Improvements in, or pertaining to Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 20th May, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 19th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 30th Apr., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in, or pertaining to Signalling Apparatus for
Railways.
WILLIAM FRANCIS BALLS, Coal Trimmer, 198, South Frederick Street, South
Shields, WILLIAM LOWES, Joiner, 176, Mile End Road, South Shields, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:--
The above consists of a crank with sufficient axle for bearings or more if
required. The crank is kept in horizontal position by brackets so that it is free to
move upwards. The position of above is tranverse, that is, the crank axle is
parallel to the axle of that under which it is placed. Upon the pin of crank is
a wheel as large, in diameter, as can be accommodated and to same wheel
is attached a sheave.
Upon the most convenient axle on the engine, tender, van, or other vehicle
under which above is placed, is attached another sheave in a line with the
sheave upon the wheel upon the crank pin. Upon the two sheaves a belt is
placed. The sheaves are so arranged that the velocity of the wheel on the crank
pin is equal to that of any other wheel in the train, and it also revolves in the
same direction.
The above is operated upon by a switch in the four feet lying midway between
the rails and parrallel therewith, and at a level of about 2 inches above that of the
rails between which it is placed. The switch is secured at the end which points
in direction from which the train is travelling leaving opposite end of switch
free to rise. The switch is connected to signal board connection so that when
signal board is at danger the loose end of switch is raised about two inches thus
And when signal board is
presenting a slopeing switch to an approaching train.
at no danger the switch is lying level. The switch is balanced so that if connection
breaks it comes to danger.
To give a signal of danger to a passing train with the above arrangement
place the signal board at danger thereby raising one end of switch and when train
passes over point where switch is placed the wheel upon crank is so situated that
it runs upon switch and the wheel is lifted about two inches and thereby imparts
a motion to crank axle which motion may be utilized, by suitable connections,
to sound whistle or to give any other alarm such as switching on an electric
bell.
The reason the wheel upon the crank pin is made to revolve is to overcome what
would otherwise be a blow when the wheel came in contact with the switch.
When switch is at no danger, it just clears lower part of wheel upon crank-
pin.

page_text: Improvements in, or pertaining to Signalling Apparatus for
Railways.
WILLIAM FRANCIS BALLS, Coal Trimmer, 194, South Frederick Street, South
Shields, late of 198, South Frederick Street, South Shields, WILLIAM Lowes,
Joiner, 176, Mile-End Road, South Shields, 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 above consists of a crank Ę with sufficient axle to extend to suitable
bearings such as side frames A of engine, tender, van, or other vehicle, (under
which it may be placed) or beyond, if required. The crank E is kept in a
horizontal position, or nearly so, by suitable brackets such as K, that is, the axes
of the crank E are kept in the same horizontal plane, or nearly so, by brackets K
so that the axis upon which the wheel G revolves is free to rise, or move upward
upon the other axis of crank E. The position of crank E is transverse, that is,
the axes of crank E are parallel to the axles of that under which the crank Eis
placed, such as the axle C. Upon crank-pin, or shorter axis of crank E, is a
wheel G as large in diameter as can be accommodated, and to same wheel G, is
fixed a belt sheave F. Fixed to nearest or most convenient axle C, is a belt
sheave D, in a direct line with the belt sheave F; upon or around the two belt
sheaves D and F a belt L is placed; the diameters of the two belt sheaves.D. and F
are so arranged that the rim velocity and direction of the wheel G are the same as
that of the wheel B, or any other wheel in the train.
The above is operated upon by the switch H, which switch is about ten feet long,
placed midway between the rails M and parallel to them and at a level of about
two inches above the level of the rails M. between which switch H is placed. The
switch H is secured at the end in the direction from which the train is travelling.
The switch H is connected to the signal-board connection, so that, when signal-
board is put to danger, the loose end of switch H is raised about three inches by
an arrangement as at I and J, thus presenting a sloping switch H, (as shown by
dotted lines at H¹ in elevation) to an approaching train. The switch can be
balanced so that it will rise to give a danger signal, should the connection
break.
To give a danger signal to an approaching train with above arrangement, place
the signal-board at danger, thereby raising loose end of switch Ĥ about three
inches, and when engine, tender, van, or other vehicle, under which wheel G,
crank E, and their connections are placed, passes over the switch H, the wheel G
upon the crank E is so situated that it runs upon the switch H, and the
wheel G together with the axis upon, or around, which the wheel G revolves is
lifted about two and a half inches, which upward motion of wheel G together with
its axis may be utilized with suitable connections to sound whistle, or to give any
other alarm, such as switching on an electric bell, and the like.
The underside of wheel G is arranged to clear switch H about half an inch
when switch H is lying level or resting at no danger.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven❤
tion and in what manner the same has to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
. 1. In improvements in signalling apparatus, or pertaining thereto, the several
parts for operating same being constructed and arranged in combination as herein
anecified

page_text: 2. In improvements in signalling apparatus, or pertaining thereto, the belt-
sheaves, the belt, and wheel with belt-sheave attached together with arrangement
of same to be substantially as herein set forth.
3. The improvements in signalling apparatus, or pertaining thereto, herein
described the same being arranged and constructed to operate substantially as
herein specified.
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