Improvements in Rail Joints.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 17th Dec., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Rail Joints.
We, ANDREW THOMSON, of 30, Manchester Street, Argyle Square, London,
Watchmaker, and JOHN ROBERT WOOD, of 2, De Vere Gardens, London, Gentle-
man, 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:-
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This invention relates more particularly to railway joints of the class in which
the rail lengths are so joined together as to form practically a continuous length
of rail and has for its object to provide a simple means for connecting the rail
lengths together in a rigid manner while allowing for expansion under the
influence of heat.
In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference is had
to the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings on which Fig. 1 is an elevation
partly in section of a rail joint constructed according to this invention, rig. 2 is
a plan of the same, Fig. 3 is an elevation of the connecting key, and Fig. 4 is an
end elevation of the same, and Figs. 5 and 6 are similar views showing a modified
construction of said connecting key, and Fig. 7 is an elevation and Fig 8 is a
cross section showing a connecting key for use in event of a rail breaking and a
new rail being inserted.
The rails A A which are shown on the drawings of the flat-bottomed or Tee rail
type, are formed with recesses a a, and with deeper recesses a¹¹ forming
shoulders a a². Holes a³ ³ are further formed in the rails A A. These holes a³ ³
are as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of circular shape, but they are varied according to
the shape of the ends of the connecting key B as will be hereinafter described.
The rails A A are placed with their ends adjacent and the connecting piece or
key B is fitted into the recesses formed at the ends. The connecting key Bis
provided with projections b b and these end projections extend below the main
portion of the key B so as to form shoulders 16. The end projections bbare
fitted into holes aso that the shoulders a a² engage with the shoulders 61 61
and as will be readily understood, the rails are held together when in place.
To insert the connecting keys B it is necessary to raise the end of one rail and
it will be understood that when once the rails are laid the keys B cannot come
out of place. The ends of the rails are arranged a short distance apart as is
usual to allow for expansion under the influence of heat and a corresponding
amount of play is allowed between the key B and the rails A A.
The connecting keys B may be variously shaped but that shown in Figs. 1 and 2,
and to an enlarged scale in Figs. 3 and 4 is preferably employed. In this arrange-
ment the end projections 66 are circular in shape and the lower surfaces of the
keys B are also curved. The recesses a a a¹ a¹ and the holes a³ a³ are corre-
spondingly shaped.
In Figs. 5 and
the end projections b b are rectangular in shape and the
recesses a a a¹ a¹ and the holes a³ as are similarly shaped.
As when inserting or removing one of the keys B it is necessary to raise the

page_text: rail it is desirable that means be provided whereby if a rail should be broken a
new rail may be substituted and connected with the adjacent rail. For this
purpose a special form of key is employed as shown in Figs. 7 and 8.
The substitute key B is similar to the key B except that only one end pro-
jection is provided and a recess 62 is formed near the other end. A bolt Ċ is
then passed through the rail so that its point engages in the recess b² and the
key B is thus retained in position.
The bottom flange A' of one of the rails is cut away as shown while the flange A²
is extended beyond the web of the rail. The two rails therefore fit one in the
other so as to ensure alignment.
This invention can also be used in the case of rails other than the flat bottomed
or Tee rail type. Although no fish plate is shown nor is one deemed necessary,
it will be understood that they may be fitted if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is;
―:
(1) In a rail joint, recesses aa formed in the adjacent ends of the rails, deeper
recesses a¹ a¹ forming shoulders a² a², holes a³ a³ extending into the rails and
key B having end projections b b-and shoulders 611 adapted to engage with the
shoulders a² ², the rail ends being further cut away at A¹ A¹ and extended_at
A² A so as to fit together, substantially as described with reference to the
drawings and for the purposes specified.
(2) In a rail joint as set forth in Claim 1, a substitute key BI for use in the
event of breakage of a rail, having only one end projection and having an
elongated recess 62 formed near the other end and a bolt C passed through the
rail and engaging in said recess 62 substantially as described with reference to
Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings and for the purposes specified.
Datel this 21st day of Notalar 1808
GEO. H. RAYNER,
37, Chancery Lane, London, Agent for the Applicants.