Improved Methods for Connecting Rails for Railways, Tramways, and for such like Connections.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Aug., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 29th May, 1896-Accepted, 4th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Methods for Connecting Rails for Railways, Tramways,
and for such like Connections.
I, THOMAS ABRAHAM BAYLISS of Thirlmere Wheeleys Road Edgbaston in the
County of Warwick Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain methods I employ for laying down the rails and
whereby I am enabled to dispense with the usual fish plates and in most cases with
the bolts in connection therewith as hitherto used.
One arrangement according to my invention consists in cutting out the centre
portion of the meeting ends of the rails longitudinally a certain suitable distance-
in connection with same I use a loose plate or plates consisting of two side pieces
connected by an intermediate centre portion which fits into the longitudinal
openings in the ends of the rails, the side pieces fitting upon each side of the centre
of same and thus acting as the intervening connecting piece at the junction
of the rails.
Sometimes I may prefer to slot out the end of the rail vertically the connecting
plate being made to correspond and fit into same.
A modification of this arrangement is effected by making the end of the rail with
two end projecting portions or flange plates which may be rolled therewith, welded
electrically, or otherwise, or suitably attached to the rail end. When the meeting
ends are together the two flange plates embrace each side of the adjacent rail on
the two outsides and thus securely connects same. If required a bolt or bolts may
be passed transversely through the two flange plates and rail to further secure the
meeting parts.
A further modification of the connecting means consists in forming upon the rail
end a thickened or swelled portion upon each side thereof which may be made
integral therewith or welded or attached in any other suitable manner thereto, the
thickened portions are bored out or provided with apertures to receive prongs or wings
formed upon the corresponding rail end.
Or the rail end may be thickened sufficiently by extra metal to allow of the same
being hollowed out in any suitable form to admit of a similar shaped projecting
portion upon the corresponding rail fitting therein.
A further alternative consists in making the rail end of sufficient thickness and
strength to allow of a central hole being bured longitudinally a certain distance
therein into which fits a prolonged bar upon the corresponding meeting end of the
rail. Or each rail may be bored and a loose bar placed intermediately within same
which acts as the connecting medium. Or, instead of a centre hole, two apertures
may be formed longitudinally in the one meeting rail end situated top and bottom
thereof, the corresponding rail end will in this case be provided with two tongue
pieces which take into the apertures when the two rails are brought together.
A further modification consists in forming a stud upon the one rail which shall
take into a corresponding slot in the other rail, said stud and slot may be situated
in either rail, the stud taking into the slot either from above or below or where
required.
Another modification may consist in cutting the meeting ends of the rails at au
oblique angle transversely and bolting the two together by means of a horizontal

page_text: bolt secured by a nut. Or the ends of the rails may be formed to a suitable angle,
the one overlapping the other and bolted together or otherwise secured.
It may be desirable instead of fixing the rails tightly together to make the
connecting pieces (either when attached or not) so that there may be sufficient
allowance for expansion and contraction.
Although I have specified various arrangements of my improved method of
connecting the rails, I do not confine myself especially to these details as I may
require to vary the same, but my object is to entirely dispense with what is known
as the ordinary fish plate, and bolts in connection therewith, by substituting an
improved means of connecting the rails.
By the above described or similar means many advantages exist amongst them
being, cheapness in production, labour saved in laying down, more effective and
safer than present system, and more convenient for purposes of transit.
Dated this 28th day of August 1895.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
104, Colmore Row, Birmingham, Patent Agents for the Applicant.
Improved Methods for Connecting Rails for Railways, Tramways,
and for such like Connections.
I, THOMAS ABRAHAM BAYLISS of Thirlmere Wheeleys Road Edgbaston in the
County of Warwick, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to certain methods I employ for laying down and connecting
the meeting ends of each rail length and whereby I am enabled to dispense with
the usual fish plates as ordinarily understood by the terin and also with all the bolts
in connection therewith as hitherto used at the same time providing for expansion
and contraction of the rails.
In order that my invention may be fully understood reference is given to the
drawings accompanying this specification and to the figures and letters shewn
thereon, in which similar letters relate to similar parts.
One arrangement according to my invention consists in cutting out the centre
portion or web of the meeting ends of the rails preferably longitudinally (or any
other way which may be found suitable) a certain suitable distance and width, in
connection with same 1 employ a loose intermediate jointing piece formed of two
side plates and a centre portion describing firstly this method of my invention.
Figure 1. is a side elevation of a rail or rails shewing longitudinally cut out
meeting ends.
Figure 2 represents a perspective view of rail end.
Figure 3. represents a top view.
Figures 4. 5. and 6. are respectively top view, end view, and side elevation of the
intermediate connection or jointing piece.
Figure 7. represents in side elevation the rails connected and intermediate jointing
piece in position.
The web A of each meeting end of the rail B. is shewn cut out longitudinally a
certain distance C. C¹ in order that the intermediate connection or jointing piece
inay be introduced, said jointing piece as will be seen consisting of two side pieces
or plates D. integral with an intermediate piece D' which having been placed in
position so that the one end of the intermediate piece or web D' fits into the cut out
opening C. of the web of the rail end the corresponding rail end is brought close

page_text: up to its neighbour the cut out opening C¹ fitting the other end of D¹, thus when the
meeting ends are brought closely together the openings C. C in the webs close
upon D₁ each about mid-way the rail ends resting on D₁ and the side pieces or
plates D embrace each side of the webs of the rails and firmly secures the same,
though with a sufficiency of space between the connecting parts as to admit of
contraction and expansion.
A modification of the loose connecting jointing piece or plate is shewn in
Figures 8 to 12 of the drawings.
In this arrangement instead of the side pieces or plates D, D³ being integral with
the intermediate portion D' I propose to make them separately, that is to say, the
intermediate portion D' may be integral with the one side plate D and of a dovetail
or other suitable section D2 upon its edge so that when placed in the cut out
openings in the two webs A of the rails the corresponding side plate D³ being
suitably grooved longitudinally may slide over the dovetail D³ thus securely
attaching the meeting ends of the rails in manner above described.
By this latter method when required to remove a length of rail it becomes a very
simple matter to take off the side plate D³ when the connection can be readily
withdrawn as will be understood.
Sometimes I may prefer to dispense with the methods of connection above
described and substitute other means such as illustrated in Figures 13. 14. and 15
which represent respectively side elevations and end view of rails and rail ends.
In this case the base E. of the one meeting end of the rail is somewhat prolonged
from the web E' and the top part of the rail is cut away E² a certain distance
preferably longitudinally, the said base E, carries a stud F. or other locking
medium, the corresponding meeting end of the rail is cut out the reverse of the above.
that is to say the base E³ is cut out longitudinally a certain distance to correspond with
the prolonged part E. the web E' of this part has a longitudinal slot F the top part
of the rail E being prolonged as shewn, thus when the meeting ends are brought
close together the aforesaid stud F. engages the slot F1 in the web, the upper and
lower prolonged pieces fitting into the recesses formed to receive same.
By this arrangement the rail ends are securely attached each to each, expansion
and contraction being suitably provided for.
It will be understood that the ordinary chairs may be used in connection with the
above methods, or the rails spiked down or supported by any suitable and
approved means.
In Figures 16. 17. and 18. a further modification of the form of connecting plate
or jointing piece before described is shewn which I may sometimes find it
convenient to use the upper and lower edges being canted to a suitable angle G.
the object being to clip under the top of the rail as also at the bottom, or other
suitable shapes may be used either in one or more pieces.
In all or any of the arrangements described if found necessary I may insert
where most desirable a cushion forined of wood felt hair canvas or other suitable
material to prevent any possible jarring of the parts, but as will be readily
seen in none of the methods is it any way needful to employ screw pins and nuts
or bolts.
I do not confine myself especially to these details of construction or to the
particular configuration of the rail ends or connecting means as I may require to
vary the same but my main object is to entirely dispense with what is commonly
known as an
ordinary fish plate and bolts in connection therewith, thus saving
labour and considerably cheapening cost of laying down as but few parts are
required and for transit more particularly for military purposes this is an
important feature.
By either of these arrangements whilst a thoroughly rigid connection is obtained
what is known as << creeping "of the rails is entirely prevented.
In my Provisional Specification I have mentioned other methods than the above
described for connecting the rails but as I have found out that such methods are not

page_text: novel or form the subject matter of other patents I make no further reference to
them in carrying my present invention into effect but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,
Firstly. Constructing the rails for railways, tramways, and such like by slotting
or cutting out the meeting ends of the same in the webs or intermediate portions in
a longitudinal direction preferably, substantially as described and shewn.
Secondly. Constructing the rails for railways tramways, and such like by
slotting or cutting out the ends of the same in the webs, in a longitudinal direction
in combination with the employment of an intermediate connecting plate or jointing
piece, formed of two side plates or pieces integral with a web or intermediate portion
that takes into the slots in the rails the side plates lying parallel with and
embracing each side of the webs of the rails and thus firmly securing the two ends
substantially as described and shewn.
Thirdly. In connection with railway and other rails the use for securing the ends
of same, of a jointing piece, or connecting plate or plates, formed of two side plates
or pieces the one integral with an intermediate portion or web, the other plate being
grooved longitudinally to slide onto a dovetail or other section formed to correspond
therewith upon the intermediate portion of the jointing piece, said jointing piece
engaging the slots in the rail ends in manner set forth in the preceding claim, and
described and shewn in Figures 8 to 12 in the accompanying drawings.
Fourthly. In rails for railways, tramways and such like, forming the same by
cutting out the ends the one having a stud or other suitable connecting device
thereon engaging a correspondingly shaped longitudinal slot in the web of the
contiguous rail end, thus producing an overlapping joint and firmly securing the two
ends by interlocking the same substantially as described and shewn in the
accompanying drawings.
Fifthly. The formation and construction of the connecting plate or jointing piece
for railway and other rails substantially as described with reference to Figures 16.
17. and 18 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 28th day of May 1906
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
Warwick Chambers, 104, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.
EDWD. J. PAYNE & SON,
Warwick Chambers, 104, Colmore Row, Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.