Interlocking Apparatus for Railway Signals and Switches
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 18th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 19th Mar., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Interlocking Apparatus for Railway Signals and Switches.
I, WILLIAM MCFARLANE of 62 Calder Street, Cathcart Road, Glasgow, in the
County of Lanark, North Britain, Electrical Engineer do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to apparatus for interlocking Railway Signals and Switches,
and has for its objects to facilitate the working of the said signals and switches;
being of a simple construction and thus doing away with the complicated mechanism
as at present used; and also being more sensitive in its action and thus avoiding
many accidents occurring, ny said apparatus is at the same time is capable of being
manufactured cheaper owing to the simple kind of mechanism used; my said
apparatus being so arranged as only to allow of certain levers being operated in
conjunction with one another, and at the same time interlocking all the others, and
thus preventing mistakes occurring.
In carrying out my Invention I prefer to employ the same system of levers for
operating the home, distance and other signals and switches as at present in use, and
in order that my apparatus may be readily understood I will describe it as being
applied to an ordinary set of levers for working an up and a down line of rails with
sidings and crossings, using in this case nine levers, though my apparatus may be
employed with any number of levers requisite for working either signals or switches,
or both combined.
For the working of an up line, I have a distance signal lever No. 1, and a home
signal lever No. 2; for a crossing, a signal lever or platform signal lever No. 3, and
a switch lever No. 4; for a cross-over, a switch lever No. 5; for a siding on the
down line, a switch lever No. 6 and a signal lever No. 7; and for the down line, a
home signal lever No. 8 and a distance signal lever No. 9; the said levers being of
the ordinary type, with clip-and-quadrant guide arrangement above the table, as at
present used; and they may have single toes as at present, or be double toed, or
anchor shaped, at their lower extremity, for working both switch and signal from one
and the same lever.
In my apparatus I employ a number (preferably three) of plates or carriages having
slots cut at the required angles, and also having the necessary checks for interlocking
the levers; two of the said plates or carriages when laid end to end are about the same
length as the third one; and I mount the said two small plates or carriages immediately
below the table, or just under the quadrant guides; the third or larger one 1 mount
immediately below the two said small ones, and it is fastened to one of them by bolts,
pins, or any other mechanical equivilent; the said levers passing through the slots in
the said plates or carriages; the said plates or carriages being capable of horizontal
movement by means of their sliding in V shaped pieces mounted on underside of
table, or any other mechanical equivilent, so that on certain levers being operated
upon (that is to say, taken out of their normal position, which corresponds to the
whole system being blocked), the said plates or carriages are caused to move bori-
zontally, all in conjunction with each other; the two upper ones moving to and from
one another, and the under one moving in the same direction as the small one; to
which it is fixed by means of the said angled slots, the levers having flat cams
mounted on their sides, to fit the various angles of said slots; and at the same time
the other levers which are required to be locked, are so locked by means of the said
checks: For example when lever No. 5 is operated upon, it causes the three plates or
curriages to move and take up their respective positions in regard to the locking of
all the other levers, which movement is necessary owing to the said lever being the
one used for a cross-over switch of both the up and down lines of rails; and again, on

page_text: lever No. 2 being operated upon, the said lever allows levers No. 1, 6, & 7, or, 1, 8,
& 9 to work, the others being all locked.
I also employ a check lever, so mounted as to work automatically, for the purpose
of keeping the plates or carriages in their normal position, that is to say, for filling
up the space between the two small top plates or carriages.
As a modification I may employ a frame with bars fixed on the required angles,
and of the required shapes, in lien of the plates or carriages hereinbefore described,
and I may have the cams on the levers either made solid with the levers, or made
separately and adjustable, and fixed on to the levers, so as to allow of the plates, cams
and other parts being altered if necessary. The said plates, carriages or frames,
bars, cams and other parts may be made of either forged or cast iron, or steel.
My said apparatus is adaptable for being worked on a plane, or circle as would
he required, for instance, in a turret signal station, open all round; and it also
bo erected in sections, the one plate or carriage binding on the end of the one abutting
it; or if any plate or carriage in the row was operated upon, the others would be all
blocked.
may
My said apparatus always acts instantly; upon the lever being moved the slightest
distance, the block of the others immediately takes place.
JOHNSONS,
115, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Petitioner's Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Interlocking Apparatus for Railway Signals and Switches.
WILLIAM MCFARLANE No. 15 Marlborough Street Glasgow Electrical and
Mechanical Engineer Railway Appliance Engineer &c. 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 :-
My said Invention is a mechanical arrangment the framework of which is of
rectangular, circular or radial form or shape immediately under the top of which are
two locking carriages in which angular recesses are formed and through which the
levers pass to the middle of the stem upon which are angular cams to fitt the recesses
which are formed in the locking carriages thus when when the levers are moved
through their line or course of action which is at right angles to the form of the
frame a reciprocating or to and fro-motion is produced in the locking carriages.
This said Invention is apparatus and which in its mode of operation is interlocking.
The objects embodied in this apparatus are that while it is being applied to the
working of railway crossings, switches and signals my apparatus offers great facilities
in operating on the said crossings, switches and signals being constructed on block
principles or system. My said apparatus is so planed and arranged as only to permit
certain levers being brought into operation. Some of the said lovers operate in con-
junction with one another while others of the said levers operate severly but in each
and every case of operating with any of the levers of my said apparatus on moving
such lever or levers from their normal position that movement would have the effect
of blocking such other levers which should not be brought into operation until such
levers which stand at their effective positions are replaced to their normal position
and thus mistakes are prevented. This said apparatus is of a very simple construction
and which shows complete absence of complicated machanism which permits my said
apparatus to figure conspiciously different from any other interlocking apparatus at
present in use, and also it is much more sensitive and effective in its action and thus
avoiding many accidents occuring and at the same time owing to simple kind of
machinism used in the construction of my said apparatus it permits the manufacturer
to supply the user with my said apparatus at a much cheaper price.
In carrying out my said Invention seek to employ levers of a similar form or
shape as at present in use the upper portion of which I do not regard as being due to
my labours, and; in order to convey an understanding of the construction and mode of

page_text: operation of said Invention I will describe it by employing my said apparatus
consisting of nine levers though my apperatus may consist of any number of levers
which may be requisite to operate on crossings, switches and signals in relation to any
part or station of railway system.
For operating on the distant signal of an up line I use lever No. 1, and for the
home signal up line I use lever No. 2. For a loop line signal lever or platform
signal lever I use No. 3 lever) and for a loop line switch lever in connection with an
up line I use lever No. 4, and for working the crossing and switch in connection with a
crossover which leads from the said loop line across the main up line also across the
main down line and on to a side line or vice versa, I use lever No. 5-it will be seen
that this operation would endanger the entire railway system at this part or station,
but in order to provide complete safty this said lever No. 5, blocks every lever in the
apparatus and thus preventing any crossing, switch or signal from being used until
the said lever No. 5, is replaced to its normal position for working a sideing in
connection with the main down line I use a switch lever No. 6, and a signal lever
No. 7, and for the main down line home signal I use lever No. 8, and for the distant
signal down line No. 9.
Now assuming that all the levers of my said apparatus are in normal position,
levers Nos. 17 & 9, are locked, while levers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 8, free and may be operated
upon.
For example, I now uso lever No. 2 and which liberates lever No. 1, and at the
same time blocks levers Nos. 3, 4 & 5, on operating on lever No. 1, it blocks
levers Nos. 2, 3, 4 & 5, on replaceing these said levers to their normal position I
begin with No. 1 and which liberates No. 2 while No. 2 liberates Nos. 3, 4 & 5, and
at the same time blocks lover No. 1. I now use lever No. 3, and which blocks.
Nos. 2, 4 & 5, lever No. 3 replaced to normal position. I now use lever No. 4, and
which blocks Nos. 2, 3 & 5, lever No. 4 replaced to normal position. I now use lever
No. 5, and which blocks levers Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 & 9, lever No. 5, replaced to
normal position. I now use lever No. 6, and which blocks levers Nos. 5, 8 & 9, and at the
same time liberates lever No. 7. I now use lever No. 7, and which blocks levers Nos. 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 8 & 9, lever No. 7, replaced to normal position, and which liberates levers
Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 6. I now replace lever No. 6, to normal position, and which
liberates levers Nos. 5, 8 & 9. I now use lever No. 8, and which liberates lever No. 9,
and at the same time it blocks levers Nos. 5, 6, 7. I now use lever No. 9, and which
blocks lever No. 8. I now replace lever No. 9, to normal position, and which liberates
lever No. 8. I now replace lever No. 8, to normal position, and which liberates levers
Nos. 5, 6 & 7. It will now be seen that all the levers composing the said apparatus is
at normal position.

page_text: REFERENCES TO DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents front view of the entire apparatus, A. the top of the frame,
B. the ends of the frame, C. (the fillets to which the ends and top of the frame are
fastened together, D. the beam upon which the levers with their joints are
mounted, E. E the brackets by which the beam is supported, F. is a range of
levers ffff ƒ ƒ³ƒª ƒª ƒ³—G. the clips only the joints of which are shown and
by which the levers are kept in their normal and effective positions H. the buckles
through which the bolts of the clips slide. I the guide quadrants within the lovers
travel to their respective positions J. the joints within which the levers work
radiate, K. the check lever which controll the locking carriages when all the levers
are at normal position.
Fig. 2 end view of the apparatus, A the top of the frame, B. the end of
frame, C. the fillets, D end of beam as shown by dotted lines, E. bracket
which support the beam, F. the lever f... G. the clips with bolt in the slott
of guide quadrant and lever at normal position H the buckles through which
the bolts slide, I the guide quadrants within which the levers travel J. the joints
within which the levers radiate, K the check lever, L. the locking carriages as shown
by the dotted lines occupying the center space in the top of the table or frame, and
which travel within V slides on each side.
Fig. 3. shows plan of the top of the frame A: F. are the levers in their places and
at normal position, I. are the guide quadrants.
Fig. 4. the lever F. 1.
ffff are the two toes of the lever.
with angular cam on the middle of stem at
Fig: 5 end view of the lover with angular cam a.
Fig. 6. elevation of locking carriage and which is a kneed plate with angular
recesses formed in the solid plate.
-
Fig. 7. end view of locking carriages in V slides.
Fig. 8 longitudinal bi-section of locking showing end view of angular recesses.
Fig. 9 is an angular cam and which is adjustable to the lever and is shown at a. on
the lever.
Fig. 10. angular cam showing screws.
Fig. 11. section of locking carriage.
Fig. 12. end view of locking carriage.
Fig. 13. section thro frame at A. B.
Fig. 14. frame (reverse plan) showing angular bars on frame.
Fig. 15. elevation of angular bars.
Fig. 16. end view of angular bars.
Fig. 17. plan of circular locking carriage arrangement or construction.
This apparatus consists of a framework of rectangular form the two ends of which
stand in vertical position and upon which rests a top or tablo. and which lies in
horizontal position. The said top has recesses cut through the metal of the top and
the said recesses are in position of right angles to the length of the said frame.
Immediately under the top, as above refered to, are the locking carriages which
work in V slides and on the same plane of the length of the top of the frame. The
said locking carriages has recesses formed in them but unlike those in the top they
are formed at such angle as may be required to give sufficient travel to the locking
carriages.
The levers are passed through the recesses of the locking carriages and also
through the recesses in the top of the frame to the middle of the stem of the lever
upon which part there are angular cams fixed upon the levers, and which cams fitts
the recesses of the locking carriages while the Hat or plain part of the stem of the
lever fitts the recesses in the top of the frame. It will seen that by passing any of
the levers through their effective line of action A. being normal position to B. which
is its effective position the said lever or levers has traversed two dissimilar planes,
sce Fig. 3.plan of the top of the frame, also Fig. 13. section thro frame of locking
carriage at A. B. Fig. 14-frame reverse plan.

page_text: This rectangular form or shape of framework may be said to be remote or old but
to facilitate the working out of my said Invention I seek to employ such form of
framework jointly with my said locking carriages.
I also seek to employ framework of circular or radial form or shape and the said
circular or radial form or shape of framework I claim to be now and which
embraces novelty there being no other interlocking apparatus constructed on a
circular or radial form or shape.
This circular or radial form or shape of the construction of my apparatus offers
great facilities to the attendant as it is worked from within the center space or
within the inscribed circle that in cases where an apparatus which may be composed
of a large number of levers the circular or radial form or shape is most convenient
as it places the whole range of levers within immediate control and is intended to
be applied to the working of the railway system at junctions or where there are large
numbers of branchings converging or deverging from or to the main lines. Further.
this circular form affords a commanding view of all the appliances within charge of
the attendant. This form and construction of interlocking apparatus in or to the
above mentioned purposes and positions I claim to be new and which embraces
novilty see Fig. 17.
Under the top of the frame or table two V slides are fixed hereto and within
which the locking carriages travel see Fig. 7.
Such form of slides are not employed in any other interlocking apparatus. I
claim to be new and which embraces novelty together with utility:
The locking carriages occoupies the center space formed by the V slides under the
table so that when any lever or levers are moved from their normal position and
traverse the angular recesses which are formed in or on the locking carriages a
to and fro motion is produced in or to the said locking carriages when the angular
recesses pass along from the line of action of the levers and bring the solid metal of
the locking carriages immediately behind such levers as ought not to be used and
thus a complete block is formed or effected and safety established see Figs. 6 and 11.
This form of locking carriages I claim to be new and which embraces novelty.
The said locking carriages are of a very simple construction yet most effective in
their action. They combine strength and duribility and for which I claim utility..
I also seek to claim the exclusive right and privlage to the application of locking
carriages in which there are angular recesses formed or constructed by angular bars
being fastened upon frames see Fig. 14 reverse plan showing bars on frame.
The said locking carriages may be of rectangular working on the plane or of
circular form working in radius and that such right shall include the application of
angular bars or recesses forming the construction of the said locking carriages and
to be applied to or employed in the construction of and which forms part of my
Invention the subject of which is interlocking. For the purpos of working railway
appliances, as crossings switches signals &c. with power to make manufacture,
exercise, use vend or sell the said Invention or any part or portion of such.
Upon the kneed or steped Fig. 8 locking carriage there is mounted the check lever
with joint the point of which projects through the metal and rises to the full hight
of the knee or step and which occupies the space formed between the two locking
carriages. When the apparatus is at normal position when either of the locking
carriages are moved from such position and closeing towards each other in an inverse
direction the point of the lever is pressed in a downward direction and thus the
carriage is permitted to pass over the point of the lever Fig. 39 in Figs. 1 and 6 this
check lever and the application of it to interlocking I claim to be new and which
enbraces novelty together with utility.
The form of levers which I employ in my apparatus the upper portion of which
rises above the top of the frame together with the clips, bolts or keepers are much
of the same form as those levers which are at present in use and such portion may be
said to be remote or old.
But such portion of the lever which extends from the top of the frame downwards
to the joints and which terminate in the form of a T and at which end the lever has

page_text: =
two toes and on the middle of the stem there are two angular cams which may
be solid or fixed on the said levers this form of lever being not employed in any
other interlocking apparatus I claim novelty, this lever having two toes it can
be applied to a twofold purpos as it is capable of producing two motions by a
single movement of the lever as also the cams on the middle of the stem of the
lever or any part of the lever and for which I seek to claim utility. I also seek
to have conveyed to me the exclusive right and privlage to the application of angular
cams in the construction of interlocking apparatus the said cains to be of such angles
as to be in correspondance with angles which are employed in the angular recesses
and angular bars of the locking carriages see Figs. 4. 9. 10-as also the power to
make manufacture exercise use vend or sell the said cams jointly or severly they being
the principle motion constituting the primary or main features of my Invention and
for which I crave Letters Patent.
-
The novelty which is embraced in niy Invention is great and which is clearly
revealed in the Drawings and the descriptive detail relateing thereto.
The utility is such as to offer great advantages for its adoption in as much as that it
offers safety to life and property which may travel upon railway systems.
The most simple meature of its construction offers to the maker or manufacturer
great facilities its manufacture being effected by the application of mechanical
appliances there being but a small proportion of skilled labour required to complete
the adjustment or manipulations and could be supplied to the user at half the price
of any other interlocking apparatus which has or is at present in use.
To the user it offers great convenience in as much as that there shall be no require-
ment for a permenant staff of men going all over the lines keeping this apparatus in
repair as any unskilled person could easily-replace-any part of it without hinderance
each part being interchangable and will be distinguished one from the other by
number or alphebetical arrangement.
Haveing now particularly discribed and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1-declare that what I
claim is
1st. The application of locking carriages in the construction of interlocking
apparatus.
2nd. The construction of said locking carriages in the form of plates with angular
recesses cat or formed in the said plates, or by means of frames of rectangular form
with angular bars fixed on to the said frames.
3rd. The application of angular cams fixed on the stem of the lever in the construc-
tion of interlocking apparatus also to toes on the leyer.
4th. Cheapness of price.
5th. Circular or radial form or shape in its construction.
All of which I regard as being due to my own labours.
Dated this 16th down of V
L
1000
WILLIAM MCFARLANE,
15, Marlborough Street, Glasgow, Applicant.