Improvements in Railway Fog Signals.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1892
Complete Specification Left, -17th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 22nd Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Fog Signals.
I, THOMAS HENRY SKINNER of No. 278 Chorley Road, Swinton, in the
County of Lancaster Railway Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention has for its object to provide a fog signal working in conjunction
with an ordinary railway semaphore signal or actuated separately which will act
as a warning to drivers and guards when approaching danger signals during
foggy weather without having to depend on the presence of a man to place
detonators upon the rails as has hitherto been the case. I place parallel to
and on one side of the rails preferably in the centre of the six foot way a
magazine consisting of a trough of iron or other suitable material and provided
with an opening in the side nearest the line of rails and near one end into
which is fitted an ordinary cushioned striker as used in a central fire breach
loading sporting gun and an opening in the opposite side opposite the opening
last referred to. Inside this trough is a block of iron or other suitable material
capable of sliding along its bottom either on the flat or on rollers or wheels. In
this block I form a series of equidistant hollow chambers at right angles to the
direction in which the block is intended to move and opening at each end on
opposite sides of the block. The open ends of these chambers on each side of
the block are all situated at equal distances on the same line and so arranged
that each will on the side of the block nearest the line of rails in succession
come opposite the openings in the side of the trough as the block is moved
forward. In each of these chambers I place a detonating cartridge so that it
will be exposed when the end of the chamber is opposite the openings in the
side of the trough and may be exploded by a blow from the hammer shaped
striker hereinafter referred to. On the upper surface of the block are formed
a number of ridges or teeth corresponding to the number of chambers in the block.
Above the upper surface of the block is placed a drum capable of oscillation
about an axle at right angles to the length of the trough and provided with a
loose catch on its lower side and a fixed catch on its upper side. A weighted
or balanced lever passes through the axle of the drum and may be suitably attached
to the ordinary semaphore signal wire in such a manner that each time the
wire is tightened and the signal so flaxed at
"the block is by means
alright
of the loose catch carried one ridge or tooth and one chamber forward and
prevented by the fixed catch from going beyond its desired position which is
opposite the openings in the side of the trough or in the case of two or more
slotted semaphore signals fixed on one post the weighted or balanced lever may
be actuated by means of an independent signal lever placed in the pointsman's
the ordinary
cabin. When the weighted or balanced lever is attached to
semaphore signal wire or worked by the independent signal lever the balance
weight is arranged so as to act as a shield to prevent the cartridge placed in
position from being struck when the ordinary semaphore signal wire is taut
but each time the wire is slackened thus placing the ordinary semaphore signal
at danger" the balance weight on the lever falls back to a perpendicular
position and leaves the cartridge contained in chamber placed in position exposed.
and capable of being exploded by a blow from the hammer shaped striker next
referred to through the opening in the side of the trough. In front of the
opening in the side of the trough nearest the line of rails I place a haminer
shaped striker which moves about a pivot passing through the lower end of the
66
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page_text: handle in such a way that the hammer head strikes the cartridge exposel
through the opening in the side of the trough and is so adjusted that it will
by gravity immediately fall into its initial position when it has performed its
work. The handle of the hammer shaped striker is pivoted to an arm of a
straight lever which moves in a perpendicular plane at right angles to the
longitudinal direction of the trough. At right angles to the other and free arm
of this straight lever is placed a bent lever consisting of two arms at right
angles to each other and so placed that normally one arm is horizontal and its
end just above the end of the free arm of the straight lever last referred to
and the other arm is perpendicular and moves in a plane parallel to the line
of rails. This bent lever is kept in its normal position by means of the
horizontal arm resting on a strong spiral spring and being held down by one.
or more spiral springs attached to the ground or frame work of the apparatus
at one end and to the perpendicular arm at the other end. For the purpose of
actuating this bent lever when a train is passing I attach near the bottom of
each of the ordinary life guards of the engines a catch with a bevelled or
sloping edge or a small pivoted roller and projecting the requisite distance at
right angles to the direction of motion of the train. When a train passes
the place where the apparatus above described is fixed in the case where
the weighted or balanced lever is attached to the ordinary semaphore signal
wire and the ordinary semaphore signal is at "danger" or in the case when
the weighted or balanced lever is separately actuated where it is so placed that
a cartridge is left exposed to the action of the hammer shaped striker the
catch attached to the life guard of the engine will actuate the perpendicular
arm of the bent lever and thus cause the horizontal arm of the bent lever to
fall on the free arm of the straight lever and so cause the hammer shaped
striker to impart a sharp blow to the cartridge exposed to its action which will
explode it and to give warning to the engine driver and guard.
Dated this Thirteenth day of July 1892.
THOMAS HENRY SKINNER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Fog Signals.
I, THOMAS HENRY SKINNER of No. 278 Chorley Road Swinton in the County
of Lancaster Railway Clerk do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:-
My invention has for its object to provide a fog signal working in conjunction
with an ordinary railway semaphore signal or actuated separately which will act as
a warning to drivers and guards when approaching danger signals during foggy
weather without having to depend on the presence of a man to place detonators
upon the rails as has hitherto been the case.
I place parallel to and on one side of the rails preferably in the centre of the six
foot way a magazine consisting of a trough of iron or other suitable material and
provided with an opening in the side nearest the line of rails and near one end into
which is fitted on ordinary cushioned striker as used in a central fire breach loading
sporting gun and an opening in the opposite side opposite the opening last referred to.
Inside this trough is a block of iron or other suitable material capable of sliding
along its bottom either on the flat or on rollers or wheels. In this block, I form a
series of equidistant hollow chambers at right angles to the direction in which the
block is intended to move and opening at each end on opposite sides of the block.
The open ends of these chambers on each side of the block are all situated at equal
distances on the same line and so arranged that each will on the side of the block
nearest the line of rails in succession come opposite the openings in the side of the

page_text: trough as the block is moved forward. In each of these chambers I place a
detonating cartridge so that it will be exposed when the end of the chamber is
opposite the openings in the side of the trough and may be exploded by a blow
from the hammer shaped striker hereinafter referred to. On the upper surface of
the block are formed a number of ridges or teeth corresponding to the number of
chambers in the block. Above the upper surface of the block is placed a drum
capable of oscillation about an axle at right angles to the length of the trough and
provided with a loose catch on its lower side and a fixed catch on its upper side.
A weighted or balanced lever passes through the axle of the drum and may be
suitably attached to the ordinary semaphore signal wire in such a manner that each
time the wire is tightened and the signal so faxed at "alright" the block is by
means of the loose catch carried one ridg or tooth and one chamber forward and
prevented by the fixed catch from going beyond its desired position which is
opposite the openings in the side of the trough or in the case of two or more slotted
semaphore signals fixed on one post the weighted or balanced lever may be actuated
by means of an independent signal lever placed in the pointman's cabin. When
the weighted or balanced lever is attached to the ordinary semaphore signal wire
or worked by the independent signal lever the balance weight is arranged so as to
act as a shield to prevent the cartridge placed in position from being struck when
the ordinary semaphore signal wire is taut but each time the wire is slackened thus
placing the ordinary semaphore signal at "danger" the balance weight on the lever
falls back to a perpendicular position and leaves the cartridge contained in the
chamber placed in position exposed and capable of being exploded by a blow from
the hammer.shaped striker next referred to through the opening in the side of the
trough. In front of the opening in the side of the trough nearest the line of rails.
1 place a hammer shaped striker which moves about a pivot passing through the
lower end of the handle in such a way that the hammer head strikes the cartridge
exposed through the opening in the side of the trough and is so adjusted that it will
by gravity immediately fall into its initial position when it has performed its work..
The handle of the hammer shaped striker is pivoted to one arm of a straight lever
which moves in a perpendicular plane at right angles to the longitudinal direction
of the trough. At right angles to the other and free arm of this straight lever is
placed a bent lever consisting of two arms at right angles to each other and so
placed that normally one arm is horizontal and its end just above the end of the
free arm of the straight lever last referred to and the other arm is perpendicular
and moves in a plane parallel to the line of rails. This bent lever is kept in its
normal position by means of the horizontal arm resting on a strong spiral spring
and being held down by one or more spiral springs attached to. the ground or frame
work of the apparatus at one end and to the perpendicular arm at the other end.
For the purpose of actuating this bent lever when a train is passing I attach near
the bottom of each of the ordinary life guards of the engines a catch with a
bevelled or sloping edge or a small pivoted roller and projecting the requisite
distance at right angles to the direction of motion of the train.
When a train passes the place where the apparatus above described is fixed in
the case when the weighted or balanced lever is attached to the ordinary sema-
phore signal wire and the ordinary, semaphore signal is at "danger" or in the case
when the weighted or balanced lever is separately actuated when it is so placed.
that a cartridge is left exposed to the action of the hammer shaped striker the
catch attached to the life guard of the engine will actuate the perpendicular arm of
the bent lever and thus cause the horizontal arm of the bent lever to fall on the
free arm of the straight lever and so cause the hammer shaped striker to impart af
sharp blow to the cartridge exposed to its action which will explode it and so give
warning to the engine driver and guard.
Instead of the above described. actuating mechanism consisting of a catch
attached to the life.guard of the engine and bent lever I sometimes prefer to use
the actuating mechanism consisting of a lever and dead weight hereinafter more
particularly described with reference to Figs. 1. 2.3. and 4-for the purpose of

page_text: particularly describe how the same may be carried out with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1. is a end elevation of my apparatus arranged for actuation by the wheels
of a passing engine or vehicle.
Fig. 2. is a side elevation and
Fig. 3 is a plan of the same.
Fig. 4 shews the lever and dead weight after the wheels of an engine or vehicle
have passed.
Fig. 5 shews in section the cushioned striker for exploding the cartridges.
Fig. 6 shews the bent lever and the catch attached to the life guard of an engine
as used when I provide this means of actuating my apparatus.
In order to carry out my invention I place parallel to and on one side of the
rails preferably in the centre of the six foot way a magazine shewn in detail.in
Figs. 1. 2. and 3.
A is the trough made of iron or other suitable material. B Fig. 1 and 5 is the
opening in the side into which is fitted an ordinary cushioned striker as used in a
central fire breach loading sporting gun shewn in detail in Fig. 5. Opposite the
opening B in the side of the trough A is another opening to allow of the escape of
the products of combustion produced by the explosion of a cartridge. C is the
block made of iron or other suitable material which is capable of sliding along the
bottom of the trough either on the flat as shewn in Figs. 1. 2. and 3 or on rollers
on wheels. D are the equidistant hollow chambers at right angles to the direction
in which the block is intended to move and opening at each end on opposite sides
of the block. The open ends of the chambers D ou cach side of the block are all
situate at equal distances on the same line and so arranged that each will on the
side of the block nearest the line of rails in succession come opposite the opening B
in the side of the trough as the block C is moved forward. In each of these
chambers D1 place a detonating cartridge so that it will be exposed when the end
of the chamber is opposite the opening B in the side of the trough and the wire e
is slack and may therefore be exploded by a blow from the hammer shaped
striker G (Figs. 1 and 3). On the upper surface of the block C are formed a
number of ridges or teeth E corresponding to the number of chambers D in the
block C. Above the upper surface of the block C is the drum F capable of
oscillation about the axle a at right angles to the length of the trough A and
provided with a loose catch on its lower side, and a fixed catch c on its upper
side. The weighted or balanced lever d passes through the axle a of the drum F
and may be suitably attached by means of the wire e. to the ordinary semaphore
signal wire in such a manner that each time the semaphore signal wire is tightened
and the signal placed at "alright "the block C is by means of the loose catch b
carried one ridg or tooth and one chamber forward and prevented by the fixed
catch e from going beyond its desired position which is opposite the openings in
the side of the trough A or in the case of two or more slotted semaphore signals
fixed on one post the weighted or balanced lever may be actuated by means of an
independent signal lever placed in connection with the wire e in the pointsmans
cabin. When the weighted or balanced lever d is attached to the ordinary sema-
phore signal wire or worked by the independent signal. lever the balance weight d
is arranged so as to act as a shield to prevent the cartridge placed in position from
being struck when the wire c is kept taut but each time the wire e is slacked the
balance weight d' on the lever d falls back to a perpendicular position and leaves
the cartridge contained in the chamber placed in position exposed and capable of
being exploded by a blow from the hammer shaped striker next referred to through
the opening B in the side of the trough A. In front of the opening B in the side
C

page_text: of the trough A nearest the line of rails I place the hammer shaped striker G
(Figs. 1 and 3) which moves about a pivot f passing through the lower end of the
handle in such a way that the hammer head strikes the cartridge exposed through
the opening B in the side of the trough A and is so adjusted that it will by gravity
immediately fall into its initial position when it has performed its work. The
handle of the hammer is pivoted to an arm of a straight lever g. which moves in a
perpendicular plane at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the trough A. At
right angles to the other and free arm of the straight lever g, is placed a bent.
lever H (Fig. 6) consisting of two arms at right angles to each other and so
placed that normally one arm is horizontal and its end just above the end of
the free arm of the straight lever g, and the other arm is perpendicular and moves.
in a plane parallel to the line of rails, and is prolonged a little above the rails
and bevelled as shewn. The bent lever H is kept in its normal position by means
of the horizontal arm resting on a strong spiral spring i, and being held down by
one or more spiral springs attached to the ground or frame work of the apparatus
at one end and to the perpendicular arm at the other end. For the purpose of
actuating the bent lever H when a train is passing I attach near the bottom of
each of the ordinary life guards I (Fig. 6) of the engines a catch with a bevelled:
or sloping edge or small pivoted roller and projecting the requisite distance at:
right angles to the direction of motion of the train. Instead of the actuating
mechanism shewn in Fig. 6 I sometimes prefer to use the actuating mechanism
shewn in Figs. 1. 2 3 and 4 as for instance when my apparatus is adopted by a
railway company over whose line another railway company which has not adopted
my apparatus has running powers. The treadle lever K has one end bevelled and
is so placed that the bevelled end when it is in the position shewn in the Figs. 1
and 2 is parallel with and projects above the rail. The treadle lever K is pivoted
to the upright L at m. A stop n prevents the treadle from swinging past it. o' is.
a catch with a bevelled edge and hinged at p on to the end of the treadle lever as
shewn and capable of movement in the direction indicated by the arrow.
M is a
dead weight pivoted at q to the upright N which is thus capable of movement.
between the sides of the guide O. Normally the dead weight M rests on a strong
spiral spring P with its free end just above the catch o as shewn in Figs. 1. 2.
and 3 and also just above the free end of the straight lever between the spring P
and the catch o. The wire is fastened at one end to the loop r. and at the other
to the wire e in such a manner that when the wire e is made taut (by the signal
lever) the wire will bring back the catch o into the position shewn in Figs. 1. 2..
and for lifting the dead weight M as hereinafter explained. The position of
the treadle lever K and catch o after a train has passed and before they are.
brought back to their normal position are shewn in Fig. 4.
If my apparatus is actuated by means of the mechanism shewn in Fig. 6 when.
a train passes the place where my apparatus is fixed in the case when the wire e is.
attached to the ordinary semaphore signal wire and the ordinary semaphore signal
is at "
danger" the wire e being slack or in the case when the wire e is worked by
an independent signal lever and is slack a cartridge is left exposed to the action
of the hammer shaped striker G the catch attached to the life guard I of the
engine will actuate the perpendicular arm of the bent lever H and thus cause the
horizontal arm of the bent lever H to fall on the free arm of the straight lever
and so cause the hammer shaped striker G to impart a sharp blow to the cartridge.
exposed to its action which will explode and so give warning to the driver and
guard.
If my apparatus is actuated by means of the treadle lever and dead weight.
mechanism shewn in Figs. 1. 2. 3. and 4 and the wire e is slack when a train passes.
the place where the apparatus is fixed the wheel of the first vehicle will if the
mechanism has been previously brought to its normal position shewn in Figs. 1. 2
and 3, depress the lever K and so raise the dead weight M and when the lever K
has been so far depressed as to cause the catch o to pass the dead weight M as shewn
in Fig. 4 the dead weight M will fall imparting a sharp blow to the free arm of

page_text: the straight lever and so cause the hammer shaped striker G to impart a sharp
blow to the cartridge exposed to its action which will explode and so give warning
to the driver and guard.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A magazine consisting of a trough a block divided into equidistant hollow
chambers containing detonating cartridges with a number of ridges or teeth
corresponding to the number of such hollow chambers, a drum capable of
oscillation about an axle at right angles to the trough provided with a loose
catch a fixed catch and a weighted or balanced lever actuated by connection with
an ordinary semaphore signal wire or a wire attached to an independent signal
lever substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
2. The combination of the magazine referred to in Claim 1 and a hammer
shaped striker pivoted to one end of a straight lever capable of exploding a
cartridge in the magazine substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described.
3. The combination of the magazine referred to in Claim 1 a hammer shaped
striker pivoted to one end of a straight lever capable of exploding a cartridge in
the magazine, and a bent lever actuated by a catch fixed to the life guard of a
passing engine substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described.
4. The combination of the magazine referred to in Claim 1 a hammer shaped
striker pivoted to one end of a straight lever capable of exploding a cartridge in
the magazine and a treadle lever provided with a catch and dead weight actuated
by the wheels of a passing vehicle substantially as and for the purposes herein-
before described.
Dated this Sixteenth day of March 1893.