Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Jan., 1887
Complete Left, 6th Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 8th Nov., 1887
That my Improvements consist :-
Firstly;
In simplifying the form of metallic sleepers and their chair-connections or fastenings
(which may be either of cast-iron, cast steel, wrought-iron or mild-steel), so that they
can be easily and quickly made and put together in the workshops; the form of
sleeper being equally available as either transverse or longitudinal according to the
relative direction given to the chair connections or fastenings in riveting or bolting
them to the said sleepers.
The improved sleeper when of wrought-iron or mild steel, consists of a square plate
of metal (preferably 18 to 20 inches length of side) heated, and pressed or stamped into
a simple trough shape having the ends open; so that a central table is is formed, with two
sides sloping away from the said central table at angles of about 40 degrees. If the
sleeper be of cast-iron or cast-steel, the similar shape is attained by the ordinary
processes of moulding and casting.
The improved chair-connection suitable for the double-headed type of rail is formed
from a piece of best flat bar-iron or mild steel (the latter preferable) heated and bent,
pressed or stamped into a kind of clasp-shape so as to fairly fit the rail on part of one
side with one of the heads but leaving a space on the other side to allow of the insertion
of a metal or wooden key or wedge between it and the rail. In case the flange or
bridge type of rail should be used, this form of chair-connection is preferably
substituted by two simple clip fastenings stamped from flat bars of best iron or mild
steel; the one clip fastening being shaped just to fit and cover the edge of one flange
when the rail is in position upon the sleeper, the other clip fastening being so shaped
that it shall cover the other flange of the rail in such manner as to allow of a wooden
or metallic key or wedge being driven between it and the flange to tighten up the
rail on to the sleeper.

page_text: In preferably combining the said improved chair-connections or fastenings with the
said improved sleepers permanently together before leaving the workshops by means
of secure riveting (if the sleepers are of cast-iron or cast-steel, then by means of
bolts and nuts or pins and cotters); so that they have only to be placed in position
under the rails, when the insertion of any convenient form of wooden or metallic
wedges or keys will complete the fastening to the rails.
Thirdly;
Of a general arrangement of the said improved sleepers when laying the permanent
way so that preferably every fourth pair of opposite sleepers be placed under the rails
transversely and connected together by a gauge tie, while the remaining sleepers are
placed longitudinally; this method is considered preferable for obtaining a maximum
stability of permanent way with a minimum expenditure of materials: but the said
sleepers may also be laid either all longitudinally, all transversely or in any other
combination.
Fourthly:
Of the greater stability of permanent-way attainable because the said improved
form of metallic sleeper, renders it capable of being easily adjusted into true position
when laying the permanent-way and allows the ballasting to be easily got at from all
sides for the purpose of thoroughly packing it up under all parts of the aforesaid
central table and sloping sides of the improved sleeper, thereby causing an even
solid bearing throughout.
Fifthly and lastly;
Of the said special form of sleeper rendering it generally available for application
in curved portions of railways as well as for points and crossings; and when laid as
described, the permanent-way can be maintained in solid working order without any
difficulty and at very small cost.
Referring in a general manner to the accompanying sheet of drawings; figures 1.
2. & 3 represent the improved sleeper as combined with an improved chair-connection
for a double-headed type of rail. Figures 4. 5. & 6 show the improved sleeper with
clip fastenings for the flange and bridge types of rails; in each case the chair-connection d
or the clip fastenings and are preferably riveted or bolted firmly to the said sleeper
before leaving the workshop. Figures 7 & 8 show a preferred general arrangement
for laying the permanent-way with the said improved sleepers, in plan and longitudinal
section while figures 9. 10. & 11 show transverse sections of the permanent-way
with improved sleepers as laid in the ballasting. In figures 7. 8. 9. & 11 the improved
sleeper used as a longitudinal is shown marked c. and in figures 7. 8. 10. & 11 the
improved sleeper marked 6 is shown used transversely, two being connected by a
gauge-tie marked a, consisting of simple angle or other bar iron or steel, preferably
riveted or bolted together before leaving the workshops.
Dated thia Sixth day of Jonna 1907

page_text: Thirdly:-
-
Of a general arrangement of the said improved sleepers when laying the permanent-
way, so that preferably every fourth pair of opposite sleepers be placed under the rails
transversely and connected together by a gauge-tie while the remaining sleepers are
placed longitudinally; this method is considered preferable for obtaining a maximum
stability of permanent way with a minimum expenditure of materials: but the said
sleepers may also be laid either all longitudinally, all transversely or in and other
combination.
Fourthly
Of the greater stability of permanent way attainable because the said improved
form of metallic sleeper renders it capable of being easily adjusted into true position
when laying the permanent-way and allows the ballasting to be easily got at from all
sides for the purpose of thoroughly packing it up under all parts of the aforesaid
central table and sloping sides of the improved sleeper, thereby causing an even solid
bearing throughout.
Fifthly and Lastly
-:
Of the said special form of sleeper rendering it equally available for application in
curved, portions of railway as well as for points and crossings and when laid as described,
the permanent way can be maintained in solid working order without any difficulty
and at very small cost.
In order to ascertain the herein before-mentioned improvements more particularly,
I will proceed to describe the sheet of drawings "left with the provisional specification
as follows
Figures 1. 2 & 3 show respectively; end elevation, plan and side elevation of
the improved sleeper as combined with an improved chair-connection for a double
headed type of rail d is the clasp-shaped chair-connection (shaped to suit any
desired form of wedge e) securely riveted (or bolted as the case may be) to
the improved sleeper c; the railf being finally secured in the said chair-connection
by the wedge or key e.
Figures 4. 5 and 6 show respectively; end elevation, plan and side elevation of the
improved sleeper as applicable in combination with any suitable form of clip fastenings
(should these be preferred to a clasp shaped chair connection) to both the "flange
and "bridge" types of rails; g and h are the clips to be securely rivetted (or bolted
as the case may be) to the sleeper c, of which g covers and fits the edge of one flange
of the rail while h on the other side of the rail is shaped so as to leave sufficient
space for the wedge or key i (which may be of any desired shape otherwise than shown)
to be inserted and so finally secure the rail in its place.
Figures 7 and 8 show respectively plan and sectional elevation of a preferred
general arrangement for laying the permanent way with the said improved sleepers;
in which are pairs of the improved sleepers used transversely and connected by
gauge ties a consisting of simple angle or other section of bar-iron or steel securely
riveted (or bolted as the case may be) to the said sleepers; while the sleepers marked c
are shown used longitudinally; the chair connections and wedges or keys being
marked d and e as in Figures 1. 2 and 3.
Figure 9 shows a transverse section of the permanent way having double
headed rails with improved sleepers e laid longitudinally in the ballasting;
and figure 10 shows a transverse section of the permanent way with improved
sleppers blaid transversely in the ballasting, and connected by a gauge tie a,
which latter is slightly bent towards the ends where the connection is formed
with the sleepers, so as to allow the usual inclination of the rails 1 in 20) towards
the centro line of the track; the improved chair-connections are marked d and the
wedges or keys e.
Figure 11 shows a transverse section of the permanent way having flanged rails j
with improved sleeper c laid longitudinally, or 6 laid transversely in the ballasting:
being connected at suitable intervals of alternate, third or fourth pairs as may be
found desirable by a gauge tie a as described for Figure 10; the clip fastenings are
marked g and h and the wedges or keys i.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The simplified form of metallic sleeper, being a square shape in plan (with length
of side not greater than 24 inches) and having a trough shaped section consisting of a
top table and two sloping sides; which form allows such sleeper to be used either
longitudinally or transversely so as to form a single support for one rail only,
substantially as described and shown.
2. The improved form of metallic chair-connection consisting of a flat bar
of iron or steel bent or pressed into a suitable clasp shape so as to hold both
rail and wedge or key fastening within its grasp, substantially as described
and shown.
3. The said simplified form of sleeper in combination with the said improved chair-
connection, substantially as described and shown.
4. The said simplified form of sleeper in combination with clip-fastenings, substantially
as described and shown.
5. In a system of railway permanent-way consisting of the said simplified form of
sleepers and their combined chair-connections or clip fastenings, the general
arrangement of said sleepers in pairs either placed longitudinally, transversely,
in alternate or any other desirable combination under the rails, gauge ties
being used to connect the pairs at suitable intervals, substantially as described
and shown.
D