GB190612344A - Improvements in Third Rails. - Google Patents

Abstract

12,344. Wilgus, W. J., and Sprague, F. J. May 27, 1905, [date applied for under Patents Act, 1901]. Electric railways on the third-rail system. Conductors. - Consists in means for supporting and guarding undersidecontact third rails. The conductor rail a, Figs. 6 and 8, is supported in brackets b by pairs of stone or similar insulating-blocks c having lateral grooves for tongues d on the brackets and for the bent ends of the steel clamp-hooks e, which also bed in slots at the tops of the insulators so as to give a level upper surface. Between the brackets, the rail is guarded by wood or other flexible insulating-strips f, which may be secured by clamps g, Fig. 24, or, especially at crossings where the depth of the rail becomes small, by sunk bolts, as shown in Fig. 9, which also shows the form of double bracket b<1> used at crossings. Fig. 38 shows a form in which the cap r and one strip s may be first assembled and then secured to the rail by the addition of the other strip.- The insulating-blocks may be alternatively made of three interlocking pieces, as shown in side elevation in Fig. 40, and in all cases the rail has vertical play to allow for track deflexion under heavy freights &c. Fig. 28 shows a telescoping rail-bond consisting of a sunk sleeve k and a solid or slotted plug l, l<1> of bronze or other non oxidizing metal. An additional sleeve may be employed, and the plug may be of copper. A flexible rail-bond may also be employed, with an ordinary fish-plate, in which case the wood guard is recessed to receive the joint. Plans of the layout of the third rail are shown in the Specification for cross-overs between four tracks, and also from an intermediate track to two side tracks.