US1210398A - Successive non-interference signal-box. - Google Patents

Description

C. E. BEACH.

SUCCESSIVE NON-INTERFERENCE SIGNAL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. II, 1913.

1,210,898. Patented Jan.2,1917.

3 SHEETSSHEET I.

s'LllllllIIIlll WITNESSES: INVENTOR c. E. BEACH.

SUCCESSIVE NON-INTERFERENCE SIGNAL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1913.

1,21Q398, Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- Lifl8 I Line WITNESSES:

c. E. men. SUCCESSIVE NON-INTERFERENCE SIGNAL BOX.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. H. 1913.

Patented Jan. 2,1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

5 q n E um O .1. WWXI, @N 0N 9T. nuuhlllullullllunluwm. w $1 Cm MN 0 m F x m Nd M M v S 3 i o O Q MEN INVNTOR a 1 stra ns rarer clarin- CLNCE BEACH, 013 BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK, ASS IGNOR, BY M E SNE :-SSIGTN- MENTS, T THE GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEG-RH CQMPANY, A. CORPORATIQN OF NEW Y0 reaches,

To (ZZZ whom may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAR NCE BEACH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Binghamton, in the county of Broome and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Successive Non-interference Signal Boxes of which the following is a specification.

' Non-interference and succession signal boxes heretofore devised have been found to re'quir'e'the use of mechanism to avoid the exhaustion of their motive power, and designed to operate on one or the other of the following principles: the restoring principle, applied to arbitrarily stop and restore the box to its normal locked position'when, after it has been pulled, it' has made a predetermined number of attempts to transmit its signal; the stopping principle, applied to suspend the runnlng of the train when the box determines, after being pulled, that the circuit is disabled.

In the application of the restoring principle, it is obviously needful that, to be efiective, it Imustrestore the'box before it has so On the other hand, it is equally obviousthat restoring mechanism arranged to soact cur-tails the efi'ectiveness of the a succession function of any box to'which it is applied by greatly curtailing'the time, after being once pulled, thatit will remain incondition to transmit its signa'h 'The balancingof these 'two'considcrations has resulted in the general practice of adjusting the boxes here-v tofore equippedwith' restoring mechanism so that after a" run which, had the box been fully wound at the start, wouldabouthalf exhaust the motivepower, "the r storing mechanism will" become efiec tive.

such. a box would at one time'complebely exhaust its motive power withoutaooomplishin any useful purpose, merely because it'happened to be pulled a couple of t mes when its circuit was disabled and the very same box would also fail to send its signal at another time after having uselessly half exhausted its motive power, merely because cuit resistance. V been arranged to continuously apply their SUGCESSIVE NON-INTERFERENCE SIGNAL-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patqemtred Jam, 291E911, v Application filed August 11, 1913. Serial no. release,

its circuit happened to be occupied with other signals until about the time the restoring mechanism acted. p

In the application of the stopping principle to which I have referred, neither of the foregoing considerations applies, but the pulling of a box equipped with such astopping -mechanism at a time when its circuit.

was disabled will result in such box. retaming the signal until'its circuit is restored, so that its signal may thus be transmitted hours or even days after the box was pulled, and when the need for its transmission has ceasedto exist.

Non-interference and succession boxes have also heretofore been devised with a view of securing the transmission of their signals through a ground connection to be rendered effective by the running of the box if the metallic circuit remained broken a predetermined time after oneof such boxes was pulled; but these former boxes have rarely, if ever, been used in actual service,

because of disadvantages, the most prominent of. which are the followings-The ground connections of such boxes have been so applied that only one-half of the noninterference magnet windingha-s been efiective when such boxes were utilizing their ground connection for the transmission of their signals over one side of a broken circuit, in spite of the fact that the circuit resistance over one side of the line and through such grounds as are ordinarily available at signal boxes is apt to be substantiallygreater than the normal metallic cir- Such former boxes have ground connection at all times when their signaling contacts were closed, so that if two boxes were pulled in one leg of a broken circuit and the box nearest the central ofice applied its ground connection efore the more-distant box had transmittedjits signal,

the restoring mechanism of the more distant boxk-would act to stop that box before it could transmit its signal, unless the box ()ne of the objects of this invention is to circuit therethrough so that such distant box need not cease to attempt the transmis sion of its signal unless its portion of such 'circuit shall remain. deenergized for a period longer than the longest period between such ground removals.

Another object of this invention is to automatically so apply such an emergency ground connection that the line current vvill pass through all 'vvindings of the noninterference' magnet While the box is trans mitting its signal, regardless'otwhether over an all-metallic or a grounded return Other objects of this invention are to provide a form of such a signal box which will be positive andefiectiv e inaction and which is adapted to be more economically manu- 5 factured and will require less skilled supervision than other boxes for like purposes heretofore devised; and other objects are described in the-following specification and more particularly pointed out in the claims. In constructin this invention 1 provide means for securing at frequent intervals during the transmission of the signal of the box'through its emergency ground connection, closures during only a fraction of each of which the ground connection is efiective, but I do not limit myself to the construction or this means which I have shown and hereinafter describe, nor to the use of 3 the other features or my invention in com- 40 bination with this means, as it is evident that the features or my inventionare' susceptible to many changes in construction and arrangement, and insertion or omission of parts, and to be applied to variousother forms of signal boxes, either separately or in combination With each other, vvithout departing from the spirit off my invention.

For applying the emergency ground connection, I provide mechanism, which, for

5Q brevity, I Will hereinafter call a circuit changer, which is so arranged that When in one position the metalliccircuit through the box is not altered by said circuit changer, but when said circuit changer occupies a second position, the metallic circuit is grounded at one side of the box, and

When said circuit changer is in a third position, the metallic circuit is grounded at the other side of the box, this circuit changerso being adapted to be so applied toa signal box that it Will be moved by the train in running, subject to the control of the noninterference magnet so that if, after'the box is pulled, the non-interference armature reas mains in retracted position for apredeternarrates mined period longer than the longest devenergized' period incident to the transmission of the signal of any box, said circuit changer will act to apply a ground connection to the metallic circuit at one side of its box'; and if thereupon the non-interference magnet becomes energized, such ground connection Will be maintained until the box is brought to rest as the result of having transmitted an efi'ective signal, but if, during the 5 running of the train, the non-interference armature remains in retracted position for a further predetermined periodlonger than the longest period of denergization of its circuit incidentto the transmission of the signal of any box, such circuit changer will act to transfer the ground connection to the other side of its signal box. Y,

A means is provided, constantly tending to restore the circuit changer to the position 5 in which the metallic circuit through the box is not altered by said circuit changer.

' This improved circuit changer is adapted to be so applied to the detent controlling structure of various types of Well-known o non-interfering and succemion signal boxes, that such detent will be caused or permitted to'act to stop the box and cause'the restoration of the parts of said box to normal condition Whenever the circuit changer has been moved to a predetermined point" by the train in running, and the non-interference armature has remained in retracted position during such running of said train for a predetermined period longer than the longest 10o.

period of denergization of its circuit incident to the transmission of any signal.

For the purpose of preventing the return of the circuit changer after it has been moved to apply the ground connection to.

either side of the box, upon the attraction of the non-interference armature, lprovide a holder which permits the circuit changer to be moved by the train in one-direction to suitably apply said ground connection, 11c and is adapted to prevent the movement of the circuit changer in reverse direction to an extent Which Will change the circuit conditions, vvhile permitting such slight movement of the circuit changer in reverse direction as will prevent its further movement by the vrunning of the train, in the event of the attraction of the non-interfer- 'ence armature; said holder, being adapted to be rendered inefi'ective when the detent 12G)v is in position to stop the train, so that When the detent acts to cause the restoration of the other parts of thebox, said holder will be rendered inefi'ective.

In constructing this circuit changer, I provide a member moved by the train in run-, ning, subject to the control of the non-interference magnet'and adapted to be so utilized that if, during the running of the train, the non-interference armature remains in re- 1w inioeee tracted position for a predetermined "period longer than the longest period of denergi- ,zation of its circuit incident to the transmission of the signal ot any box, such memher will act tocause stopping'and restora tion of the mechanism of its box.

For the purpose of more clearly illustrating this invention, 1 have shown its application to one type of signal box in the accomm panying drawings, like figures of reference referring tothe same parts throughout, in which;

Figure v1 shows ,a front elevation of the essential parts of a box embodying this in- 5 vention, the front plate being removed, the better to show the mechanism; Fig. 2 is an enlarged; view of a portion of Fig, 1; Fig. dis a diagrammatic viewshowing the circuits of the box, Fig. t a ground connection 2 which may be used at a receiving station, andl igs. 5 and 6 are views ofparts of the mechanism at diflerent stages of operation.

In l -fig. 1, the main gear 1; is suitably driven by a spring not shown. This gear which bears a gear 4. This gear engages pinion'li on signal wheel shaft 6 which bears a gear 7,'which' engages pinion 8 on escape wheelnshaft 9 which hears an escape wheel so 10 which engages a pallet ll. The signal wheel'f12 is adapted to engage the breaker arms 13, 14 to control the signaling circuit. These breaker arms are similar to those shown in the patent to H. We Doughty and C. E. Beach, No. 949,699,, dated Feb. 15, 1910, with an addition to arm 13 which is shown more clearly in Fig.2 and whichwill be hereinafter explained. The starting mechanism consistsof a detent 15, adapted a spr1ng'42 and the pawl 41 1s plvoted at 43 105 to'be lifted by the disengaging means 16. The detent has a lug 17" which engages a notch in the flange 18 on the gear l. The

detent normally holds the train against the tension of the main sprin so that when the detent is raised the train is releasedand will run until stopped. Controlling structure is provided for the detent and, in this particular embodiment of my'invention, consists of the following parts; A plate 19, used as a prop for the detent 15 is loosely mounted on the shaft 3 and is provided with two sets of ratchet teeth 20 and 21, a radial edge 22 and I a circumferential edge 23. A spring 2l'is attached to the framework and bears upon plate 19 tending to rotate the plate to the left. A pin 25 on the detent 15, when the train is held by the lever, lies to the left of the radial edge 22 on the plate 19 and holds the plate in the position shown. When the detent 15 is lifted, the armature of the noninterference magnet being retracted, the spring 24 will throw the plate to the left until the-projection to the left of the ratchet teeth 21 hits the pin 25. Another plate 26 is secured to shaft 6 and is provided on its unengages' pinion 2 on intermediate shaft 3 der side with a pin 27,- used to restore-the plate 19 to its normal position. At eacltrotation of shaft lithe pin 27 is adapted toengage the teeth of ratchet 21 when the latter isin its abnormal position, moving it a disya tance equal to one tooth at each revolution.

A. pawl 28 is mounted on the framework in the pathof the teeth of ratchet 20. This pawl is provided with an extension which engages a pin 29 on the armature'lever 30 as which bears the armature 31 of the non in terference magnet 32. The object oi the plate 19 and the pin 27 is to secure tour consecutive' revolutions of the signal wheel when the box gets control of the line: When an 1 the non-interference armature is retracted pin 29 has moved pawl 28 clear of ratchet 20 and operation of the disengaging means will lift detent 15, allowing plate 19 to move, to te left and permitting the train to as run. lit now the magnet should hecome energized the pawl 28 will engage the teeth of ratchet 20 separately andfconsecutively' as the plate 19 is moved by the pin 27 until the plate has been moved far enough to allow the pin 25 to drop ed the edge 23, whereupon the detent Elli-will enter one of the notches in the flange l8 and stop the train. This controlling structure may also be operated afier a certain length of time, if the box as does not have a chance to send its signal, by a ratchet wheel' lO mounted loosely on the shaft 3, a pawl 41 mounted on the framework, and the plate 26 secured to the shaft 6, which'plate at the beginning or each revoloo lution of the shaft 6 is adapted to engage the ratchet wheel 40 and advance it one tooth. The ratchet .wheel isfnorrnally held under the tension of restoring means consisting of wheel 40 tothereby hold the ratchet against backward rotation ash; is 'rotatedforward step by stepby the plate 264 When the line is closed the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet,permitting it to return to normal position. 'A pin 45 is" so mounted upon wheel 40 that after said wheel has been moved one tooth at a time for a suficient number of revolutions of the shaft 6 and held by retaining pawl 41, said pin 45 will strike the plate 19 and move it clockwise to a 121: point where'it will permit the detent to move to normal position and thereby stop the train; The-pin 33 is mounted on lever 30 to engagethe catch 3% looselypivoted at the end 125 of breaker arm 13. As shown in' Fig-'2. which is a back elevation of the end of 13, the catch is held against the pin 35 by the spring 36. The lower end of the catch 34 is so beveled that when pin 33 is brought 13$ against said bevel by the pull of the retractile spring appliedto. the non-interference armature the pressure of said pin on such beveled surface will raise the arm 13 suficiently to permit said pin 33 to pass under the end of the catch 34:, but the i'corrnoii the face of said catch above its beveled-end is such that the pressure of the pin 33 against said face will not cause the'arm. l3 to beraised. When the armature moves to retracted position the pin 33 passes under the end of catch 3%, thus lifting said catch and the arm 13 slightly until said pin'33; has passed to the right of the end of said catch 3% (Fig. l) whereupon the arm 13 will drop slightly so as to bring the. end of said catch into the path of said pin whereby said pin retains control of and holds the breaker arm '13 up. While the arm 13 is supported by the first tooth of the 1 signal wheel the pin 37 on gear strikes the pin 38 extending bachwardly from arm 13 and lifts the arm 13 and hence the catch 34; clear of pin 33. (See Fig. i.) lit the armature should be attracted before the catch was released, the spring 36 would be stretched and the catch swung outwardaround its pivot 39." This structure acts to lock the breaker arms closed whenever the interruptions in the circuit get out offsynchronisrn with the movement or" the breaker arms while still leaving the armature structure free to move, and the unlocking by 3'? permits the transmission of a retained signal only at the beginning of a revolution. It

will thus be seen that pin 33 cooperates with.

catch 34 to provide a form of disabling means for the signaling contacts, which,

whenever the circuit is closed, may be held by the magnet 32 against actuation to disable the signaling contacts. The engagement of theface of catch 34: above its beveled end with the pin 33 is such as to constitute a term of locldng means adapted to mechanically hold said disabling means against actuation except when the breaker arm 13 has been lifted, as hereinafter explained.

Fig. 5 shows the box just after it has been tripped, and with the electro-Inagnet 32 energized. Dot-cut 15 has been lifted by the disengaging means 16 toclear plate 19 which has rotated counterclockwise until held by pin 25. The energization oi. electro-magnet 32 allows pawl 28 to engage the ratchet teeththe ratchet on the plate 19; but it when the home box is started the line is in use the armature of the non-interference magnet will be retracted and will lock'the breaker arms, thus cutting out the home box, although its signaling train and consequently narrates the signal wheel will'continue to revolve. l

The retraction of the armature also will disengage pawl 28 from the ratchet teeth 20, allowing the plate 19 to swing backto the left until stopped by pin 25. When the box obtains-control of the line the tour revolutions will be counted oh anew.

The circuit changer'provided for efiect ing the emergency ground connections is shown in this particular embo"ent of my invention as comprising two conducting pieces 46' and ll, mounted upon wheel to but insulated therefrom, and three contact springs. 1-8, 4:9 and 50 (shown dotted in Fig. l and showndiagr'aatically in Fig. 3} which are so arranged the path of movement of said pieces as and 47 that piece it makes contact with springs 48 and 49 after said ratchet wheel has moved a short distancesay two teeth and falter said wheel has moved a farther" distance this contact is broken. and piece 4:? makes contact with springs 49 and 50. The arrangement-oi the contacting surfaces oi springs d8, l3 and; 50 must be such that when wheel at is mow ingclockwise, contact is made between springs 49 and 50 before contact is broken. between-springs 4-8 and 49. A pin 57 is in. suchrelation to the springs 58 and 59 that as the shaft 6 revolves, thispin'will' open the circuit between the two springs 58 and 59 before and during the part of the first closure of the contacts;

llt is evident that it the box was" so arranged that while the signal was being transmitted the line circuit was I either open or grounded, a box farther from the central station on the same side of a break would not be able to receive current through its ground connection and the advancement of the ratchet lO of the farther box would continue toward the stopping point of the box. In order to make it'certain that the advancement of ratchet all of the farther box will not continue to that point, the periods of ground connection should be so arranged thatdirringeach of .thatthe farther box will receive an impulse of current through its own ground connection, and its magnet will hence be energized and the accumulation of ratchet 40 will be restored to the beginning of that particular ground stage, as determined-by pin 51 striking one or the other of the teeth of the holder 52. I

In employing signal'boxes which are arranged to transmit their signals rapidly, it

has been found that to secure the most eficient operation of the receiving devices, the

circuit should be closed for half of the interval between strokes within a digit and open for half of such interval.

In order to permit the arrangement of closures just indicated, the closure to which the extra length is added should be the first closure of a digit, and for convenience may be the first digit of the round, thus only changing the length of the open circuit period between digits or between rounds. For this purpose the signal wheel 12 is so cllt that the first closure is made longer than 15 any other, by providing a projection in the path of arm 13 so that it cannot drop and open the circuit as soon as it otherwise would. Spring 48 is connected to the line at one side of the box, spring 50 is connected to the line at the other side of the box, and spring 49 is connected in series with springs 58 and 59 to ground. A pin 51 is secured to the ratchet wheel 40 and. a holder 52 is pivoted at 53 to the framework, and arranged to cotipera te with said pin 51. The holder 52 has an extension 54 which is engaged by a pin 55 on the detent. A spring 56 tends to move the holder in the path of the pin 51. en the detent 15 is raised, the holder is permitted to move into, the path of the pin 51" and if the ratchet wheel 40 is turned two teeth the said pin 51 passes by the end of the holder, preventing the return movement of the wheel as long as the detent is in elevated position. hen the detent drops, the holder is disengaged andthe ratchet wheel is restored to normal position. The two teeth of the holder are so spaced that one 49 will prevent the wheel 40 from moving far enough counterclockwise to carry piece 46 out of contact with springs 48 and 49, while the other is adapted to similarly prevent the wheel 40 from moving piece 47 out of contact with springs 49 and 50.

Fig. 6 shows the box after there have been two inefi'ectual revolutions of the signal wheel, and just after the beginning of the third revolution, the electro-magnet 32 58 having been deenergized all of this time.

l/Vheel 40 has been moved two teeth, bringing piece 46 into contact with springs 48 and 49. Pin 57 has moved away from spring 59, allowing that spring to close the ground connection through spring 58. Pawl 41 ene gages wheel 40 to holdit in positlon. If el'ectro-magnet 32 should now become energized,;pawl 41 would release wheel 40 but the holder.52 would prevent the wheel 40 from 60 moving piece 46 out of contact with} springs 48 and 49. Hence, if the main signaling circuit is broken, the second advancement of ratchet wheel 40 will connect the ground to the line at one side of the box, and if the magnet is still denergized, the advancement of the wheel 40 two steps farther will connect the ground to the line at the other side of the box. In either event, the entire winding of the non-interference magnet is connected in the circuit. As the ground connection is m applied and transferred only at the completion of two revolutions of the signal wheel during which the electro-magnet has notbeen energized and the ground connection is broken during each revolution of the signal wheel, it is apparent that the ground connection is only applied or transferred at the conclusion of a period during which the electro-magnet is not energized longer than the deenergized period of any congo nected portion of the'circuit incident to the 'transmimlon of any signal. At the receiving station a ground wire may be connected as shown in Fig. 4, the battery being normally connected between the two line wires, 35 a relay being connected in each line wire, and the switch may be operated, either man- 'ually or automatically, whenever, a break occurs in the line, to connect the ground to one terminalof the battery and to transgo for the line normally connected to that ter-' minal to the other terminal. By connecting the ground first to one side and then to the other at the box, .both coils of the non-interference magnet are enabled to control the signaling mechanism, whether the'line is open at one or the other side of the box. The ground is momentarily removed by springs 58 and 59 before and during the first part of thefirst closure of each round so that if another box beyond the home box is trying to get the line through its ground, the impulse sent to it during the first partof this closure will afiect its non-interference magnet and keep the box operating without permitting it to shift from its energized ground'circuit. v

The springs 58 and 59 must open the ground circuit before the breaker arms 13 and 14 have closed the signaling contacts, in no order not to cause the striking of a double blow, and the pin 33 must not be free to pass under the catch 34 until the ground circuit is closed by these springs. If the arm 13 should be lifted so high before the ground circuit was closed as to allow the pin to pass the catch, it would result in the wiping out of the accumulation stored in the controlling structure, and if the arm 13was not-thereafter raised by the pin 37 it would result in silencing the next succeeding revolutionof the signal wheel.

The operation of the mechanism shown in the annexed drawings when connected in carried by the breaker arms 13 and is are normally shunted by means of any well known term of train shunt conJrolled in the usual manner by a suitable part of the mechanism, asfor instance the detent 15, as will be readily understood lay those skilled in the art. lit, when the parts are so positioned, the disengaging means 16 is operated to pull the hon, it will lift the detent l5 and thus withdraw the pin 25 from the path of the edge 22 of the plate 19, which will be thrown to the left by the s ring 2% until the projection to the left of the ratchet teeth 21 strikes the pin 25. lhe lifting of the detent l5 will withdraw the lug it? from engagement with the flange 18 on ear l, and it is assumed that, in accordance with ordinary practice, the shunt around the magnet 32 and the signaling contacts will now be broken, The magnet 32 will now he energized and will cause the armature 31 to more to attracted position, thus swinging the pin 29 out of the path of the upper end the pawl 28, and the weight of said pawl will therefore cause to swing to the position where it may engage the teeth20. (See n 5 Upon the disengagement the l g 17 from the flange 18, the train will commence to operate, thus turning the signal wheel 12 and the plate 28 in counter clockwise direction armature moves to attracted position as just described, Salwill he carried by the lever 30 to the left of the catch without engaging said catch hecanse the arm 15 will t en held in its elevated position lay of the pin 37 with the pin alter the has run a short distance the 3'? will he withdrawn from t path of the pin 8 and during the continue -otation o": the signal l2, various teeth will act in succession to alternatel open and close the signaling circuit a signaling contacts carried s he hrea r arrns l3 A, and at same time to a unlock the re lever in a well lrnewn manner, sothat whenever the circuit is broken between the contacts carried by said breaker arms, said armature lever will be locked in attracted position, hut during times when the circuit is closed between said contacts said armature lever will not he held mechanically hy the breaker arm 13 hut will he held magnetically hy the magnet 32,, v

llhe movement of the armature 3i to attracted position, which has already been described, will cause the pin 29 to swing the pawl ll out ofthe path of the teeth or the ratchet wheel 40 so that, although said ratchet wheel will he moved by the engagement of theplate 26 therewith during each revolution of the signal wheel 12, said ratchet wheel will he returned to its normal AF; engagement rnately loci; and

position by the spring 1 2 after each engagemerit of the plate 26 therewith. Hence neither the piece 46 nor the piece 47 will he brought into connection with the contact springs 48, 49. or 50, and therefore the alternate engagement and separation of the contact springs 58 and 59, resulting from the action of the pin 57 upon the contact spring 59 during each revolution of the signal wheel 12, will be inefiectual.

During each revolution of the signal wheel 12, the pin 27 will be srought into engagementwith one of the teeth 21 of the plate 19, and will move said plate to the right such distance as will carry one of the teeth 2Q past the engaging end of the pawl 28 so that said pawl may prevent movement of the plate 19, under the tension .035 the spring 2%, when the pin 27 is out'ot engagement with the teeth' 2i. lit will thusloe see,

during the latter part of the fourth revolution of the signal wheel 12, the edge 23 of the plate 19 will be withdrawn from supporting the pin 25, and the lug 17 will thus be permitted to engage the flange 18 when the neat notch in said ilange is presented thereto, and thus restore the parts to their normal positions.

ll the signaling circuit is interrupted by so-called plain or interfering signal her while the mechanism shown in the anneXed drawings is transmitting its signal, as just described, at a time when the arm 18 is so elevated as to unlock the am neture lever iii), the pin 33 will act againstthe hevel oi the catch 34 so as to slightly raise and then loclrthe arm 13 lay/pa sing to the right of said catch, and the 29 will move therewith to a position where it will cause the pawl 28 to disengage teeth 20 and where-it will'perinit the pawl ll to move into the of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 4:0, Upon such disengagement ct pawl 28 from the teeth 20 the plate said plate will he thrown to the left lay spring 2% until the projection to the left the ratchet teeth strikes the pin will act through said pin 29 to carry themgaging end of the pawl 28 out of the path of the ratchet teeth 20, so that the. advancement of the ratchet wheel 40 resulting from the engagement of the plate 26 therewith will not be retained after said plate is disengaged theretrom, and the advancement of the plate 19 resulting from the engagement of the pin 27 therewith will notbe-retained wheel 40, and when in retracted position log "5 plain box, the "left of the catch 34 and thereafter the operation will be'the same as the correspondnaidaea after the disengagement of said pin from the teeth 21 of said plate.

' When the armature 31 moves to attracted position, as just described, the pin 33 will not cease tosupport the breaker arm 13 but I will engage with the end of the catch 34 and swing said catch outwardly around its pivot 39. (See dotted lines Fig. 2.) v

If the breaker arm. 13 is raised by the enagement of the pin 37 with the pin 38 durmg any open circuit period incident to the transmission of, the signal of the plain box, the armature 31 will not be movedto attracted position and upon the disengagement of the pin 37 from the pin 38, the arm 13 willdrop and thus bring the point of the catch 34 in the path of the pin 33 so as to prevent thepin 33 from passing to the left of thecatch 34 until the slgnal wheel 12 has made another revolution.

If the pin 37 actingthrou'gh the pin 38 lifts the breaker arm 13 at a time when there is a closure in the signaling circuit incident to the transmission of the signal from the pin 33 will swing to the ing operation when two boxes are initially pulled so as to start their respective.- signals simultaneously as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed.

it is evident that no accumulations will be retained either by the ratchet wheel 40 'or the plate 19 during the makes and breaks of the signal of such plain box, as each closure incident to transmission of such signal will cause the armature 31 to move to attracted position and thus move the pin 29 so as to disengage the pawl 41 from the ratchet wheel 40 and release any accumulation which may be stored therein, and during each break in the signal of the it plain box, the armature 31 will move to retracted position and thus cause the pin 29 to disengage the pawl 28mm the" ratchet teeth 20 on the plate 19 and thus release any accumulation' which may be stored in said plate. 4 v. i

When the signaling circuit is closed after the signal from the plain lbox is completed, the armature 31 will cause the pin 33 to swing the catch 34 outwardly and thereby stretch the spring 33 so that the next time that the pin 37 acts through the pin 38 to lift the breaker arm 13, the spring 36 will swing the catclr 34 to the right of thepin 33, and thereafter the transmission of the, signal from the mechanism shown will proceed in the same manner-as if it had been pulled when no other box was-in operation on its circuit. I

If two boxes having different signal numbers but having mechanism'otherwise similar to that shown in the annexed drawings are connected in a closed."signaling circuit.

and are pulled at or about the same time, the operation ofsaid boxes will be as follows: If one of said boxes breaks the signaling circuit slightly before the other box is in position to act to break said circuit, the pin 33 ofsaid'other box will move to the right of its coengaging catch 34 and thereby lock its cooperating breaker arm 13 so that the signal from the box which so first broke the signaling circuit will proceed, until completed, as when no other box is operating, and the box whose aling'contacts were closed at a time when circuit was broken,

-will run without having its breaker arms operatively adected by-the rotation of its signal wheel, and without retaining any accumulations, either of the ratchet wheel 40 or the plate 19, until the signal of the box which first broke the circuit is completed,

whereupon the box whose breaker arm was so locked will proceed to send its signal, and its operation will be like that of a box the transmission of whose signal has been interfered with by a plain box, as already described. If such two boxes are pulled at or about the same time and break the circuit simultaneously for the first stroke of their respective signals, the signaling contacts of both boxes may operate one or more times but-upon the first occasion when one I box has its breaker arm 13 in elevated position during an open-circuit period of the other box, it will have its breaker arm locked, and its subsequent operation will be like that of a box whose signal had been interfered with by the pulling of a plain box in the circuit therewith, as already de-.

scribed, and the other box'will proceed to transmit its signal as if it had been pulled when no other box was in operation, on its circuit.

4 in the position indicated by the dotted line, the operation of the mechanism shown in the annexed drawings, is as follows: Assuming'a break in that portion of the signaling circuit which connects the left hand conductor marked Line in Fig. 3 with the grounded current source, there being no break or operating boxes in that portionpf' the signaling circuit which connects the right hand conductor and said current source :if the disengaging means 16 is operated to pull the box it will lift the detent 15 and thus withdraw the pin 25 from the path of the edge 22 of the plate 19,

which will be thrown to the lea by the sprlng 24 until the projection to the leftof the ratchet teeth 21 strikes the pin 25. The

lifting ,of the detent 15 will withdraw the lug 17 from engagement with the flange 18 on the gear 4 and the train will commence to operate, thus turning the signal wheel -12 and the plate 26 in counter clockwise direction. The Signaling circuit being open, the magnet 32 will remain deenergized, and

the armature 31 will remain in retracted position, so that the pin 29 will hold the pawl 28 out of engagement with the ratchet.

tooth of the ratchet wheel 40 and move another of the teeth of said ratchet past the engaging portion .of the pawl 41, and such movement of said ratchet wheelwill carry the pin 51 past the upper tooth or projection of the holder 52 and bring the piece 46 into connection with the contact springs- 48 and 49. Referring to Fig. 3 it will be seen that a connection willthus be established between the left hand conductor marked Line and the contact spring 58 and as it is assumed that an effective con nection exists between the right hand conductor marked Line as shown inv this figure and the grounded current source, it is evident that current will flow from such current source through said right hand conductor and through the signaling contacts and the magnet 32, and the contact spring 48, the piece 46, the contact spring 49 and the contact springs 58 and 59 as soon as the pin 57 is moved out of the path of the -con-.

' tact spring 59.

Before the pin 37 acting through the pin 38, has raised the breaker arm 13 to ts extra elevated position, the contact spring 59 will be released by the pin 57 and thereby close the circuit through the current path just described so as to energize the magnet 32, and thereupon the armature '31 Wlll move to attracted position, thus withdrawing the pawl 41 from the path of the ratchet wheel 40 and the continued rotation of the signal wheel 12 will cause the circuit to bebroken and made between the contacts carried by the breaker arms 13 and 14 in a well known manner and thereby transmit the signal over the portion of the signaling circuit which connects the right hand conductor shown in Fig. 3 with the grounded current source. Such rotation of the s1g nal wheel 12 will cause the plate 26 to be withdrawn from engagement with the teeth heel 40 and said ratchet signal wheel 12 the ratchet wheel 40 will be advanced one tooth each time'the plate 26 comes into engagement. therewith but will be restored. by the spring 42 as soon as said plate disengages said ratchet wheel.

Just before the conclusion of the first revolution of thesignal wheel 12 following the completion of the circuit through the unrestrained by. the pawl.

ground, as just-described, the pin 57 will engage the contact spring 59 and move it away from the contact spring 58 and while these contacts are thus separated, the signalingcontacts carried by the breaker arms 13 and 14 will be brought together without unlocking the armature, thus establishing a metallic circuit connection through this mechanism during which the ground connection is'not efiective, and upon the further movement of the signal wheel 12 the .pin 57 will be withdrawn from engagement with the contact spring 59 and thereupon the ground connection will become efltective, and

the armature willthen beunlocked; but as the magnet 32 will now be energized, the armature 31 will be magnetically held. The

further operation' of the signal wheel,

breaker arms, armature structure. and the plate 19 will be the same as if the box had been pulled when no other box was in operation and the line was in normal condition until the edge 23 is withdrawn from the path of the pin 25, whereupon the mechanism.will be brought to rest in the manner already described, and the pin 55, acting through the extension 54, will so swing the holder 52 that the teeth carried thereby will I be moved out of the path of the pin 51 when the detent 15 moves to the position which brings the lug 17 in the path of'the flange 18.

As the notches in the flange 18 are somewhat wider than the lug 17 the detent 15 will fall somewhat before the train comes to rest, and while the end of the breaker arm 13 lies in the path of the pin 33, so that the pin 29 will be held in such position as to hold the pawl 41 out of the path of the ratchet wheel 40 at the time the teeth carried by the holder 52 are moved out of the path of the pin 51, and thereupon the ratchet wheel 40 will be'r'eturned to its normal position by means of the spring 42.

The foregoing description of the operation of the mechanism when. pulled while the signaling circuit is broken, is based upon the assumption that no other box between the current source and the box described is running, but if at the time the box described is pulled, another similar box in the efiective part of the circuit between it and the grounded current source is transmitting its signal through its ground connection, the op-. eration of the box subsequently pulled will be as follows :-When the ground connection has been established. through the contact springs 48 and 49, and the contact springs 58 and 59 of the second pulled box in the a time when its-contact springs 58 and 59 are manner already described, the magnet 32 of said box will remain deenergized, by reason of not getting suflicient current to energize it, both during open circuit periods of the signal of such box and also during its grounded closures, and during each revolution of the signal wheel of such first pulled box,its signaling contacts will'be closedat separated by the action of its pin 57, and an elfective connection will-thus be established between the grounded current source and the second box pulled.-

.As it requires two revolutions of the sig-. nal wheel 12 and plate 26 to cause the ratchet wheel 40 to be moved from the position where the pin 51 rests against the upper tooth of the holder 52 to a position where said pin 51 will be carried past theilower toothof said holder 52, it is evident thatv during such two revolutions one or more of.

the non grounded closures of the first box pulled, will provide energized periods for the second pulled box, each of which will cause its armature 31 to move its pin 29 to a position which will withdraw its pawl 41 from its ratchet wheel 40, and thereby permit said ratchet wheel to-be moved by its spring 42 until its pin 51 is brought against. the upper tooth er its holder 52.

From the foregoing it will be seen that so long as the first'box pulled is transmitting its signal, the ratchet wheel 40 of the second box pulled will not be moved far enough to withdraw its contact piece 46 from the contact springs 48 and 49 and thus the second box pulled will remain in condition to transmit its signal through the ground connection which may be established through the said contact springs 48 and 49, until the first box pulled has completed the transmission of its signal and withdrawn its ground connection, whereupon the operation of the second box pulled will proceed as if it had been pulled at a time when no other box was same as just described, except that when the ground connection is established between the contact springs '48 and 49 by means of the piece 46, the magnet 32 will not be energized and therefore the armature31 will remain in retracted position so that the pawl 41 will be free toretain further accumulations imparted. to-theratchet wheel 40 by the engagement of the plate, 26 therewith, so that upon the further rotation of the shaft 6 the plate26 will move'the ratchet wheel 40 step by step I until the pin 51 is carried past the lower tooth of the holder52 whereupon the piece 47 will be brought into contact with the springs 49 and 50.

At the time of or shortly after the piece 4'1 connects the springs 49 and'50, the pin 57 will permit the contact spring 59 to'connect with the contact spring 58 and-thereby establish a current path from the left. hand conductor marked Line (See Fig. 3)

through the magnet 32 and the signaling cont acts carried by'the arms 13 and 14 to the ground, whereupon the magnet 32 will be energized and the armature 31 will move to attracted position andthe mechanism will proceed to operate and transmit 1ts signal in a manner similar to that just described, and

rious parts will be returned to'their normal positions in like manner.

If a box is pulled at a time when-it is connected with the grounded current source only through the left hand conductor (see Fig. 3) and while another similar box in the efi'ective portion of the circuit between-it and the grounded current source is transmitting its signal. through its ground connection, the operation of the box subsequently pulled will be as follows :-"When the ground connection has been established through the contact springs 48 and 49 and the contact springs 58 and 59 of the second pulled'box in the manner already described,

the magnet 32 of said box will remain deenergrized as it will not be included in the upon thecompletion of such signal, the vacurrent path between the ground connection at such box and the grounded current source,-

and will not get suificient current to energize it, and therefore 1ts pawl 41 will remain in engagement with its ratchet wheel 40 while-said ratchet wheel 40 is moved by its plate 26 until its pin 51 is carried past the lower tooth cf the holder '52, whereupon the contact springs 50 and 49 will be connected by the piece 47.. After the ground connec-' tion has been established through said 'contact springs 50 and 49, the magnet. 32 of said box will remain deenergized both during open circuit periods of the signal of the first box pulled'and also during its grounded closures, but during each revolution of the signal wheel of such first pulled box its signaling contacts will be closed at a time when itscontact springs 58 and 59 are sepav tooth of its holder 52.

rated by the action ofits pin 57, and an efiective connection will thus be established between the grounded current source and the second box pulled.

As it requires two revolutions of the signal wheel 12 and plate 26 to cause the ratchet wheel 40 to be moved from the position where the pin 51 rests against the lower tooth of the holder 52 to a position where the piece 47 will be carried out of contact with the springs 50 and 49, it is evident that during such two revolutions one or more non-grounded closures of the first box pulled, will provide energized periods for the second pulled box each of which will cause its armature 31 to move its pin 29 to a position which will withdraw its pawl 41 from its ratchet wheel 40, and thereby perniit.said

ratchet wheel to be moved by its spring 42 until its pin 51 is brought against the upper From theforegoing it. will be seen that so long as the first box pulled is transmitting its signal, the ratchet wheel d0 of the second box pulled will not be moved far enough to withdraw its contact piece 41 from its contact springs 50 and 49, andthus the second boxpulled will remain in condition to transmit its signal through the ground connection which maybe established through the said springs 50 and 49, until the first box pulled has completed the transmissionof its signal and withdrawn its ground connection, whereupon the operation of the second box pulled will proceed as if it had been pulled at a time .when no other box was transmitting its signal over that portion of the signaling circuit. I If while one box is transmitting its signal through its ground connection, as already described, some other box connected in the energized portion of the circuit between the first pulled box and the grounded current source should be set in motion, such second pulled box will operate in the, same manner as if it had been pulled in a normal circuit which was in use for the transmission of the signal of some other box, as already described, so that the ground connection of such second pulled box will not be rendered effective while closures are occurring in that -'portion of the circuit incident to the transmission of the signal of the'first pulled box,

but when the first pulled box has completed the transmission of its signal and-has removed its ground connection; the operation ofthe second pulled box will proceed in the same manner as if such box had been pulled on a broken line at a time when no other box was engaged in the transmission of its signal. I

Assuming a break in the portion of the signaling circuit which connects the right hand conductor marked Line in Fig. 3 and a second break. in the portion of the signaling circuit which connects the left hand conductor marked Line in saidfigure with the grounded current source :ii? a box,

having the mechanism shown, is pulled, its

operation will be the same as already des with, so that, upon the further rotation of the shaft. 6, the plate 26 will move the ratchet wheel 40 step by step until the'pin 45 is carried against the plate 19, and has moved said plate against the tension of its spring 24 until the edge 23 is withdrawn from the path ofthe pin. 25 whereupon the operation of the box will be arrested in the inanner already described.

The importance of having the closures divided into non-grounded and grounded parts is illustrated by the foregoing description of the operation of the mechanism shown in the annexed drawings, and the further importance of having the non-grounded part of divided closures precede the grounded part will be recognized when it is considered that alarm receiving or indicating devices, employed in connection with signal boxes of the character described, are usually arranged to act in response'to breaks in the circuit. If, for instance, thedivided closures were arranged so that theground was effective during the first part and in different intervals between the breaks fol-v .lowing divided and non-divided closures might be overcome by arranging the mecha- I nism so that all closures would be divided closures, a source of confusion would still exist in that if a box was transmitting a signal through its ground connection and such ground connection was eflective during the first part of all closures, the pulling of an other similar box connected by the same conductor, and located at a point more distant from the grounded current source, might result in the development of the ground connection at such more distant box at such a time between two divided closures that the effective circuit break of one closure would. be the termination of its grounded part while the effective break following the next closure would only come at the termination increase of its metallic part. All signal box mechanisms should therefore be so constructed that divided closures will be so arranged that the non-grounded part will precede the grounded part.

From the above description of the operation of the circuit changer it will be seen that the non-interference magnet and the signaling contacts of the box are first connected in the metallic circuit. H such metallic circuit remains continuously deenergized for a time longer than the longest time between energized periods of any signal, the continued retraction of the non-interfere'nce armature will permit the circuit changer to be held in such position that it will be'moved by the train to connect the non-interference magnet and the signaling contacts in a ground circuit from one line wire. if this ground circuit remains continuously deenergized for a time longer than the longest time between energized periods incident to the transmission of any signal in such circuit, the continued retraction of the non-interference armature will permit the circuit changer to be held in such position that it will be moved by the train to connect the non-interferencemagnet and the signaling contacts in a ,groundcircuit froin the other line wire. If this second ground circuit remains continuously deenergized for a time longerthan'the longest time'between energized periods incident to the transmission of any signal in such circuit, the continued retraction of the. noninterference armature will permit the ratchet wheel to be held in such position that it will be moved by the trainto cause the controlling structure to be withdrawn to permit the detent to stop the-train and restore the metallic circuit through the box.

I claim the following:

1. In a signal box having three terminals, an electromagnet, and signaling contacts; means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, and means controlled by said magnet for connecting the third terminal to one of said two terminals during a part only of the duration of each of one or more of the closures of said contacts. v

2. In'a signal box having three terminals, an electromagnet, and signaling contacts; means for opening and closinglsaid contacts between two of said terminals, and means for connecting the third terminal to one of.

said two'terminals during a part only of the duration of each of one or more of: the

, closures of said contacts, said means being so controlled by said magnet that said connection will be made only after the exp ration of a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal.

3. In a signal box having three terminals,

an electromagnet, a train, and signaling connecting the third terminal to one of said two terminals, and means operated by the v tacts;, means for opening and closing said train. for arranging the duration of the periods of such connection so that during each of one or more of the closures of said contacts there shall be a period throughout whichsaid connection will not be made and also a period throughout which it will be made.

' 4. in a signal box having three terminals, an 'electromagnet, a train, and signaling contacts; means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, I

means for connecting the third terminal to one of said two terminals, and means operated by the train for arranging the duration of the periods of such connection so as to divide each of one or moreof the closures of said contacts so that during each of such divided closures there shall bea period throughout which said connection will not be made and also a period throughout which it will be made, said'second named means being so controlled by said magnet that said connection will be made only after the expiration of a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal.-

5. In a signal box having three terminals, an electromagnet, signaling contacts, a train, and a detent therefor; means for. opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means controlled by said magnet for connecting the third terminalto said contacts during "a part only of the duration of each of one or'more of the closures of said contacts.

6. In a signal box having three terminals,

an electromagnet,-signaling contacts, a-train, and a detent therefor; means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means for connecting the third terminal to said contacts during a part only of the duration of each of one or more ofthe closures of said contacts, said second named .means being so controlled. by said magnet that said connection will be made only after the expiration of a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal, and controlling structure overned by said ma net for rendering sai detent effect ve on y after the magnet has not been energized during a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal.

'7. In a signal box having'three terminals, an electromagnet, signaling contacts, a train, and a detent therefor; means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means controlled by sald nmagna, for connecting the thirdterminal to said contacts, means operated by the train for arranging the duration of the periods ofsuch connection so as to divide each of one or more of. the closures of said contacts so that during each of such divided closures 1 there shall be a period throughout which said connection will not be made and also a closures of any signal.

period throughout which it will be made, and controlling structure governed by said magnet for rendering saidv detent efiecti ve only after the magnet has not been energized during a time longer than the longest'time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal.

. 8. In a signal box having three terminals,

I an=-electromagnet, and signaling contacts;

means for opening and closing said contacts between two of-said terminals, means for connecting the third terminal to'said contacts, means for arranging the duration of the periods of such connection so as to'di- I vide each of one or more of the closures of said contacts so that during each of such divided closures there shall be a period throughout which said connection will not be made and also a period throughout which it will be made, said second named means being so controlled .by said magnet that said connection will bemade only after the expiration of a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided 9. In a signal box havlng three terminals, an electromagnet, a train, and signaling contacts; means for opening and closing saidcontacts between two of said terminals,

[means controlled by said magnet for connecting the third terminal to said contacts during a part only of the duration of each ofof one 'or more of the closures of said contacts, disabling means for the signaling contacts adapted to be held by said magnet against actuation, and locking means adapted to be so operated by'said train that it will mechanically hold said disabling means against actuation, except during periods throughout which said connection may be made.

10. In a signaling system, the combination of two line wires, current supply mechanism and translating mechanism connected between said line wires and ground, a signal box having an electromagnet, and signaling contacts, and means whereby said magnet is enabled to test for current to ground during a part only of the duration of each of one or more of the closures of said contacts.

11. In a signal box having three terminals,

an electromagnet, signaling contacts, a.

- train, and a detent therefor; means for opening and closing said contacts between two of sa1d terminals, means for connecting the third termanal to said contacts, means the train for arranging operated by to divide each of one or more of the closures of said contacts so that during each of such divided closures there shall be a period throughout which said connection will notbe made and also a period throughout which the ration of the periods of such connection as it will be made, said second named means being so controlled by said magnet that said connection will be made only after the expiration-of a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal, and controlling structure governed by said magnet for rendering said detent efiective only after the magnet has not been energized during a time longer than the longest time between any two con- I secutive divided closures of any signal.

12. In a signal box. having three termi- I nals, an electromagnet, and signaling con-' ing contacts ;v means for opening and closing i said contacts between two of said terminals, means controlled by said magnet for connecting the third terminal to one of said two terminals, and means operated by the train for arranging the duration of the periods of suchconnection so that each of one or more of the closures of said contacts will be divided into two parts and so that throughout the first of said two parts said.

connection wilh not be made and so that said connection will be made throughout the second of said two parts. v

14. In a signal box having three terminals, an electromagnet, a train, and signaling contacts; means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means for connecting the third terminal to one of said two terminals, and means op-,

erated by the train for arranging the duration of the periods of such connection so that each'of one or more of the closures of said contacts will be divided into two parts and so that throughout the first'oi said two parts said connection will not be made and so that said connection will be made throughout the second of said two parts,-

said second named means being so controlled by said magnet that said connection will be made only after the expiration of a time longer than the longest time between any misses.

are

signal.

15. In a-signal box havingthree terminals, an electromagnet,.signaling. contacts a train, and adetent therefor; means or opening and. closingesaid contacts between two of'said terminals, meanscontrolled by said magnet for. connecting the third terminal to said contacts during a partonly.v of the duration ofeach of one or-more of the closures of said contacts, and'controllmg structure governed by said magnet for rendering saiddetent effective only ,aiter the magnet has not been energized during a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures-oi any signal. 16. In a signal box having three terminals, an electromagnet, signaling contacts, a

train, and a detent therefor; means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means controlled by said magnet for connecting the third ter'niinalto said contacts, means operated by the trainfor arranging the duration of the! periods of such connection so that each of one or more of the closures of said contacts will be divided into two parts and so that through-' out the first of said two parts said .connec{ tion will not be made and so that said connection will be made. throughout the second of said two parts, and oontrollin structure governed by said magnet for ren ering said detent efi'ective only after the magnet has not been energized during a time longer than the longest time betweenany two consecutive divided closures of any signal. p

17.- In a signal box having three terminals, an electromagnet, signaling contacts, a

train, and a detent therefor; means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means for connecting ,7

the thi-rdterminal to said contacts, means operated by the train for arranging the duration of the periods of suchconnection so that each of one or more of the closures of said contacts willbe divided into twonparts and so that throughout the first of said two parts said connection will not be made and so that said connection will be made throughout the second of said two parts, said second named means being so controlled by said magnet that said connection will be made only after thev expiration of a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal, and

controlling structure governed by said magcontacts between two of said terminals, and

' net for rendering said detent fl'ective only after the magnet has not been energized during a time longer than the lon est time between any two consecutive divide closures of any signal.

18. In a signal box having three terminals,

means for opening and closing said contacts betweentwo of said terminals, and means controlled by said magnet for connecting the third terminal to said contacts during'a part only of the duration of each tacts.

" of one or more of the closures 'of saidcon- 19. In ai'signal box having three terminals, i

an electromagnet, and signaling contacts;

means for opening and closing said contacts between two of, said terminals, and means for connecting the third terminal tosaid contacts during a part only of the duration of each of one or'more of the closures of said contacts, sa d second-named means being so controlled by saidmagnet that said connection will be made only after the. expiration of, a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive-divided closures of anysignal. i

20. In a signal box-having three terminals, an electromagnet and signaling contacts; means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means controlled-by said magnet for establishing a connection ,f om" said contacts to the third terminal; and means for arranging the duration of the periods of such connection so that each of one or more of the closures of said contacts will be divided into two parts and so that-"throughout the-first of said twoparts said connection will not be made and so that.

said connection .will'be made throughoutthe second of said two parts, 21, In a, signal box having three terminals, an electromagnet, and signaling contacts; means'for opening and closing said contacts between two of said-terminals, means for connecting thev third terminal'to said contacts, means'for arranging the duration of the periods of such connectionso that each of one or more of the closuresqof said contacts will be divided into two parts and so that throughout the first of saidtwo parts said connection will not be made and so that said connection will bemade throughout the second of said two parts, said second named means'being so controlled bysaid' magnet that said connection will be made only after the expiration of a time longer than the longest time between. any twoconsecutive;

divided closures of any signal.

22. In a signal box having mechanism adapted for the transmission of a; signal comprising one or more groups of impulses; three terminals, an electromagnet, signaling contacts, means for opening and'closi-ng said 'of each of said groups.

23. ln -a signalv box having 'mechanism adapted" for the transmission-of a signal comprising-one or more groups of impulses; three terminals, an 'electrcmagnet, signaling contacts, means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, and

means for connecting the third terminal to one of said two terminals during a part only ofthe duration of the closure prece sai 'thafirst'break of each of said groups, 7 second named means being so controlledby said magnet that said connection will be made-{only after the expiration of a time longer than the longest time between any twoconsecutive" divided closures of any 7 signal,

2%. In a signal} box having mechanism adapted for the transmission of a signal comprising one or more groupsof impulses; three terminals, an electromagnet, a tram, signaling contacts, means for opening and closing said contacts between two'of said terminals, means controlled by said magnet Y for. connecting the third terminal to one of 25 said two terminalsand means operated by the train for-arranging the duration of the closing said contacts between. two of said terminals, means for connecting the third terminalto one of said two terminals and means operated by the train, for arranging the duration of the periods of such connection so that during the closure preceding the.

first break of each of said groups there shall be aperiod throughout which said'connection' will not be made and also' a period throughout which it willbe made, said secondnamed means-being so controlled by said magnet that, said connection will be made only after the expiration .of a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal.

.26. In. a. signal box'having mechanism adapted for the. transmission of a signal comprising one or more groups of impulses; three terminals, an 'electromagnet, signaling contacts, a train, a detent therefor, means for opemng and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means controlled by said magnet for connecting thethird-terminal to said contacts during apart only of the duration of theclosure preceding the first break of each of said groups,

; atc es and. controlling structure governed by said magnet for rendering said detent effective only after the magnet has not been energized during a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal.

27. lin a signal box having mechanism adapted for the transmission or" .a signal comprising one or more groups of impulses; three terminals, an electromagnet, signaling contacts, a train, a'detent, therefor, means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means for connectmg-the third terminal to said contacts during a, part only of the duration of the closure preceding the first break of each-of said groups, said second named means being so controlled by said magnet that said connection will be made only after the expiration of a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal, and controlling structure governed by said magnet for rendering said detent effective only after the magnet has not been energized during a. time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closuresoii any signal.

28. In a signal box having mechanism adapted for the transmission of a I signal comprising one or more groups of impulses;

three terminals, an electromagnet, "signaling contacts, a train, a detent therefor, ineans for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means-controlled by said magnet for connecting the third terminal to said contacts, means operated by the train for arranging the duration of the periods of such connection so that during the closure preceding the first break of each of said groups there shall be a -periodthroughout which said connection will not be made and alsoa period throughout which it Wlll be made, and controlling structure governed by said magnet for rendering said detent efi'ective only after the magnet has not been energlzed during a time longer than the longest time between any two con-. I

secutive divided closures of any signal.

29. In a signal box having mechanism adapted for" the transmission of a signal comprising one or more groups of impulses; three terminals, an electromagnet, signaling contacts, a train, a detent therefor, means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means operated by the train for arranging the duration of the periods of such connection so that during the closure preceding the first break of each of said groups there shall be a a eriod throughout which said connection will not be made and also a period thrqughout which it will be made, said secondnamed means being so controlled-gby said. magnet that said connection will be made headsets only after the expiration of a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive divided closures of any signal, controllingstructure governed by said maet for rendering said detent edective only after the magnet has not been energized during a time longer than the longesttime between any two consecutive dividedclosures of any signal;

- 30. in a signal box having mechanism adapted for the transmission o t a signal comprising one or more groups or impulses; three terminals, an electromagnet, signaling contacts, means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, and means controlled by said magnet for connecting the third terminal to said cont-acts duringapart only of theduration of the i closure precedingthe first break of each of said groups;

3i. ln'a signal. box haying mechanism adapted for the transmission of a signal comprising one or more groups of impulses; 7 three terminals, anelectromagnet, signaling i contacts, means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said term nals, means for connecting the third terminal to said contacts during a part only of the duration of the closure preceding the first break of each of said groups, said second named means being so controlled by said magnet that said connection will. be made only after the'ezpirationof a time longer than the longest time between any two consecutive. divided closures of any signal,

32. In a signal box having mechanism adapted for the transmission oie' signal comprising one or more groups of impulses; three terminals, an electromagnet, s gnaling contacts, means for opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means controlled by said magnet for connecting the third terminal to said contacts, and means for arranging the duration of the periods of such connection so that during the closure preceding the first break of each of said groups there shall be a period throughout which said connection will not be made and also a period throughout which it will be made.

33. In a signal box having mechanism,

adapted for the transmission of a signal comprising one or more groupsof impulses; a

three terminals, an electromagnet, signaling contacts, meansfor opening and closing said contacts between two of said terminals, means for connecting the third terminal to said contacts, and means for arranging the duration of the periods of such connectionso that during the closure preceding the first break of each of said groups there shall be a period throughout which said connection will not be made and also a period throughout which it will be made, said second 'i r a La.

named means being so controlled by said magnet that said connection will be made for connecting the third terminal vto said contacts during a part only of the duration of the closure preceding the first break of each of said groups, disabling means for the signaling contacts adapted to be held by said magnet against actuation, and locking means adapted to be so operated by said train that it will mechanically release said disabling means during periods throughout which said connection may b'b made.

35. lna signaling system, the combination' of two line'wires, current supply mechanism and translatlng mechanism connected between said line wires and ground, a signal box having mechanism adapted for the transmission of a signal comprising one or more groups of impulses, an electromagnet, signaling contacts, and means whereby said magnet is enabled to test for current to Its ground during a part only of the duration of the closure preceding the first break of each of said groups a 36. In a signal box having three terminals, and a current path connected between twoof'said terminals and serially including an electromaet and signaling contacts; a train, and means operated by said trainand controlled by said magnet for making a connection between thethird terminal and one end of-said current path only after the magnot has remained deenergized tor a period longer than the longest period of denergizatioln incident, to the transmission of any signa 37. In a signal box having three terminals,

minal and one end of said current path, and controlling structure governed by said a magnet for rendering said detent efi'ective only after the magnet has remained deenergized subsequ ent to the making of said connection for aperiod longer than the longest period of denergization of said magnet incident to any signal.

38. In a signal box having three terminals, and a current path connected between two of said terminals and serially including int an electromagnet and signalingcontacts; a train, a detent therefor, means'operated by said train and controlled by'said'magnet for making a connection between the third terminal and one end of said current path only after the magnet has remaineddenergized for a period longer'than the longest period of "deenergization' incident to the transmission of any signal, and controlling structure ."governed by said magnet for rendering said detent efi'ective only. afterv the? magnet has remained deenergized subsequent'to the making of said connection for a period longer than-the longest period of deenergizationof said magnet incident to any signal.

39. In a signal box having three terminals; and "a current path connected between two of said terminals and seri'ally'including. an electromagnet and signaling contacts; a train, means operated by said train and con-' I trolled by said magnet for making a .con-

nection between the third terminal andone end of said, current 'path only after the magnet has remained deenergized fora period longer than the longest period of deinergization incident to the transmission of any si'g nai and for making a connection between the third terminal and the other end of said current path only after themagnethas remained denergized subsequent to the making of said first named connectioniior a pcriod longer than-the longest period of deenergization of said magnet incident to any signal; V

40. In a signal 'box having'three terminals, and a current path connected between two of saidf terminals and serially includ ing an electromagnet and signaling contacts; a train, 'a detent therefor, means controlled by said magnet for making a connection between the third terminaland either one or the other or" the ends of said current path,

' and controlling structure governedvby said magnet for rendering said" detent effective only after the magnet has remained denen. gized' subsequent to the making of said con nections for a period longer than the longest period of deenergization of said magnet incident to any signaL amass 41. In a signal baa-having three anals, and a current path connected between two. of said terminals and serially including an electromagnet and] signaling con-- tacts; a train, a detent. therefor, means ope)? i atedjby saidtrain and controlled hy said Imagnetfo'r 'making'fa connection between the third termini and one endof said: current path only after the-magnet has remained deenergized for. aperiod longer ,than the longest peniod offdenergization incident to the tranmnission, of any signal and for making a connection between the third terminal "and the other end. of, said current path only after the magnet. has vreinainerl cl'eenergized subsequentito theikmaking oi said first named connectionflfofla period structure governed by said magnet for renderingsaid detent eifective after five reyolutions oi the signal wheel; means controlled by saidilnagnet for making a connection be-' tween ground and one side of said contacts and said magnet after one revolution 'ofthe signal wheel and for making; a connection between ground and the other-side of said contactsf and said magnet after three revolutionsofthe signal wheel, said ground con-l nection being ineifective'fduring apart of" one of the closures of said signalingoontacts incident to each revoluti n' of the 'signal wheel. 7 M

In witness whereof, Ihereunto subscribe my name, this 8th day of August," A. 'D; 1913.

'. CLARENCE E. BEACH.

Witnesses:

wn. Ginny, W. T. Knnnau. Brown Ill

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