Patent GB-191420173-A (GB)
Title: Improved Passenger Train Communication System and Apparatus.
IPC: B61L15/00
Filed: 1914-09-25
Granted: 1915-09-23
Abstract: 20,173. Willans, G. H., Luard, E. S., and Consolidated Brake and Engineering Co. Sept.25. Stopping trains from carriages; signalling on trains.-In a passenger's alarm system, the compressed-air or vacuum brakes or both are applied by valves operated by a flexible connexion extending along either side of the vehicle and connected to the operating-lever of the valve or valves, and a vehicle indicator on the end of the vehicle is exposed -to view by the movement of the flexible connexion and is locked in its operated position and holds the valve open. A compartment indicator is provided in each compartment. A lost-motion device in the flexible connexion is adjusted so that the valve is fully opened before the vehicle indicator reaches its full-stroke position. Several forms of apparatus are described and illustrated. Fig. 1 shows a vacuum-brake valve 61 (shown in detail in Fig. 5) operated by a T-lever 17<a>, the heads 93, 94 of which abut against the valve casing so that the pin 68 is drawn downwards when either chain 1, 1<a> is pulled. The chain 1<a> is fitted in the same manner as the chain 1, which, as shown, is connected to one end of a cylinder 5 containing a spring-pressed piston 8. This device permits movement of the piston 8 and the chain 1 attached thereto after the lever 17<a> has completed its full stroke and has completely opened the valve or valves. The chain 1 is connected to a sprocket chain 15 passed round a sprocket-wheel 14 and is continued along the inside of the vehicle by a cord or other flexible connexion. The sprocket-wheel 14 is rigid on a spindle 11, which carries a signal arm 10 provided with a reflector 26. The signal arm 10 can slide along but rotates with the spindle 11, and as the spindle is rotated, the projection 25 rides over, and is prevented from returning to normal position by, the teeth 24 on the bearing frame of the spindle 11. The signal 10 and the valve are thus held in their operated position. The compartment indicator shown in Fig. 7 comprises a lever 27 pivoted on the flared bush 31 on the tube through which the flexible connexion 38 passes. The lever 27 has a forked jaw 27<a> on which the connexion 38 rests and is held in the position shown by a wire or thread passed through holes 29. When the connexion 38 is pulled down to apply the brakes, the lever 27 is forced downwards and breaks the sealing wire or thread. The vacuum-brake valve shown in Fig. 5 comprises a valve member 62 sliding in the member 63 which closes the top of the valve casing 61. The valve 62 is held up by the spring 80 and by atmospheric pressure on the underside of the diaphragm 72. A suitable gasket or washer 95 seats against the valveseat 60, and a cup-washer 76 fits the cylinder 74, which is provided with ports 75 and has a flared opening 74<a>. When the valve is opened, air enters through the perforated chamber 66 past the valve to the brake-pipe 79. A cover 82 is fitted over the valve. Fig. 6 shows a construction of valve for compressed-air brakes which may be readily attached to the valve shown in Fig. 5. A valve of similar construction is also described for independent use. The brake-pipe 88 is closed by a cup-washer 49 slidable in the cylinder 85. When the rod 67 is pulled downwards, the piston 47 is forced inwards, and air passes out through ports 52 into the chamber 85 and along the spiral channel 53 in the valve stem to atmosphere. Fig. 15 shows a combination valve which may be readily divided. In this example, the ends 100, 100<a> of pivoted levers connected to the communication cord pull down a member 67. The vacuum-brake valve is arranged at the top of the casing and resembles that shown in Fig. 5. The pressurebrake valve resembles that shown in Fig. 6, but has a stem 53 of cruciform section. A screwed spigot 103 permits ready removal or attachment of the lower valve casing.