IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLIANCES FOR SECURING THE RAILS TO THE CHAIRS USED ON RAILWAYS."
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Stephen Robinson and George Goldsmith, both
of Leicester, in the County of Leicester, for the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPLIANCES FOR SECURING THE RAILS TO THE CHAIRS USED ON RAILWAYS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Stephen Robinson
and George Goldsmith at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
8th September 1876.
CHARLES STEPHEN ROBINSON and GEORGE GOLDSMITH, both of Leicester, in the
County of Leicester, "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLIANCES FOR SECURING THE RAILS TO
THE CHAIRS USED ON RAILWAYS."
The object of this Invention is to afford greater security in the attachment of
rails to railway chairs and of maintaining them in firm contact.
The Invention consists in introducing between the web of the rail and the chain
a block of iron having a hole about three quarters of an inch in diameter and
tapped with a strong thread. Into this hole is inserted a screw having a head of a
square or hexagon form near its outer extremity; the screw being inserted in the
hole of the block as far as it will go, the block and it are introduced between the
rail and the chair, when a wrench is applied to the square part of the screw, and
turned until the screw is withdrawn sufficiently to jain itself with the block between
the rail and the chair The pressure thus produced is amply sufficient to hold the
rail firmly to the chair, and if the chair or chairs are placed at the junction of the
rails the necessity for fish plates will be avoided.
To prevent the bolt or screw from becoming loose, when screwed up tightly, a
burr is set up round the hole in the block with a suitable chisel, consequently
the screw cannot turn, nor the pressure between the rail and the chair become
relaxed.
A modification of the foregoing consists in introducing a similar block between
the rail and the chair, and inserting into it through a hole in the side of the chair, a
pin screwed at one end, and provided with a slot near the other. When the screw
is turned and adjusted into suitable position an iron or steel wedge is driven into
the slot, the said wedge taking a bearing upon the side of the chair, and thus causing
D
71

page_text: a sufficiently powerful pressure between the chair and the rail to keep the latter in
its place.
Another method which is somewhat analagous to the latter plan, inasmuch as it
depends upon the insertion of a wedge, consists in providing a metal plate formed
with flanges at its ends to grip the ends of the chair, and furnished with a number
of inclined or wedge-shaped projections on its outer surface, or the said inclined or
wedge-shaped projections may be cast on the chairs. Between this surface and the
rail is introduced a wooden wedge, which on being driven up tight, is so retained,
by the triangular or wedge shaped projections that the return of the wooden wedge
is provented while in ordinary use. A firm and constant contact between the rail
and the chair is thus secured.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Charles Stephen Robinson and George Goldsmith in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 8th March 1877.
CHARLES STEPHEN ROBINSON and GEORGE GOLDSMITH, both of Leicester, in the
County of Leicester, "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPLIANCES FOR SECURING THE RAILS TO
THE CHAIRS USED ON RAILWAYS."
The object of this Invention is to afford. greater security in the attachment of
rails to railway chairs and of maintaining them in firm contact.
The Invention consists in introducing between the web of the rail and the chair,
a block of iron having a hole about three quarters of an inch in diameter and tapped
with a strong thread. Into this hole is inserted a screw having a head of a square
or hexagon form near its outer extremity; the screw being inserted in the hole of
the block as far as it will go, the block and it are introduced between the rail and
the chair, when a wrench is applied to the square part of the screw, and turned
until the scrow is withdrawn sufficiently to jain itself with the block between the
rail and the chair. The pressure thus produced is amply sufficient to hold the rail
firmly to the chair, and if the chair or chairs are placed at the junction of the rails,
the necessity for fish plates will be avoided.
To prevent the bolt or screw from becoming loose, when screwed up tightly,
a burr is set up round the hole in the block with a suitable chisel, consequently
the screw cannot turn nor the pressure between the rail and the chair become
relaxed.
A modification of the foregoing consists in introducing a similar block between
the rail and the chair and inserting into it through a hole in the side of the chair a
pin screwed at one end and provided with a slot near the other. When the screw is
turned and adjusted into suitable position an iron or steel wedge is driven into the
slot, the said wedge taking a bearing upon the side of the chair and thus causing a
sufficiently powerful pressure between the chair and the rail to keep the latter in
its place.
Another method which is somewhat analagous to the latter plan inasmuch as it
depends upon the insertion of a wedge, consists in providing a metal plate formed
with flanges at its ends to grip the ends of the chair, and furnished with a number
of inclined or wedge-shaped projections on its outer surface, or the said inclined or
wedge-shaped projections may be cast on the chairs Between this surface and the
rail is introduced a wooden wedge which on being driven up tight is so retained
by the triangular or wedge-shaped projections that the return of the wooden wedge
is prevented while in ordinary use. A firm and constant contact between the rail
and the chair is thus secured.
•
In order that the foregoing may be more easily understood, Drawings are attached
hereto of which the following is a description.
Fig. 1 represents the rail A and block B in section, C being an end view of the

page_text: chair. D is the screw which is screwed into the hole E in the block, and is then
inserted with the block between the web of the rail and the side of the chair; the
screw is then unscrewed by turning the square head until the head presses against
the side of the chair, and the block against the web of the rail with sufficient force
to hold the rail in its place, the return of the screw being prevented by a burr being
set up round the edge of the hole in the block as before described
Fig. 2 is a similar view to Fig. 1 and shows the arrangement when the screw D
is passed through a hole F in the side of the chair. When the screw is inserted to
a proper distance in the block B, an iron or steel wedge G is placed in the slot of
the screw and driven until the wedge and the block are jammed between the side
of the chair and web of the rail.
Fig. 3 is a plan of a portion of the rail and one side of the chair in order to show
the wedge more distinctly.
Fig. 4 is another similar view to that of Figs. 1 and 2, and shows the application
of a plate H having inclined projections on its surface (shown more clearly in
Figures 5 and 6) and made to grip the ends of the chair. This plate being placed in
position, as shown in Fig. 4, a wooden wedge I is put between the plate and web of
the rail and is then driven until it is jammed sufficiently tight to hold the rail in its
place, the return of the wedge being prevented by the projections on the plate.
Figure 6 is an edge view of Fig. 5. The arrows indicate the direction in which
the wooden wedge is to be driven.
Similar letters refer to the same parts in each of the Figures.
Having now described and particularly set forth the nature of this Invention, and
the manner is which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, we would
observe in conclusion that we do not confine or restrict ourselves to the precise details
or arrangements which we have described or referred to, as variations may be made
therefrom without deviating from the principles or main features of this Invention,
but what we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,-
Firstly. The construction of chair O, Fig 2, blocks B, and screws D applied as
herein-before described and shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings.
And, Secondly The construction of a plate H as shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6
and applied in combination with a wooden wedge I as herein-before described
and shown on the Drawings.
In witness whereof, we, the said Charles Stephen Robinson and George Gold-
smith, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Sixth day of March in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
NGAY