Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 12th July, 1886.
Complete Left, 12th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 13th May, 1887.
We JAMES WHITESTONE of 113 Queen Victoria Street, London, Civil Engineer
and WALLACE COCHRANE SOMERVILLE of 105 Upper Thames Street, London, Civil
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improved means of fastening and securing rails to iron
or steel sleepers and consists in using for each fastening two brackets one on each
side of the rail and resting upon the upper surface of the sleeper, which brackets
in combination with a key will support, fasten and secure the rail to the sleeper
without screws or rivets as hereinafter set forth.
In the following description of our invention we wish it to be understood that the
words "inner" and "inwards" are intended to refer to parts and positions relatively
nearer to the centre line of a railway road or track of two parallel or concentric rails
and that the words "outer" and "outwards" are intended to refer to parts and
positions relatively more remote from such centre line.
The two brackets when in their proper positions form virtually a chair to and
within which the rail is secured by means of a key. One of such brackets (hereinafter
called the outer bracket) has its upper surface formed to receive and support the
lower head or flange of the rail and extends or projects upwards on the outer side
of the rail so as to form an abutment for and to receive and press against the key
when driven in between it and the rail. This bracket is provided at its outer end
and about the centre of its width with a hook or tang projecting downwards from
its underside, which hook passes through a hole or slot (by preference rectangular
or thereabouts) made in the upper part of the metal sleeper and extends outwards
thereunder. The inner end of this bracket extends inwards beyond the rail and

page_text: has its upper side formed with a surface to receive and bear against the underside
of the inner bracket and a notch or gap is made about the centre of its width
to allow space for the reception of a hook or tang of the inner bracket next hereinafter
described.
The other bracket (which we call the inner bracket) rests and bears upon the
sleeper at its inner end and extends or projects upwards on the inner side of the
rail so as to form an abutment for and to receive and press against the web of
the rail so as to resist the pressure caused by the key acting upon the opposite
or outer side of the web of the rail.
This inner bracket is provided at its outer end and about the centre of its width
with a hook or tang projecting downwards from its underside which hook passes
within the notch or gap in the outer bracket and through a hole or slot (by preference
rectangular or thereabouts) made in the upper part of the metal sleeper and extends
outwards thereunder so that when the key is driven in tightly the said hook will
bear and press against the underside of the metal sleeper and thus resist tendency
of the inner bracket to be tilted inward by the pressure of the key. The underside
of this inner bracket is curved upwards towards its outer end so as to pass over
and rest and bear upon the upper surface of the inner end of the outer bracket which
is formed to receive it as aforesaid so as to resist the tendency to raise the inner
end of the outer bracket caused by the pressure of the key or otherwise.
The curvature of the underside of the inner bracket and of that part of the upper
surface of the outer bracket formed to receive and bear against it is generated
and determined by the arc of a circle having for its centre a point situated on
the lower surface of that part of the metal sleeper through which the hook of
the inner bracket passes and also situated at the outer end or extremity of the hole
or slot made in the metal sleeper for such hook to pass through.
When the several parts (that is to say the sleeper, the two brackets the rail and
the key) are in their proper positions and when the key is driven in tightly the
pressure of the key will tend to separate and drive. apart the two brackets and
such tendency is resisted and counteracted and the two brackets are prevented
from separating or moving apart as and by the means next described. That part
of the hook or tang of the outer bracket which when the several parts are in their
proper positions is situated between the levels of the upper and lower surfaces of
the metal sleeper through which it passes is formed at its outer end with a shoulder
or vertical surface to hear and press against the outer end or extremity of the
hole or slot through which the said hook passes and similarly the hook or tang
of the inner bracket is formed at its inner end with a shoulder or surface (vertical
or nearly so) to bear and press against the inner end or extremity of the hole
or slot through which such last mentioned hook passes.
When fixing rails according to our invention the outer bracket is first put in
its proper position and then the inner bracket is brought into place by passing
the hook or tang thereof downwards through the hole or slot in the metal sleeper
made to receive it until the curved part of the underside of such bracket shall come
into contact with the curved upper surface of the inner end of the outer bracket
formed to receive it as aforesaid and thereafter pressing downwards the inner end
of the inner bracket so that the two curved surfaces shall slide one upon the other
until the said hook is fully inserted through and into the hole or slot and so that
the shoulder or surface formed upon the inner end of the hook shall bear and press
against the inner end or extremity of the hole or slot as above described. The outer
and inner brackets then form virtually a chair to and within which the rail is
then secured by means of a key driven in in the ordinary way.
The upper surface of the outer bracket is made either flat or curved as required
to receive or fit the lower head or underside of the rail and both the brackets are
so shaped that the rail when fixed shall have the usual or any required cant or
inclination.
In the above description we have stated that each of the brackets is provided with

page_text: one hook or tang but either and each of the brackets may have two hooks or tangs
passing through corresponding holes or slots in the metal sleeper.
As a modification of the arrangements above described the outer bracket may
be made so that its inner end shall not extend beyond the rail and shall not bear
against or come into contact with the inner bracket but in this case the inner bracket
must be shaped and formed so as to bear and press against the upper surface of the
lower head or flange of the rail and in such case the said bracket may or may not
be continued and extended upwards to support the web of the rail as may be found
desirable and expedient.
The last described modification of our invention is more particularly applicable
to and for rails having wide and flat lower flanges.
A pad of seating of felt or other suitable material may be placed and used between
the brackets and the metal sleeper in order to mitigate and lessen the effects of shocks
and vibrations as is already practised.
D 1012 TI 1802
WALTER A. BARLOW,
6, St. Paul's Churchyard, London,
Agent for the Applicants.

page_text: Improvements in Securing Rails to Metal Sleepers.
We JAMES WHITESTONE of 113 Queen Victoria Street London, Civil Engineer and
WALLACE COCHRANE SOMERVILLE of 105 Upper Thames Street, London, Civil
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 :-
Our invention relates to improved means of fastening and securing rails to iron
or steel sleepers and consists in using for each fastening two brackets one on each
side of the rail and resting upon the upper surface of the sleeper which brackets
in combination with a key will support fasten and secure the rail to the sleeper
without screws or rivets as herein after set forth.
In the following discription of our invention we wish it to be understood that
the words inner and inwards are intended to refer to parts and positions relatively
nearer to the centre line of a railway road or track of two parallel or concentric rails
and that the words outer and outwards are intended to refer to parts and positions
relatively more remote from such centre line.
The two brackets when in their proper positions form virtually a chair to and
within which the rail is secured by means of a key.
One of such brackets (herein after called the outer bracket) has its upper surface
formed to receive and support the lower head or flange of the rail and extends
or projects upwards on the outer side of the rail so as to form an abutment for and
to receive and press against the key when driven in between it and the rail.
This bracket is provided at its outer end and about the centre of its width with
a hook or tang projecting downwards from its underside which hook passes through
a hole or slot (by preference rectangular or thereabouts) made in the upper part
of the metal sleeper and extends outwards thereunder. The inner end of this
bracket extends inwards beyond the rail and has its upper side formed with a surface
to receive and bear against the underside of the inner bracket and a notch or
gap is made about the centre of its width to allow space for the reception of a hook
or tang of the inner bracket next hereinafter described.
The other bracket (which we call the inner bracket) rests and bears upon the
sleeper at its inner end and extends or projects upwards on the inner side of the rail
so as to form an abutment for and to receive and press against the web of the rail
and so as to resist the pressure caused by the key acting upon the opposite or outer
side of the web of the rail.
This inner bracket is provided at its outer end and about the centre of its width
with a hook or tang projecting downwards from its underside, which hook passes
within the notch or gap in the outer bracket and through a hole or slot (by preference
rectangular or thereabouts) made in the upper part of the metal sleeper and extends
outwards thereunder so that when the key is drven in tightly the said hook will bear
and press against the underside of the metal sleeper and thus resist tendency of the
inner bracket to be tilted inward by the pressure of the key.
The underside of this inner bracket is curved upwards towards its outer end
so as to pass over and rest and bear upon the upper surface of the inner end of
the outer bracket which is formed to receive it as aforesaid so as to resist the
tendency to raise the inner end of the outer bracket by the pressure of the key
or otherwise.

page_text: The curvature of the underside of the inner bracket and of that part of the upper
surface of the outer bracket formed to receive and bear against it is generated and
determined by the arc of a circle having for its centre a point situated on the lower
surface of that part of the metal sleeper through which the hook of the inner bracket
passes and also situated at the outer end or extremity of the hole or slot made
in the metal sleeper for such hook to pass through.
When the several parts (that is to say the sleeper, the two brackets, the rail and
the key) are in their proper positions and when the key is driven in tightly the
pressure of the key will tend to separate and drive apart the two brackets and such
tendency is resisted and counteracted, and the two brackets are prevented from
separating or moving apart as and by the means next described. That part of
the hook or tang of the outer brackets which when the several parts are in their
proper positions is situated between the levels of the upper and lower surfaces
of the metal sleepers, through which it passes, is formed at its outer end with
a shoulder or vertical surface to bear and press against the outer end or extremity
of the hole or slot, through which the said hook passes and similarly, the hook or
tang of the inner bracket is formed at its inner end with a shoulder or surface
(vertical or nearly so) to bear and press against the inner end or extremity of the
hole or slot through which such last mentioned hook passes.
When fixing rails according to our invention the outer bracket is first put in
its proper position and then the inner bracket is brought into place, by passing the
hook or tang thereof downwards, through the hole or slot in the metal sleeper made
to receive it, until the curved part of the underside of such bracket shall come into
contact with the curved upper surface of the inner end of the outer bracket, formed
to receive it as aforesaid, and thereafter pressing downwards, the inner end of
the inner bracket so that the two curved surfaces shall slide one upon the other
until the said hook is fully inserted through and into the hole or slot and so
that the shoulder or surface formed upon the inner end of the hook shall
bear and press against the inner end or extremity of the hole or slot as
above described. The outer and inner brackets then form virtually a chair
to and within which the rail is then secured by means of a key driven in the
ordinary way.
The upper surface of the outer bracket is made either flat or curved as required
to receive or fit the lower head or underside of the rail and both the brackets
are so shaped that the rail when fixed shall have the usual or any required cant
or inclination.
In the above discription we have stated that each of the brackets is provided
with one hook or tang but either and each of the brackets may have two hooks
or tangs passing through corresponding holes or slots in the metal sleeper.
As a modification of the arrangements above described the outer brackets may
be made so that its inner end shall not extend beyond the rail and shall not bear
against or come into contact with the inner bracket but in this case the inner bracket
must be shaped and formed so as to bear and press against the upper surface of
the lower head or flange of the rail and in such case the said bracket may or
may not be continued and extended upwards to support the web of the rail as
may be found desirable and expedient.
The last described modification of our invention is more particularly applicable
to and for rails having wide and flat lower flanges. A pad or seating of felt
or other suitable material may be placed and used between the brackets and the
metal sleeper in order to mitigate and lessen the effects of shocks and vibrations
as is already well practised.
In the drawings annexed hereto, like letters of reference indicate similar parts
in the several views.
Fig. 1. is a longitudinal section and Fig. 2. a cross section through the sleeper,
showing the brackets in position. Fig. 3 is a plan of the two brackets and part
of the sleeper and Fig. 4 a plan of the outer bracket alone.
.
A. is the outer bracket, having the hook or tang a¹ projecting downwards through

page_text: a hole or slot in the sleeper E, and extending outwards beneath the top of the sleeper
as shown.
This bracket extends inwards, and has its upper side at A2, formed as a curved
surface. A³ (Fig. 4.) is the notch or gap formed to allow space for the hook or tang
of the inner bracket. B is the inner bracket having the hook or tang B¹ which
passes within the notch A³, and through a hole or slot in the sleeper E, and extends
outwards beneath the top of the sleeper as shown. The underside of this bracket
is curved upwards at B2, so as to fit and bear against the curved upper surface
of the outer bracket at A².
The curves at A2 and B³, are struck from the centre K, as before described.
By means of the tang B₁ passing within the notch A³, and of the surface B³,
abutting against the surface A, the bracket A, is locked in position by the bracket B.
C, is the key between the outer bracket and the rail D-a space or clearance
is shown between the brackets and the upper surface of the sleeper, to admit
a pad or packing of felt or other suitable material for the purpose of diminishing
vibration.
Figs. 5. 6. 7 and 8 show a modification suitable for rails having wide and flat
bottom flanges. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section and Fig. 6 is a cross section through
the sleeper showing the brackets, rail and key in position. Fig. 7 is a plan of the
two brackets and part of the sleeper and Fig. 8 is a part plan of the sleeper alone
showing the holes or slots made therein to receive the hooks or tangs of the brackets.
A, is the outer bracket having two hooks or tangs A¹, and extending inwards
under the rail D as shown. B, is the inner bracket formed so as to bear against the
upper surface of the flange of the rail and having two hooks or tangs B¹. C, is the
key, D, the rail, and E, the sleeper.
In making brackets such as here shown for rails with side flanges, we prefer to use
annealed cast steel.
We have heretofore described arrangements in which the key is placed on the
outer side of the rail as is more usual, but the brackets may be modified in shape
to suit keys placed in the inner side of the rail and the keys may be of either wood
as shown or metal of any suitable kind and shapo.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is :-
Firstly. In the fastening of a rail to a metal sleeper, the two brackets and key,
one of such brackets forming a bed or seating for the rail, as and for the purpose
herein set forth.
Secondly. The combination of the two brackets A and B, as shown in
Figs. 1, 2, and 3, with a metal sleeper so that the bracket A, shall be locked
or fixed in position by the bracket B, as and for the purpose herein set forth.
Thirdly. The bracket A, as shown in Figs. 1. 2. 3 and 4, having a notch or
gap A³, and a hook or tang, A¹, or two or more hooks or tangs, as and for the
purpose herein set forth.
Fourthly. The brackets with curved surfaces A2, B2, so formed that the same
may be put together with such curved surfaces in contact as and for the purpose
herein set forth.
Fifthly. The combination of the two brackets A and B as shown in Figs. 5. 6.
and 7 with the key C, the rail D and the sleeper E as herein set forth.
Dated 12th April 1887.
WALTER A. BARLOW,
6, St. Paul's Churchyard, E.C.,
Agent for Whitestone & Somerville.
WALTER A. BARLOW,
6, St. Paul's Churchyard, E.Ú.,
Agent for Whitestone & Somerville.