Patent GB-190110616-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Apparatus for Operating Signals and like Apparatus
Filed: 1901-05-22
Granted: 1902-03-20
Abstract: 10,616. Lake, H. H., [Hall Signal Co.]. May 22. Semaphore &c. signals.-Relates to apparatus for operating signals, switches, and the like. Figs. 1 and 4 show the application of the invention to a railway signal in which a home and a distant signal are operated, the arrangement being such that the signals are brought to the danger position by a balance weight on the semaphore arms. The operating-rods 4 for the signals are moved to the safety position by means of a wheel 7 driven from a motor 5 and acting through clutches. Backward movement of the wheel 7 is prevented by a pawl and ratchet-wheel. Each rod 4 is connected to a lever 12, which carries a clutch lever 13 having a toe 15 adapted to engage a projection 16 or latch 17 on the wheel 7. A pin 22 on the lever 13 engages a guide formed on a pivoted bar 18, which carries the armature 21 of a magnet 8. When the magnet is not energized, the projection or latch rocks the lever 13 without moving the lever 12, but, if the magnet is energized, the armature is attracted, and the lever 13 is prevented from rocking, thereby locking the same to the lever 12, so that the latter is moved to operate a signal by the movement of the projection or latch. In order that the two signals may be operated independently, a detachable connection is employed whereby one signal, usually the home signal, can after operation be retained in the set position. The spring-controlled latch 17 for engaging the toe of the lever 13 has a projecting pin 24. When the signal is moved to the set position, the toe engages a rack 27, and the latch is released, so as to allow further movement of the wheel 7, by the engagement of the pin 24 with a cam 28. The circuit through each magnet 8 may be automatically broken, after the operation of the corresponding signal by the lever 12 striking a bell-crank lever 32, which forces apart the contact-points 29, 30 of the circuit. Any suitable circuits may be employed for controlling the magnets. In Fig. 1, a rail circuit for controlling the distant signal magnets is shown. In the block 40, 43 are circuits, normally closed, containing a magnet 42, 45 for operating the circuitclosers 46, 47 arranged in the circuit of the magnet 8. A train on entering the block 40 breaks the circuit of the magnet 42, and completes the circuit of the magnet 8, thereby causing the signal to be operated. On enteting the block 43, the circuit of the magnet 8 is broken, and the signal is restored to the normal position. The circuits may be arranged so that one signal will affect the other, or affect signals in advance or in the rear. In a modification, each magnet 8 is mounted upon a lever 12 and moves with it. A cam surface is also provided to ensure the engagement of the latch with the toe of the lever 13. Another arrangement of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 10, in which the signals are moved by means of belts or chains 58 driven through gearing from the motor shaft 60. Each rod 4 carries a bracket supporting a shaft, which carries a sprocket-wheel for engaging the chain 58 and a ratchet-wheel. A lever is attached to the armature of a magnet 73 mounted on this shaft, and, when the magnet is energized, a pin on this lever engages the ratchet and thereby locks the toothed wheel, so that it is moved by the chain to operate the signal. In order to allow the home signal to be operated and then retained in the set position, the driving-pinion 59 is mounted loosely on the motor shaft 60, and may be moved to engage a key to lock it to the shaft. A lever is arranged to move the pinion 59 on the shaft, and is engaged by the rod 4, when operated, to move the pinion out of engagement with the key. The pinion is restored to its normal position through a counterweight on the operating-lever. The motor circuit is broken by means of projections 80 which take between contact - pieces mounted on the brackets attached to the rods 4. One signal may control the action of the other signal of a pair, and, as a signal is moved, it may also operate a circuit controller for another pair of signals.