Improvements in or relating to Fog-signalling Apparatus for Railways.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Mar., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 19th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 13th Feb., 1892
Improvements in or relating to Fog-signalling Apparatus for
Railways.
1.1.
X
Accountant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :—
This invention relates to apparatus for placing detonators used as fog signals on
the rails of the permanent way of railways and removing such detonators when
the line is clear.
In carrying out this invention each apparatus is formed with a foundation plate
preferably set in the ground with one end contiguous to and at right angles to the
rail and is provided with a well or pit in which a weight can de-cend.
Sliding on the foundation plate is a longitudinal slide provided with a longi-
tudinal passage surmounted by a vertical magazine in which the detonators are
placed, the magazine in plan conforms to the shape of the detonators the lower one
of which falls into the longitudinal passage and is carried to the end of the passage
which is next the rail by a ram sliding in the passage which is operated so as to
eject a detonator by the action of a weight working in the well in the foundation
plate connected to the ram by a flexible connection passing over suitable pulleys,
or by a spring or both.
The detonators are preferably formed with a base which is extended in one
direction and is then returned thus forming a loop.
The detonators when ejected from the magazine are held by means of the
extension at the end of the passage in the longitudinal slide between the end of the
ram and preferably two levers or catches with turned ends which enter into
the loop in the extension, the levers or catches are pivotted on the casing of the
longitudinal passage their outer ends being opened by the action of suitable springs
and closed to retain a detonator by the action of the ram as it ejects a detonator
engaging with their inner ends which are carried through openings in the casing.
When a detonator is exploded the ram is withdrawn and by the action of their
springs the levers release it, the ram when released returns to its normal position
by the action of the weight or spring, carrying a fresh detonator with it from the
magazine, this pushes the previously exploded one out of position and is itself
retained by the levers or catches the outer ends of which are closed by the move-
ment of the ram.
When the longitudinal slide is in its inner position the detonator is held on the
rail but is removed from it by withdrawing the slide by operating the slide simul-
taneously with and by connection with the signal operating mechanism it is placed
on the rail and removed in accordance with the position of the signal, when
exploded it may be replaced by operating the ram in the manner hereinbefore
described, this may be effected by connecting the ram to an additional lever in the
signal cabin.
Dated this 20th day of March 1891
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Fog-signalling Apparatus for
Railways.
I, JOSEPH AUGUSTUS UTTING, of Kegworth in the County of Leicester,
Accountant, 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:-
This invention relates to apparatus for placing detonators used as fog signals on
the rails of the permanent way of railways and removing such detonators
according to whether the line is blocked or clear.
It will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus,
Fig. 2 is a plan,
Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section,
Fig. 4 is a vertical cross section taken across the magazine,
Figs. 5 and 6 are elevation and plan respectively showing detonators and
retaining mechanism, Figs. 5 and 6 are drawn to a larger scale than any of the
other figures..
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
In carrying out this invention the apparatus is formed with a foundation or bed
plate a which is set in a horizontal position on the ground or on to a suitable
foundation at right angles to the rail A. and with the end a contiguous thereto,
the plate or bed a is also provided with a well & in which a weight can ascend and
descend.
Movable on the bed plate a is a longitudinal slide e provided with a longitudinal
passage d surmounted by a vertical magazine e, provided with a door e', in which
the detonators are placed, the interior of the magazine e in plan approximates to
the shape and size of the detonators the lower one of which falls into the longi-
tudinal passage d when the ram or ejector y sliding in the passage d is withdrawn,
and is carried by the ejector g to the end of the passage d which is next to the
rail A.
The slide e is retained on the bed a by bolts or screws a² passing through longi-
tudinal slots in the slide c.
The ram or ejector is operated so as to eject a detonator by a weight see
Fig. 3 working in the well in the foundation plate and connected to the ejector g
by a chain or flexible connection / passing over the pulleys i or by a spring j
carried by a rod in a casing on the underside of the slide e one end of the
spring abuts on the end of the casing k and the other on the bracket / sliding
on the rod and secured to the ejector g. In some cases both the spring and
weight may be employed to ensure the proper action of the ejector.
The detonators are each formed with a loop formed preferably of thin metal
which extends as shown to and is formed preferably broader at that part as
shown.
When ejected from the magazine the detonators are each held by the end of
the loop between the end of the ejector and the inturned ends or catches of
the levers m which engage with the loop. The levers in are pivotted on the
slide and their outer els are caused to approach each other against the action
of the springs m² so as to engage with the loop of the detonator by the action
of the ejector as it ejects a detonator, which, striking their inner ends which
are carried through openings in the casing, forces them outward.
When a detonatori exploded and requires replacing the ejector is withdrawn
until the end is clear of the magazine by a chain or Hexible connection and the

page_text: inner ends m of the levers m close and release the detonator, the ejector y when
released is returned to its normal position by the action of the weight or spring j
or both, carrying with it a fresh detonator from the magazine, this pushes the
previously exploded one out of position and is itself retained by the levers m the
outer ends of which are closed again as the ejector approaches its normal
position.
When the slide is in its inner or normal position the detonator is held on the
rail A as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and is removed by withdrawing the slide to the
position shown in Fig. 3.
The slide is retained in its normal position by spring eateles o on the framing a
see Fig. 2 secured to the slide which works through a slot in the outer end of the
bed plate a these catches o are closed by the action of a sliding block o' connected
to a chain or flexible connection p which when pulled closes the catches o and
withdraws the slide c. The slide may be returned to its normal position by a
volute spring see Fig. 3 acting on the end of the slide e as shown.
The chain or flexible connection P for withdrawing the slide c may be connected
to the usual signal operating mechanism and the detonator will be removed or
placed on the rail simultaneously with and in accordance with the position of the
signal.
When one detonator is exploded it is replaced by another by withdrawing the
ejector g which when released, automatically replaces the exploded detonator by a
fresh one from the magazine as hereinbefore described.
The ejectory may be withdrawn by an additional lever in the signal cabin
connected to the ejector g by the chain or flexible connection n or other means.
To indicate the position of a train, in a recess in the end of the slide c is
pivotted a levers see Figs. 5 and 6 with a vertical projections' on its outer end,
when the slide c is in its inner position the projection engages with and is
depressed by the wheels of the train and by employing the inner end of the
levers to operate a contact breaker which closes and opens an electric circuit
operating a bell in the signal cabin, every depression of the projection s'of the
levers will be indicated in the cabin.
To indicate in the signal cabin that the ejector g is working properly, when
withdrawn it passes under the inner end of the lever which it raises and holds up
until it has completed its outward movement, on its return the ejector operates the
lever in the same manner. The lever is pivotted on the slide its inner end
passing through an opening in the casing and its outer end may be adapted to
close an electric circuit operating a bell in the signal cabin when its inner end is
raised by the ejector.
If preferred the levers and
both and operating the same bell.
"
may both close an electric circuit common to
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:-
1. In a fog signalling apparatus the combination with a slide c of a magazine
such as e and ejector such as y substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.
2. In a fog signalling apparatus the combination with the ejector g of one or
more levers such as m substantially as and for the purpose described and illustrated
in the accompanying drawings.
3. In a fog signalling apparatus the arrangement of the slide e carrying the
magazine e and ejector 9 so as to slide to or from the rail A on the bed plate a
substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
"2
4. The combination with a detonator for fog signalling of an extension or
loop substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.

page_text: 5. The combination and arrangement of parts constituting the complete fog
signalling apparatus substantially as described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 18th day of December 1891.
JOSEPH AUGUSTUS UTTING.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.