IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN PASSENGERS, GUARD, AND DRIVER IN RAILWAY TRAINS, ALSO IN THE MEANS OF WORKING THE BRAKES FOR RETARDING OR STOPPING SUCH TRAINS
Year: 1874

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by George Ellison and Walter
Dargue at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 17th February 1874.
We, GEORGE ELLISON, of Birkenshaw, in the Parish of Birstal, in the
County of York, Colliery Owner, and WALTER DARGUE, of the same
Place, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN PASSENGERS,
GUARD, AND DRIVER IN RAILWAY TRAINS, ALSO IN THE MEANS OF WORKING THE
BRAKES FOR RETARDING OR STOPPING SUCH TRAINS," to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention consists in improved means or apparatus
for affording communication between passengers, guard, and engine driver,
and the improvements consist of a tube similar to an ordinary speaking
tube, which is to extend the entire length of the train. To this tube are
attached branch tubes, one for each compartment of every carriage.
Each of the branch tubes is provided with a mouth-piece contained
within an enclosed box or case, suitably placed and fixed in the partition
of the carriage. Also passing through this box and extending through
the sides of the carriage is a spindle or rod, on each end of which is

page_text: off the steam, and thus prevent it from escaping. The piston rod is
connected with the ordinary levers for applying the brake to the wheel
in the same manner as the usual connecting rod is applied when the
brake is worked by hand wheel, and it may be advisable to provide for
the brake being worked by both methods, so as to prevent accident
arising from either apparatus getting out of repair. The valve used for
admitting steam to the main pipe from the boiler is a "three-way" valve
so constructed, that when the steam is shut off there would be an outlet
for the passage or escape of condensed steam from the cylinders. The
advantages of this method of working are that it can be easily and
quickly applied, and will remain in force so long as the communication
between the boiler and the cylinders is open, and when this is closed the
brake is as quickly removed by means of counterbalance weights.
Secondly. Underneath the engine, tender, or brake van, and extending
in the direction of its length are two shafts supported in suitable
bearings. Upon each of these shafts are one, two, or more short levers,
and to the end of each of these is hinged at one end a spindle having a
block or "brake" at the other end thereof. These spindles are arranged
so as to be capable of sliding in a bush or bearing in a rail or bar fixed
to the wheel guides on each side of the engine, tender, or brake van.
On each of these shafts before mentioned is fixed a lever. These levers
are attached by links to a cross head in the centre of the engine,
through which passes a screw spindle capable of being worked by
means of a hand wheel. By turning the screw in one direction the
blocks are lowered and pressed upon the rails, and by turning the screw
in the contrary direction they will be raised or lifted off the rails; and as
these blocks may be of considerable length, and the adhesion thereof
augmented by the use of resin or adhesive matter, a great amount
of friction is easily produced.