Improvements in Semaphore Signals for Railways.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Jan., 1888
Specification Accepted, 4th May, 1888
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Semaphore Signals for Railways.
I HENRY SKERRETT of 6 Livery Street Birmingham in the County of Warwick,
Patent Agent, a communication to him from abroad by Vibe Spicer and Jen Schrender,
both of Pittsburg Allegheny County Pennsylvania, Civil Engineers, 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 has relation to semaphore signals for railways, and particularly to
that class known as illuminated signals, in which is employed a hollow box like
swinging arm or blade, having a transparent or open face, and and lighted interiorly,
by means of a lamp so located, as to direct its rays upon a reflector or reflectors
within the arm or blade, whence they are directed forward or through the face of the
latter.
The improvements to be hereinafter specifically described have in view several
objects, whereby the advantages and general utility of a semaphore signal is greatly
increased.
The first and principal object of these improvements, is to provide novel means, for
illuminating movable semaphore blades, and in this connection the invention, consists
in the combination with a hollow swinging arm or blade having a transparent front of
a lamp or other light arranged exteriorly to said blade and means for reflecting the
light into the cavity of the blade and thence out through the transparent face of
the same.
The invention furthermore consists in the combination with two movable sema-
phore blades of a single lamp and means for illuminating both blades from the one
lamp.
Our improvements also have reference to what are termed "route indicating signals."
The semaphore signal consisting of the swinging arın is used, chiefly, to indicate the

page_text: general condition of "safety" and "danger," according to its position, and on a
direct line, where there are no sidings or switches in the neighborhood, will indicate
all that is required. Route signals, however, are necessary and are employed where
there are branch lines, switches, or sidings, so that it may be known which route is
open when the swinging arın indicates the general condition of safety.
Heretofore route-signals, when attached to the signal post and used as supplementary
indicators in connection with the swinging arm, have been located some distance below
the danger or safety signal, and have consisted of a series of disks so arranged that
upon opening a particular route, a disk corresponding to such route is swung in front
of a lantern, which illuminates the disk, and thus indicates the particular route or line
is open and safe.
The location and general arrangement of the route-disks have rendered them
imperfect not only during the day, but particularly at night, when the semaphore signal
has been generally invisible or faintly perceptible. At best it is necessary for the
engineer to observe both signals-the swinging arm and the route disk--and while
these have been disconnected and practically isolated from each other proper observa-
tion has been difficult and uncertain.
Our invention in route signals has for its object to further utilize the swinging arm
by combining with it and bringing into close relation therewith the route indicating
signals, so that while a more convenient and reliable arrangement of the cooperating
and corelated signals is obtained than under the system now in use, a better and more
economical signal apparatus is provided, the same light which is used to illuminato
the swinging arm being utilized to illuminate or display the route signal.
Our invention therefore in relation to route signaling consists, first, in the combi-
nation with an illuminated semaphore signal of indicating disks so arranged as to be
illuminated by the same light which illuminates the semaphore; second, the combina-
tion, with an illuminated semaphore signal consisting of a hollow internally illuminated
swinging arm having a lamp located in its pivotal casting or hub casing and the latter
provided with a lens, bull's-eye, or glass side, of one or more route disks and suitable
mechanism for bringing said disk or disks in front of the light; third, in the novel
construction, combination and arrangement of devices and mechanism herein described
and claimed.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1, is a front elevation of a
senmaphore signal constructed according to our improvements in the means for illu-
minating the blades, Fig. 2, a horizontal sectional view on the line of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3, a top view; Fig. 4 a vertical transverse sectional view on the line A B of Fig. 1
Fig. 5, a front elevation of a modified form of our improvement; Fig. 6, an end
elevation of the same; Fig. 7, a sectional view on the line zz of Fig. 5; Fig. 8, an
elovation of another form showing two blades lighted from a single lamp; Fig. 9,
an end view of the device shown in Fig. 8; and 10 a horizontal sectional view of
the same.
Referring now to Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive A, designates the post upon which the
signal is mounted, and B, the casting secured to said post upon which the movable
blado is pivoted. Said casting is formed with an inwardly-projecting arm or bracket, 6,
having a box bearing for the passage of the shaft or spindle b upon which the signal
arm turns. The signal arm marked (: consists of a hollow box like structure and is
secured to the casting D which carries the hub d and counterbalance weight d. The
shaft passes through the center of this hub, and is secured in a boss or bearing d
Said shaft
which closes and constitutes the inner or rear end wall of the signal arm.
is also secured to the hubd and moves with the signal arm.
and
and
The plate or casting d³ is oblique or lies at an angle with the face of the signal arm,
being so shaped as to conform to the shape of the arm or bracket b: The plate
back wall, E of the signal arm are combined and connected back of the shaft 6²,
- are formed as to produce a cylindrical tubular-flange, E! for connection with the lamp
or lantern, and for the passage of the rays of light therefrom into the cavity of the
signal arm and to protect the glass.

page_text: A lens is situated in the opening formed through said flange. F, designates the
lamp or lantern, consisting of the rectangular casing of metal, in front of which
is formed an opening f, encircled by the flange, f within which fits and turns the
flange E.
The lamp is supported on a post A by a means of a horizontal arm, G, which is formed
with an open slot for the passage of screws g, and for the purpose of allowing the
lamp to be removed and replaced without disturbing or interfering with the
signal arm.
The light from the lantern is displayed through and by means of a double reflection,
the signal arm being provided with reflectors II', the first, I, being arranged obliquely
at the rear end of and within the signal arm, so as to receive the direct rays from the
lamp, while the other I', is situated back of the signal arm, so as to receive the indirect
reflected rays, which are then further reflected out through the glass face or window k¹
of the signal arm.
As will be observed, the axis of the pivot upon which the signal arm turns is in
line with the center of the opening in the face of the lamp, this arrangement
being necessary in order that the signal arm may turn while the lamp remains
stationary..
In the modified form illustrated in Fig. 5, 6, 7, a somewhat different construction of
the parts is employed, the principle, however, being the same. In this case the
lantern F, is supported upon a bracket K projecting out from the front of the
post A, and the semaphore blade is pivoted upon the shaft 6, which in this case is
journaled in a box, L which passes through the post A. The flange E is formed upon
the flat face of the blade, instead of being upon the back of the same, as in Figs. 1,
2 and 3. The reflector L'and the lens are also changed in position, so as to reflect
the light in upon the reflector I from the lantern in front.
In Figs. 8. 9, and 10 we have illustrated an arrangement wherein two swinging
semaphore blades are illuminated by means of a single lantern. In the arrangement
the lantern F, which contains a lamp f³ is mounted upon the top of the post, instead
of being in front or to one side of the same, as in the other constructions herein before
described, and has at each side a flange, 2, said flange embracing, respectively, the
flanges E of two independently operating semaphore blades. These blades are constructed
substantially in the manner of the blades shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 and are journaled
in the brackets M, M, fixed upon opposite sides of the post. As will be observed from
the illustration, the two blades extend out in opposite directions and also face oppositely,
the apparatus being designed for use as a "station-signal "that is where two parallel
tracks are used for trains running in opposite directions.
In the construction last described it will be noted that both the swinging blades
are adapted to be independently operated, while both receive light from the same
source.
In the drawings Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a signal post and of our improved
route signal devices supported thereon. Fig. 12 is a face view or front elevation with
the signal arm at danger or horizontal. Fig. 13 is a similar view with the signal
arm lowered or at " safety."
"
"
Referring now to the route signal and to
the signal post; B₁, the signal arm; (³, C³,
shields.
Figs. 11, 12 and 13, A¹ designates
&c., the route disks, and D1, D2, the
The signal arm is preferably of the general form and construction of the signal arm
shown and described above, the body A¹ of the arm consisting of a hollow box like
casing having its face covered or closed by a pane of glass, a¹ through which the light
is reflected and diffused, the source of light being a lamp or its equivalent located
within the hollow hub E³, swivelled or hung upon the signal post in the usual manner.
For the purpose of our present invention we provide the hollow hub E with an opening
in its face and set therein a lens or plate of glass, through which the light from the
lamp will be reflected, and by which, if a lens or bulls eye be used, the rays will be
concentrated.
3

page_text: :
When the signal arm is at "danger" that is, set horizontally, as shown in Fig. 12-
the light through the side of the hub is hidden by an opaque disk or screen, D₁, which
is attached to the lower end of the arm F2 secured to or forming one limb of a bell
crank which is secured to the signal post, the other limb of the bell crank being
pivoted to a vertical rod, which, when the signal arm is lowered, is raised and causes
the disk DI to be swung to one side, so as to expose the light from the hub. When
the signal arm is raised, a reverse motion takes place, the shield instantly falling in
front of the illuminated hub and screening it from view.
Below the hub E' is a horizontal spindle, H which supports the route-disks, their
V-shaped sustaining arms being bung pivotally thereon and connected, respectively,
to the vertical rods 7, &c., from which the disks are operated from the several switches
to which they relate. A disk shield, D2 is also supported upon the spindle H but is
stationary, always remaining in front of the route disk not in use. Each route-disk
is related to a particular branch or siding, and, as usual, consists of a plate of metal
having an open or stenciled letier or number representing the route which it is
intended to indicate.
When a disk is swung in front of the illuminated hub E, the light therefrom!dis-
plays the number or figure through which it passes. If desired, the disk may be made
principally of glass; or the stenciled letier or figured portion d may be covered with
the glass either transparent or translucent. In their normal condition the route disks
lie back of and out of line with the hub light and are prevented from being swung into
sight until the signal arm is lowered to "safety "by the stop rod k³, carried by the
signal operating rod G2 and extending out above the disk arm .
For the purpose of insuring absolute safety it is requisite that the route indication
be postponed fill the main signal is lowered; but in practice the slide upon which the
route signal rod / rests is first shifted by the movement of the switch, so that the rod h
may be dropped without obstruction when the disk is released from the stop rod k³.
The siding being opened, the main signal is then lowered, whereupon the proper disk
is swung into position in front of the illuminated hub.
The mechanism for operating the disks and main signal need not be shown or
described, as we employ expedients for this purpose now in use.
The restoration of an exposed disk to its normal position takes place by lifting of the
main signal, the rod G2 being drawn down, causing the stop rod k³ to press upon the
disk arm and force it downward and outward.
The details of our invention may be varied in many ways, and hence we do not limit 3
ourselves to the specific mechanisin herewith shown and described.
Having described our invention, what we desire to claim and secure by Letters
Patent is:
1. The combination, in a semaphore signal, of a hollow box like swinging arm blade,
a stationary lamp fixed outside of the blade, and reflectors arranged substantially as 4
described, so as to project the light from said lamp within the hollow of the blade, as
set forth.
2. In a semaphore signal, the combination, with a stationary lamp or lantern adapted
to project its light through a flanged opening, of a hollow or box like swinging arm or
blade having a transparent face and containing the direct and indirect reflectors, said 4
blade being mounted upon a horizontal shaft or pivot in line with the lamp, burner,
and formed with a tubular extension or flange which coincides with the flanged opening
of the lamp.
3. In a semaphore signal, the combination, with the hollow box like swinging arm
or blade C, having a transparent front, of angular arranged reflectors I, 11, a tubular 5
rearwardly extending portion E and transparent partition or lens k, with a stationary
lamp.or. lantern.F. substantially as described...
4. The combination, with a semaphore signal, of two hollow box like swinging arms
or blades having their pivotal points in alignment with said pivotal points, and suitable
reflectors arranged, substantially as described.
5

page_text: 5. In a semaphore signaling apparatus, the combination, with a swinging illuminated
signal arm adapted to indicate "danger" or "safety" or equivalent conditions, of one
or more route signals or disks arranged, substantially as described, so as to be illuminated.
from the same source of light as the signal arm.
6. In semaphore signals, the combination, with an internally illuminated swinging
signal arm adapted to indicate "danger" or "safety" or equivalent combinations, of
an illuminated hub or swiveled lamp casing to which said arm is attached, and one or
more route disks or signals adapted to be illuminated or displayed by the light of said
lamp, substantially as described.
7. In semaphore signals, the combination, with a swinging signal arm capable of
being illuminated interiorly at night by the light of a lamp, of one or more route disks
constructed and arranged, substantially as described, so as to be displayed by the same
light.
S. In semaphore signals, the combination, with a swinging signal arm and a hub
or lamp casing or wall connected therewith, of one or more round disks or signals
constructed, arranged and adapted to be displayed by the light of said lamp.
9. The combination, in a semaphore signal, of a hollow box like swinging arm blade,
a lamp fixed outside of the blade, and reflectors arranged substantially as described,
so as to project the light from said lamp within the hollow of the blade, as set forth.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1888.