Treadle Apparatus for Operating Signals by Means of Passing Trains.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 11th July, 1893
Complete Specification Left. 24th Mar., 1894-Accepted, 28th Apr.. 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by Messrs. SIEMENS & HALSKE, of Berlin, in the
German Empire, Electrical Engineers.]
Treadle Apparatus for Operating Signals by Means of Passing
Trains.
We, SIEMENS BROTHERS & Co. LIMITED of 12. Queen Anne's Gate,
Westminster in the County of Middlesex, Electrical Engineers, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to treadle apparatus situated at the side of a line of rails
for operating signals by passing trains.
According to the present invention, such treadles are so arranged as to effect
a different operation, according to the direction in which the train passes over
them.
We will describe the construction of the apparatus with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 2 shew respectively a plan and side
view of a line of rails with the treadles applied thereto, and Fig. 3 is a cross section
shewing a diagrammatic view of the treadle apparatus.
Each pedal apparatus has two pedals P1 and P" which are depressed by the
passage of a wheel over them. In the transverse direction the pedals can be
arranged at will, either both on one and the same side of the rail, or one on each
side thereof, or, as shewn on the drawing, one at the side of each rail. In the
longitudinal direction of the rails, these pedals are so shifted relatively to each
other, as shewn at Figs. 1 and 2, that a wheel axle passing over the same first
depresses only the one pedal, then both, and lastly only the second pedal, the first
one acted upon being either P or P" according to the direction in which the train
is running. This variation in the sequence of the pedal motions can be utilised in
various ways for rendering the action of the pedal apparatus dependent upon the
direction of motion of the train.
Fig. 3 shews one arrangement for this purpose.
Pedal P is connected with the
double ended lever Hand P" with H" in such manner, that the descent of the
pedal produces a corresponding motion of its lever. The free ends of H and H"
are connected together by means of the rods L' and L" which are pivotted
together at B so that on the passage of a wheel axle over the pedals the pivot B
will move through a path composed of four circular arcs as shewn by the dotted
lines B B', B' B2, B² B³, B³ B, the direction in which the pivot travels in moving
through this path varying according as P or P is first depressed, and con-
sequently according to the direction of motion of the train. For example if an
axle A Figs. 1 and 2 travels in the direction from right to left over the pedal
apparatus, then when the axle has arrived at A', P' will be depressed, H' will be
moved to H, B will be moved through an arc struck from centre C" (because H
is still held stationary) to B', L' and L" will assume the positions L', and L.
When the axle has advanced to A, P" will also be depressed, while P' is still
held in its depressed position; the several parts will now assume the positions
indicated by the index "2" in Fig. 3; B₁ will have travelled over the arc struck
from centre C' to B. On the farther advance of the axle to the position A³,
P¹ having been released, will rise to its original position whereby the other parts
will be made to assume the position indicated by "3." Lastly, A also releases P"
and all parts will resume their original position.
If the axle travels in the contrary direction, B will travel through its path in
the direction B, B³, B² B¹.

page_text: '
Two contact levers K' and K" are provided one or other of which is put in
action, according to the direction in which B travels; for example, with the above
described motion of an axle from right to left K' will be put in action, while K
cannot operate, in consequence of the one sided action of the hinge joint G".
This is effected by B in its travel to B¹ or B³, moving behind one of the contact
levers, and then, on its travel to B2 carrying the lever with it and closing the
electrical circuit (or, in the case of a normally closed circuit, breaking the circuit).
On the further motion of B to B or B' it will act on the back of the other
contact lever, and this will yield owing to its one sided joint G', without being
operated.
It will be readily understood that in place of closing an electric circuit, a
mechanical operation may be performed, for example, a signal can be moved to
"Dauger."
It is also possible to utilise the motion of B for effecting the rotation of an
axis situated in the centre of its path, whereby for example, a train of wheels can
be rotated.
The arrangement of the contact levers is such that they lie in the same direction
as the paths B B and B B³, respectively, so that they are only brought into action
during the motion B1 B2 and B3 B2, the object of this arrangement is, to render
their action independent of variations in the path BB' that may occur owing
to wear &c.
.
Another mode of construction is shewn at Figs. 4 to 13.
In this arrangement, by the depression of the pedals P1 and P" the levers S
and Shinge-jointed thereto are turned through a certain equal angle. On the
same axes W₁ and W" with the levers S₁ S₁ are loose levers R' R", which are
always pressed by springs F1 F" against studs T' T" fixed on S' S"¹.
A contact piece K is fixed to R. The arms of R' R¹¹ face each other, R" being
preferably made twice the length of R'. Consequently for equal angular motions
of S¹ and S₁ round W' and W" the end of R will move through a path double
that passed through by the end of R¹. Precisely the same action might be
obtained if both levers were of the same length, as the lever which faces the
passing train is situated underneath the other one, and is consequently lower than
this to the extent of the thickness of the lever arm. With a suitable proportion
of the dimensions, this difference in the position is sufficient for effecting the
necessary closing of the contact.
The various positions of the mechanism produced by the passage of a wheel
axle are shewn at Figs. 6 to 13, the several positions being assumed to correspond
with the different positions of the axle at Fig. 1.
Figs. 6 to 9 shew the positions for a motion from right to left; Fig. 6 shews the
position of rest.
When the axle has arrived at A' Fig. 1, the pedal P1 is depressed, whereby
lever S will be moved into the position S₁₁ Fig. 7 and will move the contact
lever R' into position R₁₁ by means of the stud T.
When the axle moves to A2 P" will be depressed as at Fig. 8, R" participating
in such motion, but as this arm is twice as long as the lever R it will, during
such motion bear against the latter and oblige it to perform a further motion
to R2, by which motion the contact piece is made to close the electric circuit.
The circuit is maintained closed even after P¹ has risen again, as at Fig. 9,
until P is liberated by the axle, when in rising it will bring the parts into the
position of rest, breaking the circuit again.
If the train advances in the contrary direction then, as shewn in Figs. 10 to 13,
P will be first depressed R" being made to assume its lowest position, and is
consequently not able to act upon R', so that in this case no contact is made on
the depression of both treadles.
Dated this 11th day of July 1893.
ABEL & IMRAY,.
Agents for the Applicants..

page_text: Treadle Apparatus for Operating Signals by Means of Passing
Trains.
We, SIEMENS BROTHERS & Co., LIMITED, of 12 Queen Anne's Gate,.
Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Electrical Engineers, 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 :-
This invention relates to treadle apparatus situated at the side of a line of rails
for operating signals by passing trains.
According to the present invention such treadles are so arranged as to effect.
a different operation according to the direction in which the train passes over.
them.
We will describe the construction of the apparatus with reference to the drawings
accompanying our Provisional Specification in which Figs. 1 and 2 shew respectively
a plan and side view of a line of rails with the treadles applied thereto, and Fig. 3.
is a cross-section showing a diagrammatic view of the treadle apparatus.
Each pedal apparatus has two pedals P' and P" which are depressed by the
passage of a wheel over them. In the transverse direction the pedals can be
arranged at will, either both on one and the same side of the rail, or one on each
In the
side thereof, or, as shewn on the drawing, one at the side of each rail.
longitudinal direction of the rails these pedals are so shifted relatively to each
other, as shewn at Figs. 1 and 2, that a wheel axle passing over the same first
depresses only the one pedal, then both, and lastly only the second pedal, the first
one acted upon being either P or P" according to the direction in which the train
is running. This variation in the sequence of the pedal motions can be utilised in
various ways for rendering the action of the pedal apparatus dependent upon the
direction of motion of the train.
Fig. 3 shews one arrangement for this purpose. Pedal P¹ is connected with the
double ended lever H' and P with H in such manner, that the descent of the
pedal produces a motion of its corresponding lever. The free ends of H¹ and H"
are connected together by means of the rods L' and L" which are pivotted together
at B so that on the passage of a wheel axle over the pedals the pivot B will move
through a path composed of four circular arcs as shewn by the dotted lines B B¹,
B B2, B3 B3, B³ B, the direction in which the pivot travels in moving through this
path varying according as P' or P" is first depressed, and consequently according
to the direction of motion of the train. For example if an axle A Figs. 1 and 2
travels in the direction from right to left over the pedal apparatus then when the
axle has arrived at A', P¹ will be depressed, H will be moved to H₁₁, B will be
moved through an arc struck from centre C" (because H" is still held stationary)
to B, L' and L" will assume the positions L and L. When the axle has
advanced to A2, P will also be depressed, while P' is still held in its depressed
position; the several parts will now assume the positions indicated by the
index "2" in Fig. 3; B¹ will have travelled over the arc struck from centre C'ı
to B. On the farther advance of the axle to the position A³, P' having been
released, will rise to its original position whereby the other parts will be made to
assume the position indicated by "3." Lastly, A also releases P" and all parts
will resume their original positions.
If the axle travels in the contrary direction, B will travel through its path in the
direction B, B³. B², B¹.
-
Two contact levers K'and K" are provided one or other of which is put in action,
according to the direction in which B travels; for example, with the above described
motion of an axle from right to left K will be put in action, while K".cannot

page_text: operate, in consequence of the one sided action of the hinge joint G". This is
effected by B in its travel to B' or B³, moving behind one of the contact levers,
and then, on its travel to B carrying the lever with it and closing the electrical
circuit (or, in the case of a normally closed circuit, breaking the circuit). On the
further motion of B to B or B' it will act on the back of the other contact lever
and this will yield owing to its one sided joint G', without being operated.
It will be readily understood that in place of closing an electric circuit, a
mechanical operation may be performed, for example, a signal can be moved to
"Danger."
It is also possible to utilise the motion of B for effecting the rotation of an axis
situated in the centre of its path, whereby for example, a train of wheels can be
rotated.
The arrangement of the contact levers is such that they lie in the same direction
as the paths B B and B B³ respectively, so that they are only brought into
action during the motion B¹ B2 and B3 B2, the object of this arrangement is, to
render their action independent of variations in the path B B that may occur
owing to wear &c.
Another mode of construction is shewn at Figs. 4 to 13.
In this arrangement, by the depression of the pedals P¹ and P" the levers' S¹
and Shinge-jointed thereto are turned through a certain equal angle. On the
same axes W and W" with the levers S₁ Su are loose levers R' R which are
always pressed by springs F1 F against studs T¹ T" fixed on S' S".
A contact piece K is fixed to R'. The arms of R¹ R face each other,
R being preferably made twice the length of R'. Consequently for equal angular
Inotions of S₁ and S" round W' and 'W the end of K will move through a
path double that passed through by the end of R'. Precisely the same action
might be obtained if both levers were of the same length, as the lever which faces
the passing train is situated underneath the other one, and is consequently lower
than this to the extent of the thickness of the lever arm. With a suitable
proportion of the dimensions this difference in the position is sufficient for effecting
the necessary closing of the contact.
The various positions of the mechanism produced by the passage of a wheel
axle are shown at Figs. 6 to 13 the several positions being assumed to correspond
with the different positions of the axle at Fig. 1.
Figs. 6 to 9 shew the positions for a motion from right to left; Fig. 6 shews
the position of rest.
When the axle has arrived at A¹ Fig. 1, the pedal P' is depressed, whereby
lever S will be moved into the position S', Fig. 7 and will move the contact
lever R¹ into position R₁₁ by means of the stud T.
When the axle moves to A2, P" will be depressed as at Fig. 8, R¹ participating
in such motion, but as this arm is twice as long as the lever R¹ it will, during
such motion, bear against the latter, and oblige it to perform a further motion
to R, by which motion the contact piece is made to close the electric circuit.
2
The circuit is maintained closed even after P¹ has risen again, as at Fig. 9,
until P is liberated by the axle, when in rising it will bring the parts into the
position of rest, breaking the circuit again.
If the train advances in the contrary direction then, as shewn in Figs. 10 to 13,
P will be first depressed R being made to assume its lowest position, and is
consequently not able to act upon R', so that in this case no contact is made on
the depression of both treadles.
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. In treadle apparatus for operating signals by passing trains, the arrangement
of two pedals independently of each other and placed in such relative positions at
the sides of the two rails, that a passing train will first act upon only one of them,

page_text: then on both together, and lastly only on the other pedal the said pedals being
connected to signalling mechanism in such manner that a different indication will
be obtained by the action of the pedals according to the direction in which the
passing train is travelling, substantially as described.
2. In treadle apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim, the combination
with the pedals P₁ and P of levers H' and H coupled together by articulated
connecting rods L' and L", whose point of connection B passes through a
path B B B2 B3 B in a direction which varies according to the direction in which
the passing train is travelling, so that according to such direction either the contact
lever Kor K is put in action, substantially as described with reference to.
Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings.
3. In treadle apparatus such as is referred to in the first claim the combination
with the pedals P1 and P" of two levers R' and R" so arranged relatively to each
other that in the event of the one lever R being first depressed, the second
lever R when acted upon causes the lever R' to move still farther so as to bring
into action an electrical contact, while when the levers are acted upon in the
reverse order, the said contact apparatus remains out of action, substantially as.
described.
Dated this 24th day of March 1894.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.