An Improved Method and Apparatus for Signalling Trains in Foggy or other Weather when the Ordinary Signals are not Visible.
Year: 1885

page_text: An Improved Method and Apparatus for Signalling Trains in
Foggy or other Weather when the Ordinary Signals are not
Visible.
I GEORGE BROCKMAN, of 6, Howard Road, Penge, in the County of Surrey,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "AN IMPROVED
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING TRAINS IN FOGGY OR OTHER WEATHER,
WHEN THE ORDINARY SIGNALS ARE NOT VISIBLE, to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to signal trains in foggy weather or when the
ordinary signals are not visible. This is effected by fixing an inclined plane of
iron plate or other suitable material between the rails.
A lever bell crank with roller at the end or other suitable contrivance is fixed
on the Engine so that it can be lowered by the engine driver in foggy weather
until the end can come in contact with the inclined plane between the rails. The
end of the lever is by this means raised, and the other is connected to a hammer
which strikes a gong, compresses air to blow a whistle or gives a signal in other
suitable manner.
The inclined planes are fixed at the point where the signal first becomes visible
to the engine driver, at the signal post, or any other point where it is necessary to
signal the train.
Some of these planes may be fixed in position such as those at the long distance
at the signal post.
The inclined plane is pivotted at one end leaving it free to be raised or lowered
from the Signal Box. Any, suitable contrivance such as a bell crank and
connecting link, or a cam may be used, for raising the end of the inclined plane.
When there is only a single line of rails a double inclined plane will be
necessary.
Where the planes are movable they will now have to be pivotted at the ends and
raised in the centre.
If necessary to prevent too sudden a blow from the lever on the engine a spring
may be introduced between it and the gong hammer.
By having two or more inclined planes one after the other a distance danger
signal or any other arbitrary signal may be given.
Dated this 24th day of November 1885.

page_text: An Improved Method and Apparatus for Signalling Trains in
Foggy or other Weather when the Ordinary Signals are not
Visible.
I, GEORGE BROCKMAN, of 6, Howard Road Penge, in the County of Surrey,
Gentleman, 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 this invention is to signal trains in foggy weather, or when the
ordinary signals are not visible.-This is effected by fixing an inclined plane of
iron plate or other suitable material between the rails.-On the engine is fixed a
lever which turns on a fulcrum capable of being raised by the engine driver, or a
rod sliding vertically in guides or other equivalent contrivance.-On the end of the
lever or rod is a friction roller which runs on the edge of the inclined plane and
actuates the gong or other alarm on the engine.-When not required the lever or
rod which actuates the gong can be raised out of action by the engine driver.-In
place of ringing a gong the end of the lever or rod may be used to compress air to
blow a whistle. The inclined planes are fixed at the point where the signal is
first required by the engine driver, at the signal post, or any other point where it
is necessary to signal the train.
Some of these planes may be fixed in position such as those at the long distance
signal.
The inclined plane is pivotted at one end leaving it free to be raised or lowered
from the signal box.-Any suitable contrivance such as a bell crank and connecting
link, or a cam may be used for raising the end of the inclined plane.
When there is only a single line of rails a double inclined plane will be necessary.
Where the planes are movable they will now have to be pivotted at the ends and
raised in the centre.-If the blow on the gong hammer is found to be too sudden
a spring may be introduced between it and the lever.
For lifting the inclined planes a double winch or levers are fixed in the signal
box to actuate the up and down signal planes.
The figures in the drawing illustrate more particularly the way in which the
invention is to be carried into effect.
.
Figs. 1. & 2. shew in plan and elevation a line of rails with an inclined plane,
and connections on the engine for actuating the gong.
Fig. 3. is an enlarged view of the inclined plane raised by a lever and connecting
rod, with lever to actuate the gong.
Fig. 4. is the same raised by a cam.
Fig. 5. shews a rod sliding vertically in guides, with mechanism for actuating a
gong or a compressed air whistle.
Fig. 6. shews the apparatus for actuating the inclined planes from the signal box.
In Figs. 1 & 2. A is the inclined plane, working in guides B. B. B. and pivotted
at P.-C is the transverse rod passing to the side of the track, by which the cams
or levers are turned to raise the inclined plane.

page_text: When the planes are fixed as at the long distances they are rigidly connected to
the sleepers by chairs or brackets.
D. in Fig. 2. is the roller lever, pivotted at E, which actuates the gong F, through
a spring connection G.-H. is a lever for raising the roller out of action when not
required.
In Fig. 6. A. is a counterbalance weight. The end C. in Fig. 1. is rigidly
connected at B. in this figure.
C. C. is a wire rope proceeding to the signal box.
D. D. are chambers or recesses in which the pulleys E. E. to support the wire
rope are placed. At the signal box the wire rope C. C. is pulled by winches or
levers.
r
In Fig. 3. A. is the inclined plane shown raised in full lines, the dotted lines
show it in the lowered position.-B is a lever and C. a connecting rod for raising
the plane when the transverse rod is turned by the wire rope.-D is the rod
pivotted to the Engine at E. actuating the gong as already shown in Fig. 2.-F is a
lifting lever by which the lever and roller are raised out of action.
In Fig. 4. the inclined plane is actuated by a cam G.-The cam may have flanges
to act as guides.
In Fig. 5. D. is the upright rod with roller, which may be of square section, and
slides in guides E. E. These guides may have spring abutments to obviate shock.
G. G. trip apparatus for actuating the gong K. or compressed air whistle L. which
may be thrown in or out of gear by swivelling on the bolt M-The rod and roller
are lifted out of action by the wire rope & handle M. and pulley P. Q. is a snow
plough in front of the roller.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
=
An apparatus for signalling trains, in foggy weather, or when the ordinary
signals are not visible, by inclined planes, levers with rollers, and other suitable
mechanism substantially as herein before described in the specification and drawings.
Data 101.
fl 1000