Improvements in Switches and in Suspenders for Overhead Conductors in Electric Railways.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 2200 mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Mar., 1889-Accepted, 10th Aug., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Switches and in Suspenders for Overhead
Conductors in Electric Railways.
I, CHARLES JOSEPH VAN DEPOELE of No. 57 Center Street in the City of Lynn,
County of Essex Massachusetts, United States of America, Electrician 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:-
of way.
One part of my invention relates to an improved means for suspending and
supporting the current supplying conductor or conductors of an electric railway of
the type in which the current is taken from an overhead conductor by a contact
device travelling with the moving vehicle. Suspended supply conductors are usually
carried by devices suspended from cross wires attached to poles placed along the line
Devices heretofore used for this purpose have usually depended in some
manner below the cross supporting wire and so have been subject to the lateral strain
of the conductor wherever said conductor was deflected from a straight course and on
curves. By an improvement these difficulties are entirely overcome and a suspending
device provided by which the conductor can be securely held in any desired position
and which at the same time provides ample clearance for the contact trolley. The
device embodying the principal feature of this part of my invention I have called an
"arched suspender" and a prominent feature of the improvement resides in the fact
that the conductor is by means thereof supported in the same transverse plane as
the cross wire and therefore cannot tilt its immediate support whatever the desired
position of the conductor, a difficulty frequently interfering seriously with the operation
of a railway when equipped with downwardly extending supporting devices. Other
advantages incident to my improvement will be hereinafter pointed out together with
the preferred form of construction and arrangement. In the drawings,
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the simplest form of my conductor supporting
devices.
Fig. 2 is a view in elevation showing the poles and track of an electric railway,
together with the conductor supporting devices in position upon the cross wire.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail of the conductor and suspending devices.
Fig. 3 is an end view of the arched suspender shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a detail elevation showing an end view of the form of suspender used in
some positions.
Fig. 4 is a similar view showing a modified construction.
Fig. 5 is a view in elevation showing the arched suspender with additions adapting
it for connection with anchorage cables.
Fig. 6 is a view also in elevation showing the arched suspender connected to duplex
anchorage ears.
Fig. 6 and 6 are details showing attachment of anchorage lugs.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of anchorage plate combined with an arched suspender.
Fig. 7 is an end view on the line 7, 7 of Fig. 7.
Fig. 7 is an end view showing a slightly different form of the parts shown in
Fig. 7.

page_text: Fig. 8, and 10-are views indicating a number of different shapes which my arched
suspending devices may assume.
Similar letters denote like parts throughout.
As illustrated in the drawings my improved wire suspending devices comprises, as
seen in Fig. 1, a metal arch. A, to the extremities of which the supporting cross
wires a, a are attached. As shown, the insulators B, B, are interposed between the
extremities of the cross wires a, a, and the extremities of the arch .A.
of insulation are however, used in this connection.
Other means
The insulators, B, B, may be dispensed with and the cross wires attached directly
to the extremities of the arch as seen in Fig. 7. To the central portion of the
arch A, and extending therefroin at right angles is formed an ear C, which is made
tapering towards its extremities and grooved upon its underside, the conductor D, to
be suspended, being firmly secured to the groove in the ear C, preferably by soldering
or brazing, although other means of attachment may be employed.
In Fig. 2 E represents the track of an electric railway F, F, are poles near the line
of way, a, a are the cross wires which may be heavy galvanized iron wire or wire
cable and A A¹ are two arched suspenders supporting conductors 1), D, of positive
and negative polarity respectively. Where, as in the present instance, two suspended
conductors are used, the suspenders A', A', are placed in proximity to each other and
their adjacent ends united by a link d, of insulating material. Their outer ends are also
connected to insulating devices e,e, the extremities of which are attached to the wires a, a,
by which the suspending and insulating devices and the conductors secured thereto
are supported at the desired height above the track. The suspenders A, A², in Figs. 1
and 7, are shown as being provided with extended end portions a, a, but this is not
essential, the ordinary form in which the suspended device is constructed being seen
in Fig. 3. The form of the arch A, is not restricted to that shown in Fig. 1, and for
the sake of illustration other shapes are indicated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, all of which
embody the principles of this part of my invention.
It will be noted that the conductor supporting device depending from or attached
to the central portion of the arch or curve of the suspender, does not extend below the
plane of the point of attachment for the cross wires by which the suspender is supported,
the object being to provide strong, durable and substantial means for supporting an
aerial conductor, whether in a straight or deflected line, and I find that by arranging
the conductor and its transverse supports in the same horizontal plane that the said
suspender will carry the conductor in any desired position without being itself deflected
or caused to kick up at one end on account of the lateral strain of the conductor.
The arched or curved form of the suspender is to allow free passage of the flanges of
the trolley wheel and any form of device by which the main conductor can be supported
substantially in the same plane as its transverse supports with space on each side of
its said support for the passage of the flanges of the trolley wheel is included in my
invention.
My improved suspender is particularly useful in supporting the conductor above
curved portions of the track since by its use I am enabled to make a firm and strong
connection with the conductor which is supported in its position by the lateral and
slightly upward pull of the cross wire, which on curves need only be attached to one
side of the arched suspender. In this instance prefer for appearances to use a
suspender A³, having one side cut away substantially as shown in Fig. 4, although I
may use the complete form either with a single or with a double cross wire.
In many instances it is desirable to connect an anchorage cable, with straight
portions of the main conductor for the purpose of holding guy or other cables upon
curved portions of the track, as also to in some instances relieve long straight portions
of conductor from the great longitudinal strain of long length's of wire grades, etc., as
well as to keep said straight positions taut. For use in positions where a moderate
longitudinal strain is applied to the conductor, I form ears G, upon the upper edges
of the ear C, to which an anchorage cable or cables g, can be attached.
In positions where a greater. strain must be applied to the conductor instead of
employing the suspending device with the added ears G I provide means detached

page_text: from the arch A, which itself is formed with a short bracket or lug H, to which is
attached a metal bar I, the extremities of which are secured to ears i, i, each of for
example 12 inches in length, and grooved on their underside for permanent attach-
ment to the conductor, substantially as in the case of the ear C. This arrangement
offers an extremely durable and efficient connection with the conductor and one
capable of withstanding great longitudinal strain. The anchorage cable or cables g',
are secured directly to the bar I, or to an ear G₁, formed on or attached thereto. As
seen in Figs. 6* and 6 the anchorage cable is secured to an ear G2 which is in the
form of a strap passing over and attached to both sides of the bar I.
Where, as may sometimes happen, it is desired to attach anchorage devices at
points where the main conductor, has been spliced or to provide extra support where
joints are made, I employ the construction shown in Fig. 7, 7 or 7 in which
three ears J, j, j, are provided. The ears j, j, are soldered upon the conductor in the
manner described, and secured at opposite ends of their support after which the end
portions to be united are abutted under and soldered fast in the groove of the central
ear J. The three ears J, j, j, are secured to a metallic, preferably steel plate or bar I',
which is then attached to the bracket H, of the arched suspender A².
As seen in Figs. 7 and 7, the central ear J, is formed with an offset or rabbett at
its upper edge, said upper edge resting against the outer side of the plate I¹, the ear
and plate being firmly secured to the bracket H, of the suspender by through bolts h..
In Fig. 7, however, I have shown a slightly modified and a preferable construction.
In this form the lower portion k, k, of the ear L, is formed at one side thereof so that
the plate I, being centrally supported under the arched suspender and the ear L,
attached at one side thereof, the grooved part k, of the ear L, and the conductor
supported therein, will be directly under the central line of the arch.
As seen in Fig. 7, the anchorage cable g, is attached at one side only of the plate I,
and in some positions, as where, the conductor is deflected from a straight line, the
sidewise pull exerted by a cable attached in this manner will be of advantage, but
where the anchorage cable is in line with the conductor and no deflection is desired,
the connection will be in line with the said plate and with the conductor as indicated
by the form of attachment shown in Figs. 6 and 6°.
On straight portions of the line it is usual to suspend the conductor by securing
thereto an ear, such for example as i, and suspending the conductor by connecting
said ear vertically with the cross wire; mere vertical suspension being all that is
required. Where, however, it is preferred to support the conductor more firmly and
permanently than by the method just described, my arched suspenders will be used
and it will be understood that where the arched suspender is used on straight portions'
of the track it is not essential that the conductor be at all times in the same horizontal
plane as the cross wires, so that for such uses the suspender may be modified in many ·
ways without departing from the spirit of this part of the invention.
It is essential however, that the conductor be in the same horizontal plane as its
transverse supports wherever it is subjected to lateral strain.
I have described the arched suspender as a single casting spanning the conductor
and provided with a depending central portion for attachment thereto, but this form
is not essential as the desired results may be retained with a modified construction.
An illustration of this is found in Fig. 4 in which is shown an arched suspender to
all intents and purposes the same as the solid casting shown in the other figures of
the drawings, but formed of two separate parts, A' A' each similar to the form shewn
in Fig. 4, the extremities of which engage opposite sides of the ear C', to which the
conductor is attached. The arches A, A, may be separately attached to the ear C¹,
or be attached opposite to each other and connected and secured to the ear C¹ to which
they are united as shown by a through bolt a². The arches A4, A5, may also be further
united by a bolt or rivet a to prevent a shearing movement between thein which would
be likely to break the bolt a².
Other modifications and changes in this part of my said invention will suggest
themselves to persons skilled in the art, and I therefore do not limit myself to the
forms shown and described by way of necessary illustration.

page_text: The next part of my invention relates to improvements in switches for electric
conductors.
•
Fig. 11 is a perspective view of my improved switch.
Fig. 12 is an elevation partly in section, showing a slightly different form thereof.
Fig. 13 is an inverted plan view and
Ji
Fig: 14 is a top plan view of switches embodying another form of my invention.
Fig. 15 is a view in elevation partly in section of the form shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 16 is an end view on the line 6, 6, of Fig. 4.
Fig. 17 is a view on the line 7, 7, of Fig. 3.
Figs. 18 and 19 are respectively views in plan and elevation of a crossing switch.
Fig. 20 is a plan view of an adjustable crossing switch.
Fig. 21 is an elevation partly in section of the adjustable switch shown in Fig. 20.
Similar letters denote like parts throughout.
+
As illustrated in the drawings A is the main conductor entering the switch, and A¹
and B, are the main and branch conductors; issuing therefrom.
As seen in Fig. 11, the main conductor A, is permanently secured to the underside
of a rib C, which rib is secured or formed integral with a plate or surface F, and
terminates before reaching the central portion thereof. From the opposite end of
the plate F, extend two ribs D), E.
The ribs C, D, E, are separated substantially as are the ribs C¹, D¹ E¹, seen in
inverted plan view Fig. 13, so that the trolley entering by one can pass from one to
the other according to the direction in which the car is travelling. The spaces between
the ends of the conductors A A1, A2, are adjusted to suit the width of the contact
wheel and allow it to pass from either one of the ribs or conductors to the other one
across the triangular space between their extremities without striking against or
engaging the wrong conductor. The plate or surface F, is provided and so located as
to bridge the space between the ends of the conductors or ribs which themselves are.
supported by the ribs already referred to, and said plate is desirably formed integral
with the ribs so that the plate and ribs may be formed in a single casting. This is not
essential, however, as it will be understood that the ribs and plate may be separately
formed and subsequently assembled in any convenient manner. As shown, however,.
the plate F and ribs C, D, E, are integral, and, moreover the plate F, is for convenience
extended somewhat beyond its actually essential, limits and also provided with down-
wardly extending side flanges ƒ, which are flared outwardly at each end so as to assist.
in guiding a rough or worn trolley wheel through the switch. The depth of the ribs
from the plate F, usually corresponds with the depth of the grooves in the trolley.
wheel so that as the trolley enters the switch its flanges will touch or almost touch the
inside of the plate F, and when passing across the open space between the ends of the
ribs and conductors the flanges of the trolley will be in actual contact with the under-
side of the plate so that the electrical contact will not be interrupted. Furthermore,
by these means I provide for the passage of the trolley wheel through the switch"
without any change in its horizontal plane so that no juinping, jerking and consequent
sparking will take place.
:
In Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, I have shown a form differing slightly from Fig. 11
in that the ribs are somewhat deeper and the main conductor is arranged to cross the
upper side of the plate F, instead of being cut as in Figs. 11 and 12 and attached to
the lower side of the ribs C, D, E, or directly to the lower side of the plate as
indicated in Fig. 12. As seen in Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, ribs C1, D1, E1, are formed
upon the underside of the plate F, their inner ends being separated by such intervals
as will permit the proper and free passage of the trolley wheels between them. The
outer ends of the said ribs are tapered or sloped upward and extend from the plate F,
in the same direction as the main conductors. The upper surfaces of the ribs C¹, D¹,
and E, are longitudinally grooved to receive the main conductors A, A, B, which
are secured therein by soldering as indicated in Figs. 13 and 17, or by clamps a,
which may be formed integral with the said ribs, or by any other suitable means.
The crossing shown in Figs. 18 and 19, comprises 4 equidistant arms or ribs H, H, I, 11,
which are centrally secured to a disc or flat surface J.
The lower edges of the arms.

page_text: or ribs H, H, I l', are grooved to receive their lower edge extends downward and:
terminates near the circumference of the disc J, leaving sufficient space between the
conductor supporting portions of the said arms to allow for any desired adjustment of
the ends of the conductors. In adjusting the crossing one of the conductors, for
example, h, is permanently secured in the grooves in the lower sides of the.
arms H, H¹, after which the central portion of said conductor is cut away and the
ends rounded off substantially as indicated in Fig. 19, leaving sufficient space for a
trolley wheel to pass transversely between them. The other main conductor i, i is
then similarly secured to the other pair of arms and also cut away to permit the
passage of a trolley wheel at right angles thereto. From this arrangement it will be-
understood that as the trolley wheel leaves the extremity of the conductor by which.
it approached the crossing, it will be in contact with the underside of the plate .J,
crossing the space between the ends of the other conductor with the underside of the
plate J, as a bearing surface. To prevent lateral deflection of the trolley wheel when.
crossing the plate J, in either direction, instead of the side flanges f, a central conical
stud j, is provided and the ends of the conductors are so arranged with respect to the
stud j, that as the trolley wheel leaves one conductor it must engage the stud and
thereby be prevented from lateral displacement until it has advanced far enough to
engage the other extremity or its proper conductor.
In Figs. 20 and 21 is shown a device similar to that just described except that it
is made in two parts and adjustable to any angle whatever. In the form shown the
arms K, K, are formed integral with the plate J, and are cut away at their central
portion, the desired strength of support being provided by the central plate J. The
arms L, L, are formed with a central enlargement M arranged to fit down upon the
upper surface of the plate J between the inuer ends of the arms K, K. The arms L, L'
are pivotally secured upon the plate J, by a screw bolt m, passing through the part M,
and into the plate J. It will be obvious that when the screw m, is loosened the
angular positions of the arms may be adjusted as desired, when by tightening the
said screw they will be permanently held in desired relationship, to form a crossing of
any angle. In this instance the conductors are preferably secured to the underside
of the arms before being severed, the portions to be cut away and the distance between
the extremities of the conductors being determined by the angle at which the two
pairs of arms are set.
It will be understood that in the drawings the side flanges f, operate to permit
lateral displacement in a manner similar and equivalent to the projection, in the
crossings and I therefore claim both forms as obviously equivalent means to the same
end, the flanges can be substituted for the projection and vice versa.
In Fig. 12 is seen a modification in which the main conductors are cut off the same
lengths and arranged in substantially the same manner as described with reference to
Fig. 11, except that they may be attached directly to the underside of the plate F.
With this arrangement the trolley wheel will on reaching the exterior of said plate,
be deflected downward and on that account the arrangement is not as good as the
other forms already described,and which I prefer, but such an arrangement constitutes
the simplest operative form of my invention and serves to show how the same may be
modified without departing from the spirit thereof.
Other minor modifications and changes may be made by persons skilled in the art
and I therefore do not limit myself to the construction herein described and shown by
way of illustration.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A suspending device for electric conductors comprising a metallic arch spanning
the conductor and adapted to be secured to transverse supports, and an ear depending
from the arch and connected to the conductor to be suspended, substantially as
described.
2. A suspending device for electric conductors, comprising a metallic arch spanning

page_text: the conductor and secured to transverse wires or cables and having an ear depending
from the arch and connected to the conductor in the same horizontal plane as the
transverse supports, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a suitable conductor, of means for suspending the same,
comprising an arch spanning the conductor and adapted to be secured to a cross wire
at its extremities and having a conductor supporting device depending from the
underside of the arch, substantially as described.
4. A supporting device for suspended conductors comprising a metallic arch having
a.wire securing part depending from its underside, and adapted to sustain a wire in
substantially the same horizontal plane as the supports to which the arch is connected,
substantially as described.
5. The combination with a suspended conductor, of an ear adapted to be permanently
secured upon the upper side of said conductor, and a metallic arch spanning the con-
ductor and secured to said ear and to the cross wires, substantially as described.
6. Means for suspending an electric conductor in positions other than a straight
line, comprising a cross wire and an arched suspender spanning the conductor, and
secured at its ends to and forming part of the transverse support and having a wire
sustaining part depending from its underside into substantially the plane of the
transverse support, substantially as described.
7. An ear adapted to be attached to and to support a suspended conductor, and
formed with anchorage lugs for attachment to traction cables exerting a longitudinal
strain upon the conductor, and a suspending device spanning said ear and connected
to the transverse support, substantially as described.
8. An ear adapted to be attached to and to support the conductor and provided
with anchorage lugs for attachment to a traction cable or cables and a metallic arch
crossing said ear and having its extremities in substantially the saine transverse plane
as the conductor when secured to the ear, substantially as described.
9. The combination of ears permanently secured upon the conductor, a metallic
plate or bar connecting the ears, a metallic arch spanning the bar and formed with a
bracket at its underside for attachment thereto, substantially as described.
10. Means for making a smooth joint in a suspended conductor, comprising two or
more ears adapted to be secured upon the conductor, a plate or bar to which the ears
are connected, and an additional ear grooved to receive the extremities of the con-
ductor and to be permanently secured thereto and also attached to the plate or bar,
substantially as described.
11. A switch for electric conductors comprising a contact plate or surface of con-
ductors in electrical connection therewith, said conductors being cut to allow the
passage of a travelling contact device between their ends and in contact with the
plate, substantially as described.
12. A switch for electric conductors comprising a contact plate or surface, ribs or
arms attached to said plate and separate at their inner extremities to allow a contact
device to pass from one to the other between them in contact with the plate and
electrical conductors secured to its ribs or arms substantially as described.
13. A switch for electric conductors comprising a contact plate or surface, ribs or
arms electrically connected therewith, and conductors secured to the ribs or arms and
arranged to permit the passage of a contact wheel from one to the other across the
space between said conductors bridged by the plate or surface, substantially as
described.
14. A crossing or switch for electric conductors comprising arms connected with
and radiating from a plate or surface in electrical connection with said arms and a
conductor attached to each arm the extremity of an entering conductor being located
opposite to the continuation of said conductor leaving the crossing, substantially as
described.
15.. A crossing or switch for electric conductors comprising arms connected with
and radiating from a plate or surface, in electrical connection with said arms, a con-
ductor attached to each arm the extremity of an entering conductor being located
opposite to the continuation of said continuation of said conductor leaving the crossing,

page_text: and a projection or flanges upon the plate to prevent lateral displacement of the
trolley wheel, substantially as described.
16, A crossing or switch for electric conductors, comprising arms connected with
and radiating from a centrally located plate or surface in electrical connection with
said arins, a conductor attached to each arm the extremity of an entering conductor
being located opposite to the continuation of said conductor leaving the crossing, and
a projection upon the central plate arranged to engage the contact device to prevent
lateral displacement thereof when passing upon the plate between the ends of the
conductors, substantially as described.