544 KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE. 



conical pulleys, there being three independent pulleys on each shaft, which con- 

 stitute a set. The lower one is a large conical pulley having a groove at its base 

 in which the idle cable rests, the next above this is an ordinary horizontal grooved 

 pulley in which the moving cable rides. The next and upper pulley of the set is 

 a plain pulley with a smooth rim against which the grip rests and by which it is 

 guided around the curve. The cable passes from the engine-house to the sub-way 

 below the street and under the south track, thence to Woodland Avenue, around 

 twelve-foot end-sheaves, thence into the sub-way below the north track to Union 

 Avenue, around the twelve- foot sheaves over Union Avenue, and thence to 

 engine-house, around the driving drums and thence to the tension-car wheel, or 

 sheave. 



The grip-cars are radically changed from those in use on other roads, in that 

 the grip is operated from the end of the car instead of in the centre, consequently 

 the gripping attachments occupy very little room in the car. A complete cab is 

 provided at each end of the car in which the grip-man is stationed and operates 

 his grip without being interfered with by passengers. 



The grip consists of three parts — the upper or crank part, the middle or 

 shank, and the lower or jaws. The upper is- made from cast-steel, and so con- 

 structed as to embody great strength ; the crank and shaft giving motion to the 

 j.aw of the grip are connected at one side, this part with the levers of the grip- 

 wheel in the cab, which crank is also connected with the central and moving part 

 of the shank, which has a vertical motion; the moving part of the shank is also 

 connected with the movable and horizontal upper jaw of the grip, the shank being 

 made from rolled-steel and the jaw of cast-steel lined with brass, reducing the 

 wear on the cable to a minimum. The lower jaw of the grip is stationary, having 

 two rollers placed vertically at each end of the jaw. When it is desired to -^'■^ 

 a car the grip-wheel in the cab is turned to the right, which fo-- -^ '■''^ movable 

 upper jaw (seventeen inches long) down on the caW'- --^i-'ng on or rollmg over 

 the pulleys in the lower jaw of the ^r\r. '-- pressure forces the rollers down a 

 limited distance with the cable, as they are supported by flexible journals, the 

 brass in the grip takes hold of the cable under the pressure of the grip-wheel and^ 

 the car moves. If it is desired to stop the car, the grip-wheel is turned to the 

 left, thus raising the movable upper jaw from the cable. The pressure being 

 released, the small pulleys in the lower jaw spring upward slightly and support 

 the cable, revolving at the same time, and while the car is thus stayed, receiving 

 or discharging passengers, the cable continues to move through the grip between 

 the jaws supported by the pulleys referred to. It does not matter how often 

 stops are made, the cable never leaves its position between the grip's jaws— it is 

 either gripped by the jaws or riding on the pulleys in the lower jaws. The cable 

 is, however, conducted out of the grip when it is necessary to change the car 

 from one track to another, and in passing over the vault on the south track at, the 

 engine-house— there being no cable at this point, as it is conducted into ■"^^' 

 engine-house too far below the street for the grip to reach — the car^ -^^^ carne 



