Improvements in Apparatus employed in Fog Signalling on Railways.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 12th May, 1893-Accepted, 17th June, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus employed in Fog Signalling on
Railways.
I, JOHN GEORGE DIXON, of Elm Cottage, Dry Clough Lane, Crossland Moor,
Huddersfield, in the County of York, Spinners Manager do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to certain improvements in fog signalling on railways, and
has for its object the construction of an apparatus by which fog signal cartridges
may be placed and retained on the rails in a suitable manner and position so that,
they will be exploded by the wheels of the engine or other vehicle passing over the
same; and to so arrange the apparatus that on the explosion of a cartridge, for
another cartridge to be automatically placed on the rail ready for the next train ;
also for the pointsman in the signal box to be enabled to move the apparatus clear
of the rail when not required for signalling.
I accomplish my object by constructing a receptacle capable of holding a number
of cartridges, and mount the same on trunnions supported by suitable bearings.
On the top of the cartridge receptacle is a platform provided with an aperture of
such size as will allow of one cartridge at a time to pass through same.
The apparatus is connected to the signal box by means of rods or the like and
levers, by which the attendant can operate the same, and when motion is imparted
to the apparatus, a cartridge is raised from the receptacle by means of a supporting
plate operated by a spring or weights into the aperture formed in the platform.
The raised cartridge is then projected through the aperture such a distance that
one portion rests upon the rail where it is held until exploded by the passing
train.
:
At some distance from the signalling apparatus is an inclined plate of some
length placed alongside the rails, which on the flanges of the wheels of the passing
train running over same is depressed, and thereby operates a shaft connected
thereto. The shaft is also connected to the signal apparatus, and when the before
mentioned plate is depressed, the signal apparatus is actuated on its trunnions to
such an extent that, the exploded cartridge is displaced and another one placed in
position for the next passing train.
In order to prevent the inclined plate rising quickly or rebounding when the
wheels of the train have passed over same, I couple the before mentioned shaft to
a lever in connection with the piston of an air cylinder which allows the platform
to move slowly towards the rail when depositing a new cartridge on same.
him and dow of February 1893.
JOHN WAUGH,
Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus employed in Fog Signalling on
Railways.
I, JOHN GEORGE DIXON of Elm Cottage, Dry Clough Lane, Crossland Moor,
Huddersfield in the County of York do hereby declare the nature of this inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to apparatus for placing detonating cartridges or fog
It is automatic in its action, and
signals on railway metals in foggy weather.

page_text: operates to remove the cartridge which has been exploded by a passing train and
replace the same by a fresh cartridge which is held on the line in readiness for the
next train so long as the ordinary line signal is at danger. The said apparatus is
controlled by the ordinary line signal wire or point rod and is placed in the
operative or inoperative position by the signalman in the cabin or elsewhere
simultaneously with the operation of the said line signal. The said apparatus
remains in the operative position so long as the line signal is "on" and in that
position it is operated by each passing train in such manner as to throw out the
exploded cartridge and replace the same with a fresh cartridge. The cartridges
are contained in a suitable trunk or box which can be turned about a pivot towards
and away from the rail. The normal-position of the box is vertical corresponding
with the "off" position of the line signal. The movement of the box from the
normal position towards the rail effects the placing of a cartridge on the rail, and
the movement in the opposite direction from the vertical position that is to say,
away from the rail, replaces the spent cartridge with a fresh one. The movement
towards the rail is effected by the signalman, that away from the rail is effected by
the engine or train.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a plan of the apparatus for placing the detonating fog signals or
cartridges on the rail.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same taken on the line x, x Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a vertical central section taken on the line y y Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a rear end elevation of the same.
Figure 5 is a plan drawn to a smaller scale of one form of mechanisın for
operating the box shown in Figures 1 to 4 to displace the spent cartridges and
replace the same with fresh cartridges.
Figure 6 is a plan, and
Figure 7 is an elevation of a slightly modified form of this operating
mechanism.
Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts in all the figures.
Referring now to Figures 1 to 4, A is a stationary box or casing which is sunk
in a hole in the permanent way by the side of the rail at the place where the
cartridges are required to be placed on the line, and is firmly stayed as for example
by a beam B or otherwise, so as to prevent rocking. Inside the casing A is a long
rectangular trunk or box C which is provided with a pivot C Figure 2 at its
lower end resting in a suitable bearing formed in the casing, or is otherwise suitably
supported to admit of a to-and-fro rocking movement of the said box. The upper
end of the casing A is made sufficiently wide in the plane of the movement of the
box C to allow of said rocking movement, the extent of which is limited by the
ends of the opening A' in the top of the casing. C³ is a cover attached to
the box C which cover extends over the opening A' and serves to keep out the
rain. C3 C3 Figure 2 are partition walls extending the whole length of the box C
and which form an inner compartment C₁ for the cartridges or detonating fog
signals. C is a platform for supporting the said cartridges. Said platform is
furnished with ears C C which project through vertical slots C7 Figure 3 in the
partition walls C³ and are attached by chains D, D that pass over guide
pulleys D', D' to balance weights D3, D2 Figure 1. E indicates the cartridges
packed in the compartment C4 above the platform C. The uppermost cartridge is
pressed against the top of the compartment which is constituted by a door C
The said door is provided to admit of refilling the box with fresh cartridges when
required. It is hinged at C3 and can be held shut by a catch or otherwise. An
aperture C is formed in the front wall of the chamber C sufficiently large to
allow of the passage therethrough of one cartridge at a time, and a corresponding
opening C is provided in the back wall to receive a sliding piece F which effects
the feeding as hereinafter described.. Front and rear tubular extensions Co, C
of rectangular section are formed on the walls of the chamber C₁ for a purpose
"

page_text: ereinafter explained. The sliding piece F which projects from tue pare
urnished with a cross bar F' at its rear end which bar works between two
ars F3, F3 formed on brackets F2 placed one on each side of the apparatus for a
urpose hereinafter explained.
G is a shaft supported in bearings in a bracket G¹ fixed to the casing A. Said
haft is coupled by an arm G2 and links G3 G3 to the upper end or head of the
ox C, and is loaded by a weight G³ on the end of an arm G4 so as to cause it to
end continually to push the box C towards the rail H. This tendency however is
estrained by the pull of the wire I of the ordinary line signal which when the
ordinary signal is "off" maintains the box C in the upright position shown in
Figure 2 but allows the said box to fall forward towards the rail when the signal
is "on." The wire I is not attached directly to the box C but passes over a
guide pulley I and is secured to a long bar or weight J which is suspended in a
channelled part J' Figure 3 formed outside the box C. In the position shown in
Figure 2 the upper end of the weight J is in contact with the guide pulley I', over
which the wire I passes, and is thus prevented from being drawn out of its channel
guide any further. Any other stop may be provided for this
wire I is slackened and the line signal thus allowed to go "on," the box C tilts
towards the rail as far as it can go, the whole of the slack in the wire I is however
not taken up by this movement of the box C and consequently the bar or weight J
is allowed to descend in its channel guide. When the line signal is pulled "off"
by the signalman, the weight J is first drawn up as far as it will go, and then the box C
is pulled back to its upright position. In the lowest position of the weight J its
lower end projects through the bottom of its channel guide J¹ as, and for a purpose
hereinafter specified.
purpose.
When the
K is an arm fixed on a short shaft K' that passes through the casing A. The
arm K is inside the casing and its lower end is formed with a part K2 Figures 2
and 3 which when the arm K is oscillated is adapted to strike the lower end of the
weight J when the latter is in its lowest position, but which will miss the said
weight when the latter is raised. K³ is an arm fixed on the outer end of the shaft K'
and connected by a link L² to an arm L¹ fixed on a shaft L see Figures 2 and 5
which shaft is loaded by a balance weight L³ mounted on an arm L₁ fixed to the
said shaft. By oscillating the shaft L the lever K is caused to swing to and fro
and to strike the weight J when the latter is in its lowest position as above described.
The balance weight L³ is sufficiently heavy to overcome when released the balance
weight Go so that when the said weight L³ is freed from restraint and the weight J
is depressed, it will operate to push back the box C away from the rail as far as it
will go.
Referring now to Figure M is a bar preferably about 20 feet long pivoted
0 at M¹ preferably on the outside of the rail H. O is a shaft supported in suitable
bearings O¹ and having an arm (2 at one end that extends underneath the bar M
and to which is pivoted a pin that projects into a small hole in the underside of said
bar; the bar M may be otherwise supported by an arm of the shaft O. 0³ is a
balance weight mounted on an arm O₁ secured to the shaft O, and which balances
5 the bar M and maintains said bar in an inclined position, so that its higher end
The pivoted end
projects about 1 inches more or less above the level of the rail:
P is a
of the bar is depressed slightly below the rail. O is another arm secured on the
shaft and passing underneath and supporting a cranked part of the balance
arm L of the shaft L; the said arm L is thereby prevented from descending
50 until the arm O' is first depressed by the passing of a train along the line.
dashpot the movable piston of which is connected with the shaft O by an arm P¹
secured on said shaft and coupled to the said piston. The object of the said dashpot
is to prevent the too rapid rising of the arm 0 after it has been depressed.
Q Figures 1 and 2 is a metal bar secured to the side of the rail at the place
55 where the cartridges are placed thereon and which serves to form a level support
for said cartridges.
The operation of this apparatus is as follows, that is to say, assuming the line

page_text: -
signal is "on" and the box C is therefore inclined towards the line so as to hold a
fog signal thereon, then when an engine or train passes over the rails at the place
where this apparatus is fixed it first fires the detonating cartridge and then depresses
the inclined bar M and thereby partially turns the shaft O and lowers the arm 0.
The weight L³ being thus no longer supported, descends and partially turns the
shaft L and through the arm L' link L2 and arm K³ operates to turn the arm K
and cause the lower end thereof to press against the weight J which is in
then its lowest position. The box C is thereby pushed back beyond the upright.or
central position, and-the-cross-bar of the slide F is brought into contact with
and arrested by, the rear stops F3 on the brackets F. The continued rearward
movement of the box C then has the effect of pushing out the spent cartridge from
the jaw Co and of replacing such cartridge with a fresh one which is held projecting
from the said jaw Co as shown in Figure 2. As soon as the engine or train has
passed the bar M the latter begins to rise under the influence of the balance
weight O³ but rises very slowly by reason of the dashpot P and hence time is given
for the spent cartridge to be thrown out of the machine and replaced by another
cartridge in the manner above described. When however the bar M has returned
to its initial position the arm K will have receded from the weight J and will thus
have allowed the box C to return to the rail H and place the new cartridge thereon
ready for the next train if the line signal is still at danger, or return to the upright
position if in the meantime the line signal has been taken "off." During the forward
movement of the box C towards the rail H the plate F is drawn out of the part C!!
by the forward stops F3 of the plates F which stops engage with and arrest the
bar F. Another cartridge is thus permitted to ascend from the box to take the
place of that previously at the top.
It will be seen that any train which passes the fog signalling apparatus when the
line signal is "off" will not operate either to discharge or to replace a cartridge
because in the first place the fog signal is not then on the line, and in the second
place the weight J being in its raised position the arm K when oscillated misses
the said weight and consequently does not push back the box. A cartridge is thus
placed on the line only when the line signal is at danger and said cartridge after
being discharged is replaced automatically by the passing train.
In the slight modification of the apparatus shown in Figures 6 and 7 the incline M
is provided with a tail piece M2 which rests on an arm N fixed on shaft K' of the
signal apparatus which shaft is weighted by a weight N¹ so as to operate the box C,
in the manner above described, with reference to Figure 5 when the tail end of the
bar M is raised. P is a dashpot to prevent the too rapid return of the bar M to its
initial position after it has been depressed.
The slow movement of the apparatus to and away from the rail is an important
feature of my invention inasmuch as the apparatus is thereby caused to work
smoothly and efficiently and is not injuriously shaken as would be the case if it
were connected positively to the incline and operated suddenly by a passing train
or engine.
It is obvious that I could connect the incline with the cartridge box by other
arrangements of levers than those described above without departing from the
nature of my invention. I may also provide a pneumatic connection to replace the
levers, said connection being constituted by a pair of cylinders provided with
pistons and connected by a pipe. The piston of one cylinder is coupled to and is
operated by the incline M, and the piston of the other cylinder is coupled to and
operates the cartridge box.
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. An automatic fog signal apparatus for railways comprising a rocking cartridge
box which is connected with the line signal and is inclined towards the rail when
the line signal is " on in combination with an incline which is depressed by each
"

page_text: passing engine and which operates to throw out the spent cartridge and replace
same by a fresh cartridge substantially as described.
2. A rocking cartridge box for placing and retaining the cartridges on the line
as required, in combination with means controlled by the passing engine for rocking
said box to throw out the spent cartridge and replace the same by a fresh cartridge,
said means however not being positively connected with the cartridge box, sub-
stantially as, and for the purpose, specified.
3. Connecting the rocking cartridge box to the line signal wire in the manner
described, for the purpose specified.
4. The means whereby the cartridge box is pushed away from the rail by each
passing engine when but only when the line signal is "on," substantially as described
purpose specified.
with reference to either of the modifications, for the
5. The combination, with said means referred to in the last preceding claim, of
the device for controlling the plate F, substantially as described, for the purpose
3 specified.
6. The apparatus constructed. substantially as described with reference to
Figures 1 to 4 of the drawings, and operating as, and for the purpose, specified.
7. The means for working the cartridge box, substantially as described with
reference to Figure 5, or to Figures 6 and 7, and operating as, and for the purpose,
0 specified.
of Mov 1893.
Dated GIS
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.