Improvements in Signalling Trains.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Feb., 1893—Accepted, 29th Apr., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Signalling Trains.
We, JOHN THOMAS SANDERS, of Pietermaritzburg, in the Colony of Natal,
Poundmaster, formerly a Stock Taker at Earl Dudley's Iron Works, South
Staffordshire, England, and JOHN HAYTER, of 2 Pembroke Villas, Wilton Road,
Salisbury, in the County of Wilts, England, Engine Driver, 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:-
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a locomotive with the invention applied tliereto, the
track being shown partly in section, and Fig. 2 is a half end view of Fig. 1, and
also shows the track partly in section.
A double block A, A, is fixed in a hole or box B in the ground, so that the
upper portion of such block (which is of segmental form) will project above the
level of the track when in its highest position. The two parts A, A, of the block
are hinged together at a, and a spiral spring C is interposed between such
parts and tends to keep the upper part in its raised position, as shown in the
drawings. One end of a chain or rope D is connected to the movable upper part A
of the block, such chain then passing downwards and round a wheel or pulley d
mounted on the lower fixed part A', whence it proceeds to a signal box or other
convenient point from which it is desired to actuate the block, which may be
effected by means of a lever in the manner now in use for actuating ordinary
signals. When the cord or chain D is pulled in the proper direction, it will cause
the upper part A of the block to descend against the action of spring C, and thus
bring its upper curved surface below the level of the track in which position it will
not operate the signalling mechanism to be hereinafter described, and which is
carried on the locomotive. When cord D is released, spring C raises part A of
the block, so that its surface is brought into the operative position.
The block A, A', might if desired be secured upon sleepers or fixed to the
ground, instead of being let into the ground as described.
The signalling mechanism carried by the locomotive consists of a vertical rod E
mounted on the frame of the locomotive so that it is capable of moving up and
down in relation thereto, and its lower end terminates in a wheel F, which when
rod E is in its lowest position is above the ground of the track. The upper end of
rod E is by means of suitable lever connections, E¹, E², E³, brought to such a
position that when rod E is raised, a lifter E, with which part E is provided,
comes in contact with and operates a lever G controlling a valve by means of which
a steam whistle H is caused to blow.
Supposing the block A to be in its operative or raised position, when a locomotive
passes by same, the wheel F on lever E will come in contact with the curved upper
surface thereof, and cause lever E to rise, and lifter E' to operate lever G and thus
actuate the whistle H, thereby signalling the driver. In order to break the force of
the blow upon the whistle lever & when rod E is raised, the latter is acted upon by
a spring I enclosed in a tube or case secured to the engine frame as shown. The
lever E is retained in its raised position (so that the whistle H consequently
continues to blow) by means of a horizontal lever K capable of sliding in suitable
supports on the engine frame, but the forward end of which is normally maintained
in permanent contact with the rod E by means of a spiral spring. The rod E
has a groove formed in it, which when the rod is raised comes opposite the end of
lever K, the spring of which causes the latter to enter such slot, so that rod E
will be held in its raised position. By pulling back lever K (by means of a handle
at its rear end), its forward end will be disengaged from the slot in rod E, aud the

page_text: weight of the latter will cause same to fall again and bring the wheel F into
position for being again acted upon by the curved upper surface of the next
block A it passes over, should the latter be raised. The fall of rod E releases
lever G of the steam whistle H, which consequently ceases to blow.
The arrangement described will in no way interfere with the operation of the
steam whistle by the driver in the ordinary way when necessary.
If desired a block A may be placed at the desired points on each side of the
track, so that it will operate the signal equally well whether the locomotive is
travelling engine or tender first, and by a simple connection both blocks A may
be simultaneously lowered when desired by the action of a single lever and cord or
chain.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is -
The improved train signalling apparatus constructed and operating substantially
as herein described and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of February 1893.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.