Improvements in Mechanical Signal Indicators for Use on Railway Locomotive Engines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 1st Mar., 1897-Accepted, 3rd Apr., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanical Signal Indicators for Use on Railway
Locomotive Engines.
We RICHARD MORRIS, Chemical Manufacturer, of Beechfield, Doncaster, in the
County of York, and JOHN CRABTREE, Engineer, of Witham Lodge, Bracebridge, in
the County of Lincoln, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention for improvements in mechanical signal indicators for use on railway
locomotive engines relates to apparatus of that kind in which an indicator on the
engine is actuated by means of a projection mounted on the permanent way and raised
and lowered with the usual signal so that when the usual signal is raised to "danger
the projection is raised and comes in the path of a projection on the engine and
operates it and through it the indicator, and has for its objects to entirely relieve the
indicating mechanism on the engine and the controlling mechanism on the permanent
way from the shocks caused by the impact of the parts coming in contact and so to
avoid any liability of fracture or failure of any part of the mechanism in operation.
A signal indicator constructed according to this invention consists of a weighted
pendulum or pivoted chuck mounted on the engine and adapted to be hauled in out of
the way and a corresponding weighted pendulum or pivoted chuck mounted on the
permanent way to be norutally in the path of the pendulum or chuck on the engine
and connected by a flexible connection such as a chain to the usual signal rods so that
when the signal is lowered to safety the pendulum or chuck on the permanent way is
rotated on its pivot to be out of the path of the pendulum or chuck on the engine; of
a slide link on the engine adapted to be operated by the engine pendulum or chuck
and to operate the indicator on the engine; and of a weighted signal arm held
normally at safety, a spring catch for holding the said signal arm normally at safety,
and a connection between the slide link or the pendulum and the catch to withdraw the
catch when the pendulum is operated.
In carrying this invention into practical effect, a chuck and slide link, and connection
with the signal on the engine are placed on one or both sides of the locomotive, and
for this purpose a support is fixed under the foot plate on the under frame of the
engine, preferably behind the foot steps. This support reaches down sufficiently to
allow of the chuck being supported at about the level of the permanent way rails and
in such a position as to hang a little outside the rail where it will come in contact with
a raised chuck provided with a balance weight and working freely on an axle placed
just outside the rail of the running line at any point where there is the usual fixed
signal controlling the running, such chuck, or arm on the permanent way being
connected with the wire of the fixed signal and worked simultaneously with it from
the signal box. When the fixed signal is at danger this projection is in a vertical
position and just high enough to come in contact with the small or bottom end of the
chuck on engine, but is pulled clear of contact with the chuck on the engine when
the ordinary fixed signal is pulled off by the signal-man.
The chuck on the engine has a long slot, and by this means hangs freely on a bolt
or axle provided on the support referred to. Above this chuck, and connected with it
is a slide link which also works freely an another centre bolt on the same support.
The connection from this link to the catch controlling the signal arm on the engine is
continued by means of a chain or rodding and an adjustable spiral spring is provided
at that end which is in immediate contact with the catch controlling the signal arm on
the engine..

page_text: The arm on the engine is by preference fixed above the glass window or look out
on the drivers side of the engine, and in its normal position is horizontal. One end of
the arm works on a joint or pivot, and the other simply rests on the independent catch
previously referred to.
When the chuck on the engine comes in contact with the projection at the side of
the permanent way the large link is by the movement of the chuck on the engine
diverted to one side on its bolt or pivot and pulls the chain or rod connection with the
catch and so releases the signal arm on the engine which arm by its own weight drops
'to an angle right in front of the glass window or lookout and the arm at the same
time strikes a bell or gong fixed in a suitable position; both operations indicating to
the driver that the signal worked from the signal box is at "danger."
The driver can immediately replace the arm in the horizontal position where it will be
again supported by the catch ready to indicate when the next signal is at "danger."
The chuck on the engine can when desired be raised by the engine-man by means
of the connecting chain or rod to the extent of the length of the slot in the chuck, and
sufficiently high to place it out of gear where it is then supported clear of the
projection connected with the fixed signal at the side of the permanent war.
The object of the whole appliance as described is to indicate to the driver on the
engine particularly during foggy or stormy weather when the signals worked from
the signal box are at danger.
The pendulums or chucks being pivoted and being loosely and flexibly connected to
their mechanism the force of impact between them is not communicated to the said
mechanism which is thus extremely reliable in operation. The catch being very
sensitive is operated by a very small motion of the pendulum due to the impact and
releases the indicator arm which can easily be replaced by hand.
The connection of the permanent way chuck or pendulum with the usual signal
mechanism is such that normally the pendulum is free to swing in either direction on
its pivots so as to lessen the shock of the blows.
Dated this 1nt dom car 1000
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Mechanical Signal Indicators for Use on Railway
Locomotive Engines.
We, RICHARD MORRIS, Chemical Manufacturer of Beechfield, Doncaster, in the
County of York, and JOHN CRABTREE, Engineer, of Witham Lodge, Bracebridge,
in the County of Lincoln, 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 :-
"
This invention for improvements in mechanical signal indicators for use on railways
relates to apparatus of that kind in which an indicator on the engine or vehicle is
actuated by means of a projection mounted on the permanent way and raised and
lowered with the usual signal so that when the usual signal is raised to "danger"
the projection is raised and comes in the path of a projection on the engine and
operates it and through it the indicator, and has for its object to entirely relieve
the indicating mechanism on the engine or vehicle and the controlling mechanism
on the permanent way from the shocks caused by the impact of the parts coming
in contact and so to avoid any liability of fracture or failure of any part of the
mechanism in operation.
A signal indicator constructed according to this invention consists of, a weighted
pendulum or pivoted chuck mounted on the engine or vehicle and adapted to be

page_text: hauled in out of the way and a corresponding weighted pendulum or pivoted chuck
mounted on the permanent way to be normally in the path of the pendulum or
chuck on the engine or vehicle and connected by a flexible connection such as a
chain to the usual signal rods so that when the signal is lowered to safety the
pendulum or chuck on the permanent way is rotated on its pivot to be out of the
path of the pendulum or chuck on the engine or vehicle and of a weighted signal
arm held normally at safety, a spring catch for holding the said signal arm normally
at safety, and a connection between the pendulum and the catch to withdraw the
catch when the pendulum is operated.
In the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings:
.
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a mechanical signal indicator fitted on a locomotive
and constructed according to this invention and Fig. 2 is a part side elevation of the
same.
Fig. 3 shows a slight modification of the indicator mechanism.
The chuck a formed with a counterweight b is mounted at c in suitable bearings
fixed on the permanent way so that normally the counterweight 6 tends to keep the
chuck a raised as shown in full lines in the drawings. The hearings and chuck are
placed preferably just outside the rail and the chuck projects when raised slightly
above the level of the rail. The chuck is connected by a flexible and slack
connection d to the usual signal apparatus in such manner that on lowering the
signal to safety the chuck is lowered only during the terminating motion of the
signal lever, whilst when the signal is at danger, it is left perfectly free to swing.
The chuck e on the engine has a long slot f through which passes a strong
pivot g mounted in a support h fixed under the foot plate on the under frame of the
engine, preferably behind the footsteps. The pivot 9 is fixed at such a height that
when the chuck rests on the pivot it is supported at about the level of the permanent
way rails and hangs a little outside the rail where it will come in contact with the
chuck a when the chuck is in its raised position.
The upper end of the chuck e is connected by means of a chain o to the slide rod r
actuating the spring catch p that is adapted to hold the signal arm t on the engine
in its raised position. The chain o is provided with a spring link y to lessen the
shocks and passes through the bell-mouthed guide l.
The spring catch consists of a slide rod forced upwards by a helical spring r
surrounding the rod and bearing on one of the bearings of the slide rod and on a
collars on the rod. The collar s holds the pivoted lever catch p in position.
The signal arm t on the engine is preferably pivoted above the glass window or
look out on the driver's side of the engine, and in its normal position is horizontal
with its end resting on the lever catch p. When the chuck e on the engine comes
in contact with the chuck a at the side of the permanent way, the chuck a is by the
movement of the chuck on the engine diverted to one side on its bolt or pivot and
pulls the chain o drawing down the rod with its collars and retracting the end of
the catch P and so releasing the signal arm t on the engine which arm by its own
weight drops right in front of the glass window or look out as shown in dotted lines.
The arm is also provided with a hammer w that, when the arm drops, at the same
time strikes a bell or gong a fixed in a suitable position, the visible and audible
signal both indicating to the driver that the signal worked from the signal box is at
danger.
The driver can immediately replace the arm t in the horizontal position where it
will be again supported by the catch p ready to indicate when the next signal is at
danger.
The chuck on the engine can when desired be raised by the engine man by means
of the connecting chain o to the extent of the length of the slot in the chuck, and
sufficiently high to place it out of gear' where it is then supported clear of the
projection connected with the fixed signal at the side of the permanent way.
The object of the whole appliance as described is to indicate to the driver on the
engine particularly during foggy or stormy weather when the signals worked from the
signal box are at danger.

page_text: The pendulums or chucks being. pivoted and being loosely and flexibly connected
to their mechanism the force of impact between them is not communicated to the said
mechanism which is thus extremely reliable in operation. The catch being very
sensitive is operated by a very small motion of the chuck due to the impact and
releases the indicator arm which can easily be replaced by hand.
The connection of the permanent way chuck or pendulum with the usual signal
mechanism is such that normally the pendulum is free to swing in either direction on
its pivot so as to lessen the shock of the blows.
It will be readily understood that this indicator may also be situated on the guard's
or brake van or it may be used to indicate when the mail bag or parcel catching
apparatus of an express train is to be put out to catch up parcels or mail bags and
for other similar purposes.
In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the bell hammer is attached directly to the
slide rod rs that the bell is struck even though the signal arm is not in place and
thus gives audible warning that the signal is at danger.
In conjunction with this appliance a longitudinal rod or rocking bar is also
provided on the permanent way outside the running line at the home signal or at
the starting sigual, and is operated with the signal or independently. In this case
the chuck on the engine will come in contact with and rest on the rod or rocking
bar when the engine is brought to a stand at a home signal, or at a starting signal.
In this position the catch or trigger on the engine will be held back so that the
dise or indicator on engine cannot be replaced in the horizontal position and must
remain in front of the look out i.e. at danger until the ordinary signal operated
from the signal box is lowered when by a simultaneous action the rocking bar at
the side of the line drops and releases the chuck on engine which chuck then assumes
the vertical position and frees the catch or trigger on engine so that the disc may be
put back to the horizontal position or off. When the chuck on engine is so released
by the falling of the bar at the side of the line it causes the gong on engine to
strike, thus conveying a further indication to the driver that the signal is off.
Or, in conjunction with the appliance previously described a mechanical bell or
gong is placed on the home signal post, or on the starting signal post and operated
by the vertical rod now in use on the signal post for working the ordinary signal
arm. By a simple hammer action attachment the bell or gong is made to strike
one or more times to indicate which signal has been lowered by the signalman for an
engine or train to proceed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. The combination of two freely hanging pendulums with chain attachments to
each the one being pivoted on the permanent way and the other on the engine or
car capable of being operated in either direction and constructed substantially as and
for the purposes described.
2. The slotted chuck or pendulum e with chain attachment capable of being
deflected in either direction by engagement with a projection on the permanent way.
or of being raised out of engagement with the said projection as and for the purposes
described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination of parts constituting the alternative forms of improved
mechanical signal indicator as described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this Finct dor of March 1907
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.