IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CROSSINGS, SWITCHES, AND THE APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR SIGNALLING UPON OR OPERATING MECHANISM CONNECTED WITH LINES OF RAILWAY."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Stokes Williams, of Riverton, New Jersey, United
States of America, but at present residing at Glasgow, in the County of
Lanark, North Britain, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY
CROSSINGS, SWITCHES, AND THE APPARATUS OR MEANS FOR SIGNALLING UPON
OR OPERATING MECHANISM CONNECTED WITH LINES OF RAILWAY."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Stokes Williams at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th July 1879.
JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS, of Riverton, New Jersey, United States of America,
but at present residing at Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CROSSINGS, SWITCHES, AND THE APPARATUS OR
MEANS FOR SIGNALLING UPON OR OPERATING MECHANISM CONNECTED WITH LINES,
OF RAILWAY."
The said Invention relates to improvements in railway crossings, switches, and
the apparatus or means for signalling upon or operating mechanism connected with
lines of railway, which improvements are applicable in combination with and partly
are improvements or modifications in the construction; arrangement, or combination
of the subject matter of my previous Patents, No. 3256, A.D. 1877; No. 995,
A.D. 1878 No. 2720, A.D. 1878; No. 3692, A.D. 1878; and No. 5005, A.D. 1878;
and also of the Patent No. 1056, A. D. 1879, for which I am now applying.
In order to construct and arrange the switch rails which afford the means for
crossing undivided rails so as to ensure the proper relative working and position of
the same, I support the switch rails upon chairs which are so formed and placed as
to prevent the rocking or undue deflection of the switch rails by the weight of the
vehicles or rolling stock, so as to avoid the possibility of the flanges of the wheels
striking or riding the main line rails, or the displacing or straining of the switch
rails or parts in combination therewith, these supports or chairs are formed with
both bearing surfaces, and means for bolting or otherwise securing in position the
undivided rails, and also the switch rails.
In order to obviate the use of a main line rail of reduced width throughout the
length of the switch, and practically neither to lessen the bearing surface for the

page_text: wheels nor the strength of the rail, I form a recess upon the outer portion of
the head of the rail at the part of the line where the switch rail is not of sufficient
-height-to-carry-the-flanges-of-the-wheels_or_clear_ of the main line rail. By
forming this recess_at_an-angle.to the surface of the main line the switch rail can
enter this recess so that its end-will be below the surface of the main line rail.
The switch rail is supported -upon-plates or chairs, as hereinbefore described. When
the switch rails are adjusted to direct the vehicles to or from the crossing line,
- wheels of the narrowest tread will extend over the switch rail, so that as the wheels
traverse the switch rails their flanges are kept clear of-the-main-line. When_I_use
a rail or plate of less height for the switch rail which is placed outside the guage of
the main line I employ chairs or supports of such height as to secure the necessary
variation in the height of the switch rail and the main line.
The tapered switch rail with a guard rail I cast of steel, or form such switch rail
by means of dies or rolls, as set forth in the Provisional Specification filed with
my application for the before mentioned Patent, No. 1056, A.D. 1879.
The recessed rail is also formed by special rolls or dies, or may be planed or cut
to the desired shape.
The switch rail employed outside the line has its necessary or special form
imparted to it in a similar manner.
In some cases I so arrange the switch, rail and the rail of the main line that the
switch rail can be placed in a recess in the main line, rail, and also lap the same,
such arrangement will ensure a bearing surface for wheels of the narrowest tread.
The tapered switch rail and guard rail in combination therewith are also
supported on chairs or plates, which are keyed or bolted with the main line rail.
When the switch rails are provided with means to facilitate their adjustment and
to hold them firmly in position (as described in my beforementioned previous
Letters Patent, No. 3692, A.D. 1878), I so combine the mechanism with the chairs
or supports for the main line rails, or with the main line rails themselves, as to
prevent the improper relative position of the parts; that is to say, the rockers or
other devices and parts connected therewith must be in proper relative positions to
the main line rails. On the inside of the guage of the main line I sometimes employ
a guard rail which may be secured to or with the main line rail by chairs and
wedges or bolts, or otherwise; this guard rail will direct the wheels so as to ensure
that wheels of the narrowest tread will engage with the switch rail on the outside
of the line; it will also allow of a greater recess in the main line on the opposite
side of the track, therefore admitting the use of a tapered switch rail of greater
width and strength.
In constructing crossing lines (as described in the Specification of my before
mentioned Patent, No. 3692, A.D. 1878), where two sets of switches are placed
adjacent to each other, instead of placing them so nearly opposite as there described
and shown, I place one set of switches back or beyond the other, so as to allow for
forming the necessary recesses in the main line rails, and I provide guard rails_as
herein before described, or I use a shorter tapered switch rail in combination with
a guard rail. When such set of switches are adjusted to complete the crossing line
they are so connected or combined with the other switch rails that it is impossible.
for the switchman to adjust the last named switch rails or parts connected or inter-
locked therewith until the first named switches shall have been adjusted to their
normal condition.
The improvements for securing the rockers or rollers in their proper relative
position to the switch rails and the main lines are also applicable to any form of
switch.
To obviate the wearing of the connecting rods I provide them with detachable
plates or sleeves to act as rubbing surfaces renewable when worn.
In constructing the shifting pieces which afford the crossing of an immovable
rail, as described in the Specifications of my before mentioned Patents, I provide
such shifting pieces with a projecting lip, which extends below the surface of the
main line rail; I also provide the supporting piece or plate for such shifting piece

page_text: at the outside of the main line rail, close to the shifting piece; that is to say, it is
the detachable plate or filling piece, as shown in my previous Letters Patents, but
recessed or formed or placed at such a lower position that the lip of the shifting
piece rests thereon when it is in position to complete the crossing line, and by such
means for facilitating the adjustment of the shifting piece, or modifications of them,
as are described in the Specifications of my herein before mentioned Patents, I
adjust this improved shifting piece with the downward lip without difficulty, and
obviate the wear of the supporting plate by the passing vehicles; I also provide
means for lowering this supporting plate, so that as the main line wears away the
said plate may be lowered, so as not to be worn, thereby always securing a uniform
support for the shifting piece; I also form the shifting piece with a projection, so
that the connecting rod to the lever can with facility be secured to the shifting
piece by inserting a projection upon the said rod into a recess in the projection of
the shifting piece, or vice versa. In order to construct such shifting pieces
economically, with facility, and of uniform shape, I cast them of steel or of metal
of the necessary strength and tenacity, or form them in dies or moulds, as described
in the hereinbefore referred to Provisional Specification.
In constructing apparates to operate and govern the working and position of
switches, crossings, and signals through the medium of electricity and explosive
materials, the igniting or exploding in a receiver may create a vacuum, and thereby
cause the switch signal, or other moveable parts connected or combined therewith,
to be moved, the operation being similar to that of a gas engine, except that the
lighting or igniting of the gas or other explosive material is effected through the
medium of electricity.
In some cases in order to prevent the escape of the gas I form the receiver for
the said gas with the orifice or orifices below the upper surface, so that the said gas
does not escape by the said orifices and lead the communicating wire to the battery
or source of electricity into the upper part of the receiver, where the gaseous com-
pound is sure to be. The bolts or devices for testing the position of or holding the
switches, signals, or other moveable parts may be operated through similar agencies.
The parts may operate automatically one way through the agency of springs or
weights, the normal position for the switches being safety to main line, and the
automatic devices in combination with the signals always forcing signals towards
danger, therefore if any breakage occurs with the switches they go to normal posi-
tion of main line clear, if breakage occurs with a signal it is forced to danger. and
if there is a breakage it is impossible for the switchman to signal line clear or give
or move any conflicting signals or parts.
It
The receiver for the gaseous compound or other explosive material can be placed
adjacent to the switch or elsewhere, as may be desirable, provided the switch is
mounted upon rockers or rollers, as described in my aforesaid previous Patent.
There will not be any bolt necessary to hold the switch so arranged in its proper
position, but any means for testing the position of the switch will be sufficient.
will be understood that a locking bar, cord, or device or devices for similar purpose
can be operated in a similar manner, or the possibility of making or breaking the
circuit which renders possible the movement of the switch or other moveable part
may depend upon the position of one or more vehicles which may be passing or
standing upon the line or lines.
By the proper arrangement of circuit makers and breakers in relation to the
moveable parts connected or combined in the system, the desired relative working
is secured, for a system so connected may extend for a long distance (if it is
desirable) on a line of railway, and it practically becomes one machine controlled at
different places dependent upon the relative position of the parts and the proper
working of the whole. Such apparatus reduces to a minimum cost of construction
and maintenance of the interlocking apparatus, and also the labour required
for the operating and controlling of switches, crossings, signals, and other moving
parts.
In order to provide means to allow of the ready adjustment by passing vehicles

page_text: of the shifting pieces, or any combination of them, in the improved construction of
crossing lines, either at switches, or crossings, or both, even when such moveable
parts are combined-in-a-system by interlocking mechanism, as described in my pre-
vious Patents, I so arrange the engaging bars or plates with projections and recesses-
which are connected or combined with the actuating devices to such shifting pieces
that when the shifting piece-or-pieces: at crossings, or switches, or both are adjusted
to the crossing line, they are-not-locked or-held so as to cause a breakage of the
_connecting rods by the passage of vehicles on the main line, but the signalling
devices, are so connected, combined, or interlocked-with the connections or parts of
the crossing line that until such shifting pieces are fully adjusted to safety or main
line clear it is impossible to withdraw or complete the movement of the signal from
its danger position, and in giving a signal for line clear it is no longer possible to
move the shifting parts of the crossing line away from safety to the main line. The
bolt for holding the lever when the shifting pieces are so adjusted to complete the
crossing line may be one that is readily broken or caused to yield so as to release
the lever, or the lever connected to the shifting pieces of the crossing line need not
be bolted in either position when the shifting pieces are retained in position by a
weight, or are fitted with the improvements to facilitate adjustment, as described in
the Specification of the before mentioned Letters Patent, No. 3692, A.D. 1878.
In constructing through crossings, instead of using the shifting pieces situated
on the inside of the line, I employ a shifting piece situated on the outside, and
arrange the tapered rail on the inside in combination with a stationary guard
rail.
In constructing apparatus for signalling on the lines of railway I employ tele-
phonic instruments which are provided with a vibrating arm plate or reed as a
signal, and. I provide in combination with such instrument a tube or receiver which
is susceptible of compression or extension, so as to compress or rarify the air, and
thereby vibrate the arm or plate with such force as to give a distinct signal; or I
employ the electric signal in combination with the telephonic instrument, and by
the proper arrangement of bars, plates, keys, or bolts, or other devices, such signal
devices or combination can be combined with and control or be controlled by the
moveable mechanism employed on lines of railway, such as switches, crossings,
signals, or the connections thereof.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Stokes Williams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
January 1880.
JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS, of Riverton, New Jersey, United States of America,
but at present residing at Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CROSSINGS, SWITCHES, AND THE APPARATUS OR
MEANS FOR SIGNALLING UPON OR OPERATING MECHANISM CONNECTED WITH LINES
OF RAILWAY."
The said Invention relates to improvements in railway crossings and switches,
and to apparatus or means for signalling upon railways, or for operating mechanism
connected therewith, which improvements are applicable in combination with, and
partly are improvements or modifications in the construction, arrangement, or com-
bination of the subject matter of former Letters Patent dated and numbered as
follows, namely, August 27, A.D. 1877, No. 3256; March 12th, A.D. 1878, No. 995;
July 6th, A.D. 1878, No. 2720; September 18th, A.D. 1878, No. 3692; and
December 6th, A.D. 1878, No. 5005.
In order to construct and arrange the switch-rails which afford the means for
crossing undivided rails, so as to ensure the proper relative working and position of
the same,
support the said switch rails upon chairs which are so formed and placed
as to prevent the rocking or undue deflection of the switch rails by the weight of
the vehicles or rolling stock, so as to prevent the possibility of the wheel flanges
striking or riding over the main line rails, or the displacing or straining of the
switch rails or parts in combination therewith. These supports or chairs are formed
with both bearing surfaces and means for bolting or otherwise securing in position
the undivided rails and the switch rails.
To obviate the necessity for using a main line rail of reduced width throughout
the length of the switch, while practically neither lessening the bearing surface for
the wheels or the strength of the main line rail, I form a recess in the outer portion
of the head of the main line rail at the part of the same where the switch rail is
not of sufficient height to carry the flanges of the wheels over or clear of the said
main line rail.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 1 is a plan of a switch constructed according to my Invention, and
Figure 2 is a side view of the same.
Figure 3 is a side view of the main line rail, shewing the aforesaid recess in its
head, and
Figures 4, 5, and 6 are transverse sections on the lines x, x, x², x², x², x², Figure 2,
shewing the relative positions of the main line rail and switch rail.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 are similar sections shewing the relative positions of the main
line rail and a switch rail, whose depth is less than that of the said main line rail.
Figure 10 is a transverse section of my improved switch on the line 3, 20³,
Figure 1, and
Figure 11 is a similar view on the line x, x, Figure 1, shewing the means for
facilitating the adjustment of the switch rails, and retaining the same in position.
In these Figures a, a, represent the main line rails, b, b, the side line rails, and
c, d, the switch rails; e represents the connecting rod; a' represents the recess in
the main line rail a; f, f, are the chairs. By formning the recess a¹ at an angle, (as
shewn,) to the surface of the main line rail the switch rail d can enter this recess,
and its free or unpivotted end will be below the surface of the main line rail, as
shewn in Figure 2; this switch rail d is supported upon the plates or chairs f.
When the switch rails c, d, are adjusted to direct the vehicles to or from the crossing,

page_text: line wheels of the narrowest tread will extend over the switch rail d, so that as the
said wheels traverse the switch rails their flanges are kept clear of the main line.
When-I-use-a-rail or plate d of a height less than that of the main line rail for the
switch rail, which is placed outside of the gauge of the main-line,-I-employ-chairs or
supports of such height as to secure the necessary variation in the height of the
switch rail and the main line.-
The taper switch rail c, which is provided with a guard-rail c¹; I cast in steel or
form them by means of dies or rolls, as set forth in the Specification of my former-
Letter, dated March 18th, AD-1879, No. 1056. The recessed main line rail a is
also formed by special rolls or dies, or may be planed or cut to the desired shape:
The switch rail d employed outside of the line has its necessary or special form
imparted to it in a similar manner. In some cases I so arrange the switch rail d
and the adjacent rail of the main line a that the switch rail can be placed in a recess
in the main line rail, and may lap the same; such arrangement will ensure a bearing
surface for wheels of the narrowest tread. The taper switch rail c and the guard
rail c' employed in combination therewith are also supported on chairs or plates f
which are keyed or bolted in connection with the main line rail.
When the switch rails are provided with means for facilitating their adjustment
and for holding them firmly in position, as shown, I so combine the mechanism with
the chairs or supports for the main line rails, or with the said main line rails, as to
prevent any improper relative position of the parts, that is to say, the rockers or
other devices and parts connected therewith must be in the proper relative
positions to the main line rails: On the inside of the gauge of the main line I some-
times employ a guard rail, as shewn at g, and which may be secured in position or
to or with the main line rail a by chairs and wedges or bolts or otherwise. This
guard rail g will direct the wheels so as to ensure that wheels of the narrowest tread
will engage with the swith rail d on the outside of the main line a; it will also
allow of a greater recess in the main line on the opposite side of the track, therefore
permitting the use of a tapered switch rail e of greater width and strength, as shewn.
In constructing crossing lines, as described in the Specification of the aforesaid
Letters Patent, dated September 18th, A.D. 1878, where two sets of switches are
placed adjacent to each other, instead of placing them so nearly opposite as therein
described and shewn, I place one set of switches behind or beyond the other, to allow
for forming the necessary recesses in the main line rails, as shewn in plan in
Figure 12, and I provide guard rails as hereinbefore described, or I use a shorter
taper switch rail in combination with a guard rail. When a set of such switches is
adjusted to complete the crossing line they are so connected or combined with the
other switch rails that it is impossible for the switchman to adjust the last named
switch rails or parts connected or interlocked therewith until the first named switches
and connections thereof shall have been adjusted to their normal position.
One method of securing this result is shewn in Figure 12, that is to say:-Lever
No. 1 is connected with one-set-of-switches and lever No. 2 is connected with the
other set, the levers 3 and 4 or a greater number of levers being used to operate-
the signals. The levers Nos. 1 and 2 are combined with each other by means of a
sliding bar or bars or other movable mechanism, the said bars or other mechanism
being so arranged that when one of the levers which operates one set of switches
is moved from its normal position of "main line clear some extension or part of
the movable mechanism offers obstruction to some other part or connection of the
other set of switches and to the connections or extensions of the signals, so that
the latter must be in a position to indicate danger when it is possible to move the
switch rails.
"
When the first named set of switches has been returned to the normal position
of "main line clear" the other set of switches may be moved, and any movement
of the latter necessitates the retention of the first named switches in their normal
position.
In constructing the shifting pieces which afford the crossing of an immovable

page_text: ran, as described in the specification
such shifting pieces with a projecting lip.
ΟΙ IՆ ՄԵԾԱ BetterB
Figure 13 is a plan of a crossing with such a shifting piece; and
Figure 14 is a side view of the same.
Figures 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 are transverse sections of the said crossing on the
lines y, y, y', y², y², y², y³, y³, y', ', Figure 13.
Figures 20 and 21 are transverse sections, shewing modifications in the formation
of the supports or chairs for the shifting piece.
In these Figures a represents the main line rail, and 6 the side line rail; k is
the shifting piece, and 1, 1, 12, are the chairs for securing the parts in their proper
position.
It will be seen, by reference to Figures 15, 16, and 17, that the said shifting
piece le is provided with a downwardly projecting lip or extension k¹, which extends
below the surface of the main line rail a when the said piece is adjusted to complete
the crossing line. m represents the filling piece or supporting plate, which is
arranged in such a position or is so formed that the lip or extension ' of the
shifting piece k rests thereon, when the said piece is in position to complete the
crossing line.
I thus obviate the wear of the supporting plate m by the passing of the wheels
over the main line a, and the said supporting plate m being provided with wedging
or packing may be lowered as the main line wears away, so that it will not be
worn, I thereby always secure a uniform support for the shifting piece k.. One
device for varying the height of the supporting plate or filling piece m consists of
a detachable plate or series of plates m¹, as illustrated in Figures 15 and 18. A
series of plates of varying thickness may be employed, or inclined plates may be
used, the same being held in position by clamps, screws, recesses, or otherwise, as
may be desirable.
The shifting piece k may be raised and lowered in a similar manner by movable
or adjustable plates under its lower edge. Figures 15 and 18 shew a series of
plates °, which provide means for varying the height of the said shifting piece as
may be necessary or as the main line rail a wears away.
The shifting piece k, provided with the aforesaid lip k', is raised and lowered
in its adjustment by means of rockers, rollers, inclined or cam surfaces, or any
combination of the same.
One device for facilitating the adjustment of the said shifting piece is shewn in
Figures 13, 14, and 17, in which I arrange upon the connecting rod n a sleeve o,
provided with inclines o¹, which are arranged to run upon a roller p' as the said
rod n is moved to and fro, thereby raising and lowering the shifting piece k. The
roller p¹ is carried in a bracket p which is secured in its proper relative position to
the main line rail a. The pin q is secured to the connecting rod n and also to the
shifting piece, and by means of washers q¹ the height of the said shifting piece may
be further varied as desired.
To provide for retaining, balancing, or supporting the shifting piece k securely in
position and allow of its easy adjustment, I provide such shifting piece with an
enlargement formed upon or attached to its end, which laps the meeting rail b,
and extending downwards in a recess in the chair l, as shewn at k³ (Figure 19),
below the main body of the said shifting piece; but the said enlargement may be
varied in form and dimensions as desired. It will be seen that the portion of this
attachment or enlargement constitutes a pivot for the said shifting piece k.. This
pivot turns in the chair or plate Z, which extends upwards sufficiently to prevent
any undue lateral or end wise movement of the said shifting piece. By placing the
meeting rail b in position to meet the pivotted end of the piece it fits into a
recess on such pivotted end of the said piece and thereby prevents any displacement
of the same.
Figures 20 and 21 shew inclined stationary plates, which may be used to effect
the raising and lowering of the shifting piece as it is moved to comptete or interrupt

page_text: the crossing line. In this case the connecting rod is raised with the shifting
piece.
-In-order-to-provide-means-for-allowing the ready adjustment by passing vehicles
_ of the shifting pieces, or any combination of them, in my improved crossing lines
Feither at the switches or crossings,-or-both, when such movable parts are combined
in a system by interlocking-mechanism, I, in some cases, arrange the same as shewn
in Figure 22, which is a plan-shewing the shifting. piece at a crossing in combi-
nation with switches, and provided with such an arrangement of mechanism for
combining such shifting piece or pieces and signalling devices, that-when-the-
shifting piece or pieces at the crossings or switches, or both, are adjusted to the
crossing line, they are not locked or held so as to cause a breakage of the con-
necting rods by the passage of vehicles on the main line, but the signalling devices
are so connected, combined, or interlocked with the connections or parts of the
crossing line that until such shifting pieces are fully adjusted to safety or "main
line clear." It is impossible to withdraw or complete the movement of the signal
from its danger position, and in giving signal for "line clear" it is no longer
possible to move the shifting parts of the crossing line away from "safety for the
main line." In some cases the bolt for holding the lever when the shifting pieces
are so adjusted to complete the crossing line may be one that is readily broken or
caused to yield so as to release the lever; or the lever connected to the shifting
pieces of the crossing line need not be bolted in either position, when the shifting
pieces are retained in position by a weight or are fitted with the improved means
for facilitating adjustment, described in the Specification of the aforesaid Letters
Patent, dated September 18th, A.D. 1878.
Figure 23 is a plan of part of the said mechanism drawn to an enlarged
scale; and
Figure 24 is a side elevation of the same.
In Figures 22 to 24, I have shewn one method of accomplishing the above
specified results.
Lever No. 1 is connected with the shifting pieces at the crossings
and the switches (or with a single crossing and switch) or with any combination of
shifting pieces at crossings, or at the crossings and switches, as may be desired,
and is combined with the levers Nos. 2 and 3 or any other number of levers in such
a manner that until or only when the signals shall indicate danger is it possible to
commence the movement of the switches or shifting pieces at the crossings, and
any movement of the parts of the crossing line or connections thereof will cause the
levers Nos. 2 and 3 and connections thereof to be retained until lever No. 1 and the
connections thereof shall have been adjusted to their normal position of "main line
clear," but in case of the adjustment of the shifting parts at the crossings and
switches so as to complete the crossing line, the wheels of vehicles passing upon the
main line will adjust the shifting piece and its connections to their normal
position of "main line clear." Lever No. 1 is provided with a weight to hold the
parts in position. By connecting such movable mechanism with levers_or_guards,
so arranged as to be operated upon by vehicles passing over the crossing line the
latter may be automatically completed.
Instead of employing mechanism as above described for securing the proper
relative working of crossing lines and signals in such a manner that when the
crossing line is completed the shifting piece, or both the shifting piece and switch,
or shifting pieces and switches of such crossing line, can be adjusted by vehicles
passing upon the main lines, I in some cases employ in connection with the levers
notched plates or bars conneected to sliding bars or rocking shafts, such as are
generally used in interlocking apparatus, therefore the movement of one lever of
the series governs or is governed by the position of one or more of the other levers
of the series in such a manner that any desired number of levers will be so inter-
locked as to prevent the movement necessary to give conflicting signals, or signals
that indicate falsely or incorrectly the position of any of the said switches or
crossings, as described in the Specification of former Letters Patent dated July 6th,

page_text: A.D. 1878, No. 2720, whilst at the same time permitting the automatic adjustment
of such shifting piece or pieces at the crossings without breakage or without serious
breakage, as above described. The lever in connection with such movable piece of
the crossing line is not locked when it is in position to complete the crossing line
consequently the bar or extension from the lever cannot be obstructed by the
sliding bars or rockers in connection with other lines of the series until the movable
parts of the crossing line and their connections have been moved so that the main
line is clear, that is to say, there is no provision made for locking the movable parts
of the crossing line and so preventing them being moved by the vehicles passing
upon the main line or lines. The lock or bolt for holding the lever may be placed
at the back instead of the front of the said lever, and will therefore be readily
broken.
In constructing through crossings instead of arranging the shifting pieces k on
the inside of the main line a I employ a shifting piece k¹ on the outside, as shewn
in plan in Figure 25, and arrange the tapered rail b on the inside of the gauge in
combination with a stationary guard rail h. The filling piece or chairs secure
the said tapered rail in its proper position; this filling piece may be formed on or
in connection with the guard h.
Having thus fully described the said Invention and shewn how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I wish it understood that I
claim,―――
. First. The arrangement of the switch-rails in combination with the recessed main
line rail or rails, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
Drawings and for the purposes specified.
Second. Combining with the subject matter of the preceding claim rockers, rollers,
or similar devices for adjusting and holding the movable parts of the switch or con-
nections thereof, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
Drawings, and for the purposes set forth.
Third. The improved arrangement or combination of a pair of switches with
undivided main line rails, substantially as described with reference to Figure 12 of
the Drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Fourth. The shifting piece at the crossing provided with a projection or lip in
combination with a supporting plate or piece at the side of the main line rail, sub-
stantially as described with reference to the accompanying Drawings, and for the
purposes specified.
Fifth. The construction, arrangement, and combination of the shifting piece k
and joint chair, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
Drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Sixth. The combination with a shifting piece which affords the crossing of a
permanent main line rail of means for varying the height of the said shifting piece,
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying Drawings, and for
the purposes specified.
Seventh. The combination with a shifting piece which affords the crossing of a
permanent main line rail, of means for varying the height of the supporting plate
or filling piece, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
Drawings, and for the purposes specified.
Eighth. Combining a shifting piece or pieces at the crossing (where the crossing
line extends on both sides of the line to be crossed) with movable mechanism con-
nected or combined with the signalling devices in such a manner that when the
crossing line is completed the shifting pieces and switches of such crossing line can
be adjusted by vehicles passing upou the main lines without breakage, or without
serious breakage, as herein described and for the purposes specified.
Ninth. The construction, arrangement, and combination of the shifting piece k',

page_text: the stationary guard rail h, and the parts in connection therewith, substantially as
described with reference to Figure 25 of the Drawings, and for the purposes
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Stokes Williams, have hereunto set.
my hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of December, in the year of
our Lord One-thousand-eight.hundred.and seventy nine.