Year: 1885

page_text: I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL of N° 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane in
the County of Middlesex Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
*
:
This invention relates to an improved construction of the permanent way of
railways wherein a rail of very strong, durable and stiff section is employed in
combination with a wide metal sleeper of comparatively small weight with con-
siderable lateral stiffness, and of such a form that on the one hand the pressure
of the rail is uniformly, distributed thereon, while on the other hand the shifting
of the sleeper either in a longitudinal or lateral direction is prevented, and
facilities for effectually packing its underside are afforded. Furthermore, the use
of screw bolts is entirely obviated, while the rail is secured to the sleeper in
such a manner that the two parts are combined practically into one without in any
way weakening the rail by holing or notching. Also, the structure is at all times
accessible for inspection and can be maintained in perfect order without the use of
any other tool than a hammer, and it admits of very accurate adjustment to gauge.
The several parts of the foundation are secured together by rivetting, so as to
insure an unalterable structure, and the rail joints are formed in a novel manner
insuring a perfect continuity of the line.
The improved construction will be readily understood on reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 to 11 shew the invention as applied
to longitudinal sleepers, while Figs. 12 to 15 shew the application to transverse
sleepers.
The special construction of wedge-grips is shewn in different forms at Figs. 1 to 7
and 15.
The sleepers a are constructed with transverse ribs, and are therefore formed by
rolling in the transverse direction or by pressing, and are then bent into the shape
indicated by pressure in suitable moulds. The longitudinal sleepers a Fig. 9, are
formed with upper ribs, but in order to prevent shifting on the ballast they are
provided with a few small ribs b, Figs. 7 and 9, on their underside. The transverse
sleepers a Figs. 12 and 15, have their ribs underneath; the longitudinal sleepers

page_text: could also have the ribs on the underside as at Fig. 8, the upper side being smooth,
and when the ribs are on the upper side, a packing piece of the width of the
rail base may be introduced between them. The securing together of the separate
plates for the longitudinal sleeper is effected by means of the peculiar rivetted lap
joint C shewn at Figs. 2, 3, 7 & 8.
The meeting ends of two longitudinal sleepers are either left with a small
space between them, or they are so connected by means of the peculiar saddle
piece d Fig. 4, that each sleeper is free to expand or contract in consequence of
changes of temperature.
The meeting ends of the rails are arranged as shewn at Figs. 6, 7 and 15. At
this point a longitudinal bearing plate of increased width and strength, as at e
Figs. 5, 7 and 10, and e¹ Figs. 15 and 16, is introduced. At the middle of this
plate a short supporting plate f Fig. 7, or f¹ Fig. 15 is applied, upon which the two
ends of the rails are firmly secured by means of the wedge grips. By this arrange-
ment the wheels of the carriages will be enabled to pass without jolt over the
joint, while at the same time the supporting plate, by means of a rib against
which the foot of the rail bears on each side, prevents any longitudinal motion of
the rails. The abutting ends of the rails are formed with inclined meeting faces,
so that the heads approach each other nearer than the feet, as shewn at Figs. 7
and 15.
The joint plate, which is imbedded in the ballast, has also transverse ribs to
increase its lateral stiffness, these being situated on the underside to prevent
shifting.
With the system of longitudinal sleepers, a transverse connection shewn at
Fig. 11, entirely in tension, is employed.
For securing the rails on the sleepers, wedge grips are solely employed, these being
applied at the joints of the longitudinal sleeper plates a Figs. 2 and 3, and in the
case of long plates, also between the ribs at other points. The wedge grips consist
mainly of the chair of rolled iron, rivetted to the sleeper, as shewn in cross
section at Fig. 1 in longitudinal section at Fig. 2, and in side view at Fig. 3; of a
pair of opposite steel wedge jaws h driven through loops in the chair, and which.
hold the rail through the medium of two blocks i fitted upon the foot of the rail;
and lastly, of the wedges k, that are driven in between a shoulder on the jaws h
and a lug on the outer end of the chair. The rail has, at the junction of the
foot and the web, a rectangular fillet formed on it, serving as abutment to the
blocks .
At the ends of the joint-plate e Fig. 7 and e¹ Fig. 15 a double wedge grip is
provided, while in the middle, at the rail joint a quadruple grip is applied.
The wedge grips are so arranged that the tightening wedges of each pair are
both driven in from one and the same side, so that there is a long wedge and
a short wedge to each pair, as shewn at Figs. 6 and 5, the latter figure being a
section at A B Fig. 6. There are separate lugs i provided for each of the tightening
wedges of the chairs. In the arrangement with transverse sleepers the rail joints
are provided with a length of longitudinal sleeper c¹ as shewn at Fig. 15 and in
cross section at Fig. 16.
In the case of the simple wedge-grips for the transverse sleepers shewn at
Figa 13 and 14, the cant of the rail is effected by means of an inclined bearing
surface of the chair.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Permanent Way of Railways.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL of No 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent 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:
This invention relates to an improved construction of the permanent way of
railways wherein a rail of very strong, durable and stiff section is employed in
combination with a wide metal sleeper of comparatively small weight with con-
siderable lateral stiffness, and of such a form that on the one hand the pressure of
the rail is uniformly distributed thereon, while on the other hand the shifting of
the sleeper either in a longitudinal or lateral direction is prevented, and facilities
for effectually packing its underside are afforded. Furthermore, the use of screw
bolts is entirely obviated, while the rail is secured to the sleeper in such a manner
that the two parts are combined practically into one without in any way weakening
the rail by holing or notching. Also, the structure is at all times accessible for
inspection and can be maintained in perfect order without the use of any other
tool than a hammer, and it admits of very accurate adjustment to gauge.
The
several parts of the foundation are secured together by rivetting, so as to insure an
unalterable structure, and the rail joints are formed in a novel manner insuring a
perfect continuity of the line.
The improved construction will be readily understood on reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 to 11 shew the invention as applied
to longitudinal sleepers, while Figs. 12 to 15 shew the application to transverse
sleepers.
The special construction of wedge grips is shewn in different forms at Figs. 1 to
7 and 15.
The sleepers a are constructed with transverse ribs, and are therefore formed by
rolling in the transverse direction or by pressing, and are then bent into the shape
indicated by pressure in suitable moulds.
The longitudinal sleepers a Fig. 9, are formed with upper ribs, but in order to
prevent shifting of the ballast they are provided with a few small ribs b, Figs. 7
and 9, on their underside. The transverse sleepers a¹, Figs. 12 and 15, have their
ribs underneath; the longitudinal sleepers could also have the ribs on the underside
as at Fig. 8, the upper side being smooth, and when the ribs are on the upper side,
a packing piece of the width of the rail base may be introduced between them.
The securing together of the separate plates for the longitudinal. sleeper is effected
by means of the peculiar rivetted lap joint C shewn at Figs. 2, 3, 7 and 8: -
:

page_text: The meeting ends of two longitudinal sleepers are either left with a small space
between them, or they are so connected by means of the peculiar saddle-piece d
Fig. 4, that each sleeper is free to expand or contract in consequence of changes of
temperature.
The meeting ends of the rails are arranged as shewn at Figs. 6, 7 and 15. At
this point a longitudinal bearing plate of increased width and strength, as at e
Figs. 5, 7 and 10 and e¹ Figs. 15 and 16, is introduced. At the middle of this
plate a short supporting plate f Fig. 7, or f¹ Fig. 15 is applied, upon which the
two ends of the rails are firmly secured by means of the wedge-grips. By this
arrangement the wheels of the carriages will be enabled to pass without jolt over
the joint, while at the same time the supporting plate, by means of a rib against
which the foot of the rail bears on each side, prevents any longitudinal motion of
the rails. The abutting ends of the rails are formed with inclined meeting faces,
so that the heads approach each other nearer than the feet, as shown at Figs. 7
and 15.
The joint-plate which is imbedded in the ballast has also transverse ribs to
increase its lateral stiffness, these being situated on the underside to prevent
shifting.
With the system of longitudinal sleepers; a transverse connection shewn at
Fig. 11, entirely in tension, is employed.
For securing the rails on the sleepers wedge-grips are solely employed, these
being applied at the joints of the longitudinal sleeper plates a Figs. 2 and 3, and
in the case of long plates, also between the ribs at other points. The wedge grips
consist mainly of the chair g of rolled iron, rivetted to the sleeper, as shewn in
cross section at Fig. 1, in longitudinal section at Fig. 2, and in side view at Fig. 3,
of a pair of opposite steel wedge-jaws h driven through loops in the chair, and
which hold the rail through the medium of two blocks i fitted upon the foot of the
rail, and lastly, of the wedges k, that are driven in between a shoulder on the
jaws and a lug on the outer end of the chair. The rail has at the junction of
the foot and the web a rectangular fillet formed on it serving as abutment to the
blocks i.
At the ends of the joint-plate e Fig. 7 and e¹ Fig. 15 a double wedge grip is
provided, while in the middle, at the rail joint a quadruple grip is applied. The
wedge grips are so arranged that the tightening wedges of each pair are both
driven in from one and the same side, so that there is a long wedge and a short
wedge to each pair, as shewn at Figs. 6 and 5, the latter figure being a section
at A B Fig. 6. There are separate lugs i provided for each of the tightening wedges
of the chairs.
In the arrangement with transverse sleepers, the rail joints are provided with
a length of longitudinal sleeper e as shewn at Fig. 15 and in cross section at
Fig. 16.
In the case of the simple wedge-grips for the transverse sleepers shewn at
Figs. 13 and 14, the cant of the rail is effected by means of an inclined bearing
surface of the chair.
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
1 claim is 1
1, The herein described construction of sleepers with transverse ribs and with
uniform thickness of the sleeper for longitudinal sleepers, and with variable
thickness of the sleeper for joint plates and transverse sleepers.
2, The mode of lap-jointing the longitudinal sleepers, as shewn at c Figs. 2, 3,
7 and 8.
3, The mode of connecting the longitudinal sleepers by means of the saddle
nieces d. Fio. 4

page_text: 4, The mode of securing the joints of the rails, consisting in the employment of
connecting piece e for the longitudinal sleepers or e¹ for cross sleepers, and in the
connection of the ends of the rails to a lug or projection f on the connecting
piece, the surfaces of the rail-ends being if necessary made with an inclination
as shewn.
5, The employment of wedge-grips for fixing the rails on the sleepers consisting
mainly of the chair g, wedges h and k, and pieces i.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.