Year: 1899

page_text: We, CHRISTOPHER SHAW ROF, of 48, Southbank Street, Leek, in the County of
Stafford, Engine Driver, and,FRANK TOMLINSON JOHNSON, of, 38, Queen Street,
Leek, in the County of Stafford, Mechanio, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:—
Our invention has for its object apparatus by the aid of which the raised or
danger position of the arms of the usual semaphore signals will be indicated to
the driver of each train as it approaches or passes, and so obviate the possibility
of these signals being unknowingly passed, as for instance, in foggy weather.
For this purpose we provide at a suitable point on each locomotive a vertical
rod arranged to slide vertically in guides and extending downwards to within a
short distance of the ground. The lower end of this rod is provided with a shoe
or block having a curved under surface, whilst the upper end of said rod is con-
nected to the valve of the steam whistle in the locomotive cabin by the aid of
a horizontal rod mounted so that it may revolve, and connected at one end by a
lever or link connection to the valve plug of the whistle and at the opposite end
to the upper end of the vertical rod by a second lever or link connection.
In connection with such apparatus we arrange opposite, or at a suitable distance
from, each ordinary signal a horizontal rod mounted to revolve in bearings secured
to the permanent way or otherwise and so situated that the shoe on the lower
end of the vertical rod carried by the locomotive passes over one end thereof as the
train approaches or passes the ordinary signal.
On this end of said horizontal rod is secured a sector block, which when raised
operates the vertical rod on the locomotive, whilst its opposite end is connected
by a lever or link connection and connecting rod, chain, or the like to the counter-
weighted lever or other part of the ordinary signal in such manner that as the
arm thereof is raised or lowered so is the sector block.
It will thus be seen that when the arm of the ordinary signal is raised so will
be the sector block and this position will be indicated in the cabin as the train
approaches or passes, by the sector block operating the vertical rod on the loco-
motive and thus opening the whistle valve. When, however, the signal arm is
lowered the sector block will be thrown out of action and the train will pass
the signal without the whistle being operated.
When desired instead of operating the ordinary steam whistle, the parts may
be arranged to close an electric bell circuit or operate any other device whereby
the engine driver may be warned as the train approaches or passes a signal at
danger.
A pawl and ratchet or equivalent means may be employed to govern the move-
ment of the horizontal rod connecting the whistle valve to the vertical rod on the

page_text: locomotive, so that the whistle when opened will be held in that position until
released by the driver.
Dated this 5th day of January 1899.
Improved Railway Signalling Apparatuș.
We, CHRISTOPHER SHAW ROE, of 48, Southbank Street, Leck, Engine Driver,
and FRANK TOMLINSON JOHNSON, of 38, Queen Street, Leek, Mechanic, both in
the County of Stafford, 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:-
Our invention has for its object apparatus by the aid of which the raised or
danger position of the arms of the usual distance signals will be otherwise
indicated to the driver of each train as it approaches or passes, in such manner
as to obviate the possibility of these signals being unknowingly passed, as for
instance, in foggy weather.
For this purpose we provide at a suitable point on each locomotive a vertical
rod arranged to slide vertically in guides and extending downwards to within
a short distance of the ground. The lower end of this rod is provided with a
shoe or block having a curved under surface, whilst its upper end may be either
directly connected to the engine whistle by suitable parts, or controls the move-
ment of a horizontal rod mounted in the locomotive cabin, and connected in its
middle by a lever or link connection to the valve plug of the engine whistle.
The control of such horizontal rod, which when released is revolved so as to
operate the engine whistle by a weighted lever handle attached to it, is effected
by a disc secured on the end thereof, and with a notch in which normally engages
a pin carried by the free end of a crank lever. This lever is connected to and
operated by a second lever, having its free slotted end connected to the upper end
of the vertical rod on the engine, and the whole is so arranged that when the
latter is forced upwards the horizontal rod will be released and allowed to operate
the engine whistle.
In connection with such apparatus we arrange opposite, or at a suitable distance
from, each ordinary signal a horizontal rod mounted to revolve in bearings secured
to the permanent way, or otherwise, and so situated that the shoe on the lower end
of the vertical rod carried by the locomotive passes over one end thereof as the
train approaches or passes the ordinary signal.
This end of said horizontal rod is secured to, or operates, a skid in the form
of a har having a curved or inclined upper surface which when raised operates
the vertical rod on the locomotive, whilst the opposite end of said rod is con-
nected by a lever or link connection and connecting rod, chain, or the like; to
the counterweighted lever or other part of the ordinary signal in such manner
that as the arm thereof is raised or lowered so is the skid.
It will thus be seen that when the arm of the ordinary signal is raised so will
be the skid, and this position will be indicated in the cabin as the train approaches
or passes, by the skid operating the vertical rod on the locomotive and thus open-
ing the whistle valve. When, howover, the signal arm is lowere:l the skid will
be thrown out of action and the train will pass the signal without the whistle
being operated.

page_text: The accompanying drawings shew how our invention may be carried into
practical effect.
Of these drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 are a front and side elevation of that portion
of the apparatus secured to the permanent way and operated by the usual signals;
Fig. 3 shows the attachment to the locomotive, and Figs. 4, 5, and 6 a side and front
elevation and plan respectively of said attachment on an enlarged scale.
As shewn in Figs. I and 2 the attachment to the permanent way consists of
a horizontal rud a mounted in suitable bearings and connected by crank lever b
and rode to the usual distance signal apparatus d, so that at each operation of the
latter it is turned to the required extent.
The opposite end of this rod is connected by a crank lever e to an elongated
skid f, held in position at each end by links g, and which is consequently raised
or lowered according to the direction the rod a is turned by the raising or lower-
ing of the usual signal apparatus, the movement being limited by a stop pin s.
This skid has its upper surface inclined from the centre towards each end and
it is arranged parallel and close to one of the rails of the line in connection with
which this signal is employed.
The attachment to the locomotive, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, consists of
a vortical rod mounted in suitable bearings and normally pressed downwards
by springs k. This rod is so situated that it may be operated in passing by the
skid attached to the permanent way when the latter is raised, and its lower end
las secured to it a curved shoe piece 7 fitted with a roller in its centre, whilst its
upper end is connected to the slotted end of a crank lever m.
To the same axis of this crank lever m is secured a second crank lever a fitted
with a pin o adapted to engage with a notch in a disc or catch plate secured to
the end of a rod a connected to the usual steam whistle of the engine, so that
upon the rod being forced upwards and the crank levers m and operated, the
Fino being raised out of catch plate p, the rod q will be turned and the whistle
so operated by the weighted handler attached to it.
The rod q may be operated independently by the driver by raising the crank
lever, and so withdrawing the pin o from engagement with the notch in the
catch plate p.
1
When desired the rod h may be arranged inside the locomotive frame, instead
of outside, as shown, according to the build of the locomotive, whilst a pair of
skids may be employed in connection with the signal, these being arranged one
on each side of one of the rails of the line, so that they will operate the rod h,
however placed.
When desired, instead of operating the ordinary steam whistle, the parts may
be arranged to close an electric bell circuit or operate any other device whereby
the engine driver may be warned as the train approaches or passes a signal at
danger.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
(1) Means for indicating the position of the ordinary signals on railways to
the driver of an approaching or passing train consisting of elongated bars or
skids arranged near the line adapted to be raised or lowered with a corresponding
movement of the usual signals and a rod on the engine adapted to be operated by
such skids, and controlling the operation of the cugine whistle or the like, the
whole arranged and operating substantially as described and illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
(2) In means for indicating the position of the usual signals on railways to
the driver of an approaching or passing train, elongated bars or skids f con-
nected by links g to fixed parts and operated through crank levers e and f and
rode by the usual signal apparatus substantially as described
(3) In means for indicating the position of the usual signals on railways to

page_text: the driver of an approaching or passing train a rod h fitted at its lower end with
a shoe piece and roller and controlling through crank levers m, n, pino and
catch plate pa rod q connected to the engine whistle or other indicator, sub-
stantially as described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 5th day of October 1899.
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention Office, Mitre Court, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.