IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING ACCIDENTS AT JUNCTIONS
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Frederick Whitworth, of Upper Mill,
Saddleworth, in the County of York, Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING ACCIDENTS AT JUNCTIONS,
Sealed the 17th January 1868, and dated the 20th July 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Frederick
Whitworth at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 20th July 1867.
I, CHARLES FREDERICK WHITWORTH, of Upper Mill, Saddleworth, in the
County of York, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING ACCIDENTS AT
JUNCTIONS, CROSSINGS, AND SIDINGS OF RAILWAYS," to be as follows:-
The object of one part of this Invention is to assure the pointsman that
the switch rails, though far distant from him or otherwise invisible, have acted
correctly, and that they retain their respective positions of being close home
to the rail on the one side and duly open on the other.
The object of another part of the Invention is to obtain a proper relative
operation of the signals with the switches so as to prevent the inadvertent
opening of a line or road by the signals, except when the junction is properly
guarded and the appropriate switches set as required.
Another part of the Invention relates to switches or Scotch blocks con-
nected with sidings used only on special occasions, and the object of it is to
give to the pointsman or man in charge the control over the opening of the
switches or Scotch blocks at any required distance from his location, and to
prevent a liability to an obstruction of the line at such places without the

page_text: permission of the man in charge, and also to assure him that the switches
are left properly closed after use, and the Scotch block duly across the rail.
In carrying out the first part of the Invention levers and rods are actuated
and released by the switch rails so that the motion of such levers from
normal positions may cause contact between wires which then have connection
with a battery. This connection is arranged to cause an electric current to
operate continuously on a bell or larum near the pointsman. On assuming
the normal positions above mentioned the levers break the contact and the
bell becomes silent; but these positions are assumed and retained only when
the points are right home to the rail on the one side and sufficiently open on
the other, therefore the bell indicator is silent only when the points of the
switches are properly open and perfectly closed respectively as required for an
assurance of constant safety.
In carrying out the second part of the Invention insulated wires are
arranged in connection with a battery and electric bell near the pointsman.
The electric current which actuates the magnet and bell is induced or stopped
by the connection of or break in the wire as required. This connection or
break is the effect of the relative motions and positions of the levers or rods
of the points and signals or of suitable projections therefrom provided for
this purpose, and the connections and breaks in the wire are so arranged to
take place that when by mistake or accident the signals are set for "all
clear" without protective signals and points or switches set to accord with
them the connection of the wires with the battery will be such as to cause a
continuous sound of the larum, but whenever the signals and the points or
switches are in due accordance, there being no perfect connection or earth
current, the electric bell will be silent.
To effect the third part of the Invention I use an insulated electric wire
extending from the battery at the pointsman's location to the siding whose free
opening he is to control. The wire is by means of a hand lever capable of
connection or disconnection as required with a magnet which has power to act
on a releasing instrument in a case securely closed and locked up at the other
end. The releasing instrument is a small weighted lever which being poised
rests back against a stay, but almost vertically over its centre. When in this
its normal position a stop lever falls into a notch near the end of a rod or
bar extending from within or under the closed case to the switch block or to
a short lever therefrom whose motion with the switch block causes the rod
or bar to slide on bearings under the stop lever, so that when the block is
fairly across the rail the stop lever will fall into a notch near the end of the
bar provided to effect its retention in that position. This motion of the

page_text: rod or bar also causes action on levers which elevate the weighted lever
after its operation hereafter described to its normal position ready for its
purpose.
The action which effects a liberation of the stop lever from the notch in
the rod or bar is produced by passing an electric current through a maguet
fixed in the closed case above mentioned whose keeper then acting on a
short arm from the axis of the weighted lever above mentioned causes the
descent of this lever from its vertical position, and the weight in motion
operating on the stop lever causes its rise from the notch in the rod or bar
and consequently the Scotch block before fixed is then at liberty for any
required motion. The normal position of the pointsman's band lever No. 1
is such as gives the battery connection with a bell indicator No. 1 under his
observation, and at the other end is a corresponding hand lever No. 2, working
within the closed case above mentioned, and capable of connecting the wire
with a magnet acting on a bell indicator there No. 2, and also of omitting
this indicator at option, and of connecting the wire with the magnet which
acts on the releasing lever mentioned above; but the normal position of
this hand lever No. 2 is such as leaves a second and distinct wire in connec-
tion with a rod or lever, which when the bar or rod described as extending
to the Scotch block is partially moved and the block not across the line has
contact with an earth wire or its equivalent, this contact causes the pointsman's
bell No. 3 to inform him by a continuous alarm when the line is by care-
lessness or accident left without the proper protection of a Scotch block across
the rail of the siding. By the use of these hand levers also the man
requiring permission and power to remove the Scotch block can at once
signify his demand to the pointsman or man in charge by a preconcerted
number of beats on the bell No. 1, and having done this he may in like
manner receive a reply through the bell No. 2 and obtain proper security
by signals with immediate powers to act, or it may be with orders to wait
for instructions.
By a modification of this apparatus applied to switches themselves instead
of the Scotch blocks his opening switches without the release above described
will be impracticable, the dangerous obstruction of crossing to the other line
without due authority from the man in charge may also become impracticable,
and the dangerous neglect of leaving switches at all open after use will be
a fact revealed to the proper man in charge of them by the distinct wire and
alarm bell No. 3, actuated as above described in connection with the Scotch
block.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Charles Frederick Whitworth in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 20th January 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
FREDERICK WHITWORTH, of Upper Mill, Saddleworth, in the County of York,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven, in the thirty-first year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Charles Frederick Whitworth, Her special licence that I, the said Charles
Frederick Whitworth, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others
as I, the said Charles Frederick Whitworth, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and
at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING ACCIDENTS AT JUNCTIONS,
CROSSINGS, AND SIDINGS OF RAILWAYS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Charles Frederick Whitworth, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Frederick Whitworth, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement thereof, that is to say:—
The object of one part of this Invention is to assure the pointsman that the
switch rails though far distant from him or otherwise invisible have acted
correctly, and that they retain their respective positions of being close home
to the rail on the one side and duly open on the other.
The object of another part of the Invention is to obtain a proper relative
operation of the signals with the switches so as to prevent the inadvertent
opening of a line or road by the signals except when the junction is properly
guarded and the appropriate switches set as required.

page_text: Another part of the Invention relates to switches or Scotch blocks connected
with sidings used only on special occasions, and the object of it is to give to
the pointsman or man in charge the control over the opening of the switches
or Scotch blocks at any required distance from his location, and to prevent a
liability to an obstruction of the line at such places without the permission of
the man in charge, and also to assure him that the switches are left properly
closed after use and the Scotch block duly across the rail.
In carrying out the first part of the Invention levers and rods are actuated
and released by the switch rails so that the motion of such levers from normal
positions may cause contact between wires which then have connection with a
battery; this connection is arranged to cause an electric current to operate.
continuously on a bell or larum near the pointsman. On assuming the normal
positions above mentioned the levers break the contact and the bell becomes.
silent, but these positions are assumed and retained only when the points are
right home to the rail on the one side and sufficiently open on the other, there-.
fore the bell indicator is silent only when the points of the switches are
properly open and perfectly closed respectively as required for an assurance of
constant safety.
In carrying out the second part of the Invention insulated wires are
arranged in connection with a buttery and electric bell near the pointsman..
The electric current which actuates the magnet and bell is induced or stopped
by the connection of or break in the wire as required; this connection or break
is the effect of the relative motions and positions of the levers or rods of the
points and signals or of suitable projections therefrom provided for this purpose,.
and the connections and breaks in the wire are so arranged to take place that
when by mistake or accident the signals are set for "all clear" without pro-.
tective signals and points or switches set to accord with them the connection
of the wires with the battery will be such as to cause a continuous sound of
the larum, but whenever the signals and the points or switches are in due.
accordance, there being no perfect connection or earth current, the electric
bell will be silent.
To effect the third part of the Invention I use insulated electric wires
extending from the battery at the pointsman's location to the siding whose
free opening he is to control. The wires are by means of a hand lever capable
of connection or disconnection as required with a magnet which has power to.
act on a releasing instrument in a case securely closed and locked up at the
other end. The releasing instrument is a small weighted lever, which being
poised rests back against a stay, but almost vertically over its centre; when
in this its normal position a stop lever falls into a notch near the end of a rod

page_text: or bar extending from within or under the closed case to the Scotch block (or
to a short lever therefrom, whose motion with the Scotch block causes the rod
or bar to slide on bearings under the stop lever), so that when the block is
fairly across the rail the stop lever will fall into a notch near the end of the
bar provided to effect its retention in that position; this motion of the rod or
bar also causes action on levers which elevate the weighted lever after its
operation, hereafter described, to its normal position ready for its purpose.
The action which effects a liberation of the stop lever from the notch in the
rod or bar is produced by passing an electric current through a magnet fixed
in the closed case above mentioned, whose keeper then acting on a short arm
from the axis of the weighted lever above mentioned causes the descent of
a second lever from its vertical position, and the weight of this second lever
in motion operating on the stop lever causes its rise from the notch in the rod
or bar, and consequently the Scotch block before fixed is then at liberty for
any required motion. The normal position of the pointsman's band lever
No. 1 is such as gives the battery connection with a bell indicator No. 1 under
his observation, and at the other end is a corresponding hand lever No. 2
working within the closed case above mentioned, and capable of connecting
the wire with a magnet acting on a bell indicator there, No. 2, and also of
omitting this indicator at option, and of connecting the wire with a magnet which
acts on the releasing lever mentioned above. But the the normal position of this
hand lever No. 2 is such as leaves a second and distinct wire in connection
with a rod or lever, which when the bar or rod described as extending to the
Scotch block is partially moved and the block not across the line has contact
with an earth wire or its equivalent, this contact causes the pointsman's bell
No. 3 to inform him by a continuous alarm when the line is by carelessness or
accident left without the proper protection of a Scotch block across the rail of
the siding. By the use of these hand levers also the man requiring per-
mission and power to remove the Scotch block can at once signify his demand
to the pointsman or man in charge by a preconcerted number of beats on the
bell No. 1, and having done this, he may in like manner receive a reply
through the bell No. 2, and obtain proper security by signals with immediate
powers to act, or it may be with orders to wait for instructions.
By a modification of this apparatus applied to switches themselves instead
of the Scotch blocks his opening such switches without the release above
described will be impracticable, the dangerous obstruction of crossing to the
other line without due authority from the man in charge may also become
impracticable, and the dangerous neglect of leaving switches at all open after
use will be a fact revealed to the proper man in charge of them by the distinct

page_text: wire and alarm bell No. 3, actuated as above described, in connection with
the Scotch block.
But that the Invention may be fully understood I will, by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings, proceed to describe means pursued by me in carrying
the same into effect..
For effecting the first part of this Invention I cause an alarm to the
pointsman when the switches are not perfectly closed or properly open as.
required; this alarm is effected through an electric bell fixed near the man
in charge, but as the bell needs no peculiarities a particular description of it
is not requisite.
The following is a description of the apparatus represented in the Drawings,
and used for making and breaking contact between the battery in connection
with the alarm bell and an earth wire or its equivalent; these operations
cause the sound or the silence of the bell respectively as required to effect the
first part of this Invention.
Figures 1 and 2 represent plan and sectional views of rails and parts
arranged according to my Invention; Figure 3 represents an end view of the
same; in each of the views the same letters indicate corresponding parts.
A is a lever whose centre the stud pin o is fixed on a small board B
fastened to the sleeper C which supports the end of the switch rail D. The
lever A when in use is boxed over, but it is here shown without its cover for
facility of description. At one end of the board B two curved rods x and y
are fixed for means of making contact, when a third piece of metal a* is forced
between them, as hereafter described. The lever A has two normal positions,
the one with the longer arm a¹ thereof, as shown against the stop a' (Figure 1),.
the other as shown in dotted lines with this arm against the stop a³. When
in either of these positions the rod x, which is connected by insulated wires.
with the bell and battery, has no metallic connection with the rod y which is
an earth wire or its equivalent, therefore as there is no electric current the.
bell will then be silent. But from the end of the longer arm a¹ descends the
short metallic projection a', which on the motion of the arm a¹ from either of
its normal points of rest makes contact with and between the two rods x
and y, which are fixed and curved so as to spring towards and press against
the opposite surfaces of the projection a', and thus cause friction with the
projection whilst it traverses between them, but the curved rod x is so turned
away near its extreme angles a¹, x1, as to avoid contact with the projection a*
when the arm a' is at rest in either of its two normal positions, as above
described, and there is then no electric current because there is no connection
between the two rods x and y to communicate with the earth.

page_text: The requisite motions of the lever A concordant with those of the switch
rail D (Figures 1 and 2) are obtained by the following means and operations:-
The shorter arm a of the lever A is cleft at the end and bored through as if
for the reception of a connecting rod to work on a pin joint; instead of this a
thick pin or axis goes through the hole and through this axis a small rod a
is transversely screwed so that it may be adjusted as to length and then
fastened on its axis by the lack nut a; by this pin connection with the
lever A the rod and lever operate freely together. Through the main rail M
is a hole m through which the rod a passes freely and extends towards the
switch rail when open, as seen by Figures 1 and 2, and this rod a is so
adjusted as to position and length that on the closing of the switch rail D the
pressure of this rail D against the end of the rod a causes the required motion of
the lever A from one of its normal positions to the other, and also on re-opening
the switch D the spring a coiled round the stud o causes a reaction of the lever A
and its return to the former normal position, the rod a being also replaced as
before with its end near but not in contact with the switch D then fully open.
From the Drawings and the above description it will be seen that the normal
positions of the lever A which break contact between the rods x and y and
silence the bell are only attainable when the switch rail D is properly open or
perfectly closed; therefore a momentary sound of the bell whenever the
switch is moved will constantly attest that the apparatus is in order, and a
continuous sound of the bell will sufficiently declare when from any cause the
operation of the switch rail is defective and its position dangerous.
An apparatus such as shown by Figures 1, 2, and 3, and described above,
is adapted and applied in like manner to the other switch rail, with an
insulated wire connection between the rod x and the corresponding and similar
rod of this second apparatus. By their combination the perfect and proper
action of both the switches and their connections will be signified, since a
defective operation of either will at once be declared through the alarm bell,
for, as before shown, this bell will continue to sound only when the lever A
or its counterpart fails to attain the normal positions above described, that is,
when through accident or neglect either switch rail remains dangerously
unclosed or insufficiently open for an assurance of safety.
To effect the second part of this Invention I use a bell and battery which
may be similar to those before mentioned; a bell, however, of a different tone
and in a different position may, by preference, be fixed conveniently near the
pointsman, but as suitable arrangements of the bell and battery for the purpose
in view will be obvious to any practical electrician a particular description of
these is not requisite.

page_text: I will now describe my instruments and mode of making and breaking
connections of electric wires by the usual and requisite action and positions of
ordinary junction levers, or of their arms or rods and additional projections
therefrom supplied by this Invention, so that in carrying out these improve-
ments there need be no very material or expensive alterations in existing
levers or in their locations.
Figures 4 and 5 represent portions of a series of levers used to act on
switches or on signals respectively. a, a, are instruments to be fixed as pro-
jections by bolts a¹ to lever arms 6, as seen on the part b¹ thereof, for the
purpose of making and retaining connection with electric rods x and y when
required. The lever arm b in the position here shown causes the bars a³ of
the projective instrument a to make this connection, which will be broken.
when the lever b assumes its other normal position, as indicated by the position
of the lever . The construction of the instrument a will be obvious on
inspection of the Drawings. The sides of each of these instruments a, a, are
turned outward from each other and bored through, as shown, for the reception
and carriage of the metallic bars a²; these bars a³, the means of contact with
the rods x and y, are insulated from their bearing plates or carriage a, a, by
india-rubber or other non-conducting substance a, a, around them, but they
are united to each other by a soldered wire connection a³. The rod y is an
earth wire or its equivalent; the rod a bas metallic connection with an insulated
wire, which, as hereafter more fully described, is capable of electric connection
with the battery and bell; these rods are fixed to the bearing beam c of the
levers b, b*, and they are curved outward from each other near their tops, as
indicated more clearly by Figure 6. The motion of the levers b, b*, which
produces the descent of their arins causes the bars a² of the respective instru-
ments thereon to come between and press against rods x and y below them,
and thus they produce metallic connection between the earth wire and the
insulated wires when there is no interception of these wires elsewhere, as
hereafter shown. The projecting instruments a, a, are here shown to be
bolted on their lever arms, and the conductive rods fixed to the bearing beam
of the levers, but the arrangements of these parts will be varied to suit the
character of levers in use and their localities. Projecting instruments for
contact may, if required, be fixed to both arms of the same lever, for it does
not follow that when contact is made by either of these there must be an
electric current, because it will generally require two or more of such contacts
at the same time to complete the circuit; thus although the instrument on
the arm b¹ of the lever b is shown as making contact with the rods and y
fixed below it, as on the beam c, the circuit is not completed unless the arm
00

page_text: 61 of the lever * or some other lever effects simultaneous contact which
connects the insulated wire elsewhere, for that portion of the insulated wire
which is connected to the rod x has no connection with the other portion of
the insulated wire which extends to the battery, except through rods similar to
y and x, which can be connected by a motion of the lever *, or of some other
corresponding lever; a connection which with proper arrangements can result
only from a dangerous mistake on the part of the pointsman. Each position
of a lever b is of course requisite at times, nor is it conducive to danger unless
by inadvertency, the position of some other of the levers be incongruous with
its particular postion at the same time. The danger may arise because whilst
the position of a lever (say 6*) gives the signal all clear" in a certain
direction the position of some other lever simultaneously indicates "all clear"
also on another approach to the same point of juuction on the same line of
rails, or it may be that there is danger from the position of some lever which
causes switches to be closed, or to be open at variance with the requirements
for safety and the indications of the signals; in either case electric wires are so
arranged and connected to rods as to become united by the contact instrument
on the lever in a false position, which thus completes the electric circuit;, the
danger will then immediately be declared by the alarm bell, which will sound
continuously until the inadvertency be observed and rectified. To make this
more clear we may suppose, for instance, that junction levers in the position
shown by b (Figure 4) indicate danger signals on the main line, and that
those in the position of 6* give the signals "all clear" to a driver on a
branch line converging towards the same point and line of rails; then the
points also being previously set right there needs no sound of alarm, nor can
there be any because there is a "break" between some rods, like those shown
at x and y, whose union is requisite to complete the electric current; but
should the position of a lever b inadvertently be altered to "all clear" signifying
permission to another driver to come simultaneously on the main line to the
same point of junction of the same rails, then in this altered position of the
lever b the arrangement and the connection of electric wires with rods x and y
are such that a union of these rods is effected by means of the instrument on
the arm b², which with the union made by the instrument on the arm * at
the same time completes the circuit, and the sound of the alarm bell will be
an evidence of the dangerous mistake until the position of the levers be made
to accord with each other and with the requirements for safety. In the case
just supposed the projecting instruments shown in red lines on the arms b², b²*,
only are those recognized in the reference; those in black lines on the other
arms of the same levers are supposed to have no existence.

page_text: As showing some requisite variations I may here observe that signal levers
are sometimes more or less distant from each other, and yet a concordance of
these in relative positions may be requisite for safety because the operation
or position of one lever in the results thereof may make that of some other at
the same time dangerously discordant.
In cases where the respective hand levers are far distant from each
other, and under the control of different men, a modification of instruments
for making contact, shown by Figures 7 to 12, is adapted for application
and applied to the ordinary levers in use, or to rods or arms connected
with them, so that the operation of these rods or arms makes and breaks
contact with electric wires arranged to cause proper warnings through alarm
bells fixed at the locations of the men in charge respectively. In these
Figures (7 to 12) A is a rod supposed to be in use and to have connection
at the shackle a with an ordinary lever operating on points or on signals; D, D,
is a block or sleeper fixed firmly on the ground, on which is fastened the
oblong piece of wood d, d; through this wood d, d, the rod A operates freely,
and the conductive rods x and y coated with a non-conductive substance a*
pass through and are held by this wood d, d; one of these conductive rods x
being connected with an insulated wire, and the other y with an earth wire
or its equivalent; the rod A may be attached to such a lever for the special
purpose of making and breaking contacts as required to carry out this Invention.
The rod A however on either supposition will have motion in accordance with
the lever to which it is attached. On the rod A is fixed the contact instru-
ment B, whose projecting metallic arm c on the motion of the rod in one
direction goes between and has frictional connection with the metallic rods x
and y, which thus become conductive to or from a battery and bell when
required, and provided for by similar connections made by another lever whose
simultaneous action or position when discordant is dangerous; this will
readily be understood from a consideration of the preceding explanations and
Drawings. By that reaction of the lever which replaces the rod A the
metallic arm c will be withdrawn and the rods x, y, thereby become disunited
and no longer conductive.
The form and construction of the instrument B will be evident from its
several representations, and a concordant arrangement of the conductive rods
x and y may be readily understood also on reference to the Drawings. These
show their position relative to the instrument B whose motion to form electric
contact through the arm c is the result of ordinary operations with the signal
or point lever to which the rod A is supposed to be connected. It will be
seen that Figure 9 shows an end view of the instrument B with the rod A in

page_text: section, and that Figure 10 shows two other representations of the part c dis-
connected, and Figure 11 one side of the clip b affixed to the rod A, and
forming the upper part of the instrument B; Figure 12 shows the arm c in
section, the ends of the rods x and y being represented (Figure 7*) detached
in positions that indicate their curvatures for the more certain reception
within them of the arm c (shown in section opposite) which comes between
these conductive rods in the ordinary motion of the rod A in one direction,
and is retracted by the counter motion; should this contact be required on a
reverse motion of the lever which is supposed to actuate the rod A the
necessary alteration of the position of the parts will be readily understood from
the description of the operation already given.
A covering box fixed on the block D, D, will exclude atmospheric and other
obstructions to a proper operation of these parts of the apparatus. It may also be
useful to remark that instruments (like that shown Figures 4, 5, and 6) used
for making contact may with slight alterations be used for breaking it (by the
intervention of the bars a²) where contact already exists. In this case the soldered
wire connection a³ is omitted, and the rods x and y are made to have contact
with each other by suitable curvatures and a mutual spring pressure against
each other; but their upper extremities curving outwards permit the bars a²
to intervene and separate them on the descent of a lever arm which carries
these bars thus modified; therefore instead of making contact a modification
of this instrument a (Figures 4, 5, and 6) will serve to break it if required
(as it may be) for this purpose.
Having sufficiently shown and described the apparatus used for effecting the
second part of this Invention I now proceed to explain the third part also.
In describing the third part of the Invention it is necessary to show how a
rod or bar is fastened within a closed box, so that when the Scotch block or
the switches of a siding protected in accordance with this part of the
Invention have been closed this rod or bar (connected with one or other of
them) will prevent its being opened without a special power imparted by the
man in charge at the junction, who may be far distant from the points or the
Scotch block that another man on the spot desires to open.
Figures 13 and 14 show two sectional views of a box with parts connected
thereto according to this part of my Invention. A is the box, and B the
rod whose connection (through the lever 23, 2, and the rod 22) with an arm ¹
of the Scotch block z (Figures 13* and 14*) makes its free traction in the
box A (Figures 13 and 14) requisite for a removal of the block z from its
normal position across the rail; but the rod or bar B is at one end carried
in bearing plates m, m, through the box A, and it will be seen that its traction

page_text: is impossible whilst the heavier arm c¹ of the
stop against the projection be of the bar B.
lever c in the box A forms a
When a man desires to move
the Scotch block (Figures 13*, 14*) and open the siding he signifies
this by moving a small contact arm in the box A in the direction or manner
(which may be indicated) to effect preconcerted signals, intimating (by certain
contacts between the arm and the rods t and u made by motions to the
right) his desires to the man in charge at the junction. The motions of the
arm to make contact in the box A are effected by the lever (which we have
called No. 2) on the axis of the arm, but if preferred the end of the
axis may be adapted to a key; the effect of the contact made as described
is the metallic union of electric rods whose wire connections induce a current
of electricity to act through a magnet on the bell No. 1 (such as shown
Figures 15 and 16) at the junction and very near the pointsman. The points-
man by an instrument such as represented by Figures 15 and 16 to effect
similar connections in relation to which instructions may be indicated can
reply by making and breaking contacts (the motions of the lever f called
elsewhere No. 1 to the right) which by means of insulated electric wires
give beats on the bell No. 2 (Figures 13 and 14) in the box A corresponding
with the number and duration of the contacts made by intermittent connections
of the arm f¹ introduced between the rods v and w, Figures 15 and 16; thus
it may be seen application may be made to the pointsman by a preconcerted
number of beats on a bell near him, No. 1, and he can reply by similar indica-
tions on a bell No. 2 at the siding to signify that he understands what is required.
Various arrangements of insulated wires with bells and parts acting with
them may be adopted, but arrangements of instruments for making contacts
and their several purposes and effects adapted to my Invention are hereafter
described. When the pointsman at the junction thinks proper to comply
with the request of the man at the siding he moves the band lever f
(Figures 15 and 16) from its normal position (which we will assume as most
convenient to be vertically pendent) to the left until the arm f¹ goes between
and has contact with the two conductive rods f³, f³, one of these rods f*
through an insulated wire has connection with the magnet r in the box A,
(Figures 18 and 14); when the contacts hereafter described for this purpose are
effected the other rod ƒ³ is connected with a battery near it. On the axis f
of the arms f and f¹ is another arm fa similar to the arm f¹, and so fixed in
relation to it and to the conductive rods f, f, that when the arm f¹ has
contact with the rods f³, f³, this arm fs will have similar contact with the
conductive rods f, f', then the rod fo being connected with an insulated
wire attached to the other end of the same battery to which is connected the

page_text: insulated line wire from the rod f³, and the rod f" having connection with an
earth wire the consequence of the contacts made by the two arms f¹ and f
as above noticed is an electric current operating through the coil of the
magnet r; when for this purpose the coil is connected with the insulated line
wire mentioned above the two arms f¹ and f³ are insulated by india-rubber
or other non-conductive substance from any metallic contact with their common
axis f; this connection with the coil of the magnet r is made by a position
of the hand lever on the box A (Figures 13 and 14) in the following
manner: When the man at the siding having signified his desire for the
release of the Scotch block z knows that he is understood (as before explained)
he moves the lever to the left until the arm goes between the two con-
ductive rods and 72, and is there detained by frictional pressure in metallic
contact with both. The rod has connection with the line wire above
mentioned, and the rod is connected with one end of the coil of the magnet r,
the other end of this coil being joined to an earth wire or its equivalent, thus
this contact made by the position of the arm as before explained unites the
magnet with a line wire, which when the pointsman thinks proper he can
as before described connect with the battery by means of the contact arms
f, f8, (Figures 15 and 16). These several connections by completing the
circuit give power to the magnet r whose influence on its keeper m² results in
the release of the rod or bar B required for the removal of the block z, and a
free egress from or ingress to the siding. For by the connections above
described the magnet r is empowered to attract its keeper m² suspended on
the moveable arm m², whose lower end by pressure against the arm m' on the
axis m³ of the weighted lever me causes this lever to fall over its centre towards
the horizontal position shown by the dotted lines m²; this motion by bringing
the arm m³ on the axis m³ in forcible contact with the arm m² on the axis m¹0
of the larger weighted lever m" produces a similar descent of the lever m",
whose weight or hammer m* by falling with force on the arm of the stop
lever c lifts up the stop arm c¹ from the projection or stop 63 on the rod B,
and then is that rod no longer obstructed but free to move in its bearings m, m,
as required for the removal of the Scotch block from its place as a bar across
the rail. In replacing the block across the rail the stop lever c will be no
impediment, but the prior action of the rod B within the box A will have
elevated the weighted levers me and m" to their former position against the
stop g', for the descent of those levers me and m" causes such positions of the
arms o 'and p as bring these arms below the course of the pin h standing out
from each side of the rod B, the pin h being so fixed through the rod B that
in passing under the arms c, p, its pressure erects the fallen levers me and m",

page_text: leaving them poised back beyond their perpendicularity ready for repeating
their proper effects. To the rod or bar B in the box A are fixed two other
small pins and t, which in the proper motions of that rod act on the upper
arm of the lever j, so that its lower arm makes and breaks contact with
conductive rods k and ³, which are properly disposed for the reception of the
arm between them, and for causing a mutual pressure during their contact
with the arm of the conductive rods k and k¹, one is an earth wire or its
equivalent, the other k is connected to an insulated wire which extends and
is joined to a battery and a bell at the junction, but from the position of the
lever as shown it will be seen that when the rod B is locked or stopped by
the arm c¹ of the lever c the pin i will have forced the lower arm * from
contact with the rods kand (or one of them) therefore there being no
connection with the earth wire k¹, there is no current to effect the sound of
the bell at the junction, but when the rod B is withdrawn (as before explained
to be requisite for the removal of the block z from the rail) the pin ¹ in that
motion and consequent position of the rod or bar B by its action against the
arm of the lever j forces and retains the arm between the conductive
rodsk and k¹, thereby is effected a metallic connection between the earth here
and an insulated wire extending to the junction and through the coil of the
magnet of the bell to the battery there with which this wire has connection; the
battery may be distinct and its bell also, and this bell we may call No. 3,
but the battery may by preference be the same as used for the release
described, and its bell the same as that we have called No. 1 if the arm
has contact with the rods * and * (as shown in the same Figures), and the
insulated wire mentioned above (as extending from the rod k to the junction)
has that extension only through connections with the rods k* and k¹*, and
only when the arm has contact with them in its pendent position, as shown
in the same Figures. This position vertically pendent is that the lever and
its arm will assume when not in use for other special purposes. The battery
whether distinct or not has connection with the earth here through the
conductive rods n and n¹ (Figures 15 and 16), which have electric union
through the arm f¹ when the pointsman's lever f is in its normal position,
that is, as before assumed directly pendent, for the arm f¹ is then as shown
between the rods n and n', with both of which it has contact, and the rod n is
properly connected to the battery by an insulated wire, and the rod n¹ to an
earth wire or its equivalent, therefore whilst these two rods are thus united
the battery has an earth wire through them. When the pointsman's hand
lever f is in its normal position then the several connections just described
induce an electric current that acts on the bell at the junction, and thus will

page_text: the pointsman have cognizance of a removal of the block z from the rail. To
prevent a continuation of the sound, not necessary when, as explained above,
the pointsman knows that the block is removed off the rail, he may shift
his hand lever from its normal place, and its return to that place will then
test the position of the block z by the sound or the silence of the bell
respectively as already described.
I have now shown how this part of the Invention when connected with a
Scotch block locks or retains that block across the rail unless released by
electrical operations effected by the man in charge of the siding whose location.
may be distant from it; but there are places where it is desirable to prevent
the opening of switch rails specially for the crossing of main lines, without
permissive powers derived in the manner before described through the man in
charge at a distance," who can give special protection by signals during such
operations, and who knows when they are safe and proper.
For adapting this part of the Invention to affect switch rails instead of
Scotch blocks no alteration is required but what relates to connections with
the rod B, Figures 13 and 14. In this modification the rod B (instead of
joining the lever 23, 2) is connected to an arm of the crank lever *
(Figure 17); the other arm of this crank lever has connection with the
stop rod, which passing through staple guides 10, 11, is alternately with-
drawn from and replaced across the rod in accordance with the operations
of the lever 2, which operations by the connection of the lever z with the
rod or bar B extending to the box. A (Figures 18 and 14) are dependent as
before described in relation to the block z on the release of that rod or bar at
the discretion of the man in charge who may be far distant. On the rod,
which is part of or connected to the bar connecting switch rails with the lever
which works them, a projection 2 is so fixed in relation to the stop rod z' that
it prevents the motion of this rod requisite to an alteration of the points so
long as the stop rod 2 lies across the switch rod . On the withdrawal of
the stop rod there is no hindrance to the operation thereby of the switch
rails, but as the free action of the stop rod is dependent on the release of
the rod or bar B in the box A, as before observed, the liberation of the points
or switch rails is at the discretion and in the power only of the man in charge,
who may be distant and even invisible from their location.
In what I have called the second part of this Invention are described and
shown (Figures 7 to 12) instruments and parts for making and breaking
contacts in accordance with the motions of levers operating on signals, or on
points respectively, some of whose relative positions or operations if simul-
taneous with those of others at a distance may cause collisions, but instead of

page_text: the means there described for making contacts, the apparatus described above
and shown Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17, may under similar circumstances
be so modified as to answer the same purpose and with additional advantages,
for to the apparatus in the box A (Figures 13 and 14) may easily be attached
a small semaphore arm or other signal for ocular demonstrations. In this
case the motion of the signal lever or point lever respectively is permitted or
not as required by a release or a retention of the rod or bar B as already
described, but the axis m10 of the weighted lever m" is extended through its
bearing and quite out on one side of the box A where its motions are in
various ways available for the required action on a small semaphore arm or
other signal for demonstrations indicated either by its rise or fall. The
contrary or return action of the arm or other signal, if a fixture on the
extension of the axis m¹º before noticed, will be effected on the return of the
weighted lever m¹ to its vertical position in the manner already shown in
relation to that lever, but by other arrangements that may be made and
provided for with an extension of the box A to include a second magnet and
its requirements, a magnetic action (such as before described from the
magnet r) derived from a second magnet acted on in like manner and causing
similar weighted arms to fall in an opposite direction is readily made con-
ducive to a replacement of the small semaphore arm or other such signal
instrument to signify "all clear" or the reverse as required. I do not how-
ever claim separately the application of such semaphore or other arm acting
as a signal.
Having thus described my Invention and means which I adopt in carrying
the same into effect, I would have it understood that I do not confine myself
to the precise details as shown and described, for the same may be varied
without departing from the peculiar character of the Invention, but what I
do claim is, the adaptation or combination of means acting in the manner and
for the purposes, substantially as explained under the respective heads or parts
of the Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Frederick Whitworth, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of January, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
C. F. WHITWORTH. (L.S.)

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