Improvements in the Permanent Way of Tramways.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Dec., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Sept., 1891-Accepted, 24th Oct., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Permanent Way of Tramways.
Communicated from abroad by THE LEWIS & FOWLER GIRDER-RAIL COMPANY,
of the City of Brooklyn, in the State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturers.
I, JOHN CORRY FELL, of the firm of Fell & Wilding, of 1 Queen Victoria
Street in the City of London, Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this
said invention to be as follows:-
The objects of the said improvements in the permanent way of tramways are
First. To so construct wrought iron or steel rails of U-shape in cross section,
otherwise known as channel-bar rails, or "box" rails, that the same are better
adapted to be employed as "girder-rails" without continuous, stringers or supports
beneath, and are also adapted to be readily rolled, and to keep the screw-nuts or
keys of their fastenings from working loose.
Second. To render such rails and their fastenings self-tightening after they are
once properly laid, the fastenings being also of such a nature that the rails need not
be notched or perforated.
Third. To attach the rails by means of such fastenings to metallic chairs,
supporting the rails on the same principle at the joints between successive rails and
at intermediate points.
Fourth. To so attach such rails to chairs in such a manner that any slight difference
in the height of rails at their respective ends does not materially interfere with
making level joints.
Fifth. To make efficient chairs to co-act with such rails and fastenings out of
wrought iron in the form of plates of suitable thickness for the requisite rigidity.
Sixth. To make the clamps forming part of said fastenings of wrought iron, so
that the blanks therefor may be readily rolled in the form of bars adapted to be
simply cut up and punched to form clamps of any required length.
The improved rails may have treads of different patterns, suited to different
tramways, or to successive sections or portions of track, and may also be made of
different weights and dimensions.
.
Each rail consists of a suitable top portion, comprising the tread, and a pair of
depending elastic webs along the respective edges of said top portion; such webs
being normally flaring or wider apart at the bottom than at top, but adapted to
be sprung inward at the fastening operation so as to be vertical or substantially
vertical when the rail is laid or in use. The fastened rail thus possesses the greatest
possible rigidity and ability to resist or sustain the strain to which it is subjected in
use as by the tramway carriages and other vehicles passing over it, and is so adapted
in a superior manner to be used as a girder-rail as aforesaid. In its normal shape
it is also adapted to be readily rolled, owing to the flare of the rail-webs; and by
springing inward the rail-webs at the fastening operation the fastenings are put
under a tension which obviously tends to keep them tight whatever their forin
may be.
The rail is preferably further constructed with laterally projecting flanges at
bottom on the respective webs, each flange being bevelled on top, and is preferably
fastened by means of clamps, each having a pair of internally bevelled flanges,
together with bolt-holes between said flanges through which suitable clamping bolts,
as screw-bolts, extend from side to side below the rail. The upper flanges of the
clamps co-act with said bevelled flanges of the rail, and the lower flanges of the
clamps engage with relatively fixed projections having bevels at bottom and located
מ

page_text: at a proper distance below the respective rail-flanges. When such fastenings are
drawn tight so as to spring the rail-webs inward to vertical planes, as above, the
fastenings are not only put under tension, but as wear occurs between the rail
and its chairs and fastenings, due to the expansion and contraction of the rails by
heat and cold, and to other causes, such wear is taken up by the outward spring of
the rail-webs and the co-action of the respective bevels, so that the rails continue
to be held down tightly upon the chairs.
Such fixed projections to co-act with the clamps are preferably formed on the
respective sides of metallic chairs having suitable seat portions upon which the rails
are superposed, and suitable base-flanges to co-act with spikes or bolts for attaching
them to suitable cross-ties. Suitable holes or passage-ways to accommodate the
bolt or bolts of the clamp-fastening may extend through from side to side imme-
diately above the bevels of the projections, and the chairs may be readily adapted
for use at joints as well as at intermediate points by making them of different
lengths in the direction of the length of the rail.
The seat-portions of the chairs are preferably conformed to the interior of the
rail, and adapted to be straddled by the rails, so that the latter shall be supported
vertically immediately beneath the top of the rail. Slight differences in the
extreme height of the rail at its respectivelends thus become immaterial. The fixed
projections of the aforesaid clamp-fastenings are formed on the sides of such chairs
iminediately below the points reached by the depending rail-webs, and such clamp-
fastenings lend themselves very efficiently to this style of chair.
To make such chairs of wrought iron or of plate-iron as aforesaid, the iron after
being suitably punched is bent so as to extend continuously from one-base flange at
the inner side of the rail to the top of the scat portion, and thence downward to a
base-flange at the other side of the rail, and the chairtis stiffened if need be by a
suitable strut or struts, interposed between its upright sides, and held in place-by
their elasticity or otherwise. Chairs of this description may be adapted for use
also, in connection with such clamp-fastenings, for holding Trails, or rails-having-a
like form of base projecting laterally so as to engage with the clamps.
To make the clamps of wrought iron or bar-iron as aforesaid, a bar is rolled
having a convex back and a channelled face, with internally bevelled flanges at the
respective edges of such face, and is then simply cut transversely into different
clamp-lengths, and punched, with one or more bolt-holes in each, to complete the
clamps.
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1
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, EC., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements 'in 'the Permanent Way of Tramways.
'Communicated from abroad by THE LEWIS & FOWLER GIRDER-RAIL COMPANY,
of the City of Brooklyn, in the State of New York, United States of America,
Manufacturers.
I, JOHN CORRY FELL, of the firm of Fell & Wilding of 1 Queen Victoria
Street in the City of London, 'Patent Agents, do hereby declare the nature of this
said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly
.described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The objects of the said improvements in the permanent way of tramwaystare
First. To so construct wrought iron or steel rails of U-shape in cross-section,
otherwise known as channel-bar rails, or "box" rails, that the same are better
adapted to be employed as "girder-rails "without continuous stringers or supports
beneath, and are also adapted to be readily rolled, and to keep the screw-nuts or
keys of their fastenings from working loose.

page_text: Second. To render such rails and their fastenings self-tightening after they are
once properly laid, the fastenings being also of such a nature that the rails need not
be notched or perforated.
Third. To attach the rails by means of such fastenings to metallic chairs,
supporting the rails on the same principle at the joints between successive rails and
at intermediate points.
Fourth. To so attach such rails to chairs in such a manner that, any slight
difference in the height of rails at their respective ends does not materially
interfere with making level joints.
Fifth. To make efficient chairs to co-act with such rails and fastenings out-of
wrought iron in the form of plates of suitable thickness for the requisite rigidity.
Sixth. To make the clamps forming part of said fastenings of wrought iron; so
that the blanks therefor may be readily rolled in the form of bars adapted to be
simply cut up and punched, to form clamps of any required length.
The manner in which the invention is performed is illustrated by three sheets of
drawings hereto annexed as part of this Specification.
Figure 1 of these drawings (Sheet 1) is an end view of one of the improved
"box" rails; Figure 2 represents a cross-section of the same, and end views of one
of the improved chairs spiked to a wooden cross-tie and a pair of improved clamps,
otherwise.termed "jaw-washers;" Figure 3 is a perspective view of said chair, the
same being a single or intermediate chair for such box-rails; Figures 4 and 5, are
respectively a cross-section and a perspective view of the said clamps detached, and
Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the peculiar spikes shown in Figure 2.
Figures 7 and 8 are end views of improved box-rails, of other patterns, adapted to
be used alternatively in connection with such chairs and fastenings.
Figure 9 (Sheet 2) is a perspective view of a long joint-chair, constructed
throughout on the same principle as said chair represented by Figures 2 and 3, and
combined with the same pattern of rail, Figure 1, and with like clamps and spikes.;
and Figures 10 and 11 are perspective views respectively of shorter and otherwise
modified joint-chairs in like combinations.
Figures 12 and 13 (Sheet 3) are respectively end and side views of a modified
single chair for box-rails, combined with like clamps and spikes and an improved
box-rail of another alternative pattern; Figures 14 to 16 inclusive are end views
and a perspective view of other improved chairs, combined with like clamps and
spikes, as fitted to T-rails and rails having a like form of base; and Figure 17' is a
small-scale end view of one of the chairs last named combined with a box-rail, and
represents by dotted lines another modification of the chair.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.
The several patterns of the improved box-rail, shown respectively as aforesaid
at A A2 A3 and A', differ as to the shape or section of the tread tram or top-
portion,, which may be of any approved description, and forms no part of the
present invention. The rail A, Figures 12 and 13, is also narrower than the
others, illustrating modifications as to dimensions and weight to suit any practical
requirements.
Each improved rail has a pair of depending elastic webs, w, extending con-
tinuously along the respective edges of a suitable top-portion t, and integral
therewith such webs being normally flaring or wider apart at the bottom than at
top, as shown in full lines in Figures 17 and 8, but adapted to be sprung inward at
the fastening operation, so as to be vertical or substantially vertical when the rail
is laid or in use, as shown in dotted lines in said Figures 17 and 8, and in fell
lines in Figures-2-9 10 11 and 12. The fastened rail thus possesses the greatest
possible rigidity, and ability to resist or sustain the strain to which it is -ubjected
in use, as by the tramway carriages and other vehicles passing along and across the
track, and the improved rail is so adapted to be used as. a girder-rail as aforesaid.
The rail is also adapted to be readily rolled, as aforesaid, owing to the normal flare
of the rail-webs; and by springing inward the rail-webs at the fastening operation,
the- tightened fastenings, as. shown for example in said Figures: 2 9-10-11 and 12,

page_text: are put under a tension which obviously tends to keep them tight, and thus to prevent
rattling and undue wear, whatever the form of such fastenings may be.
The rail is preferably further constructed with laterally projecting flanges, f, at
bottom on the respective webs, each flange being bevelled on top, as at /, in said
Figures 1.7 and 8. It is thus adapted to be, and preferably is, fastened down by
means of jaw-washers or clamps, B B2 B3, in pairs, and one or more clamping
bolts, C, extending from clamp to clamp below the rail, as in said Figures 29 10
11 and 12 and Figure 13, without perforating or notching the rail in any way, and
so as to cause the said elasticity or spring of the rail-webs to react on the rail
itself, to draw it down upon its supports as wear occurs. To this end, each of such
clamps is constructed with a pair of internally bevelled flanges, f2, along its parallel
horizontal edges, and with bolt holes, 'Figures 4 and 5, between said Hauges f³,
through which said clamping bolts extend; the upper flanges of the clamps
coacting with said bevelled flanges f of the rail, and the lower flanges of the clamps
engaging with relatively fixed projections, p, having bevels, Figure 3, at bottom,
and located at a proper distance below the respective rail-fanges. When such
fastenings are drawn tight, so as to spring the rail-webs inward to vertical planes,
as above, the fastenings are not only put under tension, but, as wear occurs between
the rail and its chairs and fastenings, due to the expansion and contraction of the
rails by heat and cold, and to other causes, such wear is taken up by the outward
spring of the elastic rail-webs, and the wedge-like co-action of the respective bevels,
so that the rails continue to be held down tightly, as above. The bolts C may have
screw-nuts n, as shown, or may be slotted and provided with suitable cotters or
keys if preferred.
or
Said fixed projections p are preferably formed on the respective sides of metallic
chairs, D D D D D³, fitted to such rails; each chair having also a suitable seat-
portion, s, upon which the improved rail A or A2 or A³ or A is superposed, bolt-
holes, 62 Figure 3, or equivalent passages, immediately above the bevels last
named, through which the boit or bolts C extend, and suitable base-flanges
fect; with which said seat-portion is rigidly connected, and which are in the
examples provided with square spike-holes, Figure 3, through which peculiar
spikes, E, (Figure 6,) are driven into wooden cross-ties, F F2. The peculiarity of
said spikes E consists in bolsters, Figure 6, of the same width as the shank,
located in front and behind immediately beneath a button-shaped head, so as to
render the head elevated after the spike is driven, and thus to facilitate with-
drawing the spike by means of an ordinary claw-bar without injuring either the
spike or the chair. Ordinary spikes may be employed if preferred, or the chairs
may be attached to metallic ties in any approved way. Such chairs and fastenings
for the improved rails are applicable at the joints, as substitutes for fish-plates and
the like, as illustrated by Figures 9 to 11 inclusive, as well as at intermediate
points, in the form of single chairs, as illustrated by Figures 23 12 and 13.
Chairs D2 D3 D for joints, as compared with single chairs, D D, are simply made
of the required length, and combined with a sufficient number of bolts C and with
clamps B B B3 of sufficient extent. The joint-chair D² represented by Figure 9
is eighteen inches long, so as to be spiked to two ordinary cross-ties F laid side by
side, and is combined with four of the bolts C and with two pairs of single clamps B
and a central pair of two-bolt clamps B2. The joint-chair D³ represented by
Figure 10 is nine inches long, and is spiked to a joint-tie F2 of suitable width, and
combined with three of the bolts C and with a pair of three-bolt clamps B³. The
joint-chair D represented by Figure 11 is six inches long, and combined with two
of the bolts C and with a pair of two-bolu clamps B2. The chairs may be of other
lengths if preferred, and fitted with clamps of corresponding lengths or with any
preferred combination of those shown.
Another preferred feature of construction in the improved chair is the location
of the seat proper immediately beneath the top of the improved box-rail, as shown
in Figure 2 and Figures 9 to 13, so that slight variations in the heights of different
rails or of like rails at their respective ends do not materially interfere with making

page_text: lever joints, as aforesaid. Appen to such chairs, the improved Talis straddle the
seat portion, the clamps may be located at any required distance below the seats
proper, and the tops of the rails rest solidly upon such seats, which are preferably
conformed to the shape of the rail-top underneath from side to side, as shown.
The alternative mode of supporting box-rails (to which the improved constructions
of chairs and clamps are otherwise applicable) is illustrated by Figure 17. In this
inferior arrangement, the lower edges of the rail-webs w rest upon the seat or
seats s of the chair, as hereinafter more particularly described with reference to
said Figure 17.
Chairs and clamps possessing the aforesaid characteristics, and adapted to co-act
with the improved box-rails and with clamping bolts in the manner above described,
could obviously be cast by skilled foundry-men without further suggestion; and for
the purposes of those parts of the present invention above described the chairs and
clamps may be so manufactured. But this invention further consists in novel con-
structions whereby improved chairs and clamps may be made of wrought iron (or
of soft steel as a known substitute for wrought iron) in the form of plates and bars,
with superior economy and other advantages. For clearness, the drawings have
been confined, as to chairs and clamps, to these constructions last referred to, which
may be described as follows:
Said chairs D D2 D3 D and D', and the additional chairs D and D' shown in
Figures 14 to 17 inclusive as aforesaid, are made in common from plate-iron (or
preferably plate-steel) in flat blanks of proper sizes, by punching the bolt-holes
and spike-holes s', and then bending the blanks (hot) between suitable dies in a
swaging-machine, so as to cause the metal to extend continuously and of sub-
stantially uniform thickness from the base-flange or foot at the inner side of the
rail to the top of the seat-portions, and thence downward to the outer base-flange
or foot f tlie bevelled projections p being swaged with hollow backs inside the
chair at the same operation, and also hollow lateral braces, i and o or 1, connecting
said feet with the upright longitudinal sides of the chair-iron as thus produced,
and appropriate respectively to the inner and outer sides of the rail, as at i and o,
or alike on both sides, as at l, according to the demands of the rails or the preference
of purchasers.
Each of said chairs has also, as a preferred additional element, a strut or struts, a
or, preferably of plate-iron, (or plate-steel,) interposed between its said upright
sides u, and forming distance-pieces in the shape of vertical transverse walls close
below the respective bolts. Where said hollow braces i and o or are in the same
vertical planes as the bolts or bolt-holes, as in all said chairs except D³, it is only
necessary to fit the ends of the struts, e, into the hollow backs of such braces, as
well as into the hollow backs of the bevelled projections p, as indicated in
Figures 23 9 10 11 and 14 to 17, in order to keep the struts sufficiently upright.
Where such hollow braces are out of line with the bolts, as in Figures 12 and 13,
the bolt-holes are elongated, and the struts, a², are provided with end-projections
fitting into said bolt-holes at bottom, as shown in dotted lines in these figures.
Otherwise it is sufficient to spring either form of strut into place.
In said chairs D D2 and D' Figures 23 9 12 and 13, said hollow lateral pro-
jections are confined as to length to a sufficient extent, and at their respective
ends, or between them where there are two or more, as in Figure 9, the chair is
constructed with vertical or substantially vertical continuous portions, v, to resist
any closing of the projections under heavy loads. This construction is preferred,
as it renders it practicable to employ a lighter chair than would otherwise be
required for any given tramway.
Said chairs DB, Figures 23 and 9, are of one and the same pattern throughout;
and joint-chairs of other lengths may obviously be constructed of the same pattern.
Said chairs D3 D, Figures 10 and 11, are of another pattern; and single chairs or
longer joint-chairs may obviously be constructed of this pattern. The pattern
peculiar to said chair D, Figures 12 and 13, as above described, is also equally
applicable to joint-chairs of any preferred length. The single and joint-chairs

page_text: represented respectively at D and D' in said Figures 14 to 17 inclusive are of
another pattern, in common, except as modified in dotted lines in Figure 17. The
joint-chairs of this last-named pattern, with or without such modification, may liko-
wise be of any required length; and other like modifications will suggest themselves.
to those skilled in the manufacture of such articles.
Said chairs D D D³ D+ and D³ may also be fitted, in common, to any pattern of
the improved box-rail. They may also be fitted to ordinary box-rails the webs of
which are not normally flaring or are not adapted to be sprung into vertical planes;
but the improved rails and chairs are primarily designed for use together, as in said
Figures 29 10 11 12 and 13. Said chairs D and D' are fitted to "T" rails and
rails having a like form of base projecting laterally so as to engage with the clamps.
Grooved tramway-rails of this description are represented at A³, and an ordinary
Trail at A. The adaptation of the improved chairs to co-act with such rails con-
sists simply in making the seat-portions flat and of a suitable height. Otherwise
the chairs are substantially identical with those represented at D³ D in said
Figures 10 and 11, as above described, and are combined with like clamps B,
(or B2 or B) clamping bolts C, spikes E, and cross-ties FF, as shown. Ordinary
fish-plates, with their bolts, at the joints of said rails A' A', are represented at G,
as means for keeping the heads of such rails aligned with each other.
Such chairs D D7 may also be employed without change for supporting box-
rails, A', in the manner above described as "inferior," as illustrated by Figure 17.
The rail in this figure may represent ordinary box-rails as above described, or any
of the improved rails. To limit the inward deflection of the rail-webs at the
clamping operation, and to afford additional lateral support, the seat-portion s may
be provided with a projection between the webs, as represented in dotted lines aty,
but this is not considered essential to the employment of said chairs D D7 in com-
bination with clamps B, (or 12 or B³,) bolts C, spikes E, (or their equivalent,) and
cross-ties For F, as above described.
To make said clamps C C² C³ of wrought iron or bar-iron (or bar-steel) as afore-
said, a bar is rolled having a convex back and a channelled face, with internally
bevelled flanges at the respective edges of such face, or in other words of the cross-
section of the clamps as represented by the end views thereof in Figures 2 &c.; and
such bar is then simply cut transversely into different clamp-lengths, and punched
with one or more bolt-holes in each, to complete the clamps.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is:
1. An improved "box" rail constructed with elastic webs which flare downwardly
in the rail as rolled and are adapted to be sprung inward so as to be vertical and
under tension when the rail is laid, substantially as hereinbefore specified.
2. An improved box rail having a top of any approved section, downwardly-
flaring elastic webs along its respective edges adapted to be sprung inward to
vertical planes, and outwardly projecting flanges on the respective webs provided
at top with wedging inclines or bevels, in combination with relatively fixed pro-
jections below the rail having like bevels at bottom, a pair of clamps having
bevelled flanges which co-act with such rail-flanges and projections, and one or more
clamping bolts below the rail by which the clamps are drawn toward each other,
substantially as hereinbefore specified.
3. The combination, in a tramway, of box rails having elastic webs constructed
with outwardly projecting flanges bevelled at top, metallic chairs at the rail-joints
and at intermediate points constructed with suitable seat-portions and with subjacent
lateral projections bevelled at bottom, flanged clamps in pairs embracing the rail-
flanges and chair-projections on both sides of the rails, and bolts extending from
clamp to clamp below the rails, substantially as hereinbefore specified.
4. The combination with adjoining box-rails having normally flaring elastic webs
adapted to be sprung inward to vertical planes of a metallic joint-chair constructed

page_text: with its scat-proper immediately beneath the tops of the rails, and straddled by
such rails, so that slight differences in the height of rails at their respective ends do
not materially interfere with making level joints between such rails, as hereinbefore
specified.
5. The improved chairs having seat-portions s, upright longitudinal sides u, and
feet f, in one continuous piece of plate iron, (or plate steel,) of substantially
uniform thickness, and provided with hollow lateral projections p immediately
below such seat-portion, hollow lateral braces, i and o or 1, at the intersections of
said sides and feet, and the punched holes 62 and s' in said sides and feet, substantially
as hereinbefore specified.
6. The improved clamps having internally bevelled flanges along their respective
edges, bolt-holes midway between said flanges, and convex backs, and produced by
rolling bar iron (or steel) of the required cross-section, cutting the same transversely
into different clamp-lengths, and punching said bolt-holes, substantially as herein-
before specified.
Dated this 23rd day of September A D 1891
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.