Apparatus for Counting the Number of Bell or Gong Signalling Beats.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Counting the Number of Bell or Gong Signalling
Beats.
I, EDWARD FRENCH, of No. 1 Trevor Road, Hitchin, in the County of Herts,
Inspector of Signals, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:--
The signalmen on railways usually communicate with each other by beats of a
bell or gong caused by electric currents transmitted from one station to another.
When these signals require a considerable number of successive beats, it is
generally difficult for the person hearing them to count the number.
My invention relates to apparatus for counting the number of beats in any signal
transmitted, and shewing that number visibly to the person to whom the signal is
directed. For this purpose, I introduce into the signalling circuit an electro-
maguet which is excited by every current that serves to transmit a beat and attracts
its armature in opposition to a spring.
This armature acts as a pawl, turning round step by step a counting wheel
provided with pegs or teeth with which the pawl engages.
On this wheel are marked successive numbers any one of which can present
itself at an opening through a screen.
I arrange an anchor pawl to engage with the teeth or pegs of the counting wheel
or of a ratchet wheel on the axis of the wheel. This anchor prevents the wheel
from turning more than one step at each beat, and holds it until another beat
occurs.
After the total number of beats constituting the signal has been transmitted, the
signalman sees that number through the opening, and, having noted the number, he.
acknowledges the receipt of the signal, as usual, by a beat transmitted by his own
signalling handle or plunger. This is connected to the anchor pawl in such a way
that, when it sends the beat of acknowledgement, it disengages the anchor pawl,
releasing the counting wheel which is then turned by a spring back to its zero
position. Instead of employing a separate electromagnet, the magnet which works:
the beating hammer may work also the pawl which turns the counting wheel. And,
instead of shewing the numbers through an opening, these numbers may be on a
dial pointed to by an index moved by the counting wheel.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1895.
ABEL & IMKAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Apparatus for Counting the Number of Bell or Gong Signalling
Beats.
I, EDWARD FRENCH of No. 1 Trevor Road, Hitchin, in the County of Herts,
Inspector of Signals, 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 :-
The signalmen on railways usually communicate with each other by beats of a
bell or gong caused by electric currents transmitted from one station to another.

page_text: When these signals require a considerable number of successive beats, it is
generally difficult for the person hearing them to count the number.
My invention relates to apparatus for counting the number of beats in any signal
transmitter, and shewing that number visibly to the person to whom the signal is
directed.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is an elevation of beat counting apparatus
according to my invention the front of the case being removed to shew the interior.
Fig. 2 is a similar view behind the indicating disc, the case being quite removed.
Figs. 3 and 4 are end views looking opposite ways.
Fig. 5 is plan of the top, and
Fig. 6 is a plan, the case being removed.
On a base B within a case C is fixed the electro magnet M having the spring
armature A carrying the hammer H by which is struck the gong G. To the lever
of the armature A is connected one arm of a lever L another arm of which has
jointed to it a spring pawl P, while a third arm S is rigidly attached to the body
of the lever L.
In suitable bearings is mounted a dial disc D having consecutive numbers marked
on its front, and on the same axis is fixed a disc Q with projecting pins Q' corre-
sponding in number and position with the numbers on the dial. On the same axis
is fixed a pulley having a chain or cord by which hangs a weight W, and there is
a ratchet wheel R engaged by a pawl E. The key lever K by which the signalman
sends a signal acknowledging the beats received, has a vertical arm N engaging in
a tail T projecting rearwards from the boss of the pawl E.
As the armature A oscillates causing the hammer H to give repeated strokes on
the gong G the pawl P engaging the pins Q¹ causes the disc D to rotate one
division for each stroke of the hammer, the arm S checking it so as to prevent it
from over-running.
The casing has a glazed opening at O through which one of the numbers on the
dial can be seen, this number being that which counts the number of beats that
have been given. When the operator acknowledges the signal, by depressing his
key K, the arm N moving forwards pushes the pawl E, thus leaving the ratchet
wheel R free, whereupon the weight W descends turning the dial back to its zero
position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
Apparatus for counting the number of bell or gong signalling beats substantially
as described with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 18th dor of Santember 1806
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.