New Means for Controlling and Locking Railway Appliances.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 29th July, 1897-Accepted, 20th Nov., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
New Means for Controlling and Locking Railway Appliances.
I, PAUL BOURE, Engineer, residing at Paris, 20, Boulevard Diderot, 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 realize, simply and economically, that solidarity
which should exist among the signals, points and other appliances of a railway
station, in order that any collision between trains, engines or wagons may be
rendered materially impossible.
This invention consists:
1. In the fixing, in the position desired, of signal-levers, point-levers, and all
other appliances, by means of an arrangement composed of two pieces fitting one
another, fastened, the one to the lever and the other to a stable object, and fitted,
the one with a lock for two keys, the other with a key of this lock the second key
of the same lock (called the key of the lock) being independent of the pieces;
2. In arranging the aforesaid lock in such a manner that when the key (the one
independent of the pieces) is withdrawn from the lock, the two pieces of the
arrangement are inseparable from one another, and that when these pieces are
separated from one another, the key is fast in the lock;
3. And in making use of a special lock, caned the central lock, in which the
keys of the lever-locks may be inserted, this special lock being arranged in such a
way as to establish among these keys the relationships necessary for the realization
of the required solidarity among the levers.
Thus, Fig. 1 represents a signal-lever, and Fig. 3 a point-lever fixed in the
aforementioned conditions; Figs. 2 and 4 represent the same levers in their other
position, that, namely, in which they are free. A piece, R, is rivetted on to the
lever L, and another piece, G, in the form of a cramp, is fastened by the chain H
to the sleeper T on which the lever is fixed; the chain H is of such a length that
when the piece G is fastened in the piece R, the lever cannot be moved from the
position it occupies.
The chain H may be fixed in any way whatever to the sleeper T, or to any other
stable object. Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 show it rivetted to an iron plate which is
itself fixed to the sleeper T by means of 'two screws that have a long rivet travers-
ing both their heads to prevent them from being unscrewed. The iron plate A,
on to which the chain is rivetted, is represented by the Figures 5, 6, and 7.
The pieces R and G are represented, united, by the Figures 5, 6, and 8, and,
separated, by Figures 9 to:11, and 12 to 14.
Fig. 5 represents the side view, Fig. 6 the elevation, and Fig. 8 the section
by EF (Fig. 5) of the two pieces R and G united.
Fig. 9 represents the elevation, Fig. 10 the section by A B (Fig. 9), and Fig. 11
the section by CD (Fig. 9) of the piece R.
Fig. 12 represents the side view, Fig. 13 the elevation, and Fig. 14 the top-end
view of the piece G and the lock S which is rivetted to it.
The piece R (Fig. 9, 10 and 11) permanently fixed on to the lever L (Fig. 5
and 6) by means of the rivet I (Fig. 5) has two little windows or mortises, m, m,
(Fig. 9 and 11), and is fitted with a key, K (Fig. 10). The key K can slide longi-

page_text: tudinally in the key-hole in which it is contained, so as to be free to have its key-
bit either within the piece R, or without it, but a catch g (Fig. 9, 10 and 11)
prevents it from being withdrawn from the said key-hole. The key K is thus
inseparable from the piece R.
The piece G consists of a plate » (Figs. 12, 13, and 14) fitted with two appendices 5
or tenons n, tn, hooked at their extremity n. On the plate p, and on the side
of it opposite to the tenons tn, is rivetted a lock S in which, as we shall see, the
key K of the piece R may be inserted by a key-hole situated directly opposite the
opening a (Fig. 13) that has been contrived in the plate p..
By placing the piece G (Fig. 12 and 14) face to face with the piece R (Figs. 10 10
and 11) after having, if need be, slid the key K from right to left, (Fig. 10) so
as to make it enter entirely into the piece R, the tenons tn, tn, may be inserted
in the mortises m, m, of the piece 1, so that the plate ? may be applied to this
piece R; the piece G (Fig. 8) may then be moved in the direction of the arrows ff
in Fig. 8, so as to give the tenons tn, tn, that position in the mortises, which is 15
indicated by Figure 8. In this position of the piece G--and in this position only-
the key-hole a (Fig. 13) is directly opposite the key K, and this key, after passing
through the plate (Figs. 12, 13 and 14) can be inserted in the lock S (Fig. 8).
When the key K is in the lock S, it prevents the piece G from being moved in
the direction opposite to that of the arrows f f in Figure 8; the little hooks n n 20
cannot therefore be brought back face to face with the mortises m m, and it
becomes impossible to separate the piece G from the piece R (Fig. 8).
Thus, so long as the key K is in the lock S, the lever L (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6)
is necessarily fixed.
Consequently, for this lever L to remain fixed in the position in question all 25
that is required is that it should be impossible to withdraw the key K from the
lock S.
This result is obtained by means of a second key, C (Figs. 5, 8, 12, 14 and 16)
which is introduced into the lock S on the side opposite to the piece G.
The lock S establishes such a solidarity between the keys K and C, that when 30
one of these keys is withdrawn from the lock, the other is necessarily fast in it.
Figure 15 represents the exterior view of the lock S; Figure 16 shows the
interior mechanism of this lock; Figure 17 represents a section by C D (Fig. 16),
and Figure 18 a section by A B (Fig. 16).
Figure 19 represents the elevation, and Figure 20 the side view, of the cover 35
of the lock S.
When the lock S is rivetted to the piece G, the cover is against this piece.
In this lock, the keys K and C work each of them a bolt. The mechanism
corresponding to each bolt is that of an ordinary lock.
The bolts P and Q (Fig. 16) worked respectively by the keys K and C, are set 40
at right angles to one another. In the part where they cross their thickness is
reduced by half.
The turning movement of the keys is limited, in the case of the key K by the
stop d (Fig. 16), and, in the case of the key C, by the stop e (Fig. 16).
45
The bolt P has a notch g, into which the catch h of the bolt Q may enter.
Figure 16 represents the bolt P' in the position it occupies when the key K is
withdrawn from the lock; the bolt Q cannot then be moved downwards, for the
notch is not face to face with me catch h, and, consequently, this catch is
stopped by the bolt P. The result is that the corresponding key C is fast in the
lock for its key-bit cannot be brought face to face with the opening b, through 50
which it can be withdrawn, because, if we try to turn the key in one direction or the
other, the said key-bit is stopped, on one side, by one of the toes, r, of the bolt Q
(which cannot move), and, on the other side, by the stop e. Thus, when the
key K is withdrawn from the lock S, (or can be withdrawn therefrom) the key C
is necessarily fast in it.
If, the key K being put into the lock S, it is turned therein, the bolt P moves
from left to right (Fig. 16), and the notch g comes face to face with the catch h
55

page_text: of the bolt Q. Then, on turning the key C, this bolt Q moves downwards, its
catch entering into the notch g, and the key C can be withdrawn from the lock.
But then the key K is fast in it, for if we try to turn it to bring it face to face with
the opening a, its key-bit is stopped on one side by the stop d, and, on the other,
by one of the toes, s, of the bolt 1', which cannot move from right to left, because
the catch of the bolt Q occupies the notch g. Wherefore, when the key C is
withdrawn from the lock S, the key K is necessarily fast in it.
From this relationship between the keys K and C it results, in accordance with
what has previously been said:
1. That the lever L will remain fixed so long as the key C shall be out of the
lock S. (Since the key K will then be fast in it);
2. That when the lever L is removed from the position in which it may be
fixed (which can only take place if the key K is withdrawn from the
lock S), the key C will be fast in the lock S.
We will give, by convention, the name of "fixed key" to the key K which is
inseparable from the piece R; and the name of “independent key," or simply
"key to the key C.
"
The piece R, instead of being rivetted onto the lever L, may be attached to it
by a chain, or by any other organ of connexion.
Instead of attaching the piece containing the key to the lever, and the piece
fitted with the lock to a stable object, it is possible to proceed inversely.
The form given to the piece R, and the form given to the piece G. may moreover
be modified if, in certain cases, it be necessary: it suffices that they should so fit
one another that, when they are united, it is impossible to move the lever from the
position it occupies.
This being stated, let us consider a station at which the lines are arranged,
for example, as indicated in Figure 21 (each line on the figure represents a rail-
way line lines I and II are the main lines, on which the trains circulate;
lines III, IV and VI are the sidings).
We propose to establish a solidarity among the signal-levers and point-levers
of this station, in such a manner that it may be impossible for a train, an engine,
or some wagons to pass from a siding onto a main line (I or II), unless the signals
of this latter are at danger.
-
In order to do so, we supply the signal-levers a, b, c, d, and the point-levers 1
2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10 11 and 12, with the arrangement we have just described,
enabling us to fix:
!
1. The signal-levers a and b (Line I), e and d (Line II) in the position they
occupy when the signal is at danger.
2. The point levers 4 5 7 and 9 in the position they occupy when these points
do not give access to the main-line I and II.
3. The point-levers 12 3 8 10 11 and 12 in the position they occupy when
these points ensure the continuity of the main-lines I and II.
We will designate by S, the locks of the signal-levers a & b (Line I).
We will designate by S, the locks of the signal-levers c & d (Line II).
C
We will designate by 1 the locks of the point-levers 9 and 12, giving access to
Line I.
We will designate by 2 the locks of the point-levers 2 and 5 giving access to
Line II.
We will designate by (1-2) the locks of the point-levers 13 4 7 8 10 & 12 giving
access to the Lines I and II.
We will likewise designate:-
by S, the key (key C in the description) of the lock
by S the key of the lock
by the key of the lock
by 2 the key of the lock
by (1-2) the key of the lock

page_text: Then, to obtain the required result, we establish a solidarity between the
keys S, S, and the keys 1, 2 (1-2), by means of a central lock, in which:
1. The keys S, are fast when the keys l'or the keys (1-2) are withdrawn
from it, and inversely;
2. The keys S, are fast when the keys 2 or (1-2) are withdrawn from it, and
inversely.
This solidarity between the keys S, and the keys 1, for example, is moreover
realized in the central lock, in the same manner as the solidarity between the
keys K and C, in the lock of the S type, in the above-described fixing arrangement.
Let us therefore consider the central lock, represented by Figures 22, 23 and 24.
Fig. 22 represents the exterior view, and Fig. 23 the interior view, of the lock.
Fig. 24 represents the section of the lock by A B.
Each of the two keys S, is fast in it when any one whatever of the keys 1 is with-
drawn from it; and, inversely, each of the two keys 1 is fast in it when any one
whatever of the keys S, is withdrawn from it.
The bolts worked respectively by the keys S, and by the keys 1, are set at right
angles to one another. They are fitted with catches f and h.
On the other hand, the turning movement of the keys is limited, in the case of
the keys Si, by the stops d, and, in the case of the keys 1, by the stops e.
In the position of the mechanism represented by Fig. 22, the keys S, can be
withdrawn from the central lock. The catches f of the bolts worked by the
keys S, are face to face with the catches of the Holts worked by the keys 1.
These latter bolts cannot therefore move, and, consequently, the keys 1 are fast in
he central lock; it is impossible, in fact, to bring the key-bits of these keys face
to face with the openings through which they can be withdrawn, for if we try to
turn them, they are stopped, on the one side by the stops e, and on the other by
one of the. toes, r, of the corresponding bolt.
Thus, when a key S, is withdrawn, or can be withdrawn, from the central lock,
the keys 1 are necessarily fast in it.
If we turn the keys S, in the central lock, the bolts which they work move from
right to left, and their catches f are no longer face to face with the catches h of
the bolts worked by the keys 1. Then, on turning any one whatever of these latter
(keys 1), we move its bolt downwards, the catches passing to the right of the
catches f, and we can withdraw the key from the lock. But then, the keys S₁
are fast in this lock, for if we try to turn them, their key-bits meet with the
stops d on the one hand, and, on the other, one of the toess of the corresponding
bolt, which cannot move because one of its catches f is stopped, to the right, by
the catch of the bolt of the key in question.
Therefore, when a key 1 is withdrawn, or can be withdrawn, from the central
lock, the keys S, are necessarily fast in it.
On examining Figure 23, it will be seen that the same relationship exists
between the keys S, and the keys (1-2), and also between the keys S., on the one
hand, and the keys 2 and (1-2) on the other.
Instead of working bolts perpendicular to one another, the keys S, and 1, hereto-
fore taken into consideration, might work parallel bolts. It would be sufficient to
attach a perpendicular bolt to the bolt of each of the keys S₁ by means of a
rectangular piece.
The keys S₁, S, 1, 2, ana (1-2) are represented in Fig. 25, with the fixed key K,
which is the same for all the locks.
The relationships established, ly the central lock, ámong the keys S₁, S, and
1, 2, (1-2), are sufficient to ensure the protection of the movements of trains,
engines, or wagons occupying the main lines. This fact is easily realised by an
examination of the working of the system.
Working Normally, the signal-levers of the main lines are free: the keys S,
and S, are then fast in the locks of these levers; consequently the keys 1, 2, and
(1-2) are fast in the central lock, and the result is that all the appliances con-

page_text: trolling the access to the lines I and II are fixed in that position in which they
render the said access impossible.
Let us suppose, for example, that we wish to move
line III, onto the line II.
a train shunted on the
In order to do so, the two keys (1-2), necessary to set the point-levers 1 and 4
free, and to change their position, must be withdrawn from the central lock.
But in order to have these keys (1-2), we must bring the keys S, and S₂ to 'the
central lock.
We therefore set the signals of the lines I and II at danger (if they are not so
already), we withdraw the keys S, and S, from the locks of their respective levers-
thus fixing the signals at danger, we take them to the central lock, we turn them
in it, and can then withdraw the two keys (1-2), of which we have need.
(These keys (1-2) being withdrawn, the keys S, and S, are fast in the central
lock.)
We carry these two keys (1-2) to the locks of the point-levers 1 and 4; we
set these levers free and change their position.
(The position of the levers having been changed, the two keys (1-2) are fast
in their locks. Consequently, so long as the points 1 and 4 are in the position
that opens the passage from the line III to the line II, the signals of the lines I
and II will be necessarily at danger.)
The passage having taken place, we put the point-levers 1 and 4 back in
their normal position, we withdraw the keys (1-2) from their locks-thus fixing
the levers in their normal position,we take the keys (1-2) back to the central
lock, and we take from it the keys S, and S, which will enable us to set the signal-
levers free, and which, when this has been effected, will once more be fast in the
locks of the said signal-levers.
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:
-
1. The method consisting in attaching to a lever, or to any other appliance
turning on an axis, a piece containing a key which cannot be separated from it;
in attaching to a stable object a piece fitted with a lock for two keys, one of which
is that contained in the first piece, and the other an independent key; and in
proceeding in such a manner that the two pieces shall be inseparable when the
independent key is withdrawn from the lock, and that the independent key shall
be fast in the lock when the two pieces are separate; whatever may be the form
of the pieces, whatever may be the form of the keys and whatever may be the
mechanism of the lock, it being moreover possible for the piece fitted with the lock
to be attached to the lever, and the other to the stable object;
2. The above described locks, establishing such a solidarity between two keys,
that when one of these two keys is withdrawn from the lock, the other is necessarily
fast in it, it being moreover possible for the keys thus mutually fastening one
another to be in any number whatever;
3. The application of the method claimed in paragraph 1 above, and of the locks
claimed in paragraph 2 above, to the establishment of a solidarity among the
signal-levers, point-levers, and other appliances of a railway-station, with a view
to preventing collisions between trains, engines or wagons.
T.... 1907