IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAMWAYS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Emil Böttcher, of Bremen, in the Empire of Germany,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAMWAYS."
Sealed the 18th June 1878 and deted the 20th December 1977
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Emil Böttcher at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th December 1877.
EMIL BOTTCHER, of Bremen, in the Empire of Germany. " IMPROVEMENTS IN
TRAMWAYS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of tramways for
tram cars or other vehicles, whereby the renewal or exchange of a rail or rails
is easily effected with little disturbance to the pavement or roadway. It consists in
supporting the rails on a series of cast-iron chairs placed at suitable distances apart,
and each of which is formed with a large base or foundation plate, and with a deep
hollow box-like or other desirable shaped vertical-section or web for embedding in
the roadway:
The upper part of the chair whereon the rail is bedded projects upwards at
its outside, so as to form a flange, against the inside face of which the rail is secured
by a screw bolt passing through said flange and rail, and through the angle foot of
a flat or other shaped iron transverse distance piece, which is connected at its other
end in a similar manner with the opposite rail and chair. Opposite chairs are also
connected near their bases or foundation plates by a second transverse screw bolt or
other distance piece. This mode of construction is also applicable to the points and
crossings of the tramway, and has the advantages of cheapness, solidity, and
simplicity, with out obstruction to the pavement.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Emil Bottcher in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th June
1878.
EMIL BUTTCHER, of Bremen, in the Empire of Germany. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
TRAMWAYS."
This Invention relates to improvements in the construction of tramways for
tram cars or other vehicles, whereby the renewal or exchange of a rail or rails is
easily effected with little disturbance to the pavement or roadway.
On the accompanying Drawing,
-
Fig. 1 is a cross section; Fig. 2, a side elevation; and Fig. 3, a plan of my im-
proved tramway.
The Invention consists in supporting the rails A on a series of cast-iron chairs B
placed at suitable distances apart, and each of which is formed with a large base or
foundation plate a, and with a deep hollow box-like or other desirably shaped
vertical section or web b, for embedding in the roadway.
The upper part of the chair whereon the rail A is bedded projects upwards at
its outside, so as to form a flange c, against the inside face of which the rail A is
secured by a screw bolt D passing through the said flange and rail, and through
the angle foot of a flat or other shaped iron transverse distance piece E, which, is
connected at its other end in a similar manner with the opposite rail and chair.
Opposite chairs are also connected near their bases or foundation plates a by a
second transverse screw bolt or other distance piece F. This mode of construction
is also applicable to the points and crossings of the tramway, and has the advantages
of cheapness, solidity; and simplicity, without obstruction to the pavement.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect,
I would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original, and
therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
1. The construction and use of chairs for tramways, substantially as herein-before
described, and illustrated by the accompanying Drawing.
2. The method of supporting and securing. tramway rails to the chairs,
substantially as herein-before described, and illustrated by the accompanying
Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Emil Böttcher, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Fourteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord 1878.
EMIL BOTTCHER. (L.S.)