A SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR WORKING RAILWAY BRAKES
Year: 1856

page_text: En the Matter of a Patent for Great Britain and Ireland granted to
Edouard Guérin, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Civil Engineer,
for "A SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR WORKING RAILWAY BRAKES," and
dated the Sixteenth day of June, One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-six, No. 1418.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty, by Her Letters Patent under the
Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date
the Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-six, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said Edouard Guérin, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, and such others as I, the said Edouard Guérin, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times hereafter during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and the Islu
of Mau, my Invention for "A SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR WORKING RAILWAY
BRAKES;" in which Letters Patent there is contained a proviso, requiring
that I, the said Edouard Guérin, shall particularly ascertain and set forth tho

page_text: nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the now recited Letters Patent.
And whereas, in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said Edouard
Guérin, did particularly ascertain and set forth the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, in and by a
certain Specification or instrument in writing, under my hand and seal,
bearing date the Eighth day of November, One thousand eight hundred and
fifty-six, and did cause the same Specification to be filed in due time in the
Great Scal Patent Office.
And whereas, I have been advised that the description of my said Inven-
tion, and of the Drawings supplied by me is obscure, and may not be clearly
understood.
And whereas, I have also been advised that the part of my said Specification
which describes Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawings thereunto annexed, together
with those Figures cannot be maintained, in consequence of the same not
having been set forth in the Provisional Specification filed with my Petition
for Provisional Protection.
Now, I do hereby alter such parts, and disclaim such other parts from my
said Specification as are shewn in the instrument in writing hereunto annexed,
by the words added thereto in red ink [Italic], and the words and figures erased
therefrom by a red ink line drawn through them. And I further disclaim from
the Drawings annexed to my said Specification the Figures 5 and 6.

page_text: Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "A SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR
WORKING RAILWAY BRAKES," upon the condition (amongst others), that I, the
said Edouard Guérin, my executors or administrators, 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 Edouard Guérin, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, reference being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, that is
to say-
In the breaks generally used on railways the pressure of the wooden blocks
against the wheels is operated exerted by means of a crank worked by an
attendant.
a
My Invention consists in making use of the pressure exercised on the
buffer springs of the waggons carriages of a train when the engine driver shuts
up-the-throstle-valve,-and-eanses the brake of the tender-to-he tightened,-a-resistance
is thus produced-a head of the train, which, as will-be-shewn-presently, is rendered
available-to-lock-up-all the waggons provided with self-neting brakes, checks the
speed of the engine; or when the speed of the carriage or carriages in front of
every carriage fitted with my apparatus is checked, and this by the agency of a
clutch or collar acting by centrifugal force, when the train is travelling beyond
given velocity, through a connecting rod, in such manner as to raise a bearing
in the shape of a forked piece at the back of the draw hook, in order to permit of
the inward motion of the draw bar. The inner end of this bar being connected
to the centre of the buffer spring, allows that spring to recede when pressed upon
by the buffer rods, and to force the brake blocks against the wheels. When the
train travels at a lower speed than that at which the clutch or collar has been set,
to permit the buffer spring to act on the brakes as aforesaid, or is at rest, the clutch
assumes such a position on the axle that it pushes back the rod connected with the
bearing or forked piece at the back of the draw hook, while the draw bar and
consequently buffer springs are forced outwards by a recall spring, which also.
releases the break blocks from the wheels.
"
The annexed Drawings represents my apparatus applied to a waggon. All
the pieces belonging to the working of the brakes are colored in red.
Figure 1 is a front view of a brake waggon placed in a train between the

page_text: tender and a passengers carriage, and fitted with my apparatus for throwing
the brakes into and out of action with the buffer spring; Figure 2 is a plan of
the same waggon, shewing all the pieces of the apparatus. In order to cause
the brake blocks to press against the wheels, as before mentioned, by the pressure
of the buffer's spring, I place ono or two levers a, a, on the shaft h, which
actuates the brake blocks. The ends of the said lever or levers are connected to a
plate which rests against touching the back of the buffer springs of the waggon-on
each side of their slide-guiding pieces, as shewn in Figures 2 and 4, the latter
being a cross section of the waggon through the line C, D, of the plan. The
buffer spring s bearing on the levers a, a, the brake blocks are is brought into
action as soon as the buffers spring is are pushed back. In-pushing a train
back, it is evident that the same-effect-could-not take place, but, by-e-contrivance
represented-in-the-annexed-Drawing, the very motion of the train is made to
answer the same purpose, as will be-shewn. b is a forked piece or bearing attached
to the back cross sleeper of the frame of the carriage; it is hinged so as to be
brought fall down and to servo either as a bearing or stay to the shoulder of
the driving or propelling red draw hook on the outer end of the draw bar, or to be
raised so as to set it the draw bar free. The inner end of the draw bar is con-
nected to the centre of the buffer springs, and as long as the draw bar is prevented
from sliding inwards no pressure is applied to the brakes. c is a vertical lever,
provided with a balance weight d; the lever c actuates the forked piece b by
the help of through the connecting rod e. A east iron grooved wheel clutch or
bleek collar II of a the particular shape shewn in Figures 1 and 3 (the latter
being a cross section of the waggon, through the line A, B, of the plan), is placed
on one of the axletrees, and revolves with it. This bleek collar is supported by
two pivots on the axletree, which two pivots allow it to have a free motion
when Betuated acted on by the centrifugal force. A groove of a suitable depth
is cut round into the bleek collar H. When the train is running, the position
of the bleek collar II is modified by the action of the centrifugal force as afore-
said, and the position of its grooved part, which was in an inclined plane to the
axletree, is modified by the action of the centrifugal foree, the greeve-is brought
opposite to the lever c, and at right angles to the aaletree. The action of the
balance weight d causes the forked piece to be disengaged from the shoulder
of the propelling draw hook allowing the. The draw bar is then free to move
inwards, and the buffers spring s is free to recede, and the brake blocks then can
then be pressed against the wheels by the effect of the buffers spring sliding
inwards; on the contrary, when the train is at rest or has not attained the
velocity at which the clutch is set to act, the bleek clutch II is brought back

page_text: against the axletree by the action of two spiral springs b, b, seen in Figure 1;
when in this position its longer larger diameter is opposite the lever c, thus
allowing the forked piece b to remain between the cross-end sleeper-of-the-frame
and the shoulder of the propelling hook.-The-piece-bheenmes-then-the-bearing
point of the buffers spring, and this spring-ean then which it draws inwards as well
as the rod e, and the forked piece b falling behind the shoulder of the draw hook
(as soon as the recall spring has pushed the draw bar ont) prevents the draw bar
moving inwards, and consequently the buffer spring from acting upon the brake
blocks, but the buffer spring is free to perform its usual work without imparting
any-motion 19-the brake. It will be understood that when in this last condition
the train can be pushed backwards without the brakes preventing it. ++
will-be-remarked besides that there is a repelling recull spring f working connected
through a rod y en to one of the levers of the brake shaft at the back of the
buffer spring. The object of this recall spring is to bring the buffers spring
back to its place, and to release the brake blocks and force out the draw bar.
It prevents also the buffers spring and the draw bar from being pushed back,
and consequently the action of the brake blocks from taking place under a
weak pressure.
:
Figures 5 and 6-are-dispositions chewing how the brake-can be thrown in and
out of action by the head, in other words the forked-piece-b-instead-of-being
raised-med-lowered by the action of the block II can be acted upm by the hand
lever-m.
The particular-arrangements which have just been described are to be applied to
my-self-acting-apparatus, but the brake can also be worked by hand, as shewn-in
Figure 1.
My Invention consists also in-causing the brakes to be self-acting by the back-
wards-motion-of the train, that is to say, instead of actuating the brakes by means
of the buffers, Leause them to be actuated by means of the propelling rod;-in-that
ease it would be sufficient to lock up the last waggon-to-cause-all the other brakes
of the train to press against the wheels.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim, I wish-to-have-it-well under-
stood that 1-do-not confine myself to the precise disposition-or-shape of the pieces
described-in-my-Drawings, for carrying into effect the application of my self-nering
appuratus for working brakes, but my Invention consists-in-the-application-of-the
principle of self-action applied to the brakes of waggons, whatever may be the
system of the brakes employed. First, the clutch collar or other like, governor or
apparatus, acting in the manner herein-before described, either to permit or to

page_text: prevent the buffer spring pressing the brakes against the wheels of the carriages, all
as herein-before described and represented in the Drawings hercunto annexed.
And, second, the employment of a recall spring to release the brake blocks and
push outwards the draw bar, in the manner herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edouard Guérin, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of December, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-seven.
EDOUARD GUERIN. (L.s.)
HENRY S. KEATING.
Temple, 7th January 1858.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edouard Guérin, of Paris, in the Empire of France,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "A SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR
WORKING RAILWAY BRAKES."
Sealed the 21st November 1856, and dated the 16th June 1856.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edouard Guérin at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 16th
June 1856.
I, EDOUARD GUÉRIN, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Civil Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of the sd Invention for "A SELF-ACTING APPA-
BATUS FOR WORKING RAILWAY BRAKES," to be as follows:-
My Invention consists, instead of a handle or crank for working the brakes
of railways, in making use of the pressure produced on the springs of the
buffers, when the engine driver stops the throttle valvo (régulateur) of the
engine and puts on the brake of the tender. The apparatus in question is
represented in the annexed Drawing, in which all the pieces which form part
of my Invention are coloured in red.
Fig. 1 is the plan of the frame of a waggon provided with my apparatus ;
Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section; Fig. 8, a cross section through the
line A, B; and Fig. 4, a cross section through the line C, D. The brake is
worked by means of two levers or arms a, the ends of which are to the spring

page_text: of the buffers at the back on each side of its guides. The spring bearing
against the said levers work the brake as soon as the buffers are pushed in.
In pushing a train back it is evident that the same effect could not take
place; but by a contrivance, represented in the annexed Drawing, the very
motion of the train is made to answer that purpose, as shown in the Drawing.
1st, a forked piece b is hinged on the back cross piece, so as to stop the
shoulder of the drawing hook when lowered, or to set it freo when raised up;
2d, a vertical lever c, with a counterpoise d, impels the piece b through a rod
e; 3d, a wheel or pulley II, of particular shape, placed on an axletree, acts on
the lever c when the train is in motion, and the counterpoise d raises the
forked piece b, allowing the buffer's spring to recede; the brake can then be
worked by the buffers sliding in. When, on the contrary, the train is not in
motion, the wheel II is driven back near the axletree by two springs, its larger
diameter lifting the lever c, which leaves the forked piece b interposed
between the cross piece tand the shoulder of the drawing hook, when the
train can be pushed backwards without the brake preventing its motion. A
back driving spring f impels one of the arms of the shaft of the brako through
a rod g, in order to bring the buffer spring in its proper position and to
remove the pressure of the brake. In this system the brake can also be
worked by hand.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edouard Guérin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th December 1856.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDOUARD
GUERIN, of Paris, in the Empire of France, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, in the nineteenth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Ier heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Edouard Guérin, Her special license that 1, the said Edouard Guérin, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Edouard
Guérin, 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 "A SELF-ACTING APPARATUS FOR

page_text: WORKING RAILWAY BRAKES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said Edouard Guérin, my exccutors or administrators, 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 Edouard Guérin, 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:-
"In the brakes generally used on railways the pressure of the wooden blocks
against the wheels is operated by means of a crank worked by an attendant.
My Invention consists in making use of the pressure exercised on the buffer
springs of the waggons of a train when the engine driver shuts up the throstle
valve and causes the brake of the tender to be tightened; a resistance is thus
produced ahead of the train, which, as will be shewn presently, is rendered.
available to lock up all the waggons provided with self-acting brakes.
The annexed Drawing represents my apparatus applied to a waggon; all
the pieces belonging to the brake are colored in red. Figure 1 is a front
view of a brake waggonced in a train between the tender and a passengers
carriage; Figure 2 is the plan of the same waggon, shewing all the pieces
of the apparatus. In order to cause the blocks to press against the wheels,
as mentioned above, by the pressure of the buffer's spring, I place one or two.
levers a, a, on the shaft h, which actuates the brake, the ends of the said
lever or levers touching the back of buffer springs of the waggon on each side
of their slide guiding pieces, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the latter being a
cross section of the waggon through the line C, D, of the plan. The buffer
springs bearing on the levers a, a, the brake is brought into action as soon
as the buffers are pushed back. In pushing a train back it is evident that
the same effect could not take place; but by a contrivance, represented in the
annexed Drawing, tlie very motion of the train is made to answer the same
purpose, as will be shewn. is a forked piece attached to the back cross
sleeper of the frame; it is hinged, so as to be brought down and to serve
either as a bearing or stay to the shoulder of the driving or propelling rod,
or to be raised so as to set it free. c is a vertical lever, provided with a
balance weight d; the lever c actuates the forked piece by the help of the
connecting rod e. A cast-iron grooved wheel or block II of a particular
shape, shewn in Figures 1 and 3, (the latter being a cross section of the

page_text: waggon through the line A, B, of the plan,) is placed on one of the axletrees,
and revolves with it; this block is supported by two pivots on the axletree,
which two pivots allow it to have a free motion when actuated by the centrifugal
force. A groove of a suitable depth is cut round into the block H. When
the train is running, the position of the block H is modified by the action of
the centrifugal force, as aforesaid; the position of its grooved part, which was
in an inclined plane to the axletree, is modified by the action of the centrifugal
force; the groove is brought opposite to the lever c. The action of the balance
weight & causes the forked piece b to be disengaged from the shoulder of the
propelling hook, allowing the buffer's spring s to recede; the brake then can
be pressed against the wheels by the effect of the buffers sliding inwards. On
the contrary, when the train is at rest the block II is brought back against
the axletree by the action of two spiral springs b, b, seen in Figure 1; when in
this position its longer diameter is opposite the lever c, thus allowing the
forked piece b to remain between the cross end sleeper of the frame and the
shoulder of the propelling hook. The piece 6 becomes then the bearing point
of the buffer's spring, and this spring can then perform its usual work without
imparting any motion to the brake. It will be understood that when in this
last condition the train can be pushed backwards without the brake preventing
it. It will be remarked, besides, that there is a repelling spring f working
through a rod 7 on one of the levers of the brake shaft. The object of this
spring is to bring the buffer's spring back to its place, and to release the brake.
It prevents also the buffers from being pushed back, and consequently the
action of the brake from taking place under a weak pressure.
Figures 5 and 6 are dispositions showing how the brake can be thrown in
and out of action by the hand; in other words, the forked piece b, instead of
being raised and lowered by the action of the block II, can be acted upon
by the hand lever m.
The particular arrangements which have just been described are to be
applied to my self-acting apparatus, but the brake can also be worked by hand,
as shown in Figure 1.
My Invention consists also in causing the brakes to be self-acting by the
backwards motion of the train, that is to say, instead of actuating the brakes
by means of the buffers, I cause them to be actuated by means of the
propelling rod; in that case it would be sufficient to lock up the last waggon
to cause all the other brakes of the train to press against the wheels.
Having now described my Invention, I wish to have it well understood that
I do not confine myself to the precise disposition or shape of the pieces
described in my Drawings for carrying into effect the application of my self-

page_text: acting apparatus for working brakes, but my Invention consists in the appli-
cation of the principle of self-action applied to the brakes of waggons, whatever
may be the system of the brakes employed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edouard Guérin, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of November, Oue thousand eight
hundred and fifty-six.
Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of
L. D'AUBREVILLE.
E. GUÉRIN. (L.S.)