Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1888
Specification Accepted, 27th Apr., 1888
and in Apparatus therefor.
I, WYBRANTS GEORGE OLPHERTS of No. 38 Ebury Street London S.W. Civil
Engineer 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 improvements according to my Invention are devised for the use of Platelayers,
Engineers and others working on lines of railways, as also for signalling from a
distance at level crossings, the approach of a train in either direction.
In order that my invention may be the better understood 1 have appended the
accompanying four sheets of drawings in which Figure 1 is a sectional elevational
view of a flanged rail upon which is clamped one form of the improved clip herein-
after described for the use of platelayers, Engineers and others upon one limb of
which is a box containing electrical contacts. Figure 2 is a front elevation of the
same clip and box. Figure 3 represents a sectional elevation of a reversible rail, to
which another type of clip is attached by means of a scrow bolt. Figure 4 shows a
type of clip, which is secured to a rail by means of a cottar. Figures 5 and 6 are
respectively front and end elevational views of an appliance having reversible contacts
for automatically closing and opening an electrical circuit. Figures 7 and 8 are
front and end elevational views respectively of an electrical appliance for permanent
attachment to a rail.
Figure is a front and Figure 10 an end elevation of an appliance in the form of a
rail key to contain the electrical contacts.
Figure 10 illustrates the arrangement of the signalling apparatus at a lovel
crossing, comprising Electric bell, relay and batteries, the constructive details relativo.
to the relay being shown at Figures 11. 12. and 13.
Figure 14 shows the connections of the device having reversible contacts previously
mentioned in reference to Figures 5 and 6.
Figure 15 is a diagrammatic view of the arrangement at a level crossing upon a
line of railway having a double track, and Figure 16 is a similar view in connection.
with a single line of railway.

page_text: Figure 17 shows a portable box for the use of platelayers, Engineers and others by
means of which the approach of a train may be signalled from either direction:
Similar letters of reference being adopted to denote like parts in the several views.
The devico or appliance as constructed and arranged according to my invention
for the use of platelayers, Engineers and others moving from point to point in
carrying on their work comprises a clip A having cast upon or otherwise rigidly
attached to one of the limbs of said clip a case or box B. Within said box B and
sliding within grooves or channels a a formed in the interior sides thereof is a fork b,
the upper end of which latter is perforated to receive a pin or bolt upon which
revolves freely a metal disc C preferably of tempered steel. Said disc with its
fork carrier b is kept pressed upwards by a powerful spring D, one end whereof is
securely fixed to the bottom of the box B, the tensile strength of said spring D being
augmented by the employment of a supplementary spiral spring E, which latter
whilst tending to prevent the depression of the disc C so as to make a false contact,
has the additional advantage of preserving the spring from fracture or damage from
the vibratory shocks caused by the passage of passing trains. At the free end of the
spring D is fixed a small cone of metal preferably tipped with platinum. At
the bottom of the box B and immediately beneath the cone d above referred to, are
fixed two small metal springs or tongues c (preferably tipped with platinum) which
may or may not be insulated from the metal box B and from each other; or, if
preferred, said two tongues c may be connected together in any suitable manner, so
as to form one electrical contact, whilst the cone d, which in this case would be
electrically insulated from the spring D would serve as the other electrical contact.
Assuming the two tongues c to be insulated from each other, and thus forming
separate contact pieces, and the cone d to be insulated from the spring D, it follows
that when the cone d, slides between and presses against the tongues c it allows the
current to flow from one tongue to the other by way of the metal of which the
cone d is composed, thus closing the electrical circuit. I may however under some
circumstances, use a touching or pressure contact for closing the electrical circuit but
I find in practice it is preferable to adopt a friction or rubbing instead of a touching
or pressing contact, inasmuch as by the adoption of the former, the points of contact
are, by reason of the friction, freed from all accumulations of dirt, dust, or other
extraneous substances, the presence of which between the contact points, might
obstruct the flow of the electric current.
In the event of the two tongues c being connected together, and forming one
contact, the cone d would not be insulated from the spring D, but said spring D
would preferably be insulated from the metal box B and serve as the other contact,
which latter upon pressing between the tongues c closes the electrical circuit as
herein before described.
In addition to the friction or rubbing contact above described, I may use a touching
contact in combination therewith, by fixing to the bottom or end of the box B a
strong spring or bracket tipped with platinum upon which would be made to press a
supplementary contact point fixed to the extremity of the spring D-Or, instead of
the touching contact above referred to I may with a view of ensuring perfect
electrical contact, substitute for the said touching contact, a strong vertical spring,
fixed in any suitable position, against which would rub in its downward motion a
platinum point fixed to the extremity of the spring D. As a modification of the
foregoing arrangement of attaching the cone d to the spring D, said cone may be
attached to or form part of a pivoted lever; upon which would bear the spring D, in
its downward motion on the depression of the disc C above mentioned.
Referring to the clip A to which the box B is attached and which may be of any
suitable shape and form. I find it advisable, in view of the adoption of my system
in foreign countries, to provide a means of attaching the electrical contact box to the
rails, as simple and light in construction as possible, compatible with strength and
efficiency.
Figures 1 and 2 represent a type of clip, devised for use upon a flanged rail, and
ove limbe of which carries the box B above described. In the base of said limb e

page_text: is formed an internal or female screw thread preferably square, grooved or channelled
throughout its length on two sides thereof.
The screw thread F takes a rod G, having formed upon one end thereof a male
screw thread grooved or channelled in a similar manner to the female screw to
correspond in width with said female screw. The other extremity of the rod G,
which is provided with a suitable nut or equivalent, carries the smaller limb of the
device.
In fixing this type of clip to the rail, the limb f is withdrawn, the clip is then
placed in its proper position, and the limb f pressed to the rail, when a quarter turn
of the nut to the right, will cause the clip to grip and hold the rail, securely as in
a vice.
At Figure 3 is illustrated another type of clip, the securing of which to the rails
is effected by means of a screw bolt, G, which passing through the limb e of the clip
enters and engages with the female scrow thread in the base of the limb f, thus
bringing the two jaws to bear firmly upon the rail.
Figure 4 represents a similar type of clip to the clip last above described, but
instead of being secured to the rail by a screw bolt 1 employ a tapered cottar g'
passing through a gib g. In this case the limb e is provided with a tongue or slide
Having bevelled edges, taking into a corresponding recess formed in the base of the
limb which latter terminates in a gib g by means of which and the cottar g¹ afore-
said, the jaws are caused to hold firmly to the rail.
At Figures 5 and 6 is given a representation of a device for use on a single line
of rails, by means of which a signal may be transmitted by a passing train whether
travelling up or down the line, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The
device last referred to consists of a box I of any suitable size and dimensions,
provided at each end with lugs l. 1. bored for the reception of bolts for securing the
box to the rail. In the centre of the box I is pivoted at i an arm J having an
angular enlargement at its upper extremity, formed preferably of hardened metal-
The lower extremity of said arm J is of quadrant shape or form, the face of the
are of which is divided into three equal parts, the two outer parts being sunk, or
depressed for the insertion of a plate of some suitable insulating material; the centre
being tipped with platinum, or other noncorrodible metal, and made flush with the
insulating plates. In the base of the box, and immediately beneath the aforesaid
arm J two small brackets are fixed each sustaining a strong spring tipped at
the extremities with platinum. When the arm J is in its normal position, as shown
in the drawings, the springs," press upwards against the insulating plates of the
quadrant, and therefore, if the arm J is depressed in either direction, the metal
centre of the quadrant is brought into contact with one or other of the springs,
thus closing the electrical circuit.-Secured to the arm Jabove the pivot i, is provided
a small lug or bracket j, upon which rest two strong springs for the purpose of
maintaining the arm J in a vertical position. In addition to these springs k k¹ I
employ two strong spiral springs placed one on each side of, and connected in any
suitable manner to said arm J, the increased strength added thoreto, effectually
preventing the possibility of the arm J being moved by hand or without the
application of considerable power.
may
When it is desired to use the device according to my Invention for permanent
electrical communication at level crossings, an oblong or rectangular, or other suitably
shaped box is provided, having at each end, lugs formed thereon, bored or pierced to
take suitably sized bolts, such for instance as fish plato bolts, by means of which the
box may be bolted to the rail at the desired distance from said level crossing as
shown at Figures 7 and 8.
The box H shown in Figures 9 and 10 respectively is of the size and conformation
of a rail key wedge, such as are used for securing the rails to the chairs, and is made
preferably of a malleable metal, such for instance as bronze.
Said key wedge box is cast with its extremities made sufficiently thick to bear a
blow without fracture from the hammer, when used in inserting, or removing the

page_text: wedge from the chair. Within the recess or hollow of the koy shaped box Haro
arranged the contacts and springs previously described, and upon the top of tho
exterior of the box is a slotted extension piece h in which is placed the metal disc C
above mentioned, by means of which extension piece h, the disc C is raised to a
suitable height, to allow of the same. being depressed by the flanges or tyres of tho
wheels, as they pass over said disc C.
At Figure 10 is shown a pole K furnished at the top with a suitable weather
board M beneath which upon a shelf n is placed a box L within which is a relay N
and the Electric Bell coils and connections O. The wires from the box I, above
referred to, aro conveyed through a metal pipe, o sunk in or attached to the pole.
At the foot of the pole, and beneath the surface of the ground, is attached a
union o¹ to which extension pipes are fitted, the pipe o" carrying the wires to the
nearest telegraph post, and the pipe o conveying other wires to the battery box P,
which latter is placed underground. The relay N, a plan of which on an enlarged
scale is shown at Figure 11, consists of two helices of wire p, p, surrounding rods
or cores of soft iron to form an electro-magnet; said helices are not joined together
in series, as is the case in ordinary relays, but are so constructed as to act inde-
pendently of each other, and from different ends of the line. Upon the base of the
relay, to which the cores are attached, is fixed a vertical standard, upon the upper
part of which is pivotted an armaturo q of any suitable metal having at its outer
extremity a pole piece 91 (Figure 12) of soft iron, which latter, when the cores are
magnetised, is attracted to either one side or the other, as the case may be. Near
the centre of the armature, is secured a cross bar, tipped at one or both ends and on
the upper surface with platinum, which latter on making contact with one of the
regulating screws R. R₁, closes or opens the circuit, thereby causing the Bell O, to
ring, or to cease ringing, as the case may be. It sometimes happens that dust
combined with moisture collects between the contact points in touching contacts,
forming a cake, thereby impairing the conductivity, therefore to ensure a more perfect
contact, I may attach to one of the brackets in which the regulating screws work, a
thin spring of platinum, or of any other suitable metal tipped with platinum, which
latter, whon the armature approaches the regulating screw, slides over and gently
presses upon the cross bar g; the friction, or rubbing together of the two platinum
surfaces tending to the reinoval of all accumulation of dust and dirt, and keeping
said surfaces bright and clean. Instead of an armature made up, as shown at
Figure 11 and last above described, I may place regulating pole pieces to the ends
of the cores of the electro-magnet, and provide the armature with an extended
tongue piece, the extremity of which, should be tipped with platinum and furnished
at any suitable point, with a fine spring or equivalent device for serving as a friction
or rubbing contact; the regulating contact screws being fixed to brackets, placed
preferably in a position, to receive the platinum contact piece at the end of the
tongue piece aforesaid.
Referring to Figure 10ª I propose placing the cells of which my battery is
composed for use at level crossings beneath the surface of the ground in two water
tight boxes of different dimensions, one of which as shown, at P. Figure 10 of the
accompanying drawings is placed within the other, the intervening space between the
two being filled with water, for the twofold purposes of keeping the battery cells cool,
and preventing the too rapid evaporation of the liquid contents thereof; on referring
to Figure 14, the flow of the current, when contact is effected by a passing train is
made manifest. Assuming a train to be approaching the level crossing from the
right, the disc C in the box B is depressed, and the circuit closed by the cone d and
tongues c making contact, the current from half the battery then flows from the.
battery at through the helix p of the relay N along the conducting wire to tho
tongue C in the box B from thence through the cone d to the earth, whence it returns
to the other side of the battery. This current causes the armature of the relay to be
attracted, say to the right, bringing the cross bar q" into metallic contact with
the regulating screw R', and fine spring », thus closing the Bell circuit: the current

page_text: from the other half of the battery flowing from 1 to the regulating screws of the
Bell, along the spring & to the hammer " through the helices S to the contacts R-
and armature g of the relay N and thence to the other side c of the battery.
It will be obvious therefore, that the armature 9 of the relay N, being freely
pivoted, and uncontrolled by springs, will, when attracted to one of the helices, such
for instance as p-remain in that position, and in contact with the regulating screw R,
until a current is caused to flow through the helix p₁, and thus attract the armature
to the left; and, so long as the armature remains in contact with R although no
current is flowing through the relay the bell will continue to ring. The train
continuing its course, passes over, and depresses the disc C of the box B to the left,
closing the circuit as described above, the current flows from the battery at a passes
through the helix p' of the relay, over the line conducting wire to the contacts in the
box B, and thence to earth, whence it returns to the battery at 21 thus completing the
circuit. The current flowing through the helix pl causes the armature to be attracted
to the left, and so causes the Bell circuit to be broken, and the Bell to cease ringing.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the system above described is purely
automatic, the apparatus requiring no attention beyond cleaning the contact points
and oiling the fork or carrier bat distant intervals.
For the use of platelayers, Engineers and others employed in going from place to
place on Railways, I provide a strong box U Figure 17 of suitable size and shape,
divided into two or more compartments, within one of which compartments is suspended
in suitable bearings fixed to the sides thereof, a reel provided with metal axles which
take into the bearings aforesaid. Upon said reel is wound two copper wires,
insulated from each other, but for convenience bound together to form a single cord
of from 400 to 500 yards in length. The exterior ends of said wire would be con-
nected to terminal screws in the box B, the exterior ends being permanently connected,
by soldering or otherwise, one to one axle, and the other wiro to the other axle.
Near to the opening in the box, through which the wire passes when the box is
being carried along, are arranged two small pulleys, one above the other, which,
whilst acting as guides to the wire cord during the time it is running from out of the
box U, exerts a certain amount of tension on the cord, and prevents it running out
too freely.
In the second compartment, are arranged two or more cells of a constant battery,
preferably of a type known as a dry battery, which, being of small size, occupy little
room, and add but little to the weight of the whole arrangement. In the same, or, if
preferred, in a separate compartment is fitted an electric Bell the dome of which is
fixed to the exterior of the box, a suitable hinged opening or suitable openings being
provided, at one or more parts of the box as may be desired.
The wires having been connected with the contacts in the box A, the clip is
secured to the rail, and the platelayer or other person in charge of the apparatus
proceeds on his way, the wire cord running out of the box U which may be pinned
or otherwise secured to the ground or side of the rail to prevent its being blown
across the rail. Having arrived at the locality of his work which may be round a
sharp curve, and hidden from the position of the clip A the person in charge, places
the bell in his vicinity, but at a distance from any risk of damage from passing trains.
Upon a train passing over the clip A, the disc C is depressed, the circuit being
closed, by the cone, d and tongues c making contact, the current then flows from the
battery along one of the insulated conducting wires to the clip, through the contacts
therein, and back by way of the second wire to the Bell box, and thence back to the
battery. In order to ensure the constant ringing of the bell, a lever attachment may
be added to the device, which, rests upon the armature, and on being released from
which, makes contact with the back screw putting the bell on short circuit in the
ordinary manner, hence the bell will continue to ring, after the train has passed
beyond the clip A, and is only stopped by the person in charge replacing the lever in
its normal position.
From the foregoing it will be readily understood that by the adoption of the

page_text: arrangement above described, platelayers will be warned of an approaching train,
long enough to enable them to reach a place of safety.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
Firstly The improved method of electrical signalling on railways and in the
apparatus therefor substantially as heroin described and set forth.
Secondly-The mode of and means employed for automatically signalling, by
means of electricity, the approach of a train and of the automatic stopping of the
signal, substantially as herein set forth.
Thirdly-In an automatic signalling apparatus for use at level crossings of
railways and for use by platelayers and others working on railways and other lines,
the adoption of the various forms of clip, substantially as herein set forth and
shown,
Fourthly In an electrical signalling apparatus for use on railways, the adaptation
of a containing box A to a clip in combination with two or more direct or reversible
contacts substantially as and for the purposes herein described and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Fifthly In an electrical signalling apparatus the adaptation to the box A of a
rotating disc C, in combination with a carrier b, spring D and spiral spring E,
substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
Sixthly In an electrical signalling apparatus the use of a relay formed of two
separately actuated helices, substantially as and for the purposes herein described and
set forth.
Seventhly In an electrical signalling apparatus the adaptation to the relay of
duplex contacts substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and shown in
the accompanying drawings.
Eighthly The mode of and means employed for maintaining the batteries used
in combination with an electrical signalling apparatus for use on railways and other
lines, at a low temperature and checking evaporation, substantially as herein set forth
and shown in the accompanying drawings.
1
1
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.