IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING APPARATUS
Year: 1876

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Philip Haughton Whittaker at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th September 1876.
PHILIP HAUGHTON WHITTAKER, of Parr Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNALLING APPARATUS."
The object of my Invention is the provision of improved signalling apparatus for
effecting communication between the deck and engine 100m and other parts of a
steam ship, and indicating the position of a ship's rudder; also for use on railways
and in coal or other mines, and for other like purposes.
the
When this Invention is employed for communicating between the different parts
of a steam ship or other vessel I arrange in combination with the transmitting and
indicating instruments a series of pairs of rollers on suitable brackets or plates,
placed in the required positions to guide and support the said thin metal bands
between the transmitting and indicating mstruments; the rollers of each pair are
arranged side by side to properly support and guide both portions of the band,
said metal bands are perforated with small holes at intervals throughout their entne
length, and the rollers or pulleys on the said instruments have pointed pins or spuis
which enter the perforations of the band as the said 1ollers turn on their axes.
With these devices I am enabled to actuate the indicating instruments entirely in
one direction, and to utilize the whole of the face of the indicator dial for the
signals, and to operate the bell or sounder more advantageously than heretofore;
but I may arrange the said endless metal bands to act with a reciprocating
motion.
I arrange in combination with the said instruments a cup containing oil or grease
and furnished with a wick pad or roller for applying the oil or grease to the metal
band as the same passes over it.
•
Weighted or spring take-up pulleys connected with a spring or weight are
arranged in suitable positions, the inetal band passes over these pulleys, which are
so arranged that the tension of the spring or the weight tends always to keep the
said band properly tight throughout its entire length.
I also in some instances provide the indicating instrument with an internal
ratchet wheel to enable the engineer to answer a signal by a forward and backward
inotion instead of a continuous rotary motion This arrangement is necessary when
the instruments are placed rather high in the engine_100m.

page_text: My Invention may be very easily and quickly fixed on board ship. It requires a
very small number of guiding and supporting pulleys; moreover the continued
movement of the metal band in one direction brings every part of the same under
the eye of the operator at the transmitting instruments, so that its condition is
always seen and is kept properly lubricated. I also am enabled by this Invention
to obtain a lighting power greater than that of any instrument now in use, as I can
utilize the whole of the back of this transmitter for that purpose, allowing the
lamp a free play on the glass or horn dial in front. I apply the said Invention to
colliery, mining, or railway purposes; it is arranged in nearly the same manner
ns above described, with such modifications as may be required by the different
construction or positions of the transmitting and indicating apparatus.
Another application of this Invention is for hotels and other buildings for con-
veying messages or instructions between the different parts of the same. The said
bands in this case are provided with holding devices for the reception of the
messages or instructions which may be written on card, paper, or other material.