An Improved Tool for use on Railways.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 4th June, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 4th Mar., 1898-Accepted, 9th Apr.,
1898
An Improved Tool for use on Railways.
I, JOHN QUINOY MYERS, of Orlando, Fla., U.S.A., Inventor, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide a tool whereby the sleepers may be
conveniently raised into contact with the underside of the rail whilst being spiked,
or when sunken, whilst ballast is being rammed beneath the sleeper in the usual
way.
The tool consists of a fork having two curved prongs or tines adapted to pass
beneath the sleeper, whilst a projection, at a point where the tines meet, rests upon
the upper surface of the rail. Pressure applied to the handle of the tool causes
the tines to draw the sleeper close up to the rail.
Dated this 4th day of June 1897.
I, JOHN QUINCY MYERS, of Orlando, Fla., U.S.A., Inventor, 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 objects of my invention are, first, to facilitate the spiking of rails to cross
ties in construction and repair of railway tracks or any track using rails and ties,
by supporting and levelling the tie, bringing and holding the tie in close contact,
furnishing a firm resistance to the strokes of the hammer driving the spike,
thereby making the work more accurate and secure, preserving the track bed and
avoiding expensive levelling up of the track; secondly, to hold rails or bars of
iron, steel or other material firmly in position while cut or sawn. I attain these
objects by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Figure 1 represents the spiking fork in perspective. A is the fulcrum point:
Hthe point of contact with the rail. BB are the rocker prongs of the fork
intended to go under the tie. Cis the handle, forming a sleeve or socket, into
which a strong wooden extension handle G is to be inserted, the power being
proportionate to the leverage or length of said handle.
Fig. 2 represents the fork in use. D is a cross-tie end view; E, the rail in
position for spiking to tie; F, the spike for fastening same. The power applied
by means of handle Gholds the tie and rail closely together and enables the
driving of the spike rapidly, accurately, and without injury to the road bed, rail
or tic, or if the rail is to be cut, holds it firmly while being cut.

page_text: Fig. 3 is a front sectional view of the fork shewing how the same straddles
the rail.
The spiking fork consists of a device made preferably of steel, having two
prongs of sufficient length to pass under the tie or timber to which the rail is
to be fastened, and extend upward at a slight angle to a height slightly greater
than the thickness of the tie and the height of the rail; the tines gradually
approaching each other and joining at the fulcram point of the fork. The shank
or handle extends backwards, at an angle of twenty to thirty degrees, and is formed
into a sleeve or socket, into which the wooden handle is fitted, or, if preferred,
the entire handle or shaft may be of metal, in either instance length of same being
appropriate to work required. The point of union of the tines of the fork is
wide enough to freely straddle the rail. The point of contact with the rail is flat
transversely and slightly curved or convened longitudinally, the fulcrum being
strengthened by a web at A, all of which is substantially shewn in the accompany-
ing drawings.
This tool can be worked parallel with the rail, enabling its use in cuttings,
tunnels, embankments and crowded yards. It is a most effective tie raiser for
levelling or for spiking, being complete in itself, self-adjusting, dispensing with all
chunks, blocks, pry-polos, and other devices for raising or supporting the tio
while levelling or spiking. It is also a most accurate tool for giving level base
to tio, insuring accuracy and security in spiking, and a most economical and
effective device for holding rails while being cut for purposes of construction or
repair.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
(1) The improved spiking fork herein described, comprising the handle or stem,
the fulcrum point and the curved rocker prongs adapted to straddle the rail and
pass completely under and embrace the tie, whereby the tie and rail are clamped
together for spiking.
(2) In a spiking fork, the combination of the stem, the rocker prongs adapted
to straddle the rail and engage beneath the tie, and the strengthening web at the
fulcrum or meeting point of the stem and prongs as set forth.
Dated this 25th day of February 1898.
P. R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.