Improvements in or relating to Current Collectors for Electric Railways.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Nov., 1897
Complete Specification 1 eft 2nd Aud 1808 Accented 15th Not
1800
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Current Collectors for Electric
Railways.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
M.I.M.E., do hereby declare the nature of this invention, a communication to
me from abroad, by Frederick Augustus Anderson, and David Marsden Anderson,
of 512, Tenth Street, North-West, in the City of Washington, District of
Columbia, United States of America, Electricians, to be as follows:-
This invention relates to current collectors for electric railways.
The object is to provide a current collector in which short-circuiting, as from
accumulation of slush, snow, or ice will be obviated; a novel form of fuse-
connection, by which a new fuse may readily be substituted for one that has
blown. out, without inconvenience to passengers or danger to workmen; a shoe
that shall have vertical and longitudinal-oscillatory and lateral motion, while
dispensing with toggle-joints, pivoted links, and the like, said shoe accommo-
dating itself to irregularities in the conducting-rail and being constantly in
full electrical contact with said rail; to simplify the construction of the
collector; and, finally, to provide an automatic lubricator.
In a current collector characterized by our invention, we provide an ordinary
standard, meaning thereby any suitable support, comprising a plurality of frame-
bars and copper conducting-bars insulated from the frame-bars by molded
mica, slate, or porcelain, or any other suitable non-conducting substance, the
frame-bars being held assembled by means of two face-plates, which are secured
in place by bolts passing through these plates and the said bars. The copper
conducting-bars, at the lower portion of the collector, project through insulating-
plates, forming the exterior of the bottom portion of the plow, the same being
held in position upon the frame-bars by means of bolts suitably insulated there-
from, so that, when the parts are assembled, there can be no passage of current
from the conductor through this insulating-material. The shoes are each con-
structed of the usual contact-plate and insulating-block, and are supported by
means of brackets integral with or secured to the lower portion of the collector,
the brackets being provided with slots to permit of the shoes having the neces-
sary range of lateral movement, and, also, to operate as stops, suitable bolts being
provided for the purpose of holding the shoes in operative position with relation
to the brackets. To effect the proper contact between the shoes and the con-
ducting-rails, springs are interposed between the insulating-blocks and the lower
portion of the collector, the tension of these springs being sufficient at all times
to hold the shoes in contact with the said rails and to compensate for any
irregularity in the same. By the arrangement described, we dispense entirely
with the employment of pivoted hangers, toggle-joints, or other supports project-
ing outward from the collector and supported thereby, and, also, provide for the
proper lateral and vertical oscillatory movement necessary to allow the shoe to
accommodate itself to any and all irregularities in the conducting-rail, and,
also, to occupy a position at all times in use normal to that of the said rail,

page_text: irrespective of any inclination of the standard or support. The shoes may be
electrically-connected with the conducting-bars in any suitable manner, prefer-
ably, in this instance, by means of ordinary wires, the same being held at their
ends by means of bolts, screws, or binding nuts carried, respectively, by the
shoes and by the conducting-bars. In order to support the lower ends of the
conducting-bars and to afford efficient means for establishing electrical connec-
tion between the shoes and the bars, and, also, to remove strain from the screws
holding the upper ends of the conducting-bars in position in the fuse-blocks or
boxes, we provide, in this instance, suitable supports, preferably of brass, which
are secured to, but insulated from, the frame-bars, and are assembled with the
copper-conducting bars by means of ordinary bolts passing through the two parts,
the said bolts serving, in this instance, as a means for connecting the conductors
from the shoes to the copper bars. The upper ends of the copper conducting
bars are housed in fuse-blocks or boxes, thereby effectually insulating this
portion of the conducting-bars from the frame-bars; and housed within another
portion of each of these fuse-blocks is one of the terminals, the terminal and
conducting-bar being connected by an ordinary fuse. As before stated, it is
desirable that the fuses should be arranged in such position upon the collector
as to be readily accessible for the purpose of repair, in case they should blow out,
and to this end they are located quite close to the top of the collector; and, in
order to obviate the danger of a shock to a person in repairing a break, there
are insulating sheets or blocks covering the fuse-blocks or boxes, and against the
outer faces of these insulating-sheets the two ends of each of the fuses are
secured, by means of ordinary binding- or thumb-nuts, having, preferably,
insulated bases. Thus, to replace a fuse for one that is blown out, it will only
be necessary to lift the ordinary trap-door provided in the floor of the car, loosen
two thumb-nuts, replace a new fuse for one that is destroyed, and again tighten
the thumb-nuts. By this arrangement, in case a fuse blows out, the outer in-
sulating-body covering the fuse-block or box will receive the shock, and, if
destroyed, may be replaced at but a small cost. It is to be understood that
the arrangement of the shoes, conducting-bars and fuses is the same on both
sides of the collector, and for this reason a description of one will serve for both.
Arranged upon each side of the collector at the point where it works between
the slot-rails, we provide a wear-plate, preferably of case-hardened steel, and
arranged, also, upon each side of the collector is a lubricating-device, which
will supply oil to the said plates at the point of wear. By this arrangement, the
life of the wear-plates may be extended indefinitely, and rusting, as from mois-
ture, will, also, be avoided.
.”
1
100
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Current Collectors for Electric
Railways.
1. communication from FREDERICK AUGUSTUS ANDERSON, and DAVID MARSDEN 45
ANDERSON, of 512 Tenth Street, North-West, in the City of Washington,
in the District of Columbia, United States of America, Electricians.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, Holborn Circus, in the County
f Middlesex, Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-

page_text: tion 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 current-collectors for electric railways.
The object is to provide a current-collector in which short-circuiting, as from
accumulation of slush, snow, or ice, will be obviated'; a novel form of fuse-
connection, by which a new fuse may readily be substituted for one that has
blown out, without inconvenience to passengers or danger to workmen; a shoe
that shall have vertical and longitudinal-oscillatory and lateral motion, while
dispensing with toggle-joints, pivoted links, and the like, said shoe accommo-
dating itself to irregularities in the conducting-rail and being constantly in
full electrical contact with said rail; to simplify the construction of the
collector; and, finally, to provide an automatic lubricator.
In a current-collector characterized by this invention, an ordinary standard,
is provided, meaning thereby any suitable support, comprising a plurality of
frame-bars and copper conducting-bars insulated from the frame-bars by molded
mica, slate, or porcelain, or any other suitable non-conducting substance, the
frame-bars being held assembled by two face-plates, which are secured in place
by bolts passing through these plates and the said bars. The copper conducting-
bars, at the lower portion of the collector, project through insulating-plates,
forming the exterior of the bottom portion of the plow, the same being held in
position upon the frame-bars by bolts suitably insulated therefrom, so that,
when the parts are assembled, there can be no passage of current from the con-
ductor through this insulating-material. The shoes are each constructed of the
usual contact-plate and insulating-block, and are supported by brackets integral
with or secured to the lower portion of the collector, the brackets being provided
with slots to permit of the shoes having the necessary range of lateral movement,
and, also, to operate as stops, suitable bolts being provided for the purpose of
holding the shoes in operative position with relation to the brackets. To effect
the proper contact between the shoes and the conducting-rails, springs are inter-
posed between the insulating-blocks and the lower portion of the collector, the
tension of these springs being sufficient at all times to hold the shoes in contact
with the said rails and to compensate for any irregularity in the same. By
the arrangement described, my correspondents dispense entirely with the employ-
ment of pivoted hangers, toggle-joints, or other supports projecting outward
from the collector and supported thereby, and also provide for the proper lateral
and vertical oscillatory movement necessary to allow the shoe to accommodate
itself to any and all irregularities in the conducting-rail, and also to occupy a
position at all times in use normal to that of the said rail, irrespective of any
inclination of the standard or support. The shoes may be electrically connected
with the conducting-bars in any suitable manner, preferably, in this instance,
by ordinary wires, the same being held at their ends by bolts, screws, or binding-
nuts carried, respectively, by the shoes and by the conducting-bars. In order
to support the lower ends of the conducting-bars and to afford efficient means
for establishing electrical connection between the shoes and the bars, and also
to remove strain from the screws holding the upper ends of the conducting-bars
in position in the fuse-blocks or boxes, in this instance, suitable supports, are
provided preferably of brass, which are secured to, but insulated from, the
frame-bars, and are assembled with the copper conducting-bars by ordinary bolts
passing through the two parts, the said bolts serving, in this instance, as a
means for connecting the conductors from the shoes to the copper bars. The
upper ends of the copper conducting-bars are housed in fuse-blocks or boxes,
thereby effectually insulating this portion of the conducting-bars from the
frame-bars and housed within another portion of each of the fuse-blocks is
one of the terminals, the terminal and conducting-bar being connected by an
ordinary fuse. As before stated, it is desirable that the fuses should be arranged
in such position upon the collector as to be readily accessible for the purpose of
repair, in case they should blow out, and to this end they are located quite close

page_text: to the top of the collector; and, in order to obviate the danger of a shock to a
person in repairing a break, there are insulating-sheets or blocks covering the
fuse-blocks or boxes, and against the outer faces of these insulating-sheets the
two ends of each of the fuses are secured by ordinary binding- or thumb-nuts,
having, preferably, insulated bases. Thus, to replace a fuse for one that is
blown out, it will only be necessary to lift the ordinary trap-door provided in
the floor of the car, loosen two thumb-nuts, replace a new fuse for one that is
destroyed, and again tighten the thumb-nuts. By this arrangement, in case a
fuse blows out, the outer insulating-body covering the fuse-block or box will
receive the shock, and, if destroyed, may be replaced at but a small cost. It is
to be understood that the arrangement of the shoes, conducting-bars and fuses
is the same on both sides of the collector, and for this reason a description of
one set of these parts will serve for both.
On each side of the collector at the point where it works between the slot-
rails, a wear-plate, is provided, preferably of case-hardened steel, and arranged
also upon each side of the collector is a lubricating-device, which will supply
oil to the said plates at the point of wear. By this arrangement, the life of the
wear-plates may be extended indefinitely, and rusting, as from moisture, will
also be avoided.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a view in elevation, partly in section, showing the collector in
position between two slot-rails, with the shoes in engagement with the conduct-
ing-rails;
Figure 2 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, showing the relative
arrangement of the parts constituting the collector;
Figure 3 is a detached detail view, showing the knife-edge switch at the top
of the standard;
Figure 4 is a longitudinal, sectional view, taken on the line 4-4, Fig. 2.
Figure 5 is a similar view, taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 2.
Figure 6 is a similar view, taken on the line 6-6, Fig. 2.
Figure 7 is a similar view, taken on the line 7-7, Fig. 2.
Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view in section, showing, more particularly,
one manner of mounting the shoe upon the collector, to allow the shoe to have
the necessary lateral and oscillatory movements to accommodate itself to any
irregularity in the conducting-rails, and the manner of supporting the lower
end of the copper conducting-bar;
Figure 9 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, of a slightly modified
form of standard;
Figure 10 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on the line 10-10, Fig. 9,
showing the manner of mounting the shoe therein exhibited.
In explaining this invention, but one-half of the collector will be described,
as the sides are alike.
Referring to the drawings, A and A2 designate two frame-bars, of iron or
tool-steel, and A³ conducting-bars. of copper, for conveying the current from one
shoe to one terminal, and from the latter, through the car, back to the other
terminal, and so on through the other conducting-bar to the other shoe. The
collector herein-shown has four frame-bars and two conducting-bars, all insulated
from each other. These bars are held assembled at the top by face-plates A+,
which may be of iron or steel, and at the bottom by metallic cross-plates A5,
also of iron or steel, suitable holding-bolts being passed through the plates and
the frame-bars only. There is a considerable space left between the two inner
frame-bars, which lightens the device.
At a point intermediate of the two ends of the collector and on each side
thereof there is secured a wear-plate A6, which is arranged at that point of the
plow which will contact with the slot-rails, the said plates being held in place
by bolts passing through the same and through the frame-bars. These plates A
subserve a double function, the first of which, as their name indicates, being to

page_text: prevent wear to the standard. The second and probably most important function
is that of preventing any short-circuiting between the conducting-bars and the
slot-rails. As here shown, the wear plates extend from a point near the bottom
to a point somewhat above the middle of the plow; but it is to be understood
that my correspondents do not limit themselves to this exact arrangement, as
the plates may be made longer and wider, if preferred, or if found convenient
or necessary.
The lower portions of the frame-bars are covered or incased by two sheets of
insulating-material A secured to the frame-bars by bolts A8 insulated by collars
from the frame-bars. Secured against these insulating-plates are two brackets A³
and A10 provided with flanges through which suitable insulated bolts A¹¹ are
passed to secure the brackets in position. The brackets each have a slotted
boss or extension A2, as shown in Fig. 7, between which are mounted insulating-
blocks A provided with the usual conducting-shoes A", the blocks being held
in place by bolts working in the said slots. The slots allow the shoes to have
both the requisite lateral and vertical-oscillatory movements to compensate for
any inequality in the conducting-rails, and movement about shifting axes lying
in planes at right-angles to each other, so that the contact-face of a shoe will
always occupy a position normal to that of the conducting-rail, irrespective of
any inclination assumed by the standard or support, as in rounding curves, the
outer walls of the slots serving as stops to limit the lateral movement of the
shoes. To keep the shoes in operative contact with the conducting-rails,
springs A6 are provided, which are bolted against the insulating-material at
the base of the collector, with their free ends bearing against the insulating-
block. These blocks and the shoes are secured together by bolts A". The shoe
is provided on one side with a boss A18, to which is connected one end of a con-
ducting-wire A9, the other end being connected with a bolt A20, passing through
a metallic block A, and through a toe A2 formed by turning the lower end
of the conducting-bar A3 outward, an opening being provided in the insulating-
plate A7 for this purpose, as shown in Fig. S. The block A21 supports the lower
end of the conducting-bar, and also removes strain from the bolt or screw at its
upper end to which the fuse is connected.
The frame-bars A2 terminate below the top of the standard, to leave a space
in which to fit a fuse-block or box A2 held in position by bolts or screws passing
through ears A. The fuse-block is provided with two recesses, in one of which
is housed the upper end of a conducting-bar, and in the other the lower end of a
terminal, and over the conducting-bar and the terminal is placed a plate of
insulating-material A2, as shown in Figs 1 and 3. Arranged exteriorly of the
insulating-material A26 is the fuse A2, operatively connected with the conduct-
ing-bar and the terminal by screws or bolts carrying thumb-nuts A28, which
serve to bind the fuse against the plate A26.
To prevent undue wear of the plates A6 and to guard against rust, a lubri-
cator A is provided on each side of the plow, the lubricator having an extension
or tube A30, terminating at a point near where the wear-plate contacts with the
slot-rails. This lubricator may be of the sight-feed style, to prevent undue
waste of the lubricant.
To prevent an accumulation of ice, snow or slush from short-circuiting the
current between the toes A2 of the conducting-bars and any part of the plow-
standard, I provide insulating-extensions or ledges A³ immediately over these
toes, as will be clearly seen by reference particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 8, thereby
effectually obviating any danger of establishing a short circuit at these points.
In order further to guard against any possibility of an operator receiving a
shock while replacing a blown-out fuse, between the fuse-block and the shoe at
any convenient point an ordinary switch, may be interposed as a knife-switch A33,
as shown in Figs. 3 and 9, which, by being thrown back, will cut off the current
to the fuse and thereby render the binding-posts of the same dead.
Instead of mounting the shoes between the brackets, in the manner described,

page_text: the shoes may be secured to bow-springs A% (one only being shown), provided
on each side of both ends with lateral extensions A, to limit the longitudinal
movement of the springs, these extensions being engaged by bolts A³ for this
purpose. The spring is held in position by plates A, Fig. 9. Upon the belly
of the spring is mounted the shoe A, which may be of any preferred material,
such as iron or the like. It will be observed that there is no insulating-block
between the shoe and the spring, the block being dispensed with in order that
the spring may constitute the conductor to the copper conducting-bar, thus dis-
pensing with the employment of wires for this purpose.
The bolt-openings A, through which pass the bolts for holding the collector
in position, are provided each with a removable bushing A", and to prevent
these bushings from working loose, bolts A40 are employed, which are secured
in the edges of the bar A and engage with the bushing.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is;-
1. In a current-collector, a standard comprising a plurality of frame-bars,
conducting-bars arranged between the frame-bars and insulated therefrom,
terminals arranged at the top of the standard, fuse-blocks arranged in the upper
portion of the standard and having recesses in which the upper ends of the
conducting-bars and the lower ends of the terminals are housed, whereby to
insulate these parts from each other, fuses arranged exteriorly of the sides of the
fuse-blocks and on opposite sides of the standard, and means to permit the ready
removal and replacement of the fuses, substantially as described.
2. In a current-collector, a standard comprising a plurality of frame-bars,
conducting bars arranged between the frame-bars and insulated therefrom,
terminals arranged at the top of the standard, fuse-blocks arranged in the upper
portion of the standard and having recesses in which the upper ends of the con-
ducting-bars and the lower ends of the terminals are housed, whereby to insulate
these parts from each other, fuses arranged exteriorly of the fuse-blocks and on
diagonally opposite sides of the standard, and means to permit the ready removal
and replacement of the fuses, substantially as described.
3. In a current-collector, a standard comprising a plurality of frame-bars,
conducting-bars arranged between the frame-bars and insulated therefrom, wear-
plates secured intermediate of the ends of the frame-bars and operating to protect
the frame-bars, and also to prevent short-circuiting between the conducting-bars
and the slot-rails, insulating-plates secured below the wear-plates, brackets
rigidly secured against the insulating-plates, contact-shoes supported from the
brackets, and electrical connections between the shoes and the conducting-bars,
substantially as described.
4. In a current-collector, a standard comprising a plurality of frame-bars,
conducting-bars arranged between and insulated from the frame-bars, fuse-blocks
in which one end of the terminals and the conducting-bars are housed, and a
switch on each of the fuse-blocks between the terminal and the conducting-bar,
substantially as described.
5. In a current-collector, a standard comprising a plurality of frame-bars,
conducting-bars arranged between and insulated from the frame-bars, fuse-
blocks in which one end of the terminals and the conducting bars are housed,
and a knife-edge switch on each of the fuse-blocks between the terminal and
the conducting-bar, substantially as described.
6. In a current-collector, a standard comprising a plurality of frame-bars,
conducting-bars arranged between and insulated from the frame-bars, fuse-
blocks in which one end of the terminals and the conducting bars are housed,
a surface of insulating-material on each fuse-block, a fuse held in place against
each surface of insulating material, and a switch on each fuse-block between 5
the terminals and the conducting-bar, substantially as described.

page_text: 7. A current-collector having a knife-edge switch between each terminal and
its corresponding shoe, the handle of the switch being disposed downward, sub-
stantially as described.
8. A current-collector having wear-plates and lubricating devices for supply-
ing a lubricant to the plates at the points where they contact with the slot-rails,
substantially as described.
9. A current-collector comprising a standard and a shoe carried thereby, the
shoe being mounted for movement about shifting axes lying in planes at right-
angles to each other, whereby the contact-face of the shoe will always occupy
a position normal to that of the conductor, irrespective of any inclination of the
shoe-standard, substantially as described.
10. A current-collector comprising a standard and a spring-pressed shoe carried
thereby, the shoe being mounted for movement about shifting axes lying in
planes at right-angles to each other, whereby the contact-face of the shoe will
always occupy a position normal to that of the conductor, irrespective of any
inclination of the shoe-standard, substantially as described.
11. In an electric railway employing a flat conductor, a shoe mounted for move-
ment about shifting axes lying in planes at right-angles to each other, whereby
the contact-face of the shoe will always occupy a position normal to that of the
conductor, irrespective of any inclination of the shoe-standard, substantially as
described.
12. In an electric railway employing a flat conductor, a spring-pressed shoe
mounted for movement about shifting axes lying in planes at right-angles to each
other, whereby the contact-face of the shoe will always occupy a position normal
to that of the conductor, irrespective of any inclination of the shoe-standard,
substantially as described.
13. In a current-collector, a standard comprising a plurality of frame-bars,
conducting-bars arranged between and insulated from the frame-bars, insulating-
material covering both sides of the lower portion of the standard, brackets
rigidly secured against the insulating-material, shoes supported from the brackets,
and connections between the shoes and the conducting-bars, substantially as
described.
14. A current-collector comprising a standard carrying two sets of brackets
provided with slots, bolts passing through the slots and through insulating-blocks
mounted between the brackets, shoes carried by the blocks, and springs inter-
posed between the standard and the insulating-blocks, substantially as described.
15. In a current-collector, a standard having pairs of brackets secured on each
side of its lower portion, each pair being provided with slots disposed in vertical
alinement, insulating-blocks working between the brackets, bolts passing through
the slots and through the insulating-blocks, shoes carried by the blocks, and
springs interposed between the blocks and the standard, substantially as described.
16. A current-collector having the lower portion of its sides covered with sheets
of insulating-material, brackets secured against this insulating-material, said
brackets being provided with slots disposed in vertical alinement, insulating-
blocks working between the brackets, bolts passing through the slots and through
the insulating-blocks, and shoes carried by the blocks, substantially as described.
17. In a current-collector, a standard comprising a plurality of frame-bars,
conducting-bars arranged between the frame-bars and insulated therefrom, each
conducting-bar having its lower portion provided with an out-turned toe, face-
plates secured on each side of the standard, and holding the frame-bars and
conducting-bars assembled, wear-plates secured to the said bars, an insulating-
plate secured on each side of the lower portion of the standard, and provided,
each, with an opening, through which extends the toe of a conducting-bar,
conducting-blocks secured to the plow below these toes, insulating-material
arranged above the toes, whereby to prevent short-circuiting between the toes
and the standard, transversely-slotted brackets secured on each side of the lower
portion of the plow against the insulating-plates, blocks mounted between the

page_text: brackets and held in place by bolts passing through the slots in the brackets,
shoes carried by the blocks, and electrical connections between the shoes and the
conducting-bars, substantially as described.
18. A current-collector comprising a standard composed of a plurality of
frame-bars, conducting-bars arranged between the frame-bars and insulated
therefrom, each conducting-bar having its lower portion provided with an out-
turned toe, face-plates secured on each side of the standard and holding the
frame-bars and conducting-bars assembled, wear-plates secured to the said bars,
an insulating-plate secured on each side of the lower portion of the standard and
provided, each, with an opening through which extends the toe of a conducting-
bar, conducting-blocks secured to the standard below these toes, insulating-
material arranged above the toes, whereby to prevent short-circuiting between
the toes and the plow, transversely-slotted brackets secured on each side of the
lower portion of the standard against the insulating-plates, blocks mounted
between the brackets and held in place by bolts passing through the slots in
the brackets, shoes carried by the blocks, electrical connections between the
shoes and the conducting-bars, fuse-blocks carried by the upper portion of the
standard, fuses held in place against the blocks and connecting the terminals
and the conducting-bars electrically, and a switch between each terminal and its
corresponding shoe, substantially as described.
19. In a current-collector, a standard carrying shoes, fuse-blocks arranged in
the upper portion of the standard and provided with recesses, terminals having
their lower ends housed in the fuse-blocks, conducting-bars having their upper
ends housed in the fuse-blocks and their lower ends in electrical connection with
the shoes, and a switch on each of the fuse-blocks between the terminal and
the conducting-bar, substantially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of August 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.