Te Construction of Common Roads and Tramroads.
Year: 1885

page_text: Te Construction of Common Roads and Tramroads.
I WILLIAM SOWERBY, Civil Engineer and Fellow of the Geological Society
of London residing at Northernhay Hereford Road, Springfield Park Acton
in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
THE CONSTRUCTION OF COMMON ROADS AND TRAMROADS, to be as follows:-
It relates to the mode of making Common Roads Traction and Tramroads,
whereby I am enabled to reduce considerably the cost of making, repairing and
maintaining the same; and also of lessening the tractive force required for moving
loads and carriages along the said roads Traction and Tramroads; such roads,
Traction and Tramroads being adapted for facilitating the passage of ordinary Carts
and Carriage wheels without flanges thereon: for this purpose I propose the use of
Slabs to be laid in parallel lines; such slabs to be made of Metals, Bricks, Plastic
Materials, Stone and Wood or a combination thereof: I make these slabs of a
suitable form at the upper surface over which the Wheels of Vehicles have to pass,
and of a curved shape; the curves being parabolic or segmental, and dipping
towards the centre of the Slab. I propose to lay these slabs continuously and
abutting against each other in two lines: the two lines being at such a distance
apart as shall be suitable for all kinds of ordinary Carts, Carriages, and Vehicles;
and the width of the slabs to be sufficient to allow ample variation of gauge in the
wheels of the Vehicles. I propose that the Slabs may be reversable; that is, the
underside may be of the same curved shape as the upper side, and that the slabs
may be keyed together or tied with keys of wood or other materials, or external
bands of metal, ropes, or fishing plates at the joints, to be made of metals, Bricks,
Plastic Materials, Stone, Wood or a combination thereof.
First. I claim the mode of making such roads, Traction and Tramroads as new
and original, and of great public utility.
Second. I claim the curved shape of the said slabs over which the' wheels of
Vehicles will pass, and the mode of applying and laying down the same on Common
Roads as my sole invention, and that the same will be of great advantage in every
way, facilitating the transport of passengers and merchandize.
Dated this fifth day of October 1885.

page_text: WILLIAM SOWERBY Northernhay Hereford Road Springfield Park Acton Civil
Engineer, 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 and
by the following statement:
My invention consists in the making and forming of Common Roads, Traction
Roads, Railroads, or Tramroads, on a principle of laying down Slabs or Rails made
either of Various Metals, Bricks, Stones, Wood, Earthenware, Glass, Concrete,
Asphalte, or any kind of plastic Materials whatever or a combination thereof of
any of the above named materials or substances.
These slabs or rails are to be laid in lines straight or curved and to be made of a
sufficient breadth and set or fixed at as sufficient distance apart to suit the various
gauges of different kinds of Vehicles, that are or may be in ordinary use on Common
Roads and that will have to pass over them. They are also to be laid upon a good
and firm foundation of earth, sand, gravel, concrete, or any other suitable and
available materials The slabs or rails are to be made of sufficient thickness and
strength to resist the impact and pressure of Vehicles and to be preserved from
breaking under any traffic that may pass over them; and they may be made in
different thicknesses, and of different breadths to suit such traffic. The slabs or
rails are to be laid end to end in lines straight or curved and are to be fixed by
means of dovetails or other joints, or are to be keyed internally or externally, or
fixed together by internal or external bands of metal, rope or other suitable
material, or appliances or by means of fish plates at the joints, or spliced at the
joints; or they may be laid in two or more breadths, or thicknesses, so that the
parts may fit in and break joint with each other.
The slabs or rails are to be constructed of such form and shape, so that the
wheels of the traffic while moving along their surface will have the tendency to be
retained on the said slabs or rails, and not be liable to move off on to the other
parts of the road or way which is not laid with the said slabs or rails This is
accomplished by the slabs or rails being provided with the upper face slightly sunk
or raised The form of sinking or raising that I prefer is one of a curved nature,
but it may also be sunk or raised with ordinary sloping sides without being curved,
as the action of the traffic may in a short time wear the sloping sides into the
required curved form.
But should it be found advisable and necessary in the first instance to curve the
face I should prefer to make the curve parabolic, but that is not imperative.
The chief object being the sinking or raising of the surface of the slabs or rails
towards the middle thereof The slabs may also be corrugated longitudinally or
transversely with one or more rows of curves or sloped sides where necessity
demands it for the proper retention of the Vehicles on the slabs or rails and
permitting free access off and on to the slabs or rails without great effort, and also
that other Vehicles may safely cross the Slabs or Rails transversely or otherwise
without risk or danger.

page_text: The Slabs or Rails may also be laid down of any lengths or put on to the Road in
suitable trenches continuously when the material used is in a plastic state.
The Slabs or Rails may also be laid down as side protectors in combination with
ordinary Iron Tramroad Rails; that is the ordinary Tramroad Rails will be placed
in the middle of my slabs or rails which will be made in sections to suit the same.
My slabs or rails may also be formed with an additional deep groove or grooves
to suit Tramcars or other Vehicles with flanged wheels, the grooves being made on
any part of the surface longitudinally as may be required.
My slabs or rails may be made reversable that is with upper and under faces
alike in form and pattern if considered necessary or desirable.
Having now practically described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what mode and manner the same is to be made and performed
I declare that what I claim is
First. Originality in making-laying-improving and repairing Common Roads
Traction Roads or Tramroads upon the principle herein set forth and described.
Second. The making of the slabs or rails of the particular form or forms having
concave or convex surfaces, formed with curved or sloping sides, and in the various
materials or their combination as herein set forth and described.
Third. The application of the principles herein set forth and described to any
existing or proposed Road, Street, Tramroad, Railroad Traction Road or the like.
Dated this 5th day of June 1886.-(Fifth day of June one thousand eight
hundred and eighty six \