Year: 1888

page_text: present improvement.
Figure 2, is a cross section of the shank in the plane of the dotted line x--x.
Figure 3, shows the same invention as applied in connection with another improved
feature in spike making.
Figures 4 and 5, are cross sectional views of the shank of Fig. 3, in the planes of
the lines y --y, y¹ - - y¹.
My present invention relates to that class of spikes made by transversely severing
a rolled blank, the cross-section of the blank being exactly or approximately the
shape and size of a side view of the spike. Such spikes will have parallel sides, and a
rolled, as distinguished from an upset head. But, having parallel sides, in the book
part as well as in the shank, and the same width in both, there are no side projections
to which the ordinary claw bar can be applied, for drawing the spike. By my present
invention, I provide for this defect, by making a rearwardly projecting lug or lip, on
the back face or side of the spike head, or the side away from the rail, and this lug 1
make in such position and of such form that the point of an ordinary claw bar, or the
point or edge end of an ordinary crow-bar may be inserted thereunder, so as thereby
to draw the spike. And in connection with this, I sometimes employ a taper on the
rail face or back face of the upper end of the shank, or on both faces, so as to get a
lower bite for drawing purposes whenever desired.
Referring first to Fig. 1, the spike is cut from a rolled blank. The form of the
shank 1 is iminaterial. The head 2, has the usual hook or lip 3, for engaging the rail-
flange, when driven, and this it does in the usual way. On the rear of the head, is a
lug 4, the essential features of which are: 1st. That when the spike is driven the lug
shall be so far above the face of the tie that a drawing tool or implement of some kind

page_text: can be inserted far enough beneath it, to start it, without seriously or materially
breaking the fibre of the wood of the tie immediately beneath it; and 2nd., that the
lower face of the lug shall be so shaped that the point or end of a drawing tool or
implement will readily make a holding bite or engagement therewith. But while the
eleinents referred to may be varied at pleasure within the limits thus specified, the
construction shown in the drawing is believed to be the best. As there illustrated,
the plane of the lower face of the lug 4, as represented by the dotted line a--a,
parallel, or approximately so to the plane of the lower face of the lip or hook 3,
represented by the dotted line c-- c. Also the lowermost point of the lug 4 is, when
the spike is driven, a little above the upper face of the tie, to represent which latter,
I have drawn the dotted line c-- e. From this, the manner of applying and using
the claw bar, or other tool or implement, in drawing the spike will be readily
understood.
With some forms of spikes, and in some kinds of wood, while the spike can be
started in this way and partly drawn, it still holds to the wood so tightly that a new
bite is necessary. While this may be secured in the ordinary way, by putting a block
or stone under the claw-bar, so as to raise its fulcrum, the better way is to bring the
claw-bar around to the side of the spike, so that it shall work in a vertical plane
passing longitudinally through the track rail, or parallel or approximately parallel to
such a plane. Then, by inserting one claw of the claw-bar under the lip or hook 3,
and the other under the lng 4, and resting the claw-bar on the rail flange for a
fulcrum, the drawing of the spike may be continued, and in most cases completed.
With some woods and some spikes, the holding power of one to the other is-so
great, that sometimes the second bite thus provided for, will not secure the complete
drawing of the spike without danger of bending. In spikes intended for such a
market, (and also as an aid to driving), I add a taper 5, Fig. 3, which extends along
the rail face of the upper end of the shank, a distance and at an angle about equal to
the length and angle of the bevel 6, of the spike point, and also add a like bevel 7,
to the other side. This is done in the rolling of the bar from which the spikes are
severed. Then, when the drawing action of the claw-bar beneath the hook 3, and
lug 4, is ended, the prongs or claws of the claw-bar, the recess or slit between them
being usually V-shaped, may be caused to engage lower down, beneath and against
the swelling sides of the inclines 5, 7, and, still using the rail flange as a fulcrum,
the drawing of the spike may readily be completed.
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:
1st. In a railway spike, a lng 4, on the rear of the spike head, the lower face of
which (when the spike is driven) stands a little above the upper face of the tie,
substantially as set forth.
2nd. In a railway spike a back lug 4, the lower face of which is in a plane higher
than and parallel or approximately so to the plane of the lower face of the hook 3,
substantially as set forth.
3rd. A railway spike having in combination a hook 3, a lug 4, and inclines 5, 7,
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 16th day of June A D 1888