Improvements in or connected with Boxes or Cases for Con- taining Switches and Mechanism connected therewith, for Electrical Traction.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 13th Sept., 1900-Accepted, 13th Oct., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Boxes or Cases for Con-
taining Switches and Mechanism connected therewith, for
Electrical Traction.
I, WILLIAM KINGSLAND, of 8, Breams Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
City of London, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows: :-
This invention refers to electrical traction in which switches are employed
to connect and dis-connect alternately a number of electrical conductors, the
said switches being mechanically operated by a striking bar upon the moving
vehicle, and the objects of my invention are to provide an improved switch box
to contain such switches, better arrangement of the mechanical parts connected
with such switches, and to afford better insulation than heretofore for the
electrical parts of the switch.
With these objects in view I construct a metal box, say of cast iron, and
arrange same in conjunction with a rail-slot. Part of this box passes under the
rails forming the slot, while the other part is outside the rails, and is provided
with a cover on a level with the rail-head or roadway. Inside this box I place
a second box or interior case designed to contain the electrical switch part of
the apparatus, and therefore made water-tight, as hereafter described.
The outside box is provided with a removable bracket which carries the tappet
mechanism designed to be operated by the striker carried by the car, and which
is connected with the switch so as to give the necessary motion to the said elec-
tric switch. The interior case has no bottom, that is to say it is entirely closed
except at its base, and is fixed firmly down on a water-tight packing on the
bottom of the outside box, in such a manner and position that it is readily
accessible and removable through the cover of the outside box. Such a water-
tight joint may be conveniently made as aforesaid, that is by pressing the lower
edges of the interior case upon a ring of packing, and this may be readily effected
by providing lugs on the exterior of the case which are brought down to and held
upon lugs or brackets on the interior of the outside box, by say screws or bolts,
and whereby the water-tight joint is made while the correct position of the
interior case is assured.
The electric switch is contained within the interior case, and the spindle which
operates it projects through one side, and is alligned for example by the means
aforesaid so as to be on the same centre line as the spindle which carries the
tappet mechanism, which latter spindle and the tappet mechanism are located
in the said outer box.
The end of the switch spindle, which projects from the interior case, is coupled
to the spindle carrying the tappet mechanism, by means of a suitable form of
universal joint; thus, for example, the end of the switch spindle may be pro-
vided with a disc having a projecting rib upon its outer face, there being a
similar disc and rib upon the end of the spindle carrying the tappet mechanism.
Between these disc ends I fit an intermediate piece having a groove on one

page_text: face to receive the rib upon the switch spindle end, and a groove upon the
other side of the intermediate piece at right angles to the groove first mentioned
to receive the rib upon the end of the tappet spindle.
The electric conductors or mains from outside pass through the bottom of
the outside box directly into that part which is covered by the interior case,
and terminate in set pins or pillars.
The switch is firmly fixed inside the interior case, and the terminals of the
switch are arranged to fit down by pressure onto the terminals of the electric
conductors. The whole arrangement is such that the case, with the switch con-
tained therein, can be lifted out of the outside box after releasing the screws
or clamps which hold it down.
The outside box may be formed with a drainage aperture at its lower part,
which aperture may be connected to drainage pipes to carry away the surface
water entering the box by the rail slot.
To remove any water which might accumulate at the bottom of the inner
case through leakage or otherwise, provide a small pipe which enters the said
case at the top, and passes down inside to the bottom. The end of the pipe
where it enters at the top is provided with a nozzle which may be closed by
means of a screw cap. By removing the cap and attaching a small pump, any
water may be removed by suction from the bottom of the case.
Dated this 13th day of December 1899
BREWER & SON,
London & Leeds, Chartered Patent Agents.
Improvements in cr connected with Eoxes or Cases for Con-
taining Switches and Mechanism connected therewith for
Electrical Traction.
I, WILLIAM KINGSLAND, of 8, Breams Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
City of London, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
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 refers to electrical traction in which switches are employed to
connect and dis-connect alternately a number of electrical conductors, the said
switches being mechanically operated by a striking bar upon the moving vehicle,
and the objects of my invention are to provide an improved box for containing
a mechanically operated electrical switch and the mechanism connected with
the switch, by which the latter is operated, the ends in view being to provide
an inner switch-containing case which, together with the switch therein, can
readily be withdrawn from the outer box without dismounting the mechanical
apparatus in the said outer box, and without it being required to disconnect the
electrical connection of the switch prior to the removal of the inner case; to
provide means whereby the switch case can be effectually rendered watertight
when in position in the said outer box, and whereby the electrical connections
are made by the replacement of the said inner case: to provide means whereby
the switch operating shaft (which projects through the wall of the inner case)
can readily be aligned and connected with the shaft of the exterior operating
mechanism, (which is within the outer box), or any slight deviations from
the true alignment of the two connected shafts is automatically allowed for; and
to provide means whereby the said mechanical apparatus in the said outer box
can be readily inspected and removed.

page_text: I will describe my invention with reference to the example of construction.
shewn by the accompanying drawing whereon Fig. 1 is a transverse section of
the box and the contained parts, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of same.
The outer box A which may be formed of cast iron is arranged adjacent to the
rail track so that a striker bar carried by the vehicle can operate the switch
actuating mechanism. Part of this box A may pass under rails which may form
a slot, one of such rails being shewn marked B while the other part of the
box is outside the rails, and is provided with a cover C on a level with the
rail head or roadway.
Inside this box A I place an interior casing D which contains the electrical
switch part of the apparatus.
The interior casing D is open only at its base, and when the case D is in posi-
tion within the box A, its lower edges rest upon packing carried by the sides
which form a compartment E, within the lower part of the box A, the com-
partment being open at the top, with a flange E' around same, to support
indiarubber or other packing G, and to form a guide for the lower edges of
the case D. As will be well understood, instead of employing the indiarubber
packing G, the flange E¹ of the compartment E may be made of trough forma-
tion, and contain a liquid seal, such as mercury, into which the lower edges of
the case D will enter.
The case D is formed or provided with bracket pieces D¹ which are located
above projecting lugs A¹ on the box, and bolts F connect the brackets D¹ and
the lugs A¹, and form means whereby the case D is held on to the base com-
partment E, and whereby the said case D can be adjusted upon its packing G.
Thus, when placed in the position shewn, the interior of the case D is watertight,
and the said case is readily accessible, and removable through the cover C of the
box A.
The electrical switch, which may be of any approved construction, is fitted
within the interior case 1), the particular switch I have shewn marked H, being
of cylindrical form, and operating in conjunction with two brushes H' H¹. One
end of the spindle J which carries the switch, is mounted in a bearing formed
in the interior of one side of the casing D, while the other end of the spindle J
projects through the other side of the casing by a packed gland, such as J¹.
The end of the spindle J on the exterior of the case D, is coupled to the
mechanism by which the switch is operated, as will be hereafter described.
The electrical conductors or mains such as K, K¹ pass from the outside, through
into the compartment E, which is closed by the case D, and the apertures by
which the conductors enter are closed watertight, by packing or other suitable
means.
These conductors terminate in upstanding parts or pillars K2 K2 which are
carried on insulators by a bracket E formed in the interior of the compart-
ment E. The terminals H2 H2 of the switch are carried on insulators by a
bracket I³ formed within the case D, and have downwardly projecting spring
clips, such for example, as split tubes H3 H³, which are adapted to fit and grip
closely upon the pins K2 K2. By this arrangement the electrical connections
are disconnected and remade by the act of removing and replacing the case D,
the tubular parts H3 H³ sliding off and on the pins K.
The operating mechanism for the switch is contained in the box A, and con-
sists of a revoluble spindle L, which is carried by bearings formed in a remov-
able bracket L', fixed by bolts to the walls of the box A.
The spindle L, which is to be operated by tappet action, carries a lever, or a
tappet wheel having several arms, such for example as that shewn at Fig. 1
marked M and indicated by dotted lines at Fig. 2 the spindle L being operated
through the tappet arm, or wheel M, by the action of the striker carried upon
the car.
The arrangement of this operating mechanism together with the arrange-
ment of the removable case D as described, presents advantages in that after the

page_text: removal of the said case D from the box A, I am enabled to readily remove
the spindle L and the parts connected therewith from the outer box A. It is
of considerable importance in practise that the switch and the operating mechan-
ism should be most accessible for removal and repairs and by the arrangement
described it will be seen that this end is attained according to my invention,
in a most effective and ready manner, the removal of the switch case D leaving
convenient space for disconnection and removal of the operating mechanism.
The end of the spindle L is to be connected to the end of the spindle J, and
these spindles are firstly brought into alignment as nearly as possible by the
adjustment of the case D but in order to allow for any slight deviation in such
alignment, I couple the ends of the spindles L and J by means of a suitable
form of universal joint. A form of joint suitable for this purpose is constructed
as follows; the end of the switch spindle is provided with a disc J³, having
a projecting rib J³ upon its outer face, there being a similar disc L² and rib
(shewn by dotted lines) upon the end of the spindle L. Between the faces
of these discs Ja L2, I fit an intermediate disc N having a groove on one face to
receive the rib J3 upon the switch spindle end, and a groove at right angles to
the first groove in the other face of the intermediate disc N, to receive the rib
upon the disc L2 of the operating spindle L, and by this connection any slight
variation in alignment will not affect the co-working of the two spindles K
and L, whilst at the same time the said coupling is readily detachable.
The box A is formed at A2 with a drainage aperture, which may be connected
to drainage pipes, to carry away the surface water entering the box A.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, declare that what I
claim as my improvements in or connected with boxes or cases for containing
switches and mechanism connected therewith for electrical traction to be as
follows:
-
1. An outer box containing mechanism by which a switch can be mechanically
operated, in combination with a removable switch-containing case adapted to
be placed inside the outer box, the operating spindle of the switch projecting
through a watertight bearing in the side of the inner case, means for rendering
the case watertight when in position and means for permitting it to be placed in
or removed from the outer box without dismounting the operating mechanism
located in the outer box, and means for detachably connecting the projecting
end of the switch shaft to the switch operating mechanism, substantially as
described.
2. An outer box having a spindle mounted therein, a lever on the spindle
whereby the latter is mechanically operated, and a seating formed in the interior
of the box, in combination with an inner removable switch-containing case,
adapted to be placed within the box and held to the seating whereby the case
is rendered watertight, a switch-operating spindle projecting through a bearing
in the side of the case, means for detachably connecting the switch-operating
spindle to the mechanically operated spindle within the box, and means for con-
necting the electric terminals of the switch to the electric connections within
the box, substantially as described.
3. An outer box containing mechanism to mechanically operate a switch shaft,
and a seating in its interior, in combination with a case containing an electric
switch. capable of being operated by movements of a spindle which projects
through a watertight bearing in the side of the case, the case having an open
base, and being capable of insertion into the box, so that the open edges of the
base rest on the seating in the box means for holding the case in position on its
seating, means for detachably connecting the switch spindle to the operating
mechanism within the box, and means for detachably connecting the electric
terminals of the switch located within the switch case to electric connections

page_text: in the box, which connections are covered by the switch case, substantially as
described.
4. An outer box having a spindle mounted therein, a lever on the spindle
whereby the latter is mechanically operated, a removable case to be placed inside
the box, a switch contained within the case and an operating spindle from the
switch extending through the said case, means for effecting the electrical con-
nection of the switch terminals with the conductor terminals in the box upon
the insertion of the switch case within the box, and means for rendering the
switch case watertight when fixed in position within the box, in combination
with means for adjusting and securing the switch case within the box and for
bringing the axes of the switch spindle and the operating spindle as nearly co-
incident as possible, and a detachable coupling of universal joint character
between the ends of the switch spindle and the operating spindle, substantially
as described.
5. An outer box, mechanism in the box to mechanically operate a switch
spindle, a case to be placed inside the box, a switch contained within the case,
a spindle projecting through the case for operating the switch, and a detachable
connection between the projecting switch spindle and the operating mechanism
in the outer box, in combination with an opening in the base of the switch case,
means for making a watertight joint between the edges of the said opening
and seating in the box, switch terminals with downwardly extending spring
sockets carried within the open base of the switch case, and electric connections
in the box terminating in upstanding parts adapted to enter the spring sockets
forming switch terminals, carried by the switch case when the latter is placed
in position, and thereby effect electrical connection, substantially as described.
6. An outer box, a mechanically operated shaft in the box to work a switch
spindle, a case to be placed inside the box, a switch contained within the case,
a spindle from the switch projecting through the case, an opening in the base
of the switch case, means for making a watertight joint between the edges of the
said opening of the case and a seating in the outer box, and electrical connections
to the switch; in combination with a universal joint connection between the ends
of the mechanically operated shaft in the outer box and the projecting end of
the switch spindle, consisting of a disc on the end of the switch spindle, a pro-
jecting rib on the face of the disc, a similar disc and rib on the end of the
operating shaft, and an intermediate loose disc, located between the two ribbed
dises aforesaid, and having a groove upon each face, the said grooves extending
at right angles to each other, and receiving the ribs of the discs, whereby rotary
motion can be communicated from the shaft to the switch spindle, even when not
perfectly aligned, and the coupling can be connected and detached by the act
of inserting or withdrawing the inner case, as described.
.
7. An outer box, a case to be placed in the interior of the box, a switch con-
tained within the case, a. spindle projecting through the case for operating the
switch, and means for rendering the case watertight when inserted in the outer
box, in combination with the mechanism mounted within the box, arranged at
the sides of the case to mechanically operate the switch spindle, a detachable
connection between the projecting switch spindle and the operating mechanism
in the outer box, the said operating mechanism being capable of ready removal
from the outer box after the removal of the switch case as set forth.
8. The combination of parts arranged and constructed substantially as and
for the purposes described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
D
1 11.
1001
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for the Applicant.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for the Applicant.