IMPROVE- MENTS IN ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAY BREAKS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Kendall, of 29, High Street, Whitechapel,
in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAY BREAKS AND COMMUNICATIONS."
Sealed the 6th June 1865, and dated the 13th December 1864.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Kendall at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
13th December 1864.
I, CHARLES KENDALL, of 29, High Street, Whitechapel, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAY BREAKS AND COMMUNICATIONS," to be as
follows:-
In order that my Invention of improvements may be thoroughly under-
stood, I intend commencing from the introductory process employed in
atmospheric simultaneous railway breaks, detailing the course of the atmo-
sphere throughout until the entire dispensation of its action by aid of my
improvements shall have been demonstrated. I must further premise that I
shall not repeat the action from carriage to carriage, although that action.
will necessarily take place, but I shall only speak of one carriage to serve
as an illustration. By this mode I propose to introduce my improvements
in consecutive order.
I propose placing an ordinary receiver underneath the guard's van, which
shall be supported by brackets or other suitable contrivance, and near to
which I intend shall be placed an ordinary guage and safety valve. This
receiver.is to be charged with three or four atmospheres, producing about 50 lbs.
on the inch, by the aid of an ordinary double-action horizontal force air pump
011

page_text: placed beside it. The pump I propose to set in motion by a belt attached
to a pulley fastened to one of the axle trees of the said van. There will
also be attached to the pump a specially adapted self-acting striking gear,
which will when the required pressure shall have been obtained aid of
the aforesaid belt attached to the axle, force the said axle belt from a tight
to a loose pulley.
The object of the self-action of the striking gear is thus explained:-When
the required pressure shall have been obtained by the aid aforesaid, it will
force the driving band from the tight to the loose pulley, and when the
pressure shall have to be diminished below that standard, say, to 40 lbs., the
self-acting striker will then perform the action of removing the said driving
band from the loose to the tight one, and so vice versa. Thus uniform
pressure will be always sustained under the mechanical control of the pulley,
the action of the pump stopped when that shall have been obtained, and
the pump saved from injury, which might be caused thereto by reason of
unnecessary friction. The striking gear's self-action is influenced by the
guaged pressure of atmosphere in the receiver, wherefrom the pressure is
communicated to it by the aid of a pipe connected with another pipe, to be
herein after described and designated as pipe No. 1. From the said receiver
is also attached another pipe carried beneath the centre of the said break van,
and at the end of this pipe will be appended a specially adapted self-acting
2-way cock, one way causing the air to pass through an aperture, and thence
allowing it to proceed along an arm or branch. At the end of this arm or
branch I propose to attach a flexible tubing of vulcanized india-rubber, or
other material admitting of like ductility, and to place at the end of this
tubing the half of what I term my specially adapted universal two-way
union. The vulcanized india-rubber or other material before referred to
could, if desired, be protected by a coating of steel or other coiling. My
union when disengaged will consist of constructions resembling a divided
hinge, and will have, as of course, attached to them facsimiles of the before.
mentioned communication or passage. In fact, the 2 halves when joined will
constitute the entire union or communication above described. Another
advantage will be obtained by reason of their facsimile inverted construction,
from the fact that their formation will admit of their being used universally
throughout the line of carriages, so that all that need be observed by the
officials will be, that he shall have the proper inverted portions placed opposite
to each other when employed in coupling the carriages. The communication
thus effected is attached to one of the two-way cocks before mentioned.
The advantage of the self-action of the 2-way cock is this:-Should the

page_text: coupling irons of the carriage become disengaged during a journey, or other-
wise, and disconnection of the break union between 2 of the carriages in
any portion of the string of them become inevitable, then the weight of the
construction of my specally adapted universal union before described will
upon the sudden or other falling thereof shut of the said cock, and so close
its connection, thus preserving the pressure of the atmosphere, and pre-
venting further escape from the receiver, so that that division of carriages
assigned to the guard will be perfectly under his control, and the breaks
sustain their capability of action.
I now pass from the self-acting 2-way cock to the continuation of the
iron piping No. 1, before referred to, attached underneath each of the
railway carriages.
This No. 1 pipe will be permanently attached to a passage in the external
or supporting portion of a double-action horizontal cylinder, made either of
cast iron or other metal, placed in the centre of the underneath part of each
carriage. This piping will be continued from the said passage of the cylinder,
and so through a duplicate appliance of what has been before described to any
number of carriages, until it reaches the tender or engine. The air upon
arrival there will be conveyed from pipe No. 1 to a pipe No. 2, by means of a
balance handle cock, which cock shall be capable of being turned on or off by the
assistance of a moveable lever or arm attached to the ordinary break shaft or
appliance by one revolving action. Thus the air is contained in or disengaged
from pipe No. 1 by one revolution of the ordinary break shaft, at the option of
either guard or driver, who shall be cach supplied with similar contrivances.
When the speed of the train is required to be checked or stopped, the driver or
guard can by turning on their ordinary break, connected as aforesaid to the
Baid cock and lever, disengage the air from pipe No. 1 to No. 2. The air
having so passed from No. 1 into No. 2 pipe continues its course through the
before-described self-acting universal unions to a passage contrived in the
external portion of the said cylinder, in which portion will be made a direct
communication with the internal portion of such cylinder. The air having
performed its function upon one cylinder will proceed by the action before
described to the next one, thus adjusting the whole application simultaneously.
This cylinder, of which I have before spoken, will be provided with two
specially packed or arranged pistons provided with india-rubber and leather,
or india-rubber and metallic packing, so contrived as to confine atmospheric
air at a high pressure. The air having passed by pipe No. 2 iuto the
cylinder will force the pistons outward, and by the adaption of a bar placed
accross each piston, and working through slot holes constructed on either

page_text: side of the said cylinder will communicate a tensil or tension strain by
break rods being crossed and transversely connected with such pistons, and
directly communicating with the break blocks placed in juxtaposition to
the tires of the four wheels. By this system the tires of the four wheels
will become equally worn.
In connection with the break rods I propose to add a special contrivance
for the self-adjustment of the break blocks, whereby they will always remain
at a convenient distance from and at suitable command for application to
the tires of the wheels.
I have now to the best of my ability shown the application of my break,
and will now pursue my endeavour to further elucidate the operation of
disengaging the atmosphere therefrom after the performance of its function.
When the pistons shall have performed their required and intended action
upon the break blocks, and the train brought to a standstill, the engine driver
or guard by reversing of the before-mentioned ordinary break appliance will
close or shut off the escape of air from the aforesaid 2-way cock connecting
pipes Nos. 1 and 2, and thus cut off the communication of the latter with
the receiver. By a balanced or weighted handle to a cock which I intend
shall be under the control of the driver or guard the air now become surplus
in pipe No. 2 will be disengaged, and the air in the cylinders escape. This
action will cause the break rods to act upon the break blocks, causing them
simultaneously to disengage themselves from the tiers of the four wheels,
and the wheels will so become subservient to reactionary motion. By the
assistance of a 1-piece, or any other convenient contrivance being inserted
at regular distances in pipe No. 1, and connected with a continuation of
piping to the roof of each carriage, there terminating with taps and whistles
capable of being set in action by specially adapted pulleys placed under the
control of passengers and guard, a ceaseless alarm could be so produced
until the arrival of the train at a standstill, produced as aforesaid, or station.
By this means there will be a direct opportunity afforded for the guard to
have entire supervision over the actions of persons in each compartment
supposing any outrage, unpleasant or dangerous, being committed on any
or either of them. The guard's whistle might act as a signal for the driver
of the train to stop, supposing he discovered no other train to be upon his
track, and he could then at once alleviate the dilemma or suffering of the
supplicating passenger.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Charles Kendall in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
13th June 1865.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, CHARLES
KENDALL, of 29, High Street, Whitechapel, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Hor most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-eighth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Charles Kendall, Her special licence that I, the said Charles
Kendall, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Charles Kendall, my executors, administrators and assigns, should at
auy time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "Iм-
PROVEMENTS IN ATMOSPHERIC RAILWAY BREAKS AND COMMUNICATIONS," upon the
condition (amongst others) that I, the said Charles Kendall, my executors
or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals,should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of
the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and
cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Charles Kendall, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, and accompanying Drawings, that is to say -
In order that my Invention of improvements may bethoroughly understood
I intend commencing from the introductory process employed in atmospheric
simultaneous railway breaks, detailing the course of the atmosphere through-
out until the entire dispensation of its action by aid of my improvements shall
have been demonstrated. I must further premise that I shall not repeat the
action from carriage to carriage although that action will necessarily take
place, but I sball only speak of one carriage to serve as an illustration. By
this mode I propose to introduce my improvements in consecutive order.
I propose placing an ordinary receiver underneath the guard's van, which
shall be supported by brackets or other suitable contrivanco, and wearto which

page_text: I intend shall he placed an ordinary gauge and safety valve. This receiver
is to be charged with three or four atmospheres producing about 50 lbs. on
the inch by the aid of an ordinary double-action horizontal force air-pump
placed beside it. The pump I propose to set in motion by a belt attached
to a pulley fastened to one of the axletrees of the said van. There will
also be attached to the pump a specially adapted self-acting striking gear,
which will, when the required pressure shall have been obtained by aid of
the aforesaid belt attached to the axle, force the said axle belt from a tight
to a loose pulley.
The object of the self-action of the striking gear is thus explained. When
the required pressure shall have been obtained by the aid aforesaid, it will
force the driving band from the tight to the loosepulley, and when the pressure
shall have to be diminished below that standard,say to 40 lbs., the self-acting
striker will then perform the action of removing the said driving band from
the loose to the tight one, and so vice versa. This uniform pressure will be
always sustained under the mechanical control of the pulley, the action of the
pump stopped when that shall have been obtained, and the pump saved from
injury which might be caused thereto by reason of unnecessary friction. The
striking gear's self-action is influenced by the gauged pressure of atmosphero
in the receiver, whereupon the pressure is communicated to it by the aid of a
pipe connected with another pipe,to be herein-after described and designated
as pipe No. 1. From the said receiver is also attached another pipe carried
beneath the centre of the said break van, and at the end of this pipe will be
appended a specially adapted self-acting two-way cock, one way causingtheair
to pass through an aperture, and thence allowing it to proceed along an arm
or branch. At the end of this arm or branch I propose to attach a flexible
tubing of vulcanizedindia-rubber or other material admitting of like ductility,
and to place at the end of this tubing the half of what I term my specially
adapted universal two-way union. The vulcanized india-rubber or other
material before referred to could, if desired, be protected by a coating of steel
or other coiling. My union, when disengaged, will consist of constructions
resembling a divided hinge, and will have, as of course, attached to them, fac
similes of the before-mentioned communication or passage. In fact the two
halves, when joined, will constitute the entire union or communication above
described. Another advantage will be obtained by reason of their facsimilie
inverted construction, from the fact that their formation will admit of their
being used universally throughout the line of carriages so that all that need
be observed by the officials will be that he shall have the proper inverted
portions placed opposite to each other when employed incouplingthecarriages,

page_text: The communication thus effected is attached to one of the two-way
cocks before mentioned.
The advantage of the self-action of the two-way cock is this, should the
coupling irons of the carriage become disengaged during a journey or other-
wise, and disconnection of the break union between two of the carriages in
any portion of the string of them become inevitable, then the weight of the
construction of my specially adapted universal union before described will,
upon the sudden or other falling thereof, shut off the said cock, and so close
its connection, thus preserving the pressure of the atmosphere and preventing
further escape from the receiver; so that that division of carriages assigned
to the guard will be perfectly under his control and the breaks sustain
their capability of action.
I now pass from the self-acting two-way cock to the continuation of the
iron piping No. 1, before referred to, attached underneath each of the
railway carriages.
This No. 1 pipe will be permanently attached to a passage in the external
or supporting portion of a double-action horizontal cylinder, made either of
cast-iron or other metal, placed in the centre of the underneath part of each
carriage. This piping will be continued from the said passage of the cylinder,
and so through a duplicate appliance of what has been before described to
any number of carriages until it reaches the tender or engine. The air upon
arrival there will be conveyed from pipe No. 1 to a pipe No. 2 by means of a
balance handle cock, which cock shall be capable of being turned on or off by
the assistance of a moveable lever or arm attached to the ordinary break
shaft or appliance by one revolving action. Thus the air is contained in or
disengaged from pipe No. 1 by one revolution of the ordinary break shaft at
option of either guard or driver, who shall be each supplied with similar con-
trivances. When the speed of the train is required to be checked or stopped
the guard or driver can, by turning on their ordinary break connected as
aforesaid to the said cock and lever, disengage the air from pipe No. I to
No. 2. The air having so passed from No. 1 to No. 2 pipe continues its
course through the before-described self-acting universal unions to a passage
contrived in the external portion of the said cylinder, in which portion will be
made a direct communication with the internal portion of such cylinder. The
air having performed its function upon one cylinder will proceed by the action
before described to the next one, thus adjusting the whole application simul-
taneously. This cylinder of which I have before spoken will be provided with
twospecially packed or arranged pistons provided with india-rubber and leather,
or india-rubber and metallic packing so contrived as to confine atmosphericair

page_text: at a high pressure. The air having passed by pipe No. 2 into the cylinder will
force the pistons outward, and by the adaptation of a bar placed across each
piston and working through slot holes constructed on either side of the said
cylinder, will communicate a tensil or tension strain by break rods being
crossed and transversely connected with such pistons and directly communi-
cating with the break blocks placed in juxtaposition to the tires of the four
wheels. By this system the tires of the four wheels will become equally worn.
In connection with the break rods I propose to add a special con-
trivance for the self-adjustment of the break blocks whereby they will
always remain at a convenient distance from and at suitable command for
application to the tires of the wheels.
I have now, to the best of my ability, shewn the application of my break,
and will now pursue my endeavour to further elucidate the operation of dis-
engaging the atmosphere therefrom after the performance of its function,
when the pistons shall have performed their required and intended action upon
the break blocks, and the train brought to a standstill, the engine driver or
guard by reversing of the before-mentioned ordinary break appliance will
close or shut off the escape of air from the aforesaid two-way cock connecting
pipes Nos. 1 and 2, and thus cut off the communication of the latter with the
receiver. By a balanced or weighted handle to a cock, which I intend shall
be under the control of the driver or guard, the air now become surplus in
pipe No. 2 will be disengaged, and the air in the cylinders escape; the pistons
will thereby and by the aid of a specially adapted spring become forced back
into their former position in the cylinder. This action will cause the break
rods to act upon the break blocks, causing them simultaneously to disengage
themselves from the tires of the fourwheels, and the wheels will so become sub-
servient to reactionary motion. By the assistance of a 1-piece, or any other
convenient contrivance, being inserted at regular distances in pipe No. 1, and
connected with a continuation of piping to the roof of each carriage, there
terminating with taps and whistles, capable of being set in action by a specially
adapted pulleys, placed under the control of the passengers and guard, acease-
less alarm could be so produced until the arrival of the train at a standstill,
produced as aforesaid, or station. By this means there will be a direct
opportunity afforded for the guard to have entire supervision over the actions
of persons in each compartment, supposing any outrage, unpleasant or
dangerous, being committed, or any or either of them. The guard's
whistle might act as a signal for the driver of the train to stop, supposing
he discovered no other train to be upon his track, and he could then at once
alleviate the dilemma or suffering of the supplicating passenger.

page_text: And in order that my said Invention may be even more fully understood
than by the foregoing description, I shall now proceed more fully to describe
the same, and for that purpose I shall refer to the several Figures on the
Sheet or Drawing hereunto annexed, the same letters of reference indicating
the same positions throughout.
Figure 1 of the Drawings is the representation of a carriage and guard's
van, with the improvements in my atmospheric railway break and commu-
nications attached.
A is a wrought-iron receiver charged by "B" a double-action air pump,
containing inlet and outlet valves composed of india-rubber or other suitable
material set in motion by the riggers and strap C, C, C. My specially
adapted self-acting striking gear constructed of gun metal, or other suitable
material, is represented by the letter D, aud consists of 2 cylinders of different
diameters, No. 1, 1, the smaller supplied with a solid piston or plunger made
of wrought iron, leather, and india-rubber, or other suitable material, having
at the back thereof a spiral spring, acted upon by a screw cap on the end of
such cylinder, so as to adapt it to any given pressure. The larger cylinder
similarly supplied, is communicated with and takes its action from a small
apperture at the side of the small one, and through the bottom of the larger
one now in description. When the required pressure is obtained the piston in
the smaller cylinder will rise or glide past the apperture in such cylinder
before described, and thereby admit the air into the larger cylinder. These
cylinders are set in action by the air from the receiver "A," the larger
cylinder being supplied also with a cup leather, or other suitable packing on
a wrought-iron rod. The end of the piston rod is attached to the end
of a fork-lever or striker 2, through which the leather strap "C" runs, and
by the action in the larger cylinder 1 being forced outward, will cause the
strap "C" to move from a tight to a loose pulley, and vice versa when the
pressure in the receiver A is decreased. E represents pipe No. 1 attached to
the receiver A, which is carried throughout the entire length of any given
number of carriages, and kept continually charged with air; F is my spo
cially adapted 2-way or double cock, more particularly represented in sectional,
Figure 3, the ports or passages whereof are placed at such an angle as to
remain open when the carriages remain coupled together, and become closed
of their own accord when any portion of the train becomes disconnected;
as at letter F, Figure 5.
My specially adapted universal two-way union I distinguish by the letter G
and more particularly represented also in sectional, Figure 3; it is made
of cast iron, and can be made of brass, or other suitable material. It is

page_text: provided with solid hooks, shown in sectional, Figure 3, 1, 1, 1, constructed
to fit into slot holes in Figure 3, represented as Figure 2. By this means
connection is made between the facsimile construction of the 2 halves
thereof, Figure 3, in sectional. Figure 3 is a latch ketch acted upon by sinall
springs, which hold the halves of the union when placed face to face firmly
together, Figure 4, in sectional. Figure 3 is a recess bored out of the solid
metal, into which is placed an india-rubber, or other suitable packing, in
the form of a figure 8, or this may be arranged with india-rubber on the
one side, and 2 prominent conical-shaped rings on the other.
I now proceed to describe the action of the air through E, F, and G, which
is as follows: On arriving at the guard's van or tender of the engine, the air
passes from No. 1 pipe E to No. 2 pipe I by means of the cock H. On the
upright spindle of the ordinary breakappliance Q, I fix with a clip 1, 1, and
bolts a jointed arm or tapet 2, 2, as shown and explained in sectional,
Figure 6, and this causes the cock H to perform the function of supplying the
air from No. 1 pipe E to Number 2 pipe I, and so through the latter of them;
the cylinders J, J, become charged with air. A forked lever or balance
handle fixed on the head of the above-mentioned cock H is represented by
the letter R, and into this the arm or tapet passes upon the guard turning on
the ordinary break appliance Q. By a reverse movement of Q the air is shut
off from I, and all connection between "A" and "J" ceases. This cylinder J,
which more particularly described in the sectional, Figure 4, is constructed
of cast iron, or other suitable material, and should be from 10 inches and
upwards in diameter. The air is communicated to it by No. 2 pipe I
through the external passage depicted as No. 1 in sectional, Figure 4;
2, 2, is said sectional. Figure 4, represents the inlet to the internal portion
of the cylinder; No. 3, 3, the cast-iron pistons 4, 4, 4.
My specially adapted or arranged packing composed of sheet or vulcanized
india-rubber in 2 or more pieces or parts so arranged as to acquire a cup
shape, by means of the cast-iron plates 5, 5, and 6, 6, piston rods, on the ends
of which I place the cross heads or bars 7, 7, working in slot holes 8, 8. At
the end of the piston rod 6, 6, and against the cross heads or bars 7, 7, I
place a steel spring 9, 9, which faces the breaks blocks off the wheels U, and
restores the pistons to their original position. There is a nut at the end of
the piston rod, which confines the whole together. These cylinders J, J, are
covered with a cap or cover to prevent accumulation of dirt or dust. The
ends of the cross heads 7, 7, are made round, and turned to receive the eyes
of the break rods M, M, M, M, shown in sectional, Figures 1 and 2. N, in
sectional, Figures 1 and 2, is my special contrivance for the self-adjustment

page_text: of the break blocks; 1, 1, 1, 1, in sectional, Figure 2, being a rack of
wrought iron, and 2, 2, 2, 2, representing a pawl acted on by springs; 3, 3,
3, 3, 0, 0, 0, are the break blocks; P, P, are rack quadrants passing through
staple ketches W, W, either fixed on the break block O or the hanger thereof,
their junction being to prevent O from keeping to great a distance from the
wheel U, and to cause the racks on the ends of the break rods M to take
another tooth as the break blocks O, O, become worn. By this means the
break blocks adjust themselves to the tire of the wheel, until such time as
they become worn out; 4, 4, in sectional, Figure 2, are cross bars connecting
the blocks O, 0, 0, together on either side of the carriage. These have slot
holes made in them, through which the racks 1, 1, attached to N, N, N, pass,
and into which the pawls 2, 2, 2, in sectional, Figure 2, represented, are held
by a bolt and nut; T is another balanced handle cock, used for discharging
the surplus air in pipe No. 2; I and cylinders J, J, when the break blocks O
are required to be removed from the wheels U, U; V is an ordinary satety
valve connected with the receiver "A" guaged at 40 lbs., or any other
given pressure; X, X, represents the whistle connected with the piece in
the pipe E; Y, Y, is the flexible tubing connecting the pipes and unions.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and
original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-
before in part recited Letters Pateut, is, the application of the atmospheric
railway breaks simultaneously to any number of carriages, and the communi-
cations thereby effected by the improvements based upon the combination
of the special adaptions mentioned and referred to in the foregoing explana-
tion of my said Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Kendall, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-five.
CHARLES KENDALL (L.S.)