US1258622A - Block-signaling system. - Google Patents

Description

A. B. KENDALL.

BLOCK SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-I- I913.

1,258,622. Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

2 SHEETS-S I.

A. B. KENDALL.

BLOCK SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-7.1913.

1,258,622. Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALLEN B. KENDALL, OF MAY WOOD, ILLINOIS.

BLOCK-SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Application filed August 7, 1913.

To all whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALLEN B. KENDALL, citizen of the United States, residing at Mavwood, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois. have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Block-Signaling Systems. oil which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

My invention relates to a block-signaling systei'n tor railways. Its object is to provide a simplified system for controlling automatic signals on a single track road so that a train leaving a station in one direction will set all the signals between that and the next station at the stop position for a train moving in the opposite direction and will also set signals for a train following in the same direction so that said latter train can follow the 'lirst train in the same direction but. not closer than one block thereto, that is, not closer than the distance between the signals. In short, my invention contemplates an absolute automatic block-signal system with respect to trains traveling in opposite directions on a single track and a permissive automatic block-signal system with respect to trains traveling in the same direction on a single track.

The various features of my invention may be more readily understood by reference to Figures 1 and '2 of the accompanying drawings. By placing said figures end to end with Fig. 2 at the right of Fig. 1. there is disclosed a continuous diagram of circuits and. apparatus embodying the preferred form of my invention, said diagram showing the normal condition of the circuits and apparatus for a series of unoccupied blocks between two railway stations.

Tl'ie railway, whether it be for steam or electric cars, may be laid oil in the usual manner in a, series of blocks, such blocks representing the distance between signals. and each block in turn may be divided into traclcsections. Each of said track-sections is electrically divided by the section insulators a as is eiiston'iarv. In the drawings I, II, III, IV, V and VI represent six track-sections bet ween the railway stations X and Y, there being two track-sections to each block.

In the single track system illustrated, the several blocks are guarded at each end by a su table signal meel'ianism, as for example, by scn'iapheres 1, 3, 5, 7, coi'itrolling the trallic in one direction, and 0, 2, 4. 6, controlling the traliic in the opposite direction. Said Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 5, 1918.

Serial No. 783,506.

semaphore signals and their controlling mechanisms may be of standard construction and are preferably so arrai'lged that when the circuits for their corresponding controlling mechanisms are energized, the signals are set at safety or caution, as the case may be, but upon the said circiiiits being opened, the corresponding signals a re set at danger.

The circuits of a system embodying my invention may be best understood by tracing the circuits which control the. signals between the two railway stations X and Y. such circuits being duplicated throughout the system.

Each signal has two controlling circuits. one the 45 control for setting the signal at caution and the other the 90 control for setting the signal at clear or proceed at full speed. If both of these controlling circuits for the signal be open, then said signal falls to the danger or stop position.

Referring to the drawings, the signal 1, for example, has its caution or 45 control circuit extending from battery B through the contact 6 of relay A to the control apparatus of signal 1, indicated diagrammatically in the drawings and from thence to the wire leading to the opposite pole of the battery. Said signal has its clear or 90 con trol circuit extending from battery B through contact a of relay C to said control apparatus and from thence to the wire leading to the opposite pole of the battery. In like manner the controlling circuits for the other semaphore signals may be traced. It will thus be noted that for each signaling mechanism there are two relays, one directly con trolling its caution and the other its clear indication. For example, the relay A opens or closes the contact 6 in the circuit controlling the caution or control and the relay (1 opens or closes contact a in the clear or 90 control of the signal 1.

As above stated the caution or 45 control of signal 1 is under the control of the relay A. The circuit of said relay A extends from the wire to common to a like pole of the several batteries B, B, B B, through said relay A, contact d of relay D, wire a extending to the next block, contact 7" of relay D contact of relay A to battery B. There are thus in the circuit of said relay A three points of control represented tively. In like manner the circuits of the corresponding relays controlling the circuits of the caution or 4L5 control of the other signals may be traced.

As above stated, the clear or 90 control. of signal 1 has its control circuit including the relay contact 6 of relay C. The circuit of said relay C includes the contact h of relay A and the wire C to the next block, the continuity of said wire being under the control of the circuit-breaker which latter is operated by the semaphore signal 31in the usual manner, that is, closed when signal 3 is at 45 or 90 The circuit of said relay C may be traced from the common wire to through said relay C, contact h of relay A, wire 0, circuit-breaker E to battery B. In like manner the circuit of relay C includes contact 71 of relay A and circuitbrealrer E controlled by semaphore 0; the relay C includes contact ]L3 of relay A and circuit-breaker E and so on with respect to relays C C C and C When none of the track-sections between the two sections are occupied, the relays'D, D D D*, D, D, bridged across the track rails, are energized by current from the corresponding batteries w, m 09 etc; The relays D, D D etc., are thus energlzed and close their respective contacts, and the circuit conditions are those represented in the drawings, in which all the signals are shown as set at clear or safety.

The operation of my invention is as follows: A train entering track section I from station X will short circuit the relay D. The consequent deenergization of said relay will open the contact d inthe circuit of the relay A. The resulting deen'ergization of the relay A opens its contacts 7) and h, the former directly controlling the caution or e5 control of signal 1 and the latter opening the circuit of the relay C, which latter relay, as above described, controls the clear or 90 control of signal 1. Thereupon the signal 1 moves to the danger or stop position.

The above mentioned short circuiting of relay D by a trainentering the track section I also results in the opening of contact f in the circuit of the relay A Said latter circuit may be traced from one pole of'the battery B through contact f, wire a contact (l to the common wire to leading to the opposite pole of the battery. The circuit of relay A1 being thus opened at contact f, its contacts and 72 are opened. The contact b is in the circuit of the caution or 15 control of signal II; and contact'k is in the circuit of the relay C which controls the contact 0 in the circuit of the clear or 90 control ofthe signal II. Both of said. circuits" thus being opened, the signal II is ioved to the stop posltlon. The deenergizzv tion'of the relay A also results'm the opening of its contact g which falls upon the insulated surface 2' of the contact selector F, thereby opening the circuit of the relay A". The circuit of'said relay A* may be traced as follows :from battery B, through contact of relay A contact f of relay B, wire a leading to the next contact (l of relay D, winding of relay A to the common wire to. The deenergization of the relay A due to its circuit having been opened at g of the relay A results in the opening of contacts g, Z), and k thereby resulting in the setting of the signal IV at the danger or stop position in the same manner as'already described with respect to signal II. In like manner the opening of contact of relay A opens the circuit of relay A, which, through its contact 6 and Its controlsthe caution or 4-5 and the safe or 90 control of signal VI. Said signal VI is thereupon moved to the stop or danger position. Si nals II, IV and VI are thus indicating danger or stop to a train moving in an opposite direction from station Y, and thus positive protection is given against a train leaving station Y for station X.

lVhile the train is in track section I, as above described, the signal 1 also is set at stop or danger to a train leaving station X and traveling in the same direction as a train already in section I.

l/Vhen a train moves from section I into section II, the signals remain set, as above described, since although the circuit for the relay A becomes closed at contact (1, the circuit for said relay A is open at contact f of relay D said latter relay being now shunted by the train in section II. Also,

although the circuit of relay A is closed at contact 7, the circuit of said relay A is open. at contact (Z of relay D although the train has moved from track section I to track section II, the signals remain as set by the train when it moved into track section In Assuming next that the train passes from track section II into track section III, the relay D is shunted and its armature m falling against the insulated surface a of the metallic cont-act selector F, mounted upon the end of the flexible steel bar a, will move said selector to the right to such position that when the circuit for the relay A is open, the contact spring thereof will fall against the contact surface ofthe selector F and will complete the circuit for the relay'A. This completion of the circuit for the relay A will close the 45 control of signal 1 at contact 6 of said relay, thus giving the permissive or caution indication at signal 1, allowing a train to follow one bloclrbehind thepreceding train.

As above stated, the 90 or clear control for each signal is under the control of a corresponding relay. For example, the 90con- Therefore,

trol of signal 1 is under the control of the relay C, the circuit of which is controlled at the contact h of the relay A and also by the circuit breaker E under the control of the semaphore signal 3. Therefore, for the 90 control circuit of signal 1 to be closed. it is not only necessary that the contact it of relay A be closed, but it is also necessary that the signal 3 he set either at caution or clear indication. It is obvious that said signal 8 will not move to the cantion or 15 position until the train has moved into the block represented by track-section V, whereupon the signal 1 will be moved from caution to clear, thus indicating to a train following that it may proceed at full speed.

It will be noted that the several contact selectors F are of like structure, each being a block oi metal secured upon the end of a flexible strip steel w. and having upon its slanting sides insulating material Thus, when one of the relays bridged across the line becomes deenergized, as for example relay 1), its armature, as for example m, will fall against the inclined insulated side'i of said block F and push it to one side so that when the companion relay, as for example the relay A is subsequently deencrgized, its armature, as for example the armature d, will complete the circuit (which would otherwise be broken by the retraction of said armature) through said selector F and the metallic strip n.

It will be noted that the corresponding relays and the contacts controlled thereby are for convenience given corresponding retcr-"ncc letters having exponents corresponding to the number of the track-section. In short, parts similar to those already hereinbe't'ore described are. given similar reference characters having exponents corresponding to the track-sections at which they are lo cated.

It is obvious that my'invention is not limited to the specific structure of circuits and apparatus illustrated in the drawings and that changes therein may be made without departing from my invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

.Vhat I claim is:

1. In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway having electrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each tracle section: of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; and a signal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling the circuits thermi certain of said signal-control relays having a circuit including a switch under the joint control of a track-relay and a s gnal-control relay of another block, said having a plurality of positions where- 1'18 current may flow in said. circuit in the same direction.

2. In a block-signal system, the combination With a railway having electrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails .of each tracksection; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; and a signal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling the circuits thereof, each of said signal-control relays having a circuit including a switch under the control of the corresponding track-relay, and the circuits of certain oi? said signal-control relays also including a switch under the joint control of a trackrclay and a signal-control relay of another block, said switch having a plurality of positions wherein the current may flow in said circuit in the same direction.

3. In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway having electrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each tracle section; oi. a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; a signal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling the circuits thereof, certain of said signal-control relays having a circuit including a switch. closed by the energization of another of said signal-control relays, said switch, upon the deiinergization of said last mentioned signalcontrol relay, being either closed upon an alternative path or opened dependent upon the energized or deiinergized conditiornof a traclerelay at the time of such deencrgization of said signal-control relay.

4-. In. a. bloclesignal system, th combina tion with a railway having electrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each tracksection; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; and a signal-control. relay for each. of said block-signals for controlling the circuits thereof, certain of said signal-control relays having a circuit including a switch having alternative positions independent of the pesi ti on of a corresponding signal determined by another of said signal-control relays, said circuit being closed through one path in one position of said switch and closed through a alternative path when said switch moved to its alternative position at a time when a cooperating trackrelay is dci nergized.

In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway having electrically diyided t'ack-scctious and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each t-racles-iectiou; ot' a traclerelay in bridge of each track-section; electrically actuated bloclesignals; a signal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling the circuits thereof. certain of said signal-control. relays having a circuit including a switch having alternative positionsdetermined by another of said s gnal-control relays, sa1d circuitrbeing closed through one path in one position of said switch, a movable contact-selector under the control of a trackrelay cooperating with said last mentioned signal-control relay for controlling the closure of said switch-through an alternative ;lay for a dist-ant signal, said signal-control relay having a circuit including a switch.

cOmprising a member adapted to contact with apart ofsaid circuitto close said circuit throughone path and to cooperate with said movable contact-selector to close said ,circuitthrough another path. I

., 7. In a block-signal system, the combinationvwith a railway having electrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each of said track-sections; of a track-relay in bridge iof each track-seetlon; an electrically actuated block-signal corresponding to each of said track-relays, the block-signals of two adjacent track-sections controlling traflic in opposite directions; movable contact-selectors corresponding to certain of said traclc relays; means controlled by said last mentioned track-relays for positioning the corresponding movable contact-selectors; and signal-control relays for controlling a circuit of each of said signals, certain of said signalcontrol relayshaving a circuit including a switch cooperating with one of said movable contact selectors.

8. In a-block-signal system, the combina tion with a railway having electricallydivided track-sections and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each of said traclcsections; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; an electrically actuated block-signal corresponding to each of said track-relays, the block-signals of two adjacent track-sections controlling traffic in opposite directions; a 45 control-relay 'for controlling a circuit of each of said signals, certain of sa1d45 control-relays having a e1rcu1t including a switch under the control :of the corresponding track-relay and a switch member under the control of another of said 45 control-relays and means coop- .V crating with the said last-named member to 60.

relay is deenergized.

maintain said circuit when said last-named 9.-In a block-signal system, the combina tion with a railway having electrically divided track-sections and a sou'rceof electric currentin bridge of the'railsot each of said track-sections; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; an electrlcally actuated block-signal corresponding to each of said track-relays, the block-signals of two adjacent track-sections controlling traflic in opposite directions; a 45 control-relay for controlling a circuit of each of said signals, certain of said 45 control-relays having a circuit including a switch under the control of the corresponding track-relay, aswitch member under the control of another of said track-relays, and a switch, under the control of another of said 45 control-relays and means cooperating with the said last-named member to. maintain said circuit when said last-named relay is deenergized.

10. In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway having electricallydivided track-sections anda source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each of said;-

track-sections; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; an electrically actuated block-signal corresponding to each of said track-relays, the block-signals'oftwo adjacent track-sections controlling traffic in opposite directions; a 45 control-relay for controlling a circuit of each of said signals, certain of said 45 controlerelays having a circuit including a switch underthe control of the corresponding track-relay and a switch underthe control'of a track-relay of an adjacent traclcsection, and a switch memher under the control of a 45 control-relay of an adjacent block and means cooperating with the said last-named member to maintain said circuit when said last-named relay is deenergized. 1

11. In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway having electrically divided track-sections and a source of elec-' trio current in bridge of the rails of each track-section; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; electrically actuated block-signals; a signal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling the cirsection; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; a signal-control relayfor'each of said block-signals for controlling the circuits thereof, certain of said signal-control relays having a circuit including a, switch closed by the energization of another of said signalcontrol relays, means controlled by a track relay for causing said switch to preserve said :ircuit upon the deenergization OI said last mentioned signal-control relay.

13. In a bloclesignal system, the combination with a railway having electrically di vided u'arlesections and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each track section; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; electrically actuated blocksiguals; and a signal-control relay for each ot said bloclesignals for controlling the circuits thereof, certain of said signal-control relays having a circuit including a switch having alternative positions determined by another of said signal-control relays, said circuit being closed through one path in one position of said switch and closed through an alternative path to permit the current to flow in said circuit in the same direction when said switch is moved to its alternative position at a time when a cooperating trackrelay is deiinergized.

1 l. In a block-signal system, the combination with a railway having electrically di- 'vided track-sections and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each tracksection; of a track-relay in bridge of each track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; and a signal-control relay for each ot said block-signals for controlling the circuits thereof, certain of said signal-control relays having a circuit including a switch having alternative positions determined by another of said signal-control relays, said circuit being closed through one path in one pos tion of said switch and closed through an alternative path when said switch is moved to its alternative position only at a time when the corresponding track-relay is dei nergized.

15. In a block-signal system, the combinanation with a railway having electrically diided track-sections and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each tracksection; of a track-relay in bridge of each tracleseetion; electrically actuated blocksiguals: a signal-control relay for each of said block-signals for controlling the circuits thereof, certain of said signalcontrol relays having a circuit including a switch l'iaving alternative positions determined by another o't said signal-control relays, said circuit being closed through one path in one position of said switch, and means controlled by the track relay for closing said circuit through said switch when said switch is in its alternative position.

16. In a block signal system for railways, the combination with electrically actuated block-signals of a track-relay controlled by a car, a movable contact-selector, means controlled by said track-rclay for positioning said contact-selector, and a signal-control relay for a distant signal, said signal-com trol relay having a circuit including a switch cooperating with said movable contact-selector, and a signal-control relay for another signal controlling said switch.

17. In a block-signal system, the combina tion with a railway having electrically divided track-sections and a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each tracksection; of a traclerelay in bridge of each track-section; electrically actuated blocksignals; and a signal-control relay for each of said bloelesiy'ials for controlling the circuits thereof, certain of said signal-controlrelays having a circuit including a switch, comprising two members, one of which is under the control of the track-relay and one of which is under the control of the signalcontrol relay.

18. In a railway signaling, a stretch of single track, signals located at intervals for governing tratlic in one direction through the stretch and other signals located at intervals for governing tra'llic in the other direction through the stretch, a signal relay for the control of each signal, a circuit for each signal relay, switches in certain of said circuits and controlled by the signal relay for the signal respectively next in advance governing traffic in the same direction, trackrelays connected with the stretch for the control of the signal relay circuits, and means for rendering certain of said switches effective to prevent the signal-relay in the rear of a car or train from controlling the signal relays for the signals in the rear which govern tratlic in the same direction.

19. In railway signaling, a stretch of single track, signals located at intervals for governing trallic in one direction through the stretch and other signals located at intervals for governing trailic in the other direction through the stretch, a signal relay for the control of each signal, a circuit for each signal-relay, switches in certain of said circuits and controlled by the signal relay for the signal respectively next in advance govcrnin g tral'lic in the same direction. tra ck relays connected with the stretch -for the coin trol of the signal relay circuits, and means controlled by a track relay for rendering certain of said switches effective to prevent the signal-relay in the rear of a car or train from controlling the signal relays for the signals in the rear which govern tratlic in the same direction.

20. In combination, a stretch of railway track, signals located at intervals for goveruing trallic through said stretch, a signal relay for each signal, switches for controlling certain of said signal relays and con trolled by the signal relays for the signals respectively next in advance, traclr circuits for the stretch including relays for control ling the signal relays and. means for render- LOO ing certain of said switches effective to prevent said signal relays from controlling the signal relays respectively for the signals next in the rear.

21. In railway signaling, a stretch of single track, signals located at intervals for governing tralliillc in one direction through i the stretch and other signals located at i11- tervals for governing trafiic 1n the other di rections through the stretch, circuits for the si nals, and switches controlled by a car or a train in the stretch for opening the circuits of the signals in advance of the carcor train governing tralfic in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the carer train and the circuit of a signal in the rear of the car or train governing traffic in the direc tion of movement of the train and means for rendering certain of said switches effective to preserve the circuits of other signals in the rear of the car or train governing traflic in the direction of inovementlof the car or train.

22. In railway signaling, a stretch of sun 'gle track, signals located at intervals for governing traflic in one direction through the stretch and other signals located at in-- tervals for governing traflic in the other direction through the stretch, a signal relay for the control of each signal, a circuit for each signal relay each of Which circuits 1l1- cludes a switch controlled by tliesignal lay, for thenextsignal in advance governing vtratfic in the same direction, track relays connected with the stretch for controlling the circuits of the signal, relays, a branch for eachof certain of the signal relay circuits, and means for causing said switches to close said circuits through said branches when said circuits are opened by the action of said signal relays.

23. In railway signaling, a stretch of single track, signals located at intervals for governing traflic' in one direction through the stretch and other signals located at iiitervals for governing traflic in the other direction through the stretch, a signal relay for the control of each signal, acircuit for each signalrelay each of which circuits includes a switch controlled by the signal relay for the next signal in advance governing stretch, a signal relay for the control of each signal, acircuit for eachrelay each of which circuits includes a switch controlled by the relay for the signal next in advance, track circuits for the stretch including track relays for controlling said signal relay circuits, a branch for each ofcertain of said signal relay circuits, and means for causing said switches to close said circuits through:

said branches when saidcircuits are opened by the action of said signal relays.

25. In combination, a stretch of railway track, signals located at intervals for governingtralfic through said stretch, a signal re- .lay for each signal, a circuit for each relay,

SWl'llChBS in certain of said circuits and coin trolled respectively by signal relays, and means for causing certain. of said switches to preserve saidcircuits upon cessation of the action of said last n'amed relays to hold said signal-relay circuits closed.

26. In-combination, a stretch of railway track, signals located at intervals for govern-' ing traflicthrough said stretch, a signal relay for each signal, a circuit for each relay, switches in certain of said circuits and controlled respectively by signal relays, track circuits for the stretch including track-relays, contact members connected to "said signal relay circuits and moved by said track relays to cooperate with said switches to preserve said circuits upon cessation of the action of one of said signal relays tending to hold anotherof said' signal relay circuits closed. i

27. In combination, a stretch of railway track, signals located at intervals for governingtrafiic-throughsaid stretch, a signal 7 relay :for each signal, a circuit for each relay, movable switchinembers connected to one partof certain of said circuitsand making' contact with another part thereof to complete said circuit, contact selectors'connected to said last named part of certain of a said circuits and means controlledgby said track-relays for positioning said selectors to contact with said switchmmbers when said members moveto break their respective circuits.

28. In combination, a stretch of railway track, signals located at intervals for governing-traffic throughsaid stretch, a signal relay for each signal, a circuit for each relay, movable switch members connected to one part of certain ofsaid circuits and making contact with another part thereof to coinplete said circuit, armatures'for said track relays and contact selectors comprising a body member having a face inclined to the direction of movement of and adapted to be acted upon by one of said armatures, a flexible support-for said body member and'a contact carried thereby and connected to one of the said last named parts of certain of said circuits and adapted tobe brought into the path of one of: said members bythe action of one of said armatures upon said inclined face.

29. In a signaling system, a signal circuit, a movable switch member forming a portion thereof. said member being connected to one part of said circuit and adapted to contact with another part of said circuit to close said circuit through one path, a second circuit including a relay, an armature controlled thereby, a movable contact connected to said last named part of said first named circuit and adapted to be moved into the path of said member by said armature to close said first-named circuit through another path.

30. In a signaling system, a, circuit, a switch member normally closing said circuit through one path and movable to break said circuit, a contact-selector connected to a part of said circuit and adapted to be moved into the path described by said switch during its movement to open said circuit, whereby the opening movement of said switch brings it into contact with said contact-selector to close said circuit through another path.

31. In a signaling system, a circuit, a switch member normally closing said circuit through one path and movable to break said circuit, a contact-selector connected to a part of said circuit and normally positioned out of the path described by said switch during its opening movement, a second circuit including a relay, means controlled by said relay for moving said contact-selector into the path of said switch, whereby said firstnamed circuit is closed through another path by the opening movement of said switch.

In a signaling system, a circuit, a switch member normally closing said circuit through one path and movable to break said circuit. a contact-selector connected to a part of said circuit and adapted to be moved into the path described by said switch during its movement to open said circuit, whereby the opening movement of said switch brings it into contact with said contact-selector to close said circuit through another path, said switch and contact-selector being so relatively positioned that the opeir ing made in the first path by movement of the switch is of the same magnitude whether or not said contact-selector is positioned to i-oo 'ierate with said switch. to close said circuit through said second path.

33. In a block signal system. th combination with a railway having electrically dividcd track sections, a source oi. electric current in. bridge of the rails of each tracksection and a track relay in bridge o each track-section, o't electrically-actuated block signals, signal control circuits for certain of said signals, switches for controlling said signal control circuits, a selecting device set in. operative condition by the action at a track relay, and means cooperating with said selecting device and set into action upon the opening of one of said switches to close the gap formed in one of said signal-control circuits by the opening of one of said switches.

3 L. In a block signal system, the combination of a railway having electrically divided track sections. a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each track section and a track relay in bridge of each track section, of electrically-actuated blocl: sig nals, signal-control circuits for certain of said signals, switches for controlling said signal-control circuits, a normally open auxiliary circuit. a selecting device set into operative condition by the action of a track relay, and means controlled by a signal-control circuit for cooperating with said select ing device to close said auxiliary circuit. around the gap formed in one of said signal control circuits by the opening ot one of said switches.

In a block signal system, the combi nation 01 a railway having electrically divided track sections, a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each track section and a. track relay in bridge of each track section, o't electrically-actuated block signals, signal-control circuits -for certain of said signals, switches for controlling said signal-control. circuits, :1. selecting device set in operative condition by the action of a track relay, and means dependent upon the condition of said selecting device and oi": one

of said signal-control circuits for neutral izing the effect of the opening of one of said switches in said signal-control circuits.

36. In a block signal system, the combination with a railway having electrically divided track-sections, a source of electric current in bridge of the rails oi? each section and a track relay in bridge of each track section, of electrically-actuated block signals, a signal control. relay t'or each signal, circuits for said signal. control relays, switches in certain of said circuits and controlled by the signal relay for the signal respectively next in advance governing trallic in the same direction, whereby a gap may be made in the circuit of a signal control relay, a normally open auxiliary circuit around said gap, a member movable to a plurality oi, positions under the action of one of said track relays, and means dependent upon the position of said member and set in motion by the de'c nergization of a signal control relay to close said auxiliary circuit around the gap made by the opening of the switch controlled. by said last-named signal control relay.

3'7. In a blocl signal system, the combination with a railway having electrically divided track-sections, a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each section and a track relay in bridge of each track-section, of'electrically-actuated block signals, a signal control relay for each signal, circuits for said signal controlrelays,

switches in certain of said circuits and con-' trolled by the signal relay for the signal respectively next in advance governing traflic in the same direction, whereby a gap may be made in the circuit of a signal control relay, a normally open auxiliary circuit "around said. gap, and means to close said auxiliary'circuit around the gap made by the opening of one of said switches, said. means including a part set into motion by the deenergization of a signal control relay and a member under control of a track relay, said member having a plurality of positions, in one of which it cooperates with said part, the operativeness of said means to close said auxiliary circuit being dependent upon said member occupying a position wherein it cospectively next in advance governing trailic in the same direction, whereby a gap may be made in the circuit of a signal control relay, a normally open auxiliary circuit around said gap, and means to close said auxiliary circuitaround the gap made by the opening of one of said switches, said means including a part set in motion by the deenergization of a signal control relay and a member movable to positions within and Without the path of said part and under the control of a track relay, the operative ness of said means to close said auxiliary circuit being dependent upon the position of said member at the time of deenergization of said last-named signal control relay.

39. Ina block signal system, the combination with a railway having electrically divided track-sections, a source of electric current in bridge of the rails of each section and a track relay in bridge of each track-section, of electrically-actuated block signals, a signal control relay for each signal, circuits for said signal control relays, switches in certain of said circuits and con.- trolled by the signal relay for the signal respectively next in advance governing trailic Copies of this patent may be obtained for in the same direction, whereby a gap may be made in the circuit of a signal control relay, a normally open auxiliary circuit around said gap, and ineansto close said auxiliary circuit upon'deenergization of a signal control relay, said means including mechanism having operative and inoperative settings and controlledby a track relay, the operativeness of said means to close said auxiliary circuit being dependentupon the setting of said mechanism at the time of deenergizati on of said last-named signal control relay.

4L0. In a signaling system, a circuit, a switch member normally closing said circuit through one path and movable to make and break said circuit, a contact-selector con-- nected to a part of said circuit and adapted to be moved into and out of the path described by said switch during its movement,

whereby the movement of said switch brings it into contact with said contact-selector to close said circuit through another path dependent upon the position oi said selector.

4-1. In a signaling system, a circuit, a switch member normally closing said circuit through one path and movable to males and break said circuit, a contact-selector connected to a part of said circuit and adapted to be moved into and out of the path described by said switch during its movement to open said circuit, whereby the opening movement of said switch brings it into contact with said contact-selector to'close said circuit through another path dependent upon the position of said selector.

42. In a signaling system, a circuit, a n1ovthe movement of the switch member is unali'ected whether or not said contact-selector is positioned to cooperate with said switch member to close said circuit.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 5th day of August, A. D., 1913.

ALLEN B. KENDALL.

lVitnesses MoCLnLLAN Youne, Gno. B. JONES.

five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner 6'; Patents, Washington, D. G.

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