Improvements in Machinery for Slitting Railway Rails.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd June,
1899
20th
1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Slitting Railway Rails.
I, HENRY SYKES, of 7, Selby Terrace, Tinsley, in the County of York, Rolling
Mill Manager, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to a machine for longitudinally, slitting railway rails of
any of the ordinary sections, for rolling down purposes.
Hitherto to effect this purpose it has been usual to turn projecting edges upon
the circumference of solid cast rolls, but this is an expensive and tedious process,
and objectional in many ways.
My invention is to improve upon this plan and in carrying it into practice, 1
prepare a pair of housings, or a suitable frame to carry two strong shafts which
may be driven by any suitable means, either direct or otherwise.
Upon each shaft (which with the exception of the necks is preferably square)
is a fixed collar of suitable width and diameter, and against each side of this
collar (which acts as a distance block) is arranged a set of circular cutters and
spacers.
These two sets of cutters and spacers are bolted together and to the central
collar by long bolts, and with the corresponding sets upon the other shaft con-
stitute two complete sets of slitting cutters.
J
Each set may be made to suit a different section of rail, and for ordinary pur-
poses would consist of two outside holding up plates, two disc cutters, and a
central disc to act as a spacer to regulate the distance between the cutters, to
suit the web of the rail.
Screws or other like means for adjusting the shafts with the sets of cutters
to each other are used.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Machinery for Slitting Railway Rails.
I, HENRY SYKES, of 7, Selby Terrace, Tinsley, in the County of York, Rolling
Mill Manager, 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 relates to a mechanical appliance or machinery for longitudinally
slitting railway rails having any of the usual cross sections, to prepare them
for rolling down into bars and the like,

page_text: Hitherto to effect this purpose it has been usual to turn solid cast rolls with
projecting edges, but there are many objections to this plan, which is expensive
and tedious.
The annexed drawings illustrate how my invention is carried into practice;
similar letters of reference indicate similar parts..
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of a pair of housings fitted with the cutters made
according to my invention.
Fig. 2, is a side elevation of same with the front housing removed.
'
In carrying out my invention, I use a pair of housings such as A, or any other
suitable framework, to carry two strong shafts B1 and B2, which may be driven
or caused to revolve by any suitable means or arrangement of gearing for obtain-
ing the necessary speed and power, or direct from a steam or other motor.
The housings are provided with screws C for setting down the upper shaft B',
and with interposed springs D, to raise the said shaft when the screws C, are
reversed.
Each shaft B and B³, has a central collar E' and E2 preferably solid with the
snaft, and of equal width.
On each side of the collar I arrange a pair of circular cutters F, with outside
collars G, and intermediate spacers or distance plates H.
The two sets of cutters with their collars, and distance plates are bolted together
and to the central collar by means of a number of bolts and nuts I, passed through
the loose parts outside the central collar.
To prevent the cutters and connected collars rotating upon the shaft, I either
use a key fixed upon the shaft on each side of the central collar, or I make the
shaft at that part square or other equivalent shape and the holes through the
cutters & plates or collars to correspond, as may be thought. best.
Each set would usually consist of two outside holding up collars G, two
cutters F, and one or more distance plates H, to regulate the cutters to the width
of the rail web.
If found desirable I may use in some cases setting up screws at the end of the
shafts to keep the cutters steady in position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1-The improved machinery for slitting railway rails, consisting of the shafts B¹
and B, having central collars E1 and E2, circular cutters F, and plates G and H,
secured by bolts I, to the said shafts, in the manner hereinbefore described and
shown
2-In combination with housings such as A carrying an upper and lower shaft
such as B1 and B2, the arrangement of circular cutters with spacers or distance
plates, holding up plates and bolts, for slitting rails, as hereinbefore. described
and illustrated.
Dated the 21st day of March 1900.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Agent for Applicant.