Improvements in the Method of and Means for Automatically Recording Railway and other Signals.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in the Method of and Means for Automatically
Recording Railway and other Signals.
I. ROBERT SLACK, of Old Falinge, Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster,
Flannel Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
-
My said invention relates to an automatic signal recorder, applicable to
railway and other signals.
The primary object to be attained under my invention is to register on the
recorder the exact moment when a particular semaphore or signal was moved.
Further in addition to this the movements of a passing train and communications
or signals from a distant cabin are also capable of being duly registered at the
exact time of occurrence.
In constructing an automatic recorder in accordance with my invention, I
provide a locked case containing suitable clock work actuating a strip of paper
carried on drums. The strip of paper is suitably ruled and spaced to represent
divisions of time. For instance suppose the traverse of the paper, which may be
either vertical or horizontal, be regulated by the clockwork at twelve inches per
hour, by dividing twelve inches into 60 divisions, each division will represent
one minute of time. In addition to these time divisions the paper is ruled into
columns to represent various signals and each column is provided with a marker
by means of which the signals are recorded upon the travelling strip of paper.
It will be understood that the paper strip may be provided with any suitable
number of columns according to the number of signals to be recorded. The
number of signals will naturally vary according to the number of semaphores,
points, sidings and lines of permanent way in connection with the cabin con-
taining the recorder.
In describing the working of my invention however I will take it in its
simplest form, as being connected to one railway track only, and two signal
cabins A and B, each of which are provided with the automatic recording
apparatus.
One of the markers, which I will call C', in the automatic recorder is connected
with the electric bell actuated by the signal-man on either side of the cabin. A
second marker I) is actuated by the signalman himself when he pulls down his
lever for moving the semaphore to allow a train to pass.
A third marker E is operated by the train passing the "home" signal or any
other pre-determined point.
The action of my apparatus is shortly as follows:
-
Suppose a train has passed the cabin A at 5 o'clock, the signalman as
usual rings up cabin B. The marker (is electrically operated in any suitable
manner on the ringing up of cabin B so that the marker C records the signal to

page_text: cabin B. Thereupon at the proper time the signalman in B lowers his home
signal.
The lever to effect this is connected, preferably mechanically, to marker 1)
which is brought into contact with the travelling strip of paper and records a
line thereon so long as it remains in contact. On the passage of the train at or
about cabin B some portion of the train is arranged to complete an electric
circuit to operate an electro-magnet which moves marker and records the
passing of the train. The markers C and E may however be operated mechani-
cally if desired.
The travelling paper strip thus preserves a perfect record, and in case of acci-
dents conflicting evidence between pointsmen and drivers on the question of
responsibility can readily be decided.
For instance suppose the travelling strip of paper records the passage of the
train beyond the home" signal and the paper bears no simultaneous record of
the signal being pulled down, then it would be obvious that the driver had passed
against the signal.
If desired the recorder could be made in a simple form to record only the
signals under the control of the pointsman so as to be a check upon his work.
I have above described the automatic recorder in its simplest form but it will
be readily understood that any desired number of signals may be thus faithfully
recorded and an accurate account of the working of the line be preserved for
reference on any future occasion.
Although I have described my invention as being applied to railway signalling
it is obvious that the same may be used to record signals in other situations than
railways.
Improvements in the Method of and Means for Automatically
Recording Railway and other Signals.
I, ROBERT SLACK, of Old Falinge, Rochdale, in the County of Lancaster,
Flannel Manufacturer, 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 and accompanying drawings ; —
My said invention relates to an automatic signal recorder, applicable to
railway and other signals.
The primary object to be attained under my invention is to register on the
recorder the exact moment when a particular semaphore or signal was moved,
together with the time it remained in any particular position.
Further, under my invention, the communications or signals from a distant
cabin are also capable of being duly registered at the exact time of occurrence.
My invention will be clearly understood from the following description when
read in conjunction with the annexed sheet of drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 shows diagramatically an arrangement of parts for carrying my
invention into effect.
Fig. 2 is a front view of Fio 1

page_text: In construction an automatic recorder in accordance with my invention, I pro-
vide a locking casing a containing suitable clock work or mechanism arranged
to actuate a strip of paper A carried on drums or rollers b c d. In the arrange-
ment shown in the drawing the strip is coiled on the drum b in the first instance,
from whence it is taken partly around the drum e to the drum d. By causing
the drum to revolve, Ly means of the aforesaid clockwork, it will be obvious
that the strip of paper A is traversed over the drum c, and wound upon d, at a
speed governed by the action of the clockwork. The clockwork is so arranged as
to traverse the paper strip A at a certain determined speed, the tension of the
strip being maintained in any suitable manner. I have not thought it necessary
to indicate more particularly the method of traversing the strip A by clockwork
as this may readily be varied and really forms no part of my invention.
The strip of paper A is suitably ruled and spaced to represent divisions of time.
For instance suppose the traverse of the paper be regulated by the clockwork so
as to move at the rate of twelve inches per hour, or it might be six inches or less
per hour, by dividing twelve, or six inches, into 60 divisions, each division will
represent one minute of time. As indicated in Fig. 2 the sheet A is divided into
spaces representing one 12th part of an hour, or 5 minutes periods, these periods
being indicated by the figures in the left hand margin of the strip. The said
spaces representing a period of time equal to 5 minutes, may be sub-divided into
fifths, by a line of figures, as shown in the right hand margin of the strip A. In
addition to these time divisions the travelling paper would be ruled into columns
for the action of the various signals, as is clearly indicated in Fig. 2. Working
in conjunction with each signal is a marker or pencil, by means of which the
movements of the signals are recorded upon the travelling strip of paper A.
The
It will be understood that the paper strip may be provided with any suitable
number of columns according to the number of signals to be recorded.
number of signals will naturally vary according to the number of points, sidings
and lines of permanent way in connection with the cabin containing the recorder.
In the drawings, the recorder is shown as being in connection with twelve
signals, 12 markers therefore being arranged to act at the required times, on the
travelling sheet of paper A. These markers e, are held in levers f by pinching
screws the levers f being pivotted on a bar f supported in any suitable manner.
Normally, that is to say when the signals are up, these pencils or markers e are
held clear of the travelling strip A by levers g pivotted at g' as shown in full
lines in Fig. 1.
The longer ends of the levers y rest on a bar h, at the same time pressing on
the tails of the levers f, so as to hold the pencils or markers e clear of the
travelling strip A. The levers 9 are connected by cords or wires i to bellcrank
levers pivotted at j, such levers being connected to the signal levers by cords
or wires k. On the throwing over of a signal lever, its particular cord k is
drawn in the direction of the arrow so as to operate the bellcrank j, the move-
ment of which pulls down the shorter end of the pivotted lever g.
This movement of the lever g frees the lever f, so that the marker e falls into
contact with the paper passing over the drum, as indicated in dotted lines in
Fig. 1. So long as the signal is lowered, the particular marker e actuated
therely, remains on the paper and traces a line which records the exact period
during which the signal remained down. When the signal is to be raised and
the line blocked, the signal lever is moved back, permitting the longer end of
the lever g to fall on the fixed bar h and to press on the tail f³ of the lever f and
30 raise the marker e clear of the drum as indicated in full lines Fig. 1.
In Fig. 2 the recorder is shown in connection with 12 signals, numbered 1
to 12, the levers f carrying the marking pencils being correspondingly numbered
and acting on a corresponding column of the travelling strip A. By an inspec-
ion of the strip A, the various movements of signals 1 to 12 during the
half hour 5-30 to 6, may be read at a glance.

page_text: 10
"
"
"
5-50 to 6-58
and so on.
The travelling strip thus preserves a perfect record of every movement of every
signal, the time when such movement was made, and its duration, and in case of
an accident, conflicting evidence between signalman and driver on the question
of responsibility can readily be decided.
For instance, suppose a train passed a certain signal at a certain time, and
upon inspection of the travelling strip A it was found that no indication of such
signal having been lowered was recorded, then it would be conclusively estab-
lished that the engine driver had passed against the signal and was consequently
to blame.
In like manner, should an accident occur through the lowering of a wrong
signal, the fact of such signal having been lowered would be duly recorded on
the travelling strip A and would be indisputable evidence of a fault on the
part of the signalman.
If thought desirable, the whole of the mechanism in, connection with the
recorder, may be boxed in and kept under lock and key.
Instead of operating the levers g mechanically through cords i worked by
bellcrank levers, I may employ electrical means to bring about the necessary
movements of the levers 7 as is indicated in Fig. 3.
In this case a small electro-magnet is arranged in juxta-position to each
lever 9 and is connected by wires with each signal in such a
manner that
immediately any particular signal is lowered, an electric circuit is completed,
and the shorter end of the lever g is attracted and drawn down, so as to permit
the pencil e to fall on to the passing paper strip, the record being preserved
exactly as herein before described.
In order to bring the levers g₁ more closely together and to give the electro-
magnets more room, every alternate lever is lengthened, thus allowing the
magnets to be placed out of line as shown at B Fig. 3.
In this case the whole of the parts could readily be enclosed in a suitable
lock-up case.
By means of my invention the movements of any desired number of signals
may be faithfully recorded, and an absolutely accurate account of the working
of any line or lines preserved for reference on any called for or future occasion.
The use of the recorder would tend to cause drivers to exercise more caution
in over-shooting signals. A comparison of the time entered in the log book as
to when a train passed a certain cabin, could be made with the sheet showing
the time of movement of the signal, and the knowledge of such a check being
kept on a driver would naturally cause more caution to be exercised.
The recorder would also serve to check the accuracy of the time entered in
the log book, of a certain train passing a given signal, because the signal which
would ordinarily be at once returned to danger would take the pencil off the
paper almost immediately after the passing of the train.
My invention may also be utilised to record the transmission of signals from
cabin to cabin. For instance in its simplest form, we will suppose two cabins A
and B fitted with electric bells. Upon the ringing up of cabin B by the signal-
man in cabin A a recorder in communication with the electric bell might readily
be arranged to record the exact time when A rang up B.
Although I have described my invention as being applied to railway signalling
it is obvious that the same may be used to record signals in other situations than
on railways.

page_text: In my Provisional Specification I suggested an arrangement of recorder to be
actuated by the passing train, so that a notification of its passage at a particular
time might be preserved, I however wish it to be understood that I have aban-
doned this part of my invention.
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) An automatic recorder for use in conjunction with railway signals and the
like in which an enclosed sheet or roll of paper suitably marked and divided is
actuated by clockwork, a marker or markers being arranged to bear upon or
mark the paper on the movement of one or more signals, so that an absolutely
accurate record of the position of any signal at a particular time is preserved, in
the manner, and substantially as hereinbefore described and shown."
2) An automatic signal recording arrangement, consisting of a travelling
strip A suitably marked and spaced and carried on drums bed and acted upon
by markers carried in pivotted levers f upon which at times bear pivotted
levers g actuated either mechanically or electrically, in the manner, and sub-
stantially as herein before described and as shown in the annexed drawings.
Dated this 21st da
1000
For the Applicant,
E. K. DUTTON & Co.,
Chartered Patent Agents, 5, John Dalton Street, Manchester.