IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNAL APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS.
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Lloyd Wise, of 7, Whitehall Place, in the City of
Westminster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNAL APPARATUS
FOR RAILWAYS.". A communication from abroad by Hippolyte Leblanc, of
Paris, France.
{
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Lloyd Wise at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 3rd September 1879.
WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of 7, Whitehall Place, in the City of Westminster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNAL APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS." (A communication from
abroad by Hippolyte Leblanc, of Paris, France). :
This Invention relates to apparatus having for object the prevention of accidents
at level crossings and other parts of railways.
+
By means of this apparatus trains approaching a level crossing will cause the
signal to indicate danger, and after passing cause the signal to again indicate safety,
thus preventing accidents, as at all dangerous parts of a line trains may signal
themselves.
For example, if a level crossing keeper should from any cause fail to close his
crossing before the arrival of a train the signal constructed in accordance with this
Invention will anounce to the public an approaching train some minutes before its
arrival at the crossing in such manner as to make apparent the danger of crossing
the line until the train shall have passed.
The same will obtain with respect to stopping places (gares) and stations, and
the railway employés will be warned beforehand as to when a train is to be
expected; if the line to be run on by the train should not be clear they will thien
be able by the ordinary distance signal to warn those in charge of the train not' to
approach the point of danger until the line is clear.
In short, the improved signal apparatus will serve not only as a public safeguard
but will also afford security to railway companies in the sense of lessening their
responsibility by giving the public ample warning of danger.
One arrangement of the improved apparatus is as follows:-
+
On a suitable post, pillar, or support are fixed two plates or faces arranged back
to back with a space between them and in line with the railway so as to be seen
from the respective sides of the railway but not along the line of railway.

page_text: Each of these plates or faces is divided into two equal parts and these parts are
of different colours, thus the one may be coloured red, for example, to indicate
danger when uncovered or exposed, and for additional security may bear an
appropriate inscription such as "Road closed."
The other portion of the same plate or face may be white, and when uncovered
or exposed (the red portion being then hidden from view) will indicate that the
line may be safely crossed, and for increased security this white part may bear an
appropriate inscription such as "Road open."
The plates or faces above referred to are of glass or transparent material, and
are lighted up at night by means of a gas jet or lamp.
In conjunction with each such plate or face is arranged an opaque screen or
shutter about half the size of the said plate or face.
These screens or shutters are provided with anti-friction rollers and travel on
small rails fixed to the framing of the signal apparatus, and are operated by an
arrangement of levers and wires or ropes, as follows:-
One lever is arranged at a long distance from the signal to move the screens or
shutters into positions indicating the approach of a train, a second lever is arranged
a comparatively short distance to the opposite side of the signal along the line to
return the screens or shutters to the safety position, and a third lever is at the
upper part of the post, column, or support carrying the signal faces and screens or
shutters. Each of the two first mentioned or primary operating levers is provided
with a counterweight secured to its outer end, to which outer end is also attached
a connecting wire or rope which is connected also to the lever carried by the post,
column, or support of-the signal. The primary levers are operated by means of
arms resembling pedals arranged inside the line and at the side of the rails. The
flange of the engine wheel passes over these pedal like arms and causes them to
oscillate so as to cause the outer arms of the levers which carry the counterweights
to ascend. Thus one of the levers having been actuated by the wheel of a passing
engine travelling towards the signal the second lever placed at the other end of the
wire or rope, and which was nearly upright, falls and carries with it the connecting
wire or rope, thereby operating the third lever and consequently moving the
screens or shutters so as to expose the danger signals. A similar movement is
effected when the engine wheel passes over the pedal like arm of the second lever
placed on the other side of the level crossing in such manner as to move the screens
or shutters over the danger signals and expose the safety signals.
The third lever placed on the column of the apparatus, and to which are attached
the connecting wires, is formed with two operating arms, and two other arms are
actuated by it at the same time to effect the sliding in the desired direction of the
two screens or shutters herein before referred to, and which cover and uncover, as
the case may be, the respective balves of the two signalling faces of the apparatus.
Level crossings on double lines must be provided with two sets of apparatus
arranged in reverse order, and provided with pedal like levers arranged so as to
indicate the direction from which the train is approaching. The apparatus may
be arranged to sound a bell or alarm when operated by an approaching train.
In applying the Invention on single lines of railway the arrangement must be
modified, as will be readily understood, so that the pedal like arms of the apparatus
for signalling trains in one direction will not be caused to actuate the signals by
trains passing the contrary way. For this purpose hinges or joints and springs
may be employed-in connection with the pedal like lever arins.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Lloyd Wise in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 2nd
March 1880.
WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of 7, Whitehall Place, in the City of Westminster.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN SIGNAL APPARATUS FOR RAILWAYS." (A communication from
abroad by Hippolyte Leblanc, of Paris, France.)
This Invention relates to apparatus having for object the prevention of accidents
at level crossings and other parts of railways.
By means of this apparatus trains approaching a level crossing will cause the
signal to indicate danger, and after passing cause the signal to again indicate
safety, thus preventing accidents, as at all dangerous parts of a line trains may
signal themselves.
For example, if a level crossing keeper should from any cause fail to close his
crossing before the arrival of a train the signal constructed in accordance with this.
Invention will announce to the public an approaching train some minutes before
its arrival at the crossing in such manner as to make apparent the danger of.
crossing the line until the train shall have passed.
The same will obtain with respect to stopping places (gares) and stations, and
the railway employés will be warned beforehand as to when a train is to be
expected; if the line to be run on by the train should not be clear they would then
be able by the ordinary distance signal to warn those in charge of the train not to
approach the point of danger until the line is clear.
In short, the improved signal apparatus will serve not only as a public safeguard
but will also afford security to railway companies in the sense of lessening their
responsibility by giving the public ample warning of danger.
One arrangement of the improved apparatus is as follows:-
On a suitable post, pillar, or support are fixed two plates or faces arranged back
to back with a space between them and in line with the railway so as to be seen.
from the respective sides of the railway but not along the line of railway.
Each of these plates or faces is divided into two equal parts, and these parts are.
of different colors. Thus the one may be colored red, for example, to indicate.
danger when uncovered or exposed, and for additional security may bear an
appropriate inscription such as "Road closed."
The other portion of the same plate or face may be white, and when uncovered
or exposed (the red portion being then hidden from view) will indicate that the
line may be safely crossed, and for increased security this white part may bear an
appropriate inscription such as "Road open."
The plates or faces above referred to are of glass or transparent material, and
are lighted up at night by means of a gas jet or lamp.
In conjunction with each such plate or face is arranged an opaque screen or
shutter, about half the size of the said plate or face. These screens or shutters are.
provided with anti-friction rollers and travel on small rails fixed to the framing
of the signal apparatus, and are operated by an arrangement of levers and wires.
or ropes as follows:-
One lever is arranged at a long distance from the signal to move the screens or
shutters into positions indicating the approach of a train, a second lever is
arranged a comparatively short distance to the opposite side of the signal along the
line to return the screens or shutters to the safety position, and a third lever is at
the upper part of the post, column, or support carrying the signal faces and screens :
or shutters. Each of the two first mentioned or primary operating levers is pro-
vided with a counterweight secured to its outer end, to which outer end is also..

page_text: attached a connecting wire or rope, which is connected also to the lever carried by
the post, column, or support of the signal. The primary levers are operated by
means of arms resembling pedals arranged inside the line and at the side of the
rails. The flange of the engine wheel passes over these pedal-like arms and causes
them to oscillate, so as to cause the outer arms of the levers which carry the
counterweights to ascend. Thus one of the levers having been actuated by the
wheel of a passing engine travelling towards the signal, the second lever placed
at the other end of the wire or rope, and which was nearly upright, falls and carries
with it the connecting wire or rope, thereby operating the third lever and con-
sequently moving the screens or shutters so as to expose the danger signals. A
similar movement is effected when the engine wheel passes over the pedal-like arm.
of the second lever placed on the other side of the level crossing in such manner
as to move the screens or shutters over the danger signals and expose the safety
signals.
The third lever placed on the column of the apparatus, and to which are attached
the connecting wires, formed with two operating arms, and two other arms are
actuated by it at the same time to effect, the sliding in the desired direction of the
two screens or shutters hereinbefore referred to, and which cover and uncover, as
the case may be, the respective halves of the two signalling faces of the apparatus.
Level crossings on double lines must be provided with two sets of apparatus
arranged in reverse order, and provided with pedal-like levers arranged so as to
indicate the direction from which the train is approaching. The apparatus may
be arranged to sound a bell or alarm when operated by an approaching train.
In applying the Invention on single lines of railway the arrangement must be
modified, as will be readily understood, so that the pedal like arms of the apparatus.
for signalling trains in one direction will not be caused to actuate the signals by
trains passing the contrary way. For this purpose hinges or joints and springs
may be employed in connection with the pedal like lever arms.
In order that the Invention may be fully understood I proceed to describe the
apparatus, illustrated by way of example in the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
Figs. 1, 2, and 3 are respectively an elevation, a vertical section, and a plan (to
a scale of about one-tenth full size), and Fig. 4 is a general plan to a smaller scale.
In all these Figures similar letters of reference indicate like parts.
The signal apparatus A. is supported on a column B, it is fixed and provided
with two faces, and at the two sides shows on to the level crossing or road only
and not on to the line of railway.
Each face of the sigual apparatus is divided into two equal parts a, a', one of
which, a', painted red, for example, signifies danger when it is uncovered; for
greater safety this part al may bear the inscription, "Road closed."
The other portion a of the same face is white, and (the red portion being then
hidden) signifies that the line may be safely crossed; for greater security this part
a may bear the inscription, "Road open."
The faces of the signal are of glass, and are lighted up at night by means of a gas
jet or lamp.
The half red, half white faces of the signal referred to are respectively covered
and uncovered by means of screens or shutters C, C, of a size not less than one half
of one of the faces of the signal. These screens or shutters travel on small rails by
means of friction rollers c, c, c, c, and are worked as hereinafter explained.
The signal-is worked-by means of three levers placed,-
One D at a point of contact which signals the approach of a train ;
The second E at a point of contact which causes the removal (hiding) of the
danger signal ;
And the third F, at the upper part of the column or post B which supports the
signal apparatus A.
The two first-mentioned levers D and E are provided each with a counterweight d, e,
attached to the outer arms or extremities of the said levers; to each lever is also

page_text: attached one end of an operating wire G or G', which at its other end is connected
to the signal lever F.
The said levers D and E are operated by means of pedal-like arms d', e¹, arranged
within the line of rail (see Figs. 3 and 4). The flange of the locomotive passes
over the pedal like arms and causes them to oscillate, communicating sufficient
movement to them to cause the outer arms of the levers which carry the counter
weights d, e, to ascend or descend. Thus one of the levers (say D) having been
actuated by the wheel of a passing engine (travelling towards the signal) the
second lever (E) placed at the other side of the signal, and which was nearly
upright, falls and carries with it the connecting wire or rope (G¹) which com-
municates its movement to the third signal lever F, thereby reversing the signals.
A similar movement is effected when the engine wheel passes over the pedal-like
arm (say e') of the second lever (E) adjacent to the level crossing in such manner
as to change or remove the danger signal and consequently re-establish traffic over
the level crossing.
The third lever F placed on the column supporting the apparatus, and to which
are attached the connecting wires or ropes, is made with two operating arms ƒ, f,
and two other arms f¹, f¹, are by it so actuated as to cause the two screens or
shutters C, C, already mentioned to slide or travel in the desired direction, and
cover or uncover, as the case may be, the respective signalling halves or portions of
the two faces of the apparatus.
As is shewn in the general plan, Fig. 4, all the level crossings on double lines of
railway are provided with two signal apparatus A, A', placed the one on the right
the other on the left of the crossing, and provided with their respective pedal like
levers D, E, D, E¹, so as to indicate the direction from which the train approaches.
At the time that one of the signal apparatus shall signal danger a bell may
warn the crossing keeper that he has to satisfy himself that the level crossing is
closed.
The contact points D, D', which cause danger to be signalled by the signal
apparatus A, A¹, are placed at a distance of several kilometres from the level
crossing whilst the contact parts at E, E', which cause the removal (hiding) of
the danger signal may be placed at only a few hundred metres from the said level
crossing.
The modifications to be effected in the case of a single line of railway will be
readily understood, thus, the pedal-like levers should be provided with hinge
joints and springs and should be a certain distance apart relatively to the direction
in which the trains, whereby they are designed to be operated, travel, all so that
a train may pass one way without operating the apparatus intended only for
signalling trains passing the reverse way along the line.
Having described the nature of the said Invention and explained the manner of
carrying it into practical effect-as communicated to me as aforesaid, I would
observe that the forms of the parts and other details may be more or less modified
in practice without departure from the essential characteristics of the Invention,
and I hereby declare that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as secured to me under the Letters Patent hereinbefore in part recited is,-
1. In apparatus for signalling at level crossings or in like situations the com-
bination, with signalling faces or plates arranged to be seen from the ordinary road
(or side of the railway) and each having one of its halves or parts of a color
different from its other half or part, of shutters or screens arranged to slide or
move over said signalling faces or plates so as to obscure one half or signalling part,
or the other as required, such screens or shutters being operated through wires or cords
connected to lever arms arranged along the line at unequal distances from the level
crossing, and set in operation by the action of passing engine (or other) wheels on
pedal-like levers in such manner that the more distant of the said levers shall
cause the signals to indicate danger, and that the nearer of the said levers
shall cause the danger signals to be obscured from view, all substantially as
described.

page_text: 2. The improved signalling apparatus shewn in and described with reference to.
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Lloyd Wise, liave hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Second day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.
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