for Platelayers and Permanent Way Purposes.
Year: 1887

page_text: for Platelayers and Permanent Way Purposes.
I THOMAS FREDERICK REMER, of 44 West Derhy Street Liverpool in the County
of Lancaster 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 :-
Simply described my Invention consists in the utilisation of a compact portable
electric cell battery and vibratory signalling arrangement, which can be easily carried
and which I fix between the six foot way or between the space dividing the up and
down lines of a railway, for instance where the platelayers are at work on the line or
during the period of a fog. At a distance of 500 yards, or thereabouts, on the up
and down line I fix a portable contact rod connected to the cell battery before-
mentioned, by the ordinary light electric conducting wires.
I may provide a return wire but usually I utilise the earth currents for the
return.
This portable contact rod is easily fixed in situ between the two rails, one end
being jammed against the inside edge of one side rail, and the other end against the
other rail.
At one end, next the inside rail, of the contact rod, I fix an ebony vulcanite or
other electric non-conducting plate or button so arranged that when the tyres of the
wheels of a train pass over it, the plate or button is pressed down completing the
electric circuit and ringing the bell and warning the platelayers, and in case of
fog the apparatus could be used in conjunction with a more powerful cell battery
arrangement, for sounding a gong or rattle; or for other railway signalling work.
I provide a reel or drum on each side of the portable battery case to wind on the
conducting wire.
The batteries of the Leclanché or other type, are fixed in wooden frames to the side
of which I attach the electric bell.
I perforate the side of the portable case so that the sound of the bell or other
vibratory signalling arrangement is not muffled.
I provide the battery case with handles.

page_text: The contact rods are very light and can be taken to pieces, and hung on rings fixed
on the side of the battery case, so that the entire apparatus occupies very little
compass and is handily and easily carried.
Referring to the drawings that accompany this specification
In sheet 1, Figures 123 and 4 shew respectively, a longitudinal section, a cross
section, a plan in section, and side elevation, of the portable electric battery, and
vibratory signalling arrangement in case.
Figures 5 and 6 shew a section and plan of the portable contact rod.
In sheet 2. Fig. 1. is a section shewing the manner of placing the portable battery
and electric vibratory signalling arrangement in the centre of the six foot of a railway
and shewing the contact rods fixed in situ or between the rails.
Figure 2 is a plan of same.
Figure 3 is a ground plan shewing the application of the arrangement for plate-
layers uses.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of same.
In figures 1 2 3 and 4, the same letters of reference refer to the same respective
parts, a and b, are the Leclanché Batteries, c is the vibratory signalling arrangement,
fixed on side of wood frame surrounding batteries, e shews the perforated part of
portable case to allow of the escape of the sound waves. and are the reels or
drums for winding on the wire h.
¡ is the portable case.
A handle is provided for carrying case.
In figures 5 and 6, k is the contact rod with screwed, parts ¹ to allow of the two
ends being jammed, under head of rail, and against bottom flange is the contact
arrangement, formed of some insulating material, provided with a double spring, the
contact piece may be a button or a hinged plate as shewn.
m is the ground conducting wire..
The other wire is connected to battery as shewn at n.
Before setting forth the claims of my Invention, I wish it to be clearly understood,
that I do not limit myself to the exact details herein shewn and described, as I can
vary them without deviating from the nature of my Invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my Invention and
in what manner the same may be performed I claim,
1st. The arrangement of portable electric battery with reels for winding on the
wire, substantially for the purpose and as herein shewn and described.
2ndly. I claim the contact system for completing the electric circuit by the passage
of the wheels of a railway train over the point of contact substantially for the purpose
and in the manner herein shewn and described.
3rdly. I claim the general arrangement for signalling danger to platelayers, and
for fog signalling, and for other railway signalling requirements substantially in the
manner herein shewn and described.
T : 10th 1. 1007
THOMAS F. REMER.