Improved Method of and Apparatus for Signalling, Specially Applicable for Tramways.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 8th May, 1391-Accepted, 27th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Signalling, Specially
Applicable for Tramways.
We, GEORGE BILBROUGH, of 7 Napier Street, off Beckett Street, Leeds, White-
sinith, and JOSHUA WHITEHEAD FEARNLEY of Barclay Street, North Street
Leeds, Painter and Decorator, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
Our invention has reference to improved method of and apparatus for signalling,
which is specially applicable for indicating on tramways when the single line is
clear, and when it is blocked; an important feature of the invention being that it
has a mechanical and an electrical action.
In carrying out our invention we employ at the junctions or points suitable lever
arrangements which are arranged underneath the tram lines, and are connected to
the signalling apparatus which are fixed at convenient positions away from the
lines.
The said lever arrangements are so adapted that they can be operated by the
wheels of the tram, for that purpose a part of the said arrangement is fitted in the
groove of the tram lines so that the wheels of the tram may readily act
upon such.
We provide a battery at each end for generating the necessary electricity (and
wires or communicators) for operating the signals to indicate that the line is blocked
or vice versa, the communication or action being made by the wheels of the tram
passing over the lever arrangement as before set forth, whereby certain parts are
put in contact, and the current induced, and the signal made that the line is blocked
or vice versa.
On another tram passing over the lines the mechanical motion takes place and
the signal indicates that the line is clear or vice versa.
The signals are arranged for night and day work.
31
1. Ը Aust 1900
JOHN E. WALSH,
Royal Exchange Chambers, Boar Lane, Leeds, Agent for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Signalling, Specially
Applicable for Tramways.
We, GEORGE BILBROUGH, of 7 Napier Street, off Beckett Street, Leeds,
Whitesmith, and Joshua WHITEHEAD FEARNLEY, of Barclay Street, North
Street, Leeds, Painter and Decorator, 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:-
Our invention has reference to improved method of and apparatus for signalling,
which is specially applicable for indicating on tramways when the single line is
clear, and when it is blocked; an important feature of the invention being that it
has either a mechanical or an electrical action.
In carrying out our invention we employ at the junctions or points suitable lever
arrangements which are arranged underneath the tram lines, and are connected
to the signalling apparatus which are fixed at convenient positions away from the
lines.
The said lever arrangements are so adapted that they can be operated by the
wheels of the tram, for that purpose a part of the said arrangement is fitted in the

page_text: groove of the tram lines so that the wheels of the tram may readily act upon such.
We provide a battery at each end for generating the necessary electricity (and
wires or communicators) for operating the signals to indicate that the line is blocked
or vice versa, the communication or action being made by the wheels of the train
passing over the lever arrangement as before set forth, whereby certain parts are
put in contact, and the current induced, and the signal made that the line is
blocked or vice versa.
On another tram passing over the lines the mechanical motion takes place and the
signal indicates that the line is clear or vice versa.
The signals are arranged for night and day work.
We prefer however to carry out our invention as follows:-
--
upon, the parts are shewn as in position when the car wheels are operating.
Fig. 2. is a repetition of Fig. 1. showing the parts in position for the car wheels
to act upon.
Fig. 3. is a plan of points or crossings showing the position in which we place
the means for the car wheels to act upon.
Fig. 4. is an elevation, cover removed showing our method of and means for
giving the signals.
In carrying out our invention we employ a box such as A having partitions B, C,
and D. The said box is constructed open at its sides, and its top constructed so as
to correspond with the section of the rail and allow of the flanged wheel of the car
passing over it. The said box is provided with a pivotted lever E which works in
a groove F cut out of the top of the said box. The end G of the lever E (on its
underside) works in a grooved pulley H carried on the end of a pivotted arm or
link J which is connected to a rod K carrying a spiral spring L. At one end of the
box A is secured a steel spring N. To this spring N is connected, by means of
terminal N', the wire O from the negative pole of the battery, and to the rod Kis
connected, by means of terminal K³, the wire P from the positive pole of the
battery. The signals may be arranged at the side of the lines, and are constructed
as shown in Fig. 4. They may be arranged upon posts or pillars, or affixed to
walls or otherwise stationed. The wires Ŏ and P are carried from the box A.
to the signal and connected as follows:-
The positive wires P are connected to the electro-magnets R, R', S and S¹, the
negative wires O pass to the earth.
The action is as follows:-
On the flange of the wheel travelling in the groove A' of the rail A2, the
pivotted lever E is depressed, and motion is imparted to the rod K, the end of
which is made to abutt against the spring N, contact is established and the electro
magnet R attracts the pivotted stop T, and draws it off the pivotted balance U, the
current then passes to the electro magnet S, which draws the balance U down,
motion thus being conveyed to the upright V which lowers the signal W. On the
putting up of the signal the reverse action takes place; the current passes from
the electro magnet R' to S, and the balance U is caused to act in the required
manner for indicating that the signal is up.
As soon as the car enters the junction or points it sets both signals at "danger"
and when passing off puts them both at line clear."
For giving corresponding indications at each end of the points the signals are
connected by overhead wires.
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 method of signalling such as herein set forth.

page_text: 2. In apparatus for signalling between stations or junctions the employment of
mechanism, combined with an arrangement of apparatus for giving the necessary
signals, such as shown and described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the
drawings annexed.
3. The construction of signalling apparatus such as shown and described, with
reference to Fig. 4. of the drawings annexed.
Dated this 7th day of May 1891.
JOHN E. WALSH,
Royal Exchange Chambers, Boar Lane, Leeds, Agent for the Applicants.