Improvements in Railroad Signalling Apparatus.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 29th May, 1894-Accepted, 8th Sept., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railroad Signalling Apparatus.
A communication from abroad by FRANK AVERILL Fox, of 141, W. 82nd Street,
New York City, United States of America, Inventor, and DAVID HUYLER
ROBERTS, of 72, W. 94th Street, New York City, United States of America,
Merchant.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of No. 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County
of London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in signalling devices for use on railroads,
and more particularly to devices for sending out danger signals to notify the
engineer or fireman of a train in motion approaching a wreck, obstruction or train
at rest upon the track, of danger ahead, so as to stop the moving train in time to
prevent collision or accident.
The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and
efficient pyrotechnic contrivance adapted to be quickly sent back or forward in case
of accident or stoppage of a train, so as to prevent another train approaching from
either direction from colliding with the wreck or train at rest upon the track, and
thus avoid serious accidents which often result from the carelessness or inability of
the train-man to travel far enough from the point of danger to warn the approaching
train in time to prevent a collision.
The invention will first be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
and then pointed out in the claims at the end of the description.
Referring to the drawings, which form a part of this Specification,
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a portion of a railway track, showing
a wrecked train and a second train approaching the wreck, and illustrating the
improved "rocket or pyrotechnic danger signal and torpedo carrier operating to
warn the engineer or fireman of the moving train of the impending danger.
Figure 2 represents in side elevation the rear end of a train and one of our
"rocket signals" in starting position on the track rail, and the train-man in the act
of igniting the rocket.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device applied to one of the rails of a railway
track, and Figure 4 is a rear view of the same, showing the track rail in
section.
Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of a slightly modified form of the
device on
a slightly enlarged scale; the rocket or cylinder containing the
inflammable substance being shown partly broken away.
Figure 6 is a plan of the device shown in Figure 5, and Figure 7 is a transverse
section on the line VII-VII of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a plan, and Figure 9 a rear elevation of a modification of the
invention.
Figure 10 is a perspective view, and Figure 11 a rear elevation of another
modification.
Figures 12 and 13 are detail sectional views of parts shown in Figures 10
and 11.
Similar letters of reference denote similar parts in the different views.
In the drawings I have illustrated a construction and arrangement of parts which
my correspondents preferably employ in practising the invention, but I do not

page_text: desire to be limited to the exact construction and arrangement described and
shown.
The rocket carriage may consist of a frame A, composed of longitudinal bars a, a,.
which extend parallel with the track rails, one at either side thereof, and arched or
elevated cross bars a², connecting the -bars a; the frame being mounted on light
rollers B, B', which may have their bearings in suitable uprights or standards a², a³,
respectively, secured to or formed integrally with the side bars a, a. The frame
bars a, a, are adapted to straddle a single rail while the rollers rest upon and travel
along the tread or top thereof, and the bars are dropped down or depend sufficiently
below the tread of the rail to cause the center of gravity to fall below the same
and thus insure the retention of the device upon the rail when in motion. As a
further security against derailing the device, the pendant side bars may be provided
with friction rollers a', on the inner sides thereof, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, or
with inwardly projecting lugs a, as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, (or springs) adapted
to impinge against the sides of the rail aud prevent the device from tipping over.
There should be sufficient space, however, between the tread of the rail and the
friction roll, lug, or spring, to prevent the device from being impeded in its progress
or derailed by contact with a sliver (as at x, Figure 4) or projecting portion of the
metal of the rail resulting from continuous wear and tear. These slivers, as is well
known, are found on the outer side only of the rails, the inner side being kept
smooth by the flanges of the wheels, so that the outer roll or lug only is liable to
contact with such impediments.
On the frame of the carriage is mounted a cylindrical or other suitable case or
receptacle D, charged with inflammable material as at E, Figure 5, and provided
at its rear end with a fuse e, by which the inflammable substance may be ignited
when it is desired to start the device along the track. Near the front end of the
case it may contain a partition F, separating a charge of material for producing a
red light from the inflammable propelling and light-giving substance E; the
substances back and in front of the partition being connected by a fuse e', so that
when the impelling and light-giving substance is consumed or has spent its energy,
so as to permit the device to stop, a red light may be emitted for such length of
time as may be deemed expedient, as indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings,
immediately in advance of the moving train. The case D, is supported intermediate
its ends in a yoke or ring G, mounted on the frame of the carriage and its front end
projects into a socket H, also mounted on the frame and provided with a spring
clamp I, controlled by a set screw i, by which the end of the case may be firmly
secured in proper position for use, or released for removal. The case preferably
extends upwardly and rearwardly on a gentle incline from the socket H toward the
rear of the device so that when the powder or inflammable substance E, is ignited
it will serve as a propelling force and at the same time emit a continuous beam or
shower of light so long as the powder burns. When this light ceases the red light
will at once appear.
The frame or carriage is provided with a forward projection or tongue A',
adapted for the attachment of a torpedo or torpedoes, so that should a train
pass over the device, either before or after its light has ceased to show, it will
explode the torpedo and give an audible danger signal.
The rollers B, B1, are preferably of metal and made hollow so as to combine
lightness with strength, and extend transversely of the longitudinal frame bars and
sufficiently above the same to hold the bars suspended from the top of the rail
while the rollers span the single rail and have a broad bearing surface thereon which
will avoid any tendency to tip over, while the side bars prevent lateral movement
sufficient to unbalance the device. Wooden or other rollers may be used, but the
form shown is preferred.
In Figures 8 and 9 I have shown a modification of the device adapted to run
upon both rails, and not be interfered with in passing switches, which might
interrupt the progress of the single rail socket the device shown in the first
mentioned figures being adapted to run upon a single rail only. In this latter

page_text: construction there is provided a triangular frame which may be composed of the
pendant bars K, K', arranged on the inner sides of the rails and having the flanged
wheels k, k', journaled therein and arranged so that the flanges thereof may
impinge against the inner sides of the rails and prevent the device from jumping the
track; the frame bars K, K', being connected by the cross-bar L, and diagonal
bar L. The frame bars in this instance will also be dropped down sufficiently to
cause the center of gravity to fall below the top of the rail and prevent the device
from being derailed. The frame bar L, may be formed in sections pivotally
connected at 7 and the diagonal bar L', may be pivoted as at 1, to the bar L, and
detachably connected with the opposite frame bar at 12, so as to permit the joint ²,
to be disconnected, whereupon both bars may be swung around with the wheel and
bar k, K', to the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 8, thereby folding the
device into compact form when not in use.
A cylinder or case D', containing the inflammable material may be mounted
upon the triangular frame in a manner substantially the same as described with
reference to Figures 3, 5 and 6, so that further description of such parts is not
necessary.
In order that the machine may not run backward, in the event of a stoppage on
a down grade, a pivoted pawl or stop M, (Figure 5) may be provided, which will
simply ride along the top of the rail when the device is moving forward but will
engage a joint between the rails and prevent any backward movement.
In the modification of the device shown in Figures 10 to 13, the longitudinal
frame-bars a, a, are formed at or near their ends with lateral projections or
bosses b, b, which are recessed in the sides thereof adjacent to the track rail, as
shown in Figures 12 and 13, to receive and house the friction rollers or wheels b', b₁ ;
the latter being journaled in forked bars or yokes 62, 63, the stems 63, 63, of which
project through apertures in the ends of the bosses or projections b, b, and are hel
in the desired position by means of set screws 6, 6. The rollers b¹, b', are adapted
to bear against the sides of the rail, preferably one upon each side at the front
and rear of the device and above the web of the rail, as shown, so as to aid in
These rollers
holding the device upon the rail and prevent it from tipping over.
are made adjustable so as to adapt the device for use upon rails of different sizes or
widths, and they also afford provision for increasing or diminishing the distance
between opposite rollers as occasion may require. The stems of the yokes or forks
in which the rollers are journaled may be angular in cross-section, to prevent
rotation thereof, or the recessed boss may have a groove in the upper wall of the
recess therein to receive and guide the upper arm of the yoke 3, as shown in
Figure 13, for the same purpose. In the last mentioned modification the case
(marked D2) containing the inflammable material is supported in a substantially
horizontal position upon standards or uprights on the carriage frame, and instead
of being partitioned and containing both the inflammable material and the material
for producing a red or colored light, as in other figures, it has mounted thereon a
smaller tube or case d², which may contain material for producing a red light. In
this instance each case or tube is provided with a fuse d³. These fuses may each
have upon their outer ends a highly inflammable substance or fulminate d', to afford
means for igniting the fuses by merely rubbing the fulminates together, without
requiring a match or other ignitable substance which may not be available or at
hand when needed. Instead of the hollow rollers shown in other figures, the
carriage frame in Figures 10 and 11 is supported at its rear end and also at its
front end upon a pair of wheels marked B2, B3, respectively, the rear wheels B³,
being preferably much less in diameter than the front wheels B³, and arranged
underneath or below the forward end of the case D2, while the front wheels, which
These wheels may be
are of greater diameter, are arranged in front of said case.
constructed of light metal, and in operation they afford less resistance to the
progress of the device through the air than the rollers, and they are also less liable
to cause the device to be thrown from the track rail in passing over uneven surfaces,
such as occur at the joints or meeting ends of adjoining rails.

page_text: The operation of the invention will be readily understood from the foregoing
description. In the event of an accident or the stoppage of a train (provided
with one or more of these devices) the train-man will place the device upon the
rail, as indicated in Figure 2, and ignite the fuse e, by means of a match (or
fuses d³, by rubbing the fulminates d', together) which will ignite the powder or
inflammable substances with which the cylinder or cylinders are charged, and the
device will immediately start in the desired direction either up or down the track
and at the same time begin to emit light, sending forth a continuous beam or shower
of light as it moves, as indicated in Figure 1, so as to attract the attention of the
engineer or fireman of an approaching train, in case a train is closely following
the train which has stopped. When the device has proceeded the desired distance,
(which may be determined and regulated by the use of different kinds of rockets,
or differently charged cases) the fuse e', (when using the case shown in Figure 5)
will ignite the substance for producing a red light, and this light may burn ten or
fifteen minutes, more or less, as may be desired. In using the duplex case shown
in Figure 10, the red light may begin to burn as soon as the device starts, as its
movement is so rapid as to render it of little consequence whether the red-light
producing substance be ignited before or after its stoppage, or the fuses may be
so timed or arranged as to cause the red light to burn only after the expiration of
a certain period of time corresponding with the time the device may take to travel
the required distance.
In case of a wreck either the moving or the red light will ordinarily serve to
stop and hold any approaching train before the trainman has had time to go
back and warn the engineer of the danger ahead, but as an additional security the
tongue A¹, may contain one or more torpedoes to be exploded by the train so as
to give an additional audible signal.
The device is adapted to be constructed out of inexpensive material and made as
light as possible consistent with strength, and destructible, so that it may be
rapidly impelled and easily crushed and destroyed by a moving train, so as not to
obstruct the track nor cost enough to render its preservation of any consequence.
The angular or inclined position of the case D, or D', has the effect of causing
the inflammable impelling substance to exert a downward as well as a forward
pressure upon the device, tending to hold it down upon the rail, and at the same
time its upward inclination tends to throw the beams of light upward.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1st: A pyrotechnic railroad danger signal comprising a suitable carriage
adapted to travel along the railroad rail or rails and carrying an inflammable
substance serving the double purpose of impelling the device along the track and
emitting a continuous signal light, substantially as described.
2nd A pyrotechnic railroad danger signal comprising a suitable carriage adapted
to travel along the railroad rail or rails and provided with a receptacle charged
with an inflammable substance adapted to serve as a propelling means and at the
same time emit a continuous light as the device moves over the track, substantially
as described.
3rd: A pyrotechnic railroad danger signal comprising the carriage composed
of a pair of longitudinally disposed bars suspended on opposite sides of a single
rail from light rollers resting upon and extending across the top of the rail, so
as to afford a broad bearing surface thereon, a tubular case mounted on said
carriage and containing a suitable charge of inflammable material adapted when
ignited to impel the carriage and also emit a signal light and a further charge o
similar material adapted to emit a coloured light, substantially as described.
4th In a pyrotechnic railroad danger signal, the combination of a pair of
longitudinally disposed frame-bars adapted to straddle a railroad rail and provided
with lugs or friction devices to impinge against the sides of the rail, a pair o

page_text: rollers mounted upon said frame-bars, transversely thereof, and adapted to rest
upon the top of the rail and hold said bars suspended therefrom so as to balance
and steady the device as it moves along the rail, and means for impelling the device
along the track, substantially as described.
5th In a pyrotechnic railroad danger signal, the combination with the longi-
tudinal frame-bars having the rocket or case mounted thereon charged with an
inflammable impelling and light-giving substance, of the rollers arranged trans-
versely of said bars and above the same so as to travel along the top of the rail
with the bars suspended and balanced one on either side of the rail, substantially as
described.
6th: A rocket signal comprising a suitable carriage adapted to be impelled
along the track rail or rails, a cylinder or case charged with an inflammable
substance adapted to emit light and also impel the device along the track, and a
torpedo-supporting tongue extending in front of said carriage, substantially as
described.
7th A rocket signal comprising a carriage adapted to be mounted upon the
track rail or rails and balanced thereon, a cylinder or case charged with an
inflammable impelling and light-giving substance mounted on said carriage and
inclined rearwardly and upwardly from front to rear thereof, and a torpedo-
supporting projection or tongue extending in front of the carriage, substantially as
described.
8th A railroad danger signal consisting of a pair of bars arranged to straddle
a single track rail, a pair of light rollers arranged transversely of and above said
bars, a tubular casing detachably supported upon the carriage in a rearwardly
and upwardly inclined position, and a forwardly projecting torpedo-supporting tongue,
substantially as described.
9th A railroad danger signal comprising a wheeled carriage and means for
propelling the same along the track, friction rollers adjustably supported in the
carriage frame so as to impinge against the side or sides of the rail, and means
for adjusting and securing said rollers in the desired position, substantially as
described.
10th The wheeled carriage adapted to travel along a track rail and having
an inflammable propelling and signal giving means mounted thereon, in combina-
tion with friction rollers adjustably supported in the frame of the carriage so as to
impinge against opposite sides of the rail, and means for adjusting and securing
said rollers in the desired position, substantially as described.
11th A railway danger signal comprising a vehicle or frame supported on
wheels and having a case or cases mounted thereon and charged with an inflammable
substance adapted to impel the vehicle and also emit a signal light; said vehicle
being adapted to travel along a railroad rail or rails, and a fuse or fuses having a
detonating portion adapted to ignite said inflammable substance, substantially as
described.
Dated this 29th day of Max 1894
Dated this 29th day of May 1804
For the Applicant,
W. LLOYD WISE,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.