Improvements in Trusses and Bridges.
Year: 1898

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Trusses and Bridges.
We, CHARLES HORTON, of West Superior, County of Douglas, State of Wisconsin,
Bridge Building Machinist, and CHARLES HENRY BRADLEY, of Duluth, County of
St. Louis, State of Minnesota, Lumberman, both of United States of America, 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 that class of bridge-trusses, trussed beams, and supporting
columns or posts, in which the use of rivets is largely or wholly avoided.
The object of our invention is to maintain the greatest possible proportion of
strength in the columns, bridge-trusses, and trussed beams by avoiding to a great
degree the use of rivets and other weakening connections in the securing of the
component parts of the posts and truss or span and mainly substituting therefor
splicing and supporting sleeves, hangers, hook-clips, socket-supports, and similar
devices with a conservative use of bolts, and to make the several parts as simple as
practicable, so that they may be assembled together easily and rapidly without the
usual extensive use of expensive machinery, tools, and labor, maintaining in a
high degree strength, durability, and lightness at comparatively small cost.
It consists in certain novel combinations, constructions and arrangements of
parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.
a
In the accompanying drawings, forming parts of this specification, Figure 1
represents a side elevation of our improved bridge truss or span and supporting-
columns. Fig. 2 represents a vertical transverse section of the said span, showing
the supporting-columns in elevation. Fig. 3 represents a vertical longitudinal
section through the upper part of a column and of the shoe for receiving the ends
of the chord-beams of adjoining spans. Fig. 4 represents an end elevation, partially
in section, of the said shoe. Fig. 5 represents a bottom plan view of the said shoe,
the T-beams compassing the supporting-columns being shown in section. Fig. 6
represents a plan view of a bottom supporting-plate for the beams of the column to
rest upon. Fig. 7 represents a vertical section of the same. Fig. 8 represents a detail in
cross-section of a column, showing a binding-sleeve. Fig. 9 is a detail in side
elevation of the same. Fig. 10 is a detail in cross-section of a column, showing
binding-sleeve for the upper end thereof. Fig. 11 is a detail side elevation of the
same. Fig. 12 represents a detail cross-section of the top-chord I-beam with the
hook-clips forming part of our said invention in position thereon and also showing
the manner of securing the panel-posts and supporting rods thereto. Fig. 13
represents a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 14 represents a detail
transverse section through the top-chord I-beam, the splicing and supporting sleeve
forming part of our said invention being shown in elevation thereon. Fig. 15
represents a detail in side elevation of the same. Fig. 16 represents a detail side eleva-
tion showing the abutment-footing and trunnion-box of said bridge-truss forming part
of our said invention and the manner of securing the shore ends of the top-chord
I-beams and the bottom-chord links to the trunnion-box and the roller-bearing of

page_text: said box. Fig. 17 represents an end elevation of the same; and Fig. 18 represents
a top plan view of a portion of a bridge-span embodying our invention, the Hooring
being removed, showing the lateral braces; and Fig. 19 is a detail side elevation
of a portion of said bridge, showing the manner of securing the wind braces in
position.
In the drawings corresponding letters refer to corresponding parts.
Our invention is well adapted for use in places where a single span is needed
or where two or more spans are required, as in the case of a viaduct or similar
structures. In this connection we will describe the construction of the columns or
posts for supporting the bridge, at the termination of the different spans.
A, A, in the drawings designate the T-beams of which the supporting-posts are
preferably composed. As shown, they are usually four in number, the legs of the
T-beams meeting together and resting in a suitable base-plate B, and the said T's
being suitably bound, braced, and held in place, as will be hereinafter fully
described.
C, C, are inclosing and binding sleeves for the upper ends of the posts, and E E
are bearing-shoes to receive the ends of the top-chord beams of the spans.
The base-plates B B are mounted upon suitable masonry, as at B, and bolted
thereto in the usual way, the bolts passing through holes 6 6 in the base-plates
for this purpose. The lower ends of the T-beams rest upon the upper surface of
the plates B B, preferably as shown in the drawings, with their heads resting
against confining flanges b₁ b1 formed upon the edges of the base-plates. Parallel
ribs or raised portions 62 62 are arranged upon the base-plates, forming grooves
adapted to receive the legs of the T-beams. It will thus be seen that the T-beams
are securely held in proper position upon the base-plates when resting thereon. The
edge flange b', which is placed toward the inner part of the bridge, is provided with
perforated ears 63 adapted to receive and have bolted between them the
lower ends of lateral brace-rods bb, which extend between opposite supporting-
posts.
About midway of the height of the posts are secured the binding-sleeves 'C C,
preferably formed in two sections, provided with bolting-flanges cc, by which they
are adapted to be secured together, inclosing the T-beams A A, as shown in Figs. S
and 9. The sleeves C C are provided interiorly with small lugs or projections e¹ cl
in their corners, which are adapted to engage corresponding notches made in the
flanges of the T-beamis A A, so that the sleeves cannot slip upon the said posts.
The bolting-flanges cc upon the sides of the sleeves CC which extend
toward the inner portion of the bridge are adapted to receive and have bolted
between them the ends of a cross bracing-beam C¹, which extends between opposite
posts A A. Upon the same side of the sleeves C C, near the top and bottom edges
of said sleeves, are formed ears, adapted to receive and have bolted between
them the ends of lateral brace-rods between the posts A A, the lower
set of ears having secured between them the upper ends of the braces 6 band'
the upper set of ears having secured between them the lower ends of the braces b b³.
The upper ends of the T-beams are also held together by the sleeves D D, similar
to the sleeves C C. These sleeves are provided in their interior corners with lugs
or projections d d, adapted to engage notches formed in the flanges of the T-beams
A A. By this construction the sleeves D D are prevented from slipping down upon
the post.
Upon the side of the sleeves next to the inner portions of the bridge are formed
ears, adapted to receive the upper ends of the diagonal brace-rods 65 5.
Near the upper edge of the sleeves D D are formed the horizontal lugs d²², upon
opposite corners of said sleeves. These lugs are adapted to receive and have
bolted between them the ends of the end links of the lateral braces upon the under
side of the bridge-span.
T-beams AA are preferably braced at intervals along their length by brace
tie-pieces F F, which are adapted to engage notches formed on the meeting edges
of the leg portions of the T-beams, the said brace tie-pieces having notches ff,

page_text: adapted to inclose a part of the said leg portions, as shown in the drawings.
Upon the upper ends of the T-beams A. A are placed the cap bearing plates E¹ E,
having formed upon their end surfaces the right-angle ribs or projections E2 E³,
forming grooves to receive the upper ends of the leg portions of the T-beams, the
head or flange portions of the said T-beams resting against and being confined by
the edge flanges E³ E, also formed upon the under side of the said cap bearing-
plates. The upper surfaces of the cap bearing-plates E El are recessed, as at e, to
receive the rollers .
Resting upon the rollers e¹ el are the shoes EE, which receive the ends of the
top-chord I-beams of the truss of the adjacent spans, the said shoes being provided
with over-hanging flanges &, e², adapted to surround and inclose the upper edge
of the cap bearing-plates E El. The upper surfaces of the shoes are provided with
inclined surfaces e³, upon which the ends of the top-chord I-beams rest, shoulders
ee being formed thereon to engage the web of said I-beams for holding them
securely in position. Trunnion-plates ese are formed upon the upper surfaces of
said shoes and are adapted to have bolted to them the ends of the bottom-chord
links of the adjacent spans.
GG are I-beams laid with the flanges vertical and forming the top chords of
said bridge-truss. Each of the top chords of said span on the respective sides
thereof is preferably formed of two of these curved I-beams laid end to end with
flanges vertical, the upper ends of said beams being spliced by being brought
respectively into the opposite ends of the splicing and supporting clip H H in
Figs. 1, 14 and 15 at the summit of the longitudinal arch of said truss or span;
but said top chord may consist of a single curved I-beam laid with flanges vertical,
in which case no splicing-clip will be required, or said chord may consist of more
than two curved i-beams similarly laid end to end, with their opposing ends
secured, respectively, in said splicing and supporting clips, all within the compass
of our said invention. Lateral webs are formed upon the clips H for increas-
ing the strength thereof. Each of these clips H is preferably formed so as to
exactly fit the top and side contours of the T-beams which we employ. Each of
the lower ends of the vertical side portions of the clips forms an ear or lug h for
the attachment of the panel-posts, braces &c.
Hook-clips g g are used where no splicing is required at other points on the
top-chord I-beams G for supporting the panel-posts, brace-rods and wind-braces.
These hook-clips are preferably formed like the side hook portions of the splice-
clips H, being used in pairs, as shown in Fig. 12, and not having a connecting-web,
as in the case of said splicing-clips. They are provided with strengthening-
webs g gl, similar to the webs of the splice-clips. Some of these clips gig¹
are preferably of the same shape in side elevation as the splice-clips H (shown in
Fig. 15) and are more suitable for use in the central portions of the span; but the
clips used near the ends of the spans preferably have an elongated top bearing
portion, as shown in Fig. 13 at go, whereby a better grasp or hold upon the top-
chord f-beams is obtained for the braces and panel-posts, which are more or less
inclined in position. The end clips on the adjacent ends of two spans may be
secured together for additional strength by a brace rod, as at L in Fig. 1 of the
drawings.
The plate or clip-hooks g₁ g¹ are secured to the respective flanges of the said
top-chord beam G by being hooked over the same, the long shanks of said hooks
projecting downward beyond the lower edges of said flanges, so as to form ears
which are apertured for the passing of the tie-bolts h³, which support the upper
ends of panel-posts and supporting-rods, as heretofore described, reference being
had to Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings. Shallow notches are cut in the lower
flanges of the top-chord beam at points where said tie-bolts pass through, thus binding
the hook-clips as well as the splice-clips close to the top-chord beam and preventing
their slipping longitudinally out of position along said top-chord. The cars upon
both the splice clips H and the hook-clips G¹ are reinforced upon their inner faces
by segmental ribs or raised portions 4, and the under side of the flanges are

page_text: .
notched to fit upon the upper ends of these ribs in order to lock the said clip in
position.
G Gare I-beam panel-posts secured at their upper ends in said splicing and
supporting clips H or in hook-clips g', respectively, by tie bolt 4 passing through
the ears of said splicing-clip H or the ears, respectively, of said hook-clips g',
and through both flanges of said panel-post, a small portion of the web of said
panel-post at the upper end thereof being cut away to admit of the passage of
said tie-bolt through the flanges, substantially as shown. The lower end of
said panel-post is supported and secured by bottom-chord tie-bolt g6, which passes
through the floor-beam hangers hand the enlarged apertured ends of the bottom-
chord links and supporting-rods and through the flanges of said panel-post
the web of said post at the foot thereof being slightly cut away to admit of the
passage of said bolt go through the said flanges, substantially as shown in detail
in Fig. 19 of said drawings.
Attaching clips K K are secured to the upper and lower ends of the panel-posts
G¹ G¹, being so formed as to fit over the web of said posts between the flanges, as
shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and being secured to the said web by bolts kk, passing
through the said clips K and the web. Extending from the body portion of the
clips K are enlarged flattened eye portions K' K', having perforations registering
with the perforations in the flanges of the panel-posts G¹ G¹, so that the tie-bolts ³
and g, respectively, at the top and bottom will pass through said eyes K' K¹. It
will thus be observed that the clips K K add greatly to the security of the attach-
ment of the ends of said panel-posts and enable said posts to stand a greater strain.
g2g2 are bottom-chord links, preferably flat and set on edge, having enlarged
apertured ends secured at the shore ends respectively to the trunnion-plates I, as
in Figs. 16 and 17 and hereinafter described by suitable bolts g7, passing through
said trunnion-plates and through the shore ends of said links and having their
other ends secured, respectively, to the supporting-rods at each panel by the tie-
bolt go, there being, two bottom-chord links to each panel of said truss, decreasing
in size and weight in the respective panels of said truss from the respective ends of
said truss toward the centre of the same.
ggg are supporting, bracing, or tension-rods, perfectly flat and provided with
enlarged apertured ends. They are secured at their upper ends in said splicing-
slips or hook-clips, as the case may be, by said tie-bolts h³. The tie-bolt g connects
together at each panel the bottom-chord links, bottom ends of the several support-
ing-rods, the foot of panel-post, and floor beam hangers. The end bottom-chord
links g2 92 at the adjacent ends of two spans are secured to the bolt, passing through
the trunnion-plates ee of the shoes E E, as herein before described.
from
The wind-bracing of the bridge is composed of T or angle irons running up
the ends of the floor-girder beams to the inside of the clip on the top chord. The
said T-irons 8 are secured at the upper ends against the inner faces of outer
ears hh of said splicing and supporting clips H or against the corresponding ear
of hook-plates gl, as the case may be, by tie-bolts h³ ³, said bolts passing through
the lower flange of each of said T-braces, which are apertured and turned up
against the inner faces of said ears, the other flange of said braces being cut away
for a short distance at its upper end to admit of the passage of said bolts, said
braces extending downward and outward to the outboard ends of the floor-girder
beams J J and being bent up at their lower ends and secured to the upper faces of
the upper flanges at their outer ends of said floor-beams by suitable bolts or rivets
passing through the horizontal flanges of said T-braces at that point on either side
of the vertical flanges thereof and through the upper flanges of said floor-beams
on either side of the webs thereof.
The shore ends of bridge-spans constructed like our device rest upon shoes or
trunnion-boxes similar to those upon the top of the supporting-columns, as de-
scribed above. The trunnion-plates I I are erected upon a base-plate 23 and are
integral therewith. An inclined surface is formed on the upper surface of the
base to receive the shore end of the beamr G, as hereinafter described.

page_text: 22 are rollers beneath the trunnion base-plate 3, similar to the rollers e¹ e', the
rollers resting in a foundation channel-plate 2.
are anchor-bolts adapted to extend into abutment masonry and projecting
through flange or margin of foundation-plate, holding said foundation-plate
down on abutment .
The rollers are preferably spaced or prevented from rubbing against each
other by plates, provided with journal-bearings adapted to receive journals
formed upon the ends of the rollers. Thus they are not only kept from touching
each other, but are properly spread beneath the base to thoroughly support it in
every part.
The Hoor-girder beams J J are each supported at each end by one or more hangers
or yokes hh, passed over the tie-bolt g, the lower ends of which pass through the
flanges of the said floor-beams and are screw-threaded to receive nuts of suitable
strength.
The bridge-span is braced laterally by rods, preferably placed diagonally
between adjacent floor-beams and provided with right and left threaded nuts or
turnbuckles j', ', by which said rods may be adjusted or tightened. The ends of
the brace-rods are preferably formed with double eyes, adapted to be
placed one above and one below the flanges of the floor-beam J and to have the
hangers pass through them for bolting them securely to said floor-beams.
It will be seen from the above description that bridges, viaducts, &c., con-
structed in accordance with our invention are adapted to be put together without
extensive boring and consequent weakening of the truss-beams and that all the
parts can be easily and expeditiously put together and in a manner well suited to
meet all the strains to which they may be subjected.
It will of course be apparent that we can vary the construction of the splicing and
supporting-clips, trunnion-boxes, floor-beam hangers, supports, anchorages, and
fastenings required to unite the parts to form a durable, light and efficient bridge-
truss or similar structure without departing from the spirit of our invention.
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:-
-
1. In a truss the combination of top-chord beams hooked clips hung from the
edges of the said beams and adapted to secure posts, supports and braces to said
top-chord beams without passing bolts or pins through the same and thereby
weakening them, substantially as described.
2. In a truss the combination of top-chord beams splicing-clips applied thereon
for locking them in place, and adapted to secure suitable posts, supports and braces
to said beams without weakening the same by bolt-holes and vertical webs formed
upon said clips for strengthening them, substantially as described.
3. In a truss the combination of arched I-beams forming a top-chord beam,
splicing-clips adapted to fit the contour of said beams for locking the ends of the
same in place, vertical webs formed upon the said clips for strengthening them,
and means for securing posts, supports, tie-rods and braces to said clips, the con-
struction being such that the arched beams are not weakened by perforations for
bolts, pins or the like, substantially as described.
4. In a truss, the combination of arched I-beams, hooked clips adapted to fit
upon the flanges of said I-beams and be locked thereon and means for attaching
supports, posts, and braces to said clips, the construction being such that the arched
beams are not weakened by perforations as for bolts, pins or the like, substantially
as described.
5. In a column or post for supporting structures the combination of a plurality
of angie-beams, meeting at a central point and divided clips adapted to be bolied
together so as to inclose the said beams for holding them together, the construction
being such that the said angle-beams are not perforated as for bolting and thereby
weakened, substantially as described.

page_text: 6. In a column for supporting structures, the combination of a plurality of
angle-irons, the legs of which meet at a central point, a base plate provided with
grooves adapted to fit the end contour of said angle-irons and laterally extending
ears upon said base-plate for receiving and securing the end of the brace-rods, and
divided clips adapted to be bolted together so as to inclose the said beams and bind
the said irons together without perforating them for bolting, substantially as
described.
7. In a supporting column or post the combination of a plurality of angle-irons,
the legs of which meet at a central point, grooved plates for holding the ends in
position and sleeves formed of divided clips provided with external bolting-ears,
the said clips being adapted to be bolted together so as to inclose said irons and
bind them together without perforating them for bolting, substantially as described.
8. In a support for bridges, viaducts or the like, the combination of columns
comprising a plurality of T-beams having their leg portions turned toward each
other, end plates having grooves for holding the ends of said beams in place, sleeves
consisting of divided clips having external bolting-flanges whereby the clips are
adapted to inclose said beams and to bind them together, projections on said clips
adapted to engage notches in the edge of flanges of the beams to prevent slipping
and means secured to said plates and sleeves for bracing the said columns laterally,
the construction being such that the said T-beams are not perforated as for bolting
or riveting, and consequently weakened, substantially as described.
9. In a column for bridges, viaducts, or the like, the combination of a plurality
of angle-irons meeting at the center, means for binding said angle-irons together
without passing bolts through the same, a cap-plate adapted to fit upon the upper
ends of said irons, and provided with a channel or recess upon its upper surface
adapted to receive rollers, and a shoe resting upon said rollers, adapted to receive
and support the end of a truss-beam, without bolting, substantially as described.
10. In a column for supporting adjacent spans or trusses the combination with a
suitable cap-plate, of a shoe or trunnion-box for supporting the ends of the top-
chord beam of said spans, roller bearing interposed between the said cap-plate and
shoe, overhanging flanges upon said shoe completely covering the rollers and the
cap-plate for keeping out water or ice, and trunnion-plates upon said shoe adapted
to support the end bottom-chord links of said spans, substantially as described.
11. In a truss the combination with a top-chord beam, of panel-posts adapted
to connect the said top-chord beam with the floor-beam of the said truss, clips
having bolting flanges adapted to inclose and be secured to the web of said panel-
posts, ears at right angles to said flanges for securing the same to the top and
bottom tie-bolts, substantially as described.
12. In a truss the combination with a top-chord beam, of hooked clips hung
from the opposite edges of the same, depending ears upon said clips extending below
the top-chord beam and adapted to receive a connecting-bolt, for locking them in
place, said bolt being adapted to support the panel-posts, braces and wind-braces,
substantially as described.
13. In a truss the combination of arched top-chord beams having a continuous
curved form, roller bearings having shoulders and inclined surfaces upon their
upper sides adapted to receive and support the ends of said top-chord beams and
means for securing posts, supports, braces and beams to said top-chord beams,
substantially as described.
14. In a truss for bridges the combination with top-chord beams of shoes having
inclined upper surfaces and shoulders thereon adapted to receive the shore ends of
said beams, channel base-plate secured to the shoe-abutments, and rollers inter-
posed between said shoes and channel-plates, substantially as described.
15. In a truss for bridges the combination with top-chord beams and bottoni-
chord links, of shoes adapted to receive the shore ends of said beams having in-
clined surfaces upon the said shoes for receiving the end thrusts of said beams..
channel-plates secured to the shore abutments, rollers interposed between said
shoes and channel-plates, and trunnion-plates formed on said shoes adapted to

page_text: have secured to them the shoe ends of the bottom-chord links of the truss, sub-
stantially as described.
16. In a truss the combination with top-chord beams, of panel posts secured
thereto, clips having bolting-flanges adapted to inclose and be secured to the webs
of said panel-posts and ears at right angles to the said flanges, bolts passed through
the lower ends of said posts and said ears, I-beams for supporting the floor of the
truss, yokes passing over the said tie-bolts and passing through the flanges of the
said floor I-beams and means for securing the said yokes to the said flanges, sub-
stantially as described.
17. In a truss-bridge or viaduct the combination with top-chord beams, of
panel-posts, I-beams for supporting the floor of the truss, yokes at the lower end
of said panel-posts passing through the flanges of the said I-beams for securing
the floor-beams of said bridge, or viaduct to said posts, and diagonal brace rods
interposed between said floor-beams, and having bifurcated ends adapted to embrace
the flanges of said floor-beams, the said bifurcated ends having apertures to receive
the said yokes for laterally bracing the bridge, substantially as described.
Dated this 8th day of December 1898.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.