New or Improved Apparatus or Means for Signalling and Working Points on Railways.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 24th June, 1889-Accepted, 21st Sept., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECITATION.
A New or Improved Apparatus or Means for Signalling and
Working Points on Railways.
1, Akthur ApplEBY of George Street, Lozells, Aston Juxta Birmingham in the
County of Warwick, Jeweller, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to means for communicating audible or visible signals between
a pointsman, and the engine-driver of a chain, or between an engine and signal box,
and by which means, an engine is stopped, its speed checked, or the ways indicated as
clear; and further, the said appliance may be used as a means for working the points,
independent of the signal-box, and also for indicating by visible signs, safety, danger,
or approach to a station.
According to one form of my invention, I provide the middle of the underside of
the engine or tender, with a double armed lever, supported and turning within,
depending bracket bearings, and with the arms of the said lever normally resting in
a direction nearly at right angles to the direction of the rails. The pivot of this said
lever has a crank or arm, to which a connecting rod for the working of the signal,
is connected.
Thus, the signal consists of a gong or hell, with a clapper worked from a connecting
rod, (or rods) whose lower and inner end is linkedly or jointedly connected to the arms
as aforesaid.
The stationary part of the appliance consists of a cranked arm, which admits of
being raised and lowered by the signalman, through the intervention of ordinary
working connections, such as rods or wires. This said cranked arm is jointedly con-
nected to a bearing block, secured to a cross bearer, on the inside of the rails; and in
order that the primary arm shall take a perpendicular position, the same is provided
with a stop in the form of a short arm or snug, which takes its abutment against a
side bearing.
Signalling to the driver of an engine, is performed as follows:-
The pointsman who wishes to indicate to the driver of an approaching train, to
"reduce speed," "stop," or "slow," pulls his lever in the signal-box, when the cranked
arm is raised into a vertical position, and on the engine or tender passing over it, it is
struck by one of the arms of the double armed lever, which is turned, and through it
communicates inotion to the clapper, which rings the bell or gong, and thereby signals
to the driver.
The return movement of the parts of the signalling apparatus connected with the
engine are brought to their normal positions with the arm crossing the underside of
the said engine, by springs or weights.
By employing means as described, fog signals are dispensed with; and instead of
employing a bell for signalling, a whistle may be substituted for it; and further, a
visible indicator in the form of a dial and pointer may be substituted for, or applied,
in addition to the gong or whistle.
The appliance may be employed for automatically, switching the points of railways,
instead of being performed by the pointsman. Thus, the pointsman at a distance,
raises the cranked lever from the side of the metals, when a passing engine striking
it, gives motion to a connecting rod or other means, connected to the points, which
are operated thereby.
Although I have only described a double armed lever, yet two, three or more arms
of dissimilar lengths, working in juxta position, may be employed, and that each arm
is adapted to strike an independent crank arm, which is in communication with the
signal-box; so that a signalman operates a particular crank arm, which strikes a

page_text: particular double-armed lever, and gives the necessary alarm, such as
"slow
"
or stop."
"slack speed,"
The second part of my invention relates to the making of an engine indicate to the
signal-box that it is approaching, and the signalman then works the points.
The appliance consists essentially of an arm on the underside of the engine or
tender, which strikes the upper end of an arm, directed upwardly from the permanent
way; so that on the engine striking it, the signal operating arm is depressed, and the
signalman signalled through the intervention of connecting links, rods or the like.
The invention is particularly applicable for level crossings, for indicating the
approach of a train, which is done by the clapper striking a stationary bell, which is
located on the side of the line.
In applying my invention for signalling at level crossings, the arm which is directed
from the permanent way, has a double crank; the one for operating the clapper or
striker of a gong, and the other for working the arm from the signal-box. The
knuckle or joint part of the arm has a limiting stop, which determines its perpendicular
position.
By centreing the arm carried on the underside of the engine, at its middle, the
reversion of the engine, or moving backwards is immaterial.
My invention may also be applied for signalling at a distance, as well as signalling
to a pointsman, working the points or the like as aforesaid.
Dated this 28th day of February 1889.
ARTHUR APPLEBY.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Apparatus or Means for Signalling and
Working Points on Railways.
I, ARTHUR APPLEBY of George Street Lozells, Aston Juxta Birmingham in the
County of Warwick, Jeweller, 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 means for communicating audible or visible signals, between
3 pointsman, and the engine driver of a train, or between an engine and signal box,
and by which means, an engine is stopped, its speed checked, or the ways indicated as
clear; and further, the said appliance may be used as a means for working the points,
independent of the signal box, and also for indicating by visible signs, "safety,"
"danger," or "approach to a station."
According to one form of my invention, the underside of an engine or carriage, is
provided with a jointed lever or incline, which on striking or coming in contact with
a projection directed from the permanent way, rings a bell, blows a whistle, or creates
an alarm, on an engine, which is done through the intervention of links and rods
connected with the said arm, lever, or incline.
In another form of my invention, the projection proceeding from the permanent
way, is made movable, and operates a bell, signal, points, or the like, while the parts
on the underside of the engine are rigid.
By employing means as described, fog signals are dispensed with, whilst ordinary
audible and visible signals may be automatically worked.
The means as described, may also be employed for automatically switching the
points of railways, instead of being performed by a pointsman.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a diagramatical permanent
way, provided with signalling means or appliances, arranged according to my said
invention.
The right hand side portion of the said view represents an arrangement for constant
signalling on the approach of a train to a station. Thus, on a train approaching a

page_text: station as aforesaid, an appliance on the underside of an engine, strikes or comes in
contact with a stationary signalling stop, affixed between the metals of the permanent
way, and thereby indicates to the station by the ringing of a bell or otherwise, that an
approaching train is within a given distance.
The left hand side of the said figure 1, represents both fixed and movable, signalling
stops, and which movable ones are under the control of the signalman, or a previously
passed train. These said movable signalling devices are adapted to either work the
points, signals or the like, whilst the fixed ones are adapted only to signal by the
ringing of a gong, or the blowing of a whistle.
Figure 2 represents a top side plan of the movable signalling stop upon an enlarged
scale.
Figure 3 shows a transverse section of the same on the dotted lines A B, and it
will be seen from the said figures 2 and 3, that the said movable signalling stop is in
the position which it takes for signalling.
Figure 4 represents a like view as figure 3, but with the signalling stop, out of
action, or out of the path of the arm, carried on the underside of the engine, as herein-
after described.
Figure 5 represents a modification of the said movable signalling stop, by making
the stop with which the arm on the underside of the engine as aforesaid, comes in
contact, work plunger-like, by rising and falling within a socket plate or other device
fixed within the permanent way between the metals.
Figure 6 represents a side elevation of a locomotive engine, provided with signalling
means constructed according to my invention.
Figure 7 is a front elevation of the same.
Figure 8 represents a signal post, with movable stop signalling means for the
working of it as aforesaid.
Figure 9 represents a top side plan of another form of movable signalling stop, in
which the said stop is moved into and out of position by sliding laterally, instead of
by moving vertically.
In the movable signal stop arrangement figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, a is a roller carried
by an upright bracket, connected to a movable frame b, whose inner end is connected
to an arm c, pivoted about its middle to a plate or carrier d, of the permanent way,
which is represented by the rails e, e.
The stop consisting of the parts a, b, and c, constitutes a cranked arm, which is
taken into, and out of the path of an arm or a movable incline f, upon the underside
of an engine, by chains or their equivalents g, passing over pulleys h, i, j, fixed out-
side the track of the permanent way, of which the two former are carried by, and upon
the underside of a ground plate k, whilst that part of the chain over the pulley is
connected with a communicating rod or rods 1, guided by posts m.
J
The movable arm f on the underside of the engine, consists of jointed rods f,f,
hung in the form of an incline, and with the inner ends of the said rods loosely jointed
and connected to an arm f³, through the intervention of a link f, which on the said
arm f³ rocking or turning upon its joint centre, it raises a connecting rod fo, whose
upper end carries a valve, which opens a steam-way to the pipe f, and is from thence
conveyed up the said pipe to a whistle f, and sounds an alarm.
66
Thus signalling to the driver of an engine, is performed as follows-
The signalman within the signal box wishing to signal an approaching engine to
"stop" or to "slack speed," pulls the counterpoise signalling lever, and by it, pulls the
communicating rod l, which through the intervention of one side of the chain g, takes the
stop a, b and c from the position figure 4 to that of figure 3, and when in this said
position figure 3, the engine in passing over it, causes the incline plañe or arm fon
its underside, to strike it, or come in contact with it, which lifts the rods of the said
arm, raises the link f, turns the lever f³, raises the connecting rod f, which opens
the valve, and allows steam to pass into the pipe, and from it to the steam whistlef",
and so automatically signal to the driver to "stop or to "slack speed."
وو
When an engine is not required to be signalled, the signalman takes the signalling
lever back to its normal position, when the direction of motion of the communicating

page_text: rods is changed, and the stop turned at right angles or nearly so to its former
position; that is, out of the path of the signal operating arm on the underside of the
engine.
The said stops may be mounted upon a rotating table or plate, which is inade to
come within and out of the path of the engine arm or incline as aforesaid; and further,
instead of employing one stop, two or more may be used, which shall give an upward
and downward movement to the signalling arm f, and so give one, two or more
whistles, and by such whistlings, (formulated into a code) shall indicate to the engine
driver to "stop
or "slacken speed."
"
In figure 1, n is a fixed stop, adapted to always act upon the signal arm or incline
of an engine, on the said engine or train approaching a level or other crossing or
point requiring that caution should be exercised.
The movable stop a' figure 1, may be made to rise and fall plunger-like, which
automatically acts a semaphore or other signal at say D for instance; so that a fixed
incline or arm on the underside of an engine or train passing over the movable stop,
works the signal independent of the signalman, and which said signals may be worked
back again by the signalman, or by time-taking-back devices.
In the right hand part of the diagramatic sketch figure 1, a¹ represents a plunger-
stop, adapted to be operated by a fixed incline or lever, on the underside of an engine,
and on the passing over it of the said engine, the communicating rod is worked, and
the gong o within a station rung, and by which means, the approach of a train is
indicated.
When the arms or inclines on the underside of an engine are fixtures, then the stops
become movable signalling devices, which rise and fall, or are pressed down only by
the passing of a train over them, and which said rigid inclines or arms are
marked p.
In figure 5, a is the roller of the stop, which works plunger-like through a base
plate a, and with its lower end connected with one end of a lever c, and with the other
end of the said lever connected with an endless chain g, which passes over rollers and
pulleys h, i, j, and which said endless chain is worked by a communicating rod or
rods ; so that by the rod or rods being pulled to and fro, the signalling stop is raised
and lowered accordingly.
In figure 8, a¹ is a rising and falling signal stop, connected at its lower end, to a
rocking lever C
whose other end is connected with a chain 9, passing over pulleys h
and i, and through the intervention of which chain, motion is communicated to the
signal q' of the signal post q.
C
و
The lever c is counterpoised by a weight r², & the signal by weight r, so that the
passing of a train over the stop, automatically places the signal in position.
In figure 9, the movable signal-stop is operated by a sliding movement, instead of
by a rising and falling movement. Thus, a' is the stop, mounted upon a slide a²,
which is moved to and fro by a rod 12, operated from the main communicating rod 1,
through the intervention of a bell-crank lever 13; so that by working the rod l, the mov-
able stop a¹ is taken into and out of the path of the incline or arm, on the underside of
a passing engine or train.
I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details herein
described and represented with respect to the movable stop, the fixed stop, or a
movable and fixed incline, arm or their equivalents on the underside of an engine or
train, as they may be modified in various ways, without departing from the principle
and essence of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is-
First. Signalling on an engine or train, by arranging in connection with the said
engine or train, or upon the underside thereof, a movable arm, incline or the like,
which on coming over, and in the path of a stop or projection proceeding from the
permanent way, strikes it, and signals to the driver, substantially as described and set
forth.

page_text: Secondly. Signalling on railways, providing the engine or train, or the underside
of one or both of them, with an arm or arms, projections, inclines or the like, which
come within the path, and strike a yielding signal stop or stops, and by the said stops,
signals are worked, and points operated, substantially as described and set forth.
Thirdly.-Signalling on engines and trains, by a shifting stop, which when in the
path of an arm or incline carried by the engine or train, forms a means for signalling,
substantially as described and set forth.
Fourthly. Signalling on engines and trains, by a fixed stop or stops, directed
upwardly from the permanent way, coming in contact with a movable arm, incline or
the like carried by the engine, and by the one coming in contact with the other, the
movable one has its position changed, which thereby signals, as described and set
forth.
Fifthly Signalling on engines and trains, by means substantially as herein
described and set forth in the several figures of the drawings.
Sixthly. Signalling on railways, by means substantially as described and set forth.
Lastly Working the points of railways, by means and appliances as herein
described and set forth.
T
1000
ARTHUR APPLEBY.
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicant.