IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF COMMUNICATING SIGNALS FROM PASSENGERS IN RAILWAY TRAINS TO THE GUARDS AND ENGINE DRIVERS
Year: 1865

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Charles Stovin at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 24th March
1865.
I, JOHN CHARLES STOVIN, of White Lodge, Whitehead's Grove, Chelsea, in
the County of Middlesex, Esquire, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MEANS OF COMMUNICATING SIGNALS FROM
PASSENGERS IN RAILWAY TRAINS TO THE GUARDS AND ENGINE DRIVERS," to be as
follows:-
My improvements relate to an improved mode or means of communicating
signals from passengers in railway trains to either guard or engine driver, or
to both if required, the said mode or means being available either by night or
day.
My improvements consist in fitting on the roof of railway carriages
rectangular frames provided with grooves, in which plates of such a size as to
fit the grooves can be placed or slid. Each frame I propose to furnish with
two plates, one for use by day and the other for use by night.
The plate for the purpose of day signalling I fit with a hinged lever, the
hinges of which are fixed or fitted at or near to one end of the plate, the hinges
being so constructed that they allow the lever to assume either a horizontal
position along the sliding plate, or an upright or perpendicular position. On

page_text: the upper surface of the plate, beneath the hinged lever, I place a spring. The
hinged lever is retained in a horizontal position by means of a catch, stop, or
cranked detent, and when the lever is held by such means in that position the
spring is compressed. When the stop, catch, or detent is operated upon so as to
release the lever, the spring exerts its force and causes the lever to assume an
upright position. To the hinged lever is fastened a flag, and from the stop,
catch, or lever a string or wire is led into each carriage or each compartment
of each carriage, and by pulling at the string or wire the stop, catch, or detent
releases the hinged lever or flagstaff, which thereupon assumes an upright
position, displaying the flag so as to attract the attention of guard or engine
driver. Two flaps or pieces of gutta percha or other waterproof material are
attached one at each side of the rectangular frame, so as to enclose and
protect the flag when not in use, and I place by preference the hinged lever
of flag staff rather to one side of the sliding plate, and fasten that end of the
flag farthest from the hinged lever or flagstaff to the flap or piece of gutta
percha or other material at the opposite side of frame, so that the flag
cannot assume a position exactly in the line of motion of the train. I may
fit the carriages with one, two, or more of the rectangular frames with their
described accessories; or I may fit the sliding plates with one, two, or more
levers, flags, springs, and stops, catches, or detents. I may also employ flags
of different colours, so as to convey signals of different import, or signals which
shall apply to or convey instructions to either guard or engine driver, or to
both. As an alternative for the flag I propose in some cases to use a signal
of metal or wood of suitable form.
The sliding plate or plates for night signals I fit with a lamp or lantern, so
constructed that when not required for use the light is obscured by doors or
covers which are held in position by springs, and to the doors or covers may
be attached the cords or wires herein-before mentioned, so that by pulling at
the cords or wires the spring is compressed, the doors or covers removed, and
the light exhibited. By releasing the cord or wire, and thereby the spring,
the light is again obscured. I may and propose to use two or more doors or
covers to each lamp or lantern, and to use also glasses of different colours, so
as thereby to convey, as herein-before stated with respect to the flags, signals
of different import or meaning. When I employ flags, wood or metal signals,
or glasses of different colours, I conduct the ends of the cords or wires to any
suitable part or parts of the carriages or of the compartments of the same,
where I can place brief but intelligible instructions for the purpose of
indicating the proper signal to be given. A handle may be attached to each
cord or wire, on which handle may be engraved or otherwise indicated the

page_text: import of the signal, which will be given by pulling the cord or wire to which
the particular handle is attached. It will be obvious that by either the driver,
fireman, or guard looking along the line of carriages any signal given will be
immediately perceived, and the exact carriage or compartment of carriage
indicated. I also propose to place at some convenient part of the engine or
tender a mirror for the purpose of reflecting the line of the roofs of the
carriages; in this mirror will be reflected any signal given, which therefore
cannot fail to attract the notice of driver or his assistant. I prefer to place
the said mirror between the glasses of the wind guard of the engine.