Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Stations or Places which Railway Trains, Omnibuses, or other Vehicles are Stop, or Rail any Give, or to Give other Indications, such as the Order of Programmes of Performances, and the like.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Dec., 1889-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1890
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Stations or Places
at which Railway Trains, Omnibuses, or other Vehicles are to
Stop, or the Times at which Railway Trains or other Vehicles
are to Start from or Arrive at any Given Place, or to Give other
Indications, such as the Order of Programmes of Performances,
and the like.
We, HERBERT BROCKLEHURST, of Kingsmoor, Estcourt Road, Wandsworth Common,
Accountant, and HENRY CONSTIEN, of Queen Victoria Street, in the City of London,
Tailor, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus by which indications can be readily given of
different incidents which are to take place, and of times and places of different kinds,
such for instance as at Railway Stations or in Railway Carriages, the names of the
places at which any or all of the trains are to stop or are not to stop, or to exhibit in
any public or private place, such as a place of amusement, or concert hall, the pro-
gramme of any performance or proceeding which is to take place, or to give other
such indications such for instance as a record of Parliamentary or other votes or
proceedings.
For this purpose we use an electric current, operating when required upon electro
magnets by which the particular indications which are to be exhibited or concealed,
are operated at the right times and in the required_way.
Supposing that the invention is to be used at a Railway Station, for the purpose of
indicating upon a board the stations at which any train starting from a particular
platform at a certain time will stop during its journey, we fix in a convenient position
a suitable board, having openings through which can be seen the required indications
which are exposed upon suitable tablets behind them. We use as many vertical
columns of such openings and indications as there are separate lines or branches
starting from or passing through the Station, and behind each such column of
openings we arrange a series of tablets or placards having printed or marked upon
them the names of the several stations upon the particular line or branch to which
the column refers. Each of these tablets is carried by an arm pivotted upon a centre
in such manner that when turned up so that it is not opposite to the opening, it is
retained by a pivotted catch or detent, having an armature connected to it which is
arranged in such a position in regard to a suitable fixed electro magnet, that when a
current of electricity is passed through the latter, the armature is attracted and the
detent released, when the tablet falls by its own weight into a position where it can
he seen through the particular opening related to it in the board.
The whole of the several pivotted arms in the column may have other projecting
arms or cams connected with them in such way that when a vertical moveable bar or
plate is moved laterally, the bar itself or projections upon it press against all the
projecting arms or cams and turn them until the indicating tablets are removed from
view and are retained by their several detents. It is evident that under these
circumstances the names of none of the stations are visible through the openings, but
if one or more of the detents are released the corresponding indicating tablets will
fall and become visible, shewing the stations at which the train will stop, whilst the
remainder will remain concealed.
In order to conveniently determine and operate the tablets which are required to
be exposed, we arrange a board or table, preferably horizontal, in any con-
veniently accessible position, near to the board first described or at any convenient
distance, and across this table but at a short distance from its surface, we arrange a
series of parallel metal conducting wires or plates one end of each of which is in
metallic connection by means of a conducting wire with one end of the coil round

page_text: one of the electro magnets already described, whilst its other end is insulated. The
other end of the coil is connected by a conducting wire with one end of two parallel
metallic wires a short distance apart which are stretched across the table at right
angles to the parallel wires first described and a short distance above them. A
galvanic battery or other suitable source of electricity is inserted in the circuit formed
as described, and it is evident that if metallic connection is made between the pair
of transverse metallic wires last described, and either of the parallel wires below, the
electro magnet connected with such last named wire will operate and attract its
armature, releasing the detent and allowing the indicating placard to fall and become
visible through its special opening.
If all the lower wires are put in connection with the upper transverse ones, all
the indicating placards will be released and become visible, or as many as desired
may be shewn whilst the remainder continue concealed.
In order to make the connections between the transverso wires and the proper
lower ones, different means may be adopted. For instance, a sliding metal contact
piece may be arranged so that it can be passed along the two parallel transverse
wires, a suspended or elastic piece being connected to it below so as to come in
contact with all the lower wires in succession as it passes along.
To prevent it from touching the particular wires which refer to the places which
are not to be indicated as those at which the train stops, it is only necessary to
cover such lower wires with a non-conducting cover at the points where the moving
contact piece would touch them.
For this purpose moveable shields or guards of non-conducting material may
be used, which can be adjusted on the particular wires when the apparatus is set
for any particular train.
.
After the apparatus has been so arranged, it is only necessary to pass the contact
picce along its transverse wires, by a handle, or by a cord or string passing
through the cover of the board which carries the wires, or by other equivalent
suitable means. When the train has left the station, the several indicating tablets
are all raised out of sight again, either by hand in the way already explained, or
by means of electro magnets suitably arranged. For instance, instead of detents
as first described the arm which carries the indicating tablet may itself carry an
armature opposite to which an electro-magnet is arranged, so that by means of a
suitable commutator worked by a handle, the electric current can be passed
through all these last described electro-magnets and all the indicating tablets
raised or moved out of sight. The electro magnets upon the other side when set
in operation, may turn over the tablets so as to render them invisible, instead of
releasing a detent.
The method of making electric communication between the upper and lower sets
of wires, as and for the purpose described, may be varied more or less as may be
found desirable. For instance, a moveable cross bar may be used provided with .as
many adjustable metallic pins as there are lower wires, the whole of these pins
being in electrical connection with the conducting wire from the battery. If the
bar is moved endways the lower ends of all the pins are pressed against it, and
make electrical contact with the lower wires and all the tablets are lowered and
exposed, whilst if any of the pins are drawn up in the bar, the corresponding wires
below are not touched, and the particular tablets connected with them are not exposed.
Or, a transverse rod or bar may be arranged across the lower board above the lower
wires, the rod turning in centres round which it is moveable for a short distance by
a handle at its end.
The bar carries a series of metallic springs or contact pieces, one of which is
adjusted above each of the wires, the whole of them being in electrical connection
with the conducting wire. When the handle is turned round, the metallic springs
aro pressed against the wires below, and all the tablets are operated and exposed,
whilst if any of them are to remain concealed, the corresponding spring contact
pieces can be turned on one side so as not to touch the wires when the bar is
turned.

page_text: As many separate vertical columns of moveable tablets and openings may be used,
either in the same board or separate, as there are separate lines or branches, the
trains upon which are to be indicated.
It is evident that the times of the trains and other information may be given, as
well as the stations at which they are to stop.
Instead of the indicating tablets being carried upon pivotted arms as described,
they may be formed upon the side of cylinders or prisms so as to be exposed or
concealed as the latter are turned partially round. Or moveable shutters may be
used, covering or exposing the tablets as desired, and operated by electro-magnets
in the manner described.
Information of other kinds may also be given by the novel apparatus which forms
the subject of the invention, especially in cases where a series of indications have to
be given, the number and order of such indications varying more or less from time
to time, as for instance the performances and times of such performances in the
programmes of public concerts or entertainments, or the numbers and characters of
votes given in Parliamentary or other proceedings.
We do not confine ourselves to any precise form or arrangement of the several
parts of the apparatus which may be varied more or less as may be found advisable
in different circumstances.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Indicating the Stations or Places
at which Railway Trains, Omnibuses, or other Vehicles are to
Stop, or the Times at which Railway Trains or other Vehicles
are to Start from or Arrive at any Given Place, or to Give other
Indications, such as the Order of Programmes of Performances,
and the like.
We, HERBERT BROCKLEHURST, of Kingsmoor, Estcourt Road, Wandsworth
Common, Accountant, and HENRY CONSTIEN, of Queen Victoria Street,-in-the
City of London, Tailor, 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, and accompanying drawings, that is to say :-
This invention relates to apparatus by which indications can be readily given of
different incidents which are to take place and of times and places of different kinds,
such for instance as at Railway Stations or in Railway Carriages, the names of the
places at which any or all of the trains are to stop or are not to stop, or to exhibit in
any public or private place, such as a place of amusement or concert hall, the
programme of any performance or proceeding which is to take place, or to give
other such indications such for instance as a record of Parliamentary or other votes
or proceedings, or for other purposes of the like kind.
In order to put our invention in operation we use an electric current, operating
when required upon electro-magnets by which the particular indications which are
to be exhibited or concealed, are operated at the right times and in the required
way.
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front view, figure 2 the same with
the front of the case removed, figure 3 a view similar to figure 2 but with the in-
dicating tablets in a different position, figure 4 a back view of the apparatus, figure 5
a vertical cross section, and figure 6 a side view of apparatus constructed according to
our invention.
Supposing it to be used at a Railway Station, for the purpose of indicating upon a
board the stations at which any train starting from a particular platform at a certain
time will stop during its journey, a is a suitable board fixed in any convenient position,
and having openings 6 through which can be seen the required indications which are

page_text: exposed upon suitable tablets c behind them. We use a sufficient number of vertical
columns of such openings and indications one only being shewn in the drawings,
and behind each column of openings we arrange a series of the tablets or
placards having printed or marked upon them the names of the several stations upon
the line or branch to which the column refers. Each of these tablets c is carried by an
arm pivotted upon a centre d in such manner that when turned up so that it is not
opposite to the opening (as shewn in figure 3) it is retained by a pivotted catch or
deient e (figure 5) having an armature of connected to it which is arranged in such
a position in regard to a suitable fixed electro magnet g, that when a current of
electricity is passed through the latter, the armature f is attracted and the detent
released, when the tablet e falls by its own weight into a position (as shewn in figures 1,
2, 4, and 5) where it can be seen through the particular opening related to it in the
board a.
The whole of the several pivotted arms or tablets in the column may have other
projecting arms or cams connected with them or fixed to them in such way that when
a vertical moveable bar or plate i is moved in the proper direction, by a handle or
lever the bar itself or projections k upon it press against all the projecting arms
or cams and turn them until the indicating tablets care removed from view and
are retained by their several detents e. It is evident that under these circumstances
the names of none of the stations are visible through the openings, but if one or more
of the detents e are released the corresponding indicating tablets will fall and become
visible, shewing the stations at which the train will stop, whilst the remainder
will remain concealed. In figures 1 and 2 the whole of the indicating tablets are
visible.
In order to conveniently determine and operate the tablets which are required to be
so exposed, we arrange a board or table, in any conveniently accessible position, near
to the board first described or at any convenient distance. In figures 4 and 5 the
board or table is shewn fixed at the back of the apparatus.
Upon the table are arranged a series of parallel metal conducting wires or plates m
one end of each of which is in metallic connection by means of a conducting wire n
with one end of the coil round one of the electro magnets g already described. The
other end of each coil is connected by a conducting wire o with one of the poles of a
galvanic battery or other suitable source of electricity.
The conducting wire p from the other pole of the battery is in metallic connection
with a metal wire or strip at or near the edge of the board 7, and it is evident that
if metallic connection is made between either of the wires or plates m and the con-
ducting wires and p the electro magnet connected with the particular wire or strip m
will operate and attract its armature releasing the detent and allowing the particular
indicating placard c to fall and become visible through its special opening b. If all
the wires or plates in are put in connection with the pole p, the whole of the tablets c
will be released and become visible, or as many as desired may be shewn and the
remainder continue concealed.
In order to make the connections between the wire r and the proper strip or
plate m, different means may be adopted. In the drawing, s, s, are transverse wooden
bars or rods, working endways in guides, and having handles t by which they can
be moved.
Each of these bars has a metal strip along its inner face one end of which is
constantly in contact with the wire r, whilst a series of projections or contact pieces
are formed upon it opposite to the several wires or plates m, so that if the bars are
drawn out as shewn in figure 4 these projections are removed from the wires m,
whilst if pushed in they come in contact with the latter. Under these circumstances,
every time a bar s is pushed in the whole of the indicating tablets c would fall and be
visible; but in order that only those selected may fall, each of the wires or plates m
has a spring sliding piece v arranged upon it opposite each bar s, so that if the sliding
piece is pushed up the projection upon the bar comes in contact with it when the bar
is pushed in and the electric current passes to the corresponding electro magnet,
whilst if pushed down the projection upon s passes in front of the wire or plate m

page_text: when the bar is pushed in, but without making contact with it, so that the electro-
magnet remains unaffected.
One of the bars s is appropriated to the trains which are to stop at a particular
series of stations, the sliding pieces relating to such bar being pulled down upon the
wires or plates m which are connected with the electromagnets actuating the tablets
indicating the stations where the train is not to stop.
In the drawings the whole of the indicating tablets are shewn exposed.
When any train is about to leave a station therefore it is only necessary to push in
and then draw out again the bars which is arranged to refer to the particular train
(or others stopping only at the same stations). The proper indicating tablets are
at once exposed, and when the train has departed the whole of the tablets are raised
out of sight by means of the handle or knob.
The board with the strips or wires m, sliding pieces », moveable bars s, and
contact pieces, may be arranged in any position and at any desired distance from the
remainder of the apparatas, to which it is then connected by conducting wires, or it
may adjoin or form part of it as shewn.
Instead of the bars being pushed in as described in order to make the required
contact, they may be so arranged as to be pulled out.
The method of making the connection with the several electro-magnets may be
varied. For instance the conducting wire o from each electromagnet may be con-
nected with one end of two parallel metallic wires a short distance apart, which are
stretched across the board (which is arranged horizontally in such case) at right
angles to the wires m and a short distance above them. If metallic contact is made
between the transverse wires last described and either of the wires m, it is evident
that the electro-magnet in connection with such wire m will operate.
In order to make the connections between the transverse wires and the proper
lower ones, different means may be adopted. For instance, a sliding metal contact
piece may be arranged so that it can be passed along the two parallel transverse
wires, a suspended or elastic piece being connected to it below so as to come in contact
with all the lower wires in succession as it passes along.
To prevent it from touching the particular wires which refer to the places which
are not to be indicated as those at which the train stops, it is only necessary to cover
such lower wires with a non-conducting cover at the points where the moving contact
piece would touch them. For this purpose-moveable shields or guards of non-con-
ducting material may be used, which can be adjusted over the particular wires when
the apparatus is set for any particular train. After the apparatus has been so
arranged, it is only necessary to pass the contact piece along its transverse wires, by
a handle, or by a cord or string passing through the cover of the board which
carries the wires, or by other equivalent suitable means. When the train has left the
station, the several indicating tablets are all raised out of sight again, either by
hand in the way already explained, or by means of electro magnets suitably arranged.
For instance, instead of detents as first described the arm which carries the indicating
tablet may itself carry an armature opposite to which an electro-magnet is arranged,
so that by means of a suitable commutator worked by a handle, the electric current
can be passed through all these last described electro-magnets and all the indicating
tablets raised or moved out of sight.
The electro magnets upon the other side, when set in operation may turn over the
tablets so as to render them invisible, instead of releasing a detent.
In another method of making electric communication between the upper and
lower sets of wires, as and for the purpose described, a moveable cross bar may be
used provided with as many adjustable metallic pins as there are lower wires, the
whole of these pins being in electrical connection with the conducting wire from the
battery. If the bar is moved end ways the lower ends of all the pins are pressed
against, and make electrical contact with, the lower wires and all the tablets are
lowered and exposed, whilst if any of the pins are drawn up in the bar, the
corresponding wires below are not touched and the particular tablets connected with
them are not exposed. Or, a transverse rod or bar may be arranged across the lower

page_text: board above. the lower wires, the rod turning in centres round which it is moveable
for a short distance by a.handle at its end.
The bar carries a series of metallic springs or contact pieces, one of which is
adjusted above each of the wires, the whole of them being in electrical connection
with the conducting wires.
When the handle is turned round, the metallic springs are pressed against the
wires below, and all the tablets are operated and exposed, whilst if any of them are
to remain concealed, the corresponding spring contact pieces can be turned on one
side so as not to touch the wires when the bar is turned.
As many separate vertical columns of moveable tablets and openings may be used,
either in the same board or separate, as there are separate lines or branches the trains
upon which are to be indicated.
It is evident that the times of the trains and other information may be given, as
well as the stations at which they are to stop.
Instead of the indicating tablets being carried upon pivotted arms as described,
they may be formed upon the side of cylinders or prisms so as to be exposed or
concealed as the latter are turned partially round. Or, moveable shutters may be
used, covering or exposing the tablets as desired, and operated by electro magnets
in the manner described.
Information of other kinds may also be given by the novel apparatus which forms
the subject of our invention, especially in cases where a series of indications have to
be given, the number and order of such indications varying more or less from time
to time, as for instance the performances and times of such performances in the
programmes of public concerts or entertainments, or the numbers and character of
votes given in Parliamentary or other proceedings.
We do not confine ourselves to any precise form or arrangement of the several
parts of the apparatus which may be varied more or less as may be found advisable
in different circumstances, but
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:-
1. The combination of the indicating tablets which are to be exposed or concealed
as desired, with the electro-magnets, armatures, detents, electric battery, and conducting
wires, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described and shewn in the
drawings.
2. The combination with the electro-magnets, armatures, detents, and indicating
tablets, of the devices by which any particular electro-magnet or electro-magnets
can be made to operate upon the armatures and detents as desired, and to shew their
particular indicating tablets, substantially by the means and for the purpose described
and illustrated in the drawings.
3. In combination with the electro-magnets, armatures, detents, and indicating
tablets, the methods of raising the tablets which have been exhibited in the manner
described, to the position where they are retained by the detents, substantially as
described and shewn.
DL: DAIL
T
1000
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Patentees.