Improvements in Signalling Apparatus for use in Collieries and other Mines

9777. Holland, J., and Becker, W. H. July 5. Bell and gong signals; mechanical telegraphs. -In signalling-apparatus for use in mines, the various indicators are reset by a nut travelling along a screw-threaded rod rotated by the winding-engine, the nut having wedged surfaces which operate tripping-rods to release the indicator-retaining mechanism. The travel of the nut corresponds to the complete "wind," and the position of the tripper-rods determines at which part of the winding period the various indicators shall be reset. The engineman's instrument has two dials (not shown), over which pointers are moved step by step by mechanically or electrically operated mechanism. When the " onsetter " pulls a wire r , a lever r on a spindle r raises a member r in engagement with one arm of the bell hammer r , which strikes the bell r under action of a spring r when the wire r is released. The spindle r carries a cam s, which oscillates a pivoted arm s carrying a pawl s serving to advance a ratchet-wheel h one step for each pull on the wire r . A pointer (not shown) carried by the spindle h makes corresponding movements over a dial. A detent h retains the ratchet-wheel against the action of a resetting-spring h'. At the third step, a projection h on the ratchetwheel engages a projectien c on a "men" signal c pivoted at c , raising the signal c to exhibit the word " men through an opening a'. The member c is retained in this position by a projection c engaging a recess p in the arm p of a member pivoted at p. The arm p is loosely connected to a member at q pivoted at q and engaged by a slidable member f . A slidable rod f engages at its upper end with a plate g, the upturned end of which is in engagement with the detent h. Secured to the rod f is a member f The upper ratchetwheel j , with its pointer (not shown), is operated by the "banksman" by energizing a solenoid l, the core of which is connected to a pivoted arm k carrying a pawl k , which serves to move the ratchet-wheel. The ratchetwheel is held against the action of a resetting- spring by a detent j. The " men " signal d is raised, when desired, by an independently energized solenoid n, to exhibit the word. " men " through an opening b . The signal d is retained by a detent m resting on the detent j engaging a projection d on the signal d. A rod f resting on the plate g bears at its upper end against a plate i, the upturned end of which engages the pawl k and detent j. A nut e , adapted to travel along a thre