IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS, AND PAVING FOR THE SAME.
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Livesey, of 9, Victoria Chambers, West-
minster, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS,
AND PAVING FOR THE SAME.
,,
Sealed the 13th July 1875, and dated the 18th February 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Livesey at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
18th February 1875.
I, JAMES LIVESEY, of 9, Victoria Chambers, Westminster, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND
TRAMWAYS, AND PAVING FOR THE SAME," to be as follows:-
The serious objection to tramways has been the difficulty experienced
by ordinary vehicles in crossing the rails at points where the stones have
either sunk below the rail or the rail below the stones, and the
expense in repairs and maintenance on that account has also been very
great.

page_text: In the first place the formation of a tramway in such manner that the
level of the rail and pavement is maintained.
Instead of bedding the pavement in sand or on concrete alone, I
propose to employ a plate of iron or timber of sufficient width for the
stones abutting against the rail to rest upon, such plate either to form
part of the sleeper carrying the rail or to be independent of it.
To prevent jarring or vibration I propose to embed both the stones
and the sleepers in asphalt.
Also a foundation independent of the plate before referred to, formed
in the following manner :-First, a bed of concrete, on which is spread a
layer of asphalt of a suitable consistency, and the stones and sleepers
laid on or embedded in it.
Secondly. The stones being liable to wear faster than the rails, and so
leave the rail above the level of the pavement, I propose in the case of
timber sleepers when the rails are first laid to insert one or more thin
strips of wood or packing pieces, which can be withdrawn at any time,
and thus lower the rail to the level of the pavement. Where iron
sleepers are used adjusting pieces may be employed in the same way, or
the stones may be raised to the level of the rail by resetting them with
an additional quantity of asphalt.
Thirdly. In order to secure a more perfect rail joint for the grooved
section of tramway rails I propose to fish them, either by means of iron
or steel plates bolted to the sides of the rails, such plates having by
preference projections on one side to fit into corresponding holes in the
sides of the rails, or by means of a plate of iron or steel fitting into the
_channel of the rail immediately underneath the head, and there firmly
secured by means of a taper cotter or bolt. This fishing plate may be
made of a solid section, or of steel slightly curved, to give a degree of
elasticity, and so allow a greater range for tightening up the cotter or
cotter bolt. In the latter case corrugations may be formed to prevent
the cotter working loose.
:
My Invention further relates to a timber pavement, which might be
adapted to tramways. I propose to cut a horizontal groove on each side
of the usual wooden naving blocks to regniize a tonane of wood on ixan

page_text: Bo as to bind the whole of the blocks together, and prevent one block or
row of blocks sinking below the others.
For the permanent way of railways I propose to employ a chair,
having on the one side a cast-iron jaw, and on the other or key side a
wrought-iron or steel jaw, whether of flat or channel-iron section, and
either cast in the chair or inserted afterwards, as may be considered best.
This key jaw is slightly corrugated on the inside, and set at a slight
angle to correspond, both as to the corrugations and the angle, with a
cast-iron taper key, which it is proposed to employ instead of wood, the
spring in the wrought-iron or steel jaw allowing the corrugations to pass
with driving, and preventing the key working loose. The rail does not
rest with its under head on the bottom of the chair, but is suspended or
supported by the cast-iron jaw and key under the top head. Or instead
of the wrought-iron or steel jaw I use a plain rather low cast-iron jaw, on
to which drops a cast-iron washer having a corrugated edge on the
inside, so that when the key is driven into its place the washer is screwed
down against it by means of a bolt and nut, and the key cannot work
loose.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Livesey in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 16th August 1875.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
LIVESEY, of 9, Victoria Chambers, Westminster, in the County of Mid-
dlesex, Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Eighteenth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the
thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said James Livesey, Her special
licence that I, the said James Livesey, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said James Livesey, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,

page_text: the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND STREET TRAMWAYS, AND PAVING
FOR THE SAME," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said James
Livesey, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing
under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Livesey, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the Drawings here-
unto annexed and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say) :—
My Invention of "Improvements in the Permanent Way of Railways
and Street Tramways and Paving for the same," is intended,-
In the first place to overcome the serious objection to tramways in the
public streets by the difficulty experienced in ordinary vehicles crossing
the rails at points where the stones have either sunk below the rail or
the rail below the stones, causing also great expense in repairs and
maintenance, and the object I have in view is the formation of a
tramway in such manner that the rail and pavement is maintained at
the same level.
Instead of bedding the pavement in sand or on concrete alone, I
propose to employ a plate of iron or timber of sufficient width for the
stones abutting against the rail to rest upon, such plate either to form
part of the sleeper carrying the rail or to be independent of it.
To
prevent jarring or vibration I propose to embed both the stones
and the sleepers in asphalt.
- Secondly. For a foundation independent of the plates referred to, and
formed in the following manner:-First a bed of concrete, on which is
spread a layer of suitably prepared asphalt, and the stones and sleepers
laid on or embedded in it.
In the third place, the stones being liable to wear faster than the rails,
and so leaving the rails above the level of the pavement, I insert in

page_text: the case of timber sleepers one or more thin strips of wood or packing.
pieces under the rails when the road is laid, which can be withdrawn at
any time, thus lowering the rail to the level of the pavement. Where.
iron sleepers are used, adjusting picces may be employed in the same.
way, or the stones may be raised to the level of the rail by resetting
them with an additional quantity of asphalt.
My Invention has for its object in the fourth place to secure a more
perfect rail joint for the grooved section of tramway rail, and this I do
by fishing them by means either of iron or steel plates bolted to the
sides of the rails, such plates having by preference projections or nipples
on one side to fit into corresponding holes in the flanges of the rails, or
by means of a plate of iron or steel fitting into the channel of the rail
immediately underneath the head, and there firmly secured by means
of a taper cotter or bolt. This fishing plate may be made of a solid
section, or slightly curved to give a degree of elasticity and allow a
greater range for tightening up the cotter or cotter bolt. In the
latter case corrugations may be formed to prevent the cotter working
loose.
My Invention consists in the fifth place of a timber pavement, which
might be adapted to tramways. I cut a horizontal groove on each side
of the usual wooden paving blocks to receive a tongue of wood or iron
so as to bind the whole of the blocks together, and prevent any one
block or row of blocks sinking below the others.
My Invention consists in the last place in employing a chair for
railways, having on the one side a cast-iron jaw, and on the other or
key side a wrought-iron or steel jaw, whether of flat or channel iron
section, and either cast in the chair or inserted afterwards as a loose
piece. This key jaw is slightly corrugated on the inside and set at a
slight angle to correspond both as to corrugations and angle with the
cast-iron taper key which I propose to employ instead of wood, the
spring in the wrought-iron or steel jaw allowing the corrugations to
with driving, and preventing the key working loose. The rail does
not rest with its under head on the bottom of the chair, but is suspended
or supported by the cast-iron jaw and key under the top head; or
instead of the wrought iron or steel jaw I use a plain rather low cast-
iron jaw, on to which fits a cast-iron washer having a corrugated edge
on the inside corresponding with the corrugations in the key, and
pass

page_text: гей дощ арт гото
In the Matter of Letters Patent granted to JAMES LIVESEY, of 9, Victoria
Chambers, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS
AND TRAMWAYS, AND PAVING FOR THE SAME," bearing date the 18th
February 1875, No. 599.
DISCLAIMER AND MEMORANDUM OF ALTERATION as proposed to be
entered by James Livesey, of 9 Victoria Chambers, Westminster, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, pursuant to the Statutes in that case made
and provided.
WHEREAS Her Majesty Queen Victoria by Her Letters Patent under the Great
Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the
Eighteenth day of February 1875, in the thirty-eighth year of Her Reign, did give
and grant unto the said James Livesey, his executors, administrators, and assigns,
the sole privilege for the term of fourteen years thence next ensuing, of making,
using, exercising, and vending within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, the said Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS, AND PAVING FOR
THE SAME:"
And whereas in pursuance of a proviso in the said Letters Patent contained,
the said James Livesey did within six calendar months next after the date of the
said Letters Patent cause a Specification or instrument in writing under his hand
and seal, purporting to describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be duly filed in the Great Seal
Patent Office :
And whereas since the filing of the said Specification, I, the said James Livesey,
have ascertained that parts of the Invention mentioned in the title of the said

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES LIVESEY,
of 9, Victoria Chambers, Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, Engineer, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters Patent
bearing date the Eighteenth day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
hundred and seventy-five, in the Thirty-eighth year of Her reign, did for herself,
her heirs, and successors, give and grant unto me, the said James Livesey, Her
special licence that I, the said James Livesey, my executors, administrators, and
assigns A should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time
and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS," upon the con-
dition (amongst others) that I, the said James Livesey, my executors or ad-
ministrators, by an instrument in writing, under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and iminediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent :-
or such others as I, the said James Livesey, my executors, adininistrators, and assigns

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said James Livesey, do hereby declare the nature
of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference
being had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked
thereon (that is to say):--
My Invention has for its object in the first place to secure a more perfect rail
joint for the grooved section of tramway rails, and this I do by fishing them by
means of a plate of iron or steel fitting into the channel of the rail immediately
underneath the head, and there firmly secured by means of a taper cotter or bolt.
This fishing plate may be made slightly curved to give a degree of elasticity, and
allow a greater range for tightening up the cotter or cotter bolt. In the latter caso
corrugations may be formed to prevent the cotter working loose.
My Invention consists in the last place in employing a chair for railways, having
on the one side a cast-iron jaw, and on the other or key side a wrought-iron or steel
jaw, whether of flat or channel iron section, and either cast in the chair or inserted
afterwards as a loose piece. This key jaw is slightly corrugated on the inside, and
set at a slight angle to correspond both as to corrugations and angle with the cast-
iron taper key, which I propose to employ instead of wood, the spirng in the
wrought-iron or steel jaw allowing the corrugations to pass with driving, and
preventing the key working loose. The rail does not rest with its under head on
the bottom of the chair, but is suspended or supported by the cast-iron jaw and
key under the top head; or instead of the wrought-iron or steel jaw, I use a plain
rather low cast-iron jaw, on to which fits a cast-iron washer, having a corrugated
edge on the inside corresponding with the corrugations in the key, and when the
key is driven into its place the washer is screwed down against it by means of a
bolt and nut, and the key cannot work loose.
Having thus stated the nature of the said Invention, I will proceed to describe
more particularly in what manner the same is to be performed by the aid of the
accompanying Drawings.
Fig. 8 is a section of a grooved tramway rail with a curved steel fishing plato g,
secured under the head of the rail by two or more taper cotters h having serrated
edges to prevent them working loose.
Fig. 11 represents a railway chair, having on one side a wrought-iron or steel
jaw m, m, cast or inserted in it at an angle, and being slightly corrugated on the
inside, as shewn; n is a cast-iron taper key, having corrugations to correspond
with those in the key jaw, the spring in the wrought-iron or steel jaw allowing
the corrugations to pass with driving. The rail is supported at the points o, o, under
the top head.
Fig. 12 represents a railway chair having a low cast-iron key jaw p, over which
fits a cast-iron washer with a corrugated edge on the inside; this washer is screwed
down against a cast-iron corrugated key r by means of a bolt and nut 8, as shown in
plan and elevation.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I hereby declare that what I claim as my Invention
is,-
First. Fishing the joints of grooved tramway rails, as shown and described with
reference to Fig. 8 of the accompanying Drawings.
And, lastly. The use of a railway chair, having an elastic jaw with corrugated or
serrated metal key, and the use of a railway chair with a bolt and serrated washer

page_text: to secure the key, as shown and described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Livesey. have hereunto set my hand and
seal, the Fourteenth day of August, in year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-five.
to secure the key, as shown and described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said James Livesey. have hereunto set my hand and
seal, the Fourteenth day of August, in year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-five.
JAMES LIVESEY. (L.S.)
In witness whereof, I, the said James Livesey, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
seal, the Fourteenth day of August, in year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-five.
JAMES LIVESEY. (L.S.)
In witness whereof, I, the said James Livesey, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-eight.
Witness,
JOHN IMRAY,
20, Southampton Buildings,
London,
Engineer,
JAMES LIVESEY. (L.S.)
I hereby grant my Fiat, giving leave to the above-named James Livesey to file in
the Great Seal Patent Office, with the Specification to which the same relates, the
above-written Disclaimer and Memorandum of Alteration.
Dated this Fifteenth day of April 1878.