Improvements in Means for Jointing and Supporting Rails.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd May, 1892—Accepted, 9th July, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Jointing and Supporting Rails.
A communication from abroad from FREDERICK HENRY HEATH and WARREN
HOWARD HAYES, both of 704, Sykes Block, Minneapolis, Hennepin County
State of Minnesota, United, States of America, Architects.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE of No. 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, 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 aud by the following statement :-
This invention relates to means for jointing and supporting rails in which the
qualities of a tie-plate, rail-chairs, truss-joint, fish-plate, angle bar and rail fastening
are all combined within a very small compass, and in an extremely simple, light,
cheap and durable form.
The object of the invention is to provide a joint for rails which will have the
fewest possible parts and at the same time fulfil every requirement of a tie-plate
rail support and joint fastening, and to this end the invention consists in a plate
adapted to extend across the tops of adjoining ties in connection with a peculiarly
formed system of integral trusses and integral brace or angle bar adapted to engage
the web of the rail to align the rails, a fish plate for the other side of the rail and
secured on the opposite side of the rail from the angle to the same, and said angle
bar by bolts passing through them, and clamps for fixing the rail or rails on said
plate.
The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which :—
Fig. 1 is a plan view of a device embodying the said invention, a portion being
broken away for clearness.
Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rail joint inverted.
Fig. 3 shows the fish plate side of the joint, the rail clamps being removed.
Fig. 4 is a view of the other side under like conditions.
Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line - of Fig. 4.
Figs. 6 and 7 are cross sections on the line y-y and ―z, respectively.
There are three parts or portions of this rail joint which serving most important
purposes are all formed in a single piece. These three parts are the tie-plate 2,
the upper surfaces of the ends 3 of which serve as the rail chairs and which
plate extends not only between the ties but clear across the tops of both of them.
The upper surface of the plate and the chair portions are all in the same plane.
The plate in two ways is strengthened against any depression, warping or
breaking. The first and most important of these is the depending truss which
extends down between the ties 4. This truss, itself, is made up of several parts.
all of which are integral one with the other and with the plate, namely, the main
central web 5 which is provided with the openings 6 for the accommodation of the
clamping block bolts. Extending down from the edges of the rail and forming a part
of and projecting from the sides of the web are the block or bracket portions 7,
which have the inclined sides 8. On the lower edge of the web 5 there is formed
O the expanded rib 9 giving the web a much greater strength. From the ends of
this web the transverse and diagonal trusses 10 and 11 extend slantingly up from
the central web to the edges of the plate. Second, the plate is strengthened by
the truss angle bar or brace arranged on one side of the plate and extending
nearly the full length thereof. The inwardly projecting part is raised and
5 supported upon the vertical projection 13 formed integrally with the plate, and, as
will be seen, constituting very reliable trusses over the points of the plate whereby
they meet the inner edges of the ties, thereby preventing any bending or breaking

page_text: of the plate at these points. The ends of the angle bar or brace extend about half
way out on the rail chairs, the vertical portion 13 being straight and lying parallel
To accommodate the inner and upper
with the outer edge of the rail base."
clamping flange of the block 14 the vertical parts 13 are cut away at the middle
of the rail joint making the opening 15 the top of which is formed by the lower
surface of the middle and horizontal portion 16 of the angle bar and the bottom
by the edge of the rail plate 2. The block 14 has the flaring inner sides adapted
to engage the top of the rail base and the inclined edges 8 of the depending
truss, and this block with the block 17 which is similarly constructed is clamped in
place by the bolts 18 passing therethrough and through the openings 6 beneath
the plate the same being secured as shown. The inner upright portion 19 of the
angle bar or brace is hollowed out slightly on the inside to make the two bearing
edges 2". This hollowing is done both to accommodate the raised letters on the
rails and also to give a firmer grip upon the rail web. The distance between the
inner edges 20 and the inner side of the vertical part 13 is somewhat greater than
the width of the part of the rail base to be accommodated therein. The opening
beneath the inwardly extending parts is also higher than the rail base so that rails
of different sizes may be secured together in the same joint. Further, in this way,
the bearing of the angle plate against the web of the rail is insured. It is
preferred to raise the middle part of the angle bar as shown, and extend the
inwardly and upwardly slanting side trusses 22 from the outer edges of the extended
parts 23 of the rail chairs, the inner end of these trusses being merged into the
end of the angle bar just above the ends of the clamping blocks 14. The outer
portions 24 of the angle har or brace are preferably slanted up from the onter
edges so as to reduce the heights of the ends of the part 13 and hence strengthen
it. At the ends of the part 19 there is provided the bolt holes 25, these ends of
the bar being thickened as shown. The bolts 26 extend through these holes and
through enlarged holes 27 in the web of the rail, the heads of the bolts being
secured in the fish plate 28 which has the inclined edges 29 adapted to engage the
lower side of the tread of the rail and the upper side of the base thereof. The
width of this fish plate is such that it can in no case enter so far as to strike and
lie flat against the web of the rail, the office of the plate being in connection with
the angle bar to insure the alignment of the rails and also to strengthen the rails
themselves and prevent the settling of the tread. To prevent drawing over of the
upper edge of the angle bar there is provided the small brackets 30 formed
integrally therewith. At the ends of the plate the edges are extended as shown
at 31 and 23 so as to permit the making of the notches 32 in the edges of the plate
to admit the rail spikes 33, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The heads of these spikes
jut over onto the top of the rail on the inside of the joint and at the ends of the
joint on the other side also, thereby furnishing an extra fastening for the railroad
rails. The short bolts 26 fastened in the angle plate or bar which is formed
integrally with the base prevents creeping of the rails.
It is obvious that the rail joint may be employed not only at actual joints of ends
of rails, but when such a support is required may be arranged at intermediate points
of a single rail.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. The combination with the rail or rails, of a tie-plate arranged between and
extending over adjoining ties, an angle bar formed integrally with and on the upper
surface of said plate, and having an inner vertical part to engage the web of the
rail, said vertical part provided with holes, the rail web or webs having holes
registering therewith and bolts arranged therein, for the purpose specified.
2. The combination with the rail or rails, of a tie-plate whereon the same are
adapted to rest, said plate adapted to extend between and across adjoining ties
clamping blocks thereon, an angle bar formed integrally with said plate and having

page_text: as described the inner vertical part to engage the rail web or webs, a fish plate
arranged to engage the tread and the base of the opposite side of the rail or rails,
and bolts passing through said plate through the web or webs and through the
angle bar whereby the rail or rails are aligned, strengthened and fastened, sub-
stantially as described.
3. The combination in a rail joint, of the rail or rails, with a plate upon the
upper surface of which the same are adapted to rest, clamping blocks for securing
the rails on the plate, bolts for fastening the said blocks and extending beneath the
said plate, an angle bar raised on one edge of the plate and having the inwardly
extending part and the inner vertical part to be bolted to the web of the rail, said
inwardly extending part consisting of a higher horizontal portion and the slanting
end parts and the brackets 30 arranged to strengthen the angle bar, all parts of
said bar being formed integrally with said plate, substantially as described.
4. The combination with the plate 2 adapted to extend across adjoining ties, of
the clamping blocks and bolts therefor for securing the rail or rails thereon, said
plate provided with a ceutrally depending and integral truss, an integral angle bar
formed on the top of the plate and extending in to engage the web or webs of the
rail or rails, the fish plate arranged to engage the other side of the rail or rails, and
bolts extending through and locking together said fish plate, rail, web and bar,
substantially as described.
5. The combination with the plate 2, of the angle bar formed integrally there-
with, rail clamps and bolts for securing together the bar and rail or rails to be
aligned thereby, the space beneath the angle bar and brace being larger than the
rail base whereby the bearing is had on the web of the rail, substantially as
described.
6. The combination with the rail or rails, of the tie-plate 2 having the rail chair
ends whereon the rails are adapted to rest, said ends being wider than the rest of
the rail, the vertical part or ledge 13 arranged parallel with the base of the rail or
rails, the inwardly extending part having the raise middle portion 16, side trusses 22
extending from the rail chair ends thereto, the inner vertical part 19, said part
grooved on its inner side whereby bearing surfaces are provided at the upper and
lower surfaces thereof, and the brackets or braces 30 arranged substantially as
described, all of said parts being formed integrally.
7. In combination with the rail or rails, of the tie-plate having the rail chair
ends whereon the rails are adapted to rest said ends being wider than the rest of
the rail, said plate provided with a central depending truss having divided ends
extending up to the edges of the plate, means for clamping the rail or rails thereon,
the vertical part or ledge 13 arranged upon the upper surface of the plate and
parallel with the rail base, the inwardly extending part jutting inward over the
rail base and having the vertical portion 19 integrally tied or braced therewith
said vertical part, the web or webs having coincident bolt holes and bolts arranged
therein whereby said part and web or webs are drawn into firm engagement,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
8: The combination with the rail or rails, of the tie-plate 2 having the extending
rail chair ends whereon the rails are adapted to rest, said ends being wider than the
rest of the rail, said plate provided with an integral central depending truss having
divided ends extending up to the edges of the plate, means for clamping the rail or
rails thereon, the vertical part or ledge 13 arranged upon the upper surface of the
plate and parallel with the rail base, the inwardly extending part jutting inward
over the rail base and having the vertical portion 19 integrally tied or braced
therewith, a fish plate to engage the base and the tread of the opposite side of the
rail from said vertical part, the web, and fish plate provided with coincident bolt
holes, bolts arranged therein and nuts thereon whereby said three parts are drawn
into solid engagement, substantially as described.
9. The combination with the rail or rails, of the plate 2, whereon the same are
adapted to rest, the ends of said plate being provided with the extended edges 23
and 31, notches 32 therein, the integral angle bar or brace having the inner part

page_text: adapted to engage the web or webs of the rail or rails, clamping blocks for securing
the same on the plate, the side of said plate opposite said angle bar which is
integral with the plate being without vertical projection, the ties, and spikes 33
.driven into the same and arranged in said notches, the heads of said spikes
engaging the tops of the rail base or bases, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
10. A truss fastening for rail joints comprising in combination with a rail, a
plate having a truss formed integrally therewith, and arranged centrally on the
under side thereof, with diagonal trusses also formed integrally with said plate
and extending from the ends of said central truss towards the edges of the plate,
and means for securing the meeting ends of the rails to said plate, substantially as
described.
11. A truss fastening for rail joints comprising in combination with the rails a
plate having a truss formed integrally therewith, and arranged centrally on the
under side of said plate, the transverse trusses also formed integrally with said
plate and the central truss, and extending from the ends of said central truss
towards the edges of said plate, substantially as described.
12. A truss fastening for rail joints comprising in combination with the rails a
plate having a truss formed integrally therewith, and arranged centrally on the
under side of said plate, and diagonal trusses also formed integrally with said plate:
and the central truss, and extending from the ends of said central truss towards the
edges of said plate, substantially as described.
13. The combination with the tie-plate adapted to extend across and between
adjoining ties, of a depending truss integral with said plate and having divided
ends, an opening or openings through the web of said truss, the rails, the inclined
portions beneath said plate, the clamping blocks to engage the same and the rail
bases, a bolt or bolts for fastening said blocks, the same having polygonal heads
and the inclined surface ribs between which said head or heads of the bolts is
seated as described.
14. The combination with the tie-plate, of the depending truss thereof provided
with divided ends all integral with said plate, means for clamping the rail or rails
upon said plate, and a strengthening truss formed on the upper surface of said plate,
substantially as described.
1
M1000
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham.