Improvements relating to Collectors for Electric Railways.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th July, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 5th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 1st July, 1899
[Communicated from abroad by THE WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC AND MANUFAC-
TURING COMPANY of East Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Manufacturers.]
Improvements relating to Collectors for Electric Railways.
I, REGINALD BELFIELD, of 32, Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster,
Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to electric railways and in particular to those systems in
which energy is supplied to the cars from over-head conductors.
My invention comprises improved contact devices for making connection to
overhead conductors, means for elevating and supporting such devices in contact
with such conductor, any various improvements in detail connected with such
apparatus.
My invention will be clearly understood by the following description referring
to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of my improved apparatus for conveying
current to a car from an over-head conductor.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the contact device, the lower portion of the
supporting arm being broken away.
Figure 3 is a front elevation, partly sectional, of the stationary portions of the
contact device shewn in Figure 2 and drawn to enlarged scale.
Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line a x Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the contact device in engagement with a
main and a branch conductor at a junction.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the lower part of the contact supporting
apparatus, and
Figure 7 is a front elevation of the same, one portion being omitted.
Figure 8 is a plan of a device for locking the lower portion of the supporting
apparatus in its working position.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a detail hereinafter explained, and
Figure 10 is a similar view illustrating a modification thereof.
Figure 11 is a front elevation of a modified form of contact device.
Figure 12 a similar view partly in section and Figure 13 a plan shewing a
further modification.
Figure 14 is a longitudinal section of the revolving portion of the contact
devices shown in Figures 12 and 13.
Figures 15 and 16 are enlarged detail sectional views.
Figure 17 is a front elevation shewing a modification of the supporting arm
for the contact device.
Figure 18 is a perspective view of another modification of the apparatus.
Figure 19 is a plan illustrating a modification of the portion of the apparatus:
shewn in Figure 18.
Figure 20 is a side elevation partly sectional of the lower portion of a modified!
form of supporting apparatus and

page_text: Figure 21 is a similar view shewing in elevation the part drawn in section in
Figure 20.
Figure 22 is a side elevation partly sectional, and
Figure 23 is a plan of a modified form of base for a contact carrying arm,
and
Figure 24 is a longitudinal section of a part of the same.
Figure 25 is a side elevation of a modified construction, and
Figure 26 is an end elevation of the supporting casting shewn in Figure 25.
Similar reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings.
Referring now to Figure 1, which illustrates the main portions of one form of my
apparatus for conveying current from an overhead conductor to an electric car,
1 denotes the contact device, 2 the supporting arm for the same, 3, the boom to
which the supporting arm 2 is pivoted, said boom being itself pivoted at its end to a
supporting base 4 secured to the roof 5 of the car. The contact device is shewn
in detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and comprises a sheet metal, preferably spring
steel, frame made in two parts 6 and 7 bent into a form shewn most clearly in
Figure 3, being riveted together as indicated. Portions of the parts 6 and 7 are
secured to the arm 2, the upper and outer ends of said pieces being provided
with openings in which is fitted a tube 8 from which tube a rod 9 projects sub-
stantially horizontally some distance, being then curved both downwardly and
outwardly to the point 10 as will be clearly seen from Figures 1, 2, and 5. The
purpose of this curvature is to present a proper bearing and guiding surface for
engagement with cross and branched wires when the contact device is in use.
This is very important, since on account of the different heights at which supply
conductors are located, it is necessary to arrange that entanglement with crossing
and branching conductors should be avoided whatever may be the angular
position of the supporting arm 2. In order that the contact device shall invariably
pass beneath every over-head wire with which it may come in contact, it is necessary
that the point 10 shall occupy a position materially lower than the absolute con-
tact surface of the device, in every position which the supporting arm may assume
between the horizontal and vertical.
By curving the wire to the form shewn in the drawings, this very necessary
result is secured, and neither the said wire. nor the supporting arm 2 will be
materially strained or deflected. Figure 5 shews the relation between the contact
device and over-head wires, 11 being the conductor extending along the line of travel
of the car and 12 being the branch conductor. The free ends of the wire 9 extend
downwardly from the point 10 to sockets 13 provided some distance along the
supporting arm 2, the portion of the wire between the point 10 and the socket 13
not coming in contact with the over-head conductor, but assisting in bracing the
contact device.
In the ends of the parts 7 just beneath the tubes 8 are openings in which are
fitted suitable bearings 14 for the central contact roller 15; this roller is pre-
ferably provided with small bevelled flanges 16 at its ends as indicated in Figure 2.
Mounted upon and fastened to each of the tubes 8 or to the supporting arm is a
curved and tapering piece of sheet metal 17, one end of which lies adjacent to
the end of the contact roller, the other end extending outwardly nearly or quite
to the bend in the rod 9. This piece constitutes a contact and wearing piece for
engagement with the over-head conductor in case the roller 15 should not be
in engagement therewith, and since the arm 2 always occupies some position
between horizontal and vertical in the same quadrant, it will be evident that these
wearing plates need not extend over appreciably more than ninety degrees of arc.
Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the boom which is pivoted to the
base 4 is provided with a roller 18 which is in position to engage an annular
track 19 on said base. The end of the supporting arm 2 is received in a socket 20
which is pivoted at 21 to the boom. and surrounding the lower end of said arm
is a spring 22 which may be in two or more parts, the lower end of which bears
against the socket 20 or against a collar resting thereon. Mounted loosely upon

page_text: the arm 2 above the spring 22, is a head 23 having openings through which a
pair of rods 24, one on each side of the arm 2 extend. The openings in the head
are of sufficient size to enable the rods to have considerable lateral play therein,
and these rods are provided at or near their upper ends with suitable stops such as
the nuts 25 which may be adjusted in position. The lower ends of the rods 24
have hooks which engage openings in arms 26 secured to the boom 3. Another
pair of rods 27 also extend through openings in the head 23 and engage at their
lower ends with arms or lugs 28 secured to the end of the boom, and said rods are
provided with stops 29. The arms 28 are of such a length and so placed that
they co-operate with the rods 27 and the spring 22 to raise the. supporting arm 2
and bring the same to the maximum elevation desired in practice, so as to press
the contact device against the over-head conductor, and it is obvious that the
spring 22 will be compressed when the arm 2 is lowered. The stops 25 on the
arm 24 are so adjusted as to prevent the arm 2 being raised to a vertical position.
Since the supporting arm 2 is always inclined more or less in the same direc-
tion with reference to the boom, it is obvious that when it is desired to reverse
the direction of movement of the car, the boom with its appurtenances must be
rotated in a horizontal plane through an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees,
and means must be provided for locking the boom in its operative position so as
to prevent accidental displacement therefrom. For this purpose I provide a
bolt 30, mounted to a slide in suitable lugs 31, depending from the lower side of
the boom, said bolt being provided with a spring 32 which is arranged to normally
press the same inward. For engaging the end of the bolt there is secured to the
roof at each end of the car, a casting 33, (see Figure 8 which has an upper and a
lower plate spaced apart, and mounted between said plates are two locking dogs 34.
These dogs are pivoted to the casting at their outer ends, and extend inwardly
towards each other, a sufficient space being left between the inner ends to receive
the end of the bolt 30. They are also provided with auxiliary teeth 35, with
one of which the end of the bolt will engage and prevent the boom 3 from
springing outward if it is not moved far enough to bring it into the central
position in which the end of the bolt will be received between the inner ends of
the dogs. Each of the dogs is provided with a laterally projecting lug 36, and
these lugs are connected by a spring 37 which tends to throw the free inner ends
of the dogs outward into position to be engaged by the bolt 30. Rollers 38 are
preferably mounted at the ends of the casting 33 so as to be engaged by the lugs 26
when the boom is swung into position, its movement being thereby facilitated;
said rollers furthermore, provide a support for the outer end of the boom when
the same is in its central position, and prevent any rocking motion thereof.
For moving the bolt 30 out of engagement with the dogs 34, the lever having
at one end a pin and slot connection with the end of the bolt 30 as indicated at 46,
is pivoted at 45 to the end of the boom and at its other end is attached a cord 47
which extends along the supporting arm 2 to a pulley 48 on the under side of the
same near its upper end. From this pulley the cord passes downward into.
position to be grasped by the motor man when it is desired to lower the contact
device:
The shape and position of the lever 44 are such that the supporting arm 2 may
be lowered a considerable distance before the lever operates to withdraw the
bolt 30; when, however, the supporting arm is brought nearly to a horizontal
position a further pull upon the cord 47 will withdraw the bolt 30 from engage-
ment with the dogs 34 and the boom 3 may then be swung round, so as to point
in the opposite direction, whereupon the bolt 30 will be engaged by the dogs of
the locking device at the other end of the car.
Pivoted to a lug or lugs 39 projecting from the under part of the boom 3, is a
small lever or bar 40 on one end of which is mounted a roller 41. This roller is
pressed downward by means of a spring 42, interposed between the upper side of
the bar 40 and a suitable projection on the lug 39. The said roller 41 makes
contact with a stationary metal piece 43 when the boom is in working position,

page_text: and completes the electric circuit from the supply conductor to the motors. I
thereby ensure that the boom shall be located in proper working position before
the car can be started. Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views illustrating two
constructional forms of the contact 43, said contact may, however, be of any
suitable description.
The contact device hercinabove described may be modified in various ways,
for example, in Figure 11 the contact roller 15 is supported in a casting 49 instead
of in a built frame as hereinbefore described.
The contact device illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 has the portions of the
rods 9 below the points 10 turned up, and secured in sockets near the top of the
supporting arm, as shewn at 50 and in Figure 14 I shew a special form of contact
roller which may be used for all contact devices wherein long extended rollers
are required. Said roller consists of a tube 15 provided with heads or plugs 51
at its ends. These plugs project slightly so as to form a bevelled fillet 16 at the
ends of the roller. Graphite bearings 52 are placed in the respective plugs and
if desired the ends of the same may be provided with grooves 53 filled with
graphite to lessen the friction between the ends of the roller and the head which
supports the same. The shaft 54 which may be either a solid rod or a tube
extends through the roller and is received by the two arms of the head 49. Said
arms are preferably extended outwardly as shewn at 55 in the cross section, in
Figure 15 and the shaft 54 is dropped into openings 56, recesses 57 in said shaft
fitting corresponding lugs 58 so as to firmly bind the two ends of the head and
prevent the same from spreading. Locking pins indicated by dotted lines 59
in Figure 15 may also be used to fasten the shaft 54 in place. The head which
supports the roller may be a casting as indicated at 49 in Figures 11 and 12 and
shewn in section in Figure 16, or it may be constructed of metal plate as
herein before described with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4.
In order to prevent lateral movement of the supporting arm 2 I sometimes brace
the same by means of tension rods 60 in the manner shewn in Figure 17, or the
lower part of the supporting arm may be made of two tubes 61, as indicated in
Figure 11, said tubes being joined by a head 62 to a single upper tube 63 carry-
ing the head 49. In these cases a modification of the means for elevating the
supporting arm may be used, as will be hereinafter described.
Referring now to Figure 18, the spring 22 which elevates the supporting arm
is mounted on the boom instead of upon said arm, between two collars 75 and 77,
the former of which abuts against a nut 76, and so is prevented from moving
outwardly, and the latter of said collars being capable of sliding along the boom
under the influence of the spring. Secured to the collar 77 are two rods 78 which
pass loosely through holes in the collar 75 and are connected at their ends to
extensions 79 of the socket 20 of the supporting arm 2. The force of the spring 22
will obviously through the medium of the collar 77 and rods 78, tend to elevate
the arm 2 so as to bring the contact device into engagement with the overhead
conductor. Stops 80 are provided on the rods 78 which limit the movement
thereof, and prevent the arm 2 reaching a vertical position. The device for
locking the boom in its operative position is similar to that hereinbefore described
with reference to Figures 6 and 7; the lever 44 which operates the bolt 30, being,
however, somewhat modified so as to permit of the operating cord 47 passing
through the same, and along the hoom to a pulley $1 at the pivoted end thereof,
from which it passes direct to the head 49. The cord is provided with an enlarge-
ment 82 which engages with the lever 44 when the supporting arm 2 has been
lowered a certain distance so as to withdraw the bolt 30 from engagement with
the locking device. The remaining portions of the apparatus are similar to those
herein before described.
In the modification shewn in Figure 19 the spring 22 is located near the outer
end of the boom 3, the rods 78 being shortened to correspond. The construction
and operation of the two forms are substantially the same.
Referring now to Figures 20 and 21. the boom 3 is made tubular, with an inner

page_text: enlarged end 83 provided with a stud which forms the pivot and fits into the
socket 85 of the supporting base 4. This stud is furnished with a circumferential
groove for the reception of two pins 87 which are inserted through suitable
openings in the socket registering tangentially with the groove 86. The spring 22
for elevating the contact arm. 2 is located in the enlarged part 83 of the boom
and bears at one end against a stationary plate 88 and at the other end against
a movable plate or head 89. 90 is a short tube which is inserted in the end of
the part 83 and secured therein by a set screw 91 or other suitable means in order
to serve as a stop for the plate 89. A rod 92 extends through the boom and is
screw-threaded for a portion of its length, being provided with nuts bearing
against the plate 89 which may be adjusted in position in order to vary the pressure
exerted by the spring 22. Said rod is also provided with nuts which impinge
against the plate 88 when the supporting arm 2 is in its highest position. The
outer end of the rod 92 is pivoted to a short arm 93 projecting downwardly from
the supporting arm 2. The remaining portions of the apparatus are
substantially the same as herein described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 and
the operation of the whole is similar to the operation of the device shewn in
Figure 18 and needs no further description.
Referring now to Figures 22 to 24, the apparatus therein shewn differs from
that hereinbefore described in as much as the vertical pivot is placed at the angle
where the contact supporting arm 2 is joined to the boom 3, the elevating spring 22
being arranged and connected with the supporting arm 2 in substantially the same
manner as hereinabove described with reference to Figure 18; the locking bolt 30
is, however, differently constructed. Said bolt extends through the boom 3 and
through a tubular casting 100 forming the end thereof, and on which the sup-
porting arm 2 is pivoted, and its outer extremity is provided with a head 101
having inclined inner faces 102 with which cam faces 103 on the lugs 79 at the
end of the supporting arm 2 engage when said supporting arm is moved suffi-
ciently far from a vertical position as indicated in broken lines in Figure 22.
104 is a coiled spring located in the casting 100 which serves to normally press
the bolt 30 outward and cause it to engage with the locking dogs 34 of the locking
device 33. The said locking device is similar to that hereinbefore described
with reference to Figure 8.
Figure 25 illustrates a modification of the apparatus shewn in Figures 22
and 23, the spring 22 being mounted upon the supporting arm 2 in a manner
similar to that described with reference to Figure 6. The restraining rods 24
are, however, connected to lugs 105 forming part of the casting 100 in place of
being connected to lugs on the boom. The boom in this construction is con-
siderably shortened and merely forms a casing for the locking bolt 30, the
construction and operation of which is the same as above described with reference
to Figures 22 and 23. An end elevation of the casting 100 is shewn in Figure 26
which clearly shews the location of the pairs of lugs 28 and 105.
1000
Improvements relating to Collectors for Electric Railways.
I, REGINALD BELFIELD, of 32, Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster,
Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner

page_text: T +
...
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement: -
My invention relates to electric railways and in particular to those systems in
which energy is supplied to the cars from over-head conductors.
My invention comprises improved contact devices for making connection to
conductors, means for elevating and supporting such devices in contact with
such conductor, and various improvements in detail connected with such apparatus.
My invention will be clearly understood by the following description referring
to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of my improved apparatus for conveying
current to a car from an over-head conductor.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the contact device, the lower portion of the
supporting arm being broken away.
Figure 3 is a front elevation, partly sectional, of the stationary portions of the
contact device shown in Figure 2 and drawn to enlarged scale.
Figure 4 is a vertical section on the line x x Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the contact device in engagement with a
main and a branch conductor at a junction.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the lower part of the contact supporting
apparatus, and
Figure 7 is a front elevation of the same, ene portion being omitted.
Figure S is a plan of a device for locking the lower portion of the supporting
apparatus in its working position.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a detail hereinafter explained, and
Figure 10 is a similar view illustrating a modification thereof.
Figure 11 is a front elevation of a modified form of contact device.
Figure 12 a similar view partly in section and 13 a plan shewing a
further modification.
Figure 14 is a longitudinal soction of the revolving portion of the contact
devices shown in Figures 12 and 13.
Figures 15 and 16 are enlarged detail sectional views.
Figure 17 is a front elevation shewing a modification of the supporting arm
for the contact device.
Figure 18 is a perspective view of another modification of the apparatus.
Figure 19 is a plan illustrating a modification of a portion of the apparatus
shewn in Figure 18.
Figure 20 is a side elevation, partly sectional, of the lower portion of a modified
form of supporting apparatus, and
Figure 21 is a similar view shewing in elevation the part drawn in section in
Figure 20.
Figure 22 is a side elevation, partly sectional, and
Figure 23 is a plan of a modified form of base for a contact carrying arm,
and
Figure 24 is a longitudinal section of a part of the same.
Figure 25 is a side elevation of a modified construction, and
Figure 26 is an end elevation of the supporting casting shewn in Figure 25.
Similar reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings.
Referring now to Figure 1, which illustrates the main portions of one form of
my apparatus for conveying current from an overhead conductor to an electric
car, denotes the contact device, 2 the support for the same, 3 the arm or boom
to which the support 2 is pivoted, said arm or boom being itself pivoted at its end
to a supporting base 4 secured to the roof 5 of the car. The contact device is shewn
in detail in Figures 2, 3 and 4 and comprises a sheet metal, preferably spring
steel, frame made in two parts 6 and 7 bent into a form shewn most clearly in
Figure 3. being riveted together as indicated. Portions of the parts 6 and 7 are
secured to the arm 2, the upper and outer ends of said pieces being provided
with openings in which is fitted a tube 8 from which tube a rod 9 projects sub-

page_text: stantially horizontally some distance, being then curved both downwardly and
outwardly to the point 10 as will be clearly seen from Figures 1, 2, and 5. The
purpose of this curvature is to present a proper bearing and guiding surface for
engagement with cross and branched wires when the contact device is in use.
This is very important, since on account of the different heights at which supply
conductors are located, it is necessary to arrange that entanglement with crossing
and branching conductors should be avoided whatever may be the angular
position of the supporting arm 2. In order that the contact device shall invariably
pass beneath every overhead wire with which it may come in contact, it is necessary
that the point 10 shall occupy a position materially lower than the absolute con-
tact surface of the device, in every position which the supporting arm may assume
between the horizontal and the vertical.
By curving the wire so that its concave side is directed toward the rear of
the car as shewn in the drawings, this very necessary result is secured,
and neither the said wire nor the support 2 will be materially strained
or deflected. Figure 5 shews the relation between the contact device
and overhead wires, 11 being the conductor extending along the line of travel
of the car and 12 being the branch conductor. The free ends of the wire 9 extend
downwardly from the point 10 to sockets 13 provided some distance along the
supporting arm 2, the portion of the wire between the point 10 and the socket 13
not coming in contact with the overhead conductor, but assisting in bracing the
contact device.
In the ends of the parts 7 just beneath the tubes 8 are openings in which are
fitted suitable bearings 14 for the central contact roller 15; this roller is pre-
ferably provided with small bevelled flanges 16 at its ends as indicated in Figure 2.
Mounted upon
and fastened to each of the tubes 8 or to the support is a
curved and tapering piece of sheet metal 17, one end of which lies adjacent to
the end of the contact roller, the other end extending outwardly nearly or quite
to the bend in the rod 9. This piece constitutes a contact and wearing piece for
engagement with the overhead conductor in case the roller 15 should not be
in engagement therewith, and since the support 2 always occupies some position
between horizontal and vertical in the same quadrant, it will be evident that these
wearing plates need not extend over appreciably more than 90° of arc.
Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the arm or boom 3 which is pivoted to the
base 4 is provided with a roller 18 which is in position to engage an annular
track 19 on said base. The end of the supporting arm 2 is received in a socket 20
which is pivoted at 21 to the boom, and surrounding the lower end of said arm
is a spring 22 which may be in two or more parts, the lower end of which bears
against the socket 20 or against a collar resting thereon. Mounted loosely upon
the arm 2 above the spring 22, is a head 23 having openings through which a
pair of rods 24, one on each side of the arm 2, extend. The openings in the head
are of sufficient size to enable the rods to have considerable lateral play therein,
and these rods are provided at or near their upper ends with suitable stops as
the nuts 25 which may be adjusted in position. The lower ends of the rods 24
have hooks which engage openings in arms 26 secured to the boom 3. Another
pair of rods 27 also extend through openings in the head 23 and engage at their
lower ends with arms or lugs 28 secured to the end of the boom, and said rods are
provided with stops 29. The arms 28 are of such a length and so placed that
they co-operate with the rods 27 and the spring 22 to raise the supporting arm 2
and bring the same to the maximum elevation desired in practice, so as to press
the contact device against the overhead conductor, and it is obvious that the
spring 22 will be compressed when the arm 2 is lowered. The stops 25 on the
arm 24 are so adjusted as to prevent the arm 2 being raised to a vertical position.
Since the support 2 is always inclined more or less in the same direction with
reference to the arm or boom, it is obvious that when it is desired to reverse
the direction of movement of the car, the boom with its appurtenances must be
rotated in a horizontal plane through an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees,
and means must be provided for locking the boom in its operative position so as

page_text: to prevent accidental displacement therefrom. For this purpose I provide a
bolt 30, mounted to slide in suitable lugs 31, depending from the lower side of
the boom, said bolt being provided with a spring 32 which is arranged to normally
press the same inward. For engaging the end of the bolt there is secured to the
roof at each end of the car a casting 33 (see Figure 8) which has an upper and a
lower plate spaced apart, and mounted between said plates are two locking dogs 34.
These dogs are pivoted to the casting at their outer ends, and extend inwardly
towards each other, a sufficient space being left between the inner ends to receive
the end of the bolt 30. They are also provided with auxiliary teeth 35, with
one of which the end of the bolt will engage and prevent the boom 3 from
springing outward if it is not moved far enough to bring it into the central
position in which the end of the bolt will be received between the inner ends of
the dogs. Each of the dogs is provided with a laterally projecting lug 36, and
these lugs are connected by a spring 37 which tends to throw the free inner ends
of the dogs outward into position to be engaged by the bolt 30. Rollers 38 are
preferably mounted at the ends of the casting 33 so as to be engaged by the lugs 26
when the boom is swung into position, its movement being thereby facilitated;
said rollers, furthermore, provide a support for the outer end of the boom when
the same is in its central position, and prevent any rocking motion thereof.
For moving the bolt 30 out of engagement with the dogs 34, a lever having at
one end a pin and slot connection with the end of the bolt 30 as indicated at 46,
is pivoted at 45 to the end of the boom. At the other end of said lever is
attached a cord 47 which extends along the supporting arm 2 to a pulley 48 on
the under side of the same near its upper end. From this pulley the cord passes
downward into position to be grasped by the motor man when it is desired to
lower the contact device.
The shape and position of the lever 44 are such that the support 2 may
be lowered a considerable distance before the lever operates to withdraw the
bolt 30; when, however, the supporting arm is brought nearly to a horizontal
position a further pull upon the cord 47 will withdraw the bolt 30 from engage-
ment with the dogs 34 and the boom 3 may then be swung round, so as to point
in the opposite direction, whereupon the bolt 30 will be engaged by the dogs of
the locking device at the other end of the car.
Pivoted to a lug or lugs 39 projecting from the under part of the hoom 3, is a
small lever or bar 40 on one end of which is mounted a roller 41. This roller is
pressed downward by means of a spring 42, interposed between the upper side of
the bar 40 and a suitable projection on the lug 39. The said roller 41 makes
contact with a stationary metal piece 43 when the boom is in working position,
and completes the electric circuit from the supply conductor to the motors. I
thereby ensure that the boom shall be located in proper working position before
the car can be started. Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views illustrating two
constructional forms of the contact 43, said contact may, however, be of any
suitable description.
The contact device hereinabove described may be modified in various ways,
for example, in Figure 11 the contact roller 15 is supported in a casting 49 instead
of in a built frame as herein before described.
The contact device illustrated in Figures 12 and 13 has the portions of the
rods 9 below the points 10 turned up, and secured in sockets near the top of the
supporting arm, as shewn at 50, and in Figure 14 I shew a special form of contact
roller which may be used for all contact devices wherein long extended rollers
are required. Said roller consists of a tube 15 provided with heads or plugs 51
at its ends. These plugs project slightly so as to form a bevelled fillet 16 at the
ends of the roller. Graphite bearings 52 are placed in the respective plugs and
if desired the ends of the same may be provided with grooves 53 filled with
graphite to lessen the friction between the ends of the roller and the head which
supports the same. The shaft 54 which may be either a solid rod or a tube
extends through the roller and is received by the two arms of the head 49. Said

page_text: arms are preferably extended outwardly as shewn at 55 in the cross section in
Figure 15 and the shaft 54 is dropped into openings 56, recesses 57 in said shaft
fitting corresponding lugs 58 so as to firmly bind the two ends of the head and
prevent the same from spreading. Locking pins indicated by dotted lines 59
in Figure 15 may also be used to fasten the shaft 54 in place. The head which
supports the roller may be a casting as indicated at 49 in Figures 11 and 12 and
shewn partly in section in Figure 16, or it may be constructed of metal plate as
herein before described with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4.
In order to prevent lateral movement of the support 2 I sometimes brace
the same by means of tension rods 60 in the manner shewn in Fig. 17, or the
lower part of the supporting arm may be made of two tubes 61, as indicated in
Fig. 11, said tubes being joined by a head 62 to a single upper tube 63 carry-
ing the head 49. In these cases a modification of the means for elevating the
supporting arm may be used, as will be hereinafter described.
Referring now to Figure 18, the spring 22 which elevates the support is mounted
on the boom instead of upon said support, between two collars 75 and '77,
the former of which abuts against a nut 76, and so is prevented from moving
outwardly, and the latter of said collars being capable of sliding along the boom
under the influence of the spring. Secured to the collar 77 are two rods 78 which
pass loosely through holes in the collar 75 and are connected at their ends to
extensions 79 of the socket 20 of the supporting arm 2. The force of the spring 22
will, obviously through the medium of the collar 77 and rods 78, tend to elevate
the support 2 so as to bring the contact device into engagement with the overhead
conductor. Stops 80 are, provided on the rods 78 which limit the movement
thereof, and prevent the support 2 reaching a vertical position. The device for
locking the boom in its operative position is similar to that herein-before described
with reference to Figures 6 and 7: the lever 44 which operates the bolt 30 being,
however, somewhat modified so as to permit of the operating cord 47 passing
through the same and along the boom to a pulley 81 at the pivoted end thereof,
from which it passes direct to the head 49. The cord is provided with an enlarge-
ment 82 which engages with the lever 44 when the supporting arm 2 has been
lowered a certain distance so as to withdraw the bolt 30 from engagement with
the locking device. The remaining portions of the apparatus are similar to those
hereinbefore described.
In the modification shewn in Figure 19 the spring 22 is located near the outer
end of the boom 3, the rods 78 being shortened to correspond. The construction
and operation of the two forms are substantially the same.
Referring now to Figures 20 and 21, the boom 3 is made tubular, with an inner
enlarged end 83 provided with a stud which forms the pivot and fits into the
socket 85 of the supporting base 4. This stud is furnished with a circumferential
groove for the reception of two pins 87 which are inserted through suitable
openings in the socket registering tangentially with the groove 86. The spring 22
for elevating the contact arm 2 is located in the enlarged part 83 of the boom
and bears at one end against a stationary plate 88 and at the other end against
a movable plate or head 89. 90 is a short tube which is inserted in the end of
the part 83 and secured therein by a set screw 91 or other suitable means in order
to serve as a stop for the plate 89. A rod 92 extends through the boom and is
screw-threaded for a portion of its length, being provided with nuts bearing
against the plate 89 which may be adjusted in position in order to vary the pressure
exerted by the spring 22. Said rod is also provided with nuts which impinge
against the plate 88 when the supporting arm 2 is in its highest position. The
outer end of the rod 92 is pivoted to a short arm 93 projecting downwardly from
the supporting arm 2. The remaining portions of the apparatus are
substantially the same as herein described with reference to Figures 6 and 7 and
the operation of the whole is similar to the operation of the device shewn in
Figure 18 and needs no further description.
Referring now to Figures 22 to 24, the apparatus therein shewn differs from
that hereinbefore described inasmuch as the vertical pivot is placed at the angle

page_text: where the contact supporting arm 2 is joined to the boom 3, the elevating spring 22
being arranged and connected with the supporting arm 2 in substantially the same
manner as liereinabove described with reference to Figure 18; the locking bolt 30
is, however, differently constructed. Said bolt extends through the hoom 3 and
through a tubular casting 100 forming the end thereof and on which the sup-
porting arm 2 is pivoted, and its outer extremity is provided with a head 101
having inclined inner faces 102 with which cam faces 103 on the lugs 79 at the
end of the supporting arm 2 engage when said supporting arm is moved suffi-
ciently far from a vertical position as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 22.
104 is a coiled spring located in the casting 100 which serves to normally press:
the bolt 30 outward and cause it to engage with the locking dogs 34 of the locking
device 33. The said locking device is similar to that hereinbefore described
with reference to Fig. 8.
Fig. 25 illustrates a modification of the apparatus shewn in Figs. 22,
and 23, the spring 22 being mounted upon the supporting arm 2 in a manner
similar to that described with reference to Fig. 6. The restraining rods 24
áre, however, connected to lugs 105 forming part of the casting 100 in place of
being connected to lugs on the boom. The boom in this construction is con-
siderably shortened and merely forms a casing for the locking bolt 30, the
construction and operation of which is the same as above described with reference
to Figs. 22 and 23. An end elevation of the casting 100 is shewn in Fig. 26
which clearly shews the location of the pairs of lugs 28 and 105.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent I declare that what I claim is:-
1. For electric vehicles a contact device provided with downwardly and out-
wardly extending arms which are curved in such a manner that the concave sides
of the arms are directed toward the rear of the vehicle, for the purpose specified.
2. In an apparatus for conveying current from a conductor to an electric vehicle,
a support for the contact device capable of rotation on a pivot perpendicular to
the axis of the support and provided with a locking device which is automatically
operated by the rotation of the support on said pivot so as to permit it to rotate
round a second pivot at right angles to the first pivot, for the purpose specified.
3. In an apparatus of the kind described, the means for maintaining the contact
device in connection with the conductor, comprising a spring either surrounding
the support or surrounding or within an arm to which the support is pivoted and
connected by a rod or rods to the support and its arm so as to press the contact
device towards the conductor.
4. In an apparatus of the kind described, locking devices for normally restrict-
ing the movement of the support for the contact device to one plane, substantially
as described.
5. In an apparatus of the kind described, an electric switch which is operated
by the movement of the support for the contact device around an axis so that the
circuit through the vehicle is broken except when the support is in an operative
position, substantially as described.
6. The various contact devices for making connection with the overhead con-
ductor, substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to 5 and 11 to 17
of the accompanying drawings for the purpose specified.
7. The various constructions of apparatus for conveying current from an over-.
head conductor to an electric car constructed and operating substantially as
described with reference to any of the forms shewn in Figures 6, 7, and 18 to 26
of the accompanying drawings.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham.