Improvements in Apparatus for Automatic Fog Signalling on Railways.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Sept., 1895-Accepted, 16th Nov., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Automatic Fog Signalling on
Railways.
We GEORGE COUSENS, of Alexandra Road, Shipley, in the County of York,
Carriage Inspector, and CHARLES GRAYSON of Brearton Street, Bradford, in the
County of York, Gentleman, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to arrange apparatus that may be readily applied
to a railway track, in such a manner that when the apparatus is in action, a
locomotive or any other vehicle on running over same, in either direction, the
apparatus operates on a gong or other form of alarm fixed at the side of the
track, and the attention of the driver and other persons in charge of the train is
called to the location of the train in relation to the signal box.
In describing our invention in detail reference is made to the accompanying
sheet of drawings in which-
Fig. 1. represents a plan of portion of railway track, shewing apparatus as
fixed complete.
Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 details.
Similar letters indicate similar parts where they appear.
The lines or rails of a portion of a railway track are indicated by the letter X,
between which at some distance from the signal box are fixed two bars or
switches A which are mounted on fulcrum pins A¹. These switches may be of
such a length and placed at such distance apart to suit the wheel base of rolling
stock. Switches A may be made to rest in contact with the rails X by a spring R¹
which is coiled round rod R in the manner shewn. The rod R is capable of sliding
thro a support G' which is pivoted inside a frame G. The frames G are secured
to the sleepers (to which the chairs of the rails X are fixed) or fixed in some other
suitable manner.
Two cranks B are mounted on fulcrum pins B' in frames F which are secured to
sleepers. Switches A are connected to ends of crank levers B by links S the other
ends of crank levers B are attached to rod C. Secured to rod C is coupling box E
in which crank lever J is mounted on fulcrum pin J. Lever J may be kept in
position by spring Y and strap Y. Lever J may be connected by wire, or other
connection similar to those now in use in connection with signals &c., to signal box
as shewn at L.
Cotter H passes thro crank J for the purpose hereinafter described.
Rod D is capable of sliding within coupling box E; the rod D stopping against
enlarged end of rod C and against strap K which is secured to sleepers. Rods C & D
are both provided with a slot way into which cotter H may fall. The fall of the
cotter being insured by spring Y and strap Y'. Rod D is connected to crank M which
is mounted on fulcrum pin M. Attached to opposite end of crank M is rod N¹
which is capable of sliding within cylinder N which is secured in some suitable
manner. Rod N¹ is provided with spiral spring T and projection N2 for the
purpose as hereinafter described.
Lever P is connected by wire L' to wire L.
Two gongs or other sounding instruments O and P are fixed at side of track.
It will be readily understood that when the apparatus is not required wire Lis
pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow. The crank lever J is raised and the

page_text: cotter H is withdrawn from the slots in rods D and C thus leaving rod D free to
slide within coupling box E thus insuring gong O being sounded only when
rods D & C are coupled together by cotter H. Rod C is pulled in direction shewn
by arrow, and operates on crank levers B which in turn operate on switches A and
draws them away from contact with the rails X, thus leaving a clear space and
allowing of wheels to pass between rails X and switches A without affecting the
apparatus. Upon wire L being released springs R force switches A into contact
with lines X (see Figs. 1 & 2) this causing crank levers B to operate on rod C
which is drawn in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow till stopped
against end of rod D. Cotter H then falls in slotways in rods C & D and the said
rods are coupled together as shewn in Figs. 4 & 5. On a train passing over the
portion of the track fitted in the manner described the first wheel's flange passes
between switch A and rail X in the direction indicated. Switches A are forced
away from the rails X as shewn by Fig. 3. The movement of the switch is
transmitted to crank lever B by link S. Lever B in turn operating on rod C and
causing rod C to move in direction indicated. It is obvious that tho the first
wheel acts directly on one switch only both switches must of necessity open
simultaneously. Rod D moves in the same direction as rod C, and operates on
crank lever M the other end of which in turn operates on bar N' causing the latter
to move in the direction indicated by arrow, the shock being slightly deadened and
graduated by spring T. On the bar N₁ moving in the direction described the
projection Non same strikes the end of lever Q mounted on fulcrum pin Q¹ the
opposite end of the lever coming in contact with bell crank lever O¹ causes the latter
to strike the gong O thereby drawing the attention of the driver of his approach to
the signal box. Switches A are of such a length and placed at such a distance
apart that before the first wheel has ceased to operate on the first switch a second
wheel has entered & by the time the second wheel ceases operating on the first switch
the first wheel is operating on the second switch, so that a wheel is continually between
one of switches A and line X thus insuring gong O being struck once only. When
the line is clear connection L may be pulled which by means of wire L and lever P
strikes gong P which may have a sound differing from gong O, thus informing
driver to proceed.
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 general combination of the parts forming the complete apparatus
arranged substantially in the manner and for the purpose as herein before set forth.
(2.) The combination of switches A and all intermediary connections with the
gong O substantially arranged in the manner and for the purpose as hereinbefore
described.
(3.) The combination of coupling box E, rods C and D, cotter H and all
connections to wire L. The combination of wires L and L' as an intermediary
connection with gong P, arranged substantially in the manner and for the purpose
as herein before described.
Dated this 28th day of September 1895.
GEORGE COUSENS.
CHARLES GRAYSON.