Improvements in or connected with Fog Signalling Apparatus for Railways.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Fog Signalling Apparatus for
Railways.
I, THOMAS MOSELEY of 14, Wellesley Road, Queens Crescent, Haverstock Hill,
I.ondon, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in or connected with fog-signalling
apparatus for railways, the object of which is to provide automatic apparatus
arranged in, or in connection with the permanent way, the engine, the guard's
van, and the signal box, for the purpose of indicating to the driver, signalman or
guard the various signals or warnings as required. The apparatus will indicate
to the driver independently and disctinctly by an audible signal upon a bell or
Lells arranged upon the engine,, whether the signals are on or off, or if the signal
should happen to be in a defective position this will also be indicated to him. The
apparatus further indicates to the signalman when the engine passes the box, the
apparatus then shows the section blocked and remains in that position until the
last vehicle of the train has passed, when the signal then comes off, showing the
section clear, so that should the train become divided in dense, foggy weather and
the signalman is not satisfied that the whole of the train has passed, his apparatus
will indicate this to him. In addition the apparatus indicates to him that a part
of the train has been left behind, if the said part happens to be left on a falling
gradient towards the signal box, and, he then by means of a suitable lever causes
suitable mechanism to be operated which will indicate to the guard of the divided
pertion that he has been left behind, when he at once of course applies his brake,
if however the train should become divided on a steep incline, and the rear portion
of the train run back in the wrong direction, the apparatus automatically indicates
to the guard what has occurred.
The apparatus is very simple, reliable and inexpensive, and will efficiently fulfil
the objects in view during foggy weather, snow storms and the like.
In carrying my invention into practical effect, I arrange upon the engine two
bells, one upon either side in connection with which I also fix suitable cranked
connecting rods extending from the weather board to the permanent way each one
being furnished with a suitable small wheel or roller designed to come into contact
with oval spring plates operated by means of lifting bars, and which work outside
the rails. These oval spring plates are arranged in pairs and work together, the
number of pairs being regulated by the number of distance signals. Each pair
of plates are mounted upon a suitable rocking shaft or lever in such a manner that
the right lifting bar takes about one quarter lead of the left lifting bar, so that when
one side is raised, the other is lowered. These lifting bars are operated from the
signal box automatically with the signals and in accordance with the said signals,
whether they are on or off either the right or left hand bell of the engine is
sounded. If however the signal should be in a defective position, that is, midway
between the on and off, both plates will be sufficiently raised to ring both gongs

page_text: . In order to indicate to the signalman when the engine has passed the signal-box,
and also when the rear portion of the train has passed, I arrange within the four
foot way by means of two axles with cranks placed about mid-way beween the
centre of the said four foot way and the rail, a suitable reversible lever which
is centrally pivoted in such a manner that when the engine comes into
contact with the left hand lever, it releases a lock, throws the rever-
sible lever over and operates a signal in the box, which indicates to the
signalman that the engine has passed, said signal remaining in that position until
the last vehicle also passes, which operates a lever upon the opposite side of the line
to that formally operated and releases a lock and throws the reversible lever back
into its former position at the same time taking off the signal in the signal box,
while the apparatus is then locked again ready for the next train. If the signal
in the box is not taken off it indicates to the signalman that the train has become
divided, in which case he can by means of a lever and connections cause a suitable
piate to be raised which will operate bell mechanism in the guards van as it passes,
and indicate to the guard that his train has become divided. If after the whole of
the train has passed the signal-box and is ascending a steep gradient then should
the train become divided through any cause or defect and the rear portion run
back in the wrong direction a suitable projecting or raised plate in the permanent
way will come into contact with bell mechanism arranged in the guard's van,
which will sound a gong and indicate to the guard that the train has become
divided, said mechanism being arranged in such a manner that the bell mechanism
is not operated when the guards van is travelling in the right direction.
As my improvements are capable of some modifications, without departing from
the principle thereof, I do not restrict myself to materials, dimensions, or to the
precise form or placement of the several parts thereof.
10+1 dar of Santombor 1806
F. G. CASSELL
(Of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in or connected with Fog Signalling Apparatus for
Railways.
I, THOMAS MOSELEY of 14, Wellesley Road, Queen's Crescent, Haverstock Hill,
London, Gentleman, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in or connected with fog-signalling
apparatus for railways, the object of which is to provide automatic apparatus
arranged in, or in connection with the permanent way, the engine, the guards van,
and the signal box, for the purpose of indicating to the driver, signalman, and
guard, the various signals or warnings as required. The apparatus indicates to
the driver independently and distinctly by an audible signal upon a bell or bells
arranged upon the engine, whether the signals are on or off, or whether they are
in a defective position. It also further indicates to the signalman when the engine
passes the box and the section is blocked, in which position it remains until the
last vehicle of the train has passed, when the signal is automatically taken off,
thus showing that the section is clear, so that should the train become divided in
dense or foggy weather and the signalman not be satisfied that the whole of the

page_text: train has passed, the apparatus in the signal-box will indicate this to him. In
addition the apparatus indicates to him that a part of the train has been left
behind, if the said part happens to be left on a falling gradient towards the box.
In this case he can, by means of a lever actuating a rising and falling plate or
platform in the permanent way, indicate to the guard of the divided portion that the
said portion has been left behind, so that the guard may at once apply his brake.
Should however the train become divided on a reverse incline the rear part will
run back in the reverse direction and will cause a bell in the guards van to be
automatically sounded by means of a roller on the van coming in contact with a
lever or catch operating a rising and falling plate or platform in the permanent
way.
In carrying my invention into practical effect, I arrange upon the engine two
bells, one on either side thereof operated by means of bell-cranks and levers and a
small roller which comes into contact with oval or curved spring plates arranged
in pairs on each side of the permanent way, and operated by means of a rocking
shaft and levers so as to cause them to rise or fall into or out of contact with the
said rollers. The said rocking levers are so arranged that as one of the spring
plates on one side of the line is raised, the one on the opposite side is lowered, and
vice versa, and they are operated from the signal-box automatically with the
signals, the bell on the right or left hand side of the engine being sounded
according to whether the signals are on or off, but should the signals be in a
midway or defective position the plates on both sides will be sufficiently raised to
ring both bells.
For indicating to the signalman when the engine has passed the signal-box or
home signal, and also when the rear portion of the train has passed, I arrange
within the four foot way, two transverse axles each provided with a crank near
each of the rails connected so as to operate together by means of a centrally pivoted
reversing lever. Above each of the said cranks is carried a pivoted inclined plate
or platform upon which presses a contact roller carried on each side of the engine
in such a manner that as the plate on the left hand side is forced down it releases
a lock in connection with the foremost of the said axles, thus allowing ats crank
to turn and throwing the reversing lever over so as to operate a signal in the box
indicating that the engine has passed, and which remains in this position until the
last vehicle also passes, which latter similarly operates the plate on the right hand
side which releases a second lock and permits the crank on the further axle to
turn the reversing lever back to its former position thus taking off the signal in the
box and locking the apparatus ready for the next train.
Should the signal not be taken off it indicates that the train has become divided,
when the signalman can, by means of a lever and suitable connections cause a
hinged plate or plates in the permanent way to be raised, and so operate a bell
in the guards van as it passes over the same and indicate that his train has become
divided. If after the whole of the train has passed the signal-box and is ascending
a gradient, then should the train become dívided and the rear portion run back,
the aforesaid lever or catch will be caused to raise a hinged plate in the permanent
way, which will come into contact with a roller connected with the bell mechanism
in the guards van, so as to operate the same, such mechanism being so arranged
that the bell will not be operated when the train is travelling in the forward or
right direction.
In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention Fig. 1 is a diagram-
matic view in side elevation of my improved apparatus and Fig. 2 is a plan of the
same.
Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, are details
Fig. 8 is a plan, partly in section, 'of the locking and reversing mechanism.
Fig. 9 is a side elevation and Figs. 10 and 11 are details thereof.
Fig. 12 is a side view of the bell mechanism fitted to each side of the engine,
Fig. 13 is a side view of the contact or operating rollers fixed to, the lower frame of
the engine and Fig. 14 is an end veiw of the same.

page_text: Fig. 15 is a side view showing the bell mechanism and contact rollers, fitted to
the guards van, and Fig. 16 is an end view thereof.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the figures.
a, a', are the rails of the permanent way, b the signal-box, c the home signal
and d, d', d, the distance signals, three of which are shown as applied to a junction
e, el, are the three pairs of oval or curved spring plates, each pair being operated
by a quadrant lever f in the signal box, and a rod f¹ connected to a rocking lever
or crank fitted to a rod f3 carried by the rails a, a¹. Each of the spring plates
is carried by nivoted arms f, as shown in Fig. 3, the arms of those on one side of
the line being arranged at an angle of about one quarter of a circle in advance of
those of the other side as shown in Fig. 4. Each of the distance signals is operated
by a chain g connected to the rods f operating the spring plates so as to act simul
taneously with the latter. h, h, are the two pivoted plates placed within the
permanent way and acted upon by cranks h¹ fitted to the cranked axles 2 operated
simultaneously by the rod i, connected with the quadrant lever i in the signal box.
A third pivoted plate & is also provided placed in-line with the plates h and raised
by means of a crank k fixed to the pivoted axis 13, which is operated by the pivoted
lever or catch, as shown in Fig. 7, the said catch being kept in the position
shown by the curved spring plate A+.
1, 1, are the two transverse axles pivoted to the rails near the signal box, as
shown clearly in Fig. 8, and formed with the cranks and arms 13. m is the
centrally pivoted reversing lever connecting the said cranks together by means of
the rods or bars m', m³.
In front of the axle is pivoted a cam-shaped lever n formed with a short arm
which engages with a slot in the end of a bar n² connected to one end of a lever o
pivoted at o, and provided with a plate or extension 3 carrying a pin o passing
through a slot of, in the rail a'. This pin bears against an arm p pivoted at p
to a plate (fixed to the other side of the rail) and kept in its closed position by
a spring 2. The arm is likewise provided with a pin which passes through
a slot p in the rail and engages with a slot 6 in the arm This forms the
Iccking mechanism in connection with the signal in the signal-box, the said
signal being connected with the reversing lever m by the chain q'. r is the pivoted
inclined plate or platform, Figs. 2 and 9, which rests upon the top of lever and
causes the latter to turn on its axis when the contact roller on the left side of the
engine passes over the said plate. is a second pivoted inclined plate operating
in a similar manner to that described, the second cam-shaped lever n acting upon
the locking mechanism fitted to the other rail a.
The engine carries two bells or gongs s operated the mechanism shown in
Fig. 12 on each side thereof, the small roller s' carried by the vertical slide s
coming into contact with the several raised spring plates for actuating the said
mechanism, and the guards van is likewise fitted with a bell or gong t, Figs. 15
and 16, operated in a similar manner by the roller and vertical slide . E
(Fig. 13) is the lower frame of the engine provided with two rollers u carried by
hinged arms a one of which may be turned up as shown according to which
direction the engine may be travelling the tender behind or in front.
In the position of, the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the distance signal d has
been operated by its corresponding lever f and rod f' the near spring plate e having
been at the same time raised and the opposite or off plate e lowered. As a train
approaches in the direction of the arrow the rollers on the right hand side of
the engine comes into contact with the right hand raised plate, which causes
the bell on that side to ring, whilst as the train proceeds the same roller comes
into contact with the raised plate el on the right hand side, thus ringing the bell
twice on, that-side, while as the train further proceeds the roller s on the left hand
side of the engine comes into contact with the corresponding raised plate e on the
left hand side of the line, thus causing the bell on that side of the engine to be
sounded, and indicating to the driver that the signals d' and are on, while the

page_text: third signal d is off, the sounding of the bell on the right hand side indicating
the signals that are on, while the sounding of the bell on the left hand side
indicates that its corresponding signal is off.
Briefly stated, when the signals are on the right lifting bars are raised which
causes the gong on the right hand side of the engine to be sounded, while when the
signals are off, the lifting bars on the left hand side are raised which causes the
gong on the left hand side of the engine to he sounded. If the signals should be
in a defective position both right and left hand lifting bars will be sufficiently
raised to cause both gongs to sound.
When the engine reaches the oval inclined plate the roller u on the left hand
side travels over it forcing it down, and turning the lever n, Fig. 9, on its axis,
thus drawing back the bar by means of the short arm and turning the lever o;
so as to force the pin against the arm p, thereby turning the latter on its axis
and drawing the pin pt out of engagement with the slot of the arm 3, so as to
permit the crank being likewise forced down by the continued pressure on the
plater. By this means the rod m' is pushed forward so as to turn the lever m
and slacken the chain thus operating the signal and indicating to the signal-
man that the first part of the train has passed the home signal c. As the rear part
of the train reaches the oval inclined plate the roller carried by the pivoted
arm v fitted to the right hand side of the guards van, as shown in Fig. 16, forces
down the said plate and turns the second locking lever n so as to unlock the
mechanism fitted to the right hand rail, thus allowing the crank on the second
axle to turn in a similar manner to the first named one and force back the bar na
thereby turning the lever m and reversing or taking off the signal g so as to
indicate that the whole of the train has passed.
Should the latter part of the train become detached and still travel onwards
tewards the signal box, the signalman may communicate the fact to the guard in
the rear van by raising the pivoted plates h, which may be about 500 yards apart,
by means of the cranks operated by the rod i and lever i'. One of the raised
plates, according to the position of the guards van, acts upon the central roller
the latter and sounds the gong t, thus notifying to the guard to apply his brake.
Should however the train become divided after passing the signal box, and the
rear part run back down an incline the rollere on the guards van will come into
contact with the pivoted lever or catch and turn the latter in the direction of
the arrow, Fig. 7, thus raising the inclined plate & by means of the crank kand
causing it to sound the gong by contact with the roller t. When the guards vair
passes over the lever in a forward direction it simply turns the said lever on its
hinge as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7 without raising the plate k.
In the event of the guards van being placed in the middle of a train, the
arms v, o, may be turned up out of operating position, and this may be done by
means of a quadrant lever in the guards van. Should the guards van be
travelling in the reverse direction when used as the last vehicle of the train, the
last roller of the guards van is lowered into its operating position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. In fog-signalling apparatus for railways, automatically operating a
pair of
spring contact plates for each signal arranged one on either side of the permanent
way, by the signal operating mechanism in such a manner that one of the said
plates is caused to rise and the other to fall so as to actuate a gong on one or the
other side of the engine, substantially as described and for the purposes specified
2. The improved apparatus for indicating when the whole or only a part of the
tiain has passed the home signal, consisting of a pair of hinged, oval, inclined
plates arranged within the permanent way in such a manner that a roller carried
by the engine operates upon one of the said plates and a roller carried by the

page_text: guards van operates upon the other plate to unlock a pair of arms or cranks con-
nected one to each end of a centrally pivoted reversing lever actuating a signal in
the signal box, substantially as described.
3. The improved apparatus for indicating to the guard when the rear part of
the train has become detached from the front part, consisting of two or more
hinged oval inclined plates arranged within the permanent way, and actuated
simultaneously from the signal-box, so as to cause a gong to be sounded in the
guards van, when the latter is travelling towards the signal-box, substantially as
described.
4. The improved apparatus for automatically indicating to the guard when the
rear part of the train has become detached from the front part after the train
has passed the home signal, consisting of a hinged inclined plate arranged within
the permanent way and operated by a pivoted lever or catch actuated by a roller
carried by the guards van, so as to ring a gong on the latter when it is travelling
back in a contrary direction to the front part of the train, substantially as
described.
5. The improved fog-signalling apparatus for railways arranged, combined and
operating, substantially as described and shown with reference to the accompanying
diawings.
Dated this 1 day of June 100 1.
F. G. CASSELL
(Of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.