Year: 1886

page_text: WILLIAM HIND, 35, Lawrence-street, Workington, Cumberland Superintendent
of Permanent Way, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The "Improved Rail Chair" to be made of steel throughout (it may also be made.
of cast iron).
The "Chair" to consist of two parts-known respectively as the immovable part
and the movable part.
The immovable part to be formed of one piece rivited to the sleeper by two
rivets; one of which to be placed immediately in the centre of the immovable part.
under the rail; this rivet to be furnished with a head countersunk.
The movable part to be so constructed as to form a double-dove-tall key. These
parts to be so adjusted to the rail as to keep it firmly; but allowing for expansion.
The movable part to be fixed by a bolt fitted into a rectangular hole in the
immovable part, and having a nut on the upper surface so as to admit of being
readily adjusted and regulated.
With the arrangement fore securing a rail in its proper position in the rail-chair
at present in use, there is considerable risk. The wooden keys are often imperfect
in composition, and constantly working out of position in consequence of the
reverberating force to which the rail is subjected by the action of the wheels as
they pass along.
This instability of the wooden keys is a serious disadvantage inasmuch as it
creates in the public mind an unpleasant feeling of insecurity as well as neces-
sitating much attention, and no inconsiderable expense; for men have to be
employed constantly examining and re-arranging these wooden keys, so as to ward
against the rail shifting, with the possible risk of a serious accident and the
probable results of a deplorable loss of precious lives, and a heavy pecuniary loss to
the Railway Company. Oftentimes too the defects do not catch the eye of the
scrutineer. In the "Improved Rail Chair" these defective wooden keys are done
away with and the whole arrangement is fully exposed and may be easily and
quickly examined-the nut being on the upper surface.
Perfect security is afforded to rail, chair, and sleeper by the simple but firm
bolting together of the chair and sleeper; whilst the rail itself-though being left
free to move under whatever action-is nevertheless held firmly too by the
moulded arrangement of the parts immediately bearing upon the rail.

page_text: 16
Ample provision is made for the expansive action of the rail-sufficient
clearance" is given for the expansion of the rail, and the bolt arrangement of
the movable portion of the "Improved Rail Chair" has a rectangular hole allowing
freedom to movements of the bolt which secures the movable part.
The immovable part of the "Improved Rail Chair" is formed in one piece of
steel (though it may be formed of cast iron); there is, therefore, no objectionable
joint arrangements. The head of one of the rivets which secure the immovable
portion of the "Improved Rail Chair" to the sleeper is "counter-sunk" imme-
diately under the centre of the rail. There is also another rivet securing the
"chair" to the sleeper.
Now that the superiority of steel as a durable-and after first cost-economical
material for use in the construction of rail-roads is acknowledged; now that even
the sleepers themselves are constructed of steel, the fact of the "Improved Rail
Chair" being made of that most durable material must enhance its value.
:-
The following advantages are claimed for the proposed "Improved Rail Chair:-
(1) No wooden keys required-supervision reduced to a minimum.
(2) It has a movable part (or "key")-double-action-forming a double dove-
tail-acting as a "key" vertically as well as horizontally.
(3) It is stronger, more durable, and not so liable to get out of order, being
made of steel.
(4) Being made of a material similar to the rail itself and (in the case of steel
sleepers) similar to the sleepers themselves, the expansion and contraction will be
more equable; and, consequently, more easily regulated.
(5) The fastenings of the "Chair" to the sleeper, being rivited and bolted, also
afford greater steadiness to the rail, the chair itself, and to the sleeper, consequently,
greater security to the whole arrangement.
(6) Great simplicity of construction, with no parts liable to get out of order.
(7) The "Improved Rail Chair" may be adjusted to suit any section of rail.
(8) All these advantages may be secured without any material additional cost.
The importance of such an invention cannot be over-estimated, seeing that the
"Chair" is one of the most important of human contrivances for offering security
to the public as well as affording an opportunity for Managers of Railways
despatching passengers and goods at the highest speed, and with as little delay
as is consistent with general circumstances and a desirable safety.
The invention must, therefore, commend itself to all parties interested-especially
to Managers and Directors of Railways.

page_text: I, WILLIAM HIND, of 35, Lawrence-street, in the town of Workington, in the
County of Cumberland, Superintendent of Permanent Way, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of this Invention is the improvement of Chair used to hold rails on
railroads.
In this Invention the chair consists of two parts: (1) a movable part acting as a
double key, sliding in the form of a double dovetail into (2) the part secured to the
sleeper. The rail is firmly held between the vertical portions of these two parts,.
which are so arranged as to coincide with the section of the lower part of the rail;
but there is no wooden key as in the ordinary existing chair. In adjusting the
chair to the rail in position, the vertical portion of the part fixed to the sleeper is
so moulded and placed that the part coincides with and presses against the side of
the rail; the movable part is then adjusted to the other side and afterwards
moved forward as a double dovetail until it firmly holds the rail-one dovetail
being formed by two of the edges of the movable part; and the second dovetail
being formed in the part secured to the sleeper.
The chair and steel sleeper are firmly bolted together by two bolts-one of these
bolts passes through the part secured to the sleeper as well as through the sleeper
itself; the other bolt passes through the movable steel part of the chair, the part
secured to the sleeper, and the sleeper itself (though, in the case of wooden sleepers,
ordinary iron spikes and wooden pins may be employed as substitutes). When
properly adjusted, the rail is firmly held between these vertical portions; the
movable part being formed of steel possesses the property of elasticity by which
the rail is firmly held. Cast iron not possessing this property would not act.
By the adoption of this Invention, the advantage of a movable part being formed
of steel is gained; and it will be found to be equally adapted for crossing chairs,
for check chairs, as well as for ordinary rail chairs; but in no case are wooden
keys required.
•
With a view to the more complete knowledge of my Invention, reference marks
and letters are attached to the accompanying drawings:-
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
-
Fig. 1. is a ground plan, Fig. 3. is an elevation of the part of the Improved Rail
Chair secured to the sleeper, and Fig. 4. is an elevation of the movable part,
constructed in accordance with the improvement claimed for my Invention.
Fig. 2. is an elevation shewing the complete arrangements of the Improved Rail
Chair when adjusted to the rail.
a is the rail, which may be any section or of any ordinary construction, b is the
movable part of the chair two edges of which form a dovetail, its base part also
forms a dovetail; so that it acts as a double wedge: vertically and horizontally,
c is the part of the fixed portion of the Improved Rail Chair which is adjusted to

page_text: the rail as in an ordinary chair. d is an ordinary bolt (or pin) passing through b, c
and f (the sleeper), by which the movable part is prevented from becoming loosened
by atmospheric changes or reverborating forces; and e is an ordinary bolt (or pin)
passing through c and ƒ only.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what, manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be
clearly understood that I do not limit myself to the exact details and form of
the parts already described and represented, as the same may be altered so as to
adapt the Improved Rail Chair to particular circumstances without materially
departing from the true nature of my Invention.
What I claim is:
That the movable part 6 must be constructed of rolled steel and of no other
material.