IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY SIGNALLING APPARATUS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Draffin, of Eastern Pavilion, Heworth, near York,
in the County of York, Architectural and Landscape Photographer, for the
Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY SIGNALLING APPARATUS."
1 the 1st September 1876, and dated the 28tli April 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Draffin at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th April 1876.
JOHN DRAFFIN, of Eastern Pavilion, Heworth, near York, in the County of
York, Architectural and Landscape Photographer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY
SIGNALLING APPARATUS."
The Invention has for its object improvements in railway signalling apparatus
for the purpose of signalling the guard and driver of a train in dull and foggy
weather, when the ordinary signals are obscured.
In conjunction with the ordinary fixed distant signal is fixed on the line an
additional fixed signal of stronger make, the arm of which when raised is within
about two feet of the carriage sides, and worked in the usual way and by the same
lever and wire as the ordinary fixed signal. On the engine is affixed a signal, the
spindle of which works in a socket, in which it is capable of rotating in a similar
manner to a church vane, and by a spring is always kept at right angles with the
vehicle, except when otherwise acted upon.
On a train approaching the distant fixed signal the latter acts on the signal on
the engine, and by suitable connections opens the whistle, which remains open till
closed by the driver. This whistle I prefer to be a special one of different tone to
the ordinary one. Affixed to the guard's van is a similar signal, which when acte
upon by the fixed signal strikes a gong inside the van. These train signals do not
project sufficiently to come in contact with bridges and other parts of a railway,
and the fixed signal does not project sufficiently to interfere with any projections
on passenger or goods trains or with trucks of straw or other goods.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Draffin in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th October
1876.
JOHN DRAFFIN, of Eastern Pavilion, Heworth, near York, in the County of
York, Architectural and Landscape Photographer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY
SIGNALLING APPARATUS."
The Invention has for its object improvements in railway signalling apparatus
for the purpose of signalling the guard and driver of a train in dull and foggy
weather, when the ordinary signals are obscured.
In conjunction with the ordinary fixed distant signal is fixed on the line an
additional fixed signal of stronger make, the arm of which when in the position
for use is within about one foot of the carriage sides or other convenient distance,
and worked in the usual way and by the same or by a similar lever and wire to
that employed for operating the ordinary fixed signal. On the engine is affixed a
signal, the spindle of which works in a socket in which it is capable of rotating in
a similar manner to a church vane, and by a spring is always kept at right angles
with the vehicle except when otherwise acted upon.
On a train approaching the distant fixed signal the latter acts on the signal on
the engine, and by suitable connections opens the whistle, which remains open till
. closed by the driver. This whistle I prefer to be a special one, of different tone to
the ordinary one. Affixed to the guard's van is a similar signal, which when acted
upon by the fixed signal strikes a gong inside the van. These train signals do
not project sufficiently to come in contact with bridges and other parts of a railway,
and the fixed signal does not project sufficiently to interfere with any projections
on passenger or goods trains or with trucks of straw or other goods.
And in order that my said Invention may be more clearly understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed, aided by the accompanying Drawings, more fully
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation; Figure 2 is an end view; and Figure 3 is a
sectional plan of parts of a railway carriage showing apparatus applied thereto
constructed according to my Invention; Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 are detail views
thereof drawn to a larger scale.
a represents. the arm of a fixed signal, which may be used in addition to and in con-
junction with the ordinary fixed distant signal. The signal arm a when in position
for use is within about one foot of the carriage sides. The signal arm a is worked by a
similar lever and wire to that employed in working the ordinary fixed signal, and it
may be caused to work in the usual manner of an ordinary semaphore signal arm,
but, as shown in the Drawings, such signal arm a when out of position for use
stands in a vertical position extending upwards from its axis a¹ instead of being
dependent therefrom as is the usual practice. This arm a has connected thereto by
pin joint two rods or links a², a³, the rod a² being connected by chain to the wire
by which the signal arm is operated, and the rod as being connected to the weighted
arm a The arm a projects through a rotating cylindrical support or guide a³,
which affords additional strength and rigidity thereto to resist the blows to which
it will be subject in use. On the engine and on the guard's van is fixed a signal
arm b, the spindle b¹ of which works in suitable bearings 63, and is capable of par-
tially rotating therein. The lower part of this spindle b¹ has a bar b³ fixed thereon,
which is provided with a friction roller at each end thereof to act in combination.
with springs 65, by which the spindle b¹ and signal arm b are kept in and
returned to their normal position. The spindle b¹ has also connected thereto a lever
handle b, by which, aided by a fixed catch b7, the signal arm b may when desired
be turned into such a position as to prevent its being acted upon by the fixed signal

page_text: arm a.
The spindle has also fixed thereon a lever b³, which acts in combination
with spring strikers or hammers c', cl, acting upon bells or gongs c, c.
I would here remark that instead of employing two gongs or bells in the guard's
van a single gong or bell of larger dimensions may be employed, as shown by dotted
circles in Figures 3 and 7.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-On a train approaching the distant
fixed signal a the latter acts upon the signal arm bon the engine, and by suitable
connections, as will be readily understood, opens the whistle, which remains open
until closed by the driver. This whistle I prefer to be a special one, of different
tone to the ordinary one. The signal arm b on the guard's van is also operated by
the fixed signal a and a gong or bell c sounded.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the mode in which I
propose to carry the same into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim
is the employment of a signal arm b on the engine and on the guard's van to act in
combination with the fixed distant signal, and sound a gong or bell on the engine
and on the guard's van, or open a whistle on the engine, in manner substantially as
herein shown and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Draffin, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this 23rd day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-six.