Improvements in the Means of Signalling between Passengers and Guards on Railway Trains.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1887
Complete Left, 3rd Mar., 1888
Complete Accepted, 6th Apr., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Means of Signalling between Passengers and
Guards on Railway Trains.
We WALTER GRAINGER of 260 Icknield Port Road Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Machinist and CHARLES ALVEY of 32 Parade Birmingham aforesaid
Gas Fitter do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to new or improved devices for signalling between the
Passengers and Guards on Railway Trains and has for its object the construction of a
simple and effective mechanical arrangement for this purpose and one defining to the
Officials in charge the particular compartment or carriage from which the Signals
arise.
In applying this Invention to a Railway Train each separate compartment of
a composite or divided carriage, or each carriage if built open or only partially
divided, is fitted with the following devices which are also combined for the wholo
train by means afterwards described.
About the level of the roof of each carriage or compartment either over or under
and in the middle transversely is arranged in a suitable small case or frame, a short
horizontal lever pivotted at its middle at which point is a pendant arm forming a sort
of double bell crank. At one end of the lever is attached a handle or pull which may
directly or by means of cords be operated from the inside of the compartment in any
position handy to the passengers. At the other end of the lever is a balance weight
or spring for the purposes to be described. Below this lever and operating in the
same plane is a short sliding bar. The ends of this are jointed either directly or by
means of levers, to two connecting rods running each way across the roof of the com-
partment or carriage. At each side of the carriage is fixed another small case or frame
with the following devices which are in connection with the rods above mentioned.
Each frame carries a short transverse spindle having at its outer end a short crank
arm or socket into which the stem of a small flag is fixed. By a rocking action of the
shaft of about a quarter of a revolution the flag is raised or depressed. On an inner
part of the spindle is a disc with an arm on its upper side acting against a stop when
the flag is upright and connected with a spring or weight acting on the opposite

page_text: quarter to keep it in this position unless the flag should be depressed by hand after
signalling. On the inside face of the disc is a projecting cam running about a
quarter round forming an inclined face one way and a stop the other. This acts against
one end of a short double ended lever, which at its other end is coupled to one of the
connecting rods before mentioned. The action is that when the arm carrying the flag
is depressed it rotates the disc and the cam-like projection forces back one end of the
last mentioned lever, the other end pulling the connecting rod a certain distance.
This latter action moves the central sliding bar before mentioned against a spring,
which latter when the disc is rotated as far as the stop on face retracts the action
sufficiently far to lock it in this position which is that occupied unless a signal is
required to be given. This is done in this way-on the handle end of the central
lever or bell crank is a stud or pin acting upon another short lever, which when the
pull is given, again moves the sliding bar in the same direction as at first sufficiently
far to free the cam stop, and then the spring in connection with the disc at once lifts
the flag. A weight or spring on the other end of the bell crank lever first mentioned
brings the device into position after the flag has been depressed for another action-
By these means flag signals can be given from each compartment or carriage of the
train on both sides to the officials looking out.
The
The second part of the Invention relates to devices for calling the attention of the
Guards or Engine Driver to the fact that a signal has been made-In accordance
with this Invention each carriage forming the train is fitted with two sets of small
air tubes united (when the train is made up) by any suitable known couplings
automatic or otherwise. One series of tubes is kept filled with air at a moderate
pressure by means of a small pair of bellows or a fan or other equivalent appliance
worked by preference by suitable gearing with the last axle of the guards van.
other series is in connection with whistles in the guard's van and the Engine Driver's
stand. The pressuretubes are put into communication with the whistle tubes at the
moment the signal is made as follows. The pendant lever forming part of the double
bell crank for operating the signal is shaped as a toothed are or sector gearing with
a pinion. When the handle is pulled this turns a cock and opens a communication
by means of branch tubes with the whole length tubes above mentioned-Instead of
a cock actuated as above described a valve of any suitable kind may be operated by
equivalent devices from the said pendant lever or bell crank.
For the use of night trains the ordinary flags may be replaced by flags the staff's or
other portions of which are painted with what is known as luminous or phosphoric
paint or by equivalent signal arms or boards painted in a similar manner.
Instead of flags, boards or arms acting in the manner of semaphore signals may bo
used generally.
Dated this 2nd day of Tuna 1007
THOS. R. THOMAS,
7, Lincoln's Inn, Birmingham,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: CATI
gang between Fassengers and
Guards on Railway Trains.
We WALTER GRAINGER of 260 Icknield Port Road Birmingham in the County of
Warwick Machinist and CHARLES ALVEY of 32 Parade Birmingham aforesaid
Gas Fitter 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 :-
This invention relates to new or improved devices for signalling between the
Passengers and Guards on Railway trains and has for its object the construction of
a simple and effective mechanical arrangement for this purpose and one defining to the
officials in charge the particular compartment or carriage from which the signals
arise.
In applying this Invention to a Railway Train each compartment of a composite or
divided carriage, or each carriage if built open or only partially divided is fitted with
the following devices which are also combined for the whole train by means afterwards
described.
About the level of the roof of each carriage or compartment either over or under
and in the middle transversely is arranged in a suitable small case or frame a short
horizontal lever pivotted at its middle at which point is a pendant arm forming a
sort of double bell crank. At one end of the lever is attached a handle or pull which
may directly or by means of cords be operated from the inside of the compartment in
any position handy to the passengers.
At the other end of the lever is a balance
weight or spring for the purposes to be described. Below this lever and operating
in the same plane is a short sliding bar. The ends of this are jointed either directly
or by means of levers, to two connecting rods running each way across the roof of the
compartment or carriage. At each side of the carriage is fixed another small case or
frame with the following devices which are in connection with the rods above
mentioned. Each frame carries a short transverse spindle having at its outer end a
short crank arm or socket into which the stein of a small flag is fixed. By a rocking
action of the shaft of about a quarter of a revolution the flag is raised or
depressed. On an inner part of the spindle is a disc with an arm on its upper side
acting against a stop when the flag is upright and connected with a spring or weight
acting in the opposite quarter to keep it in position unless the flag should be depressed
by hand after signalling. On the inside face of the disc is a projecting cam running
about a quarter round forming an inclined face one way and a stop the other. This
acts against one end of a short double ended lever which at its other end is coupled
to one of the connecting rods before mentioned. The action is that when the arm
carrying the flag is depressed it rotates the disc and the cam-like projection forces back
one end of the last mentioned lever, the other end pulling the connecting rod a certain
distance. This latter action moves the central sliding har before mentioned against a
spring which latter when the disc is rotated as far as the stop or face retracts the action
1.

page_text: sufficiently far to lock it in this position which is that occupied unless a signal is
required to be given. This is done in this way-On the handle end of the contral
lever or bell crank is a stud or pin acting upon another short lever which when the pull
is given again moves the sliding bar in the same direction as at first sufficiently far to
free the cam stop, and then the spring in connection with the disc at once lifts the flag.
A weight or spring on the other end of the bell crank lever first mentioned brings the
device into position after the flag has been depressed for another action. By these
means flag signals can be given from each compartment or carriage of the train on both
sides to the officials looking out.
The second part of the Invention relates to devices for calling the attention of the
In accordance
Guards or Engine Driver to the fact that a signal has been made.
with this Invention each carriage forming the train is fitted with two sets of small
air tubes united (when the train is made up) by any suitable known couplings automatic
or otherwise. One series of tubes is filled with air at a moderate pressure by means
of a small pair of bellows or a fan or other equivalent appliance worked by preference
by suitable gearing with the last axle of the guards van. The other series is in con-
nection with whistles in the guards van and the Engine Drivers stand. The pressure
tubes are put into communication with the whistle tubes at the moment the signal is
made as follows. The pendant lever forming part of the double bell crank for
operating the signal is shaped as a toothed arc or sector.gearing with a pinion. When
the handle is pulled this turns a cock and opens a communication by means of branch
tubes with the whole length of tubes above mentioned. Instead of a cock actuated as
above described a valve of any suitable kind may be operated by equivalent devices
from the said pendant lever or bell crank.
For the use of night trains the ordinary flags may be replaced by flags the staffs
or other portions of which are painted with what is known as luminous or phosphoric
paint or by equivalent signal arms or boards painted in a similar manner.
Instead of Hags boards or arms acting in the manner of semaphore signals may be
used generally.
We now proceed to particularly describe and ascertain the said Invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed reference being had to the accompanying
drawings.
Figs. 1 and 2. Sheet 1. are respectively a cross section and a longitudinal section of
the upper part of a compartment of a railway carriage to which this Invention is
applied.
Fig. 3. is a side view of portions of two Railway Carriages to a reduced scale
showing the arrangement of the bellows and gearing and of the air tubes and couplings
to same.
Fig. 4. is an end view of a portion of one of the carriages.
Figs. 5 and 6. Sheet 2. shew a full size front view of a cross section respectively
of the central devices for actuating the signals outside the compartment.
Fig. 7. shews a coupling of the connecting rods from the central to the outside
devices.
Figs. 8 and 9. shew one form of coupling for the air tubes between the carriages.
Figs. 10 and 11 Sheet 3 shew full sized front and side views of the devices fixed
at the sides of the carriage, compartments together with an outside sigual of the flag
type.
Figs. 12 and 13. shew two views also of about full size of a modified type of
outside signal.
Figs. 14 and 15 Sheet 4. are respectively a part plan and elevation to about th the
full size of the Bellows and gearing for blowing the whistles.
Figs. 16 and 17. shew full sized views of a combined coupling for the two air tubes
between the carriages.
In Figs. 1 to 4. the general arrangement of the apparatus in accordance with this
Invention is shewn and the capital letters of reference used to indicate the parts in
these figures are also attached to corresponding parts or groups of parts in the
succeeding figures of detail.

page_text: A A. Figs. 1. and 2 represent portions of the sides and roof a Railway Carriage
as ordinarily constructed and B shews a partition between two compartments. The
central devices fixed in each compartment for operating the signals as shewn generally
at C., and D is the handle in connection with same in reach of the passengers. These
central devices are connected by the rods E. with the devices J. J. affixed to or near
the sides of the compartment which operate the outside signals K. M. F. F. are the
two lines of air tubes running the whole length of the train are fixed so far as each
carriage is concerned along the roof, inside by preference and down the ends
outside as shewn in figs. 3 and 4. These tubes are made of brass or other suitable
metal and are coupled together between the carriages by metal couplings G. G. united
to the metal tubes F. F by flexible tubes as shown. Branch pipes H. H. are fixed in
each compartment and connected with the cock I. which when the handle D is pulled
opens a passage between the two lines of air tubes.
I are the bellows fixed by preference in a convenient place in the Guards van and
worked by gearing as shewn from one of the axles of this van. The line of tubes in
connection with the bellows is kept charged with air at a moderate pressure by the
said bellows and as it is preferred to keep the bellows constantly at work when the
train is running an escape valve is provided in connection with this line of air tubes. The
other line of air tubes is in connection with tubing fitted with whistles and placed in
suitable positions in the Guards van and near the Drivers stand. When the apparatus is
in its normal condition the carriage signals K. M. are undisplayed and the cocks I. I.
closed. When danger arises in any compartment the passengers by pulling the handle D
actuate the devices for opening the said cocks between the air tubes causing the
whistles to blow at the same time releasing the signals which are at once displayed
outside the compartment in which the communication originates. It is obvious
also that the apparatus may be used as L means of communication between the
Guards and Drivers of a train.
The central devices at . will now be fully described with reference to the detailed
figs. 5 and 6. Sheet 2. a. a. is a metal frame plate with base a². is a stud bearing
invunted as shewn on tho said frame and carries at the back the lever c. To one end
of this lever is jointed the rod d by the joint d2 and is furnished at its lower end with
the handle D. for the use of passengers. In front of the frame plate a. a short
sliding bar e. is mounted in bearings e e² upon this bar is a socket e fastened with a
set screw as shewn or by other suitable means and between this and the bearing at
the other end is the spiral spring e. The ends of the sliding bar are jointed to the
levers ee mounted upon the studs ee the lower ends of the said levers being jointed
to the connecting rods E. E. A short lever fis mounted upon the stud fits upper
end being curved as shewn at f³ and its lower end is finger shaped entering a recess
or groove at the back of the socket e³. A stud or pin is screwed into the lever b
and moves in the curved slot as shewn and when the lever is depressed this pushes
back and the finger at its lower end moves the sliding bar a little way against the
spring which retracts the movement when the handle is released. This movement
by means of the connecting rods E. E. sets in motion the devices for displaying the
outside carriage signals which will be subsequently described. The devices for
opening at the same time the communication between the pipes are shewn in the
same figures. F. F are the air pipes with the branch pipes H. H. attached by the
unions h. and screwed at their lower ends 2 into the branches ³ forming part of
the case of the cock I. upon the head of the plug of which is fixed the toothed sector i
gearing with the toothed sector upon the pendant arm of the lever c. When the
handle D is pulled and the lever depressed the pendant arm operates the toothed
gearing and partially rotating the cock plug opens the passage between the two sets
of air pipes. A weight c² is affixed to the other end of the lever e to retract this
movement when the handle is released. Ears or lugs a³ are provided to attach the
frame by means of bolts or wood screws to the partitions or other suitable parts of the
carriages.
J. J. Figs. 10 and 11. Sheet 3. is a small frame as shewn with ears or lugs for fixing
as before in which is mounted the spindle as shewn. Upon this spindle is fixed the

page_text: disc with cam projection on face j³. A torsional spring is attached to the pin
and the other end to the frame as shewn. On the spindle outside the frame is fixed a
collar which has a gap for about a quarter of its circumference forming two stops
acting against the stud attached to the frame j is a lever mounted upon the stud
screwed as shewn to a bar of the frame. At its upper end is a detent engaged with
the cam tooth and its lower end is jointed to the connecting rod E. On the outer
end of the spindle j. which passes through the side of the Railway Carriage is fixed
the socket . carrying the stem k² and board or plate K. of a flag shape or other
approved design. The stem 2 is fitted to the socket k. with a bayonet joint or other
fastening so as to be easily removable when required. These devices are in duplicate
one on each side of the Railway Carriage the parts and being of course reversed
with reference to the frame. To set the apparatus in its normal position the stems k²
are depressed to the horizontal position fig. 10. One of the stops on the collar j³.
is then against the piece and the spindles are held in this position against the
springs by the detents on the levers as shown in fig. 11. The central devices are
then in the position shewn on Figs. 5 and 6. To give a danger signal from any com-
partment the handle D is pulled and the sliding bar e is pushed against the spring
thereby moving by means of the levers the rods E which again move the detent
levers and release the cam discs 2 when the torsional springs at once rotate the
spindle a quarter of a revolution displaying the flag shaped signals in a vertical
position. By the same movement of the lever c the gearing and
opens the cock I.
between the air tubes and the Guards and Drivers whistles are blown. The apparatus
is preferred to be fixed immediately under the roofs of the Railway Carriages although
the same may be fixed above or in any other convenient position. The rods E. may
be actuated directly from the sliding bar e if preferred but the levers ec allow of the
apparatus being arranged to fit to any variety of curve in the roofs or the framing of
the Railway carriage. The rods E. E. are each fitted by preference with right and
left handed screw coupling as shewn in Fig. 7. in order that the lengths may be easily
adjusted to properly set the apparatus, or to adjust it from time to time if required.
The central and outside devices for actuating the signals as now described may be
made of wrought or cast iron with the working parts of steel. The cock fittings and
connections are best of Gunmetal or other similar alloy. The little frames carrying
the central and side devices inside the compartments and the connecting rods are by
preference boxed in neat boxes or cases of wood or other suitable material the whole
taking up but a few inches of space against the roof or carriage partition.
Another kind of signal for the outsides of the compartments, and one which we
prefer to adopt is shewn in Figs. 12 and 13 and is actuated by precisely the same
devices as the flag shaped signals. In this arrangement is the spindle as above
projecting through the sides of the compartments. M. is a shallow circular box of
Gunmetal its bottom m may be screwed against the sides of the carriage either by
screws inside or by through outside lugs or flange m². This Box is fitted with a lid or
cover n hinged at the side as shewn at n² n² so as to open at right angles. The cover n
is fitted on the opposite side to the hinge with the snap ³ which when the cover is
closed engages with the catch o. which consists of swivel piece o2 pivotted at o' to an
attachment o screwed to the side of the box. The inner end of this piece is pushed
out from the side of the box by a slight spiral spring of when the snap at the front is
in place. A flat spring p. is screwed as shewn to the attachment p² on the inside of
the box which when the catch o. is released swings the cover open as shewn in the
figures. Upon the end of the spindle j inside the box is a square on which is fitted
the flat arm or piece 7. one end of which q² is cam shaped with stop the other ond
having a knob for moving it by hand. The position of this armi is as shewn in
Fig. 12 when the cover is closed and the detent levers are in the position shewn
in Fig. 11. Upon pulling the handle in the carriage the spindle j. with
the piece q is rotated as before described and the cam pushes out the tail end of
the catch o. releasing the snap on cover which is then pushed open by the spring p.
The covers are by preference of metal plated inside and out and polished so as to be
easily visible when thrown open, and the working parts of this signal may be made of

page_text: Iron Steel or Gunmetal as may be preferred. This arrangement when set cannot be
tampered with only by the handle inside, the compartment and is preferable in several
ways to the flag shaped signals before described. If the latter should be used they
should when set horizontally fall on to a board of about the same size projecting from
the sides of the carriages with a guard margin round so as to protect them from
misuse.
The method we adopt in accordance with this Invention for working the bellows
for maintaining a pressure of air in one set of tubes and for blowing the whistles is
shewn in Figs. 14 and 15 sheet 4. is one of the axles by preference of the Guards
Van on which is fixed the iron or steel screw or worm 12 made in halves and bolted
together. This engages with the worm wheel 13 affixed to the spindle carried by
the long cast iron bearing or socket at the top which has a strong flange firmly
screwed to the floor or framing of the carriage as shewn. This may be fitted if
preferred with steel or Gunmetal bushes at top and bottom. On the top of the spindle
is keyed the face cam which operates the friction roller attached to the bottom of
the bellows Land by which the same are actuated. Bellows of the circular type aro
preferred and are fixed upon the light wrought iron frames as shewn screwed to the
Hoor or other part of the carriage. 1 is the discharge pipe attached to the nozzel of
the bellows and is connected with one set of pipes F. F along the top of the carriage.
A valve loaded to the necessary pressure is affixed to the top of the bellows or may
be applied to any other portion of the pressure tubes. Cylinder or other blowers
nay be used but we prefer the bellows, and as the work upon them is slight they will
be more durable and less likely to get out of order than other kinds of blowers. The
speed required will not be more than 20 to 40 strokes per minute and any desired speed
can be arranged by regulating the number of teeth in the worm wheel or by using
one or more waves upon the face cam 1. Instead of being worked direct the bellows
may be worked by an intermediate lever so that their position may be varied and also
the stroke from the same cam.
The couplings for the elastic tubes between the carriages will now be described.
One kind for coupling the tube singly is shown in Figs 8 and 9 Sheet 1. The ends
of the clastic tubes g. g are attached in the usual way to the metallic parts of the
coupling. is a short piece with a collar 3 with an outside shading cap g. Between
the bottom of the cap and the collar is placed a spiral spring g'. The other part or
male portion of the coupling consists of the metal nozzel y. A study is cast or fixed
near to the front of the piece and when the tubes are being coupled this passes through
a corresponding notch in the front of the cap g until opposite a tranverse slot or
groove and then by turning the male part within the cap a part of a revolution
the stud enters the said slot or groove and the coupling is firmly made. A packing
washer may be used between the pieces and the spring will keep tight. In order to
prevent it jarring loose a notch is made at the end of the slot or groove into which
the stud retracts by the pressure of the spring. These couplings are arranged
alternately male and female to each end of the carriage so that whichever way the
carriages are turned the parts match.
At
Another form of coupling by which the two tubes are coupled in one operation is
shown in Figs. 16. and 17. Sheet 4. In this arrangement each part is similar.
each end of the carriages the elastic tubes are attached to a junction pipe s. s. The
junction is only external and through the cylindrical ends 2 the two passages run
distinct. On the front of each piece the mouth of one tube is recessed and that of
the other provided with a corresponding projection as shewn so that when the two
pieces are put together they fit and lock. Each of these junction pipes is provided
with a cap which is fitted together in halves with flanges and bolts as shewn.
Between the base of the cap and the collars s³ is fitted a spiral spring as before.
Each cap is provided with a notch and a slot or grooves and also with a corresponding
stud diametrically opposite. In coupling the caps are taken in the hands and pressed
together against the springs until the studs come opposite the slots or grooves and
then by twisting the caps opposite ways the coupling is firmly held with a double
fastening. The parts being precisely similar the tubes will unite in any direction.

page_text: Notches at the ends of the slots or grooves are also provided in this case to prevent
the caps jarring loose.
The position of the caps as shewn in Fig. 17. is the position before the coupling
is made in order to shew the arrangement more clearly.
A pressure guage may be fixed upon the pressure pipes to show to the Guards at
any time that the pipes are properly charged.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
1. The construction and use of signalling apparatus hetween passengers and Guards
of Railway Trains in which by means of handles accessible to the passengers in each
compartment, outside signals can be displayed indicating the compartment in which
the signal originates combined with Bellows or other Blower, pneumatic pipes
running from end to end of the train fitted with whistles to call the attention of
the Guards and Drivers to the said signals substantially as and for the purposes
herein before specified.
2. The devices shewn in Figs. 5 and 6 compressing the lever and toothed
sectors. for turning the cock I and the arrangement of parts marked e and for at
the same time releasing the outside signals or other equivalent devices substantially as
and for the purposes hereinbefore specified..
3. The construction and use of signals shewing outside operated by the devices shewn
in Figs. 10 and 11. comprising spindle spring cam and detent lever 10 or equiva-
lent devices substantially as and for the purposes herein before specified.
4. The devices shewn in Figs. 12 and 13 for displaying the signals horizontally
in combination with the devices in claims 2 and 3. or equivalent devices substantially
as and for the purposes hereinbefore specified.
5. The coupling for the air tubes in Figs. 8 and 9 with a connection made after
the manner of a bayonet fastening as shewn combined with the spring g' and notch 9°
substantially as and for the purposes herein before specified.
6. A combined coupling for the two air tubes shewn in Figs. 16 and 17. with a
single fastening of the same kind combined with springs and notches to prevent
loosening substantially as and for the purposes herein before specified.
n 11 11:9 1
1°
1000
THOS. R. THOMAS,
7, Lincoln's Inn, Birmingham,
Agent for the Applicants.