Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May; 1885.
Complete Left, 14th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 15th Mar., 1887.
We, ARTHUR MARSHALL CHAMBERS, Colliery Proprietor, of Sheffield, in the County
of York, and WILLIAM DURANT, Mechanic, of Chapeltown, in the County of York,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates more especially to signals which have to be given to persons
is important to
on Railways in charge of points, and under other circumstances where
be able in case of necessity to determine whether the responsible person has given the
proper signals at the right times to the person appointed to receive them, or whether
such signals have been properly acted upon, as it not unfrequently happens that in the
event of accidents disputes arise as to whether the proper signals were or were not
given at the proper times. It is also applicable to the signals ordinarily used in
collieries and other mines, in which a signal is given by the persons employed at the
mouth or bottom of a shaft or pit in which the raising and lowering of cages or other
weights is going on, to the driver of a steam or other Engine by which such raising or
lowering is effected.
Our invention has for its object a novel method of constructing and arranging such
signalling apparatus in combination with automatic recording apparatus, in such manner
that not only is the exact character of the signal itself permanently recorded, but also
the precise time at which it was given so that a permanent record is available if
a question should arise in case of accident or for other reason, this record being
indisputable and absolute.
In order to put our invention in operation, supposing that it is to be applied to a
case in which the exact time and number of signals given by a bell are to be recorded,
we take a strip or tape of suitable material, such as paper, which we wind upon a
drum capable of revolving in bearings provided for it, and we lead the strip over a
corresponding drum actuated in such manner that the strip is made to pass from one
drum to the other in the manner hereinafter described:
"
We arrange a bell; preferably actuated in any of the usual well known ways by
a current of electricity generated from an electric battery in the circuit, so that

page_text: strokes upon the bell are given when required for the purpose of signals, by the
completion of the electric circuit by the person who transmits the signal. In the
same electrical circuit we arrange the coils of an electro magnet, the armature of which
is arranged so that it draws back a pall operating upon the teeth of a ratchet wheel
upon the drum round which the tape is coiled froin the supply drum as already
described, a spring or weight is arranged to withraw the armature from the electro
magnet when the current ceases to pass. Each time therefore that the signal bell is
sounded, the tape is drawn forward a short space (equivalent to one tooth of the ratchet
wheel).
At a convenient point under the tape between the drums, we arrange a series of
wheels or discs side by side, each having round its circumference a series of projecting
types or markers, those upon one wheel representing seconds, those upon the next
minutes, upon the next hours, and upon the fourth days, and we connect the several
wheels or discs by toothed gear having a properly proportioned number of teeth, so
that if the first or seconds wheel is moved round through a regular space and at
regular intervals the remaining wheels will also be moved at the proper intervals and
the upper edges of the wheels will show a row of figures representing the exact time
at any given moment.
We arrange an ordinary clock or timekeeper in the neighbourhood of the moving
tape, and we connect it to an electro magnet in such manner that at regular intervals
(say of five seconds) a current of electricity passes through the electro magnet and
actuates its armature, and we connect this armature to a pall or detent operating upon
a ratchet wheel connected with the seconds wheel just described, in such manner that
at regular intervals of five seconds, the wheel is moved through an equivalent space,
and the figure upon the upper edge of the wheels consequently always indicates the
true time within five seconds.
Above the strip of paper, which passes above the time indicating wheels just
described, we arrange a plunger or pressing bar, which is connected to the armature of
the electro magnet first described (in the hell circuit) in such manner that every time
the bell is sounded the plunger is depressed and presses the tape upon the figure types
below, which accordingly print or mark upon the tape the exact time (within five
seconds) of such printing. When the armature is released the plunger rises, and at
the same time the pall connected to the former moves the ratchet wheel forward one
tooth, and draws forward the tape through a corresponding space. The operation is
repeated as often as the signal bell is sounded, the same time, being indicated for each,
until by the action of the clock the printing wheels are moved to indicate the lapse of
another five seconds. It is evident that instead of five seconds, any desired interval
of time may be taken as a unit.
The printing upon the tape may be effected in any of the ordinary well known
ways, preferably by chemical means in which case we prefer to pass it against the
surface of a porous vessel containing liquid by which it is kept moist.
Where it is desired that not only the precise time and number of repetitions of a
single signal should be recorded, but also which particular signal has been given where
more than one is used, as for instance where the movements of several Railway points
are to be recorded, we modify the apparatus so as to enable the additional particulars
required to be recorded upon the tape. For instance we make the tape and the plunger
above it of greater width, and we arrange under the tape as many types or marking
instruments as there are points to record, each instrument having upon its upper surface
a mark indicating a particular point or set of points, and the whole being arranged in
a line with a row of figures upon the time indicating wheels already described. Each
marking instrument is formed upon a lever so arranged that when the plunger is
depressed either of the types can be raised and print or mark the proper indication
upon the tape, and each lever is actuated by a separate electro magnet connected with
the particular point or set of points to which the lever refers.
Every time therefore that the lever actuating either of the points is used, the precise
time (within five seconds) of such use is printed upon the tape, as well as the indicating

page_text: mark of the particular point or set of points, and the tape so printed remains as a
permanent record for reference, without the possibility of dispute.
A separate narrow strip or tape may be used for each set of points. The clock
described above may of course be fixed at any distance from the recording apparatus,
to which it is connected by wires, and the same clock may in this way be made to
operate any number of such recording apparatus in different places.
Where signals are given, for instance, from the bottom of a coalpit to an Engine
driver at the surface, it will be seen that not only are all the signals which may be
given permanently recorded upon the moving strip or tape, shewing their character as
for instance whether one, two, or three, movements of the handle and corresponding
signals to the Engine driver have been given, such different numbers representing the
different orders conveyed to him, but also the precise time at which such different
signals have been given, and this record will continue to be made so long as the strip
or tape continues to move and the clock to mark intervals of time upon it.
Instead of a strip or tape kept in movement in the manner described a disc of
sufficient diameter may be kept in constant revolution at the requisite speed, the marks
being recorded upon its outer circumference in the manner described.
It is evident that our invention may be modified more or less in its construction
and mode of operation. For example, in some cases it may be found advisable to
connect the mechanism which actuates the drum and plunger, to the signalling
apparatus mechanically instead of by electro-magnets. And in the same way the time
indicating wheels may be moved by the clock mechanism directly, instead of by an
electro magnet.
The apparatus may be arranged in any desired position, the strip or tape passing,
for instance, under instead of over the time indicating wheels, and the plunger being
raised instead of depressed.
Instead of being coiled round the second or receiving drum, the strip or tape may
be passed between rollers and delivered without being coiled.*
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: We, ARTHUR MARSHALL CHAMBERS, Colliery Proprietor of Sheffield in the County
of York, and WILLIAM DURANT, Mechanic, of Chapeltown, in the County of York, 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 and accompanying drawings (that is to say)
Our invention relates more especially to signals which have to be given to persons
on Railways in charge of points, and under other circumstances where it is important
to be able in case of necessity to determine whether the responsible person has given
the proper signals at the right times to the person appointed to receive them, and
whether such signals have been properly acted upon, as it not unfrequently happens
that in the event of accidents, disputes arise as to whether the proper signals were or
were not given at the proper times.
It is also applicable to the signals ordinarily used in collieries and other mines, in
which a signal is given by the persons employed at the mouth or bottom of a shaft or
pit in which the raising and lowering of cages or other weights is going on, to the
driver of a steam or other Engine by which such raising or lowering is effected, and
to other purposes in which it is desirable to keep an exact record of the exact times at
which certain signals have been given or certain operations performed.
Our invention has for its object a novel method of constructing and arranging such
signalling apparatus in combination with automatic recording apparatus, in such
manner that not only is the exact character of the signal itself permanently recorded,
but also the precise time at which it was given; so that a permanent record remains
and is available if any question should arise in case of accident or for other reason,
this record being indisputable and absolute.
The accompanying drawings are in illustration of our invention, in which it is
supposed to be applied to a case in which the exact time and number of signals given
from one or more separate stations, or one or more different operations, are permanently
recorded.
Figure 1 is a front view, figure 2 a back view and figure 3 a plan in illustration of
the apparatus.
a is a strip or tape of suitable material, such as paper, which we wind upon a drum b
capable of revolving in bearings e provided for it, and we lead the strip over a
corresponding drum d actuated in such manner that the strip is made to pass from one
drum to the other, in the manner hereinafter described.
A bell may be arranged preferably actuated in any of the usual well known ways
by a current of electricity generated from an electric battery in the circuit, so that
strokes upon the bell are given when required for the purpose of signals, by the,
completion of the electrical circuit by the person who transmits the signal.

page_text: In the same electrical circuit we arrange the coils of an electro-magnet the
armature of which is arranged so that it draws back a pall g operating upon the
teeth of a ratchet wheel h upon the drum d round which the tape is coiled from
the supply drum as already described, and a spring or weight is arranged to withdraw
the armature from the electro-magnet when the current ceases to pass. Each time
therefore that the signal bell is sounded, the tape a is drawn forward a short space
(equivalent to one tooth of the ratchet wheel h).
At a convenient point under the tape between the drums, we arrange a series of
wheels or discs i side by side, each having round its circumference a series of projecting
types or markers as shewn in figure 3, those upon one wheel representing seconds,
those upon the next minutes, upon the next hours, and upon the fourth days, and we
connect the several wheels or discs by toothed gear j, having a properly proportioned
number of teeth, so that if the first or seconds wheel is moved round through a regular
space and at regular intervals, the remaining wheels will also be moved at the proper
intervals, and the upper edges of the wheels will shew a row of figures representing
the exact time at any given moment.
We arrange an ordinary clock or timekeeper (not shewn in the drawing) in the
neighbourhood of the moving tape, and we connect it to an electro magnet k (figures 2
and 3) in such manner that at regular intervals (say of two or any other number of
seconds) a current of electricity passes through the electro magnet k and actuates its
armature, and we connect this armature to a pall or detent on operating upon a
ratchet wheel n connected with the seconds wheel just described, in such manner that
at regular intervals say of two seconds, the wheel is moved through an equivalent
space, and the figures upon the upper edge of the wheels consequently always indicate
the true time within two seconds.
Above the strip of paper, which passes above the time indicating wheels i first
described, we arrangea plunger or pressing bar o which is connected to the armature/
of the electro magnet e first described (in the bell circuit) in such manner that every
time the bell is sounded the plunger o is depressed and presses the tape a upon the
figure types below which accordingly print upon the tape the exact time (within two
seconds) of such printing.
When the armature fis released the plunger o rises, and at the same time the pall g
connected to the former moves the ratchet wheel / forward one tooth, and draws
forward the tape a through a corresponding space. The operation is repeated as often
as the signal bell is sounded, the same time being indicated for each, until by the
action of the clock the printing wheels are moved to indicate the lapse of another
two seconds.
It is evident that instead of two seconds, any desired interval of time may be taken
as a unit.
The printing upon the tape may be effected in any of the ordinary well known
ways, as for instance by chemical means in which case we prefer to pass it against the
surface of a porous vessel containing liquid by which it is kept moist. Or an ordinary
sheet of carbon paper or other pigmented material may be used in the usual way. Or
any suitable form of ink may be used.
Where it is desired that not only the precise time and number of repetitions of a
single signal should be recorded, but also which particular signal has been given where
more than one is used, as for instance where the movements of several railway points
are to be recorded, we arrange the apparatus so as to enable the additional particulars
required to be recorded upon the tape. For instance we make the tape a and the
plunger o above it of greater width, and we arrange under the tape as many types or
marking instruments p as there are points to record, each instrument having upon its
upper surface a mark indicating a particular point or set of points, such for instance
as A, B, C, and the whole being arranged in a line with the row of figures upon the
time indicating wheels already described. Each marking instrument p is so arranged
that it can rise and fall vertically through a short space and is connected to a lever r
so arranged that when either of the levers is moved either of the corresponding
types p is raised and prints or marks the proper indications upon the tape a, and each

page_text: J'
lever is actuated by an armature and separate electro-magnet s connected with the
particular point or set of points to which the lever refers.
Every time therefore that the lever actuating either of the points is used, the precise
time (within two seconds) of such use is printed upon the tape a, as well as the
indicating mark of the particular point or set of points, and the tape so printed
remains as a permanent record for reference, without the possibility of dispute.
A separate narrow strip or tape may be used for each set of points.
The clock described above may of course be fixed at any distance from the recording
apparatus, to which it is connected by conducting wires, and the same clock may in
this way be made to operate any number of such recording apparatus in different
places. Instead of the electro magnets being actuated directly by the clock or by the
signalling operation they may be operated by relay currents set in action by such
clock or apparatus in the well understood way."
Where signals are given for instance, from the bottom of a coalpit to an Engine
driver at the surface, it will be seen that not only are all the signals which may be
given permanently recorded upon the moving strip or tape shewing their character
as for instance whether one, two, or three, movements of the handle and corresponding
signals to the Engine driver have been given, such different numbers representing the
different orders conveyed to him, but also the precise time at which such different
signals have been given, and this record will continue to be made so long as the strip
or tape a continues to be moved at the proper time and the clock to properly actuate
the time indicating wheels.
Instead of a strip or tape kept in movement in the manner described, a disc of
sufficient diameter may be kept in constant revolution at the requisite speed, the marks
being recorded near its outer circumference in the manner described.
It is evident that our invention may be modified more or less in its construction and
mode of operation. For example, in some cases it may be found advisable to connect
the mechanism which actuates the drum d and the plunger o.to the signalling apparatus
mechanically instead of by electro-magnets. And in the same way the time indicating
wheels may be moved by the clock mechanism directly, instead of by an electro-
magnet.
The apparatus may be arranged in any desired position, the strip or tape passing,
for instance, under instead of over the time indicating wheels, and the plunger being
raised instead of depressed. Instead of being coiled round the second or receiving
drum, the strip or tape may be passed between rollers and delivered without being
coiled.
In order that the several time indicating wheels may each be moved forward at the
proper intervals as quickly as possible it is preferable that each should be provided
with a suitable ratchet wheel and pall and electro magnet, each operated by the proper
wheels of the clock at the right intervals of time; the second wheel for instance at
intervals of two seconds, the minute wheel of one minute, the hour wheel of one hour,
and the day wheel of one day, and the movement of each being effected as instanta-
neously as possible.
This may be done by means of four separate lovers each raised by the proper wheel
of the clock and allowed to fall at the exact instant required, in its fall making the
necessary electric contact by which the corresponding indicating wheel is moved
forward one tooth. It is evident that in some cases this movement may be effected
mechanically instead of electrically by the clock.
Where electricity is used batteries or generators of any suitable kind may be
employed.
Instead of the arrangements described and shewn the strip or tape may have the
indications of the several periods of time, printed permanently upon it before it passes
through the machine. It is then passed through the latter either mechanically by the
movement of the clock, or by means of an electro-magnet actuated at intervals by the
clock, but always so that the particular time indicated by the clock shall correspond
with that shewn by the printed indications upon the tape. And in order to shorten
the length of the tape necessary in this form of arrangement, a point or marker may

page_text: be depressed in the manner described and shewn (at o) at regular intervals; and this
point or marker may be made also to travel at intervals across the tape, so that each
particular time is indicated not only by the position of the mark along the tape, but
also by its position across the width of the tape. Where a disc is used as above
described instead of a strip, the point or marker may be made to travel radially so as
to follow a spiral line. Indicating points or markers may also be arranged at regular
intervals round the circumference of a guide roller over which the tape passes, the
regularity of the marks made by them upon the tape, proving that the latter has
always been properly drawn forward without slipping.
Of course the methods by which the several time indicating and printing wheels
(if used) are arranged and operated may be varied more or less, as the method of
arranging and oporating them forms no essential part of our invention.
Additional palls or friction devices may be used to prevent the too easy movement
or back play of the time indicating wheels.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
1. The combination of the drum d, tape a (or disc) pall and ratchet wheel g, h, electro-
magnet e, and armature for the purpose of causing the tape a (or disc) to travel
forward at regular intervals, with the time indicating wheels and plunger o, all
arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposes described and shewn.
2. The combination of the time indicating wheels i ratchet wheel or wheels n and
pall or palls m armature or armatures and electro magnet or electro magnets k, with
à clock and tape a (or disc) all arranged and operating substantially in the manner
and for the purposes described and shewn in the drawings.
3. In combination with the time indicating devices and tape, (or disc) referred to
in claim 2, the method of actuating the time indicating devices mechanically by means
of a clock substantially as described.
4. In combination with the time indicating devices i tape a (or disc) and plunger o
arranged and operating as described, the marker or markers p actuated by a corre-
sponding number of electro-magnets and armatures s operating when the signal is
given or the operation performed which is to be recorded, and printing an indication
of the same upon the tape a substantially in the manner and for the purpose described
and shewn.
5. The method of actuating the marker or markers p mechanically instead of by
means of electro magnets substantially as described.
6. In combination with the marker or markers p, tape a (or disc), drum d and the
devices by which the tape (or disc) is made to travel forward at perfectly regular
intervals, the time indications permanently printed or marked upon the tape (or disc)
so as to correspond exactly with the time shewn by the clock actuating the latter,
substantially as described.
7. The general arrangement of the apparatus substantially as and for the purposes
described and shewn in the drawings.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Patentees.