IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY SIGNALS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Livesey of Blackburn in the County of Lancaster
Railway Superintendent Samuel Whitehall Railway Clerk and Robert
Becconsall Station Master both of Summerseat in the said County for an
invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY SIGNALS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Livesey, Samuel
Whitehall and Robert Becconsall at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 20th March 1882.
JAMES LIVESEY, of Blackburn, in the County of Lancaster, Railway Super-
intendent, SAMUEL WHITEHALL, Railway Clerk, and ROBERT BECCONSALL,
Station Master, both of Summerseat, in the said County, "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RAILWAY SIGNALS "
This invention relates to the construction of signalling apparatus designed mainly
for foggy weather so as to dispense with the use of detonating fog signals but
applicable in many cases for regular and permanent use and is so constructed and
combined with the ordinary sigual apparatus as to be an efficient check thereon
such as in case where the "red" spectacle glasses are broken or shaken or otherwise
out of position whereon a white light instead of a red light is seen by driver and
also dispenses with and renders many parts of the signalling apparatus as now
constructed unnecessary.
The use of fog signals (detonators) is most objectionable because in addition to
cost of detonators there being no fog staff hands are called from goods department
porters from platform and otherwise the ordinary working is seriously interfered
with and extra labor and hours of work thrown on the staff.
Apparatus for purpose aforesaid constructed according to this invention comprises
a lever and weights connected with and operated by means of the same wires used
for working the ordinary distant signals so that when necessary to indicate to the
engine driver a pivotted double lever or frame having double inclined surfaces on
its under surface is by means of a rising arm and antifriction rollers operated and
put into position that a part of the engine (or an apparatus applied specially. for
the purpose) acts on the arm and by means of link and slotted guide rod acts. on
the lever of engine whistle which it opens and so warn the driver.
The combination of apparatus above referred to with the signalling appliances
now in general use renders the whole much more efficient. To the mere acting on
the whistle of a locomotive when passing a defined point we make no claim.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Livesey, Samuel Whitehall and Robert Becconsall in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 20th September 1882.
JAMES LIVESEY of Blackburn in the County of Lancaster, Railway Super-
intendent, SAMUEL WHITEHALL, Railway Clerk and ROBERT BECCONSALL,
Station Master all of Summerseat in the said County "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RAILWAY SIGNALS"
This invention relates to the construction of signalling apparatus designed mainly
for foggy weather so as to dispense with the use of detonating fog signals, but
applicable in many cases for regular and permanent use and is so constructed and
combined with the ordinary signal apparatus as to be an efficient check thereon
as in case where the "red" spectacle glasses are broken or shaken or otherwise
out of position- whereon a white light instead of a red light is seen by the driver
The use of fog signals (detonators) is most objectionable because in addition to
cost of detonators, there being no fog staff, hands are called from goods department,
porters from platform and otherwise the ordinary working is seriously interfered
with and extra. labor and hours of work thrown on the staff
Apparatus for purpose aforesaid constructed according to this invention comprises
a lever and weights connected with and operated by means of the same wires used
for working the ordinary distant and home signals so that when necessary to
indicate to the engine driver, a pivoted double lever or frame having double
inclined surfaces on its under surface is by means of a rising arm and antifriction
rollers operated and put into position that a part of the engine (or an apparatus
applied specially for the purpose) acts on the arm and by means of link. and
slotted guide rod acts on the lever of engine whistle which it opens and so warn
the driver.
•
.The combination of apparatus above referred to with the signalling appliances
now in general use, renders the whole much more efficient. To the mere
acting on the whistle of a locomotive when passing a defined point we make no
claim.
Such being the nature and object of the invention we will now proceed to
describe the same in detail and in order that the invention may be fully
understood we have hereunto annexed 3 sheets of drawings and have marked the
same with figures and letters of reference, like letters indicate the same part in the
several views or figures
·
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig 1 is an end elevation of our improved apparatus and part of a locomotive
engine-Fig: 2 is an enlarged view of part of the apparatus-Fig: 3 is a sectional
elevation of Fig: 2-Fig: 4 is a side elevation of part of the apparatus and
of its containing box. Fig: 5 is an end elevation of Fig: 4-Fig: is plan of
Fig 4 with cover removed-Fig: 7 shews connection of apparatus with signal
post.
At A is a lever carrying anti friction bowl B free to oscilate on axle C, the
lever A has a catch or projection D and is held in vertical position by means of
catches E and F (see figs: 4 and 5) connected to lever A is a rod G the other end
of which is attached to the weighted lever H having fulcrum at J-K is a
platform (attached to lever H) and on which are weights L. L. M is a box or
casing enclosing the apparatus which is in nosition for acting on the whistle of the

page_text: locomotive shewn by Figs 2 and 4 the apparatus shewn by Fig: 2 being attached
to the underside of the engine as shewn at Fig: 1 as the latter advances in
direction of the arrow the inclined lever N is brought in contact with the friction
bowl B and is raised on its fulcrum P the lever N carrying or raising the lever P¹
on its fulcrum P² whereon the connecting rod R raises the end S of lever S¹ on its
fulcrum S its other end S³ being lowered or depressed and by means of the
projecting arm S+ the connecting rod T is drawn down and operates the lever W
connected to the whistle handle X giving the alarm or warning to the engine
driver when the engine is reversed and running backwards way the lever P¹
comes in contact with the bowl B and operates the mechanism same as when
lever N is acted upon-the spiral spring Y is for the purpose of reducing concussion
of impact when engine brings lever N upon and against the bowl B at high speed
and also easing or breaking concussion on levers N or P resulting from any
obstruction between the rails. The apparatus (Fig. 2) is attached to the engine by
means of brackets Z and regulating screws Z¹. (Figs 1 and 2) The apparatus
being constructed for double signal, home and distant-If for single signal the
catcli F and its connections will be dispensed with and the catch E only used. In
order to put the apparatus out of position the wires attached to chains 1 and 2
are pulled and raises the catch E on its fulcrum pin, so releasing the catch from
the projecting part D at the same time raising the weight L from the platform K
and permitting the weighted lever H to draw down by means of the vertical
connecting rod G the lever A' and its antifriction bowl B into the horizontal
position so that the levers N or P cannot come in contact with the bowl B (shewn
by dotted lines) the wire for operating the apparatus is the same as that used for
operating the ordinary signal, being coupled at the foot or otherwise of the signal
post.
Where plate layers are at work the apparatus can be applied in lieu of
detonators Where four or more lines of rails are parallel the signals indicates
during fog to each driver whereas the use of detonators under such circumstances
is liable to lead to confusion.
:
Having thus fully described the nature and particulars of this our said
invention, together with the manner in which the same is to be or may be
performed or carried into practical effect we would have it understood that what
we claim as our invention is.
Firstly The apparatus (shewn at Fig: 2) for purpose and constructed and
combined as herein described and as illustrated by drawings
Secondly The apparatus (shewn at Fig: 4) for purpose and constructed as herein
described and as illustrated by drawings.
Lastly The use in combination of the apparatus illustrated by Figs and 4
and as herein described.
In Witness whercof I the said James Livesey for and on behalf of myself
and the said Samuel Whitehall and Robert Becconsall have hereunto set
my hand and seal this sixteenth of September in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
JAMES LIVESEY. (L.S.)