IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC SIGNALS FOR USE ON RAILWAYS
Year: 1866

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Edward Funnell at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th November
1866.
I, EDWARD FUNNELL, of 54, East Street, Brighton, in the County of Sussex,
Watch and Clock Maker, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC SIGNALS FOR USE ON RAILWAYS," to be as
follows:-
The object of this Invention being the increased certainty in the locking
and unlocking of a signal arm, which consists in the application of an
endless screw axle and fly wheel, by which the extended position of the
signal is retained during the passage of trains or thunderstorms, and also the
application of a star wheel with connecting points by which the electric
current is passed for the unlocking of the signal arm to show line clear at the
required distance.
The nature and particulars of my said Invention will be clearly understood
by reference to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, in which the same
letters of reference are used to represent the same parts in each Figure.
Figure 1 represents the first movement with signal arm. a, the treadle
which is fixed to the horizontal lever; c and d are spiral springs attached
to b and g; i, the signal arm turning at pivots at j; h, the wire attached
to 9 and i; k, the signal post; and m are springs attached to 6 and frame-
work; n is a catch turning on 6 at m, and is pressed against p (the stop)
by the spring; r, the spindle with spiral worm, and revolves on the

page_text: bearings 1 and 2; s is a stop arm fixed to r; t is a wheele turning on v, and
is pressed down upon s by the tension of the spring; w is a lever moving
on a stud at 3; x is an upright moving rod attached to w, and passed through
the bearing 4, and is pressed downwards by 7 the spring; y is the armature
moving on pivots at 5, and is pressed into the teeth of t by 6 the spring;
z, the electric coils.
A, the
Figure 2 represents the movement for releasing the signal arm.
treadle fixed to C the axle ; B, the horizontal lever, also fixed to C; D, the
wheel turns freely on C; E, the catch, turning on B at 1, and is pressed into
the teeth of D by F the spring; G is a pallet turning on B at 2, and is
pressed on to stop 8 by 4 the spring; H is a spring attached to B and the
framework, J the star wheel turning on a stud which is fixed to the frame-
work at 5; light dots on J represent projecting platinum points; K is a
spring for making contact with points; L is a pinion fixed to M the escape
wheel; P, are pallets and pendulum; N, the click spring to retain J into
position for breaking electric contact.
Having given reference to the whole by figures and letters it is obvious
that a being depressed by the flange or tier of a wheel passing over will
raise n to the top of the worm of r, as shewn at Figure 1, and expand the
springs e, f, and l, m, the tension of l, m, being transmitted through n, r, t,.
and locked by y, also the tension of springs e, f, are transmitted through h, i,
and raise the arm to an horizontal position and also allow to descend and
free the stop s, the whole of which will remain thus charged until the same
train which depressed a arrives at Figure 2 and depresses A, by which
B, E, and G. is moved upwards; G over the opposite tooth of J, and E over
the teeth of D, by which the tension of H is retained and transmitted
through D, L, M, and occillates P; the whole of the train having, passed
over A, A, B, returns to their former position by the vibration of P; G'
moves J one tooth forward by which the projecting points of J makes contact
with K, by which an electric current will pass through z, Figure 1, and
disengage y from t, by which t and r will rotate until n has passed through
the worm, and 6 descend on w and raise a to stop s; the tension of c, d, will
rest on e, f, and allow the arm to fall for indicating line clear, it is also obvious
that the upward movement of B cannot effect the position of the star wheel, G
being relieved over the point by the joint, and that A, B, cannot return to
their former position on the passage of a train over it, by which a second
electric contact cannot be made during the passage of one train.
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of my said Invention
I desire it to be distinctly understood that I do not confine myself to the exact

page_text: details herein set forth, as such may be varied or modified without departing
from the principle thereof; but I claim as my Invention the production of the
worm or spiral for the purpose of retaining the position of a signal arm for
the use of railways, as herein set forth and described.
2ndly, I claim the application of a toothed fly wheel by which the locking
of a signal arm is increased two hundredfold from the effects of vibration of
passing trains, as herein set forth and described.
Srdly, I claim the production of the star wheel for the passing of an
electric current, and by which two electric currents cannot pass on the passage
of one train, as herein set forth and described.