Improvements in or relating to Detonating or Fog Signals for Use on Railways.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1896-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Detonating or Fog Signals for Use
on Railways.
I, LUDWIG WAYDELIN, Central Director of Primer and Cartridges Factory
in Zizknow near Prag, Empire of Austria 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:-
To signal to a railway train between the roadside semaphores (in case of"
imminent danger, for instance) the attendants use beside optical signals also.
detonating signals, which are placed on the rails and explode as soon as the train
passes over them.
The present invention relates to such a railway detonating signal; it is shown in
the accompanying drawing
In Fig. 1 in elevation, placed on the rail S;
In Fig. 2 in plan,
In Fig. 3 in section on the line - of Fig. 2; and
In Fig. 4 in plan with the coverplate removed.
The detonating signal comprises a low box or case A, tightly closed on all sides,.
and preferably made of coppered zinc. To the bottom plate B of the box is
rivetted or otherwise secured a yoke C, corresponding to the profile of the rail.
head and made of preferably varnished springy steel. The bottom plate has a
raised edge which overlaps the edge of the box cover D, containing the parts.
composing the detonating signal. The edge is pressed close down on to the
cover (Fig. 3), and the joint made water-tight by a coating of water-proof varnish..
The cover D forms a hollow space in which are the following parts;-
1. A small glass tube b (Figs. 3 & 4) covered by a water-proof paper cover a,.
which tube is filled with a sensitive detonating priming charge c which explodes in
consequence of the smashing of the glass cover, when the train passes over the
signal, and ignites the detonating cartridges d placed at the sides.
2. At the sides, to the right and left of the tube b, several preferably copper
tubes d, filled to about 3 of their length with a detonating charge c (Fig. 4). The
detonating charge (the explosive substance) is compressed into these tubes and
covered with tinfoil. The cartridges d are placed inside corrugated cardboard
cases g with their openings opposite the glass tube b.
The accidental explosion of signals through shocks, falling and the like is as far
as possible prevented by the covering of the glass tube b with paper and by the
cartridges d being retained in position by the corrugations of the cardboard cases g,
as well as by fixing both charges in their covers. The water-tight closing of the
separate parts and of the box assures an explosion even in unfavourable weather.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is;-
1. A railway detonating or fog-signal consisting of a metal box or case to which
is secured a yielding yoke and which contains in the middle a glass tube such as b,.
covered with waterproof paper and containing a sensitive detonating charge and
at the sides a number of metal cartridges such as d containing detonating charges
and open at one end these cartridges being placed inside corrugated cardboard
[D021

page_text: cases such as g in such way that when the glass tube bis smashed its charge is
exploded and produces explosion of the charges of the cartridges d substantially
as described.
Dated this 23rd day of March 1806
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.