US396124A - Suspended switch for electric railways - Google Patents

Description

I, 4 Sheets- Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

C. H. WELLS. SUSPENDED SWITCH FOR ELEGTRIG RAILWAYS.l

Patented Jan. 15, 1889.

g l V] (No Modei.) l 4 sheets-sheet 2. 0. H.YWBLLs-. l l SUSPENDED SWITCH FOR BLEGTRIURAILWAYS. N0.' 396,124.

Patented Jan. l5; 1889.

lr.. p @WM m N. PETzRa mmvulmgnpw, Waldman. DLC.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

' C. H. WELLS.

SUSPENDED SWITCH FOR ELBGTRIG RAILWAYS. No. 396,124. l Patented Jan. 15. 1889.

Patented Jan. 1-5, 1889.

FIG Il Nita STATES? CLARK HOHER VELLS, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

SUSPENDED SWITCH FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 396,124, dated January 15, 1889.

Application ned April 25, 1888. sena No. 271,825. (No model To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLARK Homin WELLS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Suspended Switches for Electric Railways; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

Hy invention is designed for use in connection with those systems of electric railways wherein the current is supplied to the carmotor from one or more suspended or overhead wires adapted to serve as the .trackway of traveling trolleys of conducting inaterial in electric contact with said trackways and connected by depending' conductors with the car-motor, the arrangement being such that the depending conductors and the trolleys travel with the car. In electric-railway systems of this general character the particular exigencies of the case frequently require that for a portion of its length the same conductor be employed for trolleys supplying motors upon cars traveling in opposite directions. In such case it is obvious that in order for the two oppositely-moving trolleys to pass each other without interference one of them must pass ont upon a branch from the main conductor, and that a movable switch must be provided at the point of meeting of said branch and main conductor. In those instances where the return-current to the source of electrical energy is conveyed by a second overhead conductor also provided with a traveling trolley and dependin connection a similar branch and switch must be provided for said second conductor. The same necessity arises where from a terminal point or station two branch conductors or pairs of conductors extend along the route traversed, one of said branch conductors or pairs of conductors serving the motors of cars traveling toward the terminal, and the other serving the motors of cars traveling from it. In such oase it has been customary for the branch conductors to connect by means of a switch with main conductors common to both, a manually-operated switch being necessary to transfer the trolleys from the branch to the main and out again upon the other branch for the return trip.

The purpose of my invention is to obviate the loss of time and inconvenience consequent upon these manually-operated switches by providing a switch of suoli a character that the trolley or trolleys advancing toward it automatically shift said trolley or trolleys upon one of the branches, said switch also permitting the passage of a trolley or trolleys past it from the other branch, both operations being effected without manual intervention of any kind whatever.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, I have illustrated my invention as applied to an overhead system of the two-wire type.

Figure 1 represents a plan view of such a system embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation thereof, the point of view being at the lower part of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents in detail aside elevation at the point of meeting of the conductor shown at the upper part of Fig. 1 and one part of the movable switch. Fig. 4t represents a like view at the point of meeting of the conductor shown at the lower part of FiO. 1 and the other part of the movable switch. Figs. 5 and 6 represent in detail plan views of the switcl1-crossing,tl1e switch being shown as opened by the passage of a trolley on the upper conductor in one direction and as remainin g closed during the passage of a trolley on the lower conductor in the opposite direction. Figs. 7 and 8 represent end views of the system, showing, respectively, the trolleys as passing out upon a branch and as entering upon the main line and operating the switch in their passage. Figs. 9 and 10 represent, respectively, plan views of Figs. 7 and S. Fig. 11 represents a cross-section taken upon a line, 11 11, of Fig. 1. Fig'. 12 represents in detail side elevation one of the outgoing trolleys on its way toward the switchcrossing. Fig. 13 represents in detail end elevation the approach of one of the incoming trolleys toward said crossing; and Figs.

view of the gravitating hinged arm forming a part of the switch. Fig. 16 represents in IOO sideand front elevation a modified form of vf flexible hanger for supporting the movable ends of the switch.

Similarl numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings, 1 2 indicate overhead main conductors of opposite sign, carrying', respectively, the incoming and returning cu rrents of the ear-motors, and serving as trackways for the traveling contact-trolleys of said motors. For the purposes of illustration 1 will assume that a terminal station is located at the proximate ends of these main conductors, the line 1 3 representing a branch supporting trolleys moving toward the said terminal and the line 2 4f representing a branch supporting trolleys moving from the terminal. The conductors 1 2 3 Je are supported in the usual manner from fixed bracket-arms 5, or the like, attached securely to a suitable bearing-frame, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in the other figures.

The trolleys of conducting material are of the usual form employer'l for overhead systems, and have a double flange, forming a deep intermet'liate groove., as shown, the depending conductor f5 serving as the trolleyaxle and having' a double bend, 7, so as to bring it directly in line with the trolleyitsclf. Below the bend it is provided with a heavy insulating-sleeve, 8.

The conductors 1 2 are continuous throughout and at the switch are located in the same horizontal plane. The main portion of said conductors is, as usual, circular in cross-section, but at the point of divergence toward the branches, and preferably for some distance beyond said points, the said conductors arc fiattened out, so as to form broad vertical faces or ctmtact-surf'aces i) 1o. The proximate end 11A of the branch conductor l is flattened to correspond to the surface El, and normally rests against said surface, the combined thickness of the marin conductor and branch along the points of contact being equal to or less than the diameter of the main body, so that a trolley passing over the joint may not be forced olf its track.

The branch conductorl rises from the horizontal plane of the main conductors 1 2, forming a curve above the switch-section 12, and again dropping to the horizontal plane at the point 17, the highest point of the curve being just over the switch-section 12. The said curved portion of the branch conductor -LL is rigidly connected at the point 1S to one of t-he brackets or hangers 5, but is flexible beyond said point toward its free end, said free end being sustained by the hanger 15. This hanger is of such a character as to normally hold the flattened surface 11 of the branch conductor against the flattened surface 9 of the main conductor 1, thereby insuringl good electrical contact along said surfaces. To attain this purpose, 1 preferably provide said hanger 15 with a loose joint, as shown. This joint is outside of the center of gravity of the depending arm of the hanger, whereby the latter tends con stantly to gravitate into avertical plane, and is of sufficient weight to normally hold the free end of the branch conductor against the flattened surface of the main ctniductor,while at the same time it per mits said free end to swing inwardly when shifted by the passage of a trolley, as hereinafter described, d ropping back to the normal position after the trolley has passed. It is evident that the depending arm of the hanger, instead of being jointed, might be of' flexible material, as represented in Fig.1(5, closing the connection with the. main conductor, as before, but by reason ol' its flexibility capable of permittingthe inward swing of the branch conductor, as described.

The branch conductor 3 dips downwardly in a descending curve from a point, 25, to its free end 13, which is Iiattened and forms a lap-joint, as shown, with the flattened end 14- of the movable switch-section 12. The said switch-section is supported upon hangers 1.() of the kind hereinbe'fore described. From the lap-joint referred tothe switch-section 12 curves gradually upward and terminates in a second flattened portion, 1G, :fitting against the fiattened portion 1 of the main conductor 2. The swinging armsor ln'ackets 1U 2O serve to maintain the movable switch-section normally in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1,but permit it to be shifted by the trol- '.leys in the manner hereinafter set forth.

At the flattened end 13 of the conductor 3, and at the iiattencd end 1d of the switch-seetion 12, are provided gravitating arms 22 23, similarly disposed with relation to said ends. lt will be noted thatthese arms arc hinged to the flattened ends at an angle to the perpendicular, whereby they normally drop obliquely downward and inward from said ends, the extent of the drop being limited by the back-stops 2l, as shown more fully ini Figs. 1-1V and 15. The length and inclination ofthe arm are so chosen that it will lic in the path of movement of' the bend 7 of a trolley advancing toward it from the main conductor 1 while arm 22) is so arranged as to guide the insulated portion of a trolley passing' out upon the branch i in such manner as to cause itto separate the lap-joint at the junction ol' the branch 3 and movable switch-sectitm 12.

The parts being constructed and arrangeifl as described, the operation of myinvention is as follows: In moving out upon the branch 4 2 the trolleys shown in Fig. 1 upon the main conductors 1 2 must pass the switch. The bend 7 of the right-hand trolley in passing the switch strikes the depending arm 22, thereby causing the switch-section 1.2 to swing inwardly through the intermediacy of' t-he hanger 20 into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full lines in Figs. 7 and 9. This shifting of' the switch-section permits the trolley to pass out along the main. lith the passage of the trolley the hanger 2O drops back to its original position, thereby restoring the switch-section, The trolley shown on con- AIOO ductor 1 of Fig. 1. in passing' out on the branch rises upon the curved section of the branch 4; until it attains the summit of said curve. At this point of its route the insulated portion 8 is guided by the depending arm 23 directly to the lap-joint formed between the end 13 of the branch and the end 14 of the movable switch-section 12. The said insulated portion S accordingly opens said lap-joint, as illustrated more fully in Fig. 5, thereby permitting the depending' connection from the trolley to the motor to pass the switch. Vhen the trolley has passed, the gravitating hanger 19 brings the switch-section back to its original position, closing the lap-joint. In passing from the branch 1 3 to the main conductors l 2 the bend '7 of the outside trolley enters the angle :formed between the conductor 1 and the free end of the branch conductor 4, forcing said free end t0 swing inwardly upon its hanger 15, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and in full linesl in Figs. 8 and 10. After the passage of the trolley the free end of the conductor t swings back to its original position.

The trolley upon the branch conductor 3 passes in upon the main conductor 2 past the gravitating arms 23 22, which, being hinged, fold inwardly upon the hinge-joints, so as to permit the passage of the trolley, whereupon they drop back to their normal positions.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is l. An overhead system for electric railways provided with traveling trolleys an d depending' motor-connections, and consisting of main conductors carrying' currents of opposite polarity, two pairs of branch conductors,

the outer members ol which form continuations ot' the main conductors, and the inner members being connected to said main conductors by an automatic switch provided with flexibly-supported end sections normally in contact with said, main conductors, but adapted to be swung aside to permit the passage of trolleys traveling in either direction, substantially as described.

2. An overhead system for electric railways provided with traveling trolleys and depending motor-connections, and consisting of main conductors carrying currents of opposite polarity, two pairs of branch conductors, the outer members ot' which form continuations ot the main conductors, a swinging bracket supporting the free end of one ot' the inner branch conductors and holding it normally in contact with .one of the main conductors, a movable switch-section connecting the free end of the other branch conductor to the other main conductor7 and swinging' brackets normally holding said switch-section in contact with said latter branch and main conductors, substantially as described.

3. An overhead system for electric railways provided with traveling' trolleys and de' pending motor-connections, and consisting of main conductors carrying currents of opposite polarity, two pairs of branch conductors,

vthe outer members of which formv continuations of the main conductors, a swingingv bracket supporting the free end of one of the inner branch conductors and holding it normally in contact with one ot' the main conductors, said free end rising from its point of contact with the main conductor to the point where it crosses the plane o't the other branch conductor, and a movable switch-section connecting'the tree end ot said latter branch conductor with the remaining main conductor, and swinging brackets normally holding said switch section in contact with the latter branch and main conductors, substant-ially as described.

4. An overhead system for electric railways provided with traveling trolleys and depending` motor-connections, and consisting of main conductors carrying currents of opposite polarity, two pairs ot' branch conductors, the outer members of which form continuations of the main conductors, a swinging' bracket supporting the free end of one ot' the inner branch conductors and holding' it normally in contact with one of the main conductors, said free end rising graduallyv from its point of contact with the main conductor to the point where it crosses the plane of the 'other branch conductor, a movable switchsection connect-ing the free end of the other branch conductor with the remaining' main conductor, said free end and said movable switch-section being' each provided with a gravitating guide-arm, and swinging brackets normally holding' said switch-section in cont-act with the said latter branch and main conductors, substantially as described.

5. An overhead syst-em for electric railways provided with traveling' trolleys and depending motor-connections, and consisting of main conductors carrying currents of opppsite polarity, two pairs of branch conductors, the outer members of which form continuations of the main conductors, (a swinging bracket supportii'ig the tree end of one of the inner branch conductors and holding it normally in contact with. one of the main conductors, said main conductor and free end being flattened at their surfaces of contact, and said free end rising gradually from its point of contact to the point where it 'crosses the plane of' the other branch conductor, a movable switch-section flattened at its opposite ends and forming a lap-joint with the .iiattened free end of the other branch cond uctor and with the remaining main conductor, said free end and said movable switchsection being each provided with a gravitating guide-arm for shifting the switch-section,

and swing'ingl brackets normally holding said switch-section in contact with the said latter branch and main conductors, substantially as described.

6. An overhead system for electric railways provided with traveling trolleys having depending' motor-connections, and consisting of main conductors and two pairs of branch IOO IIO

conductors, the outer members of said pairs forming continnations of the main conductors, and the inner members crossing the one above the other at the switch, the lower one being provided at the point ot' crossing with a separable joint normally closed, but permitting the passage of the depending motor connection ot a trolley upon the upper branch, substantially as described.

7. In an overhead sysiem for electric railways oi' thekind described, the combination, with a movable switch-section, of an obliquely-hinged gravitaiing guide -arm adapted thereby to tall normally in the path of a trolley advancing toward the branch from the main line, but to be thrown out of obstructive engagement by the trolleys advancing in the opposite direction, snl'istantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in 3o presence of two witnesses.

C. IIOMER VELLS.

IVitnesses:

ROBINSON XVHITE, ROBERT E. HALL.

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