Improvements in and Apparatus for Working Railway Signals and Switches.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Dec., 1888
Complete Specification Left, 9th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 23rd Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Working Railway Signals
and Switches.
1, JOHN PATRICK O'DONNELL of Shoebury Villa, Penrith Road, New Malden in
the County of Surrey Civil Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has reference to apparatus for reducing the number of working
levers in the locking apparatus, usually enclosed in a Signal Cabin, and consists in
arrangements, whoroby one lever may perform the work usually performed by
3 levers either by working 3 signals, or 3 points, or 3 Facing point locks and bars,
or 3 Fouling or other Bars.
It is usual at Terminal stations, Passenger Bay Sidings, busy yards &c. to arrange
for one passenger in signal and one shunt in signal from line say K to every road
that can be entered from line K, and a wrong road shunt out signal from the same
roads say E. F. G. E to line K. It is also usual at the present time to provide a
separate set of levers say 1. 2. 3. 4 to work the passenger "in" signals from line K
to roads E. F. G. H; and a separate set of levers say 5. 6. 7. 8, to work the shunt
" in signals from the same lino K to roads E. F. G. E. and again a separate set of
levers say 9. 10. 11. 12 to work the shunt out signals from the said roads E. F. G. H
to line K. It thus takes three sots of levers, each set practically effecting the same
interlocking, 12 levers in all.
"
With this invention 1 effect the same result viz. working the 12 signals; with
only working signal levers, but I provide in this instance a separate lever, which I
terin a "setting" or "King" lever.
The way in which I effect this application of my invention is as follows-I provide
on the locking apparatus the said "setting" lever working to 3 positions, a back
position, a middle position, and a forward position, I also provide in connection with
each of the four signal levers (corresponding to the four roads E. F. G. H) an
apparatus of which the following is a description-By preference on the same level
I arrange 3 blades A. B. C, approximately parallel to each other and fixed in a
suitable case, at a higher level preferably, I arrange a fourth blade D-D has pro-
jections or bow pieces on either side and a gap or notch on its under side-On each
of the outside bars A and C there is provided a notch for engagement with the
projections or bow pieces upon D-The central blade B has an upward projection for
engagement with the gap or notch on the underside of D-D is carried by a cross
rod actuated by the "setting" lever, into gear with either of the blades A. B. C.
When the setting lever is in its middle position, D is is gear with B; when the
"setting"lever is in its back position D is in gear with C, and when the "setting"
lever is in its forward position D is in gear with A-A is connected for example
with the passenger "in" signal, B is connected with the shunt "out" signal, and
C with the shunt "in" signal, and D is connected to the actuating lever say 1.
In connection with each of the other working levers 2. 3. 4, there is a similar
machine containing blades A. B. C. D, the three D blades being connected respectively
with levers 2. 3. 4. The cross rod actuated by the "setting" lever, actuates all of
the four blades D simultaneously-Tbus if a passenger "in" signal is required to be
given for platform rond G, the "setting" lever is first set to the forward position
thereby placing all the four D blades in gear with the four passenger "in" signal
blados A-The signalman then pulls the required lever for the required platform
road, which in the case cited would be lever 3, and the passenger in" signal to
road is then deflented

page_text: •
"
The same action takes place for the shunt "in" signals and the shunt "out"
signals, the position of the setting "lever determining the arms to be deflected.
In the particular example. referred prefer to fix my machine under_the_tails of
the levers or at any convenient position in the Signal Box, if desired however it may
be fixed at any suitable spot on the ground-It is obvious that although I have
described a setting lever, as the means of actuating D into and out of gear, yet I may
sometimes make a point or other working lever perform this duty, or I may arrange
for 2 other working levers to actuate D by means of cross-road connections, one
actuating it from a middle position to the left and the other from a middle position to
the right and vice-versa.
My apparatus may be fixed on the ground adjacent to the Facing and Trailing
points of a Junction especially a three way Junction and may work the three Junction
Stop Signals in Facing direction, by one lever & by the point levers and the Trailing
Stop Signals by another lever, and the corresponding distants in both directions by
2 more levers. This form of my apparatus is also suitably adapted for working siding
signals and is in short intended to act where any 3 or more separate performances as
required only one of which can be performed at a time with safety.
The "Simplex" Machine, a description of which will be found in the Specification
of Letters Patent No. 2176 of 1888 can be applied in much the same manner as the
previously described "Treble Machine" (working 3 Signals or the like) that is to
say it can be fixed under the tails of the levers, or at any convenient spot in or
adjacent to the Signal Cabin, and the Selector Bar B (referred to in No. 2176 of 88)
may be actuated by a cross-rod worked by a setting" "lover working to 2 positions,
or it may be actuated by a point or other working lever.
The Selector Bar B in this application as in that described in the Specification of
Letters Patent No. 2176 of 88 is worked by an independent lever. I claim this
method of application of the "Simplex" Machine where the Bar B is not actuated by
a switch point stretcher har or a prolongation thereof.
The last part of my invention consists of the following method of working Siding
or other Signals, where opposite Signals may be required to be given separately
through a cross-over-road, siding or the like." I arrange 2 blades A & C, A is con-
nected to one signal M say for examplo from the Siding to the Main Line, and
connected to the other signal N for a movement from the Main Line back into the
Siding.
Midway between the blades A and C, I run the rod connection working the points,
and on that portion of the said rod which is immediately between the blades A and C,
I arrange a side projection or bow-piece on either side, and in the blades A and C,
notches are provided for engagemont with the said bow-pieces on the point rod
connection. The blades A and C are actuated by a cross-road worked by a setting
lever working to 2 positions. Normally the blade A for example will be in gear with
the point rod, so that when the points are worked a Signal is given for a Traffic
movement from the Siding to the Main Line.
When however the setting lever is pulled over it places blade A out of gear &
blade into gear with the point rod, so that when the points are worked again, a
Signal is given for a Traffic movement from the Main Line back into the Siding.
The said setting lever may work any number of sets of blades A and C into and
out of gear with any number of point, or bars or other connections.
It can be arranged although not recommended, to actuate the middle point rod
connection into & out of gear with stationary signal blades A & C, by means of the
said setting lever.
This last part of our invention is more convenient fixed in the Signal Box, but it
may of course be fixed on the ground.
Dated th 15th DL
1000

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Apparatus for Working Railway Signals
and Switches.
I, JOHN PATRICK O'DONNELL of Shoebury Villa Penrith Road New Malden in the
County of Surrey, Civil Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention has reference to apparatus for reducing the number of working
levers in the locking apparatus usually enclosed in a signal cabin and consists firstly
in arrangements whereby one lever may perform the work usually performed by
three levers, either by working three signals or three points or three facing point
locks and bars, or three fouling or other bars.
It is usual at terminal stations passenger bays, sidings, busy yards etc., to arrange
for one passenger in signal and one shunt in signal from line say K. to every road
that can be entered from line K and a wrong road shunt out signal from the same
roads say E F G H to line K-It is also usual at the present time to provide a
separate set of levers, say 1, 2, 3, 4, to work the passenger "in" signals from line K
to roads E F G HL, and a separate set of levers, say 5, 6, 7, 8, to work the shunt
"in" signals from the same line K to roads E F G. H. And again a separate sol of
levers say 9, 10, 11, 12, to work the shunt "out" signals from the said roads EF GE
to line K-It thus takes three sets of four levers, each set practically effecting the
same interlocking, twelve levers in all.
With this Invention, I effect the same result, ciz.-working the twelve signals
with only four working signal levers, but I provide in this instance a separate lever,
which I term a "setting" or king lever.
I will describe my apparatus for effecting this first part of my Invention.
Fig. 1 is a single line sketch of a line of railway, loading into four passenger or
other bays or platforms.
K is the one main line for entering these four bays E F G H-The four arm
semaphore stop signal marked 1 2 3 4 represents the four passenger stop signals
for entering the four passenger lines from line K.-The four arm shunt disc signal
marked 1° 2° 3° 4° represents the four "in" shunt signals from line K into the
platforms E F G H.
The four disc signals 1° 2° 3° 4' represent the four shunt "out" signals from
lines E F G H respectively to line K.
Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the application of my apparatus to work the various
signals hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 1.-In this Fig. 2, 1* 2d 3d 4d 5ª,
represent the arm of the rocking shafts worked by levers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 respectively.-
1 2 3 4 5 are a set of 5 rocking shafts, similar in design and purpose to those
commonly used in railway signal work. As is well known, each of these shafts has
two arms for instance in lever 1, the arm 1ª previously referred to, and the arın 1°
working the selector bar.
Each of the levers 1, 2, 3, 4, works in connection with one three-throw machine,
the slide bars being marked a. b. c-together with the number of the lover.
The selector bar of each is shown normally engaged with the middle blade, that is,
the 6 position.
All the selector bars, 1P 2P 3P 4P have a bearing in and are actuated right and left
by an actuating bar, moved by setting lever 5, through rocking shaft 5 and
cranks 5° 5.
The crank or rocking shaft arm 5ª is attached to lever 5 by a downright connection,
as in Fig. 5.
The ends of the signal blades of each three throw machine are connected
respectively, a to passenger semaphore in signal, 6 to a shunt out signal, and c to a
shunt in signal.

page_text: When the signalman requires to signal a passenger train, say into platform G, he
would move his setting lever 5 into the A position, thereby actuating arms 5ª 5º
rod 5 crank 5 and actuating rod 5, thereby moving the selector bars 1 2 3 4 out
of gear-with blades 1-2 3 4 respectively, and into gear with signal blades 1 2º 3ª 4ª—
-Now; when he actuates-his-lever-2, which refers-to-platform-G, the signal-slide-bar-2
would be drawn, thereby deflecting the third arm 2" on the semaphore post. Similarly,
by moving the setting lever to the C position, the selector bars 1P 2P 3P 4" would be
moved out of gear with blades 1 2 3 4 and into gear with blades 1° 2° 3° 4°.
Upon the signalman again working any of the levers 1, 2, 3, 4, he would deflect a
shunt "in" signal that is, one of the discs on the four arm shunt in disc part.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the three throw machine.-Fig. 4 is a sectional
side view of Fig. 3, showing the relative heights and modes of engagement of the
various blades.
Fig. 5 illustrates the three positions of the setting lever 5,-the B or middle
position being preferably the normal one. This, however, is entirely a matter of
choice.
Fig. 6 illustrates an actuating rod 5 detached from the case of the machine.
I do not bind myself to the precise method shown of carrying the selector bar,
for instance the top may be open and the selector bar laid in, instead of threaded
through.
It is obvious that the usual vertical and horizontal cranks may be substituted for
the rocking shafts as the lead off connection from the tail of the lever to the three
throw machine.
In the particular example referred to, I prefer to fix my machines as described,
under the tails of the lovers, or at any convenient position in the signal box,-if
desired, however, it may be fixed at any suitable spot on the ground.
Although I have described a setting lever, as the means of actuating the selector
bar as 1" into and out of gear with the signal slide bars 1 1° 1° yet
may sometimes
make a point or other working lever perform this duty, or I may arrange for two
other working levers to actuate 1" by means of cross road connections, one actuating
it from a middle position to the left, and the other from a middle position to the
right, and vice versa. My apparatus may be fixed on the ground, adjacent to the
facing and trailing points of a junction, especially a three-way junction, and may
work the three junction stop signals in facing direction by one lever and by the
point levers; and the trailing stop signal by another lever, and the corresponding
distant in both directions by two more levers.
This form of my apparatus is also suitably adapted for working siding signals, and
is, in short, intended to act where any three or more separate performances are
required, only one of which can be performed at a time with safety.
The "Simplex" machine, a description of which will be found in the Specification
of Letters Patent No. 2176 of 1888, can be applied in much the same manner as the
previously described treble or three-throw machine (working three signals or the
like) that is to say, it can be fixed under the tails of the levers, or at any convenient
spot in or adjacent to the signal cabin, and the selector bar B, referred to in No. 2176
of 1888, may be actuated by a cross rod worked by a "setting" lever working to two
positions, or it may be actuated by a point or other working lever. The selector
bar B in this application as in that described in the Specification of Letters Patent
No. 2176 of 1888, is worked by an independent lever.-I claim this method of
application of the "Simplex" machine, where the bar B is not actuated by a switch
point stretcher bar or a prolongation thereof.-Fig. 7 illustrates a simple form of the
Simplex" machine, suitable for the application above referred to.
66
He is the actuating rod, other than a switch point stretcher bar, or a prolongation
thereof.
The last part of my Invention consists of the following method of working siding
or other signals, where opposite signals may be required to be given separately
through a cross over road, siding or the like,-I arrange two blades A and C (Fig. 8

page_text: in plan).—A is connected to one signal M, say for example, from the siding to the
main line, and C, connected to the other signal N, for a movement from the main line
back into the siding.
Midway between the blades A and C, I run the rod connection say B, working
the points and on that portion of the said rod, which is immediately between the
blades A and C, I arrange an underneath projection, and in the blades A and C
notches are provided for engagement with the said projection on the point rod
connection.
The blades A and C are placed in and out of gear with the point rod B, by means
of a rod He worked by a setting lever. Normally, the blade A for example, will be
in gear with the point rods B (as shown) so that when the points are worked a
sigual M is given for a traffic movement from the siding to the main line, as the
point rod B, by the underneath projection, draws the blade A with it.
When however, the setting lever is pulled over the rod H is moved thereby
placing blade A out of gear and blade into goar with the point rod B, so that
when the points are worked again, a signal is given for a traffic movement from the
main line back into the siding.-The said setting lever may work any number of sets
of blades A and C into and out of gear with any number of points or bars or other
connections. It can be arranged, although not recommended, to actuate the middle
point rod connection B, into and out of gear with stationary signal blades A and C,
by means of the said setting lever.
This last part of my Invention is more conveniently fixed in the signal box, but it
may of course, be fixed on the ground.
A treadle may be substituted for the setting lever as the medium of moving the
signal slide bars A and C into and out of gear with B, (Fig. 8).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that I
claim :-
(1stly) In railway signal apparatus, the application of a setting lever for the
purpose of engaging selector bars with and disengaging them from the signal slide
bars of two or three-throw machines, substantially in the manner and for the purposes
herein set forth.
(2nd) In railway signalling apparatus, the operation (only one at a time) of three
distinct results (points or signals or bars) by one lever, substantially as described and
illustrated in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings annexed.
(3rd) In railway signalling apparatus, the operation (only one at a time), of two
distinct results (points or signals or bars) by one lever, substantially as described and
illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings annexed.
(4th) In railway signalling, the apparatus described with reference to Figs. 8, 9,
and 10; of actuating the signal through the movement of the rod working the switch
points, the change of signal being effected through a setting lever or equivalent
device.
Dated this 4th day of Sentember 1889.