IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS AND RAILWAYS, AND IN THE MEANS OF SECURING THE SAME
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Philip Spencer, of North Shields, in the County of
Northumberland, Civil Engineer, and Robert Elsdon, of Upper New Cross, in
the County of Kent, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS AND RAILWAYS, AND IN THE MEANS OF SECURING
THE SAME,
"
Sealed the 23rd January 1880, and dated the 14th October 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Philip Spencer and
Robert Elsdon at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th
October 1879.
JOHN PHILIP SPENCER, of North Shields, in the County of Northumberland,
Civil Engineer, and ROBERT ELSDON, of Upper New Cross, in the County of Kent,
Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS AND RAILWAYS, AND
IN THE MEANS OF SECURING THE SAME.”
The Invention relates more particularly to tramways employed in streets, roads,
passages, corridors, and other places, the surfaces of which it is desirable and
expedient not to disturb when the rails are lifted for repair or renewal, but is also
more or less applicable to ordinary railways; the object being to so construct and
arrange the rails and chairs that the former are securely held in the latter without
the employment of bolts, spikes, plugs, keys, or cottars, and that the said rails can
be removed from or placed in and secured in the chairs without disturbing the
surface of the roadway.
For this purpose we employ longitudinal continuous or shorter intermediate
metallic chairs, provided at their upper parts with suitably formed longitudinal
recesses or seatings adapted to receive the rails. The recesses of the chairs are
provided with lateral tongues or projections, cast or otherwise formed therewith or
thereon, and the rails are formed with lateral channels or recesses corresponding to
the said tongues or projections in the chairs; or the tongues or projections may be
formed on the rails and the channels or recesses in the chairs, if preferred. In some
cases we form the rails in two parts longitudinally, each part being of such width
that when the two parts are placed together they can be readily inserted into the
longitudinal recesses or seatings of the chairs clear of the aforesaid lateral tongues
or projections. These two parts of the rail being then separated their channels or

page_text: recesses, or their tongues or projections, as the case may be, engage with the
tongues or projections, or with the channels or recesses, as the case may be, in the
chairs. When the two parts of the rail are separated as above mentioned, say, by
means of temporary wedges, levers, or other means, a continuous longitudinal cavity
or space is left between them, into which we run melted lead, spelter, or other
suitable metal or alloy, or combinations of metals, which may be caulked or other-
wise further solidified or compressed into the said cavity or space. By these means
the said two parts of the rails are held apart and are tightly jammed against their
corresponding sides of the chairs, the lateral tongues or projections on the one
taking into the lateral channels or recesses in the other, and thus securing the rails
firmly in the chairs. When it is desired to remove the rails from the chairs the
metal, or alloy, or combination of metals between the two parts of the rails is to be
sawn through by means of suitable circular or other saws, and the two parts of the
rails being then pinched, pushed, or drawn together they will be free to repass the
tongues or projections and may be removed without disturbing either the chairs or
the pavement in which they have been laid.
Instead of filling the space between the two parts of the rails with metal or
metallic alloy other substances may be employed; for example, wedges or filling
pieces of dry wood may be driven into the space, and these swelling under the
influence of dampness will thrust the sides of the rail firmly against the sides of the
recesses in the chairs, holding them securely therein; or the space may be filled
with cement composed of iron borings and sal ammoniac.
When employing rails divided longitudinally into two parts, as above described,
the transverse joints of one part are by preference placed non-coincident with those
of the other part.
In some cases instead of forming the rails in two parts longitudinally and
inserting metal, metallic alloy, or other material between the two parts to keep
them separate we form the rails in one piece and leave the longitudinal cavity or
space between one side of the said rails and one side of the recesses in the chairs,
the other side of the rails being pressed against the opposite side of the recesses in
the chairs, and we fill the cavity or space so left with metal, metallic alloy, wood,
or other suitable substance, as in the cases first above described.
The rails, whether formed in two parts or in one, may be of such sections as will
admit of their being turned over when necessary so as to utilize both sides, as is
now well understood in tramway and railway practice.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Philip Spencer and Robert Elsdon in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 14th April 1880.
JOHN PHILIP SPENCER, of North Shields, in the County of Northumberland,
Civil Engineer, and ROBERT ELSDON, of Upper New Cross, in the County of Kent,
Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS AND RAILWAYS, AND
IN THE MEANS FOR SECURING THE SAME."
The Invention relates more particularly to tramways employed in streets, roads,
passages, corridors, and other places, the surfaces of which it is desirable and
expedient not to disturb when the rails are lifted for repair or renewal, but is also
more or less applicable to ordinary railways, the object being to so construct and
arrange the rails and chairs that the former are securely held in the latter without
the employment of bolts, spikes, plugs, keys, or cottars, and that the said rails can
be removed from or placed in and secured in the chairs without disturbing the
surface of the roadway.
In the Drawings Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent transverse sections of various
arrangements of rails and chairs constructed in accordance with our Invention; and
Figures 4 and 5 represent a plan and elevation respectively of same to a smaller
scale. Similar letters refer to like parts in each of the Figures.
In carrying our Invention into effect we employ longitudinal continuous or
shorter intermediate metallic chairs A, provided at their upper parts with suitably
formed longitudinal recesses or seatings adapted to receive the rails B, B¹. The
recesses of the chairs are provided with lateral tongues or projections C, C¹, cast or
otherwise formed therewith or thereon; and the rails are formed with lateral
channels or recesses, as shewn, corresponding to the said tongues or projections
C, C, in the chairs; or the tongues or projections may be formed on the rails and
the channels or recesses in the chairs if preferred In some cases we formn the rails
in two parts longitudinally, as shewn, the part B being that on which the wheels
roll, and the part B' that forming the inside guide rail for the wheel flange. These
parts may be of such width that they can be readily inserted one at a time or both
together into the longitudinal recesses or seatings of the chairs clear of the aforesaid
lateral tongues or projections C, C¹. These two parts of the rail being then
separated, as shewn in the Figures, their channels or recesses, or their tongues or
projections, as the case may be, engage with the tongues or projections, or with the
channels or recesses, as the case may be, in the chairs. When the two parts of the
rail are separated as above mentioned, say, by means of temporary wedges, levers,
or other means a continuous longitudinal cavity or space is left between them,
into which we run melted lead, spelter, or other suitable metal or alloy (such as,
for example, the material known as Spence's Patent metal, which melts at a com-
paratively low temperature and does not contract in cooling), or combinations of
metals D, which materials may in some cases be caulked or otherwise further
solidified or compressed into the said cavity or space if found desirable or necessary.
By these means the said two parts of the rails are held apart and are tightly
jammed against their corresponding sides of the chairs, the lateral tongues or pro-
jections on the one taking into the lateral channels or recesses in the other, and
thus securing the rails firmly in the chairs. When it is desired to remove the rails
from the chairs the metal, or alloy, or combination of metals D between the two
parts of the rails is to be sawn through by means of suitable circular or other saws,
or otherwise removed, and the part of the rail intended to be first removed being
then pinched, pushed, or drawn towards the other it will be free to repass the
tongues or projections and may be removed without disturbing either the chairs or
the pavement in which they have been laid. After the first part has been removed
the second part may likewise be removed.

page_text: Instead of filling the space between the two parts of the rails with molten metal
or metallic alloy it may be filled with cement composed of iron borings and sal
ammoniac.
When employing rails divided longitudinally into two parts, as above described,
the transverse joints of one part are by preference placed non-coincident with those
of the other part.
In some cases instead of forming the rails in two parts longitudinally and
inserting metal, metallic alloy, Spence's metal, or other material between the two
parts to keep them separate we form the rails in one piece and leave the longi-
tudinal cavity or space between one side of the said rails and one side of the recesses
in the chairs, the other side of the rails being pressed against the opposite side of
the recesses in the chairs, and we fill the cavity or space so left with metal, metallic
alloy, or other suitable substance, as in the cases first above described.
The rails, whether formed in two parts or in one, may be of such sections as will
admit of their being turned over or reversed when necessary so as to utilize both
sides, as is now well understood in tramway and railway practice. Figures 2 and 3
shew the rails adapted with two wearing surfaces so as to be reversible; in Figure 1
they are shewn with one wearing surface only, and therefore not reversible.
The longitudinal continuous or shorter intermediate chairs A for one line of rails
may be tied to those for the other line of rails by means of flat tie rods E having
notches F near their ends. These tie rods being passed flat-wise through narrow
slots G in the sides of the chairs are then turned edge-wise so that the notches F
take over the edges of the bottoms of the slots G, as shewn, being held vertically
by the paving between the two lines of rails.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention and the manner in which
the same is to or may be carried into effect, we would have it understood that
what we claim as our Invention is,―
The construction of rails with lateral tongues or projections adapted to corre-
sponding channels or recesses in the chairs, or with lateral channels or recesses
adapted to corresponding tongues or projections in the chairs, in such manner that
when the said rails are placed in the chairs a continuous longitudinal cavity is left
either between the two separate longitudinal parts of the rail or between the rail
and the side of the recess or seating of the chair, which said continuous longitudinal
cavity is filled with melted lead, Spence's metal, or other suitable material, for the
purpose of securing the rails in the chairs without bolts, spikes, plugs, keys, or
cottars, as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Elsdon, for myself and on behalf of the
said John Philip Spencer, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Philip Spencer, of North Shields, in the County of
Northumberland, Civil Engineer, and Robert Elsdon, of Upper New Cross, in
the County of Kent, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS AND RAILWAYS, AND IN THE MEANS OF SECURING
THE SAME"
Sealed the 23rd January 1880, and dated the 14th October 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Philip Spencer and
Robert Elsdon at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th
October 1879.
JOHN PHILIP SPENCER, of North Shields, in the County of Northumberland,
Civil Engineer, and ROBERT ELSDON, of Upper New Cross, in the County of Kent,
Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS AND RAILWAYS, AND
IN THE MEANS OF SECURING THE SAME."
The Invention relates more particularly to tramways employed in streets, roads,
passages, corridors, and other places, the surfaces of which it is desirable and
expedient not to disturb when the rails are lifted for repair or renewal, but is also
more or less applicable to ordinary railways; the object being to so construct and
arrange the rails and chairs that the former are securely held in the latter without
the employment of bolts, spikes, plugs, keys, or cottars, and that the said rails can
be removed from or placed in and secured in the chairs without disturbing the
surface of the roadway.
For this purpose we employ longitudinal continuous or shorter intermediate
metallic chairs, provided at their upper parts with suitably formed longitudinal
recesses or seatings adapted to receive the rails. The recesses of the chairs are
provided with lateral tongues or projections, cast or otherwise formed therewith or
thereon, and the rails are formed with lateral channels or recesses corresponding to
the said tongues or projections in the chairs; or the tongues or projections may be
formed on the rails and the channels or recesses in the chairs, if preferred. In some
cases we form the rails in two parts longitudinally, each part being of such width
that when the two parts are placed together they can be readily inserted into the
longitudinal recesses or seatings of the chairs clear of the aforesaid lateral tongues
or projections. These two parts of the rail being then separated their channels or

page_text: recesses, or their tongues or projections, as the case may be, engage with the
tongues or projections, or with the channels or recesses, as the case may be, in the
chairs. When the two parts of the rail are separated as above mentioned, say, by
means of temporary wedges, levers, or other means, a continuous longitudinal cavity
or space is left between them, into which we run melted lead, spelter, or other
suitable metal or alloy, or combinations of metals, which may be caulked or other-
wise further solidified or compressed into the said cavity or space. By these means
the said two parts of the rails are held apart and are tightly jammed against their
corresponding sides of the chairs, the lateral tongues or projections on the one
taking into the lateral channels or recesses in the other, and thus securing the rails
firmly in the chairs. When it is desired to remove the rails from the chairs the
metal, or alloy, or combination of metals between the two parts of the rails is to be
sawn through by means of suitable circular or other saws, and the two parts of the
rails being then pinched, pushed, or drawn together they will be free to repass the
tongues or projections and may be removed without disturbing either the chairs or
the pavement in which they have been laid.
Instead of filling the space between the two parts of the rails with metal or
metallic alloy other substances may be employed; for example, wedges or filling
pieces of dry wood may be driven into the space, and these swelling under the
influence of dampness will thrust the sides of the rail firmly against the sides of the
recesses in the chairs, holding them securely therein; or the space may be filled
with cement composed of iron borings and sal ammoniac.
When employing rails divided longitudinally into two parts, as above described,
the transverse joints of one part are by preference placed non-coincident with those
of the other part.
In some cases instead of forming the rails in two parts longitudinally_and
inserting metal, metallic alloy, or other material between the two parts to keep
them separate we form the rails in one piece and leave the longitudinal cavity or
space between one side of the said rails and one side of the recesses in the chairs,
the other side of the rails being pressed against the opposite side of the recesses in
the chairs, and we fill the cavity or space so left with metal, metallic alloy, wood,
or other suitable substance, as in the cases first above described.
The rails, whether formed in two parts or in one, may be of such sections as will
admit of their being turned over when necessary so as to utilize both sides, as is
now well understood in tramway and railway practice.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Philip Spencer and Robert Elsdon in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 14th April 1880.
JOHN PHILIP SPENCER, of North Shields, in the County of Northumberland,
Civil Engineer, and ROBERT ELSDON, of Upper New Cross, in the County of Kent,
Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS AND RAILWAYS, AND
IN THE MEANS FOR SECURING THE SAME."
The Invention relates more particularly to tramways employed in streets, roads,
passages, corridors, and other places, the surfaces of which it is desirable and
expedient not to disturb when the rails are lifted for repair or renewal, but is also
more or less applicable to ordinary railways, the object being to so construct and
arrange the rails and chairs that the former are securely held in the latter without
the employment of bolts, spikes, plugs, keys, or cottars, and that the said rails can
be removed from or placed in and secured in the chairs without disturbing the
surface of the roadway.
In the Drawings Figures 1, 2, and 3 represent transverse sections of various
arrangements of rails and chairs constructed in accordance with our Invention; and
Figures 4 and 5 represent a plan and elevation respectively of same to a smaller
scale. Similar letters refer to like parts in each of the Figures.
In carrying our Invention into effect we employ longitudinal continuous or
shorter intermediate metallic chairs A, provided at their upper parts with suitably
formed longitudinal recesses or seatings adapted to receive the rails B, B¹. The
recesses of the chairs are provided with lateral tongues or projections C, C, cast or
otherwise formed therewith or thereon; and the rails are formed with lateral
channels or recesses, as shown, corresponding to the said tongues or projections
C, C¹, in the chairs; or the tongues or projections may be formed on the rails and
the channels or recesses in the chairs if preferred In some cases we form the rails
in two parts longitudinally, as shewn, the part B being that on which the wheels
roll, and the part B' that forming the inside guide rail for the wheel flange. These
parts may be of such width that they can be readily inserted one at a time or both
together into the longitudinal recesses or seatings of the chairs clear of the aforesaid
lateral tongues or projections C, C. These two parts of the rail being then
separated, as shewn in the Figures, their channels or recesses, or their tongues or
projections, as the case may be, engage with the tongues or projections, or with the
channels or recesses, as the case may be, in the chairs. When the two parts of the
rail are separated as above mentioned, say, by means of temporary wedges, levers,
or other means a continuous longitudinal cavity or space is left between them,
into which we run melted lead, spelter, or other suitable metal or alloy (such as,
for example, the material known as Spence's Patent metal, which melts at a com-
paratively low temperature and does not contract in cooling), or combinations of
metals D, which materials may in some cases be caulked or otherwise further
solidified or compressed into the said cavity or space if found desirable or necessary.
By these means the said two parts of the rails are held apart and are tightly
jammed against their corresponding sides of the chairs, the lateral tongues or pro-
jections on the one taking into the lateral channels or recesses in the other, and
thus securing the rails firmly in the chairs. When it is desired to remove the rails
from the chairs the metal, or alloy, or combination of metals D between the two
parts of the rails is to be sawn through by means of suitable circular or other saws,
or otherwise removed, and the part of the rail intended to be first removed being
then pinched, pushed, or drawn towards the other it will be free to repass the
tongues or projections and may be removed without disturbing either the chairs or
the pavement in which they have been laid. After the first part has been removed
the second part may likewise be removed.

page_text: Instead of filling the space between the two parts of the rails with molten metal
or metallic alloy it may be filled with cement composed of iron borings and sal
ammoniac.
When employing rails divided longitudinally into two parts, as above described,
the transverse joints of one part are by preference placed non-coincident with those
of the other part.
In some cases instead of forming the rails in two parts longitudinally and
inserting metal, metallic alloy, Spence's metal, or other material between the two
parts to keep them separate we form the rails in one piece and leave the longi-
tudinal cavity or space between one side of the said rails and one side of the recesses
in the chairs, the other side of the rails being pressed against the opposite side of
the recesses in the chairs, and we fill the cavity or space so left with metal, metallic
alloy, or other suitable substance, as in the cases first above described.
The rails, whether formed in two parts or in one, may be of such sections as will
admit of their being turned over or reversed when necessary so as to utilize both
sides, as is now well understood in tramway and railway practice. Figures 2 and 3
shew the rails adapted with two wearing surfaces so as to be reversible; in Figure 1
they are shewn with one wearing surface only, and therefore not reversible.
The longitudinal continuous or shorter intermediate chairs A for one line of rails
may be tied to those for the other line of rails by means of flat tie rods E having
notches F near their ends. These tie rods being passed flat-wise through narrow
slots G in the sides of the chairs are then turned edge-wise so that the notches F
take over the edges of the bottoms of the slots G, as shewn, being held vertically
by the paving between the two lines of rails.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention and the manner in which
the same is to or may be carried into effect, we would have it understood that
what we claim as our Invention is,―
The construction of rails with lateral tongues or projections adapted to corre-
sponding channels or recesses in the chairs, or with lateral channels or recesses
adapted to corresponding tongues or projections in the chairs, in such manner that
when the said rails are placed in the chairs a continuous longitudinal cavity is left
either between the two separate longitudinal parts of the rail or between the rail
and the side of the recess or seating of the chair, which said continuous longitudinal
cavity is filled with melted lead, Spence's metal, or other suitable material, for the
purpose of securing the rails in the chairs without bolts, spikes, plugs, keys, or
cottars, as hereinbefore described and illustrated in the Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Elsdon, for myself and on behalf of the
said John Philip Spencer, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this
Thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty.