Patent GB-190409557-A (GB)
Title: Improved Means for and Method of Operating Railway Points and Signals.
Inventor: BLEYNIE GUSTAVE GABRIEL
Filed: 1904-04-26
Granted: 1904-09-15
Abstract: 9557. Bleynie, G. G., and Ducousso, T. May 1, A.D. 1903, [date applied for under Patents Act, A.D. 1901]. Controlling and locking signals; interlocking.-Relates to means for operating and controlling railway signals and switches, and consists in utilizing a single lever for controlling any number of signals or switches which cannot be passed simultaneously without danger, the same being a modification of the apparatus described in Specification No. 24,820, A.D. 1901. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the apparatus, and Figs. 3, 4, and 5 sectional plans on the lines u-v, w-x, y-z, respectively, of Fig. 2. The example selected for explaining the operation of the apparatus is shown in Fig. 1, and comprises four tracks A, B, C, D converging towards two tracks E, F. With the apparatus described in the above-mentioned Specification, eight levers would be required at the signal station, while with the present form a single lever is used for connecting the tracks A, B, C, D with the track E, and another for connecting them to the track F. Auxiliary commutators, in this case four, will respectively act on the signals commanding each of the four movements. Thus, for one of the levers, the first commutator acts on the signals G, K, the second on H, K, the third on I, K, and the fourth on J, K, and similarly for the other lever. The operation of the commutators must in this form of the apparatus precede that of the lever. The operating-lever 1 and its connections are identical with the lever described in the prior Specification. When this lever is moved over, the connecting-rod 5 rotates the cylinder 11 through the angle a, Fig. 5. Parallel to this cylinder are arranged selecting-shafts 13, 14, 15, 16 carrying arms 17 which, by their contact with the cams 19, due to the springs 21, cause the shafts to oscillate when the auxiliary commutators 50 are rotated. The arms 17 are in their normal position when fitting into the recess in the cams. The selecting-shafts carry contact-springs 22 to 23 and a bent arm 29. When the lever 1 is in its normal position, the slots in the top of the cylinder 11 stand opposite these bent arms so that, when the selecting-shafts are moved out of the normal position, these arms pass through the slots, Fig. 4, and the spring contacts 22 to 23 press against the cylinders, Fig. 5. If the lever 1 is now moved over, the cylinder rotates, and the selecting-shaft previously moved becomes locked in position. The connections of the spring contacts 22 to 23, and the commutator 10, are exactly the same as in the apparatus described in the prior Specification. In order to prevent two conflicting movements from being made simultaneously, the lever 1 is prevented from completing its movement unless the bolt 9 has been withdrawn by the electromagnets 6. These magnets are placed in a circuit which is in series with an interrupter fitted on each of the parts which must occupy a given and indispensible position in order to authorize the movement. This series grouping is effected by the cylinder 11, the contact-springs of the particular selector shaft operated, and the contacts of the normal and reversed position of the selector shaft. Instead of the selection being obtained as described, combination cylinders with their contact-springs always in engagement may be used, the auxiliary handles merely connecting the required combination with the operating-lever, or a single cylinder divided into the required number of sectors may be employed and a single series of contact-springs used, the cylinder being adapted to be keyed on its shaft in a corresponding number of different positions, which keying positions are each produced mechanically by the auxiliary handle.