IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS, AND IN THE MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE SAME TOGETHER
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Frère, of Antwerp, in the Kingdom of Belgium,
for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS, AND IN THE
MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE SAME TOGETHER."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Frère at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th April 1881.
EDWARD FRÈRE, of Antwerp, in the Kingdom of Belgium.
"IMPROVEMENTS
IN RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS, AND IN THE MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE SAME
TOGETHER."
The object of this Invention is to provide a rail for tramways of such a form that
the necessity for sleepers, cross sleepers, distance pieces, and all other supports in
wood or iron to prevent the sinking of the rail may be dispensed with, and the
Invention also relates to novel means for connecting the rail together.
In carrying out my Invention I form the rail of a shape in section somewhat
resembling an inverted V. The head of the rail I form flat or nearly flat for about
half its width, the remaining or inner portion being rebated to receive the flange
of the wheel. The extremities of the arms of the V are flanged on their outer
edges to receive rivets by which the rails are rivetted to longitudinal metal
plates.
The means for connecting two rails together consists of a fish plate having
externally the internal form of the rail. This fish plate is forced into the
extremity of one rail, and the other rail is then forced on to it. By this means a
firm and secure joint is obtained without the aid of an attachment of any
kind.
In constructing the permanent way with rails of the form above described, it
will be unnecessary to remove the whole of the paving as heretofore, and thereby
a considerable saving will be effected in the item of labour in laying a
new way.
Before laying the rails I prefer to pack them with concrete or other suitable
material, and I thereby obtain a large bearing surface.
At curves in the road I may use if desired light tye rods here and there, and I
may also employ a guard rail.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Frère in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd October
1881.
EDWARD FRÈRE, of Antwerp, in the Kingdom of Belgium. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
RAILS FOR TRAMWAYS, AND IN THE MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE
TOGETHER."
SAME
The object of this Invention is to provide a rail for tramways of such a form
that the use of sleepers, cross sleepers, distance pieces, or any other support in
wood or iron placed transversely under the tramway as well as of bolts, cramps,
and chairs will become unnecessary, and the Invention further relates to novel
means for connecting together the ends of abutting rails.
In carrying out my Invention I form the main portion of the rail (preferably by
rolling) of a shape somewhat resembling an inverted V in cross section with
external flanges.
The head of the rail I form flat or nearly flat for about half its width, the
remaining portion presenting the form of a curved rebate to receive the flange of
the wheel. To the flanges of the rail I rivet or otherwise secure longitudinal
metal plates, by which means I obtain a broad and firm base for the rail, thereby
obviating the use of sleepers and cross sleepers, and preventing the sinking of the
rails when laid.
The means for connecting together the end of two rails consists of a metal dowel
of any suitable length, and having externally the internal form of the rail slightly
tapered at its ends. This dowel is driven into the end of one rail, and the other
rail is forced on to it, thus a firm and secure joint between two abutting rails is
obtained without the use of bolts, cramps, fishplates, or chairs.
In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn at Fig. 1 a cross section of my
improved rail; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a rail shewing the dowel
in position; and Fig. 3 is a view of the underside of the dowel.
Figures 4 and 5 are respectively a plan view and a transverse section of the
permanent way laid with my improved rails.
a is the main portion of the rail; a¹, a', are the flanges; b, b, the longitudinal
base plates which are rivetted or otherwise secured to the flanges a¹; and c is a
dowel formed with tapered ends c¹, c¹.
The rails for crossings and points can be made of the same section.
In constructing the permanent way with rails of the form above described, it
will be unnecessary to remove the whole of the paving, as is now the case, as the
raising of three or four lines longitudinally of the paving will leave sufficient space
for the placing of the rails in position, thus a considerable saving in the item of
labour in constructing and repairing the permanent way will be effected.
The improved rails will moreover from their section act as wedges to wedge the
paving together, and thus assist to maintain it in its proper position, and the
necessity for the continual repairs hitherto required to keep the road in good order
will to a great extent be avoided.
The hollow portion of the rail may be packed or filled with concrete or other
material before the rail is laid, by which means an additional bearing or
supporting surface will be obtained.
Where sharp curves occur in the road I prefer to use a guard rail, and if the
soil be light the addition here and there of a light tie rod in order to avoid any risk
of the lateral displacement of the rails will be of advantage.
Having now described the nature of my Invention for "Improvements in Rails
for Tramways, and in the means for Connecting the same Together," and explained

page_text: the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that under
the above in part recited Letters Patent, I claim,-
First. Constructing rails for tramways, in the manner herein shewn and
described, whereby the use of sleepers, cross sleepers, distance pieces, bolts, cramps,
and chairs, in laying the rails are rendered unnecessary.
Secondly. The means, as herein shewn and described, for connecting together
tram rails of the construction above specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Frere, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Thirtieth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
EDOUARD FRERE. (L.S.)