AN IMPROVEMENT IN RAILWAY SLEEPERS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Horton, of the City of Philadelphia, in the County
of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, for the
Invention of "AN IMPROVEMENT IN RAILWAY SLEEPERS."
Sealed the 5th September 1879, and dated the 29th April 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Horton at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th April 1879.
JOHN HORTON, of the City of Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia, and
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America. "AN IMPROVEMENT IN
RAILWAY SLEEPERS."
The Invention consists in a hollow metallic sleeper, cross-tie, or block for carrying
the rails of a railway. In Figure 1 it is shown in the form of a hollow rectangular
support A, on which the rails B are laid, either with or without the chains C. In
Figure 2 it is shown rectangular, and composed of angle irons a, extending the
width of the track, to which are riveted or otherwise secured the sides, top, and
bottom b which forms the box or sleeper; in this instance it will be noticed that
while the angle pieces a extend the width of the track, the sides 6 only embrace
enough to form a single block for each rail B.
To form a continuous support for the rails and keep the sleepers at the proper
distance, braces D are inserted between the sleepers, to which they are either
bolted or secured in a manner calculated to hold them firmly and securely in
place.
In the accompanying Drawing hollow square sleepers are shown, not that square
ones are preferable, for, to carry my Invention into practice, sleepers of any required
transverse section will be employed. If thought applicable diagonal or other
suitable bracing can be inserted in the said hollow sleeper.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Horton in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th October
1879.
IN
JOHN HORTON, of the City of Philadelphia, in the County of Philadelphia, and
"AN IMPROVEMENT
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America.
RAILWAY SLEEPERS."
The Invention consists in a hollow metallic sleeper, crosstie, or block for carrying
the rails of a railway. In Figure 1 it is shown in the form of a hollow rectangular
support A, on which the rails B are laid either with or without the chairs C. In
Figure 2 it is shown rectangular, and composed of angle irons a extending the width
of the track to which are rivited or otherwise secured the sides, top, and bottom b
which forms the box or sleeper; in this instance it will be noticed that while the
angle pieces a extend the width of the track, the sides b only embrace enough to
form a single block for each rail B. To form a continuous support for the rails and
keep the sleepers at the proper distance, braces D are inserted between the sleepers
at the proper distance; braces D are inserted between the sleepers to which they
are either bolted or secured in a manner calculated to hold them firmly and securely
in place.
In the accompanying Drawing hollow square sleepers are shown, not that squaro
ones are preferablo, for, to carry my Invention into practice, sleepers of any required
transverse section will be employed. If thought applicable diagonal or other
suitable bracing can be inserted in the said hollow sleepers. Figures 3 and 4 shew
other ways in which my sleepers may be constructed.
What I claim is,―
First. My improvement in metallic railway sleepers consisting in constructing
them of rectangular or other hollow box like form, substantially as described.
Second. The application in connection with such sleepers of the distance braces D,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Horton, have hereunto set my hand and
Beal, this Fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
TOWN HORTON Gol