Improvements in and connected with Railway Signalling, more especially adapted for use during Fogs.
Year: 1893

page_text: DATION.
Improvements in and connected with Railway Signalling, more
especially adapted for use during Fogs.
1, BYNG THOMAS GIRAUD of Freshfield Burgess Hill Sussex Retired Deputy
Surgeon General, 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 by means of which a signal can
be transmitted from the signal box direct to a moving locomotive or to a guard's
van on the train.
This invention consists mainly in employing a second signal post at the distance
signal, situated a little in advance of the same. This second post is also furnished
with a pivotted arm at the top, which is raised, however, when the line is clear
and lowered when the danger signal is to be given, thus being actuated in a
reverse manner to the ordinary semaphore signal. This signal arm is connected to
the ordinary signal post mechanism so that it is operated at the same time. The.
second post is situated as close to the line as is found convenient, and the arm is
placed at such a height that it just clears the highest point on the engine or
carriages, excepting the signalling arrangement hereinafter described, which
projects upwards from the engine or guard's van.
This device consists of a small spring arm situated at the top of a post, and
projecting sufficiently far above the engine or van to meet the arm above described
when the latter is in its lower position, but missing it when it is raised for "line
clear."
This spring arm may be connected to an electrical device, so that a circuit is
completed when it is struck, ringing an electric bell or operating a suitable
indicator. The electric mechanism is arranged so that the bell rings continuously
until the driver or guard breaks the circuit, the spring arm or trigger being
returned to operative position immediately after it has passed the signalling arm.
To enable this to be done, the trigger closes a circuit in which is situated a small
electro magnet, which when it is excited, releases a small catch or armature closing
the bell circuit, which thus continues ringing until the armature is raised. If a
drop shutter or other indicator is employed, such arrangement will be unnecessary,
as the momentary current will be sufficient.
Instead of employing an electrical arrangement the trigger may be connected to
a wire or rod, which operates a mechanical signal, such as a repeating bell or the
whistle on the engine, the signal as before continuing after the trigger has returned
to its normal position. In order that the signal may be given in whichever
direction the engine may be travelling, a post with trigger is placed at each side
of the engine. The auxiliary signal post may also, if desired, be placed in front
of the home signal, but it is especially for use at the distance signal in case of fog,
when the ordinary signals cannot be seen.
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, reference is had to
the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the post at the side of the line,
Fig. 2 a perspective view of the line showing the said post and ordinary signal
post,
Fig. 3 is an elevation of an electrical signalling device on an engine,
Fig. 4 is a detail view of the spring arm or trigger,
Fig. 5 shows a drop shutter indicator which may be employed, and
Fig. 6 a modified arrangement of spring arm with mechanical connections.

page_text: A is the auxiliary post, of smaller size than the ordinary signal post B, and
furnished with an arm C pivotted near its top and connected by a wire or chain D
to the lever on the post B. or to the signal box lever. The lower and signalling
position of the arm C is preferably horizontal, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1,
being raised, when the signal is not required, to the position shown in dotted lines
in the same figure. The post A is placed so as just to clear the engine and
carriages in order to shorten the arm C as much as possible.
These
Referring to Fig. 3, E, E are the posts, one of which is placed at each side of
the engine, carrying the striking arms or triggers F at their upper end.
triggers are connected to a contact making device F', which moves in a cylinder,
thus preventing rain or other causes affecting it, so that when they are moved
back contact is made between the wires G, leading to an electric generator, and to
a box H having an electro magnet and an armature which closes the circuit
leading to the bell J, causing it to ring until the armature is raised by hand. A
spring F is furnished which returns the trigger F and contact maker to their
normal position when released. Instead of proceeding to a second contact making
device for a bell signal the connections G may lead to a visual signalling device,
such as the drop shutter indicator K shown in Fig. 5.
In Fig. 6 the trigger is connected to a wire or cord L which leads to a
mechanical signal, such as a bell, whistle or other device, and may, if desired, be
used to cut off steam and put on the brake in any well known manner.
Both mechanical and electrical devices may be employed with one trigger, the
wire L being connected to the trigger as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
(1) A signalling arrangement, especially adapted for use in fog signalling,
consisting of a post A situated close to the line, having a pivotted arm C actuated
from the signal box, and raised when the signal is not required, and an arm or
trigger F situated on a post E, projecting upwards from an engine or guard's van
on the line and connected with electrical or other signals in such a manner that
when the arm C is in its lower position the trigger is operated and the signal is
given, and when raised it misses the trigger, substantially as described and for the
purposes specified.
(2) The improved signalling apparatus constructed and operating substantially
in the manner described and illustrated in the drawings annexed and for the
purposes specified.
Dated this 2nd day of January 1893
.
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.