US810027A - Electric signal. - Google Patents

Description

No. 810,027. PATENTED JANlls, 1906.

0. c. BLAKE. ELEGTRIO SIGNAL.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG.19. 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

JNVENTOR.

No. 810,027. PATENTED JAN. 16, 1906. G. G. BLAKE. ELECTRIC SIGNAL.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 19. 1905.

3 SEEET8SHEET 2.

a I r 5 W1 NES'S'ES CHARLES C. BLAKE, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, 1906.

Application filed August 19,1905, Serial No. 274,877.

Be it known that 1, CHARLES C. BLAKE, residing at Brookline, in the county of Norfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Electric Signals, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in electric signals such are employed in connection with long-distance electric trolley-railways wherein there is a central or signal-transmitting station and a plurality of way or signal-receiving stations connected by electric circuits, with means at the central station for selecting any particular way-station to the exclusion of the remainder, to automatically light a lamp at said way-station and cause a semaphore-arm to fall, in order to indicate to an approaching car a call from the train despatcher or other official of the road. Telephone-circuits are arranged between the stations by which verbal directions may be communicated in answer to the signal.

The means employed for selecting the signal apparatus at a station preferably consists of a series of controlling-pendulums at the central station, all of unequal length, nor-,

mally held locked, any one of which is adapted to be released and vibrated to send. electric impulses to the line, and also of a series of single pendulums one at each of the way-stations corresponding in length with those at the central station. The selection of any par ticular way-station instrument depends upon its responding to the vibrations of its controlling central-station pendulum, as it is well known that pendulums of equal length are responsive to a similar number of vibrations, and when any central-station pendulum is set in motion the pendulums at all of the way-stations will respond and vibrate, but only the way-station pendulum which is of the same length as the transmitting-pendulum will become operative and cause a circuit-closer to close a normally open grounded circuit to a source of current and light a sign allamp at the way-station upon the release of a semaphore-arm and also operate a returnsignal at the sending-station. The controlling-pendulums atthe central station are arranged in a suitable frame and are normally held from vibrating by an automatic locking and releasing device and are each provided with a mechanical circuit making and breaking device to send electric impulses to the line, combined with which is an electromagnetic mechanism for closing at frequent intervals a local circuit including a source of current by means of which the pendulum is kept vibrating after having been released. The automatic locking and releasing devices of the controlling-pendulums are each pro vided with a switch-socket and are controlled by a plug which forms the terminal of the line, which when inserted in any one of the said sockets releases that particular pendulum and connects the line thereto. Upon the termination of the ensuing conversation the conductor of the car mechanically resets the semaphore-arm and thus effaces the lamp-signal, and the despatcher having previously withdrawn the said connecting-plug the several parts automatically become normal.

The invention also relates to certain details of construction, all of which I will now proceed to describe, and point out in the appended claims.

Of the drawings which illustrate the invention, Figure 1 is an elevation of the way-station receiving apparatus, various portions being broken away and shown in section for the clear comprehension of the same. Fig. 2 is a detached side view of the receiving elec tromagnetic pendulum device, and Fig. 3 is a detached front view in section on line 0 g of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detached view of semaphore-arm-locking device. Fig. 5 is a front view of the external appearance of the receiving apparatus. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the signaling system in which is shown the transmitting mechanism, the re ceiving mechanism, and the connectingcircuits; and Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are detailed views of the operative parts of the transmitter.

The operative parts of the transmitter located at the despatchers office X areall attached to a suitable frame A, of which but a small portion is indicated in full lines.

It will be understood that as many inde pendent controlling-pendulums will be employed as there are signal-stations on a sign alcircuit, and when not connected with one signal-circuit may be used with other circuits. In the drawings I have represented four, which when at rest are all in a line with each other and pivoted at l to support 2, secured to the frame A. The rod 100 extends downward and its end 12, secured in a step-lever 9, pivoted to a standard 13. The said lever is provided with notches 11, into one of which the rod is caught and held from vibrating. A

IIO

weight w is secured to the rod midway of its length, and @12 7.0 and indicate the weights on the other rods. The upper end of the pendulum-rod bears two beveled steel catches 15 and 15, held in a socket by a clamp 14. The catch 15 is beveled to the left, and the catch 15 is beveled to the right. The catch 15 is adapted to engage the pawl 17, pivoted to the lever 21 of the circuit-closing device B, and the catch 15" is likewise adapted to engage with the pawl 17, pivoted to the lever 21 of the circuit-closing device B The levers 21 and 21 swing freely upon the rod 22, secured in the standards 23 and normally rest upon the stops of said standards, and each lever carries an insulated rod 27 and 27*, which extend rearward and bear upon the respective springs and 25, secured to an insulatingblock, while their opposite ends are turned upward and extend through the ends of the levers directly under the ends of the levers 31, pivoted to the supports 34, from which wires and 35 extend to a source of current, as a trolley-wire t.

Extending from the levers 9 of the penduhum-tripping device are upright rods 7, each terminating in a metal bar 5, having a perforation 6, adjacent to which is a metal bar 3, which may be a part of the frame, having a perforation 4, and when the rods 7 are in the position shown in which the pendulums are locked the perforation 6 does not coincide with the perforation 4, and the bar 3 is connected to the spring 25 by the wire 33. The spring 25 is connected by wire 41 with the electromagnet I) on one side, and its other side is grounded. The armature 38 is pivoted at 37 and carries a lever 0, whose free end 0 bears against the rod 100. The line-wire 43, which connects station X with the way-sta tions, terminates in the plug d and has in circuit the electromagnet e of the sounder D employed to give a return signal to indicate that a selected semaphore-arm at a way-station has fallen, and the said wire includes at each station an electromagnet f and is grounded at the last station.

The apparatus at each way-station consists of a standard N, adapted to be secured to a pole, tree, or other suitable support by means of bolts 120, and has upon its opposite end a round head 118, having its upper end concaved and a bolt O passing therethrough. The said standard is adapted to support the entire receiving apparatus, consisting of a base-plate M, having the convex rojection or ring 117 fitting into the head 118, and the frame F, to which the operative parts are attached. The bolt 0 screws into a nut P within the convex ring and when screwed tightly therein enables the base-plate and frame to be universally adjusted to meet the irregularities of angles found with the supporting-poles, &c. The base-plate has an offset 119 on each side to support the metal removable cover or case H, which incloses the parts of the apparatus, which has inserted at its lower outer corners, on both sides, the colored glass disks or bulls-eyes J J. A shaft 11 in bearings 81 extends across the base-plate and has secured to its end outside the case a semaphore-arm K, whose hub is provided with strikers 11.6, adapted to come in contact with the rest 105 when elevated and when in its fallen position, and also an arrester 2, which is arranged to strike a spring or cushion 115 when the arm falls to break the force of the fall.

S is aknife-switchnormally open, but when shut closes a circuit from the trolley-wire t to the lamps Z and Z between the blade thereof and the cam On the shaft 71 is a pivoted rod g, on which is a pin 64, pressing under the spring h. The switch S is shown closed and the spring h in contact with its anvil in Fig. 6 and the reverse in Fig. 1.

C C, and C represent way-stations on the line.

W is a pendulum device, consisting of a base-plate 0, bolted to the frame F with the standards 55 and 0", the former supporting the magnetf, and by means of. the arm 127 the lever also, whose free end bears under the spring 8 and has pivoted thereto the rod u, having an elongated slot 134 in its end in which plays the pin 133, and the catch 135 is also pivoted to said lever and hangs freely on its pivot. The plate 0 is provided also with the standards 0 0, between which extends the shaft 131, to which is pivoted the armature 139 by the arms 150, between which on said shaft is the lever 138, which is adapted to swing on said shaft independently of the armature and whose upper end rests upon the upper part thereof and is normally held there by the thumb-nut 143 on the end of rod 142, to which is attached one end of the spring 141, whose other end is connected to the outer end of the bent rod 140, the inner end of which is screwed into the armature. Integral with the lever 138 is the downwardly-extending lever 129, whose end bears upon the pendulum-rod o, to whose lower end is attached the weight W The upper end of said rod is forked and is pivoted to the flat shaft 136, whose ends are preferably knife-edges which rotate in suitable bearings 128 in the standards 0". To the flat shaft 136 is screwed the beveled-faced latch 151, which is adapted to engage the notch in the lower end of the catch, as will be explained. The spring 8 is screwed to the wooded or insulated piece 130, fastened to the base-plate 0 by the screw-post 54, to which is also screwed the screw- posts 52 and 53. The spring 8 is adapted when elevated by the lever 125 to come in contact with the spring 5 screwed by its foot to the base 0. The rod 11, extends downward and is pivoted to one end of the toggle-lever whose opposite end is ointed in the center of the lever 22, which is pivoted at 106 to the frame F, while its opposite free end is pivoted at 109 to the latch 0:, whose forward end 112 rests normally (or when the semaphore-arm K is up or in its safety position) upon a spur or projection 111 on the lever q, and in the notch 110 in the lower corner of the said latch rests the spline 80 in the cam Thelevers q and p, with the latch :13, constitute a locking device for the semaphore-arm, which is to be select- I ively unlocked from the operating-station.

In signaling-stations it frequently happens that the electric lamp, as Z, employed becomes inoperative, and to avoid the absence of a lamp-signal in such a contingency I provide a second lamp, as Z which is automatically switched into circuit, and to convey to the observer the information of the failure of the first lamp the light of the second lamp is made to flicker. This result is obtained by the device E, which consists of a base-plate 153, to which is secured the electromagnets 101 and 154 and to which is pivoted at 90 the armature 89, to which is attached the spring 91, adapted to make contact with the insulated arm 93, which is secured to the plate'153 by the binding-post 84. A vibrating ring n, with a central hub m, secured to the ring by the arm 98, is balanced on a knife-ed ge bearing is, secured in the plate 153. An armature 97 extends from the hub and when attracted to the pole of the magnet 101 causes the ring to vibrate on its hearing as the pin 95 strikes the spring 94, secured to the insulated screwpost 87, and 85 and 86 are other insulated screw-posts to which wires are connected, as will be explained. I The operation of the devices B and B will be seen by inspecting the local circuits as de- .veloped in Figs. 6 and 9 in connection with the following description.

In the operation of the invention it will be assumed that the operator at station X wishes to cause the lamp to be lighted and the sema here-arm to drop at way-station C, No. 1. l fe will therefore place the plug d in the plug-hole 4, marked station 1. As the point of the plug enters hole 6 of the bar 5 it will raise the same to the level of the hole 4, pulling up lever 9 and depressing the notched end, and thus releasing the pendulum-rod 100, which commences to swing forward, and as it is locked back far enough to produce its maximum swing or vibration when it is unlocked it starts away with considerable momentum which is maintained by supplementary means. At frequent intervals the latch 15 will engage the catch 17 and lift the lever 21 to the lever 31, as will be readily understood, and close a local circuit from trolley-wire t, wire 35, levers 31 and 21 spring 25*, wire 41, magnet b and ground, causing the armature 38 to be attracted and the lever c to bear against the rod (1 of the pendulum and force it forward and so keep the same to its full vibration. This is a distinctive feature of the invention (both in the transmitting and receiving devices) that the pendulum when unlocked is kept at its maximumamplitude of vibration by the supplementary or auxiliary means described, and each time that it swings backward with accumulated power the beveled edge of the latch 15 will engage the edge 18 of the catch 17 and as it swings farther back will bring the same along with it, lifting it and the lever 21 so that the contact 29 will press under the contact 30 and lift the lever 31 but when the latch gets a little by the perpendicular it strikes the projection 19 on the catch and is forced out from it, whereupon the lever 21 falls and contact 29 separates from 30. When the contacts 29 and 30 are together, a circuit is formed by way of the trolley-wire t, wire 35, levers 31 and 2], spring 25, wire 33, plug (Z, conductor 43, out to station 1, magnet f, and to the magnets of the other stations to ground, with the. result that all of thearmatures 139 are attracted and cause the several pendulums v to swing. Each time that the pendulum lifts the levers 21 and 31 power is expended, and the pendulum would lag in its vibration and .lianlly be arrested altogether if it was not caught by the lever c and kept up to its maximum amplitude of vibration, so that the latch 15 will at each backward movement continue to engage the catch 17 and repeat the closure of the main-line circuit. The pendulum will continue to swing its full stroke strong and vigorously and send a continuous series of current impulses over the line-wire to actuate the mechanism at the selected station. The parts necessarily are made heavy and strong, so that when vibrating there will be a considerable mass of metal in motion in order that the vibrations will be equally timed, so that the receiving mechanism may be properly responsive.

As stated, the pend ulums at all of the waystations will be set in motion when a controlling-pendulum is vibrating; but only the one which corresponds to or is in unison with the controlling-pendulum will reacha suflicient amplitude of vibration to permit its catch 157 to engage the latch 1.35, and in swinging back it will lift the same and the lever and carry the spring 8 into contact with the spring .9 at the same time the rod u is lifted, which raises the lever q, so that its projection 111 slides from under the point 112 of the toggle, which drops down upon the face of the cam 7', as shown in Fig. 4, releases the spline 80 from the opening 110, whereupon the semaphore-arm drops down into the horizontal position, (indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5,) the stop-piece 116 coming in contact with the abutment 105, while the buffer-lever .2 strikes the spring or cushion 115, which may be of any desired construction When the arm E falls, the cam is turned, the rod 9 is raised, and the switch S closed, while the spring It comes in contact with its anvil 65. The circuits are shown in Fig. 6 in operative situation, although the plug (,7, is not inserted in the hole 4, and after the fall 01' the arm K the following circuits are established: a shunt-circuit from trolley-wire t, conductor 50, resistances 1* 7", switch S, wires 66 and 68, normal lamp-signal Z, wires 71, binding-screw 85, magnet 154, binding-screw 84, wire 72 to ground, and the lamp is lighted, the armature 89 is attracted, and its spring 91 is separated from its stop 92. A second shunt-circuit is formed from binding-post 54, springs s 5*, wire 59, spring 7L, wires 74 and 75 to ground, which cuts 011 most of the current, traversing conductor 43 to the other way-stations.

The vibration of the armature 139 would be suflicient to allow the pendulum 1; its full swing; but the integral levers 1.38 and 129, which move the pendulum hereinbetore stated, operate independently of the armature, and having their upper extremities connected by the spring 141 the levers follow the armature in practically equal times, and as the spring makes an elastic connection no shock is produced or disturbance created. This is of importance when for any cause the pulsations sent over the line are of unequal or excessive amperage. This will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 3, which shows the separation between the armature and the levers.

Instead of the transmitting device shown and described I may employ to send characteristic impulses the well-known La (four wheels, of which no description is necessary.

In the event of the normal signal-lamp becoming disabled and opening the circuit the current is diverted through the flickerlamp Z by wire to screw-post S6, magnet 101, binding-post 195, wire 103, to the pivot-screw 90, (and as in such a case the current ceases to pass through magnet 154 its armature and spring 91 fall away, the latter making contact with its stop 92,) the circuit continues by spring 91, step 92, binding-post 84, wires 72 and to ground, and the lamp Z is lighted; but as the magnet 101 attracts its armature 97 the balance-wheel n is rotated in its bearing 7c, and the pin 95 strikes the spring 94 and momentarily completes a local shunt-circuit from lamp Z wire 70, magnet 101, wire 104, pin 95, spring 94, and wire 96 to the lamp. Consequently the current is shut oil from the magnet and its armature being released separates the pin 95 from the spring 94 and the light goes out, whereupon the current again energizes the magnet and the same result is produced i. 0., a lighting and extinguishing of the lamp or causing the same to flicker. l/Vhile lighting the lamp gives the signal, the flickering oi" the same indicates trouble with the normal lamp.

Each time that the catch 157.engages the pawl 135 and grounds the line, the current which otherwise is not sufficient to cause the armature 44 of the sounder D to be attracted becomes sull'icient and the armature gives a stroke, provided the transmitting and receiving devices are in unison, as often as the lever 125 is lilted and the spring .9 closes with the spring 8 and operates as a return-signal, and the attendant knows that the semaphorearm K has fallen.

The signals remain set until a car comes to the station and the conductor thereof rings up the central station and ascertains by means of the telephones '1 over the circuit Y the illStIllCtlOIlS waiting for him.

It will be readily understood that when the conductor pulls the cord 79, attached to arm 78, and resets the semaphore-arm the switch S is opened and the lamp extinguished and that when the operator at station X withdraws the plug d the pendulum-rod 100 in swinging will engage with the teeth 11 on the lever 9 and come to rest. When the serum phore-arm is returned to its upright position, as the cam rotates the pin or spline 80 strikes the heel 113 of the toggle a and forces it upward, so that when the lever p returns to its normal position the point 112 will ride upon the projection 111 and hold the toggle locked on the spline 80.

To complete the description of the operative machine, I have shown a wire 63 from binding-post 53 to ground and the section of spark gap lightning arrester 57 attached thereto, adjacent to which on the wire 43 is another section 58, and on the other side upon a branch from wire 43 a third section 56 of the arrester is shown.

I claim as my invention 1. A selective signal system consisting of a transmittingstation having a series of pendulums adapted to send electric impulses 01 different periodicy over a line-wire when connected thereto a series of way-stations each provided with a pendulum device adapted to respond to the vibrating of one only of said transinitting-pendulums, an electric-lana signal and a semaphore-arm which become operative when the unison of vibrations is es tablished between the transmitter and receivcr.

A selective signal system consisting of a transmitting-statien having a series of independent pendulums adapted to send electric impulses of different periodicity over a linewire when connected thereto, each. pendulum normally locked in a retracted position and adapted to be unlocked and connected directly to the line-wire, and when unlocked to operate a circuit-closing device and send characteristic impulses to line; a series of waystations each provided with a pendulum device arranged to respond to the vibrations of one only of the transmitting-pendulums, hav- IIC ing a signal-lamp in a normally open circuit and a semaphore-arm locked to safety position, with means, when said pendulum device becomes responsive to said characteristic impulses, to close the lampcircuit and unlock the semaphore-arm.

3. A selector signal system consisting of a transmitting-station having a series of inde pendent pendulums adapted to send electric impulses of different periodicity over a linewire when connected thereto, each pendulum normally locked in a retracted position and adapted to be unlocked and connected directly to the linewire, and when unlocked to operate acircuit-closing device and send characteristic impulses to line, a local and second circuit-closing device with means for actuating the same and for maintaining the pendulum vibrations; a series of way-stations each provided with a pendulum device arranged to respond to the vibrations of one only of the transmittingpendulums, having a signallamp in a normally open circuit and a semaphore-arm locked to safety position, with means when said pendulum device becomes responsive to said characteristic impulses to .close said lamp-circuit, and unlock the semaphore-arm.

4. A selective signal system consisting of a transmitting-station having a series of independent pendulums adapted to send electric impulses of different periodicity over a linewire when connected thereto, each pendulum normally locked in a retracted position and adapted to be unlocked and connected directly to the line-wire, and when unlocked adapted to operate a circuit-closing device and send characteristic impulses to line; a series of way-stations each provided with an electromagnetic device arranged to respond to the vibrations of one only of the transmitting-pendulums, having a signal-lamp in a normally open circuit, and a semaphorearin locked to safety position with means, when said electromagnetic device becomes responsive to said characteristic impulses, to close the lamp-circuit and unlock the semaphorearm, and ground the electromagnet of the device at the selected station.

5. A selective signal system consisting of a transmitting-station having a series of independent pendulums adapted to send electric impulses of different periodicity over a linewire when connected thereto, each pendulum normally locked in a retracted position and adapted to be unlocked and connected directly to the line-wire, and when unlocked to operate acircuit-closing device and send characteristic impulses to line, a local and second circuit-closing device with means for intermittently actuating the same and for maintaining the pendulum vibrations; a series of way-stations each provided with an electromagnetic pendulum device arranged to respondto the vibrations of one only of the transmitting-pendulums, having a signallamp in a normally open circuit and a semaphore-arm locked to safety position, with means when said pendulum device becomes responsive to said characteristic impulses to close the lampcircuit, unlock the semaphorearm, and ground the electromagnet of the device, at the selected station.

6. A selective signal system consisting of a transmitting-station having a series of independent pendulum devices adapted to send electric impulses of different periodicity over a line-wire when connected thereto, and means for maintaining the said impulses at a uniform rate of vibration; a series of way-stations each provided with an electromagnetic pendulum device arranged to respond to the vibrations of one only .of the transmittingpendulums, a lamp in a normally open grounded circuit from a trolley-wire, a semaphorearm locked to safety position, and means to close the lamp-circuit, unlock the semaphore- .arm, and ground the electromagnet of the selected device.

7 A selective signal system consisting of a transmitting-station having a series of inde pendent pendulum devices adapted to send electric impulses of different periodicity over a line-wire when connected thereto, means for maintaining the impulses at a uniform rate of vibration, the pendulum of each device being held in a retracted position and provided with a releasing mechanism arranged to be operative when connected to the line-wire a series of way-stations each provided with an electromagnetic pendulum device arranged to respond to the vibrations of one only of the transmitting pendulums, the magnets of each device being included in the line-circuit, a source of current a lamp in an open circuit to ground from the source of current, a semaphore-arm locked to safety position, with means to close the lamp-circuit, unlock the semaphorearm and ground the magnet of the selected device.

8. A selective signal system consisting of a transmitting-station having a series of independent pendulum devices adapted to send electric impulses of different periodicity over a line-wire when connected thereto, means for maintaining the impulses at a uniform rate of vibration, the pendulum of each device being held in a retracted position and provided with releasing mechanism arranged to be operative when connected to the line-wire a series of way-stations each provided with-an electromagnetic pendulum device arranged to respond to the vibrations of one only of the transmitting-pendulums, the magnets of each device in the line-circuit, a source of current, a normal lamp in an open circuit to ground from the source of current, a second lamp in a branch circuit with means for automatically including the latter lamp in the said open circuit and for intermittently shunting the same, a semaphore-arm locked to safety position with means to close the lamp-circu1t, unlock the semaphore-arm and ground the magnet at the selected device.

9. A selective device consisting of a base part upon which rests a frame part, having concave and convexportionsfitting into each other secured by a bolt and nut,the base part provided with means for attachment to a support or foundation; the frame part provided with a shaft carrying a semaphore-arm and a cam, a locking device, circuit-switches, an electromagnetic pendulum device composed of an electromagnet, its combined armature and adjustable spring-lever, a pendulum, with latching means for engaging with and operating a circuitcloser, the locking device and the said circuit-switches.

10. A selective signal system consisting of a transmitting-station having a series of independent pendulum devices adapted to send characteristic electric impulses over a linewire, each pendulum normally held in a retracted position by a locking device, and having latching mechanism independently operating two circuit-closers whereby said impulses are sent to line when a pendulum device is connected therewith and unlocked, and a local magnet is energized to cause the pendulum to maintain its maximum rate of vibration a line-wire normally disconnected at the transmitting-station, extending to a series of way-stations each provided with an electromagnetic pendulum device arranged to respond to the vibrations of one only of the transmitting-pendulums provided with a magnet its armature combined by an elastic connection with a lever for vibrating the receiving-pendulum provided with latching means, a lamp in an open and grounded circuit from a source of'current, a semaphorearm held to safety position by a locking device, with means to close the lamp-circuit, unlock the semaphore-arm and ground the magnet at the selected device.

11. The combination with a circuit-closer having a depending pawl, of a pendulum in the form of a lever of the first order provided with a catch on its short arm, and an adjustable weight upon its long arm, means for vibrating the pendulum consisting of an electromagnet, an armature therefor with a lever attached thereto whose lower end bears upon the long arm of the pendulum.

12. The combination with a circuit-closer having a depending pawl, of a pendulum in the form of a lever of the first order provided with a catch on its short arm, and an adjustable weight upon its long arm, means for vibrating the pendulum consisting of an electromagnet, an armature therefor with a lever in elastic connection therewith whose lower pnd bears upon the long arm of the pendu- 13. Means for closing an electric circuit,

consisting of a pendulum provided with a beveled catch, a pivoted lever whose free end is adapted to bear upon a circuit-closer and to carry a suspended pawl or latch, an electromagnet, its armature with a lever attached thereto whose lower end bears upon the pendulum.

14. Means for closing an electric circuit consisting of a pendulum provided. with a beveled catch, a pivoted lever whose free end is adapted to bear upon a circuit-closer and to carry a suspended pawl or latch, an electromagnet, its armature with a lever in elastic connection therewith whose lower end bears upon the pendulum-rod.

15. A double circuit-closing device consisting of a pendulum provided with two beveled catches, two levers from which are suspended a pawl or latch, an electromagnet, its armature and a lever attached thereto whose lower end bears upon the pendulum-rod.

16. A locking and releasing device for signals, composed of a semaphore-arm upon a shaft secured to a frame with a cam having a pin or spline, a long lever pivoted to the frame, a short lever pivoted to the center ol. said long lever having an abutment or projection and a rod attached to its free end, a latch pivoted to the free end of the long lever whose free end is adapted to rest upon the abutment with a slot in the heel of the latch to embrace the said spline.

17. A pendulum locking and releasing device, consisting of a frame, a rod provided with a hole at its upper end out of center with a hole in the frame, its lower end connected to a lever pivoted to a support, said lever provided with notches to engage the end of the pendulum-rod, with a plug adapted to enter said holes and raise said rod.

18. A selective signal system consisting of a transmitting-station provided with a plurality of independent and normally detached means for transmitting electric impulses of different periodicity over a normally open line-wire; a series of way-stations each provided with a pendulum device adapted to respond to one of said transmitted periodicities only, and a semaphore-arm which becomes operative when the unison of frequencies is established between the transmitter and re ceiver.

19. A selective signal system consisting of a transmitting-station having a series of independent pendulums adapted to send electric impulses of different periodicity over a line-wire when connected thereto, each pendulum normally locked in a retracted position and adapted to be unlocked and connected to the line-wire, and when unlocked to operate a circuit-closing device and send characteristic impulses to line; a series of way-stations each provided with a pendulum device arranged to respond to the vibrations of one only of the transmitting-pendulums, having a normally locked signal adapted to be displayed when said pendulum device becomes responsive to its characteristic impulses.

20. Means for closing an electric circuit responsive to characteristic impulses, consisting of an electromagnet, a pendulum provided with a lifting-catch adapted to be vibrated by the armature of said magnet and a circuit-closing device having a suspended pawl in the path of said catch, whereby when said pendulum becomes responsive to said impulses its catch will engage with the pawl and operate the circuit-closing device.

21. A selective signal system consisting of a transmitting-station provided with means for transmitting electric impulses of different periodicity over a line-wire; a series of waystations each provided with a pendulum device consisting of an electromagnet, a pendulum provided with a lifting-catch adapted to be vibrated by the armature of said magnet, and a circuit-closing device having a suspended pawl in the path of the catch, whereby when said pendulum becomes responsive to said impulses its catch will engage with the pawl and operate the circuit-closing device.

22. Means for closing an electric circuit responsive to characteristic impulses; consisting of an electromagnet, a pendulum provided with a lifting-catch adapted to be vibrated by the armature of said magnet, a circuit-closing device having a suspended pawl in the path of said catch, and a semaphorearm; whereby when said pendulum becomes responsive to said impulses its catch will engage with the pawl, operate the circuit-closing device, and display the semaphorearm.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 25th day of July, 1905.

CHARLES C. BLAKE.

WVitnesses E. J. BURKE, O. H. HoBBs.

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