Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Aug., 1898-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1898
A communication from ROBERT ARCHIBALD WHITE, of Currie Street, Adelaide,
in the Province of South Australia, Civil and Mechanical Engineer.
I, GEORGE BELOE ELLIS, of the Firm of J. C. Mewburn & Ellis, of 55 and 56,
Chancery Lane, in the County of London, Chartered Patent Agents, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The object of this invention is to provide an inflexible fastening for the rails
of railways and tramways which is also at the same time automatically self-
tightening.
In the following specification the invention is shewn more particularly as applied
to the fastening of the joints of rails, but with some modifications of
mechanical details the same principles may be applied to the chair or other device
by means of which the rail is fixed upon the sleepers.
This invention consists of a special device or arrangement of parts, whereby
the tension of a compressed spring or its equivalent, operating a movable wedge
or wedges travelling along stationary inclined planes, maintains the fishplates
in close contact with the rails.
The wedge or wedges with their wedge plates having relative inclined planes
may be arranged either horizontally with an inward or outward travel, or verti-
cally with an upward or downward movement of the wedge or wedges as may be
preferred.
The wedge or wedges are actuated preferably by a compressed helical spring,
but any other suitable means may be employed which will drive them apart or
draw them together as the case may be for the purpose indicated.
When arranged horizontally the wedges are operated by a vertical wedge-
shaped block device having a central recess in which the helical spring is com-
pressed by means of a bolt and nut provided for the purpose. This recess is
made octagonal or some suitable shape, whereby a washer of similar shape, by
means of which the spring is compressed under the action of a screw nut, is pre-
vented from rotating as the pressure is applied.
By means of this invention the tension of the spring upon the wedge-shaped
block device operating through the wedges and wedge-plates hereinafter described,
automatically takes up any looseness of the fishplates caused by wear or by the
expansion and contraction of the rails.
A spécial device for locking the screw nut may also be provided, so that the
pressure of the spring cannot be diminished or the nut turned upon the bolt
without removing the locking device, but which locking device in no way inter-
feres with the downward travel of the wedge block.
In order to prevent the wedges from slipping, and the fishplates from becoming
loose through the breakage of a spring, gibs and cotters may be provided which
will always maintain the wedge or wedges at the highest point which they may
have reached under pressure of the spring or springs.
It will be readily understood that the invention is capable of variations and

page_text: modifications in the details of construction without interfering with the main
principles upon which it is devised. Three of these modifications are shewn and
hereinafter described, and sufficiently indicate the manner of carrying into effect
the principles indicated.
Referring to the accompanying drawings
Fig. 1, is a side elevation of the invention in which a vertical wedge block is
arranged to operate horizontal wedges travelling upon corresponding horizontal
inclined planes formed on a wedge plate and in a clamp device which is so
arranged as to pass under the rails, maintaining the fishplates, as at present in
use, in contact with the rails.
Fig. 2, a plan of the same.
Fig. 3, longitudinal sectional elevation of the same along the line a-a in
Fig. 2.
Fig. 4, transverse sectional elevation of the same upon line b-b in Fig. 2.
Fig. 5, a plan of a modification of the same in which a vertical wedge block
travels upon corresponding vertical inclined planes formed upon two wedge plates,
one of which wedge plates engages the inner fishplate, and the other a clamp
which is so arranged as to pass under the rail, and to take a bearing against the
outer fish plate.
Fig. 6, transverse section of the same along a line c-c in Fig. 5.
Fig. 7, longitudinal elevation of a further modification in which the clamp
passing under the rails is dispensed with and the wedge devices applied to suit-
able bolts and nuts for the same purpose, the internal parts being shewn by dotted
lines.
Fig. 8, end elevation of the same, the rail being shewn in section on line d-d
(Fig. 7) and the internal parts by dotted lines.
Figs. 9 10 & 11, plan longitudinal section, and end view of the vertical wedge
block used in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Figs. 12 & 13, plan and side view of the locking device for the same.
Fig. 14, a plan of the washer of the helical spring compression bolt.
Figs. 15 16 & 17, detail plan, longitudinal elevation and end view of horizontal
wedge also for the same.
Figs. 18 & 19, plan and transverse section of horizontal wedge plate used with
the same.
Figs. 20 & 21, longitudinal elevation and end view of vertical wedge shaped
block used in connection with the modifications shewn in Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8.
Figs. 22 & 23, inside and end view of vertical wedge plate employed in Figures 7
and 8.
Similar letters refer to similar parts where shewn throughout the drawings.
The invention will first be described as applied to the fishplates at present
in use.
Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 the rails A A are engaged by fishplates BB',
in the ordinary way. To prevent creep or travel they may both be drilled and
provided with short bolts or dowels B2. In order to maintain the fishplates in
intimate contact with the rails and to take up any looseness which may be
occasioned by wear of the fishplates, in place of the bolts and nuts at present in
use, a clamp C is provided having two upwardly projecting lugs or jaws C¹ which
engage the outer fishplate B. The inner side of the clamp C is provided with
lugs Chaving internal horizontal inclined planes C3 C3. Corresponding inclined
planes D are formed upon the outer face of a supplementary wedge plate D
(Figures 18 and 19) the inside face of which takes a bearing against the inner
fish plate B and maintains it in close contact with the rails A A.
In order to maintain pressure upon the wedge plate D two horizontal wedges EE
are provided (Figures 15, 16 and 17) having inclined planes El corresponding
with the inclined planes C3 and D. To prevent the wedges E E from rising the
planes D D (Figure 19) and C3 C3 are preferably made with convex edges and
the edges of the inclined planes E' E' of the wedges E E formed concave

page_text: (Figure 17) to correspond with the same or vice versa, or of any suitable shape, to
accomplish the same purpose. The wedges E E are actuated by a wedge block F
(Figures 9, 10, and 11) having vertical inclined planes F1 F1 and travelling upon
corresponding vertically inclined planes E2 E2 (Figure 13) formed upon the inner
ends of the horizontal wedges E E. Pressure is maintained upon
the wedge block F by the tension of a helical spring G (Figures 3
and 4) compressed by means of a screw bolt H. The head H' of the screw bolt H
takes a bearing underneath the clamp C, the body of the same passing through
a hole provided for the purpose, and thence through a hole Fe in the bottom
of the wedge block and through the center of the helical spring G. The
wedge block is formed with an internal recess F3 in which the helical spring G
is contained and against the bottom of which the lower end of the spring takes a
bearing. The recess F³ is preferably octagonal or other suitable shape which will
prevent from turning a washer H³ (Figure 14) of similar shape, placed upon the
top of the helical spring G, and acted upon by the screw nut H of the bolt H.
By this means the helical spring G during compression, is prevented from turn-
ing and uniform pressure imparted to it.
In practice the several parts having been placed in position, pressure is im-
parted to the helical spring G by the screw nut Ht. The effect of this is to force
down the wedge block F along the inclined planes E2 E2 and to force outwards
the wedges E E along the inclined planes C3 C and D1 D bringing the wedge
plate D in close contact with the inner fishplate B¹ and at the same time by
forcing outwards the clamp C imparting pressure by means of the clamp jaws C¹ C¹
upon the outer fishplate B. The wedge block F having been forced down to
its fullest extent and the helical spring G still further compressed, should from
wear or other cause the fishplates have a tendency to become loose or in any
way the intimate pressure upon the rails be relaxed, the expansion of the helical
spring G will automatically further force down the wedge block F and by pres-
sing outwards the wedges E E automatically take up such slackness and main-
tain the intimate pressure of the fishplates B B upon the rails A A.
In order to prevent the screw nut H from shaking loose or turning upon the
serew thread, a hinged locking piece I is provided (Figures 12 and 13) having
an opening I corresponding with the shape of the screw nut H. The locking
piece I is hinged at 12 to the head F of the wedge block F and when in position
is secured by its projecting jaws 13 and a split pin or other suitable means to the
head F upon the block F. By this means it is impossible for the screw nut H
to turn until the locking device I is released. Whilst preventing the screw
nut H from turning the opening I should be sufficiently large to allow of its
passing freely through and thereby in no way interfering with the movement of
the wedge block F.
In order to prevent longitudinal movement of the fish plates between the clamp
and wedge plate, two holes are drilled in each fish plate and the inner face of
the clamp jaws C¹ C¹ and the inner face of the wedge plate D are constructed
These studs C and D² may
with corresponding studs C4 D2 engaging the same.
extend about half the thickness of the fishplate as shewn more particularly in
Figure 4 leaving room for the pins or dowels 13 B2 which pass through the
rails A A and engage both fish plates B B¹.
When it is not desired to make use of the shallow fishplates as at present in
use, the wedge plate 1) may be dispensed with, and a special form of fishplate
provided, having the inclined planes 1])¹ D¹ formed upon the outer face of the
inner fish plate itself in a similar manner to that shewn in Figure 18. The
wedges may also by a further arrangement of parts be given an inward travel
whilst accomplishing the same purpose.
In place
the wedge block and horizontal wedges as in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4
a wedge block and wedges having vertically inclined planes may be provided,
the whole being cast in one piece as shewn in Figures 5 and 6 and in detail in
Figures 20 and 21.

page_text: In place of being itself constructed with the inclined planes, the inner face of
the clamp C is in this case provided with a wedge plate L having vertically
inclined planes L₁ (Figures 5 and 6). The wedge plate L is provided with
holes L L which engage studs C5 C5 formed upon the inner face of the clamp
jaws C³. A corresponding wedge plate N having internal vertical inclined
planes N¹ N¹ engages the inner fish plate B₁ and is held in position upon it by
projecting studs Na Na formed upon its outer face and engaging corresponding
holes provided in the fish plate B¹. In order to maintain pressure upon the
wedge plates Land N a wedge block O is provided (Figures 20 and 21) having
projecting wedge shaped lugs 02 provided with vertically inclined
planes O corresponding with the vertically inclined planes L' N¹.
The body of the wedge block O is constructed with a central recess 0³ in which
is placed a helical spring G compressed in the manner before described. The
action of the helical spring upon the internal portion of the wedge block O is
the same as that described in connection with the wedge block F in Figures 1,
2, 3 and 4 to which the same letters of reference apply. By this means the
tension of the helical spring acting through the wedge block O and the lugs Oa
upon the inclines L₁ and N₁ of the wedge plates L and N maintains a constant
pressure upon the fish plates B B¹.
If it is desired to dispense with the clamp C the invention may, as a further
modification be applied to the bolt and nut method by which the fish plates are
at present held in position. This is accomplished as shewn more particularly in
Figures 7 and 8. In this modification the same wedge block is employed as
shewn in the method illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 and in detail in Figures 20
and 21. The wedge plates P P however differ in shape from those previously
employed, and are as shewn in detail in Figures 22 and 23, being constructed
with wings having inclined planes. Each of the wings of the wedge plates P P
is provided with an internal vertically inclined plane P¹ corresponding with the
inclined planes 01 of the lugs 02 of the wedge block O. The lugs 02 of the wedge
block O are provided with slots 0 0 (Figure 20) so as to allow of the up and
down movement upon the screw bolts Q. The wings of the wedge plates P are
provided with suitable openings Pa Pa through which the bolts Q pass, those in
the outer plate being recessed as at P3 in order to receive the screw nuts Q¹. The
wedge plates P are constructed with an internal central recess P4 adapted to receive
the body of the wedge block O and to allow of its moving freely up and down as
required. The center parts of the wedge plates P are joined at their lower
extremities by a loose flange piece R, the two ends of which R¹ are turned up-
wards to engage the wedge plates P, whilst the edges are turned downwards in
order to form a recess for receiving the head H¹ of the pressure screw bolt H.
In practice the nuts Q₁ are screwed up upon the bolt Q the wedge block O
being pushed up to its highest point, until the sides of the nuts Q¹ coincide with
the sides of the recesses P³. The wedge block is now depressed and forces
the nuts Q into the recesses P³, whereby they are effectually locked. The spring G
is then placed in the recess 02 and pressure imparted to the same by the nut H
upon the bolt H. The tension of the spring G acting through the block 0 upon
the wedge plates P forces these apart and maintains the fish plates in close con-
tact with the rails.
Though described with wedge blocks having inclined planes upon both sides,
these may be constructed with inclines upon one side only in which case a cor-
responding wedge plate would be used upon that side, and a flat plate or the
fishplate itself upon the other.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention as communicated to me and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In rail fastenings maintaining the fish plates in close contact with the rails

page_text: by the action of a wedge or wedges operated by the tension of a compressed spring
or its equivalent.
2. In rail fastenings maintaining the fish plates in intimate contact with the
rails by means of a clamp device provided with a movable wedge or wedges
actuated by the tension of a compressed spring.
3. In rail fastenings a clamp, the outer jaws of which take a bearing against
the outer fish plate, and the inner jaws of which are provided with internal
inclined planes operated upon by a movable wedge or wedges actuated by the
tension of a compressed spring.
4. In rail fastenings, a clamp having the outer jaws engaging the outer fish-
plate and inner jaws provided with inclined planes, and a wedge plate having
similar inclined planes engaging the inner fish plate, both operated upon by a
movable wedge or wedges actuated by the tension of a compressed spring.
5. In rail fastenings a wedge block operated upon by the tension of a com-
pressed spring and itself operating movable wedges, substantially as described.
6. In rail fastenings a clamp having inclined planes, a wedge plate, and wedges
operated by a wedge block actuated by the tension of a compressed spring, as a
combination of parts, substantially as described.
7. In rail fastenings, constructing the inner fish-plate with inclined planes,
substantially as herein described and for the purpose indicated.
8. In rail fastenings, a clamp, the outer jaws of which engage the outer fish
plate and the inner jaws of which are provided with wedge plates operated upon
by a wedge block having vertical inclined planes, substantially as described.
9. In rail fastenings, an inner wedge plate for engaging the inner fish plate
having vertical inclined planes operated upon by a wedge block and lugs having
corresponding vertical inclined planes.
10. In rail fastenings, a wedge block having projecting lugs provided with
vertical inclined planes operating wedge plates having corresponding inclined
planes.
11. In rail fastenings in which screw bolts and nuts are employed for maintain-
ing the fish plates in contact with the rails, wedge plates having inclined planes
operated upon by a wedge block having projecting lugs, actuated by the tension
of a compressed spring substantially as described.
12. In rail fastenings in which screw bolts and nuts are employed for retain-
ing the fish plates in contact with the rails, a wedge block having wedge-shaped
lugs, plates having inclined planes, a flanged piece for connecting the same, and
a screw bolt and nut for compressing a helical spring, as a combination of parts,
substantially as herein described.
13. In rail fastenings, in which screw bolts and nuts are provided for maintain-
ing the fishplates in contact with the rails, wedge plates having inclined planes,
and recesses for the reception of the screw nuts, substantially as described.
14. In rail fastenings, providing the wedge block with an internal recess for
the purpose of a compressed spring, substantially as described.
15. In rail fastenings, the combination with a screw bolt and nut for compres-
sing the spring, of an octagonal or other suitably shaped washer corresponding
with the internal recess of the wedge block, substantially as herein described.
16. In rail fastenings, the combination with a screw bolt and nut for applying
pressure to a helical spring, of a locking device, substantially as described and
shewn in Figures 2, 12 and 13 of the drawings.
1 this 2nd day of August 1898.
J. C. MEWBURN & ELLIS,
55 and 56, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.