Improvements in Signalling and Stopping Trains on Railways.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signalling and Stopping Trains on Railways.
We, JAMES PEARSON, of 9, Victoria Street, Haslingden, Cotton Mill Manager,
& WILLIAM EDWARD JONES, of 55, Brunswick Terrace, Haslingden, in the
County of Lancaster, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
Figure 1 shews an elevation of an inclined plane marked A, of wrot iron, steel or
other metal (which is firmly attached to the rail by the pivot marked A'); to the
plane is attached a wrot iron or steel link marked B, & to this is attached a lever
marked C, the said lever being attached to iron shaft marked D; this shaft (which
is shewn under the four foot) terminates in a pulley marked E (or in place of pulleys,
levers may be used if necessary) the pulley shewn is in direct communication with
the pointsman's box as shewn in Fig. 3 by means of pulleys or levers, endless or
single chains, wire ropes or wrot rods, or any other method to form the communi-
cation. The lever in point box having two notches in the quadrant attached to it,
thus allowing the pointsman to raise the inclined plane (as shewn in Figures 1 & 2)
to two separate heights by means of the lever marked C & link marked B, at any
point on the face of the inclined plane is inserted a button or push marked F such
push being capable of forming a circuit with an electric wire placed in position for
that purpose, such wire continuing to the point box & marked R in Figs. 3 & 31;
near the link marked B (used for raising & lowering the plane) is placed another
electric push or button marked G which is brought in connection with wire leading
to point box and shewn in Figs. 3 & 3 marked S when the inclined plane is raised.
Figures 1 & 2 also shews portion of apparatus attached to locomotive, H. being the
slides, into which the block J with pulley at foot, casily works. (Sometimes instead
of a pulley, we use a block of metal the extremity of which is cut to the same taper,
or angle as the inclined plane marked A.) To block J is attached rod marked K:
Figs. 4 & 5 shews upper portion of rod K (which moves vertically) with collars or
blocks at intervals marked L' & L; the extremity of the slide block or rod being
in connection with the engine whistle by means of a lever marked M; or a series of
levers being capable of operating upon the levers M & N attached to the steam
valve & whistle, & the collar or block marked L placed in a position to actuate
lever marked O, which is in connection with vacuum brake:-In Figs. 4 & 5, is also
shewn a frame or rack marked P through which N & O pass, which when raised
will rest upon projections placed in suitable position, (within seeing & reaching
distance of the driver of the engine who will be compelled to release the levers N & Ö
in rack, before either steam whistle can be stopped, steam admitted to the engine
cylinders, or vacuum obtained). It is intended by the inventors to place this
apparatus a distance beyond the home or distance signals, or any other suitable
position & to manipulate the working of the apparatus in foggy weather (or any
other time) as follows: In case the signalman wishes the train to proceed slowly,
he communicates this to the driver by drawing the lever in the box to notch No. I
in the quadrant, this has the effect of raising the inclined plane to its first position;
the position of the plane is at once communicated to the signalman by means of the
electric connection (at the end of plane marked G) assuring him that the plane is
set as he desires it.
On the approach of a train (the plane now having been sufficiently raised) the
pulley of the apparatus attached to the locomotive, comes in contact with the face
of the plane & runs up its entire length-by the action of running up the plane
the slide block & rod attached obtain a perpendicular motion-such motion blowing
the whistle of the engine & partially shutting off the steam at the same time as

page_text: the pulley attached to engine moves up the plane, it presses the electric button or
push & informs the signalman that the train has passed over it.
Or should the signalman in case of great emergency desire to bring the train to
a standstill he can, by drawing lever in point box to notch No. 2 in the quadrant,
further raise the plane, which upon the engine or train passing over it, has the
effect of raising or moving the rod attached to slide still higher; this causes collar
or block marked L2 to come in contact with lever marked O; thus whistling,
completely closing steam valve & putting on the vacuum brake.
After the stopping or slowing of engine or train by the method already described;
we purpose to restart it by means of electric gongs placed on the signal or
telegraph posts, or any other convenient place or occupation adjacent to the signal.
The signal for starting to be given by the pointsman from his box. In Fig. 3 & 31
is shewn the wire to gong or bell for starting train & marked Q. In situations
where it is not deemed necessary to lay down the inclined plane & its accessories-
we purpose to use electric gongs for signalling engines or trains, by means of bells
or gongs placed in convenient situations. The ringing of such bells or gongs to be
in the hands of the signalman at his box. The intimation being given to the engine-
man by a code of signals, for either slowing, stopping or starting engines or trains.
Dd and dove of Lun 1800
JAMES PEARSON.
WILLIAM EDWARD JONES.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signalling and Stopping Trains on Railways.
We, JAMES PEARSON, of 9, Victoria Street, Haslingden, Cotton Mill Manager,
and WILLIAM EDWARD JONES, of 55, Brunswick Terrace, Haslingden, in the
County of Lancaster, Mechanical Draughtsman, 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:
Figure 1 (as shewn in drawings sent with the Provisional Specification) shews an
elevation of an inclined plane marked A. This or both inclined planes (as we
place when necessary one at each side of the rails) is constructed of wrot iron, steel,
or other metal such plane or planes being at its or their greatest elevation formed
into an obtuse angle, or reversing plane (this is not shewn in the drawing). The
reversing plane is intended to facilitate the train repassing the apparatus if
required. This plane or planes being firmly attached to the rail by the pivot
marked A
To the plane is attached a wrot iron or steel link marked B, and to this is attached
a lever marked C, the said lever being attached to iron shaft marked D.
We
Sometimes in place of the link Band lever C, we use a steel cam secured on
shaft D, such cam coming directly underneath the inclined plane marked A.
sometimes use a slide block with rack either horizontal or vertical, actuated by a
spur pinion wheel attached to shaft D; this shaft (which is shewn under the four
foot) terminates in a pulley marked E (or in place of pulleys levers may be used if
necessary). The pulley shewn is in direct communication with the pointsman's box,
as shewn in Figure 3 by means of pulleys or levers, endless or single chains, wire
ropes or wrot rods, or any other method to form communication. The lever in point
box having two notches in the quadrant attached to it-thus allowing the pointsman
to raise the inclined plane (as shewn in Figures 1 and 2) to two separate heights by
means of the lever marked C and link marked B, or by the other methods before
described, at any point on the face of the inclined plane, is-inserted-a-button or
push marked. F, such push-being capable of forming a circuit, with an electric wire
placed in position for that purpose, which wire continuing to the point box and
marked R in Figures 3 and 3', near to link marked B (used for raising and lowering
the plane) is placed another electric push or button marked G which is brought

page_text: in connection with wire leading to point-box (and shewn in
marked S).
Figures 3 and 5
Figures 1 & 2 also shew portion of apparatus attached to locomotive, H being
the slides, into which the block J, with pulley at foot easily works (sometimes
instead of a pulley we use a block of metal the extremity of which is cut to the
same taper or angle as the inclined plane marked A) to block J is attached rod
marked K. Sometimes we use a lever the fulcrum of which is attached to the
engine frame, the bottom portion being made in the form of a jaw to receive the
pulley (before described as attached to the slide) formed upon the lever is a sector
arm working into a corresponding guide frame to which is attached the coupling
link for actuating the rod marked K.
Figures 4 and 5 shews upper portion of rod K (which moves vertically) with
collars or blocks at intervals marked L1 and L2; the extremity of the slide block
or rod being in connection with the engine whistle by means of a lever marked M
or a series of levers-L¹ being capable of operating upon the levers M and N;
attached to the steam valve and whistle, and, the collar or block marked L
placed in a position to actuate lever marked 0; which is in connection with vacuum
brake. The lever marked O may be placed immediately above the slide block or
link before described to operate a valve placed in any convenient position and in
connection with the pipes attached to the vacuum brake.
In Figures 4 and 5 is also shewn a frame or rack marked P. through which N & O
pass, which when raised will rest upon projections placed in suitable positions
(within seeing and reaching distance of the driver of the engine, who will be
compelled to release the levers N and O in rack before either steam whistle can be
stopped, steam admitted to engine cylinders or vacuum obtained).
It is intended by the inventors to place this apparatus, a distance beyond the
home or distance signals or any other suitable position and to manipulate the
working of the apparatus in foggy weather (or any other time) as follows:-
In case the signalman wishes the train to proceed slowly, he communicates
this to the driver by drawing the lever in the box to notch No. 1 in the
quadrant, this has the effect of raising the inclined plane to its first position,
the position of the plane is at once communicated to the signalman by means of
the electrical connection (at the end of the plane, marked G) assuring him that the
plane is set as he desires it. On the approach of a train (the plane now having
been sufficiently raised) the pulley of the apparatus attached to the locomotive,
comes in contact with the face of the plane and runs up its entire length :-by the
action of the running up the plane, the slide block and rod attached obtain a
perpendicular motion, such motion blowing the whistle of the engine, and partially
shutting off steam:-at the same time as the pulley attached to the engine moves up
the plane, it presses the electric button or push and informs the signalman that the
train has passed over it. Or should the signalman in case of great emergency
desire to bring the train to a standstill he can by drawing lever in point box to
notch No. 2 in the quadrant further raise the plane, which upon the engine or
train passing over, has the effect of moving or raising the rod attached to slide, or
lever, still higher; this causes collar or block marked L, to come in contact with
lever marked O; thus whistling, completely closing steam valve, and putting on
vacuum brake.
After the slowing or stopping of engine or train by the method already described,
we purpose to re-start it by means of electric gongs placed on the signal or telegraph
posts or any other convenient place, or occupation adjacent to the signal. The
signals for starting to be given by the pointsman from his box.
In Figures 3 and 31 is shewn the wire to gong or bell for starting train and
marked Q.
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 :-
I. Inclined planes for the combined purpose of actuating the mechanism for

page_text: whistling, shutting off steam, and applying the vacuum brake to railway trains, as
previously described.
II. We claim the introduction of a supplementary plane (previously described as
a press or button) such plane being inserted in the centre of the former plane;
being capable of communicating to the signalman by an electric current actuating
a bell, when the train is passing over the apparatus when fixed in position.
III. We also claim when raising the inclined plane to position, by projections
placed underneath, such projections by the action of being raised shall make known
to the signalman that the apparatus is in working order and position, by the ringing
of an electric bell.
Dated this 28th day of February 1891.
JAMES PEARSON.
WILLIAM EDWARD JONES.