IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY AND PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Hodgeson, of Latchford, in the County of
Chester, near Warrington, in the County of Lancaster, Railway
Signal Fitter, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY AND
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Hodgeson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 12th March 1868.
I, JOHN HODGESON, of Latchford, in the County of Chester, near
Warrington, in the County of Lancaster, Railway Signal Fitter, do
hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RAILWAY AND OTHER SIGNALS, AND IN MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING THE SAME," to
be as follows:-
Firstly. My Invention relates to those railway signals which have
a lamp and colored glass shades actuated by the signal mechanism,
and its object is to enable the signalman to ascertain when the proper
signal is shown; and my Invention consists in fixing a quadrant
upon that side of the lamp which is towards the signalman, which

page_text: quadrant is actuated by the signal mechanism, being upon the same
shaft as the shade quadrant, and in placing in the said quadrant three
small colored lenses to represent " danger," caution," and "all right,"
leaving spaces in the quadrant between the lenses, so that the light
from the lamp will be entirely obstructed if the right signal or colored
shade is not properly shown, as the light will only be visible when one
of these lenses is opposite the light from the lamp, the color of the
light transmitted to the signalman showing which signal is exhibeted,
as he will see, say, a yellow light when the "red or "danger" signal
is up, a green light for the green or caution signal, and purple for
the white or "all right" signal, and thus lights intended for the signal-
man cannot be mistaken on one line for the actual signals intended
for the other line.
Secondly. My Invention relates to mechanism for actuating railway
and other signals where such signals receive motion through a wire,
cord, chain, or rod, especially when such wires, cords, chains, or rods
are of considerable length and subject to frequent variations in length
due to contraction and expansion from changes in the temperature and
state of the atmosphere; and the object of this part of my Invention
is to transmit with certainty the proper movements to signals while
allowing the wire, cord, chain, or rod through which they are trans-
mitted to expand and contract freely, a fresh self-adjustment taking
place every time the signal is worked. The signals to be actuated are
worked one way by a weight, and the other way by the pull of the
wire, cord, chain, or rod, which at the actuating end is passed over a
pulley or lever, and a small weight is attached so as to keep the wire,
cord, chain, or rod stretched and allow freedom for changes in length;
and this part of my Invention consists in applying a nipping or gripping
apparatus to the wire, cord, chain, or rod, which is either connected with
the ordinary actuating handles or directly with a handle or lever, so that
when the handle is moved one way the gripping mechanism will close
upon the wire, cord, chain, or rod, and grip and pull it along, but when
moved back to its first position it will cause the gripping mechanism to
release its hold of the wire, cord, chain, or rod, and leave it perfectly
at liberty to expand and contract. The nipping or gripping apparatus
may be formed by a bell-crank or other lever, a short arm of the lever
acting as the pinching surface while the power is applied to the long arm
of the lever, consequently the gripping action will depend upon the

page_text: power applied, and will increase with the power used or the resistance
to be overcome. The gripping apparatus is brought back to a stop by a
weight, and is opened to release it from the wire, cord, chain, or rod by
a weight; or this is done by a catch holding the actuating handle. The
actuating handle is kept in the "all right," "caution," or "danger"
position, or in the "caution" or "all right" position by notches in a
jointed latch, which can be released by the hand or the foot of the
signalman. The wire, cord, chain, or rod from the signal may be
attached to a quadrant, segment, or pulley, weighted to take up the
slack, and the actuating lever handle may be jointed to a weighted
lever centred on the quadrant axis and resting against a stop when in
its normal position, so that a slight movement of the lever handle will
cause a lever projection from it to pinch or grip the quadrant and
give it motion.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said John Hodgeson in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 12th September 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HODGESON, of Latchford, in the County of Chester, near Warrington, in
the County of Lancaster, Railway Signal Fitter, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of March, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-
first year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said John Hodgeson, Her special license
that I, the said John Hodgeson, my exccutors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as I, the said John Hodgeson, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the terin
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 "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RAILWAY AND OTHER SIGNALS, AND IN MECHANISM FOR ACTUATING THE SAME,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Hodgeson,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly

page_text: 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 John Hodgeson, 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):-
Firstly. My Invention relates to those railway signals which have
a lamp and colored glass shades actuated by the signal mechanism,
and its object is to enable the signalman to ascertain when the proper
signal is shown; and my Invention consists in fixing a quadrant upon
that side of the lamp which is towards the signalman, which quadrant
is actuated by the signal mechanism, being upon the same shaft as the
shade quadrant, and in placing in the said quadrant three small colored
lenses to represent "danger," "caution," and "all right," leaving spaces
in the quadrant between the lenses, so that the light from the lamp
will be entirely obstructed if the right signal or colored shade is not
properly shown, as the light will only be visible when one of the
lenses is opposite the light from the lamp, the color of the light
transmitted to the signalman showing which signal is exhibited, as he
will see, say, a yellow light when the red or "danger" signal is up, a
green light for the green or "caution" signal, and a purple light for
the white or "all right signal, and thus lights intended for the
signalman cannot be mistaken on one line for the actual signals
intended for the other line.
"
The mode of carrying out this part of my Invention is illustrated
by Fig. 1, a front view, and Fig. 2, an edge view.
a, part of the signal post; b, the ordinary signal lamp; c, the
ordinary quadrant shaft or axis; d, the ordinary quadrant with colored
shades; e is the quadrant added; and e¹, e², e³, the colored lenses.
Secondly. My Invention relates to mechanism for actuating railway
and other signals where such signals receive motion through a wire,
cord, chain, or rod, especially when such wires, cords, chains, or rods,
are of considerable length and subject to frequent variations in length
due to contraction and expansion from changes in the temperature or
state of the atmosphere; and the object of this part of my Invention

page_text: is to transmit with certainty. the proper movements to signals while
allowing the wire, cord, chain, or rod, through which they are trans-
mitted to expand and contract freely, a fresh self-adjustment taking
place every time the signal is worked. The signals to be actuated are
worked one way (negatively) by a weight, and the other way (positively)
by the pull of the wire, cord, chain, or rod, which at the actuating
end is passed over a pulley or lever, and a small weight is attached
so as to keep the wire, cord, chain, or rod stretched and allow freedom
for changes in its length; and this part of my Invention consists in
applying a nipping or gripping apparatus to the wire, cord, chain, or
rod, which is either connected with the ordinary actuating handles
or directly with a handle or lever, so that when the handle is moved
one way the gripping mechanism will close upon the wire, cord,
chain, or rod, and grip and pull it along, but when moved back to
its first position it will cause the gripping mechanism to release its
hold of the wire, cord, chain, or rod, and leave it perfectly at liberty
to expand or contract. The nipping or gripping. apparatus may be
formed by a bell crank or other lever, a.short arm of the lever acting
as the pinching surface while the power is applied to the long arm
of the lever, consequently the pressure of the gripping action will
depend upon the power applied and will increase with the power used
or the resistance to be overcome.. The gripping apparatus is brought
back to a stop by a weight or by the weight or weights acting upon
the transmitting wire, and the gripping apparatus is opened to.release
it from the wire, cord, chain, or rod, by a special weight, the weight
of the gripping lever or the weights-acting upon the wire, or this is
done by
a catch holding the actuating handle.. The actuating handle
is kept in the "all right," "caution," or "danger position,..or in
the "caution" or "all-right" position by notches in a jointed latch
which can be released by the hand or foot of the signal man.. The
wire, cord; chain;, or rod, from the signal may be attached. to an arm,
quadrant, segment, or pulley, weighted to take up the slack, and the
actuating lever handle may be jointed to. a weighted lever, centred
upon the axis. of the quadrant or pulley and resting against a stop
when in its normal position, so that a slight movement of the lever
handle will cause a lever projection from it to pinch or grip the:
quadrant or pulley and give it motion, or the said movement may
cause the lever projection formed like a ratched pawl to enter teeth.
or serrations in the periphery of the pulley or segment...
"

page_text: Fig. 3 is a side view, and Fig. 4 an edge view illustrating one
modification of my Invention. In each of the modifications to be
herein-after described the gripping apparatus may be made to act.
upon a wire, cord, rope, or chain, and in some cases a rod.
In the modification shewn by Figs. 3 and 4, a is a chain which is
connected to the signal in the usual manner. The end of the chain
passes over a pulley (6), and a weight (c) is suspended upon it; this
weight is just sufficient to keep the wire or connection with the signal
tight, the weight at the signal being sufficient to overcome the small
weight the friction and work the signal. The pulley (6), is mounted
on any convenienient shaft (6'), and upon this shaft on each side of
the pulley two arms (d) are mounted having weights (d') attached
.to bring them against a stop (e) when at liberty. Within the arm (d)
a lever handle (f) having a short arm (f) is jointed, the short arm
being formed so that the links of the chain (a) can come between it
and the rim of the pulley (6). When the lever handle (f) is in
about the position shown in Fig. 3, it is arranged so that its weight
will rest against a stop (d) in the arms (d), when the short arm (f¹)
will be lifted from the chain which will then be free to move with
the pulley (6), but when the handle (f) is moved through the arc
shown in dotted line, Fig. 3, the short arm (f) will pinch the chain
against the pulley and pull it along and work the signal. The lever
handle (f) is held in the "all-right" position by a hook latch (9)
which catches upon a pin in the handle (f), or the ordinary notched
quadrant and spring catch may be used. The chain, rope, or wire
may be passed round a pulley, quadrant, or segment,, its end being
secured thereto, and a weight may be applied to another pulley upon
the same axis to keep the cord, wire, or chain stretched, and the
short arm (f) of the lever handle (f) may be made to come against
or bite upon the rim of the pulley or segment, which may be serrated
or toothed if desired, and the short arm may be made like a pawl
to enter teeth or serrations made in the rim of the pulley or segment
when the lever is pulled forward to actuate the signal positively, the
weight at the signal actuating it negatively.
Fig. 5 is a side, and Fig. 6 an edge view of another modification
in which d is a lever having its fulcrum at (d) and being weighted
at (d) so as to be brought to a stop (e) when the lever is at liberty.
The chain (a) to be actuated passes through a nipping apparatus

page_text: carried by the lever (d) and over a pulley (c¹), c being the weight
for keeping the chain (a) tight, as before explained. In Fig. 5, the
nipping apparatus is shewn in section, one of the side rings being
supposed removed; the fixed nipping surface (f) is carried at the
upper side of two rings, the moving nipping surface is carried between
the short arms (f) of a double bell-crank lever having its fulcrum
on a pin at (3). The hell-crank lever has a lever handle (ƒ*)
attached, as shown, by which the signal is actuated, and this lever
handle is held in the required position by nothes in a latch (9) jointed
at (g). When held in the notch, as shown in Fig. 5, the nipping
apparatus is open and the chain (a) is free,
.
Fig. 7 is a side view, and Fig. 8 an edge view of another modi-
fication to be fixed in any convenient position near the actuating levers
or handles. It is similar to that shown by Figs. 5 and 6, except that
the stop for the lever (d) is placed at (e), and the nipping mechanism
is a little different in construction. The bell-crank nipping lever (ƒ)
is centred at (ƒ³). The wire, rope, or ohain (a) to be nipped passes
through a hole in the long arm of the bell crank, the short arm (f¹)
acts to nip against the fixed surface (f) and forms a weight to open
the nipping mechanism. The actuating lever handle is connected
with the long arm of the bell crank lever (f) by a rod, chain, wire,
or cord (f).
Figs. 9 and 10 are sectional side views, each showing a modification
which may be used in place of that represented by Figs. 7 and 8, the
difference being in the nipping apparatus. In each the bell crank
lever (f) is centered one above the other bolow the wire, cord, or
chain (a) and in one the lever is weighted to lift the nipping jaw,
and in the other to cause it to descend from the wire. Stops are used
to prevent the jaws from opening too far.
Fig. 11 is a sectional side, and Fig. 12 an edge view of another
modification, which may be used either in place of the modifications
shown by Figs. 7 and 8, or Figs. 3 and 4. In this case two arms (d)
are used centred at (d) and carrying a pulley (d') at their upper ends.
The wire (a) from the signal passes over the pulley (d') and is connected
to a rod (ax) screwed into a weight (c) which slides up and down the
arms (d) and acts to keep the wire stretched. The weight at the signal
combined with the weight (c) acts to pull back the arms (d) against
the stop (e) after cach movement. The pippers are formed by a

page_text: piece (f) fixed to the arms (d) and a lever (f) centred at (f³). This
lever is actuated by a separate lever handle through a connecting
wire, rod, cord, or chain (f), or the lever is continued and formed into
a handle, as shewn in dotted line, and is thus actuated directly. In this
case the well-known notched quadrant and spring latch arrangement
may be used as shewn in dotted line..
Fig. 13 is a side view, and Fig. 14 an edge view of another modi-
fication. Here the nipping jaws are attached to an arm. (d) which
can oscillate on a centre at (d³, upon which a pulley (c¹) is placed,
there is a pulley (d') also at the lower end of the arm carried upon a
bracket (d). The chain, wire, cord, or rope (a) passes through the
nipping apparatus under the pulley (d') and over the pulley (¹), and the
stretching weight (c) is suspended to its end. The action of the weight
at the signal combined with the weight (c) pulls the arm (d) (when not
acted upon) against the stop (e) secured to the post (x). The nipping
jaw (centred at (3) is actuated by the lever handle through the
wire (f), the jaw is opened when the arm (d) is against the stop (e) by
the lever () centred on a stud (h¹) in the arm (d). One end of the
lever strikes against the stop, and the other end by a pinion in it acts.
in a slot in the end of the nipping jaw lever (f). The arrangement
shewn by Figs. 13 and 14 will act when the arm (d) is placed in a
horizontal or oblique position.
Fig. 15 is a side sectional view, and Fig. 16 an edge view of another
modification similar to that shewn by Figs. 13. and 14, but here the
arms (d) are supposed to be in a horizontal position, and to move in
the are shewn by the dotted centre lines in Fig. 15. This arrangement
is formed by two arms (d) having a pulley at each end,, the arms
oscillating upon the centre (³). The nipping apparatus is similar to
that in the arrangement shewn in Figs. 11 and 12. Where sufficient
length in the arms (d) can be obtained the nippers in this arrangement
may be made to pinch upon a rod to the ends of which the wires or
chains are attached, the ends of the rod never moving by the contraction
or expansion of the wire so far as to come on to the pulleys. The
arrangement shewn by Figs. 15 and 16 may be used in a vertical and
oblique position, and the nipping jaw may be opened when the arm. (d)
is against the stop (e) by causing a projection from the jaw end (f¹) of
the lever (f) to strike the stop.
Fig. 17 is a side, and Fig. 18 an edge view of an arrangement some-

page_text: what similar to that shewn by Figs. 11 and 12, but here the lever or
arm (d) is single and is supposed to work partly below a floor. d is a
lever, one end is above the floor and carries a pulley (d'), the other below
the floor and guides the weight (c) which is fixed to a rod (a*) that
passes through a pin (ds) forming the fulcrum of the levers. To the
rod (a) the wire is attached which goes over the pulley (d) and then
to the signal. In Figs. 11 and 12 and Figs. 17 and 18 the weight (c)
is shewn in that position which it will occupy when the connecting wire
to the signal has expanded to its greatest extent; as the wire contracts,
the weight and with it the rod will ascend. The fixed nipping jaw (f)
is secured to or forms part of the lever (d) at one side of the rod (a*);
the moving jaw is upon the other side of the rod, and is formed upon the
lever handle (f) as shewn. With the lever handle the ordinary latch
and notched quadrant may be used, as shewn.
Fig. 19 is a side view, and Fig. 20 an edge view of another modi-
fication similar to the arrangement shewn by Figs. 17 and 18, in the
nipping mechanism; but the pulley (d) from the wire is placed below
the floor at the lower end of the leaver (d). The end of the rod (a*) is
fixed in a piece (a) which slides upon the upper part of the lever(d). The
signal wire is kept stretched by a weight (c) and cord or chain passing
over a pulley (c) rotating upon the lever axis (d³), and is then secured
to a projection from the rod (ax), which is shewn in the position it
occupies when the wire has contracted to its greatest extent.
Fig. 21 is a side view of another modification. In this a rod (ax) is
arranged to slide freely in two bearings (a³ and a*), and to one end the
signal wire (a) is attached which is kept stretched by a weight (c), cord,
and pulley (c), as shewn. To the lever handle for actuating the signal,
a rod (f) is jointed, upon the end of which an arm (fx) is secured,
which can slide freely upon the rod (ax), and to the end of this rod a
weighted lever (f) is jointed, the pin in the rod passing through a short
slot in the weighted lever. When the rod (f) is pulled in the direction
pointed by the arrow, the arm of the lever (f) will be held back during
the first part of the movement until the two edges of the hole in the
arm (which is formed of steel) bite upon the rod and pull it along.
When the rod (a*) is moved back to the position in which it is shewn
in Fig. 21, the arm (f*) pushes the lever (f) against the bearing (aª),
so that the rod can slide freely through the hole in the arm (f). If the
rod (a) is placed in a vertical or other position, the weight attached

page_text: to the lever (f) will have to be changed in position so as to hold back
the lever arm (f) against the bearing (a) at the commencement of the
movement so as to bite upon or pinch the rod (ax). I prefer to make
each jaw with a groove in it of V form arranged so that the openings of
the two V will come opposite each other, thus ^, for round wires, ropes,
or rods, but for chains linked or jointed the jaws must be adapted to the
external shape of the chains used. The actuating handle must give
what motion is required for working the signal, and as much more as is
necessary for opening and closing the pincer or nipper jaw, and taking
up slack wire or chain if any.
I have now particularly described the nature of my Invention, and the
manner of carrying it into effect, and claim,-
Firstly. The combination and arrangement of the quadrant (e) having
colored lenses with the ordinary signal lamp and quadrant shade, in
the manner and for the purpose herein-before explained under the first
head of my Invention.
Secondly. The system or mode of actuating railway and other signals
by means of gripping mechanism acting upon the wire, chain, rope,
rod, or other medium of connection with the signal, as herein-before
explained.
Thirdly. The several combinations and arrangements of mechanism
for gripping or taking hold of signal wires, chains, ropes, or rods, and
pulleys, or segments, and actuating railway and other signals, as herein-
before described and illustrated by the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Hodgeson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
eight.
Witness,
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Patent Agent,
Manchester.
JOHN HODGESON. (L.S.)