IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SIGNALLING ON RAILWAY LINES AND AUTOMATICALLY INTERSIGNALLING AND RECORDING THE TIME OR PERIOD OF TRAINS PASSING SIGNALS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur Wrigley, of Number Eight, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SIGNALLING
ON RAILWAY LINES AND AUTOMATICALLY INTERSIGNALLING AND RECORDING
THE TIME OR PERIOD OF TRAINS PASSING SIGNALS."
ealed the 26th January 1877, and dated the 31st August 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur 'Wrigley at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st August 1876
ARTHUR WRIGLEY, of Number Eight, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR
AUTOMATICALLY SIGNALLING ON RAILWAY LINES AND AUTOMATICALLY INTER-
SIGNALLING AND RECORDING THE TIME OR PERIOD OF TRAINS PASSING SIGNALS."
My Invention relates,—.
Firstly. To a novel method of and apparatus for automatically signalling on
railway lines, so as to indicate to coming trains the time or period at which the
preceeding train passed the signal.
Secondly. To a novel method of automatically intersignalling from one signal to
another so as to indicate whether a train has passed such signal, and also to
indicate the different positions of trains on the line in respect to each other at
the same time.
The apparatus used to carry out the first part of my Invention consists of certain
clock work or mechanism arranged to actuate a drum or drums upon which is
rolled a tape or band (of suitable material), upon which is figured, printed, or
otherwise delineated certain observable figures or letters, clearly visible by day and
arranged to be illuminated by night. The band is arranged so that the clockwork
will unwind it from off the drum at a certain speed, for example, two feet per
minute. Each two feet of the band carries a numeral, such as 1, 2, 3, up to 10, so
that it takes 20 feet of the band to carry the ten numbers. Each number thus
indicates ono mimute. The band is arranged to display the numbers successively at
a window or aperture as the clockwork unwinds or winds up the band The clock-
work is arranged on a suitable signal post and is worked by a weight, and is so
arranged that it will run for a certain time, say ten minutes, and also so arranged
Povice fid

page_text: that it is wound up and set in motion by every passing train This is effected by
the use of a lever and chain. The operation is,-a passing train winds the clockwork
up, which, say, for ten minutes displays the numbers on the band in succession from
1 to 10. The guaid or driver of the next following train is thus enabled to accurately
ascertain the precise moment at which the preceeding train passed the signal. The
operation of rewinding and starting the clockwork is performed by each train.
The apparatus used to carry out the second part of my Invention consists of a
door of glass or semaphore, which is attached and arranged in conjunction with the
before described time signal post, and which glass door or semaphore is actuated by
an electric battery fitted to the next or immediately following signal post This
battery is thrown into gear or into connexion with the glass door or semaphore by
the passing train, and thus actuates the glass door or semaphore and indicates
whether the train has passed such immediately following signal post. The guard or
driver of the train, number two, is thus enabled to ascertain the tune the train
number one passed the signal post number one, and if the train number one has
passed the signal post number two.
If the train number one has passed the signal post, number two, the glass door or
semaphore indicates line clear If however the train number one is still between
the signal posts, the glass door, or semaphore indicates danger.
The electric connexion between the signal post is effected by a battery, which as
before mentioned is thrown into gear momentarily by the passing train, and thus
actuates a magnet which operates on the glass door or semaphore by allowing same
to open and thus indicate line clear. The glass door or somaphore is closed
automatically by the next train by means of suitable gear, thus indicating danger
until such train again actuates the glass door or semaphore as it passes signal
number two
In carrying out the before described method of signalling I place the signal posts
at given distances along the line, each post being provided with a time indicator
an an intersignal indicator and an electric battery. By this means I arrive at a
perfect automatic block method of signalling.
In daytime the time signal and the return or intersignal are easily distinguished.
At night such signals are illuminated or lit up, so as to be also distinctly
observable.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Arthur Wrigley in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th February
1877..
•
ARTHUR WRIGLEY, of Number Eight, Quality Court, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR
AUTOMATICALLY SIGNALLING ON RAILWAY LINES AND AUTOMATICALLY INTER-
SIGNALLING AND RECORDING THE TIME OR PERIOD OF TRAINS PASSING SIGNALS."
My Invention relates,-
Firstly. To a novel method of and apparatus for automatically signalling on
railway lines, so as to indicate to coming train the time or period at which the
preceeding train passed the signal and the whole of the preceeding train.
Secondly. To a novel method of automatically intersignalling from one signal to
another so as to indicate whether a train has passed such signal, and also to
indicate the different positions of trains on the line in respect to each other at the
same time.
The apparatus used to carry out the first part of my Invention consists of certain
clockwork or mechanism arranged to actuate a drum or drums upon which is rolled
a tape or band (of suitable material), upon which is figured, printed, or otherwise
delineated or cut out certain observable figures or letters clearly visible by day and
arranged to be illuminated by night. The band is arranged so that the clockwork

page_text: will unwind it from off the drum at a certain speed, for example, two feet per
minute. Each two feet of the band carries a numeral, such as 1, 2, 3, up to 10, so
that it takes 20 feet of the band to carry the ten numbers. Each number thus
indicates one minute. This number can be more or less and the figures larger or
smaller, either to indicate 5 or 8, or even if necessary up to 20, or beyond if thought
fit. The band is arranged to display the numbers successively at a window or
aperture as the clockwork unwinds or winds up the band. The clockwork is
arranged on a suitable signal post and is worked by a weight, and is so arranged
that it will run for a certain time, say ten minutes; this also of course can be
made to regulate the band, so as to show from 1 to 20, or more, as stated above, and
also so arranged that it is wound up and set in motion by every passing train.
This may be effected by the use of a lever and chain or other suitable mechanical
contrivance, such as a rack and pinion worked by a radiating bar receiving its
motion from the passing train. The operation is,-a passing train winds the clock-
work up, which, say, for ten minutes displays the number on the band in succession
from 1 to 10. The guard or driver of the next following tiain is thus enabled to
accurately ascertain the precise moment at which the preceeding train passed the
signal. The operation of rewinding and starting the clockwork is performed by
each train.
The apparatus used to carry out the second part of my Invention consists of a
door or doors of glass or a semaphore which is attached and arranged in conjunction
with the before described time signal post, and which glass door or doors or
semaphore is actuated by an electric battery fitted to the next or immediately
following signal post. This battery is thrown into gear or into connection with the
glass door or doors, or semaphore by the passing train, and thus actuates the glass
door or doors or semaphore, and indicates whether the train has passed such
immediately following signal post. The guard or driver of the train number two
is thus enabled to ascertain the time the train number one passed the signal post
number one, and if the train number one has passed the signal post number two.
If the train number one has passed the signal post number two, the glass door or
doors or semaphore indicates by being opened line clear. If, however, the train
number one is still between the signal posts, the glass door or doors or semaphore
indicates danger by remaining shut.
The electric connection between the signal posts is effected by a battery, which,
as before mentioned, is thrown into gear momentarily by the passing train, and thus
actuates a magnet which operates on the glass door or doors, or semaphore by
allowing the same to open and thus indicate line clear. The glass door or doors, or
semaphore is closed automatically by the next train by two separate means, one
by a rocking bar or lever placed outside the line, and the other by a lever actuated
by the winding-up rod or chain of the clock and drums, thus indicating danger
until such train again actuates the glass door or doors, or semaphore, as it passes
signal number two
In carrying out the before described method of signalling I place the signal posts
at given distances along the line, each post being provided with a time indicator
and an intersignal indicator and an electric battery. By this means I arrive at a
perfect automatic block method of signalling.
In daytime the signal and the return or intersignal are easily distingushed. At
night such signals are illuminated or lit up so as to be also distinctly observable.
To effect a record of the time that trains pass each signal post, and also the length
of the train that passes, I provide each signal post with two drums placed near the
bottom of such post. The drums are worked by clockwork in any known manner,
and are provided with a tape which is marked with divisions representing the days
of the week, such as Sunday, Monday, up to and inclusive of Saturday. Each day
is subdivided to represent hours, and each hour is again subdivided to represent
minutes. The clockwork is arranged to cause the tape to travel at a speed to
correspond with days, hours, and minutes, and may go for eight days In connection
with the tape I provide a pencil or other marker actuated by a lever mechanism.

page_text: This is operated by the lover mechanism in connection with the gear for closing the
signal doors. As each train passes the signal post the pencil is brought to bear on
the travelling tape and marks thereon a line or diagram which records the time
that the train passed the post
In order that my said Invention may be properly understood I now proceed to !
more particularly set forth the system, mode, or manner in or under which the
same is or may be used or practically carried into effect, and I have attached two
Sheets of Drawings illustrative thereof drawn to the scale of three-quarters of an
inch to the foot. Like letters and figures marked on the Drawings denote similar
parts throughout the various views.
Figure 1 illustrates a front sectional elevation of a signal post constructed according
to my Invention in connection with a cross section of a line of railway. Figure 2
is an outside view of the upper part of Figure 1. Figure 3 is an end or side
sectional view of Figure 1.
]
Figure 4 is a modified arrangement of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a sectional view of 1
the upper part of Figures 1 and 4, showing the electric system and fitted with a
modification of operating mechanism. Figure 6 is an end or side sectional view of
Figure 4. Figure 7 is an outside end or side view of Figure 4.
Figure 8 illustrates the contact gear of the electric arrangement. Figure 8ª is a
continuation of Figure 8.
Figure 9 illustrates a gear for operating the signal doors.
Figure 10 is a plan showing position of actuating bars or levers.
Figure 11 is a side elevation of the rail fitted with radiating bar and hog backed
auxiliary lever for actuating the clock mechanism.
2
Figure 12 is a side elevation of rail provided with radiating bar and hog backed 2
auxiliary lever for closing the signal doors.
Figures 13 and 14 illustrate mechanism for recording the passing of trains.
. Upon reference to the Drawings it will be seen that my Invention consists of a
signal post A which is provided with certain clockwork or mechanism B which
actuates the drums C, D, upon which is rolled a tape or band E marked with certain 3
numerals, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The drums C, D, are provided with the pulleys
F, H, on which winds the chain or cord G. This chain or cord passes over the
pulley I at the bottom of the post A, and is operated by the lever J passing under
the rail K and operated by a suitable mechanism, being a lever such as L which
may be assisted by a long bar along the line to ease the shock when the train takes 3
the lever This gear may be operated by an auxiliary wheel or like arrangement
on the passing train.
The modification of my Invention illustrated at Figures 4, 5, and 6, consists of
working the drum C, D, by means of a rack and pinion arrangement such as M,
which is operated by the rod N which receives motion from the lever N¹ which is 4
operated by the rod or shaft O which receives motion from the rocking bar and
lever mechanism P, the lever being assisted by the hog backed lever P¹ as shown at
Figure 11, Sheet 2. The motion is imparted by means of the flanges on the wheels
of the passing train which depress the rocking mechanism P, the shock being eased
by the flanges first taking the hog backed lever P¹. Q is a balance weight for giving
motion to the clock mechanism B and for raising the rocking mechanism P to its
normal position.
The apparatus used to carry out the second part of my Invention consists of a
system of signal doors, such as a a red door, and b a green door. These doors are
provided with glass centres backed by bulls' eyes and reflectors, and are held closed 5
by catches at c and d, which catches are operated by the electric magnets e and f. The
doors a and b are hung on their hinges, so that their inclination is always to swing
open when released from the catches c, d. The doors are closed by means of the
rods h, i, which are provided with the arms k, l, the arms & being on one rod, and
closing both the doors a and b, and the arms being on the other rod, and also 5
closing both the doors a and b. The rod is operated by the rod N in manner as
shown at S, Figures 4 and 7; the rod i is operated by a lover and mechanism, such

page_text: as shown at T, T2, Figures 9 and 10, or by a radiating bar and mechanism, such
as shown at Figure 12
X, X, Figures 1, 5, and 6, are electric batteries, which are placed in each signal
post for the purpose of transmitting the signal to the preceeding signal post, and
opening the signal doors a and b thereof.
The contact which completes the electric circuit may be obtained by means of a
mechanism such as illustrated at Figures 8 and 8ª The gear consists of a lever,
such as m (or a radiating bar such as shown at Figures 11 and 12), working a shaft
such as n, which operates a kicking bar such as p, and sets in motion a pendulum
such as t, which by swinging effects the contact between the earth wire u and the
battery wire v. This gear is actuated by a leg such as z, see Figure 4, fastened to
the last carriage or truck. The leg x is jointed and provided with a wheel, so that
it only operates the lever when the train is running forward, and is out of gear if
the train is reversed. This apparatus being on the last carriage or truck signals to
'the post last left that the whole of the train has passed the signal post.
Upon reference to Figures 13 and 14, w, w, are drums which carry a tape y,
which is divided to represent days, hours, and minutes. The tape y is caused to
travel or unwind at a given speed by means of suitable clockwork, which actuates
the drums w. The speed at which the tapo travels corresponds with, say, Greenwich
time, so that one division representing a day passes a given point during the
twenty-four hours, the subdivisions being the hours and minutes corresponding. Is
a pencil which is placed at a given point, and is brought to bear on the tape by each
passing train as such train actuates the lever or radiating mechanism T, and thereby
the lever s.
The system of operation of my Invention is thus:-A train in passing the signal
post winds up the clockwork B by means of the levers L, J, or the rocking
mechanism P and the auxiliary lever Pl. The same operation winds up the tape or
band E on the drum C The clockwork goes for, say, ten minutes, and displays the
numbers, say, from one to ten on the band E through the window A¹, thus indi-
cating the precise moment at which the train passed the signal, each numeral
representing a given space of time. As the train passes the signal post it closes the
signal doors a and b of such post (indicating danger) by means of the mechanism
shown at Figures 4 and 7, and by means of the mechanism shown at Figures 9 and
12, one being a check on the other. To prevent the doors being closed too suddenly
the rods h, i, are provided with a spiral such as i¹, which transmits the motion from
the lower portion of the rods to the upper portion of the rods, and closes the doors
gently. As the train passes the signal post it effects a contact between the earth
wire and the battery wire by means of actuating the mechanism shown at Figures &
and 8. This completes the electric circuit, and causes the signal doors a, b, at the
preceeding post to open, thus indicating to the coming train that the previous train
has passed the post immediately in front, and the the line is clear
The object in using duplicate signal doors such as a and b (which may be placed
one above the other, as shown in the Drawings, or side by sido), is that the all clear
signal is not given correctly unless both signal doors are open. This is effected by
causing the door b only to open through, the medium of the door a, and if such
door a is thrown open by any unforseen cause, the electric circuit between the
door a and the door b is broken, and the door b will not be effected by such electric
current, and will therefore remain closed, indicating danger.
A complete record of each passing train is kept on the tape y, which can be kept
under lock and key, and produced as a check upon the actual time of cach train
passing the signal post.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the system, mode, or manner in or under which the same is or may
be used or practically carried into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to
me by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
Firstly. The method of automatically signalling on railway lines and automa-

page_text: tically intersignalling and recording the time or period of trains passing signals, and
indicating the different positions of trains on the line in respect to each other
at the same time, as herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Secondly. The apparatus for recording the time or period of trains passing signals,
consisting of a post such as A, clock mechanism such as B, a tape or band such as E,
operated by levers such as J, L, or a rocking mechanism such as P, as herein-before
described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The apparatus for intersignalling on railway lines, consisting of signal
doors such as a and b, and their attendant mechanism, operated by a current of elec-
tricity from a battery such as X, X, the contact being obtained by a gear such as
shown at Figure 8 and 8ª, as herein-before described and set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur Wrigley, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twenty-first day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.