Improvements in or connected with Metallic Railway Sleepers or Rail Ties.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1891-Accepted, 28th Mar., 1891
COMPLETE STEIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Metallic Railway Sleepers or
Rail Ties.
A communication from abroad by HARLAN PAGE SWEET, of Los Angeles, in the
County of Los Angeles, and State of California, United States of America,
Broker.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.L.M.E., of the Agency for
Foreign Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street,
Manchester, both in the County of Lancaster, and 323, High Holborn, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, 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 to produce a metallic sleeper or road-bed draining
tie (hereafter called a tie) of superior simplicity, elasticity, lightness and economy
which, when in use on the track, will serve to carry off the rain-water falling
thereupon, thereby preventing the track from becoming guttered or saturated with
water.
A further object of this invention is to reduce the weight and cost of the tie and
its attachments, and to secure against spreading of the rail and also to secure the
greatest amount of strength with the least possible weight, and to provide a metallic
tie that can be used with rails of different widths without changing the gauge of
the road. Another object of the invention is to produce a tie that can be made by
one set of rolls, and can be produced cheaply and quickly.
The invention comprises a tie formed of a metallic plate crimped to form an
axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral flanges
extending along the sides of such channel and inclined from their outer edges down-
ward to such channel to carry the water into such channel whereby it is conducted
off the road bed.
It also comprises other features hereinafter described and claimed.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.
Figure 1 is a view of a fragment of track embracing the invention, one drain tie.
being shown entire, and another being shown in axial mid-section.
Figure 2 is a side view of a portion of one of the improved ties showing the
thickened portions and the mid anchor plate.
Figure 3 is a perspective top view of one end of the improved tie, showing the
ends of the flanges turned down and the improved strengthening chair in place to
receive the rail.
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the improved anchor plate and fastener.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the improved outside clip for fastening the rail
to the tie.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the improved inside clip for fastening the rail
to the tie.
Figure 7 is a perspective end view of the improved strengthening chair.
Figure 8 represents a modified form of clip and tie where the rail seat D is
dispensed with.
Figure 9 shows a modified form of the invention in which the rail seats are
dispensed with and a chair substituted therefor.
Figure 10 is a top view of one of the ties shown in Figure 9.
Figure 11 is a view of the chair inverted.
Figure 12 is a cross section of the drain tie and chair at the mid-line of the chair.
The form of tie which is preferable is that illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3. It
being understood that the general cross-sectional contour is illustrated in Figure 12

page_text: which shows the inclination of the flanges and the form and position of the strength-
ening bead T.
The improved tie in the preferred form comprises a rolled metallic plate A
crimped to form an axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel B in its upper
face with lateral flanges CC extending respectively along the sides of such channel,
and having each of the junctions of its flanges with the channel portion provided
on the inside angle with a thickened portion or bead T, and provided with rail
securing gains in such flanges, and with two thickened and depressed rail seats D DI
in the top faces of the flanges arranged respectively to receive and sustain the
rails EE, and suitable fastenings for securing the rails in place.
It also comprises the peculiar clips and fastenings employed for securing the rails
in place, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.
It also comprises the combination of the peculiar rigid strengthening chair F
with the tic, whereby superior strength is secured with but little additional weight,
and whereby the drain feature of the tie is left unimpaired.
It also comprises other combinations and features of construction hereinafter more
fully set forth.
The seats D D are formed by a transverse gain or depression in the top faces of
the flanges and the body of the tie is preferably thickened at this point, thereby
giving great strength at the point required with but a small increase in weight.
The transverse gains which form the seats D D' are wide enough to receive and
seat the base of the largest rail for which the tie is designed to be used. In the
edge of each flange on the outside of each rail seat (that is to say, on the side of
cach of such seats nearest the end of the tie) is provided a gain G to receive
respectively the lugs H of the outside clip I, arranged to fit into the rail-securing
gains respectively. The clips and are secured in place respectively by the
bolts J which pass through the tie for that purpose. The clip and also the inside
clips I may be formed with or without a transverse rib K K' to fit into the
transverse gains or seats D to fill the space left between the walls D of such gains
and the base of the rail when a rail having a narrow base is used. In practice, the
same tie is made to accommodate rails of different width of base by providing the
clips with gauge ribs K K of such thickness as to so fill the space between the base
of the rail and the walls of the gain that the rail is thereby held in position to give
the desired gauge to the track. By this arrangement, the ties can be used where a
light rail is sufficient to bear the traffic and they will afterwards serve to receive
heavier rails when the traffic increases, the only change required being in the clips;
which, when the light rail is used, are provided with the ribs, but, when the heavier
rail is used, clips having no ribs are used. To strengthen the tie at the point
subject to the crushing force of the rail is provided the rigid semi-cylindrical top
grooved or edge flanged strengthening chair arranged to fit in the channel of the tic
with its flat top flush with the rail seats so as to receive the rail on such flat top or
groove formed between the two side ribs e é.
b
Figure 3 illustrates the position in which this strengthening chair is placed to
receive the rail. When the rail is in place the ribs e e prevent the removal of
the chair.
In order to prevent any lengthwise movement of the tie when it is laid,
the mid-anchor plate L is provided, which consists of a vertical sheet of metal
having its upper edge shaped to approximately conform to the under side of the tie
when placed transversely therebeneath and fitted beneath the tie at or near the
middle thereof transverse thereto and secured to the tie by suitable means.
means preferred to be employed are illustrated in the drawings and comprise a
stirrup M the downwardly projecting legs N of which are fitted into the stirrup
receiving sockets o in the anchor proper where the legs N are secured by the pins
or dowels P.
The
The anchor seat consists of a thickened portion at the middle of the tie or at
the point designed to receive the anchor. In the drawings, Q represents the
thickened portion of the tie which receives the anchor, and S represents stirrup

page_text: securing gains in the edge of the tie to receive the legs N of the chip or stirrup M
to prevent lateral motion thereof.
In addition to the anchor plate L, anchor plates R R are provided at the ends
of the tie. These are formed integral with the tie by bending down the ends.of.
the lateral flanges.
In practice the mid-anchor may sometimes be omitted and the end anchor
plates R depended upon entirely to prevent slipping of the tie, and when the mid-
anchor plate L is used, the end anchor plates R may be dispensed with.
In Figure is shown the rail pushed to the outer edge of the gain D while
the inner clips I are provided with ribs K' to fit into the space between the base
of the rail and the inside wall of the gain, and the outside clip I is shown without
any rib.
Figure 5 shows the clip I, provided with lugs K, so that when it is desired to
set the rail nearer the centre of the tie it may be done by using an outside clip
provided with the rib as in Figure 5, while the inside clip is cast smooth as
indicated by the dotted line in Figure 6.
Clip I extends across the entire width of the tie and the lugs H which project
down into the side gains G serve a double purpose. They serve to assist in
preventing lateral motion of the rail, and also serve to prevent the tie from
spreading. By this device it becomes possible to dispense with the top transverse
gains D. The form shown in the drawings, however, is preferable, as it prevents
all possibility of spreading of the track.
In the modified form shown in Figure 8, the top face of the flange is provided
with serrations and the under face of the outer clip, which in this figure is
marked is correspondingly serrated.
In the modification shown in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12, the tie is not in contact
with the tie, but rests upon a chair 1 having the rail channel 2 in its top, the
downwardly extending edge plates 3 arranged to fit gains 4, which are formed in
the flanges to receive the edge plates to prevent lateral displacement of the chair,
which chair is also provided with the semi-cylindrical brace plate 5 conforming in
cross-section to the cross-section of the channel, and projecting downward from the
under face of the chair.
In practice the chairs are fitted upon the open face of the drain tie with their
edge plates 3 inserted in the gains 4 and the brace plate 5 fitting into the channel
of the tie; the rail is placed in position in the channel 2 of the chair, and the tie,
chair and rail are secured together by bolts 6, nuts 7 and suitable clips 8.
under face of the tie has the two bevelled portions 99 to fit upon the sloping
upper faces of the flanges C.
The
The junction of the flanges C with the crimp or channel portion is provided on
its inside angle with a thickened portion such as the bead or quarter round T
which serves the double purpose of stiffening and strengthening the tie and also
filling the angle into which it is difficult to tamp the ballast.
It will be seen by reference to Figure 12 that there is absolute security against
Hattening of the tie, because by means of the brace plate 5 and the beveled
facets 9 the under face of the chair is made to conform to the tie so that the
pressure will have no spreading or flattening effect upon the tie, while at the
same time the downwardly projecting edge pieces or plates 3 also serve to prevent
It will be
the spread as well as to prevent the chair from slipping on the tie.
understood that when the ties and rails are in place the ballast of the road is
made flush with the top of the flanges and that it is raised slightly above this
level between the ties so that the water falling upon the road bed between the
ties will be conducted on to the flanges, the downward inclination of which causes
the water to flow into the open channels of the ties and be thereby conducted .to
the side of the track and there discharged.
It will be observed that there is no possibility for the rail to slip upon the tie,
as it is held by its seat in the chair while the chair is absolutely secured by the
interlocking of the gained flanges and the edge plates 3.

page_text: In practice the flanges are each of a width equal to half the width of the
channel, as this gives the best result for stiffness and stability.
It is to be understood that the claim is not limited to any particular method of
manufacture, as it is obvious that the improved tie can be formed by stamping,
rolling or forging, or by any other method which may be deemed desirable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A. railway tic comprising a metallic plate crimped to form an axial approxi-
mately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral flanges extending
respectively along the sides of such channel and provided with the thickened and
depressed seats arranged respectively to receive and sustain the rails.
2. The combination of a railway tie comprising a metallic plate crimped to form
an axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral
flanges extending respectively along the sides of such channel and provided with
rail securing gains in such flanges and with the thickened and depressed seats
arranged respectively to receive and sustain the rails, the inside clips, the outside
clips provided with lugs arranged to fit into the rail securing gains, and means for
securing the clips to the tic.
:
3. The combination of a railway tie comprising a metallic plate crimped to form
an axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral
flanges extending respectively along the sides of such channel and provided with
means to prevent the lateral movement of the rail on such tie, the anchor plate
fitted beneath the tie transverse thereto and means for securing the anchor plate
to the tie.
4. The combination of a railway tie comprising a metallic plate crimped to form
an axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral
flanges extending respectively along the sides of such channel and provided with
means to prevent the lateral movement of the rail on such tie, and with the
stirrup securing gains; the anchor plate fitted beneath the tie transverse thereto
and provided with stirrup receiving sockets; the stirrup provided with legs and
the dowels.
5. The combination of the tie comprising a metallic plate crimped to form an
axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral flanges
extending respectively along the sides of such channel and provided with rail seats
in such flanges; the clips provided with the gauge ribs and means for securing
the clips to the tie.
6. The combination of a railway tie comprising a metallic plate crimped to form
an axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral
flanges extending respectively along the sides of such channel and provided with
the thickened and depressed rail seats and the thickened anchor seat; the anchor
plate fitted beneath the tie transverse thereto, means for securing the rails to the
tie and means for securing the anchor plate to the tie.
7. The combination of a railway tie comprising a metallic plate crimped to form
an axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral
flanges extending respectively along the sides of such channel and provided with
means for preventing the lateral movement of the rail on the tie, the semi-
cylindrical top grooved strengthening chair and means for securing the rail to
the tie.
8. A railway tie comprising a metal plate crimped to form an axial approxi-
mately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral flanges extending
respectively along the sides of such channel and having the ends of such flanges
bent down to form the anchor plates, substantially as set forth.
9. The combination of a tie comprising a metallic plate having a longitudinal
channel in its upper face with lateral Hanges extending respectively along the
sides of such channel and provided with the rail seats in the top faces of such.

page_text: flanges the clips provided with the end lugs and means for securing the clips to
the plate.
10. The combination of a tic comprising a metallic plate crimped to form an
axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral flanges
extending respectively along the sides of such channel and provided with the
gains G, the clips provided with the end lugs H, and means for securing the clips
to the tie.
11. The combination of a tie comprising a metallic plate having an axial
channel in its upper face with lateral flanges extending respectively along the
sides of such channel, and provided with the gains in the edges of such flanges;
the clips provided with end lugs arranged to fit in such gains; and means for
securing the clips to the plate.
12. The combination of the rail, the tie comprising a metallic plate crimped to
form a semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral flanges extending
respectively along the sides of such channel and provided with rail seats in such
flanges to sustain the rails, the rigid flat-topped semi-cylindrical strengthening chair
arranged to fit in the channel of the tie with its top flush with the rail seats, and
means for securing the rail to the tie.
13. The railway road bed drain tie formed of a rolled metallic plate crimped to
form an axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral
flanges extending along the sides of such channel and having their upper faces
inclined from their outer edges downward to the channel, substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
14. The combination of the tie formed of a metallic plate crimped to form an
axial approximately semi-cylindrical channel in its upper face with lateral flanges
extending along the sides of such channel, and provided with the gains et; and the
chair having the rail channel in its top, the downwardly extending edge plates d
arranged to fit the gains, and the semi-cylindrical brace plate conforming in
cross section to the cross section of the channel and projecting downward from the
under face of the chair.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1891,
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.