Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Apr., 1887
Complete Left, 30th Jan., 1888
Complete Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1888
I AMBROSE FLEMING of 10 Market Street Hyde in the County of Chester Mechanic
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which shall enable the signal
man to place a detonating fog signal or signals on the line without leaving the signal
box and thereby to dispense with the services of men who are at present specially
employed to lay down the said fog signals.
My improved apparatus is constructed as follows: I provide a shallow case or
framing of sufficient length to contain a suitable number of detonating fog signals
placed side by side and I fix this case in a position parallel or nearly so to one of the
rails on the outside thereof and merely far enough away from the same to avoid injury
by the wheels of passing trains.
At one end of the row or series of fog signals, I place a block or follower which is
held against the last signal by a chain or cord or other suitable connection which runs
in a groove in the case or frame beneath the series of signals and is kept in tension
by a weight or spring.
The first signal or that at the other end of the row or series is by this weight or
spring pressed against a latch which is attached to, or otherwise actuated by, a lever
mounted by preference transversely to the case or frame containing the signals, in
such a manner that if the said latch is lowered the whole series of signals can slide
forward the first one moving into position to be acted upon by a sliding holder and
placed upon the rail by a lever in the signal box as hereafter described.
I make the signals themselves with only one clip each which is bent downwards
and slides in a groove formed in the above named case or frame.
The sliding holder above named slides in the space between the latch and the end
of the case and transversely thereto, and is made in two parts, one capable of sliding
over the other. A long notch or slot is cut nearly at the end of the lower part of the
holder so as to form or leave a narrow projection at its end and into this notch or
slot fits a corresponding projection on the upper part of the sliding rod or holder,
this projection being about of an inch (more or less) shorter than the slot which is

page_text: formed at its rear end with a step say about of an inch high and half an inch
broad, for the purpose hereafter described. The slide in which the lower part of the
holder works is such that when pulled furthest from the line the projection above
named is just in a line with one side of the groove in which the clips work, the top
of the projection being on a level with the top of the rail upon which the signals are
to be placed.
The upper part of the holder is provided with two pins one placed above and the
other below the latch or catch lever before named which is bent down or otherwise
formed in such a manner that the lower pin can raise it and the upper one depress it
as hereafter described. There is just sufficient space for one signal between the latch
and the end of the apparatus.
The upper part of the holder is worked by a lover which is weighted so as to ensure
the placing of a signal on the rail in case its connection with the signal box breaks.
This connection may be made in any suitable manner and the lever in the signal box
may be arranged near to the ordinary signal lever so as to be worked simultaneously
therewith when desired.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
When not at work the holder is empty and near the rail, but when it is desired to
place a signal on the rail the lever in the signal box is moved and the upper part of
the-holder-comes against the step on the lower part and the entire holder is then
withdrawn into the casing.
As soon as the lower part thereof has reached its furthest position the upper-part
being withdrawn still further rises over the step before named and the pin beneath
the latch lever raises the same, and thereby lowers the latch and allows a signal to be
moved into position on the holder. The lever is then reversed the upper pin on the
holder forcing down the latch lever and raising the latch again. The upper part of
the holder moves alone until its front end comes against the clip of the signal and the
projection on the lower part of the holder gripping the signal firmly and pushing it
(and the lower part of the holder) along until it is above the rail in which position
it can remain until the train passes over and explodes it, but it may be withdrawn
again if not required.
This flattens out and enlarges the diameter of the fog signal so that when the signal
lever is reversed it cannot enter the casing again but is pulled from the holder by the
sides of the opening through which the latter slides, and as the upper part of the
holder recedes against the step on the lower part before moving the same it leaves
the clip free and facilitates the rejection of the exploded detonator.
Datad this 20th day of April 1887
GEORGE DAVIES,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.

page_text: I AMBROSE FLEMING of 10 Market Street Hyde in the County of Chester Mechanic
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:-
The object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which shall enable the signal
man to place a detonating fog signal or signals on the line without leaving the signal
box and thereby to dispense with the services of men who are at present specially
employed to lay down the said fog signals.
My improved apparatus will be readily understood on reference to the two sheets
of drawings hereunto annexed and to the following description thereof.
On Sheet 1. Fig. 1 is a plan view of my improved apparatus as applicable near the.
"home" signal with the covering plates removed.
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through about the line A-B. on Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a section taken through about the line C-D on Fig. 1. The cover plate
of the holder being removed.
Fig. 4 is an end view of the apparatus (as applicable near to the "homo " signal).
Fig. 5 is a section through about the line E-F on Fig. 1. Fig. 5ª is a section
through the case a, a.
On Sheet 2. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modified form of my apparatus shown
applied at the "distant" signal.
Fig. 7. is a section through about the line G-H on Fig. 6.
Fig. 8 is an end view, and Fig. 9. a section through about the line K-L on Fig. 6.
Fig. 10 is a detached view of the locking lever hereafter described.
I provide a shallow case or framing a, a of sufficient length to contain a suitablo
number of detonating fog signals b, placed side by side and I fix this case in a
position parallel or nearly so to one of the rails c, c on the outside thereof and merely
far enough away from the same, to avoid injury by the wheels of passing trains..
At one end of the row or series of fog-signals b, I place a block or follower d, d
which is held against the last signal by a chain or cord d or other suitable connection
which runs in a groove a* in the case or frame beneath the series of signals b, b and
is kept in tension by a weight not shown on the drawing or by a spring.
The first signal * or that at the other end of the row or series is by this weight or
spring pressed against a latch e¹ which is attached to or otherwise actuated by a
levere, e mounted by preference transversely to the case or frame containing the
signals, in such a manner that if the said latch el is lowered the whole series of signals

page_text: can slide forward the first one b* moving into position to he acted upon by a sliding
holder placed upon the rail c by a lever in the signal box as hereafter described.
I make the signals b, b themselves with only one clip cach as at 6¹ which is bent
downwards, and slides in a groove a' formed in the above named case or frame a.
The sliding holder f, fabove named slides in the space between the latch e¹ and
the end of the case a and transversely thereto, and is made in two parts, one ƒ capable
of sliding over the other f¹.
A long notch or slot is cut nearly at the end of the lower part 1 of the holder so
as to forin or leave a narrow projection 12, at its end, and into this notch or slot fits
a corresponding projection on the upper part f of the sliding rod or holder this
projection being about of an inch (more or less) shorter than the slot which may be
formed at its rear end with a step 3, say about of an inch high and g of an inch
broad for the purpose hereafter described.
The slide a in which the lower part of the holder works is such that when the
holder is pulled furthest from the line the projection above named is just in a
line with one side of the groove a¹ in which the clips work, the top of the
projection being on a level with the top of the rail e upon which the signals
are to be placed. The upper part of the holder is provided with two pins one (7)
placed above, and the other (4) below the latch or catch lever e before named,
which is bent down or otherwise formed in such a manner that the lower pin h
can raise it and the upper one y depress it as hereafter described. There is just
sufficient space for one signal 6* between the latch e and the end of the apparatus.
The upper part of the holder is worked by a lever k which is weighted so as to
ensure the placing of a signal on the rail in case its connection with the signal box
breaks.
This connection may he made in any suitable manner and the lever in the signal
box may be arranged near the ordinary signal lever so as to be worked simultaneously
therewith when desired.
When using my apparatus for the "home" signal (see sheet 1) this connection
may be simply a wire, cord chain or rod (attached to the holder at f), which would
cause (or allow the weighted lever k to cause) the upper part of the holder to movo
forward, grip the clip and place a signal on the rail.
When using the apparatus for the "distant" signal (see sheet 2) it would be by
preference actuated as follows:-
A chain or cord from the signal box would be attached to the part fat but the
weighted lever would be held as shown at Fig. 8. by a lever preferably carried
by the rail e and sustained at its short end by resting on a boss depending from a
long rail or flat lever m which is pivotted to the rail c and is maintained in position
to be actuated by the passing wheels of a locomotive or carriage by means of an
arın m*, connected to a weighted lever n.
Instead of using the two pins g and acting on either side of the lever e I may
employ one pin gl moving in a slot e in the lever e (see Fig. 10), the bolt or latch e
is mounted in a slot in the said lever e; the slot e² is inclined at its end to obtain the
necessary lift in order to depress the said bolt or latch e¹. The part of the holder
also need not rise upon the step and the two parts may be connected by a
spring between them to hold the clip of the signal, and to prevent all jarring
or shocks as the two pieces fand are brought into action (see Fig. 9).
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
:-
When not at work the holder f, f' is empty and near to the rail e but when it is
desired to place a signal on the rail near the "home" signal the lever in the signal
box is moved and the upper part f of the holder comes against the step 3, on the
lower part and the entire holder is then withdrawn into the casing. As soon as
the lower part f¹ thereof has reached its furthest position the upper part being
withdrawn still further rises over the step ³, before named (see Fig. 5) and the pin
beneath the latch lever e raises the same and thereby lowers the bolt or latch e' and
allows a signal to be moved into position on the holder. The lever is then reversed,
the upper ping on the holder ƒ forcing down the latch lever e and raising the bolt or

page_text: latch e¹ again. When the lover e shown at Fig. 10 is used the part will not bẹ
required to rise over the step f³.but will be connected to the part f¹ preferably as
shown at Fig. 9.
The upper part of the holder.moves alone until its front end comes against the
clip of the signal x and the projection 2 on the lower part of the holder,
gripping the signal firmly and pushing it (and the lower part of the holder) along
until it is above the rail c (sco Fig. 1) in which position it can remain until the train
passes over and explodes it, but it may be withdrawn again if not required, the space
between and being sufficiently narrow to retain it.
The explosion flattens out and enlarges the diameter of the fog signal so that when
the signal lever is reversed it cannot enter the casing again (see Fig. 1) but is pulled
from the holder by the sides of the opening through which the latter slides, and as
the upper part of the holder recedes slightly against the steps on the lower part fi
before moving the same it leaves the clip free and facilitates the rejection of the
exploded detonator.
When the two parts fand fare connected as shown at Fig. 9, the spring allows
the exploded detonator to be rejected.
When it is desired to place a fog signal near the "distant" signal the apparatus
shewn on Sheet 2 is used (by preferenco) as before stated.
The holder, is pulled back by the cord or chain attached to a suitable lever in
the signal box, and a signal is brought forward as before described, so that its clip
is in position between the projection 2 and the part of the said holder.
'
The signal lever is then reversed but the weighted lover & cannot move the part f
of the holder because it is held up by a link attached to one end of a lever 1, the
other end of which is sustained by resting upon a boss or head on a rod or link /²
attached to or depending from a long curved rail or lever m pivotted preferably to
the rail c.
This rail or lever m is held in the position shown at Fig. 8. by an arm m*
attached thereto, and connected to a weighted lever n.
When a train passes. the first wheel thereof runs over the rail or lever m and
depresses it, this allows the weighted lever to raise the link and lover and
push forward the holder ff', place a signal on the line and the wheel crushes
and explodes the said signal.
The depression of the rail or lever m also raises the weighted lever n until it
comes against and displaces a hanging catch p (see Figs. 7 and 8) which immediately
returns into position and sustains the said lever n, thereby keeping the rail or
lever i depressed, and thus the other wheels of the train will not actuate the
apparatus.
A chain, wire, cord or link not shown on the drawing is attached to this catch p
and to another rail or lever further along the "line" which will when the train
passes over it withdraw the said catch p and allow the lever n to fall.
"
I prefer to provide the slide or end a³ with a fixed cover a, and to provide the
box a with a hinged or other readily removable cover a³.
I also propose to apply to the box a near the end a³, an electric switch or contact
maker, provided with a spring button or similar device in such a position that the
block or follower d (when only a few signals remain in the box) will come against
the said button and cause an electric signal to be given in the signal box in order.
that the signal man may be warned in time to replenish the box a with detonators.
The latch lever e may also be caused to signal or indicate in the signal box as each
detonator is placed on the rail.
An electric signal to the signal box may also be applied to the lever n, or tho
mechanism which releases it so as to indicato when the said lover has fallen again.
It will be evident on reference to Fig. 5 without further illustration that when
sufficient rise can be obtained to lower the latch e without raising the end of the
part of the holder, the bottom of the slide a³ can be inclined downwards so that
when drawn back the part will descend lowering the step f³ and the part can be
withdrawn over the said step and will not require to rise..

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
First. The general construction and arrangement of apparatus for placing detonating
fog signals upon the rails of railways substantially as herein before described and
illustrated by the annexed drawings.
Secondly. The combination of a grooved box or case for containing the detonating
signals fitted with a transverse slide at one end, a sliding holder made in two parts
for gripping the clip of the foremost signal, and placing it on the rail, and an auto-
matic lock or latch for retaining the succeeding detonating signals in the said case or
frame substantially as herein before described and illustrated.
Dated this 28th day of January 1888.
GEORGE DAVIES,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester,
Agent for the Applicant.