Improvements in and relating to Fog Signalling on Railways.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Fog Signalling on Railways.
1
JAMES TAYLOR, of Enderby Grange, Narborough, Leicester, Farmer, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the means for, and in the method of
fog signalling on railways and has for its object the provision of means and methods
of operating the said means whereby the signal may be sounded by a moving train
and its operation be controlled from a signal box.
According to this invention the signals are in the form of cartridges carried by
a revolving cylinder or endless band and are capable of being fired in succession
by a hammer which is raised by a lever and automatically falls under the action
of a spring, such movement of the hammer automatically bringing a cartridge into
position to be fired.
In one arrangement the firing mechanism with its cartridges is carried by the
train and is thrown in and out of its operative position by the driver or other
attendant. In this arrangement there is a lever connected to the ordinary signal
and so arranged that when the signal is in its danger position the lever is the path
of the hammer lever, or a lever may be connected to the signal box and be moved
into the path of the hammer lever independently of the signal.
In another arrangement the firing mechanism is suitably carried at the side of
the line and may be connected to a signal, or it may be worked independently of
the signal. In either case it is fired by an arm or lever on the train and such arm
or lever may be fixed or moveable.
1002
Improvements in and relating to Fog Signalling on Railways.
I, JAMES TAYLOR, of Enderby Grange, Narborough, Leicester, in the County of
Leicestershire, Farmer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in the means and in the method of fog
signalling on railways and has for its object the provision of means and methods
of operating the said means whereby the signal may be sounded by a moving
train and its operation controlled from a signal box as well as from the signal arm

page_text: or from either. According to this invention the signals are in the form of car-
tridges carried by a revolving cylinder, or wheel, and preferably in a continuous
belt. The cartridges being fired in succession by percussion and automatically
operated. The firing mechanism with its cartridges is carried on the train and
preferably on the locomotive-tender. A treadle lever at the side of the rails is
connected with the ordinary signal arm or independently to the signal box so
arranged that when the signal arm is at "langer" the "treadle" is in the path
of the tappet or trip bar on the train which fires a cartridge or a lever in the signal
box may be connected directly to a treadle" at any part of the line for drawing
the attention of the driver by firing a cartridge. By introducing additional
"
treadles and combinations or modifications of the same apparatus any desired
signals can be given as "caution," "danger," "line clear," "shunt," etc., by firing
one or more cartridges.
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In reference to the accompanying drawings the same letters represent like parts.
Sheet 1 is a diagram showing the levers in signal box and the "home" and
"distant" signals with connections to treadle levers etc.
Sheet 2 shows a general arrangement of the treadle levers, tappet and cartridge
firing apparatus.
Sheet 3 shows portions of the trip gear and wheels also portions of the cartridge
belt.
signal box which may be
treadle" as well as with
Sheet 4 shows a detail of the cartridge firing wheel firing hammer etc.
Fig. 1 represents two or more levers A and B in the
the existing levers utilised and connected up with the
the signal or independently.
"
Fig. 2 shows a double incline treadle" A³ fixed by the side of the rail A' and
raised and lowered by elbow levers with a weighted lever for bringing the treadle
back to its normal position. A¹, is the ordinary signal post. This arrangement
is suitable where the locomotive runs in both directions on the same rails as at a
terminal station or elsewhere.
Fig. 3 shows a single incline "treadle" with similar levers B³.
Fig. 4 shows another form of "treadle" which may be preferred and is operated
by similar levers B³.
Fig. 5 shows a portion of the ordinary signal post B₁ with the arms in two
positions namely "line clear B and "danger" 15.
The apparatus shewn only refers to one pair of rails but a repitition of same
will be required for each pair of rails.
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Fig. 6. The treadle" shewn is another modification of that shewn on Sheet 1,
the slot being at the opposite end. Aª are elbow levers for raising and lowering
the "treadle A3 which is fixed at the side of the rail A. The weighted lever A³
brings the "treadle" down when the pull at A6 is relaxed.
O is the roller coming in contact with the "treadle" for actuating the trip
bar D, which slides in guides E E. The catch F, oscillates in the bar and lever G,
carrying a pawl H, engaging in a ratchet wheel I and turning it round one tooth
for each stroke.
The strokes of the trip bar may vary with the vibration of the locomotive with-
out effecting the proper stroke or movement of the wheel.
J, is a spring for ensuring the return of the trip bar to its stops K K. L, is the
firing wheel and M, M, the cartridges fitted in a belt passing over the wheel L,
from the magazine box N, and falling into another box 0, after being fired.
Another guide roller may sometimes be required between the magazine and the
wheel. The boxes N and 0, may be made movable so that they can be easily
changed and recharged a glass window or lid is also fitted so as to expose to view
the state of storages.
Fig. 7 P, is a spring catch which snaps into the notched wheel Q, and holding
it in its proper position during firing. S, is the spring hammer. U, is the spring
for holding the cartridges in the firing position. T is a gong which may be sounded
either by the hammer S, or ratchet 1.

page_text: Fig. 8 shows a section of cartridge belt M¹ with the cartridges M fitted.
Fig. 9 shows a plan of the same.
Fig. 10 shows a section of the firing wheel R with cartridge belt entering and
leaving the wheel.
Fig. 11 shows a plan partly in section of the firing wheel with spring hammer S,
and striker Y, in the act of firing a cartridge M. V, is a spring bolt, actuated by
the internal ratchet Q (see also Fig. 7) which cocks and releases the hammer at
every movement of the wheel. W, is a tongue on the end of the hammer S, work-
ing into a pocket on the spring bolt V. X, is the spring stop for relieving the
striker Y, from the cartridge after firing. Z, is the fixed axle of the wheels I,
and R, and Q, all three being secured together and revolving together. The
ratchet may have plain holes opposite each of the cartridges for the escape of the
charge but smaller than the diameter of the cartridge or these holes may be fitted
with barrels for holding the cartridges and relieving them after firing as shewn
at M. G, and H, are the lever and pawl for actuating the ratchet: 1.
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:
-
1. The apparatus and means of communicating signals to a moving train sub-
stantially as described and set forth.
2. The apparatus and means of actuating detonating signals on a moving train,
substantially as described and set forth.
3. The apparatus and means of signalling to a train either from the signal box
or directly connected with the ordinary signal arms, substantially as described
and set forth.
4. The apparatus and means of signalling at all times dispensing with fog
signal men, by automatic and audible signals on the train, substantially as
described and set forth.
Dated this on day of May 1000.
WASHINGTON HUDSON,
53, Elliscombe Road, Charlton, S.E., Agent for Applicant.