Improvements in Contacts for Electrical Signalling on Railways.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 31st Aug., 1894-Accepted, 6th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Contacts for Electrical Signalling on Railways.
JOHN ORME 65 Barbican London E.C. Scientific Apparatus Maker do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In electrical signalling on railways between signal cabins & trains in motion or
otherwise, the contacts are usually made by means of metallic wire brushes firmly
attached to the trains:
My improvements consist in so attaching my brush to the train that it is capable
of moving backward & forward upon a pivot, whereby a double purpose is served,
viz., I utilize the movements to actuate a local bell, either electrical or mechanical,
& also the movements permit the brush to rise over any obstruction that it may
encounter.
1000
Improvements in Contacts for Electrical Signalling on Railways.
I, JOHN ORME, No. 65 Barbican, London, E.C. Scientific Apparatus Manufacturer
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what inanner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
In electrical signalling on railways between signal cabins and trains in motion or
otherwise, the contacts are usually made by means of metallic wire brushes firmly
attached to the trains. My improvements consist in so attaching my brush to the
train that it is capable of moving backwards and forward upon a pivot whereby a
double purpose is served; viz., I utilize the movements to actuate a local bell, either
electrical or mechanical, and also the movements permit the brush to rise over any
obstruction that it may encounter.
The construction and operation of my invention will be readily understood by
reference to the annexed drawings in which :-
Fig. 1. is an end elevation and diagrammatic view of main electrical circuits.
Fig. 2. is a front view of brush looking towards the inward side of locomotive
step, and shewing diagrammatically the electrical connections to bell on engine.
Fig. 3. is a longitudinal view of insulated conductor and rail, part of the former
being broken away to permit the brush to hang vertically.
Fig. 4. is a detailed view of spindle carrying brush shewing position of same
when tilted, and also position of the electrical contact when the circuit is closed.
Fig. 5. shews the detail of mechanical bell contact.
Fig. 6. shews the action of brush holder when rising over an obstruction.
Fig. 7. is a plan of spindle carrying brush.
In the drawing 1, is the insulated rail, rod, or equivalent conductor electrically
connected to the commutator key or equivalent means 1", connected to signal lever
or otherwise as may be most convenient, and employed for transmitting signals
from the cabin A. 2, is the sleeper to which in common with the insulated
conductor 1, is bolted the permanent way rail 3. The brush 4, consists of a
bundle of copper or other non-corrodable metal fibres securely fastened as by
sweating with solder into a metallic box 4¹. Secured to the upper part of this.

page_text: -
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box preferably by a bolt or rivet 411. is a horse shoe shaped brush holder 5, formed
of metal which is fitted to spindle 6, journalled in the metal frame 7, secured to
but insulated from the step of engine 8, by bolts 9, which pass through ferrules 91,
of insulating material such as ebonite, vulcanized fibre, or the like; the head and
nut of each bolt 9, being seated upon washers 911, formed of similar material. The
inner end of spindle 6, is shaped to a flat face 10, on either side, see Figs. 5. 6, and
carefully fitted to the horse shoe shaped brush holder 5, so as to permit of free
upward or downward movement, independently of spindle 6, but at the same time
so as to insure the rotation or partial rotation of the said spindle. When the
brush is tilted by coming into contact with the insulated rail 1, see Fig. 4, the
holder 5, is prevented from swaying laterally upon the spindle 6, by the loose
washer 11, and collar 11', the outermost of which is secured by the set screw or
split pin 12. To ensure good electrical contact between the brush 4, and
spindle 6, I prefer to so mount a light spiral spring 121, as to efficiently connect
these parts. The weight of the brush and holder is always sufficient when the
brush is not in contact with the rail 1, to cause it to hang vertically upon the
spindle as shewn in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5. Attached to spindle 6, by keying or
otherwise is a grooved pulley 13, this may be formed of hard wood or metal, into
this pulley is driven when formed of wood a peg of metal 14, when however the
pulley is formed of metal this peg is formed of vulcanite fibre or other hard
insulating substance, but in any case so that the pulley 13, is insulated from the
superposed spring 15. This spring 15, is secured by pinning or equivalent means
to the metal rod 16, riveted to both sides of metallic frame 7. Secured to one
or other side of frame 7, by bolts or screws 9, is a block of ebonite, fibre, or other
insulating material 17, and upon this is mounted upon a bracket 17' a set screw
contact 18. To this and to the metallic frame 7 are joined the insulated
conductors w, connecting the local battery 19, and bell 20, which are carried upon
the engine or other convenient part of the train. In some cases it is more
convenient that warning to the engine driver, guard, or equivalent official in
charge be given by mechanical means; in such case I prefer to employ-the device
shewn in Fig. 5. In this a lever 21, formed of iron or other suitable metal and
having at one end a hammer head 22, is pivotted to rod 16, or in any like manner.
At a suitable point upon the underside of lever 21, is formed a notch 23, so that
when the brush is in the vertical position the lever is upheld clear of the bell as
shewn, by the metallic pin 14 driven into spindle 6. When however the brush is
tilted in either direction, see dotted lines, by coming into contact with the insulated
rail 1, the lever 21 is forced upwards against the downward pressure of the
spring 24, which is rigidly fastened to. any convenient part of the frame or to a
spindle or stud 16', riveted thereto and released upon the pin passing either apex
of the notch 23, thereby causing the hammer head 22, to smartly strike the bell or
gong 25. For the purpose of making clear the electrical connections whereby
signals are sent from the cabin for advising the engine driver as to the state of the
road, I have shewn a reversing key 1", coupled up to a battery B, this or any like
modification having the same effect is placed in the cabin A, and may be connected
to the signal lever or not a wire w', is led from lever to the earth plate E, and
another wire ", connects lever to the insulated conductor 1. The bridge 26,
and bottom plate 27, being coupled up to battery B. When contact is made by
the brush 4, with the rail 1, one or other levers 1, 1', as the case may be of key 1*
being pressed or pinned down in the well-known manner a current will flow from
the battery by line wire wl, to the rail 1, thence by brush 4 frame 7, wire to to
indicating instrument I, mounted upon the engine returning by the metallic
framing of engine to wheels W, rails 3, and earth, or vice versa depending upon
the direction the current is caused to flow. Upon brush 5 making contact with the
insulated rail it is tilted in one direction or the other, see Fig. 4 and dotted lines
Fig. 5, and peg 14 being withdrawn from spring 15 the local electric bell circuit
shewn in Fig. 4 is closed and warning conveyed to the driver, guard, or other
official that he is on the protected section, independently of the cabin control.

page_text: The particular object I have in view in constructing the brush in the manner
described is to avoid the bending or crippling of the wires of which it is composed.
I find for instance that in practice slag, ballast, or other obstructive material
accumulates by the side of the insulated rail to such an extent as in some cases to
strain, bend, or impart a permanent set to the wires of which it is composed, so
rendering it uncertain in action when rigidly mounted: when constructed as described
however the brush holder being free to move vertically, rises over any obstruction
encountered and adjusts itself to any inequality of the rod caused by accidental
bending or by unequal beating up of the sleepers.
I lay no claim to the main circuit system of signalling nor to the alarm or
warning device operated independently of said main circuit except when such
circuits are actuated by means of a brush mounted and operated in the manner
described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In apparatus for electrical signalling upon railways between the signal cabin
and the trains in motion or otherwise the combination of a brush so mounted upon
the spindle operating an independent electrical or mechanical warning signal, as to
be free to rise and fall upon said spindle while imparting backward or forward
motion to the same.
2. In apparatus for conveying a directive signal from the signal cabin to the
train in motion or otherwise the combination and use of a brush 4, mounted in a
moveable holder 5, fitted to spindle 6, journalled in frame 7, and the electrical spring
connection 12', the bolts 9, insulated as described and securing the frame to engine
step 8. The set screw contact 18, insulated as described, and the spring 15, mounted
as shewn and operated by pin 14, and pulley 13, keyed to spindle 6; the electrical
connections to battery 19, and bell 20, all as herein set forth, and operating in the
manner described.
3. In apparatus for electrical signalling upon railways between the cabin and
train, the combination and use of the independent mechanical warning signal
described under Fig. 5, operated by spindle 6, and brush 4, mounted thereon in the
particular manner shewn and described.
Dated August 31st 1804
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent.