An Improved Method and Apparatus for Fixing Detonators on Railway Lines, and for the subsequent Removal and Storage of same.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Apr., 1896-Accepted, 11th July, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method and Apparatus for Fixing Detonators on
Railway Lines, and for the subsequent Removal and Storage
of same.
We, DANIEL SLADE, of Parramatta Road Ashfield, near Sydney, in the Colony
of New South Wales, Gentleman, and CHRISTOPHER TAYLER, of 335 George
Street, Sydney, aforesaid, Solicitor, 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:-
This invention, relates to an improved apparatus, for placing detonators upon
railway lines, and removing and storing same as required.
It is customary now to have men stationed at the different signal posts in
foggy weather, to attach, and detach, as required, detonators or fog signals, on the
rails.
This apparatus has been especially designed, so as to enable the signal man
from his signal box, to place the detonators on the rails, and also to remove the
same as required, thereby dispensing with the "special" man at the signal
post.
This improved apparatus consists essentially in the combination of a storage
box for detonators, and a double acting slide mechanism, controlled by a wire or
rod, connected with the signal box, and operating bell cranks attached to the slides,
enabling the detonators to be withdrawn from the box, and placed upon the line
and secured there, until either exploded by A passing train, or withdrawn by the
signal man.
The detonators are placed upon a metal carrier of such size and construction, as
will enable them to pass along a channel provided in the apparatus, and so that
the detonator itself will reach the centre of the rail.
In order that this invention may be inore fully understood, references will be
made to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which ;-
Figure 1, is a diagrammatic view of this improved apparatus, placed in position
for operation.
Figure 2, is a sectional elevation, showing the double acting slide, feed or storage
box, and spring for holding or securing the detonator on the rail, and also receptacle
or storage box for detonators after being removed from the rail.
Figure 3, is a plan of the apparatus, with top or cover removed, showing the
channel along which the detonators pass to the rail, also method of removing
detonators when required.
In all figures similar letters are used to denote similar parts.
A is a raised platform, resting on an extended sleeper B which carries the
rails C. On platform A is placed the apparatus to which is secured by the
bolts D. E is the storage or feed box, which may be so constructed, that a door
is provided either at the top or sides, to permit of the detonator carriers F, with
the detonators G, being placed therein. The carrier F is in the form of a metal
box having its rear end equal to the height of the detonator.
His a sliding bar used to force the detonators into position, being operated by
the connecting rod I, attached to one arm of the bell crank J.
The rod or wire K leads to the signal box, and is connected to the other

page_text: arm of the bell crank J, a wire L is also attached to bell crank J and passes
over a wheel M, and has attached to the end the counterbalance weight N.
The rod O is attached to the second slide P at one end, and to the slide H by
the bolt Q at the other end.
A storage box or receptacle R is provided at the rail end of the apparatus, to
receive the detonators after being released from the rail. The opening S is to
enable the slide P when withdrawn to come against the fixed plate T which partly
forms the bed of detonator channel X. The bed of detonator channel X is level
with the top of the rail, and is so constructed that an opening is left (as shown
in Figure 3) to permit of slide P and connecting rod O freely working therein.
The detonator carriers after leaving the storage box E will pass on to plate T
and after losing the support of that plate, will be supported on either side by
the extended pieces T.
The slide P does not in any way support the detonator carriers, except in the
case of G, as in this case the spring U forces the hinder part of the detonator
carrier G, and each succeeding detonator carrier on to slide P, the spring U
attached to the covering plate V holds the detonator after being forced into
position by slide H.
A chock W, is so attached to slide H, that it will prevent it entering the
detonator channel too far.
Obviously, in lieu of the double slides H. P., any known equivalent mechanism
such as levers having the same or the like relative movements or actions, may be
used.
The apparatus in its normal position, that is, ready for placing a detonator
on the rail, the slide H is withdrawn to its full extent, thus allowing a detonator
to fall into the channel X, from the storage box E, the slide P would also be
withdrawn by the rod O, bringing the end against the fixed plate T, the
detonator G (see Figure 2) would not be in the position shown, but would
occupy the position of G.
When it is required to place a detonator on the rail, the signal man from his
box, releases the rod K, the counterbalance N will then fall, and cause the slide H
to enter the channel X, pushing a detonator into position on the rail, this action
will cause the slide P to extend so far as to form a seating for the hinder part of
the detonator carrier the spring U holding it in position.
When it is required to remove the detonator, the signal man will by rod K and
wire L raise the counterbalance N, this will cause the arm of bell crank J to
assume such a position that slide H will be withdrawn, allowing another detonator
to fall into position, the slide P will also be withdrawn, leaving the hinder part of
the detonator carrier without support, the spring U will then force the unexploded
detonator into the storage box R.
It will be obvious that a great saving in expense will be effected, and a greater
security and safety to passengers, and rolling stock will be secured by the adoption
of this invention, for it places, under the control of one man, both the semaphore
signals and the fog signals.
We propose to construct this apparatus of any suitable metal, and of such sizes
as may be required for the effective working of same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
First. The improved method for fixing detonators on railway lines, and for the
removal and storage of same, consisting mainly of the combination and arrangement
with a double slide or its equivalent of detonator storage boxes, one being adapted
to having a detonator withdrawn therefrom placed upon the rail and held there,
on movement of said slides or mechanism, the other storage box adapted to receive
the detonators after being released by the withdrawal of the said double slide or
device, substantially as herein described and illustrated in the drawings.

page_text: Second. The improved method of removing detonators from railway lines,
consisting essentially of the use of a slide such as P, in combination with a slide
such as H, which being withdrawn allows a spring such as U, to force the
detonator into a storage box such as R, substantially as herein described, and
illustrated in the drawings.
Third. A detonator storage box consisting essentially of a bottomless chamber
as E, a channel such as X, a sliding bar such as H, with a stop chock such
as W, a slide such as P, connected with a slide such as H, by a rod such as O,
substantially as herein described, and illustrated in the drawings.
Fourth. A detonator carrier consisting essentially of a metal box such as F, to
the one end of which the detonator is secured, the other end being in height equal
to the height of the detonator substantially as herein described, and illustrated in
the drawings.
Fifth. In apparatus for fixing detonators on rails, and for their removal from
same, the combination and arrangement with a storage box, or receptacle such
as E, having a feeding channel such as X, a sliding bar such as H, connected to a
second sliding bar such as P, by a rod such as O, and operated by a bell crank
such as J, and rods or wires such as 1, K, & L, and a counterbalance weight such
as N, substantially as herein described, and illustrated in the drawings.
Sixth. The combination and arrangement of mechanical parts altogether forming
an improved apparatus for fixing detonators upon rails, and for their removal and
storage, substantially as herein described and as illustrated in the drawings.
Dated this 20th day of March 1896.
DANIEL SLADE.
CHRISTOPHER TAYLER.