IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAIL AND TRAM WAYS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Schiff, of 43, Lothbury, in the City of London,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAIL AND
TRAM WAYS." A communication from abroad by Christian Grote, of Frankfort,
in the Empire of Germany, Engineer.
Sealed the 2nd May 1879, and dated the 13th February 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Schiff at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th February 1879.
CHARLES SCHIFF, of 43, Lothbury, in the City of London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAIL AND TRAM WAYS." [A communication from abroad
by Christian Grote, of Frankfort, in the Empire of Germany, Engineer.]
This Invention has for its object improvements in the permanent way of rail and
tram ways.
For these purposes the steel rails which are employed are held fast by inden-
tations made at intervals of from one to two metres in two lateral longitudinal
flanges which run along the underside of the rail, and which are made to clip the
top Hange of an iron longitudinal sleeper on both sides, as shewn in the Drawing
annexed.
A further improvement consists in the interposition of a layer of hard asphalted
pasteboard between the rail and the longitudinal sleeper, which so much decreases
the noise peculiar to iron permanent way as to create the impression of running on
a wooden substructure.
This new system is simple in construction, is more rapid to lay, and at the same
time cheaper than any other system, and can be made of sufficient strength for
heavy locomotive traffic by suitably proportioning the dimensions of the iron
longitudinal sleeper beneath the rail.
Ön straight lines each pair of sleepers may be connected together with one
cross tie, and on curves with three cross ties. The sleeper ends may also be
connected together by fish plates.
Figure 1 of the Drawings represents a cross section on line A, B; S, the rail;
L, L, the longitudinal sleeper; I, the layer of asphalted pasteboard; K, K, the
clipping flanges; V, V, the position of the indentations, which should be made
exactly opposite each other in the rail.
Figure 2 represents the side view of the sleeper and rail joint, and also the fish-
plate connection.
Figures 3 and 4 show the fixing of the cross ties.

page_text: CHARLES-SCHIFF,-of-43,-Lothbury,-in-tho-City of London. -"-IMPROVEMENTS-IN-
THE PERMANENT-WAY-OF-RAIL-AND TRAM-WAYS" (A. communication-from-abroad
-by-Christian-Grote, of-Frankfort, in the Empire of Germany, Engineer:)-
This Invention has for its object improvements in the permanent way of rail and
tram ways.
For these purposes the steel or iron rails which are employed are held fast by
indentations made at intervals of from one to two metres in two lateral longitudinal
flanges which run along the underside of the rail, and which are made to clip the
top flange of an iron longitudinal sleeper on both sides, as shown in the Drawing
annexed.
A further improvement consists in the interposition of a layer of hard asphalted
pasteboard between the rail and the longitudinal sleeper, which so much decreases
the noise peculiar to iron permanent way as to create the impression of running
on a wooden substructure.
This new system is simple in construction, is more rapid to lay, and at the same
time cheaper than any other system, and can be made of sufficient strength for
heavy locomotive traffic by suitably proportioning the dimensions of the iron
longitudinal sleeper beneath the rail.
On straight lines each pair of sleepers may be connected together with one cross
tie, and on curves with three cross ties. The sleeper ends may also be connected
together by fish plates.
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the Drawings hereunto annexed show one arrangement
of tramway permanent way constructed according to this Invention; Figure 1
represents a cross section on the line A, B, in Figure 2; & is the rail; 1,, the
longitudinal sleeper; i, the layer of asphalted pasteboard; k, k, the clipping flanges;
v, v, the position of the indentations, which should be made exactly opposite each
other in the rail.
The indentations are made after the top flange of a sleeper has been inserted.
between the two longitudinal flanges of a rail, and after the asphalted pasteboard
has been placed between the rail and sleeper. The indentations are made by
bending the flanges inwards by hammering, or by pressing them inwards by means
of suitably formed dies.
Figure 2 represents a side view of the sleeper and rail joint, and also the fish
plate connection.
Figures 3 and 4 show the fixing of the cross ties.
Figures 5 and 6 show a modification in the form of the sleeper and rail.
In this modification the head of the sleeper and the rail are slightly altered in
form, so as to enable the rail to bear with the whole of its under surface on the
head of the sleeper, and thus more effectually compress the intervening layer of
asphalted pasteboard. The longitudinal sleeper is also made with two ribs or
projections a, a, which serve as supports for the paving stones, and also give
lateral stiffness to the sleeper. In this case two sets of fish plates may be used at
the joints, as shown in the Drawing.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that I claim :-
First. The securing or fixing of the rails to the heads of iron sleepers by inden-
tations in the flanges of the rails themselves, substantially as herein described.
Second. The interposition of a layer of asphalted pasteboard between rails and
sleepers, so secured together to avoid the hardness and noise of an iron permanent
way.

page_text: Third. The construction of the permanent way of rail and tramways as shown
at Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings annexed.
Fourth. The construction of the permanent way of rail and tramways as shown
at Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawings annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Schiff, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this First day of August, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
CHARLES SCHIFF. (L.S.)