Improved Railway Chair Key.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 19th June, 1897
Complete Specification-left-3rd-Mar-1898-Accepted 14th May 1898
I, WALTER ATKINSON, Carpet Factor, 6, Guys Cliffe, Undercliffe Lane, Brad-
ford, in the County of Yorkshire, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
An improvement, for preventing sliding or sliping of the little wooden wedges
(called keys) used on railways for the purpose of binding the rails to the chairs.
These keys, as they are now constructed, have a strong tendency to slide out of
their places, which necessitates much watchfulness and attention. The object
of this invention is, by differently constructing the keys, to prevent such sliding,
and to keep them securely fixed, thereby saving a huge amount of labour and there-
fore expense involved, at present, in keeping them safe.
My improvement is effected as follows;
Instead of cutting the blocks of wood, or keys, about 2 inches wide, as is now
done, I cut them 2½ inches wide, or thereabout, then commencing at one of
the top corners and cutting, in a diagonal direction through the depth and along
the length of the key, I produce two triangular halves of an oblong, each half
being 2 inches wide at one end and graduating to sharp at the other. Then from
opposite sides of the chair, I insert, into the space between the chair uprights, and the
rail, the thin ends of the two halves and drive up till they become thoroughly
tight, I then drive down a staple, having a flat top, across the diagonal joint, which
binds them securely together, thus producing a perfectly fast and immovable
key.
DL1 L
1907
Improved Railway Chair Key.
I, WALTER ATKINSON, of 6, Guys Cliffe, Undercliffe Lane, Bradford, in the
County of York, Carpet Factor, 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:-
This invention relates to keys for securing the rails used on railways in their
"chairs"; and has for its object to provide a reliable and firm device which,

page_text: when fixed, will not require the frequent inspection and re-adjustment so necessary
when ordinary keys as usually constructed are employed.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood and ascertained I have
annexed hereto drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 shews a plan of a portion of a rail, and a chair, the rail having part of
the upper flange cut away to shew my improved key in position.
Fig. 2 is a plan of the two separate parts, which together form the key.
Fig. 3 shews the same driven together and secured by means of a staple.
Fig. 4, is a side view of my improved key, shewn as being fastened by means
of a plate and screws, and
Fig. 5 is a plan of same.
As will be seen my improved key is formed of two blocks or wedges composed
of wood or other suitable material, which are rigidly fastened together, after being
placed in position, by means of a staple, or plate and screws, or like device.
In the accompanying drawings like letters indicate similar parts, or parts fulfil-
ling similar functions.
Referring now particularly to Fig. 1, A indicates part of the rail as ordinarily
employed to form the bearing surface for the wheels of railway engines and other
rolling stock. B indicates the chair, which is of the construction usually adopted,
this being fixed to the sleeper C by pins b, or by any other means. D indicates
the two blocks or wedges which together form the key for securing the rail to the
chair.
These wedges are formed as shewn of an oblong or similar shaped block, which
is divided into two parts by being cut across diagonally so as to form two wedges D,
of the shape of an acute angled triangle, one end of each of these being of greater
thickness than the distance between the rail and chair. To fix them in
position between the side of the rail and the chair, they are inserted point first
one from each side of the chair, thus having their slanting faces placed in contact
with one another. Upon being forced in opposite directions, the one toward the other,
they jam tightly between the chair and the side of the rail, and hold both firmly
together. When thus fixed a staple E as shewn in Fig. 3, is driven in them, one
tang in each, thus crossing the joint and serving to hold them securely together.
It will be seen that when once fixed in position no movement is possible, and
consequently the block cannot slip or work loose, as is the case with the keys used
hitherto. Consequently less frequent attention is required from the permanent
way staff.
In Figs. 4 and 5 a plate E is employed, having screw holes. in its ends, through
which screws e can be inserted and screwed into the block. By this means should
the key become loose through constant vibration, or excessive heat in summer,
the wedges can be drawn up, and the screws inserted in fresh holes. The key is
by this means adjustable.
I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to any exact dimensions
or 'style of the blocks, as other somewhat similar shapes may be adopted with
equally good results.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1
1. A key for fixing rails in the chairs of railways, consisting essentially of two
wedges, which can be inserted, one from each side of the chair, and driven up
tightly together in position between the rail and the chair, being then retained
in this position by a staple, substantially as described and shewn.
2. A key for fixing rails in the chairs of railways, consisting essentially of two
wedges, which can be inserted, one from each side of the chair, and drawn up
tightly together in position between the rail and the chair, being then retained
in this position by a plate and screws, substantially as described and shewn.

page_text: 3. A key for fixing rails in the chairs of railways, constructed substantially
as described and shewn.
Dated this 3rd day of March 1898.
WILLIAM J. MUNDEN,
75, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.