casting with
a central web and peripheral flange and provided with supports for the support and
slot rails an interior opening of the same contour as the collector channel supports in
the walls of said opening for the supply conductors, downwardly extending drip
flanges from the said opening in a different vertical plane from the supply conductors
and apertures in the web to admit electric pneumatic and other supply tubes.
4. A conduit bracket consisting of a single casting having a central web and
peripheral flange, the said bracket being perforatod for the reception of tubular ducts
an interior opening of the same contour as the collector channel grooved recesses in
the walls of said opening to support the insulators of the supply conductors and
downwardly extending drip flanges at the mouth of said openings in a different
vertical plane from the supply conductors.
5. A conduit bracket having undercut recesses on its top face for the track rails said
recesses being wider than the rail base in combination with the rail having one side
of its base in one undercut recess a locking piece extending in the other undercut
recess, and overlapping the rail base, and a bolt securing said locking piece
and a bracket whereby the rail is securely locked and may be readily removed and
replaced.
6. A slotted conduit for railway and general supply systems consisting of brackets
at intervals along the line said brackets having perforated supports within a peripheral
flange, insulating ducts each supported by one aperture in said web transverse
foundations of concrete supporting said brackets and a filling of concrete around the
collector channels and between the ducts for separately insulating and supporting said
ducts.
7. A slotted conduit for railway and general supply systems consisting of brackets.
at intervals along the line said brackets having an interior opening of the same contour
as the collector channel, supply conductors secured to the walls of said openings
downwardly extending drip flanges in the mouth of the openings in a different vertical
plane from the conductors, perforated webs within the peripheries of said brackets
supported by said webs and a filling of concrete around the collector channel between
the ducts as set forth..
8. The combination with the supply conductors of an electric railway of a slip
joint between said conductors and its support and the support for said supply
conductor for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 9. The combination with the insulator for the supply conductors of an electric
railway of a tongue and grooved joint between said insulator and its support and the
support for the said insulator for the purpose set forth.
10. The combination of an electric railway conduit bracket with an insulator
secured thereto with a. slip joint and a supply conductor secured to the insulator by a
similar joint substantially as described.
11. An underground conduit for electric conductors and general supply system
provided with perforated brackets at intervals along the line housings for the
conductors consisting of tubes having cup-joints said joints resting in the brackets
and a filling of insulating cement between the tubes substantially as described.
12. A conduit frame or bracket for an electric railway having an interior opening
of the same contour as the collector channel and dovetail recesses in the walls of said
openings within which the insulators of the supply conductors are supported as set
forth.
13. The metallic conduit frame of a double track electric railway having an interior
opening of the same contour as the collector channel and dovetail recesses in the walls
of said openings, in combination with the insulator held in position by said recesses
and designed to support supply conductor as shown and described.
14. In a conduit for the supply conductors of an electric railway the combination
with the dovetailed supporting brackets having an interior opening of the same
contour as the collector channel and undercut recesses in the walls of said opening,
of dovetailed insulators arranged to be held in position therein and supply conductors
supported thereby and capable of longitudinal or sliding movement.
15. In an electric railway conduit a flanged supporting bracket having an interior
opening conforming in shape to the collector channel and provided with dovetailed
grooves in the walls of said opening for holding the insulators of the supply
conductors said brackets being also provided upon their upper surface with undercut
recesses for the track and slot rails respectively as shown and described.
16. The combination with the supporting brackets of an electric railway having
central web provided with flanged openings of a series of ducts or tubes passing
through said flanged openings formed therein and a protective body of cement
or concrete surrounding said tubes and extending from bracket to bracket as set
forth.
17. The combination with the metallic supporting brackets of an electric or cable
railway of self supporting girder rails secured to said brackets and partially supported
by the cement or concrete located between the same and means for securing the said
rails substantially as described.
18. A conduit bracket for a double track railway consisting of single casting
having a peripheral flange and provided with two conduit openings and with undercut
recesses or bearings for the flanges of the track rails substantially as described.
19. A conduit bracket for an electric railway having central opening and containing
supports for the supply conductors inclined slot rails secured to said brackets and
separated to form a surface slot and downwardly extending drip flanges formed
integral with said bracket at or near the base of support of said slot rail substantially
as specified.
20. The combination with the conduit bracket having perforated webs for the
reception of tubes or ducts of the conduit tubes made of paper and coated with an
insulating moisture proof material and the filling of concrete between said brackets
and tubes substantially as specified.
21. A compressed paper tube impregnated with asphalt and having its ends reduced
in thickness in combination with a short connecting tube or cup joint adapted to fit
into or over the ends of said tubes and overlap them on both sides of the joint having
said sealed joints within the flanges of the supporting brackets substantially as
described.
22. In a combined electric and traction railway conduit a bracket having an interior
opening of sufficient depth to contain in different horizontal planes the electric supply
conductors and the traction cables substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: 23. In a combined electric and traction railway a conduit comprising brackets
placed at intervals along the line of way each of said brackets having an interior
opening of the same contour as the collector channel and of sufficient depth to contain
in different horizontal planes the electric supply conductors and traction cables; and a
concrete filling between said brackets and around the collector channel the said
collector channel being of the same depth as the interior openings of the brackets
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.