IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CROSSINGS AND SWITCHES, AND IN APPA- RATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, ALSO IN THE MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Stokes Williams, of Riverton, New Jersey, United
States of America, now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CROSSINGS AND SWITCHES, AND IN APPA-
RATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, ALSO IN THE MEANS FOR
MANUFACTURING THE SAME."
Sealed the 9th September 1879, and dated the 18th March 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Stokes Williams at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th March 1879.
JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS, of Riverton, New Jersey, United States of America,
now of 8, Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CROSSINGS
AND SWITCHES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, ALSO
IN THE MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME."
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of switches, crossings,
and crossing lines of railways, and to apparatus employed or applicable in connec-
tion therewith; also to improved methods or processes of and means for
manufacturing various parts of the same to ensure precision of form, efficiency, and
durability in working, and economy of time, labor, and materials in the construction
of the said parts or pieces, and facility for combining or putting together of the
same.
One part of my Invention consists in constructing switch-rails or shifting pieces,
and the bearing surfaces for the wheels of the vehicles to be employed in conjunction
therewith; also interlocking apparatus and parts ordinarily combined with the
same by means of dies, moulds, or forms which impart the shape and finish required
for the particular piece or part, in order that such switch, or shifting piece, or other
part, or any or all of them, may be with certainty and facility placed in position, or
combined with the other parts to be employed in conjunction therewith. The dies
or moulds for manufacturing these pieces or parts are provided with suitable pro-
jections and recesses on or in plates or in the periphery of rolls; the said recesses
and projections define and impart the particular curve, bend, taper, angle, or other
shape to the piece which is formed by them. In some cases I employ rolls mounted
in a frame, these rolls being geared together and put in operation to formn any par-
ticular piece or part. The recesses upon the rolls impart to the said piece or part
1021

page_text: corresponding projections, or admit such projections when partially or entirely
formed thereon, while the projections on the rolls form or admit corresponding
recesses on the said piece or part. The rod, bar, or piece of metal is drawn between
the said rolls, and as it passes, the projections and recesses upon the rolls impart to
the piece their corresponding shapes or forms. The dies or moulds form or shape
the shifting piece to the desired angle for the crossing to which it is applicable.
The said rolls are arranged to revolve continuously in one direction, or they may
be reversed or caused to rotate first in one and then in the other direction, according
to the length of the piece passing between them; that is to say, by reversing the
movement of the rolls, the piece may be made to pass backwards and forwards as
many times as may be necessary or desirable to give it the required form. By
means of a screw or other suitable device, the pressure may be increased or
diminished so that the rolls compress or give form to the piece gradually as the said
piece is subjected to successive passes under or between the rolls.
In some instances I use a table or platform which supports a die or form, this
table with its die or form being moved forwards and backwards under the roll or
rolls. The said table or platform may be supported and guided on a "former" to
aid in giving a particular form or angle to the piece being made. In operating the
roll or rolls in combination with the said table they are moved in the same direction
.and at the same speed. .
In some cases I use a series of rolls, the successive rolls each performing a specific
and determined amount of work upon the part or piece subjected to them, the last
roll completing or finishing the said part or piece.
In constructing machinery for the manufacture of railway interlocking apparatus
and other parts used in connection therewith, I employ various peculiar devices in
combination with dies or forms.
For instance, in constructing levers for such apparatus by machinery, I employ
rolls either alone or in combination with a die on a table, the said rolls or the
combined rolls and die having on or in them the forms to be imparted to the said
lever; the said rolls may be sufficiently large to take or operate on the entire length
of the said lever within one revolution of the rolls. The lever-bar passes between
clamps which bind the end of the lever to such angle, if any, as may be desired,
also completing the ends of the same while the lever-bar is retained, and by means
of a die operated by hydraulic or other pressure the holes are punched and bosses
or other projections or cavities as may be desirable formed on the lever.
Instead of forming the lever in its entire length and bending the end thereof I
may use two pieces moved to cross each other, and they are then welded or united,
and by means of a suitable form or die the necessary holes are made in or through
them ; or instead of welding or uniting the pieces to each other, the short and long
arm may be formed separately by the rolls or dies, the boss or central portion being
provided with sockets to receive the said arms.
The bell crank levers employed in connection with railway switches, crossings,
and signals may be similarly constructed by means of such machinery fitted with
dies or forms and punching devices. The compensating levers for railway apparatus
I also construct by means of such properly formed rolls or rolls and dies and
clamping compressing devices arranged to form the bosses and ribs; for additional
strength also to punch the holes in the said lever while the pieces are retained in
the clamps or forms; that is to say, according to my Invention, the said levers and
other parts of interlocking apparatus are provided with the necessary holes which
are either punched or drilled by machinery so arranged that any lever or other
part completed thereby will fit in any apparatus where a similar piece has been
used or is applicable; I ensure similar advantages in the construction of all parts of
such apparatus by the employment of the machinery combined with dies, formers,
and other devices adapted to produce the various forms of rockers, cams, links, bars,
with projections and recesses, slotted or otherwise.
The machinery hereinbefore described is also adapted for constructing the catch-
rod, hand-levers, and parts moved by the same. Also for constructing the quadrants

page_text: complete, either of the ordinary or improved patterns; also a supporting plate for the
quadrants, so that they will be equidistant when in their places.
I also provide a supporting plate for the point and signal levers, so that the
brackets which retain such levers will occupy their proper relative position to the
quadrants and to each other.
My Invention also comprises an improved form of bell-crank lever and means for
coupling the connecting rods to the same or to other parts of the apparatus. For
this purpose the bell-crank-lever is formed with ring ends, and the connecting rod
is formed with a corresponding ring-shaped end or hook.
The said Invention also comprises improvements in various forms of dies, moulds,
and formers, and means for using the same, for shaping and constructing various
forms of switches, crossings, and other parts, including special parts applicable in
the construction and working of crossing lines or modifications thereof, as shewn
and described in the Specifications of former Letters Patent, No. 3256, A.D. 1877,
and Nos. 995, 2720, and 3692, A.D. 1878.
The said Invention also relates to improvements in the construction of a switch
in which I shift the main and side line rails to meet the main-rails. I construct
the meeting rails of the main line with blunt points to lap each other, and arrange
the side line rail also to lap the main line; by these means I obviate the open joints
and the wear of the main and side line-rail in combination, and give increased
strength to the switch-rails. This double rail may be used in combination with a
movable taper rail or stationary taper rail and guard-rail, or with a double shifting
piece on the opposite side of the line; these switch rails can be combined and
operated as set forth in the Specifications of the said previous Letters Patent.
In order to construct crossing lines economically and with facility I employ
longitudinal sleepers or bearers which are connected or combined with the ordinary
or other sleepers that support the crossed line; these longitudinal sleepers may be
varied in form and may have chairs attached to them, or the said sleepers may be
constructed to hold the rails in their proper position. When I desire to construct
the crossing line at a higher level the sleepers provide the necessary elevation either
in combination with or without the chairs; or the rail may be made of increased
depth and may be sufficiently strong to obviate the necessity for the great number
of sleepers now employed on the outside of the main line.
In arranging crossing lines when the same are to have a higher level than the
line to be crossed, I sometimes employ chairs specially constructed of greater depth
below the rail to raise the crossing line. I provide inclined surfaces on chairs or
inclined surfaces of wood or metal, which are combined with the chairs supported
thereby when such crossing line is so constructed as to transfer the vehicles from
the crossing line to the crossed or main line throughout the switch rails ou a level,
but without cutting or dividing the crossed rail at the crossing where a piece is
ordinarily used.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Joseph Stokes Williams in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th September 1879.
JOSEPH STOKES WILLIAMS, of Riverton, New Jersey, United States of America,
now of 8, Southmpton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY CROSSINGS
AND SWITCHES, AND IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, ALSO
IN THE MEANS FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME."
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of switches, crossings,
and crossing lines of railways, and to apparatus employed or connected therewith;
also to improved methods or processes of and means for manufacturing various
parts of the same to ensure precision of form, efficiency, and durability in working,
and economy of time, labour, and materials in the construction of the said parts or
pieces, and facility for the combining or putting together of the same.
One part of my Invention consists in constructing switch rails or shifting pieces
and bearing surfaces (for the wheels) to be employed in conjunction therewith; also
apparatus and parts ordinarily combined with the same by means of dies, moulds,
or forms which impart the shape and finish required for any particular piece or part
in order that the switch or shifting piece or other part, or any or all of them, may
be with certainty and facility placed in position or combined with the other parts
to be employed in conjunction therewith.
The dies or moulds for manufacturing the aforesaid pieces or parts are provided
with suitable projections and recesses on or in plates or the periphery of rolls;
the said recesses and projections define and impart the particular curve, bend, taper,
or angle, or other shape to the piece which is formed by them. In some cases I
employ rolls mounted in a frame of suitable strength, these rolls being geared
together and properly put in operation to form any particular piece or part. The
recesses upon the rolls impart to the said piece or part corresponding projections, or
admit such projections when partially or entirely formed thereon, while the pro-
jections on the rolls form or allow the admission of corresponding recesses on the
said piece or part. The rod, bar, or piece of metal is drawn between the said rolls,
and as it passes through them the projections and recesses upon the rolls impart to
the said piece their shapes or forms. The dies or moulds form or shape the shifting
pieces to the desired angle for the crossing to which it is applicable.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan of a shifting piece to complete or form a crossing over an
undivided rail.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, and
'
Figures 3 and 4 are transverse sections on the lines x, x, and y, y, Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a front elevation of a pair of rolls provided with the necessary pro
jections and recesses to give to the metal passing between them the desired form
for this shifting piece, the said rolls being mounted in a frame and operated as
hereinafter described.
Figure 6 is an end elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 5.
In these Figures a, a, represent the rolls mounted upon shafts b, b, which are
supported in standards c, c, and geared together by toothed wheels b¹; b', fixed upon
the said shafts; d, d, represent screws, which afford the means for varying the
The said screws
pressure of the rolls upon the metal passing between the same.
may be geared together, as shewn, or the pressure may be varied by other means,
as may be expedient. Figure 5 shews the rolls in the position they occupy when
they form the portion of the shifting piece corresponding with the section shewn in
Figure 3; a represents a section of the metal between the rolls.
The rolls a, a, are arranged to revolve continuously in one direction, or may be
reversed or caused to rotate first in one and then in the other direction, according
to the length of the piece passing between them; that is to say, by reversing the

page_text: movement of the rolls the metal piece may be made to pass backward and forward
as many times as may be necessary or desirable to give it the required form. By
means of the screws d or other suitable devices the pressure may be increased or
diminished, so that the rolls compress or give form to the metal piece gradually as
the said piece is subjected to successive passes through or between the rolls a, a.
Figure 7 is a side elevation, and Figure 8 is an end view shewing a roll in com-
bination with a movable table upon which a die or form is supported, the said roll
and die or form being provided with the necessary projections and recesses to impart
the required shape to the shifting piece. Figures 9 and 10 shew modifications
thereof, as hereinafter described.
In these Figures the table or platform e which supports the die or form e¹ is
moved forward and backward under the roll or rolls a on V-shaped ways e*, and
the said roll and die or form impart the necessary shape to the metal a* passing
between them, the pressure upon this metal being regulated by screws or otherwise.
The said table or platform may be supported on a former, that is to say, a device
which assists in giving a particular form or angle to the piece being made. In
operating the roll or rolls a in combination with the said die or form e¹ on the
table e they are moved in the same direction and at the same speed. As shewn in
Figures 7 and 8, the said table is provided on its underside with a rack e², into
which a toothed wheel f' on the driving shaft f gears, thereby imparting to the said
table and die or form the desired position and movement. In some instances I
ensure the proper relative positions and movements of the roll a and the table e
carrying the die or form e¹ by gearing together the main or driving shaft f and the
shaft b carrying the said roll.
Figure 9 is a side elevation shewing the table e carrying the die or form e¹
supported upon rollers, and working thereon in its backward and forward move-
ments.
In some cases I use a series of rolls, the successive rolls each performing a specific
and determined portion of the work upon the part or piece subjected to them, the
last roll completing or finishing the said part or piece.
Figure 10 is a side elevation shewing two rolls a arranged in connection with the
die or form e¹, the said rolls being combined with means for varying the pressure
upon the metal, as hereinbefore described.
Figure 11 is a plan of a machine in which a number of rolls are employed in
combination with a bed-plate and die or form.
Figure 12 is a side elevation
Figure 13 is an end elevation, and
Figure 14 is a longitudinal section of the said machine.
It will be seen by reference to these Figures that the rolls a are supported upon
shafts b, which are journalled in the endless chains g, g, running over rollers g', g¹³,
at the front of the machine, and over the toothed wheels g³, g², at the rear of the
same, motion being imparted to the said toothed wheels g², g², by suitable gearing,
preferably as shewn; g³, g³, represent projections on the wheels g², g², which pro-
jections as the wheels rotate impart motion to the aforesaid chains g, g, thereby
causing the rolls a to successively act upon the metal in the die or form e¹.
In constructing machinery for the manufacture of railway interlocking apparatus
and other parts used in connection therewith, I employ various devices in com-
bination with dies or forms.
Figure 15 is an end view, and Figure 16 is a sectional view shewing a pair of
rolls for forming or constructing such levers, and Figures 17, 18, 19, and 20, shew
various forms of levers as formed by the said rolls or dies. In constructing a lever
according to this part of my Invention by machinery I employ rolls a either alone
or in combination with a die on a table, the said rolls or the combined rolls and
die having the projections and recesses which impart to the metal the necessary
form of the lever, as illustrated in Figures 17, 18, 19, or 20, the said rolls being
sufficiently large to take or operate on the entire length of the said lever in one
revolution. In order to avoid straining the metal where the end is bent at an

page_text: angle to the body of the lever, I prefer to form the lower end of the same as shewn
in Figures 17 and 19; or I leave a greater amount of metal at the angular portion
of the completed lever, as shewn in Figure 18; Figure 20 shews a lever, the lower
angular portion of which is formed separately. The lever bar passes between
clamps which bend the end of the lever to the angle desired, and also complete the
ends of the same. While the lever is thus retained the necessary holes are punched
in it by means of a die operated by hydraulic or other pressure, and bosses or
projections or cavities as may be desirable are formed in the lever.
Instead of forming the lever in its entire length and bending the end thereof,
I may use two pieces moved to cross each other, and which are then wel ded or
united by a suitable form or die above and below the piece, and the necessary holes
are then made in or through them.
'
The bell-crank levers employed in connection with railway switches, crossings,
and signals, may be similarly constructed by means of machinery fitted with
suitable dies or forms and punching devices.
Figures 21 and 22 represent different forms of bell-crank levers completed.
Figure 23 shews a pair of rolls for giving to the said bell-crank levers a form
similar to the lower end of the lever shewn in Figure 17; Figures 24, 25, and 26,
shew different forms of blanks produced by the rolls, and Figure 27 shews a series
of blanks.
1.
These bell-crank lever blanks are subsequently bent to the desired angle or form
by means of V-shaped dies or clamps, and are operated upon by hydraulic or other
pressure to complete them by forming on them bosses or other projections or cavities,
or punching in them the necessary holes.
The compensating levers for railway switch and signal apparatus I also construct
by means of properly formed rolls, or rolls and dies, and clamping compressing
devices arranged to form the bosses and ribs for additional strength, and if desired
I also punch the holes in the said lever while the pieces are retained in the clamps
or forms, as described with reference to the switch and bell crank levers.
Figure 28 shews a completed compensating lever, and
Figure 29 is a front view of the rolls for forming the same.
Figure 30 shews the blank formed by the said rolls.
Levers and other parts so constructed are provided with the necessary holes,
which are either punched or drilled by machinery so arranged that any lever or
other part completed thereby will fit in any apparatus where a similar piece has
been used or is applicable, that is to say, any number of duplicates or counterparts
of either one of such levers or parts may be accurately produced:
The said Invention also comprises improvements in various forms of dies, moulds,
or formers, and means for using the same, for shaping and constructing various
special forms of switches, crossings, and other parts applicable in the construction
and working of crossing lines.
Figure 31 shews a tapered switch-rail formed with a guard, and
Figure 32 is a front view of a pair of rolls for forming the same,' the said rolls
being provided with the necessary projections and recesses, and operated similarly
to those hereinbefore described; or a mould or form supported upon a table may be
used in combination with a roll or rolls, as described with reference to Figures
7 to 14.
Figure 33 is a plan of the taper side line rail which is arranged in combination
with the shifting piece to afford the means for crossing an undivided rail.
Figure 34 is a side view of the said taper rail; and
Figures 35 and 36 are transverse sections of the same on the lines x¹, x, x², x³,
Figure 33.
Figure 37 is a front view of a pair of rolls to be employed in forming the said
taper rail.
This side line rail which is employed in combination with the shifting piece is
bent to the special angle for the crossing, and the point is formed at such bent
end of the rail; one side of the said point extends parallel or nearly so to the

page_text: web of the rail, thus ensuring greater strength than if the web were destroyed
or diminished in forming such point. The said taper part or point is formed by
compressing the metal into dies or forms on the surface of rolls or otherwise, as
hereinbefore described.
.
The said Invention also relates to improvements in the construction of a
switch, in which I shift the main and side line rails to meet the main-line rails.
Figure 38 is a plan of the said switch. It will be seen by reference to this
Figure of the Drawings that the meeting rails of the main line are provided with
blunt points or angular surfaces at h* to lap each other, and that the side-line rail i
outside of the gauge of the main line also laps the main-line rail h at i¹; by these
means I obviate the open joints and the wear of the main and the side line rails, as
the vehicles passing over the main line h wear or destroy the main line rails only,
and I ensure increased strength to the switch rails. This double rail may be used
in combination with a movable taper rail as shewn, or with a stationary taper
rail and guard-rail, or with a double shifting piece on the opposite side of the line;
these switch-rails can be combined and operated in any known manner. By
forming such lapping switch-rail outside the gauge with an end which extends
below the surface of the meeting main-line rail, I provide for the difference in the
height of the rails caused by excess of traffic on the main line.
Having thus fully described my said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. The manufacture or formation as herein described of the shifting pieces
(applicable for crossings where the crossing line extends on both sides of the line or
rail to be crossed), by means of peculiarly or specially constructed rolls, dies,
moulds, or forms and pressure, substantially as described with reference to the
accompanying Drawings.
Second. The manufacture or formation of levers such as are herein illustrated
by means of specially constructed rolls, dies, moulds, or forms and pressure,
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The manufacture of the peculiarly formed switch-rail illustrated in
Figure 31 by means of specially constructed rolls, dies, forms, or moulds and
pressure, substantially as described with reference to the accompanying Drawings.
Fourth. Forming the end of a rail as illustrated in Figures 33 to 36 by means of
specially constructed rolls, dies, forms, or moulds and pressure, substantially as
described with reference to the accompanying Drawings and for the purpose specified.
Fifth. The construction and arrangement or combination of switch rails, sub-
stantially as described with reference to Figure 38 of the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Stokes Williams, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of September, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
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