Patent GB-191218650-A (GB)
Title: A Process and Apparatus for Automatically Recording Particulars of the Wagons Entering and Leaving Railway Station-yards, Depots or the like.
Inventor: SOKOLOFF ANATOL
Filed: 1912-08-14
Granted: 1913-08-14
Abstract: 18,650. Sokoloff, A. Aug. 14, Recording movements of trains.-The identification numbers of the wagons entering and leaving a station are printed and a counter showing the number of wagons occupying the station is actuated by electro - magnetic apparatus controlled by switches on the track co-operating with a strip carried by each car having projections arranged according to its identification number. Fig. 1 is an elevation of a strip carried beneath a car having several series of lugs a ... h projecting downwards to operate contacts n, Fig. 3, on the track, and contacts a2 ... g2 projecting at one side so as to engage either contacts m or p according to the direction of motion. The recording-apparatus, Fig. 3, is in two parts D, A, the former recording the numbers of arriving cars and the latter, those of departing cars. Each part comprises a number of typewheels, each wheel being actuated step by step each time its electro-magnet R, S, T, &c. is energized. The circuits of these magnets include switch arms f, f1, which are moved step by step by magnets I, II. The track contacts are pivoted to make contact to different magnets according to the direction in which they are passed over, and the apparatus records the number of a car passing in or out of the section independently of the direction of the car. A car with the strip shown in Fig. 1 moving with the lug a foremost into the station from left to right over the track box K is recorded and counted as follows. The lug a moves contact n to close the circuit from the battery B to line k<1>, but no current passes since the switch f<1> is on a dead stud ; the lug a2 moves the switch m to close the circuit from the battery B over the line i<1> to magnet I' which moves the switch f<1> to an active stud r<1>; the six lugs b move the switch n six times to close the circuit through the switch f<1> to the magnet R<1> which moves the type-wheel six steps to bring the numeral 6 to the printing position. The switch f<1> is moved step by step by each lug b<2>, c<2>, &c. on the side of the strip on the car, and the lugs c, d, set successive type wheels in position. The lug h finally moves the switch n to close the circuit to the magnet X<1>, which causes the number so set to be printed and releases the type-wheels for return to zero and closes the circuit to the magnet + of a counting-mechanism C to add one unit to the number shown thereby. On passing out of the section, the recording- apparatus A is operated and the magnet X closes the circuit to the magnet - of the counting- mechanism C to deduct one unit from the number shown thereby. A car carrying the strip in a reversed position when entering the station over the track box K actuates the switch p, and controls the switch f<1>1, the contacts of which are connected in reverse order to the typewheel magnets. Fig. 4 shows the arm 12 which presses the tape 11 against the typewheels and the means for releasing these after printing. The lever 13 engages the detent lever 17 when the type-wheel is moved from its zero position and on the return of the bar 12 under the action of the spring the lever 13 moves about its pivot to rock the detent and release the ratchet.