IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL AND SWITCH INDICATORS &c
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William John Harrison Ryder, of Newcastle upon Tyne;
in the County of the same Town, Brass Founder, & William Henry Elliott, of
Thurles, in the County of Tipperary, Ireland, Railway Inspector, for the In-
vention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL AND
SWITCH INDICATORS &c."
Sealed the 6th May 1879, and dated the 18th February 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William John Harrison.
Ryder and William Henry Elliott at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 18th February 1879.
WILLIAM JOHN HARRISON RYDER, of Newcastle upon Tyne, in the County of
the same Town, Brass Founder, & WILLIAM HENRY ELLIOTT, of Thurles, in the
County of Tiperary, Ireland, Railway Inspector. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL
APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL AND SWITCH INDICATORS, &C."
This Invention relates to improvements in electrical apparatus for indicating to
signal men in their cabins the positions of signals or points under their charge but
placed out of their sight, the electrical indicator which is placed in the signal cabin,
showing when the signal is "on" or off, or the points are open or closed, and also
showing when the signals or points are in an intermediate position or "out of
order."
"
"
So long as the signal arm remains at the square or danger position, or the points
remain set for muin line or other regular position, the needle of the indicator in the
signal cabin remains in the centre of the dial shewing "signal on" or points set for
"main line" or other regular position.
Immediately the signal arm is in the least lowered from the square or "danger"
position, or the points "opened" or drawn from their regular place the indicator
needle is deflected to the right side of the dial, shewing signal or points, as the case
may be, to be "out of order;" but when the signal arm is sufficiently lowered to
indicate "line clear," or the points are set for "branch line" or "siding" the needle
of the indicator is then deflected to the other or left side, shewing signal "off" or
points set for "branch line" or "siding," as the case may be.
For the application to signals we place upon the post above the spindle working
the arm of the signal a circular metal box having a hole at the back to admit the
end of the spindle; on the inside rim or concave side of the box we attach three
TD B77

page_text: pieces of sheet brass, two of which are insulated from the metal by a piece of sheet
ebonite, and to which the connections from the batteries are made, the other being
connected to a line or earth wire.
Upon the end of the spindle of the signal arm we attach a short lever to which is
fixed a small spring of sheet brass which slides over the other pieces of brass before
mentioned, connecting alternately the currents from the batteries to the earth wire,
thence to the signal cabin, deflecting the needle of the indicator.
For the application to ordinary points we make an oblong metal box on the
bottom of which we fit three pieces of sheet brass, two of which are insulated from
the metal by a piece of sheet ebonite, the other being connected with the earth or
line wire, as in the contact box fitted to the signal post.
At the end of the box two square holes are cut in which a bar connected to the
draw bar of the points works backwards and forwards, and to which a small spring
of sheet brass is fitted to slide over the other brass plates and make the electrical
connections as in the signal box.
For wedge points a larger metal box is used with two levers working at right
angles with each other, one being connected with the draw bar of the points, the
other with the draw bar of the wedge, so that when either the points or the wedge
are out of place contact is made the same as in the other case, giving the same
indications on the dial in the signal cabin.
The box is placed on the ground by the side of the rails and at such convenient
position that the drawbars of the points can be easily attached to the bar working
in the contact box.
The battery connections are as follows:-We use two ordinary Daniel's or
sulphate batteries, one of ten or twelve cells, and the other of three, connecting the
zinc or negative pole of the large battery to the copper or positive pole of the small
battery, and again connecting the copper or positive pole of the small battery with
one end of the indicator of the signal cabin. The copper or positive pole of the
large battery we take to one of the insulated plates of the contact box, and the
zinc or negative pole of the small battery to the other insulated plate of the
contact box, the other plate of the contact box previously mentioned being con-
nected with a line or earth wire to convey the currents either to or from the other
connection of the indicator, thus completing the circuit.
The circuits or the currents are made to travel as follows:-While the signal arm
remains at the square or "danger" position or the points remain set in their proper
position the small brass spring on the lover or bar in the contact box is in contact
only with the earth plate, but as soon as the signal is moved from the square or
the points are drawn from their place, the spring is moved to the insulated plate
connected, with the copper or positive pole of the large battery, thus making the
contact or communication along a line or earth wire through the indicator in the
signal cabin, then through the copper of the small battery to the zinc of the large
battery, causing a deflection of the needle of the indicator to the right side of the
dial shewing signal or points "out of order," the needle remaining in this position
until the spring is brought in contact with the other insulated plate by the signal
arm being sufficiently lowered, or the points set to their required position, when
another connection is made from the zinc or negative pole of the small battery
through the contact box, thence by line or earth wire through the indicator to the
copper or positive of the small battery, deflecting the needle to the left side of the
indicator, showing signal "off," or points set for "siding'
or "branch line," as
required.
"

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William John Harrison Ryder and William Henry Elliott in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th August 1879.
WILLIAM JOHN HARRISON RYDER, of Newcastle upon Tyne, in the County of
the same Town, Brass Founder, and WILLIAM HENRY ELLIOTT, of Thurles, in the
County of Tiperary, Ireland, Railway Inspector. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRICAL
APPARATUS FOR SIGNAL AND SWITCH INDICATORS, &C."
This Invention relates to improvements in electrical apparatus for indicating to
signal men in their cabins the positions of signals or points under their charge but
placed out of their sight, the electrical indicator which is placed in the signal cabin
shewing when the signal is " on or off," or the points are "open or "closed,"
and also shewing when the signals or points are in an intermediate position or
"out of order."
"
"
"
So long as the signal arm remains at the square or danger position, or the points
remain "set for main line" or other regular position, the needle of the indicator in
the signal cabin remains in the centre of the dial, shewing "signal on" or points
set for "main line or other regular position.
"
"
"
Immediately the signal arm is in the least lowered from the square or danger
position, or the points "opened or drawn from their regular place, the indicator
needle is deflected to the right side of the dial, shewing signal or points, as the case
may be, to be "out of order;" but when the signal arm is sufficiently lowered to
indicate "line clear," or the points are set for "branch line " or "siding," the needle
of the indicator is then deflected to the other or left side, shewing signal "off" or
points set for "branch line or "siding," as the case may be.
"
For the application to signals we place upon the post above the spindle working
the arm of the signal, a circular metal box having a hole at the back to admit the
end of the spindle; on the inside rim or concave side of the box we attach three
pieces of sheet brass, two of which are insulated from the metal by a piece of sheet
ebonite, and to which the connections from the batteries are made, the other being
connected to a line or earth wire. Upon the end of the spindle of the signal arın
we attach a short lever, to which is fixed a small spring of sheet brass which slides
over the other pieces of brass before mentioned, connecting alternately the currents
from the batteries to the earth wire, thence to signal cabin deflecting the needle of
the indicator.
For the application to ordinary points we make an oblong metal box, on the
bottom of which we fit three pieces of sheet brass, two of which are insulated from
the metal by a piece of sheet ebonite, the other being connected with earth or line
wire, as in the contact box fitted to the signal post.
At the end of the box two square holes are cut in which a bar connected to the
draw bar of the points works backwards and forwards, and to which a small spring
of sheet brass is fitted to slide over the other brass plates and make the electrical
connections as in the signal box.
For wedge points a larger metal box is used with two levers working at right
angles with each other, one being connected with the drawbar of the points the
other with the drawbar of the wedge, so that when either the points or the wedge
are out of place, contact is made the same as in the other case, giving the same
indications on the dial in the signal cabin.
The box is placed on the ground by the side of the rails, and at such convenient
position that the drawbars of the points can be easily attached to the bar working
in the contact box.
The battery connections are as follows: We use two ordinary Daniel's or
sulphate batteries, one of ten or twelve cells, and the other of three, connecting the
zinc or negative pole of the large battery to the copper or positive polo of the small

page_text: battery and again connecting the copper or positive pole of the small battery
with one end of the indicator of the signal cabin. The copper or positive pole
of the large battery we take to one of the insulated plates of the contact box
and the zinc or negative pole of the small battery to the other insulated plate of
the contact box,,the other. plate of the contact box previously mentioned being
connected with a line or earth wire to convey the currents either to or from the
other connection of the indicator, thus completing the circuit.
The circuits or the currents are made to travel as follows:-While the signal
arm remains at the square or "danger" position, or the points remain set in their
proper position, the small brass spring on the lever or bar in the contact, box is in
contact only with the earth plate, but as soon as the signal is moved from the
square, or the points are drawn from their place, the spring is moved to the insu-
lated plate connected with the copper or positive pole of the large battery; thus
making the contact or communication along a line or earth wire through the,
indicator in the signal cabin, then through the copper of the small battery to the
zinc of the large battery, causing a deflection of the needle of the indicator to the
right side of the dial, shewing signal or points "out of order," the needle remaining
in this position until the spring is brought in contact with the other insulated plate
by the signal arm being sufficiently lowered, or the points set at their required,
position when another connection is made from the zinc or negative pole of the
small battery through the contact box, thence by line or earth wire through the
indicator to the copper or positive of the small battery, deflecting the needle to the
left side of the indicator, shewing signal "off" or points set for "siding" or "branch
line" as required.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Sheets Nos. 1 and 2.
In Sheet No. 1 of the accompanying Drawings Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, show
the contact box applied to signals; Figures 6 and 7, the lever by which contacts
are made at the various positions of the signal arm; Figure 8 shews the electric
indicator, and also diagram of battery connections; and Figures 9 and 10 the
general arrangement of contact box, line, and earth wires on the signal post.
Figure 1 shews an elevation of contact box, which we prefer to make of cast
iron, with the cover removed; a and b are two contact plates, insulated from the
metal box by ebonite or other suitable insulating material. The plate a is connected
through the binding screw d with a line wire, thence with the copper or positive
pole of a battery, No. 1 (Figure 8), in the signal cabin. The plate b is similarly
connected by the binding screw e with the zinc or negative pole of a second battery,
No. 2 (Figure 8), also in the signal cabin through a second line wire. At the back
of the plates a and b, and insulated from them, but in contact with the outer casing,
is a third contact plate c (Figures. 2 and 4). This plate is connected to earth
through the binding screw f. The spindle g, to which the signal arm is attached
(Figures 1, 3, 4, 9, and 10), is prolonged through the casing h, on which spindle (and
within the case) is fixed the lever i, having a brass forked spring k fixed to its outer
end, as in Figures 1, 4, 6, and 7. The spring k serves to make contact between a
and C, then between b and c. The lever i is fixed on the spindle g by means of a 4
set screw, as shown, thus allowing the lever to be adjusted to its proper position
relative to the signal arm, which should be such that when the signal arm is at the
square or danger position, one prong of the spring ke is in contact with the plate c,
thence to earth, the other prong resting on the insulating piece, as shown in Figure 1.
Then on the signal arm being lowered in the least from its horizontal position, the
other prong of the spring k makes contact with the plate a, the motion being con-
tinued, the prong in contact with the plate a passes on to the contact plate b, the
other prong of the spring k being always in contact with the earth plate c. It will
thus be seen that when the arm is in its horizontal position the circuit of both
batteries is interrupted, but as soon as the signal arm is lowered, the positive pole
of the battery No. 1 (Figure 8) is put to earth through plate a, spring k, plate-c;

page_text: points is shown.
The contact box for ordinary points is shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, and its
attachment to the points is shown in Figure 5. Figure 1 is a plan of complete box;
Figure 2 is a plan, with the cover and sliding bar G (to which the contact spring
is fixed) removed; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section; and Figure 4, a transverse
section of the box. In Figure 2 the contact plate a is connected with the copper of
battery No. 1, plate b, with zinc of battery No. 2, and plate c, with an earth plate o.
The forked spring k attached to the under side of the sliding bar G makes successive
contacts between a and c and b and c. So long as the points remain at their normal
position, the left hand fork of the spring & rests on the plates, which is not connected
with any battery wires, and merely serves to give a level path for the spring k. As
the points move through their intermediate position, the spring & makes contact
with and c, giving the "out of order" indication by current from No. 1 battery,
and when the points are "hard over" for siding, the plates b and c are then con-
nected by spring & calling battery No. 2 into action, giving "set for siding" indi-
cation in the signal cabin. It will be understood that the battery and earth
connections with the contact box and indicator correspond to those already described
for signals, all connections and wires being lettered the same as in Sheet No. 1 for
corresponding parts.
k
Figure 7 shows plan of the contact box for wedge points; Figure 8, plan with
cover removed; Figures 9 and 10 longitudinal and transverse sections; and Figure
11 shows the plan of connecting wedge levers and points with the contact box.
The sliding bar G (Figures 7, 8, 9, and 10) obtains its motion from the points;
G' is another bar sliding below, and at right angles to G, being moved by the wedge
or safety bar lever. The plate c is attached to one end of the wedge bar G', and is
in electrical contact with it. k is a double curved spring, with two arms attached
to G¹, also in electrical contact with it. The left hand arm of spring k is always in
contact with c¹, thus making clectrical communication between c and c¹. On the
under side, and at one end of the point bar G is a recess, in which the contact plate

page_text: *
a is fixed, insulated from G, and projecting downwards sufficiently to make good
contact with plate C, when the bar G is drawn under it; and to further ensure good
contact the plate c is made as a flat spring, free to rise and fall at its outer end, as
shewn in Figure 9. But it must be understood that the length of the plate c is so
adjusted that when the wedges are 'home," and G¹ in the position shown, the
contact piece a is resting on a strip of ebonite, which serves to break contact with
a and c. On the top of the point bar G is the curved contact plate b, also insulated
from G. The plates a, b, and c² are connected respectively through the binding
screws d, e, and f' by means of insulated spiral wires, with the binding screws d,
and f on the outer casing. Connection from the screws d, e, and are made
with batteries, earth, and indicator, as already described for the ordinary point box,
the letters corresponding.
To change the points the wedge has first to be drawn ; in doing so the wedge bar
G' is drawn outwards in the direction of the arrow. The plate c thus makes contact
with plate a, sending current giving "out of order" indication in the signal cabin.
The points are now free to move owing to the withdrawal of the wedge. On
pulling the points over the point-bar G is moved in the direction of the arrow till
the contact-plate breaches the centre of the box. The contact-plate a is made of
such a length (as in Figure 10) that it still makes contact with plate c, so that the
indicator still shows points "out of order," but now, on replacing the wedges to
fix the points for siding, the wedge bar G¹ is returned to its original position, so that
the second arm of the spring k makes contact with the plate b, and plate c is
removed from contact with plate a, thus putting e to earth through the plate c¹,
bringing battery No. 2 into action, indicating points set for siding in the signal
cabin.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be carried out, we would have it understood that we do not
confine ourselves to the exact details set down, as modifications may be made
without departing from the leading features of our Invention.
What we claim is:-First. The general arrangements of contact plates and
contact-maker, actuated by signal or points, substantially as shown, and for the
purpose herein before described.
Second. The use of two batteries connected with contact box and indicator, so
that the "out of order" indication shall always be given by a current, and the
indication of "signal on ' or points set in their normal position shall be given by
gravity, substantially as shewn, and herein above described.
"
In witness whereof we, the said William John Harrison Ryder and William
Henry Elliott, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Eighteenth day
of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy
nine.
WILLIAM JOHN HARRISON RYDER. (L.S.)
WILLIAM HENRY ELLIOTT.
(L.S.)