GB2155085A - Girder arch and the like securing member - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to the securing of girders or arches, or of railway rails. Conventionally, such members are held in abutting relationship by so-called fishplates, traditionally formed by rolling. Rolled fishplates are of adequate strength but are heavy and relatively expensive to produce. The objective of the invention is to provide a fish plate of comparable strength but of lighter weight and lower cost. The objective is met by a construction comprising a pressing of an appropriate metal, said pressing having a corresponding profiled shape to each side. Thus, by being of pressed, e.g., W-cross-section, high strength and low weight is achieved and the production route is less expensive than rolling <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Girder Arch and the Like Securing Member This invention relates to securing members for girders or arches of e.g. I-, T-, or H-section railway rails and the like.

Conventionally, abutting lengths of girders and railway rails, and abutting segments of an arch are secured together by a member generally known as a fishplate, the fishplate bridging the point of contact between adjacent girders and rails and between adjacent arch sections, and secured to the respective adjacent ends by e.g. bolts. More usually, two fishplates are provided, one to each side of the joint.

Hitherto, fishplates have been formed by rolling, which fishplates, whilst adequately serving the intended purpose by providing adequate strength, are expensive to produce and are relatively heavy.

The object of the present invention is to provide a fishplate less costly and of lighter weight than hitherto, without sacrificing strength.

According to the present invention, a securing member for adjacent girders, railway rails, arch segments and the like, comprises a pressing of an appropriate metal, said pressing having a corresponding profiled shape to each side.

Thus, a generally flat plate of a suitable alloy steel can be pressed into a generally W-shape when viewed in transverse cross-section with a centre land of a width sufficient to allow the provision of a number of bolt holes spaced along its length.

Thus by using initially flat bar stock subsequently pressed, the production costs of such fishplates are less than with comparable lengths formed by rolled section, and the provision of a profiled section reduces noticeably the weight of such comparable lengths (with again a reduction in cost), without there being any reduction in the strength of the fish plates according to the invention. By being of lighter weight than conventional fish plates, and being generally W-shape, the fishplates of the invention can readily be held in the hand at the time of setting a joint, the contour of the underside of the fishplate being important as it enables the operative to place his fingers/thumbs in the grooves of the W-section. Thus relatively quick and relatively safe assembly of arches is greatly facilitated.Afurther advantage of the invention is that the identical cross-section of a number of such fishplates by being interlocked allows safer stacking of the fishplates during storage and transportation, and permits a greater density of stored fish plates per unit space than with conventional fishplates.

One example of joint embodying fishplates according to the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a joint between adjacent I-section girders, employing a fishplate according to the invention; and Figure 2 is an end elevation of Figure 1 with one girder removed for clarity.

In the drawings, two abutting arch-forming Isection girders 1 and 2 are held in abutting side-byside relationship by two fishplates 3 bridging the joint between the girders. The fish plates are secured to the girders by bolts 4 extending through holes formed in the fish plates and corresponding holes formed through the webs of the girders.

Each fishplate 3 is formed as a pressed member from flat bar stock of a suitable metal, to combine the characteristics of strength and relatively light weight. Each fishplate is of identical generally W-cross-section so that the fishplates can be used for both right hand and left hand application, and which cross-section provides not only improved strength characteristics, but enables improved stacking of fishplates during storage and transportation, by allowing a higher density of components per unit space.

The relatively light weight and W-shape of the fishplates of the invention greatly facilitates handling on site, and allows relatively easy and safe setting of a joint between abutting arch-forming girders.

1. A securing member for adjacent girders, railway rails, arch segments and the like comprising a pressing of an appropriate metal, said pressing having a corresponding profiled shape to each side.

2. A securing member as in Claim 1,wherein a generally flat plate of a suitable alloy steel is pressed into a generally W-shape when viewed in transverse cross-section with a centre land of a width sufficient to allow the provision of a number of bolt holes spaced along its length.

3. A securing member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1-3 above have been deleted or textually amended.

(b) New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:- 1. A securing member for adjacent arch segments and the like comprising a pressing of an appropriate metal, said pressing having a corresponding profiled shape to each side.

2. A securing member as in Claim 1, wherein a generally flat plate of a suitable alloy steel is pressed into a corrugated generally W-shape when viewed in transverse cross-section with a centre land of a width sufficient to allow the provision of a number of bolt holes spaced along its length.

3. A securing member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Girder Arch and the Like Securing Member This invention relates to securing members for girders or arches of e.g. I-, T-, or H-section railway rails and the like. Conventionally, abutting lengths of girders and railway rails, and abutting segments of an arch are secured together by a member generally known as a fishplate, the fishplate bridging the point of contact between adjacent girders and rails and between adjacent arch sections, and secured to the respective adjacent ends by e.g. bolts. More usually, two fishplates are provided, one to each side of the joint. Hitherto, fishplates have been formed by rolling, which fishplates, whilst adequately serving the intended purpose by providing adequate strength, are expensive to produce and are relatively heavy. The object of the present invention is to provide a fishplate less costly and of lighter weight than hitherto, without sacrificing strength. According to the present invention, a securing member for adjacent girders, railway rails, arch segments and the like, comprises a pressing of an appropriate metal, said pressing having a corresponding profiled shape to each side. Thus, a generally flat plate of a suitable alloy steel can be pressed into a generally W-shape when viewed in transverse cross-section with a centre land of a width sufficient to allow the provision of a number of bolt holes spaced along its length. Thus by using initially flat bar stock subsequently pressed, the production costs of such fishplates are less than with comparable lengths formed by rolled section, and the provision of a profiled section reduces noticeably the weight of such comparable lengths (with again a reduction in cost), without there being any reduction in the strength of the fish plates according to the invention. By being of lighter weight than conventional fish plates, and being generally W-shape, the fishplates of the invention can readily be held in the hand at the time of setting a joint, the contour of the underside of the fishplate being important as it enables the operative to place his fingers/thumbs in the grooves of the W-section. Thus relatively quick and relatively safe assembly of arches is greatly facilitated.Afurther advantage of the invention is that the identical cross-section of a number of such fishplates by being interlocked allows safer stacking of the fishplates during storage and transportation, and permits a greater density of stored fish plates per unit space than with conventional fishplates. One example of joint embodying fishplates according to the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a joint between adjacent I-section girders, employing a fishplate according to the invention; and Figure 2 is an end elevation of Figure 1 with one girder removed for clarity. In the drawings, two abutting arch-forming Isection girders 1 and 2 are held in abutting side-byside relationship by two fishplates 3 bridging the joint between the girders. The fish plates are secured to the girders by bolts 4 extending through holes formed in the fish plates and corresponding holes formed through the webs of the girders. Each fishplate 3 is formed as a pressed member from flat bar stock of a suitable metal, to combine the characteristics of strength and relatively light weight. Each fishplate is of identical generally W-cross-section so that the fishplates can be used for both right hand and left hand application, and which cross-section provides not only improved strength characteristics, but enables improved stacking of fishplates during storage and transportation, by allowing a higher density of components per unit space. The relatively light weight and W-shape of the fishplates of the invention greatly facilitates handling on site, and allows relatively easy and safe setting of a joint between abutting arch-forming girders. CLAIMS

1. A securing member for adjacent girders, railway rails, arch segments and the like comprising a pressing of an appropriate metal, said pressing having a corresponding profiled shape to each side.

2. A securing member as in Claim 1,wherein a generally flat plate of a suitable alloy steel is pressed into a generally W-shape when viewed in transverse cross-section with a centre land of a width sufficient to allow the provision of a number of bolt holes spaced along its length.

3. A securing member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

3. A securing member, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: (a) Claims 1-3 above have been deleted or textually amended.

(b) New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:-

1. A securing member for adjacent arch segments and the like comprising a pressing of an appropriate metal, said pressing having a corresponding profiled shape to each side.

2. A securing member as in Claim 1, wherein a generally flat plate of a suitable alloy steel is pressed into a corrugated generally W-shape when viewed in transverse cross-section with a centre land of a width sufficient to allow the provision of a number of bolt holes spaced along its length.