Improvements in Spikes and Nails.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 15th May, 1894-Accepted, 16th June, 1894
Improvements in Spikes and Nails.
I, CHARLES ARTHUR ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by John Floyd, of 436 North Gay
Street, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America, Gentleman) 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 Improvements in Spikes and Nails and the object of my
invention is the provision of a spike or nail of simple, durable and inexpensive
construction which will provide a more efficient or securer fastening than
spikes in general use and thus introduce a practical and useful article of this
character.
The invention consists of a spike embodying a novel construction and arrangment.
of parts substantially as disclosed herein.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation provided with the usual nail head;
Figure 3 is a horizontal, sectional view.
Referring by letters to the drawing
A designates the head of my improved spike or nail which is provided with the
inward extensions B for engaging the foot of a rail to secure the same and with the
outward extension C having the reduced or sharpened portion C adapted to enter
the wood for holding the head from movement. This form of head is specially
adapted for use in fastening rails to the ties and in Figure 2 the rectangular or
nail head E is provided in which case the improvement is specially adapted to act.
as a nail
The upper part of the shank of my spike or nail is substantially rectangular in
cross section and is provided with four grooves or channels F having tapering or
inclined walls. G which provide the four entering portions H, and the lower
portion J of the shank is round or cylindrical and somewhat reduced in size and the
spike or nail terminates in the bevelled or pointed end K.
It will be seen that my spike or nail combines the features of the wrought nail
or spike and thus makes a spike or nail which can be easily driven or withdrawn
but cannot become loosened or detached under any circumstances. It will be seen.
that the nail or spike can be easily driven by reason of the round shank and
bevelled end and that the upper portion of the shank will enter the material and
the material will fill in the channels of the upper portion of the shank and the
material will cling to the spike and thus prevent the spike from detachment. It
will also be seen that my spike or nail can be used for railroad, bridge or any
other heavy work and being of a simple, durable and inexpensive construction is
rendered practical, useful and economical.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
A spike or nail consisting of the head, having the extension for engaging the

page_text: foot of a rail and the claw for entering the wood, the shank having the channels
provided with inclined or tapered walls forming entering edges and the reduced
portion having a pointed end."
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.