Improvements in Detonating Signals for Railways.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 9th May, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 18th Dec., 1894-Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Detonating Signals for Railways.
THOMAS TALLYN Bridge House Easton Road, Upper Easton Bristol, Station
Master, Midland Railway. I do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:
A provision for a better and more secure mode of signalling trains, obviating the
dangers often arising from enginemen running past fixed siguals when standing at
danger, and the risks to life, limb, and property, also dispensing with the necessity
of employment of men for fogsignalling, and hereby providing a remedy against
the evil often from long hours of labour, risks from exposure, both to health, and
limbs, from the worst of weathers, and of accidents in performing fogsignalmens
duties, mitigating the anxiety and mental strain upon enginemen, guards, and
signalmen, in watching for signals especially at night and in foggy & misty
weather, or multiplicity of signals where there are numerous lines, and lastly to
provide a greater security for the travelling public.
My apparatus is in part a detonator of globular shape about 13 inches in
diameter, composed of a small cast iron uut with six nipples, (one on each square)
of size and length to fit a percussion cap, (six percussion caps per detonator) with
eight horns (to protect the percussion caps coming in contact with the case
during revolution) and gunpowder, enclosed in a tin case, the other part of the
apparatus is made of wrought iron, or partly of wrought iron, partly of cast iron,
and partly of steel, or in whole of either as may be found necessary for wear and
utility. The machine is about 4 feet 6 inches long-the base being about.
6 inches wide-more or less, at one end forming a railway chair, by which it is
attached to the ordinary rail of the railway, being secured by key, and fastened to
the ordinary sleeper by means of bolts, or screws. Through the centre, from
one end to the other, rises from the base a ridge-or centrepiece, about 5 inches
high, (or just the height of the rail) from the point forming the chair for about
11 inches, and about one inch thick, a hole about 10 inches long, and about
1 inches from the top-commencing about 2 inches from the rail-curved and
shaped according to requirements. The remainder part of the said ridge is about
2 inches thick, the thicker portion beginning wedge shape, the top of the ridge, or
this portion of the same is grooved, for the purpose of carrying a sliding bar with
a slot about 10 inches long, and about 2 inches deep, wherein a stopper-that is
part of the sliding bar plays, for regulating the motion and to this is attached a
small chain, that runs over a pulley and through a hole to beneath the base, and
thence through the sleeper into a cavity formed in the ballast beneath. At the end
of the chain is a weight which works up and down by the motion of the machine,
and draws the signal apparatus to the rail-or danger its normal position. The
opposite end of the ridge rises a little, forming a stop, and through the same a hole
over which hangs what is called a lazy pulley, through which a chain passes and
is attached one end to the end of the sliding bar, and the other to the signal wire
which works the connecting fixed signal.
The slidebar is about 2 feet long and about 2 inches deep, and thick, made to fit
and play in the grove on the top of the ridge. At or near the point of the slide
2 bolts project, one on each side and about 2 inches long, and on those bolts what
I term a cradle hangs, one end of the cradle being formed of a saddle like balance
weight, to which are hinged 2 arms about 2 feet long, by about 24 inches wide,

page_text: and inch thick, the both running parallel on each side of the ridge, or centrepiece,
the ends forming hands about 3 inches long, by 3 inches wide, and 2 inches
thick, or thereabouts, shaped to requirements. Through the lower part of one of
the hands a bolt about 3 inches long by inch thick, runs through a hole in the
other hand, passing through the hole in the ridge mentioned before, for regulating
the hands, from the back of each hand a bolt projects about 2 inches long,
arranged to strike a spindle on each side, that works a slide hereinafter mentioned.
The cradle hangs on the 2 bolts of the sliding bar before mentioned, by means of
a hole in each arm about midway, whereon it swings and it is balanced and fixed
by means of a plate extending from the saddle weight, hereinbefore mentioned, and
hinged on the back of the slide bar near the point. On the back of the
foreportion of the arms, is a cover, commencing about 2 inches from the point of
the hands, and running along the back about 10 inches forming a counter slide to
another before mentioned. The arms are held together tightly by means of
2 springs, one on each side of the saddle weight, and runs along the side of the
arms to about the centre of them.
Over the above portion of the machine is fixed a tube about 2 feet long, the
aperture being about 1 inches in diameter, (in size to hold about a dozen or more
detonators) with a door at each end, and the same is fixed on a small table,
inclining to the heel of the apparatus, off from the rail, the table is attached to
the base by means of 2 legs. Through the centre of the said table is a small hole
about 1 inches in diameter, and underneath this hole a thin slide works, about
3 inches wide by about 5 inches long, slotted and shaped to requirements, the ends
of the slide working in groves, in what I call ears, or pendents, on each side of the slide
-the slide being worked by 2 weight bars, or pendules, fixed by means of bolts
& nuts on the bottom corners of the pendents, hanging vertically, the top ends
passing through a hole in the ends of the aforesaid slide. A swing door, or
falling hatch, is hung at the end or top corners of the pendents by means of
pivets.
My apparatus has a working motion of about 9 inches, when the signal is
lowered by the same wire or rod draws the slide bar carrying the cradle away
from the rail about 9 inches, immediately the heel of the lands passes over the
wedge part of the centrepiece, the hands fly open, and simultaneously, by the bolts
on the back of the hands striking the weighted pendules, the slide under the hole
of the tube opens, and the door or hatch closes, at once forming a closet, when (if
empty) a detonator falls from the tube into the closet, if however the previous
detonator should not have been discharged by a train passing over it, it remains in
the hold of the hands until it has been, and no other detonator can pass from
the tube into the hold, or closet. The division between the detonator in the hold,
and the next in the tube, being divided by the slides instantaneously the apparatus
moves that is to say by the slide worked by the pendules, and the cover place.l
on the arms hereinbefore mentioned.
As soon
as a fixed signal is placed at danger, or the breaking of a signal
wire, instantaneously the machine carries a detonator to the rail, where it holds it
in its grip, until withdrawn, or passed over by a passing train, when the wheel of
the engine passes over, the hands disappear down by the side of the rail, and
the detonator, which rests on the ridge and rail explodes-the weight block, or
balance weight raising the hands in the proper position immediately.
The object of my invention is, a special globular kind of detonator signal,
and apparatus, providing means for placing a detonator, or fogsignal on the track
of the railway when the connecting fixed signal stands at danger, and removing
it when the signal is lowered, or taken off for a train to pass, and the connecting
process to be by the ordinary signal working.
Dated this Seventh day of May 1894.

page_text: Improvements in Detonating Signals for Railways.
THOMAS TALLYN Bridge House Easton Road, Upper Easton Bristol, Station
Master, Midland Railway. I 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 :-
A provision for a better mode of signalling trains by supplementing the ordinary
fixed signals now in use, with detonating signals, by a new kind of detonating
signal and apparatus. Altogether dispensing with the employment of men for
performing fogsignalling duties, thus lessening the anxieties and risks of railway
companies, and their employés, also ensuring better security for the travelling
public.
My apparatus is in part a globular shape detonator A about 13 inches in diameter,
composed of a small cast metal nut A' with six nipples A2, each nipple of size and
length to fit on a percussion cap, one nipple on each face, (six percussion caps,
per nut, per detonator) the corners of the nut A3 forming eight horns (for the
purpose of protecting the percussion caps coming in contact with the case, during
revolution) encased with small quantity of gunpowder in a tin case A made
in 3 semi-globular parts one portion of double tin joined together in center with split
edge & the other portion single-the single edge being placed in between the elges
of the double part and fitted and joined together by soder, or composition, making
when completed a detonator of globular shape as aforesaid. The other part of the
apparatus is made of iron, which is to say, partly of wrought irou, partly of cast
iron, or partly of steel, or in whole of either material as may be found convenient,
or necessary, for wear and utility.
The machine is about 4 feet 6 inches long-the base in Fig. 1 being about 12 inches
wide, and about inch thick, more or less-at one end forming a railway chair B,
into which the ordinary rail of the railway is fixed, the rail being secured by
key B¹ and the apparatus is fixed and fastened to the ordinary sleeper, by means of
bolts or screws C. Through the centre from one end to the other rises from the
base, a ridge D, or centrepiece, about 5 inches high, (or just the height of the
railway rail) from the point formning the chair for about 11 inches, an inch thick-
or thereabout-and from the ridge top D' in Fig. 2 of the same about 1 inches, a
hole E in Fig. 1 about 10 inches long, more or less commencing about 2 inches from
the rail E', running to a point at the opposite end E, curving down a little.
The remainder portion of the said ridge is about 2 inches thick,-the thicker part
beginning wedge-or somewhat wedge shape D2 Fig. 2. The top of this part of the
ridge is groved for the purpose of carrying upon, and the working to and fro,
a sliding bar F, Fig. 1. On the bottom part of the said sliding bar is a small
stopper G Fig. 1 in size about two inches, which works in a slot H in the ridge
about 11 inches long and 3 inches deep, or thereabouts, regulating the motion of the
apparatus, and to this stopper is attached a small chain I that runs over a pulley J
and then through a hole to beneath the base into a box K (or cavity formed in the
ballast) beneath the sleeper, at the end of the chain is attached a weight L which
draws up and down by the motion of the machine and works the apparatus to the
rail B, (its normal position when the fixed signal stands at danger) and on the top
or back of the ridge at the point where the wedge commences, is a small stop
block M for regulating the progress of the detonator coming from the tube
mentioned hereinafter. The opposite end of the ridge rises in form of a stop N, aud
through the same is a hole outside of which is fixed (what is commonly called) a

page_text: lazy pulley O and through the hole and over the pulley a small chain passes, and is
attached one end to the end of the sliding bar F, and the other to the signal wire P
which works the connecting fixed signal, or may run separately to a lever fixed in,
or out of the signal box, as the case may be, and from the end Q for about 8 inches
may be reduced in height about 3 inches for ornamentation.
The sliding bar F is about 2 feet long, and about 2 inches deep and thick, the
bottom part forming a tongue F¹ Fig. 3 made to fit and play in the grove R on the
top of the ridge D. At or near the point of the sliding bar 2 horns S Fig. 2 project
one on each side, and about 2 inches long, (or may be formed by a bolt passing
through the sliding bar F and arms T with nuts at the ends) and on these horns S
or bolt what I call (for want of a better name) a cradle T & U hangs, one end of
the cradle being formed of saddle shape balance weight U to which are hinged
2 arms about 2 feet long, inch thick, and 2 inches wide, or thereabouts;
(smaller or larger as strength may require) the both running parallel one on each
side of the ridge, the points forming hands W (or what I call hands) about 3 inches
from heel to point, by 3 inches deep and 2 inches thick, or thereabouts-hollowed,
sloped, and shaped to meet requirements for holding the detonators, and for the
wheel of engine to pass over smoothly.
Through the lower part of one of the hands a bolt X about 3 inches long
by inch thick or thereabouts plays to and fro, and is fastened to the opposite hand,
passing through the hole E in the ridge before mentioned for the purpose of
regulating the positions of the hands. From the back of each hand a bolt Y
2 inches long projects, arranged in position to strike a spindle Z Fig. 1 & 4
on each side that works a slide 2 Fig. 1 & 5 placed above hereinafter mentioned.
The cradle T & U hangs on the 2 projecting horns S or bolt from the sliding bar
before mentioned, by means of a hole 3, Fig. 2 in each arm T about 15 inches from
the point of the hands, and about inch from the top whereon it rides. The
forepart of the saddle 4 extends to nearly the extent of the sliding bar, and hinges
on the back of it near the point.
On the back of the forepart of the arms T a thin cover 5, Fig. 2 is fixed on one
of them, by means of screws or rivets, commencing about 1 inches from the point
of the hands W and covers the both arms T for a distance of about 10 inches,
forming a counterslide 2 Fig. 1 & 5 to the one beforementioned.
The arms Tare kept closed by means of 2 springs 6 (one on each side) which
causes the hands W to grip the detonator A on the movement of the same from the
filling place 12 and the said springs 6 are fixed to the saddle U by means of short
bolts and nuts, the point of the springs runs along the side of the arms to about
9 inches.
Over the above portion of the machine is fixed a flat bottomed circular back-
tube 8 Fig. 1 about 2 feet 6 inches long, of light make, the aperture (or bore) being
about 1 inches in diameter, with a door 9 hinged on the top and closes over the
mouth of the tube, (thus keeping the detonators free from damp) the other end forms
a small table 10 which is attached to legs 11 Fig. 2 & 4 6 inches high-or
tl.ereabout from the base Fig. 1 on each side, and is fastened by means of bolts
and nuts screwed firmly together, and from the table, the tube 8 inclines ascendingly
to the heel of the apparatus.
Through the centre of the aforesaid table 10 is a small hole 12 about 1
inches
in diameter, and immediately underneath the hole 12 is fixed in groves at each end
a thin slide 2 about 7 inches long, and about 3 inches wide at the ends,
with inches semicircular piece 13 Fig. 5 cut out of the side of the slide, the
grove 14 Fig. 5, being in ears 8 Fig. 1 (or pendants) from under the table 10
about 7 inches apart, or 3 inches from the centre of the hole in each direction,
between which the hands and the arms T & W pass to and fro, the slide 2 under
the hole of the table and the cover 5 (or slide) on the back of the arms T almost
touching each other, the upper slide 2 being worked by 2 cranked pendules Z' Fig. 1
about 5 inches long, which are attached to the bottom corners of the ears 8*
(or pendants) on bolts 15 projecting from the pendants 8ª, and fastened by nuts, the

page_text: pendules in normal position hanging vertically, the top ends passing through a
hole in the ends of the slide 14 and a longways hole in the table above to allow the
upper points of the pendules free working.
A swing door 16 Fig. 1 (or hatch) is hung on the top corners of the ears 8*
(or pendants) by means of pivots, or pins, permitting it to rise or fall as required,
the door being about 74 inches long and about one inch wide, the bottom rim being
a little thicker than the upper-giving it weight.
The apparatus has a working motion of about 9 inches-thus when a signalman
pulls over the lever to lower the fixed signal, (if connected with the same wire or
rod) the sliding bar F carrying the cradle T & U (or apparatus) is drawn from the
rail a distance of 9 inches or thereabout, and in the motion the heel of the hands W
passes over the wedge part D2 of the centrepiece and immediately opens,
simultaneously by the projecting bolts Y on the back of the hands W striking the
pendules Zopens the slide under the hole of the tube 8 and at the same time the
door 16 (or hatch) falls behind the hands W and with the small stopblock M, on
the back of the ridge D at once forms a closet, when (if empty) a detonator A falls
into the same from the tube 8 and is gripped by the point of the hands on moving
from the wedge D2 and is carried thence to the rail 132 or vice versa on the motion of
the machine and so on until the engine wheel has passed over and discharged it, no
other detonator being able to pass into the closet from the tube whilst the closet
contains a detonator.
The dividing of the detonators from the tube and the one in the closet is
performed instantaneously the apparatus moves by the slides 2 and 5 moving in
opposite directions.
After a fixed signal has been lowered for a train to pass, and the signalman
reverses the lever to place the signal at danger again (or disconnection by wire
breaking), the machine immediately carries the detonator to the rail B² where it
remains until withdrawn or passed over and exploded by a passing train. When the
wheel of an engine passes over the detonator, the hands holding the same disappears
down by the side of the ridge D and rail B2 and the detonator A which is held over
the ridge D and rail B² explodes by the contact, and as soon as the wheel has
passed over, the hands W rises in proper position knocking away the shell of the
exploded signal, and then as soon as the fixed signal is lowered again, the machine
recharges with another detonator from the tube 8 the door 16 (or hatch) rises by
the point of the hands W on the movement of the apparatus towards the rail, and
is kept up by the arms T passing under it.
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 right to make, and produce a cast metal mut, on which to place, or
fit 6 percussion caps-a globular shape case, to hold or contain the said nut with
percussion caps and powder, the several parts comprising a globular shape detonator,
and an apparatus for fogsignalling as specified herein before.
(2.) I claim the automatic process of supplying the detonator by means of
an inclined tube with hole over the closet, and the mode of dividing the detonators
in the tube above from the one in the closet beneath, and the mode and motion of
the apparatus (or cradle) conveying the detonator to and from the rail of the
railway, and the mode of holding the detonator in position over the ridge and rail,
(for train to pass over) and the mode of hanging the cradle, and the motion of the
same, and the shape, motion, and mode, and regulating process of the sliding bar
carrying the apparatus, (or cradle) also the shape of the ridge, ridge grove,
stopblock on the back, and the wedge, and the mode of attaching the springs to the
saddle, and the mode, and motion of working the arms by springs, also the
mechanical mode, motion, and process of working the cradle (or apparatus) by
means of chain attached to sliding bar, chain running over pulley and weight
attached to other end beneath on the one hand, and the chain attached to the end

page_text: of the sliding bar running over lazy pulley (connecting with wire or rodding of
ordinary signal workings, or with wire or rodding attached to seperate lever in or
out of signal box) on the other hand,-all as specified hereinbefore.
Dated this 17th day of December 1894.
THOMAS TALLYN.