IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH TRAM RAILS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Thompson and Stratton Tomkins, both of
166, Fleet Street, in the City of London, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND CONNECTED WITH TRAM RAILS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Thompson and
Stratton Tomkins at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
4th March 1881.
EDWARD THOMPSON and STRATTON TOMKINS, both of 166, Fleet Street, in the
City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH TRAM RAILS."
This Invention relates to improvements in and connected with tram rails, and
consists in keying rails in chairs which are formed on the top of longitudinal
sleepers.
The sleepers are preferably of wrought iron and are of the bridge or hollow form,
the lower edges of which are spread out so that they as it were dovetail themselves
into the roadway; they rest on concrete and are filled with it inside, the concrete:
when set serving to preserve the guage of the rails.
To hold the rails in place cheeks are rivetted or otherwise fastened to the tops of
the sleepers; these cheeks form chairs into which the rails are placed, the latter
being made with a vertical longitudinal rib under the rail head; the rib of the rail
is placed in the chairs, and keys driven in on each side of it secure it firmly in
place.
The lower edge of the vertical rib of the rail rests when in place on the top of
the sleeper, so that its bearing is continuous and the ends of adjoining rails are
fished by plates on each side of the rib, thus preserving the continuity of the way.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Thompson and Stratton Tomkins in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 3rd September 1881.
EDWARD THOMPSON and STRATTON TOMKINS, both of 166, Fleet Street, in the
City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH TRAM RAILS."
This Invention relates to improvements in and connected with tram rails, and
consists in keying rails in chairs which are formed on the top of longitudinal
sleepers.
The sleepers are preferably of wrought iron and are of the bridge or hollow form,
the lower edges of which are spread out so that they as it were dovetail
themselves into the roadway; they rest on concrete and are filled with it inside, the
concrete when set serving to preserve the gauge of the rails.
To hold the rails in place cheeks are rivetted or otherwise fastened to the top of
the sleepers; these cheeks form chairs into which the rails are placed, the latter
being made with a vertical longitudinal rib under the rail head; the rib of the rail
is placed in the chairs, and keys driven in on each side of it secure it firmly in
place.
The lower edge of the vertical rib of the rail rests when in place on the top of
the sleeper, so that its bearing is continuous, and the ends of adjoining rails are
fished by plates on each side of the rib, thus preserving the continuity of the way.
The details of our Invention will be clearly understood by reference to the
annexed Drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a section of the rail A, cheeks B, C,
wedges D, key E, and sleeper F, the view being taken through the line a, b, of
Figure 2, this being a part section and elevation of the permanent way.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the rail A, fish plates G, G', and bolts H, H,
this view being through the line c, d, of Figure 4, and near the juncture of two
rails, as indicated.
The rail A has the usual wheel flange groove I and web J, the lower end K of
which in our Invention is turned or rolled at right angles to form a projecting lip,
over and upon which the fish plate G¹ is caused to fit to ensure a firm grip upon
the lip K, and against the web J of the rail A when the bolts H, H, and nuts are
fastened up. It will be seen by Figure 3 that the rail and the fish plates G, G',
have a fair bearing upon the sleeper, and the breadth of the three when locked
together obtain a good broad bearing upon the sleeper F to prevent a rock motion
from passing traffic; the top portion of the fish plates G, G¹, are also shaped to fit
under the head of the rail to distribute the weight of the car or other vehicle over
a large surface and to ensure solidity of structure.
The chairs or cheeks B, C, are fitted to the sleepers at intervals, the sleepers
being perforated for the reception of studs L, L, which are rivetted down upon the
under side, as in Figure 1. The cheeks or chairs are shaped, as shown, one B to
receive the wedge D, and the other C to receive the key E, which is placed in from
the side and driven home to put the several parts in contact.
The sleeper is of_hollow or gutter shaped girder, but with bottom ends M, M,
of the side walls N, N, splayed outwards to obtain a broad bearing upon the
ballast, preferably concrete, with which the body of the sleeper is filled, as indicated,
a portion of such concrete being applied on the tops of the splayed out ends for the
outer and the inner first row of sets to rest upon when placed in position.
The advantages of our Invention are,―
1. Light vet solid superstructure.

page_text: 2. Broad bearing surface at base sleepers easily rolled, they being free from
bulges and irregularities.
3. Sleepers have a flat top surface.
4. Chairs made separately and easily fitted in position.
5. Wedges rolled to shape.
6. Keys rolled to shape.
7. Rails rolled to shape, the lip ensuring steadyness and uprightness when in
position.
8. The whole is so locked together that vibration is prevented.
9. The granite sets find a good bed both inside and outside the rails.
Lastly. The weight per mile is considerably less than any other system, con-
sequently the cost is lower. The facilities of laying, repairing, or renewing any
portion is greatly enhanced.
Having thus described our Invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, and the advantages to be derived from its application, we declare that
we claim,
The several detail improvements arranged and serving in conjunction with each
other to form a light yet solid permanent tramway, as hereinbefore described and
as shown in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Edward Thompson and Stratton Tomkins,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Second day of September, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
5 Witness,
H. GARDNER,
166 Fleet Street,
London.
EDWARD THOMPSON. (L.S.)
STRATTON TOMKINS. (L.S.)