Improvements in Interlocking Railway Switches and Signals and Indicating the Positions of Switches.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Apr., 1886.
Complete Left, 1st Jan., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 1st Feb., 1887.
Improvements in Interlocking Railway Switches and Signals and
Indicating the Positions of Switches.
I, EDWARD FRENCH, of Walsworth, near Hitchin, in the County of Hertford,
Signal Fitter, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN
INTERLOCKING RAILWAY SWITCHES AND SIGNALS, AND INDICATING THE POSITIONS OF
SWITCHES, to be as follows:-
My Object being to ensure the safe and proper working of Facing, and other
points, by their own action, before a signal can be given for an Engine or train to
pass over them, and at the same time to indicate to signalmen or others in charge,
yet distant from them, that they are properly set; and that a signal may with safety
be given.
manner
To accomplish this object, I attach to each tongue of aforesaid points, one end of a
rod hereinafter called detecting rods-a, a. 1 in drawing, and in such a
that when the points are moved in any direction the detecting rods will move
simultaneously with them. At any suitable distance from the points, I bend the
detecting rods apart from each other, and there connect them by means of a cross piece
hereinafter called detector-B. on drawing with two loose pins-y. g-in such a
way that the detector can move upon them when necessary. The detector should be
made of metal, or some substance capable of transmitting an Electric current. I next
propose to fix two adjustable metal brackets-c. c. 1-in drawing, in such positions
that they will touch both ends of the detector, when the points are in the position
shewn the said brackets to be part of an Electrical circuit from signal cabin or
other station. The detector will therefore close the circuit when in the position
indicated, and a current will flow as shewn by the arrows in drawing. I propose
by means this current and by Electro Magnetic action in the signal cabin or other
station to release the lever which works for example "the main line signal."
At the same time, and by the same action, I propose to "lock the Branch or siding
signal lever," and also by means of a miniature signal or dise fixed in the signal
cabin or other station, to "indicate that the points before mentioned are properly
set for the main line, and that the lever working Branch or siding signal is "locked."
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page_text: When the points are moved and set for the Branch or sidings, the detecting rods
will move with them, and carry the detector from the position Y. to Z. There at
a place to be determined by the distance the points move, I propose to fix two
other metal brackets like those before described D. D. 1, in such positions that
when the points are moved and set for the Branch or sidings, the detector attached
to the detecting rods will touch both, and these being as in the previous example,
part of an Electrical circuit from signal cabin or other station-an Electric current
will then flow as in the former case, and by Electro magnetic action the Branch or
siding signal lever will be released," and the main line signal lever will be "locked
and an indication given in the signal cabin or station as before described that points
are properly set for the "Branch or siding,"-and that the main line signal lever is
"locked." In the foregoing I have not described the kind of locking I propose to
use, for the following reason. Either or any of ordinary forms now in use if worked
by and with Electro Magnetic action, will suit my purpose equally well, the saine
applies to the manner and kind of indicator used.
<
""
The foregoing principle may be applied to lock bolts or plungers to denote to
signalmen or others, when plunger or bolt is home in Facing points.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Interlocking Railway Switches and Signals and
Indicating the Positions of Switches.
I, EDWARD FRENCH, of Walsworth, near Hitchin, in the County of Hertford,
Signal Fitter, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
INTERLOCKING RAILWAY SWITCHES AND SIGNALS, AND INDICATING THE POSITIONS OF
SWITCHES," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
My Object being to ensure the safe and proper setting of Facing or other switches
by their own action before a signal can be given for an Engine or Train to pass over
them and at the same time to indicate to signalmen or others in charge ;-yet distant
from them that they are properly set, and that a signal may with safety be given.
To accomplish this object I attach to each tongue of a pair of switches, one end of a
rod hereinafter called "detecting rods-a. a. 1. and in such a manner that when the
aforementioned switches are moved in any direction the detecting rods will move
simultaneously with them. At any suitable distance from the switches I bend the
detecting rods apart from each other-and there connect them together by means of a
cross piece hereinafter called detector-B-with two loose pins-g. g-in such a
manner that the detector can move upon them when necessary. The detector should
be made of metal, or some substance capable of transmitting an Electric current. I
next propose to fix two adjustable metal brackets-c. c. 1-in such positions that they
will touch both ends of the detector, when the switches are in the position shewn in
drawing the said brackets to be part of an Electrical circuit from signal cabin or
other station. The detector will therefore close the circuit when in the position
indicated and a current of Electricity will flow as shewn by dotted lines and arrows
in the aforesaid drawing. I propose by means of this current and by Electro Magnetic
action in the signal cabin or other station to release -for example-the lever which
works the main line signal. At the same time, and by the same action, I propose to
lock the lever which works the Brauch or siding signal-and also by means of a
miniature seinaphore or disc fixed in signal cabin-or other station to indicate that the
switches are properly set for the "main line" and that the lever which works the
"Branch" or "siding" signal is locked.
"
When the switches are moved and set for the "Branch or "siding" the detecting
rods will move with them, and carry the detector from the position Y. to Z. There at
a place to be determined by the distance the switches are moved-I propose to fix two
other adjustable metal brackets. D. D. 1. in such positions that when the switches are
properly set for the "Branch or siding the detector will touch both-and these being
as in the previous example part of an Electrical circuit-from signal cabin or other
station-the detector will close the circuit--and an Electrical current will then flow, as
in the former case-and by Electro Magnetic action-the lever which works the
"Branch" or "siding" signal will be released-and the lever which works the main

page_text: "
line signal will be locked—and an indication given in signal cabin or other station--as
before described that the switches are properly set for the "Branch or siding, and
that the lever which works the main line signal is locked.
It will be understood by the foregoing statement and reference to the drawing that
if the switches from any cause whatever are not properly set, the fact will be indicated
to signalman or others in charge-and that a signal cannot be given until the switches
are properly set.
In the foregoing I have not described the kind or form of locking I propose to use,
for the following reasons.. Either or any of ordinary forms of locking now in use, if
worked by Electro Magnetic action, will suit my purpose-and the same applies to the
kind and manner of indicator used.
A similar arrangement may be used or to indicate when the plungers or lock bolts
of Facing points are home in the lock rod.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is
1st. The Electrical indication of the position of Railway switches, and the
interlocking of the same with signals.
2nd. The Detecting rods, if used for Electrical indication or interlocking.
3rd. The Detector—substantially as herein-before described.
EDWARD FRENCH..