An Improved Indicator for use on Railways.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Dec., 1889-Accepted, 4th Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Indicator for use on Railways.
I, CLARENCE CANNING HEARSEY, of 623 High Road Chiswick, in the county of
Middlesex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to enable passengers, to ascertain during the journey
the names of the stations as the train passes through them, no matter in what weather
or at what speed the train is running, & without leaving their seats. 1 arrange in each
compartment a series of plates or discs of any size & of suitable material on an endless
band passing over rollers the name of each station is indicated on one of these plates
or discs in consecutive order & in the most conspicious position which is acted upon as
follows. At all stations 1 fix parallel with the metals on the permanent way the block
preferably of metal sloping upwards in either direction in the form of a double
inclined plane.
A sliding rod of any material is affixed perpendicularly to the side of each car-
riage or compartment communicating at the top with the rotating spindle on which
the discs or plates revolve.
To the lower end of the rod I affix a castor or wheel which may be flanged or other-
wise. In passing each station at whatever speed this castor or wheel traverses the
block passing on to, & over the same, as above described, & on passing the inclined
plane raises the rod sufficiently to release & revolve the required disc or plate thus
showing the passengers the name of the station passed. The rod is kept in its proper
position by a block & stop fixed at any convenient part of the rod.
The principle of my invention may be applied to similar purposes such as indicating
to the driver of the engine the speed at which he is travelling by blocks fixed at suitable
intervals, or as a fog signal.
D
1
AT
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Indicator for use on Railways.
I, CLARENCE CANNING HEARSEY, of High Road, Chiswick, in the County of Middle-
sex, Engineer, 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 object of my invention is to exhibit, in railway carriages, the names of the
stations on any line of railway, so that the passengers, in the carriages, may be informed
of the name of any station to which the train may be approaching. The system is
automatic; that is to say, not requiring any attention, or action, on the part of indi-
viduals; and to carry out this invention, I use an endless band on which is placed a
series of plates, on which are written the names of the stations alluded to. The
endless band is supported by a roller or axle, top and bottom, such roller or axle being
four sided or square, for the purpose of fitting the surface of the plates attached to the
endless band. The system comprising the endless band and plates, is fixed to one end
of each carriage, either on the outside or inside, and covered by a suitable casing;
an opening in any part being left for the exhibition of the names of the respective
stations. The top roller, supporting the endless band, is set in motion by means of a
vertical sliding rod, which is attached to the carriage, the lower end of which, being
in direct communication with a small wheel or caster, upon which it rests; and this
wheel or caster is made with a slotted bearing, to allow of its rising and falling. On
the line, and at a suitable distance from the station, are fixed, inside or outside the

page_text: "
guage, two rails, similar to "check rails" but formed as double inclines, the milite
point being elevated above the level of rails, and the extreme ends being lower. The
double incline rail may he mule of metal or timber, as may be required, and may
be fixed to the sleepers, or to an independant foundation. While the train is running
the small wheels or casters travel up and over the double ineline, thus causing the
vertical rod to rise, and partially rotating the roller of the endless band. On the
spindle of the top roller, I place a sprocket wheel with four projecting arms in
form of a Maltese cross," and at the top of the vertical rod, is an apparatus
consisting of a pall or tumbler, which, in rising, pushes one of the four projections of
the sprocket wheel, giving it a quarter of a revolution; and, in fulling, it drops clear
of the sprocket wheel, and into its original position. In conjunction with the pall
is n projecting piece called the "locking piece" and which prevents the roller from
rotating more than a quarter turn at a time, and the slipping of the roller due to
vibration. use a continuation, or prolongation, of the square roller, on each sidu
of the flanges, which, being prevented from turning, by its surface contact with a
spring, hold the system firm nid stendly until the next rising of the rol. I sometimes
utilize this spring to sound a gong. Although only one set of apparatus is described,
the same is duplicated, so that there is a separate action for the up and down journey.
In order that my invention may be more readily understood and explained in detail,
I have hereunto annexed three sheets of drawings, on which letters of reference are
marked on corresponding parts on all the Figs. alike.
GRAHAM & GRAHAM,
Agents for the Applicant.