IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Punshon, of Heatherleigh, Anerley Park, in the
County of Surrey, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Punshon at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th August 1876.
ROBERT PUNSHON, of Heatherleigh, Anerley Park, in the County of Suricy,
Gentleman. IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS."
My Invention is intended to secure the nuts and bolts applied to fish plates of
rails against the liability to turn, and thereby loosen the plates, and consists in the
first place in adapting and applying to a pair of nuts a spring washer or retainer,
having at each end a half link, which fits round the bolt, and in the centre a slight
projection on the back, in order that the washer or retainer when fixed by the nuts
may have a spring formed on each side of the said projection.
And my Invention consists in the second place in adapting and applying to fisli
plates an outer plate or shield, with holes formed in it to fit over three of the nuts
when in their position, and with another hole, through which may be passed the
remaining bolt on which the nut may be screwed to keep the said plate or shield in
its place, and thereby prevent the nuts from turning.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Punshon in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th February
1877.
ROBERT PUNSHON, of Heatherleigh, Anerley Park, in the County of Surrey,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS."
My Invention of "Improvements in the Permanent Way of Railways" is intended
to secure the nuts applied to fish plates of rails against the liability to turn, and
thereby loosen the plates and 1ails, and consists in adapting and applying to a pair
of nuts a washer or retainer having at each end a half link, which fits round one of
Price Ad71

page_text: the bolts, the nut of which is secured as required, and prevented from turning by
means of the fastening of the said retainer. This fastening may be effected either by
means of a slight projection on the back of the washer or retainer, thereby forming a
spring on each side of the said projection when the washer or retainer is fixed by
means of the nuts, or by turning up the ends of the half links so as to bring them
in close contact with the nuts when tightened up as required. By this arrangement
the need of forming a projection on the washer or retainer is dispensed with, and
the nuts can be firmly secured as required in any position into which they may
have been turned.
In order however that my Invention may be fully understood, and readily carried
into effect, I will describe it more particularly by the aid of the accompanying
Drawings, in which is represented a fish joint with the mode of fastening last
the need of forming a projection on the washer or retainer is dispensed with, and
the nuts can be firmly secured as required in any position into which they may
have been turned.
In order however that my Invention may be fully understood, and readily carried
into effect, I will describe it more particularly by the aid of the accompanying
Drawings, in which is represented a fish joint with the mode of fastening last
referred to.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a fish joint, showing two ends of rails united by a fish
plate, with two washers or retainers applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section
of the same; and Fig. 3 represents the washer or retainer detached and on an
enlarged scale. In those several Figures the same letters of reference indicate cor-
responding parts.
A and B are the two ends of rails united by the fish plate C in the ordinary
manner; D, D, are two washers or retainers, one of which is applied to each pair of
bolts and nuts.
The washer or retainer consists of a plate or strip of charcoal iron or other
suitable metal, with a half link formed at each end, the inner part of such half link
being made to fit round the bolt, to which it is applied, and the remainder consisting of
two wings d, d, one or both of which wings 19 or are turned up and brought in close
contact with the sido or sides of the nut, in whatever position it may have been
tuined for tightening. By this means each nut will be effectually prevented from
turning out of the position in which it has thus been fixed.
Having thus descubed the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what I claim as of my Invention is,
the adaptation and application to the nuts used in fish joints of washers or retainers
with a half link at each end, whereby the nuts are permanently retained in their
tightened position, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Punshon, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, the Twenty-seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven..
Witness,
WILLIAM SPENCE,
8, Quality Court,
Chancery Lane.
ROBERT PUNSHON. (L.s.)