Improvements in Apparatus for Supporting and Guiding the Wires used for Actuating Signals upon Railways and other Purposes of the like kind, and for Keeping such Wires Constantly Stretched.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Sept., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 2nd June, 1893-Accepted, 15th July, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Supporting and Guiding the Wires
used for Actuating Signals upon Railways and other Purposes
of the like kind, and for Keeping such Wires Constantly
Stretched.
I, JOHN FISHER, of Matlock, in the County of Derby, Gentleman, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates more especially to the wires used for actuating semaphore
or other mechanical signals situated at considerable distances from the point where
the signal-man is stationed.
It is well known that such wires are liable to vary in length by fluctuations in
temperature, by the constant strain upon them and from other causes, and during
many years frequent attempts have been made to provide means for automatically
compensating such variations in length and for keeping the wires uniformly
stretched, but such attempts have not hitherto been perfectly successful, on account.
of the uncertainty of their operation and the consequent risk of accident and their
liability to get out of order.
My present invention has for its object a novel method of construction and
operation by which the existing objections are removed.
In such apparatus it is necessary that the wire which extends from the lever
actuated by the signal man to the distant semaphore or other signal which remains
normally in the position indicating, "danger," should be kept permanently and
uniformly stretched whilst in such position, and for this purpose the apparatus is
so arranged that in the position described the wire after passing over a pulley at
the signalman's station has suspended to it a weight sufficiently heavy to keep the
wire properly stretched under all circumstances but not sufficient to prevent the
greater weight at the distant signal from raising it when the latter is brought to
the position indicating danger. In this position the lever worked by the signal-
man is practically disconnected from the wire, but when he moves the lever over
for the purpose of lowering the signal from the danger position, it becomes
automatically connected with the wire which is therefore pulled with sufficient
force to raise the signal weight and lower the signal.
When on the other hand the lever is brought back the wire is also brought
back and the signal returns to the danger position, the wire being then freed so
that the weight suspended to it keeps it properly stretched in spite of variations
of temperature or other causes tending to alter its effective length.
It is therefore necessary that the apparatus should be absolutely reliable and
incapable of getting out of order, and this I effect by my present invention.
I arrange a horizontal lever turning upon a pivot at or near the centre of its
length supported in fixed bearings. This lever is preferably made double the
two sides being parallel but at a short distance apart, and at the outer end I
arrange a pulley turning in bearings in the lever over which pulley a chain is
passed, the lower end of the chain passing down and under a fixed pulley and
being connected to the end of the signal wire.
Upon the centre on which the lever is pivotted as described, and preferably
between the two parallel sides of the latter, I fit a pulley which can revolve
freely independently of the lever. This pulley is grooved at its circumference
with a groove of such shape as to receive the chain, which passes over it from
the pulley at the end of the lever, without the possibility of the chain slipping
in the groove.
The end of the chain passing down from the grooved pulley has attached to it

page_text: a weight sufficiently heavy to keep the wire properly stretched, and the inner end
of the lever is provided with an adjustable weight.
The lever is also connected to a vertical or other .rod communicating with the
signalman's lever or handle.
over,
It is evident, therefore, that if the last named lever or handle be now pulled
the outer end of the pivotted lever will be raised without altering the position
of the signal wire, but if the grooved chain pulley be first rigidly attached to the
pivotted lever then when the handle is pulled the pulley will be turned with the
lever and will draw the chain with it, the signal wire being also pulled and
the distant signal being thereby lowered, the stretching weight suspended from the
end of the chain also descending for a corresponding distance.
The apparatus described is of the kind long used for the purpose required, and
my invention consists of a new and improved method of connecting and discon-
necting the grooved pulley from the pivotted lever at the right tiines and with
absolute certainty and freedom from risk of failure.
I make the bearings of the pivot of the lever and grooved pulley sufficiently
elongated vertically, so that it together with the lever and pulley can rise for a
short distance, and to the lever I attach a semi-circular or curved bar which passes
round under the lower side of the pulley, its ends being pivotted to the lever
between the two sides of the latter and the hole through which the pivot at one of
its ends passes being also somewhat elongated vertically so that it can rise and fall
for a short distance the curve of the lower side of the 'bar being such that when
raised it is concentric with the pulley. This lower side of the bar rests upon a
friction roller turning in fixed bearings below the pulley.
Upon the upper side of the curved bar,'below the pulley, I make a friction block
or brake which may be in the form of an angular tongue fitting into a corre-
sponding recess round the wheel at the bottom of the groove in which the chain
fits, or teeth, serrations, undulations, or projections may be made round the circum-
ference of the wheel or of disc adjoining and connected to it, the friction block
having corresponding teeth, projections, or the like.
The lower curved bar which carries the friction block is made of less depth at
and near its outer end, so that when the pivotted lever is in its normal position
such reduced part rests upon the friction roller below, the friction block is clear of
the pulley, and the pivot of the lever and the pulley rests upon its bearings. 'When
however the signal handle is pulled over the outer end of the lever is raised and
the enlarged part of the curved bar comes upon the friction roller below, the
friction block being forced against the pulley and the latter together with the
pivotted lever being raised somewhat from their bearings so that their whole weight
forces the pulley against the brake block.
As the movement of the handle is continued the wheel locked as described to the
lever by the brake block is turned with the latter and draws the chain with it, the
lower enlarged concentric part of the curved bar moving over the friction roller,
and slipping or failure being impossible.
When the handle is brought back it brings the pulley with it until the reduced
part of the curved 'bar reaches the friction roller when the brake 'block is released,
the pulley and pivotted lever return to their bearings, and the former is free to
turn and to allow the weight to keep the wire stretched.
The curved bar has an opening through which the chain passes to the weight.
In order to prevent lateral play and to reduce "friction, I preferably make the
pivots of the pullies and lever of such length 'that they do not project beyond the
bearings in which they turn, and I fit and attach plates outside the latter which
effectually prevent any lateral play of the pivots and reduce friction.
The whole apparatus is extremely simple, inexpensive, durable, and effective.
In order to carry the wire as it passes to the distant signal it is supported by
rollers, and it is important that these carrying rollers should have as little friction
as possible and should be cheap and easily adjusted and fixed, whilst allowing the
wire when necessary to pass round ordinary curves.

page_text: I make the ordinary carrier in the form of a grooved pulley provided with a
central stud or axis the ends of which fit in bearings in a bracket screwed to a
post or other support. The bracket consists of a plate preferably of cast iron of
sufficient thickness and having near one end a projection from which extends a
short plate parallel with the first one. The pulley revolves between these two
plates in which bearings are formed as follows:-
"
Parallel diagonal slots.are formed extending from the edges of both plates to the
point where the axis of the pulley is to revolve. These slots do not pass com-
pletely through the plates, but are upon the insides only of the latter and they end.
in semi-circular notches which form bearings for the ends of the stud or axis of
the pulley to turn in, the ends of the latter being preferably very slightly convex
and its length being such that it just fits freely in the two opposite notches. The
pulley therefore whilst turning perfectly freely is prevented from touching the
sides of the plates and there is consequently little or no friction whilst it can be
readily removed and replaced.
The main plate is provided at its end with a hole for a screw, and its other end
has a similar projection and parallel plate between which a smaller grooved pulley
is fitted and turns. I do not however use the diagonal end slots described for the
axis of the main pulley, but I make a central hole through the smaller pulley
which turns upon a screw passed through the plates and screwed into the post or
other support. The flanges of the smaller pulley enter freely between those of the
larger one, and serve to retain the wire securely but without friction in its place.
In a modified form of carrier instead of the smaller pullies carried between the
parallel plates, I only use two projecting pieces or guides formed or fixed upon the
upper end of the main back plate, their lower edges being so arranged in a line-
with the upper edge of the groove in the pulley and upon each side of it that the
wire when introduced is not liable to move from its proper position, whilst it can
readily be removed if desired by bending it slightly. The upper end of the carrier
has a hole by which it is screwed to its support.
In another form of carrier necessary or advisable where the wire has to pass
round angles or curves, I arrange two pullies of the kinds first described, side by
side in the lower part of the plate, the studs or axles of these two pullies turning
in notches at the bottom of diagonal slots passing partly through the thickness of
the plates as already described. In addition I form in the upper part of the carrier
two horizontal plates projecting from the back and between which a third horizontal
pulley is fitted and turns upon a screw passing freely through it and screwed into
the lower plate.
The upper horizontal pulley has a flange only on its upper side and the two lower
vertical pullies only on their inner sides, the flange of the upper one coming down
sufficiently between those of the lower ones to prevent the latter from leaving their
bearings until the upper one has been first removed.
The wire passes over the upper edge of the two lower pullies and behind the
edge of the upper one, and is kept securely in its place by their flanges.
By the different devices described the carriers described are very simple and free
from friction.
At a
In order to further. ensure the wire being kept properly stretched, especially
where great lengths are used, I sometimes use the following arrangement.
suitable position I sever the wire and remove a short length, the ends being then
connected by means of two small pulley blocks attached to them and having ropes
or chains passing round their sheaves, the ends of the ropes or chains being passed
over pullies in a frame arranged between the blocks, and then attached to a
sufficiently heavy weight by which the ends of the wire are drawn toward each
other with sufficient force. 1 provide the frame described with wheels or rollers
running upon a horizontal rail, so that it can freely move in either direction, and.
the suspended weight may also be guided by guides in the same frame. When the
wire lengthens by heat or stretching the weight descends and draws its ends

page_text: together, whilst when it contracts they separate and raise the weight, which always
keeps the wire properly stretched.
Dated this 2nd day of September 1892.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Supporting and Guiding the Wires
used for Actuating Signals upon Railways and other Purposes
of the like kind, and for Keeping such Wires Constantly
Stretched.
I, JOHN FISHER, of Matlock, in the County of Derby, Gentleman, 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 and accompanying drawings, that is to say :-
This invention relates more especially to the wires used for actuating semaphore
or other mechanical signals situated at considerable distances from the point where
the signal-man is stationed.
It is well known that such wires are liable to vary in length by fluctuations in
temperature, by the constant strain upon them, and from other causes, and during
many years frequent attempts have been made to provide means for automatically
compensating such variations in length and for keeping the wires uniformly
stretched, but such attempts have not hitherto been successful, on account of the
uncertainty of their operation and the consequent risk of accident, and their
liability to get out of order.
My present invention has for its object a novel method of construction and
operation by which the existing objections are removed.
In such apparatus it is necessary that the wire which extends from the lever
actuated by the signalman to the distant semaphore or other signal which remains
normally in the position indicating "danger," should be kept permanently and
uniformly stretched whilst in such position, and for this purpose the apparatus is so
arranged that in the position described the wire after passing over a pulley at the
signalinan's station has suspended to it a weight sufficiently heavy to keep it
properly stretched under all circumstances but not sufficient to prevent the greater
weight at the distant signal from raising it when the latter is brought to the
position indicating danger. In this position the lever worked by the signalman is
practically disconnected from the wire, but when he moves the lever over for the
purpose of lowering the signal from the danger position, it becomes automatically
connected with the wire which is therefore pulled with sufficient force to raise the
signal weight and lower the signal.
When on the other hand the lever is brought back the wire is also brought back
and the signal returns to the danger position, the wire being then freed so that the
weight suspended to it keeps it properly stretched in spite of variations of
temperature or other causes tending to alter its effective length.
It is therefore necessary that the apparatus should be absolutely reliable, and
incapable of getting out of order, and this I effect by my present invention.
In the accompanying drawings which are in illustration of my invention,
Figure 1 is a side view, and Figure 2 a plan of my improved apparatus.
Figures 3 to 11 shew some of the parts in detail, and some modifications.
Figure 27 shews a perspective view of the apparatus slightly modified.
arrange a horizontal lever, Figure 1, turning upon a pivot situated at or near
the centre of its length and supported in bearings d. This lever is preferably
made double (as shewn in Figure 2), the two sides being parallel but at a short
distance apart, and at the outer end I arrange a pulley turning in bearings in the

page_text: lever, over which pulley a chain e is passed, the lower end of the chain passing
down and under a fixed pulley (only shewn in Figure 27 of the drawings), and
being connected to the end of the signal wire.
Upon the centre on which the lever is pivotted as described, and preferably
between the two parallel sides of the latter, I fit a pulley a which can revolve
freely independently of the lever. This pulley is grooved at its circumference
with a groove of such shape as to receive the chain e which passes over it from the
pulley at the end of the lever, without the possibility of the chain slipping in
the groove.
The end of the chain e passing down from the grooved pulley a has attached to
it a weight i sufficiently heavy to keep the wire properly stretched, and the inner
end of the lever is provided with an adjustable weight g
The lever is also connected to a vertical or other rod c communicating with the
signalman's lever or handle.
It is evident therefore, that if the last named lever or handle be now pulled over,
the outer end of the pivotted lever will be raised without altering the position of
the signal wire, but if the grooved chain pulley a be first rigidly and firmly
attached to the pivotted lever, then when the handle is pulled the pulley a will
be turned with the lever and will draw the chain e with it, the signal wire being
also pulled and the distant signal being thereby lowered, the stretching weight
suspended from the end of the chain also descending for a corresponding distance.
The apparatus described is of the kind long used for the purpose required, and
my invention consists of a new and improved method of connecting and discon-
necting the grooved pulley a from the pivotted lever, at the right times and with
absolute certainty and freedom from risk of failure.
I make the bearings d of the pivot of the lever and grooved pulley a, sufficiently
elongated vertically (as shewn in Figure 1), so that it, together with the lever and
pulley, can rise for a short distance, and to the lever i attach a semi-circular or
curved bar which passes round under the lower side of the pulley a, its ends being.
pivotted to the lever fat m and n, between the two sides of the latter, and the hole
through which the pivot at one of its ends passes being also somewhat elongated.
vertically as shewn at m, so that it can rise and fall for a short distance, the curve
of the lower side of the bar being such that when raised it is concentric with the
pulley. This lower side of the bar rests upon a friction roller / turning in fixed
bearings below the pulley.
Upon the upper side of the curved bar 4, below the pulley a, I make a friction
block or brake at p which may be in the form of an angular tongue fitting into a
corresponding recess round the wheel at the bottom of the groove in which the
chain fits (as shown in Figure 6), or teeth, serrations, undulations, or projections
may be made round the circumference of the wheel a or of a disc adjoining and
connected to it, the friction block having corresponding teeth, or projections r, s,
or the like, (as illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11).
The lower curved bar which carries the friction block is made of less depth at
and near its outer end, so that when the pivotted lever is in its normal position
such reduced part rests upon the friction roller & below, the friction block is clear
of the pulley, and the pivot of the lever and pulley rests upon its bearings (as
shewn in Figures 1, 7, and 10). When however the signal handle is pulled over,'
the outer end of the lever is raised and the enlarged part of the curved bar / comes
upon the friction roller 4 below, the friction block being forced against the pulley
and the latter together with the pivotted lever being raised somewhat from their
bearings, so that their whole weight forces the pulley a against the brake block.
As the movement of the handle is continued the wheel a locked as described to
the lever by the brake block is turned with the latter and draws the chain e
with it, the lower enlarged concentric part of the curved bar moving over
the friction roller h (as illustrated in Figure 11) and slipping or failure being
impossible.
When the handle is brought back, it brings the pulley a with it until the

page_text: reduced part of the curved bar reaches the friction roller, when the brake
block is released, the pulley a and pivotted lever return to their bearings, and the
former is free to turn and to allow the weight i to keep the wire stretched.
The pivot upon which the lever turns may be carried in bearings which can
rise and fall in guides in the support d, as shewn in Figure 27.
The curved bar has an opening (as shewn in Figures 2 and 4) through which
the chain e passes to the weight. An adjustable screw, as shewn at s, serves to
ensure the release of the brake block p, when the lever is in the position shewn.in
Figure 1.
In order to prevent lateral play and to reduce friction, I preferably make the
pivots of the pullies and lever of such length that they do not project beyond the
bearings in which they turn, and I fit and attach plates outside the latter (as shewn
att, Figure 9, and at 61, Figures 1 and 2), which effectually prevent any lateral
play of the pivots and reduce friction.
The whole apparatus is extremely simple, inexpensive durable and effective.
The friction roller may be carried upon a separate adjustable support, so that it
can be exactly adjusted and fixed in the proper position.
In order to carry the wire as it passes to the distant signal it is supported by
rollers, and it is important that these carrying rollers should have as little friction
as possible and should be cheap and easily adjusted and fixed, whilst allowing the
wire when necessary to pass round ordinary curves.
For this purpose I use one or other of the arrangements illustrated in Figures 12
to 25 of the accompanying drawings. I make the ordinary carrier Figures 18 and 19
in the form of a grooved pulley k provided with a central stud or axis the ends of
which fit in bearings in a bracket screwed to a post or other support by a screw at g.
The bracket consists of a plate / preferably of cast iron of sufficient thickness and
having near one end a projection from which extends a short plate i¹ parallel with
the first one. The pulley revolves between these two plates in which bearings
are formed as follows:-
Parallel diagonal slots 1, 1, are formed extending from the edges of both plates
to the point where the axis of the pulley is to revolve. These slots do not pass
completely through the plates, but are upon the insides only of the latter, (as shewn
in Figure 19), and they end in semi-circular notches which form bearings for the
ends of the stud or axis of the pulley to turn in, the ends of the latter being
preferably very slightly convex and its length being such that it just fits freely in
the two opposite notches. The pulley therefore whilst turning perfectly freely is
prevented from touching the sides of the plates and there is consequently little or
no friction, whilst it can be readily removed and replaced.
The main plate is provided at its end with a hole g for a screw, and its other
end has a similar projection and parallel plate i between which a smaller grooved
pulley is fitted and turns. I do not however use the diagonal end slots described
for the axis of the main pulley, but I make a central hole through the smaller
pulley which turns upon a screw m passed through the plates and screwed into the
post or other support. The flanges of the smaller pulley & enter freely between
those of the larger one k¹, and serve to retain the wire which is to be guided,
securely but without friction in its place. In a very simple modification (shewn
on a smaller scale in Figures 24 and 25), both the pullies k, k, turn upon
screws m, m², by which the carrier is screwed to a post or support, the front i and
back of the carrier being connected at one end only.
n, n, are sharp projections upon the back h, which are forced into the wooden
support, and keep the carrier steady. In the modifications shewn in Figures 22
and 23 a single pulley is used, the carrier being fixed to the support by three
screws m, m, m2, the two latter of which are fitted with short pieces of tube which
turn freely and serve to guide the wire. This carrier can be fixed at any angle by
means of the wedge shaped piece o formed upon it, or inserted separately between
it and the wooden support.
In another modified form of carrier (illustrated in Figures 20 and 21), instead of

page_text: the smaller pullies carried between the parallel plates, I only use two projecting
pieces or guides w, w, formed of "fixed upon the upper end of the main back plate,
their lower edges being so arranged in a line with the upper edge of the groove in
the pulley and upon each side of it, that the wire when introduced is not liable to
move from its proper position, whilst it can readily be removed if desired by bending
it slightly. The upper end of the carrier has a hole by which it is screwed to its
support.
In another form of carrier necessary or advisable where the wire has to pass
round angles or curves (illustrated in Figures 12, 13, 14, and 15), 1 arrange two
pullies ff, of the kinds first described, side by side in the lower part of the plate a,
the studs or axles of these two pullies turning in notches at the bottom of diagonal
slots 1,, passing partly through the thickness of the plates a, e, as already described.
In addition I form in the upper part of the carrier two horizontal plates b, hy
projecting from the back a and front e, and between which a third horizontal
pulley c is fitted and turns upon a screw passing freely through it and screwed into
the lower plate.
The upper horizontal pulley c (shewn separately in Figure 17) has a flange only
on its upper side, and the two lower vertical pullies (shewn in Figure 16) only on
their inner sides, the flange of the upper one c coming down sufficiently between
those of the lower ones f, f, to prevent the latter from leaving their bearings until
the upper one has been first removed.
The wire passes (as shewn in Figure 15) over the upper edge of the two lower
pullies, and behind the edge of the upper one c, and is kept securely in its place
by their flanges.
By the different devices described the carriers described are very simple and free
from friction.
In the modifications shewn in Figures 22, 23, 24, and 25, the space between the
plates of the frame may be sufficiently wide to allow two or more separate pullies
to be fitted side by side.
In order to further ensure the wire being kept properly stretched, especially
where great lengths are used, I sometimes use the following arrangement (illustrated
in Figure 26). At a suitable position I sever the wire which is to be kept stretched
and remove a short length, the ends being then connected by means of two small
pulley blocks, s', attached to them and having ropes or chains passing round their
sheaves, the ends of the ropes or chains being passed over pullies r,, in a frame o
arranged between the blocks, and then attached to a sufficiently heavy weight t by
which the ends of the wire are drawn toward each other with sufficient force.
provide the frame described with wheels or rollers n, n', running upon a fixed
horizontal rail, so that it can freely move in either direction, and the suspended
When the wire
weight t may also be guided by guides o' in the same frame o.
lengthens by heat or stretching, the weight descends and draws its ends together,
whilst when it contracts they separate and raise the weight t, which always keep
the wire properly stretched.
I
I do not confine myself to the exact details, proportions, and method of
construction of the different parts of the apparatus, which may be varied more or
less to suit different circumstances, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In apparatus for actuating signals, the combination of the lever f, loose chain
wheel a, capable of rising and falling in bearings d, curved bar l, pivotted at n, and
moveable vertically on pivot m, friction roller , chain e, and weight i, arranged and
operating substantially as and for the purpose described, and illustrated in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 27.
2. In combination with the curved bar I, loose pulley a, capable of rising and

page_text: falling in bearings d, the friction block or brake, substantially as described, and
illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 27.
3. The plates against which the ends of the pivots bear, substantially as and for
the purposes described, and illustrated at band.in Figures 1, 2, and 9.
4. The combination of the plates a, e, b, b, pullies f,, having flanges at one side
only and central spindles, the diagonal slots; P, passing partly through the
thickness of the plates a, e, and the pulley c, having a flange at one side only, all
arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose described, and
illustrated in Figures 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17.
5. The combination of the plates h, i and i¹, pulley k¹, diagonal slots 1, 1, pulley k
and screw m arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose described,
and illustrated in Figures 18 and 19.
6. The combination of the plate u, pulley and spindle, and projecting
pieces w, w, substantially as and for the purpose described, and illustrated in
Figures 20 and 21.
7. The combination of the plates h, i, pullies k, k¹³ and screws m, m', substantially
as described, and illustrated in Figures 24 and 25.
8. The combination of the pulley k¹, screws m, m', m² and tubular friction rollers,
substantially as described, and illustrated in Figures 22, and 23.
9. The combination with the signal wire, of the frame o, pulley blocks, s, s¹,
chains passing over pullies r,, weight t, wheels n, n¹, and rail P, all arranged and
operating substantially as and for the purpose described, and illustrated in
Figure 26.
Dated this 2nd day of June 1893.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.