An Electrical Signalling Device for Railway Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Nov., 1887
Specification Accepted, 15th June, 1888
An Electrical Signalling Device for Railway Purposes.
I, SAMUEL SIDNEY BROMHEAD of 97 Newgate Street, London, E.C., Patent
Agent, (communicated) do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My invention consists of an electrical signaling device for indicating the approach
of railway trains at highway crossings or other places remote from the operating
mechanism of the signal circuit, which is put into action by an approaching and
passing train.
Fig. 1. illustrates a side view of the device, in connection with a railway rail.
Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective detail view of the insulating block hereinafter more fully
described. Fig. 3. illustrates one of the clamping screws, and a part of their accom-
panying mechanism hereinafter more fully described. Fig. 4. illustrates one of the
connecting springs of the insulating block, hereinafter more fully described.
Like symbols of reference indicate like parts wherever they occur.
In the drawing, N, Fig. 1. is a vibrating rod or arm, fulcrumed at A, to a bracket E,
and extends at right angles to the railway-rail, R. The inner end of this rod or arm
is bent upward to extend under and sit against the head of the rail. The vibrating
rod or arm is preferably made of steel or other elastic springing material, and mounted
on the outer end is an insulator block, C, to which is attached connecting springs H,
and J, and also standards T and W₁, holding set screws for properly adjusting the
connecting springs.
About one third the length of the vibrating rod or arm, N, is attached at G, a
similar rod or arm F, having on its outer end a coiled metal spring, M, which is
delineated as broken away for the better illustration of the clamp Wand is so
arranged that its outer end or arm may pass a little above the contact springs H and J
as illustrated. This coiled spring M, has on its inner end a weight Y, to secure

page_text: evenness and regularity of motion. W, W, are line wires of the signal circuit, con-
nected electrically with the connecting springs H and J. on the insulator block, C.
These wires extend to the crossing, or other place where a signal is to be given, and
have in circuit a battery and an electric bell or other electrical alarm signal.
When the arm F of the coiled spring M, brings the points of contact, 61 of the con-
necting springs H, & J, together or against each other it will complete the circuit
and will sound the alarm at the crossing.
I will now describe the manner of attaching the bracket, E, to the rail which forms
a feature of my invention.
The bracket at its rear end is made of substantially, U form, and fits under and at
the sides of the flange of the rail, and on one side a lug f, projects inwardly and fits
over the flange, set screws, B, pass through the side of the U shaped part of the
bracket to the web of the rail. When the screws B are tightened the lug, f, and the
end, D, of the bracket bear on the flange; exerting force in opposite directions, and
securely clamping the bracket to the rail. The free end of the bracket is provided
with a short arm or support, upon which is fastened the vibrating web or arm, N, by a
bolt, A, passing through them.
The foregoing is a general description of the device, and its operation is as
follows:
When a train is approaching, and passing the signal device along the Rail, R, the
pounding of the train on the rail, and its jarring motion communicated to the rail,
causes the coiled spring M, to be agitated, and its motion communicated to the short
arm F, and through it to the longer arm, N. The two work alternately against each
other, causing the outer end or arm of the coiled spring M, near the point of attach-
ment to the short arm, F, to strike rapidly against the points of contact 6, on the con-
necting springs, H & J, each time when the arm of the coiled spring drives the ends
of the contact springs H & J, together at b¹ the circuit is closed and the alarm is
sounded. As the train passes more or less rapidly over the device the recoil of the
spring M, becomes more pronounced, and continues the rocking motion of the vibrating
arms, N, & F, long enough for the train to reach the point of danger The time being
graduated by the distance of the points of contact from their points of contact on
the arm
of the coiled spring, M, this being regulated by set screws on the
standards W & T, on the insulator block.
When the vibration of the arm F, grows less the points of contact cease to meet,
and the circuit is permanently broken, by the device returning to its normal
position.
I have not shown in the drawings any specific kind of indicator or alarm signal, to
be placed in the circuit and connected with the wires, W, W, since their construction
forms no necessary part of my invention.
The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Having now fully described and ascertained what the nature of my said inven-
tion is, and how the same is constructed and performed, I hereby declare that
what I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,
1. The combination in an electrical signalling device for railways, of an electrical
signal circuit, contact springs arranged as specified and a vibrating rod or arm,
arranged to be moved by the jarring of an approaching and passing train, and a
movable circuit-closing spring rod or arm, mounted on said rod or arm.
motion of the rod; the spring is caused to vibrate, to impinge upon the upper contact
Whereby on
spring, to cause it to strike the lower contact spring, and to close the circuit inter-
mittently, substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. The combination in an electrical signal device for railways, of a signal circuit,
a rod or arm arranged to be moved by the jarring of an approaching and passing
train, and a movable circuit breaking coiled spring, mounted on said arm, whereby on
motion of the spring, the arm is caused to vibrate to cause the contact springs to
strike together and to close the circuit intermittently, substantially as and for the
purposes described.

page_text: 3. The combination in an electrical signalling device for railways, of a signal
circuit, a movable circuit-closing rod or arm, arranged to be oscillated by the jarring
of an approaching and passing train; and having on its outer end an insulator block,
mounted, which has attached to it connecting springs and connecting wires; to form
the points of contact for closing and completing an electric circuit, substantially as and
for the purposes described.
4. The combination in an electrical signalling device for railways of a signal circuit,
a circuit-closing rod or arm arranged to be oscillated by the jarring of an approaching
and passing train, and having mounted on it near its inner end a secondary rod or arm,
arranged to vibrate alternately with it, and having on its outer end a coiled spring,
and connecting wires, forming in connection with contact springs, as specified, means
for closing and completing an electric circuit, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
5. The combination in an electrical signalling device for railways, of a signal circuit,
a vibrating rod or arm, arranged to be oscillated by the jarring of an approaching
and passing train, an insulator block, mounted on said arm, contact springs mounted
on the insulator block, and upright standards holding set screws; also attached to the
insulator block, substantially as and for the purposes described.
6. The combination in an electrical signalling device for railways of a signal circuit;
a circuit-closing rod or arm arranged to be oscillated by the jarring of an approaching
and passing train, a bracket E removably secured to the railway rail, and forming a
support for the vibrating rod or arm, and provided with a lug, fitting inwardly over
the flange of the rail, and set screws B, clamping the bracket to the rail, substantially
as and for the purposes described.
S. S BROMBEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C.,
Patent Agent.