Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Signalling on Railways.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Signalling on
Railways.
I WYNFORD BRIERLEY, of Carr Hall Villa, Nelson, in the County of Lancaster,
Registration Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The objects of this invention are to prevent accidents on railways by trains
coming in contact with each other; and to reduce the liabilities to accidents on
railways generally, to dispense with the use of detonators, and to provide by
means of sound what the present system does by means of sight; namely an
audible signal to the engine driver or guard, on a train in motion, when at
danger" and when to proceed when at "safety."
The object of the invention is moreover not to supplant but to supplement, (for
greater safety), the system now in use.
By the apparatus which I have invented the person in charge of a train is enabled
to tell when the signal is "on" or "off" at such times as it is impossible to see the
semaphore on account of fog or other obstructions.
The invention consists principally in the use of a lever mounted upon the engine
or other suitable part of the train in such a position as to come in contact with a
suitable projection upon the permanent way governed by the signal man, the said
lever hanging upon a suitable centre and held in place by two reversed springs of
equal strength so that the lever is relieved of all undue shock, and will act equally
well when the engine or train is moving in either direction. This lever is connected
to apparatus constructed so as to operate a bell or give other alarm on a train in
motion, from the signal cabin, and can be worked simultaneously with the working
of the semaphore thus duplicating the present signalling arrangements.
In carrying my invention into practice I provide a shaft carried in suitable
bearings upon which is fixed two strong coil springs (or spiral springs or other
suitable springs may be used) in reverse order to each other, a suspended lever being
held in equilibrio between and by the springs.
The springs are fastened to the shaft, by means of rivets or screws which pass
through shoulders on each side of the springs and are securely lugged to a bar which
is also supported in bearings. When the lever passes over a bar or roller near the
line (or rail) it is deflected and always comes back after the impact, to its centre
automatically, and is thus ready for action again, no matter in which direction the
train is moving; one of the springs opens as the other closes, each thus acting as a
resistant to the other. The oscillating of the lever enables an electric contact to be
nade (say by means of a pin on the lever moving into contact with one of two pairs
of converging spring plates), and a bell, or other electric alarm can thus be made to
operate on the train. A hell with a continuous action is preferable, as the sound
from the bell will then not be mistaken for that of any other bell. This can be
combined with what is known as a ship's locking movement, and Indicator, so that
the bell will not be put in action by the shaking or oscillation of the train; and by

page_text: a coloured disc being brought in front of an aperture on the bell case, the person in
charge of the train can see at a glance that it was his bell that was ringing, no
matter how many others might be ringing at the same time.
The various parts of the apparatus may be fixed in brackets, or enclosed in a box,
and fitted underneath the step of an engine or the foot board, or in any other
suitable position.
By a modification of the apparatus a magneto bell may be operated. This is
effected by an insulated coil of wire being fastened to the shaft, and so arranged
as to oscillate near the poles of a magnet or magnets, thus generating a current of
electricity, without the use of batteries, the current being conveyed by a wire to the
bell on the train. It will be observed that my improvements do not necessitate any
electric connection between the engine and the signal box.
By another modification of the apparatus, if preferred, a mechanical alarm bell,
or a gong may also be operated, the steam whistle blown, the steam supply to the
engine shut off or the vacuum brake applied. The deflection of the lever as it passes
over the contact bar enables an arrangement to be made to bring about this result, a
cord rod, or wire being attached to the shaft and communicating with the levers of
the various appliances named.
The suspended lever may be operated from the signal cabin, or other suitable
place, by a wire, rod, chain, or cord, being fixed to the lever arm on the semaphore
post and attached to a bar passing through bearings, fastened to the sleeper or rail.
The bar is moved in and out of contact simultaneously with the moving of the lever
which operates the semaphore.
The contact bar thus always remains at "danger" when the semaphore is at
"danger," and at "safety" when the semaphore is at "safety," being moved to its
normal position by means of a weight or spring (or springs). In connection with
the contact bar, au electrical or mechanical bell may be fixed so that the signal man
may apprise the person in charge of the train when to proceed, after having been
stopped at "danger." By connecting a branch wire to the electric wire
cominunicating with the signal cabin and to an electric contact on the bar, the signal
man may also ascertain whether the contact bar has moved respectively to "danger'
or to "safety."
D
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Apparatus for Signalling on
Railways.
I WYNFORD BRIERLEY, of Carr Hall Villa, Nelson, in the County of Lancaster,
Registration Agent, 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 :-
The objects of this invention are to prevent accidents on railways by trains coming
in contact with each other, and to reduce the liabilities to accidents on railways
generally, to dispense with the use of detonators, and to provide by means of sound
what the present system does by means of sight; namely an audible signal to the
engine driver or guard, on a train in motion, when at "danger "and when to proceed
when at "safety."

page_text: The object of the invention is moreover not to supplant but to supplement, (for
greater safety) the system now in use.
By the apparatus which I have invented the person in charge of a train is enabled
to tell when the signal is "on" or "off" at such times as it is impossible to see the
semaphore on account of fog or other obstructions.
The invention consists principally in the use of a lever mounted upon the engine
or other suitable part of the train in such a position as to come in contact with a
suitable projection upon the permanent way governed by the signal man the said
lever hanging upon a suitable centre and held in place by two reversed springs of
equal strength so that the lever is relieved of all undue shock and will act equally well
when the engine or train is moving in either direction. This lever is connected to
apparatus constructed so as to operate a bell or give other alarm on a train in motion,
from the signal cabin, and can be worked simultaneously with the working of the
semaphore thus duplicating the present signalling arrangements.
My invention will be readily understood on reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Fig. 1 shews an engine, semaphore, "home" signal, and adjuncts necessary for
carrying my invention into practice.
Fig. 1 shews a plan of the permanent way and signal.
Figs. 2, 3 and 4 shews detached and enlarged the lever and its adjuncts fixed to
the engine.
Figs. 34 and 3 shews modifications hereafter more particularly referred to.
Figs. 5, 5, 6 and 7 shews detached and enlarged the signal and bell.
Fig. 5 shews the arrangement with cover or front plate removed.
Fig. 5 the apparatus with cover on drawn to a smaller scale.
Figs. 8, 9 & 10 shew detached and enlarged the contact bar actuated by the
signalman.
Figs. 8 and 94 shews (detached) a modification hereafter more particularly referred
to, of the lever on the centre on which the contact bar rocks.
Figs. 11 and 12 shew a bar or roller which can be fixed at any desired point on the
line.
In carrying my invention into practice I provide a shaft a carried in suitable
bearings upon which is fixed two strong coil springs cc¹ in reverse order to each
other, a suspended lever a which is carried along in the line X X shewn dotted
at Fig. 14, being held in equilibrio between and by the springs c and c¹.
The springs cc' are fastened to the shaft a¹ by means of rivets as shewn or screws
which pass through shoulders on each side of the springs and are securely lugged to
a bar c2 which is also supported in bearings, preferably enclosed in the same case A
as shewn. When the lever a passes over a bar or roller b¹ near the line (or rail) it
is deflected and always comes back after the impact to its centre, automatically, and
is then ready for action again, no matter in which direction the train is moving; one
of the springs c or c¹ closes as the other opens, each thus acting as a resistant to the
other. The oscillating of the lever a enables an electric contact to be made (say by
means of a pin projection or cam a² on the lever or on the shaft a¹ as shewn moving
into contact with one of two pairs of converging spring plates a³ ³ or a a) and a
bell, or other electric alarm can thus be made to operate on the train. A bell d with
a continuous action is preferable, as the sound from the bell will then not be mistaken
for that of any other bell. This can be combined with any suitable well known
locking movement, and indicator so arranged that the bell will not be put in action
by the shaking or oscillation of the train; and by a coloured disc being brought in
front of an aperture on the bell case the person in charge of the train can see at a
glance that it is his hell that is ringing, no matter how many others may be ringing
at the same time.
I prefer however to make use of the following apparatus for which I have also
applied for Letters Patent in this country, (No. 18296 of 1897) and by which the
driver on the engine obtains a visible and audible signal as to the position at safety

page_text: or danger of the semaphore signal although he may not be able to see the said
semaphore signal.
I arrange a duplication of the lever a and its adjuncts on the engine as seen
at Fig. 3 the wires from the contact springs of one lever being in connection with
the danger signal hereafter described and those from the contact springs of the other
lever being in contact with the safety signal, a lever in connection with each signal
sounding the same bell or a separate bell.
The hell and signals which I propose to use are shewn hy Figs. 5, 5, 6 and 7 on
the accompanying drawings.
d is the bell, common to both danger and safety signals, d is the danger signal
seen when the semaphore signal is at danger and d³ is the "safe" signal shewn when
the semaphore signal is at safe. The signal d is fixed on an arm ³ and caused to
drop into view so as to be seen through an opening on window D' in the front of the
casing D.
d² is fixed on an arm and caused to move behind the opaque spaced shutter D²
in the front of the casing D as to shew the letters Safe or their equivalent in the
spaces between the opaque strips of D.
The drawings Figs. 5 and 5 for the sake of illustration shew the danger signal
and the safe signal visible:
The lever d³ is weighted so that when it stands in the position shown by dots
on Fig. 5 it is held in that position by the end of a spring lever or catch d³ which
forms part of the armature of an electro magnet do in connection with the wires as a
from one of the levers a. When this magnet do is excited by the completion of the
current by the rocking of this lever a the armature d is raised and releases d³ which
falls into the position shewn in full lines on Fig. 5 into contact with a spring d².
The clapper of tongue d of the bell d is fixed to the armature d, and the poles
of the battery are connected with the various parts of the apparatus as shewn
on Fig. 5.
The wire a leading to the Danger signal is connected through the battery, to the
coils and thence to the pillar rod or projection du,
The corresponding wire a is in connection with the spring d', and the spring
is in metallic connection with the screw or terminal d", connected by the wire dis
with the battery E as shewn.
The lever d³ is in metallic connection through its support dat with the frame ³
which is in metallic connection with and supports the spring of the armature.
and which also supports and is connected to the pillar d, but is insulated
from it.
The wire a of the safety signal is connected through the Battery E to the
coils d, and the corresponding wire a is taken directly to the spring of the
armature d¹³
The bell is therefore continuously sounded by the clapper or tongue d until by
inward pressure on the push button the spring d is raised and the lever d
locked by the catch &, the spring d then returns and breaks the connection.
This spring d performs several functions, it serves as contact maker for
continuous alarm, a support for the indicator or signal when shewn and a replacer
of the said signal.
Furthermore, supposing that at any time it is desired to test the battery and the
signal generally, before starting on a journey, the engine driver or an inspector can
by pushing the spring d up to make contact with the lever d³ complete the electric
circuit and if the bell rings properly the apparatus is in order.
This Danger signal may be used with the single form of lever a shewn on Figs. 2,
3 and 4 but I prefer to use it with the double arrangement already referred to so
that the bell d may serve also to give a signal (though not a continuous one) when
the semaphore signal is at safety or line clear; for this purpose the wires from the
spring contact pieces in connection with the second of the double set of levers a
are connected as before described to the battery and to an electric magnet 10, (see
also section Fig. 7 taken through about the line Z Z on Fig. 5).

page_text: One of the pole pieces d of this magnet is extended and cranked as shewn so as
to attract a second armature d12 as well as the armature d¹³ to which the clapper dxx
is fixed.
This armature d is fixed or fitted to a depending lever d held in place by two
reversed springs dis acting and disposed in a similar manner to the springs cel
above described.
The lever d carries a disc or plate d on which the letters SAFE or any equivalent
devices are marked in such a manner as (when the armature 12 is not attracted)
to be concealed by the opaque parts of the spaced shutter D2. As soon however as
the arinature is attracted the bell d is sounded and the letters or devices appear in
sight until the second lever a has ceased to vibrate sufficiently to complete the
necessary circuit.
I prefer to enclose the parts a, a, a in between the plates a, a in the case a
whereby they may be kept from damp dust etc. the wires as a coming through the
cord grip As (see Fig. 3) or the tube A' see Fig. 3^.
By a modification of the apparatus a magneto bell may be operated. This is,
effected as seen at Fig. 3B by an insulated coil of wire as being fastened to the
shaft a on the block seen detached on the fig. aforesaid, and so arranged as to
oscillate near the poles of a magnet or magnets a, thus generating a current of
electricity, without the use of batteries, the current being conveyed by the
wires a1, a2 to a suitable magneto bell on the train or engine.
It will be observed that my improvements do not necessitate any electric
connection between the engine and the signal box.
By another modification of the apparatus if preferred a mechanical alarm bell, or
a gong may also be operated, the steam whistle blown, the steam supply to the
engine shut off or the vacuum brake applied. The deflection of the lever a as it
passes over the contact bar b or b¹ enables an arrangement to be made to bring about
this result, a cord rod, or wire being attached to the shaft and communicating with
the levers of the various appliances named, in any known manner.
The suspended lever a inay be operated from the signal cabin, or other suitable
place, by a wire, rod, chain or cord 6' being fixed to the lever arm 6 on the
semaphore post 64 and attached to a lever 65 which is fixed on the shaft 6* of the
bar b.
The shaft is carried by suitable brackets fixed to a sleeper or otherwise, near
the rail.
The bar is moved therefore in and out of position for the lever to come in
contact therewith simultaneously with the moving of the semaphore 6 by the
lever b³.
The contact bar b thus always remains in the danger position when the semaphore
is at "danger" and in the safety position when the semaphore is at safety being
moved into its normal position at danger by weights or springs.
When it is desired to give a signal at safety also as herein described I utilize
the weighted part of the bar b to form a contact bar for the second lever a and
I provide a suitable buffer or spring stop 6" be for each position of the rocking
piece b 6.
Figs. 84, 94 show how bb may be worked from several signals by multiplying
the lever b and making a recess 6x in each lever in which a key in the shaft
can work in the case of any one of these levers (say 6) being pulled without moving
the others 65 or 66c.
An electric or mechanical bell B see Figs. 1 and 1^ may be connected to the signal
box so that the signal man can apprise the person in charge of the engine or train
when to proceed after being stopped at danger, and this bell B may be connected
to the lever that works the harbor to the ordinary signal lever, a code being used
if found necessary where there is more than one set of rails.
A rod or roller see Figs. 11 and 12 may be fixed at a suitable distance (say 200
yards) from the "distant" signal to warn the engine driver that he is approaching
a signal, or the rod or roller & may be fixed at any other point where a warning may

page_text: be desirable, say for example temporarily some distance in front of a gang of
plate-layers or other workinen on the permanent way.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
A lever mounted upon the engine or other suitable part of the train in such a
position as to come in contact with a suitable projection upon the permanent way,
the said lever hanging upon a suitable centre and held in place by two reversed coil
springs of equal strength, and so connected to an electric bell or other audible signal
on the said engine or train as to give a signal when the said lever is deflected by
contact with the said projections, substantially as herein before described and
illustrated by the drawings annexed.
Dated this 5th day of August 1907
GEO. DAVIES & SON,
4, St. Ann's Square, Manchester, Agents for the Applicant.