IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF TRAMWAYS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Philip Rawlings, Marine Engineer, and Edward
James Barnes, Stationer, both of Whitechapel Road, in the County of
Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
TRAMWAYS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Philip Rawlings and
Edward James Barnes at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
10th October 1879.
JOHN PHILIP RAWLINGS, Marine Engineer, and EDWARD JAMES BARNES, Stationer,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
both of Whitechapel Road, in the County of Middlesex.
CONSTRUCTION OF TRAMWAYS."
Our Invention is designed to prevent or retard the formation of ruts in the
roadway proper in proximity to tram rails, as is common with tramways as usually
constructed.
According to our Invention the longitudinal or part or parts which carries or
holds or carry or hold the rail is or are supported in a longitudinal metallic sleeper
or sill constructed with a channel, and with recesses or spaces at each side thereof for
the reception of paving blocks or road material.
The sides of the channel are formed of two longitudinal flanges or walls
projecting above (and in some cases also below) the bed or bottom. In one arrange-
ment the channel bottom and sides form together a structure which in cross
section somewhat resembles the letter H.
Along each side of the structure, it may be lower than the channel bottom, runs
a longitudinal flange projecting outwardly, and designed to rest on the concrete or
other foundation or bed of the roadway proper, and lateral projections connect the
walls or sides of the channel with the longitudinal flanges at suitable intervals to
form spaces for the reception of paving blocks, whose upper surfaces are or may be
level with the tops of the lateral projections, which may be roughened on their
upper surfaces to prevent horses slipping.
Our Invention may be used with macadamized roads, and suitable cross ties may
be provided for maintaining the gauge.

page_text: part 4; but we prefer constructing the longitudinal sleeper or sill bottom 4 with
its longitudinal flanges 6, 6, in one and the sides or walls 5, 5, separate, as; shewn
in the Drawings, also that the vertical lateral projections should consist of separate
pieces of metal of T section or U section rivetted or otherwise fastened to the sides
or walls 5 or flanges 6, or both. The means by which the channel flanges, sides,
or walls, 5, 5, with their lateral projections 7, 7, forming recesses for the paving
blocks, as described, are fastened to the metallic sleeper or sill bottom when (as in
the arrangement illustrated) not cast or formed in one with it, are as follows:-
Below the bottom of the channel in each side of the metallic sleeper or sill is formed
a dovetail recess 8 running longitudinally, in which fit loosely the heads 9 (similarly
shaped) of bolts which pass through holes formed in the flanges, sides, or walls 5,
which by means of nuts 10 screwed up tightly against their outer surfaces may be
kept firmly against the sides of the metallic sleeper or sill bottom, and in any
position longitudinally of it. The outer portions of the dovetail recesses 8 are cut
away at intervals, as at 8*, so as to admit of inserting the bolt heads 9 into the said
recesses. The manner of fastening the rail to the metallic sleeper of sill is shewn
in Figs. 4 to 10; 11 is a metallic clip plate formed with projections 12, a recess 13,
and bolt or rivet holes 14 for fixing it to the rail; 15 is another clip plate with a
projecting part 16, recesses 17, and at its back projections 18 (not of dovetail
shape) designed to enter the sleeper groove; in the middle of the clip plate is a
hole 19, through which is passed a bolt for fastening it to the metallic sleeper or
cill. The bolts are first got into position with their heads in the dovetail recess of
the sleeper or sill; then (the rail with its clip plate being already in position) the
sleeper clip plate 15 is passed over the projecting ends of the bolts so as to overlap
the rail clip plate 11, and the nuts are screwed on, and finally the rail and sleeper
clip plates are keyed together by a wooden or other key or strip of wood 20
(preferably wedge shaped). Figs. 8 and 9 shew a similar arrangement for fastening
the rails, but modified so as to give a firm hold of the rails where their ends join or
abut against each other. The rails are connected together to the proper gauge by
cross tie rods 21 secured to the longitudinal flanges 6, 6, at intervals, as shewn,
recesses being formed in the flanges 6, 6, for inserting the ends of the tie rods so
that they may be flush with the top surfaces of the flanges; adjustable tie rods may
be used during the laying of the tramway to facilitate getting the sleepers exactly
in place.
Having described the nature of our said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical effect, we would have
it understood that what we consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim
as secured to us under the Letters Patent herein before in part recited is,―
1. Constructing a longitudinal metallic sleeper or sill for a tramway with a
channel to receive the rail, and with recesses or spaces formed by lateral projections
at each side for the reception of paving blocks or road material, substantially as
described.
2. The improved construction of tramway substantially as herein before described,
whether as shown in the Drawings, or modified as hereinabove set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Philip Rawlings have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Seventh day of April in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty.