IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS AND IN MINES AND OTHER PLACES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Conradi, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square,
in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING ON RAILWAYS AND IN MINES
AND OTHER PLACES." A communication from abroad by Adolph Haberstolz,
Manufacturer, of Berlin, Prussia, Empire of Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henri Conradi at. the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th.April 1878.
"
HENRI CONRADI, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square; in the County of
Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING
ON RAILWAYS AND IN MINES AND OTHER PLACES." [A communication from
abroad by Adolph Haberstolz, Manufacturer, of Berlin, Prussia, Empire of
Germany.
:
Many accidents of late having proved the necessity of advising means of com-
munications between passenger and guard or driver, or any requisite train official,
many apparatus have been devised to effect such a communication by means of
signals, but none yet has been free of defects.
.
The idea of making use of an air-compressing apparatus has been under con-
sideration, but a proper coupling arrangement to connect the end of the conduit
pipes or tubes from one carriage to another, allowing in each position of the cor-.
responding carriages a quick and precise handling and a sure and safe connection,
has been wanting. The compressive apparatus did not offer the required reliability,
and also possessed the defect to remain in continuous connection with the main line.
of piping, filling up much room without proper use.
..
The apparatus represented in the annexed Drawing does not possess those defects.
Being based on the principle to disengage by means of air compression, a clock-
work or similar bell or ringing arrangement, any part known in such an arrange-
ment has been left out, and only,-
1 The coupling of the pipes or tubes; 2, the compressing apparatus are especially
described.
:

page_text: I. The Coupling of the Pipes or Tubes. It is composed of india-rubber or
caoutchouc pipes a, a, a, laid out with tissue provided with screwed sockets B, B; B.
The detail Drawing, Fig. 1, shows that the nut d is screwed over an inside piece
composed of two parts b and c, the latter part e being at its outside screwed, so that
the nut d can be screwed over and forward until it touches a small inside flange e,
which prevents a further forward motion. In the inner portion of the piece com-
posed of the parts b and c is fitted the valve f, which is always kept closed by
means of a spiral spring, unless a pressure against it opens it.
The detail Drawing, Fig. II., shows two of such apparatus placed one against
the other, and being connected together.
The apparatus is so arranged that the one or the other can be made to serve
reciprocally either as screw or nut, according in which direction the piece dis
screwed, either forward or backward, before the connection is made. This special
feature of the coupling is essential for the railway service, besides the other
important disposition to have the tube always closed by means of the valve ƒ until
it is connected through the coupling to the other tube of the next waggon, whereby
the valves, touching one another with their points, are pushed backwards, and there-
fore set the tubes in communication with each other. By screwing the parts firmly
together the faces of the parts b and c touch one another, they are either well
faced and ground together or they are provided with india-rubber or caoutchouc
rings to produce a hermetically sealed connection. By disconnecting or uncoupling
each tube end it closes itself automatically.
Fig. III. represents the connection of two waggons W and W¹, effected in the
manner above described; the coupling is suspended at the centre. By disconnecting
or uncoupling, the tube becomes suspended on a fork placed on the front of a
waggon.
Fig. IV. represents a modification of this kind of coupling which would be required
on both sides of the waggon, and which is to be of the same shape, in a similar way,
as waggons when placed diagonally to each other are facing one pair of rounded,
with one pair of flat buffers. Each of the waggons would have screwed on to its front
or facing plate a piece of tube coupling g and a firmly screwed projecting piece
with its tube carrying at its end the half of a coupling of the above-described kind.
If those apparatus are now fixed to the facing or front plate of the waggon in the
same direction, and placed diagonally to each other, the waggon can be turned in
any direction, as in each longitudinal direction of the waggon a sure and safe
connection will consequently be provided, and which can also be easily handled.
These connections can be placed at the ordinary height of man. Inside the
waggon is placed, in the centre, along the ceiling, a small metallic tube, which
ends are divided into branches and form, seen in plan, a double tee (I). Those
branches lead to the couplings.
Having here with described the connection of the separate waggons by means
of an air-conduit I shall now describe,-
2. The Compressor or Apparatus of Compression.-Each compartment of a waggon
is to be provided with such an air-compressing apparatus for the purpose of giving
signals to distant places of the train; Fig. 5 and 6 represent such an apparatus.
In a small box K is fixed a cylinder h, in which again an india-rubber balloon i
is enclosed; the air contained in this balloon will become compressed by pulling at
the button R until the valve becomes opened and allows the air to escape through
the pipe m, which is connected with the main pipe. A sudden pressure of air is
hereby produced in the pipes, which is sufficient to disengage the stopping arrange-
ment of a bell or clockwork or ringing arrangement, whereby consequently the
driver or guard or any requisite train official can receive audiable signals. By
letting go the button R the spiral spring n acts on the lever o; the valve / becomes
consequently shut up again, at the same time the balloon i expands again and
draws the air through a cross-cutting formed underneath the piston plate p, forming
therefore with it an aspiration valve. Through the automatically opening and
closing of the valve 7 by giving the signals, the means are provided that the current

page_text: of air goes only through the main tubing, while all sideways to the balloon of the
other compressing apparatus remain closed up for it.
It will easily be seen that this apparatus will find its manifold applications for
giving signals in mines or many other like places as for hoists and lifts, in shafts,
inanufactories, buildings, &c., or for similar purposes, and wherever signals may be
required, even if the general disposition or arrangement had to be modified
accordingly.
The improvements upon which principally the claims are based consist,-
1. In the construction of a tube or pipe coupling, possessing also the special
feature that each of its halves can either be used as a screw or as a nut.
2. In the construction of a tube or pipe coupling, which keeps the ends of the
unconnected pipes closed by means of valves, and gives free passage to the current
of air when the connection has been made by firmly screwing it together.
3. In the disposition of fixed and loose pipe or tube coupling pieces attached to
the waggon in such a manner that they can be placed diagonally to each other, and
allow the pipe conduit for the conveyance of the current of air to be connected in
any position and from each side of the waggon.
4. In the disposition of two or more pipes or tubes attached to the railway
waggon to connect the air piping or tubing while the coupling is suspended
freely.
5. In the construction of an air-compressing apparatus for a pneumatic signal
apparatus, by which the valve for conducting the air opens only during the com-
pression of the air in order to produce or to effect a sudden pressure of air by
closing itself automatically after the signal has been given.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Conradi in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th October
1878.
HENRY CONRADI, of 8, Lower James Street, Golden Square, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALLING
ON RAILWAYS AND IN MINES AND OTHER PLACES." A communication from
abroad by Adolph Haberstolz, Manufacturer, of Berlin, Prussia, Empire of
Germany.
Many accidents lately having proved the necessity of advising means of com-
munication between the passenger and guard, or driver, or any requisite train:
official, many apparatus have been devised to effect such a communication by means
of signals, but none yet has been free of defects.
! The idea of making use of an air compressing apparatus has been under con-
sideration, but a proper coupling arrangement to connect the end of the conduit
pipes or tubes from one carriage to another, allowing in each position of the cor-
responding carriages a quick and precise handling, and a sure and safe connection
has been wanting. The compressive apparatus did not offer the required reliability,
and possessed the defect to remain in continuous connection with the main line of
piping, filling up much room without proper use.
:
The apparatus represented in the adjoined Drawing does not possess those a
defects. Being based on the principle of disengaging by means of air compression
a clockwork or similar bell or ringing arrangement, the parts known in such
arrangement have been left out, and only,-
1. The coupling of the pipes or tubes.
2. The compressing apparatus are especially described.
2
I. The Coupling of the Pipes or Tubes. It is composed of india-rubber or
caoutchouc pipes a, a, a, laid out with tissue provided with metallic screwed
sockets b, b, b. The detail Drawing, Fig. I., shows that the nut d is screwed over
an inside piece, composed of two parts b and c, the latter part c being at its outside
screwed, so that the nut d can be screwed over and forward until it touches a small 3
inside flange e, which prevents a further forward motion. In the inner portion of
the piece, composed of the parts b and c, is fitted the valve f, which is always
kept closed by means of a spiral spring, unless a pressure against it opens it.
The detail Drawing, Fig. II., shows two such apparatus placed one against the
other, and being connected together.
The apparatus is so arranged that the one or the other can be made to serve
reciprocally, either as screw or nut, according to which direction the piece dis
screwed either forward or backward before the connection is made. This special
feature of the coupling is essential for the railway service, besides the other
important disposition of always keeping the tube closed by means of the valve f
until it is connected through the coupling to the other tube of the next waggon,
whereby the valves touching one another with their points are pushed backwards,
and therefore set the tubes in communication with each other. By screwing the
parts firmly together the faces of the parts b and c touch one another; they are
either well faced and ground together, or are provided with india-rubber or
caoutchouc rings to produce a hermetically sealed connection. By disconnecting or
uncoupling each tube end it closes itself automatically.
Fig. III. represents the connection of two waggons W and W' effected in the
manner above described; the coupling is suspended at the centre. By disconnecting
or uncoupling the tube becomes suspended on a fork placed on the front of a
waggon,
3

page_text: Fig. 4 represents a modification of this kind of coupling, which would be required
on both sides of the waggon, and which is to be of the same shape. In a similar
way as waggons when placed diagonally to each other face one pair of rounded and
a pair of flat buffers, so would here each of the waggons screwed on its front or
facing plate have a piece of tube coupling g, and also a projecting piece with its
tube firmly screwed; which carries at its end the half of a coupling of the above-
described kind. If those apparatus are now fixed to the facing or front plate of
the waggon in the same direction, and placed diagonally to each other, the waggon
can therefore be turned in any direction. In each longitudinal direction of the
waggon a sure and safe connection will consequently be provided, and which can
also be easily handled. These connections can be placed at the ordinary height of
man. Inside the waggon is placed in the centre, along the ceiling, a small metallic
tube, which ends are divided into branches, and form, seen in plan, a double tee
(TI). Those branches lead to the coupling.
Having herewith described the connection of the separate waggons by means of
an air conduct, I shall now describe,―
2. The Compressor or Apparatus of Compression.-Each compartment of a
waggon is to be provided with such an air-compressing apparatus for the purpose
of giving signals to distant places of the train. Fig. 5 and 6 represents such an
apparatus. In a small box K is fixed a cylinder h, in which again an india-rubber
balloon i is enclosed. The air contained in this balloon will become compressed by
pulling at the button k until the valve becomes opened, and allows the air to
escape through the pipe m, which is connected with the main pipe. A sudden
pressure of air is hereby produced in the pipes, which is sufficient to disengage, the
stopping arrangement of a bell, or clockwork, or ringing arrangement, whereby
consequently the driver or guard or any requisite train official can receive laudeable
signals. By letting go of the button / the spiral spring n acts on the lever o, the
valve becomes consequently shut up again. At the same time the balloon i
expands again, and draws the air through a cross cutting formed underneath the
piston plate p, forming therefore with it an aspiration valve. Through the auto-
matically opening and closing of the valve l, by giving the signals, the means are
provided that the current of air goes only through the main tubing, while all
sideways to the balloon of the other compressing apparatus remains closed up
for it.
It will easily be seen that this apparatus will find its manifold application for
giving signals in mines or any other like places, as for hoists and lifts in shafts,
manufacturies, buildings, etc., for similar purposes, and wherever signals may be
required, even if the general disposition or arrangement had to be modified
accordingly.
Having thus herein described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner
of performing the same, it will be understood that the improvements upon which
the claims are principally based consist in,-
1. In the construction of a tube or pipe coupling, also possessing the general
feature that each of its halves can either be used as a screw or as a nut.
2. In the construction of a tube or pipe coupling, which keeps the ends of the
unconnected pipes closed by means of valves, and gives free passage to the current
of air when the connection has been made by firmly screwing it together..
3. In the disposition of fixed and loose pipe or tube coupling pieces attached to
the waggons in such a manner that they can be placed diagonally to each other,
and allow the pipe conduit for the conveyance of the current of air to be connected
in any position, and from each side of the waggon.
4. In the disposition of two pipes or tubes attached to the railway waggon to
connect the air piping or tubing while the coupling is suspended freely.
5. In the construction of an air-compressing apparatus for a pneumatic signal
apparatus, by which the arrangement for conducting the air opens only during its

page_text: compression in order to produce or effect a sudden air pressure by closing itself
automatically after the signal has been given.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Conradi, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eleventh day of October, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
H. CONRADI. (L.S.)