IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE CONTROLLED AND OPERATED BY ELECTRICITY FOR STOPPING TRAINS AND GIVING SIGNALS ON RAILWAYS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE CONTROLLED AND OPERATED BY
ELECTRICITY FOR STOPPING TRAINS AND GIVING SIGNALS ON RAILWAYS."
A communication from abroad by William Cass Shaffer, of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th November 1881.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE
CONTROLLED AND OPERATED BY ELECTRICITY FOR STOPPING TRAINS AND GIVING
SIGNALS ON RAILWAYS." A communication from abroad by William Cass Shaffer,
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
This Invention has for its objects the stoppage of trains and the giving of signals
on railways. The said Invention consists essentially in providing the locomotive
with means which are connected to the steam supply pipe, the steam, air, or other
brakes, and the steam whistle, and are controlled by electrically operated devices
along the line, whereby in the event of danger an alarm will be sounded, the steam
cut off, and the brakes operated automatically.
In the accompanying Drawing-
Figure 1 is a side elevation representing the arrangement of my improved
devices.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of a detached portion of the same, the wall of the
casing thereof being removed.
Figure 3 is an end view, and
Figure & a plan or fan sing them

page_text: Figures 5 and 6 are views of opposite sides of a modification of the said
Invention.
Figures 7 and 8 are views of opposite sides of another modification of the said
Invention.
Figures 2 to 8 are drawn to a larger scale than Figure 1.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
A represents the switch-rails, which in the present case are of well known form
and construction; B represents a rotary disc, which is mounted horizontally in a
box B adjacent to the head ends of the switch rails, and provided with contact
points C, C, for the electric wire H; this wire is connected to the box B₁, and the
disc B is attached to the rails A at Z, so as to be rotated by the movement of the
said rails, whereby the contact point C may be moved to and from the break in
the wire H, and thus close and open the electric circuit.
I do not however limit myself to the rotary disc B, as other means operated by
the movement of the switch-rails may be adopted for connecting and separating
the point C and wire H.
At intervals in the line there are located boxes, frames, or enclosures D, each
containing electro-magnets E and an armature F. These magnets are arranged
horizontally, and the armature is connected or formed with a block F, which is
suspended from the box, as at F. Adjacent to the magnets E is mounted a
hinged or pivoted lever G, which is adapted to move to and from an electric
wire H, and is connected to an electric wire J; K represents an arm, the lower
end of which bears against the lever G; the upper end of this arm is connected to
a bar or arm Q, the latter being attached to a shaft M', which is mounted on the
box D and carries a foot M, so arranged that it may be depressed by a bar or
rod N on the locomotive or engine.
L represents a pivoted bent lever, which is supported by the magnets, and so
arranged that it may be struck by the hangers of the armature and strike the
arm G³ of the lever G, this being accomplished when the armature is attracted by
the magnets E, the said armature moving inwardly and thus operating the lever L
and consequently the lever G, moving it to the wire H, thereby closing the main
circuit. On the contrary, when the foot M is depressed by the action of the
passing train, the arm K moves the lever G from its seat and directs it from the
wire H to the lever L, thus breaking the local or tap circuit. The lower end of
the bar Q is adjacent to the block or head F' of the armature, so that when the
latter is attracted by the magnets E and held there-against, the block F' does not
interfere with the swinging of the red or bar Q and the freedom of the foot M, so
that the latter may be depressed. When however the armature is released and
moves outwardly, the block F' occupies such a position that it is in the path of
rotation of the rod Q, and consequently acts as a stop, thus preventing the move-
ment of the foot M and holding it rigid. Now when the train approaches, the
bar N strikes the foot M, and is thereby lifted. Attached to the said bar N are
levers or mechanism connected to the whistle, the steam, air, or other brakes, and
the steam feed pipe of the engine, consequently when the bar N is raised, the
whistle is sounded, the brakes are applied, and the steam is cut off, thus announcing
danger and stopping the train. As the foot M is an important factor, its freedom
of motion or rigidity depending upon the position of the block F' of the armature F,
it is essential to state how electric circuits are closed and broken, whereby the
armatures are attracted, and held, and released. I employ the wires H and J above
described, the wires R which extend from the magnets to the feed cable S, and the
wires T which extend from the wires J to the circuit closing levers U, which are
mounted on the boxes D, each of the said levers U having an insulated and
uninsulated surface, with which is in contact a finger V. A wire V is attached
to the finger V and leads to the feed cable S, and the wire T is attached to the
lever U.
When the switch is properly set for the main line, the circuit of the wires H, J,
is closed, and the several armatures are held in contact with the magnets, so that a

page_text: train approaching the switch may depress the feet M without causing the operation
of the bar N, as the line is clear and no occasion exists for sounding the alarm or
stopping the train.
The armatures are attracted and held by the electric current, which passes from
the wire H through the circuit closing lever G to the wire J, and then to the
magnets E, and out through the wire R to the feeder or feed cable S. Should
however the switch A be displaced or open, the circuit of the wire H is broken,
and the armatures in the boxes are immediately released. The blocks F¹ then
prevent the movement of the rods Q, thus holding the feet M immovable, whereby
the approaching train has its bar N raised by the foot it first reaches, and
immediately the danger is announced and the train stopped.
Should two trains be following each other on the same line of rails, the train
ahead having passed the point I and caused the shaft M' to rotate, the arm K
causes the said arm to throw the lever G from the wire H, and the circuit is
broken at that point, thus compelling the train behind to stop when it reaches the
said point.
The last carriage or vehicle of the train is provided with a suitable projection P¹
adapted to strike the lever U, so that when the said vehicle passes the point I, I,
the said projection P will strike the lever U and cause it to rotate, so that the
conducting part of the same will come in contact with the finger V, thus causing
a temporary circuit through the wire T and the wire J to the magnet at point I,
and closing the circuit at the said point by throwing the bent lever L against the
circuit-closer G to the wire H. In single line railways where trains approach each
other, there is a double set of magnets or apparatus, and the wire H is connected
with a magnet at one end of the section and a reverse magnet at the other end, so
that when the circuit is broken on one magnet it is at the same instant broken on
the other magnet ahead, the appurtenances of the latter actuating the stopping
mechanism of the train coming in the other direction.
When this Invention is applied to a drawbridge the locking key thereof is so
arranged that unless it is home the circuit will be broken. Attached to the box D
is a lamp frame or signal box W shaped like an upright parallelogram, and a
rod Y is connected to the armature F and surmounted by an annulus or disc X,
which latter is of the same height and mounted on a line with the lamp frame W.
Now it is evident that when the armature F is released the rod Y assumes a
perpendicular position, and the solid part of the annulus X covers the hole of the
lamp frame, and the whole signal assumes an irregular form, but when the circuit
is closed and the armature F is attracted by the magnets E, the rod Y moves so
that the box or lamp frame W covers the shape of the annulus and the holes
coincide. I may employ means for causing the rod Y with the disc X to move
whenever the circuit is closed by rapidly making and breaking the circuit, thus
giving a flash signal at all times when the circuit is closed and a steady one when
broken. The boxes can be placed at such intervals as may be desired, and between
each two boxes that are connected may be placed another box the magnets
whereof are connected with the second one adjacent in either direction, thus
forming a complete interlocking system, and providing two stops between the
engine and point of danger.
The rails may be used as a conductor in place of the wire H, in which caso
broken rails will cause broken circuits and result in the stoppage of the trains.
The feed cable is intercepted between the boxes on the same circuit by a
resistance coil for compelling the currents to pass to the proper magnets and
permitting the electricity to return to the feed cable after having accomplished its
mission, thus ensuring equal distribution of electricity to the magnets along the
whole line.
In Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8, are shewn modifications of the locking mechanism of
the feet M.
In Figures 5 and 6 I substitute for the block or head F' a dog which is adapted
to engage with an arm Q when, the circuit is broken, thus preventing the shaft M

page_text: from rotating and so locking or fixing the foot M; the said dog is rigidly attached
to the armature and the arm Q is attached to the shaft M', which is weighted to
cause the foot M. to return to its normal position. In this case the circuit is
broken by the movement of the arm Q caused by a passing train striking the
foot M, the said arm leaving the spring a and thus permitting the armature F to
move from the magnets by the gravity of a weighted arm attached to the said
armature. The dog F¹ then catches the arm Q on its return motion and holds it
rigidly, whereby the foot M is also held rigidly, and the bar N of the engine is
operated as before stated. To return the box to an operative position the
projection P¹ of the train strikes the arm U, which when depressed forms an
electric connection with the finger V, sending the current through U' to the
binding post b, thence to the vibrating spring a¹ of the lever of the armature and
through the adjusting screw against which it then rests.
The modification shewn in Figures 7 and 8 differs from that shewn in Figures
5 and 6, in that the circuit is closed by the projection P¹ depressing the lever U
and forcing down the circuit-closer G on the magnet E' where it is held by the
circuit passing through the point a³, the magnet E, and the wire T, or vice versa,
to and through the magnet of the next station or box.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. An electrically operated device and a locomotive-engine having mechanism
adapted to be engaged by a projecting part of the said device, whereby
when the electric circuit is broken the projection presents a rigid contact to a
passing train and operates the aforesaid mechanism so that the engine or train is
stopped or an alarm sounded, or both, and when the circuit is closed the electrically
controlled projection is rendered inoperative, substantially as above set forth.
Second. A locomotive engine or train provided with mechanical devices which
are connected to the steam valve or steam supply of the engine and adapted to be
operated by devices controlled by electric currents, so that in the event of danger
the circuits are broken and the last named devices are automatically set to operate
the devices connected to the steam supply of the engine whereby the steam is cut
off and provision thus made for automatically stopping the train, substantially as
above set forth.
Third. A locomotive or engine provided with mechanical devices which are
connected to the brake mechanism, and adapted to be operated by devices
controlled by electric currents, so that in the event of danger the circuits are
broken and the last named devices are automatically set to operate the mechanical
devices of the engine whereby the brake mechanism is operated and provision thus
made for automatically stopping the train, substantially as above set forth.
Fourth. An electric device for automatically stopping a train, sounding an alarm,
and for other purposes, in combination with a signal box and an annulus connected
to the armature of the electric device.
Fifth. In combination with an arm carried by a moving train and operating
mechanism which stops the same, a device on the line of railway which engages
with the said arm locking mechanism for holding the said device rigid, an electric
circuit and devices caused by the breaking of said circuit to actuate the said
locking mechanism.
Sixth. In combination with a switch and a circuit breaking device attached
thereto an electro-maguet and armature controlled by the said switch, an arm
which is rigid when the said circuit is broken, locking devices for the said arm
controlled by the said magnet, an arm carried by the train, and brakes or other
stopping mechanism operated by the said arm, substantially as above set forth.
Seventh. An arm carried by a train and operating the brakes or other stopping
mechanism thereof in combination with a stationary device for engaging with the
said arm an electro-magnet, circuit wires and circuit breaking devices, an armature
operated in one direction by the said magnet and by gravity or by a spring or the

page_text: like in the opposite direction, and locking devices engaged or operated by the said
armature, whereby the breaking of the electric circuit will cause the locking of the
device that engages with the arm or lever.
Eighth. A rigid device for engaging with a brake operating arm carried by a
locomotive in combination with mechanism for mechanically locking the said
device when the electric circuit is broken, an electro-magnet which is arranged to
unlock the same when magnetized, the circuit wires of said magnet, and an arm
arranged to be struck by an attachment of a passing train so as to close the said
circuit and effect such magnetization and unlocking.
Ninth. The combination with a rigid arm along the track for operating brakes
or signals and devices for mechanically locking the said arm in position for
operation of an electro-maguet which is arranged to unlock the said arm when
magnetized, and an arm arranged to be struck by a passing train so as to close the
circuit and effect such magnetization, substantially as above set forth.
Tenth. The combination with the shaft M' of a foot M, the arm K, the circuit
breaking lever G, the magnet E, the electric connections and the locking lever,
whereby the breaking of the circuit causes the locking of the foot M, substantially
as above set forth.
Eleventh. The bent lever L, the arm G¹, the lever G, the arm K, the arm Q, the
armature F, the magnet E, the lever U, and the circuit making devices operated
thereby, which cause the magnetizing of the said magnet when the arm U is
struck by an attachment of a passing train and thereby return the parts to their
normal position.
Twelfth. A locomotive engine or train provided with the movable arm or bar N,
substantially as described, the said bar being attached to levers or mechanisın
connected to the whistle, the steam, air, or other brake, and steam feed pipe of the
engine and adapted to operate with the electric circuit breaking devices, and
necessary appliances for the purpose set forth.
Thirteenth. The combination of the lever Y and a signal apparatus operated
thereby with the armature F attached to the said lever, the electro-magnet E, the
arm on the shaft M, the circuit wires for the said magnet, and circuit breaking
devices to signal danger when the circuit is broken, substantially as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
17M
RORT LAKE (L.S.)