US431093A - System of electric locomotion - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

` E. WHEELER. SYSTEM 0E ELEGTEIG LocoMoTIoN.

No. 431,093. Patented July l, 1890.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK VHEELER, OF MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

SYSTEM OF ELECTRIC LOCOMOTION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 431,093, dated July 1, 1890.

Application filed March 27, 1889. Serial No. 304966. (No model.)

Va part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in trolley tracks and conduct-ors and trolleys for use in systems of electric locomotion; and my object is to provide a perfectly-insulated conductor and track which will not only support and carry the trolley securely against displacement, but shall be absolutely guarded against loss of current by the crossing and contact of other wires with the consequent danger to animal life, and which will also be perfectly free from the annoyances due to accumulations of snow orice.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved trolley for such conductor.

My invention consists in the construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification, Figure l is a crosssectional view of one form of my conductor and track, and showing the trolley also in section. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section on the line cc of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a modication hereinafter referred to. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view, partly broken, of the conductor shown in Fig. l, taken at a point across one of the openings hereinafter referred to.

Similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

A indicates a tubular conductor, which, in the form shown in cross-section, is substantially inverted- U shaped, but which may be somewhat varied in form without departing from the spirit of my invention. This conductor consists of the arch-shaped portion a, the main wire a for supporting the arch d and for bringing the current from the source of supply, and the inwardly-projecting portions a2, forming the edges of the arch a, and

which I refer to hereinafter as tracks for the purpose of clearness.

The arch a may be of metal, covered on the outside with suitable insulating material, or it may be composed wholly of insulating material, such as Wood iber. If the latter, there will be placed at suitable intervals short conductors for conveying the current from the main wire a to the tracks a2, `as shown at a3 in Fig. 2, and the tracks a2 will be lined with copper or other suitable conducting material, as shown at a4 in Fig. 3.

The main wire d or backbone is supported at intervals, by means of eyes c5 or other suitable swinging connection, to black* ets from posts or overhead cross-wires; but itis to be understod that in some instances the tubular conductor may be rigidly supported, so as not to swing.

Suitable openings may be made'at intervals in the conductor for the removal orinsertion of a trolley, which otherwise could only be inserted or removed from the end of the tube.

In Fig. 4 I show how such openings maybe closed by means of' the section A', hinged to the other half of the conductor by the hinge e, thus permitting said section A to be turned outward for the purpose of removing the trolley through the opening. /Vhen said section is dropped back to its place, it is supported in its proper position by means of the stop or brace E, which is secured by bolts e to the stationary half of the conductor and extends under the main Wire a', and I contemplate making the tubular conductor in sections for convenience in erecting or other purposes.

The trolley, as shown in the drawings, consists of a T- shaped frame B, the upper or horizontal portion of which carries at each end an axle b for the wheels C C; but of course, if desired, the two wheels C C could be rigidly secured to the ends of an axle passing through and having a bearing in the said horizontal portion of frame B. The wheels C are formed, as shown, with rounded peripheries; or, in other Words, the peripheries in cross-section are convex and on the arc of a circle slightly smaller than that of the tracks a2. The trolley may, as is obvious, be provided with an additional wheel or wheels to IOO run on or in one or both of the tracks a? in advance of or behind the two Wheels shown. The cord and wire D are for connecting the trolley to a car and for conveying the currentYV Y thereto.

My invention, as shown, is for use in systems where the street-rails are used for the return-current; but it is obvious that by the proper interposition of insulating material one of the tracks a2 might be used for said return-current.

The backbone-wire may in some cases be omitted, the tubular conductor being supported at suitable intervals by brackets, and the current being supplied along the metallic half-round or concave tracks a2. In Fig. 3 I show such an arrangement, and in said figure I also illustrate a divided conductor, the line of division being l,at the top. In this I make the conductor of a series of sections of any desired length, each section having a flange a at the top, through which a series'of short bolts a7 pass to unite the two halves. The sections are united longitudinally by any suitable means, as by having the ends of two sections on one side meet midway of asection on the other side, and uniting the flanges a by the bolts a7. In this modification the backbone-wire may be employed or not. It is obvious that the inwardly-projecting flanges or tracks a2 may be shaped otherwise than concavefor instance, they may be V- shaped and the trolley-wheels shaped to correspond. Onc form of my invention contemplates the use of a divided conductor supported by a backbone wire and with angular trolleytracks.

Having now described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isf l. In asystem of electric locomotion, a tubular conductor having a longitudinal opening, and having inwardly-proj ectin g edges on each v side of the opening to form trolley-tracks, said tubular conductor being composed mainly of insulating material and having the surface of the tracks of metal,in combination with a trolley having wheels fitted to said tracks, substantially as described.

2. A tubular conductor for systems of electric locomotion, having a longitudinal opening, the edges of said conductor on each side of the opening being curved inwardly and upwardly to form concave tracks for a trolley, said tracks being composed of metal and the sides and top of the conductor being of insulating material, and metallic connections leading from a main conductor to the said tracks, substantially as described.

3. A tubular conductor for systems of electric locomotion, said conductor being divided longitudinally, whereby the two parts thereof may be readily separated or united, substa'ntially as described.

4. The tubular conductor A, consisting of the two partial tubes having tracks a2 and the flanges a, united by suitable clamps, substantially as described.

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

FRANK I/VI-IEELER.

Vitnesses:

.I. S. NORTON, Jr., D. N. WILLIAMS.

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