US448125A - Train-order annunciator - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 1. L. T. ORABTREE.

TRAIN ORDER ANNUNGIATOR. No. 448,125. Patented Mar. 10,1891.

l I}! JOgi' O DERS FOR DRDER5 FOR WITNESSES: m VEN T0,?

'i BY KW) A TTOHNEYS 3 SheetsSheet 2.

(No Model.)

L. T. CRABTREE.

TRAIN ORDER ANNUNOIATOR.

N 448,125. Patented Mar. 10,1891.

WITNESSES A TTOHNEYS nonms PETERS cm, mom-umo (No Mddel.) 3 SheetsSheet 3; L. T. GRABTREE. TRAIN ORDER ANNUNGIATOR.

Patented Man-10, 1891.

INVENTOH WITNESSES ATTORNEYS me nonms PETERS m, mom-Limo msumnton, n c

UNTTnn STATES PATENT LEONARD TRACY CRABTREE, OF OOONTO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO GIL- BERT MILLIGAN KNAPP AND DAYN ELDRIDGE WESCOTT, BOTH OF SHAVANO, \VISCONSIN.

TRAIN-ORDER ANNUNCIATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 448,125, dated March 10, 1891.

Application filed July l1 1890. $erial No. 358,385. (No model.) I

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LEONARD TRACY CRAB- TREE, of ()conto, in the county of Oconto and State of \Visconsin, have invented a new and 5 useful Train-Order Annunciator, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

In approved systems of railway-service it is usual to telegraph orders for running the different trains to the conductor of each train,

these orders being sent to advance stations on the road, where the telegrapher of any station to which one or more orders is transmitted is required to display a signal that may be seen by approaching train-men, so that the conductor of a train, when nearing the station, will be notified to call at the telegraphers office and inquire for his order, if any awaits that particular train.

It frequently occurs that several orders may be sent to a single station for different trains; or there may be two or more orders for trains that by their running schedule are between other trains which have no orders awaiting them at said station, It is apparent that un- 2 5 less great care and vigilance is practiced by the telegrapher in charge a train may be allowed to run past a station where special orders are awaiting its conductor, and in consequence of said oversight or neglect of duty 0 a serious accident may result.

The nature and objects of this invention consist in the provision of a simple and practical device whereby the operator at any station where the device is in use will be prevented (unless viciously negligent) from receiving train-orders on a telegraph-instrument until he has set a train-order-signaling device for display on the track, and, further, to insure the exhibition of said train-order- 0 signaling device while there remains in the care of an operator an order which has been received for an approaching train, the registration of received orders being so effected that each train-conductor signaled will be enabled to ascertain without inquiry if one or more orders are awaiting his arrival.

To these ends my invention consists in the construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter described and claimed.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the annunciator with the face-board removed to display 5 5 the interior mechanism, which parts are adjusted in the position they assume when not in service. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the annunciator-case audits mechanism exposed by the removal of the face-board, the parts being set for service to notify train-men that orders await them. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the annunciator-case and attachments. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation of the annunciator-case and interior parts taken on the line l 4 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the lower portion of the annunciator-case, the face-board being removed and the case and contained parts partly broken to expose the connection of the same, the parts shown being represented as they appear when not in use, but ready to receive service adjustment. Fig. 6 represents the lower portion of the annunciatorcase with its front removed, the contained working parts being set to remove an ordernotice from the annunciator. Fig. 7 is an en larged perspective view of one of a series of indicatorslides removed from the casing. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the electric-cir- 8o cuit connections of the annunciator device with a battery, a telegraph-receiving instrument, a relay, main-line wires,a main battery, and a circuit-closing device used in connection with the other devices. Fig. 9 represents the circuit-closing device in sectiou,taken on the line 9 9 in Fig. 10, the operating-lever of a train-signaling device being shown in connection therewith in dotted lines; and. Fig. 10

is a bottom plan view of the circuit-closing o" device.

The annunciator-case A is preferably made of Wood, rectangular in form, and having proper dimensions for the service.

W'it-hin the case A two parallel bars B C are placed, and as in use the case A is secured upon some stable support in an upright position, said bars, being disposed longitudinally thereof, will lie in a vertical plane. The bars B Care rectangular in cross-section and [02 of such an equal proportionate thickness between their rear and front faces as to permit the introduction and manipulation of other parts that will be described. The bar B is rounded at its lower end a, which engages loosely a perforation made for it in the lower wall of the case A, and the upper end of said bar being projected through a slot in the upper wall of the case is transversely perforated, this aperture being of proper size to receive the style or pencil I), used by the telegraph-operator in recording duplicate or triplicate messages in the book especially prepared to receive the same.

For the proper operation of the device it is necessary that the bar B should have sufficient weight to cause it to fall by gravity when the style I) is removed from the orifice in the upper end of said bar. Hence it may be of advantage to construct it of metal. The bar 0 is made of wood or metal and has loose connection at its ends with slots of proper length made in the top and bottom walls of the case A parallel to its front and rear edges, so that the bar may be shifted a limited distance laterally. The rounded reduced portions of the bar 0, which project: outside of the case end walls, are each engaged by a latch-hook c, that has two open parallel slots cut from one edge inwardly, as represented in Fig. 3, so that by a proper adjustment of each latch-hook the movable bar 0 may be retained at two locations, differing in degree of removal from the gravity-barB,butparalleltoitin each position.

Across the front face of the gravity-bar B and bar C a series of grooves d are formed of proper depth and width. These grooves, being evenly spaced apart a similar distance in each bar, are also aligned or lie in the same parallel planes in said bars when the barB is permitted to fall into the position shown in Fig. 2 by the removal of the style I) from its engagement with the bar B. The number of grooves d should be equal to the number of trains which are to receive orders at any one of the telegraph-stations on a railroad provided with the annunciator.

Transversely of the case A are affixed the guide-strips e, which are in number equal to the number of grooves in the bar 0. Said guide-strips c are secured by their ends to the sides of the case A, so as to permit the bars B and O to have aloose or sliding'contact therewith, and are located between the grooves d in the bar 0 at equal-spaced distances apart for the accom modation of the indicator-plates g, that are alike in shape marginally considered, are of the same thickness as the guidestrips (2, and such a proportionate width as to slide neatly within the spaces allotted to them. Each of the indicator-plates g is grooved on one side edge longitudinally, and on the opposite edge a series of ratchet-teeth g are out, which all slope in the same direction. Each of the guide-strips e is cut away on its upper edge to permit equal spaces to intervene between the upper edges of the guide-strips and the ratchetcut edges of the indicator-plates g, said reductions in width of the guide-strips terminating in vertical shoulders at c between the Vertical bars B O and hear LO the gravity-bar B.

Within the spaces left by the reduction in width of the guide-strips e a series of pusherbars 71 are introduced. These being of equal size are rectangularin cross-section and have asliding engagement with the guide-strips on which they are seated. A proper proportionate length is given to the pusher-bars it within the case A, and each bar is projected through an aligning perforation in one side Wall of said case,the projecting portion being rounded and reduced in diameter, so that a shoulder is formed on each pusher-bar Where the rounded portion extends from the rectangular body, which shoulders serve to limit the outward projection of the harsh beyond the side of the case A.

Upon the projecting rounded portion of each of the pusher-bars 7t spiral springs h are placed, and upon the outer terminal end of each bar a push-button 77.2 is secured, whereby the"pusher-bars are each adapted'to be longitudinally reciprocated when pressed inwardly and released.

On the rear side of each of the indicatorplates g, at such points as will permit them to loosely engage the grooves cl in the bar 0, a projecting guiding-rib g is attached thereto, as represented in Fig. 4. The faces of the indicator-plates g are preferably painted or enameled white, and'at spaced intervals on each plate plain numerals from 1 upward to any desired number are affixed in any suitable manner to render these numerals conspicuous. The notation should commence on each indicator-plate on the portion nearest to the gravity-bar B, and these numerals should be located directly above the vertical shoulders g of the ratchet-teeth.

Upon the inner end portion of each of the pusher-bars h a spring-pawl t is secured, which pawls are all alike and are formed from elastic sheet-metal strips so bent that an interlocking shoulder is formed on the free end of each pawl, the upward spring projection of which serves to normally locate the pawls in engagement with the ratchet-teeth on the indicator-plates g.

\Vithin the longitudinal grooves that are formed in the upper edges of the indicatorplates g elongated draw-bars 7i; are located and therein retained by the adjacent edges of the guide-stri tis 6. each a hook formed at k on their inner end for engagement with the ends of the inclicator-plates g, are extended at their opposite ends through aligning perforations in the side wall of the case A and further provided with knobs on their outer endsavhich atford means to pull the bars endwise, and the indicatorplates with them when the latter are released from the interlocking engagement of the pawls i.

The face-board A of the annunciator-case A (shown in Fig. 8) is perforated at m at intervals which correspond to the spaced distances between the rows of numerals on the indicator-plates g with which the perforations aligr, so that a longitudinal movement Said draw-bars, having of any indicator-plate toward the aperture its figures align with will permit the exposure of one of the numerals on its face before said aperture m.

At proper points laterally aligning with the apertures min the face-board A there are an equal number of rectangular keeper-frames 12?. secured on the face-board, which frames are each designed to receive and retain a tablet, made of such material as will plainly display a number or other mark made on its surface with a lead pencil and permit the mark to be readily erased by the application of water and a sponge.

Above the apertures m and tablets in the frames m an elongated slot at is cut through the face-board A, which slot is designed to permit the exposure of a legend imprinted or otherwise produced on a display board 0, which is secured to the front side-of the gravity-bar B, near its upper end. Said legend, consisting of the words Orders For, is so relatively located that when the style I) is in troduced in the aperture made for it in the gravity-bar B the legend will be withdrawn from view; but when said style is removed and the bar drops into the position shown in Figs. Zand S the words named will be plainly visible through the slot 'n.

As shown at p in Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 6, there are pins inserted to project toward the front from the outer face of the movable bar 0, one of said pins having a loose, contact with each of the spring-pawls 1 near their heels when the movable bar 0 is adjusted to have en gagement with the latch-hooks c, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby this upright bar is retained at its point of adjustment nearest to the push-button end of the pusher-bars h.

lVhen it is desired to release any one or all of the spring-pawls i-from their engagement with the ratchet-teeth on theindicator-plates g, the bar 0 is released from the latchinghooks c and moved toward the gravity-barB, so that the spring-pawls 71 will be depressed, as shown in Fig. 6, when any one of the indicator-plates, or all of them, if necessary, may be drawn away from the apertures m, as will be further described.

Above each of the indicator-plates g a detent-spring r is secured in a notch cut in the adjacent edge of one of the guide-strips e, which springs have sufficient tensional force to retain inplace such of the indicator-plates as are set, and are so to remain until the needs of the service are complied with, so that any one, two, or more of the indicator-plates may be held to expose any desired numerals on their faces, while other indicator-strips are drawn away from the apertures m.

An upright dog .9, consisting of a bar of wood or metal, is pivoted at its lower end to the lower wall of the case A, its body having a loose engagement with the rear wall of said case and of the lower transverse guide-strip e, so as to vibrate freely. The upper end portion of the dog 8 impinges upon the adjacent end of the guide-rib g on the lower indicatorplate g, the dog being normally held upright by the spiral spring .9, that is introduced between the side of the dog and the inner face of the side wall of the case A. When the dog 8 is in a vertical posit-ion,or nearly so,the indicator-plate whereon it bears will be projected toward the gravity-bar B, and the numeral l on its face will be exposed through the lower aperture on, this automatic adjustment of parts being produced when the gravity-bar B is released to drop into the position shown in Fig. 2. A reversal of the operation that will automatically withdraw the numeral 1 from exposure at the aperture m is produced by the elevation of the gravity-bar B, which will cause its cam-toe t to engage the end portion of the guide-rib 9 which is nearest to it and push the indicator-plate toward the dog 8, which by its inclination will compress the spring 8', thus causing the parts to assume the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

To carry into effect the objects of this invention it is necessary that an electrical connection of such a character he established between the indicating mechanism of the annunciator, a relay, main-line wires leading therefrom, the telegraph receiving instrument whereon orders from a main office are repeated,

and a train-signalin g device that the operator in charge will be required to set the outside train-signaling device for observation of approaching train-men before another order can be received on the telegraph-instrumentthat is to say, the arrangement is such that after the first order has been copied on the annunciator-tablet the receiving-instrument will not operate until the train-signal is again set, thereby closing the local circuit through said instrument, which circuit was broken by the operator taking the recording-pencil down from the annunciator. Two binding-posts'u a are secured to the lower side of case A.

On the inner end of the binding-post a a contact-spring a is attached, so as to project upwardly and laterally toward the gravitybar B, which will project the free end of the contact-spring directly above the transverse metallic pin a that is inserted through a perforation formedin the body of the gravitybar near its rounded lower end. The relative positions of the contact-spring a and projecting end of the transverse pin 11 are such that when the gravity-bar B is elevated and retained so by the insertion into place of the style 1) the pin a will have enforced contact with the lower surface of the contact-spring. The other binding-post u is located between the dog 5 and upright bar 0, which latter is perforated transversely for the passage therethrough of an electrical conductor-Wire 7.0 which is secured by one end to the bindingpost u and at the other extremity to the end of the transverse pin a The circuit-closing device, (shown in Figs. 8, 9, and 10,) which is employed to throw the train-signaling device (not shown) into and out of electrical connection with the ann'unciator device and the telegraph-instrument, consists, essentially, of a bracket-block D, which is preferably made rectangular in form andof non-electrical material. Said block D is excavated upon its front face at a point near its center of length and width for the free introduction of a spring contact-finger '0, which is secured upon the inner face of a metallic conductor-plate if, said plate being fastened to the front face of the bracketblock in proper position to permit the finger o to play freelyin the cavity of the block. The contact-finger 11 projects through a slot in the plate 1) and a short distance in front of said plate to receive the impinging contact of a circuit-closing arm E, that is held in an upright position free to vibrate toward or from the finger t" by its pivotal engagement with the bifurcated post v The circuit-closing arm E is normally held pro ected at an angle outwardly from the conductorplate 1) by the weight of its lower end, which is made heavy for thatpurpose. The upper portion U3 of the circuit-closing arm E is adapted to receive the impingement of a laterallyvibrating lever F, (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9,) which lever is the means for setting a train-signal for observation on the railwaytrack, the device being so arranged that when the lever F is forced against the upper portion on the circuit-closing arm E the trainsignal will be properly displayed.

Upon the bracket-block D on each side of the arm E the binding-posts 1010 are placed, which have their bodies inserted through the block and into a cavity formed on its rear surface, wherein the nut and washer 102 on the inner terminal end of the forked post v is placed, which washer is connected directly with the end of a short conductor-wire 10", the other end of which wireis attached to the washer to" on the end of the binding-post to, thereby affording an electrical connection between the circuit-closing arm and the binding-post w. A conductor-wire 0c is attached to the inner terminal end of the binding-post w by one end and extends to have connection with the washer placed on and secured in contact with the metal bolt 00, whereby the conductor-plate 1;, which is engaged by the bolt on, is electrically joined with the post to, as is also the spring-finger is.

The battery G is located at any desired point, and has one pole electrically joined to the binding-post U by the leading-wire y, the other pole of saidbattery being similarly connected by a wire 1 to a binding-post of a relay. From the adjacent binding-post of the latter a corresponding wire leads to the binding-post 1 on the telegraphic sounder instrument II. From the otherbinding-post g on said telegraphic sounder instrument H a leading-wire y is extended, which wire is prolonged sufficiently to have its opposite terminal connected to the binding-post u. A loop or branch wire 2' is electrically joined at z to the wire wand has its opposite end secured in the binding-post w on the block D. Another branch wire 2 that is attached at 2 to the leading-wire y, is prolonged to haveits opposite end secured in the binding-post w on the bracket-block D.

From the foregoing description of parts and their electrical connect-ions it will be apparent that when the gravity-bar B is in the position shown in Fig. l and the style I) inserted to hold it elevated, all of the grooves (Z in said bar will be carried above the similar grooves in the bar O, and therefore to permit such an adjustment of the bar B the entire series of indicator-plates g must be slid to remove their guide-ribs g from the grooves in the bar B. Consequently there will no numerals appear at the apertures m, and the slot at will show only the blank portion of the display-board 0. Moreover, when the gravity-bar B is adjusted to conceal the indicating-numerals on the plates g the contact-spring U2 will be engaged by the transverse pin uf, and a continuous circuit established between the battery Gand the telegraphic instrument H without regard to the position of thelever F and circuit-closing arm E. Should the operator be at his post in order to receive communications from the main office, he must use his style, as this will be made an imperative rule for his guidance, and any violation of such a rule will be apparent at a glance to any one entering the office and inspecting the annunciator. \Vhen the style 11 is removed from the gravity bar 13, said bar falls and breaks connection with the contact-spring a thus opening the circuit between the instrument II and the battery G. In order to restore the circuit to a working condition, the operator manipulates the lever F, whereby the circuit-closing arm E is vibrated toward the finger o, and in consequence the circuit is closed simultaneously with the exhibition of a train-signal on the track. As before explained, the act of dropping the gravity-bar B automatically sets the lower in dicator-plate to display the numeral 1 at the aperture m, and at the same time the words Orders For are brought before the slot )'L at the top of the case A. Should there be but one order for a single train sent at one time, the first order will be set, as explained, and anysubsequent orders will be recorded by appropriate numerals moved into view by manipulation of the pusher-bars h. As the orders arrive for different trains, which may have a number or other designating-symbol, the appropriate numbe letter, or name will be marked on the tablet in a frame m, so that when a conductor arrix es and,in obedience to the signal displayed, enters the telegraphoffice for his order or orders he can at once see if he has any to get and theexact number of the same without inquiry. lVhen an order has been delivered, the operator can expunge the record if he so desires by moving the bar 0, as has been mentioned, so as to compress the pawlt'and permit the indicatorlOS IIO

plate 9 to be withdrawn; or the entire record may be wiped out at the termination of the days duty of the operator by obliterating the numbers or other symbols from the tablets on the annunciator front board A and a manipulation of the mechanism, as has been clearly set forth.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with a battery and a telegraph recei ing-instrument, of a train-order recording and indicating device electrically connected to the battery and telegraph receiving-instrument and adapted to make and break circuit therewith by adjustment of its mechanism, substantially as set forth.

2. In a train-order annunciator, the combi nation, with a battery and a telegraph receiving-instrument, of a train-order recording and indicating device electrically connected to the battery and telegraph receiving-instrument and adapted to make and break circuit therewith by an adjustment of its mechanism, and a circuit-closer, substantially as set forth.

3. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with a battery and a telegraph receiving-instrument, of a train-order recording and indicating device having a series of independently adjustable indicator sliding plates therein, said device being electrically connected to the battery and telegraph receiving instrument, and a circuitcloser adapted to be set by the disnlay of a trainsignal, substantially as set forth. a

4. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with an adjustable recording and indicating device,a telegraph receiving-instrument, and an electrical generator, of c011- ductor-Wires normally in open circuit and a circuit-closer adapted to close the circuit when a train-signal is set,substantially as set forth.

5. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with a case having independent indicator slide-plates therein, and a gravity-bar adapted to break an electrical circuit when the indicator slide-plates are free to be moved endwise, of a telegraph receiving-instrnment, conductor-wires in open circuit, and a circuitcloser adapted to close the circuit when a train-signal is displayed,substantially as set forth.

(3. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with a case, indicator slide-plates therein adapted for longitudinal movement to expose an indicating number thereon, and a transversely-slotted upright bar, of pusherbars adapted to actuate the indicator-plates and expose a number thereon,and draw-bars adapted to engage the indicator-plates and move them to conceal the numeral thereon, substantially as set forth.

'7. In a train-order annunciator, a recording and indicating device having a case, a horizontal slot at the top of the face-board of the case, a legend -bearing display-plate vertically movable behind said slot, a series of vertically arranged and spaced apertures in the face-hoard, indicator slide-plates within the case behind said apertures, and a series of tablets aligned and paired with the aper-, tures in the face-board, substantially as set forth.

S. In a train-order annunciator, a circuitclosing device consisting of abracket-block, a spring-actuated contact-finger secured on a conductor-plate on said block, an arm pivoted on said block and normally held away at Its upper end from the contact-finger by its own weighted lower end, a binding-post electrically connected to the contaet-finger. and a binding-post electrically connected to the pivoted and weighted arm, substantially as set forth. I

9. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with a case,an upright laterally-movable bar having a series of spaced transverse grooves on its front face, and a series of indicator-plates adapted to slide in said grooves, having spaced numbers on their faces'and ratchet-teeth on their lower edges, of a faceboard having apertures adapted to register with the numbers on the indicator-plates, pusher bars for the indicatorplates and adapted to engage their ratchet-cut teeth, and draw-bars adapted to' engage the ends of the indicator-sliding plates, substantially as set forth.

10. In a train-order annunciator, the cornbination, with a case, an upright bar slotted in series across its face and movable laterally, and latch-hooks pivoted on the ends of the case and engaging the ends of the upright bar, said bar having a series of pins projecting from one face, of a series of horizontallydisposed indicator slide-plates engaging the grooves in the upright bar and between wh ch said pins project, said slide-plates having ratchet-teeth on their lower edges, and pusherbars provided with spring-pawls normally engaging the ratchet-teeth of the indicator slide-plates and adapted to be depressed to release the slide-plates when the upright bar is moved laterally, substantially as set forth.

11. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with a case, an upright bar movable laterally in the case, and indicator slideplates having numerals in series on their faces, of a face-board on the case, having a series of apertures in it adapted to register with the numerals on the indicator slideplates, pusher-bars provided with springpawls normally engaging ratchet-teeth on the edges of the indicator slide-plates, and pins on the upright b r adapted to release the spring-pawls of the pusher-bars from the ratchet-teeth on the indicator slide-plates when the upright bar is moved laterally in one direction and permit the pawls to re-engage the ratchet-teeth when the upright bar is moved in the opposite direction, substantially as set forth.

12. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with a case, an upright bar therein, and a vertically-adj ustable gravity-bar in the case, said bars having spaced transverse grooves on their front faces, which grooves align horizontally when the gravity-bar is in lowered adjustment and are'staggered when the gravity-bar is raised, of a series of indicator-plates movable horizontally in said case, and a series of horizontal hook-bars adapted to engage said plates and retract them independently, substantially as set forth.

13. In a train-order annunciator, a recording and indicating device having a rectangular case, a series of horizontal spaced indicator slide-plates therein, means for moving said indicator-plates manually,a device for moving the lower indicator slide-plate automatically, a vertically-ad j ustable gravity-bar in the case, a parallel laterally-movable upright bar therein, a face-board having apertures adapted to expose numbers on the indicator-plates, and a slot through which a legend is exposed on a board transversely secured on the gravity-bar near its upper end, substantially as set forth.

14. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, With a case, an upright bar therein. and a vertically-movable gravity-bar parallel to the upright bar, both said bars being grooved at spaced intervals on their front faces, of nurnerically-marked indicator slideplates, a board secured transversely on the upper end portion of the gravity-bar, having a legend on its front face, a face-board for the case, aperturedto expose the numbers on the indicator-plates successively as the plates are moved horizontally and slotted transversely to exhibit the legend on the display-board when the gravity-bar is in lowered adjustment, substantially as set forth.

15. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with a rectangular .case, a faceboard therefor, having a series of verticallyaligned equal-sized apertures therein, a transverse slot near its top edge, and a series of tablet-frames secured on the face-board in horizontal alignment with the apertures therein, of avertically-adjustablegravity-bar in the case, an upright bar within the case held laterally adjustable, both bars being grooved at intervals on their front faces, a series of sliding indicator-plates having guideribs engaging the grooves in the upright bar and gravity-bar, said plates having spaced numerals on their faces, a series of pusherbars, each provided with a spring-pawl normally engaged with teeth on the indicatorplates, and a series of draw-bars adapted to engage the ends of the indicator-plates, substantially as set forth.

16. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with a case an d a vertically'movablc 17. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with .a case, a vertically-movable gravity-bar within the case, a writing implement adapted to engage a perforation in the upper portion 0. the gravity-bar and hold it elevated, and a transverse contact-pin secured to the lower portion of the gravity-bar and projecting from opposite sides of said bar, of a contact-spring secured by one end to the lower wall of the case by a binding-post, and having its free end in contact with the contact'pin when the gravity-bar is held up by the writing implement, and a second bindingpost on the lower wall of the ease electrically connected to the other end of the contact-pin,

substantially as set forth.

18. In a train-order annunciator, the combination, with a case, a verticallymovable gravity-bar therein, and a parallel upright bar having a series of spaced grooves mating with similar transverse grooves in the gravitybar, of a series of indicator-plates adapted for sliding engagement with the grooves in the parallel upright bar and the gravity-bar when the gravity-bar is in lowered adjustment and to be held by contact with said bar from longitudinal movement when the gravity-bar is in elevated adjustment, substantially as set forth.

19. In a train-order annunciator, the corn bination,with a case and a gravity-bar vertically movable therein and laterally perforated at its upper end outside of the case to receive a style or other writing implement, of a transverse eontaet-pin secured in the gravity-bar near its lower end and a contact-spring engaging the contact pin when the style is placed in the gravity-bar, substantially as set forth.

20. In a train-order aununciator, the combination, with a case and a vertically-adjustable gravity-bar perforated outside of the case at its upper end to receive a style or similar writing implement, of a contact-spring within the case, a contact-pin on the gravity-bar engaged by the contact-spring when said bar is in elevated adjustment, a binding-post secured to the contact-spring, a binding-post electrically connected to the contact-pin, a battery, a receiving telegraph-instrument, a circuit-closer, an operating-lever of a trainsignaling device, leadingwires connecting the binding-posts on the case with the battery and telegraph-instrument, and branch wires connecting the circuit-closer with the leading-wires, substantially as set forth.

LEONARD TRACY CRABTREE.

Witnesses:

E. MOFADDEN, A. L. YOUNG.

ITO

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