Improvements in Railway Signal Apparatus.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 15th June, 1893-Accepted, 22nd July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Signal Apparatus.
I, JOSEPH CLAUDE GEORGES MUGNIER of 110, Boulevard Malesherbes,
France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
:-
My invention relates to signal apparatus for railways in which the train itself
controls the line on the block system. The signals are operated by mechanism
which is put into action by the train itself in such manner that as the train enters
on one section of the line it will automatically set the signal controlling that
section to danger or "line blocked" and will simultaneously therewith release the
signal controlling the section the train has just passed (which signal it had previously
set at danger) and allow it to indicate "line clear." The apparatus comprises
what may for convenience be termed treadle mechanism consisting of an inclined
lever arranged in proximity to the line in position to be acted on by the wheels of
the passing train, a weighted lever or striker operated by the inclined lever, devices
on the signal post for retaining the signal in its "line clear" position and bringing
it to danger, together with a rocking lever on which the striker acts to bring the
signal to danger and simultaneously therewith allow the signal in rear to fall to
"line clear."
The invention is characterized more particularly by the employment of a weight
or sliding piece which serves both as a circuit-closer for an electrical circuit which
extends from each signal post to the one next in rear of it, and also as a means of
releasing or tripping a pawl which retains the signal at danger. Each signal post
is of course provided with similar mechanism and the weight acts as a circuit-
closer or trip when in one or other of its two positions, as hereafter more fully
described.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
forming part of this Specification, in which
Figure 1 represents, in elevation, one of the signal posts provided with the
mechanism of my invention, the parts being in their normal position, that is to say
the position they occupy before the signal is operated and the line is clear.
In Figure 2 the parts are shewn in the position they occupy when the mechanism
"line
has been acted on by the train and the signal has been brought to danger or
blocked."
Figure 3 is a plan of the latter figure.
Figure 4 is an elevation, and Figure 5 a plan, of the so-called treadle mechanism
upon which the train acts.
Figure 6 shews the position assumed by certain of the parts at the moment the
treadle is depressed by the train.
Figure 7 is an elementary view, shewing the mode of connecting the several
signal apparatus controlling the different sections of the line.
A is an inclined lever or treadle placed inside of and rising above the level of
the rail but at a sufficient distance therefrom to clear the flange of the wheels.
This lever is mounted on one end of a rock shaft C which passes beneath the rails
and is adapted to be depressed by drum B which would preferably be mounted on
the inside of one of the wheels, either of the locomotive or tender. The height of
the lever A above the rails is such that when depressed the shaft C will be rotated
sufficiently to operate the mechanism hereafter referred to. On the other end of
shaft C, there is fixed an arm D which is connected by a rod E' to a weighted bell
crank lever F, I, mounted on a rock shaft H which is pivoted on a level with the
upper surface of the rails. The lever F; I, constitutes à striker and its long arm I

page_text: is set at an angle of rather more than 45° to its short arm F. The rod E which
connects the arms D and F is made in two parts between which is interposed a
spring K for modifying the effects of concussion. To shaft H there is fixed another
lever arm L longer than and parallel to the arm F. This arm L is connected by
a chain M to a drum or chain barrel N on the signal post upon which drum chain M
is wound in the reverse direction to that of a chain Q by which a weight P is
suspended. To the barrel N is fixed a curved arm R which controls an arm S to
which the signal arm U is connected by a rod T, the said arm R being provided
with a friction roller rolling on the lever S. The drum is provided with a
ratchet wheel W and with pawls y and Z which serve to hold the drum against the
action of weight P. 3 is a weight mounted to slide freely in vertical guides in
the signal post. This weight constitutes a trip for the pawl y and also serves as a
closer for an electrical circuit extending from one signal post to the one next in
rear of it, and 4 and 5 are spring catches which engage the weight 3 when in its
raised position and retain it until they are withdrawn from engagement with the
weight, as hereafter described. 1 is a bent lever or rocker pivoted at 2 and serving
to project the weight 3 into its raised position, when struck by the striker I.
The action of the apparatus is as follows and will be readily understood by
reference to Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings. Here it will be seen that the
depression of lever A by the train, rocks shaft C thereby bringing the parts D, F, L,
and I to the dotted positions D, F, L', 1'. This movement causes lever L to draw
on chain M and revolve the drum N, thus raising lever R and permitting lever S
to rise and setting the signal arm which is weighted at V to danger, as shewn in
dotted lines in Figure 1. At this moment the rocker 1 which is heavier at one
end, being relieved of the weight I, rocks on its pivot 2 to the position seen in
Figure 6 and the weight or slide 3 falls. This movement of the rocker 1 allows
the pawl Z to engage with the ratchet wheel W to retain the latter in place, while
the pawl y is temporarily disengaged, and maintains the signal at danger. As the
drum B passes from the treadle mechanism, the weight of the striker I which has
been raised, as shewn, asserts itself and returns the parts D, F, L, and I to their
original position, the striker I by its impact on the rocker 1 projecting the weight 3
up between the spring pressed catches 4 and 5 on the signal post by which it is
retained. The lever I also trips the pawl Z from the ratchet W and the absence
of weight 3 allows pawl y to again engage ratchet wheel W. In this position the
weight 3 closes the electrical circuit extending to the signal protecting the section
of line which the train has just passed.
The moving of the signal to danger having been thus produced by mechanical
means, I will now describe the means by which it is subsequently moved to "line
clear" immediately the train reaches the next signal upon which it operates as
above described.
"
Referring to Figure 7 it will be seen that the signal in the centre is the one
I have just described as having been set to danger or "line blocked," its
weight 3 having been raised and having closed an electrical circuit extending
to the signal post to the left in such manner as to energize the electro-magnets
and withdraw the catches from the weight 3 which being released has fallen
and tripped the pawly thereby allowing the weight P to assert itself and,
through levers R and S and rod T, draw the signal down as shewn in full lines
in Figure 1. The arrangement of the circuits of three successive signal apparatus
is shewn in Figure 7 in which the middle signal is shewn at "line blocked
and the two outer ones at "line clear." 8, 8, are the line wires, 9, 9, 10, 10,
11, 11, are shunt circuits for the electro-magnets of each signal respectively and
in which circuits may be placed an electric lamp or luminous signal 12 which is
brought into circuit by the weight 3 establishing connection between the catches 4 5.
The lamp is thus lighted when the signal is brought to danger. The weight 3 is
a cylindrical rod of copper or bronze, having circular nicks or grooves in its
surface so that it forms a ratchet with which the catches 4 and 5 engage.
will be seen the weight preferably has several nicks or grooves to provide for
As

page_text: the varying height to which the weight may be thrown consequent on the
speed of the passing train. Should either the rod E or other part of the
mechanism happen to break, the drum N becomes free, and there being no longer
any check upon the action of the weight P, the friction roller on the end of the
curved arm R will escape from and release the lever S in connection with the
signal arm which being free to recover its equilibrium will assume the horizontal or
"line blocked" position and there remain until the damage is repaired. The same
effect is produced should either the chain of weight P or the rod T chance
to break.
I would have it understood that the form, dimensions and details of, arrange-
ment of the various parts of the apparatus may be varied without in any way changing
the nature of the invention.
Dated this 17th day of Santember 1802
J. C. G. MUGNIER,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Signal Apparatus.
I, JOSEPH CLAUDE GEORGES MUGNIER of 110, Boulevard Malesherbes, Paris
France, 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 relates to signal apparatus for railways in which the train itself
controls the line on the block system. The signals are operated by mechanism
which is put into action by the train itself in such manner that as the train enters
on one section of the line it will automatically set the signal controlling that
section to danger or "line blocked and will simultaneously therewith release the
signal controlling the section the train has just passed (which signal it had
previously set at danger) and allow it to indicate "line clear." The apparatus
comprises what may for convenience be termed treadle mechanism consisting of an
inclined lever arranged in proximity to the line. in position to be acted on by the
wheels of the passing train, a weighted lever or striker operated by the inclined
lever, devices on the signal post for retaining the signal in its "line clear" position
and bringing it to danger, together with a rocking lever on which the striker acts
to bring the signal to danger and simultaneously therewith allow the signal in rear
to fall to "line clear."
The invention is characterized more particularly by the employment of a weight
or sliding piece which serves both as a circuit-closer for an electrical circuit which
extends from each signal post to the one next in rear of it, and also as a means of
releasing or tripping a pawl which retains the signal at danger. Each signal post
is of course provided with similar mechanism and the weight acts as a circuit-
closer or trip when in one or other of its two positions, as hereafter more fully
described.
The invention will be described with reference to the drawings accompanying my
Provisional Specification, in which
Figure 1 represents, in elevation, one of the signal posts provided with the
mechanism of my invention the parts being in their normal position, that is to say
the position they occupy before the signal is operated and the line is clear.
In Figure 2 the parts are shewn in the position they occupy when the mechanism
has been acted on by the train and the signal has been brought to danger or "line
blocked."
Figure 3 is a plan of the latter figure.
Figure 4 is an elevation, and Figure a plan, of the so-called treadle mechanism
upon which the train acts.

page_text: Figure 6 shews the position assumed by certain of the parts at the moment the
treadle is depressed by the train.
Figure 7 is an elementary view shewing the mode of connecting the several
signal apparatus controlling the different sections of the line.
A is an inclined lever or treadle placed inside of and rising above the level of the
rail X but at a sufficient distance therefrom to clear the flange of the wheels. This
lever is mounted on one end of a rock shaft C which passes beneath the rails and is
adapted to be depressed by a drum B which would preferably be mounted on the
inside of one of the wheels, either of the locomotive or tender. The height of the
lever A above the rails is such that when depressed the shaft C will be rotated
sufficiently to operate the mechanism hereafter referred to. On the other end of
shaft C, there is fixed an arm D which is connected by a rod E to a weighted bell
crank lever F, I, mounted on a rock shaft H which is pivoted on a level with the
upper surface of the rails. The lever F, I, constitutes a striker and its long arm I
is set at an angle of rather more than 45° to its short arm F. The rod E which
connects the arms D and F is made in two parts between which is interposed a
spring K for modifying the effects of concussion. To shaft H there is fixed
another lever arm L longer than and parallel to the arm F. This arm L is
connected by a chain M to a drum or chain barrel N on the signal post upon which
drum chain M is wound in the reverse direction to that of a chain Q by which a
weight P is suspended. To the barrel N is fixed a curved arm R which controls
an arm S to which the signal arm U is connected by a rod T, the said arm R being
provided with a friction roller rolling on the lever S. The drum is provided with
a ratchet wheel W and with pawls y and Z which serve to hold the drum against the
action of weight P. 3 is a weight mounted to-slide freely in vertical guides in the
signal post. This weight constitutes a trip for the pawl y and also serves as a closer
for an electrical circuit extending from one signal post to the one next in rear of it,
and 4 and 5 are spring catches which engage the weight 3 when in its raised
position and retain it until they are withdrawn from engagement with the weight, as
hereafter described. 1 is a bent lever or rocker pivoted at 2 and serving to project
the weight 3 into its raised position, when struck by the striker I.
The action of the apparatus is as follows and will be readily understood by
reference to Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings. Here it will be seen that the
depression of lever A by the train, rocks shaft C thereby bringing the parts D, F, L,
and I to the dotted positions D, F, L', I. This movement causes lever L to
draw on chain M and revolve the drum N, thus raising lever R and permitting
lever S to rise and setting the signal arm which is weighted at V to danger, as
shewn in dotted lines in Figure 1. At this moment the rocker 1 which is heavier at
one end, being relieved of the weight I, rocks on its pivot 2 to the position seen in
Figure 6 and the weight or slide 3 falls. This movement of the rocker 1 allows the
pawl Z to engage with the ratchet wheel W to retain the latter in place, while
the pawly is temporarily disengaged, and maintains the signal at danger. As
the drum B passes from the treadle mechanism, the weight of the striker I which
has been raised, as shewn, asserts itself and returns the parts D, F, L, and I to
their original position, the striker I by its impact on the rocker 1 projecting the
weight 3 up between the spring pressed catches 4 and 5 on the signal post by which
it is retained. The lever also trips the pawl Z from the ratchet W and the
absence of weight 3 allows pawl y to again engage ratchet wheel W. In this
position the weight 3 closes the electrical circuit extending to the signal protecting
the section of line which the train has just passed.
The moving of the signal to danger having been thus produced by mechanical
means, I will now describe the means by which it is subsequently moved to "line
clear" immediately the train reaches the next signal upon which it operates as
above described.
Referring to Figure 7 it will be seen that the signal in the centre is the one I
have just described as having been set to danger or "line blocked," its weight 3
having been raised and having closed an electrical circuit extending to the signal

page_text: post to the left in such manner as to energize the electro-magnets and withdraw the
catches from the weight 3 which being released has fallen and tripped the pawl y
thereby allowing the weight P to assert itself and, through levers R and S and
rod T, draw the signal down as shewn in full lines in Figure 1. Instead of a
weight Pa spiral spring may be used, one end of which would be fixed and the other
end act either directly or indirectly on drum N. The arrangement of the circuits
of three successive signal apparatus is shewn in Figure 7 in which the middle signal
is shewn at "line blocked and the two outer ones at "line clear." 8, 8, are the
line wires, 9, 9, 10, 10, 11, 11, are shunt circuits for the electro-magnets of each
signal respectively and in which circuits may be placed an electric lamp or
luminous signal 12 which is brought into circuit by the weight 3 establishing
connection between the catches 4 5. The lamp is thus lighted when the signal is
brought to danger. The weight 3 is a cylindrical rod of copper or bronze, having
circular nicks or grooves in its surface so that it forms a ratchet with which the
catches 4 and 5 engage. As will be seen the weight preferably has several nicks
or grooves to provide for the varying height to which the weight may be thrown
consequent on the speed of the passing train. Should either the rod E or other
part of the mechanism happen to break, the drum N becomes free, and there being
no longer any check upon the action of the weight P, the friction roller on the end
of the curved arm R will escape from and release the lever S in connection with
the signal arm which being free to recover its equilibrium will assume the horizontal
or "line blocked" position and there remain until the damage is repaired. The
same effect is produced should either the chain of weight P or the rod T chance
to break.
I would have it understood that the form, dimensions, and details of arrangement
of the various parts of the apparatus may be varied without in any way changing
the nature of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The herein described railway semaphore signal apparatus capable of being
automatically locked and released and characterized by the above described
combination of mechanism and more particularly by the employment of the slide or
weight 3 and electric contacts to which the weight serves as a closer at the proper
moment, together with the so-called treadle mechanism acted on by the train and
the intermediate parts for transmitting movement to the signal apparatus, as
specified.
2nd. The herein described automatic railway signalling apparatus consisting in
the combination, with mechanism placed in proximity to the line and adapted to be
acted on by the wheels of a train of the weighted lever or striker I, F, the balanced
rocker 1 the chain barrel N connected to the arm F of lever I, F, so as to be
partially rotated in a direction in opposition to a weight P or spring and provided
with a ratchet wheel W and pawls y Z, a vertically-sliding weight 3 serving either
as a trip for pawl y or as a circuit closer, spring pressed catches 4, 5, engaging with
the weight 3 to retain it in its raised position until withdrawn from engagement
with the weight electrically, substantially as herein shewn and described.
Dated this 15th day of June 1902.
J. C. G. MUGNIER,
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.