Improvements relating to Single Rail Railways and to Vehicles therefor.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Nov., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 17th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 20th Oct., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Single Rail Railways and to Vehicles
therefor.
I, HENRI JULES CAILLET of 22 Rue Pétrelle, Paris in the Republic of
France Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:
This invention relates principally to an improved system of traction upon a
single line of rails adapted to be easily and inexpensively constructed and put
together permanently or temporarily for the haulage of goods of any kind, men,
or whatever may be placed upon the vehicle.
The line is composed of rails of any kind, but preferably "Vignoles" rails
supported in longitudinal sleepers and secured by spikes or chairs if for permanent
use, or provided with cross plates extending alternately to the right and left, for
portable construction. In place of fish plates, cast sockets are used to embrace the
foot and web of the rails when put end to end. The rails may be rivetted in these
sockets if desired.
The vehicle is composed of a rectangular horizontal frame or platform with a
central cavity in which are mounted two double flanged wheels, one behind the
other. A band brake is applied for the stopping of the vehicle. To maintain the
vehicle upright it is provided with a laterally projecting well secured arm or lever
suitably shaped and provided at its ends with suitable means for attachment to or
upon a draught animal, or so that it may be propelled by a man or men, walking or
running at the side of the vehicle.
Two or more vehicles may be coupled together and to maintain others than the
vehicle provided with the aforesaid arm in an upright position a coupling is used
consisting of two disks pivoted centrally one upon the other and extended each in
opposite directions to be hinged to the ends of the vehicles, the pintles of the
hinges being horizontal. Adjustment to curves is permitted by the pivoting of
the disks, adjustment to varying gradients by the respective hinging of the disks.
For better adjustment to curves the axles of the wheels of the vehicles may have
limited horizontal play. The aforesaid arm may have at its outer end a wheel to
run upon the ground to assist in keeping the vehicle horizontal, but this wheel
should bear but a very small fraction of the weight of the load on the vehicle.
Dated this 15th day of November 1893.
R. HADDAN,
Agent for Applicant.
'
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to Single Rail Railways and to Vehicles
therefor.
I, HENRI JULES CAILLET, of 22 Rue Pétrelle, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Engineer, 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 principally to an improved system of traction upon a
single line of rails adapted to be easily and inexpensively constructed and put

page_text: together permanently or temporarily for the haulage of goods of any kind, men, or
whatever may be placed upon the vehicle.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a section of a rail and joint clasp. Fig. 2 side view of same.
Fig. 4 section of rail and longitudinal sleeper, Fig. 3 plan of same at joint of
rails.
Fig. 5 section of rail and short cross sleeper extending right and left. Fig. 6
plan of same.
Figs. 7 and 8 elevation and plan of vehicle. Fig. 9 front view of same.
Figs. 10 and 11 plan and side view of coupling arrangement.
Fig. 12 detail of slotted axle plate.
Fig. 13 plan of vehicle arrangement for animal draught.
In above figures, A is the rectangular frame of the vehicle. B wheels.
C vertical side walls of vehicle enclosing the wheels and supporting the frame.
D slotted axle plates. F equilibrium and compensatiug lever. G metal brake
band. H brake block.
The line is composed of rails of any kind, but preferably "Vignoles" rails
supported on longitudinal sleepers and secured by spikes or chairs if for permanent
use, or provided with cross plates extending alternately to the right and left, for
portable construction.
In place of fish plates, cast sockets are used to embrace the foot and web of
the rails when put end to end. The rails may be, rivetted in these sockets if
desired.
The vehicle is composed of a rectangular horizontal frame or platform with a
central cavity in which are mounted two double flanged wheels, one behind the
other. A band brake is applied for the stopping of the vehicle. To maintain the
vehicle upright it is provided with a laterally projecting well secured arm or lever
suitably shaped and provided at its ends with suitable means for attachment to or
upon a draught animal, or so that it may be propelled by a man or men walking or
running at the side of the vehicle.
Two or more vehicles may be coupled together and to maintain others than the
vehicle provided with the aforesaid arm in an upright position coupling is used
consisting of two disks pivoted centrally one upon the other and extended each in
opposite directions to be hinged to the ends of the vehicles, the pintles of the
hinges being horizontal. Adjustment to curves is permitted by the pivoting of
the disks, adjustment to varying gradients by the respective hinging of the disks.
For better adjustment to curves the axles of the wheels of the vehicles may have
limited horizontal play.
The aforesaid arm may have at its outer eud a wheel to run upon the ground to
assist in keeping the vehicle horizontal, but this wheel should bear but a very small
fraction of the weight of the load on the vehicle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what I
claim is
-
The improved single-rail railway and vehicle with its accessories intended to
run thereon by manual or animal power all substantially as described and
illustrated.
Dated this 15th 2 of Wantomh 1004
R. HADDAN,
Of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co.,
18, Buckingham Street, Strand, W.C., London, Agent for the Applicant.