IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR STREET OR ROAD TRAMWAYS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Page, Civil Engineer, of 42, Josephine Avenue,
Brixton Rise, Lambeth, in the County of Surrey, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR STREET OR ROAD TRAMWAYS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Page at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th September 1879.
WILLIAM PAGE, Civil Engineer, of 42, Josephine Avenue, Brixton Rise, Lambeth,
in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR STREET OR ROAD
TRAMWAYS."
My Invention consists of improvements by which the ordinary or any form of
rails used for tramways or such like purposes are protected against the damage
resulting from the ordinary carriage traffic of streets in which tramways are
laid.
The rail used may be of any design or form, which I support in the desired
position by continuous or intermittent bearings of wrought iron or steel securing
the connexions by the usual bolts and cotters to a metal or timber longitudinal
sleeper or base plate. These bearers or standards can be formed at their junction
with the rail of the exact sections thereof, and if necessary may be cushioned by a
suitable elastic material between their connecting surfaces.
Another part of my Invention consists in an adaptation to the upper surface of
the bearers or standards, and flush, or nearly flush, with the top of the rail projec-
tions of the same; or various lengths and form so as to produce when fastened to
the rail continuous serrated or notched edges on both of its sides. The intervals
between such projections may be of any length and form, being intended to
accommodate the various sized paving, whether of granite, basalt, wood, iron, or
any other material to be used for paving between the rails or at their sides. By
this arrangement a break of joints is secured in the paving, and thus the continuous
and unprotected straight joints between the rail and the setts is done away with.
A tramway so laid would be better able to resist the destructive action of traffic
crossing it.
I prefer to apply my Invention to the rails when being rolled, or afterwards
cutting out or punching the desired notches or serrations by the ordinary means.
"

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Page in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th March
1880.
WILLIAM PAGE, Civil Engineer, of 42, Josephine Avenue, Brixton Rise, Lambeth,
in the County of Surrey. IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR STREET OR ROAD
TRAMWAYS."
"
My said Invention consists of improvements by which the ordinary or any form
of rail used for tramways or such like purposes are protected against the
damage resulting from the ordinary carriage traffic of streets on which tramways
are laid.
The rail used may be of any design or form, which I support in the desired
position by continuous or intermittent bearings of wrought iron or steel securing
the connexions by the usual bolts and cotters to a metal or timber longitudinal
sleeper or base plate. These bearers or standards can be formed at their junction
with the rail of the exact sections thereof, and if necessary may be cushioned by a
suitable elastic material between their connecting surfaces.
Another part of my Invention consists in an adaptation to the upper surface of the
bearers or standards, and flush, or nearly flush, with the top of the rail projections
of the same or various lengths and form so as to produce, when fastened to the rail,
continuous serrated or notched edges on both of its sides. The intervals between
such projections may be of any length and form, being intended to accommodate the
various sized paving, whether of granite, basalt, wood, iron, or any other material
to be used for paving between the rails or at their sides. By this arrangement a
break of joints is secured in the paving, and thus the continuous and unprotected
straight joints between the rail and the setts is done away with. A tramway so
laid would be better able to resist the destructive action of traffic crossing it. I
prefer to apply my Invention to the rails when being rolled, or afterwards cutting
out or punching the desired notches or serrations by the ordinary means.
My said Invention consists, as above stated, of improvements by which the
ordinary or any form of rail used in the construction or maintenance of street or
road tramways or such like purposes, are rendered more convenient for the ordinary
carriage or general traffic to pass over.
For the purpose of doing away with the continuous straight joints between the
rail and the paving setts or blocks or other paving material I form serrated or
notched edges to the rail so as to break the joints of the setts or other paving
blocks. These serrations or notches are attached in any convenient lengths to the
sides of existing or any form of rail so as to be level, or nearly so, with the upper
surface of the rail, as shewn by Figs. 1 & 4 (section), Figs. 2 & 5 (elevation), and
Figs. 3 and 6 (plan). These pieces are made of wrought iron or steel rolled in
continuous lengths, and afterwards cut to the desired lengths as may be found
most convenient and attached to the sides of the rails so as to suit the dimensions
of the paving setts or blocks. This method of applying my Invention is shewn by
Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the fastenings being of the usual kind, being either bolts and cotters,
or nuts on iron bed plate or other bottom or base of suitable material, brackets or
projecting side pieces fastened by bolts and nuts to the sides of the rail. The
Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the Drawing shew by the letters a, a, the position of the side
pieces or brackets; Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 shew sections of other
adaptations of my Invention to rails of different forms; Figs. 15 and 16 shew the
modes of applying my Invention where cast iron sleepers or chains are used. In
the Drawing attached the various forms of rails, base plates, or bottom bed cast.
iron sleepers or chairs are shaded, and the different methods of applying my
Invention are white or unshaded.

page_text: In the accompanying Drawing I shew certain sections and forms of rails, but I
claim, firstly, the application of my Invention to any form of rail now in use or to
be hereafter used.
Secondly. I also claim as my Invention the form of connecting pieces I have
thus described, but I prefer the application of the serrated side pieces during the
process of rolling the rail when being manufactured..
Thirdly. The side pieces may either be square or rectangular in form on plan, or
dovetailed, as may be found most convenient; the indentations for the purposes I
have described may be made, during the rolling of the rail or afterwards punched
or cut out when cold.
I claim only the use of wrought iron or steel for the purposes which I have herein
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Page, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Seventeenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty.
WILLIAM PAGE. (L.S.)