IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC SIGNALS, MORE ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE ON RAILWAYS WHERE THE BLOCK SYSTEM OF SIGNALLING IS EMPLOYED
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Manasseh Batty and Walter Batty at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th April 1876.
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MANASSEH BATTY and WALTER BATTY, of Dudley Hill, near Bradford, in the
County of York, Mechanics. IMPROVEMENTS IN AUTOMATIC SIGNALS, MORE
ESPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR USE ON RAILWAYS WHERE THE BLOCK SYSTEM OF
SIGNALLING IS EMPLOYED."
6
Our Invention relates to employing automatic apparatus or machinery, so that
the line of railway may be absolutely "blocked" at certain well defined intervals
without the intervention of a signalman. For this purpose we fit at any required
distance between the rails and on the sides metal boxes having movable inclined
lids. On the under side of the lid of the box is cast or formed a boss, on which is
fitted a lever, which is fitted to a crank disk, and to the crank disk is fitted a lever,
the top part of which forms the handle to allow of working the signal by hand if
required. The bottom part of the lever is made short, and works through or in the
bottom of the box. To the lever are fitted rods connected to a signal post. On
the buffer tree of a locomotive is fitted a strong arm having a jaw, in which is
fitted a friction pulley, which is covered with leather, india-rubber, or composition
to prevent noise.
The locomotive passing over the inclined lid of the box causes the friction pulley
to come in contact with the bottom part of the inclined lid, and to travel over it,
forcing the lid down on the box, pressing down the lever fitted to the lid, turning
the crank disk and reversing the lever, pulling the rods connected to the signal post,
and raising the semaphore arm to " danger."
A box with the inclined lid and apparatus can be fixed near each signal post, and
at any required distance in advance. The lever attached to the box can be made to
act the reverse way, and instead of raising the semaphore to "danger" lowers it to
"all clear." The signal posts may be placed at any required distance apart, and the
existing semaphore posts may be utilized, and our inproved apparatus adapted to
them with slight alterations.
This apparatus is fitted to the down line the reverse way of the up line. The
platelayers or other railway officials can actuate the signals by reversing the levers
to " danger" or to "all clear." In this way cach train sets the danger signal for
the following train, which signal cannot be withdrawn until the train has reached

page_text: the next signal post, or the required distance set in advance, or unless the danger
signal is set or taken off by an official or platelayer.
We also employ an apparatus fitted to the reversing lever of the locomotive or to
the handle fitted to the regulator valve. The apparatus acts upon the inclined
movable. lid, and coming in contact with the lid shuts off or partially shuts off the
steam, bringing the train to a standstill in a limited distance. The apparatus is so
constructed that the engine-driver can put it in action when required, or in foggy
weather and dark nights.
We also employ a gong fitted to the side of the locomotive or near the break van.
This gong is actuated by gear fitted on the apparatus which is fixed to the reversing
lever or to the handle of the regulator valve. The gong gives notice to the guard
to put the break on.
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We can employ our movable inclined lids and apparatus for working signals on
tramways or in tunnels. The signals can be worked with wire rope, rods, or chains,
which we cover with any suitable material.