Improved Apparatus for Railway Signalling.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Dec., 1891-Accepted, 20th Feb., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Railway Signalling.
I, WILLIAM WHITTAKER, of 111 Ashton Old Road, near Manchester, Watch
Maker, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 improved railway fog signalling apparatus which is
operated by the ordinary semaphore signal wire from the signal box for giving a
visible, audible or other desired signal on the engine or other part of a passing
train when it is impossible for the driver or other official to see the ordinary
semaphore and lamp signals thus dispensing with the placing of detonators on the
line of rails as heretofore.
Fig. 1 is a side view and Fig. 2 an end or "cab" view of a locomotive engine
illustrating the application of my improved signalling apparatus for giving a visible
signal.
Fig. 3 is a plan of the line of rails shewn in Figs. 1 and 2.
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In accordance with my invention I employ a supplementary rail A situated
between the two rails B and B of the permanent way and supported in suitable
chairs on the sleepers C. C. at a higher elevation than the two rails B and B¹ as
illustrated. This supplementary rail is of considerable length extending by
preference from the "distance signal to the "home" signal and is made of
several lengths of ordinary rails, the first length or extreme end of the rail A'
being tapered to form a point." This "point" runs off towards the feather
edge D and is pivoted at E, the feather edge D being free to slide to and fro on a
suitable plate at F under the action of the rod G and bell-crank lever H when
operated by the semaphore signal wire I. When the semaphore signal is lowered
the "point" of the rail is caused to occupy the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3
but when the semaphore signal is raised and the train is signalled to stop the
point" of the rail is caused to occupy the position shown in dotted lines in
Fig. 3.
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On the underside of the engine and preferably beneath the foot plate of the cab I
employ a wheel J supplementary to the ordinary wheels K which is mounted
loosely on a stud or axis L on the horizontal cross-bar M suspended by the vertical
bracket N. Between the wheel J and the cross-bar M I insert a spiral spring O
which always tends to force the wheel to the end of the stud into the position
indicated in Fig. 2. I further employ a link P for connecting the cross-bar M
with a short arm or lever Q which branches from the transverse rocking shaft R
supported in bearings S beneath the engine. This transverse shaft is furnished
with another short arm or lever T connected by a rod U to the coloured glass
shade V pivoted at W.
The action of my improved signalling apparatus may be described as follows;-
Assuming the semaphore signal to be in a horizontal position or at "danger,"
then the point of my improved supplementary rail will occupy the dotted position
shown in Fig. 3. As soon as the train shall pass over the rails such point will
engage with the flange of the supplementary wheel J and cause the wheel to slide
sideways on the stud L and ascend the incline of the rail and assume the elevated
position shown in Figs. 4 & 6. In so doing the wheel will operate the link P and
transverse shaft R causing the latter to turn in its bearings and lower the rod U,
pull over the coloured glass shade V. bringing it directly opposite the window of
the cab as illustrated in Fig. 4. In this way a visible indication or signal by
transmitted light is given which cannot fail to attract the attention of the driver
and cause him to stop his engine or act according to the meaning of the signal.

page_text: The shade V remains in the raised position until the end of the supplementary rail
is reached when the wheel immediately falls and goes back to its original position
and simultaneously lowers the shade. To relieve the rod U of all vibration and
prevent the shaking of the shade a slot X is formed at Y and a spring inserted
therein bearing against the centre pin Z.
Instead of the rod U being employed for giving a visible signal the same may
be employed for opening the steam whistle or for operating a gong or bell for
giving an audible signal.
Having thus 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 ;-
1st. In railway signalling apparatus the employment of a supplementary rail
between the two lines of rails forming the permanent way with a hinged and
inclined "point" free to slide to and fro simultaneously with the lowering or raising
of the semaphore signal substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described
and illustrated on the accompanying drawing.
2nd. In railway signalling apparatus the employment of a supplementary
flanged wheel beneath the engine or other part of a train in combination with a
transverse rocking shaft, connecting link and levers mounted and operating
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated on the
accompanying drawing.
Dated this 18th day of December 1891.
JOHN G. WILSON,
Agent for the Applicant.