IMPROVEMENTS IN FISH PLATES FOR CONNECTING THE RAILS OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Robson of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Contractor for
an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FISH PLATES FOR CONNECTING THE
RAILS OF RAILWAYS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Robson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st April 1883.
GEORGE ROBSON, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Contractor,
FISH PLATES FOR CONNECTING THE RAILS OF RAILWAYS"
"
IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention has for its object to provide fish plates for rails which will give a
better support for the rails than do the fish plates as at present constructed. The
fish plates made according to my Invention consist of two side pieces which at
their upper parts abut against the web of the rail, at their mid-parts are curved to
embrace the lower head of the rail, and at their lower parts are formed with
depending webs. These plates are placed one on each side of the rails at the joints
there being a packing of felt or other packing or padding material inserted between
the plates and the rails. Bolts pass through the upper parts of the plates and the
web of the rail and are fastened by nuts. Bolts are also passed through the webs
of the lower parts of the plates and fastened by nuts by tightening up which the
plates can be caused to grip firmly on the rails, there being a space between the
webs to allow of this tightening up.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Robson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
October 1883.
GEORGE ROBSON of Newcastle upon Tyne Contractor
FISH PLATES FOR CONNECTING THE RAILS OF RAILWAYS"
"IMPROVEMENTS IN
My Invention has for its object to provide fish plates for rails which will give a
better support for the rails and afford greater transverse and vertical strength than
do the fish plates as at present constructed. The fish plates made according to my
Invention consist of two side pieces, which at their upper parts abut against the
web of the rail, at their mid-parts are curved to embrace the lower head of the
rail, and at their lower parts are formed with depending webs. These plates are
placed one on each side of the rails at the joints there being preferably a packing
of felt or other packing or padding material inserted between the plates and the
rails. Bolts pass through the upper parts of the plates and the web of the rail
and are fastened by nuts. Bolts are also passed through the webs of the lower
parts of the plates and fastened by nuts by tightening up which the plates can be
caused to grip firmly on the rails, there being a space between the webs to allow of
this tightening up
And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood. I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to
the figures on the annexed sheet of drawings the same letters of reference indicating
corresponding parts in both the figures
Figure 1 represents in side elevation and Figure 2 in transverse section a pair of
fish plates constructed and applied according to my Invention, A are the rails and
B are the fish plates consisting of two side pieces which extend across the joint and
at their upper parts b abut against the webs of the rails and also if preferred under
the upper heads as shewn-At 6' the plates B are curved to embrace the lower head
of the rail and they terminate in depending webs b³. Bolts are passed through
the upper parts of the plates B and the web of the rail and are fastened by nuts c².
Bolts d are also passed through the depending webs 68 and fastened by nuts d'
by tightening up which the plates may be caused to grip firmly upon the rails.
layer of felt or equivalent material is preferably placed between the plates B and
the rails
A
Having now described the nature of my said Invention and the manner in which
the same is or may be used or carried into effect I would observe in conclusion
that what I consider to be novel and original and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is :-
The fish plates for connecting the rails of Railways constructed or formed and
applied for the purpose of giving great additional vertical and transverse strength
substantially as herein before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawing
In witness whereof I the said George Robson have to this my Specification set
my hand and seal this eighth day of October One thousand eight hundred and
eighty three
GEORGE ROBSON (L.S.)