Improved Method of and Apparatus for Exploding Fog Signals upon Railways and the like.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 18th July, 1890-Accepted, 23rd Aug., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Exploding Fog Signals upon
Railways and the like.
JOHN ORME Scientific Apparatus Manufacturer 65 Barbican London E.C. do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to enable the signal-man to explode directly, or
by the operation of the semaphore, indicator, or by electrical means fog signals so
as to inform the driver of railway trains or the like, of the state of the road. It is
carried out as follows:-Upon any convenient part of the engine is fixed a revolving
drum upon which are mounted detonators; a hammer operated by a ratchet device
is actuated by a revolving contact or trip lever engaging with a pivoted arm
operated by a rod or wire from the signal box, the arm being placed centrally or
in any other convenient position between or outside the rail track, the hammer
being thrown in or out of action from the engine foot plate. A revolving exploiler
preferably having a barrell or equivalent, for giving a destructive report, is mounted
upon the semaphore or indicator post so as to be actuated by the arm or equivalent
when required. In clear weather the exploder is thrown out of action by electrical
mechanism operated from the signal box or by mechanical means.
The operation of this first form of my invention is as follows:-
The signal man places the semaphore arm and indicator when used at danger,
thereby raising the pivoted arm placed near to or between the gauge, upon the
engine entering the section the trip lever or equivalent strikes the arm, rotating the
drum through part of a revolution thereby causing the hammer to fall upon the
detonator, exploding it, and enabling the driver to stop within the prescribed limit.
The signal man now throws the exploder mounted upon the signal post or indicator
into gear and is thereby enabled to convey to the driver "line clear," by actuating
the semaphore or indicator arm or by equivalent electrical or mechanical means
capable of firing one or more detonators.
The second part of my invention consists in operating a multiple exploder fixed
near to the gauge by means of the semaphore or indicator and the wires or rods
connected therewith. This consists of a drum upon which the detonators are fixed,
driven by a ratchet wheel and pawl which is actuated by a rocking lever connected
in any suitable manner to the semaphore or indicator." Upon placing the arm at
danger a tongue or equivalent device is projected by means of the rocking lever over
the rail. Upon entering the section thus protected the wheel guard or equivalent
upon the engine depresses the tongue thereby actuating the ratchet, exploding the
letonator, and causing the driver to stop. The signalman can by slightly moving
the lever actuating the semaphore operate the ratchet and cause any number of
detonators to explode consecutively thereby advising the driver that line is clear or
o be "cautious.'

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Exploding Fog Signals upon
Railways and the like.
JOHN ORME Scientific Apparatus Manufacturer 65 Barbican London E.C. 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 object of my invention is to enable the signalınan to explode directly, or by
the operation of the semaphore, indicator, or by electrical means fog signals, so
as to inform the driver of railway trains or the like of the state of the road. It
is carried out as follows:-
Upon any convenient part of the engine is fixed a revolving drum upon which
are mounted detonators. A hammer operated by a ratchet device is actuated by a
revolving contact or trip lever engaging with a pivoted arm operated by a rod or
wire from the signal box. the arm being placed centrally or in any other convenient
position between or outside the rail track, the hammer being thrown in or out of
action from the engine foot plate. A revolving exploder preferably having a barrel
or equivalent for giving a distinctive report is mounted upon the semaphore or
indicator post so as to be actuated by the arm or equivalent when required. In
clear weather the exploder is thrown out of action by electrical mechanism operated
from the signal box or by mechanical means.
The operation of this first form of my invention is as follows:
The signalman places the semaphore arm and indicator when used at danger ;
there by raising the pivoted arm placed near to or between the gauge. Upon the
engine entering the section the trip lever or equivalent strikes the arm, rotating
the drum through part of a revolution thereby causing the hammer to fall upon
the detonator, exploding it and enabling the driver to stop within the prescribed
limit. The signalman now throws the exploder mounted upon the signal post or
indicator into gear and is thereby enabled to convey to the driver "line clear,"
by actuating the semaphore or indicator arm or by equivalent electrical or mechanical
means capable of firing one or more detonators.
The second part of my invention consists in operating a multiple exploder fixed
near to the gauge by means of the semaphore or indicator and the wires or rods
connected therewith. This consists of a drum upon which the detonators are fixed
driven by a ratchet wheel and pawl which is actuated by a rocking lever connected
in any suitable manner to the semaphore or indicator. Upon placing the arm at
danger a tongue or equivalent device is projected by means of the rocking lever
over the rail. Upon entering the section thus protected, the wheel guard or
equivalent upon the engine depresses the tongue thereby actuating the ratchet,
exploding the detonator, and causing the driver to stop. The signalman can by
slightly moving the lever actuating the semaphore operate the ratchet and cause
any number of detonators to explode consecutively, thereby advising the driver that
line is clear, or to be "cautious."
To enable my invention to be better understood I will refer to the accompanying
drawing in which
Fig. 1, is a side elevation, shewing exploder attached to locomotive, and tripping
lever for actuating the same.
Fig. 2, is a front view of exploder and tripping lever to enlarged scale.
Fig. 3, is a side view of exploder to enlarged scale.
Fig. 4, is a cross section of track and side elevation of exploder shewing the
apparatus for operating same by the engine and from the signal box.
Fig. 5, is a plan of the same.
Fig. 6, is a part vertical section to enlarged scale of multiple exploder for con-
veying instructions to driver or guard by distinctive sound.
Fig. 7, is a front view of the same; the cover of case being removed.

page_text: Fig. 8, is a front part sectional view of multiple exploder having hopper feed.
Fig. 9, is a side part sectional view of the same.
Upon the buffer beam 1, of locomotive E, see Figs. 1, 2, 3 is fixed by a bracket or
equivalent device 2, a revolving cylinder 3. One part of this cylinder is of larger
diameter than the other part. Longitudinal bars 31, are formed or mounted upon both
parts of the cylinder. Those upon the larger part of the cylinder engage with the trip
lever 10, which is actuated from the signal box by cord or equivalent 11. Those upon
the smaller cylinder engage with the spring hammer 9, which is kept firmly upon
the bar by spring 91, the hammer is employed to explode the caps or detonators 5.
which are mounted upon pins 4, between the bars 31, on the smaller diameter of
cylinder 3. This cylinder 3, is tapped with an internal threal, and is mounted upon
a smaller cylinder 6, having a corresponding thread 7, to that in cylinder 3. The
cylinder G, has journals 61, formed upon it at either and, which revolve in bearings 8,
bolted to bracket 2, upon locomotive. The trip lever 10, is fitted with a counter
balance 10, which causes the lever to hang clear of the bars 3', when the cord or
equivalent it, is released.
The operation of this first part of my invention is as follows:-
In clear weather the cord 11, being released by the signalman, the trip lever is
balanced so as to be quite clear of the revolving cylinder 3, which is mounted upon
the locomotive or equivalent car or carriage.
When the signalman desires to stop the train he pulls the cord, wire, strand, or
rol 11, sufficiently to raise the trip lever 10, into the position shewn in Fig. 1. As
the locomotive passes along the road or track A, the lever 10, engages with one of the
bars 3, upon the larger diameter of cylinder 3, partially rotating it, and causing
the hammer 9, to fall upon the detonator 5, and explode it. The driver will now
bring his train to a stand.
The second part of my invention consists in apparatus whereby any prearranged
signal such as "line clear" " go on ""line blocked" may be conveyed to the driver,
guard, or other person in charge of trains in motion or otherwise by exploding
apparatus capable of giving a distinctive sound, so that the official in charge of the
train, train car, or equivalent may identify any instructions intended for him.
I prefer to mount apparatus constructed for this purpose upon the semaphore signal
post: but I do not confine myself to this position. Upon the semaphore signal post 12,
fig. 4, is shown a multiple exploder B, which is actuated from the signal box by beli
crank 11', and cord 11. Figs. 6, 7, shew the construction and operation of the multiple
exploder B, which is as follows:-13, is a metallic box or case upon a metal
stem 14, is mounted a barrel or tube 15, its length and bore being determined by the
pitch of the sound required. Revolving upon pin 16, passing through stem 14, is a
cylindrical magazine chamber 17, having ratchets 18, upon its periphery. The
magazine chamber 17, is fitted with a series of cartridge chambers 19, equal in
number to the ratchets 18, upon its exterior, the centre line of each chamber 19,
exactly corresponding with the centre of the tube or barrel 15. Blank metallic
cartridges 20 similar to those employed in revolvers are placed in the chambers 19.
Sliding freely in two brackets 21, 22, secured to stem 14, and barrel 15, is a
spring pawl 23, having an eye 231, at its upper end for the attachment of a cord,
strand, rod or crank, and at its lower end a counterbalance or weight 23".
front of magazine chamber 17, is mounted a spring hammer 24, for exploding the
cartridges 20, upon this spring hammer 24, is an incline 25, which engages with a
tongue 26, secured to pawl 23. The head of hammer 24, vibrates within a breech
piece 15', which takes the recoil from the cartridge when exploded.
The operation of this part of my invention is as follows:-
In
Upon the signalman pulling the cord, strand, rod or equivalent 11, which is
secured to the eye 23', of spring pawl 23, the ratchet is forced round one tooth by
its engagement with the pawl 23. At the same time tongue 26, rising with pawl 23,
slides up incline 25, forcing back the hammer 24, until the tongue has passed the
end of incline 25. The hammer 24, thus released strikes the cartridge 20, and
explodes it. Upon the signalman slowly releasing the strand or rod 11, the spring

page_text: pawl is forced downward by the weight 23", attached to it and reset. The empty
cartridges are in this form of apparatus removed and replaced by hand. To avoid
this labour I sometimes modify the apparatus last described as follows:-See figs. 8, 9,
in which the cylindrical detonating cartridges 20, are fed into a box or hopper 27,
and fall by gravity into the open sided cartridge chambers 29, which are rotated and
the detonator fired by devices similar to those last described. A. plate 13ª, covers the
front of the magazine to prevent the cartridges falling out the spent cartridges are
delivered by spout 28.
To enable à magazine exploder to be set for operation, and also independently
operated by means of the rods, wires, or other gear used for actuating the semaphore
arm or equivalent device, and also to be operated by the devices attached to the
engine, train car or carriage, I employ a modified form of the multiple exploder
shewn in figs. 1, 2, 3.
A lever 29, see figs. 4, 5, preferably having a flattened end is pivoted at 30, to a
link 30, coupled to rod 31, pivoted to crank arm 32, upon signal post 12. The
rod, cord or equivalent 11, is connected to the gear 12ª, for raising the sema-
phore arm 12. Lever 29, carries a counterbalanced spring pawl 33, which engages
with ratchet teeth 18, upon cylinder 3, travelling upon thread 7, cut upon
cylinder 6, revolving upon journals 61, in bearings 8. These bearings are fastened
to bedplate 2ª, secured to sleepers 2b, near to rail track A. A similar pawl 34,
is pivoted at 34', to a forked link 34, pivoted upon bedplate 2. The forked
link 34, being also pivoted to rod 31, this pawl also engages with the ratchet
teeth 18, upon cylinder 3. A spring hammer 9, is mounted upon post 35, which
also carries a small spiral spring 35, pressing down upon lever 29, so as to keep it
in its position of rest in fork 35" when out of contact with the trip 36, mounted
upon engine or equivalent. The various parts of this apparatus are shewn in the
position they occupy when the line is clear or the apparatus out of action. The
operation of this device is as follows: Upon putting the semaphore at danger as
shewn by dotted lines fig. 4, lever 29, is pushed forward sufficiently to engage with
the projection 26, which is mounted upon the wheel guard of the locomotive or
equivalent. This projecting trip 36, is greatest at its middle section so as to depress
tlio lever 29, without shock; in so doing the pawl 33, is forced upward; and
engaging with the ratchet 18, upon cylinder 3, drives it round sufficiently to liberate
the spring hammer 9, which falling upon the detonator 5, mounted between the
bars 3, see figs. 2, 3, explodes it. The cylinder 3, driven round as described slowly
travels along the screw thread 7, upon cylinder 6, in this way bringing successive
detonators under the hammer. To enable the signalman to give instructions to the
driver or other official of the standing train rod 11, actuating rod 31, is pulled in
the direction of the arrow sufficiently to make pawl 34, engage with the tooth of
ratchet 18, and drive round the cylinder; by this means any number of detonators
can be exploded and any prearranged signal conveyed to the driver, guard or other
official. To disconnect the multiple exploder from the gear actuating the signal, the
pin 32, is removed from the crank lever 32, thereby disconnecting rod 31. The
spring hammer 9 mounted on buffer beam is thrown out of action by a cord which
is conducted to the driver.
I do not confine myself exactly to the connections from the signal box to the
various forms of exploders described, as these may be varied so as to suit the
particular system of any railway, tram line, or equivalent.
I am aware that a rotating disc for exploding fog signals has been described
having spaces round its side or periphery to receive the detonating charges. The
disc being actuated or driven round and locked by a double ratchet device operated
by pawls, but to such I lay no claim.
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 :-
1st. The combination in or with a locomotive, carriage, car or van moving uuon

page_text: rails of a magazine fog signal exploder so fastened thereto as to be actuated by
tripping gear mounted upon the track and operated from the signal box.
2nd. In a magazine fog signal exploder the combination of a cylinder travelling
upon a screwed spindle, said cylinder having longitudinal bars for engaging with
trip lever, and upon its smaller diameter bars for acinating a spring hammer used
for exploding detonators mounted upon pins between said bars as set forth.
3rd. The combination in or with a magazine exploder of a revolving chamber
containing a series of cylindrical metallic cartridges, having a single ratchet
actuated by a spring pawl operated by the signalman, the barrel for producing a
distinctive report, and the spring hammer for exploding the metallic cartridges
operated by the tongue attached to pawl as described.
al
4th. The combination in or with a revolving magazine exploder actuated by
ratchet and spring pawl, of the hopper feeding device, the cartridge chambers
having open sides for receiving cylindrical metallic cartridges from the hopper and
discharging the same when exploded from the spout as described.
5th. The combination in or with a revolving magazine exploder of a ratchet
driving pawl, actuated by the gear operating the semaphore arm; and a ratchet
driving pawl operating the cylinder by its contact with devices attached to the
moving engine, train, car or equivalent as set forth.
Dated July 18th 1890.
FRANCIS M. ROGERS,
Agent.