IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SUPPORTS FOR RAIL- WAYS
Year: 1858

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Marc Antoine François Mennons, of the British and
Foreign Patent Offices, 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of
France, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SUPPORTS FOR RAIL-
WAYS." A communication.
Sealed the 15th October 1858, and dated the 31st August 1858.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Marc Antoine François
Mennons, at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 31st August 1858, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, MARC
ANTOINE FRANÇOIS MENNONS, of the British and Foreign Patent Offices, 39,
Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, in the Empire of France, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
SUPPORTS OF RAILS FOR RAILWAYS," communicated to me from a foreigner
residing abroad, and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me, my exe-
cutors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent for the same,
and have made solemn declaration that it is a communication.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, do
hereby declare that the following Complete Specification, under my hand and
seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the Invention, and the manner

page_text: in which the same is to be performed, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawing, and to the letters marked thereon (that is to say:-
The Invention communicated to me consists in an improved arrangement
of metallic rail supports, the main feature of which is the obviation of direct
contact in their separate parts by the interposition of compressible semi-elastic
matters, the result of which is an increase of solidity, and a reduction of the
wear and tear which necessarily arises from the direct action of the unpro-
tected metallic surfaces.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawing represents in section one of the
forms of the improved apparatus. A is a cast or wrought sole plate; B, a
chamber containing the compressible matter employed, such as paper, waste
leather, cotton, &c., &c.; C, piston which supports the cover of this chamber;
D, shoulder piece; E, E, tie rods; F, F, bearers formed with the piston C; G,
rail; H, wedge for securing the rail; I, I, key pieces, by which the tie rods are
secured. A small circular space is hollowed at the point J of the bearer for the
reception of a leathern washer, which prevents the contact of this part with
the under surface of the rail.
The spaces K, K, between the top of the chamber and its cover represent
the range of the piston. The upper edges of the chamber are mounted with
leather, or other compressible matter, to protect them from injury, in the
event of the piston top being brought in contact with them under extra-
ordinary pressure.
Figure 2 is a view of the apparatus. A, cast or wrought sole plate; B,
chamber containing the compressible matter; C, D, cover of the chamber B;
E, E, tie rods; F, F, bearers formed with the piston; G, rail; H, wedge for
securing the rail; I, I, ends of the tie rod key pieces.
Figure 3 represents a modified form of the apparatus. A, A, sole plate;
B, B, square chamber containing the compressible matter.
A short square
piston B, B', with the rail bearer C, C, is fitted to this chamber, and the
whole is secured by the key pieces D, D, passed through the corresponding
apertures of the uprights E, E. In this form of support a portion of the
chamber B, B, descends below the under surface of the sole plate A, and is
embedded in the ballast.
Figure 4 is another form of support in which the relative positions of the
piston and chamber are reversed. A, is the sole plate; B, fixed projection
(which may be hollow, if desired,) formed with the sole plate, and representing
the piston C of the other Figures; C, C, is the chamber formed with the rail
bearer C¹, C, and in the top of which the compressible matter is placed. This
chamber being turned over on the fixed piston B, is secured in its place by

page_text: the key arrangement represented in D, which enters the corresponding slot
of the support E. This support, which is formed with the, sole plate A,
answers the double purpose of counterpart to the key D and permanent stay
to the rail. F is a projecting stop, also forming part of the sole plate, and
over which is passed the looped end of the tie rod G, G, which is then secured
by the pin H passed through the aperture in the stop.
Figure 5 represents the looped extremity of this tie rod G, G.
The following are among the practical advantages which result from the
application of the above system. 1stly, solidity of construction and com-
parative freedom from deterioration; 2dly, decrease of vibration, and conse-
quent reduction of wear and tear not only in the rails but in the rolling
stock; 3dly, entire suppression of wooden sleepers and accessories, and con-
sequent increase of durability and economy in the laying down and main-
tenance of the line, the metallic supports, even when deteriorated by accident or
otherwise, still retaining a large proportion of their original value; 4thly,
economy of ballast resulting from the elasticity and increased bearing surface
of the support.
Having thus described the nature of the said improvements, and the
manner of carrying them into effect, I would have it understood that I do
not limit myself to the precise details of execution above laid down, as it is
evident from the examples given that these details may be varied considerably
without departing from the principle of the Invention; but what I claim is,
the improved construction of metallic railway supports, in which the direct
contact of certain parts of their surfaces is obviated by the interposition of
a compressible semi-elastic matter, substantially as above described and repre-
sented in the different Figures of the accompanying Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Marc Antoine François Mennons, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh of August, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight.
M. F. MENNUNS. (L.S.)