IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Allason Fletcher, of Lowca Engine Works, near
Whitehaven, in the County of Cumberland, Engineer, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR THE PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND
TRAMWAYS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Allason Fletcher at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th June 1880.
HENRY ALLASON FLETCHER, of Lowca Engine Works, near Whitehaven, in
the County of Cumberland, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR THE
PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS."
This Invention mainly consists of an improvement in the form or shape of rails,
the base or lower flange of the rail being extended or spread out where it rests
upon the sleeper or other support, instead of being made as usual of a parallel
form throughout. The rail may also be strengthened where it rests upon the
sleeper or other support by thickening it, either with or without an extension of
the lower flange at those points.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Allason Fletcher in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
December 1880.
HENRY ALLASON FLETCHER, of Lowca Engine Works, near Whitehaven, in
the County of Cumberland, Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN RAILS FOR THE
PERMANENT WAY OF RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS."
This Invention consists of an improvement in the form or shape of rails, the base
or lower flange of the rail being extended or spread out where it rests upon the
sleeper or other support, instead of being made as usual of a parallel form
throughout. The rail may also be strengthened where it rests upon the sleeper or
other support by thickening it either with or without an extension of the lower
flange at those points.
Having thus far described the nature of the said Invention, I will now proceed
(aided by the accompanying Drawings) to further and particularly describe and
ascertain in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in practice,
that is to say:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figs. 1 to 6 represent plans of various modifications adapted to rails constructed
according to my Invention.
Figs. 7 to 12, sectional elevations.
Figs. 1 and 7 show the base or lower flange of the rail extended or spread out on
both sides where it rests on the sleeper.
Figs. 2 and 8 show same on one side only.
Figs. 3 and 9, the extended or spread out portion is shewn on both sides, but
inclined.
Figs. 4 and 10, the extended or spread out portion is on alternate sides.
In Figs. 5 and 11 there is no extension of the lower flange, but in place thereof
the rail is thickened at those parts where it rests on the sleepers.
In Figs. 6 and 12 the extended portion is shown, and thickened or strengthened
at those parts.
In order that a practical man may have no difficulty in constructing my rail, I
have shown in Fig. 13 the mode and arrangement I adopt to roll my rail when the
foot or extension of the lower flange of the rail where it rests upon the sleeper
takes the form of a curve, as shown. This is accomplished by cutting one or more
flats or flat places in the groove of the rolls, as shown in said Fig. 13. Where it
is desired to make the foot of the form shown in Fig. 1, or any modification or
analogous form included in my Invention, then a wavy or irregular form must be
cut instead of a flat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed or carried out in
practice, I hereby declare that I claim, the Invention of "Improvements in Rails
for the Permanent Way of Railways and Tramways," substantially as hereinbefore
set forth and described and illustrated by the accompanying Drawings, the
extending or spreading out of the lower flange of the rail where it rests upon the
sleeper being the important point or feature.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Allason Fletcher, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.