AN IMPROVED SELF-ACTING INDICATOR SIGNAL FOR RAILWAYS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Funnell, of 54, East Street, Brighton, in
the County of Sussex, Watch and Clock Manufacturer, for the Invention
of "AN IMPROVED SELF-ACTING INDICATOR SIGNAL FOR RAILWAYS."
Sealed the 22nd August 1862, and dated the 10th April 1862.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Funnell at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 10th
April 1862.
I, EDWARD FUNNELL, of 54, East Street, Brighton, in the County of Sussex,
Watch and Clock Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "AN IMPROVED SELF-ACTING INDICATOR SIGNAL FOR RAILWAYS,"
to be as follows:-
1st, in giving a self-acting indicator signal which can be fixed on the line of
railways at any required distance apart, whereby time and space can be observed
and regulated by all passing trains by day and night, whereby collisions would
fail to occur.
2ndly, by giving a dial plate of any size required, graduated to show the time
of ten minutes or any time required, and being furnished with an indicator
hand to record the minutes, whereby the driver of a succeeding train can see
the number of minutes which have elapsed since the passage of a former
train.
3rdly, by giving a signal of three different colours for the night, which move
in relation to the indicator after the passage of a train; a red light will appear

page_text: for the time of five minutes, after which red light will remove and green light
appear for the remaining five minutes, by which time green light will disappear
and transparent light remain until the passage of another train repeats its
movement.
4thly, in the construction by which the combined movements are repeated
being wound by the passing train, whereby the pendulum is set in motion for
a given time.
The manner in which I carry my Invention into effect is particularly shewn
in the Drawings hereunto annexed and explained by the description thereof
herein contained, reference being bad to the figures thereon corresponding
with the figures and letters mentioned in the description.
(A) is a lever parallel with (B) the left-hand rail, and is fixed to axle (C);
(D) is another lever fixed to (C), and also (E) the counterpoise; (B, E, F,)
are bearings for (C); (G) is a chain or conductor attached to (D), the other
end of which is passed over (H), the drum, and attached at (I); the drum
turns freely on axle (J); (j) is a coiled spring, the outer end of which is fixed
to the inside of the drum, and the inner end to axle (I); (K) is a stop fixed
to the drum, and banks against stop (L), which is fixed to ratchet wheel (M);
(M) is also fixed to axle (I); (N) is a grooved pulley fixed to (M); (0) is a
cord attached to (N) at (Q), to the other end of which is attached (P); the
weight (Q) is a toothed wheel, which turns freely on axle (I), to which is
screwed the catch (S), and is pressed into the teeth of (M) by (T); the
spring (U) is a pinion working into (Q), on the axle of which is fixed escape
wheel (V); (W) are pallets working into (V), on the axle of which is fixed (X)
the pendulum; (Y) is a stop-pin; 3, 4, 5, and 6, are pitters, by which the
square frames (a and a) are fixed at their required distance apart, between
which axles (T, U, and V) have their bearings.
Fig. 2 represents the signal motion for the night. Axle (I) is passed
through the frame (a), and on which is fixed the snail-shaped disc (A); (B) is
a quadrant-shaped disc, turning freely on its axis (C); (D) is a friction roller
which turns freely on a stud, which is fixed to (B) at (E); (1, 2, and 3) are
(3) glasses fixed to (B); (1) white, (2) green, and (3) red; (L) is a lever
with two steps, which rest on the prolonged end of stud at (E) and turns on
its axis at (F); (4) and (5) are pins to raise the lever (L); (G) is a spiral
spring, the one end attached to (B) at (H), and at (I) to (a).
Fig. 3 represent the dial, which is fixed on the top of a post, and the move-
ment at the back axle (I) is prolonged through the centre, and on which is
fixed the hand (A); the dial is directed to mark the time of ten minutes, or
any time that may be required; (C) is a round aperture corresponding in size

page_text: with the glasses 1, 2, and 3) by which the color of the glass is seen at night
by the aid of a light placed at the back; (D) is a stop. The whole of the
movements are shewn as having completed the last movement. Having given
reference to the whole by figures and reference, it remains to be shewn how
the repetitions are operated by the passage of the trains.
Firstly, it will be seen that as the wheels of the engine or carriages pass
along over (B) (A) will be pressed down, and (D) with it, and also (G),
which will rotate (H) backwards, thus winding the yielding spring (j), the
power of which will rotate (M), disc (A), the hand (A) half a circle back-
wards, viz., the weight (P) will be wound up the red light (3) opposite the
centre by disc (A), and the hand (A) to the stop (D) on the dial simul-
taneously, and as soon as the train has passed (II) with its stop (K) will
return to stop (L), and the weight (P) will be retained at (S), the power of
which will be transmitted through (Q,) (U, V, and W), whereby the pendulum
will be set in motion, and will continue to oscillate until the stop (L) as
arrived at stop (T); the hand (d) will also return and indicate its minutes as
marked on the dial. Red light (3) will be retained until the hand arrives at
five minutes, by which time the pin (4) will raise lever (L) and discharge (B)
at (E) and (I); (B) will be pressed forward by (G), and retained at (Q) by
(E) and (Q); the green light will appear for the remaining five minutes, by
which time the pin (5) will raise the lever (L) and discharge (B) at (E) and
(Q) and (I) the white light, will be opposite (C) the hole in the dial by the
friction roller (D), resting against the snail disc, and its movements be at rest
until the next passage of a train, and should a train pass before the movements
are completed, the hand (A) will return to stop (D), and red light show as
before described.
Thus it will be seen, that there are 3 positions by which the instrument is
made to indicate (that is to say):-Firstly, that after the passage of a train,
the hand's position on the right-hand side of the dial points to danger, or stop
until it arrives at figure 5, and then passing on to the left-hand side signifies
caution until it arrives at 10, by which it shows that ten minutes has elapsed
since the passage of the last train. Secondly, for the night signal after the
passage of a train, a red light appears for the first 5 minutes, which indicates
stop, and for the remaining 5 minutes green light appears, which indicates
caution; and after the lapse of ten minutes, bright light appears until the
passage of another train; by this mode of signalling collisions would fail to
occur, as it preserves space and time between all passing trains.
I do not confine myself to the escapement as shewn, as various escapements
can be employed to give motion to a pendulum or balance.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Funnell in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th October 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
FUNNELL, of 54, East Street, Brighton, in the County of Sussex, Watch and
Clock Manufacturer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Edward Funnell, Her special licence that I, the said Edward
Funnell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said Edward Funnell, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN
IMPROVED SELF-ACTING INDICATOR SIGNAL FOR RAILWAYS," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Edward Funnell, my executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters.
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Funnell, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and-by the following
statement and accompanying Drawings, that is to say :-
This Invention consists of an improved and entirely self-acting indicator day
and night signal for curves, cuttings, and tunnels on railways, the principal
object of which is to preserve time and space between all passing trains, by
which collisions would fail to occur.
This improved signal consists of a dial plate erected on the top of a pillar;
the dial is divided into three parts, red, green, and white, and is divided to

page_text: mark the time of ten minutes, and is also furnished with an indicator which
revolves backward on the passage of a train, after which the hand returns and
records the number of minutes since the train's passage, by which the driver
of a succeeding train can regulate his speed accordingly. On the upper
portion of the dial is fixed a lens, by which transparent colors are given for
night signalling by the aid of gas or lamp after the passage of a train; red
light shows for five minutes, which then disappears and shows green light for
five minutes, after which bright light remains until the passage of another
train makes contact, by which the movements are again repeated.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1. C is an axle which turns on its bearings F and B; A is a lever
fixed to the prolonged end of C at the inner side of B the left-hand rail on
which the train travels; D, D, is a double lever, which is also fixed to C; E the
adjusting weight is fixed to D; L is an upright lever jointed to the end of D,
on which is step 1, catch 2, and relieving plane 3, and is also pressed forward.
by H, the spring which is screwed to D; J is an upright bar, fixed at 4 and 5,
on which is catch 6; j is an air box, the bottom of which is fixed at 7 and 8.
R is a catch fixed to the top of j.
Figs. 2 and 3. G is an iron rod conductor, which is jointed to the end of D,
on the top of which is fixed a strap or chain, which is passed round H, the
drum, and attached at 1; y is an arm fixed, to G for lifting detent z, which
turns on a stud at 7; H turns freely on axle I; J is a coiled spring, the outer.
end of which is fixed to the inside of H and the inner end to I; K is a stop
fixed to H; M is a katchet wheel fixed to axle I; L is a stop pin fixed to M;
N is a grooved pulley fixed to M, round which is passed the cord O, and
attached at 2; P is a weight attached to O; Q is a toothed wheel, which
turns freely on axle I, to which is jointed the catch S, which is pressed into
the teeth of M by T; the spring U is a pinion working into Q, on the axle
of which is fixed the escape wheel V; W are the pallets working into V, on
the axle of which is fixed X the pendulum; B is a toothed segment fixed to
X; 3, 4, 5, and 6, are pillars by which the frames A, A, are fixed together,
between which axles W, U, I, and C, have their bearings; E is a leading-off
pulley for O; D is a lever jointed at 8, and is prolonged through the dial
plate; F is a spiral spring attached to D, and 4, 9, and 10, are stop pins.
for D.
Fig. 4 represents the night signal motion; axle I is prolonged through A,
on which is fixed the snail-shaped disc a; b is a two-armed disc, the axle of
which is passed through A, A; w, g, and r, are colored glasses fixed to b,

page_text: w white, g green, and r red; e is a stud fixed to b; d is a friction roller set
upon e, and turns freely; Z is a lever with two steps, 1 and 2, which rests on
the prolonged end of e, and turns freely on its axis at f; 4 and 5 are pins
fixed to a for lifting 1; h is a spring attached to b and A.)
Fig. 5 represents the dial-plate, which is divided into three different colors,
w white, red, and 9 green, and is also divided to mark the time of ten
minutes; axle I is prolonged through the centre, on which is fixed the band
or indicator A); C is a lens corresponding in size with w, g, and r.
Fig. 4. D and Y are stops for A; the whole of the movements are shewn
at rest.
Having given reference to the whole by figures and letters, it remains to be
seen how the movements are operated by the passing trains.
Firstly, the flange of the first wheel of the train depresses A; D, D, moves
G downwards and L upwards, and expands j by the contact of R and I; I is
relieved from R by 2 passing over 6, by which A, D, D, G, and L remain
locked; R descends as the air escapes j and makes contact with 3, which
moves L backwards until I is discharged off 6; by which A, D, D, G, and L
return to their former position simultaneously by the gravity of E.
Secondly, G and Y being moved downwards as before described allows Z to
retain B and X, and also rotates H backwards, which rewinds J, the power of
which rotates I M, a A, and N half circle backwards, and also rewinds P
simultaneously, I having moved through a larger are than I and M will
return with K, which will stop against L by the tension of J, when G is
discharged as before described; thus H, I, and M are locked together as one
mass. Z will also be lifted off B by Y, whereby X commences vibrating by
the gravity of P which is retained at S and communicated through Q, U, V,
to W, by which V, U, and Q rotate, as the teeth of V escape W, until A the
hand returns against y on the dial plate, the backward force of A to D banks
D against 10, whereby the tension of F is retained by S and communicated
to. W, by which a greater impulse is given for starting X.
Thirdly, (a, Fig. 4, being rotated backward as before described also moves b
backward by the friction roller d, by which 6 is locked at e by 7 at I, which
retains r opposite lens C, Fig. 5, until A. has returned to 5 on the dial plate,
by which time pin 4 will return and lift and I off e; b will move forward
and e rest against 2 by the tension of h, and retain 9 opposite C until. A
returns to 10 on the dial plate, by which time pin 5 will arrive and lift 2 off
e; b will again move forward and d rest against the edge of a by the tension
of h, by which w will remain opposite C until the passage of another train
depresses A as before described.

page_text: Fourthly, having explained the whole of my Invention herein it is obvious
that the passage of a train depressing the lever makes the hand return
backward to O on the dial, and that its position over the red surface indicates
danger for five minutes, and its position over green indicates caution, and its
position over white indicates safety, or that ten minutes has elapsed since the
passage of a train.
Fifthly, it is also obvious that the colored glasses position at the back of
the lens will show their different colors by night by the aid of lamp or gas
light being placed behind the glasses; the red will indicate danger; green
caution, and white safety; viz. red indicating that five minutes have not
elapsed since the passage of a train; green indicating that ten minutes have
not elapsed, and white indicating that ten minutes have elapsed since the
passage of a train.
Lastly, it is obvious that the lever being depressed by the flange of a wheel
that the pendulum cannot vibrate until the lever is finally discharged by the
air box being closed, but should the air box close before the train has passed,
the air box will be again immediately expanded by the levers second contact.
Having thus described the nature and object of my Invention, and the
manner in which the same is or may be carried into effect, I wish it to be
understood that I do not confine myself to the escapement as shewn in the
Drawings, as various escapements can be employed to give motion to a balance
or pendulum, neither do I confine myself to any configuration or form by
which the mechanism can be made to perform the principle herein-before
mentioned, as various forms can be employed to produce the same effect.
I claim no right to the use of different colors for signalling uncombined
with entire self-acting mechanism, nor do I claim any right to the adoption
of a lever which is depressed by the flange of a wheel uncombined with a
self-locking apparatus. But what I claim and desire to be secured by the
hercin-before in part recited Letters Patents is,-
Firstly, the producing of an entire self-acting mechanism signal for day
and night for the use of railways, which indicates danger, caution, and safety,
by which the driver of a train can see the number of minutes which have
elapsed since the passage of a former train as herein-before shewn and
described.
Secondly, the application of toothed wheels and pinions, also the pendulum
or balance by which the mechanism is regulated, to indicate danger, caution,
and safety for a given time as herein-before shewn and described.
Thirdly, the production of the snail and lever movement by which the

page_text: transparent signals are given and discharged as herein-before shewn and
described.
And, lastly, the application of the air box and levers for the locking and
unlocking of a lever, which is depressed by the flange of a wheel, whereby the
so depressed lever is restrained from making a continual collision with the
following wheels of the same train as herein-before shewn and described.
In witness, whereof, I, the said Edward Funnell have hereunto set my
band and seal, this Eighth day of October in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
EDWARD FUNNELL. (L.s.)