Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 25th July, 1896-Accepted, 29th Aug., 1896
FREDERICK ARCHER Ludlow, 6 Andover Street, Birmingham, Railway Fog
Signal Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of my improvements, in railway fog signals, having only one chamber
signal is to so arrange, the nipples carrying the caps for explosion in the usual
gunpowder case, that when they are placed upon the railway line, & the wheel of
the engine touches the fog signals, they will explode.
The ordinary manner of percussion in detonating fog signals, is to place a
triangular nipple, with three percussion caps upon them, in the centre of the inner
case, or gunpowder chamber. Now my invention is to place in this case separate
& single studs, rivets, or nipples (one in the centre if required) & near to the edge-
I place four, at equal distances from each other, so as to divid the bottom of the
case, into four equal parts, all to be securely held in position, by solding on to the
tin, or other metal, or perferably by perforating, & threading them through the tin
or other metal, or by such like method. The object being by their position, to so
have the percussion caps, that however imperfectly, they are placed on the rail, it
will always ensure the explosion of the fog signal, by the wheel going over, or
even a slight portion of them, & thereby dispensing with the use of a second
signal.
Also it has been frequently noticed that with the usual triangular nipple or
nipples exposed (even to so little) that the action of the gunpowder by moisture in
same, sets up a corrosion, particularly round the base of the triangular nipple,
which is most detrimental to the keeping qualities of the signal, & this is
obviated by the single nipples, or studs or rivets so arranged as they do not come
in contract with the powder, being covered entirely by the percussion caps.
It is understood, I do not confine myself to the number of nipples to be placed
separately upon the bottom of the gunpowder chamber.
Dated this 24th day of October 1895.
Improvements in Railway Fog Signals.
FREDERICK ARCHER LUDLOW 6 Andover Street Birmingham Fog Signal
Manufacturer, 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 :-
The object of my improvements in railway signals, having only one inner case or.
gunpowder chamber, is to place percussion caps, near the edge of same, for the
purpose of avoiding the possibilities of a misexplosion.
The ordinary manner of percussion in detonating railway fog signals, is to place
i Price R11

page_text: a triangular nipple, with three percussion caps upon them, in the centre, of the
inner case, or gunpowder chamber. Now, my invention, is to place separate, &.
single studs, rivets or nipples, three or four, or more at equal distances apart,
arranging them, near outside edge, of the said inner case or gunpowder chamber, &
one or more in the centre if neccessary all to be securely held in position, by
soldering them on to the tin, or other metal, or preferably by perforating, &
threading them through the tin, or other metal, or by such like methods.
The object of my invention, being by their position, to so have the percussion
caps, that however imperfectly, they are placed on the rail it will always ensure
the explosion of the fog signals, by the wheel going over, even a slight portion of
them (& thereby possibly dispensing with the use of a second signal). It has been
frequently noticed, that the usual triangular nipple, or nipples exposed ever so
little that the action of the gunpowder, by moisture in same, sets up corrosion,
particulary round the case of same, which is most detrimental to the keeping
qualities of the signal, & this is obviated, by these single nipples, or studs, or rivets,
as they do not come in contact with the powder, being covered entirely. by the
percussion caps.
I will now, describe with reference, to the accompanying drawings, the manner
in which my invention is to be performed.
The same letters of reference, indicate the same parts in the several figures of
the drawings.
- Fig. 1. is a plan of the inner case-or gunpowder chamber showing triangular
nipple, in au ordinary fog signal, with the three percussion caps.
Fig. 2. represents my improved railway fog signal, with three nipples, or studs,
or rivets, placed at equal distances from each other,
Fig. 3. shows a plan, of the inner case, or gunpowder chamber, carrying four
nipples, or studs, or rivets, with percussion caps.
Eig. 4. is a plan of the inner case, with five nipples, near its edge,
Fig. 5. is a plan, of one.nipple in the centre & four nipples, near the edge, of the
gunpowder chamber,
Fig. 6. represents a plan, of the inner case, with one nipple, in the centre, &
seven round its near edge.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view, of my improvements in railway fog signals, with its
cupped shell cut away, & showing one nipple in the centre of the inner case, or
gunpowder chamber, & two nipples near the edge, with percussion caps.
Fig. 8. is a sectional view, of my improvements in railway fog signals-showing
the three nipples in the inner case or gunpowder chamber.
Fig. 9. represents my improved railway fog signal, with its lead ears for
attachment to the rail.
a. inner case, or gunpowder chamber, 6 triangular nipple, e nipples, or studs, or
rivets, & the percussion caps, c; cupped shell broken away, d. the fog signal ready
to be fastened to the rail, f. lead ears, g. top shell, h. bottom closing shell.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion, & in what mauner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is.
-
1st. In the inner case, or gunpowder chamber, in the ordinary railway fog signal
to place separate, & single nipples, or studs or rivets, carrying percussion caps
three four or more, at equal distances apart, arranging, them, near the edge; as set
forth, & described,. &. illustrated in the accompanying drawings. at Figures 2
3. & 4.
2nd. In the inner case or gunpowder chamber, in the ordinary railway fog signal
to place separate & single nipples, or studs or, rivets, carrying percussion, capsone
in the centre &, 3. 4. or more at equal distances apart, arranging them, near the
edge, as set forth, & described, & illustrated in, the accompanying drawings a
Figures 5. & 6.
3rd. In the inner case, or gunpowder chamber, in the ordinary railway fog

page_text: signal, to place separate & single nipples, studs or rivets, carrying percussion caps-
one, or two, or more in the centre, & others at equal distances apart arranging them,
near the edge.
4th. In the inner case, or gunpowder chamber, in the ordinary railway fog
signal-to place separate & single nipples studs or rivets carrying percussion caps
any number in the centre & others at equal distances apart, arranging them, near
the edge.
Dated this 24th dow of Tul. 1000
JOHN
BENNETT,
4 Cherry Street, Birmingham, Agent for the Applicant.