Improvements in Railway Signalling Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 25th Aug., 1893-Accepted, 4th Nov., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Signalling Apparatus.
JOSEPH ATACK 105 New Park Street, Blackburn Lancashire Flour Salesman
does hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
By a new arrangement and application of electric wires immediately a loco-
motive engine approaches within a given distance of another engine, train or part
of a train either on the same line or on any line crossing it, an electric bell (which
will be fixed in a position close to the driver of the engine so approaching) will
ring thus enabling the driver to detect danger ahead. Moreover the bell will
continue ringing until all risk of a collision is entirely removed.
The arrangement of the electric wires is as follows;
Each engine is furnished with an "electric battery and bell" these being connected
by an insulated wire.
Two insulated wires, one from the battery and the other from the bell are con-
nected to two separate "suspenders" (herein after mentioned) which are placed
under and attached to the front of the engine.
Insulated wires are laid along the permanent way in short sections, the length
of these sections representing the distance required to enable the driver to pull up
his train so as to avoid a collision. And as the distance so required would vary
with the difference in the gradient of the permanent way, the length of the
sections would be arranged accordingly.
or
"
"
"
A portion (we will call A) of the wires of every section is laid near the "rails
"metals" and is provided with "buttons or "pushes" which will be acted
upon by every engine wheel, carriage wheel; or waggon wheel which passes over
that particular point of the "rails" "metals
or
-thus connecting the two
insulated wires of that section.
"
The wires-in portion A-are, at a suitable distance, and by a sharp curve,
taken further away from the "rails or "metals" and then form the other portion of
the section which we will call portion B.
The wires in portion B will run parallel with the "rails" or "metals "--will be
provided with connecting rods and will be so arranged that the rods will come into
contact with the suspenders and will connect the insulated wires of the section
with the battery & bell on the engine.
66
Thus it will be seen that if the wheels of any part of a train are acting on the
pushes" (portion A) and an approaching engine has arrived on the other portion
of the same section viz. portion B-the "suspenders" attached to the engine_so
approaching will on coming into contact with the insulated wires on that section
complete the current and the bell on the engine will immediately commence
ringing.
In cases where lines cross each other it is obvious that four engines may arrive
equidistant from the crossing at the same time. In order to prevent the bells
ringing on all these engines and thus bringing the trains to a stand, additional
insulated wires will be laid, which will connect the insulated wires on the permanent
way with "switches" placed in the cabin (or signal box).
These switches will be so arranged that the signal man may stop the ringing of
the bells on two engines running parallel with each other and so allow these two
trains to proceed.
Dated this 24th day of November 1892.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Signalling Apparatus.
I, JOSEPH ATACK, of 105 New Park Street, Blackburn in the County of
Lancaster, Flour Salesman do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to a new arrangement and application of electric wires
and apparatus whereby immediately a locomotive engine approaches within a
given distance of another engine, train or part of a train, either on the same line,
or on any line crossing it, an electric bell (which is fixed in a position close to
the driver of the engine so approaching) will ring, and thus enable the driver to
detect danger ahead. The electric bell will continue ringing until all risk of a
collision is entirely removed.
According to this invention, each engine, or engine and signal box is furnished
with an electric battery and bell, or bell and semiphore, these being connected by
an insulated wire.
Two insulated wires, one from the battery and the other from the bell, are con-
nected to two separate suspenders (hereinafter referred to) which are placed under
and attached to the engine.
Insulated wires are laid along the permanent way in sections, the length of these
sections representing the distance required to enable the driver to pull up his train so
as to avoid a collision, and as the distance so required would vary with the difference
in the gradient of the permanent way, the length of the sections are arranged
accordingly.
A portion of the wires of every section are laid near the rails or metals, and are
provided with buttons, pushes or locking devices, which will be acted upon by
every engine wheel, carriage wheel, or waggon wheel which passes over that
particular point of the rails or metals thus connecting the two insulated wires of
that section.
The wires in this portion are as stated close to the rails, and near one end of
each section are, by a sharp curve taken further away from the rails or metals and
this portion of the section also runs parallel with the rails or metals, and the
portion of the section furthest away from the rails or metals so arranged that the
suspenders on the engine will come into contact with the rods or wires or connecting
rods and will connect the insulated wires of the section with the battery and bell
on the engine.
Thus it will be seen that if the wheels of any part of a train act on the pushes
or locking devices of a section and another train arrives on the same section, the
suspenders, attached to the engine so approaching, will, on coming into contact
with the insulated wires on that section, complete the circuit; and the bell on the
approaching engine will immediately commence ringing.
In cases where lines cross each other it is obvious that four or more engines may
possibly arrive equidistant from the crossing at the same time. In order to
prevent the bells ringing on all these engines, and thus bringing the trains to
a stand still, additional insulated wires will be laid, which will connect the
insulated wires on the permanent way with switches placed in the cabin or
sigual box, these switches will be so arranged that the signal man may stop the
ringing of the bells on two engines running parallel with cach other, and so allow
these two trains to proceed.
Such being the nature and object of my said invention, the following is a
complete description of same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings
in which :-
:-
Fig. 1 is a plan view of part of a permanent way, shewing the lines protected

page_text: sections only being shewn.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of part of a permanent way shewing a simple crossing
protected by the improved signalling apparatus and shewing the sections connected
with switches in the signal box or cabin.
Fig. 3 shews diagramatically the wires from the several sections in Fig. 2
connected with switches as shewn.
Figs. 4 are diagrams shewing different circuits completed.
Fig. 5 is a side elevation of part of the locking device for connecting the two
wires and completing the circuit the remaining part of the locking device being
shewn by Figure 11.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of apparatus for releasing or unlocking the device and
breaking the circuit.
Figs. 7 and 8 are details of Fig. 6.
Fig. 9 is a plan view of Figs. 5 and 6.
Fig. 10 is a view of part of Fig. 5 shewing the circuit completed.
Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a modified form of locking device, and also shews
part of the apparatus to be employed in connection with Fig. 5.
Fig. 11 shews a modified form of apparatus to be employed for connecting one
end of the insulated wires such apparatus to be employed when no unlocking
device is used.
Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the suspenders to be attached to the engines.
Fig. 13 shews the method of connecting the locking device shewn by Fig. 11A
to a bell and battery in the signal box.
According to this invention, I employ two insulated wires 1. 2 which are laid
side by side on the permanent way, and near to and parallel with one of the rails.
One of the wires 1 is connected to the part 3 of the locking device (see
Figs. 5, 9, 10, 11) and the other wire 2 to the other part 4 of the said locking
device.
The locking device or push consists of a long button or push 5 carried by links
6. 6 free to turn on the pins or studs 7.7 carried in brackets 8 fixed to the sleeper 9
(see Fig. 5) and the end of the button or push 5 has a head 5° formed on it. A
second long button or push 5* (see Fig. 11) is by links 6" 6 mounted loosely on the
studs 7 7 fixed in the side of the rail and the end 11 of the button or push 5ª or
a cross piece 11b fixed thereon abuts against the end or head 5 of the button or
push 5. When the wheel 10 of an engine or carriage passes over the rail the
flange of the wheel presses on the push or button 5ª (see Figs. 5 and 9) the latter
is depressed and turns on its studs 7* 7 and the end 11 of the button or push 5* or
the cross piece 11° comes in contact with the end 5 of the button or push 5 and
the latter is pressed forward and turns on its studs 7. 7, and the end 11 of the
button or push 5 comes in contact with the top curved end of the catch 12,
forwards until the notch 14 passes over the end 11 (see Fig. 10) and the two
parts 3, 4 are thus held together, and the contact between the wires 1. 2 made and
maintained until broken as hereinafter described.
The locking device shewn by Fig. 11 when used without the apparatus shewn by
Figs. 5 and 9 is operated and operates in the manner already described. The
wheel 10 depresses the button 5 and the links 6 turning on the studs 7° the end 11ª
is forced under the notch 14 and the circuit is completed.
The locking devices shewn by Fig. 11ª consists of two preferably angular pieces
of metal H, H insulated from one another by the rubber pad I. One of the
insulated wires 1 is connected to one of the pieces of metal H, and the other insulated
wire 2 is connected to the other piece of metal H. A third preferably angular
piece of metal J is mounted on a lever K carried on a fulcrum stud L in a bracket
fixed to the sleeper 9 and the end M of the lever K is either under one of the rails
or metals or in such a position as to be acted upon by the flange of a wheel passing
along such rail or metal. When the end M is depressed the lever K turns on its
fulcrum and the metal J is moved between and into contact with the two pieces of

page_text: metal H. H and the wires 1. 2 are connected at this end of the section. When
the train has passed over the rails at this point the weight of the metal J breaks
the contact.
This locking device is intended to further protect sidings in the following
manner-viz. The locking device is laid in the siding near the main line and is
connected by insulated wires with the wires 1. 2 on the main line and arranged in
such a position that if any carriage wagon or engine standing in the siding is not
clear of the main line, such wagon, carriage or engine will cause the piece of metal J
to move between and so connect the pieces of metal H. H and wires 1. 2 in the
manner above described. The wires 1. 2 being thus connected the bell on the
engine (on the main . line) approaching such siding will commence ringing imme-
diately its suspenders come into contact with the bars 35 of the wires 1. 2 of the
section connected to the said locking device Fig. 11 and the bell will con-
tinue to ring so long as the device Fig. 11 remains locked in the manner above
described, or until the engine, on the main line removes its suspenders from the bars
of that section by backing off the section, altogether.
The locking device may also be used to warn a signal man at a crossing or
junction of the approach of a train, in the following manner, viz. The locking
device Fig. 11 is placed in position on the line at a distance from the signal box
and the insulated wires 1. 2 Fig. 11 are respectively connected to a battery and
bell in the signal box in the ordinary manner (see Fig. 13) and so arranged that
when an engine approaching the cabin comes into contact with locking device
Fig. 11 the lever K acts in the manner already described and connects the
metals H. H and the wires 1. 2 and thus completes the circuit necessary to ring the
bell in the cabin.
A short rod 17 is fixed to the end of the slide catch 12, and the end of this rod
is of shape, or has a head formed on it, loosely clipping the rod 19 which extends
along the side of the rail (see Figs. 5 and 6) and its other end is connected to the
releasing or unlocking device shewn by Figs. 6. 7. 8. and 9. The unlocking device
is fixed to the side of the rail and when a wheel 10 passes over it the flange of the
wheel presses on the button 20, and depresses same, and in the button 20 is a
stud 21, which is forced down therewith. The said stud passes through a vertical
slot 22 in the plate 23, and also through a second oblique slot 23ª in the loose
plate 24 carried by the horizontal slots 25, being placed on the studs 26 fixed on
the plate 23. When the button 20 is depressed, it moves down the vertical slot 22,
and also down the oblique slot 23, and the loose plate 24 is thus moved in a
lateral or forward direction, and pulls the rod 19 which is connected therewith, and
this rod pulls the short rod 17 and catch 12, so that the long button or push 5
or 5 is released from the holding notch 14, and the contact between the two
wires 1. 2 is broken. When the wheel has passed over the buttons or pushes 5ª, 20,
the counterbalance weights 15 on the short levers 16, free to move on the
fulcrums 29, will move the several parts to their normal position ready for being
acted upon and depressed by another wheel.
The wires 1. 2 are laid along the permanent way in sections or blocks (see Figs. 1
and 2) the length of these sections representing the distance required to enable the
driver to pull up and stop his train, so as to avoid a collision, and as the distance so
required will vary with the difference in the gradient of the permanent way, so will
the length of the several sections vary accordingly.
It will be seen by Figs. 1 and 2 that the wires 1. 2 are laid parallel to the rails,
and at some little distance therefrom, until nearing the end of the section, when the
wires are carried nearer to the rails, and are connected to the pushes, buttons, or
locking devices 3. 4 hereinbefore described, so that as soon as the front or first
wheel of the train passes over the locking device or push, the wires 1. 2 are
connected, and remain connected until the train has passed over that section, and
connected the wires 1. 2 on the next succeeding section. When the wires 1.2 have
been connected as above described, the train travelling in the direction indicated
by the arrows, will pass over the push or button 20 of the unlocking device, and

page_text: the latter acting in the manner above described, will by the rod 19 break the
contact between the wires 1. 2 on the next (or other) preceeding section. It will
thus be seen that the contact between the wires of any section is not broken until
after contact between the wires on the succeeding section has been made.
On each engine is an electric bell fixed in position close to the driver of the
engine, and also an electric battery, which are connected by an insulated wire.
Two insulated wires, one from the bell, and one from the battery, are connected to
two seperate suspenders 30 (see Fig. 12) which are fixed by brackets 31 to any
part of the underside of the engine. The brackets 31 are formed as hollow
sockets 32 (shewn in section on the right-hand side of Fig. 12) in which are received
the spindles 33 of the suspender 30, the lower part of which preferably provided
with a wire brush 34; on each spindle 33 of the suspenders 30, I prefer that a
spiral spring should be placed, in order to give elasticity to the suspenders, but this
is not a necessity, as the wire brushes 34 and connecting rods 35 (when provided
with springs or cushions of rubber) are sufficient, or either the brush 34, or the
spring in the suspender 30 may be dispensed with.
The portion of each section from the points X to V (see Fig. 1) is provided with
connecting rods or bars 35 (see Figs. 1. 12) with which the suspenders 30, or the
brush 34, will come in contact as the train passes over the section so that the
suspenders or brushes will always be in contact with the bar or bars in one section
or another.
The wires 1. 2 are cut, and each cut end attached to one end of the connecting
rod or bars 35 as shewn, or each wire 1. 2 is otherwise connected to its connecting
bar or rod 35, there being one of such connecting rods 35 for each wire, or a series
of such connecting rods for each wire, and each section; preferably a series of
bars 35 are used, the bars 35 for wire 1 to be connected to each other electrically
by insulated wires. The bars 35 for wire 2 are connected in like manner.
The distance between each bar 35 on wire 1 and also the distance between each
bar on wire 2 Inust not be greater than the length of the suspender 30.
The connecting rods 35 are preferably fixed to the ordinary sleepers, and the
rods of one wire 1 are insulated from the rods of the other wire 2, by being carried
on rubber beds 36 placed between the rods 35 and the sleepers.
When a train or engine has connected the two insulated wires 1. 2 in the manner
described, and a second engine or train comes onto the same section or the preceeding
section, the suspenders 30 attached to the second engine, will on coming into
contact with the connecting rods 35 of the insulated and now connected wires 1. 2
complete the circuit, and the bell on the second engine will commence ringing and
continue to ring, or will ring intermittently where the counecting rods are not con-
tinuous, until the train or engine backs off the section, or the first or preceeding
engine gets so far in advance of the following one as to be out of danger that is of
the section.
In cases near crossings or sidings, extra pushes, and locking devices, and insulated
wires may be connected to electric bells inside the signal box, so that the signalman
is warned that a train or trains are nearing the crossing or siding, as in cases where
lines cross each other, it is obvious that two or more engines may arrive equidistant
from the crossing at the same time. In order to prevent the bells ringing on all
these engines, and thus bringing the trains to a standstill, additional insulated wires
will be laid, which will connect the insulated wires 1. 2 on the permanent way, with
ordinary switchies placed in the cabin or signal box. The switches are so arranged
that the signalman can break the contact, and stop the ringing of the bells on two
engines running parallel with each other, and so allow these two trains to pass.
In Fig. 2 which shews a simple crossing, the insulated wires 1. 2 are laid in
sections as hereinbefore described, and the wires of each section on each pair of
rails A. B. C. D are connected by wires also marked A. B. C. D with the switches 37-
(see Figs. 3 and 4) in the signal box or cabin, and the signalman can, by moving
the switches, connect or disconnect different sections (see Figs. 3 and 4) so that

page_text: the bells will only ring on such engines as are on the sections connected, and other
engines can proceed.
The locking device 3 on line B (see Fig. 2) is connected by wires 38 to the wires
on the section of line C. The locking device on section 3ª on line B (see Fig. 2)
is connected by wires 39 to the wires on the section of line A, so that the drivers of
trains on lines A or C, may be warned before they get onto the crossing that
another engine is approaching on line B. Just in the same way, line D is provided
with extra pushes or lock devices 3b and 3°, these lock devices being connected with
the sections on lines A and C by wires 40 and 41 respectively, and locking devices
are also on lines A and C in like manner thus protecting them against lines B
and D. Crossings of any number of lines may be protected in this manner.
To protect a train which has been moved into a siding, or to protect the siding
and allow another train to pass along the main line, connect two wires to the
section on the main line opposite the switch of the siding, and the other end of one
of such wires is connected to the pointsman's lever for opening or closing such
siding. The free end of the other wire is connected to a point with which the lever
comes in contact when it has been moved, to open the siding, so that at this time
the ends of the wires 1. 2 will be connected, and the driver of any train or engine
arriving on the section will be warned.. When the lever is moved to close the
siding, the ends of the wires 1. 2 are disconnected, and the main line is clear, it will
thus be seen that so long as the siding is open, the drivers of trains on the main line
will be warned. The locking and unlocking devices may be enclosed in a box or
casing, the buttons or pushes only being exposed. A miniature semaphore may be
fixed in a convenient position on each engine and worked in conjunction with the
bell on the engine. All that is necessary is to connect the battery and wires on
the engine to an electro-magnet attached to the semaphore in the ordinary and well
known manner.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature and object of my
said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that
what I claim is :-
1. The general construction, arrangement, and combination of parts constituting
the improved apparatus for signalling ou railways, as and for the purpose herein
described, and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
2. The method of and means employed for signalling on railways, consisting of
insulated wires 1. 2 laid in sections, the push or locking and connecting device, and
the suspenders placed along and underneath a portion of the engine or train, and
connected by wires with a bell, semiphore, or signal on the engine, all in combina-
tion and substantially as herein described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
3. The method of and means employed for signalling on railways, consisting of
the insulated wires 1. 2 laid in sections, with the means for disconnecting same
when the engine or train has arrived on the next section, as and for the purpose
herein described.
Dated this 23rd day of August. 1893