IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN FOG SIGNALLING
Year: 1884

page_text: We WILLIAM Fox of Cardigan Road Leeds Woollen Manufacturer and ABRAHAM
GLEDHILL of Bradford Road Batley Clothier both in the County of York do
hereby declare the nature of our said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MEANS OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN FOG SIGNALLING " and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement reference being also had to the accompanying Drawings
and to the letters and marks thereon:-
The object of our improvements is to construct apparatus for the purpose of
bringing the cases containing the detonating compound on the top of the rail, so
that it may be exploded by the passing of the wheels of the engine over it and for
this purpose we provide by preference a box of metal. Within this box is placed
a toothed wheel, over which is passed a metal chain into which the teeth of the
wheel are admitted or passed, forming an arrangement similar to what is known as
the pitch chain and wheel. The toothed wheel is placed with its axis in a vertical
position. On the upper side of each link of the chain is provided a platform,
which is to receive and hold in position the case containing the detonating
compound. After each explosion the chain is caused by the signalman to travel a
sufficient distance to bring another link, (having thereon another detonating case,)
on to the rail ready for another explosion, at the same time the exploded detonating
case is cut off or withdrawn from the link that carries it. The required movement
is effected by the signalman through rods or wires attached to the ends of the
chain and passing into the signal box.
The length of the box or chain will depend on the number of detonating cases
which it may be desirable to be able to explode without necessitating a visit from
the attendant or signalman to the box.
Below the aforesaid toothed wheel, and on the same axis and connected thereto,
is provided another wheel having the same number of teeth or projections as the
pitch chain wheel. A spring which is attached to the side of the box and catches
against the teeth, forms a check, preventing the signalman inadvertently pulling
the pitch chain too far. The spring however is not sufficiently strong to prevent
the wheel being moved round by the signalman when required.
To protect the apparatus from dirt and weather the box is covered by a lid, in
the underside of which is provided the bearing for the upper end of the
vertical axis.
And in order that our Invention may be more readily understood reference is
given to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and marks thereon.

page_text: t
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a plan looking on the top of the apparatus. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal
section on line A B Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is à part plan on line CD Fig. 2 showing the
check wheel in two positions and Fig. 4 is a section of detail to be hereafter
described.
a is the metal box within which is placed a toothed wheel b. Round this is
passed a metal chain c into which the teeth of the wheel b are admitted or passed,
forming an arrangement similar to what is known as the pitch chain and wheel.
The toothed wheel b. is placed with its axis d in a vertical position, the bearings
for which axis are formed in bosses cast on the bottom and lid of the box
respectively.
On the upper side of each link at e is provided a platform, which is to receive
and hold in position the case f containing the detonating compound. After each
explosion the chain c is caused by the signalman to travel a sufficient distance to
bring another link, (having thereon another detonating case,) on to the top of the
rail g ready for another explosion, at the same time the exploded detonating case f
is cut off or withdrawn from the link that carries it; by a knife h or other
projecting piece.
The stem of the detonating case f may be held on the top of the link in a recess
as shewn at e, or by a spring or other convenient means.
The required movement of the chain c for intermittently rotating the wheel b, is
effected by the signal-man through rods or wires attached to the ends ii of the
chain, and passing into the signal box.
The length of the box a or chain will depend on the number of detonating cases
which it may be desired to be able to explode without necessitating a visit from
the attendant or signal man to the box.
Below the aforesaid toothed wheel b, and on the same axis d, is provided
another or pawl wheel having the same number of teeth or projections as the
wheel b. A spring which is attached to the side of the box a at m and catches
against the teeth, forms a check preventing the signalman inadvertantly pulling
the chain c too far. The spring however is not sufficiently strong to prevent the
wheels band k being moved round by the signalman when required. In the
Drawings the wheels b and k are shewn cast in one piece, but they may be made
separate and then attached to each other, or keyed on their common axis d.
To protect the apparatus from dirt and weather the box is covered by a lid n,
in the underside of which is provided the bearing for the vertical axis d.
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° The general arrangement, construction and application of the pitch chain c
and wheel band means for transmitting motion to the same for conveying
the detonating cases f on to the top of the rail substantially as and for
purposes herein set forth.
2° The general arrangement and application of toothed wheel k and spring 1 for
checking the motion of the wheel b and chain c substantially as and for
purposes herein set forth.
3° The general arrangement and combination. of the various parts forming
our improved apparatus for fog signalling substantially as herein set forth.
Dated this 19th day of July 1884.