Improvements in the Construction of Metallic Underframes of Railway Carriages and Wagons.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 15th Sept., 1893-Accepted, 28th Oct., 1893
PROVISIONAL DI ECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Metallic Underframes of
Railway Carriages and Wagons.
We GEORGE EARL CHURCH, Civil Engineer, of Dashwood House, London,
E.C., and GEORGE WATSON ETTENGER, Mechanical Engineer of 12, Church
Street Barrow-in-Furness, England, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that construction of metallic underframes of railway
carriages and wagons wherein metal tubes are employed as longitudinal sole bars,
there being two or more such tubes, the one placed vertically above the other or
others. The present improvements relate firstly to the mode of securing the ends
of the said tubes to the members, either flat or curved, of such underframes that
are placed at right angles to the ends of such tubes; secondly the improvements
relate to the mode of tying the tubes together at intermediate points of their
length by means of metal binders, and of connecting the truss rods to such binders.
For securing the ends of the tubes to the head-stocks or other transverse parts
of the underframing, we firstly enlarge the ends of the tubes, and we insert in
such enlarged end a metal plug which is generally of a diameter somewhat less
than the internal diameter of the enlargement, but which has at one or more
points of its length a circular bead or projecting rim that just fits into the
enlargement, and after introducing the said plug we then reduce the diameter of
the enlarged end again by any suitable known means, so as to fit tightly round the
plug at the part or parts beyond the bead or rim, so that this will now be contained
in a circular bulge of the tube, and will consequently securely hold the plug in
the end of the tube.
The outer end of the plug is made with a central projection which fits into a
corresponding recess in the head stock, and in this projection is formed a central
hole for the reception of a bolt which is passed through the head stock and is
secured in the plug either by screwing or by forming the bolt with a T head which
is passed through a correspondingly shaped hole in the plug and is then partly
turned round in a hollow formed in the plug.
The end of the bolt projecting through the head-stock is threaded, so that on
screwing up a nut thereon, the tube end will be securely fixed to the head-stock.
In order to afford still greater hold for the plug, the end of the tube may be made
to project slightly beyond the end of the plug so that when this is inserted the
end of the tube can be turned in over it.
We construct the metal binders for securing together the tubes at the ends and
at intermediate points of their length as follows: The binder of steel or other
suitable metal consists firstly of a loop shaped band that passes almost completely
round each tube and then extends diagonally across the intervening space, from
the one side of the one tube to the opposite side of the other tube, in such manner
that while the one side of the diagonal part of the loop passes away tangentially
from the one tube, and forms at the other tube a right angle bend with the part
passing round such tube, the other side of the loop passes away tangentially from
the last named tube and forms a right angle bend with the part passing round the
first named tube. At an intermediate point between the two tubes, the two sides
of the loop are each made with a semicircular bend, so as to receive between
them a longitudinal tie rod extending between the tubes.
The diagonal parts of the loop have ribs formel on their back surfaces, and
through bosses on these ribs and the sides of the loop are formed holes for the
passage of screw bolts for tying the two sides of the loop together. These bolts are

page_text: so arranged that their heads fit close up against the part of the loop that is bent
at right angles to the diagonal part, and as such bent part passes tangentially
from the tube, it will be seen that by screwing up the nut of the bolt, the pull
exerted on the part of the loop surrounding the tube will cause the loop to be
drawn tight round this so as to effectually grip it. In order to completely encircle
the tube by the band notwithstanding that this passes away tangentially from it,
such tangential part of the band is formed with a curved internal tongue piece
that fits round the tube at that point, and affords support to the tangential part.
The binder that is situated next to the headstock of the underframe is also
provided with a lateral flange that fits against the inner surface of the headstock
and is provided with bolt holes for bolts to secure it thereto.
A flange or bracket may also be formed on the binders on the part on the inner
side of the upper tube, for attachment by bolts to a false sole bar or floor sill for
securing the floor of the vehicle to the underframe and other ribs, flanges or lugs
may be provided on the binders for attachment to other parts of the framing or
stays, or to provide flat outer faces for the attachment of the vertical pillars or
supports of the body. The intermediate binders may also have downward extensions
serving as the struts for the longitudinal truss rods of the underframing, or the struts
may be made as separate parts. Furthermore the binders can have extensions with
holes serving for bearings or guides for transverse shafts for the brake gear, or for
winding and securing doors &c.
In all cases the above described binders are made with their loops sufficiently
sprung open to enable them to be slipped longitudinally over the tubes into the
position which they have to occupy, and also so that when the two diagonal sides
of the loop are drawn together by the tightening bolts, there shall still be a
slight space intervening between them after the loops have been nipped tight
round the tubes.
Instead of forming the looped binder of a single piece it may be made with a
joint at one or more points secured together either by the one part hooking into
the other, or by slots and keys, or in any other suitable manner.
Dated this 11th day of April 1803
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Metallic Underframes of
Railway Carriages and Wagons.
We, GEORGE EARL CHURCH, Civil Engineer, of Dashwood House, London,
E.C., and GEORGE WATSON ÉTTENGER, Mechanical Engineer, of 12 Church
Street, Barrow in Furness, England, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention relates to that construction of metallic underframes of railway
carriages and wagons wherein metal tubes are employed as longitudinal sole bars,
there being 2 or more such tubes, the one placed vertically above the other or
others. The present improvements relate firstly to the mode of securing the ends
of the said tubes to the members, either flat or curved, of such underframes that
are placed at right angles to the ends of such tubes. 2ndly the improvements
relate to the mode of tying the tubes together at intermediate points of their
length by means of metal binders, and of connecting the truss rods to such
binders.
For securing the ends of the tubes to the headstocks or other transverse parts
of the underframing, we firstly enlarge the ends of the tubes and we insert in
such enlarged end a metal plug, which is generally of a diameter somewhat less

page_text: than the internal diameter of the enlargement, but which has at one or more points -
of its length a circular bead or projecting rim that just fits into the enlargement,
and after introducing the said plug we then reduce the diameter of the enlarged.
end again by any suitable known means so as to fit tightly round the plug at the
part or parts beyond the bead or rim, so that this will now be contained in a
circular bulge of the tube and will consequently securely hold the plug in the end
of the tube.
The outer end of the plug is made with a central projection which fits into a
corresponding recess in the headstock, and in this projection is formed a central
hole for the reception of a bolt which is passed through the headstock and is.
secured in the plug either by screwing or by forming the bolt with a T head which
is passed through a correspondingly shaped hole in the (plug and is then partly.
turned round in a hollow formed in the plug.
The end of the bolt projecting through the headstock is threaded so that on
screwing up a nut thereon, the tube end will be securely fixed to the head stock.
In order to afford still greater hold for the plug, the end of the tube may be
made to project slightly beyond the end of the plug so that when this is inserted
the end of the tube can be turned in over it.
We construct the metal binders for securing together the tubes at the ends and
at intermediate points of their length as follows. The binder of steel or other
suitable metal consists firstly of a loop shaped band that passes almost completely
round each tube and then extends diagonally across the intervening space from
the one side of the one tube to the opposite side of the other tube, in such manner
that while the one side of the diagonal part of the loop passes away tangentially
from the one tube, and forms at the other tube a right angle bend with the part
passing round such tube, the other side of the loop passes away tangentially from
the last named tube and forms a right angle bend with the part passing round the
first named tube. At an intermediate point between the two tubes, the two sides
of the loop are each made with a semicircular bend, so as to receive between them
a longitudinal tie rod extending between the tubes.
The diagonal parts of the loop have ribs formed on their back surfaces, and
through bosses on these ribs and the sides of the loop are formed holes for the
passage of screw bolts for tying the two sides of the loops together. These bolts
are so arranged that their heads fit close up against the part of the loop that
bent at right angles to the diagonal part, and as such bent part passes tangentially
from the tube, it will be seen that by screwing up the nut of the bolt, the pull
exerted on the part of the loop surrounding the tube will cause the loop to be
drawn tight round this so as to effectually grip it. In order to completely encircle
the tube by the band notwithstanding that this passes away tangentially from it,
such tangential part of the band is formed with a curved internal tongue piece
that fits round the tube at that point and affords support to the tangential part.
The binder that is situated next to the headstock of the underframe is also
provided with a lateral flange that fits against the inner surface of the headstock
and is provided with bolt holes for bolts to secure it thereto.
A flange or bracket may also be formed on the binders on the part on the inner
side of the upper tube for attachment by bolts to a false sole bar or floor sill for
securing the floor of the vehicle to the underframe, and other ribs, flanges or lugs
may be provided on the binders for attachment to other parts of the framing or
stays, or to provide flat outer faces for the attachment of the vertical pillars or
supports of the body. The intermediate binders may also have downward
extensions serving as the struts for the longitudinal truss rods of the underframing
or the struts may be made as separate parts.
Furthermore the binders can have extensions with holes serving for bearings or
guides for transverse shafts for the brake gear, or for winding and securing
doors &c.
In all cases the above described binders are made with their loops sufficiently
sprung open to enable them to be slipped longitudinally over the tubes into the

page_text: position which they have to occupy, and also so that when the two diagonal sides
of the loop are drawn together by the tightening bolts there shall still be a slight
space intervening between them after the loops have been nipped tight round the
tubes.
Instead of forming the looped binder of a single piece it may be made with a
joint at one or more points secured together either by the one part hooking into
the other, or by slots and keys or in any other suitable manner.
Fig. 1 to 23 of the accompanying drawings shew the above described improve-
ments.
In the drawings the underframe is shewn composed of two tubes arranged one
below the other, it is to be observed however that the present improvements are
equally applicable to underframes having more than two tubes. A. A. are the
two tubes, which are connected at the ends to the headstocks B and are connected
together at intermediate points by binders C.
For securing the tube ends to the headstocks the construction is employed as
shewn more particularly in the enlarged details at Figs. 1 and 2-Fig. 1 shewing a
longitudinal section and Fig. 2 a cross section.
The tubes A have their ends enlarged by any suitable means up to the point
sufficiently to receive a metal plug D with a projecting rim or bead D', that just
fits the enlargement and, when the plug has been introduced, the end of the tube is
reduced in diameter again by pressing forging or other suitable known means so as
to fit tightly round the plug so that the bead D₁ will now be securely held in a
circular bulge A¹ of the tube. The outer end of the plug D has a central pro-
jection D2 which fits into a corresponding recess in the headstock B and in this
projection is formed a central hole for the reception of a bolt E which is passed
through the headstock and is secured to the plug either by screwing, as at E¹ or
by forming the bolt with a T head which is passed through a correspondingly
shaped hole in the plug and is then turned partly round in a hollow therein, as
indicated at E. The outer end of the bolt being provided with a screw nut, it
will be seen that in screwing this up tight the tube will be firmly secured to the
headstock.
In order to afford still greater hold for the plug in the tube, the projecting end
thereof may be turned in over the end of the plug as shewn at A².
The tubes are furthermore secured together on the inner sides of the headstocks
and at intermediate points of their length by means of metal binders C, the con-
struction of which will be understood on reference to Figs. 3 to 10 in which Fig. 3
shews a side view of the binder fitted on the tubes A. Fig. 4 a side view of the
same separate, Fig. 5 shews an outer end view, Fig. 6 an inner end view, Figs. 7
and 8 sections taken respectively on lincs X X and Y Y. Fig. 9 a plan, and
Fig. 10 a vertical section. The binder consists firstly of a metal band of loop
shape C that fits almost completely round each tube, passing diagonally across the
intervening space between the tubes so as to pass off at a tangent at the one tube
and to be bent at right angles at C2 at the other tube where it also joins tangentially
on to the circular part as shewn.
In order to cause the band to completely encircle each tube it is formed with an
internal projection at C³ fitting round the tube.
On
In the middle of the part between the tubes the band is formed with two semi-
circular hollows C which encircle a tie bolt F running parallel with the tubes A.
and secured with its ends to the headstocks and transome as shewn at Fig. 1.
each side of these hollows the band is formed with embossed holes C for the
reception of screw bolts G, by means of which, when the binder is fitted on the
tubes, the loops can be drawn tight round the latter so as to hold them securely,
and it will be seen that as the part at C2, passes tangentially from the loop and in
line with the bolt G, the pull of the latter will effectually draw the loop tight
round the tube while at the same time the opposite part of the loop will be
supported against the cross strain exercised by the bolt by the abutment afforded
by the projection C³. On the outer sides of the band are formed flanges Ce for

page_text: strengthening it, and in the inner flange, are formed bolt holes C7 for bolting the
binder against the head stocks B and thus further securing the connection of the
tubes to the binders.
A horizontally projecting flange or bracket Cs is also provided for attachment
by bolts to a false sole bar or floor sill H for securing the floor of the vehicle to
the under frame.
The above described form of the binders is that adopted for the end binders
next the headstocks B and such intermediate binders that do not at the same time
serve for the attachment of struts for the trussing or for attachment of the vertical
supports of the body. The modified constructions of the binders for these purposes
are shewn at Figs. 11 to 20. In the construction shewn in side view at Fig. 11
back view at Fig. 12 and section on line Z Z at Fig. 13 the flange on one side of
the binder C is extended sufficiently to form a square outer face C in line with the
side plates of the body so as to serve for the attachment of the vertical supports I
of the body, these supports as also the body being in this case assumed to be of
metal the sill H being also of angle iron, the flange C8 is modified in form to
receive it.
This same construction of the binder is also adapted for the attachment of the
struts J for the truss rods K as shewn at Figs. 14 to 18. Fig. 14 shews a side
view of the binder and strut combined. Fig. 15 shews the outer end view. Fig. 16
shews the inner end view. Figs. 17 and 18 show sections through the strut J on
lines V V and W. W.
The flange of the binder is formed with a square lower face C10 to which is
secured by a bolt the upper end of the strut J this being also made to fit with a
circular curved part J' round the circular lower end of the binder C which thus
affords the strut the necessary support. The outer face J of the strut is made in
line with the face C of the binder so as also to serve for attachment of the
extended vertical support, as shewn at Figs. 19 and 20 which shew a part side
elevation and part cross section of a truck with wood body. As shewn in these
figures, the strut may also be formed in one piece with the binder instead of
being of a separate piece.
Instead of forming the loop of the binder C of a single piece as described,
it may be divided and the parts joined together either by a hooked joint as
at C Fig. 21 or loops C12 engaging with each other and secured by a key
as shewn in end and front views at Figs. 22 and 23.
When the binders are constructed with their loops of a single piece, they
are made with their loop sufficiently sprung open to allow them to be slipped
longitudinally over the tubes A into the position which they have to occupy
when they are secured by the screw bolts G, a small space being still left.
between the meeting parts of the loop as shewn, after the tightening up of
the bolts so as to insure that the circular parts of the loop shall grip the
tubes A tightly.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
1. In a railway vehicle with metallic under framing, securing the tubes
constituting the longitudinal bearers of the underframe to the head stocks by
means of plugs and screw bolts screwing or fitting with T heads into such
plugs the plugs being secured to the tube ends by enlarging these so as to
receive a bead or beads or enlarged part of the plug and then reducing the
tube end again so as to fit tightly against the plug beyond the bead or
enlargement, the end of the tube being if necessary turned inwards against.
the outer end of the plug substantially as described.
2. Securing the tubes together and to the parts of the under framing by
means of metal binders consisting of a closed loop-shaped band passing round
the tubes which it is made to grip by means of bolts passing through the

page_text: 1
part of the band extending diagonally across the space between the tubes,
the band being made to pass off at a tangent from the tube in line with the
pull of the bolt so as to be effectually tightened round the tube thereby
substantially as described.
3. In metal binders such as are referred to in the preceding claim, the
combination with the looped band of flanges for attachment either to the
headstock, to the floor sill, the vertical supports of the body or the struts for
the truss rods substantially as described.
4. In combination with the metal binders referred to in the second and
third claims, the metal struts for supporting the truss rods of the underframe,
such struts being either fixed to or formed in one with the binder substantially
as described.
5. The construction of fastenings for securing the tubular framing to the
bead stocks combined and arranged as herein described with reference to the
drawings.
6. The construction of binders for securing the tubular framing and connecting
it to the carriage framing combined and arranged as herein described with
reference to the drawings.
Dated this 15th day of Sentember 1893
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.