IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING, AND WORKING THE SWITCHES ON RAILWAYS, AND FOR SIGNALLING IN RAILWAY TRAINS
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Baines, of the Railway Plant Works,
Soho, Smethwick, in the County of Stafford, Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING, AND WORKING
THE SWITCHES ON RAILWAYS, AND FOR SIGNALLING IN RAILWAY TRAINS."
Sealed the 27th April 1869, and dated the 8th December 1868.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Baines at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th December, 1868.
I, WILLIAM BAINES, of the Railway Plant Works, Soho, Smethwick,
in the County of Stafford, Engincer, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING, AND
WORKING THE SWITCHES ON RAILWAYS, AND FOR SIGNALLING IN RAILWAY TRAINS,"
to be as follows;-

page_text: At the time or before a pair of switch tongues are reversed to open
communication with a branch ог other line the lever or apparatus
which effects the reversion of the tongue also removes the whole or any
of the main line signals to danger which are not in that position, and
which it is requisite for them to be in order to block the main line
and at the same time protect the trains coming off the branch or other
lines on to it; this is effected by a horizontal socket, or collar, or cam
attached to the lever or apparatus of the switch, upon which are pro-
jections or stops suitable for retaining the levers of the signals in their
position when at danger. At the same time this lever releases the
signals of the branch or other lines, which by being lowered the switch
in its turn is secured and retained by projections coming in contact with
corresponding faces or stocks on the signal levers, which signal levers are
also locked and retained by a lever connected with a cam or chuck,
which acts either horizontally or vertically on notches or bevelled
surfaces, and which forces home the switch and levers and retains them
in their proper position. The branch or other train having passed on to
the main line, the branch signals are put up to danger, as before, thus
liberating the switch apparatus, which is then reversed to its original
position, and which must be done before the signals of the main line can
be lowered to safety, and when they are adjusted to safety they close
and lock the switches against the branch train. All the signals are set
at danger before or by the lever or apparatus which reverses the switches
and actuates the horizontal bar or hollow shaft working upon it, and
which is provided with projections suitable for removing or retaining the
signal levers in their position, and is secured by cams or cranks.
In facing point positions the moveable tongues are forced home
before the signal can be lowered to safety; and in order to facilitate its
action and proper closing and to give them extra depth I weld or secure
pieces on the bottoms of the tongues at the parts where they slide on the
chairs, so as to do away with any liability of obstruction.
In order to construct more safe and durable signal posts I form them
of bars and plates of iron, steel, or semi-steel, which fit and conform to
and are jaggled one into the other, and are secured by bolts or rivets.
In situations where several sets of signals are required I form the
bottom of the post sufficiently strong and substantial to enable it to
sustain the requisite number of signal arms, which are supported by

page_text: brackets branching from the main trunk. This is applicable to signal
posts of wood.
To provide against expansion and contraction caused by the various
changes in the atmosphere, which to a considerable extent affects the
working of the signals and switches at a distance, I use what I term
a compensating apparatus consisting of a series of bars of iron or
steel, or other suitable material crossing one another in a diagonal
direction, and connected with each other in three different places by
bolts, rivets, or studs, allowing free action to the various joints, viz., one
at the centre and one at each end.
In working distance signals by wire or other tensile appliances I use
one or more coils of iron, or steel, or other applicable material confined
in a suitable box or frame, causing the bars forming the coils to expand
and contract lengthwise or in their normal direction, and so acting
upon the compensating bars or apparatus to which it is secured, con-
stantly regulating the wires with the various changes of the atmosphere,
and is applicable to other uses. In actuating the signals at a long
distance I use pinions working in a toothed bar connected to a suitable
lever or apparatus.
In working switches at a distance I dispense with the expanding coil
and fix the compensating apparatus between the switch and the lever
that works it, which works upon a pivot secured to the foundation, one
part or end of which is attached to a tube or suitable bar which extends
and is connected to the lever or apparatus actuating the switch, the
other end or part of which in a similar manner is connected to the switch
or crank working it. Where the switches are self-acting or a counter-
balance weight is used a wire or other tensile appliance is preferable to
a rod or tube.
For signalling in railway trains I mount on each of the carriages
or on some of them a lazy-tong arrangement of levers; and in making
up the train I couple the several systems of levers together. The guard
when desiring to give a signal acts on the levers in his van either so as
to elongate or to contract the system of levers, and this motion being
transmitted through the coupling causes an opposite action in the
system of levers on the next carriage, which in turn passes the action on
to a carriage beyond, and so on along the train to the engine, where
there may be a bell or whistle, which is thus caused to sound.

page_text: The passengers can use the apparatus in a similar manner, suitable
pulls being provided by means of which they can act on the system of
levers of the carriage in which they are riding.
SPECIFICATION
in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Baines in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 8th June 1869.
'
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME I, WILLIAM
BAINES, of the Railway Plant Works, Soho, Smethwick, in the County
of Stafford, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of December, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight, in the thirty-second
year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and
grant unto me, the said William Baines, Her special licence that I, the
said William Baines, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as I, the said William Baines, my executors, administrators, and
assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to
time and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING
AND WORKING THE SWITCHES ON RAILWAYS, AND FOR SIGNALLING IN RAILWAY
TRAINS," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William
Baines, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Baines, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention has for its object improvements in apparatus for
signalling and working the switches and for signalling in railway trains.

page_text: For signalling and working the switches in order that it may be
impossible to place the signals in a manner inconsistent with the position
of the switches, and therefore dangerous, I fix to the lever of the trailing
Joints a long socket or boss on which the other levers of the switches and
signals are mounted and turn. The socket or boss carries a bar running
from end to end of it; this bar which acts as a stop passes through slots
in the signal levers and also in the lever of the facing points; then if
we suppose all the signals to stand at danger and the switches to be set
for the main line, when the lever of the trailing points is placed so as to
direct a train from the branch line on to the main line it moves the
socket or boss so as to carry the stop bar upon it from one end to the
other of the slot in each of the other levers, and by doing so it locks and
holds all the levers which should not in this position of the points be
moved from the position of danger, that is to say, the levers of the facing
points and of all the signals, except those belonging to the branch line.
If any of the signals which should be at danger are not so the switch
lever finds itself locked. In order that the facing point lever may
control the positions of the down signal levers, these are mounted on
either side of it, and between them and the facing point lever there are
mounted frames or plates capable of sliding a short distance in guides
in a direction at right angles to the plane in which the point lever
moves. There are notches in the frames or plates which fit projections
on the levers so as to hold the levers; before the facing point lever can
be set for the branch line, it has to be released from one of these locking
plates, and this may be done by means of a small eccentric mounted on
the lever which the switchman turns. In thus lubricating the point
lever the locking plate is pushed over, so that another notch in it locks
and holds the signal lever which has to be held at danger, namely, the
lever of the down main semaphore signal, and this lever can only be
again unlocked when the switch lever is replaced for the main line so
as to allow the return of the locking plate. Similarly the same locking
plate prevents the facing points being set for the branch line, except
when the said signal lever is set at danger.. The locking plate on the
other side of the facing point lever holds the down branch semaphore
signal at danger, and a projection on the point lever prevents this plate
from being moved, except when the points are set for the branch line,
and then the projection on the point lever being opposite a notch in the
plate, the plate is able to be moved and in moving it frees the signal
lever. Locking plates of this description may in a similar manner be

page_text: applied to other of the levers. A front view of such a set of signal
and switch levers is shewn at Figure 1, and a portion of a plan of the
same is shewn at Figure 2. The first lever on the left-hand side may
be the down branch semaphore signal, the next to it the facing points,
then following in order the down main line semaphore signal, the main
down distant signal, the up branch distant signal, and the trailing
points, this lever I also make to work the up branch semaphore signal;
next follows the up main line semaphore signal, then there may be a
lever working a siding, then the main up distance signal; and, lastly, a
lever to work the cross over road.
Figure 3 shews separately in side view the arrangement of the lever
for working the trailing points; it is made in two parts a and b geared
together by spur gear in order that the motion of the lower part may be
in the opposite direction to that of the upper, this is not essential, but
it is done in order that all the levers of the set may when standing at
danger be on the same side; the lower part b is made in two parts
held together with screws so as to embrace the socket or boss c which itself
is mounted so as to be able to turn on a stationary bar d running from
end to end of the series of levers. e is the stop bar which the socket
or boss carries when the lever is moved over; it carries this bar
with it towards the left hand; the lever b has two arms, as is shown, from
which the connections are made to the switch rails and the signal in any
convenient manner.
The construction of the top branch distance signal is shewn at Figure 4
in the position at which it now stands; it is locked by the stop bar e, but
by moving the trailing point bar to set the points for the branch line this
bar. is moved to the left and the lever is set free; the other levers are
constructed in one piece turning upon the socket or boss, as is shown in
Figure 5, which represents more especially the lever of the facing points.
These levers when in the position shown Figure 5 are free to move,
but when the lever of the trailing points is moved over it takes the stop
bar e from end to end of the slots in these levers so as to lock them at
danger. In every case, as is evident, stops may be substituted for the slots
in the levers.
Figure 6 represents the lever of the cross over road; like the other
levers it turns upon the socket or boss, and it has an arc of teeth upon
it gearing with a corresponding arc upon the stop bar e, so that when
this lever is moved from the position of danger it turns the bar partly

page_text: round, which causes stops which it carries to stand up in front of projec-
tions fixed at one side of the signal levers as is clearly shown at Figure 7,
and so all the signal levers are held at danger by the movement of this
lever, or should the signals not be at danger the cross over lever itself is
locked. The ring of teeth on the lever is able to turn a short distance
between stops to admit of the movement of the stop bar e by the trailing point
lever.
Figure 8 shews separately the lower part of the lever, Figure 5.
(Figure 5) shows one of the locking plates in connection with the facing
point lever, and these plates are also shown in plan at Figure 9 underneath
the levers in Figure 1 with which they work. g is the eccentric mounted
on the facing point lever, and which is turned to free this lever, which it does
by shifting the locking plate on its right-hand side, so as to lock and retain
the main distance semephore signal at danger.
The facing point lever, as it is shown at Figure 9, is set for the main
line and is locking the down branch semiphore signal at danger, but
when the points are set for the branch line it frees this lever by coming
opposite a notch prepared for it in the locking plate. The signal levers
may also be provided with eccentrics g for moving the locking plates, but
this is not essential, as the incline of the projections and notches may cause
the plates to be moved directly by the levers.
Figure 10 shews in plan a locking plate applied to the trailing point
lever, and similar plates may also be used in connection with other of
the levers.
Figures shew the way in which I prefer to construct the guide arcs for
the levers; there are corrugations at either end to receive the lever bolt, into
any of which the bolt may enter.
Figures 12 and 13 shew variations in which the stop bar e is placed
over and on one side of the centre about which the levers turn, in place of
beneath it.
Figure 14 shews the general arrangement of the road to which these signals
are applied.
Another part of my Invention relates to the apparatus for actuating
the distant signals, and consists in applying to such apparatus a coiled
spring in such manner as to compensate for the contraction and
expansion, by changes of temperature, of the wire passing from the
signal lever to the signal. This spring is applied in
such a manner as

page_text: to maintain the wire at a constant and uniform tension, so that the movement
of the signal lever over a fixed distance may at all times give to the signal
the proper amount of motion.
Figure 15 is a side view, partly in section; and Figure 16 is a plan
of the apparatus which I employ for this purpose. a is a casting fixed
in any convenient manner, and carrying an axis b, on which is mounted
the drum c, so as to be able to turn upon it. This drum contains
within it a coiled spring d, one end of which is attached to the axis
and the other to the interior of the drum. e is the wire passing to the
signal; the spring d tends to wind it upon the drum c, and it does so
until the wire is brought to the required tension, but the power of the
spring is not sufficient to hold up the signal arm. f is a ring of teeth
formed upon the side of the drum c, and g is a lever upon the axis b.
The holes in the lever which receives this axis is slotted so that the lever
is capable of a small longitudinal motion upon the axis, and it has teeth
upon it at g', which when the lever is in its lowest position engage
with the teeth, and into this position the spring g2 upon the lever tends
constantly to draw it. h is the guide arc over which the lever works;
it has an incline upon it at which when the lever is in the position in
which the Drawing shews it, which corresponds with the lowering of
h¹,
the signal arm, lifts the lever g so as to free its teeth from the teeth f,
and let the signal arm fall. When the lever is moved over to the danger side
the two sets of teeth engage, and the drum c is rotated so as to draw up
the signal arm.
Figures 17 shew a similar arrangement, except that a weight and cord
passing round a roller is substituted for the spring, and that the lever g
is moved along the axis to throw its teeth into and out of gear by inclines upon
the arc h. There are also similar inclines which act upon the lower end of
the lever.
Another part of my
Invention consists in a method of compensating
for expansion and contraction of the rods which connect a switch lever
with switch rails at a distance; for this purpose, midway in the length of
the rod, I arrange a set of lazy-tong levers, and the two parts of
the switch rod are connected at the ends of the system of levers in such
manner that the two parts of the rod are quite free to approach to and recede
from each other by expansion and contraction, but nevertheless the motion
which one part of the rod receives direct from the switch lever will be trans-
mitted to the other part, but reversed in direction.

page_text: Figure 18 shews a plan of the arrangement.
a is a pin or axis fixed in
any convenient manner upon it; the two levers b, b, are able to turn, and they
are connected at their ends by links c, c, with the two parts d, d, of the rod
which works the switches.
Another part of my Invention relates to the construction of signal
posts, and consists in the using in such constructions of metal bars
rolled or formed with projections and grooves so as to fit the one to the
other in such manner that when the parts of which the post is con-
structed are
rivetted together the interlocking of the
projections may serve to prevent any tortional strain from being thrown
upon the rivetts.
grooves
and
Figure 19 is a side view and Figure 20 a horizontal section to a
larger scale of a post thus constructed. a, a, are grooved metal bars forming
the angles of the post, and b, b, are flanged metal plates so formed that the
flanges fit into the grooves in the bars; rivetts pass through the
flanges and through the bars holding the parts together.
Figures 21 and 22 are similar views of a post constructed with angle
irons corrugated from end to end. a, a, are the angle irons, and b, b, are
cross straps which at their ends are stamped to fit the corrugations; they are
rivetted to the angle irons.
Figure 23 is a section of a post in which the two rolled parts are made to
interlock directly the one into the other.
Another part of my Invention relate to communication in railway
trains between the passengers, guard, and driver. I mount on the roof
of each of the carriages a stud or pin on which a system of lazy-tong
levers is mounted, and the front end of the system is connected by a rod
and ridged coupling with the hinder end of the neck system, and so on
throughout this train. This arrangement allows of the rods and levers
to play freely to compensate for any small variations which may occur
during the running of the train in the distances between the carriages, and
yet the apparatus is always ready to transmit from end to end of the train
This
any motion which may be given to it by the passengers or guard.
motion is considerably greater than any the apparatus can receive from
inequalities of the motion of the train, and it causes a bell to sound or other
alarmed signal to be given.
Figure 24 is a plan of two railway carriages with this apparatus applied
fized stude on the roof of the carriage: b is a lazy-tong

page_text: system of levers upon these studs; c, rods connected with the levers,
and able to stride longitudinally in judis; d, ridged couplings between
the rods c; e, a tooth segment connected with the levers b on such of the
carriages or vehicles as carry an alarm bell, and which receiving motion
from them through a considerable arc throws the striker g repeatedly
in contact with the bell f. Cords are connected with the bar c, and
pass into each of the passenger compartments of the carriages, and by
means of them the passengers can move the bar c longitudinally and so
set the apparatus into action. h is a jointed rod passing from carriage to
carriage, and causing the apparatus to give a signal should the carriages
become detached the one from the other. In the guard's van, as is shown
in Figure 25, an upright axis is mounted, which he can turn partly
round if he wishes to give a signal by means of a lever handle. An
arm at the upper end of this lever gives motion to the lazy-tong arrange-
ment on the roof the guard's van. Every partition from end to end of
the train has an opening or window in it, which usually is closed by a
shutter, but when the alarm apparatus is used projections upon the bars
touch triggers from which the shutters are suspended and alowg them
all simultaneously to drop. The guard is then able to see through the
train from end to end, and so rapidly to ascertain why the alarm has
been given.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that what I claim is, the
method of controlling the signal and facing point levers by means of a socket
or boss on which the said levers turn, and which is moved by the lever of the
trailing points, substantially as above described.
I also claim the arrangement of locking plates for locking the signals and
switch levers, substantially as above described.
I also claim the arrangement for compensating for the expansion and con-
traction of the wire connecting a distant signal lever with its signal arm,
substantially as above described.
I also claim the method of compensating for the expansion and
contraction of the rod passing from a switch lever to switch rails
at a distance by means of a system of levers, substantially as above
described.
I also claim the method of constructing signal posts, substantially as above
described.

page_text: I also claim the arrangement for communicating, in railway trains,
between the passengers, guard, and driver by means of systems of
lazy-tong levers mounted upon the carriages,
the carriages, substantially
substantially as above
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Baines, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of June, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.
WILLIAM BAINES. (L.)