IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Walter Goalen of No. 10 Britannia Chambers, Lawson
Street, Great Dover Street, Borough, in the County of Surrey, Blacksmith
for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Walter Goalen at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th May 1882.
WALTER GOALEN of No. 10 Britannia Chambers Lawson Street Great Dover
Street Borough in the County of Surrey Blacksmith " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY WORKING RAILWAY SIGNALS
"
"
The object of this invention is to enable a railway train to work its own signals
automatically so that as it passes a signal post it shall raise the signal up to the
danger position, and at the same time lower the last signal (which it had
previously passed and left at "danger") into the "line clear" position, by which
means the train will always leave the section of the line immediately behind it
blocked" until it has arrived at the next signal post in advance, when it will set
that signal to "danger" and remove the previous "block" and so on.
To effect this object I provide one of the wheels of the guards van with a deep
flange and at or near each signal post, on the inside of the rail I provide a short
movable rail having a vertical foot sliding in a box and so constructed that as the
deep flange passes over it shall be depressed. The vertical foot of this movable rail
rests on or connected to the short end of a lever mounted at right angles to the
rails and having its other or longer arm connected by chains passing round grooved
pulleys to the wires or rods which actuate the signals.
When the deep flange of the wheel on the guard's van depresses the movable rail
it causes the longer arm of the lever to rise and act upon the signals in such a way
as to put the signal it is just passing into the "danger" position, and at the same
time bring the previous signal down to the "line clear" position.
As soon as the flange has passed over the movable rail the weight of the outer
arm of the lever returns the apparatus into working position ready for the next
train to operate.

page_text: .
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Walter Goalen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
8th November 1882.
WALTER GOALEN, of No 10 Britannia Chambers, Lawson Street, Great Dover
Street, Borough, in the County of Surrey, Blacksmith, IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY WORKING RAILWAY SIGNALS
My invention is designed to enable a railway train to work its own signals
automatically, so that as it passes a signal post it shall raise the signal up to the
danger" position and at the same time lower the last signal (which it had
previously passed and left at "danger ") into the "line clear" position by which
means the train will always leave the section of the line behind it "blocked,"
until it has arrived at the next signal post in advance, when it will set that signal
to "danger" and lower the previous "block," and so on.
For the complete understanding of my invention I now proceed to describe the
same with reference to the drawings hereunto annexed in which like letters refer
to like parts throughout the figures.
Figure 1 (diagrammatically developed) represents three signals on a line of
railway in the position they would assume after the passage of a train from C
leaving A at danger.
Figure 2 (diagrammatically developed) represents an alternative mode of carrying
my invention into effect and is under the same conditions.
Figure 3 represents a detail of the actuating device.
To effect my object I couple the signals A B C to one another by a connection D,
over suitable pulleys E, of such limited length as only to admit of the relative
positions of "danger" and "line clear" at its fullest extent, whilst it is slack when
connecting any two signals at "line clear." A counterpoise H, which comes to
equilibrium on either side of a dead centre, being employed for reasons hereinafter
more particularly specified. It follows that the putting up of A must necessarily
cause the drop of B, whilst the drop of B does not affect the position of C
The signals are actuated by the pressure of the wheel flanges upon a pedal or
false rail F, but I prefer that the nctuating be only from the hindmost car by a
specially deepened flange, so that the line may remain blocked should any portion
of the train become detached.
The pedal F has a vertical foot sliding in a box L. The vertical foot is connected
to the short end of a lever G, the longer arm of which is connected directly to the
rod or wire M, which operates the signal (as shown in Figure 1) or, where it is
desired to actuate the signal at a spot distant from the post, to a counterpoise and
lover (as at H in Figure 2), at any suitable point in the signal connections D. The
initial movement given by the pedal and lever is only given through a limited arc,
sufficient to throw the counterpoise H over its dead centre; and the fall of the
counterpoise completes the operation. This obviates the necessity of absolute
rigidity of connection or accuracy of length of travel. The detail of the pedal and
lever is shown more clearly in Figuro 3.
It is obvious that my automatic apparatus may be employed alone, or in
conjunction with, and as a check upon, hand worked signals.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature and objects of my
invention, I would have it understood that I do not claim the operation of signals
by a passing train, inasmuch as this may be carried out in various ways, and is not
in itself novel, but I have specified the device in order to show how iny invention

page_text: is to be performed. What I do consider novel, however, and desire to protect by
my Letters Patent is :-
The Combination with such known means of operation of signals, of a connection
between the signals with counterpoise limiting the change of their relative positions
and subsidiary appliances substantially as and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof I the said Walter Goalen have hereunto set my band
and seal this seventh day of November in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-two.
Witness
SAM, P. WILDING
23 Rood Lane,
Fenchurch St.
London, E.C.
Patent Agent.
WALTER GOALEN (L.S.)