Improvements in Rail Joints for Railways and Tramways.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rail Joints for Railways and Tramways.
I, WILLIAM KIRKLEY BIRKINSILAW, of Old Croft House, Quarndon, near
Derby, in the County of Derby, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to the permanent way of railways, tramways and the
like, and has for its object to produce an improved form of fish-plate.
According to this invention I roll a bar with a longitudinal groove upon one
side and a corresponding raised ridge upon the other, the groove and ridge
being preferably situated somewhat out of the centre of the cross section of the
bar. This bar is cut into short lengths suitable for use as fish-plates and the
edge which lies uppermost of each fish-plate is sheared off at an angle, so that
the top edge of the plate slopes up from either end towards the centre portion.
The dimension of the plate is such that the top edge will lie on a level with, or
if anything, slightly above the level of the top of the head of the rails whose
ends are united by the fish-plate. The object of this arrangement is to obviate
the jolting and shock as the wheels pass over the join of the rails, the wheel
by passing along the edge of the fish-plate being carried smoothly over the join.
The dimensions of the ridge formed on the plate are such as to allow of its
fitting in against or close to the web of the rail between the head and foot of
the latter. The holes for fastening the bolts are punched through the plate at
the bottom of the groove, the latter being of such a width that the square heads
of the bolts will fit therein and be prevented from turning. This is an important
feature as it facilitates fixing of the plates and tightening of the bolts, and
cheapening the manufacture by only having to punch the holes round, also
making the plate stronger.
It will of course be understood that the depressions of the groove in the rolled
bar may be varied to suit various bolts, also the dimensions of the ridge may
be adapted to the form of the rails with which fish-plates are to be used.
If desired, a strengthening plate may be inserted in the groove, in which
case, it is advisable to make the holes in the plate pear-shaped or oval as the
bolt-head would not be prevented from turning as it lies on the groove.
The bottom of the fish plate may if desired be curved so as to lie under and
partially embrace the bottom of the rail ends, this forming a bottom flange and
giving addition-support to the rails.
Dotad this 11th day of January 1899
W. K. BIRKINSHAW.
Boult & Wade,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, WILLIAM KIRKLEY BIRKINSHAW, of Old Croft House, Quarndon, near
Derby, in the County of Derby, Merchant, 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 the permanent way of railways, tramways and the
like, and has for its object to produce an improved form of fish-plate.
According to this invention I roll a bar with a longitudinal groove upon one
side and a corresponding raised ridge upon the other, the groove and ridge
being preferably situated somewhat out of the centre of the cross section of the
bar. This bar is cut into short lengths suitable for use as fish-plates and the
edge of each fish-plate which lies uppermost is sheared off at an angle, so that
the top edge of the plate slopes up from either end towards the centre portion.
The dimension of the plate is such that the top edge will lie on a level with, or
if anything, slightly above the top of the head of the rails whose
ends are united by the fish-plate. The object of this arrangement is to obviate
the jolting and shock as the wheels pass over the join of the rails, the wheel
by passing along the edge of the fish-plate being carried smoothly over the join
The dimensions of the ridge formed on the plate are such as to allow of its
fitting in against or close to the web of the rail between the head and foot of
the latter. The holes for fastening the bolts are punched through the plate at
the bottom of the groove, the latter being of such a width that the square heads
of the bolts will fit therein and be prevented from turning. This is an important
feature as it facilitates fixing of the plates and tightening of the bolts, and
cheapens the manufacture, round holes only having to be punched, this also
tends to make the plate stronger.
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of one construction of fish-plate according to this
invention, and
Figure 2 is a transverse section of the same on the line 22 of Figure 1,
drawn to a larger scale and indicating the position of a wheel upon the fish-
plate.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
A are rails joined by a fish-plate B which is formed with a longitudinal
groove B upon one side and a ridge B2 upon the other side. The ridge B2
fits between the head and foot of the rail A and the groove B¹ is so formed that
it accommodates the square heads of bolts Cand prevents them from turning when
the nut Care tightened. These bolts C pass through holes B3 in the fish-
plate B and through holes A and in the rail A and a plate 1) respectively.
The top edge of the fish-plate B is sloped as at B and the central portion of
that edge is level with or slightly higher than the top of the rail A, so that
the wheel E is eased over the join between the rails.
It will of course be understood that the depression of the groove in the rolled
bar may be varied to suit various bolts, also the dimensions of the ridge may
be adapted to the form of the rails with which fish-plates are to be used.
The bottom of the fish-plate may if desired be curved so as to lie under and
partially embrace the bottom of the rail ends, this forming a bottom flange and
giving additional support to the rails.

page_text: 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:
1. A fish-plate of the kind described having a longitudinal groove upon one
side adapted to accommodate the heads of the clamping bolts and prevent them
from turning.
2. A fish-plate such as B, B1, B2, substantially as and for the purpose described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.