Improvements in Apparatus for Operating Railway Signals and Switches.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 30th Oct.,
1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Operating Railway Signals and
Switches.
We, STEPHEN REED PAYNE, of 37 Madison Avenue, Youngstown, Ohio, Train
Dispatcher, FRANK HADEN PAYNE, of 102 Bridge Street, Ashtabula Ohio, Train
Dispatcher, and HENRY JAMES BAILEY, of 98 Park Street, Ashtabula, Ohio,
Gentleman, all in the United States of America, 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:-
The invention has reference to an improved mechanism for operating railway
signals and is particularly adapted for use where double line and block signals
are employed.
One of the objects of my invention is to provide a mechanism of the kind referred
to that will permit a plurality of signals to be actuated by a single operating device,
which, when actuated, will automatically form different combinations of the
signals.
A further object of the invention is to so construct the mechanism that the
signals operated by the same will be constantly under the control of the operator,
and further, after a series of position combinations of said signals have been
formed, the mechanism for operating the same may be returned to a fixed point
whereby the signals may be brought to their initial positions without the necessity
of retracing the combinations made.
To attain these objects I employ a cam mechanism preferably in the form of a
grooved drum mounted for rotation with a suitable actuating device therefore, and
connect the cam mechanism, through intermediate connections, with a plurality of
signals, thus I am enabled to throw the signals into various combinations through
the agency of the cam mechanism, by partially rotating the latter, and by com-
pletely rotating said cam mechanism I am enabled to bring the signals back to
their initial position without the necessity of retracing the position combinations
formed.
It will be readily observed, by the construction of mechanism thus set forth;
that several signals may be operated, and various combinations, between the signals,
formed, and that all of said combinations will be made during one complete revo-
lution of the mechanism. Moreover the cams or drums form a lock for the signals
preventing further movement of the latter except by a further rotation of the cams
which are always under the control of the operator.
Although my invention is shown and described as used in connection with
signals, preferably of the train order type, my invention may be made applicable
to switches, so I do not wish to limit myself to the particular form shown and
described.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 represents the signal operating mechanism as in use, showing a signal-
box in which a part of the mechanism is located, and an ordinary signal-post to

page_text: Figure 2 is a plan view of the cam mechanism.
Figure 3 illustrates the peculiar construction and formation of the cams, showing
the grooves, preferably formed in their peripheries, developed.
Figure
is a front elevation of the indicator-wheel employed where two positions
of the signals are to be used.
Figure 5 is a similar elevation of the indicating wheel employed where three
positions of the signal are used, indicating, respectively, the positions of caution,
danger and clear, and
Figure 6 illustrates the cams employed with the latter indicating device,
showing the grooves in the peripheries developed in the same manner as in
Figure 3.
In Figure 1 the letter A represents an ordinary signal-box, in front of which
is located a signal-post B. Upon the side of the post is secured a bracket C,
constituting a housing for part of the operating devices. Within the bracket, in
bearings D, and in a corresponding bearing E in the box, a shaft F is located, and
upon the shaft, within the said housing, cam-wheels, preferably of the scroll
type, G and H are firmly secured.
Upon the end of the shaft within the box a sprocket-wheel I is secured, and
below the wheel, in bearings I', a similar sprocket J is arranged which is connected
to the former by an ordinary sprocket-chain K. Secured to J is a hand-wheel L
upon the rotation of which power is transmitted through the sprocket-wheels to
the shaft F.
It will be observed that the mechanism as just described is not essential to the
operation of the shaft as the hand-wheel L might be directly connected thereto,
or other similar appliances employed. As a matter of convenience, however, and
to place the shaft out of the way of interference, the mechanism just described
has been found the most convenient for use.
Upon either side of the frame C, and slidingly secured within the same, as shown
in Figure 2, are the rectangular bars M and N, while extending from each of said
bars is a stud 0, preferably provided with a bushing (not shown). These studs
are adapted to engage in continuous grooves P and Q in the peripheries of the cam
wheels G and H, respectively. Upon either side of the signal-post is a bell-crank
lever R, the free ends of which are connected, respectively, to one of the
rectangular bars, and a signal-rod such as S, one being located upon each side of
the post. At the top of the latter are arranged the usual semaphores T and U,
pivotally secured thereto by means of suitable brackets.
Each signal-rod, at its upper end, is secured to one of the semaphores as at V,
in such manner that upon the upper movement of the rod the semaphore will be
moved downwardly. An ordinary lamp W is attached to the post, and to the
semaphores are attached the ordinary colored discs X which are thrown in front
of the lamp when the semaphores are in the danger position.
Upon the wheel L are arranged a series of discs d, e, f, g, pivotally secured to the
spokes thereof as shown in Figure 4. These have printed thereon the double
positions of the signals. These positions, as shown, represent the semaphores as
showing at d, the two tracks clear; at e, one track clear and the other blocked,
and so on, there being four combinations in all. As the wheel is rotated the discs
are free to move upon their pivots, whereby at all times they maintain their proper
positions.
The parts having been thus described and shown, their operation is as follows.
The operator, desiring to throw one or both of the signals, rotates the indicator-
wheel L thereby revolving the shaft and actuating the cams thereon. The
rectangular bars M and N are moved laterally with respect to the cams or drums,
through the pins 0 engaging the grooves therein; the latter devices, with the
variations in the grooves, being the controlling and locking mechanism for the
semaphores which are actuated through the agency of the bars.
To illustrate the manner in which the signals are operated, we will suppose that
the two semaphores T and U are in the positions illustrated in full lines in Figure 1

page_text: and as shown by the disc f in Figure 4; said disc being at the lowest point of travel
of the wheel at a point A¹. In this position the signal shows both tracks blocked
and the stud upon the bar M is at a point I in the groove in the periphery of the
cam wheel or drum G, while the stud upon the corresponding bar M would be at a
point 2 upon the cam-wheel H, all as plainly shown upon the developed grooves.
If it is desired to shift the signals showing the right hand track clear and the
left blocked, the operator rotates the wheel to the right one quarter of a revolution,
bringing the disc e in the position just vacated by the disc f. The travel of the
pins in the grooves will be as follows; the stud, engaging the groove Q in the
drum H, will travel from point 2 to 4, the distance being in a straight line whereby
the bar N, although constantly locked, is moved in neither direction. Upon this
one-quarter revolution of the indicator wheel, therefore, the position of the
semaphore U remains unchanged.
The pin upon the bar M traverses a groove in the periphery of the drum G,
taking a diagonal course from point 1 to 3, whereby the bar is moved rearwardly
causing the semaphore T to assume a position shown in dotted lines at T¹ in
Figure 1.
Upon further rotation of the wheel, the discs d and g are brought to the required
point, and the grooves are so formed that the semaphores will rise or fall to corre-
spond to the indicators upon each disc. It is easily seen, therefore, that the
operator, when standing before the indicator-wheel and desiring to throw the
signal for blocking or clearing the tracks, is only required to choose from the discs
upon the wheel, the combination of signals desired, and then rotate the wheels
until the required disc is at the lowest point of its travel, namely A¹.
It is obvious that the required combination can be obtained by rotating the
wheel in either direction on account of the continuous grooves in the drums.
Moreover, it is apparent that any position may be selected as an initial starting
point of the wheel to which point each disc may be brought.
To lock the wheel after the desired rotation is obtained, I employ any suitable
locking device, such as a foot-lever H which is connected to a bell-crank lever i
by a connecting rod j. The lever i is provided with an extension which is
adapted to be thrown into one of the recesses formed in the back of the wheel L
as shown in the dotted lines in Figure 4. A spring m may be interposed between
the foot-lever and the floor, by means of which the extension kis kept within the
recess until withdrawn by depression of the lever H.
The invention has been described as used where only two positions of the signals
are necessary, namely, the block and the clear. If the third position of caution
is desired to be employed, an indicator-wheel, such as that shown in Figure 5,
is used, the pivoted discs on said wheel representing the nine different combina-
tions that may be formed by the three different positions of the signals. The
operation of the parts is exactly the same as where two positions are used, with
the exception that the cams or drums have a different construction of groove in
their peripheries. The construction required for the nine positions is shown in
Figure 6.
It is obvious, after the description thus given of my invention, that the latter
may be applied in the operation of switches in the same manner as signals, as the
mechanism would require simply to be made attachable at the bell-crank lever R,
to a switch instead of a semaphore, the indicator discs upon the wheel would show
the different combinations or positions of the two switches in the same manner that
the positions of the signals are illustrated. It is further apparent that as many
signals or switches can be operated as required by simply adding a cam or drum
for each additional switch or signal, also that instead of using a plurality of cams,
one single cam or drum may be employed which is provided with a plurality of
grooves.
In the construction of my signal mechanism, the signals are so arranged that all
the most important danger positions are grouped together upon one side of the
wheel so as to enable the operator to reach the desired danger position without

page_text: passing through the extreme travel of said wheel. As it is immaterial which
way the drum is rotated, where four combinations of the signals are employed,
the desired position is never more than two movements distant from the extreme
opposite point, as it can be reached in either direction. Where nine combinations
are employed, the required position is only four movements from the extreme
opposite point. Thus I have provided a method of construction which saves a
considerable time in operating the signals.
Although I have shown the drums as mounted upon a revoluble shaft, I do not
wish to limit myself to this particular construction of mechanism for rotating the
drum or cam as various other devices may be employed. Moreover, while I have
stated that grooved drums are employed as the actuating devices for the signals,
I intend that it shall include, within the terms used, any means which have a
progressively forward movement to set a series of signals to different combinations,
and by such continuous forward movement will re-set the signals to their initial
position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In a signal operating mechanism, the combination with a revoluble drum
provided with a plurality of continuous and independent grooves, mechanism for
revolving said drum, a plurality of signals, and intermediate connections between
the grooved drum and each of said signals.
2. In a signal operating mechanism, the combination with a revoluble shaft
and a device for actuating the same, a cam mechanism, operated by the shaft com-
prising a drum provided with two or more continuous and independent grooves,
a plurality of signals, and intermediate connections between the grooved drum and
each of said signals, whereby, upon partial rotations of said drum, various position
combinations of the signals are obtained, and upon the complete rotation of the
drum the signals will be returned from their positions assumed in their various
combinations, to their initial positions.
3. In a double line and block signal operating mechanism, the combination
with a revoluble shaft, of a hand-wheel connected to and adapted to operate the
same, indicators showing the various combinations of the signals arranged upon
the wheel, a cam mechanism operated by the shaft, and intermediate connections
between the cam mechanism and each of said signals.
4. In a switch or signal operating mechanism, the combination with a revoluble
shaft, of a hand-wheel connected to and adapted to rotate the same, indicators
showing the various combinations of the switches or signals arranged upon the
wheel, a cam mechanism fixedly secured upon the shaft, and intermediate con-
nections between the cam mechanism and each of a plurality of signals,
substantially as described.
5. In a signal operating mechanism, the combination with a plurality of signals,
and an actuating device therefore capable of a progressively forward movement
whereby said signals are set to different combinations, and by such continuous
forward movement said signals will be re-set to their initial position.
6. In a signal operating mechanism, the combination with a plurality of signals,
an actuating device therefore, capable of a progressively forward movement
whereby the signals are set. to different combinations, and by such continuous
forward movement will be re-set to their initial position, and means for locking
the signals after the required combination has been formed.
7. In a signal operating mechanism, the combination with a revoluble shaft, of
a hand-wheel connected to and adapted to operate the same, indicators arranged
upon the wheel, a plurality of signals, a cam mechanism operated by the shaft,
intermediate connections between the cam mechanism and each of said signals,
and means for locking the wheel.
8. In a signal operating mechanism, the combination with a plurality of signals,

page_text: an actuating device therefore capable of a progressively forward movement
whereby said signals are set to different combinations, and by such continuous
forward movement will be re-set to their initial position, and means for indicating
the various combinations assumed by the signals during the progressively forward
movement of the signal actuating device.
Dated this 7th dor of Santamber 1807
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.