US856670A - Block-signal system. - Google Patents

Description

No 856,670- PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907.

G. G. ANTHONY.

BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 No. 856,670. PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907.

G. C. ANTHONY.

BLOCK SIGNAL SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 28, 1906.

2 SHEETS-$HEET 2.

w I mvznron W QIQZMA ATTORNEY. I

vided a system in which only one of the two.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFEIo CHARLES C. ANTHONY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. I

BLOCK-SIGNAL SYSTEM- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1 1, 1907.

Application filed November 28. 1906. Serial No. 346,660.

To all whom. itma/y concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. ANTHONY, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, haveinve'nted a certain new and. useful Improvement in Block-Signal Systems, of which the following is a true and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My present invention relates to signal sys tems employed for controlling the move-' ments of railroad trains andis particularly designed for controlling train movements 111.

either direction over a single track line; al-

though some of the features of my invention are not limited in their use to such a system.

A principal object of my invention is the provision of a simple and reliable signal system for controlling train movements in either direction in a block comprising two stations and a single connecting main track and having one or more sidings entering said main track between the stations.

In carrying out my invention I have promain signals employed in each block, one at each station, may be moved out of the danger position at one time to ermit a train to pass by it into the block an then only when the block contains no trains moving toward the signal operated.

In my system, the entrance of atrain into a block by a main signal which has been 5 moved out of the danger position to permit tween the main signals from a siding when all such entrance, automatically returns the signal to the danger position. After any train entering the blockby a main signal has proceeded a predetermined distance, that signal may be moved into a permissive position to permit a following trainto enter the block, but cannot be moved into the full clear sition while there are any trains in the lbck;

' My system also provides means whereby a train may be permitted to enter the block. be-

trains inthe block are moving away'from the point where the) siding connects with the main track but preventing such entrance when trains in the' lock are approaching said point.

The various features of novelty which characterize my system andby which the above and other objects as .hereinafterset out are obtained are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and form-. ing a part of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention, however, and the advantages possessed by it, reference may be had to the accom-i panying drawings and descriptive matter in which 1 have illustrated and described forms in which my invention may be embodied.

. Of the drawings, Figure l isa diagrammatic representation of the signal station at one end of the block and a portion of the block tracks andsignal circuits. Fig. 2 is a view similar toFig. 1 showing the other station of the block and the portions of the block track and circuits not shown in Fig. 1.

The system shown by the drawings is operated electrically, though it is obivous that some, at least of the electrically operated devices may be replaced by devices operated ina different manner. V

The block consists of two stations, A and B, a single main track 109 between the sta tions and a siding 110 adjacent each station.-

The track rails are divided into sections insulated from each other by insulation 1-11 to form track circuits, each of which includes,

besides the rails, the track relays R, R, R", R Each of the track circuits except those including the relays R includes a battery 112. The rails connected through each rethe primary block instrument'H comprises a? segment H pivoted at H and free to be swung by the handle H in one direction from the position shown in the drawings, which represents the normal position of the apparatus in which the main signal S isin'the dan-' ger position. H j

.An armature h engaging a lug .h.- on the segment H normally prevents moveme'nt'in.

ing first, station A, it will be observed that the opposite direction, but is movedfout oi,

engagement with lug h when the control magnet by relay winding h is energized. I miniature semaphore arm H connected to the armature h by a link H indicates by its position the energization or de-energization of the magnet 7L0. By means of arm H from the segment H and rod H, the circuit 5 controllers m", m m are operated. The circuit is normally closed between the lines 7 and 11 by controller or, and, as indicated, remains closed when the handle H is moved to the right, but is broken by a movement of IO handle H to the left. The lines 6 and 7 are connected by controller m when handle H is moved to the extreme left only. Lines 12 and 13 are connected by controller m only when handle H is moved to the extreme 15 right.

The secondary signal instrument K is generally similar to the instrument H, but the project-ion k on segment K is arranged to be operatively enga ed on either side b the armature Yrcontrolied by the magnet Z and is of such a width that the handle K after being moved to the extreme right can be returned about half way toward the normal position before projectionjr comes in con- 2 5 tact with armature k. Circuit controller k operated by arm K and rod K normally closes connection between lines 13 and 14 when instrument K is in the normal posi tion, and also when the handle K is in the intermediate locked position between normal and extreme right but is opened when the handle K is at the extreme right or is moved to the left of normal. I The working of circuit controllers 7c, Yr 2:, k is apparent 3 5 from the drawing.

The members and K are interlocked by mean of a locking member N having pointed ends which enter notches K and H formed in the bars K and H respectively. In the normal condition of the apparatus the bar K,

and thereby the segment K are held. stationary by the member N. Movement of the handle H to the extreme right brings the notch H in line with the locking member N,

whereupon the member K and parts connected to it are released. Movement of the member K out of the normal posit-ion locks the bar H" and arts connected to it.

Circuit contro lers k and 'm are held by the insulation portions 7c and it carried by the armaturcs'ls and h respectively when the latter are in their normal locking positions, in the positions to connect lines 16 and 17 and lines 5 and 6. When the armatures are attracted, however, the arts It and kare moved into positions allowing lines 16 and 17, and 5 and 6 to become separated. The lines 20 and 21 are normally disconnected, but are closed by the armature h when it is be attracted.

The main signal S at the station is moved from its normal stop or danger position to an intermediate position to give a permissive or cautionary signal, or to the full clear posi- 6 5 tion by a lever L and links L and levers L" and L An electrically controlled device, commonly called an electric slot, is interposed between the signal and the lever L In the form illustrated diagrammatically, the electric slot comprises jointed rods 8, s" which are held in line to permit the operation of the signal by the armature s when its magnet s is energized. When the magnet is deenergized, rods 8 and s buckle so that the signal is then unafleoted by movement of the lever L The signal arm is counterweighted or otherwise arranged so that it will return to the stop position when the slot magnet is deenergized.

A circuit controller Z connects lines 15 and 151 When the lever L is in the normalposition shown and, while the lever is being moved to a middle position, corresponding to the permissive condition of the signal, to allow a train to enter .the block following one already in the block and moving in the same direction. This circuit is opened by the controller Z as soon as the lever ismoved past this middle position-in the direction to bring the signal to, the all clear position and lines 15 and 151 are again connected by. the controller Z when the lever has made its full movement.

An indicating relay D controlled by track relays R, R, R (by R through R through armature I), attached arm D link- D and arm D and attached signal D, indicates the condition between the station A and the point a at which the siding 110 connects with the main line and by the contact (1 or controller carried byits armature'D controls certain circuits as will be hereinafter de scribed.

Station B is a duplicate of station A, except that the movements of instruments H and K and lever L at one station are in opposite directions to the movements for the same purpose, of the corresponding instruments at the other station. Like parts at the two stations are indicated by the same reference letters. It should be remarked that the line connecting the negative sides of the two main batteries or sources of current V+ and the lines directly connected to it, and the direct connections to the negative sides of batteries V and V, are all designated by the symbol 0.

The operation of the mechanism so far de-. scribed is as follows: The operator at A, if desiring to admit to the block a train moving toward B asks the operator at B by telegraph or other signal to unlock the signal instruments at A. To do this, the operator at B moves the handle H to the right and attery there y completes a circuit from the V+ t 01 hcontroller cl, lines 3, 4 and 5,0011- troller m, inc 6, controller m line 7, controller t, line 8, contact of relay R, line 9 and relay R (at station B), line 10 and relays R and R", controller t", lines 9,8, 7

- at station B is broken.

controller at, line 11 to magnet h at station A and back by line 0 to the batteryV at B. The passage of current throu h magnet h releases the instrument H at and notifies the operator there of the fact through the indicator H 1 It will be observed that the circuit just described will not be closed unless that portion of the block between (1 and B is free from trains, since the indicator D at B through its controlling magnet d is controlled by the relays R, R, R adjacent station B, and when any of the track sections, the rails of which are in circuit with these relays, are occupied by trains, the controller (1 drops and the connection between line 3 and the batteryV The circuit also includes the armature controlled contacts of the relays R and R adjacent station B and of the relays R and R adjacent station A and hence the circuit is directly broken whenever any of the tracksections connected with these relays are occupied by trains.

When the instrument H at station A is unlocked, as 'ust described, the handle H is from the battery V+ at station A through is broken controller (1 when ma net D is energized, lines 3 and 12, contro ller m", line 13, controller k, line 14 and magnet 7c at station A to line 0. This lifts the armature 7c and,

since the bar N no longer locks the member K, permits the handle K to be moved to the ri ht. Since the unlocking of instrument sence of trains between points a and B, as before pointedout, and since the circuit by which instrument K is unlocked is controlled by the controller 03 at station A and as the latter is controlled by the relays between station A and point a, handle K at station A cannot be moved to the right to clear the main signal 'S unless the whole block is empty. The movement of the handle K to the r1 ht operates circuit controllers k and k and completes primarily a circuit from the battery V+ at station A through controller 1, lines 151., 15'and 16, controller k line 17, controller k, line 18, relay R, line 19, signal slot magnet 8 and line 0 back to the battery.

The 0 erator at station A then ulls his lever L to t e right and since when t e slot circuit y the controller I it will still be closed from the battery V+ at station A through controller (1, lines 3, 4 and 20, controller m line 21 controller 7;, lines 22, and

16, controller k l ne 17, controller kfl-line 18 and relay R and line 19 to the slot magnet, the signal S may be moved-to the full clear position.

The connection of lines 15 and-151 by the controller Z serves -tomake the signal during the time that it must remain clear for the apat station A depends upon the ab-,

'ing movement of the instrument proaching train independent of the long cir' cuits controlling indicator D and instrument H, the numerous track circuits and the bat- ,tery V so that the accidental interrruption of any one of these circuits will not return the signal to the stop position. When, however, the train passes the signal S, the slot circuit is opened by the relay Rand the signal is returned to the stop position for the protection of the rear of the train. Should the operator thereafter return the lever L to the normal position so as to bring rods sand 8 into line and armature 8 into operative relation with its magnet and immediately pull it again, the, signal could not be moved out of the danger position, because of the action of the relay R on the slot circuit. When the train has passed ofi the rails in circuit with the relay R, thesignal can be moved, however, to the intermediate or cautionary position, by moving the lever L to its middle position, since that slot circuit, which is independent of conwhich it may be returned to the cautionary position in the manner just described as often as desired to permit successive trains to enter the block at proper intervals and with proper cautionary signaling. When all of the trains thus admitted to the block have passed out, the signal can again be cleared, provided the handles H and K are left in their right hand position.

The main signal S at station B cannot be moved out of the danger position while a train admitted to the block at station" A still remains in the block. The necessary unlockat station A is revented by a. train between station A and point (1 because the armature 7c is not then attracted by the magnet k, the circuit of which'is then opened by the controller (1 through the de-energization of one or both of the relays R, R. Similarl ,a train on the rails in circuit with the relay at station A would result in causing the circuit to' be opened by controller d at station A. If there were no trains between station A and the track section in circuit with the relay R at station A, the operator at station A could re-;

turninstrument K to normal position 'and move handle H" to the left, but the unlock- .ing circuit for -instrument H at station B would be openedat one of the relays R or at relay R at station E by a train between station A and oint b. If all the train had passed point but notistation B, it would be I hel While the operator at station B is unable to wholly or partially clear his main signal while a train moving toward station B from station A is in the block, it is possible for him to permit a train to move from the siding into the block at b after the train leaving station A has passed point I) provided the operator at station A moves his instrument into the position necessary to unlock the signal at station B. When the handle K" at station B is moved to the right, a switch indicator circuit from the battery V at station B is closed, through controller Z, lines 15 and 16, controller 16 line 17, controller k line 23, magnet of indicator P andwire O to battery. The energization of the magnet of the indicator P through its armature moves the small semaphore P, which may be of the inclosed type, out of the normal stop position into a position indicating that a train on the siding may enter the main track. At the same time, the switch lock circuit isclosed from batter 12 through line 12 controller p, lines 24 an 25, magnet 15 and line 0 back to battery r. This attracts the armature t, releases bar or link T unlocks the switch (connected to switch by lever T and rod T and permits it to be set for the siding.

t will be observed that the armature t is elevated when the magnet t is ener gized and. also when the link T is moved to connect the siding to the main track and that when the armature t is raised, the main unlocking circuit is open at t and when so opened it will be impossible for the operator at station B to either give a clear signal or to unlock the instruments at station A. As soon as the train moving from the siding onto the main track at point 1) comes upon the track circuit including relay R and until it leaves the adjacent track circuit including relay R, the magnet d" at station B is de-energized and consequently the unlocking circuit of the in- 4 strument K at station B is open at d, and. it is then impossible to move the handle K to the The signal at station B, therefore, can neither be cleared entirely, nor moved to its intermediate position until the train leaving the siding has proceeded some distance on its way toward station A.

After the train from the siding on itsway toward station A has passed off the adjacent track circuit including the relay R (assuming that the train previously coming from station K at station B can be moved to the left and the signal may be moved to an intermediate position to admit a train to the block, exactly as it could be if the train had entered the block at B and passed beyond the track circuit including relay R. The operator at B can thus permit one or more trains to leave the siding under his control after any trains admitte at A have passed the switch left and A is now past station B) the handle at point band after the operator at station A 'has set his instrument H in position to unlock the signal at station B andhas therefore made it impossible for the operator at station A to clear his own signal again or to clear the switch indicator at point a to admit a train to the block from the siding at station A. A train so admitted from the siding at b may move in either direction. If one or more of such trains move toward station B," the instrument K there (which must have been in the position, with the handle K to e the right, ,to permit the switch indicator to be set to allow trains to leave the siding) will be locked against movement of its handle K to the left until such trains have arrived at station B and assed off! the track circuit including the re ays R", R and R at station B. Consequently the main signal at station B cannot be moved durin thistime.

The operator at station%3 cannot clear his switch indicator and permit a train to leave the siding while a train which has entered the block at his end is'between station B and point I) because to clear his signal for such a train he must have had his handle K to the the train in coming upon the track section in clrcuit with the relay R keeps the instrument K locked in that position until it passes off the track circuit includin relay R. After such train has passed off t e'sec tion including the relay R, the instrument K is unlocked and the instrument H, being left in the'position with the handle Hto the left, handle K" can be moved to the right and the indicator cleared for a train to leave the siding and follow the train that has just passed point b moving toward station A, or return toward station B.

Preferably the track in circuit with the relay R the contact 26 of relay R by closing a circuit from battery o through wires 26, 25 and magnet t, automatically unlocks the switch when a train is on that track circuit so that the switch can be set to permit such a train to enter the siding.

The'operation of the switch indicator and look at point a is the same as that at point I), for trains leaving the siding, except that it is accomplished through the polarized relay Q. The operating circuit is from the batteryV+ at station A through controller 1, lines 15 and 16, controller 10 line 17, controller is, lines 23, 24nand 25, magnet coils of relay Q and line 0 to the battery. The soft iron armature Q is attracted and the direction of curis only a few hundred feet long-and "to the magnet 't fan d; thence to battery by line 0. The switch indicator is therefore cleared, and the switch unlocked by moveinfent of the handle K" at station A to the 5' e t.

The switch at station A is not automatically unlocked by the presence of a train on the track circuit including the relay R, but can'only be unlocked for a train entering the siding bythe act of the operator at station A andj then only. when the train is moving in the direction from the station B toward station A. To unlock the switch under such circumstances it is necessary that instrument K be in the normal position, which cannot be thec-ase ifa train that has entered the block. at station A is on either of the track circuits includin relays R, R or R, but c'an'be the case a train is moving from station B toward station A. A circuit can then beclose'd by moving the circuit controller j downward, from battery V-at station A through controller-'70, line. 33, controller 3',

- lines 34; 2.4 and and relay Q.

battery 'V-lthe direction of current. wi 1 be such as to move polarized armature Q .arid move circuit controller g into the open position and circuit contro er g to the closed position; If the train has reached the track circuit'jin'cluding relay R, the switch lock circuit'wvill belcompleted through line 26, circuitcontroller q,'lin' es 27 and '30, controller gi','{lin ej 35, contact 36 of relay Rf, lines 36 cleared.

Q 'Thelines 7, 8,9 at each station and line 10 .formwhat may be called the main signal line. The instrument H at each station is normally free to move from the normal posi- 'tioirin which it connects the corresponding loch-winding 711 in circuit with the main line to the position in Which it connects the corresponding battery V+ in circuit with the mainline to ener ize the winding h? at the other station. W en the instrument-K at a fltationis out of the normal position, however, "the corresponding instrument H is locked bar N out of position'fto connect the-cones ondin'g battery V4- in circuit with be unlocked,-but the indicator will not. be

the main inet It will be understood, of course, by those skilledin the art that changes may be made 5 5' the form of my invention without departlocking position before the circuits controlled.

1) [controllers m and k can be completed. -e contact Z is employed simply to'make Asbattery Vis connected oppositel to,

and'32lahd magnet t". The switch will thus mgfromits spirit, and that certain features hereinfjdescribed are not essential elements of more certain the operation of the signal controlling mechanism.

It will also be understood that the two switch controlling devices may be alike instead of difi'erin as shown, and that in some cases the switc lock and signal for each siding may be directly connected, or that the switch signal or switch lock might be dispensed with.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to, secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a block si nal system, a pair of stations, a single main track between them, a siding entering said track between the stations, means governing the entrance of a train onto the main track from said siding and controlling means therefor, for automatically preventing such entrance when a train is on the main track and moving toward the siding but permitting it when a train on the main track is moving awa from the siding.

2. In a single track bloc i: signal system, a signal governing the entrance of a train into the block at one endand means for actuating it, including an electromagnetic device the energization of which permits the actuation of the signal, means for supplying current to said device to permit the signal to be moved from the danger position to a permissive or cautionary position when a train entering tance away from the station and separate 3. In a block si nal system, a pair" of sta tions, a single main track between them, a

signal at each station, a siding entering said track between the stations, means for automatically preventin each signal from beingmoved out of the anger positionwhen a train on said main track is approaching it and when the other signal is out of the danger position, means governing the entrance of. a train onto the main track from said siding and controlling means therefor automatically preventing such entrance when a train on the main track is approaching the siding, but permitting such entrance when the train on the same'portion of the track is moving in the opposite direction.

\ the block by the signal has moved some dis- 4. In a block signal system, a pair of stations, asingle main track between them, a sidingentering said track between the stations, means governing the entrance of a train onto the main track from said siding and controlling means therefor for automatically preventing such entrance when a train on the main track moving in a direction opposite tothat in which the train on the siding moves onto the main track inapproaching the siding and when a train on the main track moving in the direction in which the train on the siding moves onto the main return from such position to a position to cent station for then causing said lock to pretrack is approaching the siding, but permitting such entrance when the'train moving in the said opposite direction is leaving the siding.

5. In a block signal system, a pair of stations, a single main track between them, a signal at each station, means for automaticl ally preventing each. signal from being moved out of the danger position when a train on said track is approaching it and when the other signal is out of the danger position, means for moving either signal into the full clear position when the track between the stations is empty, means governed by the entrance of every train onto the track by either signal for returning the signal to the danger position, and means for moving either signal to a permissive position after a train entering the track by it has proceeded a predetermined portion of the distance between the stations, but preventing the movement of the signal into the full clear position until the block is empty.

6. In a block signal system, a pair of stations, a-track between them, a siding switch connecting with said track between said stations adjacent one of them, a switch signal at the switch, a main signal, a primary signal instrument and a secondary signal instrument at the station adjacent the switch, means controlled by the secondary instrument for interchangeably clearing the main and switch signals, means controlled by the primary instrument normally locking the secondary instrument against clearance of either signal, said locking means being rendered inoperative by a predetermined move ment of the primary instrument, means controlled by a train on track portions between the switch and the remote station for then preventing movement of the primary instrument into said predetermined position, a lock, and means controlled by a train on a track portion between the switch and adjavent movement of the secondary instrument into position to clear the mam signal or its clear the switch signal.

7. In a block signal system, a pair of stations, a track between them, a siding switch connecting with said track between said sta-c tions adjacent one of them, a switch signal at the switch, a main signal, a primary signal instrument and a secondary signal instrument at the station adjacent the switch, means controlled by the secondary instrument for interchangeably clearing the main and switch signals, means controlled by the primary instrument normally locking the secondary instrument against clearance of either signal, said locking means being rendered inoperative by a predetermined movement of the primary instrument, means controlled by a train on track portions between eeae'ro the switch and the remote station for then preventing movement of the primary instru ment into said predetermined position, a lock, means controlled by a'train on a track portion between the switch and adjacent station for then causing said lock to prevent movement'of the secondary instrument into osition toclear the main signal or its return irom such position to a position to clear the switch signal, and a lock normally preventing the setting of the switch for the siding and unlocked when and by the means by which the switch signal is cleared.

8. In a block signal system, a pair of stations, a track between them, a siding switch connecting with said track between the sta tions adj acent one of them, a switch signal at the switch, a main signal, a primary-signal instrument and a secondary signal instrument at the station adjacent the switch, means controlled by the secondary instrument-for interchangeably clearing the main and switch signals, means controlled by the primary instrument for normally locking the secondary instrument against clearance of either signal, said locking means being rendered inoperative by a predetermined movement of the primary instrument, a lock normallyengaging the primary instrument to prevent said predetermined movement, means automatically rendered inoperatve by a train on track portions between the switch and the remote station for moving said lock out of engagement with the primary instrument, a second lock'for the secondary instrument, means controlled by a train on the track portion between the switch and adja cent station for then causing said lock to prevent movement of the secondary instrument into a position to clear the main signal or its return from such position to a position to clear the switch signal, a circuit controller actuated by the movement out of engage ment with the primary instrument of its lock and means controlled by said. circuit controller for preventing the clearance of the main signalv except when the lock is out of engagement with the. primary instrument. a

9. In a block signal system, a main block signal, means for moving it from a normal danger position. to a cautionary position and to a full clear position, said means including a slot winding, means for energizing said winding to permit the signal to be moved to its full clear position, said means being automatically rendered inoperative by trains anywhere in the block, other means for energizing said winding to permit the signal to be moved into the cautionary position, said other means being rendered inoperative by the presence of a train in one portion only of the block and by an attempt to move the signal into the full clear position.

10. In a block signal system, a block track divided into sections provided each with a re- IIO lay de-ene'rgized by a train on the section, a main signal, means for moving it froma normal danger position to a cautionary position and to a full clear position, said me ans includ' ing a slot winding, means for energizing said 1 winding to permit the signal to be moved to its full clea'r position, said means including all the track relays and being rendered inoperative by, the de-energization of any of them, other means for energizing said winding, to permit the signal to be moved to a cautionary position, said other means including a portion only of the track relays and a circuit controller, said other means being rendered inoperative by the de-energization of any of its track relays or through said circuit controller by an attempt to move the signal into the full clear position.

911. In a block signal system, a block including a pair of stations and the track between them, said track including'sections insulated from each other,'a relay and a battery for each -of said sections, a main signal line extending between the stations and including contact devices opened when said relays are de-energized, a lock relay, a look, a signal, and a movable member at each sta= tion, a source of electric current, means controlled by each member for preventing the clearance ofthe signal at its station except when the member is in one position, and means controlled by the movements of each member by which the lock relay at its station or said source of current are interchangeably connected into circuit with said line, said lock being. arranged to prevent the movement of the member into the signal clearing position," except when the lock relay is energized, but permitting at all times the movements of said member into the positions necessary to connect the source or thelock relay in circuit with said line.

12. In a block signal system, a block including a pair of stations and the track between them, said track being divided into sections insulated from each other and each lock relay, a lock, a signal and a movable member at each station, means controlled by each member for preventing the clearance of the signal at its station except when said member is in one position, means controlled by the movements of eachof said members by which the lock relay at its station or said source of current are interchangeably connected into circuit with said line, said lock being arranged to prevent the movement of v the member into' the signal clearing position, except when the lock relay is energized,

but permitting at all times the movements of said member mto the positions necessary to connect the sourceor the lock relay in circuit with said line, and means controlled by the energization of the lock relay forpreventing the main line from being connected in circuit with said source at said station when the magnet is energized.

'13. In a block signal system, a block, including a pair of stations and the track between them, said track being divided into sections insulated from each other, a track relay in each section de-energized by a train on'said section, a main signal line extending between the stations and including contact devices opened when said relays are de-energized, a lock relay, a lock, a 'gnal and a movable member at one station, a source of electrlc current, means controlled by each member for preventing the clearance of the signal at its station except when said member is in one position, means controlled by the movement of each of said members by which the lock relay at its station or said source of current are interchangeably connected into circuit with said line, said lock being arranged to prevent the movement of the member into the signalclearing position except when the lock relay is energized but permittin at all times the movements of said inem or into the positions necessary to connect the source or the lock relay into the circuit with said line and means controlled by the passage of the current through the lock relay for closing at one point a circuit controlling the clearance of the signal.

' 14. In a block signal system, a block including a pair of stations and the track between them, said track being divided into sections insulated from each other, a track relay for each section de-energized by a train on said section, a main si nal line extending between the stations and including contact devices opened when said relays are de-energized, a source of electric current, lock relay, lock, signal and movable member at each station, means controlled by each member for preventing the clearance of the signal at its station except when said member is in one position, means controlled by the movements of each of said members by which the lock relay at its station orsaid source of current are interchangeably connected into circuit with said line, said lock being arranged to prevent the movement of the member into the signal clearing position, except when the lock relay is energized, but permitting at all times the movements .of said member into the ositions necessary to connect the source or t 0 look relay in circuit with said line, means controlled by the energization of the lock relay for preventing the main line from being' connected in circuit with said source when its magnet is energized, andmeans controlled by'the passage of current through the lock relay for closing at une'point the circuit controlling the clearance of the signal.

Ioo'

, devices Opened when ergized, a lock relay, a lock, a signal, and a ,movable member at each station, a source of electric current, means controlled by each member for preventing the clearance of the signal at its station except when said memberis in one position, and means controlled by the movements of each of said members by which the lock' relay at its station or said source of current are interchangeably connected into circuit with said. line, saidlock being arranged to prevent the movement of except when the when said electromagnet circuit contrd the member into the signal clearing position, lock relay is energized, but permitting at all times the movements of said member into the positions necessary to connect the source, or the lock relay in circuit with said line, means for moving the signal into a cautionary osition when said member is in the signa clearing osition and an I er' actuated by the passage of the current through the lock relay for preventing 1 the signal actuating means from being operated to clear the signal except when the member is in the signal clearing position and saidlock relay is enerze v 16. In a block signal system, a block including a pair of stations and the track be tween them, said track being divided into sections insulated from each other and each including a track relay de-energized by a train on the section, a switch adjacent and controlled from one station joining the main track in the block at a point separated from the station proper by one-or more of said sections, a main signal line between the stations including contact devices opened when one or more relays for sections beyond the switch are de-energize'd, a secondary circuit at the switch controlling station including. contact devices opened when the'relays between the switch point and station are de-energized, a lock relay, a signal, lock, andmovable memberat each station, a source of electric cur rent, means controlled by the movement of said movablemember for preventing the clearance of the signal atits station except member is in one position, means controlled by each of said members-by which the lock relay at its station or said sourceof current are interchangeably connected into circuit with said line, rangedto prevent the movement ofthe memberinto said signal clearing-position except when the lock relay is energized, but ermitting'at all times the movements of sai member into the positions necessary to connect nal clearing position said lock being arthe source or the lock relay into the circuit with said line, a secondary movable member at the station from which the switch is controlled, means connecting said movable members so that said secondary movable member can be moved out of a normal position in either direction only when the first mentioned movable member is in the signal clearing position means preventing the secondary member irom being moved out of the normal position to a signal clearing position or from there back to the normal position except when said secondary circuit is closed, means for preventing the clearance of said signal except when the secondary member is in the signal clearing'position, a secondary signal located at or near the switchand means for preventing its clearance except when the secondary member is out of said signalclearing position. r

17. In a signal system, a block comprising a pair of stations, a main track between them, and a'siding switch connecting with the main track between the stations adjacent one of them, a main signal at each station, a

switch signal at the switch, a main signal instrument at each station,

normal positlon to 9 pOS1l31OI1'tO movable from a unlock the signal at its own station, or to a position to unlock the signal at the other station, a look at each station normally preventing movement of the main instrument to unlock its own signal, means for rendering said lock inoperative only when the block portion be' tween the switch and the remote station is empty, controlled by the presence of trains on such track portion and the operation of the main instrument at the remote station, a secondary instrument at the station adjacent the switch interchangeably movable to a position to clear the, main signal and to a position to clear the switch signal, a lock for the secondary instrument controlled by the primary instrument and preventing movement of the secondary instrument into either sigexcept when the main instrument is in a position to unlock its own signal, a second lock movement of the, secondary instrument into position to clear themain signal or its return from such position into the position to; clear the switch signal and means controlled by,

the presence of trains on a track portion between'the switch and the adjacent stationfor rendering said second look inoperative only when said last mentioned track'portion is, unoccu ied.

18. K signal system for a block comprisin a pair of stations, a track between them, and a siding switch between the stations and con trolled from one of them, said system including-a switch lockand switch signal, a main signal and signal instrument at the ,switch controlling station, said instrument being .movable from a normal position to a main IIO normally preventing a signal clearing position or to a switch signal ortion beyond the switch contains no trains or freeing said instrument from the holding means, other means controlled by a train between the controlling station and switch for then locking said instrument against movement from said normal position to the main signal clearing position, or its return therefrom to said normal position, means controlled by the movement of said instrument into the switch signal clearing position for clearing the switch signal and releasing the switch lock, and means controlled bymovement of the instrument into normal position and the presence of a train on the track in position to enter the siding for releasing the swlitch lock without clearingthe switch signa 19. A signal system for a block colnprisin a pair of stations, a track between them an a siding switch between the stations and controlled from one of them, said system includ ing a switch lock and switch signal, a main signal and signal instrument at the switch controlling station, said instrument being movable from a normal position to a main signal clearing position or to a switch signal clearing position, means normally holding said instrument in the normal position, means operable only when the block track portion beyond the switch contains no trains, for freeing said instrument from the holding means, other means controlled by a train between the controlling station and switch for then locking said instrument against movement from said normal position to the main signal clearing position or its return therefrom to said normal osition, a polarized relay, means controlledpby it and the movement of said instrument into the switch si a1 clearing position for clearing the switc signal and releasing the switch lock, and means controlled by said relay, the

movement of the instrument into said normal CHARLES c. ANTHONY. v

\Vitnesses ARNOLD KATZ, JOHN HUBBELL.

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