Improvements in Railway Signalling.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Aug., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 16th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 8th Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Signalling.
I, JOHN MOON, of 49 Byrom Street, Manchester Shopkeeper, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to an improved signalling device for use on railways,
more especially adapted for use in fog signalling, and has for its object to provide
a convenient means for signalling from a signal box to the driver of a moving
locomotive.
.
In carrying my invention into practice, I provide between the lines a plate of
metal or other material, under which is situated part of the signalling device.
This part consists of a block, mounted on the end of a lever, pivotted to a bracket,
depending from the plate. The other end of the lever is provided with a weight,
so that when released the block will be held in its uppermost position, projecting
through a slot in the plate to a convenient height. This block is pivotted to the
end of the lever, and guides are preferably used, so that it may move in a vertical
manner. The lever is connected to the signal box, or to the mechanism actuating
the ordinary signals, so that when the wire or chain is pulled, the blocks are
lowered and when released, the weight causes them to rise.
In order that the signal may be received on the engine, a rod is provided,
projecting through the floor of the engine, with an arm at its end, so situated that
this arm will strike against the block when in its raised position, causing the rod
to turn. The upper end of this rod is connected to a bell or gong, or to the
whistle of the engine, or to any other suitable signalling device, so that when
the arm strikes the block a signal will be given. When the line is clear, the
blocks are lowered by the connecting wire or chain, from the signal box, allowing
the engine to pass without giving a signal.
Should the danger signal be required, or if the wire breaks, the weight will
automatically bring the block into signalling position.
Two blocks are used, one at each side of the line, so that the signal will be
given, whichever way the engine is moving, a space being left between the two
blocks to allow any couplings or other articles hanging down from the engine or
carriages to pass. The covering plate serves to protect the signalling device from
any injury, and from the weather.
Dated this 18th day of August 1892.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Signalling.
I, JOHN MOON of 49 Byrom Street, Manchester, Shopkeeper, do hereby
declare the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to improved signalling apparatus for use on railways,
more especially adapted for signalling in foggy weather and has for its object to
provide a convenient means for signalling from a signal box to the driver of a
passing locomotive.
On the accompanying drawing Fig. 1 represents an elevation and Fig. 2 a plan

page_text: of a set of railway lines, signal box and signal post with part of my improved
signalling apparatus (partly in section) shewn in conjunction therewith.
Fig. 3 is a back view of the cab of a locomotive shewing the remaining portion
of my improved apparatus applied thereto.
In carrying out my invention I provide between the lines A, A a plate B of
metal or other suitable material under which is situated part of the signalling
device. This part consists of a block C mounted on the end of a lever D pivoted
to a bracket E depending from said plate B.
The other end of the lever D is provided with a weight F so that when released
the block C will be held in its uppermost position (as shewn) projecting through a
slot in the plate B to a convenient height. This block C is pivoted at G to the
end of the lever D and guides H are preferably used, so that it may move in a
vertical manner.
The covering plate B serves to protect the mechanism from injury and from the
weather and in applying my invention I prefer to also enclose said mechanism in
à cast iron casing B' as illustrated.
'
In order that a signal may be given whichever way the engine is running two of
the blocks C, C are employed (see Fig. 2) separated a sufficient distance apart to
allow any coupling or other articles hanging down from the engine or carriages to
pass between.
The lever D is connected by the wire or chain I, secure to the weighted arm of
the lever at J, either direct to the signal box or to the mechanism actuating the
ordinary semaphore signal as would be found most expeditious, so that when the
wire or chain I is pulled the weighted arm of the lever D is raised and
the block C lowered. The weight F therefore causes the block C to rise when
the wire or chain is slacked.
In order that the signal produced by the slacking of the wire or chain and
consequent rising of the block C may be received on the engine, a rod Lis
provided projecting through the floor on the engine (as seen more clearly in
Fig. 3) so disposed as to come in contact with the block C only when said block is
raised.
The upper end of the rod L is connected to the whistle of the engine or in the
manner illustrated in dotted views Figs. 4. 5. 6. and 7 to a bell or gong M in the
cab of the locomotive. As shewn in Figs. 4 and 5 I prefer to provide the lower
extremity of the rod L with an arm L¹ which arm on coming in contact with the
block C shall partly turn the rod L in a vertical plane and by so doing swing the
hammer N against the side of the bell as shewn. In Figs. 6 and 7 the arm L'
causes the rod L to turn around its longitudinal axis, which rod is provided at its
upper extremity with an eccentric plate O so mounted as to release a catch P
which shall allow the bell M, in this case a mechanically wound one, to ring.
This arrangement may be also applied to an electric bell or gong as can be easily
understood. The turning of the rod L may be employed to actuate other
signalling devices..
It will be understood that when the line is clear the block C will be lowered by
the wire Tout of contact with the rod L on the engine, but when the engine is
required to stop, the block C will be raised as would also happen if the wire I'
were to break.
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
The use and employment of a pivoted and weighted lever D, with block or
blocks C, C, raised and lowered by means of a chain or its equivalent from the
signal box simultaneously with the raising and lowering of the ordinary semaphore
signals, in combination with an arm L or the like depending from the engine with
which said block or blocks CC may come in contact with when raised for

page_text: operating the hammer of a bell or gong as shewn in Figs. 4. 5. 6 and 7 or for
operating a steam whistle or other suitable signalling device on said engine all
mounted and operating substantially as and for the purposes herein before described
and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
Did it of a 1902
JOHN G. WILSON & Co.,
Agents.