Abstract: In lightweight fabricated equipment of an overhead electric traction system, (e.g., section insulators and neutral sections), comprising at least one tension insulator mechanically connected between and electrically insulating from one another two elongate metal members, in at least one mechanical connection between the tension insulator and elongate metal member, an insulating end part of the tension insulator and an end part of the elongate metal member butt or are spaced apart and have a supplementary connecting member connected to them by separate securing bolts. The undersurfaces of the end parts of the tension insulator and elongate metal member and the undersurface of the supplementary connecting member constitute a smooth running surface.

Abstract: In an overhead electric traction system a simple and inexpensive mid-point anchor comprises a mast and, mounted on the upper part of the mast, a cantilever structure comprising a pair of rigid elongate members which lie in a common plane and extended transversely with respect to and lie spaced apart in a direction lengthwise of the track, and which at their ends nearer the track are connected to the mast by a third transversely extending elongate member inclined at an acute angle to the common plane. The ends of the members remote from the track are connected to opposite ends of a rigid bar which extends lengthwise of the track, which is pivotally connected to the mast about a vertical axis and which, at each of its end portions, is connected to the mast by a flexible tie. In the event of an unbalanced load on the catenary, pivotal movement of the cantilever structure about the vertical axis is prevented by one of the flexible ties and the out of balance load is transferred to the mast as a torsional load.

Abstract: In an overhead electric traction system, an overhead contact wire is enclosed throughout its length within an elongate protective cover of resilient electrically insulating material. The cover is secured to the contact wire, is symmetrical about a longitudinally extending vertical plane passing through the axis of the contact wire and includes a pair of transversely extending base walls which underlie and are spaced from the contact wire and abut in the vertical plane. When engaged by a transversely extending elongate current collector carried by a travelling vehicle, the base walls are deflected upwardly and outwardly away from one another to expose the running surface of the contact wire and permit the current collector to effect electrical contact with and collect current from the contact wire; after passage of the current collector, the base walls return to their original undeflected positions so that the contact wire is again enclosed within the cover.

Abstract: The invention concerns an overhead electric traction system of the kind in which current is collected from an overhead contact wire by means of a collector carried on the roof of a vehicle and extending transversely of the contact wire. The contact wire is supported, at spaced positions along the route of the system, by an overhead structure comprising two transversely spaced upstanding members, and extending between and connected to the upstanding members, a transversely extending beam. Each of the upstanding members is so installed near its lowermost end as to permit limited pivotal movement of the member at least about an axis extending lengthwise of the route of the system and limited relative movement is permitted between the beam and the upstanding member at least about an axis extending lengthwise of the route of the system, each upstanding member being anchored to the ground by at least one tie connected to the member near its upper-most end.

Abstract: In lightweight fabricated equipment of an overhead electric traction system, (e.g. section insulators and neutral sections), comprising at least one tension insulator mechanically connected between and electrically insulating from one another two elongate metal members, in at least one mechanical connection between the tension insulator and elongate metal member, an insulating end part of the tension insulator and an end part of the elongate metal member overlap and are interconnected by separate securing bolts. The undersurfaces of the end parts of the tension insulator and elongate metal member constitute a smooth running surface.