Improved Apparatus for Signalling on Railways during Dark or Foggy Weather.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 18th May, 1898
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1899-Accepted. 29th Apr.. 1899
CALC Spplication may,
030
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1899-Accepted. 29th Apr.. 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improved Apparatus for Signalling on Railways during Dark or
Foggy Weather.
We. EDWARD MAYNARD and GEORGE MAYNARD, both of 17. Merritt Road,
Brockley, County of Surrey, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows; -
This invention relates to apparatus for use on railways during dark er foggy
weather and whereby the engine driver is warned on approaching a signal so
that he can pull up and in doing so operate an appliance in the signal box at a
distance in order that the signalman may know of the engines position and then
that he can signal to the driver to go on when the line is clear.
For the purpose of this invention we fit a swing or horizontal rocking appliance
on say each side of an engine, said appliance being part of or in connection
with a whistle opener or a gong on the engine as a warning sound. The project-
ing end or bulb of this appliance is set within range of a tongue blade fixed on
the permanent way with which tongue blade it can come into contact without
regard to the engines direction of travel. At a short distance from the sema-
phore signal or level therewith is another similar tongue blade but this is double
jointed in order that it can be swung sideways in either direction to release by
the necessary wires a flap in the signalmans cabin the flap dropping with a
force for a knob on it to strike a gong to notify to the signalman that the engine
is at the semaphore which at this time is supposed to be set at danger and
against the engines progress. The signalman can then when he wishes the train
to proceed pull over the semaphore lever to lower it and in so doing strike a
gong affixed to the lever at the post or he may by a separate lever strike two
sounds on the gong as a notification for the driver to proceed without altering
the position of the semaphore.
At a small distance in advance of the semaphore is another or third tongue
blade having a swivel motion imparted to it by an independent yet fixed stem
on the engine in either direction of the engines travel.
or cant-
The movement of this tongue blade by its wires strikes the same gong or an-
other gong of a different size or tone or ring a bell in the signalmans cabin as an
indication that the engine driver has responded to the order to proceed and that
he is proceeding with his train and passing out of that signalmans control.
The second mentioned tongue blade in addition to having a slewing motion
in either direction has under the control of the semaphore lever a tilting
ing motion and which when the line is clear and the semaphore set for the train
to pass, has its front end raised as not to be acted upon by the engine such as
in fair weather the sound signal on the engine alone being acted upon by the
first named tongue blade if so desired by the driver in approaching the signal
and the third tongue blade also as a notification of the train passing out of that
signalmans control.
We have in the foregoing only implied to the operations as being carried on

page_text: close to a semaphore but the first and third tongue blades could be at any distance
from it and particularly the third which by its gong sound would indicate to
the signalman that the train is passing out of his section. By connecting the
wires of the second tongue blade to the starting signal of the rear section that
signal can be locked until the train has passed out of the advance section the
unlocking of which would enable the signalman in the rear section to lower his
starting signal for the train to proceed otherwise the block is against it.
By suitable arrangements of our apparatus at crossings, sidings loop lines and
branch lines this system is available.
The system is also available for operation by trucks or coaches from any part
of a train.
H. GARDNER,
Patent Agent, 166, Fleet Street, London,
Agent for the said E, and G. Maynard,
Improved Apparatus for Signalling on Railways during Dark or
Foggy Weather.
We, EDWARD MAYNARD and GEORGE MAYNARD, both of 17, Merritt Road,
Brockley, County of Surrey, England, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particu-
larly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to apparatus for use on railways during dark or foggy
weather and warns the engine driver that he is approaching a signal so that he
may stop the train. The forward movement of the engine also operates an
appliance in a distant signal cabin so that the signalman may know where the
engine is and may be able to signal to the driver when the line is clear.
To carry my invention into effect, I attach to the engine near the wheels, a
suitable rocking striker on one or on each side of the engine, the striker being
attached to a whistle or gong alarm in the cab. The projecting end of the striker
is set so that as it moves past a tongue on the permanent way, the striker will
be operated but when the engine is moving backward the bell will not ring the
alarm in the cab.
Between the semaphore signal and the tongue above mentioned is disposed a
horizontal lever with its front end projecting across or partly across one of the
rails. This lever has a swivelling movement, and is moved sideways by a fixed
striker on the engine and this movement is transmitted by the usual chains, rods
or wires to the signal cabin and operates a device in the signal cabin to inform
the signalman that the engine has reached the semaphore which is supposed to
be at danger." The signalman can then, when he wishes the engine to proceed,
pull over the usual lever and lower the semaphore, and at the same time operate
a device to strike a gong fixed by preference on the signal post to give the driver
an audible notification that the line is clear without altering the position of the
semaphore.
At a short distance in advance of the semaphore is arranged a similar swivel- 4
ling lever to that above described, and when the fixed striker on the engine
operates it, the same gong will be rung or another of a different tone, in the
signal cabin to inform the signalman that the engine has passed the semaphore
The first of the swivelling levers above mentioned is capable of a tilting

page_text: .
movement, (besides a swivelling motion) under the control of the semaphore
lever. Thus when the line is clear and the semaphore arm is lowered, the swivel-
ling lever is by the same movement canted or tilted, so that the fixed striker
on the engine will not operate it. In the same way, the second swivelling lever
can also be tilted, or may be used in fair weather as an indication to the signal-
man that the train has passed out of his section.
The above described apparatus may be disposed at any required distance from
the semaphore.
By connecting the wires or chains of the first swivelling lever to the starting
signal of the rear section, that signal can be locked until the train has passed
out of the section in advance.
My improved apparatus is also adapted with suitable modifications to protect
a crossing or siding, loop and branch lines.
I will now describe my invention with reference to the accompanying draw-
ings in which :-
Fig. 1, which is continued on Sheet 2, shows a condensed perspective view of
my apparatus to control a section. The different parts of the apparatus may
be disposed at any required distance apart.
Fig. 2, shows a side elevation of the first swivelling lever.
Fig. 3, shows a plan view of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4, shows an end elevation of upright g³.
a represents the forward part of an engine which is provided on one or both
sides with a rocking striker a¹ mounted on the back plate a² and held in place
by brackets a³.
The upper end of the rocking striker is provided with a small crank which
is pivotally attached to one end of a rod 6 which is connected at its other end
to one arm of a bell crank lever fulcrummed at 6 to some convenient part
of the engine.
The bell crank lever is counterweighted, and its other arm is connected by
a chain or cord to the ringing mechanism of a gong b, fixed in the cab of the
engine or other convenient place. Thus when the engine moves forward the
lower end of the rocking striker will be turned by contact with the tongue c
fixed on the permanent way and such motion will be transmitted to, and ring
the gong alarm 64. The lower end of the back plate a2 is prolonged to form
a finger which thus forms the fixed striker d. Supposing the semaphore to be
at danger."
"
As the engine progresses further, the fixed striker d will strike the swivel-
ling lever e mounted on block n', and push its outer end off the rail. The
lever e is fulcrummed at e¹ and its inner end is connected by chains wires or
rods to the signal cabin, only the levers in, which are shown. The swivelling
movement of the swivelling lever a is transmitted to the rod f by means of
chains or wires f' running over the pulleys f, and this movement operates a
weighted lever g, fulcrummed at g' to a post or upright g in the signal cabin.
This movement raises a rod g connected at its upper end to a crank, thereby
partly rotating a latch bolt h, which thereby unlocks a flap ¹, hinged at h
causing it to drop and fall onto the clapper of a bell or gong and notifying
the signalman that the engine has passed the first swivelling lever and is wait-
ing at the semaphore.
Only the lower end of the signal post i is shown. The latch bolt h is held by
a spring h
When the signalman wishes the train to proceed he pulls over the lever
the motion of which is communicated by rod 1. lever 2, chains, wires or rods,
to the actuating lever j of the semaphore. The lever j' is fulcrummed at j
and provided with the usual counterweight.
The semaphore arm (not shown) is moved by means of the vertical arm j.
attached at its lower end to the lever j. The signalman then operates a spring
lever k, the movement being transmitted by rod lever 13, chains wires or

page_text: rods. to the outer end of, and rocks a weighted lever, fulcrummed at and
when it is let fall rings a bell or gong through the clapper thereby giving
an audible signal to the driver, that he can proceed.
When the semaphore is lowered, the action also operates and raises the swivel-
ling levere out of contact with the fixed striker d on the engine. This is
effected by attaching to the lever j a chain or wire.o, the other end of which
is connected to the arm o' of a bell crank lever fulcrummed at o, near the
block. The other arm p is connected to one end of a weighted lever ful-
crummed at 2. The lever at its other end is attached to a rod g, which at
its other end operates a crank g' fixed on a spindle q on which is mounted the
fulcrum e of the lever e.
Therefore when the weighted side of the semaphore lever is raised, the
action is transmitted to, and thereby cants or tilts the lever e, by the above
described mechanism.
The train then proceeds and in due course the fixed striker on the engine
operates a second swivelling lever m, pivotted at m¹ on the 'block e. This lever
has a similar movement to that of e, the movement being transmitted to the
rod f. through chains or wires m² passing over pulleys m³ and attached to the
rod f, thereby ringing the gong h, in the signal cabin to notify the signalman
that the engine has obeyed the signal.
The points of the levers e and m work on, and the movement is limited by
the turned-up ends of, the quadrant plates en mounted on the blocks en'.
The arm o of the bell crank lever above mentioned, is connected by means
of chains or wires to the semaphore lever of the signal controlling the rear
section.
Only the lower end of the posts is shown. The chain or wire is fixed to
the weighted side of the lever and the connections are so arranged that the
semaphore on post i cannot be lowered until the semaphore on posts is at the
danger" position or vice versa, in other words, the semaphores on both posts
cannot be lowered simultaneously.
Instead of the swivelling levers m and e being arranged horizontally as shown.
they may be vertical, and may be arranged between the rails if preferred and
not outside as shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that
what we claim is:--
1. The improved signalling apparatus for use on railways especially appli-
cable during dark or foggy weather, substantially as shown and described.
2. In an improved railway signalling apparatus, the rocking striker a attached
to a railway engine, and tongue e fixed to the permanent way for operating said
rocking striker, in combination with the means described for operating a whistle
or gong alarm in the cab of a passing engine, substantially as shown and
described.
8. In an improved railway signalling apparatus, the fixed striker d, on a
railway engine, swivelling levers e, m, for operating a bell or gong alarm in
a signal cabin, by any suitable means, substantially as described and shown.
4. In an improved railway signalling apparatus, the combination of a fixed
striker on a railway engine, and swivelling levers f, m, with means for
operating a bell or gong alarm in a signal cabin, said means consisting essen-
tially of a weighted lever g, rod ², crank g, latch bolt h, hinged flap h, and the
usual chains, wires and rods, substantially as shown and described.
5. In an improved railway signalling apparatus the combination of a weighted
lever on the signal post i clapper 1, a bell, or gong 1, with a spring. lever k
in the signal cabin and means for connecting lever with the lever so that
the signalman may notify the engine driver, substantially as shown and
described.

page_text: 6. In an improved railway signalling apparatus the combination of the chain,
rod or wire o, bell crank lever with arms o¹, p, weighted lever p³, rod q, crank q',
and spindle q for simultaneously tilting the swivelling lever e, with the sema-
phore on the signal post i, substantially as shown and for the purpose specified.
7. In an improved signalling apparatus the means as described for simul-
taneously lowering the semaphore on signal post i, tilting the swivelling lever e,
and locking the starting signal on the previous section of railway in the "danger
position, substantially as shown and described.
ور
8. In an improved railway signalling apparatus, the combination of the rock-
ing striker a crank b, rod 61, lever b3 fixed striker d, tongue c, swivelling
levers e, m the spring lever k, lever k, latch bolt h, hinged flap clappers and
gongs 6, 1, 11, 4, the bell crank lever with arms o' p, rod q, crank q', spindle qª
and weighted lever with the means for connecting the various levers and
transmitting their motion from one to the other, substantially as shown and
described.
Dated this 13th day of Wohuo 1900
S. S. BROMHEAD,
Patent Agent, 171, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.