IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF ENDLESS OR PORTABLE RAILWAYS."
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Dunlop, of the City of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF ENDLESS OR PORTABLE RAILWAYS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Dunlop at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th March 1881.
ANDREW DUNLOP, of the City of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF ENDLESS
OR PORTABLE RAILWAYS."
This Invention consists in certain improvements in the construction and arrange-
ment of the parts of endless or portable railways, and which are improvements
upon the Invention for which Letters Patent were granted to me dated the
Twenty-first day of February 1874, and numbered 657.
1874,
In the final Specification filed in pursuance of the conditions in said Letters
Patent, No. 657, February 21, the outmost projecting ends or jaws a¹ of the
rails are described as having round holes through them for the pin or axle E
connecting two adjoining rails to be inserted in, and shown in Figures 4 and 5,
6 and 7, and 20, in the two Sheets of Drawings accompanying said Specification;
and the inner bent ends a¹¹ of the rails are described as having oblong holes through
them with sliding bushes for the same purpose, the holes and the bushes being
rectangular at the upper corners, as shown in Figures 17, 19, 21, and 23, in Sheet 2
of said Drawings.
The first of my present improvements consists in making the rails with these
oblong holes and sliding bushes in the wide outmost ends as well as in the narrow
inner ends of every rail, giving thereby greater facility in the angling or bending
of the rails laterally at the joints, and further, in making these holes, and bushes
which slide in them, with the upper corners preferably rounded a little instead of
rectangular.
In the said final Specification the chairs or feet F, F¹, are described in some
modifications as having one or more layers of vulcanized india-rubber or other
suitable elastic material f* fitted only between the segmental flanges f of the
upper joint part F of the chair or foot, and the upper hollow segmental surface of

page_text: the bearing shoe or rim F¹ thereof, Figures 14, 15, and 25, Sheet 2; and in another
modification as having the elastic material f* fitted only in the hollow cylindrical
or swivelling eye F between it and the bush F of the joint pin E of the upper part
of the chair or foot shown in Figures 27 and 28, Sheet 2. The second of my
present improvements consists in inserting a layer or layers of elastic material both
in the said eye and between the said flange f and the upper segmental surface
of the bearing shoe or rim F¹, giving thereby greater elasticity to the supporting
parts.
The third of my present improvements consists in making the cross bars or
pieces a², described in the said final Specification and shown in the said Sheets of
Drawings, forming the bevilled recess C2 in the centre of each rail, with a portion
of them reaching to and bearing and turning on part of the outer circumference of
the ring or hollow cylindrical or swivelling part F nearest to each bar a², and
instead of making said ring flat across its outer circumference I make that portion
of its circumference on which the projection from the piece a² bears and turns,
convex or circular, with a radius of the same length as the radius of the outer
circumference of the ring. The advantage of this third improvement is that each
cross bar or fulcrum a² is kept at the proper distance from the part F nearest to it,
and at the same time the sliding freedom of the rails to turn laterally at the joint
(including the increased facility secured by the first of my present improvements)
is not prevented but rather assisted or increased. This third improvement is most
essential when a traction engine, furnished with the improved rails described, is
turning in a circle.
The fourth of my present improvements consists in surrounding the outer surface
or periphery of the whole wheel rails A, A, A, with a belt of leather, india-rubber,
or other suitable material between their, under sides and the upper edges or surfaces
of the shoes F¹, shown in the said Sheet of Drawings, with holes in the belt for
the upper joint parts F of the feet F, F', to pass through, and loose enough to
permit of the necessary bending of the rails. This will assist in preventing the
sinking of the rails in soft or sandy ground, and also allow the shoes to fall soltly
as they turn over at the top of the wheels.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Andrew Dunlop in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th
September 1881.
ANDREW DUNLOP, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North-Britain.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF ENDLESS OR
PORTABLE RAILWAYS."
My said Invention consists in certain improvements in the construction and
arrangement of the parts of endless or portable railways, and which are improve-
ments upon the Invention for which Letters Patent were granted to me dated the
Twenty-first day of February 1874, and numbered 657, these rails being formed
in short lengths or links A jointed together by strong swivelling pins E and
mounted on or round the rims of the wheels B of heavy traffic carts, lorries, and
other vehicles so as to be laid down on the road or ground z in front of and under
the wheels B automatically in a portable or continuous manner by their own motion
so as to greatly facilitate the motion of such wheels and rails. And the improve-
ments of this my present Invention are for the purpose of making and will make
such endless or portable rails or railways more perfect for their various angular
motions, and more noiseless and durable than they have been heretofore.
And in order that the full nature, novelty, and mode of performing my said
Invention may be properly understood I shall now proceed to describe the several
Figures on the Sheet of Drawings which I have hereunto appended for that purpose,
the same letters of reference indicating the same or like parts in the several Figures
and corresponding to the letters of reference in the final Specification of my said
former patented Invention.
Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a side elevation and a plan, partly in section,
taken on the lines 1 - - 1 and 2 - - 2, each on the other, of one jointed link or length of
rail A with its bearing feet F, F', and fittings complete, of one modification or form
of the endless or portable rails or railways for one wheel B, to a large scale,
showing the details and position as it would be laid on the surface z----z, of the
ground under the wheel B, all constructed in accordance with and illustrative of
my said improvements connected therewith. And Figures 3 and 4 are respectively
an end view and a cross section taken as at the lines 3--3 and 4--4 in and
corresponding to Figure 1 of the rail A and its bearing feet F, F¹, and fittings;
Figure 5 being a sectional plan taken on the line 5-5 on Figure 1, of one foot F
and its resting or bearing shoe F' and their fittings; while Figure 6 is a side
elevation or general arrangement to a small scale of one wheel B, B, C, C, of a
heavy cart or lorry or traction engine with its improved endless portable rails or
railway and their fittings as constructed in accordance with my said previously
February 21st,
patented Invention, No. 657,
but having my present. improvements
1874,
applied thereto, as shown in detail in the former Figures 1 to 5.
In these Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings each link A, a,
of the endless portable rails A forming the subject of the present improvements is
shown as formed of the same shape or similar to each other of three main parts,
namely, of two deep edge cheeks or sides a of malleable iron or steel, and a broad
central open nearly rectangular distance piece a² preferably of cast malleable iron or
steel, all the three parts being strongly secured together by rivets a* passed through
them. The side cheeks a, a, are extended out parallel towards one end a¹, a¹, to
form the wide open end of each link A, a, while the other ends are kneed sufficiently
inwards and extended out parallelly to form the narrow open end a", a", of each
link A, a, to work in the wide end a¹, a', of each adjacent link A, to which it is
jointed by a parallel or cylindrical pin E passed through them and the upper boss
or eye F of each foot F, F', fitted loosely in the narrow open end a", all, of each
link and joint. The open central part a² of each link A, whether made in three parts

page_text: .1874,
riveted together as described, or solid in one piece of cast malleable iron or steel,
in accordance with any of the modifications or arrangements described in the
February 21,
Specification of my said former Patent, No. 657,
is formed with the
angled recess C3 and sides a², a², for receiving the sharp curved ends C₁ of
the arms C (or sprockets) projecting beyond the rim C of the central wheel C, C',
fixed or loose on the axle D of the vehicle so as to lift each link A, a, of the endless
rail A over, and lay it down in front of the rolling carrying wheels B, B, mounted
loose on each side of it on the axle D to pass over the chain rails A, as more
particularly shown in Figure 6, and so far much similar or substantially as
described and shown in the said final Specification and relative Drawings of my
former patented Invention, No. 657,
February 21, and having the equivalent parts
indicated by the same reference letters.
February 21,
1874,
1874,
Referring to these Figures, 1 to 6, of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, and
to the final Specification filed in pursuance of the conditions in said former Letters
Patent, No. 657,
the outmost projecting ends or jaws a¹ of the rails A
are described as having round holes through them for the pin or axle E connecting
two adjoining links A, A, of the rails A to be inserted in and shown in Figures 4, and
5, 6, and 7, and 20, in the two Sheets of Drawings accompanying said Specification;
and the inner bent ends all of the rails A are described as having oblong holes
through them with sliding bushes e¹¹ for the same purpose, the holes and the
bushes being rectangular at the upper corners, as shown in Figures 17, 19, 21,
and 23, in Sheet 2 of said Drawings.
The first of my present improvements consists in making the rails A with these
oblong holes as e², e², in Figures 1, 2, and 4, and sliding bushes e¹¹, e, in the wide
outmost ends a', as well as in the narrow inner ends all of every link or rail A,
giving thereby greater facility in the angling or bending of the rails A laterally at
the joints E, and further, in making these holes e, e², and bushes e", ell, which
slide in them with the upper corners preferably rounded a little (instead of
rectangular), as shown at es, e³, and fitted with a large cover e¹ over the outside
of these recesses e², e², and bushes e¹¹ in the wide ends all of each rail A.
first improvement is particularly shown in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 6, of the accom-
panying Sheet of Drawings.
This
In the said former final Specification the chairs or feet F, F', of the rails A are
described in some inodifications as having one or more layers of vulcanised india-
rubber or other suitable elastic material f2, fitted only between the segmental
flanges of the upper joint part F of the chair or foot F, F, and the upper hollow
segmental surface of the bearing shoe or rim F thereof, as seen in Figures 1, 2,
and 10, on Sheet 1, and Figures 14, 15, and 25, on Sheet 2 of the Drawings of my
said former Specification, and also in Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings. And in another modification as having the elastic material f*
fitted only in the hollow cylindrical or swivelling eye F, between it and the bush F
of the joint pin E of the upper part F of the chair or foot F, F1, shown in Figures 27
and 28, Sheet 2, of the Drawings of my said former Specification, and also in
Figures 1, 2, and 4 of the accompanying Sheet of Drawings.
The second of my present improvements consists in inserting a layer or layers of
elastic material, as f* and f² respectively, both in the said eye F under the bush F',
shown in end view and plan detached in Figure 7, and also between the said
flange and the upper segmental surface of the bearing shoe or rim F¹, as shown
particularly in Figures 1, 2, and 4, and detached in end view and plan respectively
in Figures 8 and 9, giving thereby greater elasticity to and a softer noiseless action
of the supporting parts.
In the modification or construction of the bearing foot F, F, of the rails A in
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, the lower sole or bearing part F¹ is shown as
secured to the upper part F, so as to have a slight lateral or swivelling motion on
the segmental layer of india-rubber f2 between them by a flat cotter f" passed

page_text: 1111
through the curved up ends of the sole F¹, so as to catch over the lower flange f of
the foot F, these cotters f¹¹ being secured by transverse pins f 11 passed through
them and the rim or web of the shoe F¹, but other equivalent means of attaching
these parts may be employed.
The third of my present improvements consists in making the cross bars or
pieces a², described in the said final Specification, and shown in its said Sheets of
Drawings, forming the bevilled recess 02 in the centre of each rail, with a
projection A2 on them, reaching to and bearing and turning on part of the outer
circumference of the ring or hollow spherical swivelling eye part F of each foot F, FL,
nearest to each bar a². And instead of making said ring or eye flat across its outer
circumference I make that portion of its circumference on which the projection A²
from the piece a² bears and turns convex and circular or spherical, with a radius of
the same length as the radius of the outer circumference of the ring or eye F, all as
shown, more particularly in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Sheet of
Drawings. The advantage of this third improvement is that each cross bar or
fulcrum a² is kept at the proper distance from the part F of the foot F, F', nearest
to it, and at the same time the sliding freedom of the rails to turn laterally at the
joint E (including the increased facility secured by the first of my present improve-
ments) is not prevented, but rather assisted or increased. This third improvement
is most essential when a traction engine furnished with the improved rails A.
described is turning in a circle or quick curve.
The fourth of my present improvements consists in surrounding the outer surface
or periphery of the whole wheel or set of endless rails A, A, A, as shown in
Figure 6, with a belt of leather, india-rubber, or other suitable material
le
of and between their under sides and the upper edges or surface F³ of the snoes F',
shown in the Drawings of the Specification of the former Patent, and in Figure 6
of the accompanying Drawings, holes being formed in the central part of this
belt f for the neck or upper joint parts F of the feet F, F', to pass through, and
loose enough to permit of the necessary swivelling or bending of the rails A, A.
This improvement will assist in preventing the sinking of the rails in soft or sandy
ground, and also allow the shoes F' to fall softly with little or no knocking or noise,
as they turn over at the top of the wheels B, and assist in protecting dust or sand
from getting into the joints of the rails A. This elastic belt or band ƒ³ may either
be formed complete, and put on at the time of inserting the joint pins E through
the links of rails A and feet F, F1, while mounting the whole on their wheels B, B,
C, C¹; or otherwise, this belt might be made in pieces of two or more thicknesses,
and over-lapped and rivetted, or otherwise secured together after the chain of
rails A, A, is mounted on the wheel.
Having thus described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that I do not restrict or confine myself
to the precise form of the parts as shown in the Drawings, but what I consider
novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The general construction or combination and arrangement of the parts of
endless or portable rails or railways for the wheels of carts, lorries, and other
vehicles, all substantially as described in reference to the final Specification and
Drawings of my said former Patented Invention, and also to the several Figures on
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, with any one or more of the four improvements
herein specified and distinguished, or any mere modification thereof.
Second. The construction and use of endless or portable rails or railways A, A,
for the wheels of carts, lorries, and other vehicles, with any one or more of the four
improvements herein specified and distinguished, individually or combined, namely,
first, having elongated parallel joint recesses or eyes e², e³, and swivelling bushes e"
in both the wide and narrow open eyes of the ends a¹ and all of the links or
lengths A of these rails A; or, second, with a layer or layers of vulcanized india-
rubber or other analogous elastic material, as f*, both between the joint bush.F

page_text: and the eye F of the bearing foot F, F¹, and also between the lower flange ƒ of the
foot F and the upper surface of its sole F¹; or, third, having a steadying
projection A2 on the central cross bars a² of each link or rail A bearing on the
swivelling eye F of each foot F, F, for steadying these and the rails; or, fourth,
having a belt of leather or vulcanized india-rubber f³ or other equivalent suitable.
material mounted round the outer periphery of the endless or portable set of rails A,
and between this and the inner edges of the sole part F1 of the carrying or bearing
feet F, F, all substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the
accompanying Sheet of Drawings, or any mere modification thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Andrew Dunlop, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fifth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty-one.
Witness,
W. R. M. THOMSON,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
ANDREW DUNLOP. (L.S.)