Improvements in Electric Semaphores for Railways.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 20th May, 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890;
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Semaphores for Railways.
We, FREDERICK STITZEL Electrician, CHARLES WEINEDEL, Electrician, Moses
J. SCHWARTZ Merchant ADOLPH REUTLINGER, Banker, JOHN HENRY EGELHOFF,
Capitalist and JACOB KREIGER, Senior, Banker, all of Louisville in the County of
Jefferson and State of Kentucky, United States of America, 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 relates to an improvement in electric semaphores for signalling
railroad trains and more particularly to such as are adapted for use in connection
with the "block." system.
The object of our invention is to provide a signalling device for exhibiting
"danger" and "safety" signals along a line of railroad to denote whether or not a
certain predetermined portion of said railroad is occupied by a train.
A further object is to produce a signalling apparatus for railroads, actuated by
means of weights and controlled by a train passing over the track,, through the
medium of suitably arranged. electrical devices.
A further object is to so construct a signalling apparatus for railroads that any
amount of power may be stored for operating the device in cold climates and' be
controlled through the medium of a small amount of electricity.
A further object is to construct the mechanism in such a manner that when released
to indicate danger, all the weights used in the operation of the apparatus, will operate
to turn the signal to "danger."
A further object is to so construct and arrange the apparatus. that all parts of the
mechanism will be protected from exposure to the weather.
A further object is to provide a signalling apparatus having a visual blade adapted
to indicate "track occupied" or "track clear" according to the position which
it assumed, and a lantern adapted to change color to impart. the same information,...
both of said signals being operated simultaneously and by the same mechanism.
A further object is to produce a signalling device actuated and controlled by the
combined forces of weights and electricity and which shall be compact in construction,
and effective, sensitive and sure in operation.
With these objects in view the invention consists in certain novel features of con-
struction and combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter set forth and
pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a front view of the device with a portion of the front plate removed to
show the operating mechanism, said mechanism, being in, a, position to hold: the
signalling devices at safety.
Figure 2 is a similar view with the parts in position to indicate “danger.”
Figure 3 is a rear view:
Figure 4 is a view of the levers and magnets.
Figure 5 is an end view of the device, with a portion of the framework removed.
Figure, 6 is a view showing the arrangement of circuits.
Figures 7, 8, 9, 10 and' 11 are detail views.
A represents the head or frame for containing the operating mechanism and is
supported at a suitable height on a hollow post or upright B, both, of said parts being
preferably made of metal.
Secured to the rear face of the head A is a diagonally disposed' yoke, C having a
central screw threaded boss at its center for the reception of a similarly threaded
screw b―the inner end of which is made hollow to produce bearing for one end of
Figure 3 is a rear view:
Figure 4 is a view of the levers and magnets.
Figure 5 is an end view of the device, with a portion of the framework removed.
Figure, 6 is a view showing the arrangement of circuits.
Figures 7; 8; 9; 10 and' 11 are detail views.
A represents the head or frame for containing the operating mechanism and is
supported at a suitable height on a hollow post or upright B, both, of said parts being
preferably made of metal.
Secured to the rear face of the head A is a diagonally disposed' yoke, C having a
central screw threaded boss at its center for the reception of a similarly, threaded
screw the inner end of which is made hollow to produce bearing for one end of
a shaft D. The shaft. D passes through the rear wall of the head A, and, is: journaleų.

page_text: at its inner end in a bracket or hanger E secured to a projection on the inner face of
the rear wall of the head A. Secured upon the shaft D (which is preferably made
square throughout the greater portion of its length) at a point between the diagonal
arm of the yoke (and the rear wall of the head A, is a signal blade F, which, when
made to assume a vertical position; is designed to indicate "safety" and when in a
horizontal position," to denote danger." One' end of the blade will preferably be
provided with a weight w to co-operate with other devices hereinafter described, to
bring the blade to danger. To prevent the signal blade from coming into contact
with the iron yoke and becoming inarred thereby, a block of rubber 6 will be secured
to the upper short arm of the yoke and adapted to receive the edge of the blade as it
moves from one position to the other.
The front and rear faces of the head are provided with openings c, in which are
placed plates of white glass. A shaft c¹ is journaled between the front and rear walls of
the head A, centrally over the openings and provided with depending arms c², which
terminate at their lower ends in circular holders c³ adapted to receive colored glass or
other colored transparent material. A lamp is placed in the head A between the
openings and between "holders c. When the holders, containing the colored
material, swing back" from "the openings c, by means of mechanism hereinafter
described, a white light will be displayed to indicate safety, but when said colored
material is in front of or in line with the openings, a colored (usually red) light will
be displayed to indicate "danger."
A shaft F' is mounted at one end in the front wall of the head and the opposite end
of the shaft F is made hollow for a short distance and of a size, externally, to pass
through the perforation of hanger E and the hollow portion being intended to receive
the inner end of the shaft D. By thus journaling the shafts D, F, in the bracket E,
one within the other, much space will be saved and the number of parts reduced.
Fixed on the shaft F¹ is a collar G having a ratchet wheel G₁ secured to or made
integral with its inner extremity, and a sprocket wheel G at or near its opposite end
for the reception of a sprocket chain and weight as explained further on in this
description.
.
Loosely, mounted on the shaft F', immediately in rear of the ratchet G', and of
considerably larger size than the same, is a toothed wheel H, having four teeth or
projections è projecting froin its periphery at equidistant points. On the rear face of
the wheel H slightly removed from the periphery thereof, and in line or approximately
in' line with the projections e, is a series of lugs e equal in number with said pro-
jections and having one face inclined. The opposite face of said wheel has pivoted to
it a dog f, adapted to engage the teeth of the ratchet wheel G', and cause said wheels
to rotate together, when the shaft F1 is turned in one direction and to ride over said
teeth'and prevent rotation of the wheel when the shaft turns in the reverse direction,
said dog being held in alignment with the ratchet wheel by means of a spring f
secured at one end to the face of the wheel and bearing at its other end upon
said dog
.
Fixed upon the shaft D'is a double ärm I, having a quadrant I''fixed thereto at one
end, said quadrant preferably having one face grooved for the reception of a rope or
chain 12, secured thereto at its upper end; an auxiliary" weight I³ being suspended at
the free end of the rope or chain I'. This weight will preferably be made in two
two parts 1, 2, one resting upon suitable supports 3 and the other upon the bottom
of the head A, a rod 5, passing freely through a perforation in the upper weight, and
secured to the lower weight in any preferred manner. With such construction, when
the shaft D first begins to turn to display the safety signal, the weight '1 will be taken
up and when the shaft has nearly completed its turn the weight 2 will be taken up
by the weight 1. By this means the momentum of the main weight which operates
the apparatus as presently explained, will be broken and small battery power will be
required to hold the parts which control the signal.
TOR
The opposite end of the armi I from quadrant I¹, is broadened and has pivoted to its
side face at one end of the broadened portion, a pivoted latch I, which lies parallel
with the face of arm I and extends to the opposite end of the broadened portion

page_text: thereof, where it is provided with a hook I*, adapted to engage the lugs e¹ of wheel H.
Thus when the wheel H is rotated, its engagement with the double arm I will cause
said arm and its shaft to which it is made fast, to turn, and change the position
of the signal blade F.
In order that the depending arms c³ carrying the colored material may move in
unison with the signal blade, they are connected by a rod g, with the quadrant I¹, of
arm I, said rod being secured at one end to a pin g' projecting from the rear face of
the arm I near the upper portion of the quadrant in any preferred manner, and at the
other end to a short arm g' projecting from one of the arms c².
Passing transversely through the pivoted latch I8 and projecting from the rear side
thereof, is a pin I which forms the journal for a small roller I for the accommodation.
of which a recess I is cut in the lower end of the double arm I. A semicircular
plate I, is pivoted at its lower extremity to an enlargement formed in the upper part.
of the head A and extends downwardly parallel with the arc of a circle described by
the broadened end of the double arm 1. This curved plate serves as a track upon
which the roller runs and thus prevents the improper disengagement of the latch I³
from the lugs e¹ of wheel H.
Secured to the interior of the rear wall of the head, is a bracket J comprising a
depending plate J, by which it is bolted, a second plate J2 at right angles, thereto and
two uprights J³ projecting upwardly from plate J2. The uprights J³ are furnished
near their upper ends with aligned perforations for the reception of a horizontal
shaft, upon which latter are mounted two vibrating levers K, L..
1
The lever K, mounted loosely on the shaft h' at the front end of the latter, is
enlarged at the end through which the shaft passes and provided at such enlarged end
with a recess h² in which is journaled on an arbor ³, a small roller h, which, serves
as a stop against which the projections e of the wheel H are adapted to abut, and
be retained from rotating until the lever is permitted to be tilfed through the action
of an electro magnet M, with the armature shaft of which the free end of lever K
makes engagement, as explained further on.
The magnets M are preferably placed on a stand M' having uprights M' at each
end projecting somewhat above the tops of the cores of the magnets, where they
are perforated for the reception of screw pins, which serve as bearings for the
shaft M². This shaft is provided with a flat under face immediately over the magnet
poles, for the reception of a soft iron armature m³, the longitudinal edge of which
projects beyond the shaft, and by means of which the shaft is given an oscillatory
movement in one direction, through the medium of the magnets M. When the
magnets are demagnetized the armature is of course released and the shaft is caused
to oscillate in the opposite direction by means of an adjustable weight m₁ on an
arm m³ projecting from the shaft M² in the opposite direction from the armature, m³.
A yoke M is secured at its ends to the uprights m² and provided at or near
its center with a small plate m, upon which the arm m³ is adapted to fall, and thus
form a stop for said arm to limit the upward movement of the armature m³.
At a point on the shaft M2 beyond the magnet M, a notch i is made in said shaft,
which, when the armature m³ is attracted by the magnet, will permit the passage
through it of the free end of the lever K. When the armature is released and the
shaft has oscillated in the reverse direction, the notch i, will have moved out of
alignment with the free end of the lever K and said lever will be retained in, a fixed
position by engagement with the shaft M² until the magnet shall have. again attracted
its armature.
The free end of lever K is furnished with a downwardly extending curved arm K¹,
adapted to pass through the notch i and thus guide the movement of the lever,, K.
This downwardly extending arm K is provided at its upper end with a bend or
notch, adapted to receive a small bent arm, projecting from a shaft M², and thus
afford additional security against the upward movement of the arm 'K, when the arm
is released.
The arm L, mounted on the shaft h, is made open through the greater portion of
its length, that is to say, it comprises two arms k³, k³, jointed together at their ends
14

page_text: by means of cross pieces, the whole preferably being cast in one piece and adapted to
receive a portion of the curved plate I''between them...
The arms L and K, when in their normal positions rest upon a bracket I10 fixed to
the interior of the head A The free end of the arm L is furnished with a cross
arın L', which is adapted to pass through a notch in the shaft M², and is maintained
in a normal downward position by means of an upwardly and inwardly extending
arm L³ secured to and projecting from the shaft M. When however, the armature is
released and the shaft M² permitted to oscillate, the arm L³ moves out of the path of
the free end of the lever L and thus permits said lever to perform its functions.
It will be seen from this construction that if it should happen that the weight on
shaft M² were not properly adjusted, or the magnets become unduly charged with
residual magnetism and thus cause the armature to stick and prevent the proper
oscillation of the shaft M2, the cross arm L' of arm L will engage the upwardly
projecting arm L³ and force it out of the way and at the same time cause the
shaft M² to complete its oscillation.
The enlarged end of the arm L, through which the shaft h¹ passes, is provided with
a downwardly projecting lug j, bifurcated at its lower end to receive one end of a
link pivoted therein. The other end of the link j¹ is pivoted between the bifurcated
end of the block 3, the other end of said block being secured to the lower extremity
of the semicircular plate Iº. Thus the semicircular plate I is connected by means
of a link with the arm L.
The arm k projects upwardly from the arm L, at its inner end, and is adapted
to form a stop for the double arm I until said arm is released and caused to rock
with the shaft D,-such rocking of the arm causing, through the medium of the
link, the semicircular arm 1 to move away from the pivoted latch 18, and thus
permit its disengagement from the wheel H. The branch of arm L is provided
with a shoulder 1, against which a pin l, on the rear face of the broadened end of the
double arm I, strikes, on its upward movement, and causes the arm L to immediately
assume its original position.
Secured at the base of the hollow post B, is a bracket O, having journaled therein,
a grooved pulley O'. A drive chain passes about this pulley O¹ and is secured at one
end to the lower end of a weight Q. The other end is then carried up into the
head A and passes over the sprocket wheel G2, and the free end of the chain is next
fastened to the upper end of the weight, thus making, in effect, an endless drive chain
with an interposed weight.
The post B being of considerable height the weight will serve for some time
without rewinding, as said weight moves but a short distance at each operation of the
apparatus. When it is necessary to wind up the weight it is simply necessary to
pull upon the drive chain from the base of the post, instead of having to climb the post
to wind up the mechanism as is usually the case. Should the weight reach the base
of the post or become "run down" through the neglect of the attendant or from any
other cause it, or a projection or stop on the chain, will engage a circuit breaker R at
the base of the post, which circuit breaker is so connected with the main circuit
to the magnets, that it will cause the signal to be at once set at "danger.”
The respective ends of the helices of the magnets M are connected with the
respective rails of the railroad track, at one end of the block of railroad. The other
ends of the tracks of said block are connected with the respective poles of the
battery, thus it will be seen that the magnets M are normally energized and hold
the signal at safety, as will be seen from the following description of the operation of
the apparatus.
When the parts are in the position to indicate "safety "as shown in figure 1, a train
entering the block will short-circuit the hattery by means of its wheels and axles, and
thus cause the magnets to become demagnetized and release their armature. The
armature being thus released the shaft M2 will turn sufficiently to move the arm L³
out of the way of the free end of the arm L, which latter is forced upwardly by the
engagement of the broadened end of the double arm I, with the lug k, on arm L. As
this arm moves on its shaft, it causes the semicircular plate I' to turn on its pivot,

page_text: through the medium of the link j, and move away from the pivoted latch. The free
end of the latch will then become disengaged from the lug e¹ of wheel H. The double
arm I will now be free to make a partial revolution, being impelled by the weight I³.
The movement of the parts just described with the exception of the backward move-
ment of the double arm I, are caused by means of the force exerted upon the wheel H,
by the weight Q.
As the double arm makes its backward movement as above described, it carries with
it the signal blade F, from a vertical or safety to a horizontal or danger position, and
also forces the holders c³ in alignment with the openings c in the head A.
It will be seen from the above that all the weights, including the one on the signal
blade, co-operate to bring the signal to danger and that said weights are permitted
to act the instant the battery becomes short-circuited and the magnet thereby
demagnetized.
Now when the train passes off the tracks- of a block the magnets are again
energized, the armature attracted and the shaft M' rotated to free the free end of the
arm K, and lock the free end of arm L. The force of the main weight upon the
wheel H will now cause one of the projections on said wheel to engage the roller in
the arm K, and tilt said arm sufficiently to permit the passage of the said projection.
The arm K then drops to its normal position by gravity and the wheel continues to
rotate until another projection on wheel H comes near the lever K. As wheel H
rotates one of the lugs e¹ on its rear face comes in contact with the pivoted latch I¹
and thus carries the broadened of the double arm with it until said broadened.end
engages the lug k of lever L, which forms a positive stop for it, the lever now being
prevented from turning by means of the arm L³ on shaft M². During this.movement
of the double arm, which is fixed on the same shaft with the signal blade, the blade
will be carried to a vertical position denoting safety. At the same time the holders c³
will be withdrawn from the openings and the apparatus will be set to indicate safety
or track clear.
It will be noticed that the wheel H always moves in the same direction, being
retained from movement in the reverse direction by the engagement of the dog 6 with
the projections on the periphery of the disk. This dog may be pivoted in the top of
the head, and in proximity to the wheel H.
It will also be seen that all parts of the operating mechanism will be protected by
the head A and hollow post B, and not liable to become rusty from exposure to
the weather.
:.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:
1. The combination with a railroad signal frame, of a signal blade and a wheel
mounted in said frame, teeth projecting from the periphery of the wheel at equi-
distant points, mechanism for rotating said wheel to set the signal blade in one
position, electrically operated devices for controlling the operation of said wheel and
an auxiliary weight for turning the signal blade to the opposite position to indicate
danger, substantially as set forth.
2. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein,
in the same horizontal plane, a visual signal blade and a weighted arm secured to one
of said shafts, a drive chain passing over the other shaft, a wheel also on the latter
shaft to engage the weighted arm and devices for releasing the weighted arm from
said wheel, substantially as set forth.
3. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein, a
visual signal blade and a weighted arm secured to one of said shafts, a pivoted latch
carried by said weighted arm, a weighted sprocket chain passing over the other shaft
to drive it, a wheel also on the latter shaft having projections to engage the pivoted
latch and devices for releasing the weighted .arm from said. wheel, substantially as
set forth.

page_text: 4. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein, a
visual signal blade and a weighted arm secured to one of said shafts, a pivoted latch
carried by said weighted arm, a roller carried by said latch, a weighted sprocket
chain passing over the shaft, a wheel also mounted on the latter shaft and having
projections to engage the pivoted latch, a curved guide plate pivoted in the head, to
maintain the latch in engagement with the wheel and devices for moving said guide
plate to disengage the latch from the wheel, substantially as set forth.
5. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein, a
visual signal blade and an arm secured to one of said shafts, a grooved quadrant on
one end of said arm, a weighted chain secured thereto, a pivoted latch on the other
end of the arm, a weighted chain passing over the other shaft to drive it, a wheel
mounted on the latter shaft and having projections to engage the pivoted latch, and
devices for disengaging said latch from the wheel, substantially as set forth.
6. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein,
of a visual signal blade and an arm secured to one of said shafts, a weight suspended
from one end of said arm, a pivoted latch at the other end thereof, a chain passing
over the other shaft to drive it, a wheel also mounted on the latter shaft and having
projections thereon to engage the pivoted latch, mechanism for tripping the pivoted
latch to release the arm, and an electro-magnet to control the operation of said
tripping mechanism, substantially as set forth.
7. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein,
the end of one shaft rotating in the hollow end of the other, a signal blade and a
weighted arm secured to one of said shafts, a latch pivoted on one end of said arm,
a weighted chain passing over the other shaft to drive it, a wheel also mounted on
said shaft and having projections to engage the pivoted latch and devices for tripping
he latch, substantially as set forth.
t 8. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein,
a signal blade and an arm mounted on one of said shafts, a quadrant on one end'of
said arm, a weight suspended from said quadrant and made in two parts, one part
to be engaged and lifted by the other, a pivoted latch at the other end of said arm,
a chain passing over the other shaft to drive it, and a wheel on said shaft having
projections to engage the pivoted catch, and tripping mechanism for said latch,
substantially as set forth.
9. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein,
a signal blade and a weighted arın secured to one of said shafts, a pivoted latch
carried at one end of said arm, a sprocket wheel and ratchet wheel secured to the
other shaft, a weighted chain passing over the sprocket wheel to drive the shaft, a
wheel having projections on its periphery, and fugs on its face for engaging the
pivoted latch, said wheel being loosely mounted on the latter named shaft, a spring-
sustained dog on said wheel to engage the ratchet wheel to cause said wheels to
rotate together in one direction, and tripping mechanism for releasing the pivoted
latch from the wheel having projections, substantially as set forth.
10. In a semaphore, the combination with a yoke, a shaft mounted at one end in
said yoke and at the other end in the semaphore head and a signal blade carried by
said shaft, of elastic material secured to the yoke and adapted to receive and cushion
the signal blade when it is turned to assume either a vertical or a horizontal position,
substantially as set forth.
11. In a railroad signal, the combination with a head having openings for the
emanation of light, of a shaft mounted therein, a signal blade and a weighted arm
carried by said shaft and holders for transparent material pivoted in the head, in
proximity to the openings therein, and having pivoted connection with the weighted
arm whereby said holders will be controlled by the movements of said arm, sub-
stantially as set forth.
12. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein,
a visual signal blade and a weighted arm-secured to one of said shafts; a pivoted
latch at one end of said weighted arm, a wheel having projections mounted on the

page_text: other shaft, means for propelling said shaft and the wheel, tripping mechanism for
the pivoted latch, an arm mounted to vibrate in a bracket, and carrying a roller
with which the projections on the periphery of the wheel engage, and an electro-
magnet for releasing said arm and holding the tripping mechanism, substantially as
set forth.
13. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein,
a visual signal blade and a weighted arm on one of said shafts, a pivoted latch on
the weighted arm, a wheel having projections mounted on the other shaft, means for
driving said shaft and wheel, tripping mechanism for the latch, a vibrating arm to
hold the wheel from rotation, a shaft with which said arm engages, an armature on
said shaft and a magnet for oscillating the shaft to release the vibrating arm and
wheel, substantially as set forth.
14. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein,
a visual signal blade and a weighted arm secured to one of said shafts, a pivoted
latch on one end of said arm, a wheel having projections mounted on the other shaft,
means for rotating said shaft and wheel, a pivoted curved plate to bear upon the
pivoted latch, an arm mounted in a bracket, a link connecting the curved plate and
the latter named arm, a shaft carrying an armature, an electro-magnet, and an arm
on said shaft for holding the tripping mechanism, substantially as set forth.
15. In a semaphore, the combination with a head, of two shafts mounted therein,
a visual signal blade and a weighted arm secured to one end of said shafts, a pivoted
latch on said arm, a wheel having projections mounted on the other shaft, a pivoted
curved plate to bear upon the pivoted latch, an arm mounted in a bracket, a lug
thereon against which the weighted arm abuts, a link connecting the curved plate
and latter named arm, a shaft carrying an arm to normally hold this arm, an armature
and a weight on the latter named shaft, and a magnet for actuating said armature,
substantially as set forth.
16. The combination with the tracks of a railroad block, of a semaphore carrying
signalling devices and an electro magnet, said track and magnet being in a normally
closed circuit, actuating mechanism for the signalling device, a weight for propelling
said actuating mechanism, and a circuit breaker connected with the main circuit,
with which said weight engages when run down, whereby the circuit is opened and
the signal set at danger, substantially as set forth.
17. The combination with the tracks of a railroad block, of a semaphore carrying
signalling devices and an electro-magnet said tracks and magnet being in a normally
closed circuit, actuating mechanism for the signalling device, a weighted chain for
propelling said actuating mechanism, and a circuit breaker connected with the main
circuit, with which a stop or projection on said chain engages, whereby the circuit
is opened and the signal set at danger, substantially as set forth.
DAL: OAL
M 1800
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
70, Wellington Street, Glasgow, Agent.