and the like Purposes, and Appliances Connected therewith.
Year: 1886

page_text: and the like Purposes, and Appliances Connected therewith.
I, WILLIAM MARSHALL, Permanent Way Superintendent, of 7, South Cross
Street Bury, in the County Palatine of Lancaster, do hereby declare the nature of
my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF ACTING POINTS FOR RAILWAYS,
TRAMWAYS, AND THE LIKE PURPOSES, AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH
to be as follows:-
"
The object of my Invention is the construction of a point or points for Railways,
Tramways, and the like purposes (hereinafter called a point) which shall have a
self-acting or automatic action for opening or closing the same, as circumstances
may require; thus, a facing point may always be kept closed, and a trailing point,
may, when required, be always kept open, and my Invention may be applied to
points which are automatic in action as well as to points which are actuated by
hand levers, or other similar contrivances under the control of a pointsman or other
attendant.
In the latter case my Invention will be used in combination with existing
systems for controlling points, but in the former case my Invention will be carried
out as hereinafter described.
Although the principle of my Invention may be applied to Railway points it is
probable that its more general application will be in connection with Tramways,
the principle, in either case, being the same, an illustration as applied to a Street
Tramway will suffice.
My Invention does not apply so much to the general construction and arrange-
ment of the point, as to the means by which the point is actuated, and my Invention
may be applied in some instances to existing points which are not automatic in
their action, and in some instances it may be applied to existing points which are
automatic in their action, by substituting my improved appliance or appliances for
the less effective appliances already in use.
I effect this object by placing between the rail or side of the point box, and the
tongue of the point, and near to the end thereof, an appliance partaking of the
nature of a Buffer or elastic button (hereinafter called the Buffer) this Buffer
comprises a case or box, a plunger or ram, and an internal spring or springs, which
may be either spiral, conical, volute, disc, or any other form of metallic spring
i Prine 8d1

page_text: suitable for use in a Buffer case, or a spring or springs of India Rubber or other
equivalent elastic substance may be employed.
The plunger of the Buffer may be made with or without head, but the end or
head of the plunger would be rounded so as to reduce the surface coming in
contact with the side of the tongue of the point.
This Buffer may be made complete in itself and be afterwards attached to the
outside of the tram rail or point box at a convenient position for use, a hole being
formed or bored through the web of the Rail or through the side of the point box
to admit the Buffer case or plunger.
When in position the plunger of the Buffer would, as in an ordinary Buffer, be
projected outwards from the case by the action of the spring, and coming in
contact with the side of the tongue of the point would force and keep it close in
position against the Rail or side of the point box with which it is required to act,
and it would be held securely in that position for the passage of vehicular traffic
in the direction to which the point was set, but when vehicles were coming the
opposite direction as from a branch, loop or pass-by line, the flange of the wheel
would cause the point to open, and the force thus employed would be like the
action of a wedge between the point and the Rail, causing the plunger of the
Buffer on the other side of the point to be forced back into the case and compress
the spring, and after the wheel or wheels of the vehicle or vehicles had thus passed
the point, the reaction of the spring would again project the plunger from the case
and close the point into the required position for the passage of vehicles in the
direction first described.
As a modification, the case of the Buffer may be constructed in the side of the
point box and the plunger case which would project on the outside or inside of
the Rail (as the case may be), may be made square for the convenience of fitting
the paving up to it, and the rail and point box; the inside of the Buffer case and
plunger would by preference be circular in form, or, the whole Buffer may be
circular and fitted inside a square Box attached to the outside of the point box or
rail, so as to form a protection to the Buffer case and likewise act as a receptacle
for the dirt and street refuse which may pass into the bed of the point which
could be drained into the dirt box through appertures provided for the purpose.
In the event of a square box or receptacle as that last described being employed,
it would be provided with a suitable lid or Cover.
When the Buffer is made complete in itself and afterwards attached to the
outside of the Tram Rail or point box, a water tight joint may be made by inter-
posing a washer of India Rubber, or other elastic water proof material between the
flanges of the Buffer case, and the rail or point box, and a Buffer may be attached
as herein described without any outer case or protecting medium.
As a further modification of my Invention a Buffer or Buffers as herein described
may be fitted with a bolt stud or rod projecting from the centre of the head or
plunger and made of sufficient length to pass through an elongated orifice in the
tongue of the point and through a hole in the Rail or point box on the opposite
side as the case may be, thus forming a guide both for the Buffer and for the
tongue of the point and likewise a means of preventing the tongue of the point
being jolted up above the level of the Rail, such bolt stud or rod may be arranged
with a head on its outer end by which it may be screwed in or out of the Buffer
head or plunger when it is necessary to take out and replace the tongue of the
point.
A plain bolt stud or rod may be used in a similar manner at the heel of the
point (in addition to the usual means employed) to prevent its rising out of place;
in such case it would pass through both the outer rails or sides of the point box, as
well as through a slightly elongated orifice in the tongue of the point and may be
secured by any ordinary means.
As an auxilliary to the Buffer and the appliance herein described for actuating
the point I sometimes employ a block or wedge of India Rubber of sufficient
thickness to fill up the space between the side of the tongue of the point and the

page_text: rail, or side of the point box, on the Buffer side, which acts as an additional
spring and cushion when the point is automatically opened by the approach of a
vehicle.
The essential feature of my Invention is the application of a spring Buffer or
Buffers, for actuating Railway or Tramway points as herein described.
Some of the advantages of such application being the simplicity of the appliance,
the comparatively small number of working parts, protection of the same from
damage, and consequent non-liability to get out of order.
R. HEBER RADFORD,
Agent for the Applicant.
and the like Purposes, and Appliances Connected therewith.
I WILLIAM MARSHALL Permanent Way Superintendant of 7 South Cross Street
Bury in the County Palatine of Lancaster do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of my Invention is to provide an efficient and simple point for
Railways Tramways and the like purposes having an automatic action so that they
return to their normal position after they have been moved therefrom by the
passage of a vehicle and my Invention may be applied to points which are actuated
by hand levers or other similar contrivances under the control of a pointsmen or
other attendant.
Although the principle of my Invention my be applied to Railway points it is
more especially applicable to Tramway points the principle in either case being
the same an illustration as applied to a Street Tramway will suffice. Figure 1 of
the accompanying drawing illustrates in plan and Figure 2 in cross section on the
line 1-2 Figure 1 a point constructed or arranged according to my Invention.
A is the casting of the point, and B is the moveable tongue having a rounded
but end B² moving against a similarly curved seat in the casting.
Between the rail or side of the point box and the tongue of the point, and near
to the end thereof, I place an appliance analogous to a spring buffer or elastic
button (hereinafter called the Buffer). This Buffer comprises a case or box C
a plunger or ram D and an internal spring or springs E which may be either spiral
conical, volute disc or of any other suitable form of metallic spring, or a spring or
springs of India-rubber or other equivalent elastic substance may be employed.

page_text: The said spring constantly exerts a pressure on the side of the tongue to force the
said tongue into its normal position as shewn in the Drawing.
The plunger of the Buffer may be made with or without a head but in any case
the end or head of the plunger should be rounded so as to reduce the surface coming
in contact with the side of the tongue of the point.
The Buffer may be made complete in itself and be afterwards attached to the
outside of the tram rail or point box at a convenient position for use, a hole being
formed or bored through the web of the rail or through the side of the point box
to admit the buffer case or plunger.
When in position, the plunger of the buffer will as on an ordinary buffer be
projected outwards from the case by the action of the spring and coming in contact
with the side of the tongue of the point would force and keep it close in position
against the rail or side of the point box with which it is required to act and it will
by this means be held securely in its normal position for the passage of vehicular
traffic in one direction, but when vehicles are coming in the opposite direction the
flange of the forward wheel acting between the point and the rail, will cause the
point to open, the plunger of the buffer on the other side of the point being
forced back into the case and against the pressure of the spring which is then
compressed and after the vehicle has passed the point the reaction of the spring
from its compressed state will project the plunger from the case which will move
over the tongue and close the point into its norinal position.
The case of the buffer may be constructed in the side of the point box and the
plunger case may be made square for the convenience of fitting the paving up to
it and the rail and point box, the inside of the buffer case and plunger is by
preference circular in form and indeed the whole buffer may be circular and be
fitted inside a square box as shewn at G in the drawing the said box being
provided with a suitable lid or cover and being attached to or cast on the outside
of the point box or rail so as to form a protection to the buffer case.
When the buffer is made complete in itself and afterwards attached to the
outside of the tram rail or point box a water tight joint may be made by
interposing a washer of India rubber or other elastic water proof material between
the flanges of the buffer case and the rail or point box and a buffer may be
attached as herein described without any outer case or protecting medium.
The said Buffer may if desired be fitted with a bolt stud or rod projecting from
the centre of the head or plunger and made of sufficient length to pass through an
elongated orifice in the tongue of the point and through a hole in the rail or point
box on the opposite side, thus forming a guide both for the buffer and for the
tongue of the point and likewise a means of preventing the tongue of the point
being jolted up above the level of the rail such bolt stud or rod may be arranged
with a head on its outer end by which it may be screwed in or out of the Buffer
head or plunger when it is necessary to take out and replace the tongue of the
point.
A bolt stud or rod may be used in a similar manner at the heel of the point and
at any suitable intermediate position (in addition to or in substitution for the
usual means employed) to prevent the tongue from rising out of place, the said bolt
or bolts passing through both the outer rails or sides of the point box and through
elongated orifices in the tongue and secured by any ordinary means.
In the
drawing, I have shewn two such bolts marked E.
As an auxiliary to the buffer and the appliance herein described for actuating
the point, I sometimes employ a block or wedge of India rubber in the space
between the side of the tongue of the point and rail or side of the point box on
the Buffer side which elastic block acts as an additional spring and as a cushion
when the point is automatically opened by the approach of a vehicle.
My invention may be applied in some instances to existing points which are not
automatic in their action and in some instances it may be applied to existing
points which are automatic in their action by substituting my improved appliance
or appliances for the less effective appliances already in use.

page_text: Some of the advantages of my improved point are the simplicity of the appliance
the comparatively small number of working parts protection of the same from
damage and consequent non liability to get out of order.
Having now particulary described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
In a railway or tramway point the combination of a spring or buffer situated at
the side of the tongue of the point so that it serves to retain the tongue in its
normal position but is compressed when the tongue is opened and by reaction from
this compression will when the tongue is released automatically press the tongue
into its normal position substantially as described.
Second. In a railway or tramway point with a tongue capable of movement
sideways a rounded butt end B³ to the tongue seated against a similarly rounded
seat in the casting or fixed portion of the point in combination with a guiding bolt
or rod or bolts or rods passing through an opening or openings in the tongue so as
to act as a guide or as guides thereto substantially as herein before described.
Third. The arrangement and combination of parts constituting the point and
appliances substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings.