IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAMWAY RAILS AND WHEELS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Somervillo, Engineer, of Westland Row, in the City
of Dublin, and John Folds Ruthven, Engineer, of Kingsend, in the County of
Dublin, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN TRAMWAY RAILS AND
WHEELS"
Scaled the 28th October 1876, and dated the 4th May 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Somerville and John
Folds Ruthven at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th May
1876.
JOHN SOMERVILLE, Engineer, of Westland Row, in the City of Dublin, and Jonn
FOLDS RUTHVEN, Engineer, of Kingsend, in the County of Dublin. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TRAMWAY RAILS AND WHEELS."
The objects of this Invention are to construct a tramway of great durability
with special facilities for erection and for repairs, and to improve the form of whoel
used thercon, so that the working may be performed in a better and more economical
manner than heretofore.
follows:-
The nature of the Invention for effecting the abovo objects is mainly as
Upon a flooring or bed of concrete (or other suitable material), and at a proper
distance below the required lovel of the rails, is placed a longitudinal sleeper of cast
iron (or other suitable material). Along the top of this sleeper a groove is formed
with bevelled edges or sides sloping inwards, so that the bottom of the groove is the
broadest part. In the centre of this groove, at certain distances along the sleeper
as may be found necessary, small slots are formed, passing from the bottom of the
groove through the upper surface of the sleeper. This sleeper carries the rail, which
is formed of two bars placed side by side, partly in the groove and partly resting
on the top of sleeper. Sufficient space is left between the bars to allow of the
flange of the wheel running therein. These bars are so formed that a bevelled side
corresponds to and fits into the bevelled sido of the groove on sleeper, and they are
forced into this position, and kept properly apart at the same time by small wedges.
or wedge-shaped bolts passing between them and through the slot holes in sleeper
before mentioned, and which are fastened below by cotters or other approved means.
The sleeper being provided with a broad flange (resting upon, say, 1'," elm plank―
-creosoted, to give elasticity to rail), provents any sinking or subsidence of the rail
or of the first course of stones on each side of it, as they rest on said flange.

page_text: Owing to the peculiar form of rail and simplicity of fastening used the sleeper
need not be disturbed or disarranged when once laid down and properly embedded
in the stones or other material forming the surface of the road, the removal of one
stone at each fastening being sufficient to allow of the removal or replacing of the
cntire rail.
The rail being composed of two parts affords great economy of working as well as
facilities for repair, for should one side of the rail be damaged or worn, it can be
removed and a new one substituted without disturbing the other side of same rnil,
instead of having to remove and discard the whole rail, as heretofore. It also allows
of the rail being so placed that no two butt joints shall come opposite each other.
The improvement in the wheel consists in placing a flange in the centre of the
tyre or bearing surface instead of at one side, as heretofore; and by this means, as
the wheel bears on both sides of the rail, a greater bearing surface is obtained with
a small rail than heretofore with a larger one, and consequently less wear and tear
with steadier working is the result, and as before mentioned the joints of each side
of the rail are not opposite each other. It follows that one side of the wheel at
least is always on the solid part of the rail, and thus jolting or concussion is
avoided.
The improved wheel may either revolve upon a fixed axle or be attached to n
revolving axle, as required.
The improved rail may be used with a wheel having the flange at one side, as
heretofore.
The above is a description of the nature of our Invention, which however is not
dependent on the use of precisely the same details as herein-before set forth, but its
important points are mainly,--
The construction of a tramway sleeper and rail of strength, durability, and sim-
plicity of construction, as described.
A rail composed of two parts and the method of fastening same, as described,
whereby half the weight is saved, and economy of working and repair is obtained.
A wheel having the guiding flange in the centre of the tyre or rim, whereby
greater bearing surface and freedom from oscillation is obtained.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Somerville and John Folds Ruthven in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 3rd November 1876.
JOHN SOMERVILLE, Engineer, of Westland Row, in the City of Dublin, and JOHN
FOLDS RUTHVEN, Engineer, of Kingsend, in the County of Dublin. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN TRAMWAY RAILS AND WHEELS.'
The objects of this Invention are to construct a tramway of great durability
with special facilities for erection and for repairs, and to improve the form of wheel
used thereon, so that the working may be performed in a better and more economical
manner than heretofore.
The nature of the Invention for effecting the above objects is as follows:- t'pon
a flooring or bed of concrete or other suitable material, and at a proper distance
below the required level of the rails, is placed a longitudinal sleeper of cast iron
or other suitable material. Along the top of this sleeper a groove is formed with
bevelled edges or sides sloping inwards, so that the bottom of the groove is the
broadest part. In the centre of this groove, at certain distances along the sleeper
as may be found necessary, small slots are formed, passing from the bottom of the
groove through the upper surface of the sleeper. This sleeper carries the rail, which
is formed of two bars placed side by side, partly in the groove and partly resting
on the top of sleeper. Sufficient space is left between the bars to allow of the
flange of the wheel running therein. These bars are so formed that a bevelled side

page_text: corresponds to and fits into the bevelled side of the groove on sleeper, and they are
forced into this position, and kept properly apart at the same time, by small wedges
or wedge-shaped bolts passing between them and through the slot holes in sleeper
before mentioned, and which are fastened below by cotters or other approved means.
The sleeper being provided with a broad flange resting upon, say, one and a-half
inch elm plank creosoted to give elasticity to rail, prevents any sinking or sub-
Bidence of the rail or of the first course of stones on each side of it, as they rest on
Baid flange.
Owing to the peculiar form of rail and simplicity of fastening used, the sleeper
need not be disturbed or disarranged when once laid down and properly ombedded
in the stones or other material forming the surface of the road, the removal of one
stone at each fastening. being sufficient to allow of the removal or replacing of the
entire rail.
The rail being composed of two parts affords great economy of working as well
as facilities for repair, for should one side of the rail be damaged or worn, it can
be removed and a new one substituted without disturbing the other side of same
rail, instead of having to remove and discard the whole rail, as heretofore. It also
allows of the rail being so placed that no two butt joints shall come opposite each
other.
The improvement in the wheel consists in placing a flange in the centre of the
tire or bearing surface instead of at one side, as heretofore, and by this means, as
the wheel bears on both sides of the rail, a greater bearing surface is obtained
with a small rail than heretoforo with a larger one, and consequently less wear and
tear, with steadier working is the result, and as before mentioned the joints of each
side of the rail are not opposite cach other. It follows that one side of the wheel
at least is always on the solid part of the rail, and thus jolting or concussion is
avoided.
The improved wheel may either revolve upon a fixed axle or be attached to a
revolving axle, as required.
The improved mil may be used with a wheel having the flange at one sido, as
heretofore.
Having thus far described and ascertained the nature and object of the said
Invention, and incidentally intimated in what manner the same is to be performed
or carried out in practice, we will now, nided by the accompanying Drawings,
proceed to further and particularly describe and ascertain in what manner the same
is to be performed, or carried out in practice, that is to say :-

page_text: 3. A wheel having the guiding flange in the centre of the tyre or rim, whereby
greater bearing surface and freedom from oscillation is obtained.
In witness whereof, we, the said John Somerville and John Folds Ruthven,
have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Second day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
JOHN A. C. RUTIIVEN,
24, Sandymount Road,
Dublin.
JOHN SOMERVILLE. (L.S.)
J. F. RUTHVEN. (L.S.)