17,722. British Thomson-Houston Co., [General Electric Co.]. Aug. 2. Brakes.-An electric controller is provided with means for locking it in its 'off' position, and also adapted to cause the application of the brakes when the controller handle is released. The controller cylinder is mounted upon a shaft 2 having a spring surrounding its lower end, which is adapted to return the cylinder to its normal position when free to do so. The shaft 2 projects through a capplate 5, and is fitted with a hollow handle 6. Within this handle is pivotally mounted a lever 24 passing through a jaw 23 and under a stem 25. When the stem 25 is pressed, the rod 20 carrying a member 18 is depressed against the tension of a spring 27, and the controller handle may be rotated without causing the application of the brakes. A brake valve 7 is held normally closed by a spring 9, while its stem 10 passes through the casing and is adapted to be acted upon by an arm 11 pivotally mounted upon a shaft 12 the movement of the arm 11 being effected by a spring 13 when the shoulder 17 is disengaged from it. Upon the upper face of the member 18 is provided a cam 19 so located that, when the member 18 is in its upper position and the controller in its off' position, it disengages the shoulder 17 from the arm 11 and the brake valve is opened by the spring 13. If the controller is in running position and the handle is released, the controller will immediately return to 'off' position and the brake valve 7 be opened. In order to release the brakes, the member 18 must be depressed until it engages with the arm 28 connected to the arm 11, when the latter will be removed from the valve spindle and become held by the shoulder 17. The valve-operating' mechanism may be rendered inoperative by sliding a bolt 29 into a recess on the rod 20, this recess being in line with the bolt when the rod is depressed and the parts are in the brakereleasing position. When the bolt 28 enters the recess 31, a plate 32 engages with a notch 41 in the hub 42 forming part of the cap-plate 5, so that the controller is locked in its 'off' position and cannot be unlocked without the aid of a key engaging with an opening 36, by means of which the bolt is withdrawn. When the bolt is returned to its 'off' position, it is held there by a pair of pivoted catches 38, 39, which engage with a lug 40 upon the member 18.