Improvements in or relating to Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Oct., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 14th June, 1900-Accepted, 25th Aug., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
I, CHARLES THOMAS DUNHAM, Publican, of "The Star," Observatory Road,
Redhill, in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
This invention relates to signalling apparatus for railways, its object being
to provide means for automatically placing a detonator on the rail every time
the usual semaphore is changed from line-clear" to "danger," to remove them
when the signal is altered to "line-clear" to give an audible signal at the
semaphore when the latter is being placed at "line clear," to give an audible
signal to the driver before reaching the signal if the latter is at "line clear,"
to give an indication to the signalman during the whole time a train is waiting
before a signal, and to inform him when it has passed it.
At each place on the line where it is desired to place a fog-signal, a box or
magazine adapted to contain a number of detonators is arranged in proximity
to the line; as a rule two of these boxes are usually placed some little distance
from one another near an ordinary semaphore signal, one box being preferably
mounted on the signal post although both may be provided with an independent
stand or post. At the delivery end of each box there is an opening communi-
cating with a shoot leading to the rail. If the box is provided with an inde-
pendent stand a counter-weighted lever is pivotted to it, corresponding with the
usual one on a semaphore post, the signal counterbalance being itself made use
of if the box is on a semaphore post. By means of links, bell crank and other
levers a reciprocal motion is communicated from the weighted lever to an
ejector situated at the delivery orifice at, say, the bottom of the detonator box.
The weighted lever on the semaphore is operated in the usual manner from the
signal box for boxes on independent stands, the lever may be operated by
short connections from the main semaphore leads. The lowermost detonator
rests on the ejector above referred to when the signal is at line clear"; on
now putting the signal at "danger" the ejector is pushed forward and causes
the detonator resting upon it to fall into the shoot and thence on to the line.
In order to facilitate the ejection of the detonator down the shoot from the
ejector loose rollers are preferably provided on the latter bearing on the portion
of the box beneath the ejector and supporting in turn the detonator so that
the lowest detonator will be moved twice as fast as the ejector. A bar, rod or
the like may be attached to the back of the ejector or it may otherwise be
arranged so as to prevent a detonator falling behind it; this rod may if desired,
be continued through the post or otherwise arranged so as to operate a bell,
preferably each time the signal is altered from "danger" to "line clear.". A
guard plate is preferably provided for each box and so adjusted as to allow only
one detonator to issue to the shoot at a time. The detonators may be of any
known composition; they are preferably provided with a tang of any suitable
material having a lateral projection at each side of the far end, the projections
being adapted to engage with hooks at each side of the lower end of the shoot,

page_text: the length of the tang and distance of the hooks from the rail being so arranged
that when the projections engage with the hooks the detonator itself will lie on
the rail Towards the lower end of the shoot there is preferably a short incline
ending in a small base or abutment at right angles to the lower surface of the
shoot, the abutment being situated just beyond the hooks above referred to.
When a detonator is in position on the line the end of its tang will be close to
the abutment, which together with the hooks will prevent the detonator being
shaken, or jolted off the line or displaced laterally with regard to the shoot with-
out exploding.
To remove the detonators on altering the signal from danger to line
clear." For this purpose the shoot ends a short distance from the rail, this
distance being slightly less than the length of tang on each detonator, and
being bridged over by a tongue hinged to the lower surface of the shoot. This
tongue is operated in any convenient manner, preferably by an arrangement
of links and levers from the main counter-weighted lever operated by the sema-
danger to
phore leads, in such a way that when the signal is altered from
"
line clear" it will be lowered about its hinges. Inasmuch as when the signal
is at danger" a detonator will be resting on the rail, its tang being on the
tongue and with its projections engaging with these hooks on the shoot, it
will follow that on lowering the tongue (which is effected automatically on
altering the signal to "line clear") the tang of the detonator will be released
from all support, and the whole detonator will fall from the rail.
To give an audible signal at the semaphore when the latter is altered from
danger" to "line clear the bar rod or the like fixed to the tray at the bottoni
of the detonator box may be caused to ring a bell as herein before described.
Or a whistle or the like may be arranged at the semaphore, operated by a plunger
in the signal-box, placed close to the lever corresponding to that semaphore:
the plunger may be connected pneumatically or hydraulically with the whistle
or steam may be used. Again an electric bell may be placed at the semaphore
the corresponding lever at the signal box causing the bell to be sounded when
the signal lever is shifted to line clear."
To give an audible signal to the driver when he is approaching the signal,
a small spring-controlled lever is pivotted close to the rail and adapted to be
actuated by the wheel flanges of a passing train. This lever is placed in such
a position in relation to the semaphore that a train would arrive at it some little
time before reaching the signal. The lever is so arranged that it rings a bell
or otherwise gives an audible signal at each depression. It is connected by
levers, links wires or otherwise to the lever in the signal-box in such a manner
that when the signal is at " danger the spring-controlled lever is put out of
action. Thus should the signal be at
line clear the driver will hear the con-
tinuous ringing of a bell as his train passes over the spring-controlled lever:
on the other hand if the signal is at danger the first signal sound he will
hear will be the explosion of a detonator.
If a train should arrive at a signal and be kept waiting by finding it at
"danger," the signalman may be made aware of this fact by the following
means:
29
"
may
A dial is arranged near the lever in his box and is connected say pneumati-
cally or hydraulically to a lever pivotted close to the rail on the approach side
of the signal. This lever is adapted to be operated by the wheel Hanges of a
train, and on being thus actuated the dial will give a signal; this be
effected by an indicator such as a disc board or the like bearing a suitable in-
scription such as "train waiting." The indicator may be arranged in a suit-
able casing so as to be out of sight when no train is operating the lever near
the rail, but when the lever is lowered the indicator will be moved into sight
by
of pneumatic hydraulic от other connection with the
the rail. The indicator may he kept in this position
by means of a detent or other arrangement, the detent being preferably
lever
means
by

page_text: mechanically connected to the signal lever in the box so that on putting the
lever over to line clear" the detent will be released and the indicator will
sink out of sight. Thus, on a train passing a signal at "line clear each wheel
flange will press the lever by the rail, and, as the detent of the indicator will
be out of action, the latter will alternately come into sight and disappear as
each wheel flange passes over the lever and so the signalman will be informed
of the passing of a train. The cabin indicator may be arranged so as to give
an audible signal as well as or instead of a visible one.
Information of the actual explosion of a detonator at a given shoot may be
conveyed to the signalman by arranging vanes near the end of the detonator
box shoots in such a manner that on the explosion of a detonator the vanes
will be forced by the explosion gases to complete an electric circuit, which in-
cludes a bell in the signalman's cabin. The bell will thus ring until the vanes
which may be returned by a slow acting spring or other means, break contact
again.
A flap or non-return valve is preferably provided at the end of the shoot in
order to prevent the explosion gas from passing up it.
The detonator boxes or magazines may be put out of action by disconnecting
the actuating mechanism from the counter-weighted lever. Connection is pre-
ferably made with this lever at the pin by which the weight is fixed to it. the
connection being secured by means of a cotter pin which is locked by a pad-
lock. When this connection is disconnected the apparatus may be worked by
hand, the connection remaining ready for rapid re-connection.
Each detonator box or magazine and its appurtenances may be arranged so
that they may be swung or slid out of proximity with the rail, or they may
be wholly detached.
It should be observed that this apparatus being operated by means of a
weighted lever as is the usual semaphore, will give a danger signal in the event
of the breakage of a wire or like mishap.
Where it is desired to give signals by varying numbers of detonators under
the control of one or more semaphore levers, apparatus of the kind herein-
before described can be used, grouped and interconnected as the circumstances
of the system employed may demand.
Dated this 12th day of October 1899.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
I, CHARLES THOMAS DUNHAM, Publican, of "The Star," Observatory Road,
Redhill, in the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly de-
scribed and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to signalling apparatus for railways, its object being
to provide means for automatically placing a detonator on the rail every time
line clear to "danger," to remove the de-
the usual semaphore is changed from
tonator when the signal is altered to "line clear," to give an audible signal at the
semaphore when the latter is being placed at "line clear," to give an audible
signal to the driver before reaching the signal if the latter is at "line clear,"
to give an indication to the signalman during the whole time a train is waiting

page_text: before a signal, and to inform him of its passing and of the explosion of a
detonator. Moreover, according to this invention, a device is provided to inform
the driver whether a distant signal is at " danger" or line clear."
At each place on the line where it is desired to place a fog signal, a box or
magazine adapted to contain a number of detonators is arranged in proximity
to the line; as a rule two of these boxes are usually placed some little distance
from one another near an ordinary semaphore signal, one box being preferably
mounted on the signal post although both may be provided with an independent
stand or post.
At the delivery end of each box there is an opening communi-
cating with a shoot leading to the rail. If the box is provided with an inde-
pendent stand a counterweighted lever is pivotted to it, corresponding with the
usual one on a semaphore post, the signal counterbalance being itself made use
of if the box is on a semaphore post. By means of links, bell crank and other
levers a reciprocal motion is communicated from the weighted lever to an
ejector situated at the delivery orifice at, say, the bottom of the detonator box.
The weighted lever on the semaphore is operated in the usual manner from the
signal box; for boxes on independent stands, the lever may be operated by
short connections from the main semaphore leads. The lowermost detonator
rests on the ejector above referred to when the signal is at line clear"; on
now putting the signal at "danger" the ejector is pushed forward and causes
the detonator resting upon it to fall into the shoot and thence on to the line.
In order to facilitate the ejection of the detonator down the shoot from the
ejector loose rollers are preferably provided on the latter bearing on the portion
of the box beneath the ejector and supporting in turn the detonator so that
the lowest detonator will be moved twice as fast as the ejector. A bar, rod or
the like may be attached to the back of the ejector or it may otherwise be
arranged so as to prevent a detonator falling behind it; this rod may, if desired,
be continued through the post or otherwise arranged so as to operate a bell
preferably each time the signal is altered from danger to line clear." A.
guard plate is preferably provided for each box and so adjusted as to allow only
one detonator to issue to the shoot at a time. The detonators may be of any
known composition; they are preferably provided with a tang of any suitable
material having a lateral projection at each side of the far end, the projections
being adapted to engage with hooks at each side of the lower end of the shoot,
the length of the tang and distance of the hooks from the rail being so arranged
that when the projections engage with the hooks the detonator itself will lie on
the rail. Towards the lower end of the shoot there is preferably a short incline
ending in a small base or abutment at right angles to the lower surface of the
shoot, the abutment being situated just beyond the hooks above referred to.
When a detonator is in position on the line the end of its tang will be close to
the abutment, which together with the hooks will prevent the detonator being
shaken or jolted off the line or displaced laterally, with regard to the shoot with-
out exploding.
.
"
To remove the detonators on altering the signal from "danger" to "line
clear." For this purpose the 'shoot ends a short distance from the rail, this distance
being bridged over by a tongue hinged to the lower surface of the shoot. This
tongue is operated in any convenient manner, preferably by an arrangement
of links and levers from the main counter-weighted lever operated by the sema-
phore leads, in such a way that when the signal is altered from danger to
line clear" it will be lowered about its hinges. Inasmuch as when the signal
is at danger a detonator will be resting on the rail, its tang being on the
tongue and with its projections engaging with the hooks on the shoot, it
will follow that on lowering the tongue (which is effected automatically on
altering the signal to "line clear") the tang of the detonator will be released
from all support, and the whole detonator will fall from the rail.
"
"
"
To give an audible signal at the semaphore when the latter is altered from
"danger" to "line clear" the bar rod or the like fixed to the ejector at the bottom

page_text: of the detonator box may be caused to ring a bell as herein before described.
Or a whistle or the like may be arranged at the semaphore, operated by a plunger
in the signal-box, placed close to the lever corresponding to that semaphore;
the plunger may be connected pneumatically or hydraulically with the whistle
or steam may be used. Again an electric bell may be placed at the semaphore
the corresponding lever at the signal box causing the bell to be sounded when
the signal lever is shifted to line clear."
**
To give an audible signal to the driver when he is approaching the semaphore
a small spring-controlled lever is pivotted close to the rail and adapted to be
actuated by the wheel flanges of 'a passing train. This lever is placed in such
a position in relation to the semaphore that a train would arrive at it some little
time before reaching the signal. The lever is so arranged that it rings a bell
or otherwise gives an audible signal at each depression. It is connected by
levers, links wires or otherwise to the lever in the signal-box in such a manner
that when the signal is at
the spring-controlled lever is put out of
line clear" the driver will hear the con-
tinuous ringing of a bell as his train passes over the spring-controlled lever;
on the other hand if the signal is at " danger the first signal sound he will
hear will be the explosion of a detonator.
danger
action. Thus should the signal be at
::
If a train should arrive at a signal and be kept waiting by finding it at
"danger" the signalman may be made aware of this fact by the following
means:―
A. dial is arranged near the lever in his box and is connected say pneumati-
cally or hydraulically to a lever pivotted close to the rail on the approach side
of the signal. This lever is adapted to be operated by the wheel Hanges of a
train, and on being thus actuated the dial will give a signal; this may be
effected by an indicator such as a disc board or the like bearing a suitable in-
scription such as "train waiting." The indicator may be arranged in a suit-
able casing so as to be out of sight when no train is operating the lever near
the rail, but when the lever is lowered the indicator will be moved into sight
"
22
by means of pneumatic hydraulic or other connection with the
lever by the rail. The indicator may be kept in this position
by means of a detent or other arrangement, the detent being preferably
mechanically connected to the signal lever in the box so that on putting the
lever over to " line clear the detent will be released and the indicator will
sink out of sight. Thus, on a train passing a signal at line clear each wheel
flange will press the lever by the rail, and, as the detent of the indicator will
be out of action, the latter will alternately come into sight and disappear as
each wheel flange passes over the lever and so the signalman will be informed
of the passing of a train. The cabin indicator may be arranged so as to give
an audible signal as well as or instead of a visible one.
Information of the actual explosion of a detonator at a given shoot may be
conveyed to the signalman by arranging vanes near the end of the detonator
box shoots in such a manner that on the explosion of a detonator the vanes
will be forced by the explosion gases to complete an electric circuit, which in-
cludes a bell in the signalman's cabin. The bell will thus ring until the vanes
which may be returned by a slow acting spring or other means, break contact
again.
A flap or non-return valve is preferably provided at the end of the shoot in
order to prevent the explosion gas from passing up it.
The detonator boxes or magazines may be put out of action by disconnecting
the actuating mechanism from the counter-weighted lever. Connection is pre-
ferably made with this lever at the pin by which the weight is fixed to it, the
connection being secured by means of a cotter pin which is locked by a pad-
lock. When this connection is disconnected the apparatus may be worked by
hand, the connection remaining ready for rapid re-connection.
Each detonator box or magazine and its appurtenances may be arranged so

page_text: that they may be swung or slid out of proximity with the rail, or they may
be wholly detached.
It should be observed that this apparatus being operated by means of a
weighted lever as is the usual semaphore, will give a danger signal in the event
of the breakage of a wire or like mishap.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of apparatus constructed
and arranged according to this invention,
Figures 2 and 3 are similar views showing parts not included in Figure 1,
Figure 4 is an elevation, partly in section, of the detonator magazine and its
connections,
Figure 5 is a plan of Figure 4,
Figure 6 is an end view of part of Figure 4,
Figures 7 and 8 are respectively sectional elevation and end view of the indi-
cator hereinafter referred to.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
"
In order to automatically place a detonator on the rail every time the usual
semaphore is changed from line clear to danger," the apparatus shown in
Figures 4 and 5 is employed, in which A is a detonator magazine situated in
proximity to the rail B. The lower end of the magazine A communicates with
a shoot C leading to the rail B.
to
The detonators contained in the magazine rest upon an ejector 1), which is
reciprocated from the semaphore lead E by means of a lever E¹, link E2,
lever E, link E, bell crank lever E and links EE. Preferably the ejector D
is provided with rollers in order to facilitate the ejection of the detonator
down the shoot by imparting to it a faster motion than that of the ejector itself.
Preferably the ejector D is so made that the part carrying the rollers D¹ is of
less thickness than the remainder so as to form a projection D which will ensure
a detonator passing down the shoot each time the ejector is operated. If de-
sired the projection or the like D may be otherwise formed. The parts are
shown in Figures 4 and 5 in the positions they occupy when the semaphore is
at danger assuming the latter to have been just changed from line clear
"danger," the lowermost detonator, resting upon the ejector D, will be moved
by it into the shoot C and thence to the rail B. The issue of more than one
detonator at a time is prevented by the plate A¹.
In order to hold the denotators securely upon the rail and to remove them
when the semaphore is changed from "danger" to "line clear," they are pro-
vided with a tang having lateral projections F2. Hooks C¹ and an incline C²
are situated at or about the lower end of the shoot C; the incline C2 is arranged
so that a base or abutment is formed between it and the hooks C, as shown in
Figure 4. The tang F¹ of the detonator falling down the shoot will pass over
the incline and with the projections F2 will be engaged between the base or
abutment of the incline and the hooks which together will prevent it from being
shaken or jolted off the line or displaced laterally with regard to the shoot
without exploding.
In order to prevent the detonators from falling behind the ejector 1, the latter
is preferably continued behind and extends through the back of the magazine.
A projection D2 is formed upon this part of the ejector and operates the bell D³
each time the semaphore is altered from "danger" to " line clear," thus giving
an audible signal to the driver of a waiting train.
In order to remove the detonator each time the signal is altered from
"danger" to "line clear," the shoot C ends a short distance from the rail, this
distance being bridged over by a tongue Chinged to the lower surface of the
shoot. One arm of a bell crank lever C is secured to the tongue C3, the other
arm being connected by means of the link C to a convenient part of the operat-
ing mechanism of the ejector 1, such as the bell crank lever E, in such a
manner that when the semaphore is at danger" the tongue C³ will form a
66

page_text: "
virtual continuation of the lower surface of the shoot C, and will thus support
the tang of the detonator F. On moving the semaphore from danger to
line clear the tongue C will be lowered and the detonator F, being thus
deprived of its support, will fall off the rail into the receptacle G (Figure 1).
A cover C is pivotted at the end of the shoot Cand is connected by links to
the tongue (so that it opens to allow of the passage of a detonator and then
closes again on the semaphore being placed at line clear." When the apparatus
is not required to be used it is disconnected from the semaphore leads and the
parts placed in the positions they occupy when at line clear, the object of the
cover being to prevent dirt or the like from choking up the shoot C.
"
If desired the cover C may be arranged so as to close the mouth of the
shoot when a detonator is on the rail in order to prevent the explosion gases
from passing up the shoot and damaging the apparatus.
Preferably guides C7 are arranged within the shoot C in such a manner that
the projections F on the detonator engage therewith in the descent of the
detonator down the shoot.
In order to indicate to the signalman whether the apparatus is working pro-
perly and to inform him when a detonator has been placed upon the rail, a
spring C is situated at the lower end of the shoot, say upon the tongue (³
and is arranged so that it bears upon the tang F of the detonator when the
latter is in position on the rail and so completes an electric circuit, which will
be indicated by some convenient means at the cabin.
6.
To give an audible signal at the semaphore when the latter is altered from
danger to line clear," the projection 12 of the ejector D may be caused to
ring the bell D³, as herein before described. Or the semaphore lever or lead
may be made to operate an audible signal at the detonator magazine by means
of a fluid pressure connection. This arrangement is included in Figure 1, H
being the semaphore lever, J an air compressor, J a connecting rod between
it and the lever H, and J2 an audible signal device at the magazine, which,
although shown as a whistle may be any other form of audible signal device.
Preferably this arrangement is a pneumatic one, but water, steam or other fluid
may be employed if desired.
with
To give an audible signal to the driver when he is approaching the semaphore,
a tread K is situated in proximity to the rail B, and is operated by the flange
of the engine wheel. It is connected
a rocking shaft K' by
links and levers or the like. The rocking shaft passes under or
through the rail and is provided at its other end with a counterweight K2 upon
an arm K, the weight serving to normally maintain the tread K in the position
shown in Figure 1. At this end of the rocking shaft K' a hooter or other.
audible signal device K is situated and is adapted to be operated by the tread K
through the rocking shaft K' and links and levers K³, K, K. The link K is
connected to a rocking shaft H' operated by the semaphore lever. Thus, when
the semaphore is at "danger" the link K is pulled out of gear with the arm K
by means of the shaft H' on putting the semaphore to line clear the link K
will be pushed into gear again with the arm K³. It will be seen therefore that'
when a train passes over the tread K, the semaphore being at "line clear," the
driver will hear a number of sounds from the hooter K as the successive wheels
of the train pass over the tread K. On the other hand if the semaphore is at
danger" the first signal he will hear will be the explosion of a detonator. The
hooter K is arranged in Figure 1 so that the train will arrive at it before
reaching the semaphore, the train proceeding in the direction of the arrow
shown on this figure.
"
"
If a train should arrive at a signal and be kept waiting by finding it at
danger" the signalman may be made aware of this fact by the following
means: a tread L is pivotted near the rail, on the approach side of the signal,
and is adapted to operate a hydraulic cylinder L' through a link L² and lever L³.
The tread L. is maintained in the normal position, shown in Figure 1, by means

page_text: of the counterweight L. The cylinder L' is hydraulically connected, prefer-
ably with a non-freezing liquid, to an indicator M situated in the signalman's
cabin. This indicator (Figures 7 and 8) comprises a cylinder M containing
a plunger M² which has attached to it a disc, board or the like bearing a suit-
able device, such as train waiting." When the tread L is depressed by the
wheel flange of a train resting upon it, the plunger M will be raised up into
the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 8 and will thus bring into view the
disc above referred to. In order to maintain the plunger in this position a
detent of any suitable form is provided. M³ represents a form of detent adapted
to engage with a catch M+ formed upon the plunger. On the signalman alter-
ing the semaphore to "line clear" the detent M3 will be withdrawn from the
catch M by means of any suitable connection between the lever and detent.
such as the wire M³. A train passing over the tread L when the signal is at "line
clear will impart to the disc or board of the indicator a continuous up-and-
down motion due to the succession of impulses which the wheels of the passing
train give to the tread L. The signalman is thus made aware of a train passing
the signal.
22
Information of the actual explosion of the detonator at a given shoot may
be conveyed to the signalman by arranging a vane N near the end of the shoot C.
The vane is pivotted to a stand or the like N¹ situated near the rail and is con-
nected by means of a link N2 to one end of a pivotted lever N³, carrying at its
other end a weight N. On the explosion of the detonator the vane N is forced
down away from the rail and causes the weight N to fall upon an electric ter-
minal N³, thus completing a circuit which will give an indication in the signal-
man's cabin. In order to return the vane N to its original position, and at the
same time to break contact at N³, stops №6 are formed upon the link N2 and a
lever N is pivotted. so as to bear against one or the other of these stops.
catch N8 is adapted to engage with the lever N7 and is operated from the cabin
preferably by means of a connection with the semaphore lead. Thus on putting
the semaphore to "line clear" the catch №8 will be moved so as to operate the
lever N and cause the weight N+ to be returned to its original position.
A
Care must be taken to so place the vane N that, in the event of the semaphore
being altered from danger" to "line clear" without the explosion of a de-
tonator, the vane will not interfere with the removal of the latter from the line.
If desired a connection may be made between the vane and the semaphore
lead such that the vane will be depressed when changing the semaphore from
langer" to "line clear."
"
<<
To inform the driver whether a "distant" signal is at "line clear" or "danger,"
two audible signals are arranged in proximity to the semaphore. Of these, one
is always sounded by the passing train and serves to inform the driver of the
fact of there being a distant signal situated there. The other audible signal
is connected to the distant" semaphore lead in such a manner that it gives a
signal only when the "distant" semaphore is at "line clear." This arrange-
ment of audible signals is illustrated in Figure 2, in which 0 represents the
audible signal which always sounds, and P the signal connected to the "distant'
semaphore Q. The signals are operated in a manner similar to that employed
for the hooter K' hereinbefore described, that is to say, by means of a tread
which is depressed by the wheel flanges of a passing train.
66
If desired, the signals and P may be so arranged that both sound when
the "distant" semaphore is at danger" and only one when it is at line
clear."
In the case of semaphores situated at a junction all the semaphore leads may
be connected together so as to operate the same detonator magazine. Thus a
detonator will only be placed on the rail when all the semaphores whose leads
are connected to the detonator apparatus are at danger"; moreover if any
one semaphore put at "line clear" the detonator will be removed from the
rail. This arrangement is illustrated in Figure 3 in which four semaphores
6

page_text: "
are shown each provided with a lead E. A rocking shaft R is mounted in bear-
ings Racross the leads E, and is adapted to be operated by the latter, acting
through projections R2 engaging with arms R³ on the rocking shaft. The
detonator magazine is operated by the rod S, which is reciprocated by means of
the rocking shaft R acting through an arm R. On any one of the four sema-
phores being placed to line clear," the rocking shaft R will be operated through
the lead and arm corresponding to that semaphore and thus the rod S will be
carried in the direction indicated by the arrow shown on Figure 3 and the de-
tonator magazine apparatus put into action to remove the detonator from the
rail, as herein before described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. On returning
the semaphore to danger the counterweighted lever on the detonator maga-
zine apparatus will return the rod S and the rocking shaft R into the position
shown in Figure 4, at the same time placing a detonator upon the rail.
2
Instead of making the shoot C as shown in Figure 4, it may be curved down-
wards to the rail so as to interfere less with the passage of men between the
magazine and the rail. If desired the shoot C may be dispensed with by plac-
ing the magazine A sufficiently near the rail, although it is preferred to use
the shoot so as to avoid the risk of damage by a passing train.
If desired a spring may be employed to press the detonators against the
ejector 1).
Where it is desired to give signals by varying numbers of detonators under
the control of one or more semaphore levers, apparatus of the kind herein-
before described can be used, grouped and interconnected as the circumstances
of the system employed may demand.
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:-
1. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination with a detonator
magazine of an ejector having rollers such as D¹ substantially as and for the
purpose described.
2. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination with a detonator
magazine of an ejector operated by or from the semaphore leads so as to give an
audible signal substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination with a semaphore
lever of an air compressor and an audible signal device such as J2 substantially
as and for the purpose described.
4. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination of a detonator maga-
zine an ejector a shoot leading to the rail hooks and an incline such as C¹ and
Cand a detonator having a tang such as F' and projections such as 12 sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
5. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination with a detonator
shoot leading to the rail of a tongue such as C operated by or from the sema-
phore lead substantially as and for the purpose described.
6. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination with the detonator
shoot of a cover such as C which opens to allow of the passage of a detonator
and then closes again substantially as described.
7. In signalling apparatus for railways a vane such as N operated by the
explosion of a detonator substantially as and for the purpose described.
8. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination with a vane such as N
operated by the explosion of a detonator to electrically signal to the cabin of
means substantially such as described and illustrated in Figures 4 and 6 of the
accompanying drawings for returning the vane and breaking contact.
9. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination with a tread such
as K operated by the flange of the engine wheel and mechanism such as K' K³
and K for giving an audible signal of a connection substantially as described
between such mechanism and the semaphore lead or lever.

page_text: 10. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination with a tread such
as L of a fluid pressure connection with the cabin substantially as and for the
purpose described.
11. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination of an indicator
operated by a train a detent M³ and a connection between the detent and the
semaphore lead or lever substantially as and for the purpose described.
*
12. In signalling apparatus for railways the combination with a distant
semaphore of two audible signals of which one is connected to the
distant"
semaphore lead and is operated by a train substantially as and for the purpose
described.
13. In signalling apparatus for railways connecting two or more semaphore
leads to one detonator magazine for the purpose described.
14. The complete apparatus for railway signalling substantially as described
or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of June 1900.
CHARLES THOMAS DUNHAM.
Boult, Wade & Kilburn,
Agents for the Applicant.