A New or Improved Machine and Instruments or Appliances Connected therewith for Notching or Channelling Railway, Tramway, and other like Keys or Wedges.
Year: 1888

page_text: A New or Improved Machine and Instruments or Appliances
Connected therewith for Notching or Channelling Railway,
Tramway, and other like Keys or Wedges.
I PAUL MONCHARMONT of 45 rue St. Sebastian Paris in the Republic of France
Civil 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 a machine more particularly intended for notching or
channelling the bevelled keys employed in railway chairs or supports of the class
described in the Specification to Letters Patent granted to James Yate Johnson and
dated 28th December 1887 No. 17,836 being also applicable to the notching or
channelling of other keys or wedges for railways and tramways or other like purposes.
The most important characteristics of this machine consist in the arrangement and
action of the punch or cutting tool and in the means employed for holding the key or
wedge in position whilst it is being acted on by the tool and for securing the machine
itself in position by connecting it to the permanent way or other fixed support and in
the general combinations and arrangements of the parts as hereinafter described.
The invention also relates to certain instruments or appliances which facilitate the
work of notching and fitting the keys in the chairs as hereinafter explained. And
in order that my said Invention may be fully understood I shall now proceed more
particularly to describe the same and for that purpose shall refer to the several figures
on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference indicating corre-
sponding parts in all the corresponding figures.
The machine illustrated in the drawing is arranged for cutting transverse notches
or channels in keys of the form or pattern represented in figures X, Y and Z. This
key is or may be employed in permanent way according to the said Specification
No. 178367 being in the form of a prism bisected in the direction of its length by
one or more planes (y figure X) the generating lines of which are parallel. The
bisecting planes may be joined by a connecting surface or angle or may be replaced
by a cylindrical surface. The angle formed by the said planes with the axis of the
key may be either to the left or to the right so as to cause the key to taper to the left
(or upper end in figure Y) or to the right (lower end in figure 2).
It is necessary to form a notch or transverse channel in the side of the key in a

page_text: direction perpendicular to the lower surface and at a constant depth or distance from
the edge of the bevel. The distance of the notch from the end may vary as indicated
for example by the dotted lines in Figures Y and Z.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents in vertical section a machine for
making these notches according to this invention the section being taken on the line
1-2 Figure 2.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 represent horizontal sections taken on the lines 3-4, 5-6, and
7-8 respectively in Figure 1.
Figure 5 represents a vertical section on the line 9-10 Figure 1 and Figure 6 is
a side elevation of the machine viewed from the right in Figure 1.
This machine is constructed with a standard or frame A the base of which is formed
with an angular transverse opening for the reception of the key (a) to be matched or
channelled and of a distance piece or block b. Above and at right angles to this
opening there is a cylindrical hole or socket in which works a tool holder e carrying a
punch o secured by a set screw the head of which works in a suitable slot. The
lower part of the base is provided with a circular die piece d formed with an elliptical
or elongated central opening and fitted into a recess in the base being retained in
position by two parallel pins or keys driven in horizontally through the base and
engaging with the side of the die piece. A clearing hole g is provided underneath
the die piece.
Lugs B B are provided at the sides of the bed being perforated with cylindrical
holes which are utilised for fixing the machine as hereinafter described. The under-
side of the base is provided with legs to which a sole plate C of suitable shape and
dimensions is attached by screws. The upper part of the frame is constructed with
mechanism such as that illustrated in the drawing or of any other suitable construction
for obtaining the requisite power for working the tool or punch o employed "for
notching the key a.
The tool holder c is made with a cylindrical shank and at its lower extremity presents
an inclined plane perpendicular to or bisecting the prolongation of the long axis of the
elliptical opening in the die piece d the said plane terminating in horizontal planes
corresponding to the thickness of the sides of the socket of the tool holder. The
punch or tool o is made of rectangular or other suitable form in transverse section
being rounded or semi-circular at the ends in the example illustrated and is retained in
position in the socket of the tool holder c which is of a form fitted to receive the
shank of the tool. This tool is provided with an extension of on the back or side
opposite to that on which the cutting edge o² is situated which extends into the hole
in the die piece and forms a guide and support for the punch or cutting edge o².
hole closed by a screwed plug is formed in the sole plate C under the hole in the
dio piece to enable the punch or tool to be removed. The cutting edge o² is semi-
circular as indicated in the drawing or of angular or any other suitable form.
corresponding to that of the notch or channel to be cut in the key a.
A
According as the key is intended to be driven in from left to right as in figure L
or from right to left figure Z it is supported in the machine by a filling piece or
block Figures 9 and 10 or 7 and 8 in which the key is indicated in dotted lines.
Each of these filling blocks represents a rectangular a parallelopipedon bisected
longitudinally by a vertical plane forming with the side of the parallelopipe on an
angle equal to that formed by the intersection of the horizontal lines in the surfaces
between which the key is to be driven. The blocks bare provided with a projection 1
bearing against the thick ends of the keys and forming a stop which prevents
longitudinal displacement of the keys during the punching and with a handle 62 to
facilitate the manipulation. By means of these blocks, any number of which may be
provided with the machine corresponding to the different sizes of keys, the notching
or channelling is enabled to be performed with perfect regularity at the same position
and depth the key being retained longitudinally in position during the operation by
the heel or projection and laterally by the side face of the block. The punch makes
a perfectly clean cut without burrs as the work and the tool are effectually prevented
from yielding or moving laterally the former being supported by the block and the

page_text: latter being supported by the holder c and by the extension o¹. This arrangement of
the tool o is of great importance constituting a cutting punch perfectly certain and
regular in its action.
This notching or channelling machine may be screwed or otherwise secured to a
table or bench by means of the sole plate C. This plate may be dispensed with by
making the base with feet adapted to fix it in position but as the machine is specially
intended to be used for notching the bevelled metal keys employed in the construction of
railways it is more convenient to provide means for fixing it to one of the rails of the
permanent way as hereinafter described.
These means of attachment or holding tackle are illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and
13 of the accompanying drawings. Figure 11 represents the tackle partly in section
the section being taken along the line 11-12 Figure 12 and the punching
machine A being represented in elevation. Figure 12 represents the apparatus in
plan and Figure 13 represents a transverse section on the line 13-14 Figure 12. This
tackle is composed of two U shaped bars or forks E and F connected by a straight
bar T. The fork E is provided with two hooks or claws E' E' shaped to embrace and
fit the rail Ras indicated in Figure 11 the rail being jammed in the hooks by means
of wood wedges G connected to the apparatus by chains. This fork E is jointed to
the straight bar T by a pin passed through an eye formed in the bar and through
lugs on the fork and secured by a nut. The har Tis connected at the other extremity
to the fork F by a pivot i formed on the end of the bar and fitting in a hole or socket
in the fork. The legs of the latter terminate in pins fitting into the cylindrical holes
in the lugs B B herein before referred to being secured to the punching machine by
pins attached to the base of the machine by short chains. The double joint
formed by the pin h and pivot enable the machine to adjust itself readily to
any irregularities or inequalities in the level or incline of the ballast relatively to
the rail R. It is evident that in practice the machine may be steadied and retained
in position by attaching it to any other stationary support the rail R being merely
illustrated by way of example as being the most convenient support in working on
the permanent way.
The operations of notching and applying the keys are greatly facilitated by means
of two tools or instruments of special construction as hereinafter described namely
a key marker and a key carrier. The marker serves to mark the true position of
the notch to be cut in the key in order that the notch may be presented in the
right place when the key is driven home in the chair. With this object the keys
are driven into their places before the notches are cut the position of the notch
is then marked by means of the instrument hereinafter described after which the
keys are withdrawn and notched in the notching machine.
This instrument or marker is illustrated in figures 14 to 17 of the accompanying
drawings. Figure 14 is an elevation viewed from the side of the handle. Figure 15
is a vertical section on the line 15-16 Figure 14. Figure 16 is a plan and
figure 17 a horizontal section on the line 17-18 figure 14. The marker is made
in three parts the first of which forms a stamp L consisting of two shanks connected
by transverse bars and terminating at their lower extremities in two parallel chisel
edges fixed at a distance apart equal to the length of the opening provided for
the reception of the key in the notching machine. Situated centrally between the
two edges there is a stud or pivot p formed in one with the stamp and very
slightly projecting beyond the said edges. The second part consists of a guide
pin I having a laterally enlarged and rounded head of elliptical form in horizontal
section being connected to the lower transverse bar of the stamp by a tenon
standing out at right angles to the guide pin and fixed in the bar by a screw v.
The major axis of the ellipse formed by the horizontal section of the pin at its
widest part is parallel with the plane of the shanks of the stamp and the pin is
of sufficient length to be capable of engaging with the hole formed in the chair
for the reception of the stop pin. The third part forms the handle M of the
instrument which handle is fixed in the upper iransverse bar between the two shanks.
In using this marking instrument the key being driven into the chair the chisel
t

page_text: edges are placed upon the key, the guide pin is placed in the hole in the
chair and the marker is adjusted until the lower part of the shanks bears against
the inner side of the recess in the chair. A smart blow with a hammer is then
struck on the head of each of the shanks of the two marking chisels and two
parallel lines or marks are thus produced in the key being at an equal distance from
the hole in the chair and at a distance apart corresponding to the length of the
opening in the machine. The key being thus marked with two indentations is
removed from. the chair and adjusted in the machine according to the marks and
the notch is then punched out in the notching machine exactly at the place
corresponding with the hole in the chair for which this key is to be used.
The key carrier hereinbefore referred to is illustrated in figures 18, 19 and 20
of the accompanying drawings. Figure 18 is a side elevation, figure 19 a view in
vertical section on the line 15-20 figure 18 and figure 20 represents the carrier in
plan. This carrier is composed of a block of wood N in which are formed a series
of numbered cells n for the reception of the keys which are arranged in the cells
before and after the notching process. Two ears m screwed to the side of tho
block are connected to handle P by which the block can be conveniently
lifted or carried about. This carrier is filled with blank keys which are
successively placed in the chairs, marked with the marker hereinbefore described
and carefully replaced in their respective cells in the carrier. The carrier
is then taken to the notching machine and the keys are taken out one
by one and notched being replaced in the same cells in the carrier. The notched
keys can then be readily replaced in the chairs in the same order as when the
marking was performed. When this carrier is employed there is no difficulty in
finding the key that has been notched to correspond with any chair of the series.
The forms dimensions and details of construction of the machine and instruments or
appliances employed therewith as hereinbefore described may evidently be varied
according to circumstances without departing from the principles of this invention.
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 :-
1. For notching or channelling railway and other like keys or wedges, a machine
constructed with a frame A and a base or bed provided with a lateral or transverso
opening for the reception of the keys a and blocks band with recesses for the tool
holder and for a die piece d and a clearing hole g substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
C
2. In a machine for notching or channelling railway and other like keys or wedges
a tool holder c of cylindrical form externally and of oval or elliptical form internally
for the reception of the punch and presenting at its lower extremity in the
direction of the width of the tool an inclined plane meeting two horizontal planes
corresponding to the thickness of the sides of the socket of the tool holder substan-
tially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in figures 1, 3 and 5 of the accompanying
drawings.
3. The tool or punch o constructed of circular elliptical or angular form in trans-
verse section at the part performing the notching and having an extension o¹ perma-
nently guided in the die piece dand a cutting or acting part of of a form corresponding
to that of the notch to be formed the said tool being supported in the notching
machine at both ends so as to be effectually held up to its work and cause it to mako
a clean cut without burring or crowding back the metal substantially as herein before
described with reference to figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
4. The blocks (right handed and left handed) provided with the projection & and
handle and serving to support the bevelled keys a laterally and longitudinally in
the notching machine as the notch is punched out of the bevelled side of the key by
means of the punch o the said blocks being formed and introduced into the notching
recess in the manner and for the purpose substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated in figures 1, 4, 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.

page_text: 5. For fixing the punching machine in position the tackle consisting of two forks E
and F connected by a bar T of suitable length by means of a pin h and pivot i the
said tackle being capable of being affixed by means of the fork E hooks E' and
wedges G to one of the rails of a railway at one end and at the other end by means of
the fork F and bolts or pins i to the lugs B of the machine and thereby preventing
the machine from shifting during the punching operation and at the same time
enabling the sole or base plate C of the machine to adjust itself to any irregularities
or inequalities of the ground relatively to the rail It or other point of support
substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in figures 11, 12 and 13 of the
accompanying drawings.
6. In order to facilitate the notching of the keys with precision at the proper
distance from the end the marking tool or instrument consisting of a stamp L with
cutting edges and central pivot p the said marking tool being provided with a
guide pin and handle M and being employed in combination with the punching
machine for the purpose of marking the keys so that the notches when formed in
accordance with the marking shall present themselves accurately in the required
positions when the keys are driven home in the chairs substantially as hereinbefore
described with reference to figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings.
7. In order to facilitate the work of marking the keys to be notched in the
notching machine as hereinbefore set forth the key carrier constructed with numbered
cells n and a handle P the said key carrier being employed in combination with the
notching machine and serving to hold the marked keys in a certain order and enable
then to be replaced in the chairs in the same order as that in which they were
marked and thus ensure the return of each key to the chair for which it is fitted
substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 18, 19 and 20 of the
accompanying drawings.
11
Y
1000