Year: 1886

page_text: We THOMAS WRIGHTSON of the Teesdale Iron Works, Stockton on Tees, in the
County of Durham and JOHN MACKENZIE of Middlesborough in the County of
York Engineers do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object improvements in the permanent way of
railways.
We employ a metal sleeper of a trough like section, the trough may be closed
at the ends which adds to the stiffness of the structure and the ballast is better
retained. This trough like sleeper when in use occupies an inverted position and
the bottom (which then becomes the top) forms a flat table or surface on which
the foot of the rail stands. Along the centre of this table however there is a
ridge and to receive the foot of the rail the ridge is cut away so that the rail may
rest flat on the table as already stated. In cutting away the ridge a part forming
an overhanging lip is left on either side. The foot of the rail enters beneath the
lip on one side and on the other side a wedge or key is inserted horizontally
between the lip and the foot of the rail. This key bears on the edge of the foot
and it also overlaps it on the upper side. The back of the key is grooved and the
lip upon the sleeper enters the groove-both the key and the lip may be tapered
and when the key is driven home the rail is securely locked to the sleeper.
One of the advantages in the use of the grooved key is that a blow with
a hammer at the end after passing the lip on the sleeper will partially close the
groove and effectually prevent the key coming out even if shaken loose.
The upper lip of the key is not essential.
Another key or cottar may be inserted on the opposed side if increased bearing
surface for the rail be required.
The arrangement above described is adapted to footed rails. For double headed
rails we employ a similar trough like sleeper but without the ridge. In place of
this ridge we form by pressure in suitable tools a deep bulge in the bottom of
the trough where the rail comes upon it. We cut an aperture in this bulge
to admit the rail as in the former case to rest upon the flat bottom or table of the
sleeper.

page_text: On one side the aperture is made to the form of the rail and the projection left
upon the sleeper forms a jaw which supports the rail as the jaw of an ordinary cast
iron chair. On the other side or key jaw a socket piece to receive a key is inserted
into the aperture to provide bearing surface for the key.
There are ribs upon the outer surface of the socket piece and these fit within
the bulge of the sleeper and so the socket piece cannot rise or move laterally.
Between the side of the socket piece and the web of the rail a key is driven, and so
the rail is locked in its place upon the sleeper.

page_text: The lip against which the key is driven is slightly inclined as seen in plan to a
taper corresponding to that of the key.
In Figures 4. 5. and 6 the sleeper is shown without the ridge a³ and the lips are
rivetted on, or they may be otherwise secured to the sleeper. It is obvious that
a key may be applied on both sides of the rail and occasionally this may be
advantageous as for adjusting the gauge around curves.
It will be observed that the flat lips take a very secure hold of the flanges of
the rails and by interlocking with the corresponding grooves in the keys they hold
these and the rails very firmly in place. A like arrangement of lip and grooved
key may be employed to secure a footed chair to a trough sleeper.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. The combination of the sleeper a with table a¹ flat topped ridge a³ and flat
lip a³ with the rail b and key c, in such manner that the lip on one side overlaps
the flange of the rail and on the other side serves to retain the key c, driven
beneath it and against the flange of the rail substantially as described.
2. The combination of the sleeper a, with table a¹ and lips a³ the rail b and key
or keys c grooved at the back so as to fit to the lip both on the top and beneath
substantially as described.
3. The combination of the sleeper a with table a¹ and lips a³ and the key
or keys c grooved at the back so as to fit to the lip and overlapping the foot of the
rail or part to be secured to the sleeper substantially as described.
Dated this 24th day of November 1886.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicants.