Improvements in and relating to Safety Switch Signal Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 29th June, 1894-Accepted, 4th Aug., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Safety Switch Signal Apparatus.
We, HARRY MCLEAN-ABERNETHY, Manufacturer, and JOSEPH MARSHALL
GRAHAM, Superintendent of Railroads, citizens of the United States of America,
residing respectively at Beaver Falls, in the County of Beaver and State of
Pennsylvania, and at Newark, in the County of Licking and State of Ohio, United
States of America, 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 object of this invention is to provide in connection with railway switches
and switch stands a signalling device for always displaying a "danger signal" in
the event of the switch rod being accidentally disconnected and hence failing to
properly throw the switch point or points after the usual operation of throwing
over the switch lever, or when the switch point or points from any cause whatever,
remain in a position other than that of absolute safety, thus warning the engineer
of an approaching train in sufficient time to stop the train before reaching the
switch.
Our invention consists in combining with the switch operating mechanism certain
signal mechanisin which is also connected to the switch point, and leading from
thence to a signal post located at any suitable distance from the switch, said post
supporting a counter-balanced semaphore arm by day and a signal light by night,
the said counter-balanced semaphore containing the intermediate mechanism
normally under a pull or tension during the perfect condition or working order of
the switch operating parts and switch point or points, otherwise allowing the signal
to indicate danger and so remain until all defects or obstructions to the working
parts of the switch operating mechanism and switch point or points shall have been
removed and the signal again act to indicate "safety."
The invention further consists in a certain combination and arrangement of parts,
more fully described hereinafter, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,
in which―
Figure 1 is a plan view of the improved switch and signal, showing the signal
post in side elevation, with the signal indicating "safety."
Figure 2, an enlarged plan view of the box, with its lid or cover removed,
illustrating the construction of the loose ends of the signal rods or bars, and the
end of the bar leading to the intermediate mechanism engaging therewith.
Figure illustrates an enlarged plan view of the box with its lid or cover
removed, showing the positions assumed by the ends of the signal rods or bars and
the end of the bar engaging therewith when the working parts are out of order,
disconnected, or obstructed.
Figure 4 illustrates a transverse sectional view of the casting supported by the
signal post, showing in plan the counter-balanced semaphore and lenses for the
signal light.
Figure 5 illustrates in plan certain parts of the improved device with the signal
post and its appurtenances in side elevation.
A, A represent the main track rails, B, B¹ the siding track rails, and C, C', the
switch points. D, is the ordinary switch stand pivoted at a, and d, the weighted
switch operating lever, provided with a pinion e, gearing with the switch stand, and
adapted to impart, during the operation of the switch lever, a vibrating or rocking
motion to said stand. To one end of the switch stand is 'secured the switch
operating rod a' which extends to and is securely fastened to each of the switch
points, and to the other end of the switch stand is suitably secured an arm d'.

page_text: c represents a two-armed lever pivoted at or near the center h, one arm h¹ of which
is fastened at i to the arm d' and the other arm suitably attached to and carrying
with it a covered box E, or its equivalent, provided with a removable lid or cover.
g g¹ represent projections extending toward cach other, in the same plane, and form
a part of or are securely fastened to the inner sides of the said box. m, m', are the
detector rods or bars, one end of each of which is suitably fastened to the switch
points at n, n respectively, the other end ool of each of said signal rods or bars
resting loosely, when in their normal position, between the said projections, as
clearly shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5, and are provided with cut-out portions, as
shown in Figures 2 and 3. One end of a rod C², which normally rests within the
box is provided with a bevelled end 2 and cut-out portion, as clearly shown in
Figures 2 and 5, and adapted to rest and be clamped between the signal rods or
bars when the parts rest in their normal position, the other end of said bar pro-
jecting beyond the end of the box and connected at its outer end, at s, with suitable
intermediate mechanism leading to the signalling device, which, in this instance,
consists of a post situated at a suitable distance from the switch, said post supporting
a casting G for the reception of the signal light, and a shaft J which supports a
counter-balanced semaphore I, a lens frame or frames L, to which is adapted a
colored glass and a two-armed lever K, as shown in Figure 4.
In practice, the customary throw or extreme movement of the switch points is
from four to five inches; hence the improved mechanism is so constructed and
regulated that when the switchman properly operates the switch lever, which
operation, through the medium of the switch stand and pivoted lever, causes the
box E to move with the said lever and traverse only the exact distance traversed
by the said switch points; therefore, should the switch rod or signal bar or bars
become disconnected from eitlier of the switch points, or the switch point or points
should from any cause whatever fail to move to and assume a safe position against
the main track, or to move the exact distance traversed by the box, after the switch
lever has been properly operated, one or both of the signal bars, which are loose in
the box at one end, as clearly shown in Figure 2, will be forced away from the
projections between which they normally rest, thereby permitting them to spread
apart or separate, thus allowing the bar e², which is normally under a pull or
tension, through the medium of the counter-balanced semaphore arm, and inter-
mediate mechanism leading to the said bar, to become disconnected, thereby
relieving the tension or pull and permitting the counter-balance to throw the
semaphore arm into a position indicating "danger."
66
When the switch point or points are caused to assume a position, from any
cause whatever, other than that of safety, when the switch stand is locked, the
signal bars, which are securely fastened at one end to the switch point or points,
will be caused to be pushed or pulled away from their normal position in the box,
see Figure 3, in either instance allowing the said signal bar or bars to be
disconnected from the intermediate mechanism and permit the signal to indicate
danger." The counter-balancing weight exerts normally a certain tension on the
intermediate apparatus, when in perfect working order, and should any of the parts
become disconnected or so obstructed as to prevent- the switch point or points from
assuming a position of absolute safety, the signal rods will become disengaged from
the intermediate signal mechanism, and, owing to the counter-balancing weight,
cause the semaphore or signal light to indicate danger, in which position the signal
will remain until such repairs are made, or obstructions removed, as will warrant
the perfect working of the switch mechanism and switch point or points.
The intermediate mechanism shown in Figures 1 and 3, leading from the signal
post to the bell-crank lever forms no part of our invention, as any suitable
mechanism, allowing for expansion and contraction of the connecting wires may be
employed.
It will be understood that certain slight alterations and locations of the parts
constituting our improved safety switch signal device may be resorted to, without
departing from the spirit of our invention.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :
1. A safety switch signal device, consisting of a switch stand, to which is
directly connected signal mechanism, the latter being also connected to the switch
points, as set forth and described.
2. A safety switch signal device, consisting of a switch stand to which is.
connected both the switch operating mechanism and signal mechanism, the latter
being also connected with the switch points through the medium of connecting
rods, substantially as set forth and described.
3. The combination in a safety switch signal device, of a switch stand, switch
rod secured to said stand and switch points at one side of the pivotal point of the
stand, and signal mechanism secured to the other side of said pivotal point and
connected with the switch points through the medium of the connecting rods and.
levers, substantially as described.
4. The combination in a safety switch signal device, of a switch stand, switch
rod and arm secured thereto, and a lever, one end of which is connected to said
arm and the other end to a box adapted to receive one end of the signal bars or
rods, the other end of said bars or rods being suitably fastened to the switch points,
as set forth and described.
. 5. The combination in a safety switch signal device, of the switch stand, switch
rods and arm secured thereto, a pivoted lever, one end of which is secured to said
arm and the other end adapted to carry a box, and the signal rods or bars suitably
connected to the switch points, substantially as described.
6. In a safety switch signal device, the combination of the switch stand, switch
rod secured to said stand and switch points, with signal mechanism connected to the
switch stand and points and leading from the latter to the signal post, substantially
as described.
7. In a safety switch signal device, the combination of the switch stand, switch
rod secured to one end thereof, and an arm secured to the other end, a pivoted
lever connected with said arm and adapted to support and carry with it a box, so
constructed as to receive one end of the signal rod and one end of a bar to which
the mechanism leading to the signal post is suitably secured, substantially as set
forth and described.
8. In a safety switch signal device, the combination of the switch stand, signal
mechanism connected with said stand and switch points, and means for keeping the
signal mechanism normally under tension, as set forth and described.
9. The combination in a safety switch signal device, of a switch stand, switch
rod connecting said stand and switch points, signal rods connected to said switch
points, the counter-balanced semaphore supported by the signal post, with
niechanism located between and connected to the said counter-balanced semaphore
and signal rods, said mechanism being normally under a pull or tension, substantially
as set forth and described.
10. The combination with a switch stand, of the switch rod, and arm connected
to said stand, a pivoted lever, one end being secured to said arm and the other end
supporting a box, rods connected to the switch points and terminating within said
box, with a counter-balanced semaphore carried by the signal post and mechanism
leading from the said box to the counter-balanced semaphore, substantially as set
forth and described.
11. In a safety switch signal device, a signal mechanism consisting of an arm
attached to the switch stand, a pivoted lever secured at one end to the said arm
and the other end supporting and carrying a box, rods or bars secured to the
switch points and terminating in said box, a counter-balanced semaphore carried
by the signal post, with mechanism leading from the box to said counter-balanced
seniaphore, substantially as described.
12. A signal device for railway switches, consisting of switch mechanism

page_text: attached to the switch stand, signal rods or bars connected to the switch points, a.
counter-balanced semaphore carried by the signal post, said post being located at
a suitable distance from the switch, with mechanism normally under tension leading
from the said rods or bars to the counter-balanced semaphore, substantially as
described.
13. A signal device for railway switches, having a box, the inner surface of each
side of which is connected with a lateral projection, rods or bars secured at one
end of the switch points, the other ends resting between said projections and a bar
loosely connected between the said rods within the box, and leading to a bell-crank
lever to which is attached mechanism leading to a counter-balanced semaphore,
substantially as described.
14. The combination in a signal device for railway switches, of the arm secured
to the switch stand, lever connected to the arm, a box carried by said lever and
provided with a projection extending laterally from each side of the interior of the
same, rods or bars connected at one end to the switch point or points and the other
end resting loosely between said projections and adapted to receive between the
loose ends a bar connected with mechanism leading to the signal post and counter-
balanced semaphore, substantially as described.
15. The combination in a safety switch signal device, of the switch stand, pivoted
lever, box connected to and supported by said lever and having lateral projections
within the same, rods or bars one end of each being secured to the switch point or
points and the other end of each resting loosely between said projections, a bar
adapted to rest loosely between the loose end of said rods or bars, a counter-balanced
semaphore, and mechanism normally under tension connecting the counter-balanced
semaphore with the said bar, the latter and the rods or bars being so constructed
as to permit the bar to disconnect and thereby allow the semaphore to indicate
danger when the switch points are obstructed or disconnected, all substantially as
described.
16. The combination in a safety switch signal device, of the switch stand, pivoted
lever connected to and carrying with it a box, the latter having lateral projections
within the same, the counter-balanced semaphore, mechanism normally under tension
and leading from said semaphore to the box and terminating with a bar located
within the box, signal rods or bars, one end being fastened to the switch points, the
other end resting loosely between the said projections and adapted to clamp said
bar and normally retain it, yet release the same when the switch points become
obstructed or disconnected, thereby permitting the signal to indicate danger, all
substantially as set forth and described.
Dated this 29th day of June 1894
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.