I- PROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING FROM ONE PART OF A RAILWAY TRAIN TO ANOTHER
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Montague Keighley, of Beeston, in the
County of Nottingham, Station Master, for the Invention of "I-
PROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING
FROM ONE PART OF A RAILWAY TRAIN TO ANOTHER.
Sealed the 10th July 1868, and dated the 18th February 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur Montague
Keighley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 18th February 1868.
I, ARTHUR MONTAGUE KEIGHLEY, of Beeston, in the County of
Nottingham, Station Master, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND MEANS OR APPARATUS
FOR SIGNALLING FROM ONE PART OF A RAILWAY TRAIN TO ANOTHER," to be as
follows:-
My Invention of improvements in railway passengers' alarm signals
consists of the following modifications:-At the outer end of every
carriage or vehicle forming part of a railway train are affixed two bars

page_text: either horizontally or each slightly inclining downwards towards the
outer edges of the carriage and sliding in bearings secured to the out-
side of the framing of the carriage, and so shaped and constructed
that the end of one bar either overlies the other or forms a slot or
groove for the end of the other bar to fit into, thus constituting a
joint, by means of which the two bars are united and appear as one
continuous bar affixed across the end of the vehicle. The joint or
joined part of the bars is intersected or perforated to allow the insertion
of a lever arm or pin which fits into the said intersection or perforation,
so as to secure the joint and hold or keep both bars in their then united
position. At a convenient distance from each side of the joint a peg or
projection is fixed upon each bar for an elastic spring or springs to
operate upon to send or force the before-mentioned bars outwards in
opposite lateral directions. The spring or springs are fixed under or
over the two bars so that when they are so united the spring or springs
are compressed, and when the lever arm or pin, mentioned above, is
drawn up from out the intersection or perforation made across the joint
the two bars are thereby-set at liberty and are immediately acted upon
by the springs, which then force the bars outwards in opposite directions
to the extent required, or the same operation of sending out the sliding
bars laterally may be effected by substituting for the springs common
sash weights and pulleys attached to the bars and running over rollers
the weights descending into boxes fixed to the outer framework of the
carriage. The bars slide or work upon, bearers or rollers specially formed
and constructed so as to prevent unnecessary friction in working, and also
to prevent the bars being thrown out too far by the action of the springs.
The bearers or rollers are constructed of metal or wood of a circular
form and grooved, revolving (like wheels) upon a pin or axis, and are
fixed independently to the end of the carriage for the bars to work or
slide upon. To the end of each bar next the side of the carriage is
fixed a lamp of the required shape with colored or plain glass to show
a light at both sides of the said lamp at one and the same time, which
lamp rests under a hood or covering affixed to the end of the carriage
or vehicle to shade the light when not exhibited or thrown out as a
signal. Each lamp is painted outside so as to show by day the same
colour when not lighted as it would when burning show by night, so that
when in use by being thrown out and exhibited on each side of the
carriage or vehicle by the action of the springs upon the sliding bars to

page_text: which the lamps are attached, as before described, they form a most con-
spicuous signal at each side of the train either by night or by day. To
the lever arm or pin which crosses or confines the joint above described,
when the ends of the sliding bars are united, is attached a rope, wire,
or chain, which rope, wire, or chain is carried up the end and introduced
into the inside of the carriage running on suitable pulleys or groves,
this rope, wire, or chain can be carried on one side of the carriage only,
or by being made double or divided in the vicinity of the aperture
by which it enters the carriage is carried along both sides of the carriage
inside and at opposite corners, or at every corner or other place in each
compartment where required terminates in a pendant handle or ring,
or is brought in a tube or other contrivance to terminate in a bell-crank
lever, so that a passenger by pulling. the rope or moving the crank,
as the case may be, lifts up the lever arm or pin outside the end of the
carriage, and by so doing sets at liberty the two sliding bars at the end
of the vehicle, and by the consequent instant action of the spring or
springs, or pullies upon each bar the signal lamps attached are projected
at each side of the train.
My improvements in communicating between
passengers and the
guard and driver in railway trains consist of the following modifica-
tions A rope, wire, or chain which may or may not, as desired, be
connected with the rope, wire, or chain which has been before described
as being conveyed inside the railway carriage is carried from carriage
to carriage, and over rollers or attached to cranks fixed to each carriage,
and runs down the ends of each carriage in the centre of the outside
framework thereof, and the connexion with cach carriage is made over
the couplings, and that part of the rope, wire, or chain which is carried
over the couplings between each carriage (which I call the connector)
is there constructed so that it can be disconnected when required by
turning a thumbscrew or connecting fastener and can be coupled or
connected in the same manner. The rope or wire being carried along
the centre of the carriages would not be affected by curves in the railway.
When the rope, wire, or chain is connected throughout the train it is
carried to a valve fixed in the main steam pipe, which valve works with
a lever; the wire, rope, or chain is fixed to the end of the lever, and
when pulled closes the valve and shuts off the steam bringing the train
to a stand, or the same rope, wire, or chain may be carried up to the
.whistle on the engine- by a pulley or roller being fixed on the rod or

page_text: other part of the whistle and the rope partly coiled round it, so that
when pulled the whistle gives a succession of sharp whistles which is
the acknowledged signal for the guard to apply his break. The other
end of the rope is carried to the guard's van and may be applied to sound
a bell or strike a gong, or adapted to any modification of signal in the
van that may be desired. The communication by a passenger is made
with the guard and driver at the same time and by the same action of
pulling the rope or moving the crank within the carriage which throws
out the passenger danger signals before described.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Arthur Montague Keighley in the Great Scal
Patent Office on the 3rd August 1868.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ARTHUR
MONTAGUE KEIGHLEY, of Beeston, in the County of Nottingham, Station
Master, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of February, 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 Arthur Montague Keighley, Her
special licence, that I, the said Arthur Montague Keighley, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others, as I, the said
Arthur Montague Keighley, 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 term 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 THE METHOD AND MEANS OF OR
APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING FROM ONE PART OF A RAILWAY TRAIN TO ANOTHER,'
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Arthur Montague
Keighley, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
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

page_text: 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 Arthur Montague Keighley,
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
Drawing, that is to say:-
My Invention has for its object improvements in the method of and
means or apparatus for effecting communication between guard and
driver or between the passengers and either the guard or driver of a
railway train or both, and it is to be employed as a means of signalling
danger or calling attention for assistance in a railway carriage com-
partment. At the outer end or the back of every passenger carriage or
vehicle forming part of a railway train are affixed two bars in a partially
horizontal form, but each of them inclining downwards towards the
outer edges of the carriage and sliding in bearings secured to the outside
of the framing of the carriage, and so shaped and constructed that the
end of one bar either overlies the other or forms a slot or groove for
the end of the other bar to fit into, thus constituting a joint, by means
of which the two bars are united and appear as one continuous bar
affixed across the end of the vehicle. The joint or joined part of the
bars is interesected or perforated to allow the insertion of a lever or pin
which fits into the said intersection or perforation so as to secure the
joint and hold or keep both bars in their then united position, and when
the lever or pin mentioned above is drawn up from out the intersection
or perforation made across or through the joint or junction of the bars
the two bars are thereby set at liberty and immediately slide outwards
by the force of their own gravitation in opposite directions to the extent
required. The bars slide or work upon bearers or rollers constructed
of metal or wood of a circular form and grooved, revolving (like wheels)
upon a pin or axis, and are fixed independently to the end of the
carriage for the bars to work or slide upon. To the end of each bar
next the side of the carriage is fixed a signal board or indicator, which
may be constructed of metal or wood, and I prefer an iron plate for
the purpose, and which may either be a plain or perforated surface and
may if required contain a lamp of the required shape with colored or
plain glass to shew a light on both sides of the said lamp at one and

page_text: the same time, which lamp would rest under a hood or covering affixed
to the end of the carriage or vehicle to shade the light when the bars
are united or not thrown out as a signal, but the use of such lamp may
be dispensed with .as plain indicators or signals, or indicators and signals
painted white will be sufficient. To the lever or pin which crosses or
confines the joint above described, when the ends of the sliding bars
are united, is attached a rope which is carried up the end and introduced
into the inside of the carriage, and is attached to the opposite end thereof
and runs upon suitable pulleys or grooves; this rope can be carried along
the top or roof of the carriage in a central position or on one side of
the carriage only, or by being made double or divided in the vicinity
of the aperture where it enters the carriage may be carried along both
sides of the top or roof of the carriage inside and at opposite corners,
or at every corner or other place in each compartment where required
terminates in a pendant handle or ring, so that a passenger by pulling
the rope by the handle or ring lifts up the lever or pin outside the end
of the carriage, and by so doing sets at liberty the two sliding bars
at the end of the vehicle which instantly slide out and the indicators
or signal lamps, if lamps are attached, are projected at each side of the
train.
In communicating between passengers and the guard and driver in
railway trains according to my Invention I adopt the following modi-
fications: A rope which for distinction I call the communicator, and
may or may not as desired be connected with the rope which has
been before described as being conveyed inside the railway carriage is
carried from carriage to carriage and over rollers or pullies fixed to
each carriage and running inside the roof or top of the compartment
of each carriage is carried through and runs down the outside ends of
each carriage in the centre of the outside framework thereof; this
communicator is either connected with or runs parallel and close to
the rope first described so that both are embraced within the same ring
or attached to the same handle which when pulled consequently acts
upon both ropes
at the same time. The connexion of the communicator
with each carriage is made over the couplings and that part of the
communicator which is carried over the couplings between each carriage
(which I call the connector) is there constructed so that it can be
connected or disconnected when required by turning a thumbscrew or
connecting fastener. The communicator being carried along the centre

page_text: of the carriages would not be affected by curves in the railway. When
the communicator is connected throughout the train it is carried to a
valve fixed in the main steam pipe, which valve works with a lever; the
end of the communicator is fixed to the end of the lever, and when
pulled closes the valve and shuts off the steam, bringing the train to
a stand; or the end of the communicator may be carried up to the
whistle on the engine by a pulley or roller or other equivalent
contrivance being fixed on the rod or other part of the whistle and
the rope partly coiled round it so that when pulled the whistle gives
a succession of sharp whistles which is the acknowledged signal for
the guard to apply his break. The other end of the communicator is
carried to the guard's van and may be applied to sound a bell or strike
a gong or adapted to any modification of signal in the van that may
be desired. The communication by a passenger is made with the guard
and driver at the same time and by the same action of pulling the ring
or handle attached to the ropes within each compartment of the carriage
and the same action throws out the indicator or passenger danger before
described.
Such being the nature of my Invention, I now proceed to describe
further, by reference to the annexed Drawings, in what manner the samo
is to be performed.
Figs. 1 to 5 shew different views of a railway carriage with the
apparatus affixed thereto, as described.
Fig. 1 is a part section of a guard's break van shewing the alarm
bell A, with the communicator attached; Fig. 2 is a half-side view and
half-section view of a first-class railway carriage; Fig. 3 is an end view
of the same carriage shewing the sliding bars, with the indicator or
signal attached as fixed at the end of the outside framework of such
carriage; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the guard's break van denoted in
Fig. 1, and Fig. 5 is a plan view of a railway carriage as denoted
in Fig. 2.
a, a, Fig. 3, are the sliding bars as fixed at the end of a first, second,
or third-class carriage sliding in bearings marked B, B, and a³, a¹, are
the indicators or signals attached to or forming part of the bars; the
ends of the bars marked C, C, arc so contrived that when they are in
position, as shewn at C, C, Fig. 3, they overlie each other, so as to appear
to form one continuous bar. Through the bars at the place where they

page_text: join and overlie each other is a perforation to allow the insertion of a
pin D which fits into the said perforation so as to secure the joint and
hold or keep both bars in their then united position, or if preferred (in
practice) one bar might be dispensed with, when the same arrangement
would still apply to the remaining bar and indicator or signal, which in
that case when liberated would be thrown out on one side only of the
carriage. At a convenient distance from each side of the joint a peg or
projection is fixed upon each bar to prevent them being thrown out
too far. The rollers upon which the bars slide are fixed inside the
bearers B, B, Fig. 3. To the indicators or signals a¹, Fig. 3, may be
fixed, if desired, a lamp or lamps with colored or plain glass.to shewa
light at both sides of the said lanip at one and the same time, which
lamp might rest under a hood or covering to shade the light when not
thrown out or exhibited, or thrown out as a signal; but indicators of
signals, plain or painted white, will be sufficient without a lamp. To
the pin D, which confines the joint above described, is attached a
rope E, which rope is carried up and introduced into the carriage at f
Fig. 3, and carried in or over pullies or grooves or otherwise along the
centre to the opposite end, or can by being made double be carried
along both sides of the carriage at pleasure, and at opposite corners
or at every corner, or otherwise may terminate in a pendant handle-or
ring, as shewn at G, Fig. 2, so that a passenger may by pulling the
ring or handle lift up the pin D and set the bars a, a, at liberty, which
by their own gravity slide outwards and project the signal at each side
of the train, as shown by the dotted lines at H, H, Fig. 3. In order
to enable passengers to give an alarm in case of danger and to
communicate with the guard and driver a second rope is provided, which
for distinction I call the communicator, and which runs parallel with
the other rope before described. This communicator is continued on
from carriage to carriage over the centre of the couplings running on
friction rollers or pulleys, and is connected at one end to a bell in the
guard's van, and at the other to the whistle on the engine. Every
carriage has its separate length of rope, and is communicated with
its adjacent carriage over the couplings, and may be connected or
disconnected by turning a fastener or thumbscrew K, K, Figs. 2 and 5;
F, F, in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5, shew this rope or communicator thus applied;
K, K, are the fastener's coupling the carriages together; L, L, are the
friction rollers. A passenger desirous of giving an alarm would simply

page_text: have to pull the ring or handle G, Figs. 2 and 5, which ring or handle
embraces both ropes at once, and by thus pulling and by the ropes being
pulled both ways simultaneously, as shewn by Fig. 2, the bell A in the
guard's van is set at liberty and rings, and by the oscillation of the
train is kept ringing until the train is brought to a stand, or the bell
again put in position by the guard; at the same time the whistle is
sounded on the engine, and the signals a', a¹, thrown out to H, H,
Fig. 3, at cach side of the train, and thus indicate the carriage from
whence the alarm was given. To indicate the compartment from
whence the signal was given I cover over the handle within the space
indicated from M to N, Fig. 2, with suitable paper, and at the same
time I paint the handle with a solution of printers' ink and oil, thus a
passenger in pulling the handle G would have to break the paper cover
at once, thus indicating the compartment, and the impression of the
rope would be left on the hand of the passenger pulling
which could
not casily be effaced, thus identifying the individual. It is evident that
the continuous rope or communicator could be brought from carriage to
carriage in a straight line if desired, that is, from O to O, Figs. 1 and 2;
but I particularly claim my arrangement as being of great importance
in the saving of time in marshalling and shunting trains.
Figs. 6 to 12, Sheet 2; are enlarged views of the apparatus before
described. Fig. 6 is a side view of the guard's alarm bell; Fig. 7 is a front
view of same; Fig. 8 is a full size view of the fastener communicating
the rope with each carriage as at K, Figs. 1 and 2, Sheet 1; Fig. 9 is
a side view of pin D, Fig. 3; Fig. 10 is top view of same; Fig. 11 is
an enlarged view of sliding bars and signals a, a, a, a, Fig. 3, showing
them when at rest and when thrown out to indicate the carriage;
Fig. 12 is top view of same bars.
In the description and Drawings above referred to the bars are shewn
inclined, which according to my experience will be more efficient
and certain in action than horizontal bars actuated by springs or
weights.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I do not
claim the exclusive use of a cord or of the various parts of the apparatus
above described or referred to for communicating signals between
different parts of a train, except when the same is used for the purposes

page_text: of my said Invention, which I hereby declare to consist of an
arrangement of bars in combination with communicators and other
suitable apparatus for signalling from one part of a railway train to
another, and for effecting communication between passengers and guard
or driver in trains of carriages used on railways, as herein-before
described and set forth.
In witness whereof I, the said Arthur Montague Keighley, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of July,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
eight.
ARTHUR MONTAGUE KEIGHLEY. (L.S.)
Signed, sealed, and delivered by
the said Arthur Montague
Keighley, in the presence of
ABBOTT THURMAN,
Clerk to Messrs. Parsons & Son,
Solicitors,
Nottingham.