IMPROVEMENTS IN COLLECTORS FOR ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS
Year: 1885

page_text: I MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH, of Halifax, in the County of York, Mechanical
and Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN COLLECTORS FOR ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS' to be as follows:-
11
This invention relates to the class of collector employed (mainly) within an
underground channel and consists, Firstly-In constructing the collector or parts
thereof so that the collector shall be flexible, thereby readily to adapt itself to
curves or deviations from a straight line,-Secondly. To combined guide clearer
and guard contact maker and gatherer-Thirdly-To improved form of ends of
collector so as to prevent the hauling rope fouling or becoming entangled thereon,
Fourtly-To an improved clip for attaching the hauling rope to the car-Fifthly-
To an improved form of terminal for the leading wire, combined with an automatic
holding and releasing device-Sixthly-To an improved guard for the contact
maker.
According to this my invention, I connect the two ends of the collector to the
centre part thereof by means of hardened and tempered steel bands, or by hinges,
so as to admit of the collector bending and readily adapting itself to curves in the
line of the channel-This construction of collector admits of the use of various
forms of contact makers to run on under or against the electric conductors within
the channel-The guides consist of two metal plates bolted in vertical position one
to each end of the collector, and having a broad foot or guard boat which is
connected with the contact maker or gatherer by means of a leather strap or other
like nonconducting and pliable material-The guard boats prevent the collector
being jerked out of the channel-The nose or opposite ends of the collector are of
convex form, so as to slide the hauling rope off and prevent the latter fouling or
entangling with the collector when any obstruction occurs-The clips by means of
which the hauling ropes are attached to the cars, I construct of a pair of hinged
jaws having a concave recess in the end of each, which when the jaws are closed
embrace and enclose a pin held in supporting brackets the jaws of the clips are
held together by india rubber rings so that when any undue strain on the hauling

page_text: rope occurs, the india rubber rings are expanded and the jaws are open releasing
the hauling rope..
The connecting pin is introduced end wise to the jaw so that there is no necessity
to force the latter open for purpose of again coupling up.
"
The "terminal or end of the "leading wire" to motor on the car is heart
shaped or enlarged and received within or between hinged clips held together by
india rubber rings, so that automatic detachment by expansion of the india rubber
rings takes place whenever any obstruction to the leading wire occurs, or when
the hauling rope of the collector becomes detached.
The outer surfaces of the gatherer, are concave or of other form, suited to the
section of the conductors, and the gatherer is connected to the terminal wire, by
means of a tape or strip of copper or brass the lower portion of the strip being of
length to provide for play or movement vertically whereby the collector adapts
itself to any inequality or irregularity in the line of the conductors, the gatherer
is covered by a shield of insulating material.

page_text: Improvements in Collectors for Electric Tramways.
I MICHAEL HOLROYD SMITH of Halifax in the County of York Mechanical
and Consulting Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN COLLECTORS FOR ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to the class of collectors employed (mainly) within an
underground channel and consists, Firstly, In constructing the collectors or parts
thereof so that the collector shall be flexible, thereby readily to adapt itself to
curves or deviations from a straight line. Secondly, To combined guide clearer
and guard contact maker and gatherer; Thirdly, To improved forms of ends of
collector so as to prevent the hauling rope fouling or becoining entangled thereon.
Fourthly, To an improved clip for attaching the hauling rope to the car. Fifthly.
To an improved form of terminal for leading wire combined with an automatic
holding and releasing device. Sixthly-To an improved guard for the contact
maker.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention, the following is a
complete description of same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings
forming a part of this specification in which :-
Fig. 1. is a side elevation of collector according to this my invention.
Fig. 2. is a plan view (of Fig. 1.) partly in section.
Fig. 3. is a side elevation of the collector made flexible by use of hinged plates.
Fig. 4. is a plan view of Fig. 3.
Fig. 5. is a side elevation of collector illustrating construction wherein two or
more collectors are to be employed and carried by wheels in lieu of sliding.
Fig. 6. is a plan view of Fig. 5. partly in section.
Figs. 7. 8. 9. 10. are elevations and plans of clips for mechanical attachment of
collectors to the cars.
Figs. 11. to 24. inclusive are details or parts shewn as detached and enlarged for
purpose of clearly illustrating construction and particulars thereof.
According to this my invention the collector consists of three main parts namely
one centre piece and two clearing ploughs, I connect the two ends 1. 1. of the
collector (Fig. 1.) to the centre part 2. by means of hardened and tempered steel
bands 3. 3. (secured by screws. 4. 4. or by wedge 4ª (Figs. 11. and 13) or the desired
flexibility is obtained through the employment of hinges 5. as shewn by drawing
Figs. 3. 4. 5. 6. the collector being free to readily adapt itself to curves in the line
of the channel. This construction of collector admits of the use of various forms
of contact makers 6. 6. to run as circumstances may require on under or against
the the electric conductors within the containing channel, one form of electric
conductors is shewn at 7. 8. Fig. 18.
At 9. 9. are the guides or ploughs consisting of steel plates firmly held by the
ends of the collector 1. 1. which run or slide upon the surface of the channel the
steel ploughs are also provided with broad feet or guard boats 10. 10. which prevent

page_text: the conector from being Jerked upwards or drawn out of the channel except at the
hand holes.
Leather strapping 11, 11. or other like non conducting and pliable material is
used to connect the ploughs to the contact maker when the form 6. shewn Fig. 1.
is employed.
.
The collectors are mechanically attached to the car by means of ropes 14. 14. or
other like material having at one end a ring or loop which passes over the inclined
fingers or studs 12. 12. and at the other end a clip 13. consisting of a pair of
hinged jaws 15. 15. the inner ends of which are of convex or semicircular form so
as when the jaws are closed to span and enclose the pin 16. carried by the
supporting brackets 17., the jaws 15 15. being held together by the rings of india
rubber 18. 18. so that when any undue strain occurs or the collector becomes
jammed the rings 18. 18. will expand and the jaws 15. opening and the clip
releasing the hauling rope the car travelling forward the ring of the trailing rope
will slide off the pin or finger. The connecting pin 16. is introduced endwise to the
jaw 15. so so that there is no necessity to force the latter open for purpose of again
coupling up. Or the bracket 17. in lieu of carrying the stud 16. may support the
box 16. in which is the spiral spring 18. so that when the end 15. of the hauling
rope 14. is passed in at the open end of the box 16. and passed along the slot 16°
its end or shank 16 rests against the piece 24 attached to the end of the spiral
spring 18. and when any obstruction occurs to the free traverse of the collector
along its channel the extra strain upon the hauling rope 14. compresses the
spring 18. and the end 16b slides in its box 16. and out at the opening 25. thereby
severing the mechanical connection between the car and the collector.
The terminal or end of the electric conductor wire 19. (Fig. 15) to the motor on
the car is heart shaped or enlarged and is secured within or between hinged clips 20.
held together by means of india rubber rings 21. so that automatic detachment by
expansion of the india rubber rings takes place whenever subjected to any sudden
jerk or strain. At Figs. 11. and 12. this automatic detaching is ensured by means
of the clip 20. expanding the india rubber ring 21. and releasing the said clip from
the cross pin 26.
The form construction and application of the gatherers 6. is shewn by Figs. 1.-
3.-11.-16.-18.-to 24 inclusive being concave or of other form corresponding to
the section of the conductors employed, the said gatherers 6. are connected to the
terminal wires by means of a tape or strap of metal or insulated wires 22: so as to
provide for play or movement whereby the collector adapts itself to any inequality
or irregularity in the set off the conductors, the gatherer 6. can be covered by a
shield 23. of insulating material.
The contact wings or gatherers 6 may be carried on a conducting plate 27. (see
Fig. 3.-16.) or on wires 22. (Figs. 11.-19. and 20.) the wires are passed through
projecting portions on the back of said wings and are held there by means of a
wedge pin 28. this construction admits of the ready replacing of the wings 6. when
worn.
From these wings or gatherers the current is conveyed to the surface of the
road and the insulation preserved by means of the transmitter which consists of
either a continuance of the wires 22 (Figs. 11.-12. 19. and 20.) or metal plates 27.
(Figs. 3. 16. 21. 22.-23.-24.) The wires or plates are covered with suitable
insulating material cased with wood and further protected from wear by steel
sheath and guard plates 32. these guard plates are held together by means of
clamping plates 31. below the road surface and by wider plates 33. which fit into
the recesses 34. in the centre piece 2. thus securing the proper relative position of
the gathering wings and the electric conductors. The transmitter is held to the
centre piece by the loose cover plate 34* against which pressure is exerted by a
wedge or key 35. passing through holes in the lugs 36.
It will be understood therefore that when the wings 6. are to be replaced the
collector is brought over a "hand hole" in the channel, the key 35. is then driven out

page_text: and the loose piece 34* is removed and the transmitter lifted out without removal
of the remaining part of the collector frame or trolly.
Instead of one transmitter with. gatherers, two or more may be employed see
(Figs. 5 and 6). I have shewn three sets of transmitters C. C. C. as being attached
to the hinged collector frame intended to run upon the wheels 37.
Having now particularly 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:-
•
1. The improved collector wherein is employed and combined therewith plates
Buch as 3 or hinges as and for the purpose herein fully described and illustrated.
2. For electrical rail or tramway systems a collector frame or trolly formed
with ploughs or clearers connected to the main portion of said collector frame or
trolly by flexible bands which are secured by pins 9. or plates connected by hinges
substantially as set forth.
3. In combination with a trolly for purpose aforesaid the parts 2.-3.-32.-33.-
34-35.-36.-and as and for the purpose herein described and illustrated by drawings
annexed.
4. In electrical rail or tramway systems the releasing clips for both mechanical
and electrical connections between the car and the collector frame or trolly
substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.
5. The improved form of terminal for leading wire end together with the
automatic holding and releasing device in combination and as and for the purpose
herein described and illustrated by drawings.
6. For electrical rail or tramway systems the combination with a collector frame
or trolly of the detachable insulated transmitter carrying flexible contact wings
shoes or brushes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 13th day of July 1886.
WALTER BRIERLEY,
Agent for the said Michael Holroyd Smith.