IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Punshon, of Heatherleigh, Anerley Park, in the
County of Surrey, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS."
Scaled the 5th January 1877, and dated the 14th July 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Punshon at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th July 1876.
ROBERT PUNSHON, of Heatherleigh, Anerley Park, in the County of Surrey,
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS."
..
My Invention has reference to a mode of constructing railway chairs whereby the
hold or grasp of the rail by the chair will be tightened by the weight of a passing
train in such a manner as to dispense with the use of the ordinary wooden keys or
wedges employed for the purpose.
And my Invention consists in constructing the chair in two parts, one of which
(by preference the outer part) is bolted to the ordinary sleeper, and the other or
inner part of the chair is hinged to the said outer part, the two parts being formed
so as to fit into one another in the manner herein-after stated.
The said outer part of the chair is formed with two projecting feet at the base,
of sufficient length to reach to the full width of the said inner part, and with a
groove or space between the said projecting feet adapted to receive a tongue formed
on the said inner part, a portion of which is removed in order to receive the feet of
the said outer part.
By this arrangement when the two parts are united by means of a horizontal
pin or bolt the inner part of the chair will be hinged to the outer part thereof in
Then when the rail is inserted
such a manner as to be slightly moveable thereon.
it will rest on the tongue of one part of the chair and on the feet of the other part
thereof, and the pressure on the head of the rail caused by the weight of a passing
train will be imparted to the tongue on the inner part of the chair, which will be
thereby moved on its pivot and caused to grasp more firmly the web of the rail.
When the rail is required to be withdrawn the inner part of the chair can be turned
on its pivot so as to enlarge the opening between the two parts of the chair.
This arrangement can be adapted and applied to joint chairs so as to dispense
with the use of fish plates by elongating the chair or using a double chair.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Robert Punshon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 12th January 1877.
Robert PunshoN, of Heatherleigh, Anerley Park, in the County of Surrey,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS."
My Invention has reference to a mode of constructing railway chairs whereby the
hold or grasp
of the rail by the chair will be tightened by the weight of a passing
train.
And my Invention consists in constructing the chair in two parts, one of which
(by preference the outer part) is bolted to the ordinary sleeper, and the other or
inner part of the chair is bolted or hinged to the said outer part, the two parts
being formed so as to fit into one another in the manner herein-after stated.
The said outer part of the chair is formed with two projecting feet, or it may
be made solid with a socket for the loose piece to fit into at the base of sufficient
length to reach to the full width of the said inner part, and with a groove or space
between the said projecting feet adapted to receive a tongue formed on the said
inner part, a portion of which is removed in order to receive the feet of the said
outer part.
By this arrangement when the two parts are united by means of a horizontal
pin or bolt the inner part of the chair will be hinged to the outer part thereof in
such a manner as to be slightly moveable thereon. Then when the rail is inserted
it will rest on the tongue of one part of the chair and on. the feet and sides of the
other part thereof, and the pressure on the head of the rail caused by the weight of
a passing train will be imparted to the tongue on-the inner part of the chair, which
will be thereby moved on its pivot or socket joint, and caused to grasp more firmly
the web of the rail. When the rail is required to be withdrawn the inner part of
the chair can be turned on its pivot or socket so as to enlarge the opening between
the two parts of the chair.
This arrangement can be adapted and applied to joint chairs so as to dispense
with the use of fish plates by elongating the chair or using a double chair.
The above-described chair formed in two parts can also be adapted for use on
tramways.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will proceed to describe
more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings, in which are represented chairs constructed in the manner
above referred to.'
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a plan or horizontal view of a chair; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a chair
formed so as to dispense with the use of the ordinary tightening keys or wedges;
Fig. 3 represents a chair in which a key is used; Fig. 4 is an end elevation; Fig. 5
shows the moveable part of the chair detached; Fig. 6 is a plan or horizontal view
of a chair adapted for use on a tramway, but with the tram rail removed; and
Fig. 7 is a vertical section shewing the chair and tram combined. In these several
Figures the same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
A is the ordinary base of the chair; B is the fixed part of the chair for holding
the rail, such part being formed in one piece with the said base; C is a moveable
picce of suitable form to admit of its insertion in the space made to receive it, and
to have a slight amount of play or curvilinear motion therein when pressed upon by
the weight of a passing train acting on the head of the rail, such moveable piece
being otherwise formed so as to adapt it for holding the rail in conjunction with
the part B. This moveable piece C may be arranged so as to admit of its required
movement, either in a socket, as shewn in Figures 2 and 3, or on a pin.
In Figures 6 and 7 the moveable piece C is shewn as inserted in a rectangular
space formed in the fixed part B, and retained therein by means of a bolt or key D,
which can be withdrawn in order to release the moveable piéce C when required.

page_text: This chair is adapted for supporting a tram which is fitted thereto with dovetails,
as shewn in Fig. 7. The tram, after insertion in the dovetail on the fixed part B,
can be secured as required by means of the moveable piece C-applied to the dovetail
on the tram and fastened by the bolt or key D. By means of this arrangement the
fixed part B of the chair can be spiked and fastened as required to the sleeper or
otherwise, and the tram fixed thereto by means of the dovetails, as described.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what
the construction of chairs in two parts, whereby the hold on the rail is tightened
claim as of my Invention is
by the weight of a passing train, and facilities are given for applying and fixing
rails and trams in the manner herein-before described.
.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Punshon, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Eleventh day of January, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven:
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane.
ROBERT PUNSHON. (LS.)