60 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCO VEKY. 



the main line continuous and perfect. When the switch is moved out of this 

 position by the hand-lever, the second and smaller spring comes into play and 

 throws forward a bolt which catches and holds the switch in place, and at the 

 same time elevates an aforementioned lever, which is just within the track, 

 some sixteen feet distant. In case of the approach of a car or engine hi the 

 wrong direction, the flange of the wheel presses upon the lever, detaches the 

 catch, and the switch-rails jump into place with considerable energy. At a 

 speed of 60 miles an hour, a locomotive moves 88 feet per second, and the 

 catch is consequently released only one fifth of a second before the wheels 

 enter the switch, yet the movement is invariably completed hi tune. 



BaileAfs Adjustable Car Seat. In this improvement which allows the seat 

 to be adjusted at pleasure, so as to form an upright seat or an almost reclining 

 lounge, the seats and backs are connected to each other and to a fixed frame 

 of cast-iron by rods or links which allow a corresponding motion to each, and 

 the parts are so balanced by a very simple and substantial arrangement that 

 the passengers by simply throwing their bodies backward or forward with a 

 moderate degree of force, may change the position of the back to any angle 

 required. The seat proper is always horizontal, the back alone being change- 

 able in its degree of inclination. It is difficult to convey, without the aid of 

 engravings, a very distinct idea of this improvement. To attempt it, however, 

 we should divide the whole into four, or rather six, distinct parts. 1st. The 

 fixed frames, one at each end of the seat, and rising to a point about midway 

 between the seat proper and the arm-rests. 2d. The arm-rests, two in num- 

 ber, entirely distinct from, and independent ofj the frames. 3d. The seat; 

 and 4th. The back. The seat, back and arm-rests are neither of them fixed 

 firmly. The seat is suspended to the frame by two vertical links at each side, 

 which links are continued upward and support the arm-rests at their upper 

 extremities, the whole being loosely jointed together at each connection by 

 a suitable rivet. Two additional links at each end of the seat, jointed one 

 to the seat proper and the other to the arm-rest, extend horizonally 

 backward and take hold of the back. With this arrangement, by the aid 

 of the flexible joints, the relative position of all the parts may be easily 

 adjusted. A "friction-piece" is provided at the wall-side, which presses 

 with considerable force against the end of the seat, and assists it in retaining 

 any position given it, however loose the riveted joints may become by reason 

 of long-continued wear or bad workmanship. But for this " friction-piece" it 

 will be readily seen there is no wear of any parts except in the rivet-holes ; 

 and the frames, links, arm-rests, etc., may be made as ornamental as desired, 

 or may be bronzed or gilded at pleasure. This seat appears, on rather a 

 brief examination, to be entirely free from any of the faults appertaining to 

 the previous forms of adjustable seats. It is readily reversed by simply lifting 

 over the back, which is upholstered on each face, and the liability to derange- 

 ment or fracture seems to be reduced to the lowest practicable amount. Pro- 

 vision is made for preventing the possibility of injury to the hands of infants 

 or others in suddenly changing the position of the seat, and one of its greatest 

 recommendations is, the fact that no catches or other derangeable or perplex- 

 ing fastenings are required. 



