IMPROVEMENTS IN SPLIT SPIKES
Year: 1868

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the "International
Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, for the Invention
of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPLIT SPIKES."-A communication from abroad
by George W. McGill, of Washington, District of Columbia,
United States of America.
Sealed the 27th March 1868, and dated the 8th February 1868.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition and
Declaration, on the 8th February 1868, pursuant to the 9th Section
of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the "International Patent Office," No. 8, Southampton
Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Consulting
Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS I am in possession of an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN SPLIT SPIKES," and have petitioned Her Majesty to grant unto me,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, Her Royal Letters Patent

page_text: for the same, and have made solemn Declaration that it has been
communicated to me from abroad by George W. McGill, of Washington,
District of Columbia, United States of America.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do
hereby declare that the following Complete Specification, under my
hand and scal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Sheet of Drawings forming a part of this Specification.
The nature of this Invention consists, first, in making a spike with two ]
prongs of unequal length and size, the shorter and smaller prong being
so bevelled at its point that on being driven into the wood it will
diverge and separate from the main prong, and will keep the said spike
from becoming loose or drawing out.
A modification of my improvements consists in forming a short prong
on each side of the main prong, the ends of these short prongs being
bevelled either on the same or opposite sides.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS..
Figures 1 and 2 represent one of my improved two-pronged spikes;
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a three-pronged spike; and Figures 5 and 6
a modification of the same. Like letters indicate the same parts in
each of the Figures.
The double-pronged spike, Figures 1 and 2, is the one best adapted
for common use on railways in all work where iron rails are used.
On driving it into any timber the main stem a penetrates the same
in the direction in which it is driven. When the prong 6 enters the
wood the single bevel of its point c forces it away from the main stem a
in an oblique direction, causing the spike when in the timber to assume
the shape represented in Figure 2. This improved spike will hold its
place in any timber with much greater tenacity than common spikes
now in use, it therefore greatly increases the security with which the
rail is held to its place, and makes the road where it is used much
firmer, better, and more durable. The expenses now necessary to
re-drive loosened spikes, and to reset displaced rails and ties or sleepers
will be reduced by more than one-half. The liability to accident and
the wear of the rolling stock and of the permanent way consequent
upon the rail not being securely held in its place are also greatly

page_text: diminished. This spike resists a pulling power with greater tenacity
than common spikes, and its prong 6 acting as a brace resists any
lateral or pushing strains which tend to loosen it. The great tenacity
of my improved spike allows light and porous wood to be advan-
tageously used for ties, such wood being cheaper and more durable
than many other kinds generally used. When withdrawn from the
timber into which it has been driven the spike can be fitted for further
use by simply bending back the prong into the position shown in
Figure 1.
My improved three-pronged spikes, Figures 3, 4, and 5, 6, are of
use only where their removal for repairing or other purposes will not
be required, the tenacity of these spikes being so great that they cannot
be employed where frequent changes are necessary. When either of
these spikes is driven into the timber the prongs 6 assume the position
represented in Figures 4 and 6.
Having thus fully described the said improvements as communicated
to me by my foreign correspondent, and shewn how the same may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I claim, a spiko
constructed with either one or two prongs smaller and shorter than
the main prong or stem of the spike, and so beveled as to form a brace
or barb, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighth day of February, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-eight.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE. (L.S.)
Witness,
Tuos: N. PALMER,
Clerk to Messrs. Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
8, Southampton Buildings,
W.C.