Improved Device for Indicating in Railway Carriages the Names of Arrival Stations.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1898-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Device for Indicating in Railway Carriages the Names
of Arrival Stations.
I, MAX KELLER, of Ostrowy, in the German Empire, Retired Captain of the
Cavalry, 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 present invention consists of a device in connection with railway carriages
for indicating the various stations at which the train stops, and is intended to
obviate the disadvantages hitherto present when railway travelling viz. that the
passengers are not able to read the names of the various stations or do not under-
stand them when called out by the porters and consequently have difficulty in
finding out their whereabouts. In the case of underground lines, and in winter
when the windows of the compartments are frost coated, it is very difficult to see
the signs bearing the names of the stations, and in the case of a long train such
signs are sometimes not even visible from all the carriages.
The present invention comprises an apparatus, which acting either automatically
or being operated by the engine driver, indicates in every compartment of the train
the name of the next station, and, if required, the time the train will stop at this
station and may also give information when passengers have to change in order to
reach their destination. These indications are either imprinted on small boards,
suitably fastened to chains, or on an endless strip or band, which actuated by the
apparatus, will be caused to move one point every time an electric circuit is closed.
The name of the next station will then appear in an aperture in every compartment.
The motive power is suitably supplied by a small dynamo machine, the armature
of which is mounted on one of the axles of the locomotive or the cars respectively.
In the case of electric railways it may however be supplied from the main.
Various ways of carrying out the invention are illustrated in the annexed
drawings.
The construction shewn in Figure 1, in a side elevation and in Figure 2, in a
corresponding front elevation provides for the mechanism being actuated by closing
the circuit. The sign boards (a) are shewn to be fastened to driving chains (0)
the latter being placed around suitable sprocket wheels (c) and (c¹). The common
axle (d) for the two sprocket wheels (c) and (c) is supported in suitable bearings (f)
care being taken to reduce friction to a minimum. The axle carries the sign board
operating means as well as the means for locking the mechanism in its respective
positions. To prevent the vibrations of the cars accidentally moving the sign
boards, it will be necessary to provide reliable means for locking the mechanism.
In the present construction a disc (g), the edge of which is provided with curved
surfaces serves for this purpose. A locking lever (h) the extremity of
which is formed to correspond with the curved surfaces of the said
disc, engages these curvatures. The other extremity of the lever (h) carries the
soft iron armature (i) of the electro-magnet (k). A ratchet wheel () is firmly
- .-

page_text: connected with the locking disc and is engaged by a pawl (m), pivoted to a lever (o)
loosely mounted on the axle (d). When required a spring (n) may serve for
pressing the pawl (m) into engagement with the ratchet wheel. The lever (o) and
the locking lever (h) are connected together by means of a spring (2). (D) is a
dynamo machine the armature of which is mounted on the revolving axle (A) and
supplies the current through suitably arranged conducting wires to the electro-
magnets () of all the station indicators the train is fitted with.
In closing the circuit either by the engine driver or by means of a contact brush
coming into contact with a projecting flange fixed alongside the rail near the
various stations, the armature (i) will be attracted and the lever (h) disengaged
from the curved surfaces of the locking disc (g). The attraction of the armature (7)
causes the expansion of the spiral spring (p) and on the lever (r) disengaging from
the locking disc (), the spring (p) will force the lever (o) downward thereby caus-
ing the pawl (m) which it is in connection with to move the ratchet wheel (7) one
point, which movement will be sufficient to make the name of the next station
visible in the aperture (a) in the casing of the apparatus. On interrupting the
circuit a spring (g) brings the armature and the other operative parts of the mechan-
ism back into their normal position. A stop pin (r) suitably arranged prevents
the lever (o) from being pulled too far downward to ensure the ratchet wheel (!)
being moved only one point.
The pin (r) may be so constructed that it will induce an audible signal every time
the apparatus indicates a fresh station. With reference to Figure 2 the pin (r)
is for this purpose formed into a knee lever supported in its position by a spring (s).
An adjustable set screw (s¹) penetrates a suitable plate and limits the movement
of the knee lever (r), on the lever (0) pressing against it to such an extent that the
pawl (m) will move the ratchet wheel only one point, at the same time a hammer (t)
spring-mounted in connection with the knee lever (7) will ring a bell (¹). The
spiral spring (s) may suitably surround the set screw (s) and press against the sup-
porting plate of the latter.
Figure 3 illustrates a modification of the apparatus. According to same the
knee lever (r) simultaneously serves for interrupting the circuit. For this purpose
it is in connection with one of the poles of the electro-magnet (k), the other pole
being in connection with a contact spring (u). On the lever (o) moving the lever
arm (r) downward, the interruption of the circuit will be caused simultaneously
in view of the other arm of the knee lever (r) being separated from the contact
spring (u). Unnecessary loss of energy will be prevented by this arrangement.
The modification illustrated in Figure 4 has for its object to enable the apparatus
being operated on the interruption of the circuit instead of, as in the other con-
struction, on the circuit being closed.
As long as the circuit when completed energizes the electro-magnets the operative
parts of the apparatus remain inactive, but on interrupting the circuit the spring (9)
forces the armature (i) away from the electro-magnet, thereby disengaging the
locking lever (h), so that under the influence of the spring (p) the lever (o) carry-
ing the pawl (m) is moved downward. The action of the apparatus in other respects
is the same as described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The arrangement just
described will be found advantageous when supplying the current by means of a
dynamo machine the armature of which is mounted on one of the axles of the
locomotive or cars of the train. As soon as the train stops the current will be
interrupted and the apparatus operated in the way 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:-
Firstly. In a device for indicating railway stations, operated by either com-
pleting or interrupting an electric circuit and having the names of the stations
imprinted on an endless strip or band, the arrangement of a locking and a ratchet

page_text: wheel, and a locking lever carrying the armature of the electro-magnet and con-
nected by means of a spring with a lever carrying the pawl for the operation of the
ratchet wheel, all constructed and operated substantially as set forth
Secondly. In connection with electrical indicators of the class described a yield-
ing knee lever for limiting the movement of the ratchet wheel in connection with
a hammer for actuating a bell, substantially as described.
Thirdly. In combination with electrical indicators of the class described a yield-
ing knee lever in connection with one pole of the electro-magnet and a contact
spring in connection with the other pole of the electro-magnet bearing against
the knee lever when the latter is in position of rest, to interrupt the circuit on the
knee lever being operated, substantially as set forth.
Fourthly. In combination with electrical indicators of the class described a
dynamo machine the armature of which is mounted on one of the axles of the
locomotive or cars of the train so that on stopping the train, by the interruption
of the circuit, the apparatus will be operated, substantially as set forth.
Dated 1 10+
Decambio 1908
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.