Improvements in Railway Signal Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Nov., 1894-Accepted, 22nd Dec., 1894
Improvements in Railway Signal Apparatus.
We, CHARLES RICHARD ALSOP Gentleman and LUCY CHAUNCEY ALSOP, of
Middletown, in the County of Middlesex, and State of Connecticut, 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 :-
This invention relates to electrical railway signals, and it has for its object to
provide an improved annunciator used in connection with track signals whereby the
direction of a train moving on the track will be automatically indicated to the
operator and such indication called to the operator's attention by means of a
simultaneously-operated signal or call bell forming a part of the apparatus.
To this end the main and primary object of the invention is to effect certain
improvements in railway annunciators and track-operating instruments whereby the
signal or call bell part of the apparatus thereof will continue to be active until the
bell circuit is mechanically broken, thereby preventing the possibility of the signal
being accidentally unnoticed by the operator, and also to provide an apparatus of
this character, the several parts of which shall be sensitively arranged so as to
insure an effective operation.
With these and other objects in view which will readily appear as the nature of
the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction,
combination and arrangements of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated
and claimed.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1 is a plan view of an electrical railway signal apparatus constructed in
accordance with this invention.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the annunciator.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of one of the track signals or instruments.
Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line x-x of Fig. 3.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 designates a suitable annunciator
base adapted to be enclosed in any suitable casing (not shown) and on which is
mounted the several working parts of the annunciator herein described and claimed.
At an intermediate point on the base board 1, are mounted the magnet brackets 2,
to which are secured one end of the oppositely-arranged electro-magnets 3.
The electro-magnets 3 are set at an angle with their cores disposed convergently
toward each other, and have their inner adjacent ends sufficiently apart to
accommodate the movement of the armature indicating hand 4. The armature
indicating hand 4 is provided at one end with a pointer 5 adapted to work over
either one of the indicating marks 6, such as "In" and "Out" which are placed
at one end of the base board and are intended to be located opposite holes or
openings in the casing before referred to, so that when the hand pointer is thrown
over either one of these marks the operator will be informed whether the train is an
ingoing train or an outgoing train as the case may be.
The armature indicating hand 4 is mounted at a central point on a pivot pin 7,
the extremities of which are fitted in the metallic pivot bracket 8, secured to the
base board 1, and said indicating hand is extended at one side beyond its pivotal
connection with the bracket 8, and carries at such extremity the counter-balancing
weight 9 which counter-balances the weight of the indicating hand and renders the
037

page_text: same extremely sensitive to a tendency to move or swing in either direction. The
said armature indicating hand 4 is further provided at a point between its weighted
extension and the pointer 5 with a permanent horse-shoe armature magnet 10, having
out-turned extremities 11, which are adapted to move in a circle which brings them
in contact with the inner exposed ends of the electro-magnet cores, and to secure
the proper attraction of the cores for the extremities of the hand magnet 10, the
inner exposed ends of the cores are in a position struck by radial lines from the axis
or pivot of the indicating hand.
The electro-magnets 3 are adapted to be energized separately so as to attract the
armature hand in one direction at a time whereby the proper indications will be
made and to effect this each magnet winding has one terminal thereof connected to
a signal wire a, while the other terminals of the magnets are connected to a common
or single circuit wire b, which is connected to one pole of the signal battery 12, the
other pole of which battery has connected thereto the circuit wires c, leading from
one of the terminals of the track signals 13.
The signal wires a, which are connected to different electromagnets run to the
other terminals of the separate track signals 13. These track signals 13 which
will be presently described are arranged sufficiently far apart on the same track
whereby one will act before the other, so that the proper indications and signal will
be given to the operator before the other signal can come into play and it will be
readily seen that as the car wheel actuates either one of the said track signals 13 that
electro-magnet in circuit with such signal will be energized and cause the permanent
magnet of the indicating hand to be attracted thereto and move the hand pointer
over one of the indicating marks 6. By this means the direction of a train may be
readily and effectively annunciated.
The swinging hand not only serves to indicate the direction of travel of the train,
but also acts in the capacity of a circuit closing arm for closing an alarm circuit
simultaneously with the closing of the signal circuit, and this alarm circuit is
completed through the metallic cores of the electro-magnets 3, which cores have
connected therewith the alarm circuit wires d, which lead to one of the binding
posts of an ordinary electric bell 14, to the other binding post of which is connected
a battery wire e, leading to one of the poles of the alarm circuit battery 15 the
other pole of which has connected thereto the wire f, leading to the metallic pivot
bracket 8 so as to include the indicating hand in the alarm circuit. When the out-
turned extremities of the hand magnet 10 come in contact with the exposed end of
the core of either electro-magnet, an alarm circuit is completed over the wires d, e,
and f, so that an alarm will be given and the operator's attention thereby attracted
to the indication of the indicating hand 4.
By reason of the hand magnet 10 being a permanent magnet the same remains in
contact with the core of the magnet to which it is attached and thereby causing
the bell 14 to ring continuously until said magnet is released mechanically by the
operator from the magnet core. After the train has passed one of the track signals
and caused one of the magnets to become active and to attract the indicating hand,
and then comes to the next track signal, this last signal will become active and
energize the other magnet, but this second magnet will not have the power to draw
the hand magnet 10 from the first energized magnet owing to the permanent
magnetism of the hand magnet 10, and the increased distance there-between and
the said second or last energized electro-magnet, so for this reason the indicating
hand remains in the position in which it is placed by the first signal until
mechanically released.
In order to conveniently and mechanically release the magnet of the indicating
hand from either of the electro-magnets I employ the spring wire releasing
frame 16. The spring wire releasing frame 16 is of a substantially U-shape having
a narrowed extension 17 projected beyond the closed end thereof, and also
angularly disposed strike arms 18, at the terminals of the side portions thereof.
The said substantially U-shaped spring wire releasing frame 16 is mounted on the
base board 1, directly behind the pointer end of the indicating hand, by means of

page_text: the different sized guide loops 19, secured in the base board and allowing the
spring wire frame to have a longitudinal play therein. With the indicating hand
in an inclined position against either one of the electro-magnets it is simply
necessary to grasp the narrowed end 17 of the releasing frame and pull the same
downward through the smaller one of the guide loops 19 by means of the pull
cord 20, thereby contracting the upper wider portion of the frame and bringing one
of the arms 18 against one side of the hand pointer and thereby releasing the
indicating hand from the electro-magnet. By releasing the pull on the extension 17,
the spring wire frame resumes its normal position.
Referring particularly to the track signals or instruments 13, it is noted that the
same are used in connection with one of the rails 21 of a track adjacent to which
rail is arranged the usual guard rail 22, and, suitably mounted on the track ties at
one side of the rail 21 is a chair-box 23, cast in a suitable shape to accommodate
the several parts of the track signal apparatus contained therein, and is adapted to
be enclosed by a removable cap or cover 24, which covers the several parts of the
apparatus and not only protects the same from snow and ice but also prevents the
apparatus from being tampered with. Pivotally mounted within the chair box 23
at one end on the vertical pivot 25 is the horizontal contact lever 26. The contact
lever 26 extends a distance within the chair-box beyond the pivot 25, at one end
thereof, and is provided at its other moving end or extremity with the right-
angularly disposed arm 27, having the outer exposed contact edge 28. The contact
edge 28 of the lever arm projects outside of the cover of the box in reasonably
close proximity to one side of the rail 21 so as to leave a space there-between and
such rail less than the width of a car-wheel flange, which is adapted to pass between
the rail and said contact edge so as to move the free end of the contact lever
inward within the chair-box to close the signal annunciator circuit in a manner to
be presently described, and said contact edge 28 is rounded and curved from end
to end thereof in order to properly guide the wheel flange at one side thereof, and
reduce the frictional contact as much as possible.
The contact lever is normally held in an inactive position with its contact edge
disposed close to the track rail as described by means of the strong lever spring 29,
seated in the spring socket 30, formed at one side of the chair box and engaging at
its outer end the headed follower stud 31, which contacts with one side of the
contact lever 26 at a point intermediate of its ends, in order to impart the tension
of the spring to such lever and prevent it from being moved except by the car
wheel flange at one side thereof. The movable spring-actuated contact lever is
guided and adjusted in its movement by the reduced guide stem 32, which stem is
projected from one extremity of the contact arm 27 and is adapted to work through
the widened guide lug 33, cast at one end of the chair-box, and the inner extremity
of said guide stem is threaded to receive the check nuts 34, which hold the contact
edge of the contact lever out of contact with the track rails and also provide
means for adjusting the distance between these two parts in setting up the
apparatus.
The moving end of the contact lever 26 inside of the chair-box 23 is provided
with an off-standing contact lug 35, which is adapted to be moved between the
separated contact springs 36. The separated contact springs 36 are provided with
out-turned free ends 37 which serve to guide the lug 35 therebetween and the other
ends of said springs are separately fastened to an insulator block 38 secured inside
of the chair-box 23. To the fastened ends of each of the springs 36 are connected
the circuit wires a-c previously referred to, and which have included in the circuit
thereof the battery 12, and the magnets 3 of the annunciator.
Now it will be apparent that when the car wheel flange passes between the
contact edge of the lever 26, and the track rail 21, the said lever will be moved
inward, which movement forces the contact lug 35 between the springs 36 and
thereby closes the signal annunciator circuit a-c which causes the operation of the
annunciator in the manner described. While we have described and prefer the
circuit arrangement just described, it will be obvious that only one of the contact

page_text: springs 36 might be employed and connected with one of the circuit wires, while
the other circuit wire may be connected to the rail 21 so that the flange of the car
wheel together with the Jug 35 will complete the circuit through the rail and the
contact lever described, and we will also have it understood that other changes in
the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to
without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
:-
1. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination with the track signals arranged
at distances apart on a track, of separate adjacent electro-magnets each included in
a separate signal circuit with said track signals, an indicating hand mounted to play
between said electro-magnets and having a permanent armature magnet, and a
separate alarm circuit including therein the metallic cores of the electro-magnets
and the armature magnet of the indicating hand, said alarm circuit being closed by
the movement of the indicator against the core of either magnet, substantially as
set forth.
2. In
a railway signal apparatus, the combination of oppositely arranged
electro-magnets each of which is included in a separate signal circuit and both of
which are included in a common alarm circuit, a pivotally supported indicating
hand mounted to play between the adjacent ends of the magnets and having a
polarized armature portion adapted to contact with the magnet cores, and a suitably
supported compressible spring wire releasing frame having separate strike arms
adapted to engage at one side of the indicating hand to release the same from
either of the electro-magnets substantially as set forth.
3. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination of oppositely-disposed electro-
magnets included in suitable signal circuits, an indicating hand mounted pivotally
and having an intermediate permanent armature magnet adapted to play between
the exposed core ends of the electro-magnets, an alarm circuit including therein
the metallic cores of the electro-magnets and the permanent indicating hand magnet
and a separate hand-operated mechanical releasing device for releasing the indicating
hand from either magnet, substantially as set forth.
4. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination of a pair of electro-magnets
oppositely arranged and each included in a separate circuit with a separate track
signal, a metallic pivot bracket, a counter-balanced indicating hand pivotally
mounted in said bracket and having an intermediate polarized armature portion
with out-turned extremities playing between the exposed core ends of the electro
magnets, and a weighted extremity extended above its point of pivot and a bell or
alarm circuit having its wires connected to the metallic cores of the electro-magnets
and said metallic pivot bracket whereby such circuit is closed by the movement
of the polarized armature against the magnet cores, substantially as set forth.
5. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination with the oppositely arranged
electro-magnets and the indicating hand having a permanent armature magnet, of
a substantially U-shaped spring wire releasing frame mounted for longitudinal
movement below the indicating hand and having a narrowed extension at one end
and angularly exposed strike arms at its opposite terminals adapted to engage the
sides of the indicating hand, and different sized guide loops embracing said
releasing frame to provide for the contraction thereof substantially as set forth.
6. In a railway signal apparatus, the combination of suitably arranged separated
contact springs, a signal circuit having the wires thereof connected separately to
said springs, and a horizontal spring actuated contact lever mounted to play on a
vertical pivot adjacent to one side of a track rail and normally out of contact
therewith to leave a space of a width less than a car wheel flange which is adapted
to move said contact lever laterally between said contact springs, substantially as
⚫ set forth.

page_text: 7. In a railway signal apparatus, an enclosed chair-box arranged adjacent to a
track rail, a stationary contact, included in a signal circuit, mounted within said
chair-box, a horizontal spring-actuated contact lever arranged to play on a vertical
pivot within said chair-box and having a contact lug adapted to be moved against
said stationary contact to close the signal circuit, and adjusting devices for adjusting
the contact edge of said lever in close proximity to one side of the track rail to
leave a narrow space for the flange of a car wheel to pass through, substantially as
set forth.
8. In a railway signal apparatus, an enclosed chair-box arranged adjacent to a
track rail, separated contact springs mounted inside of said chair-box and having
out-turned free ends, a normally open circuit having the wires thereof connected
separately to said springs, a horizontal spring actuated contact lever mounted to
play on a vertical pivot within said box and having a curved rounded contact edge
disposed in close proximity to the track rail to leave a space narrower in width than
the flange of a car wheel which passes through such space, and an offstanding
contact lug adapted to be forced by the flange of the car wheel between the
out-turned ends of said contact springs, substantially as set forth.
9. In a railway signal apparatus, an enclosed chair-box having a spring socket
at one side and a widened guide lug at one end, a contact lever pivotally mounted
at one end within said chair-box and provided at its other free end with an arm
having a curved rounded contact edge disposed in close proximity to a track rail,
and a reduced guide stem adapted to move in said widened guide lug, check nuts
adjustably mounted on the free end of said guide stem, separated contacts adapted
to receive there-between one end of said contact lever, and a normally open signal
circuit having the wires thereof connected separately to said separated contacts,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 5th day of November 1894.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicants.