Improvements in and relating to Signal Apparatus and Switch- controlling Mechanism.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 24th June, 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1890
COMPLETE DIEUIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Signal Apparatus and Switch-
controlling Mechanism.
I, EDWIN RUTHVEN GILL Junior, residing at Kansas City, in the County of
Jackson and State of Missouri, one of the United States of America, Electrician,
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:-
My invention relates to an automatic signal apparatus and the purpose thereof is
as follows: Upon any connected system of signals to be operated from a distance,
it is desirable that means be provided whereby any of the signals connected thereto
may be operated independently of each other and also to have the fact of said
operation automatically transmitted to a distant point or station connected thereto.
It is the purpose of my invention to provide simple and effective means for accom-
plishing these results, the same being fully hereinafter set forth and then definitely
pointed out in the claims following this Specification.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1, is a vertical section of any ordinary support for a signal, the parts of the
signal mechanism being shown in elevation;
Figure 2, is a detail plan view of a portion of the signal actuating mechanism ;
Figure 3, shows in plan an enlarged view of a portion of the verifying message
transmitting part of the signal apparatus, said part being a disc, 51, made of metal
and the black portions around the edge are made of insulating material, and it will
readily be seen that when the said disc is revolved with the apparatus that a metal
brush bearing on its periphery will close the main line circuit whenever the metallic
portions touch the said brush and the said main line circuit will be broken when the
said brush leaves the said metallic portions and rests upon the said insulating parts.
By this construction the said device can transmit (when operated) a verifying message
to the operator. The message illustrated in Figure 3, on the periphery meaning
23 danger and 23 clear, 23 being the name or number of the station;
Figure 4, is a diagram showing the relative arrangement of the mechanism of any
one of the signal stations and representing also, the connection with the main line,
or central station ;
Figure 5, is a side elevation with the casing in section showing the parts
comprising my signal operating apparatus or lock;
Figure 6, is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 5;
Figure 7, is a detail side elevation of the inertia wheel of the escapement shaft
and the manner of connecting the same to said shaft ;
Figure 8, is a detail of the escapement device showing the electrical contacts and
their connections ;
Figure 9, is an edge elevation of the escapement device partially shown in
Figure 8, exhibiting portions of the escapement armature lever having the long
engagement pawl on the upper arm to operate against that portion of the wheel
free from contacts and thereby insulating said pawl and the lower pawl operating
with that portion of the wheel provided with electrical contacts;
Figure 10, is a detail end elevation of one pole of the restoring electro-magnet
showing the auxiliary armature with its circuit connecting springs shown in
Figure 4;
Figure 11, is a diagram representing the signal actuating device applied to a
railroad switch to operate the same.
In the said drawings the reference numeral, 1, designates a support or casing for
the signal
The signal which is indicated by the device 2 mounted unon a shaft 3.

page_text: having suitable bearings and operated by a mitre gear, 4, meshing with a second
mitre, 5, the latter being carried by a shaft, 6, turned by a cord winding upon a
drum, 7, thereon, said cord sustaining a weight, 8. The wheel, 5, turns loosely on
shaft, 6, and said shaft and drum have secured thereto a ratchet wheel, 9, connected
with said gear, 5, by a pawl, 10, on said mitre gear, 5, so that the cord can be wound
upon the drum without revolving the gears.
Upon a shaft, 3, is mounted a gear, 12, meshing with which is a pinion, 13, of
one fourth the circumference of said gear. Rigid with the pinion, 13, is a hub, 14,
having at one point in its periphery a recess, 15. At a separate point in the
periphery of the hub, 14, is formed a notch, 16, and upon a support near by is
mounted an escapement or angular armature, 17, having at one end a detent, 18,
engaging the recess, 15, while at the extremity of the other arm is a hook, 19, so
arranged as to make engagement with the notch, 16, only after the disengagement
of detent, 18, has permitted a partial movement of the pinion. A spring, 20,
acting upon the armature escapeinent preserves the parts normally in the position
described.
Located at a suitable point with reference to the signal, is a device which may be
termed "the electric combination lock" Figures 4, 5 and 6, by the correct operation
of which the armature detaining the signal from operation will be drawn back and
allow the signal to operate.
This device consists of a movable pawl, 21, consisting preferably of a wheel made
of insulating material having a series of contacts, 22, even with the surface of the
wheel and electrically connected together, and to the supports, 23, upon which the.
shaft, 21", of said part, 21, is mounted.
A separate contact, 24, is also mounted on said movable part, and electrically
connected by wire, 25, with the coil of an electro-magnet, 26, by which the
armature, 17, is operated.
From this electro-magnet the continuation of wire 25, returns to one pole of a
battery, L B. Upon any suitable support is mounted a lever, 27, having an
armature, 28, and provided at one end with two diverging arms, 29, and, 30, one
of which carries a friction stop 31, and the other a long limit friction pawl, 32. This
friction stop, 31, is arranged to prevent the rotation of the movable part, 21, in the
direction of the arrow, a, when in contact, but to allow it to be rotated in the opposite
direction ; and for this purpose it is pivoted and is preferably of eccentrical form.
The long limit friction pawl, 32, is arranged to come in contact with the part, 21,
when the armature lever, 27, is drawn downward by the electro-magnet, 37, and is
capable of a degree of movement between the stops, 32ª, and, 32, normally resting
against, 32, thereby allowing the part, 21, to move that degree before being
arrested by the pawl, 32, coming in contact with the stop 32b. By the vibration of
this lever, 27, upon its support, 33, these pawls or stops engage alternately with the
movable part, 21. Progressive motion may be imparted to the latter in one direction
by a spring as used in various electrical instruments while a reversing magnet, 35,
acting upon an armature, 36, gives a movement in the opposite direction. But in
place of a spring to rotate the part, 21, in one direction I have shown an electro-
magnet, 34, acting on armature, 36, the circuit of which is controlled by the
auxiliary armature, 47, of the electro-magnet, 35, and circuit connections, as shown
in Figure 4. Upon the shaft, 21ª is also frictionally mounted an inertia wheel, 21,
to prevent the escapement mechanism from responding too quickly to the action of
the electro-magnet, 34. The lever, 27, is actuated by an operating magnet, 37.
Mounted upon a suitable support in proximity to the movable part, 21, is a flexible
or elastic contact plate, 38, connected as follows: From local battery, L B, by
wire, 39, through a contact, 40, on said plate, thence by wire, 39, to lever, 27,
thence by the friction stop, 31, through the final contact, 24, thence by wire, 25,
through the electro-magnet, 26, and then by wire, 25, back to the other pole
of the battery. The circuit of electro-magnet, 37, is from local battery, LB,
by wire, 39, then by the split, 39ª, to contact, 41, through the armature, 42,
of a relay, R, the latter located in a main line circuit designated by the
.

page_text: letter, L, thence by wire, 39, to magnet, 37, and thence by wire, 60, back to
the other pole of the battery. The main line is connected in exactly the same
manner at all the local stations, by simply passing through a relay, R, at each. It
will thus be seen that by sending an impulse over the main line from the central or
controlling station, CS, the armature, 42, of each relay will be operated and will
close the circuit of each operating magnet, 37, in the manner set forth. The
contacts, 22, upon the movable part, 21, are arranged thereon at certain intervals
disposed with reference to a predetermined combination of long and short electrical
impulses, sent over the main line. Each impulse closes the circuit of the local
electro-magnet, 37, by attracting the armature of the relay, R, and making the
circuit from, LB, through wire, 39, split, 39ª, relay armature, 42, wire, 39ª,
magnet, 37, and wire, 60, back to battery. At each of these impulses the friction
stop, 31, is withdrawn from the movable part, 21, allowing the electro-magnet, 34, to
move said part, 21, in the direction of arrow, a, but as the stop, 31, leaves the
movable part the long limit pawl or stop, 32, engages it, and if the circuit of
magnet, 37, is prolonged sufficiently, said pawl permits a movement which is only
limited by the swing of the pawl or stop, 32, between the shoulders, 32", and, 32b, on
the lever. If on the other hand, the impulse is of relatively short duration the
friction stop, 31, is withdrawn and allows the wheel to have a small degree of rotation.
As the surface of the movable part, 21, is pressed upon at suitable intervals by the
stop, 31, and pawl, 32, the short impulse will permit the stop, 31, to engage the
surface of said part, 21, at distances apart governed by the duration of the impulses,
whereas, if the circuit is continued for any period longer than a relatively short
duration the long limit friction pawl will allow the part, 21, to move far enough to
allow the stop, 31, to engage said part, 21, at a relatively long distance from the
previous point of engagement.
The operation of the signal controlling device is as follows: When the correct
combination of pulsations are transmitted over the main line, either by hand or
mechanically by keys similar to those used in district messenger call systems, for
operating the device shown at, 1, 2 and 3, in Figure 4, the movable part or combination
wheel, 21, will revolve in the direction of the arrow, a, a greater or less number of
degrees, each successive time that the escapement lever is operated, the degrees
varying directly in proportion to the time of the long and short pulsations as will be
seen by the following description. Starting from normal position as shown in Figure 4,
if a short pulsation is transmitted the lever, 27, will be attracted downwardly by the
action of the electro-magnet, 37, causing the pawl, 31, to move away from the
underside of the wheel and the pawl, 32, to engage upon the upperside, and said
wheel, 21, (acting under the influence of electro-magnet, 34,) will now revolve
through a number of degrees determined by the stop, 32b, which will stop the
pawl, 32, from being carried any further forward by the wheel when said lever is
held down long enough for the inertia of the wheel, 21b, to be overcome, and the said
action to take place. But to correctly operate the device in Figure 4, it is not
desired that the said action should take place, but only a partial degree of movement
be allowed. This action will be produced when the lever, 27, is held down for only
a short time (which will be when a short pulsation is made over the line) and then
be allowed to move up to normal position, as shown in Figure 4. The action just
described allows the wheel, 21, to revolve a short distance but not far enough for
pawl, 31, to touch upon the first one of the contacts, 22, but a little distance in front
of it. The next action desired is produced by a long pulsation and will cause the
pawl, 31, to miss touching the said contact, 22, by moving away from the wheel and
allowing it to turn through the full limit of movement which will cause the said
contact to pass by the said pawl, and when the said pawl is allowed to move up
against the surface of wheel, 21, it will strike beyond the other side of the first
contact, 22. The next pulsation is a long one, and the actions are the same as the.
last described, and pawl, 31, will be resting upon the wheel between the second and
third contacts, 22, but nearest to the second.
The next pulsation in the combination is a short one, which will cause the lever, 27,

page_text: to be attracted for a short time only and consequently the wheel, 21, will have moved
only through a short distance before it is arrested in its movement by the pawl, 31,
coming in contact with the wheel, 21, at a place also between the second and third
contacts, but nearest to the third. The next three pulsations are long ones and the
next three contacts are missed by virtue of the length of the pulsations, and the
pawl, 31, now rests upon the wheel at a point between the fifth contact, 22, and
the signal operating contact, 24, but nearest to the fifth contact, 22. And now the
last pulsation required to complete the combination is a short one and the wheel, 21,
will turn a short distance so that when the contact pawl, 31, is allowed to move
upward it will strike upon the signal operating contact, 24, closing an electric circuit
'as follows: From local battery over wire, 39, contact-plate, 38, contact, 40, wire, 39,
lever, 27, arm, 30, contact-stop, 31, contact, 24, wire, 25, electro-magnet, 26, and
by wire, 25, back to the battery. This draws the stop or detent, 18, out of the
recess, 15, and throws the hook, 19, into the notch, 16, at the same time permitting
the hub, 14, to turn far enough to prevent the re-engagement of the detent, 18.
Thus when the electro-magnet, 26, releases its armature the spring, 20, will restore
the armature to its normal position, releasing the hub, 14. The latter making one
full revolution before the recess, 15, re-engages the detent, 18, the gear, 12, will
turn through an arc of 90 degrees, thereby showing the signal to danger or
safety as the case may be.
"
"
"
After contact-stop, 31, has made connections with contact, 24, the local circuit is
established through electro-magnet, 26. When the next pulsation passes through
electro-magnet, 37, the stop, 31, leaves contact, 24, thereby breaking the circuit of
electro-magnet, 26, and also making connections with the contact, 45, the latter
preferably extended beyond the surface of movable part, 21. The circuit will then be
from local battery by wire, 39, plate, 38, contact, 40, wire 39, lever, 27, arm, 30,
stop, 31, contact, 45, through wire, c, to shaft of movable part, 21, wire, 46, through
electro-magnet, 35, wire, 46ª, back to the other pole of the battery. The electro-
magnet, 35, now being energized attracts its auxiliary armature, 47, breaking the
circuit that existed in the propelling electro-magnet, 34, and making its own circuit
by auxiliary armature making contact with spring, 49, whereby the circuit is retained
through electro-magnet, 35, after contact, 31, has moved away from contact, 45, and
until the movable part, 21, reaches its normal position, when it breaks the circuit
through electro-magnet, 35, by the pin, 50, striking against contact plate, 38, thereby
breaking the circuit at, 40, and allowing the circuit to be established through the
propelling magnet, 34, as it was before.
It will be seen that when the line circuit is operated from any point or station all
relays connected to said line circuit will be operated, and thereby operate their
respective local circuits, and consequently all signal-controlling instruments will be
operated in part, but will return to normal position without closing their signal
operating circuit. Now, when it is desired by the terminal station, CS, to operate a
certain one of the signals and to receive a verifying message from said signal, the
required combination of impulses are transmitted over the line from, CS, by hand or
mechanically and they operate the desired signal controlling apparatus correctly or
fully causing it to close the signal operating circuit, causing said signal to operate
and automatically transmit the required verifying message as described, and by reason
of each signal controlling apparatus being set to a different combination of impulses;
all except the one desired will return to normal position without operating their
signal circuits.
The stop, 31, having engaged with some one of the contacts, 22, before it reached
contact, 24. For the same reason the makes and breaks in the main line caused by
the transmission of the verifying message will not operate the signals, their controlling
combination being different.
At the main station, Figure 4, is located a receiver, M S, of suitable construction
as understood in the art for receiving messages sent over the line by the transmitter, 51,
connected to or operated by shaft, 3. The object of said transmitter, 51, is to transmit
to central station a verifying message corresponding with the position of the signal

page_text: when said signal is operated from said central station. The time also may be stamped
on the message showing the time said signal was operated. In said Figure 4, at, MS.
is shown a strip of paper, d, coming from the register rollers, it passes by, or beneath
a dial wheel, e, that may be provided with time divisions on its periphery and
operated by clock mechanism and provided with a self inking roller, f, and close to
the dial wheel, e, is a lever, g, by which the paper may be pressed against said dial
wheel.
In Figure 11 I have shown the signalling devices herein above described as
performing an additional function in that said devices are adapted to control a switch
that is connected by a rod, 75, to a crank, 76, on the transmitter, 51, thus enabling
the signal operator to simultaneously control the switch. Figure 11, as before stated,
is a diagram figure, in which some of the parts are out of proportion, but they
indicate, the following operation: The transmitter, 51, being properly mounted to
revolve in the direction of the arrow therecn under the impulse of a weight, 8,
(Fig. 1) or other motor, and the brush, 54, being hung on the dividing spot between
"clear" and "danger," the operator permits the transmitter, 51, to revolve a quarter
of a turn while the signal "danger" (Fig. 3) passes under the brush, 54. This
quarter turn of the transmitter, 51, and its crank, 76, moves the switch plate, t, and
track, T, from its central position to one in line with the track, T2, which is a position
of danger to the main track. If the operator continues then to rotate the trans-
mitter, 51, the signal "clear" passes under the brush, 54, the crank, 76, moves a
quarter of a turn and the track, T, occupies again its central position, which is
"clear" on the main track. If the operator continues then to rotate the transmitter, 51,
the second signal "danger" (not shown in Fig. 3) passes under the brush, 54, the
crank, 76, moves another quarter of a turn and the track, T, moves to a position in
line with the track, T³, which is a position of "danger" to the main track. If the
operator continues to rotate the transmitter, 51, the second signal
"clear" (not
shown in Fig. 3) passes under the brush, 54, the crank, 76, moves a quarter of a turn
and the track, T, occupies again the central position which is ". clear on the main
track. The shifting above stated takes place at the same time as the signalling,
fully set forth in the body of the description of the invention.
"
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. The combination of an automatic railway switch and visual signal and means as
described to connect said switch with an escapement mechanism, an electric circuit and
an escapement device provided with a predetermined combination of electric coniacts
one alone of which renders the switch or signal operative and an electro-magnet
whereby said device is restored to normal position when a wrong combination of
pulsations operate on said escapement device, substantially as described.
2. The combination of an automatic visual signal, an electric escapement thereon
and a verifying message wheel, 51, also thereon, said wheel being provided with a
predetermined combination of electric contacts arranged to transmit a verifying
message by which the position of the signal can be determined, a second electric
escapement device or lock at the signal station provided with a predetermined
combination of electric contacts, a transmitting key at the dispatcher station, and an
electric circuit, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. The combination of an automatic signal, an electric escapement thereon, a
verifying message wheel upon said signal provided with a predetermined combination
of electric contacts arranged to transmit a message, a second electric escapement
device or lock provided with a predetermined combination of electric contacts, a
transinitting key and a recording instrument at the dispatcher station and an electric
circuit whereby an electric message sent to a station automatically operates a signal at
said station through the escapement thereon and the fact that said message has been
properly received and executed is returned by means of the verifying message wheel
and recorded at the dispatcher station, substantially as described.

page_text: 4. The combination with a series of signals upon a main line of electric
combination locks at or connected with local circuits for each of said locks having a
movable part provided with contacts arranged with reference to a given series of
long and short impulses, a separate contact thereon closing said local circuit by
which the signal is brought into action and a device automatically moved by or
with the signal and having a series of circuit closing surfaces arranged to transmit a
verifying message over the main line, substantially as described.
The combination with a series of signals upon a main line of an electric
combination lock at each signal having a series of contacts arranged with reference
to a given series of electrical impulses and a final contact closing the signal operating
circuit, a movable part having a series of alternating circuit closing portions
arranged to communicate the position of the signal at each shaft, and a register
recording said message, substantially as described.
6. The combination with a series of signals upon a main line, an electric
combination-lock at each signal having a movable part provided with contacts
arranged with reference to a predetermined series of long and short electrical
impulses over the main line, a final contact closing the signal operating circuit, a
movable device moving with or actuated by the signal and provided with a series of
points, or electrical contacts of such length as to represent an intelligible message on
the Morse system, a Morse register receiving and recording such message, and an
automatic time mechanism having means for printing the hour upon the strip
coming from the Morse register, substantially as described.
7. The combination with a series of signals on a main line, each consisting of a
shaft or similar movable portion actuated by suitable mechanical means, of a spring
impelled armature having a detent at one end and a hook at the other, an electro-
magnet attracting said armature, an electric lock mechanism having a movable part
provided with a series of contacts arrange with reference to a given series of long
and short electrical impulses over the main line, a final contact closing the circuit of
said electro-magnet, a movable device set in motion by the release of the signal and
having a series of connecting surfaces arranged to represent a message showing the
position to which the signal moves at each release, a brush having electric il contacts
therewith, a register recording the message, an automatically operated hour disc
having impression type, and means for forcing the paper strip coming from the
register against said type, substantially as described.
Dated this 24th day of June 1890
JENSEN & SON,
77, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agents.