Improvements in the Manufacture of Metal Railway Sleepers, and in Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 13th Dec., 1892-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Metal Railway Sleepers, and
in Apparatus therefor.
I, ARTHUR THOMAS GEORGE BROWN of 22 Tubbs Road, Harlesden, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
This invention relates to the manufacture of railway sleepers from flat plates or
blanks of steel or iron and has particular reference to the production of the sleeper
jaws upon such sleepers, and in carrying out my invention I prefer to proceed as
follows:-
I provide a suitable hydraulic press carrying the necessary pair of blocks or dies
which are preferably of the shape and size of the complete sleeper and which may
be caused to approach each other by hydraulic cylinders in the usual manner.
Between these dies the blank is gripped and bent into the required shape only those
portions of the blank which have to be manipulated in the formation of the sleeper
jaws being heated to a welding heat, the rest at a lower temperature. In one of the
dies, say the upper die or matrix, and at that part where the jaws have to be formed
I provide a block or plunger operated if desired by hydraulic cylinder or power and
of a suitable shape to represent the inside of the jaws. In the other die or table
I provide one or more plungers, say two, one for each jaw and operate these by one
or more hydraulic cylinders; conveniently the two plungers to form one pair of
jaws may be connected by a pivotted cross-head so as to balance each other. In
forming the sleeper jaws with this apparatus the plate preferably suitably heated
all over and raised to a welding heat at the portions where the jaws have to be
formed is placed in position, and the two dies brought together, forming at one
compression the whole of the outline of the sleeper excepting the jaws. The
plungers for forming the jaws normally lie below the level of the table or die and
space thus left may be filled with blocks of metal at a welding heat before the
blank is placed over them and after the compression of the blank the jaw plungers
are raised forcing up the two blocks of metal which thus become welded to or into
the plate while the plate itself is forced up into the cavities provided in the matrix
for the purpose, the before described horizontal plunger or block retaining the
space for the rail. By this arrangement solid jaws are formed out of the relatively
thin metal plate and the horizontal plunger is withdrawn, the dies moved apart and
the complete sleeper lifted out of the press. The press would when desired be a
double press having the complete apparatus at each end so as to form the two sets
of sleeper jaws simultaneously, and in effect at one operation; in some cases
however the press may be a single press and adapted to deal only with one end or
portion of the sleeper.
the
In a modification of the above described apparatus I provide a pair of plungers
in the matrix and suitably shaped to form the upper side or face of the sleeper jaws
the difference between these two forms merely being that whereas in the former case
the upper or outside face of the sleeper jaws were formed against the solid portion
of the matrix, in the present instance they would be formed against the suitably
shaped plungers which would come down either at the same time as the other
plungers or afterwards as required.
In some cases instead of employing blocks of metal for the jaws I may pour
molten metal in for this purpose and in such case I prefer to invert the apparatus
above described so that the under side of the sleeper would be upwards and the
sleeper jaws would be pressed out below the level of the plate. The construction of
the apparatus and the operation.would be substantially the same as in the previously.

page_text: described instance, but instead of the solid blocks molten metal would be poured
underneath the plungers and allowed to solidify sufficiently and would then be
pressed against the plate thus becoming welded to it as in the former instance and
the whole pressed into the plate provided to form the sleeper jaws.
Instead of employing two plungers one for each sleeper jaw I may employ & single
plunger whether with the solid metal or with the molten metal for this purpose
and similarly with regard to the second set of plungers for the outer face of the
jaws.
Where required air ports or escapes may be provided in the dies or blocks and
suitable means for pouring the metal.
Any convenient means may also be provided for adjusting the apparatus to
different rail gauges and where required the cylinders may be made movable and
the dies may be changed whenever necessary.
Instead of employing separate blocks or pouring in molten metal as above
described I may if desired weld on to the blank the blocks beforehand or form
these in the rolling of the plate.
Any suitable form of power may be employed for operating this apparatus as I
do not bind myself to the hydraulic power above mentioned.
Dated this 16th day of March 1892.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Manufacture of Metal Railway Sleepers, and
in Apparatus therefor.
1, ARTHUR THOMAS GEORGE BROWN, of 22 Tubbs Road, Harlesden, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to the manufacture of railway sleepers from flat plates or
blanks of steel, iron or other metal or alloys, and has particular reference to the
production of the sleeper jaws upon such sleepers, and in carrying out my invention
I prefer to proceed as follows,-
I provide a suitable hydraulic press carrying the necessary pair of blocks or dies
which are preferably of the shape and size of the complete sleeper and which may
be caused to approach each other by hydraulic cylinders in the usual manner.
Between these dies the blank is gripped and bent into the required shape only those
portions of the blank which have to be manipulated in the formation of the sleeper
jaws being heated to preferably a welding heat, the rest at a lower temperature. In
one of the dies, say the upper die or matrix, and at that part where the jaws have
to be formed I provide a block or plunger operated if desired by hydraulic cylinder
or power and of a suitable shape to represent the inside of the jaws. In the other
die or table I provide one or more plungers, say two, one for each jaw and operate
these by one or more hydraulic cylinders, conveniently the two plungers to form one
pair of jaws may be connected by a pivotted cross-head so as to balance each other.
In forming the sleeper jaws with this apparatus the plate suitably heated all over
and raised to preferably a welding heat at the portions where the jaws have to be
formed is placed in position, and the two dies brought together, forming at one
compression the whole of the outline of the sleeper excepting the jaws. The
plungers for forming the jaws normally lie below the level of the table or die and
the space thus left may be filled with blocks of metal at a welding heat before the
blank is placed over them and after the compression. of the blank the jaw plungers
are raised forcing up the two blocks of metal which thus become welded to or into
the plate while the plate itself is forced up into the cavities provided in the matrix
for the purpose, the before described horizontal plunger or block retaining the space

page_text: for the rail. By this arrangement solid jaws are formed out of the relatively thin
metal plate and the horizontal plunger is withdrawn, the dies moved apart and the
complete sleeper lifted out of the press. The press would when desired be a double
press having the complete apparatus at each end so as to form the two sets of
sleeper jaws simultaneously, and in effect at one operation; in some cases however
the press may be a single press and adapted to deal only with one end or portion of
the sleeper.
In a modification of the above described apparatus I provide a pair of plungers
in the matrix and suitably shaped to form the upper side or face of the sleeper jaws
the difference between these two forms merely being that whereas in the former
case the upper or outside face of the sleeper jaws were formed against the solid
portion of the matrix, in the present instance they would be formed against the
suitably shaped plungers which would come down either at the same time as the
other plungers or afterwards as required.
In some cases instead of employing blocks of metal for the jaws I may pour
molten metal in for this purpose and in such case I prefer to invert the apparatus
above described so that the under side of the sleeper would be upwards and the
sleeper jaws would be pressed out below the level of the plate. The construction
of the apparatus and the operation would be substantially the same as in the
previously described instance, but instead of the solid blocks molten metal would be
poured underneath the plungers and allowed to solidify sufficiently and would then
be pressed against the plate thus becoming welded to it as in the former instance
and the whole pressed into the plate provided to form the sleeper jaws.
Instead of employing two plungers one for each sleeper jaw I may employ a
single plunger whether with the solid metal or with the molten metal for this
purpose and similarly with regard to the second set of plungers for the outer face
of the jaws.
Where required air ports or escapes may be provided in the dies or blocks and
suitable means for pouring the metal.
Any convenient means may also be provided for adjusting the apparatus to
different rail gauges and where required the cylinders may be made movable and
the dies may be changed whenever necessary.
Instead of employing separate blocks or pouring in molten metal as above
described I may if desired weld on to the blank the blocks before-hand or form
these in the rolling of the plate.
Any suitable form of power may be employed for operating this apparatus as I
do not bind myself to the hydraulic power above mentioned.
In the accompanying drawings,-
Figure 1 is a view with the right hand half in front elevation and the left-hand
half in longitudinal vertical section of one form of the hydraulic press constructed
according to my invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Figure 3 is a view of the right-hand half in front elevation, and the left-hand
half in longitudinal vertical section, of another form of press constructed according
to my invention,
Figure 4 being a transverse section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3.
Figs. 5 and 6 are views respectively similar to Figs. 1 and 2 of another form of
press the section shown in Fig. being taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.
Figures 7 and 8, 9 and 10, 11 and 12, are three different sets of views corre-
sponding to Figures 1 and 2, but of modified forms of the press, the Figures 8, 10
and 12 being sections taken respectively on lines 8-8, 10-10, and 12-12 of
Figures 7, 9 and 11.
Figures 13 and 14 are respectively longitudinal and transverse sections showing
one of the methods of preparing a sleeper so as to make it ready for having the
jaws formed in say the press represented in Figures 11 and 12.
Figures 15 to 19 represent the various stages through which the metal plates are
passed before assuming a finished form of sleeper.

page_text: Figures 20 and 21 are respectively a longitudinal section and a plan of one form
of sleeper constructed according to this invention, and.
Figures 22 and 23 are similar views of another form of sleeper.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
In the press represented in Figures 1 and 2, which is adapted to make metal
railway sleepers with solid jaws from the blanks shown in Figure 16, there is provided
a movable platen A guided on preferably four guide rods A' secured in the top
and bottom frames A' A', the platen being raised and lowered hy means of the
hydraulic rams B of which in the drawing two are shown but if desired more or less
than two may be employed.
None of the connections or pipes for conveying the pressure water to any of the
rams shown in the accompanying drawings are illustrated, but these can be arranged
in any desired manner.
The rams B are pivotted to the platen A by the pins or studs B₁ and the
hydraulic cylinders B2 of these rams are mounted in the top frame A in any
desired manner, flanges B being preferably provided at the lower ends of the
hydraulic cylinders B so as to give a firm foundation to said cylinders.
In the lower frame or base plate A are mounted two hydraulic cylinders C the
upper ends of which are preferably flanged as at C¹ and rest in recesses formed in
the upper surface of A³ so as to give a substantial support to the cylinders. The
rams working in the cylinders have connected to their upper ends plungers C³
one pair to each ram as shown clearly at the left hand side of Figure 1. Above
the base plate A³ is rigidly mounted the frame D through the upper part of which
the plungers Care free to move in the direction of their length. Upon the
frame D is supported the block or former E which may be secured in proper
position on D by fitting strips, keys or equivalent E' or by other suitable means.
The former E is formed with (in the example shown) four vertical openings E' in
each of which works one of the plungers C³, there being two plungers C³ and two
openings E to each chair to be formed in or upon the sleeper. The under side of
the platen A is recessed to form a matrix A' of shape and size substantially similar
to that of the former E. The platen A has also rigidly mounted upon it two
hydraulic cylinders F (one only of which is shown in the accompanying drawings)
in each of which works a ram F¹ having attached to it a plunger F the lower
part of a portion F of which corresponds with the shape which it is intended to
give to the inner sides of each pair of chair jaws. The plunger F F³ is guided in
a suitable opening in the platen A as shown in Figure 2.
The frames A A³ and D are preferably of cellular construction so as to render
them as light as possible consistently with the necessary strength.
In making a sleeper the platen A first raised to the necessary height by means
of the rams B, the plungers F2 F3 at this time occupying the position shown in
Figure 2. A. blank plate G, Figure 16, is heated to the required extent, say
generally to a cherry red and at the parts where the jaws are to be formed
preferably to a welding heat, and bars G¹ of the necessary length and of
approximately the section shown in Figure 16, are also beated to a welding heat.
The plate G is then laid on the former E and the bars G above it one at each
part where a jaw is to be formed. The platen A is then forced down by the
pressure water admitted to the cylinders B and preferably at the same time the
plungers C³ are forced up by pressure water being admitted to the cylinders C.
The result of these operations is that the plate & is bent to the shape of the
former E and the bars G¹ are forced into the pockets A' and around the lower part
of the cores F³ so that the sleeper is thus formed with solid jaws at substantially
one operation. Pressure water may then be admitted to the cylinders F' so as to
force the parts F of the plungers from between the jaws of the sleeper and
substitute for said parts F the plain parts F2, the sleeper being thus released from
the platen A. The platen A may then be raised by pressure water being admitted
to. the lower end of the cylinders B and the finished sleeper will be left free for
removal from the former.

page_text: I desired, the sleeper instead of being formed in one operation as last described,
may be first shaped on the former E, then re-heated to a welding heat at the parts
where the jaws are to be formed and afterwards replaced in. the press for the
formation of the jaws G, Figs. 20 and 21.
In the press shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the matrix A is stationary; being formed on
the underside of the frame D' rigidly secured to the underside of the top frame A'.
In this top frame A are rigidly mounted two inverted hydraulic cylinders H to the
ram H' of each of which are secured two plungers H each at its lower end shaped
to correspond with the form it is desired to give to the upper surface of the sleeper
jaws G, these plungers being free to work vertically in suitable apertures ini the
frame D. On the frame D' are rigidly mounted two hydraulic cylinders F.(only
one of which is represented in the accompanying drawings) the ram F¹ of each of
which like those before described, and for a similar purpose, is provided with a
plunger F F which is guided in a suitable opening in the frame D: In the base
plate A are mounted the hydraulic cylinders B' the rams B of which are secured
to the underside of the sliding frame I in which are rigidly mounted the hydraulic
cylinders I the ram I* of each of which has mounted on it two plungers I³ which
extend upwards and are guided in suitable openings in the frame D supported on I
and in the former E supported on and preferably keyed to the frame D.
Before commencing the manufacture of a sleeper in this press the former Eis
lowered by allowing the pressure water to escape.from the cylinders B' and the
rams F H and I are brought into the positions in which they are respectively
shown in Figures 3 and 4. The blank plate G, Figure 16, heated in the manner
before described is then laid on top of the former E and. the bars G laid above it
at the parts where the jaws are to be formed. Pressure water is then admitted to
the cylinders B' so that the former E and plate G upon it are forced into the
matrix A and immediately thereafter pressure water is admitted to the cylinders H
and so that the plungers H' are forced downwards to form the upper faces of the
jaws and the plungers I are forced upwards to support the said jaws while they are
operated upon by the plunger H or to act conjointly therewith. As soon as the
sleeper thus formed has sufficiently cooled, that is to say: as soon as the jaws G'.
have. set, pressure water is admitted to the cylinders F so that the checked
portions of plungers F F are removed from between the jaws and the plain
portions F substituted therefor, the sleeper thus being released from the matrix A*.
The pressure. water is then allowed to escape from the cylinders B² so that the
frames I and D and former E and finished sleeper. upon E are lowered whereupon
the sleeper may be readily removed....
If desired, the sleeper instead of being made in one operation may be made in two
or more, operations and moreover if necessary, a small portion of the stroke of the
rams. H may be utilized for releasing the sleeper from the matrix. A' though it is
not considered that this will be' often required.
:
"
The press shown in Figs. 5 and 6 like that last described has a movable frame I
forced upwards by pressure.water acting on two rams B.but in this arrangement
unlike that last described, the matrix A is movable and mounted on the frame I
and the former E. is stationary and secured to the underside of the frame or
frames D secured to. the top. frame A, this arrangement being as far as thus
described practically the same as: that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, but in an inverted
position. In this press however means are provided whereby sleepers with jaws at
various distances apart may be formed, the jaw-forming apparatus being for this
purpose adjustable as hereinafter described. The matrix Amay be made up of
any desired number of parts so as to enable certain parts to be removed and others
of different dimensions to be substituted therefor; the parts in or at which the jaws
are formed being always of the shape, necessary to produce the jaws required. The
former E like the matrix A may also be made up of several parts: which: may.. be
removed to enable others of different dimensions to be substituted therefor... Like-
wise the frame D' may be removed to enable others of different dimensionanto- be
substituted for them..The hydraulic cylinders C in this exampleware secured sto

page_text: the frame A by bolts and nuts C' which pass through slots C in frame A' so that
by loosening these bolts and nuts C₁ the hydraulic cylinders may be moved nearer
to or further from each other and re-secured in the adjusted position, by again
tightening up the bolts and nuts C. On the frame I are rigidly mounted two
.hydraulic cylinders F to 'the ram or piston of each of which is secured a plunger
formed at different parts of different dimensions and shape for example the part F
may be cylindrical, the part Ft also cylindrical but of smaller diameter, the part Is
shaped to correspond to the contour desired. to be given to the interior of the
jaws G and the part F' of a form suitable for constituting the side of the mould in
which, in this example, molten metal is to be poured. The former E at the parts
at which the plungers C pass through it has flaring openings or hopper-mouths Fe
so as to enable the molten metal to be more readily poured through these plunger
openings into the mould formed in the matrix A below it. The plungers C are
guided in projecting pieces J which may be removed, and others of different
dimensions substituted therefor when it is desired to alter the distance between the
pairs of sleeper jaws G formed in the machine.
When it is desired to construct a sleeper in the apparatus shown in Figs. 5 and 6
a blank plate G heated as before-described is laid on the matrix A' which at that
time is in its lowered position. The rams B are then forced upwards by the pressure
water admitted below them, so that the body of the sleeper will take the form of
the matrix A' and former E. The frame I is then preferably again lowered and the
moulded sleeper plate G removed from the press to be. heated to preferably a
welding heat at the parts at which the jaws are to be formed after which it is again
placed in the press the frame I raised to its highest position and molten metal
poured into the mouths F so that it flows around the cores F³. The plungers C'
after the molten metal has set are then forced downwards so as to compress the
molten metal around the cores F¹. As soon as may be considered expedient
pressure water is admitted to the cylinders F so that the cores Fare moved towards
the right in Fig. 6, out of the jaws formed on the sleeper, the parts F occupying,
the positions formerly taken up by the cores F; the sleeper is thus released from the
matrix A. The frame I may then be lowered by allowing the pressure water
to escape from below the rams B and the sleeper 'may be removed from the
matrix Aand be subsequently trimmed up if any fins or burrs should remain
on it.
The press shown in Figures 7 and 8 is of substantially similar construction to that
shown in Figs. 5 and 6 the difference being that the plungers C, instead of being
formed in pairs one member for operating on the metal of one jaw of each chair are
constructed so that the jaws are formed by one plunger only which for this purpose
is of sufficient size to cover the area over which the jaws extend. The core Fin
Fig. 5, is shown of such shape that the jaws formed around it will be adapted for
receiving a flanged rail and the core F shown in Figure 7 is of such shape that the
chair will be adapted for receiving bull-headed rails; any other suitable core
however may be employed in either of the presses shown in Figs. 5 to 8 or in any
of the presses shown in the other figures of the accompanying drawings.
The operation of the press shown in Figures 7 and 8 is substantially the same as
that shown in Figures 5 and 6 and therefore needs no further description.
In the press shown in Figures 9 and 10 which in general is of somewhat similar
construction to that before described and illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the
plungers H of hydraulic cylinders H are solid, the lower end of each preferably
being flat so as to press upon what. in actual use would be the underside of the
blank plate G (which is inverted in the process of manufacture) at the part above
which are formed the jaws G. The plungers H slide in openings in the former E
which, in this construction, constitutes a portion or the lower face of the frame D'
and immediately below the plungers H' the plungers I are arranged so that they
can slide freely in openings formed in the frame D. The upper face of each
plunger I is recessed to correspond with the contour which it is desired to give to
the outer faces of the jaws G³ and it is further provided with a deep recess in which

page_text: fits the core F which in this construction is preferably formed in two parts and
beds solidly against the bottom of the recess in the plunger [*.
The last described form of press is adapted to operate upon the blank G of the
form shown in Figure 15, and on a smaller scale in Figures 9 and 10. The blank
is first raised to a suitable heat preferably cherry red except at those parts at which
the jaws are to be formed where it is preferably raised to a welding heat. The
rams B and 1' and frames I and D being then in their lowered positions the blank G
heated as last described is placed in proper position on the frame D, pressure water
is then admitted to the cylinders B' so that the blank G is forced against the
former E and takes the shape of it and the matrix A.. Pressure water is then
admitted to the cylinders H so that the rams H' are forced down on to the thickened
parts of the blank G which are still at preferably a welding heat, the jaws G'of
the sleeper being thus formed in the recessed ends of the plungers I and upon the
cores F. When the metal is sufficiently set or cooled the pressure water may be
released from the cylinders B' and the rams B and frames I and D will therefore
descend, the sleeper descending with them while resting in the matrix A. Pressure
water is then admitted into the lower parts of the cylinders I' so that the rams I'
and I will, he forced upwards, and raise the sleeper out of the matrix. Bars or
other suitable implements may then be inserted between the then underside of the
sleeper and the matrix and pressure water admitted to the upper ends of the
cylinders I allowing the pressure water to escape from the lower parts of the raid
cylinders with the result that the rams 12 and plungers I' are forced downwards
leaving the cores F, in the jaws G of the sleeper. The sleeper may then be
removed from the press and the cores F' driven out from between the jaws. G' in
any convenient.manner.
Each of the cores F being formed in two parts admits of the inside of one of
the jaws being formed with serrations, the part of the core for forming such
serrations being provided with the necessary corresponding serrations. In removing
this.core from between the jaws the smooth part is driven out first and allows the
roughened part to be disengaged from the roughened or serrated jaw surface..
If desired a, number of different sets. of cores F may be used in the same
machine at different times instead of one set being, used which would necessitate
their being driven out of each sleeper to enable the machine to be prepared ready
for, the construction of the next sleeper..
.
The press shown in Figures 11 and 12 is adapted for forming the jaws on sleeper
plates already hollowed out in other presses such as any of the before described
presses without the jaw forming mechanism, the blank when introduced into this
press (Figures 11' and '12) having formed upon it a block Gat the underside" of
the'sleeper plate above which each pair of jaws is to be formed. In preparing a
blank for manufacture of a sleeper in the press shown in Figures 11 and 12,
& hollowed,sleeper. plate is laid topside downwards, as shown in Figures 13 and 14,
over, a furnace, or. furnaces which heat the sleeper plate only at the parts at which
the jaws G' are to be formed;. or the necessary parts may be heated from above, or
either above or below by, water, gas, electricity or other means. Above these parts
are, placed moulding rings or collars K. and as soon as these parts are raised to:
preferably a welding heat, molten metal is poured into the rings K so as to form an
increased thickness or block as at.G. As soon as these blocks G' and the part of
the plate G contiguous therewith have set, the sleeper,, while yet in its inverted
position, is placed in the press, shown in Figs. 11..and 12, while the frame I is in its
fowered position. Pressure, water is then admitted into the cylinders B' so that
the frame I is raised and the sleeper, plate G moved up against the underside of the
guide, blocks, or frames D., Pressure.. water is then admitted to the, hydraulic...
cylinders so that the plungers H are forced down upon the blocks. Gand so,
that the still soft metal is forced down below the then under surface of the plate G
into the jaw moulds around the cores F..
...
As soon as the metal has sufficiently cooled down pressure water is admitted to
the cylinders F.(only one of which is shown in Figure 12). with the result that the
1

page_text: cores Fare withdrawn from the jaws formed on the sleeper. The water is then
allowed to escape from the cylinders B' and the frame I thereby allowed to descend,
whereupon the sleeper may readily be removed from the press.
If desired, stops may be provided for arresting any of the before described
plungers at any desired point of their stroke and the jaw moulds may have metal
liners or may be lined with plumbago or other refractory material and air ports or
channels may also be provided where required in the plungers or moulds.
The sleepers according to this invention can be constructed for rails of any
section and can be bent or embossed to any desired_configuration by suitably
modifying the shape of the matrix A' and former E. The sleeper blanks instead 1
of being formed as herein described may be constructed from plates rolled with
ribs upon them each rib for supplying the metal to form one jaw. A plate so
constructed may be cut into smaller plates of any desired width so that the sleepers
may be formed wider or narrower according to requirements. Or the sleeper blank
may be formed with a central longitudinal rib which in the finished sleeper would
extend throughout its length being interrupted only at the parts at which the rails
are to be laid
It is obvious that the before described presses may be adapted for forming
sleeper chairs detached from the sleepers themselves by employing matrices and
plungers of a suitably modified form.
The before described apparatus may be modified without departing from the
spirit of this invention, for example the cores F' shown in Figures 9 and 10 may
be provided with a special hydraulic ram which will enable them to be moved
sidewise out of the sleeper jaws in case they would become too tightly jammed
between them by the rapid cooling of the metal and besides this the sleeper blank
may be of any other shape than those hereinbefore described.
The face of the plunger or plungers for operating on the underside of the sleeper
plate below the jaws may be flat, as shown in the drawings, or of other desired
form, for instance one or more ribs or projections may be provided on said face to
assist in distributing the metal when forming the jaws. Also by suitably modifying
the shape of the plungers I may make the ordinary punched clip-jaw sleeper but
provided with serrated or roughened jaws.
If desired, I may also fit the before described presses with detachable punching
apparatus by which I may form holes in the sleeper plate for receiving the bolts or
spikes for attaching of separate chairs the bolt holes in which may also be punched
by the same apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In the manufacture of railway sleepers having solid jaws the employment of
plates rolled with ribs or enlargements sufficient to supply the whole of the metal
necessary for forming the solid jaws substantially as described.
2. In the manufacture of railway sleepers having solid jaws the employment of
plates having integral ribs or enlargements sufficient to supply the whole of the
metal necessary for forming the solid jaws substantially as described.
'
3. In the manufacture of railway sleepers or chairs with solid jaws the
employment of a flat plate or blank and one or more blocks such as Geach for
forming one or two jaws substantially as described.
4. The process of manufacturing a wrought metal sleeper with solid jaws by
heating the plate or blank at the parts at which the jaws are to be formed placing
moulds thereon applying molten metal allowing the two to fuse together and
subsequently pressing them to the required form substantially as described.
5. A press for manufacturing wrought metal sleepers with solid jaws constructed
and operating substantially in the manner described and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2
of 'the accompanying drawings.
6: A press for manufacturing wrought metal sleepers with solid jaws constructed

page_text: and operating substantially in the manner described and illustrated in Figures 3 and 4-
of the accompanying drawings.
7. A press for manufacturing wrought metal sleepers with solid jaws constructed
and operating substantially in the manner described and illustrated in Figures 5 and 6.
of the accompanying drawings.
8. A press for manufacturing wrought metal sleepers with solid jaws constructed
and operating substantially in the manner described and illustrated in Figures 7 and &
of the accompanying drawings.
9. A press for manufacturing wrought metal sleepers with solid jaws constructed
and operating substantially in the manner described and illustrated in Figures 9
and 10 of the accompanying drawings.
10. A press for manufacturing wrought metal sleepers with solid jaws constructed
and operating substantially in the manner described and illustrated in Figures 11
and 12 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 9th day of December 1892.
ARTHUR THOMAS GEORGE BROWN.
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.
ARTHUR THOMAS GEORGE BROWN..
W. P. Thompson & Boult,
Agents for the Applicant.