Year: 1899

page_text: TUSS 11es.
I, ALVY DIXON, of Rockdale, in the County of Carbon and State of Wyoming,
United States of America, Gentleman, 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:-
This invention relates to track-fastenings, and particularly to sectional metallic
sleepers or cross-ties, and has for its object to provide an improved detachable
connection between the sections, whereby longitudinal and lateral separation of
the tie-sections is prevented, and also to dispense with spikes or other separate
track-fastening devices.
To these ends the present invention consists in the combination and arrange-
ment of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accom-
panying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim, it being
understood that changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details
of construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claim without
departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present
invention.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved sleeper or tie, supporting and
fastening in place opposite rail sections.
Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.
Figures 3 and 4 are detail perspective views of the respective tie sections.
Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line -x of Figure 2.
Corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings are designated by
like characters of reference.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, 1 and 2 designate, respectively, the
opposite sections of the sleeper or tie and are shown solid, but may be made
hollow, as desired. Each section is substantially rectangular in cross-section and
is provided upon its upper face with a pair of overhanging lugs or shoulders 3,
extending the entire width of the section and located near opposite ends thereof.
Furthermore, the shoulders of each section extend in the same direction; but
one of the shoulders is located nearer its adjacent end of the section than is the
other shoulder. As best indicated in Figure 3, the inner side of the section. 1
s provided with a longitudinal rib or tongue 4, extending the entire length of the
[Price 8d.]

page_text: section and located intermediate of the upper and lower faces thereof. The
other section 2 is provided with a complementary groove 5, which also extends
throughout the entire length of the section and is adapted to receive the tongue
or rib 4, as best indicated in Figure 5.
To assemble the sections together, the shoulders 3 at opposite ends of the
respective sections are positioned between the opposite rail sections 6 and then
the tongue 4 is registered with the groove 5, after which the sections are moved
longitudinally upon each other until the adjacent shoulders 3 embrace the opposite
sides of the flanges of the respective rails. It will be understood, when
assembling the sections, that the latter are turned end for end, so that the
shoulders 3 of the respective sections may extend in opposite directions, and
thereby embrace the flanges of the rails, as described. Thus it will be seen that
separate track-fastenings are dispensed with, and the integral shoulders 3 form
a positive and durable fastening means which cannot be loosened by the action
of the trains passing over the rails. Furthermore, the tongue or rib being
smooth and unbroken and fitting a complementary smooth and unbroken groove
permits of the sections being moved longitudinally upon each other, so as to
facilitate the positioning and assembling of the same. The sections are further
connected together by means of a bolt 7, located between the rails and extending
transversely through, the sections and through the tongue 4, so as to prevent
lateral displacement in a horizontal direction. A single bolt is sufficient to pre-
vent horizontal lateral displacement of the sections, as the strain is longitudinal
upon the bolt, and longitudinal separation is prevented by the engagement of
the respective shoulders 3 at opposite sides of the rails.
The present invention provides an exceedingly simple and durable sleeper or
cross-tie which is constructed so as to be readily positioned in an accurate and
effective manner and fastens the rails to the tie without the employment of
separate track fastenings, whereby the rails are maintained in a solid position
and are effectively prevented from becoming loosened upon the tie.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is: --
A sleeper or cross tie formed in longitudinal sections, having integral over-
hanging shoulders provided upon the upper faces thereof, the contiguous inner
face of one of the sections being provided with a smooth and unbroken longi-
tudinal rib or tongue, the adjacent face of the other section being provided with
a complementary smooth and unbroken groove receiving the tongue or rib of the
former section, said sections being slidable longitudinally upon each other to
facilitate the assembling and positioning thereof, and means for preventing
lateral separation of the sections, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 9th day of December 1899.