IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILWAY KEYS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, RICHARD DAVID SANDERS, of Norwood, Lenzie, in the County of Dumbarton
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN RAILWAY KEYS " to be as follows:-
My Invention relates to improvements in railway keys, and is designed to
prevent such keys becoming loose or shaking out of the railway chairs by the
vibration caused by passing trains.
In forming keys for securing rails in railway chairs, according to my Invention,
I cut in the side of the key next the chair, a longitudinal groove into which I
place a strip of thin metal somewhat longer than the key. This strip of metal is
split at both ends, so that when the key is in place, one part of the strip may be
bent inwards over the ends of the key, and the other part outwards round the
sides of the chair to prevent the key from falling out should it become loose. Or
two thin strips of metal may be rivetted together at or near the middle, and fitted
in the groove of the key. When the key is driven in its place in the chair the
ends of the one strip are bent over the ends of the key, and the ends of the other
strip are bent round the sides of the chair.
When the key is tapered or wedge shaped, a single strip of metal is fitted in the
groove of the key, and the ends of the strip do not require to be split. When the
key is driven home the forward end of the strip is bent round the side of the chair
and the rear end of the strip is bent round the end of the key.
To prevent the key becoming loose by shrinking, I drill a number of holes
transversely through the key, and insert plugs of hard wood or other suitable
material which will not shrink to the same extent as the other parts of the key.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are elevations, and Figure 3 is a
horizontal section of a railway chair showing the improved railway key applied to
secure a rail. The metal strip B is split at both ends, one part being bent round
the key and the other round the chair to secure the key. The key A is shown
separately in Figure 4 which shows the longitudinal groove A¹ formed in the side,
and the plugs in the holes which are drilled through it. Figure 5 is a horizontal
section of a railway chair showing the key A secured by using two metal strips B
riveted together in the middle as hereinbefore described. Figure 6 is a similar
view showing a single strip B used to secure a tapered key in the chair.
Dated this Fourth day of January 1984

page_text: I, RICHARD DAVID SANDERS, of Norwood, Lenzie, in the County of Dumbarton,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN RAILWAY KEYS," and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My Invention relates to improvements in railway keys, and is designated to
prevent such keys becoming loose or shaking out of the railway chairs.
In forming keys for securing rails in railway chairs according to my "Invention,
I cut in the side of the key next the chair, a longitudinal groove into which I
place a strip of thin metal somewhat longer than the key. This strip of metal is
split at both ends, so that when the key is in place, one part of the strip may be
bent inwards over the ends of the key, and the other part outwards round the
sides of the chair to prevent the key from falling out should it become loose. Or
two thin strips of metal may be rivetted together at or near the middle, and fitted
in the groove of the key. When the key is driven into its place in the chair the
ends of the one strip are bent over the ends of the key, and the ends of the other
strip are bent round the sides of the chair.
When the key is tapered or wedge shaped, a single strip of metal is fitted in the
groove of the key, and the ends of the strip do not require to be split. When the
key is driven home the forward end of the strip is bent round the side of the chair
and the rear end of the strip is bent round the end of the key.
To prevent the key becoming loose by shrinkage, I drill a number of holes
transversely through the key, and insert plugs of hard wood or other suitable
material which will not shrink to the same extent as the other parts of the key.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are elevations, and Figure 3 is a
horizontal section of a railway chair showing the improved railway key and
fastening applied to secure a rail. The metal strip B is split at both ends, one
part being bent round the key and the other round the chair to secure the key.
The key A is shown separately in side and end elevation in Figure 4, which show
the longitudinal groove A³ formed in the side. Figure 5 is a separate view of the
securing strip B. Figure 6 is a horizontal section of a railway chair shewing the
key A secured by using two metal strips B rivetted together in the middle as
hereinbefore described. Figure 7 shows the strip in side elevation and in section.
Figure 8 is a horizontal section showing a single strip B used to secure a tapered
key A in the chair. Figure 9 shows, the strip which is simply a piece of hoop
iron, in side and end view. Figure 10 show in side elevation and cross section a
key A in which are drilled a number of holes wherein wooden plugs a are inserted.
Either this form of key or the plain form shown in Figure 4 may be employed in
combination with the securing strip B.
Having thus described my said Invention, I declare that what I claim is,-
First. The combination, with the key used to secure a rail in its chair, of a strip
or strips of metal arranged to lock the key, substantially as described and
illustrated.
Second. A railway key in which are cut or drilled transverse holes wherein
plugs of hard wood or other suitable material are inserted, as and for the purpose
.set forth.
Dated this Fifteenth day of August 1884.