US2184544A - Train describer system - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 26, 1939. H, D BRQQKS Er AL 2,184,544 TRAIN DESCRIBER SYSTEM Filed Nov. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a s Sigg e: 5 m lf n 2 E l l n 2 'gg a I NN u;

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9' "l f 1 ku. INVENTORS f 1 H.D.Brooks ""f/ A.Robers t BY uw THEIR ATTORNEY.

. 26, 1939. H. D. BRooKs Er A1.

TRAIN DESCRIBER SYSTEM Filed NOV. 14, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ORS INVENT um.. A.

w m 0 .R M Mm m. A B m D.. n Hm T Patented Dec. 26, 1939 UNITED *STATES rATi-:Nr orifice TRAIN DESCRIBE-R SYSTEM Application November 14, 1935, Serial No. 49,792

22 Claims.

This invention relates to train describers or announcersand it more particularly pertains to a semi-automatic train describer or announcer, whereby trains of one class cause the circuits to function automatically to display a lamp or the like at a distant point, while trains of another class require a manual operation of a push button or the like to cause the circuits to funciton to display another lamp at the distant point, for identifying approaching trains.

In accordance with the present invention it is proposed to indicate at a distant platform or station the kind or class of the next car or train that is approaching, such as local or express trains, or the destination of such car or train and to cancel or Wipe out these indications automatically as the train enters the station.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means for automatically storing in train describer units or relay groups the identity of a plurality of trains which pass a first station and for displaying at a second station an indication manifesting the identity of the trains one at atime in the order of their passing the rst station, with each succeeding indication being displayed as the preceding train leaves the second station.

Another feature of the present invention resides l Other objects, purposes and characteristic fea` tures of the present invention will be obvious from the accompanying drawings when taken in connection with the following description.

In describing the invention in detail reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figs. l and 2 when placed end to end in the order named and with correspondingly identified lines in alignment, show the invention applied to a section of track over which trains'of two classes travel from west to east (left to right), with trafc routed over two separate routes at the second station.

For convenience' in describing the present nvention,A it will be assumed that Myrtle Avenue trains and Fifth Avenue trains pass 'through the Bridge Street station illustrated in Fig. l and are (Cl. 24S- 2) routed by way of track switch TS (and corresponding signals not shown) at the Navy Street station (illustrated in Fig. 2) over Myrtle Avenue track MAT and Fifth Avenue track FAT respectively. It `will also be assumed that an attendant on each Fifth Avenue train is instructed to manually operate push button FAB illustrated in the upper left hand portion of Fig. l, while the attendant on each Myrtle Avenue train 'does not operate this button.

It will also be assumed that any number of trains up to four may have their identity stored in the fourv groups of relays of Fig. 2 before one is cleared out of the Navy Street station. It will be understood that this number can be increased by increasing the number of groups o-f relays shown grouped by the heavy dashed lines of Fig. 2. It is believed that the features of the present the detailed operation of the system.

Operation invention may be best understood' by considering u rtrack batteries not` shown. Relay AGA illustrated in the upper right hand portion of Fig. 2 is normally energized over an obvious circuit closed at back contact 60 of relay l3TP.

In the following description it will be understood that those relays having heavylines at the upper portion of the block illustrating the winding of each relay indicate that the relay is slow to pick up, while those relays having a heavy line at the lower portion `of the block illustrating the winding of the relay indicates that the relay is slow to release. i

Entrance and sto/ragef-It will be assumed that the first train to enter the track section of 4the Bridge Street station with which track relay IT is associated is a Fifth Avenue train and as above pointed out an attendant will operate push but-- ton FAB as the train passes through this station.

The dropping of'relay IT in response to the entrance of the train in the associated track section closes an obvious circuit at back contact I0 for picking up relay ITP. When button FAB is actuated a circuit is closed for picking up relay IC which extends from (-1-), Contact of button, FAB front contact l I of relay lTP and winding of relay IC to Relay IC closes a stick circuit for itself Which extends from front contact l2 of relay ITP, front contact I3 and winding of relay IC to Relay IC closes an obvious circuit at its front contact Il! for lighting pilot lamp PL, which lamp indicates that the button has been properly operated by the train attendant.

A circuit is now closed for picking up relay NP which extends from (-1-) front contact I5 of relay IC and winding of relay NP to The picking up of relay I C also closes a circuit for picking up relay 2C which extends from (-1-) front contact 6I of relay AGA, back contact III of relay 4X, conductor 52, back contact I6 of relay ZTP, front contact I'I of relay IC and winding of relay 2C to Relay 2C completes a stick circuit for itself which extends from (-1-), front contact I8 of relay IC, front contact I9 and winding of relay 2C to The picking up ci relay IC also closes a circuit for applying a FA pulse to conductor 53 for picking up relay IF, which circuit extends from (-1-) front contact 5I of relay AGA, back Contact 8I of relay IIX, conductor 62, back contact I6 of relay 2T?, front contact I'I of relay IC, back contact I9 of relay 2C, conductor t3, back contact Sil of relay IlX, back contact 65 of relay 3X, back contact IE5 of relay 2X1, back contact 5l of relay IX and winding of relay IF to It will be noted that this pulse is applied to conductor 63 after relay IC picks up and before relay EC picks up to open back contact I9, due to the fact that relay 2C is slow to pick up. Relay IF closes a stick circuit for itself which extends from (-1-), back Contact 38 of relay STP, front contact t9 and winding of relay IF to A circuit is now closed for energizing lamp FA as an indication that the next approaching train is a Fifth Avenue train, which circuit extends from (-1)`, front contact 'I0 of relay IF and lamp FA to Relay IX is energized over a circuit extending from front contact II of relay IF, back contact l2 of relay IY and winding of relay IX to Relay IX closes a circuit at its front contact 'i3 which bridges back contact l2 and is for the purpose of maintaining relay IF energized after relay IY is picked up 1 over a circuit extending from (-1-), front contact 'III of relay IX and winding of relay IY to Relay IF closes a circuitI at its front contact l5 for operating switch machine SM to operate the track switch to its reverse position, which circuit extends through a Contact of double pole double throw switch SW and reverse switch machine conductor RC. It will be obvious that the track switch may be manually controlled by lever SML when switch SW is thrown to its upper position.

It will be noted that contacts 6l and 'I'I of relay IX transfer the FA pulse conductor 63 and the MA pulse conductor $33 from the IF and IM relays respectively to the 2F and ZM relays respectively, so that the second train can be registered on the proper relay 2F or 2M in accordance with its identity.

When the Fifth Avenue train enters the track section with which relay 2T is associated this relay drops and closes an obvious circuit at its back contact 2&1 for energizing relay BTP. Relay ETP closes a stick circuit for relay NP which extends from (-1-), front Contact 2l of relay ETP, front contact 22 and winding of relay NP to The picking up of relay ETP transfers the set up conductor t2 from the circuit leading to relay 2C to the circuit leading to relay AZR, which circuit is open at this time at back contact 23 of relay NP.

When the Fifth Avenue train leaves the track section with which relay IT is associated this relay picks up and de-energizes relay ITP at open back contact It. Relay ITP drops and effects the dropping of relay IC by opening its stick circuit at front contact Iii.4 The pilot lamp is deenergized at open front contact I II and relay 2C is de-energized at open front contact I3.

When the Fifth Avenue train clears out of the track section with which relay 2T is associated this relay picks up and de-energizes relay ETP at open back contact it. Relay NP is now deenergized at open front contact ZI of relay ETP.

It will be assumed that a Myrtle Avenue train enters the Bridge Street station while the indication Which identifies the Fifth Avenue train is stored in the iirst group of relays as above described. The dropping of relay IT again energizes relay ITP but since button FAB is not actuated neither relay IC nor 2C is picked up. When the Myrtle Avenue train enters the second track section relay 2T is dropped and relay 2TP is picked up but in this instance relay NP' is not energized because of open front contact I5 of relay IC.

Relay AZR is energized in response to the entrance of the Myrtle Avenue train into the second section over a circuit extending from (1) front contact 6I of relay AGA, back contact 3| of relay IX, conductor 62, front contact I6 of relay 2TP, back contact 23 of relay NP and winding of relay AZR to The opening of back contact 24 of relay AZR disconnects the MA pulse conductor 83 but since this relay is slow to pick up, a pulse is applied to conductor 83 for an interval of time suflicient to pick up relay 2M over a circuit extending from (-1-) on the right hand terminal of relay AZR (above traced), back contact 24 of relay AZR, conductor $3, back contact 82 of relay LIX, back contact 8d of relay 3X, back contact 85 of relay 2X, front contact 'Il of relay IX and winding or" relay 2M to Relay 2M closes a stick circuit for itself extending from (-1-), front contact 8S of relay IY, front contact 8l and winding of relay 2M to closes a stick circuit for itself which extends from (-1-), front contact 25 of relay ETP, front contact 26 and winding or' relay AZR to The picking up of relay 2M closes a circuit for picking up relay 2X which extends from (-1),

' front contact 88 of relay 2M, back contact 39 of relay ZY and winding of relay 2X to Front contact 80 of relay 2X bridges back contact 89 of relay 2Y s0 that relay 2X is maintained energized after relay ZY is picked up over a circuit extending from (-1-), front contact 9U of relay 2X and winding of relay ZY to From the above it will be observed that relay 2M is energized to store the identity of the second train entering the Bridge Street station but that this relay does not complete a circuit for the train identifying lamp. It prepares a circuit at its iront Contact 9i for picking up relay IM to transfer the second storage indication to the first group of relays, but this circuit is not cornplete at this time because of open back contact 92 of relay IX. It will also be observed that relay 2X transfers the FA pulse wire 63 and the MA pulse wire S3 from the F and M relays of the second group to the F and M relays of the third group at front contacts 56 and 85 respectively.

When the second train (Myrtle Avenue) leaves the first track section, relay IT is picked up and relay ITP is dropped in the manner previously described. When the second train leaves the second track section, relay 2T is picked up and re- Relay AZR lay 2TP is dropped in the manner-previously described. The dropping of relay 2TP de-energizes the stick circuit of relay AZR at open frontfcontact 25 and relay AZR is released.

It will noW be-assurned that, While the identities of the rst and second trains are sto-red in groups I and 2, a third train (Myrtle Avenue) enters the Bridge Street station. This eiectsthe drop.- ping of relay iT and the ,picking-up of relay ITP as previously described. Relays IC, 2C and NP remain cle-energized but relay AZR is pickedup as previously described.- A circuit: is closed; for

applying apulse to the MA pulse wire Sii-before the picking up of relay AZR, which circuit is effected by the closure of front contact I6 of relax7 2TP before the opening of backcontact ZII of relay AZR.

This pulse applied to conductor 83 4extends through front contact 85 of relay 2Xy and through the Winding -of relay 3M to Relay 3M picks up and closes a stick circuit for itself extending from (-1-), front Contact 93 of relay 2Y, front contact 94 and Winding of relay 3M to A circuit is now closed for picking 'up relay 3X which extends from (-1-), front contact 95 of relay 3M, back contact 9E of relay SY and Winding of relay 3X to Front contact 91 of relay 3X bridges back contact 9E of relay 3Y so that relay SX is maintained energized after SY is picked up over an obvious circuit including front contact 9S of relay 3X.

When the third train clears out of the rst and second track sections the relays are restored to the positions indicated in Fig. l in thepreviously described manner. When a fourth train enters the Bridge Street station it effects the above described operations of 'relays IT, ITP, 2T and ZTP and in the event that this is a Fifth Avenue train for example, theoperation of button FABpicks up relay IC, after. which relays ZC and NP are energized. A pulse is applied to FA puise con-- ductor Se before the -openingof `back contact- I9 of relay 2C in the-previously described manner, which pulse extends through back contact 64 of relay 4X, front contact 65 of relay 3X and` Winding of relay IF to Relay 4F is picked up and its stick circuit is closed which extends from (-1-), fron-tr contactr 99 of relay SY, front contact Imi-and Winding of relay IF to It Will of course -be obvious that this stick circuit would extend through front contact IGI to the Winding-.of relay 4M in the event that relay 4M Was picked up due to the fourth train being a Myrtle Avenuetrain. It Will also be obvious that front contacts |02 and |83 complete stick circuits for relays 2F and 3F respectively in the event that these relaysare picked up in response to the secondandthird. trains being Fifth Avenue trains instead of My-rtlev Avenue trains as above assumed.

The picking up of relay 4F closes a circuitv for picking up relay 4X which extends .from (-1-), front contact IGII of relay 4F and winding'of relay AX to Since there is no YA relay inthe fourth (last) group there is no contact onY relay AX corresponding to'contact @l on relay 3X.

It will be obvious from an examinationA of Fig. 2 that either an F or an M relay of each group closes a pick-up circuit for the X relay ofthe corresponding group. These other pick-up circuits include front contacts |05, IUS, ID'I and I8 of relays IM, 3F and 4M respectively.` It will also be obvious that the closure of front contact IBS of relay IM, in response to thestorage by relay IMo the approaching train being a Myrtle Avenue train .instead of a. Fifth .Avenue train, will eiect the operation of the switch machine and the track switch to its normal position (in the event that switch SW is in its lower position) to f' route thev train over the Myrtle Avenue track MAT.

Wipe out operatio1z.-'I'l'le above. description points out hovv the identity of four succeeding trains is sto-red in the four groups of relays illustrated in Fig 2, with the identity of the rst train displayed on the indicator lamp in accorde ance with the class of this rst train. It yWill now be explained how a displayed indication will be wiped out When the first train enters-the Navy Street Station.

The entrance-of the first train into the track section with which track .relay 3T is associated drops this relay andvcloses an obvious circuit at its back contact III! for picking u-p relay 3TP. Relay STP applies (-1-) atV its front contact ISI I -to the stick circuit oitrelay IX so that this relay Will not ce released when relay IF is dropped as Will be-later explained. The opening of; back contact t!! ofy relay @TP de-energizes relay AGA. The.

closure of front contact 68 of relay 3TP applies (-1-) to the set up conductor 62 before Contact is slow to pick up, so that (-1-) potential' is removed from conductor 62 for a comparatively long interval of time so that impulses from the circuits of Fig. l are held 0E until the transfer operation is completed and all relays have ceased operating. This delay is controlled by the time adjustment of relay AGA. It will of course be understood that (-1-) potential is disconnected from conductor `i52- at back contact 8l of relay IX as long as. four indications are stored in the four vgroups of relays. The purpose of contacts 6I and 68 of relays AGA and BTP, which keep (-1-) potential off of conductor 62, is to hold back the pulses during transfer operations When there are not four indicatoins stored in the relay groups of Fig. 2.

The dropping of relay STP de-energizes relay IX at open front contact III and the dropping of relay IX de-energiaes relay IY at open front contact 'I-fi. During the interval between the dropping of relay IX and the dropping of relay IY (because relay IY is slow lto release), the indication Which is stored in the seco-nd group is transferred to the iirst group and since it was assumed that the second train was a Myrtle Avenue train which effected the energization of relay 2M, relay IM is picked up over a circuit eX- tending from (-1-), front contact SI of relay 2M, back contact 92 cf relay IX and Winding oi' relay IM to Relay IM closes a stick circuit for itself Wmch extends iro-m (-1-), back contact 53 of relay BTP, front contact i8 andV winding of relay IM to Theenergization of relay IM closes an obvious circuit at front contact H5 for lighting lamp MA to display the indication that the next approaching train is a` Myrtle Avenue train. After relay IY is released, a circuit is closed for again picking up relay IX, which circuit includes front Contact m5 of relay IM and back contact 'I2 of relay IY. Relay IX is stuck up over the previously described circuit and relay IY is again picked up by means of a circuit closed at front contact 'lll of relay IX. During the transfer from group 2 to group I, relay 2M is de-energized by the dropping of relay IY because of open front contact 88 and relay 2X is de-energized because of open front contact 38 of relay 2M. Relay 2Y is also de-energized because of open front contact 30 of relay 2X. This completes the transfer of the indication from group 2 to group I and it will now -be explained how the transfer is made from group 3 to group 2.

It will be recalled that relay 3M was energized because the third train was assumed to be a Myrtle Avenue train. A circuit is closed for picking up relay 2M which extends from front contact lll of relay 3M, back contact 53 ,of relay 2X, front contact 'Il of relay IX and Winding of relay 2M to Relay 2M closes a stick circuit for itself extending from (-l), front Contact B6 of relay IY, front contact 3l and Winding of relay 2M to After relay 2Y releases a circuit is closed for picking up relay 2X which extends from (-l-), front contact S3 of relay 2M, back contact 89 of relay ZY and Winding of relay 2X to Relay 2X again closes the circuit at its front contact for bridging back contact 89 and causes relay 2Y to be picked up by a circuit closed at its front contact 90. During the transfer from group 3 to group 2, relay 3M is cle-energized by the dropping of relay ZY because of open front contact 33 and relay 3X is de-energized because of open front contact of relay 3M. Relay SY is also de-energized because of open front Contact 9S of relay 3X. This completes the transfer from group 3 to group 2 and it will now be explained how the indications stored in group i are transferred to group 3.

A circuit is closed for picking up relay 3F which extends from (-1-), front contact 58 of relay lIF, back contact 5l of relay 3X, front contact G6 of relay 2X and winding of relay 3F to Relay 3F closes an obvious stick circuit for itself at its front contact I33 to (-1-) at front Contact 93 of relay ZY. Relay 3F closes a circuit at its front contact I 0'! for energizing relay 3X and relay 3X closes a circuit at its front contact S3 for energizing relay 3Y.

During the interval when relay SY was de-energized, the stick circuit for relay 4F was open at front contact S9 of relay 3Y so that relay 4F is cle-energized. Relay 4X is de-energized at open front contact IIll of relay 6F. This completes the transfer from group 4 to group 3. It will be understood from the above description that the clearing of the second train out of the track section illustrated in the upper right hand portion of Fig. 2 effects a similar transfer from group 2 to group I and from group 3 to group 2. Likewise, when the third train clears out of the Navy Stret station track section, a similar transfer is made from group 2 to group I and when the fourth train clears this track section the circuits are placed in their normal conditions as illustrated in the drawings.

From the above description it will be apparent that Fifth Avenue trains register their successive entrance into the first track section illustrated in Fig, 1 by picking up relays IF, 2F, etc. Relay IF lights lamp FA to display the identity of the rst train as being a Fifth Avenue train.

Likewise a plurality of Myrtle Avenue trains register their successive entrance into the first track section by picking up relays IM, 2M, etc., and relay IM lights lamp MA to display the identity of the first train as being a Myrtle Avenue train.

These trains may enter the first track section in any order and will register their successive entrance into the track section by picking up the associated F and M relay in accordance with the class of train entering, the particular F or M relay being picked up being governed in accordance with the number of trains already stored in the relay groups, the sequence being indicated by the numeral preceding the relay designation.

As each train enters the track section illustrated in the upper right hand portion of Fig. 2, the IF or IM relay is dropped to put out the associated indication lamp and as each train leaves this track section the indication stored in the higher numbered groups of relays are each transferred to the next lower group in order, Where the identity is stored on the proper M or F relay in accordance with the class of the next train in order.

In the event that relay 2F is picked up because the second stored indication is for a Fifth Avenue train, then when the transfer is made relay IF will be energized over a circuit extending through front `contact 53 of relay 2F and back contact 55 of relay IX.

In the event that relay 3F is picked up because the third stored indication is for a Fifth Avenue train, then when the transfer is made relay 2F will be energized over a circuit extending through front contact 54 of relay 3F and back contact 53 of relay 2X.

In the event that relay 4M is picked up because the fourth stored indication is for a Myrtle Avenue train, then when the transfer is made relay 3M will be energized over a circuit extending through front contact 52 of relay 4M and back contact 5I of relay 3X.

During the transfer from group 2 to group I it is necessary to maintain relay 2X energized as long as relay IX remains down to prevent an improper indication transfer from group 3 to group I. Assume for example that relay 3F in group 3 is up and relay 2Min group 2 is up. This means that relay 2M must transfer to relay IM and relay 3F must transfer to relay 2F.

If relay 2X were permitted to release While relay IX is down, a circuit would be completed through front contact 54 of relay 3F, back contact 53 of relay 2X and back contact 61 of relay IX to relay IF, which would operate relay IF when not desired. To prevent this false operation a stick circuit for relay 2X is provided which extends from (-1-) front contact 50 of relay 2Y, back contact 49 of relay IX, front contact 3l) and Winding of relay 2X to This prevents the release of relay 2X during the transfer operations until relay IX is picked up to switch the circuits from the IF and IM relays to the 2F and 2M relays. Similar stick circuits for relays 3X and 4X are provided by way of back contacts I8 and Il of relays 2X and 3X respectively.

A stick circuit including conductor I6 is provided for relay 3TP to delay the transfer operations when a pulse is coming over conductor 53 or conductor 83. A pulse is sent over conductor 53 in response to the picking up of relay IC and a pulse is sent over conductor 83 in response to the picking up of relay `2TP (with relay NP down) as previously described. is applied 'to stick conductor 46 by way of back contact 29 of relay 2C and front contact 28 of relay IC at-'the time an FA pulse is being sent and by way of front contact 25 of relay ZTP, back contact 26 of relay AZR and back contact 2l of relay NP at the time an MA pulseis being sent. This sticks relayTP and delays the transfer operations above described, even though the track section with which relay BTP is associated is cleared, until after the pulse has been passed to its proper F or M relay and this relay picked up and stuck up. This stick circuit for relay STP includes its own front contact 45.

Having thus shown and described a specific eml bodiment of the present invention and having speciiically pointed out how the system is proposed to be used, it is .desired to be understood that this should not be construed as a limitation of the scope of the invention, nor should it be construed as illustrating the exact construction to be employed in practicing the invention, but that the specific system illustrated has been selected for the purpose of disclosing the principles and one method of practicing the invention and that various changes and additions may be made to adapt the invention to particular problems encountered in practice, all without departing from the spirit thereof except as limited by the scope of the following claims.

What we claim is:-

l. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a station at the exit end of said stretchof track, a plurality of indicators at said station each representing a train of a particular class, a plurality of groups of class identifying relays each group including one relay for each class, means automatically controlled by the successive entrances of a plurality of trains of one class into said stretch of track for successively operating the relays for one class of certain of said groups, means automatically and manually controlled uponthe successive entrances ofanother plurality of trains of another class into said stretch of "track for successively operating the relays for another class of subsequent groups, whereby indications are registered on said groups of relays in'accordance with the class of successive trains entering said stretch of track, means controlled only by therelays of a rst group for selectively actuating said indicators in accordance with the class of the rst train to enter said stretch of track, and means for transferring the train indication from a second one of said groups to said first group.

2. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a station at the exit end of said stretch of track, a plurality of routes at said station selectable by a track switch, a plurality of groupsof route identifying class relays, train controlled means for successively operating the relays of one class of certain groups to register the route of each successive train of a plurality of trains of one class entering said stretch of track, conjoint train and manually controlled means for successively operating the relays of another class of each of subsequent groups to register the route of each successive train of a plurality of trains of another classl entering said stretch of track, means controlled only by the relays of the first of said groups for selectively actuating said track switch in accordance with the class of the first train to enter said stretch of track, and means responsive to said rst train leaving said stretch of track for transferring the train indication from a second one of saidgroups to said rst group.

3. In combination, a track layout comprising a plurality of routes, a first passenger station and a second passenger station along the track, two indicators at said second station each designating the approach of a train and each identifying the approaching train in accordance with the route it is to take, a first relay for controlling one of said indicators, a second relay for controlling the other or said indicators, a track relay and a manually operableA device at said rst station, means controlled by said track relay for operating said rst relay, and means controlled by said device for operating said second relay.

4. In a switching system for railways, a track section comprising a-inain track and a divergingY route connected to said main track by-a track switch, a power operated switch machine for operating said track switch, a rst storing means automatically controlled by the successive entrances of a plurality of trains into said main track for storing said entrances, a second storing means manually controlled during the successive entrance of a plurality of trains into said main track, and means including said lirst and said second storing means for successively and distinctively operating said track switch in accordance with the automatic and manual control of corresponding entrances into said main track.

5. A train describer system, comprising a plurality o indicators active indicator displaying an indication identifying the class of an approaching train, a plurality of indicator relays for each of said indicators, means controlled by the actuation of a first relay of each plurality for causing the associated indicator to display its indication, means including track circuit controlled means for applying a plurality of'iinpulses'to said indicator relays, means responsive to said impulses for actuating a plurality of said indicator relays including one of said first relays whereby a plurality 'of indications are stored, means for cancelling a displayed indication, and means for automatically transposing each stored indication to the next lower order irudicatorA relay when said displayed indication is cancelled.

6. In combination, a stretch oi railway track divided into a plurality of successive sections traversed by trains of different classes, a plurality of train class indicators, a separate track relay for each of some of said sections, a manually operable key for one of said sections, arst class circuitand a second class circuit corresponding to trains of a first class `and a second class respectively, means for momentarily energizing said rst class circuit only when a first one of said track relays is activated and said key is actuated, means for momentarily energizing said second class circuit only when a second one of said track relays is activated and ysaid key is not actuated, a plurality of nrst class storage relays, a plurality of second class storage relays, means responsive to the momentary energization of said rst class circuit for activating one of said first class storage relays, means responsive to the momentary energization of said second class circuit for activatingl one of said second class storage relays, and means controlled by the activation of said first and said second class storage relays for selectively actuating said train lclass indicators. i

7. In a signaling system; a rst and a second indicator eachv adapted when operated to register a selected one .of a pluralityoi indications and to store such indication until released; manually operable electro-responsive control means effective through a front contact thereof and only when there is no indication stored in said second indicator for operating said indicator to store a selected indication therein; means rendered effective upon the operation of said second indicator for rendering it non-responsive to said control meansf means effective if there is no indication stored in said rst indicator to transfer the stored indication of the second indicator thereto and to then release said second indicator; means requiring said electroresponsive control means to be released for, through the medium of a back contact thereof, rendering said second indicator again responsive to the operation of said control means; and means for releasing said rst indicator.

8. In combination with a railway track switch, a power switch machine for operating the switch, a series of indicators each comprising relay means adapted to be energized in a particular arrangement for each position of the track switch, manually operable means for energizing in turn said indicators of the series to register controls for the track switch, transfer means associated with each,` indicator, except the last of the series, and responsive to the release of such indicator to automatically energize it in accordance with the condition of energization of the next succeeding indicator of the series and for then releasing such succeeding indicator, means for controlling the switch machine in accordance with the condition of the first indicator of the series; and means responsive to the movement of a train over the. switch for releasing said first indicator.

9. In combination, a detector section of railway track including a track switch, a power switch machine for operating the switch, a series of indicators each comprising relay means adapted to be energized in a particular arrangement for each position of the track switch, manually operable means for, energizing the indicators of the series in turn to register controls for the track switch, transfer means associated with each indicator except the last of the series, and responsive to the release of such indicator to automatically energize it in accordance with the condition of energization of the next succeeding indicator of the series and to then release such succeeding indicator, means releasing the rst indicator when the detector section is occupied, and means effective each time the detector section becomes vacated for operating said switch machine in accordance with` the next control registered by said first indicator.

10. In combination with a stretch of railway track, a track circuit at one end of the stretch having a track relay, a track switch at the other end of stretch, a route indicator adjacent the switch for indicating the routes to be taken by trains which have passed over said track circuit and are approaching the switch, a manually controllable contact, a stick relay, a pick-up circuit for said stick relay closed only if said manually controllable contact is closed and said track relay is deenergized, means controlled by the stick relay When energized to maintain it energized as long as the track relay remains deenergized irrespective of further operation of said manually operable contact, means controlled by said stick relay when deenergized to prepare a circuit for controlling said route indicator, and means effective when said stick relay becomes energized to control said route indicator over the circuit which was prepared when said stick relay was deenergized, whereby only temporarly manual actuation is necessary and whereby said router` indicator can be controlled only once for each train passing over said track circuit.

1l. In a train describer and switch control system; the combination with a plurality of relay groupseach group, except the last, including a normally deenergized transfer relay and each group including a plurality of normally deenergized storage relays; the storage relays by their condition of energization manifesting the description of a train destination; a contact on each transfer relay for each storage relay in its associated group, which contact when in its retracted condition is included in a pick-up circuit for a storage relay of that group and when in its attracted condition is included in the pick-up circuit for a corresponding storage relay of the group next in the rear; a track switch associated with the first of said relay groups; a switch machine for operating said track switch; circuits for controlling said switch machine including contacts of the storage relaysof said first group; a detector track circuit including a track relay as'- sociated with said track switch; cancelling means including said track relay for cancelling the train description stored in said rst group upon occupancy of said track circuit; and means including said track 'relay and the transfer relay of said first group for transferring the train description stored in a second group into said first group.

12. In a train describer and switch control system; the combination with a plurality of relay groups, each group, except the last. including a normal deenergized transfer relay and each group including a plurality of normally deenergized storage relays; the storage relays by their condition of energization manifesting the description of a train destination; a contact on each transfer relay for each storage relay in its associated group, which contact when in its retracted condition is included in a pick-up circuit for a storage relay of that group and when in its attracted condition is included in the pick-up circuit for a corresponding storage relay of the group next in the rear; a track switch associated with the first of said relay groups; a switch machine for operating said track switch; circuits for controlling said switch machine including contacts of the storage relays of said first group; a detector track circuit including a track relay associated with said track switch; cancelling means including said track relay for cancelling the train description stored in said first group upon occupancy of said track circuit; and means including said track relay and the transfer relay of said first group for transferring the train description stored in a second group into said first group, said cancelling means' being constructed to prevent operation of said track switch while said detector track circuit is occupied.

13. In an automatic track switch control system; the combination with a plurality of relay groups, each group, except the last, including a normal deenergized transfer relay and each group including a plurality of normally deenergized storage relays; the storage relays by their condition of energization manifesting the description of a train destination; a pick-up circuit for each transfer relay including in multiple front contacts of its associated storage relays; a stick circuit for each transfer relay except the first including a back contact of the next transfer relay in advance; a contact on each transfer relay for each storage relay in its associated group, which Contact when in its retracted condition is ineluded in a pick-up circuit for a storage relay of that group and when in its attracted condition is included in thepick-up circuit for a corresponding storage relay of the group next in the rear; a track switch associated With the first of said relay groups; a switch machine for operating said track switch; circuits for controlling said switch machine including contacts of the storage relays of said rst group; a detector track circuit lincluding a track relay associated with said track switch; cancelling means including said track relay for cancelling the train description stored in said first group upon occupancy of saidtrack circuit; and means including said track relay and the transfer relay of said first group for transferring the train description stored in a second groupinto said firstgroup.

1li. In a, train describer system; 4t'ne combina-` tion with a plurality of train describer units each unit including a transfer relay and a plurality of normally deenergized storage relays; aV pick-up circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the first unit including a normally closed contact controlled by its associated transfer relay, normally closed contacts controlled by the transfer relays of the units in the rear and valso including anormally opened contact controlled b-y the transfer relay of the unit in'advance; a stick circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the rst unit including a normally open contact controlled by the transfer relay of the unit next in advance; a pick-up circuit for each transfer relay including in multiple front contacts of the storage relays of its unit; a stick circuit for each transfer relay except the transfer relay of the first unit including a normally closed contact controlled by the transfer relay of the unit next in advance; and stick circuits for the storage relays of the first unit including a normally closed track circuit controlled contact.

15. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality of train describer units each unit including a transfer relay and a plurality of normally deenergized storage relays; a pick--up circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the rst unit including a normally closed contact controlled by its associated transfer relay, normally closed contacts controlled by the transfer relays of the units in the rear and also including a normally open contact controlled by the transfer relay of the unit in advance; a stick circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the first unit including a normally open contact controlled by the transfer relay of the unit next in advance; a pick-up circuit for each transfer relay including in multiple front contacts of the storage relays of its unit; a stick circuit for each transfer relay except the transfer relay of the first unit including a normally closed contact controlled by the transfer relay of the unit next in advance; stick circuits for the storage relays of the first unit including a normally closed track circuit controlled contact; and a stick circuit for the transfer relay of the first unit including a track circuit controlled contact.

16. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality of train describer units each unit including a transfer relay, a transfer repeater relay and a normally deenergized storage relay; a circuit for each transfer repeater relay including a front contact of its associated transfer relay; a pick-up circuit for each storage relay except the storage relay vof tne first unit including a normally closed contact of its associated transfer relay anda normally open contact controlled by the transfer relay of the unit in ad- Vance; a stick circuit for each storage relay except thev storage relays of the first unit including a normally open contact of `the repeater transfer relay of the unit nextin advance; and an energizing circuit for each transfer relay including a'front contact of its associated storage relay.

17. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality of traindescriber` units each unit including a transfer relay, a transfer repeater relay and anormally deencrgized storage relay; a circuit for each transfer repeater relay including a front Contact of its associated transferrelay; a pick-up circuit foreach storage relay excepttl'le storage relay of the first unit including a normally closed contact of its associated transfer' relay and a normally open contact controlled by the'transfer relay of the unit in advance;'a stick circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the rst unit including anormally open contact of the repeater transfer relay of the unit next in advance; and a circuit for each transfer relay except the transfer relay ofthe first unit including a back contact of the transfer relay'of the unit next in advance and a front contact of its associated transfer repeater relay.

18. In a train describersystem; the combination with a plurality of train describer units each unit including a transfer relay, a transfer repeater relay and a normally deenergized storage relay; a circuit for each transfer repeater relay including a front contact of its associated transfer relay; a pick-up circuit for each storage relay except tlie storage relay of the rst unit including a normally closed Contact of its associated transfer relay and anormally open contact controlled by the transfer relay of the unit next in advance; a stick circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the first unit including a normally open contact of the repeater transfer relay of the unit next in advance; a pickup circuit for each transfer relay including a front contact of its associated storage relay; and a stick circuit for eaclr transfer relay except the transfer relayof the first unit including a back contact of the transfer relay of the unit next in advance and a front contact vof its associated transfer repeater relay.

19. In a train describer system; the combina-l pick-up circuit for each storage relay including in series a back contact of its associated `transfer relay and a front contact' of the corresponding storage relay of the unit next inthe rear; and al stick circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the first unit including a contact closed when the transfer relay of the unit in ad- Vance is energized; an energizing circuit for each transfer relay including in multiple front contacts of the storage relays of the same unit;

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whereby the first unit having no storage relay energized to the rear of a unit having a storage relay energized is connected to receive a train description through back contacts in series of transfer relays of the units in the rear and whereby if a particular describer unit is vacated by having its storage relays deenergized the associated transfer relay will assume a deenergized condition and will allow closure of said second pick-up circuit for that storage relay of the particular unit having a corresponding storage relay energized in the unit next in the rear of such particular unit.

20. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality of train describer units each including a plurality of normally deenergized storage relays and a normally deenergized transfer relay, which storage relays by their condition of energization define the class of a particular train; a first pick-up circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the first unit including a front contact of the transfer relay of the unit in advance and the back contact of the transfer relay of one or more units in the rear all included in series; a second pick-up circuit for each storage relay including in series a back contact of its associated transfer relay a front contact of the transfer relay of the unit next in advance and a front contact of the corresponding-storage relay of the unit next in the rear; and a stick circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the iirst unit including a Contact closed when the transfer relay of the unit in advance is energized; an energizing circuit for each transfer 1 relay including in multiple front contacts of the storage relays of the same unit; whereby the first unit having no storage relay energized to the rear of a unit having a storage relay energized is connected to receive a train description through back contacts in series of transfer relays of the units in the rear and whereby if a particular descrber unit is vacated by having its storage relay deenergized the associated transfer relay will assume a deenergized condition and will upon closure of the front contact of the transfer relay of the unit next in advance allow closure of said second pick-up circuit for that storage relay of the particular unit having a corresponding storage relay energized in the unit next in the rear of such particular unit.

21. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality of train describer units each including a plurality of normally deenergized storage relays and a normally deenergized transfer relay, which storage relays by their condition of energization define the class of a particular train; a rst pick-up circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the. first unit including a front contact of the transfer relay of the unit in advance and the back contact of the transfer relay of one or more units in the rear all included in series; a second pick-up circuit for each storage relay including in series a back contact of its associated transfer relay and a front contact of the corresponding storage relay of the unit next in the rear; and a stick circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the first unit including a contact closed when the transfer relay of the unit in advance is energized; an energizing circuit for each transfer relay including in multiple front contacts of the storage relays of the same unit; whereby the first unit having no storage relay energized to the rear of a unit having a storage relay energized is connected to receive a train description through back contacts in series of transfer 'relays of the units in the rear and whereby if a particular describer unit is vacated by having its storage relay deenergized the associated transfer relay will assume a deenergized condition and will allow closure of said second pick-up circuit for that storage relay of the particular unit having a corresponding storage relay energized in the unit next in the rear of such particular unit; and a stick circuit for the storage relays of the first unit including a track circuit controlled contact.

22. In a train describer system; the combination with a plurality of train d-escriber units each including a plurality of normally deenergized storage relays and a normally deenergized transfer relay, which storage relays by their condition of energization define the class of a particular train; a first pick-up circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the first unit including a front contact of the transfer relay of the unit in advance and the back contact of the transfer relays of one or more units in the rear all included in series; a second pick-up circuit for each storage relay including in series a back contact of its associated transfer relay and afront contact of the corresponding storage relay of the unit next in the rear; and a stick circuit for each storage relay except the storage relays of the first unit including a contact closed when the transfer relay of the unit in advance isenergized; an energizing circuit for each transfer relay including in multiple front contacts of the storage relays of the same unit; whereby the first unit having no storage relay energized to the rear of a unit having a storage relay energized is connected to receive a train description through back contacts in series of transfer relays of the units in the rear and whereby if a particular describer unit is vacated by having its storage relay de-energized the associated transfer relay will asume a deenergized condition and will allow closure of said second pick-up circuit for that storage relay of the particular unit having a corresponding storage relay energized in the unit next in the rear of such particular unit; and a track switch controlled by, and in accordance with, the train description stored in the storage relays of the rst unit.

HERBERT D. BROOKS.

ALBERT A. ROBERTS.

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