MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS
Year: 1881

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John King at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 26th May 1881.
JOHN KING, of Pinxton, in the County of Derby.
MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS."
"
IMPROVEMENTS
IN
I employ a pair of ground glass dials, each having a minuet hand in front on a
fifteen minuet index; the minuet hand is driven by clockwork of the usual con-
struction, having a friction plate to carry the minuet hand; this plate is weighted,
and has a slot cut in its boss to receive the lower end of a detaining lever which
drops into it when the hand has indicated a space of fifteen minutes, the hand
remaining in such position until a wheel of a train passing on the up or down line
sets the detaining lever free, which is immediately returned to the commencement
of the index by the weight on the friction plate. The detaining lever is held to
the boss by a spring and rocking lever actuated by a series of connecting rods or
links; when moved by a wheel, the friction plate before named carries the stud,
to which one end of a chain is secured, the other end being attached to a rocking
lever, the lower end of which carries a white glass to indicate the line "all clear,'
and a red or other coloured glass to indicate "danger," or the "line blocked," a
Jamp being placed behind the glass at night; in addition to the glasses I may
arrange the rocking lever to shew a projecting arm or arms to indicate " danger,"
or the line blocked," the arm or arms not being shewn when the line is clear. In
the case enclosing portion of the above described apparatus I employ a galvanic
battery of suitable construction, the negative pole of which terminates in one coil
of insulated wire, and the positive pole in another coil; the ends of these wires lie
just under an insulated rocking metallic plate, which is connected by a rod, cord,
or chain to a rocking double detent lever, one detent of which holds the signal or
Price 1071

page_text: "
signals at line all clear, and the other detent at line blocked, or danger. The
wires connected to the poles of the battery are attached to other wires, which are
also insulated, the ends of which terminate in a disconnecting block, which may be
placed either at a few yards or at the distance of a mile or more from the indicating
point. The disconnecting block is provided with a stud or lever, which when
pressed upon by a plate or lever over which a wheel of a train passes instantly
connects the poles of the battery and attracts the insulated rocking plate before
named, which operates the double detent lever, so as to place the signal or signals
at "all clear." The case above mentioned may consist of a tower of masonry or
brick work, or of a suitable sized receptacle mounted upon a hollow metal pillar,
conveniently placed. To register the passage of every train passing I employ a
screw which traverses two arms, each provided with a pencil, pointer, or other
marking instrument, each of which marks or punctures one or other of two sheets of
paper or other suitable material upon the passage of a train. Each sheet of paper
is secured on a roller, both rollers being revolved by the clock work and traversed
periodically a certain marked distance, each revolution representing one hour of
time; each paper is also divided horizontally into sixty lines, each representing
one minuet. Thus the passing of a train is accurately registered at any period of
the day. By such means an engine-driver upon reaching a certain point places
the danger signal or signals in position, it remaining so until he has performed any
shunting or other work of any duration, upon the completion of which, when
passing another certain point, the danger signal or signals are changed instantly to
'line all clear."

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John King in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 26th November
1881.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
JOHN KING, of Pinxton, in the County of Derby.
MACHINERY AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS."
"
I employ a pair of ground glass dials, each having a minute hand in front on a
fifteen minute index; the minute hand is driven by clockwork of the usual con-
struction, having a friction plate to carry the minute hand; this plate is weighted,
and has a slot cut in its boss to receive the lower end of a detaining lever which
drops into it when the hand has indicated a space of fifteen minutes, the hand
remaining in such position until a wheel of a train passing on the up or down line
sets the detaining lever free, which is immediately returned to the commencement
of the index by the weight on the friction plate. The detaining lever is held to the
boss by a spring and rocking lever actuated by a series of connecting rods or links;
when moved by a wheel the friction plate before named carries a stud to which
one end of a chain is secured, the other end being attached to a rocking lever, the
lower end of which carries a white glass to indicate the line "all clear," and a red
or other coloured glass to indicate" danger" or the line blocked, a lamp being placed
behind the glasses at night; in addition to the glasses I may arrange the rocking
lever to shew a projecting arm or arms to indicate danger," or the line blocked,
the arm or arms not being shewn when the line is clear, In the case enclosing
portion of the above described apparatus I employ a galvanic battery of suitable
construction, the negative pole of which terminates in one coil of insulated wire,
and the positive pole in another coil; the ends of these wires lie just under an
insulated rocking metallic plate, which is connected by a rod, cord, or chain to
a double detent lever, one detent of which holds the signal or signals at "line all
clear," and the other detent at "line blocked," or "danger." The wires connected
to the poles of the battery are attached to the other wires, which are also insulated,
the ends of which terminate in a disconnecting block, which may be placed either
at a few yards or at the distance of a mile or more from the indicating point. The
disconnecting block is provided with a stud or lever which when pressed upon by
a plate or lever over which a wheel of a train passes instantly connects the poles
of the battery and attracts the insulated rocking plate before named, which
operates the double detent lever so as to place the signal or signals at all clear.
The case above mentioned may consist of a tower of masonry or brickwork, or of a
suitable sized receptacle mounted upon a hollow metal pillar conveniently placed.
To register the passage of every train passing I employ a screw which traverses two
arms, each provided with a pencil, pointer, or other marking instrument, each of
which marks or punctures one or other of two sheets of paper, or other suitable
material upon the passing of a train. Each sheet of paper is secured on a roller,
both rollers being revolved by the clockwork and traversed periodically a certain
marked distance, each revolution representing one hour of time; each paper
is also divided horizontally into sixty lines, each representing one minute. Thus
the passing of a train is accurately registered at any period of the day.
By such means an engine driver upon reaching a certain point places the danger
signal or signals in position, it remaining so until he has performed any shunting
or other work of any duration, upon the completion of which, when passing
another certain point, the danger signal or signals are changed instantly to line
all clear,

page_text: Figures 1, 2, and 3 illustrate one modification of my improved machinery and
apparatus.
Figures 4 and 5, a second modification.
Figures 6 and 7, a third modification, and
Figures 8, 9, and 10 are respectively side views, and a plan of certain apparatus
applicable to each modification severally referred to hereafter. The several corre-
The first
sponding parts in each Figure are lettered alike where necessary.
modification shewn at Figures 1, 2, and 3 is as follows:-
Along a line of railway there are erected at suitable intervals hollow pillars A,
having a round, square, or other shaped stem. At the upper part of each pillar I
place clock work of the usual construction, capable of traversing a hand or pointing
instrument B for each dial. At Figure 1 only one dial is shewn; this dial is the
one intended to indicate for the up line; the dial to indicate for the down line is
removed, together with the side of the pillar which carries it, to enable the whole
of the apparatus to be clearly seen.
The clockwork is kept going by means of a weight attached to a cord or chain
passing over a pulley in the usual way, but not shewn in the Drawings; the cord or
chain is wound round the drum C, the unwinding of which is governed by the
pendulum E, escapement E', and the train of wheels D. The axle of the drum C
projects beyond the plates F and is provided with two ratchet wheels G, one to
each dial; these wheels are secured fast to and revolve with the axle of the drum.
At the front of each ratchet wheel is a disc H provided with a collar or boss in
which a notch H' is cut. The hollow axis of the disc H is provided with a
pointer B and counter weight B'.
The graduated dials may be attached to or form portions of the hollow pillars A,
as shewn at Figure 1.
Each plate F is provided with bearings I which carry a spindle K on which is
secured a lever L, the lower end of which takes into the notch H' when the clock
has moved the disc H, and consequently the pointer B to the greatest distance to
which its movement is limited. On one end of each of the spindles K is a lever M,
to the inner end of which one end of a spring is attached, the other end being
secured to the upper part of the pillar enclosing the apparatus; these springs
maintain a constant pressure of the lower ends of the levers L upon the bosses of
the discs H, which are moved by friction upon the ratchet wheels G, excepting
during such portions of time as the pressure of the levers L is taken off by the
inner ends of the levers M being pulled down by rods N during the passage of
trains, at which time the pointers B return to their starting points. After the
passage of a train the lever L which has been acted on by the train again presses
on the boss of the disc H, and the pointer B will be again carried forward until
it has arrived at the point at which it is arranged to stop or until the passing of
the next train if such train passes before that time.
unless
By such means the time will be shewn since the passing of the last train;
such intervening time exceeds the period, the pointer is arranged to be acted upon
by the clockwork which is constantly kept going.
The levers M are pulled down by the upper ends of rods N, which are adjustable
in their length; the lower end of each rod is attached to a cranked lever N' carried
by bearings bolted to the floor or foundation of the pillar A; the short arm of the
lever is hinged to one end of a connecting rod, having its other end hinged to a
lever N2 secured to a rocking shaft working in bearings secured to sleepers or
other equivalent foundation. On the upper side of each rocking shaft is a
plate Ns over which the wheels of a passing train press.
In the Drawings, Figures 1, 4, 8, and 9, only one rocking shaft and plate N³
are shown. The other connecting rod passes beyond the up line to the down line,
where it is connected to its rocking shaft in like manner. The spaces between and

page_text: below the figures on the dials may be glazed with either transparent or opaque
white glass, and may be illuminated by gas or other lights at night.
In addition to the above described apparatus I employ a rocking lever O carried
by bearings within the pillar; the inner end of this lever is perforated, the
perforation being filled with a red or other coloured glass to indicate danger or
the line blocked at night; the other end of the lever terminates in a semaphore arm
which assumes a horizontal position or nearly so to indicate in the day time
danger or the line blocked, as shewn at Figure 1, the arm occupying the position
shewn at Figure 3 when the line is clear. The position of the rocking lever is
determined by the following means: In the pillar or other case enclosing the
above described apparatus I employ a galvanic battery (not shewn in the
Drawings) of suitable construction, or the battery may be placed elsewhere for
convenience or protection from the weather. In either case a wire from the
negative pole of the battery terminates in one coil P of an electro-magnet, and a
wire from the positive pole in the other end of the wire in the electro-magnet
(one coil of the electro-magnet only is shewn in the Drawings), and an insulated
rocking metallic plate or armature carrying a detent lever P₁ which holds the
signal when in the position shewn at Figure 1, so as to indicate "danger," or the
line is blocked.
Such position is attained by the following means:-The largest arm of the
cranked lever N¹ has a short slot in it through which is passed the lower end of a
rod which terminates at its upper end in a slot in which a stud carried by a three
ended rocking lever P2 slides, the lever being carried by bearings having a plate
projecting from one side upon which an adjustable set screw carried by one end of
the lever rests, just before the lever attains the position shewn at Figure 1; the
opposite end of the lever carries a rod and weight, and the upper end of the lever
is provided with a stud which slides in the slot of a lever P³, which works on an
axle secured in the semaphore lever O.
The lever P is provided with a strong stud P, which takes into the catch of the
detent lever P¹ to indicate the line blocked or danger; each time a train passes
the longer arm of the lever N¹ is depressed, thus allowing the weighted rod to drop
sufficiently to draw the end of the lever P2 carrying the set screw onto its stop
plate, and after the train has passed the spring before named attached to the upper
part of the pillar will raise the lever M, rod N, and cranked lever N' into the
position shewn at Figure 1, thus relieving the rocking lever P' from the weighted
rod and leaving the signal set at danger, as shewn at Figure 1.
The wires of the electro-magnet are attached to other wires Q, which are also
insulated; the ends of these wires terminate in a disconnecting block or circuit
breaker, which may be placed either at a few yards or at the distance of a mile or
more from the indicating point. The disconnecting block consists of two plates, in
each of which one of the wires Q terminate; these plates are carried by insulating
blocks; beneath the plates is a helically coiled spring attached to the upper end of
a rod hinged at its lower end to a rocking lever Q' carried by bearings secured to
sleepers or other equivalent foundation; the disconnecting block, rod, and rocking
lever may be enclosed in a separate pillar or in the next signal pillar or elsewhere,
but so placed as to allow the lower end of the lever Q¹ to be connected to one end
of a rod, having its other end hinged to a lever N° secured to a rocking shaft and
plate N³, as before described. Upon the passing of a train the wheels press down
the plate N³ and raises the coiled spring so as to press upon the plates in which the
wires Qterminate, which instantly connects the poles of the battery and forcibly
attracts the metallic plate carrying the detent lever P¹ and raises the detent lever
clear of the stud P carried by the rocking lever P, the weight upon which
instantly throws down the semaphore arm O to indicate the line clear, and at the
saune time the inner end of the arm carrying the red or other coloured glass is
raised clear of the orifice Q¹ glazed with white glass, behind which the gas or other
light is placed at night.
By such means an engine driver taking his train past a certain signal pillar

page_text: places the danger signal in position to indicate the line is blocked or danger, in
which position it remains until he has performed any shunting or other work of
any duration, upon the completion of which when passing the next signal pillar or
insulated disconnecting block connects the poles of the battery before named
and instantly changes the signal in rear of his train to line "all clear."
In my second modification, shewn at Figures 4 and 5, I dispense with the
clockwork, hands, or pointing instruments, and graduated dials, and employ an
arrangement of machinery and apparatus as follows:-
A hollow pillar or other receptacle A, a rocking lever O, and bearings as
employed in the first modification, being provided with red or other coloured glass
near the inner end and forming a semaphore arm at its outer end, which is moved
the reverse way to the semaphore in the first modification by the following means:-
A galvanic battery, a wire from the negative pole of which terminates in one coil P
of an electro-magnet and a wire from the positive pole in another coil of the
electro-magnet arranged, as before described, to operate an insulated rocking plate
and detent lever P', which when in the position shewn at Figure 4 holds the
semaphore arm down, and the inner end carrying the red or other coloured glass
up clear of the white light at night. Such position is attained by the following
means: The longest arm of a cranked lever N' has a short slot in it through
which is passed the lower end of a weighted rod which terminates at its upper end
in a slot, in which a stud carried by a three armed rocking lever P³ slides; one end
of the lever is provided with a set screw and lock nut, and the opposite with a
weight which over-balances the rocking semaphore lever O; the upper end of the
lever P2 carries a stud which slides in the slot of a lever P³ which works on an
axle secured in the semaphore lever O; below the axle on which it rocks the
lever P is provided with a strong stud P which takes into the catch of a detent
lever P¹ to indicate the line clear; each time a train passes the longer arm of the
lever N' is depressed, thus allowing the weighted rod to drop sufficiently to draw
the end of the lever P2 carrying the set screw onto its stop plate, and after the
train has passed, a spring N* secured to the underside of the lever N raises it and
thus relieves the lever P from the pressure of the weighted rod and leaving the
signal line clear. Above the plate carrying the detent lever P¹ is a bracket
provided with a set screw and lock nut P" capable of being adjusted so as to
prevent the weight of the lever from lifting the plate out of the range of the
attractive force of the wires terminating in the insulated coils, the wires Q from
which terminate in a disconnecting block arranged and operated as described in
the first modification. Besides the above I employ an additional insulated rocking
metallic plate P5 carried by the axle of the weighted lever P2. (The insulated
rocking plates in each modification are provided with studs which interpose
between them and the insulated coils connected to the galvanic batteries for the
purpose of preventing permanent magnetism of the armature). This plate when
placed in the position shewn in Figure 4 is attracted by the wires from the poles
of a galvanic battery terminating in two coils R of an electro-magnet, the
additional wires R¹ terminating at a circuit breaker, as before described. By such
means upon the passage of a train the drawing down of the weighted rod causes
the weighted three ended rocking lever to place the semaphore arm down, and at
night to show a white light to indicate the line clear until the train passes the
next signal pillar at which the semaphore arm was out and a red or other coloured
light shewn, which is immediately set down by the operation of the rocking shaft
and lever N2 and shews a white light; the electric current being connected pulls
down the plate carrying the detent lever P¹, releasing the rocking lever O at the
previously past signal pillar and throwing out the semaphore arm to danger and
shewing a red or other coloured light. In addition to the above I employ a circuit
breaker operated by a lever governing the points at a branch line in the following
manner: To the lever I attach a link having an inclined projection on either side;
this projection sliding under a stud near the lower end of a rod, shewn at Figure 10,
raises the rod, and on the return motion the rod having dropped the inclined

page_text: projection slides over the stud ready for the next operation; as the signal man
moves the lever to open any point to turn a train on to a branch line from the
main line he connects the electric circuit and shews the branch line clear by the
lowering of the semaphore in front of the train, and at the same time throws out
the danger signal in the rear on the main line.
In my third modification the apparatus is the same as that described in the
second modification except that the lever P³ works on an axle secured in the
semaphore lever O, above the axle on which the lever O rocks, thus reversing
the position of the signals, as shewn at Figures 6 and 7, to those shewn at Figures
4 and 5 in the second described modification.
I wish it to be understood that the apparatus operated by clockwork, as
described in the first modification, may be combined with the apparatus described
in the second and third modification if required by lengthening the levers N' and
hinging them to the rods N, as before described.
In the three modifications I have mentioned the employment of two wires
Qor R¹ connected to the disconnecting block or circuit breaker, instead of
which one wire may be employed, the ends being connected with the earth to form
an electric circuit in the well known way.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I declare that I claim the construction and employment of
the three several separate modifications of apparatus in conjunction with an
electric current or currents for signalling upon railways, as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said John King, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty first day of November, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
Witness,
H. W. GOUGH, C.E.,
Nottingham,
JOHN KING. (L.S.)