Improvements in and Additions to Railway Fog Signals.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 24:h Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 24th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 15th Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Additions to Railway Fog Signals.
We, THOMAS JENKINS, trading as T. Jenkins and Company, of 14 and
15 Moland Street, in the City of Birmingham, Manufacturer, and SAMUEL
ILLIDGE of 9 Belchers Lane, Small Heath, near Birmingham, aforesaid, Foreman
of Works, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in railway fog signals, and consists, in
the one part, in an improved construction of casing, and in another part, in a
coupled signal or signals.
The first part of our invention has for its object a double chambered signal
or a double chamber signal case, whilst the second part of our invention has for
its object a means of coupling two or more signal cases together thereby forming
practically one signal, which gives off a loud report on being exploded.
In carrying out one form of the first part of our invention, we make the casing
double chambered, that is, we horizontally divide the same off into two compart-
ments, each provided with detonating adjuncts, such as fulminate caps placed upon
nipples or like projections located within the said chambers, which are filled with
gunpowder or other explosive.
This said double chambered casing is made up of top and bottom shallow flanged
and cupped shells, horizontally divided off to form two chambers by a diaphragm
or disc carrying upon the two opposite sides of it, detonating nipples, upon which
the detonating caps for effecting the discharge of the confined powders are placed.
The boundary edges of the flanges of the said cupped shells, with the boundary
edge of the diaphragm or divisional disc, are double closed, that is, the said
combined edges, or the metal at the boundary edges, are folded upon themselves,
or the metal at the boundary edge of one of the flanges is turned or closed over
the boundary edge of the other cup, and with the disc or diaphragm edge coming
between, hence a sound and water-tight joint.
The clip for embracing the metals is secured in the direction of a diameter across
the bottom of the base or under shell by soldering the edges of the said clip to the
said shell bottom.
1; 1 T
By employing a double chambered casing, the possibilities of a miss-fire are
minimised, whilst a louder report is or may be ensured on explosion.
Why the risk of a miss-fire is minimised is that in charging fog signals, the
operatives often omit to charge the chamber with powder or they neglect to fit the
nipples with caps before the shells are closed, but by employing two or more
chambers each fitted with detonating expedients, it is highly improbable that any
omissions can occur in both or all of the chambers.
Vein T
Instead of employing two chambers only, I may employ three or other :number,
and instead of dividing the said primary casing off horizontally into two, three or
more chambers, it may be divided off laterally or annularly, so arranged, in the last
form, that one case lies within another.
The plate constituting the middle divisional disc has nipples, which are preferably
made solid or in a piece with it by a stamping or other process. Or the compart-
ments may be made in separate sections, united together by or carried within a
shell casing composed of one, two or more shells.
+ '
In carrying out the second part of our invention, viz., that part relating to
coupled signals, we take two trays or shallow cupped carriers united together hy
an ear or tongue piece of the one being connected by soldering, clenching or

page_text: otherwise, to a tongue piece of the other, so that the said trays, which have side
walls or turned-up boundary edges are adapted for receiving ordinary fog signals
or fog signal cases.
The flexible metal clip for securing the signal to the rails is attached to the
middle of the underside of the said coupled signal, and is disposed to lie either
longitudinally or crosswise as may be desired, that is, the clip may be attachedly
connected by soldering or otherwise in a direction crossing the coupled together
casing, or it may be disposed in the longer direction of the casing and be attached
at or about its middle to the junction piece.
The shallow trays, instead of being made separately and being coupled together,
may he made in one piece and from a single blank of sheet metal. Or the tongue
piece of the one tray may be attached to the body of the other and thus dispense
with a second tongue piece.
As a still further form of our invention, the signal may be composed of three or
more trays, coupled or otherwise connected together, and each carrying a charged
casing.
Dated this 23rd day of January 1894
THOMAS
JENKINS,
SAMUEL ILLIDGE,
By Henry Skerrett,
Agent for Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Additions to Railway Fog Signals.
We, THOMAS JENKINS, trading as T. Jenkins and Company, of 14 and
15 Moland Street, in the City of Birmingham, Manufacturer, and SAMUEL
ILLIDGE of 9 Belchers Lane, Small Heath, near Birmingham aforesaid, Foreman
of Works, 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 railway fog signals, and consists, in
the one part, in an improved construction of casing, and in another part, in a
coupled signal or signals, and has for its object primarily, minimising the possibility
of miss-fires.
In the first part of our invention, a signal, or the signal case, is made double
chambered, whilst by the second part of our invention, two or more separate or
independent charged cases are coupled together, so as to form one signal.
In carrying out one form of the first part of our invention, we make the casing
double chambered, that is, we horizontally divide the same off into two compart-
ments, each provided with detonating adjuncts, such as fulminate caps placed upon
nipples or like projections located within the said chambers, which are filled with
gunpowder or other explosive.
This said double chambered casing is made up of top and bottom shallow, flanged
and cupped shells, horizontally divided off to form two chambers by a diaphragm
or disc, carrying upon the two opposite sides of it, detonating nipples, upon which
the detonating caps for effecting the discharge of the confined powders are
placed.
The boundary edges of the flanges of the said cupped shells, with the boundary
edge of the diaphragm or divisional disc, are double closed, that is, the said
combined edges, or the metal at the boundary edges, are folded upon themselves
or the metal at the boundary edge of one of the flanges is turned or closed over the
boundary edge of the flange of the other cup, and with the disc or diaphragm edge
coming between, hence a sound and water-tight joint.

page_text: The clip for embracing the metals is secured as usual, in the direction of a diameter
across the bottom of the base or under shell, by soldering the edges of the said clip
to the said shell bottom, or otherwise.
By employing a double chambered casing, the possibilities of a miss-fire are
minimised, wbilst a louder report is or may be ensured on explosion.
Why the risk of a miss-tire is minimised is; that in charging fog signals, the
operatives are apt either to omit to charge the case with powder, or to neglect
to fit the nipples with caps before the shells are closed, but by employing two or
more chambers, each designed to be filled with powder and fitted with detonating
expedients, it is almost impossible for such omissions to occur in all of the
chambers.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents a vertical section of a double
chambered fog signal, made and provided with improvements in accordance with
this form of our invention.
Figure 2 represents a horizontal section of the same upon the dotted lines e
Figure 1, showing the top side of the diaphragm or disc dividing the upper chamber
from the lower one.
Figure 3 represents a section of the top shallow cupped and flanged shell,
Figure 4 is a plan of the same, Figure 5 is a section of the lower flanged and
shallow cupped shell and Figure 6 a plan view thereof, whilst Figure 7 is a section
of the divisional diaphragm or disc, having either integral or attached detonating
nipples upon both sides, and Figure 8 is a plan of the same.
a is the top shallow cupped and flanged shell, consisting of a chambered body
part a', and a mouth a², the latter forming a doubling-over closing flange, which is
closed under a straight flange b2, of the lower cupped shell b, the dished part b', of
which, forms a second chamber to the signal, and the flange or boundary edge e²,
of a horizontal or middle diaphragm c, having upon the two opposite sides of it,
solid or attached detonating nipples c³, c', fitted with detonating caps d, located
within the middle of powder charges e and ƒ, placed within the chambers a', b', of
the single case or fog signal, which may be provided with the usual soft metal
clip g, for its attachment, to the metals of a permanent or other way.
Instead of dividing the said primary casing off. horizontally into two chambers,
it may be divided off annularly as represented in vertical section in Figure 9, and
of which Figure 10 is a horizontal section upon the dotted lines A looking
downwards.
Figure 11 is a like view as Figure 10, but with the dome of the division shell
broken into, in order to show the under or bottom chamber, with the nipples or
detonating caps.
Figure 12 represents the upper shell of the signal. Figure 13 is the nipple ring
with the caps placed upon the nipples. Figure 14 is the division shell, and
Figure 15 is the bottom and closing shell, with the nipples made integral, although
the said nipples may be loose and attached.
thereon.
a is the upper shell, with a broad flange a³, and an inside hollow or chamber
part a'. is a top nipple ring, c³ the nipples and d the fulminating caps placed
c is a division shell, having a domed chamber e, formed within its middle.
b is the bottom shell or disc, with boundary edges b², to close both over the outer
edges, of the divisional shell c, and also over the extreme outer and boundary
edge a³, of the shell a, so as to give the case a double-closed edge, and form a
preventative against the incursion of damp and wet.
This shell or plate b, has the lower nipples c', made integral with it, although
the same may be made loose and attached, upon which nipples, fulminate caps d,
are placed.
In putting the shells together, first place the division shell Figure 12, into the
top shell Figure 14, with the nipple ring Figure 13, coming between them, and then
That is, the
turn the edges a³, of the shell a, under the edges c², of the shell c.
edges a³, when the shells a and c, are brought together, are turned over the edges c²,
and the whole secured together forming a closed edge i.

page_text: This three part shell casing is then placed concentrically upon the lower shell b,
and the edges 6, are then turned over the closed edge i, hence a double chambered
signal and a double closed edge or joint /²....
Figure 16 represents in vertical section, a modified form of the last-described
arrangement.
Figure 17 is a topside plan of the same, with the middle portions of the upper
and middle shells removed, and with the powder removed, so as to exhibit the
nipples carrying the detonating caps.
Figure 18 represents the component parts of the said fog signal Figures 16
and 17.
is the top shell, b is an under or lower shell, and c is a divisional or middle
shell, with an inverted dome or well c, within its middle, thus making between
the upper and lower shells, two compartments a and b, which are filled with
powder or other explosive charges e and f, and have nipples c³, c, fitted with
fulminating caps d.
Thus, the lower chamber is of the shape of an annulus, whilst the top chamber
is alike unto a well, and the boundary edge a³, of the top shell is turned under the
boundary edge c³ of the divisional shell c, and then the boundary edge 62, of the
lower shell b, is turned over the combined edges it, thus forming a double closed
edge i, with the nipple ring co, with nipples and caps coming between the component
shells b and c.
Figure 19 represents a still further form of our invention in which the primary
casing is separated or divided off vertically into two compartments by a middle
disc or shell.
Figure 20 represents a horizontal section of Figure 19, with the walls of the
lower compartment broken into, and with the powder charges removed, so as to
show the detonating nipples in both of them.
Figure 21 represents a section of the upper or top shell; Figure 22 is a topside
plan of the same.
Figure 23 is a vertical section of the middle or divisional shell, and Figure 24 is
a topside plan thereof.
Figure 25 is a vertical section, and Figure 26 a topside plan, of the lower
shell.
a is the outer top shell and b is the bottom shell, the former being made alike
unto an inverted shallow dish or cup, and the latter being made plate-form and to
constitute a base, and between these components comes a middle shell c, having an
excentrically located dome c³, formed within it, and on the said shells being brought
together, and the flanged edge of the top shell being closed over the flanged edge
of the middle or divisional shell, a single closed edge ', is formed and then the
flange of the lower or base shell is turned over the said edge i', forming a double
closed edge i, and a duplex-chambered signal, with the chambers a', ', filled with
powder charges e and, and being provided with detonating adjuncts c³, c, fitted
with fulminate caps d.
Figure 27 represents a modified form of the fog signal represented in Figures 19.
and 20, but having three compartments instead of two, and being made up of four
shells, with the boundary edges of the component parts turned over forming a
treble-closed joint.
Figure 28 represents a part horizontal section of Figure 27 with the walls of
the inner casings or inner shells broken into.
Figure 29 represents the component parts or shells constituting the said triplex
chambered case.
a is the top shell, and 6 is the lower shell or disc, with intervening inner shells o
and h, coming between them, and each having excentric domes c', h' and with
each of the three separate chambers a', c', and h, being charged with explosive e, f
and k, and having detonating adjuncts c³, c, c, each fitted with fulminate caps d.
It will be seen that the dome parts forming the chambers are excentric, and lie
inverted cup-wise one within another.

page_text: Figure 30 represents a still further form of casing, having three concentric anl
annularly arranged compartments.
Figure 31 is a part horizontal section of the same, with both of the inner
dividing-off shells broken into.
Figure 32 represents the component parts or shells of the said triple chambered
fog signal casing.
a is a top and inverted-dish-shaped shell, and c and h are like inner ones,
concentrically located one within the other, forming, with a lower or base shell or
plate b, annular chambers a', c', h', each having powder charges e, f and k, and
being fitted with detonating adjuncts e³, c, c, and caps d, and with the boundary
edges of the said discs being closed in the same way as in the preceding forms of
our invention.
Figure 33 represents a vertical section of another modified form of triple-
chambered signal, and Figure 34 represents the component shells or parts of the
same.
a is the top and inverted cupped shell, c is an inner one is a base or lower one
and is an intermediate shell, coming between the base b, and the inner shell c,
which is inverted cupped or domed, whilst the said shell h, is formed with an
annular chamber by a well in the middle. When placed together the said shells
form chambers a', c', ', and are united together by turning over the metal at their
boundary edges, as in the preceding arrangements.
Figure 35 represents a further modification of triple or multiple horizontal
chambered case made according to our invention. a is the top shell and is the
bottom one, whilst c and h, are intermediate discs or diaphragms coming between
them, with the boundary edges of the three upper shells being closed by the
boundary edges of the lower shell being turned over those of the others. a', c', h¹
are three horizontal and separate chambers filled with powder charges e, f, and k,
and being independently fitted with detonating expedients a³, c³, h³, provided with
fulminating caps d.
Figure 36 represents a vertical section of a coupled signal, that is, a signal
consisting of two coupled-together or enclosed charged cases.
Figure 37 represents a topside plan of the same, with a portion of the crown
shell broken into, for the purpose of showing the tops of the half casings, which
are respectively semi-circular, and preferably of a box construction.
Figure 38 represents the semi-circular cases separated.
a is the outer or crown shell and b is the bottom shell, with the boundary edges
of the one shell turned and closed over the boundary edges of the other, between
which upper and lower shells, which together form the primary casing of the signal,.
two other charged box casings m and n, each fitted with detonating adjuncts c³, d,.
are enclosed.
Although we have represented that the inside and separate charged cases m and n,.
are made of a box figure yet, if necessary the same may be made with flanged edges,.
and they may be three or four in number, as represented in position in Figure 39
and separately in Figure 40 and whose corresponding parts are marked with like
letters of reference as Figures 36, 37 and 38.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we:
claim is :-
First. In rail or detonating fog signals, making the same, or the casings of the
same, double or multiple chambered, and with each chamber having an explosive
charge and being provided with a detonating adjunct or adjuncts, for the purpose
set forth.
Secondly. A duplex rail or detonating fog signal, made up from three shells or
sheet metal component parts, arranged and closed together to form two horizontal
chambers, each provided with powder charges and detonating adjuncts, substantially
as described and set forth in Figures 1 to 8.

page_text: Thirdly. A duplex rail or detonating fog signal, made up of three sheet metal
component shells or parts, united together so as to form two annular chambers, each
provided with powder charges and detonating adjuncts, substantially as described
and set forth in Figures 9 to 15.
Fourthly. In the joints of duplex or multiple chamber fog signals, making the
same double or multiple closed, substantially as described and set forth.
Fifthly. A duplex fog signal, made up from three sheet metal shell component
parts, arranged and closed together to form two annular chambers, each provided
with powder charges and detonating adjuncts, substantially as described and set
forth in Figures 16, 17 and 18.
Sixthly. A duplex fog signal, made up from three sheet metal shells or component
parts, arranged to form lateral or side-by-side chambers, each provided with powder
charges and detonating adjuncts and being closed together at their boundary edges,
substantially as described and set forth in Figures 19 to 26.
Seventhly. A triple chambered fog signal, made of four sheet metal component
parts or shells, arranged to form three lateral or side by side chambers, each
provided with powder charges and detonating adjuncts, and being closed together
at their boundary edges, substantially as described and set forth in Figures 27, 28
and 29.
Eighthly. A triple chambered fog signal, made up of four sheet metal component
parts or shells, arranged to form three annular and concentric chambers, each
provided with powder charges and detonating adjuncts, and being closed together
at their boundary edges, substantially as described and set forth in Figures 30, 31
and 32.
Ninthly. A triple chambered fog signal, made up of four sheet metal component
parts or shells, arranged to form three annular and concentric chambers, each
provided with powder charges and detonating adjuncts, and being closed together
at their boundary edges, substantially as described and set forth in Figures 33
and 34.
Tenthly. A triple-chambered fog signal, made up of four sheet metal component
parts or shells, arranged to form a tier of three horizontal chambers, each provided
with powder charges and detonating adjuncts, and being closed together at their
boundary edges, substantially as described and set forth in Figure 35.
Eleventhly. A multiple chambered or coupled signal, consisting of two or more
independent charged casings, or segmental casings, enclosed within the outer shell
or shells of an outer casing, or held together or coupled by a skeleton casing, frame
or equivalent substantially as described and set forth in Figures 36 to 40.
Dated this 23rd day of October 1894.
THOMAS JENKINS,
SAMUEL ILLIDGE,
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicants.