A NEW OR IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS ON RAILWAYS, AND IN MACHINERY OR Apparatus THEREFOR
Year: 1872

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Lynch, of Enishowen, County Donegal,
Ireland, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED SYSTEM FOR
PREVENTING COLLISIONS ON RAILWAYS, AND IN MACHINERY OR Apparatus
THEREFOR,
"
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Thomas Lynch at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 20th June 1872, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, THOMAS
LYNCH, of Enishowen, County Donegal, Ireland, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "A NEW OR IMPROVED
SYSTEM FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS ON RAILWAYS, AND IN MACHINERY OR
APPARATUS THEREFOR," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent
for the same, and have made solemn Declaration that I am the true
and first Inventor thereof.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Thomas Lynch, do hereby declare
that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and seal,
fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, in and by the following
statement, and the Drawings therein referred to (that is to say) :-
My Invention has reference to the mechanical construction and mode
of employing a self-acting system of railway brakes brought simul-
taneously into action by the retrogressive motion or slackening of the
speed of the engine in advance of the train whilst ascending or
descending gradients, or meeting with any obstruction in its course
from collisions, accidents, or carelessness on the part of the engine
drivers and other servants on the line, whereby the existing forces of
a train in motion are arrested at any stage of the journey with perfect
safety to the passengers. To effect which object I employ a modified
construction of the double or present single headed locomotive engines
provided with projecting shields and auxiliary break power in connection
with traction chains secured centrally to the engine through the medium
of a traversing wheel or pulley working concentrically within a segment
opening in the draw bar upon the sun-and-planet motion principle, so
as to give greater range of action to the drawing chain or chains in
turning curves, and facilitate the shunting or releasing of the carriages
from the train whilst in motion to draw on and off sidings, also em-
ploying in addition to the above a van or guard truck furnished with
rasp or serrated brakes to trail in the rear of the train, and act as a
further protection thereto by enabling the rasp brakes to be forced down
upon the rails when suddenly pressed or struck upon the outer ends,
and thereby arrest and deaden any shock or concussion that may ensue
without imparting it to the rest of the train, and consists,-
Firstly. In employing friction strap brakes upon the driving wheels
of double or single headed locomotive engines, through the medium of
flanged drums fixed to the spokes on either side of the rim of the said
wheels or on the present wheels, and working the said brakes by hand
levers from the engine.
Secondly. In employing friction brakes in like manner secured to the
running wheels of the carriages throughout the train to be put in motion
by weighted levers and traction chain or chains direct from the engine,
by the arrangement of which the said friction straps are caused to act
by the tightening or slacking of the drawing chain or chains'aforesaid.

page_text: Thirdly. In the employment of a shield bar in connection with two
coupled rasp brakes, one set working in front and the other behind each
of the locomotive engine wheels, so that in the event of collision each
pair of serrated brakes may be brought into operation together, whilst
the other two remain inactive, each rasp or serrated break in either casc
being firmly fastened to the shield bar or bars, and suspended by a hook
bearing from a double inclined plane attached to the framework of the
engine, so that when the shield bar is struck by coming in collision with
any opposing train at either end, the hook bearings on the top of the
double inclined plane will slide down into grooves at each side, and thus.
cause the rasp brakes to fall down upon the surface of the rails and
check the advance of the engine, also employing a fixed rod extending
from the rear end of the engine buffers to prevent the shield bar striking
against the carriage behind when backing the engine, also chain stops.
in front of the carriages when going to back to retain the brakes in
position on the chain becoming slackened between the engine and
carriages.
Fourthly. In the mode of employing central chain or chains between
the engine and carriages for giving increased freedom of action in
turning curves by connecting the same to a drawing bar link or muzzle
and pulley wheels, so that the chain shall pass around the pulley and
return under the carriages and again over friction rollers secured longi-
tudinally to the underneath framing of the carriages direct to the muzzle,
which is formed of strong iron rods, and supported by ties carried up
over the screens at both ends of the engine or one end of present engines,
in such manner as to divide the brake power between the engine and the
train, and prevent any oscillation incidental to centrifugal or contripetal
action taking place when running express trains.
Fifthly. In constructing and employing a trailing truck or waggon to
be placed at the rear end of the train and fitted with rasp brakes
extending over the rails at each end of the said truck, so that the front
and rear rasps shall be connected together by an iron bar placed edge-
ways and move freely on the top of the grease boxes, thus when the
after rasp breaks are pressed down upon the rails the front ones will bo
raised without lifting the truck; each pair of brakes are to be constructed
in one piece and work as a lever upon the fulcrum formed by the rear
axle when the pressure is applied from the rear or visa versa, each brake
being fastened by transverse iron rods flanged at each end and bolted

page_text: together on the outside by nuts and screws to prevent the brakes from
spreading outward when in action:
And sixthly. In employing for the above purpose locomotive engines
fitted with a smoke flue and firebox at each end in connection with the
ash pans and regulators for admitting air to the furnaces in front of the
engine so as to enable the same to be used with the after fluc and
obviate the necessity of the engine being turned round at each end of
the journey whilst the present engines may be turned and fitted on the
same principle. Also employing in connection with locomotive engines
revolving cowls to prevent back draft or blowing of the air down
the funnel, and the choaking of the flue tubes with cinders as at
present.
And in order that my said Invention may be more fully understood
and readily carried into effect I now proceed to describe the same by aid
of the accompanying Drawings, reference being had to the letters and
figures thereon marked (that is to say) :-
:-
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of a double-headed locomotive engine
with one passenger carriage attached, having my improved system of
brakes and protecting shield bar or bars applied thereto; Fig. 2, an
underneath plan view thereof; Fig. 3 and 3¹ enlarged detail side and
edge views of the lever friction strap brakes as fitted to the locomotive;
Fig. 4 corresponding view of carriage friction drum and weighted lever
brakes as employed throughout the train; Fig. 5 side view of running
wheel with friction straps surrounding the tire in lieu of drum flanges
aforesaid; Fig. 6 extended plan view of friction straps to be employed
direct to the wheels; Fig. 7 edge view of wheel, showing the friction
strap passing over the upper portion of the said wheel and tightened
upon the periphery through the medium of cross bars and lever close to
the rails; Fig. 8 detached view of running wheel showing the method
of securing the friction drum flanges to the spokes by bolts, nuts,
screws, or otherwise; Fig. 9 end elevation of carriage framing with
fulcrum bar supported vertically over the wheels direct from the grease
boxes between the horn plates; Fig. 10 vertical side elevation of the
guard truck or waggon furnished with rasp or serrated wedge brakes
for trailing in rear of the train to protect it from injury; Fig. 11 under-
neath plan view thereof showing the rasp or serrated edges of the brakes
removed from the rails; and Fig. 12 plan view of the drawing link or
muzzle, and traversing pulley fixed over engine screen, to which the

page_text: cach Figure the same letters of reference denote similar corresponding
parts.
A, A., body of locomotive engine supplied with fire-box, ash pan, coal
box, and water tanks at each end for enabling the front furnace and
after flue to be used together and thereby obviate the inconvenience
consequent on requiring the engine to be turned round at each end of
the journey; A', cowls fitted to smoke funnels (as represented at
Figure 1 in the annexed Drawings) so as to move or turn in the direction
of the wind or current of air and prevent back draft down the flue
tubes as aforesaid; B, B, projecting shield bar or bars extending over the
rails in front of the engine to receive the first blow when brought into
contact with any opposing force; C and C¹, two coupled rasp or chisel
brakes firmly rivetted or otherwise secured and fastened to the said
shield bar or bars so as to act conjointly with cach other; D, D, hook
bearings supporting the rasp brakes upon double inclined planes D'
formed on the engine framework in such manner that upon the shield
bar being struck at either end, when meeting with any impediment in
its course, the hook bearing shall cause the rasp brakes to slide down
the grooves formed by the inclined planes aforesaid, and descend upon
the rails in contact with the wheels E, E, resisting rod or arm which
may be hinged to the engine or rendered portable so as to project out-
wards beyond the buffers and over the ends of the shield bars to
prevent the said bars striking the carriage behind it when backing the
train; F, F, screen covering provided with iron plates in front for pro-
tecting the engine driver and stoker from injury; G, G, segment motion
link or muzzle with traversing wheels G₁ working within the segment,
and over engine screen, in connection with the loop chains between the
carriages and engine; H, H, stout iron rods or struts supporting the
segment motion link or muzzle above the engine screen direct from
fixed straps I, and bracket stays I', secured to opposite sides of the
locomotive boiler, as shown in the Drawing; J, J, coupling chains
fastened to the eye of the traversing wheel working within the segment
muzzle direct to the carriage pulley K and slip hook K', in manner
shown; L, L, traction chains passing longitudinally in the centre of
the under framing over friction rollers to each of the carriages throughout
and from thence over the drawing pulley K to the fixed hook on the
framing; M, M, friction rollers for holding the drawing chain in

page_text: position; N, N, engine driving wheels; O, O, drum flanges secured
to the said wheels by iron clamps passing round the spokes, and held
by nuts and screws to the rim or tyre of the wheel; P, P, friction bands
notched at the edges and cased with gutta percha, india-rubber, горе,
yarn, or leather, for tightening around the drum flanges or present
wheels aforesaid; Q, Q, cam-headed lever working the friction brakes
on the engine; R, R, carriage wheels furnished with friction straps or
drum flanges and friction straps fitted to the fulcrum and lever inside
of the spokes in like manner to the engine wheels; S. S, outer flange
for keeping the friction strap in its place; T, T, weighted levers moving
in pivot bearings on the fulcrum bar T', supported from the grease boxes
between the horn plates T, as represented at Figure 7 in the annexed
Drawings; U, U, counterbalance weights; V, V, transverse beam.
uniting the weights to the levers; W, W, friction rollers over or under
which the drawing chain passes for raising or lowering the weighted
levers, so that when the chain slackens the weight acting on the levers
shall cause the friction straps passing around the drums to tighten and
put the brakes in operation; X, X, axles of the running and driving
wheels; a, a, Figures 10 and 11, body of the truck or waggon protecting
the train in the rear; b, b, under framing of the truck carrying the
wheels and grease boxes; c, c, wedge-shaped steel or other metal rasp
brakes, with turned down flanges, connected on each side to the truck
by intervening bars d, d, placed edgeways so as to move freely on the
top of the grease boxes e, e, in one solid piece, by the construction and
arrangement of which an advancing engine before reaching the body
of the truck would mount the thin edge of the wedge and cause the
brakes to be instantly applied, by forcing the rasp edges down upon the
rails at the moment of concussion; f, f, tie rods provided with inside
flanged shoulders for holding the sides of the wedge brakes firmly
together by nuts and screws g, g, and prevent any lateral spreading or
collapsing of the points; h, h, rollers secured to the flooring boards
over which the drawing chain passes direct to the hinder carriage;
¿,., connecting chain by which the guard truck is drawn along at a
Hintonen Same of the touris

page_text: descent of the weighted levers tightening the friction bands upon the
drums, which, upon the train again advancing are taken off by the
tension of the drawing chain, and the consequent ascent of the weighted
levers, with the auxiliary rasp brakes, the projecting shield bar in front
of the engine on being struck or otherwise brought into action by any
sudden force applied at cither one of the outer ends, causes two out of
the four brakes on each side of the engine to descend and take effect upon
the rail in front of all the wheels of the locomotive engine, such having
the rasp or chisel edges cut at right angles in front of the wheels,
while the ones behind have their edges turned in the opposite direction
for the return journey, and thereby stays or retards the further advance
of the engine without coming in actual contact with the opposing force,
thus by employing the guard truck with its attendent wedge rasp
brake in rear of the train, and the shield bar and brakes in front of the
train perfect security to life and property may be ensured.
In conclusion to the foregoing description I would here briefly noto
that slip hook couplings may be employed in connection with the
drawing chain and muzzle, and pull direct from the segment muzzle
wheel on the engine screen, so as to concentrate the drawing power
and enable the train to turn curves with greater facility than at present,
and further that the said friction strap brakes as described together with
the
rasp
brakes and mode of constructing and actuating the same may
be fitted and employed in like manner to locomotive engines of the
present construction, and also that the said guard truck may be fitted
with ordinary brakes and arranged to contain goods or otherwise as in
practice may be found necessary, and I would again note that for the
convenience of shunting at the various stations I prefer to couple all the
carriages together with intervening ropes or chains at separate distances
from each other, or connected in lots as may be required for inter-
mediate stations.
Having now fully described and ascertained the nature of this my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed and
carried into effect, I would have it clearly understood that I do not
intend to confine myself to the precise details herein-before set forth
and described, as the same may be otherwise varied without departing
from the general principle of this my said Invention, nor do I claim as
new and of my said Invention the exclusive use of the several parts,
combinations, and arrangements above referred to except when the

page_text: same are employed in and for the purposes of my said Invention which
I hereby declare to consist,―
Firstly. In applying brake power to the driving wheels of locomotive
engines by means of friction straps to the flanged drums or direct to the
running wheels as above described.
Secondly. Employing friction strap brakes upon the running wheels
and rendering the same self acting by weighted levers and drawing
chains herein-before set forth and described.
Thirdly. Providing locomotive engines with shield bars and rasp
brakes, to be brought into action by any obstruction or concussion on
the line as above referred to and explained.
Fourthly. Mode of connecting double headed locomotive engines with
self acting double system of rasp and friction brakes as above described,
also the employment of revolving cowls for preventing back draft in
Tunnel.
Fifthly, and lastly. In constructing a guard truck or waggon with
wedge shaped rasp brakes for protecting the rear of the train in the
manner and for the purposes herein-before set forth and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Lynch, have hereunto sct
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of June, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
THOMAS LYNCH. (L.S.)
Taken & declared before me this 17th Junc
1872, & signed in my presence.
PITT SKIPTON,
Mayor of Londonderry,
Justice of the Peace.
(L.S.)