Improvements in Railway Sleepers.
Year: 1890

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Sleepers.
I, WILLIAM BUSSARD of Port Jefferson, Shelby County, State of Ohio,
United States, Plasterer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The invention consists of a metal railway tic or sleeper comprising a base reaching
from one rail to the other of the track. The base has raised portions near each end
which are channeled or recessed to receive the rails. A series of ribbed braces
extend from the inner side of the raised portion at one to the inner side of the raised
portion at the other end, and a series of shouldered braces extend between the
outer ends of the base and the outer sides of said raised portions, the base and
braces being integrally formed. Combined with the tie are angle-irons having
depressions to receive the rails placed on each side of the tie, with bolts for
securing the angle-irons in place.
Dated this 12th day of August 1890
FENELON BARKER BROCK,
Patent Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Sleepers.
I, WILLIAM BUSSARD of Port Jefferson, Shelby County, State of Ohio,
United States, Plasterer, 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 metal railroad sleepers or ties, and aims to provide a tie
which will be essentially a cast-metal tie and which will be cast in one piece, except
two keys for clamping the rails to their seats and the side guards.
The improvement consists of the novel features which will be hereinafter more
fully described and claimed, and which are shown in the accompanying drawings,
in which-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tie embodying my invention, showing its
application.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one end of the tie, the rail and key being
removed.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the key.
Fig. 4 is an end view showing a modification.
Fig. 5 is a side view, parts being broken away, of the angle-iron or guard, showing
its application to the tie.
The tie comprises a base-plate A of proper width and length, having raised
portions B near each end, which are channeled or grooved at to form chairs for
the rails C. The channel.b in the raised portions B leaves a rib b¹ on each side
[Price 6d.

page_text: of the said channel, which ribs embrace the sides of the foot of the rails C.
To strengthen the base A. and the ribs a series of braces D and E are provided.
The braces D are located between the rail-chairs, and their ends d overhang
the channels or recesses b to extend over the foot of the rails. The braces E
are arranged exterior to the said raised portions or rail-chairs B, and their
ends e are adapted to hold the keys F down, which are inserted between the side
of the rails and the side of the channel . The key F is slightly tapering in form,
and is provided with a lip, which is designed to project over the foot of the rail
and with the ends d of the braces D hold the rail firmly and securely in
the chair. The base, rail-chairs, and braces are cast in one piece for the sake of
economy and durability, there being no pieces to secure together, and no joints to
work loose.
For ballasting the ties, side guards G are provided. These guards are angle-
irons, which are placed on each side of the tie, being secured thereto at the ends by
two bolts H and I, which embrace the base between them and pass through the
vertical members of the irons. (See Fig. 4.) The guards have depressions to
receive the rails, Fig. 5.
Having thus described my invention, what I desire to secure and claim by Letters
Patent is―
1. A metal railroad-rail tie comprising a base having raised portions near each
end which are channeled or recessed to receive the rails, a series of braces D,
extending from the inner side of the raised portion at one to the inner side of the
raised portion at the other end, and the braces E between the outer ends of the
base and the outer sides of said raised portions, the inner ends of the said braces
projecting over the said recesses or channels to secure the rails in place, the base
and the braces being integrally formed, substantially as described.
2. The combination, with the tie, of the angle-irons having depressions to receive
the rails placed on each side of the tie, and the bolts H and I for securing the said
irons in place, substantially as described.
Dated this 23rd day of February 1891.
FENELON BARKER BROCK,
Agent for Applicant.
Per G. F. Redfern & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London.