Improvements in Electric Signalling Apparatus for use on Railways.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Signalling Apparatus for use on Railways.
I, CHRISTOPHER SAMUEL DAVY, of 39, Paulet Road, Camberwell, S.E., in the
County of Surrey, Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in electric signalling apparatus for use
on railways, and is designed to provide an improved system of signalling by means
of electric bells, or other audible signals, adapted more particularly to take the
place of the present system of fog signalling by means of detonators.
For the purpose of my invention I propose to provide in advance of each signal
post an electric warning bell or other alarm suitably supported in proximity to
the line, and having its circuit so arranged that when a suitable movable contact
is operated by the train, the said bell or alarm will be set in operation if the signal
arm be at danger. Furthermore upon or at the signal post I arrange another
electric bell, or alarm preferably having a different tone to that for stopping the
train for the purpose of notifying the driver when the line is clear. This second or
starting bell or alarm is so arranged that it will be sounded when the signal arm
is lowered, and will consequently serve as an indication to the driver of the train
that he can proceed, whether he can see the said signal arm or not.
According to one mode of carrying out my said invention, I arrange at a
suitable distance in advance of each signal, a short rod or bar which is adapted
to be depressed by the flanges of the wheels of the engine and train. This bar
has inclined ends to graduate the force with which the flanges strike it and to
diminish the shock or jar of its rising movement as they leave it. The said bar
is carried by short lever arms suitably mounted on or near the rail and is normally
kept in its raised position, flush with the rails, by a counter balance weight or
other suitable means, a suitable stop or abutment serving to prevent its rising
too high.
The depressible rail carries the movable portion or pole of a suitable contact
device, the stationary pole of which is or may be carried by a bracket secured to
the rail. This contact device is in the circuit of the bell or alarm which stops the
train, and is open so long as the bar is in its raised position. The circuit of the
said bell also includes a contact device in connection with the signal arm, which
latter contact is closed only when the signal is at danger.
The consequence is that supposing the signal arm to be set at danger, the circuit
of the warning bell is in a condition to ring the said bell except for the fact that
the contact at the depressible bar is open. When therefore a train approaches the
signal and depresses the rail the warning bell or alarm will be sounded, and
the driver of the train will be notified that the signal is against him even if he
cannot see it.
The train will therefore be brought to rest shortly after passing the warning
bell and in the vicinity of the signal post, or at least within range of the starting
bell or alarm, and the driver will not proceed until he hears the sound of the
lattm

page_text: The circuit of the starting bell or alarm is controlled by a switch connected
with the signal arm, and the arrangement is such that when the signal arm is
lowered a contact device connected therewith closes the circuit which operates this
bell or alarm thereby notifying the driver to proceed.
The bells or alarms above referred to may be worked from the ordinary battery
in the signal cabin, or by a special battery or other source of electric current pro-
vided for the purpose.
Obviously in some cases the bells may be used by themselves, without any signals
of the semaphore type. This is more particularly the case in light railways and
electric railways such as are now becoming common. When thus used by them-
selves, the switches which in the arrangement above referred to aro operated by
the semaphore, are dispensed with and are replaced by hand operated switches in
the signal cabin, which are closed by hand and will remain closed until again
opened by the signalman.
The said invention may also be used as an adjunct to the system of signalling
at present in use.
Ordinarily however it is only intended to be used in foggy weather and a suitable
switch is accordingly provided in the signal cabin, by which the signalman can
throw the bells or alarms into or out of circuit as desired.
The various switches and contacts hereinbefore referred to are provided with
suitable covers or casings to protect them from damp and dust or any thing which
might interfere with their proper working.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1898
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Electric Signalling Apparatus for use on Railways.
I, CHRISTOPHER SAMUEL DAVY, of 39, Paulet Road, Camberwell, S.E., in the
County of Surrey, Mechanical Engineer, 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 improvements in electric signalling apparatus for use
on railways, and is designed to provide an improved system of signalling by means
of electric bells, or other audible signals, adapted more particularly to take the
place of the present system of fog signalling by means of detonators.
For the purpose of my invention I propose to provide in advance of each signal
post an electric warning bell or other alarm suitably supported in proximity to
the line, and having its circuit so arranged that when a suitable movable contact
is operated by the train, the said bell or alarm will be set in operation if the signal
arm be at danger. Furthermore at or in proximity to the signal post I arrange
another electric. bell, or alarm preferably having a different tone to that for
stopping the train for the purpose of notifying the driver when the line is clear.
This second or starting bell or alarm is so arranged that it will be sounded when
the signal arm is lowered, and will consequently serve as an indication to the driver
of the train that he can proceed, whether he can see the said signal arm or not.
In order that the invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into effect I will proceed to describe the same fully by aid of the accompanying
drawings in which:-
Figures 1 and 2 are diagrammatic views showing in plan and side elevation

page_text: Convoy one arrangement of electric signaling apparatus according
invention.
Figures 3 and 4 show to a larger scale in sile elevation and plan the construc-
tion of the movable rail and the contact device connected therewith.
Figure 5 is a detail section thereof.
Figure 6 shows a general view of the signal post and a second contact device or
switch hereinafter referred to.
AA are the rails, B is an ordinary semaphore signal, and C represents one of
the signal cabins.
a is a short depressible rail or rod which is adapted to be operated by the flanges
of the wheels of the engine and train. Such a bar is arranged at a suitable
distance say from 200 to 300 yards in advance of each signal.
The depressible rail has inclined ends to graduate the force with which the
flanges strike it and to diminish the shock or jar of its rising movement as they
leave it.
The said rail a is carried by short lever arms c pivoted on brackets & bolted to
the rails A, and is normally kept in its raised position flush with the latter by a
counter balance weight e, a suitable stop or abutment f serving to prevent its
being thrown too high by the weight.
The counter-balance weight is carried by an arm 9 mounted on an axle h
supported at one end in a bearing h¹, and at the other by one of the brackets' d.
This axle carries one of the arms c which acts on the underside of the rail for the
purpose of raising the same. The said axle also carried a third arm i to which is
secured a movable pole forming one pole of an electrical contact device or
switch, the stationary pole of which is formed by a pair of spring blades ².
This construction of contact device has the advantage that it admits of being
easily boxed in to protect it from the weather but obviously any other suitable
device of a like nature may be employed if desired.
The said contact device is in the circuit of the warning bell or alarm k which is
arranged between the depressible rail and the signal post and is intended to stop
the train. In the same circuit as the bell is a second movable contact or switch [,
the tongue of which is connected with the signal arm or the operating mechanism
thereof in such a manner that it is in the position shown in full lines in Figure 6
at the time when the signal is at danger, in which case it closes the circuit, or
rather is in a position to do so as soon as the first mentioned contact ¹ is
complete.
The result of this construction is that supposing the signal arm to be set at
danger, the circuit of the warning bell is in a condition to ring the said bell except
for the fact that the contact at the depressible rail a is open. When how-
ever a train approaches the signal, and depresses the rail a, the axle h will be turned
and the movable pole will be brought into engagement with the stationary
pole 3 thus completing the circuit.
Thereupon the warning bell or alarm will be sounded and the 'driver of the
train will be notified that the signal is against him even if he cannot see it.
The train will therefore be brought to rest shortly after passing the warning
bell and in the vicinity of the signal post, or at least within range of the starting
bell or alarm which is situated at m and has a different tone to the warning bell,
and the driver will not proceed further until he hears the sound of the starting
bell.
The circuit of this starting bell or alarm is controlled by the switch 1, the
arrangement being such that when the signal arm is lowered the tongue 1 is
moved into the position indicated in dotted lines in Figure 6, in which position
the circuit of the warning bell is broken and the circuit of the said starting bell
closed thereby notifying the driver to proceed.
The bells or alarms above referred to may be worked from the ordinary battery
in the signal cabin or by a special battery or other source of electric current
provided for the purpose.

page_text: Obviously in some cases the bells may be used by themselves, without any
signals of the semaphore type. This is more particularly the case in light rail-
ways and electric railways such as are now becoming common. When thus used
by themselves, the switches which in the arrangement above referred to are operated
by the semaphore, are dispensed with and are replaced by hand operated switches
in the signal cabin, which are closed by hand and will remain closed until again
opened by the signalman.
The said invention may also be used as an adjunct to the system of signalling
at present in use.
Ordinarily however it is only intended to be used in foggy weather and a
suitable switch is accordingly provided in the signal cabin, by which the signal-
man can throw the bells or alarms into or out of circuit as desired.
The various switches and contacts hereinbefore referred to are provided with
suitable covers or casings to protect them from damp and dust or any thing which
might interfere with their proper working.
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 railway signalling apparatus, having a warning bell or alarm in advance
of a signal and a starting bell or alarm at or in proximity to the signal, arranged
to operate substantially as herein before described.
2. A signalling apparatus of the kind referred to in the preceding claim having
a movable contact in advance of the signal for controlling the circuit of the
warning bell jointly with a second contact device in operative connection with an
ordinary signal, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. My improved electric signalling apparatus for use on railways, substantially
as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 18th day of May 1898
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.