IMPROVE- MENTS IN FISH PLATES OR JOINT FASTENERS FOR RAILWAYS
Year: 1885

page_text: I WILLIAM CORTEEN of 41, North Church Street Sheffield in the County of
York Carriage Maker do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN FISH PLATES OR JOINT FASTENERS FOR RAILWAYS" and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
The object of my Invention, is to effect an improvement in the present form
and adaptation of Fish Plates or Joint Fasteners, where used for the holding
together of Rails for Railways, whereby, a firm and more permanent fastening of
the Rails together and support of same is secured, and which I effect as follows-
Instead of making the Fish Plates of the usual shape, I make the edges flat for four
or five inches or more in the centre, but leave the rest of such edges, from such
centre (which acts as a rest or bearing), of the usual shape-I then extend the
substance of the Fish Plate from the inside at the middle part, so as to pass
underneath both ends of the Rail at the neck or thin portion of same, and such
extended part is usually of an oval or slightly oval shape, the ends of the Rails
being cut out or shaped underneath correspondingly for the purpose.
This extended part on one of the plates, for one side of the Rail, is so shaped
as to fit in with an extended part in a corresponding position on the opposite
plate, both of which plates then join into one another, and such extended portions
create a firm support to the Rails.
Through the centre of these plates, and so as necessarily to pass through the
centre of the extended portions, I bore a hole to receive a Bolt and Nut, which
holds the plates firmly together, and, by the grip thereby obtained, and the support
and close fitting arrangement, as above mentioned, a substantial method of holding
the Rails firmly together and keeping the same in position is provided.
I use as further fastenings of the Plates, four additional Bolts and Nuts, or a
less or greater number according to circumstances, and in some cases in lieu of the
extended parts of the Fish Plates as so made in one piece, I shape the Fish Plate
as before mentioned without such extended parts, and employ in this case a
moveable centre piece of like or similar shape, through which the Bolt passes as
before, but in every case the middle of the Fish Plate itself, at the part so flattened
with the corresponding part of the rail so flattened as before mentioned, supports
the head and flange of the Rail outside the neck of the same,

page_text: The centre Bolt and Nut, being the one requiring a special grip and hold, (for
which purpose I prefer to use those known as "Ibbotson's Patent "), is close fitted,
the hole being made the exact size to receive such Bolt accordingly, but, as to the
other Bolts and Nuts, the holes are usually so cut as to allow for any necessary
contraction or expansion of the Rails.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate the application of my Invention.
Figure 1. shews the outside view of the Rail and plates as screwed up.
Figure 2. shews the Rail with the shape of the portions cut out therefrom.
Figure 3. is the Fish Plate for one side, shaped as before mentioned, and with
the extended portion thereto, which goes under the Rail.
Figure 4. is the Fish Plate for the other side of the Rail, and with the extended
portion to go under the Rail, and which has to fit into the recess on first plate as
left for same as shewn on Figure 3.
Figure 5 is the moveable part, for use in some cases to go under the Rail, in
lieu of the extended portions to the Fish Plates as before mentioned.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First: A new form of Fish Plate or Joint Fastener, shaped and extended in
substance in the centre, and the cutting or grooving of the ends of Rails to receive
such extended substance as above described, whereby, a more permanent fastening
of Railway Rails together and support of same is secured.
Second-The like shaping of such Fish Plates or Joint Fasteners, without such
extended portions, by the employment of such substituted moveable part as above
described.
Third-The employment and insertion in the centre, of a tight fitting Bolt and
Nut, and corresponding holes through the middle of such Fish Plates and extended
substance, or parts of such Fish Plates, to hold the same together as before
mentioned.
Fourth-The general Improvements in the permanent way of Railways as
herein substantially described and set forth.
Dated this third day of February one thousand eight hundred and eighty five.