IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Gilbert Weir at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 15th February 1876.
JOHN GILBERT WEIR, of Lyndhurst Road, Peckham, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS."
My Invention relates to that class of signals, which by impact with the passing
train or locomotive, communicates an alarm to the engine-driver or guard when the
ordinary signals are insufficient by reason of fog or otherwise.
My improvements may be divided into two parts,
Firstly. Improved combinations of the signalling apparatus placed on the per-
manent way, whereby it is made to occupy but little space to work entirely above
ground, and may be readily adapted to be used with the block system, together
with a novel arrangement of the signalling apparatus carried on the locomotive or
in the guard's van, whereby the impact is received and its effect transmitted to the
whistle or other alarm with great rapidity and certainty.
Secondly. An improved combination of the signalling apparatus with a part of the
permanent way, whereby the proper laying of the signal is ensured even when
laid by an ordinary platelayer, no measurements being required. This part of my
Invention consisting in casting the carriage bearing or support of the signalling
apparatus in one piece with the rail chair.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawings-
Fig. 1 represents an elevation of a locomotive engine fitted with my improved
signalling apparatus, and also shews the position of my improved signalling appa-
ratus on the permanent way, the bearing or support of the signalling apparatus
being in one piece with the chair.
Fig. 2 is a front view of the engine showing the same combinations of signalling
apparatus.
Fig. 3 is the signalling apparatus for permanent way drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Fig. 4 is a similar Drawing to the above, but representing a double-acting or
block signal apparatus.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in each of the Figures
respectively.
A is a moveable quadrant in which is secured the stud a, and so arranged as to
work freely on the pin b.
B, carriage or bearing for quadrant A.
C, chair for rail.

page_text: D, weighted lever pressing against the stud a, and by means of which the
quadrant A is raised or lowered.
E, guide pulley for signal wire F.
F, signal wire leading to signal box at station; the slackening of this wire at the
station causes the weighted lever D to lift the quadrant to the position shown, so
that it may be struck by the lever on the locomotive, and the alarm be thereby
sounded.
G, G, are two brackets attached on to the engine frame.
H, H, striking levers carried by the brackets G, G.
I, wire or cord connecting levers H, H, to whistle or other alarm.
In Fig. 4, a second weighted lever D¹ and guide pulley E¹ are shown, there being
two signal wires F, F1, brought to bear upon the apparatus, one wire coming from a
signal box up the line, and the other from a box down the line, so that the signal
may be set to "danger" from either end, but can only be lowered to "all right" by
joint action from each signal box; the signals thus working on the block system.

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Gilbert Weir at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 15th February 1876.
JOHN GILBERT WEIR, of Lyndhurst Road, Peckham, in the County of Surrey.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS."
My Invention relates to that class of signals, which by impact with the passing
train or locomotive, communicates an alarm to the engine-driver or guard when the
ordinary signals are insufficient by reason of fog or otherwise.
My improvements may be divided into two parts,
Firstly. Improved combinations of the signalling apparatus placed on the per
manent way, whereby it is made to occupy but little space to work entirely above
ground, and may be readily adapted to be used with the block system, together
with a novel arrangement of the signalling apparatus carried on the locomotive or
in the guard's van, whereby the impact is received and its effect transmitted to the
whistle or other alarm with great rapidity and certainty.
Secondly. An improved combination of the signalling apparatus with a part of the
permanent way, whereby the proper laying of the signal is ensured even when
laid by an ordinary platelayer, no measurements being required. This part of my
Invention consisting in casting the carriage bearing or support of the signalling
apparatus in one piece with the rail chair.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawings-
Fig. 1 represents an elevation of a locomotive engine fitted with my improved
signalling apparatus, and also shows the position of my improved signalling appa-
ratus on the permanent way, the bearing or support of the signalling apparatus
being in one piece with the chair.
Fig. 2 is a front view of the engine showing the same combinations of signalling
apparatus.
Fig. 3 is the signalling apparatus for permanent way drawn to an enlarged
scale.
Fig. 4 is a similar Drawing to the above, but representing a double-acting or
block signal apparatus.
The same letters of reference indicate the same parts in each of the Figures
respectively.
A is a moveable quadrant in which is secured the stud a, and so arranged as to
work freely on the pin b.
B, carriage or bearing for quadrant A.
C, chair for rail.

page_text: .
D, weighted lever pressing against the stud a, and by means of which the
quadrant A. is raised or lowered.
E, guide pulley for signal wire F.
F, signal wire leading to signal box at station; the slackening of this wire at the
station causes the weighted lever D to lift the quadrant to the position shown, so
that it may be struck by the lever on the locomotive, and the alarm be thereby
sounded.
G, G, are two brackets attached on to the engine frame.
F, F, striking levers carried by the brackets G, G.
I, wire or cord connecting levers H, H, to whistle or other alarm.
In Fig. 4, a second weighted lever D¹ and guide pulley E' are shown, there being
two signal wires F, F', brought to bear upon the apparatus, one wire coming from a
signal box up the line, and the other from a box down the line, so that the signal
may be set to "danger" from either end, but can only be lowered to "all right" by
joint action from each signal box; the signals thus working on the block system.