Improvements in Fog Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 21st Nov., 1896-Accepted, 24th Dec., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Fog Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
I FREDERICK GLOVER of Wortley Low Mill Yard, Low Wortley, Leeds in
the County of York, Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention comprises apparatus for placing the detonating cartridges on the
line, and in conjunction therewith means for giving a starting signal, after the
engine has been brought to a standstill on receiving a stop signal by means of
the detonating cartridge.
The apparatus for placing the detonating cartridges on the line consists of an
endless pitch chain, passing round two pitch wheels situated on opposite sides of a
rail, and at such a height that the chain passes through a slot hole in the upper
part of the vertical web of the rail, just beneath the head of the rail. Immediately
above the slot, and passing down through the head to the slot, a much narrower slit
is formed through the head. This slit may be suitably rounded out on the outer
side or edge of the rail. The detonating cartridges are attached at suitable
distances apart by means of vertical pins attached at the centre to the underside of
the cartridges, and the lower ends of the pins may be screwed so as to be readily
secured in tapped holes in the corresponding links of the chain. Other means of
attachment of the pins to-the chain niay however be employed.
On the axle of one of the pitch wheels preferably that on the outer side of the
rail, is keyed or otherwise secured a ratchet wheel. By means of a lever hinged
on the same axle, or in other suitable position, and carrying a pawl or ratchet, the
said ratchet wheel can be intermittently rotated; each movement moving the chain
through a distance equal to that at which the cartridges are placed apart, so that
at the end of every such movement one of the cartridges is immediately over the
rail, the pin standing up in the narrow slit from the link which is in the slot hole
in the vertical web of the rail. A sliding or hinged check pawl or ratchet, which
is normally out of gear, is so connected to the ratchet lever, that as the latter is
pulled forward to place a fresh cartridge on the line, the pawl or ratchet comes in the
way of pins or a ratchet wheel (with teeth oppositely faced to the teeth on the first
mentioned ratchet wheel), and so prevents the ratchet lever being pulled beyond
the position for placing the cartridge exactly over the rail. The end of the ratchet
lever is connected either by a chain or wire, passing round a guide pulley or pulleys,
or by means of other levers and links with the wires and rods which actuate the
semaphore signals. The ratchet lever is moved to advance the pitch chain towards
the rail, (i.e. placing a cartridge over the line) by the movement of the semaphore
wires or rods to put the semaphore board "on" and is brought back by the pull of
the signalman to lower or take "off" the semaphore signal.
If it is considered desirable to work the fog signal apparatus from the signal
cabin, not by the semaphore wires or rods, but by a special connection, this
connection may be so made, that the pull of the signalman puts a cartridge on the
line; and a balance weight brings the ratchet lever back to its starting position,
ready to be again advanced.
As it may happen that the block on the line, which has caused the signalman to
place a cartridge on the line, is removed before the train arrives at the point where
the cartridge is placed, it is desirable that the signalman should be able to withdraw

page_text: the cartridge from the rail before being fired, so as to leave the rail clear. This I
effect either by drawing back or advancing the chain half the usual distance; or
where the cartridges lie closer together, by moving back the whole apparatus. The
latter method offers the least objection, and may be carried out by mounting the
frame of the apparatus capable of sliding, i.e. of being drawn back to the slight
extent required; the moving back being effected by a pull from the signal box
through a special wire or rod connection for the purpose. A sufficiently heavy
weight brings back the frame to the normal position, when the pull on the
connections is released at the cabin.
In the first two arrangements where the cartridges are placed more widely apart,
a special lever and ratchet are arranged to move the chain through half the ordinary
distance..
In order to be able to give the engine driver an audible starting signal after he
has been stopped by the explosion of a cartridge, I provide a gong and hammer
lever, the hammer lever being moved by the movement of the ratchet lever, or of a
suitable connection from the semaphore wires, when the semaphore signal board is
lowered, so as to raise the hammer; which latter is released just before the end of
said movement, and falls rapidly either by its own weight, or the tension of a
spring, so as to strike and sound the gong. The hammer lever must be provided at
the end in contact with the ratchet lever, (or other operating lever or equivalent),
with a hinged sneck piece, which will lift so as to allow the ratchet lever (or
equivalent) to move past the end of the hammer lever on the return movement;
but which when the ratchet lever (or equivalent) is moved so as to raise the
hammer, will not give back; but moves the hammer lever. It will be understood
that the ratchet lever (or equivalent) comes in contact with this hinged sneck
piece, and not with the end of the hammer lever to which latter the sneck piece is
hinged.
Deted this 21st dose of Wahmu 180
J. CLARK JEFFERSON,
30 Park Row, Leeds, Agent for Applicant.
Improvements in Fog Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
I FREDERICK GLOVER of Wortley Low Mill Yard Low Wortley Leeds in
the County of York Mechanical Engineer 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 :-
My invention comprises apparatus for placing the detonating cartridges on the
line, and in conjunction therewith means for giving a starting signal after the
engine has been brought to a standstill on receiving a stop signal by means of
the detonating cartridge.
The apparatus for placing the detonating cartridge on the line consists of an
endless pitch chain, passing round two pitch wheels situated on opposite sides of 'a
rail, and at such a height that the chain passes through a slot hole in the upper
part of the vertical web of the rail just beneath the head of the rail immediately
above the slot and passing down through the head to the slot, a much narrower
slit is formed through the head. This slit may be suitably rounded out on the
outer side or edge of the rail. The detonating cartridges are attached at suitable
distances apart by means of vertical pins, attached by their upper ends to the
centre of the underside of the cartridges, and the lower ends of the pins may be
screwed so as to be readily secured in tapped holes in the corresponding links of

page_text: the chain. Other means of attachment of the pins to the chain may however be
employed.
On the axle of one of the pitch wheels, preferably that on the outer side of the
rail, is keyed or otherwise secured a ratchet wheel. By means of a lever hinged
on the same axle or in other suitable position, and carrying a pawl or ratchet, the
said ratchet wheel can be intermittently rotated; each movement moving the
chain through a distance equal to that at which the cartridges are placed apart, so
that at the end of every such movement one of the cartridges is immediately over
the rail, the pin standing up in the narrow slit from the link which is in the slot
hole in the vertical web of the rail. A sliding or hinged check pawl or ratchet,
which is normally out of gear, is so connected to the ratchet lever, that as the
latter is pulled forward to place a fresh cartridge on the line, the pawl or ratchet
comes in the way of pins or a ratchet wheel (with teeth oppositely faced to the
teeth on the first mentioned ratchet wheel), and so prevents the ratchet lever being
pulled beyond the position for placing the cartridge exactly over the rail. The
end of the ratchet lever is connected either by a chain or wire, passing round a
guide pulley or pulleys or by means of other levers and links, with the wires and
rods which actuate the semaphore signals. The ratchet lever is moved to advance
the pitch chain towards the rail (i.e. placing a cartridge on the line) by the
movement of the semaphore wires or rods to put the semaphore board "on," and
is brought back by the pull of the signalman to lower or take "off" the semaphore
signal.
If it is considered desirable to, work the fog-signal apparatus from the signal
cabin, not by the semaphore wires or rods, but by a special connection; this
connection may be so made, that the pull of the signalman puts a cartridge on the
line; and a balance weight brings the ratchet lever back to its starting position
ready to be again advanced.
As it may happen that the block on the line, which has caused the signalman to
place a cartridge on the line, is removed before the train arrives at the point; it is
desirable that the signalman should be able to withdraw the cartridge from the
rail before being fired, so as to leave the rail clear. This 1 effect either by
drawing back or advancing the chain half the usual distance, by a special lever
and pawl, or providing the ratchet wheel with the double number of teeth; or
when the cartridges lie closer together by moving back the whole apparatus. The
latter method offers the least objection, and may be carried out by mounting the
frame of the apparatus capable of sliding, i.e. of being drawn back to the slight
extent required; the moving back being effected by a pull from the signal box
through a special wire or rod connection for the purpose. A sufficiently heavy
weight brings back the frame to the normal position, when the pull on the
connections is released at the cabin.
In the first two arrangements where the cartridges are placed more widely apart,
a special lever and ratchet are arranged to move the chain through half the
ordinary distance.
In order to be able to give the engine driver an audible starting signal, after he
has been stopped by the explosion of a cartridge, I provide a gong and hammer
lever, the hammer lever being moved by the movement of a ratchet lever, or of a
suitable connection from the semaphore wires, (when the semaphore signal is
lowered,) so as to raise the hammer, which latter is released just before the end of
said movement, and falls rapidly either by its own weight or the tension of a spring
so as to strike and sound the gong. The hammer lever must be provided at the
end in contact with the ratchet lever (or other operating lever or equivalent) with
a hinged sneck piece, which will lift so as to allow the ratchet lever (or equivalent)
to move past the end of a hammer lever on the return movement, but which when
the ratchet lever (or equivalent) is moved so as to raise the hammer, will not move
back but moves the hammer lever. It will be understood that the ratchet lever
(or equivalent) comes in contact with the hinged sneck, and not with the end of
the hammer, to which latter the sneck piece is hinged."

page_text: And in order that my invention and the manner in which the same is to be
performed may be more readily and clearly understood, I have annexed hereto the
accompanying drawings illustrating my invention: Fig. 1 being a side elevation,
and Fig. 2 a plan.
a is the endless chain passing round the pitch chain pulleys b and c, and carrying
the detonating cartridges d. e and fare the inner and outer rails. The chain a
passes through the slot hole g, shewn in side elevation in Fig. 3, in the railf,
and is the narrow slit to permit of the passage of the pins i, which carry the
cartridges d at one end, and which are screwed or otherwise fitted in the mid links
of the chain a. The slit his conveniently slightly rounded out on the outer side,
as shown in plan in Fig. 4, to facilitate the passage of the pins i.
jis the axle of the pulley c. m and n are two ratchet wheels with oppositely
facing teeth, which are conveniently cast in one piece with the chain pulley c, or
otherwise secured thereto. k is a double armed lever fitting loose on the axle j,
and provided with a pawl o, engaging with the ratchet wheel m, and a balance
weight 1. p is a lever connected by the link g to the lever k, and by its boss to
the pawl r, which engages with the ratchet wheel n. s is a rod connecting the
lever k with the semaphore lever t, or it may have a separate connection to the
cabin semaphore lever, or to an independent lever in the signal cabin.
u is the frame carrying the above described apparatus; and for the purpose of
drawing back an unexploded cartridge which may be over the rail, the frame u is
mounted on slides v, the front end of the frame being connected by rods levers or
chains and pulleys with a special lever in the signal cabin. In order to bring the
frame back to its normal position when released by the lever in the cabin, the
lever wis provided, attached by one arm to the frame u and having a sufficiently
heavy weight on the other arm. A stop z limits the backward motion of the
frame to the proper position.
In order to give an audible signal to the engine driver to go on after he has been
stopped, the apparatus shewn in Fig. 5 is provided. This consists of a gong or
bell 1. and a hammer lever 2, the end of the lever opposite the hammer being
furnished with a hinged sneck piece 3, which lifts when the weighted arm of the
before mentioned ratchet lever k rises, but which catches against the weighted end
of the lever k, when this latter descends, (i.e. when the semaphore board is lowered),
and thereby raises the hammer end of the hammer lever to the position indicated
by the dotted circle before the completion of the upward movement of the hammer
end of the hammer lever. Before completing this movement, it passes the end of
the sneck piece 3, releasing the hammer lever which falls by its own weight or
assisted by means of the spring 4. A flat spring 5 raises the hammer end of the
hammer lever clear off the gong immediately after the blow has been struck, in
order to prevent the vibrations of the gong being stopped by the hammer resting
against it after striking the blow.
To compensate for the weakening of the rail by the slot 9 and slit h, a
specially strong chair support 6 is provided for the rail at this point.
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. Apparatus for placing fog signal detonating cartridges on railway lines
consisting of an endless chain passing through a slot in one of the rails and
carrying the detonating cartridges and actuated so as to leave a cartridge placed
immediately over the rail above the slot on the completion of each separate
movement of the chain.
2. The combination with an endless chain traversing a slot in the rail and
carrying the detonating cartridges of ratchet mechanism for actuating the chain
and a check device for limiting the motion so as to leave a cartridge placed
over the rail above the slot on the completion of each separate movement of
the chain.

page_text: 3. In combination with the subject matter of Claims 1 and 2 mechanism for
moving the chain either backward or forward or moving the whole apparatus
backward or forward for a distance equal to half the distance of the cartridges
apart, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
4. In apparatus for placing fog signalling detonating cartridges on railway lines
the apparatus for giving an audible starting signal substantially as set forth and
illustrated in Fig. 5.
5. The improved fog signalling apparatus for railways substantially as set forth
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of November 1896.
J. CLARK JEFFERSON,
30 Park Row, Leeds, Agent for Applicant.