Improvements in Locking and Unlocking Points and Signals on Railways, which Improvements are also Applicable to the Locking and Unlocking of Turntables, Gates, and other Structures and Things Appertaining to Railways.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 20th July, 1888
Complete Specification Left. 13th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 25th May, 1889
Improvements in Locking and Unlocking Points and Signals on
Railways, which Improvements are also Applicable to the Locking
and Unlocking of Turntables, Gates, and other Structures and
Things Appertaining to Railways.
I SAMUEL TELFORD DUTTON of Marl Bank in the City of Worcester Civil Engineer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object principally to effect the locking and unlocking of
such points and signals of railways as are distant from a station and are not under
the manipulation of the signal man and are unconnected with each other. My inven-
tion is however applicable to the locking and unlocking generally of all such structures
and things appertaining to railways as require to be locked and unlocked.
By the use of my invention the working and secure locking of points and signals
and the like on railways is effected economically and with facility.
I will describe my invention in connection with the points of a railway which points
are at a distance from a station and are not under the control of the pointsman at or
near the station.
The essence of my invention consists in the construction and arrangement hereinafter
described of the parts of mechanism whereby the separated points can only be locked
and unlocked by the use of a prime master tappet or key operating on and influencing
the action of a series of secondary tappets in such a manner that the several points can
only be locked and unlocked in proper succession.
The rod connected with each point is jointed to a flat bar having a sliding motion in
a box or case fixed outside the rails and near the point. The said bar has a notch or
depression near the middle of one of its sides. Crossing the said bar at right angles
are two sliding bolts working side by side and pressed inwards by coiled springs.
The ends of each of these sliding bolts is turned up the turned up end of one bolt
being situated on the notched side of the flat bar and having a form and shape suitable
for engaging in the notch in the side of the bar. The turned up end of the other
sliding bolt is situated on the plain side of the sliding bar. The rear end of each bolt
has an incline by pressure on which the bolt is withdrawn and its spring compressed.

page_text: In the side of the box or case are two openings situated respectively on each side of
the flat bar. These openings are of a size and shape suitable for the introduction into
the said box of the tappets hereinafter described. The tappets and openings in the
box have such sizes and shapes that the said tappets can only be introduced into the
proper openings in the box.
The tappets referred to consist of flat bars of suitable shape having inclined surfaces
on the edges to move the cross bolts and notches for the purpose of being locked in
certain positions by the same.
The flat bar may be situated below the end of the tappets and the inclines and
notches on them may be on one side only and return inclines provided on the tappets
and cross bolts to ensure the movement of the latter when the tappets are withdrawn.
The action of the parts is as follows. Supposing the points to be locked the master
tappet or that which must be first used is in the station or other agreed place or in
the possession of the Station Master or other authorised person. This master tappet
is taken and introduced into the first box of the series its introduction pushing back
the cross bolt which locks the tappet already in the box and which locked the flat bar.
This tappet I will call tappet number two. This tappet number two being liberated is
withdrawn and its withdrawal causes the sliding bolt which held the flat bar locked to
move out of the notch in the bar. The said bar is liberated and the point is free to be
worked. The sliding bolt in moving in the direction by which it was disengaged
from the flat bar engages at one end in the notch of the master tappet which has
been introduced into the box and the said master tappet is locked in its place in the
box. The liberated tappet number two is introduced into the box of the second point
whereby its fixed tappet is liberated and withdrawn. Its withdrawal liberates the bar
of the second point which is now free to be worked. The tappet from the box of
the second is taken to the box of the third point where it operates in the manner
described with respect to the first and second points and so on through as many as
comprise the series. The tappet of the last box is made incapable of being wholly
withdrawn as it has no function to perform except in its own box in which it is capable
of the required sliding motion.
By reversing the operations described the points having been brought into their
normal positions they are relocked and the prime or master tappet liberated and
restored to its proper place or custody.
In cases where a series of points is to be locked they may when desired be operated
upon in groups only instead of in a series from beginning to end. For example where
there are six in the series it may be desirable to be able to operate upon the last four
or upon the last two without operating on the first two or the first four. To effect
this the prime or master tappet may have connected to it by joints or otherwise two
supplementary tappets one of which is of a shape suitable for unlocking the third point
of the series and consequently permitting the unlocking of the succeeding ones.
The other supplementary tappet may be of a shape suitable for unlocking the fifth
point and consequently permitting the unlocking of the last. This modification is
applicable to any number of points.
By slight modification of one of the sliding bolts my invention may be applied to
the locking and unlocking of signals and by other modifications of details which I do
not consider it necessary here to describe my said invention may be applied to stop
blocks gates turntables and other moving parts of railways and things appertaining to
railways.
....
تيمم
1000
W. T. WHITEMAN,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in Locking and Unlocking Points and Signals on
Railways, which Improvements are also Applicable to the Locking
and Unlocking of Turntables, Gates, and other Structures and
Things Appertaining to Railways.
I, SAMUEL TELFORD DUTTON of Marl Bank Worcester in the County of Worcester
Civil Engineer, 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 :-
My invention has for its object principally to effect the locking and unlocking of
points and signals of railways when such points are distant from a block section box
and are not under the manipulation of the signalman and are unconnected with each
other. My invention is however applicable to the locking and unlocking generally
of all such parts and things appertaining to railways as require to be locked and
unlocked.
By the use of my invention the working and secure interlocking of points and signals
and the like on railways is effected economically and with facility.
The essence of my invention consists in the construction and arrangement herein-
after described of the parts of mechanism whereby the separated points can only be
locked and unlocked by the use of a prime master tappet or key operating on and
influencing the action of a series of secondary tappets in such a manner that the
several points can only be locked and unlocked in the desired succession.
The rod connected with each point is jointed to a flat bar having a sliding motion
in a box or case fixed outside the rails and near the points. The said bar has a notch
near the middle of one of its sides. Crossing the said bar at right angles are two
sliding bolts working side by side and pressed inwards by coiled springs.
The ends of each of these sliding bolts are turned up, the turned up end of one bolt
being situated on the notched side of the flat bar and having a form and shape suitable
for engaging in the notch in the side of the bar. The turned up end of the other
sliding bolt is situated on the plain side of the siding bar.
The rear end of each bolt has an incline, by pressure on which, the bolt is with-
drawn and its spring compressed. In the side of the box or case are two openings
situated respectively on each side of the flat bar. These openings are of a size and
shape suitable for the introduction into the said box of the tappets hereinafter
described. The tappets and openings in the box have such sizes and shapes that the
said tappets can only be introduced into the proper openings in the box. The tappets
referred to consist of flat bars of suitable shape having inclined surfaces on the
edges to move the cross bolts and notches for the purpose of being locked in certain
positions by the same.
The flat bar may be situated below the level of the tappets and the inclines and notches
on them may be on one side only and return inclines provided on the tappets and
cross bolts to ensure the movement of the latter when the tappets are withdrawn.
I will now describe my invention reference being made for that purpose to the
accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 is a diagram of three lines of railway say an up and down passenger line and
a siding.

page_text: As the means for the interchange of traffic and as affording a simple illustration for
the application of my invention 1 have shewn a series of four pairs of points forming
a through road and a slip crossing. The points marked a in the siding, I will take as
the first pair in the series. For a movement from the siding to down main line the
next pair of points would be. D. It will be readily understood that the points
marked are intermediate points and are normally right for a traffic movement from
the down main to the up main or visa-versa. The points therefore only have reference
to a traffic movement from the down main to the siding and for this purpose should be
worked over.
For a movement in the opposite direction they may or may not be
worked, as if they are weighted points, the train will, as known in the art make its own
direction or force the points open to pass through them, the points falling back to their
normal position as soon as the last vehicle has cleared them. The points C should not
be used unless points A or D are worked, it will be sufficient therefore if for the
purpose of this description I do not apply my invention to them.
A loose key or master tappet say a¹ is supposed to be at the station or in the signal
box or in the care of the person in authority. Where ever it is so long as it is not in
the initial box of the series it may be taken as a sign that the series of points are
locked and secured.
Suppose for example the levers working the conflicting or block signals are con-
centrated in a signal box then the master key or tappet a' is normally attached to
these levers in such a manner that it can only be withdrawn for the purposes of
unlocking any pair of points in a series after having locked all the conflicting signal
levers in their danger position.
Should however the conflicting signals not be worked by levers concentrated in a
suitable spot then the master key or tappet would be normally on the signal post of
any conflicting signal and by suitable mechanism known in the art it could only be
withdrawn after locking the signal in the danger attitude. In this instance it might
be necessary to take this master tappet and go through a similar performance upon
another conflicting signal locking that in the danger position before the secondary
tappet or key withdrawable from that signal could be inserted in the first locking box
of the series of points that is required to be opened or released.
It will be sufficient however to suppose that the levers working the conflicting
signals e e e e are concentrated on the platform at F. and that the master tappet or
key a' is normally inserted in suitable connection with the said conflicting signal lovers,
so that before it can be withdrawn all the said signal levers must be locked at danger.
When the tappet a' is withdrawn from F and inserted in the box at a it releases
another tappet a³ in the said box, and the withdrawal of the said tappet a from the
box releases the blade connected to the switch points. The switch points at d are
normally locked and can only be released by the withdrawal of a releasing tappet from
box a or box b.
I will describe the unlocking for a movement from the siding to the down main,
therefore the releasing tappet from the box at a is inserted in the box at d thereby
unlocking the blade connected to the switch points, and allowing the points to be
worked. When the releasing tappet a from the box" was withdrawn it back-
locked the master tappet a' in the box, so that it could not be withdrawn. The reverse
action is that the switch points at d must be replaced normal allowing the tappet a²
to be withdrawn from the box, this action locking the said switch points in their
normal position, the switch points at "a" are now replaced normal, the tappet a²
reinserted in the box, this action locking the said switch points in their normal position
and taking the back lock off the master tappet a¹ thus allowing it to be withdrawn,
which act of withdrawal again locks the tappet a' in the said box effectually preventing
its withdrawal.
The master key or tappet al is now inserted in its position F so that the main
sectional signals can be worked, the working of any one of which locks the master
key or tappet in position, thereby indirectly locking the whole series of points.
Figure 2 is simply a repetition of figure I intended to shew the switch points unlocked
with tappets inserted, allowing the movement from the siding to the down main previously

page_text: referred to. Figure 3 is a perspective sketch shewing the method of connecting my
apparatus between the switch points and their actuating ground lever. In this figure g
is the blade intermediate between the switch points and their lever, and a' is the
tappet to be withdrawn before the switch points are free to be moved. a is the box
containing the apparatus a³ is the space for the insertion of the master key or tappet a¹.
Figure 4 in an enlarged view of my apparatus a in figure 3. In this figure g is the
tappet or blade connected to the switch points; g¹ is a square notch into which takes
in the normal condition of the apparatus as shewn a raised projection", on a cross
bolt the said cross bolt being held in the position shewn for locking the blade
at the notch g¹ by the tappet or key a' offering a straight surface to the raised portion f
of the cross bolt f. It will be observed the tappet or key a² is itself held locked in a
somewhat similar manner by the raised piece ¹ of the cross bolt h being inserted in
the notch a of the tappet a. A coiled spring is provided to prevent the cross
bolt from moving out of the notch a through vibration or other cause.
Figure 5 is the cross section x. y. of figure 4 in elevation with the solid or hollow
part as the case may be taken away and to allow a better view of the bolt hand
spring i.
Figure 6 is a side view of the master tappet or key a¹ shewing the projecting
level a³.
Figure 7 shews the master key or tappet a' inserted, and the tappet a³ free. The
action of inserting this master tappet or key a' is as follows.
The projecting level as acting against the bevel 3 of the raised block h³ on the
cross bolt travels through the incline between ³ and thereby compressing the
spring i and withdrawing the bolt h¹ from the notch a³ of tappet a² causing it to be
free.
Figure 8 is a view shewing the secondary tappet a² in its turn withdrawn. The
result is as follows.
In the act of withdrawal the projecting level a' in travelling through the inclined
recessed passage between f³ and forces the cross bolt f so that the raised portion
leaves the notch g' and enters the square notch all of master tappet a', thereby back-
locking that tappet or key and preventing its withdrawal. The spring i maintains the
lock in the notch a". The blade g is therefore free and consequently the points also.
The tappet or key a² is taken to the next lock of the series and performs there duties
analagous to a¹ in the box described.
Figure 10 shews one method of applying my invention in the signal box. In this
figure a¹ is the master key or tappet and is shewn locked by the level lock / being
inserted in the notch a¹. The tappet is connected to the lever in the locking
apparatus working the conflicting signal which signal is supposed to have been worked
to the safety attitude thereby locking the master tappet as described. When however
the signal lever is replaced normal the tappet k is moved in the direction of the
arrow so that the notch ¹ moves in front of the lock I, and the square notch k³ in front
of the raised piece m¹ of the cross bolt m; now when the master tappet a¹ is with-
drawn upwards the lock is forced into the notch k¹ and the projecting level a
travelling through the recessed incline between m³ and m' forces the bolt in towards
the tappet k so that the raised piece m' enters the square notch k³.
The spring i retains the lock m' in the notch k².
Figure 9 is a plan on top of the apparatus in figure 10 and figure 11 is a sectional
plan through O. P. of figure 10.
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate how my invention may be applied to one of Annett's
Locks a description of which may be found in his specification No. 3427 of 1875.
Figure 12 is a plan. Figure 13 is a side view section V. Z. of figure 12. In this
figure W is the lock bar described in Annett's specification, the said lock bar normally
locking the blade 7 connected to the points. a' is a tappet fixed to the said bar W,
so that when the key R is inserted in the hole R¹ and turned it withdraws the bolt w
and so frees the point blade it also moves the tappet a' which is connected to it to
the extent that this tappet in its turn frees the secondary tappet a' which upon its
withdrawal backlocks the tappet a¹ and so holds the key R retained in the box. The

page_text: method of action of the tappets a¹ and a³ is similar to that previously described with
reference to the figures 4 to 8.
In cases where a series of points are to be locked they may when desired be operated
upon in groups only, instead of in a series from beginning to end. For example
when there are six in the series it may be desirable to be able to operate upon the
last four or upon the last two without operating on the first two or the first four.
To effect this the prime or master tappet may have connected to it by joints or
otherwise, two supplementary tappets one of which is of a shape suitable for locking
the third point of the series and consequently permitting of the unlocking of the
succeeding ones.
The other supplementary tappet may be of a shape suitable for unlocking the fifth
point and consequently permitting the unlocking of the last. This modification is
applicable to any number of points. My said invention may be applied to the locking
and unlocking of stop blocks, gates, turnables and other moving parts of railways and
things appertaining to railways.
I do not bind myself to the shape or position of the tappets and locks, for it is
obvious that to carry out my invention in its entirety each tappet must have notches
in different positions and the locks, springs and other minutea may be varied to suit
circumstances.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood
that I lay no claim to any parts described or claimed in the specification of Letters
Patent granted to James Edward Annett No. 3427 bearing date October 2nd 1875
but I declare that what I do claim is-
(1st) The system of interlocking railway points with each other on the ground by
the aid of a series of keys or tappets each key or tappet (except the last of the series)
being common to two locks, the said keys or tappets and locks being so constructed
that in their normal position the withdrawal of any of the keys or tappets is prevented
until the master key or tappet has been inserted in the first lock of the series, the
released key or tappet of the said first lock in the series, being the master key or
tappet for the second lock in the series, the released key or tappet of the second lock
being master key or tappet for the third lock in the series, the system of successional
interlocking being substantially as herein set forth.
(2nd) The combination of a single key or master tappet common to two locks
one lock being the first of the series claimed in the first claim and the second a lock
in the locking apparatus in the signal cabin or lock on correlated signals (the said key
and locks being so constructed as to prevent the withdrawal of the key whilst the lock
remains unlocked, and permits of its withdrawal only after the signal or signals has or
have been set to danger and locked in that position or after the points have been restored
to, and locked in their normal position) with the system of ground interlocking claimed
in claim 1 substantially in the manner and for the purposes herein set forth."
(3rd) The system of ground interlocking by means of detachable keys or tappets
substantially as claimed in claim 1 with the addition that the master key or tappet has
attached to it other keys or tappets, the latter keys or tappets unlocking any desired
pair of points in the series.
Dated this 12th dow of Anvil 1000