Improvements in Railway Sleepers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec., 1896
Complete Specification Left. 23rd Sept., 1897-Accepted. 23rd Oct., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Sleepers.
I, ALONZO BIDWELL, of Fort Scott, Kansas, 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 railway sleeper which can be readily
and easily laid down and the rails equi-distantly secured thereto.
This invention relates to railway sleepers, and it has for its object to provide an
its upper face. Another rib of lesser height than that aforementioned, crosses
the base at those places where the rails are to rest, and forms a seat therefor; the
longitudinal rib being formed with an, overhanging portion adapted to overlap
the inner flange of each rail. That part of the flange near each end of the sleeper
is serrated on its upper face and has overhanging grooved guides at its sides. A
wedge slides in the guides in such manner that its forward end overlaps the outer
flange of the rail and its rear end, being bent downwardly, engages the serrations
aforementioned, and is kept in engagement therewith by a suitable spring which
bears upon it.
Dated this 99nd day of December 1906
PERCY R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.
I, ALONZO BIDWELL, of Fort Scott, Kansas, 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:-
This invention relates to railway sleepers, and it has for its object to provide an
article of that class, which is cheap to manufacture, more durable than those at
present in use, more readily and easily laid, and, being light, can be conveniently
transported.
Reference being had to the drawings hereunto annexed, the figure illustrates
my improved sleeper in perspective, and the method of retaining the rails thereon.
The sleeper comprises a suitable base A formed with a longitudinal flange B
and seats C for the rails D. The seats comprise a web E and a top plate F formed
with a longitudinal flange G at one edge thereof.
A grooved guide H is cast integral with the flange B on one side of each rail
seat, and serves to retain a key L. This key has a projecting lug J, by striking which
with a hammer, the key may be driven through the groove in the guide H so as

page_text: to overlap the foot of the rail, as shewn, to hold it in place between the flange G
and a recess K formed in the flange B. The outer end of the key is chissel-shaped
and formed somewhat thinner than its remaining portion to render it pliable.
The chissel-shaped end of the key is adapted to engage serrations M in the guide H
to prevent the key from working out in consequence of vibrations caused by
passing trains.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
A railway sleeper consisting of a metal base, a flange extending longitudinally
along its entire length and midway its width, key-guides formed integral with said
flange, serrations on said guides, a key adapted for insertion in said guides and
engagement with said serrations, rail seats formed integral with the base and
comprising a vertical web and a horizontal top-piece having a longitudinal flange
along one of its edges, all substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set
forth and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
1
1907
P. R. J. WILLIS,
Agent for Applicant.