IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING BY ELECTRICITY ON RAILWAY TRAINS AND RAILWAYS, AND IN THE APPLIANCES USED THEREIN
Year: 1853

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by David Lloyd Price at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 4th February 1853.
(Void by reason of notice to proceed not having been given within the
time prescribed by the Act.)
I, DAVID LLOYD PRICE, of Beaufort, in the County of Brecknock,
Watch and Clock Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING BY ELECTRICITY ON RAILWAY
TRAINS AND RAILWAYS, AND IN THE APPLIANCES USED THEREIN," to be as
follows:-
My improvements refer principally to the appliances used to con-
nect between the carriages the line wires of an electric circuit, to be
established throughout trains on railways for the purposes of com-
munication by signals. I employ for this connection the several
methods subjoined :-
First, a metallic tape reel, shown in section and side view at
Fig. 1, having a coiled spring which produces the recoil of the
inctal tape within the case, and keeps a permanent tension on the
parts, close metallic contact, and at the same time affords facility
for the required connection; irrespective of any exact relative posi-
tion of the terminals of the carriage wires. One or two tape reels

page_text: may be used, the one metal tape having a pin a, attached with loose
cross piece b, which is slipped within a tube socket c, attached to
the other as shown. Instead of the socket & cross piece, I some-
times make the immediate connection as at Fig. 2, which consists
of two plates, with nibs & holes, forming mutual connections.
The cases of metal tapes are fixed to the ends of the carriages,
and placed in metallic union with the line wires, passing to the
opposite ends of their respective carriages. The circuit may either
pass through the entire coil of tape and spring to centre pin, or com-
municate by contact with the guide through which the tape passes.
I also employ helical springs as a means of connection, as at Fig. 3,
the springs being connected to the line wires, & the springs being
united by a spring snap, as shown. Instead of a snap, binding
screws may be used to connect the coiled' wires or springs. I also
employ a union joint (commonaly known for connecting tubes)
to make the immediate connection of these resilient appliances.
Another form of connection is represented at Fig: 4, consisting of a
simple metal rod a, having two collars at one end, which are dropped
on & grip. a metal piece forming the terminal of one wire, while
the other end of rod is received in a similar opening in a metal
piece forming the terminal of wire to be united. This is furnished
with a spring clasping piece b, which closes down upon the rod, its
pressure insuring permanent metallic contact, & at the same time
allows free play between the carriages.
According to another of my improvements I make the connection
with what I term auxillary buffers, consisting of small buffers on
rods arranged somewhat similar to the ordinary buffer rods. These
small buffers are projected by springs, so as always to effect contact
between the carriages of a train, and being of metal afford the
requisite connection. The rods of these small buffers (one at either
end of the carriage) have metallic connection by a hellically coiled
wire, which permits the necessary freedom of motion. These buffers
being all in contact throughout a train maintain the necessary
circuit. I also effect a like communication by the ordinary buffers,
which for the purpose must have metal faces or points of contact;

page_text: and must always be kept hard up. I connect the rods of these, as
before, by a coiled wire spring or other elastic connection.
My improvements also refer to the apparatus of alarum or signal,
for which purpose I make use of a moving part of the engine or
carriage to maintain in constant motion a lever or arm. This arm
or lever, so long as no circuit of electricity is formed, does not affect
the alarum; but so soon as the circuit is formed the alarum is brought
under the influence of this moving part, a continuous alarum or
signal is produced; the current takes effect by exciting a temporary
magnet, the armature of which throws the alarum apparatus into
operation.
My improvements further refer to an arrangement of apparatus
or means whereby the passengers of a train are enabled to signal
the guard, & the guard at the same time to signal the driver, by
electrical agency, with one extra line of communication; for this
purpose I employ two galvanic batteries & two alarums, the one
alarum on the engine, the other in guard's van. The circuit of one
battery is made & broken by the guard in his van, and the circuit
of the other by the passengers, having a break of circuit in each
carriage for that purpose, producing the several signals before men-
tioned. I am also enabled to produce similar results with two line
wires, having batteries of different powers, with alarum apparatus
adapted thereto.
My improvements in the alarums also refer to the bell or sounding
apparatus, which consists of a centrifugal bell hammer, to the arm
of which a rotatory motion is given by a coiled spring & whell
work, or other first mover; when released by the passage of current
the rotating arm carries a weight or hammer, free to slide on the
arm, which radiates from a centre shaft giving the motion. At each
revolution the hammer strikes the bell, & recedes on its arm so as
to pass the object struck; but on the succeeding revolution it is
actuated by the centrifugal force, & flies to the extreme of its arm,
& again strikes the bell, recedes again, & so on. I also use a.gong
for the purposes of audible alarum.
My improvements in alarums on railways refers to giving notice,

page_text: by electrical agency, of the approach of a train towards a station.
The train, on passing a certain determined point, acts upon a lever
which completes an electric circuit communicating with the desired
station, which circuit actuates the alarum, & gives the required
signal: