GB116518A - Improvements in and connected with Signalling Apparatus for use in Mines. - Google Patents

Abstract

116,518. Boyd, D. May 12, 1917. Mine and colliery signals.-In mine signalling apparatus, the number of signalling impulses is indicated by a pointer moving over a dial; any number greater than five is additionally indicated by a disk showing through an aperture, and a cautionary signal is indicated by a plate showing through another aperture, as shown in Fig. 1. Signal impulses by the usual wire reciprocate a sliding rod 32 carrying a fork 34 engaging under, and raising during the upward movement, a head or enlargement on the pistonrod 35 of a time-lag device 36. A pawl 33 on the rod 32 engages a ratchet wheel 7 during each downward movement, moving step by step a pointer 31 secured to the shaft 6. The pointer is retained by a. detent F normally held in engagement with a ratchet wheel 8 by a weight G. The detent is disengaged to cancel a signal by the first impulse of a subsequent signal, the head nf the piston-rod 35 during its upward movement engaging the outer end of the detent. The detent is also disengaged by a cord K and levers J, L, operated in any suitable way when the engine brake is applied. The detent is held out of engagement by the lower end of a pivoted depending member 12 engaging a pin 14 on the detent until freed by a pin 11 on the ratchet wheel knocking the member 12 aside when the ratchet returns to the zero position. When more than five signal impulses are given, a projection, (not shown), on the shaft 6 engages a projection on a disk M loosely mounted on the shaft, so that the disk is carried round with the shaft and exhibits the corresponding signal indication through an aperture in the upper part of the dial. The cautionary signal " men " is on a plate D carried by a pivoted arm 24 depending from a pivoted arm 25 supported by a hook catch 27. The catch 27 is released through a lever 28<1>, connected to a pivoted member E, by the head of the piston-rod on its descent after completion of a signal. Descent of members 24, 25 and plate D is prevented by a projection 23 on the arm 24 resting on the flanged periphery of a disk keyed to the shaft 6, except when the signal " 3 " is given, in which case a cut-away part of the flange registers with the projection 23, allowing descent of the plate D to exhibit the word " men " through a suitably placed aperture. The plate is returned by a cord 30 operated by suitable means as the cage reaches its destination.