Improvements in Mechanical and Electrical Interlocking in connection with Railway Signalling.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Feb., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 5th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 20th Feb.. 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanical and Electrical Interlocking in
connection with Railway Signalling.
WILLIAM HENRY ELLIOTT Railway Signal Inspector Railway Cottage
Thurles Co. Tipperary Ireland do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
The mechanical and electrical signalling on railways consist of first dividing the
railway into sections such as station to station, or juaction, these are occasionally
again subdivided into shorter sections.
To begin alphabetically (say at A). In connection with the electric block
instrument. I have a contact maker, and breaker, which is actuated only when the
"Line clear" current is sent from B to A.
When Line clear" is sent there is a contact made independent of the ordinary
block signal this current goes through a pair of coils, and attracts the armature to
the coils and lifts out a lock which holds the starter, or advance starter signal lever
in its normal position, and allows the signalman at A. to pull off his starter, or
advance starter signal, and thus send a train into section A. B.
At, or in advance of starter, or advance starter signal at A. I have a mechanical
treadle appliance which is acted upon by the first wheel of the engine or vehicle
(whichever is first) this appliance is so arranged that when it is put down it breaks
the connection between the lever in the cabin, and the signal, and the signal arm
goes to Danger (it is only acted upon by the first wheel) when the first wheel goes
over it, it gets out of the way of following wheels, and is not in position again
till lever in cabin is put back to normal position.
23
The appliances at cabin B. consist of interlocking arranged as follows. To begin.
To the electric switch lever, or appliance for changing the electric currents
connected to the electric switch lever; or appliance for changing the electric
currents (hereafter called electric switch lever) engaging, or working to engage
an electric connection to send an "All clear current to the calling station (say
station A) I have a rod connection attached to one arm of a crank (hereinafter
called crank D.), and to the other arm of crank D. I have a rod; attached to the
end of this rod (hereinafter called rod E) 1 have a mitre piece for mitre inter-
locking, (and for other systems of interlocking a similar actuator to the system of
interlocking employed) this connection from the crank D, carrying the actuator
or lock engages with a similar actuator, or lock actuated by the home signal
lever.
The electric switch lever stands locked in the block current (or normal position)
by the home signal lever; and to send an 'All clear' current from B. to A. that
is, to first unlock the electric switch lever, the home signal lever must be partially
moved over locking frame (that is from its normal position)-thus securing the
ordinary interlocking of conflicting levers in the locking frame-then electric switch
lever is free to move: you pull over electric switch lever, and interlock the home
signal in its partially pulled over position.
In the interlocking tappet, worked by the home signal lever, I have a stud or
near the
pin, this pin is rivetted into a bar (hereinafter called bar F); at, or
centre of bar F I have a mitre G cut in its side, and opposite this mitre G.
I have a pin, or stud H rivetted in the plate on which bar Fis working. When

page_text: home signal lever is pulled from normal the parabolic curve in interlocking tappet
actuates the bar F. lengthways, and causes mitre G. to come against stud H and
drives bar sideways.
Near to the opposite end of bar F, from parabolic curve, I have a cranked
lever, J, in a pedestal: one end of lever, J, engages with bar F, and on the other
end I have a balance weight, this balance weight actuates bar F sideways (reverse
to the action of mitre G) and on the extreme opposite end of bar F, from parabolic
curve, I have a clutch K, opposite this clutch 'K I have a block L fixed on down-
right rod E. When home signal lever is at normal, clutch K is clear of block L
on rod E.
When home signal lever is moved clutch K on bar E is moved partially across
outside face of block L; when electric switch lever is pulled over, and rod E
depressed, the clutch K (by the action of balance weight on lever J) goes partially
across block L, and stops over a slot in block L.
When electric switch lever is put back to normal it raises block L on rod E,
and clutch K. is carried under the block L, and interlocks switch lever, until home
signal lever is pulled right over locking frame and put back again to normal (from
whence it has again to be pulled partially over locking frame, before electric switch
lever is again free to send an "All clear" current.
On the underside of clutch K I have a groove M cut square across, and another
groove N cut diagonally across on the plate on which bar F works I have a pin,
or stud O.
When bar E is normal, it rests against stud H, and whilst bar E is being moved
it rests against stud O.
-
When home signal lever is in its place (partially across locking frame) clutch K.
is against outer face of block L, and groove M. is open for stud O. to pass through,
when actuated by balance weight on lever J: when block L is depressed whilst
home signal lever is being put back to normal, and actuating parabolic curve in
tappet, and whilst in same action bar E in moving to normal stud O. passes through
diagonal slot in bar E, and bar E again rests against stud H.
At, or in advance of home signal at B I have an appliance same as fixed in
advance of "starter," or "6
"
advance starter signal at A; but in addition I have
two sets of contact makers, and breakers.
When home signal at B. is at Danger and lever normal, one set of contact
makers are on one set of contact plates. When home signal is pulled right over,
and signal arm off, this contact maker is taken off the first set of plates, and the
second set of contact makers put on second set of plates; but when engine, or
vehicle wheels pass over appliance both sets of contact makers are on both set of
plates, and thus completes the electric circuit and the armature being brought to
the coils lifts out the lock which holds the home signal lever in its pulled over
position and it can then be put back home.
On the ends of the armatures I have labels which denote the action of the locks
as "Line clear," "Line blocked."
Should al "Line clear current be asked for by A. from B, and A afterwards
is not sending the engine, or vehicles over the section to B, A will tell B. it is
a signal in error by telephone, or on the bell of his electric block instrument
by code.
At B. I have a recording appliance into which B. will put a specially arranged
key, and turn it partially round: by doing so B. will send a current through his
lock coils, same as if engine, or vehicles had passed his home signal, and thus
allow B. to replace his home signal lever to normal, this cancelling being recorded
on the "recording" instrument.
":
The "recording instrument is a train of wheels; ou pivot of each wheel is
fixed a pointer which indicates the number of times a cancelled signal is sent.
Dated this 19th day of February 1894.

page_text: Improvements in Mechanical and Electrical Interlocking in
connection with Railway Signalling.
.
WILLIAM HENRY ELLIOTT Railway Signal Inspector Railway Cottage,
Thurles Co. Tipperary Ireland 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:-
The mechanical, and electrical signalling on railways consist of first dividing
the railway into sections, such as station to station or junction: these are
occassionally again sub-divided into shorter sections.
To begin alphabetically, say at A (sheets of drawings marked A, are for cabin A,
those marked B are for cabin B). In connection with the electric block instrument
I have a contact maker, and breaker-Fig. 10-which is actuated only when the
"Line clear" current is sent through coils C. C' from B. to A.
When "Line clear" is sent there is a contact made independent of the ordinary
block signal, this current goes through a pair of coils V₁-Fig. 8. (the coils
shewn on Fig. 10. are the ordinary "Preeces" block instrument coils. The piece
I have marked V" Fig. 10, is the insulated block under the contact plates at ends
of wires VI V¹) and attracts the armature V to the coils V₁ and lifts out a lock C"
Fig. 8. which holds the starter or advance starter signal lever U in its normal
position, Fig. 7, and allows the signalman at A to pull off his starter, or advance
starter signal lever U, to U' Fig. 7. and thus send a train into section A. B. The
pieces I have marked V Fig. 8. are labels which denote the action of the locks
same as described on Sheet 7. Fig. 3.
At, or in advance of starter, or advance starter signal at A. I have a mechanical
treadle appliance-R. Fig. 6-which is acted upon by the first wheel of the engine,
or vehicle (whichever is first) this appliance is so arranged that when it is put
down R. Fig. 6-and R¹ Fig. 6¹ it draws down by the action of crank Z clutch Y.
clear of slot Y" in Y¹.
To explain the action of Y Y and Z Sheet 3. Fig. 6, and Sheets 4, 10, 11.
On Sheets 3.
Figs. 6 6 6 I have marked the bar shewn opposite bar Y Y
& 10. these are shewn at their normal positions: the dotted line end of Y³ is
connected to the signal lever U. Fig. 8.--or W, Fig. 3.-and when signal lever is
pulled, Y is moved along the dotted lines, and carries Y¹ along with it: and the
plain end of Y¹ being connected to the signal arm, it pulls the signal arm off to
"All right." And when the engine, or vehicles pass over R Fig. 6, or R' Fig. 61,
or R" Fig. 6, or R Fig. 6 the clutch Y is taken out of slot Y' in bar Y, and
bar Y being released the signal arm is released, and it goes to normal, or danger.
The appliances at cabin B consist of special interlocking (explanation as follows).
To the electric switch lever Fig. 1. or appliance for changing the electric currents
connected to the electric switch lever; or appliance for changing the electric
currents (hereinafter called electric switch lever) engaging, or working to engage
an electric connection to send an All clear" current to the calling station (say
station A.) I have a rod connection attached to one arm of a crank d. and to the
other arm of crank d. I have a rod E.; attached to the end of this rod E I have
a mitre piece E' for mitre interlocking Figs. 2. 4. (and for other systems of
interlocking a similar actuator to the system of interlocking employed) this
connection from the crank d carrying the actuator, or lock engages with a similar
actuator, or lock actuated by the home signal lever W. Fig. 3. The electric
switch lever stands locked in the block current (or normal position) by the home
signal lever W. Fig. 3. It is shewn locked at the dotted lines E by the dotted
lines I have now marked E" Fig. 4. and unlocked when lever on Fig. 3. is at W'

page_text: "
by forcing E³ into E, Fig. 5., and to send an "All clear current from B to A.
that is, to first unlock the electric switch lever, the home signal lever W. Fig. 3.
must be partially moved over locking frame to W₁ (that is from its normal position)
thus securing the ordinary interlocking of conflicting levers ( a Fig. 5.) in the
locking frame but not actuating signal arm, then electric switch lever is free to
move Fig. 1; you pull over electric switch lever and interlock the home signal
lever W in its partially pulled over position W₁ Fig. 3.
In the interlocking bar worked by tappet a' Fig. 4. worked by the home signal
lever W. I have a stud or pin f' this pin fis rivetted into a bar f. At, or near
the centre of bar f I have a mitre G cut in its side, and opposite this mitre G
I have a pin, or stud H. rivetted in the plate H¹ on which bar f is working.
When home signal lever is pulled from normal W. the parabolic curve-bi Fig. 5-
actuates the bar fon Fig. 4. lengthways, and causes mitre G to come against
stud H, and drives bar -Figs. 2. & 4. sideways.
Near to the opposite end of bar f from parabolic curve I have a cranked
lever J-Fig. 4-in a pedestal J', one end of lever J engages with bar f, and on
the other end I have a balance weight J" Fig. 3; this balance weight J" actuates
bar Fig. 4. sideways (reverse to the action of mitre G) and on the extreme
opposite end of bar f from parabolic curve b¹ (Figs. 2. 4. 5.) I have a clutch.K:
opposite this clutch K. I have a block L fixed on downright rod E. Fig. 2.
When home signal lever is at normal W. clutch K is clear of block L on rod E
Fig. 4.
When home signal lever is moved to W' clutch K on bar f is moved partially
across outside face of block L Fig. 2.
When electric switch lever is pulled over, and rod E depressed-Fig. 1-the
clutch K. (which is now against the face of block L) by the action of balance
weight Jon lever J. goes partially across block L. Fig. 21, and stops over a
slot L'in block L. Fig. 21.
When electric switch lever is put back to normal Fig. 1 it raises block L on
rod E, and clutch K is carried under block L Fig. 2" and interlocks switch lever
until home signal lever is pulled right over locking frame W" Fig. 3, and put back
again to normal W (from whence it has again to be pulled partially over locking
frame W Fig. 3. before electric switch lever is again free to send an "All clear "
current Fig. 1).
On the underside of clutch K. I have a groove M. cut square across, and another
groove N. cut diagonally across Figs. 2. 4. On the plate H' on which bar f works
have a pin, or stud O. When bar is normal it rests against stud H. Fig. 4.,
and whilst bar f is being moved it rests against stud 0-Figs. 2. 4.
When home signal lever is in its place partially across locking frame-W₁ Fig. 3-
clutch K is against outer face of block L-Figs. 2. 4.-and groove. M. is open for
stud O. to pass through.
When actuated by balance weight J on lever J when block L is depressed
whilst home signal lever is being put back to normal, and actuating parabolic
curve in tappet a' Fig. 5. and whilst in same action bar f in moving to normal
stud O. passes through diagonal groove N. in bar f, and bar f again rests against
stud H. Figs. 2. 4.
'
At, or in advance of home signal at B. I have an appliance R" Fig. 6" same as
fixed in advance of starter or advance starter signal at A. Fig. 7. and described
on Figs. 6. 61 at A.: but in addition I have two sets of contact makers, and
breakers, Fig. 6".
When home signal at B. is at danger, and lever normal W. Fig. 3. oue set of
contact makers P. are on one set of contact plates Q Fig. 6¹¹.
When home signal lever is pulled right over W Fig. 3. and signal arm off, this
contact maker P is taken off the first set of plates Q, and the second set of contact
makers P¹ put on second set of plates Q'; but when engine, or vehicle wheels pass
over appliance R" Fig. 6 both sets of contact makers, are on both set of plates
Fig. 6 and thus completes the electric circuit; and the armature S being brought

page_text: to the coils S¹ Fig. 3. lifts out the lock S" which holds the home signal lever in its
pulled over position W", and it can then be put back home to W.
On the ends of the armatures S I have labels which denote the action of the
locks as "Line clear,"
""Line blocked" Fig. 3. Should a "Line clear" current
be asked for by A from B, and A afterwards is not sending the engine, or vehicles
over the section to B. A. will tell B. it is a signal in error by telephone, or on the
bell of his electric block instrument by code.
At B I have a recording appliance Fig. 9. into which B will put a specially
arranged key T, and turn it partially round; by doing so B will bring the forked
contact inaker T' Fig. 9. on to the plates attached to S' S¹ at same time the label
NORMAL goes out of sight, and the label CANCELLED comes into view. B will
thus send a current through his lock coils S¹ same as if engine or vehicles had passed
his home signal, and thus allow B. to replace his home signal lever to normal W.
Fig. 3. this cancelling being recorded on the "recording instrument Fig. 9.
The recording instrument is a train of wheels (Fig. 9.) on pivot of each wheel
is fixed a pointer which indicates the number of times a cancelled signal is sent.
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 :-
1. The apparatus for electrically locking, and unlocking the starter, advance
starter, and home signal as herein before described by the Specification, and
illustrated by the drawings shewn on Sheets Nos. 1. 2. 5. 7. 11. 12.
2. The apparatus for pulling off the signal arm to "All right," and allowing
signal arm to go to danger when the wheels of engine, or vehicle pass over the
part, attached to the part, attached to, or by the side of the rails, as hereinbefore
described by the Specification, and illustrated by the drawings shewn on
Sheets Nos. 3. 4. 10. 11.
3. The apparatus for electrically and mechanically locking and unlocking the
electrical and mechanical signals as hereinbefore described, by the Specification
and illustrated by the drawings shewn on Sheets Nos. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
4. The apparatus for cancelling, and recording electric signals sent in error
between cabins as hereinbefore described by the Specification, and illustrated by
the drawings shewn on Sheets Nos. 7. 12.
Dated this 18th day of February 1895.