Improvements in Fog Signals for Railways.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Apr., 1892-Accepted, 20th Aug. 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fog Signals for Railways.
We THOMAS GREEN BECKETT of 271 Lord Street Southport in the County of
Lancaster and HENRY TURNER SHERLOCK BECKETT of 25 Hawkshead Street
Southport Architects and Surveyors 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 action of the design is to connect the rods cranks and levers of same with
the existing signal posts cranks rods and levers A and thereby causing no extra
expense to the companies with the exception of the additional expense of affixing
the invention or design which consists as follows:-
A vertical rod bar or chain B is attached to the crank or lever on the signal posts
which raises and lowers the danger or other signal this bar rod or chain B is then
connected to a double action crank C at the bottom and is further connected to a
horizontal bar or rod D of 40 yards or upwards in length or otherwise as may
be deemed necessary for the purpose attached at the end to a double action
crank E and again attached to a rod or bar F turned up at right angles at each
end extending into the centre of the 4 foot between the rails the end of this
bar or rod being turned up lifts a curved flat iron bar G (say) 3 to 6 inches
above the level of the rails when in action or the danger signal is on to the engine
a vertical rod or bar H is fixed on the front of the fire chest at the upper end
of which is attached a lever I on a pinion so constructed as to depress the handle
of the tap to the whistle J but not to shut it off when the engine has passed over
the horizontal curved bar G in the 4 foot (which must be done by the driver) the
vertical bar will go through the foot plate of the engine sufficiently to allow the
vertical movement and to throw it out of action in clear weather by means of a
sliding slot piece fixed on the foot plate or by a pall fixed on the front of the fire
chest catching on an arm on the vertical rod or bar this rod or bar is then bent to
an angle to reach the centre of the 4 foot and again downwards vertically to a crank
for a light flat wheel or roller K through an eye piece stay L attached or fixed to
the front of the fire box or otherwise as would be considered best or advisable.
The curved flat iron bar G can be fixed at either side of the 4 foot inside or outside
the rails and the vertical bar or rod H on the engine made or adjusted to act with
any deviation from the first mentioned fixing in the centre of the 4 foot.
Semaphores of any number can be worked as follows :-
A short chain B is attached to each lever on the signal posts which raises or
depresses the arm or arms thus when any one of the arms is required to be depressed
the remaining arms still remain at danger for any following train or engine and the
moment the train is passed the danger signal is put on again and the whole of the
signal arms on the semaphore are at danger. The horizontal bar or rod D to
this portion of the invention is weighted on the cranks M at each end and the
normal position of the curved flat bar G will always be at danger unless when lowered
with the signal to allow a train or engine to pass. The engines to act on this
arrangement would require 2 vertical rods or bars H one on each side acting direct-
on the curved flat bars G to which is attached the light flat wheel or roller K which
acts on the curved flat bar G. The necessity for 2 vertical rods or bars to each
engine is to allow the engine to travel tender first or chimney first where there is
no convenience for turntables and for short distances to junctions and double treble
or more armed semaphores can also be worked as follows an extra lever will have
to be placed in the signal box or cabin to each double or treble semaphore and
connected with a horizontal rod or bar D in the usual manner and having an
independent action from anything connected with the signal posts or semaphores
D
27

page_text: and the flat curved bar G must be fixed outside the rails so as to clear the rails
thus requiring a shorter bar attached to the cranks F from the horizontal bar and
which raises the curved flat bar 3 to 6 inches above the rails a small roller wheel N
must be fixed to, the double action crank that lifts the curved flat bar G into
position.
INTERPRETATION CLAUSES.
Words importing the singular number shall include the plural and the plural
number the singular number.
The words bar, rod, lever, double crank, pulley, wheel shall be taken to mean
all necessary nuts, screws and whatsoever else is necessary for fixing or laying of
this invention and all methods of appliance. The word railway shall mean any
and all railways in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
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. Facility of signalling to and warning railway employees in charge of railway
passenger and goods trains in motion in foggy weather and at night time.
2. The saving to railway companies of the expense in the manufacture and use
of fog signals.
3. Simplicity of adaptation of invention to locomotives and existing signal posts.
Dated this 16th day of March 1892.
THOMAS GREEN BECKETT.
HENRY TURNER SHERLOCK BECKETT.