Improvements in Railway Sleepers and Means for Securing Rails.
Year: 1887

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Railway Sleepers and Means for Securing Rails.
We, WILLIAM PERRY HALL and CHARLES CROCKER BARNETT of Piqua, in the
County of Miami, and State of Ohio, United States of America, gentleman, 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 that class of Rail-Road Ties which are constructed of
metal and are provided with means for securing the rails to the ties, and has for its
objects to produce a tie of cheap but durable construction that shall resist all
strain and shall be provided with means for readily attaching the rails. The invention
consists in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter set forth.
In the drawings;
Figure 1, is a perspective view of an improved tie, with the rails attached.
Figure 2, is a side elevation of the same, showing but one rail.
Figure 3, is a plan of figure 2, with a clamp for a switch rail, attached.
Figure 4, is an end elevation of the tie and rail.
Figure 5, is a section, adjacent to the rail clamp.
Figure 6, is a plan view of the switch rail clamp, and adjacent parts of
the tie.
Figure 7, is a side view of a detached rail clamp, and
Figure 8, a detail view of a blank for forming the clamps.
The tie A is formed from a metal sheet pressed into shape.
In cross-section the tie resembles an arch with a flattened crown y³, and is provided
with edge flanges
A³.
The ends A of the tie are so formed as to be higher at the point of juncture with
the main portion of the tie, than the flattened crown, and thereby form a shoulder y,

page_text: at each end of the said flattened crown, while the extreme ends of the tie are
below the said shoulders, and may be depressed below the crown of the main
portion.
The shoulders y above described are struck up from the crown of the arch
without perforating or weakening the arch, and these shoulders are directed inward
or toward the middle of the length of the tie, so as to afford unyielding abutments
which will effectually prevent outward thrust of the rails, when strapped down upon
the tie.
Between the said shoulders is the flattened crown y¹ which is adapted to afford a
firm bearing for a switch rail.
Adjacent to the ends of the flattened crown of the tie, the flanged edges are
provided with notches or recesses B for the clamps or chairs C. The clamps or chairs C
are formed of a metal strip having near one end a pair of ears or fingers C¹, on each
side as shown in figure 8.
This blank, when applied to the tie has the shorter end bent so as to grasp one of
the flanges A, and rest in one of the recesses B, and is then continued up one side of
the tie, so that the fingers will rest on top of the tie, with the intermediate part
of the blank, flattened to rest snugly on top of the tie. The blank is then continued
down the other side of the tie, and seated in the recess B, and bent to grasp the
flange A2 and is then continued across the bottom of the tie and bent over the flange
and the end of the strip already secured to the said flange.
.
The clamps or chairs having been placed as described, at each end of the tie,
adjacent to the shoulders, which latter effectually prevent the said clamps or chairs,
and consequently the rails, from spreading, the rails are placed in position and the
fingers bent around the rail flanges.
The recesses B in the tie, regulate the distance between the rails, being cut
according to the intended gauge of the road on which the ties are to be used. In
figures 3 and 6 is illustrated the switch rail clamp, which is formed similar to the
main rail clamp, except that the ends are only of a sufficient length to grasp the
flanges A2, as the said clamps must be adapted, usually, to be applied to the ties after
they are ready to be placed on the road, or even after the rails are applied. Any
suitable fastening device may be employed to retain the said switch rail clamps in
position. The preferred mode of preparing the ties, is to form them of steel or iron,
apply the main rail clamps with the finger at one side of each, bent so that the rail
flange may be readily passed under them if desired, and then the tie dipped in
asphaltum or other weather proof material.
In order to effect a firm union between the clamps or chairs, and the tie, the said
clamps may be shrunk thereon.
The shoulders besides establishing the gauge, and preventing the rails from
spreading, will add strength to the tie and give such a bearing on the road bed as to
prevent any sidewise displacement of the tie. It is evident that the invention is not
confined to the exact construction and arrangements of parts shown, as modifications
of the same will be suggested to any one, skilled in the art.
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 ;-
"1st. A railroad tie formed of a single sheet of metal, having contracted bracing
ends and shouldered abutments, the top of the tie between the shoulders being flat, and
the sides and ends convex or arched laterally, substantially as described."
"2nd. The combination with the shouldered tie, of a clamp or chair embracing the
edges of the tie, and provided with fingers for engaging the rail flanges, substantially
as described."
"3rd. The tie having contracted shouldered ends, and recessed flanges, of a clamp
or chair surrounding the tie and resting in the recesses in the flanges, and provided
with fingers to grasp the rail flange, substantially as described."
"4th. A railroad tie of arched form, transversely at each end, and having

page_text: shoulders, and outwardly inclined crowns beyond the shoulders, in combination with
the flattened crown, extending from one of said shoulders to the other, substantially as
and for the purpose described."
"5th. The combination with the tie, having edge flanges, of a clamp or chair grasping
the said flanges and provided with fingers to grasp the rail flanges, substantially as
described."
"6th. A railroad tie constructed of a single sheet of metal pressed into shape, and
having formed upon its ends, shoulders struck up from the crown of the tie, and
contracted bracing portions extending from the said shoulders to the respective ends
of the tie, in combination with the rail clamps embracing the tie, and abutting against
the said shoulders, substantially as herein set forth.
..
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicants.