Automatic Gradient Indicator.
Year: 1899

page_text: INUYIDIONA DI DUIFICATION.
Automatic Gradient Indicator.
HENRY LEES, 144, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, in the County of
Lancaster, Watchmaker, Jeweller, &c., I do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My said invention has reference to an improved method of indicating (auto-
matically) the varying gradients on railways and other roadways, applicable to
locomotive engines and to other road vehicles.
The means usually employed to indicate the upward or the downward gradient
on railways, is by upright posts standing a little distance out of the ground,
these having cross pieces secured thereon, upon which figures are painted notify-
ing that the gradient is so much up, or so much down in a given distance.
These notices are generally a considerable distance apart, they cannot be seen
when it is dark, or when it is foggy, so at such times are useless as guides to
engine drivers, who may only find by the slowing down of the train that it is on
an up-gradient, or by the increasing speed that it is on a down gradient, leading
in the first case to a serious loss of time, and in the second case leading to a
possibly serious accident.
My said invention is automatic, it occupies very little room, it may be con-
veniently fixed in a corner against the casing of the locomotive or other vehicle,
well within view of the person in charge.
A personal knowledge of the gradients of the road is not essential, as a glance
at the instrument would at any moment inform him.
The method of carrying my invention into effect is by adopting (as a basis) the
principle of the plumb-line, which always maintains a perpendicular position
however the point from which it is suspended may be moved. But instead of a
flexible line, I use a rigid rod this is used in conjunction with certain mechanical
appliances to give a rotary motion to a pointer, which moves on a centre, to indi-
cate the upward or the downward gradient on a suitably marked dial. A further
combination with the preceding is to give warning of an upward, or a downward
gradient, pivoted levers having flat elastic spring extensions, surmounted by
clappers, aided by the jolting (common to most road vehicles) effecting the warning,
which is by bell, or as an alternative the bell could be rung by electricity, if
electric energy was available, contact being effected by levers and rod.
It will be observed that the heavily-weighted rod will retain its perpendicular
position whatever comes in contact with it. It is the more easily moved objects
which have to give way, and they do so by means of moveable joints, and so effect
the desired object.
The varying gradients do not effect the rod, it is the rod which then effects the
other working parts. Because it will not move something else must.
Unnecessary ringing of the bell is avoided, only those gradients calling for
attention, do so, and that automatically.
.
T1000

page_text: Automatic Gradient Indicator.
101
I, HENRY LEES, of No. 144, Stamford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne in the County
of Lancaster, Watchmaker and Jeweller, 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:-
-
My said invention has reference to an improved method of indicating auto-
matically the different gradients on railways and other roadways used by vehicles,
and is applicable to locomotive engines, motor cars, and other road vehicles...
The means usually employed to indicate the up-hill,, or, the down-hili gradients
on railways, is by posts which stand a little distance out of the ground, these posts
having cross-pieces secured thereon, with figures notifying that the gradient is
so much up, or so much down, in a given distance.
The post-notices are generally a considerable distance apart; they cannot be
seen by engine drivers when it is dark, or when it is foggy, so are useless as
guides at the most critical times.
My invention is entirely automatic, it is completely cased, it takes up very
little room being conveniently fixed in a corner against the casing of a loco-
motive engine or other vehicle, well within view of the person in charge. It
requires little attention beyond oiling the working parts a time or two during
the year.
Personal knowledge of the gradients of roads is not essential. The method
of carrying my invention into effect, is by adopting, as a basis, the principle of
the plumbline, which maintains a perpendicular position however the point from
which it is suspended may be moved, but instead of a flexible line I use a rigid
rod.
The rigid rod A is shown on Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings.
The rod is suspended on free pivots A* and A2 being heavily weighted at its
lower end A¹.
At the distance of about one third the length of the rod downwards, a flat-
enlargement of the rod is made A7, the enlargement having an open centre
which allows a shaft carrying a toothed pinion A to pass through the opening
formed by the shape of the rod A at A to work in and through the front plate L
and pivot in the back plate L¹.
Secured by screws or otherwise to the rim of the enlargement is a section of
wheel A which gears into the pinion A³.
The heavily weighted rod is not moved from the perpendicular position by
any change of gradient, it is the more easily moved objects coming in contact
with it which have to give way, doing so by means of moveable joints.
**
The gradient indicator" being a fixture to the vehicle, changes its position
(horizontally) with every change of gradient, the effect being that the section of
toothed wheel A gives to the toothed pinion A a rotary motion.
A double-ended index pointer A³ on the end of pinion A³ indicates the gradient
on the dial K.
The dial K has the words "up hill" at the top, and "down-hill" at the bottom,
or other words of like meaning. The pointer A5 stands horizontally across the
dial, when on level ground.
The divisions on the two semi circles K at each side of the dial (that is on the
right and left hand sides) are exactly alike.
It is always the side which is to the front. (in the direction travelling) which
indicates the gradient, by means of the pointer A5.

page_text: It is immaterial whether the engine, or the tender is first, or whether going
forwards or backwards, always the pointer in front which indicates the gradient.
G, G, G represent fastenings for the box to the vehicle.
A combination with the indicator" is a device intended to warn the person
in charge of any considerable "up-hill" or "down-hill" gradient, should his
attention be otherwise engaged.
The mechanism of this device consists of bracket levers C³ having flat-elastic
spring extensions upwards C, these being surmounted by bell-clappers C².
The bracket levers C also have extensions downwards, these having studs
projecting C4, on which cams (3 are pivoted. The use of the cams is to prevent
holes wearing in the rod by constant contact. The cams have greater surface.
The cams are kept in close contact with the rod by the tendency of the bell-
clappers to swing outwards, thereby bringing the cams C³ against the rod A.
Guides A6 keep the weight A' from swaying sideways.
The changing positions (relatively) of the mechanism and the rod A (by
changing gradients) remove the bell-clappers from a position where they cannot
strike, to another position where they can strike the bell D.
The striking of the bell being effected by the jolting motion which is common
to most road vehicles. The bell clappers are so nearly in touch that very little
vibration causes the ringing.
The screw studs E, and studs F, are to regulate the throw of the clappers.
Unnecessary ringing is avoided, only gradients which call for special attention,
do so, automatically.
Iron box enclosing "indicator", J, glass cover for dial J².
In the accompanying drawings, five views are shown, the like parts being
represented in the different views by like letters and numbers.
Fig. 1 is front elevation of the weighted rod, and dial.
Fig. 2 side elevation of the weighted rod, and dial.
Fig. 3 front elevation of the indicator, cased.
Fig. 4 front elevation of bell action.
Fig. 5 side elevation of bell action.
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:-
(1) The application of the principle of the plumbline in combination with
mechanical arrangements for indicating automatically the gradients on railways
and other roadways used by vehicles, as described by the foregoing specification,
and illustrated by the accompanying lettered and numbered drawings.
(2) The application of the principle of the plumbline in combination with
mechanical arrangements for giving alarm by the ringing of a bell automatically,
on vehicles ascending or descending steep gradients, as described by the fore-
going specification, and illustrated by the accompanying lettered and numbered
drawings.
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
(1) The application of the principle of the plumbline in combination with
mechanical arrangements for indicating automatically the gradients on railways
and other roadways used by vehicles, as described by the foregoing specification,
and illustrated by the accompanying lettered and numbered drawings.
(2) The application of the principle of the plumbline in combination with
mechanical arrangements for giving alarm by the ringing of a bell automatically,
on vehicles ascending or descending steep gradients, as described by the fore-
going specification, and illustrated by the accompanying lettered and numbered
drawings.