Year: 1877

page_text: I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co, Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London, seek leave to amend the specification of Letters
Patent, No. 1508 of 1877, as shown in red ink in the copy of the original
specification hereunto annexed.
My reasons for making this amendment are as follows:-I wish to eliminate
from the said Letters Patent all those portions of the invention which were not
undoubtedly new at the date thereof.
In the matter of the application made by William Robert Lake for leave to amend
the Specification of Letters Patent N° 1508 of 1877.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF JOINTS FOR UNITING AND SECURING
THE ENDS OF RAILWAY RAILS, IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTS
OF THE SAME, AND IN THE BOLTS OR SCREWS AND NUTS TO BE USED IN CON-
NECTION THEREWITH OR WITH OTHER RAIL JOINTS." A communication from
abroad by Alfred Buckingham Ibbotson, of Florence, in the Kingdom of
Italy.
Sealed the 31st July 1877, and dated the 18th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the Firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
JOINTS FOR UNITING AND SECURING THE ENDS OF RAILWAY RAILS, IN APPARATUS
FOR MANUFACTURING PARTS OF THE SAME, AND IN THE BOLTS OR SCREWS AND
NUTS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH OR WITH OTHER RAIL JOINTS,"
A communication from abroad by Alfred Buckingham Ibbotson of Florence in
the Kingdom of Italy.
The said Invention relates partly to further improvements in the railway rail joints
or fastenings described in the Specification of an Invention for which Letters Patent
were granted to Alfred Buckingham Ibbotson dated the 7th of August A.D. 1869
No. 2366 and to the mode of manufacturing portions of the said joints, parts of
the said improvements being applicable to other kinds of rail joints.
The objects of these improvements are to provide the means for preventing any
accumulation of dust or sand between the ends of the rails and to securely and
conveniently unite and fasten together the ends of railway rails. These objects are
effected by the employment of peculiarly formed clips or sheaths of steel, iron or
other suitable metal with or without certain fish plates bolts, set screws, pieces or
parts herein-after described.
The nature of one part of the said Invention consists in the formation in the base
of the clip or sheath of a hole or holes of a peculiar shape for letting out the sand
or dust which may fall between the ends of the said rails and which might other-
wise interfere with the expansion of the rails in hot weather. One hole may be
sufficient for this purpose if formed in such a position in the base of the clip that
when the same is tixed on the rail the said hole will be immediately underneath the
space left for expansion between the ends of the rails. This hole is formed with its
edges or a portion thereof projecting downwards or with its upper side counter-
sunk or funnel shaped so that this upper portion shall have a channel or
funnel shaped or depressed part leading downwards towards the hole itself to

page_text: conduct the sand or dust through such hole and thereby prevent any accumulation
of the same between the ends of the rails. This hole is preferably formed through
the centre of the base of the clip while the same is hot by a punch having a cutting
surface of small diameter with a gradually increasing diameter for some distance
upwards, so that, while the point of the punch makes the necessary hole the thicker
portion forces the edges of the hole downwards to cause them to dip below the level
of the base of the clip thus forming the funnel-shaped depression all round the hole
inside the base of the clip. The sand or dust collected therein will be conducted to
the holes and discharged by its own weight and the vibration of the traffic and
will pass to the ground. The forming of these holes in the manner specified
increases the vertical depth of the base of the clip, at or surrounding the said bole,
and counteracts the weakening effect of making a hole or holes in the said clip.
Another part of this Invention consists in the use of external fish plates of
greater length than the clip with which they are combined in the said joints. These
elongated fish plates are designed to permit the use of extra bolts through them
and the rails outside both ends of the clip to prevent any hinge motion while the.
joint is subjected to traffic and to give greater strength and security to the joint
without so seriously increasing the cost as the elongation of the clip would involve.
These fish plates may be used in combination with a clip made in one piece and so
shaped as to pass under the bottom or base of the rails and extend upwards and
embrace their two sides, rising high enough on each side to come in contact with
the under surface of the heads of the rails and afford support to the same, and these
external fish plates may be formed of the same breadth and thickness throughout
their entire length and of the proper form to fit the external sides of the clip at
their central or middle portion, thus giving additional vertical strength to the clip
and they are made to extend sufficiently far beyond each end of the clip to allow
bolts or screws to be passed through their projecting ends and the rails. Where
these external elongated fish plates are of the same thickness and breadth through-
out their whole length and fit against the sides of the clip at their centres a washer
or piece of metal is placed between them and the rails at each of their ends; this
washer or piece is of the same shape and thickness as those portions of the sides of
the clip which rest upon the upper portion of the lower head, base, or flange of the
rails and extend up the vertical sides of the web of the rails and which bear
against and support the under side of the heads of the rails.
In addition to the use of a bolt or bolts which may be passed through the central
part of these fish plates and the clip and the rails, other bolts may be passed through
the ends of these fish plates the said washers and the rails outside of and beyond
both ends of the enclosed clip.
Or both ends of each fish plate which extend beyond the clip may have
pieces of metal of somewhat similar shape to the aforesaid washers welded to them
in such a manner as to cause those parts to fit well against the sides of the rails
while the central portions of the fish plates fit equally well against the external
sides of the clip enclosed by them; in the latter case no loose washers will be
required between the ends of such plates and the rails.
Or the ends of these fish plates may be formed with the necessary thickness and
width and section out of a solid piece of metal.
Or the said elongated fish plates may be of the correct thickness throughout to fit
against the external sides of the clip and of the proper breadth and shape at their
ends to fit against the upper side of the flange or lower head of the rails and the
lower side of the head of the rails, their edges in their central portions that are
required to fit against the clip being cut out by a punching or shearing machine.
For this purpose the said plates are placed on a sloping bed piece fixed at a proper
angle with regard to the punch or shear blade and arranged with guides, or stops, or
holding-down pieces to cause the vertical downward, or other movement of the
punch or shear blade to cut out exactly the right length and breadth of material

page_text: from the edge of the fish plate and give its central portion the exact bevil required
to fit tightly and correctly against the external side of the clip to be enclosed by the
said fish plates. Therefore when these fish plates are applied and secured to the
joint they will not only fit tightly against the external sides of the clip in their
central portion but will fit equally woll against the rails themselves at each end
beyond the ends of the clip.
Or these long fish plates may be formed to fit against the external sides of the
clip in their centres, and with a bend inwards to fit against the rails beyond each
end of the clip.
Or instead of using these long tish plates in combination, in or under their central
portion, with a clip which has its sides extending so far upwards as to afford a
support underneath the heads of the rails I sometimes use a clip whose sides do not
extend up to the head of the rails but only far enough upward against the web for
the bolt or bolts to pass through them and the rails; in this case the central part
of the lower edges of these long fish plates only will have to be cut out to fit the clip
and the upper edges of these fish plates will bear directly against the under side of,
and support, the heads of the rails in a straight line throughout their entire length;
and the plates will have nearly their full breadth in their central portion.
Although the aforesaid clips and fish plates may be made of any suitable metal,
I prefer to form them of steel and if the said clips and plates be carefully hardened
and then tempered or "let down" after hardening their strength and elasticity will
be increased.
Any suitable bolts and nuts may be used in connection with the above-described
clips and fish plates but I prefer to dispense with the use of nuts as much as possible
by tapping a bolt hole or bolt holes in one of the fish plates so that I can pass
simple bolts or set screws through one fish plate, the clip, and the rails, and screw
them into the tapped holes in the other fish plate, and some of the holes in both
fish plates may be tapped so that some of the bolts may be screwed in from one side
and some of them from the other side of the joint.
Or I may use steel nuts with iron bolts or steel bolts with iron nuts as herein-
after described.
Another part of this Invention relates to bolts or screws and nuts to be used in
connection with the above-described clips and fish plates when the latter are made
of steel which may be hardened and tempered. This part of my Invention is
carried into practice as follows that is to say, I form the bolt or screw of iron or
other metal softer than the metal of the fish plates and cut the thread on these
bolts only on a portion of the length required so that when the bolt is screwed into
the fish plate by means of a powerful spanner or screw wrench or other implement
while making the last few turns of the said implement the thread of the bolt hole
in the fish plate being of steel and harder than the bolt will act like a screw plate
on that part of the surface of the said bolt or screw left unscrewed and will cut the
remainder of the thread so left unscrewed on the bolt.
Or if I form these fish plates of iron, or other metal softer than steel I use steel
bolts or set screws hardened and tempered and with properly cut threads and tap
or screw a portion only of the thread in the holes of the fish plates, then by the
force applied to the bolt in screwing it into its place the steel thread on the said
bolt or screw will cut the remainder of the thread in the soft metal bolt hole.
In either case above specified the bolts will remain tight in throughout all vibra-
tion of the traffic for an exceedingly long time.
I adapt this part of the said Invention for the use of steel nuts whose threads are
properly cut in connection with bolts of a softer metal than steel and whose
threads are only partially screwed for the purpose of tightening up the previously
described clips and fish plates or any ordinary fish plate joint or for other purposes
or for the use of steel bolts or set screws properly screwed or threaded in connection

page_text: with nuts of iron or other metal softer than steel which have their bolt hole threads
only partially tapped or screwed for the like purposes.
And this part of the said Invention may be applied to ordinary fish plates made
of steel in connection with bolts or set screws of iron or other metal softer than
steel with their thread only partially cut thereon or to fish plates made of metal
softer than steel in connection with steel or hard bolta or screws with their threads
properly cut as above described.
And according to my Invention either the completely cut threads on the bolts or
screws or those in the bolt holes or nuts which are required to complete the cutting
of the partially cut threads in the act of screwing or tightening the bolt or screw in
the joint if made in any softer metal than steel may have the required hardness
imparted to them by the process known as case hardening or by any other process
which will accomplish the desired object.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th October 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE of the Firm of Haseltine Lake & Co. Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
JOINTS FOR UNITING AND SECURING THE ENDS OF RAILWAY RAILS IN-APPARATUS
FOR MANUFACTURING PARTS OF THE SAME AND IN THE BOLTS OR SCREWS AND
NUTS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH OR WITH OTHER RAIL JOINTS."
communication to me from abroad by Alfred Buckingham Ibbotson of Florence in
the Kingdom of Italy.
A
The said Invention relates partly to further improvements in the railway rail
joints or fastenings described in the Specification of an Invention for which Letters
Patent were granted to the said Alfred Buckingham Ibbotson dated the 7th day of
August A.D. 1869 No. 2366 and to the mode of manufacturing portions of the
said joints, the said improvements being partly applicable to other kinds of rail
joints.
The main objects of these improvements are is to provide the means for preventing
any-accumulation of dust or sand between the ends of the rails and to securely and
conveniently uniteing and fastening together the ends of railway rails.-These
objects are effected by the employment of peculiarly formed clips or cheaths of
steel, iron, or other suitable metal, with or without certain fish plates, bolts, set
screws, pieces, or parts herein after described.
The nature of one part of the said Invention consists in providing the base of
the clip or sheath with a hole or holes for letting-out the sand or dust-which-may
fall between the ends of the said rails, and which might otherwise interfere with
the expansion of the rails-in-hot-weather.
Another part of this Invention consists in the use of external fish plates of greater
length than the clip with which they are combined in a rail joint. These elongated
fish plates are designed-to-permit the use of extra bolts passed through them and
the projecting ends of the rails-to prevent any "hinge"-motion while the joint is
subjected to pressure or strain of the traffic, and to augment the strength and
security of the joint without such a serious increase in its cost as the elongation of
the clip would involve.
Another part of the said Invention-consists in the combination with a punching
or shearing machine of apparatus-for-the-manufacture of these fish plates.
Another part of this Invention relates to by means of bolts or screws and nuts
to be used in connection with the above described-rail joints or other rail joints
and which have their threads formed in a peculiar manner to prevent the
accidental slacking or loosening of the said bolts screws or nuts by vibration or
otherwise.

page_text: Figure 5, is a side elevation and Figure 6, is a plan or top view illustrating a modi.
fication of my improved the said joint Figure 7 is a transverse section on the
line z z Figure 5.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate my improved method of forming the screw threads on
the screws or bolts, or in the fish plates or nuts used for my improved, or other rail
joints to cause the same to keep tight while in use.
Figures 10, 11, and 12, show various forms of fish plates herein-after described.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
a, a are the rails; b is the clip; c, c are the fish plates; d is a dipping hole for
letting out the sand; is a countersunk hole for letting out the sand; ff are the
bolts or screws and g g are nuts which may be used for securing the bolts or
some of them; a¹, a¹ are sloping under surfaces of the heads of the rails; a³, a³
are sloping upper surfaces of the flange or base of the rails; a³ is the web of the
rail; 61, 6 are portions of the clip which fit against and support the under sloping
surface of the heads of the rails; b', 6', are the vertical sides of the clips; o, c¹, aro
the central portions of the fish plates which fit against the clip; o, o are the
upper edges of the fish plates; c³, c³, are the lower edges of the said fish plates;
c', c, are projecting ends of the same.
I partly accomplish the objects of this Invention by the use of a clip or sheath b
of steel or other metal that will embrace and enclose the base and sides of the two
ends of the rails joined thereby. In the base of this clip or sheath I form a hole or
holes for letting out the sand or dust which may fall between the ends of the said
rails and which might otherwise interfere with the expansion of the rails in hot
weather. One hole may be sufficient for this purpose if formed in such a position
in the base of the clip that when the same is fixed on the rails the said hole will be
immediately underneath the space, left for expansion between the ends of the rails.
This hole is formed with its edges, or a portion thereof, projecting downward as
shewn at d in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 or with its upper side countersunk or funnel
shaped as shewn at e Figure 7, so that this upper portion shall have a channel, or
funnel-shaped, or depressed part leading downwards towards the hole itself to
conduct the sand or dust through such hole and thereby prevent any accumulation
of the same between the ends of the rails. This hole d is formed through the
centre of the base of the clip (preferably while the same is hot) by a punch
baving a small diameter at and near its cutting point for punching the hole
with a gradually increasing diameter commencing slightly above its cutting point.
While the point of this punch makes the necessary hole, the upwardly aloping and
thicker portion forces the edges of the hole downward to cause them to dip below
the level of the base of the clip, thus forming the funnel-shaped depression all
round the hole inside the base of the clip. The sand or dust collected thereon will
be conducted to the holes and discharged through the same by its own weight
and the vibration of the traffic, and will pass to the ground. The forming of these
holes in the manner specified increases the vertical depth of the base of the clip at
or surrounding the said holes, and counteracts the weakening effect of making a
bole or holes in the said clip. Therefore the clips or sheaths with this contrivance
for letting out the sand or dust may be used without any of the fish plates, bolts,
set screws or nuts all as herein-after fully set forth, or in combination therewith,
or with any other kind of fastenings.
I further partly accomplish the objects of this Invention by the sometimes use of
elongated external fish plates c in combination with the sheaths or clips b, or in
combination with a modified form of such clips and with the peculiar bolts, set
screws, or nuts, all as herein-after fully set forth or with such clips and-ordinary
bolts and nuts or set screws.
The aforesaid peculiar external fish plates c are formed to project beyond both
ends of the clip 6. They are secured to the rails at their central portion by a bolt
or bolts passing through them and the clip, and are as much longer than the said
clip as will allow sufficient space in their projecting ends c, for additional bolts.

page_text: or set screws to be passed through them and the rails without passing through
the clip.
One mode of constructing these long fish plates is to form them straight and of
the correct thickness throughout their entire length, as shewn in Figure 10, and I
make them first of uniform breadth from end to end with the correct bevel on their
upper and lower edges to cause them to fit closely throughout their entire length
against the under sides of the heads of the rails a¹, a¹ and against the sloping upper
Bides of the bases of the rails a', a' at the exact distance from the webs a³ of the
rails so that the clip to be enclosed by them would keep their projecting ends c³,
from such webs, I then shear or punch out the central portions of both their upper
and lower edges and bevel the said edges to fit at those parts as closely against the
external sides of the clip as their projecting ends will fit against the rails themselves
at and beyond both ends of the clip, as shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Or these long external fish plates c may be made of one solid piece by forging, or
may have portions welded to them in the form shewn either in Figure 11 or 12 and
in such a manner that they shall be of the correct breadth, thickness, and bevel
in their central parts and at their projecting ends c, c, as will cause them to fit
against both the external sides of the clip in their central portions and against the
rails themselves at their said ends.
Or these long external fish plates c may be straight and of equal thickness
throughout, as shewn in Figure 10, and of equal breadth, and uniformly bevelled
throughout to fit against the external sides of the clip, and a washer or piece of
metal of the same thickness and shape as those portions of the clip enclosed by the
Baid fish plates, may be inserted between their projecting ends c, c, and the rails, so
that when the bolts are screwed up these fish plates will support and press against
the clip and the rails equally.
In Figures 5, 6 and 7 I have shewn a modification in the form of both the
clips b and the long external fish plates c to be used in combination therewith,
whereby the total cost of the joint may be somewhat reduced and the strength of
the said long fish plates in their central portions will be increased. I accomplish
these objects in the following manner, namely, I form the clip b with its sides or
vertical parts of diminished height, that is to say, these sides are of sufficient height
to allow bolt holes to be formed for screws or bolts to pass through them, the fish
plates, and the rails; and I form the whole of the upper edges of these fish plates o
straight from end to end, and properly bevel them to fit directly against the under
side of the heads of the rails throughout the entire length of the fish plates. With
this construction of my joint the central portion of the lower edge only of these fish
plates will require to be cut away at the proper bevel to form an aperture or space
for the clip, upon which it will rest. Therefore the upper portion of the
central part of these fish plates will remain intact, and the strength of the plate
will be proportionately greater.
To ensure the expeditious and correct cutting out of the central part of the edge
or edges of the above described fish plates to leave them the exact breadth and
bevel required; the said fish plates, are placed on a sloping bed piece-fixed-at-a
proper-angle-with regard to the cutting instrument, punch, or shear blade where,
with guides or stops and holding down pieces, they are held in proper position to
enable the vertical downward or other movement of the punch or shear blade to
out out exactly the right length-and-breadth of material from the edge of the fish
plate and give its central portion the exact bevel required to fit tightly and-correctly
against-the-external side of the clip to be enclosed by the said fish plate. Therefore
when these fish plates are applied and secured to the joint they will not only fit
tightly against the external sides of the clip in their central portion but will fit
equally well against the rails themselves at their ends which project or extend
beyond the clip.
Although the clips b and the elongated fish plates o above described may be formed
of any kind of metal I prefer to use steel for this purpose, and the same may be
hardened and tempered,

page_text: Any suitable bolts and nuts may be used in connection with the above described
elips and fish plates, but I may dispense with the use of nuts and form screw threads
in the bolt holes in one of the fish plates so that bolts or set screws may be
passed through one fish plate and the clip (where the latter extends between the
fish plates and the rails) and be screwed into the tapped bolt holes in the other fish
plate, as shewn in Figures 2, 3 and 4, bolts so secured being less liable to become
loose through vibration than when ordinary nuts are used. Or one or more of the
bolt holes in one fish plate, and one or more of those in the other plate may be
tapped or screw-threaded so that some of the bolts may be screwed in from one
side and some from the other side of the joint like the three central bolts shewn in
Figure 6; or I may use the steel fish plates or steel nuts with iron bolts or the
steel bolts with iron fish plates or iron nuts or otherwise as herein-after described
in combination with the whole, or a portion of the bolt holes in these joints.
In the joints shewn in Figures 5, 6, 7, the lower edges of the fish plates are not
only made to enclose and fit against, and upon, the clip, but upon the eloping upper
edges of the base of the rails beyond the ends of the clip b, and one of the bolts is
screwed into one of the fish plates, two of them into the other fish plate, and the two
external bolts are secured by nuts.
The part of this Invention relating to the screws or screw bolts and their nuts
or tapped holes is carried into practice by the peculiar manner of forming the
threads in one part that is to say in either the male or female part of a screw
fastening the screw threads being so formed that the completely cut thread of the
one part will complete the cutting of the thread in, or on, the other part.
The object of this part of my Invention is to render such bolts more permanently
and reliably tight in these joints without using for this purpose any separate or
special contrivances such as extra locking nuts, springs, elastic washers, plates,
screw or split pins or the like, which increase the cost of the screws or bolts and
are themselves liable to derangement or detachment.
It is well known to all persons familiar with the subject to which this Invention
appertains that this liability of the screws or bolts and nuts to detachment and loss
and the danger thereby caused to the permanent way is a continual source of
anxiety and inconvenience.
This part of my Invention is carried into practice in the following manner, that is
to say. When a fish plate in which I form fully tapped or threaded bolt holes is
made of steel I use bolts or screws made of softer metal (by preference of iron) and
cut their screw thread upon them only a portion of the length that will be required
to enter the tapped hole or nut as shewn by the full lines f¹, Figure 8, so that
when such bolts are being screwed into the said steel fish plate, the thread in the
latter being formed of harder metal than the said bolts will, in the act of screwing up
during the last few turns of the wrench or other implement, act like a screw plate
and will cut the remainder of the screw thread required for tightening up the joint
on the said bolts or screws on that portion of their surface shewn by the dotted
lines f. When the fish plates are made of softer metal than steel I may case-
harden or otherwise harden the threads in their tapped bolt holes; or when they
are made of steel I may harden and temper those parts to enable them to ac-
complish the same object, namely the completion of the thread upon the softer and
partially screwed bolts or screws while the same are being forcibly screwed into
the said plates. On the other hand when the tapped fish plates are formed of iron
or of other metal softer than steel, the threads of their tapped holes may be only
partially cut and the bolts or screws have their threads fully cut upon them; the
said bolts or screws are made of steel, tempered or untempered having their
threads casebardened or otherwise made harder than the thread of the said hole, so
that when the said bolts or screws are screwed into such bolt holes with the
necessary force, their hard threads will cut or form the remainder of the thread in
the said bolt holes.
=

page_text: Or instead of tapping any or all of the bolt holes in the fish plates, steel nuts,
tempered or untempered, and with properly cut threads, or iron nuts with such
threads, case or surface hardened, may be used for the tightening up and completing
the cutting of the threads of the partially cut bolts or screws F; or nuts of softer
metal than steel, having their threads partially cut, as shewn in Figure 9 may be
used in connection with steel bolts tempered or untempered, and which have their
threads properly or fully cut; or such nuts may be used with iron bolts or set screws
that have properly cut threads, case or surface hardened, for the purpose of cutting
the remainder of the partially cut threads in the nuts shown in Figure 9 in the aet
of screwing the said nuts and bolts together.
This part of my Invention by which a hard and completely cut thread is made to
complete the cutting of the thread of a partially screwed surface is not only
applicable for use in combination with the above described joints but is applicable
to all other railway rail joints where bolts or screws are used and will ensure the
tightness of such joints for an extremely long period notwithstanding the vibration
of the traffic which so soon loosens ordinary bolts and nuts used in rail joints.
When a completely cut hard thread as herein-before described is to be used for
completing the cutting of the remainder of the thread required on a softer surface
on which the thread has been only partially cut, with the object of tightening up
joints for rails, in the act of screwing up the bolts or nuts of the same, such
completely cut hard threads may have one or more grooves formed across their
threads like a screw plate in the case of female screws or like a screw tap in the
case of male screws to form a keener cutting edge or edges to facilitate the action
of the hard thread in cutting its way or completing the other thread.
•
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same I wish it understood
that I claim.
First A-clip-for railway rails provided in its base or under side with the hole or
holes, and with the internal funnel shaped, or similar depression or depressions, and
the external depressed or dipping portion or portions, as in Figures 3 and 4 er
countersunk in its inner or upper-side without any external dipping portion, as in
Figure 7, for the purposes-specified.
Second In a joint for uniting and securing together the ends of railway-rails,
the combination, with a clip, of the fish plates elongated or extended at the ends
beyond the said clip, and which fish plates have their different portions fitted and
bearing against, or upon, the external sides of the clip and rails, and have their ends
fastened by screws or screw-bolts--and nuts, all as above set forth and for the
purposes-specified.
Third In a railway rail joint consisting essentially of a clip in combination
with-such elongated fish plates, the modification thereof in which the fish plates
have their ends that extend beyond the ends of the clip, made of greater width
than-their-central portion, and fitted to the rails, and with the said ends of the same
thickness as the central portion of the clip, or formed as shewn in Figure-11 or
Figure 12 of the Drawings, all as above set forth and for the purposes-specified.
Fourth In-a-railway rail joint consisting essentially of a clip and elongated or
extended fish plates, the modification thereof, in which the said elongated fish plates
are used in combination with metal plates or washers, placed between the rails and
the ends or parts of the plates which extend beyond the ends of the clip, as above
set forth, and for the purposes specified.
Fifth In a railway rail joint in which a clip is used in combination with
elongated fish plates as above described, the modification thereof illustrated in
Figure 5, wherein the rail heads, are supported by the upper edges of the fich
plates throughout the entire length of the latter, and the clip is of diminished
height, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.

page_text: Sixth First. In a railway joint, ensuring the permanent retention of a screw or
screw bolt in its nut or hole, or of a screw nut, upon its screw or screw bolt, without,
any special or separate locking devices, by the combination of a completely cut
screw thread, on or in, the one part, with an incomplete or partially cut thread, on
or in, the other part, as above set forth.
Seventh Second. For uniting and securing together the ends of railway rails, a
joint consisting of a clip which embraces the sides and lower portion of the rails, in
connection with fish plates placed outside of, and extending or elongated beyond,
the ends of the said clip, and secured by screws whose safe retention is ensured by
the peculiar manner of forming their threads, as above set forth.
Eighth The apparatus used in the manufacture of the parts of my improved
joints, comprising the sloping bed piece in combination with a punch or outter in a
punching or shearing machine, as above set forth-and-for-the-purposes specified.
In witness whereof I the said William Robert Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF JOINTS FOR UNITING AND SECURING
THE ENDS OF RAILWAY RAILS, IN APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING PARTS
OF THE SAME, AND IN THE BOLTS OR SCREWS AND NUTS TO BE USED IN CON-
NECTION THEREWITH OR WITH OTHER RAIL JOINTS." A communication from
abroad by Alfred Buckingham Ibbotson, of Florence, in the Kingdom of
Italy.
Sealed the 31st July 1877, and dated the 18th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th April 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
JOINTS FOR UNITING AND SECURING THE ENDS OF RAILWAY RAILS, IN APPARATUS
FOR MANUFACTURING PARTS OF THE SAME, AND IN THE BOLTS OR SCREWS AND
NUTS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, OR WITH OTHER RAIL JOINTS."
A communication from abroad by Alfred Buckingham Ibbotson, of Florence, in
the Kingdom of Italy.
The said Invention relates partly to further improvements in the railway rail joints
or fastenings described in the Specification of an Invention, for which Letters Patent
were granted to Alfred Buckingham Ibbotson, dated the 7th of August, A.D. 1869,
No. 2366, and to the mode of manufacturing portions of the said joints, parts of
the said improvements being applicable to other kinds of rail joints.
The objects of these improvements are to provide the means for preventing any
accumulation of dust or sand between the ends of the rails, and to securely and
conveniently unite and fasten together the ends of railway rails. These objects are
effected by the employment of peculiarly formed clips or sheaths of steel, iron, or
other suitable metal, with or without certain fish plates, bolts, set screws, pieces, or
parts herein-after described.
The nature of one part of the said Invention consists in the formation, in the base

page_text: of the clip or sheath, of a hole or holes of a peculiar shape for letting out the sand
or dust which may fall between the ends of the said rails, and which might other-
wise interfere with the expansion of the rails in hot weather. One hole may be
sufficient for this purpose, if formed in such a position in the base of the clip that
when the same is fixed on the rail the said hole will be immediately underneath the
space left for expansion between the ends of the rails. This hole is formed with its
edges or a portion thereof projecting downwards, or with its upper side counter-
sunk or funnel shaped, so that this upper portion shall have a channel or
funnel shaped or depressed part leading downwards towards the hole itself to
conduct the sand or dust through such hole, and thereby prevent any accumulation
of the same between the ends of the rails. This hole is preferably formed through
the centre of the base of the clip while the same is hot by a punch having a cutting
surface of small diameter, with a gradually increasing diameter for some distance
upwards, so that while the point of the punch makes the necessary hole the thicker
portion forces the edges of the hole downwards to cause them to dip below the level
of the base of the clip, thus forming the funnel-shaped depression all round the hole
inside the base of the clip. The sand or dust collected therein will be conducted to
the holes, and discharged by its own weight and the vibration of the traffic, and
will pass to the ground. The forming of these holes in the manner specified
increases the vertical depth of the base of the clip at or surrounding the said hole,
and counteracts the weakening effect of making a hole or holes in the said clip.
Another part of this Invention consists in the use of external fish plates of
greater length than the clip with which they are combined in the said joints. These
elongated fish plates are designed to permit the use of extra bolts through them,
and the rails outside both ends of the clip to prevent any hinge motion while the
joint is subjected to traffic, and to give greater strength and security to the joint
without so seriously increasing the cost as the elongation of the clip would involve.
These fish plates may be used in combination with a clip made in one piece, and so
shaped as to pass under the bottom or base of the rails, and extend upwards and
embrace their two sides, rising high enough on each side to come in contact with
the under surface of the heads of the rails, and afford support to the same, and these
external fish plates may be formed of the same breadth and thickness throughout
their entire length, and of the proper form to fit the external sides of the clip at
their central or middle portion, thus giving additional vertical strength to the clip,
and they are made to extend sufficiently far beyond each end of the clip to allow
bolts or screws to be passed through their projecting ends and the rails. Where
these external elongated fish plates are of the same thickness and breadth through-
out their whole length, and fit against the sides of the clip at their centres, a washer
or piece of metal is placed between them and the rails at each of their ends; this
washer or piece is of the same shape and thickness as those portions of the sides of
the clip which rest upon the upper portion of the lower head, base, or flange of the
rails, and extend up the vertical sides of the web of the rails, and which bear
against and support the under side of the heads of the rails.
In addition to the use of a bolt or bolts which may be passed through the central
part of these fish plates and the clip and the rails, other bolts may be passed through
the ends of these fish plates, the said washers, and the rails outside of and beyond
both ends of the enclosed clip.
Or both ends of each fish plate which extend beyond the clip may have
pieces of metal of somewhat similar shape to the aforesaid washers welded to them
in such a manner as to cause those parts to fit well against the sides of the rails,
while the central portions of the fish plates fit equally well against the external
sides of the clip enclosed by them; in the latter case no loose washers will be
required between the ends of such plates and the rails.
Or the ends of these fish plates may be formed, with the necessary thickness and
width and section, out of a solid piece of metal.
Or the said elongated fish plates may be of the correct thickness throughout to fit
´ against the external sides of the clip, and of the proper breadth and shape at their

page_text: ends to fit against the upper side of the flange or lower head of the rails and the
lower side of the head of the rails, their edges in their central portions that are
required to fit against the clip being cut out by a punching or shearing machine.
For this purpose the said plates are placed on a sloping bed piece fixed at a proper
angle with regard to the punch or shear blade, and arranged with guides or stops or
holding-down pieces to cause the vertical downward or other movement of the
punch or shear blade to cut out exactly the right length and breadth of material
from the edge of the fish plate, and give its central portion the exact bevil required
to fit tightly and correctly against the external side of the clip to be enclosed by the
said fish plates; therefore, when these fish plates are applied and secured to the
joint, they will not only fit tightly against the external sides of the clip in their
central portion, but will fit equally well against the rails themselves at each end
beyond the ends of the clip.
Or these long fish plates may be formed to fit against the external sides of the
clip in their centres, and with a bend inwards to fit against the rails beyond each
end of the clip.
Or instead of using these long fish plates in combination in or under their central
position, with a clip which has its sides extending so far upwards as to afford a
support underneath the heads of the rails, I sometimes use a clip whose sides do not
extend up to the head of the rails, but only far enough upward against the web for
the bolt or bolts to pass through them and the rails; in this case the central part
of the lower edges of these long fish plates only will have to be cut out to fit the clip,
and the upper edges of these fish plates will bear directly against the under side of
and support the heads of the rails in a straight line throughout their entire length,
and the plates will have nearly their full breadth in their central portion.
Although the aforesaid clips and fish plates may be made of any suitable metal,
I prefer to form them of steel, and if the said clips and plates be carefully hardened
and then tempered or "let down" after hardening their strength and elasticity will
be increased.
Any suitable bolts and nuts may be used in connection with the above-described
clips and fish plates, but I prefer to dispense with the use of nuts as much as possible
by tapping a bolt hole or bolt holes in one of the fish plates, so that I can pass
simple bolts or set screws through one fish plate, the clip, and the rails, and screw
them into the tapped holes in the other fish plate, and some of the holes in both
fish plates may be tapped so that some of the bolts may be screwed in from one side
and some of them from the other side of the joint.
Or I may use steel nuts with iron bolts, or steel bolts with iron nuts, as herein-
after described.
Another part of this Invention relates to bolts or screws and nuts to be used in
connection with the above-described clips and fish plates when the latter are made
of steel, which may be hardened and tempered. This part of my Invention is
carried into practice as follows, that is to say:-I form the bolt or screw of iron or
other metal softer than the metal of the fish plates, and cut the thread on these
bolts only on a portion of the length required, so that when the bolt is screwed into
the fish plate by means of a powerful spanner or screw wrench or other implement,
while making the last few turns of the said implement, the thread of the bolt hole
in the fish plate being of steel and harder than the bolt will act like a screw plate
on that part of the surface of the said bolt or screw left unscrewed, and will cut the
remainder of the thread so left unscrewed on the bolt.
Or if I form these fish plates of iron or other metal softer than steel I use steel
bolts or set screws hardened and tempered and with properly cut threads, and tap
or screw a portion only of the thread in the holes of the fish plates, then by the
force applied to the bolt in screwing it into its place the steel thread on the said
bolt or screw will cut the remainder of the thread in the soft metal bolt hole.
In either case above specified the bolts will remain tight in throughout all vibra-
tion of the traffic for an exceedingly long time.
I adapt this part of the said Invention for the use of steel nuts, whose threads are

page_text: properly cut, in connection with bolts of a softer metal than steel, and whose
threads are only partially screwed, for the purpose of tightening up the previously
described clips, and fish plates or any ordinary fish plate joint, or for other purposes,
or for the use of steel bolts or set screws properly screwed or threaded in connection
with nuts of iron or other metal softer than steel which have their bolt hole threads
only partially tapped or screwed for the like purposes.
And this part of the said Invention may be applied to ordinary fish plates made
of steel in connection with bolts or set screws of iron, or other metal softer than
steel, with their thread only partially cut thereon, or to fish plates made of metal
softer than steel in connection with steel or hard bolts or screws with their threads
properly cut, as above described.
And according to my Invention either the completely cut threads on the bolts or
screws, or those in the bolt holes or nuts which are required to complete the cutting
of the partially cut threads in the act of screwing or tightening the bolt or screw in
the joint, if made in any softer metal than steel, may have the required hardness
imparted to them by the process known as case hardening, or by any other process
which will accomplish the desired object.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
18th October 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
JOINTS FOR UNITING AND SECURING THE ENDS OF RAILWAY RAILS, IN APPARATUS
FOR MANUFACTURING PARTS OF THE SAME, AND IN THE BOLTS OR SCREWS AND
NUTS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH OR WITH OTHER RAIL JOINTS." A
communication from abroad by Alfred Buckingham Ibbotson, of Florence, in the
Kingdom of Italy.
The said Invention relates partly to further improvements in the railway rail
joints or fastenings described in the Specification of an Invention for which Letters
Patent were granted to the said Alfred Buckingham Ibbotson, dated the 7th day of
August, A.D. 1869, No. 2366, and to the mode of manufacturing portions of the
said joints, the said improvements being partly applicable to other kinds of rail
joints.
The main objects of these improvements are to provide the means for preventing
any accumulation of dust or sand between the ends of the rails, and to securely and
conveniently unite and fasten together the ends of railway rails. These objects are
effected by the employment of peculiarly formed clips or sheaths of steel, iron, or other
suitable metal, with or without certain fish plates, bolts, set screws, pieces, or parts
herein-after described.
The nature of one part of the said Invention consists in providing the base of
the clip or sheath with a hole or holes for letting out the sand or dust which may
fall between the ends of the said rails, and which might otherwise interfere with
the expansion of the rails in hot weather.
Another part of this Invention consists in the use of external fish plates of greater
length than the clip with which they are combined in a rail joint. These elongated
fish plates are designed to permit the use of extra bolts passed through them, and
the projecting ends of the rails, to prevent any "hinge" motion while the joint is
subjected to pressure or strain of the traffic, and to augment the strength and
security of the joint without such a serious increase in its cost as the elongation of
the clip would involve.
Another part of the said Invention consists in the combination with a punching
or shearing machine of apparatus for the manufacture of these fish plates.

page_text: Another part of this Invention relates to bolts or screws and nuts to be used in
connection with the above-described rail joints or other rail joints, and which have
their threads formed in a peculiar manner to prevent the accidental slacking or
loosening of the said bolts, screws, or nuts by vibration or otherwise.
their threads formed in a peculiar manner to prevent the accidental slacking or
loosening of the said bolts, screws, or nuts by vibration or otherwise.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
;
Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rail joint made according to my Invention
Figure 2 is a plan or top view of the same; Figure 3 is a transverse section on the
line x, x, Figure 1; Figure 4 is a transverse section on the line y, y, Figure 1;
Figure 5 is a side elevation; and Figure 6 is a plan or top view illustrating a modi-
ficaton of my improved joint; Figure 7 is a transverse section on the line 2, 2,
Figure 5.
Figures 8 and 9 illustrate my improved method of forming the screw threads on
the screws or bolts, or in the fish plates or nuts used for my improved or other rail
joints to cause the same to keep tight while in use.
Figures 10, 11, and 12 show various forms of fish plates herein-after described.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawings.
a, a, are the rails; b is the clip; c, c, are the fish plates; d is a dipping hole for
letting out the sand; e is a countersunk hole for letting out the sand; f, f, are the
bolts or screws; and g, g, are nuts which may be used for securing the bolts, or
some of them; a¹, a¹, are sloping under surfaces of the heads of the rails; a³, a³,
are sloping upper surfaces of the flange or base of the rails; as is the web of the
rail; 61, 6, are portions of the clip, which fit against and support the under sloping
surface of the heads of the rails; 62, 62, are the vertical sides of the clips; c², c¹, are
the central portions of the fish plates, which fit against the clip; c, c², are the
upper edges of the fish plates; c³, c³, are the lower edges of the said fish plates;
c, c, are projecting ends of the same.
I partly accomplish the objects of this Invention by the use of a clip or sheath b
of steel or other metal that will embrace and enclose the base and sides of the two
ends of the rails joined thereby. In the base of this clip or sheath I form a hole or
holes for letting out the sand or dust which may fall between the ends of the said
rails, and which might otherwise interfere with the expansion of the rails in hot
weather. One hole may be sufficient for this purpose if formed in such a position
in the base of the clip that when the same is fixed on the rails the said hole will be
immediately underneath the space left for expansion between the ends of the rails.
This hole is formed with its edges, or a portion thereof, projecting downward, as
shewn at d in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, or with its upper side countersunk or funnel
shaped, as shewn at e, Figure 7, so that this upper portion shall have a channel or
funnel-shaped or depressed part leading downwards towards the hole itself to
conduct the sand or dust through such hole, and thereby prevent any accumulation
of the same between the ends of the rails. This hole d is formed through the
centre of the base of the clip (preferably while the same is hot) by a punch
having a small diameter at and near its cutting point for punching the hole
with a gradually increasing diameter, commencing slightly above its cutting point.
While the point of this punch makes the necessary hole the upwardly sloping and
thicker portion forces the edges of the hole downward to cause them to dip below
the level of the base of the clip, thus forming the funnel-shaped depression all
round the hole inside the base of the clip. The sand or dust collected thereon will
be conducted to the holes, and discharged through the same by its own weight
and the vibration of the traffic, and will pass to the ground. The forming of these
holes in the manner specified increases the vertical depth of the base of the clip at
or surrounding the said holes, and counteracts the weakening effect of making a
hole or holes in the said clip; therefore the clips or sheaths with this contrivance
for letting out the sand or dust may be used without any of the fish plates, bolts,

page_text: set screws, or nuts, all as herein-after fully set forth, or in combination therewith,
or with any other kind of fasteninge.
I further partly accomplish the objects of this Invention by the use of elongated
external fish plates c in combination with the sheaths or clips b, or in combination
with a modified form of such clips, and with the peculiar bolts, set screws, or nuts,
all as herein-after fully set forth, or with such clips and ordinary_bolts and nuts or
set screws.
The aforesaid peculiar external fish plates care formed to project beyond both
ends of the clip b. They are secured to the rails at their central portion by a bolt
or bolts passing through them and the clip, and are as much longer than the said
clip as will allow sufficient space in their projecting ends c¹ for additional bolts or
set screws to be passed through them and the rails without passing through the clip.
One mode of constructing these long fish plates is to form them straight and of
the correct thickness throughout their entire length, as shewn in Figure 10, and I
make them first of uniform breadth from end to end with the correct bevel on their
upper and lower edges to cause them to fit closely throughout their entire length
against the under sides of the heads of the rails a¹, a¹, and against the sloping upper
sides of the bases of the rails a², a², at the exact distance from the webs a³ of the
rails, so that the clip to be enclosed by them would keep their projecting ends c*
from such webs. I then shear or punch out the central portions of both their upper
and lower edges, and bevel the said edges to fit at those parts as closely against the
external sides of the clip as their projecting ends will fit against the rails themselves
at and beyond both ends of the clip, as shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Or these long external fish plates c may be made of one solid piece by forging, or
may have portions welded to them in the form shewn either in Figure 11 or 12, and
in such a mauner that they shall be of the correct breadth, thickness, and bevel in
in their central parts, and at their projecting ends c, c, as will cause them to fit
against both the external sides of the clip in their central portions and against the
rails themselves at their said ends.
Or these long external fish plates c may be straight and of equal thickness
throughout, as shewn in Figure 10, and of equal breadth and uniformly bevelled
throughout to fit against the external sides of the clip, and a washer or piece of
metal of the same thickness and shape as those portions of the clip enclosed by the
said fish plates may be inserted between their projecting ends c, c, and the rails, so
that when the bolts are screwed up these fish plates will support and press against
the clip and the rails equally.
In Figures 5, 6, and 7 I have shewn a modification in the form of both the
clips b and the long external fish plates c to be used in combination therewith,
whereby the total cost of the joint may be somewhat reduced, and the strength of
the said long fish plates in their central portions will be increased. I accomplish
these objects in the following manner, namely, I form the clip b, with its sides or
vertical parts of diminished height, that is to say, these sides are of sufficient height
to allow bolt holes to be formed for screws or bolts to pass through them, the fish
plates and the rails; and I form the whole of the upper edges of these fish plates c
straight from end to end, and properly bevel them to fit directly against the under
side of the heads of the rails throughout the entire length of the fish plates. With
this construction of my joint, the central portion of the lower edge only of these fish
plates will require to be cut away at the proper bevel to form an aperture or space
for the clip upon which it will rest. Therefore the upper prortion of the
central part of these fish plates will remain intact, and the strength of the plate
will be proportionately greater.
To ensure the expeditious and correct cutting out of the central part of the edge
or edges of the above-described fish plates to leave them the exact breadth and
bevel required, the said fish plates are placed on a sloping bed piece, fixed at a
proper angle with regard to the cutting instrument, punch, or shear blade, where
with guides or stops and holding down pieces they are held in proper position to

page_text: enable the vertical, downward, or other movement of the punch or shear blade to
cut out exactly the right length and breadth of material from the edge of the fish
plate and give its central portion the exact bevel required to fit tightly and correctly
against the external side of the clip to be enclosed by the said fish plate. Therefore
when these fish plates are applied and secured to the joint, they will not only fit
tightly against the external sides of the clip in their central portion, but will fit
equally well against the rails themselves at their ends which project or extend
beyond the clip.
Although the clips band the elongated fish plates c above described may be formed
of any kind of metal, I prefer to use steel for this purpose, and the same may be
hardoned and tempered.
Any suitable bolts and nuts may be used in connection with the above-described
clips and fish plates, but I may dispense with the use of nuts, and form screw threads
in the bolt holes in one of the fish plates, so that bolts or set screws may be
passed through one fish plate and the clip (where the latter extends between the
fish plates and the rails) and be screwed into the tapped bolt holes in the other fish
plate, as shewn in Figures 2, 3, and 4, bolts so secured being less liable to become
loose through vibration than when ordinary nuts are used; or one or more of the
bolt holes in one fish plate, and one or more of those in the other plate may be
tapped or screw-threaded, so that some of the bolts may be screwed in from one
side and some from the other side of the joint, like the three central bolts shewn in
Figure 6; or I may use the steel fish plates or steel nuts with iron bolts, or the
steel bolts with iron fish plates or iron nuts or otherwise, as herein-after described
in combination with the whole or a portion of the bolt holes in these joints.
In the joints shewn in Figures 5, 6, 7, the lower edges of the fish plates are not
only made to enclose and fit against and upon the clip, but upon the sloping upper
edges of the base of the rails beyond the ends of the clip b, and one of the bolts is
screwed into one of the fish plates, two of them into the other fish plate, and the two
external bolts are secured by nuts.
The part of this Invention relating to the screws or screw bolts and their nuts
or tapped holes is carried into practice by the peculiar manner of forming the
threads in one part, that is to say, in either the male or female part of a screw
fastening, the screw threads, being so formed that the completely cut thread of the
one part will complete the cutting of the thread on the other part.
The object of this part of my Invention is to render such bolts more permanently
and reliably tight in these joints without using for this purpose any separate or
special contrivances, such as extra locking nuts, springs, elastic washers, plates,
screws, or split pins, or the like, which increase the cost of the screws or bolts, and
are themselves liable to derangement or detachment.
It is well known to all persons familiar with the subject to which this Invention
appertains that this liability of the screws or bolts and nuts to detachment and loss,
and the danger thereby caused to the permanent way, is a continual source of
anxiety and inconvenience.
This part of my Invention is carried into practice in the following manner, that is
to say, when a fish plate, in which I form fully tapped or threaded bolt holes is
made of steel, I use bolts or screws made of softer metal, by preference of iron, and
cut their screw thread upon them only a portion of the length that will be required
to enter the tapped hole or nut, as shewn by the full lines f¹, Figure 8, so that
when such bolts are being screwed into the said steel fish plate, the thread in the
latter being formed of harder metal than the said bolts will, in the act of screwing up
during the last few turns of the wrench or other implement, act like a screw plate,
and will cut the remainder of the screw thread, required for tightening up the joint
on the said bolts or screws, on that portion of their surface shewn by the dotted
lines. When the fish plates are made of softer metal than steel, I may case-
harden, or otherwise harden the threads in their tapped bolt holes; or when they
are made of steel, I may harden and temper those parts to enable them to ac-

page_text: complish the same object, namely, the completion of the thread upon the softer and
partially screwed bolts or screws, while the same are being forcibly screwed into
the said plates. On the other hand, when the tapped fish plates are formed of iron,
or of other metal softer than steel, the threads of their tapped holes may be only
partially cut, and the bolts or screws have their threads fully cut upon them, the
said bolts or screws are made of steel, tempered or untempered, having their
threads casehardened or otherwise made harder than the thread of the said hole, so
that when the said bolts or screws are screwed into such bolt holes with the
necessary force, their hard threads will cut or form the remainder of the thread in
the said holes.
Or instead of tapping any or all of the bolt holes in the fish plates, steel nuts,
tempered or untempered, and with properly cut threads, or iron nuts with such
threads, case or surface hardened, may be used for the tightening up and completing
the cutting of the threads of the partially cut bolts or screws F; or nuts of softer
metal than steel, having their threads partially cut, as shewn in Figure 9, may be
used in connection with steel bolts tempered or untempered, and which have their
threads properly or fully cut; or such nuts may be used with iron bolts, or set screws,
that have properly cut threads case or surface hardened for the purpose of cutting
the remainder of the partially cut threads in the nuts, shewn in Figure 9, in the act
of screwing the said nuts and bolts together.
This part of my Invention, by which a hard and completely cut thread is made to
complete the cutting of the thread of a partially screwed surface, is not only
applicable for use in combination with the above described joints, but is applicable
to all other railway rail joints, where bolts or screws are used, and will ensure the
tightness of such joints for an extremely long period notwithstanding the vibration
of the traffic, which so soon loosens ordinary bolts and nuts used in real joints.
When a completely cut hard thread, as herein-before described, is to be used for
completing the cutting of the remainder of the thread required on a softer surface
on which the thread has been only partially cut, with the object of tightening up
joints for rails in the act of screwing up the bolts or nuts of the same, Buch
completely cut hard threads may have one or more grooves formed across their
threads like a screw plate in the case of female screws, or like a screw tap in the
case of male screws, to form a keener cutting edge or edges to facilitate the action
of the bard thread in cutting its way or completing the other thread.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. A clip for railway rails provided in its base or under side with the hole or
holes, and with the internal funnel-shaped or similar depression or depressions, and
the external depressed or dipping portion or portions, as in Figures 3 and 4, or
countersunk in its inner or upper side without any external dipping portion, as in
Figure 7, for the purposes specified.
Second. In a joint for uniting and securing together the ends of railway rails,
the combination with a clip of the fish plates elongated or extended at the ends
beyond the said clip, and which fish plates have their different portions fitted and
bearing against or upon the external sides of the clip and rails, and have their ends
fastened by screws or screw bolts and nuts, all as above set forth and for the purposes
specified.
Third. In a railway rail joint consisting essentially of clip, in combination
with such elongated fish plates, the modification thereof in which the fish plates
have their ends, that extend beyond the ends of the clip, made of greater width
than their central portion, and fitted to the rails, and with the said ends of the same
thickness as the central portion of the clip, or formed as shewn in Figure 11 or
Figure 12 of the Drawings, all as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Fourth. In a railway rail joint consisting essentially of a clip and elongated or
extended fish plates, the modification thereof in which the said elongated fish plates

page_text: are used, in combination with metal plates or washers placed between the rails and
the ends or parts of the plates which extend beyond the ends of the clip, as above
set forth and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. In a railway rail joint, in which a clip is used in combination with
elongated fish plates, as above described, the modification thereof illustrated in
Figure 5, wherein the rail heads are supported by the upper edges of the fish plates
throughout the entire length of the latter, and the clip is of diminished height, as
above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Sixth. In a railway joint ensuring the permanent retention of a screw or screw
bolt in its nut or hole, or of a screw nut upon its screw or screw bolt without any
special or separate locking devices by the combination of a completely cut screw
thread on or in the one part, with an incomplete or partially cut thread on or in the
other part, as above set forth.
Seventh. For uniting and securing together the ends of railway rails, a joint
consisting of a clip, which embraces the sides and lower portion of the rails, in
connection with fish plates placed outside of and extending or elongated beyond
the ends of the said clip, and secured by screws, whose safe retention is ensured by
the peculiar manner of forming their threads, as above set forth.
Eighth. The apparatus used in the manufacture of the parts of my improved
joints, comprising the sloping bed piece, in combination with a punch or cutter in a
punching or shearing machine, as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
W. KUB. LAKE. (L.S.)
ROB.