Improvements in Working Railway and other Points and Signals.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1886.
Complete Left, 27th Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 17th May, 1887.
Improvements in Working Railway and other Points and Signals.
We, JOSEPH HILL of 85 Merrow Street, Walworth, in the Southern District of
London in the County of Surrey Mechanic and JOHN PATRICK O'DONNELL of
Cambridge Villa, Cambridge Road, New Malden, also in the County of Surrey, Signal
Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention to he as
follows:-
It is desirable, particularly at places, where alterations to the signalling arrange-
ments, necessitate the addition of levers to the locking apparatus, that some means,
should be devised, which would enable existing working levers, to be utilized for new
purposes, still retaining the same traffic facilities in the nature of the same points and
signals as heretofore.
It will be obvious also, that in all new works of signalling a great economy will be
effected in the locking and connections as well as in the levers in the locking apparatus,
by an invention, such as ours, which enables any two, or more signals, to be actuated
by one lever, in such a manner that the points themselves, determine upon the ground,
which signal shall be lowered to the all right position.
In order to facilitate the explanation of the nature of the apparatus which we employ
to effect the before-mentioned desirable result, we will assume its application to an
ordinary Double Line Junction, the apparatus being in connection with the points in
the facing direction.
Connected to, and working with the points, we provide a metal frame, (which we will
call, the lower frame or frame fixed at the lower level) which frame holds in position
two or more blades, according as it is desirable to actuate the Distant Signals as well
as the Stop or Junction Signals by our apparatus.
We will however in this example only describe our apparatus as applying to the Stop
or Junction Signals, and therefore only two blades will be required, each connected
to a separate Stop or Junction Signal.
On each of these blades, there is a tooth or projection, or some means for forming
connection, and by preference we arrange an upward projection on each blade.
In a larger frame, and by preference at a higher level, we fix another blade, which
also has upon it a tooth or projection, or some means of forming connection with the

page_text: blades at the lower level. This blade at the higher level is connected to the lever in
the Signal Cabin, which is required to actuate the Stop Signals.
The action of our apparatus is as follows:-
As is the usual custom, the facing points, in a Double Line Junction, lie normally
right for the left hand road, and therefore do not require to be moved for trains in
that direction. We arrange, then the left hand blade (before described as one of two
such blades held in position in the lower frame) which is connected to the left hand
Signal, immediately underneath, and in the same vertical line with the single blade,
fixed at the higher level.
The signalman upon working over his actuating Signal lever for a traffic movement,
in the left hand direction, actuates the blade, fixed at the higher level.
The result of this action is, that the downward projection upon this blade engages
with the upward projection on the blade immediately underneath it, and draws it
along the metal frame, thereby causing the left hand Stop or Junction Signal to deflect
to the "all right" position.
The signalman however, may wish to authorize a traffic movement in the right
hand direction, and we will describe the action of our apparatus under this condition.
In order that a traffic movement may proceed in the right hand direction, the first
essential is, that the points must be set or worked over, before the signal for such
movement should be lowered to the "all right" position.
The working over or setting of the points actuates the lower metal frame connected
to them as before described; to such an extent, that the left hand blade, previously
immediately underneath the blade at the higher level, is moved forward to the left,
and the right hand blade, takes its place under the blade at the higher level.
arm.
Our apparatus may now be said to be in gear, ready for the deflection of the signal
Upon the signalman working over his actuating signal lever, he communicates
action or motion to the blade at the higher level which forms connection with, and
draws the right hand blade, working at the lower level, forward, thereby causing the
right hand Stop or Junction Signal to deflect to the "all right" position.
Our apparatus applies in precisely the same manner to the points in the trailing
direction.
Sometimes we arrange the Facing point lock lever to be the actuating lever instead of
setting apart a separate one for that purpose and at other times, we make the Facing
point lock or its connections, actuate the metal frame, at the lower level, containing
the two blades.
Sometimes also we use a setting lever, that is a lever working to any number of
positions, to actuate our apparatus.
In order that the application of our apparatus may not be understood as being
restricted to Stop Signals we may say that we apply it to all signals, Distant, Stops,
Starters, Advance Starters, Siding Signals &ct., in conjunction with their respective
points, and again as between points and points or Facing point locks, and we further
utilize it as a means of detecting the breakage of the rods working the points and of
the Facing point lock where one is fixed.
Dated this 18th day of May 1886.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL,
6, Hythe Villas, Limes Road,
West Croydon,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Working Railway and other Points and Signals.
We, JOSEPH HILL of 85 Merrow Street, Walworth in the Southern district of
London in the County of Surrey, Mechanic and JOHN PATRICK O'DONNELL. of
Cambridge Villa, Cambridge Road, New Malden, also in the County of Surrey, Signal
Engineer & Patent Agent 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 principle of this invention lies in the action of two Signal Slide Bars, lying
along side one selecting central draw Bar, which latter becomes engaged with one of
the former, and disengaged with the other, by the right or visa-versa by the left throw
of the switch points; the selecting central draw Bar, being parallel to, and sliding in
a parallel direction to the selected signal slide Bar; and either one or both fulfilling
as required when drawn; the functions of a locking and detecting apparatus for points
and Signals, in the manner hereafter described, with illustrations, founded upon the
essential features of novelty of our invention, for saving, diminishing, or reducing the
number of Signal Levers, as ordinarily used at Railway and other Junctions, Crossings,
and points of deviation.
In the accompanying Figures illustrating diverse modifications; the same letters
throughout refer to the same parts; or in the utmost variations of disposition to
at least the plainly recognizable substitutes.
The three sliding Bars A. B. C (this description having reference only to what we
call a Single Machine) are arranged alongside of each other, or at least if in one
higher and one lower level, approximately parallel to each other; the central or
higher one B is actuated through a lever in the Signal Cabin, and when pulled and
returned, selects draws and returns in a direction parallel to itself; sither of the outer
ones A or C, through which latter respectively the Main or Branch Signal; or in the
case of Sidings the Signal for the right or left directions is lowered to the "safety
attitude," according to the position of the Switch points; for it is the very pull or
thurst of the points themselves, which causes A or C to engage with B. Hence A and
Care hereafter called the Sigual slide Bars, whilst B is called the selecting Draw Bar.
Figures 1. 2. 3. 4 represent the Plan (with cover removed) the Front and each end
elevation respectively of our apparatus, when the Bars A. B. Care arranged flat ways,
and for the better purposes of distinction we will call it the semi-horizontal Form.
Figures 5. 6. 7. 8 represent the Plan Front and each end elevation respectively with
the Bars A. B. C arranged edgeways and again for the better purposes of distinction,
we will call it the Vertical Form.
It is both optional and immaterial as to which of the two Frames, that is the inner
one D D D D or the outer one E E E E (Figures 1 to 8) is made to be the
sliding Frame in the former case, the signal slide Bars A and C are placed (only one
at a time) within range of engaging with B the selecting Draw Bar; whilst in the
latter case the selecting Draw Bar B would be carried within range of engaging with
either A or C the Signal Slide Bars.
Figure 9 represents the Special Stretcher Bar of which H is the detecting block,

page_text: which we employ when fixing our apparatus in the four feet, and we sometimes continue
the ordinary Stretcher Bar, or form connection with it, arranging in the continuation
thereof; a similar block to H and for the like purposes.
It may also be found desirable at times to substitute for the said Special Stretcher
Bar a divided Stretcher Bar, each half of which would carry a Signal slide bar. Again
it may also be found desirable or convenient when our apparatus is fixed outside the
four feet way, to actuate the sliding Frame D1 D2 D³ ³ (Figures 1 to 8) by means
of two blades or Stretcher Bars, one fixed to each tongue of the Switch points.
Only one half the lever saving capabilities (in the case of Junction Signals where
the points are required to be bolted or plunged) is exhibited by the power of B to
work say the Main Line Signal through A or the Branch Line Signal through Cinas-
much as our invention has been specially designed to effect when desirable, a further
saving of Signal Cabin Levers, by working the signals not merely in conjunction
with, but through the lever of the Facing point Lock; or that is to say by (what
amounts to another way of explaining the same thing) substituting for the present
systems of locking points, our signal working apparatus, (Figures 1 to 8) with one or
other of the many easily devisable arrangements, whereby the Drawing of 13 or the
sliding of A or themselves, serve as admirable locks for the switch points and
detectors for points, Facing point locks and Signals. For such purposes our apparatus
is placed either in the four feet way or outside the points. In the latter case the
movable Frame D1 D2 D3 D (Figures 1 to 8) carrying the signal slide Bars A and C
is worked by a continuation of the Stretcher Bar or Bars of the Switch points, prefer-
ably on the opposite side to that on which the Signal Cabin Lever works the points,
but in the former case the very Stretcher Bar or Bars (Figures 9 and 10) (especially
where two Stretcher Bars are provided) itself or themselves, becomes or become an
essential part of the sliding frame or actually become the sliding Frame, and by
means of supporting pieces Y. Y¹ for the selecting Draw Bar B performs or perform
the whole duty of those forms of our apparatus represented in Figures 1 to S.
It is in this latter modification sec as shewn in Figure 10 that the signal slide
Bars A and C will be thrown in connection with the switch points, through a small arc,
thus placing them only one at a time exactly parallel to B when properly engaged and
ready to be drawn.
Suppose (as in the extreme example shown) the Single Stretcher Bar D¹ D³ D³ D¹
of the switch points carries A and C (thus taking the place of the sliding Frame
D1 D2 D3 D Figures 1 to 8) then A and C will be thrust in the direction of the arc
of a circle similar to the throw of the switch points; thus A and C should be mutually
arranged in the direction of the radii of the circle whose are (say chord 3 inches)
they will traverse then the selected Signal slide Bar A (Figure 10) will be exactly
parallel to the selecting draw Bar Bon correctly engaging therewith; whilst the other
the unselected Signal slide Bar C will be (temporarily that is to say as long as
disengaged) more or less slightly out of being exactly parallel to B according to the
support and centreing afforded to A and C.
Figure 10 which represents a pair of Facing points shews other applications of our
Apparatus. The Apparatus K, works in connection with the Distant Signals in the
Facing direction, whilst the apparatus M works in connection with the Trailing points
and Signals and for variation we have shewn a Double Machine working these Stops
and Distants. It may be found desirable or convenient or suitable to fix and arrange
more than one or even two sets, of our Apparatus as represented by letter K (Figure 10),
as for example one set may work the "Stops," one the Distants and one the Startings
Signals; therefore we do in no wise limit or bind ourselves to the number or method
of arrangement of the set or sets of our Apparatus to any single pair of points.
Figures 11 to 16 inclusive represent the various views of that form of our invention
(apparatus O) (Figure 10) shewn fixed in the four feet, but here again this form may
be fixed outside the four feet similar to the other Forms.
The lever saving devices and the locking and detecting arrangements will be so
similar in application to all the variations of mounting and working the three sliding
Bars A. B. C that we will only give full details to the plan shewn in Figure 10.

page_text: In this Figure the points lie normally for the right hand direction therefore the
Signal slide Bars A (Apparatuses O and K) are in gear with the selecting Draw Bars B
and ready to be drawn. The defective movement of the points is detected for in
Apparatus K by the slots A' and in the side of the (Figure 3) Frame E' E2 E³ E+,
in the vertical Form by the slot X (Figure 7) or in Apparatus 0 by means of the
block H.
Upon the actuation of the selecting Draw Bar B (Figure 10) Apparatus Othe
points are first bolted or held in position by means of the enlarged portion of "B,"
obstructing the free movement of the Stretcher Bar coming against the Detecting
Block H. the completion of the movement deflecting the "Stop or Junction Signal R.
The return motion of B first replaces the Signal R to Danger and then unlocks the
points.
"
For authorizing a Traffic movement in the left hand direction the switch points
must first be moved over (the Block H is free to pass under the Bar B when normal
see Figures 12 to 16) which places A out of gear and Cinto gear with the selecting
Draw Bar B. The Signalman now upon working his lever locks the points in the
worked over position and deflects the "Stop" or "Junction" Signal L to the "safety
attitude."
The method of working the Distant Signals through Apparatus K and the Trailing
Signals through Apparatus M is similar to the previously described method of working
the Stop Signals through Apparatus 0.
In the case of the Distants or other Signals, whose Apparatus K is fixed outside the
four feet way, the action of the Bolting or selecting Draw Bar B is detected for by
methods the following amongst others By the blade P (Figure 10) whose crank is
connected directly to the Bar B or by the addition of a small blade V underneath B
(Figures 15 and 16) which is connected by a crank to the blades P¹ (Figures 1 to 8)
and which receives its motion from either of the Signal slide Bars A or C by means
of the stud J. Again the Blade P (Figures 1 to 8) (whether moved or not by the
blade P as in Figure 10) may be a plate provided with a slot or slots through which A
and C may be drawn, P¹ thus performing the duty shewn in the Drawings as effected
by Y. Y
The Blades P or P¹ may cross at right angles the paths of either of the selecting
Draw Bars B (Apparatuses O and K) which latter or the former as desirable are
provided with suitable notches, to ensure that the points are bolted or held in position
before the signal slide Bars can be actuated.
In all the various modifications of mounting and engaging the Bars A. B. C the
points are securely locked by either the movements of B or the Signal Slide Bars A
and, Cor both i.e. by B simultaneously with the engaged one of the two Bars A or C.
It may be found desirable at times to arrange the Bars A. B. C in frames, so that they
all three run on the same identical plane, B having a side arm on each face; whilst Å
and will only have engaging arms on their inward faces; in this disposition of parts,
which we call the Horizontal Form, B is readily locked by the Frame D¹ D² Ñ³ D*;
whilst the latter also lends itself to guide the course of B.
In all the Forms the full return of A and C to their normal positions may be ensured
otherwise than by an arm " as shewn in Figures 1 to 8; for instance a rear piece
mounted on B outside the Frame Y. Y₁, may follow and propel A and C on their
return with B. Such a rear piece thus mounted on B may usefully close the slot or
slots in Y. Y, whilst B is in its normal position. The other side of the outer frame Y.
may be provided with a closing piece to the apertures for A and C.
The whole Apparatus will be provided with a suitable cover.
Having now particularly described, and ascertained the nature of our said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed; we wish it to be understood that we
disclaim all adjuncts outside the outer framing E E E³ E, bounding our novel lever
saving apparatus, but we declare that what we do claim is-
1st. The mechanism comprising the selecting draw Bar B, engaging respectively
with either of the signal slide Bars A or C, and sliding parallel therewith when

page_text: engaged, with or without suitable locking and detecting arrangements, substantially
for the purposes herein described.
2nd. The described method or methods of locking or holding in the desired position,
the switch points, by the drawing of a signal slide Bar of our before described
Apparatus through a slot or recess in the rear end of the Frame Y¹, or on a separate
plate in lieu of that part of the Frame.
3rdly. The described method or methods of locking or holding in the desired position,
the switch points, by the drawing of the selecting Draw Bar B, provided with a solid
end, or with one or more projections, to act in conjunction with the counterpart or
counterparts (projections, slots or notches) provided for that purpose on the Frame
D1 D2 D3 D (or on a Stretcher Bar its substitute as shewn at H) whose path crosses
at right angles that of the Draw Bar B.
JOHN P. O'DONNELL,
Cambridge Villa, Cambridge Road,
New Malden, Surrey,
Agent for the said Applicants.