US876684A

US876684A - Block-signal apparatus.

Info

Publication number: US876684A
Application number: US36121107A
Authority: US
Inventors: Alexander Bevan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1907-03-08
Filing date: 1907-03-08
Publication date: 1908-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 1925-01-14

Description

when

No. 876,654. PAENTBD JAN. 14, 1908, A.BEVAN.

BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATID FILED M R8, 1997.

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i v RSA- PATBNTED JAN.14,'1908.

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A. BEVAN. BL'OCK SIGNAL APEARA'IUSVk APPLICATION FILED mi a 1907 lfl'l ll illllllll .kl f?) N. 4. 'n TATBNTBD JAN'. 14 1908.

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BLOCK SIGNAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION rum 1mm, 1907.

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ther end of t ALEXANDER BEVAN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND. l

BLOCK-siertuin arranarusf To all whom it may concern: A

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER BEVAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city of Providence, in the county ci Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain neil,7 and useful Improvements in Block-Signal Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein te the accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to railway blocksignaling systems, in which the signals are automatically operated by a passing car to indicate the resenceor absence of a car or cars on the b ook, as well as the direction in which any car on the block may be moving. The system is particularly adapted for'use on single track trolley roads to Warn cars from entering the same block from an opposite direction, but' may also serve to space cars or trains on double track roads- As installed on single track roads a set of 'signalingapparatus consist-s of two signals and two circuit closers, one of each located at each end of a block, so. arranged that any car on entering the block operates the mechanism to dis lay a danger signal at the farhc block, and also a cautionary .or permissive signal at the entering end; the erinissive signal being absolutely dependent or its appearance on the proper operation of the danger signal at the opposite end.

The im roveinents herein claimed relate particular y to the manner of constructing and ,operating the danger signal, the cautionary or permissive signal, and the countf ing mechanism; andV have for their object certainty and eficiency of operation and comparative freedom from the dangers' ineident to li htnin or high volt e static discharges, t us re ucing the possi iliry of failure to properly operate, to a minimum.

In my vpresent construction the target is moved to, and held at the danger position by power; in other words the electric circuitof the target magnets is normally o n, bein closed by the first car to enter a ock, an o ned againby the last car to heave the b oc'k, hence the iiiaUnets are using current, and are thus exposed to damage from li htning or static discharges only while the b ook is occu ied. ger in( ication of the Atarget is positive evidence that the system is in working order, and

that a assing car, (and not gravity), has operate it.. i

Owing tothe wide variations of the vol- Specication of Letters Patent.

Appliratirin fled Harsh 8. 1907. Serial No. 861-211- Witli this arrangement the dantage or electric pressure on the trolley line it has been found very diiiicult in practice to secure positive action of the target when the voltage is very low and still avoid such vioi lent action as to injure the bearings and derimmed aan. 1.4, 190s. y

range the movable parts when the voltage is high. To meet this difficulty the movin parts are made as light as is consistent Wit the required strength, and then efficiently countei'balanced to secure their proper action.

' Another feature of ractical advanta e is i the loose connection o the armature he d in place across the tops of the cores of the tar- 'get magnets. Arranged thus, the armature increases the magnetic strength r pull o f the cores, andyet al Ws each c ore the necessary` latitude of movement Within its own solen- -oid toV prevent binding, or friction, which binding would be almost certain `to result if the cores Were rigidly fastened to the armature; since this latter arran ement would require-that the cores and t e tubes of their solenoids be true and parallel, or else that the tubes of the solenoids he considerably* larger than their cores, which would result in a iiiarlfed loss of magnetic pull.

A further 'ractical advantage is secured higlh, and hence the action is not so vio ent.

'rent throng the' magnet when the volta e is i he urpcse of my improvements in the metho of operating the cautionary signal is, to affordtlie motorman of 'each entering car a positive and easily recognizable indication that the sigl mechanism has etectively operated. s may be accomplished by in'- trodiicing an auxiliary magnet into the circuit of the signal-setting magnet, or'into the circuit of the permissive lamp to impart motion to a disk or other visib object as evrdence that the system has o creteil. I also claim an improved method o controlling the circuits of the cautionary or permissive signal b the action of the target as will be fully exp ained in my description of the operation of.

the system. t

Another specialfeature is the method` of''w.

constructing therotatable parts ofthe count.l l ing andthe means'for closijf' An improvementis claimed also in the method of securing the operating magnets so that the magnets may he held rigidly in ro er adustment to the counting device,

an may also be readily replaced in ease oi damage to the coils from lightning or other accidental cause.

The accompanying drawings will illustrate the construe-tion and arrangement ot parts as described.

Figure 1-is a side elevation of the signal with one side of the easing removed, and a portion 0i the opposite side broken away.

i Fig. 2-is a front elevation ot the same with the case in section. Fig. i-is a top view ot" the target magnets enlarged and the parts they opera-te. Fig. L't-is a. front elevation of the target bearing frame. Fig. f'i-is an end View of the same. Fig. t is a. top view of the operating magnets and counting def vice. Fig. 7is a side elevation 0l' the operating magnets, showing the method of fastening the same in position. Fig. `Q-is a rear View of the reserve lamp magnet showing thc terminals and tapering contact. Fig. 9-is a perspective view ot the pivoted arm with the swinging'pa-wl mounted thereon. Fig. IU-is a detail showing the insulated semicircular contact 5*.) which makes and breaks the circuit to the target magnets, also showing the contact lingers engaged b v said Contact. Fig. l1-is an enlarged detail showing the construction and arrangement of the ta rgetmagnets and their tubular cores, also their armature and the lle.\'ible means by which the cores are connected to the ciicular arms. Fig. lll--is a diagramniatical view showing the wiring ot'A the system. Fig. l--shows a. simplilied wiring diagram illustrating the cautionary lamp connections'and the manner of inserting the resistance into the circuit by the operating ol the switch uger 33. Fig. l4-shows a siinplilied wiring diagram of the operating magnet. circuits as connected by wire. tit).

In all the drawings'like characters rel'ei' to corresponding parts, but as duplicate apparatus is shown in Fig. l2, the characters re.- ferring to the. duplicate parts 4are designated by the prime. mark.

Referring to the drawings,.l designates the hase to which is secured the signal operating mechanism. This base is provided at both ends with lugs 2-2 by means of which the same may be secured in position on a. pole or other suitable location l'or the proper display of the signals.

At 3 3 is ii. pair ol' electro-inagncts, technically known as the plunger type, supported on a. bracket ti, aud iiiagucticatly connected at their lower ends by the usual bxtcli-iron 31. The plungers or cores lt) of these magnets are in the form of tubes connected at their upper ends hy link chains lZ, or other tlexihle means, to tl..x circular arms t3, as shown, which aiins forni integral parts of the cininterbalaucing frame t4. `Raid trame is pivoted on au a.\is l5, to swing freely between the hangers tti, attached to the bracket lT. ltesting by gravity across the tops oll the cores, lt), is an armature ll having holes near its ends through which the. chains l2 pass to the corcs, thus avoiding any tendency ol` the cores. as they more up and down iu their solenoids. to hind or lock, as would he the case itl they were rigidly'attached to their armature. Fas-tened to one arm lt of the'l'rame 14 is the thin har iS which carries the target. lil; the'upper cross har of the. frame lt thus acting as a counterpoise of the. target It).

llorizontally opposite the armature 1t, are the links l fastened to the circular arms t3, through which links passes a rod 222. Un said rod is hung a swinging weight 23, which serves to balance the cores and their armature. 'eight J is provided with a cavity '24, to contain shot or other suit-able material for producing a. more perfect adjustment of the balance. The dotted lines show the position ol the weight .23 when'the targetI has heen' moved to the danger position. In this position of the weight it. will be noted that the vertical line through its center of gravity has moved farther from the axise rotation l5 and hence said weight is exerting a. stronger downward pull to counterhalance the increasiugpull of the cores as they are drawn within their solenoids, and will als exert a. stronger pull to start. the targetdownward when the circuit. of the solenoids is broken.

Attached to the frame 14 and adapted to rotate therewith, Init. electrically insulated therefrom, is the spring forked tiiiger 33, which serves to bridge alternately the terminals 2H 35 and bt -A37 see Figs. 3 and t,

terminals

24 and 36 being permanently electric-ally connected in the manner shown in Figs. l and 12. 'lhese terininalsforin apart of the elect-ric circuit of the cautionary signals, as will be made -clear by reference to the wiring diagram Fig. 12.

ln the center ol' the target. 19, which is colored red, is a disk of red glass 25, or 'other suitable transparent material, the whole arranged to show, when moved to the danger position, through the aperture ti. in the casing. During the lay danger is thus indi cated by the display of a redtarget, and at. night by alight shining through the red leen-- ter. t .l

At T is a second aperture. in t-lie case. over a portion ol' which the 'disk 2S may he made to vibrate. by the joint action of magnets 8-5 and the springs 1U #40. Weight .'is

' movement.

Y crassa 8 countepoise o'f disk or screen 28 about the axis 39, and springs 40`40 are adapted to give a vihratory motion to the screen after the magnets have produced a downward Opposite each of the 'Lwo apertures, 26 and 27 is a pair of lamps 29%30 and 3132, so that when lighted their light is visible through their respective apertures. The rear lamp of each pair, i. e., 30 and 32 is a reserve lamp arranged to be automatically lighted by means of magnets 6 or 7 when for an cause either of the regular lamps 29 or 31 fnf s to li ht.

Secured to bracket 41 are two pairs of magnets 4-4 and 5-5, and the counting device which they operate. These magnets are controlled through properly arranged circuits by the passin cars. Pivoted to an ear 42 on the head o each magnet is a crossshaped frame 43, best shown 1n Fig. 9, which 1s adapted to carry the armature 44. Integral With,' and extending backward from each end of the cross of said frame (see Fig. 9) is a curved arm 45 terminating in a lug 46,-which lug is pivoted to ear 42. At-

" l .'tached to the frame 43 by means of links 47 and 4'8, is the pawl 49 whose function is to engage and rotate'the ratchet wheel 50. Stop i A3o lugs 51 and 52 limit the longitudinal motion of the pawl, and prevent the ratchet wheel from moving more than one notch with each Y magnetic impulse, while stop 53 limitsits upward. motion, which movement is produced by the compression spring 54 after the .pawl has been drawn down.by=the action of jma'gnets 4-4. Magnets '5-'5 are a duplicate of magnets 44, said latter pair acting vthrough a corresponding pawl 49` to produce a reverse motion upon the counting mechan- Ism.

Cast on the same hub 55, with the ratchet Wheel 50, is the detent Wheel 56 against which the roller 57 is heldl by tension of spring 58, the object of which is to hold the ratchet wheel in position when not being acted upon by either of the

pawls

49 or 49. The teeth of this ratchet wheel are cut in op posite directions on its two hnives, and smtable stops (not shown) are provided to prevent the wheel from being moved more than half a revolution in either direction. Car- .ried by the hub 55, .but insulated therefrom,

, is the circular ring 9, which bridges the terminals 60 and 61 to complete the target magnet circuit when the first car enters the `block and continues the connection between tric circuit of the cautionary signal, which circuit may then be temporarily interrupted to operate the screen 25, when magnets 8--8 are placed in said circuit, each time the magnet 4-4 is operated by an enterigr car; but the preferred form is that illustrated in Fig. 12 where magnets 8 and 8 are placed in circuit with their res

ectivc setting magnets

4 and 4, whereby t e screen 8 is operated each time the circuit is closed through the setting magnet.

By reference to the wiringidiagram 12 it may be seen that the resistance coil h' of signal B is in series with lam s 29 and 30 of signal A; while resistance coi R of signal A is in series with lamps 29 and 30' of signal B; in other words, the resistances in series with the cautionary lamps are in the opposite signals from their respective lamps. With this arrangement the yoke wire y is never in shunt with the trolley wire without considerable resistance in series, which precludes the possibility of injurious heating at the cont-act points.

The contact for closing the circuit of the reserve lamp in case the regular lamp fails to light is made to taper toward the bottom,

either in a circular form as an inverted trun.

cated coiie, or a square pyramid, so that when it drops by gravity between the terminals of the reserve lamp circuit it will be sure to. close the circuit even if the terminals should be slightly out of adjustment, and will make a better electric contact fronrthe slight tendency to wedge. This construction will be readily understood by a reference to Fig. 8, in which 76 represents the taper contact above mentioned, and 74 and 75 terminals in the. reserve lamp circuit.

In Figs. 6 and T is illustratedthe mea'ns of locating and securing the operating magnets in pro er relation to the counting mechanism. ig. 6 shows a rectangular frame 77 screwed to :he tops or heads' of the magnets, and Fig. 7 shows in detail the means of fas tening thc two sets of magnets to the bracket 41 at their lower ends through their respective cross bars. At 89, 81, S4 and 85 are the said cross bars which are integral with the sides of the bracket 41, and and S6 are the ends of two Tshapcd backlirons joining the cores of the

magnets

4, 4 and fastened to the same by bolts S3 and 87.' To replace either of these magnets thereforeit is only necessary to remove the screws from one end of frame 77 and the bolts from the back-iron 82 or 86.

By reference now to the wiring diagram Fig. 12. The operation ofthe system will be readily understood. A car entering from the left moves the pendant 64 to close the circuit from the trolley wire through terminal Pawl 49 is drawn downward, moving ratchet vWheel 50 one notch, and causing ring 59 to v car, the object heilig to enable the car, which bridge terminals 6U' an( l', thus closingthe circuit of the target magnet 3-3 through wire T0. drawing the cores 10' dowirvard and moving the. target lil to the danger position as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. l.

7; to the ground.A ()n leaving the block the ear mores` pendant l? to energize the magnet through terminal 65 and aire (il). moving the rati-het. wheel :'itl bat-k one notch, rait-lietY 5t) being locked against further rotation in that direction opening the circuit' of the target. magnet aml restoring the system to normal oi denergized condition, aml so elleetually protects the mechanism from lightningr discharges.

When more than one car enters the block each following ear energizes the magnet 4- 4 to move. the ratchet lwheel one step farther in the same direction, maintaining the circuits already established, and on leaving the block each car energizes the magnet 5-5 to return the ratchet wheel one. notch; so that only the last ear can reopen the target circuit through ring :'itl and thus restore the signals to normal.

'lbe circuit of lamp 31 is normally closed tliiougli magnet (i. lifting the core 73 and maintaining a break in the circuit of the reserve lamp 3. at. terminals 74 and 75 so long as lamp 3l is lighted. Should lamp 31 burn out or fail to light core 73 would drop, causing contact 76 to bridge terminals 74 and 75 lighting the reserve lamp 3;. 'lhe sa'nie conditionslapply to lamp "J and magnet 7. except that the circuit of lamp Sl is normally open, being closed only while the block is occupied.

Another feature of my invention is the introt'luction of a fourth wire into the wiring system as represented at. 9U in Fig. 12 which wire. directly eonnectst-he wiring circuits of the. clearing magnets so that' the circuity of both clearing magnet-

s

5 and 5. maybe closed from either end ot' the block by an outgoing has entered a block and set tliesignals, to back back and clear the. saine. Still another feature in connection with this fourth wireis the introduction of a switch 91--91' in the circuit of each clearing inagent, whereby either magnet may be cnt outof circuit. by turning the switch, the purpose' of this action being to enable a car which has inadvertently entered an occupied block and set tbe-farther signal, to open the circuit oi' the near signal, so that. said car may back out of the block and clear the said farther signal without affecting thc near signal.

Having thus described my invent-ion,

what I claim as new and desire to secure i l side of said shaft, an armature frame mount.-

ed on and pivoted to each pair of magnets, a reciprocating pawl supported on said armature frame, means for securing all of the magnets at. both ends whereby said magnets and their pawls are firmly held in exact operative relation to the ratchet wheel, and means whereby the said circuit controller may he operated to control the signal circuit to :ictuate the signal.

2. In an electric signal, a target, a target magnet eircuit normally open, a pair of msnlatcd terminals in said circuit, an oscillatorv sbaf t, an insulated circuit controller and a riitcbet wheel mounted thereon, a pair of magnets on either side of said shaft, anormatnre [rame pivoted to each pair of magnets, a reci iroeatmg pawl mounted on said arma.- ture tirame, means for securing all of the magnets at both ends. whereby said magnets and their pawls` are firmly held in exact operative relation to the ratchet wheehand means wherebv the said circuitcontroller may be operate'd to control said target magnet circuit to aetuate the target.

3. In an electric signal, a target, a target I magnets to ILheiisupports, an armature rame pivoted to cach pair of magnets, a reciprocating pawl mounted ou said armature trame, means tor securing all of the magnets at both endsl whereby said magnets and their mu'ls are lirinly held in exact operative reation to the ratchet. wheel, and means Where. by the said circuit controller may be operated to control the target maglet circuit to actuate the target.

4. ln u. signal, the combination of a coun- (e1-balanced target normally held by gravity to the safety posit-ion, a plunger magnet, a tu bular core in said magnet for moving said target, a eounterlmlanee therefor, and means t'or energizing sind I nagnet to ea-rry'the target to the danger position.

5. In a signal. the combination of a counterbalamwd targej` annually held by gravity to the .safety position, a. plunger magnet, a tubular eore in said magnet for moving said target. a weight, means` whereby said weight. is given a variable leverage to counterblil.

ance said coreJ and means ihr energizinggsald 13p magnets'to carry the target to the danger pr stion.

6.. In'a signal, the combination of a countei-balanced target normally held by gravity to the safety positionr a rotatable arm, a

plunger ma not, a core in said mavnet havmg 'a ilexi lo connection to sai arm, a Weight, means whereby said Weight is adapted to increase its leverage substantially in proportion to the increashig magnetic pull of the core.

, v7. In a signal, the combination of a counterbalanced target normally held by gravity to the safety position, a rotatable arm, a plunger magnet, a tubular core in said mag- I net having a flexible connection to said arm, a weight, means whereby said weight is adapt-ed to increase its leverage substantially `in proportion to the pull of the magnet to counterbalance said core.

` 8.' In a signal, the combination of an oscillating `frame, a counterbalanced target mounted thereon, rotatable aims also mounted on said frame, a air of plunger magnets, 25 a core in each of sai magnets, a flexible connection from said core to said arms, an armature loosely held in position on said cores, a Weight, means whereby said weight is given a. variable levera e to counterbalance said cores, and means or energizingsaid magnets to raise the tar et. -9. In a signa the combination of an oscillating frame, a counterbalanced target mounted on said frame held by gravity in the safety (position, rotatable arms also mounted on sai frame, a pairy of plunger magnets, a tubular cre in each of said magnets, a flexifble connection from said core to said arms, an armature loosely held in position on said 40 cores, a weight, means whereby said weight is Given a variable leverage to counterbalance -said cores,and means for energizing said magnets toA raise tiie target to the danger position. '10. In asignal, the combination of an oscillating frame, a counterbaland target mounted thereon, rotatable arms also mounted on said frame, a lamp cxeoit closer miounted to be operated by the movement of said frame, said closer being adapted toclose the contact at two points v.simultaneously plunger magnets, cores in said magnets hav -lng a ilexi i means for energizing said magnets to raise the tar et. I

11. a signal, the combination of an oscillatin frame, a counterbalanced target carried y said frame, circular arms also carl6I) tied by said frame, a lamp circuit closer le connection to said armsA a'. counterbalance Weight for Asaid cores andconnection to said arms, a counterbalance Weight for said cores, and means for energizing said magnets to raise the target.

12. In a c evice of the character described, the combination of a target, an electro-m net adapted to actuate said target, an mcator lamp, means for automatically' setting the target to the danger position and li hting said lamp when the hist car enters the dock, a screen, and means for moving said screen to indicate that the mechanism has operated.

13. Ina device of the character described, the combination of a target, an` electro-mag-v net adapted to actuate said target an indicator lamp, means for automatically setting the tar et to the dan er osition and lighting sai lamp when t e rst car enters the block, and means for screening the'lamp momentaril as each car enters the block.

14. In a evice of the character described, the combination of a target normally held by gravity in its inoperative position, an electro-magnet adapted to move said tar et to its danger position, an indicator amp, means for automatically setting the target to the dan er position and li hting said lamp when the i st car enters the lock, and means for screenin said lamp momentarily as each car enters t e block.

15. In a signaling system, a target circuit normally open, a. circuit closer, an electroma et and ratchet wheel for operating sai closer to close said tar et circuit, an dicator lam means for c osinff said lamp circuit and ightin said lamp wlienl the target circuit is close and means for screening said lamp whenever said ratchet wheel is operated in one direction.

16. In a block si aling system, the combination of a signa located at either end of the block, a target, an electro magnet adapted to actuate said target, an indicator lamp, means for automatically settin the vtarget to the danger position and 1i iting sai lamp when the rst car enters the lock, a screen, andan electro-magnet adapted to operate said screenwhereby the same is caused to indicate that the signal at the 0pposite end of the block has operated.

17.- A block signaling system, the combination of@ signal located at either end of the block, a target, means for actuating saidtarget, an indicator lamp, a target setting an a target clearin ma et, means for lighting said-lamp w en t e target is set,

a screen, and means for operating said screen each time the setting ma et 1s energized whereby the same is caiisento indicate that the signal at the opposite end of the block has operated.

IB In a block signaling system, the combination of a signalalocated at either end of lbeblock, a target, an electro-magnet adapted lo actuatesaid target, an indicator lamp,

Y a tlrget setting and a target clearing mages i 876,684

net, means for lighting said lain i when the target at the opposite end of the block is set. a screen, and an electro -magnet in circuit with said target setting magnet whereby said screen is moved before said lamp each time thc. setting magnet is energized to indicate that the signal at the oiiposite end of the block has operated.

it). in a block signaling system the com bination ol' a target, an electro-magnet adapted to actuate said target, an indicator lamp,

' means for automatically setting the targettothe danger Position and lighting said lam i when the first car enters the block, an oscillating screen, and means for causing said screen to vibrate before said lamp inoinentaribyY as each car enters the block- 2U. ln a` blo-cli signaling system, a signal box at euch end of a block, a danger signal in each box, a t'eed wire terminal in cach box, a safety signal in each box, said sa fety signals' heilig electrically connected on one side to cach other through two normally closed switches, and on the other side permanently connected to ground, means for setting the danger signal in the distant box, and thereby disconnecting said safety signals from each .other and connecting the one in the home box with the feed wire terminal in the distant box, thus closing a circuit from said feed wire terminal in the distant box through the. connecting conductor and the other of said safety signals to ground at-the home box when a. car enters the block, and means for 'restoring the normal conditions when the same car leaves the block.

21. In a block signaling systemja signal box at each end of a block, a feed wire terminal in cach box, an electric-all)T operated signal in each box, said signals heilig electrically connected on one side to each other t'rurough two normally closed switches, and on the other side pernnmently connected to ground, means for disconnecting said signals from each other, and connecting either one with the feed wire terminal in the opposite box, thus comple Ifng a circuit from said feed wire terminal in lthe opposite box through the connecting conductor and the other of said signals to ground at the home box 'vs-'hen the first car of a series enters the bloel and means for restoring the normal eoneitions only when the last car of the series leaves the block.

22. In a block signaling system, a signal box ateach end of a block, a danger signal .in each box, a feed wire terminal in each box, aresistance coil between said terminal and the feed wire. in eacl. box, a safety signal in each box, said safety signals being connected on one side to each other through two normally closed switches, and on the other side permanently connected to ground, means for sett-nig the danger signal in the distant box 'and thereby disconnecting said safety signals from each other and connecting the one in the home box with the feed wire terminal in the distant; box, thus closing a cil'- cuit from said feed wire terminal in the distant box through the connecting conductor and the other of said safety signals to ground at the home box when a car enters the block, and means for restoring the normal conditions when the saine car leaves the blocl 23. in a block signaling syst-em, a signal box at each end of a block, a feed wire terminal in each box, a resistance coil between each terminal and the feed wire, an elect-lic.- ally operated signal in each box, said signals being connected on one side to each other'` wire terminal in the opposite box through the connecting conductor and the other of said signals to ground at the. home box when the first car of a series enters the block, and means for restoring the normal conditions only when the last car of the. series leaves the blog'lg.

24;' In a block signaling system, a signal box at cach end of a block, a. danger signal in each box, a feed wire terminal in each box, a safety signal lamp in each box, said signal lamps being connected on one side to each other through two normally closed switches and on the other side permanently connected to ground, means for setting the danger signal in the distant box and thereby disconnecting said signal lamps from each other and connecting the one in the home box with the feed wire terminal in the distant box, thus closing a circuit from said feed wiretermina! in the distant box through the connecting conductor and the other of said safety signal lamps to ground at the home box when a ear enters the block, andmeans for restoring the normal conditions when the same car leaves the block.

25; In a block s'rrnaling fstem, a signal box at each end of a 1oek,a eed wire terminal in each box, a safety signal lamp in each box, said signal ialnps being connected on one side to -eacb other through two normally closed switches, and on the other side ermanently connected to ground, means or disconnectingr said signal lamps from each other and connecting either one with the feed wire terminal in the opposite box thus completing a circuitfrom said feed wire terminal in the opposite box through the. connectanty conductor and the other of said signal `'lamps to ground at the home box when the first ear of a series enters the block, and means for Iestoring the normal conditions only when the last car of the series leaves the block.

26. In a. block signaling system, a signal box at each end of a block, a magnetically actuated target in each box, a feed wire terminal in each box, an electrically operated signalin each bor'- said signals being electric'ail connected on one side to each other throu il two normally closed switches, and on t 1c other side permanenti)Y connected to ground, means actuated by said target for disconnecting said signals from each other and connecting either one'with the feed wire terminal in the opposite box, thus closing a circuit from said feed wire terminal in the opposite box through the connecting conductor and the other of said signals to ground at the home box when a car enters the block, and means for restoring the normal conditlons when the same car leaves the block.

c signal in cach box, said signals 27. In a block signaling system, a signal,

box at each end of a block, a magnetically actuated target in each box, a feed wire terminaliin each box, an electrically operated eing elec trically connected on one side to each other through two normally closed switches, and on-the other side permanently connected to ground, means actuated by said target for (isconnecting said signals from each other and connecting either one with the feed wire terminal in the opposite box, thus completing a circuit from said feed wire terminal in the opposite box through the connecting condnctor and the other of said signals to ground at the home box when the first car of a series enters the block, and means for restoring the normal conditions only when the last car of the series leaves the block.

28. In a block s'vnaling system, a signal box at'each end of Ithe block, a magnetically actuated tar et in eachbox, a feed Wire terminal in eac box, a safety signal lamp in each box, said signal lamps being connected on one side to each other through two normally closed switches, and on the other side permanently connected to round, means actuated by said target for isconnecting said signal lamps from each other and connecting either one with the feed wire terminal in the opposite box, thus closing a circuit from said feed Wire terminal in the opposite box through theconnecting conductor and the -other of said signal lamps to round at the home box when a car enters t e block, and meansfor restoring the normal conditions when the same car leaves the block.

29. In a block signalinf system, a signal boxl at each end of a bloctlc, a magnetically actuated target in each box, a feed wire terminal in each box, a safety signal lamp in each box, said signal lamps being connected on one side to each other through two normally closed switches', and on the other side permanently connected to'ground, means. actuated b said target for disconnectingsaid signal amps from each-other and connecting either one with the feed Wire termina] in the opposite box, thus completing a circuit from said feed Wire terminal in the opposite box through the connecting conductor and the other of said si nal lamps to ground at the home box when t le first car of a series enters the block, and means for restoring the normal conditions only when the last car ofv the series leaves the block..

30. In a block si aling system, s, signal box at each end of ailock, a clearing magnet in each box, an electric circuit for each magnet, an electric switch in each circuit, an electric conductor connecting the two circuits, means including said switch whereby one of said circuits ma be kept open when a car on leaving the bloc closes the other of said circuits to clear the signal at the opposite end of the block.

In testimony whereof I afx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER BEVAN'. Witnesses.

HOWARD E. Bannow, E.'I, OGDEN.