US501093A

US501093A - Rail-joint

Info

Publication number: US501093A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1893-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1910-07-11

Description

(No Model.) s sheets-,sheet 1.

M. C. NILES. f

No. 501,093. RAIL JOINM-,entd Jul-.y 11, 1893;

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RAIL JOINT (No Model.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. M. o. NILBS.

I RAIL JoINT. K No. 5.015093.- Patented July 11, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MILTON C. NILES, OF

OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 501,093, dated July 11, 1893.

Application filed June 14, 1892. Serial No. 436,676. (No model.)

sides of the foot fianges; and the object of my invention, generally stated, is to provide a rail joint that shall be simple of construction and easy of manufacture and will firmly, but elastically, support the rails at their meeting ends, without necessitating the puncturing of the rails, or otherwise altering their present form.

More particularly, one of the important objects of my invention is to employ truss plates of different depth or vertical diameter, and consequently, of different strength, on opposite sides of the rails, and at the same time proportionately distribute the pressure or strain between the two plates.

A further important object of my invention, is to bind the truss plates in place and at the same time cause them to lean toward the rails, by the vertical pressure employed for supporting the rails.

With these ends in view, my invention consists in certain featuresof noveltyin the construction, combination and arrangement :of parts, by which the said objects and certain other objects hereinafter described are attained, as fully explained with reference to the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the claims. n

In the said drawings,-Figure l, is a vertical transverse section of a rail having my improved joint applied thereto, taken on the line l, 1', Fig. 2. Fig. 2, is a plan view thereof, on a smaller scale. Fig. 3, is a perspective view of the same. Fig. 4, is a longitudinal sectional view, taken on the

line

4, 4, Fig. 1. Fig. 5, is a view similar to Fig. 1,0n asmaller scale showing a slight modification in the arrangement of the vertical bolts and also illustrating brace-plates in dotted lines. Fig. 6, is a transverse sectional lview of a portion of my joint, illustrating a modified form of truss-plate, which will be hereinafter explained, and Fig. 7, is a perspective view ofa still further modification of the same.

In the drawings, wherein like signs of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, l, are the rails, of the ordinary or any suitable construction, upon whose foot flanges, 2, are supported vertically arranged truss-plates, 3, 4, one on each side, as usual in rail joints. Passing under the rails at the point where they come together, is a base-plate or chair, 5, which yis provided at both sides with upturned flanges, 6. Supported upon the upper edge of each of the truss-plates, 3, 4,

is an angle iron or plate, 7, through which and the base-plate or chair 5, pass a number of bolts, S, 8L which are so arranged as to come vagainst the outer edges of the rail ianges, as shown more clearly in Fig. 1, and

vthus hold the rails against transverse or lat-l eral movement. These bolts, serve to bind the base-plate or chair, 5, firmly against the under sides of the rail flanges, and in doing so, clamp the

truss plates

3, 4, firmly upon the upper sides of such flanges, and thus render downward movement of the rails at their junction impossible, without bending thetruss-

plates

3, 4, transversely of their verticalareas, and as they may be made of great depth, it will be seen that a joint thus constructed possesses great strength. It will, of course, be understood, that it is immaterial how high the edge of the joint extends on the outer side of the rail, or on that side of.

the rail where the wheel flanges do no t come, so long as it'does not extend above the rail, so as to be struck by the edge of the tread; and in order that this space may be fully utilized to the best advantage for the accommodation of a strengthening medium, I eX- tend the truss-plate, 3, upward a considerableI distance above the top ofthe truss-plate 4,`

so as to greatly increase the vertical diameter of its cross-section, and, as will be understood, greatly increases its strength over that of the truss 4. vThis ineql'lality ofthe vtwo truss-plates, 3, 4, of course, renders the joint stronger on one side than on the other,and`

ordinarily, this difference in strength on the two sides of the rails, would result in an Vuneven or tipping movement thereof, in case IOO the weight of the rolling' stock should be sut`` ficient to depress them at the joint, but, in order that the weaker sides of the joint, or the weaker truss-plate 4, may be relieved of a portion of the strain, and the truss-plate 3 caused to sustain such portion, so as to distribute the pressure between the two trussplates proportionately to their respective strengths, I provide the base-plate, or chair 5, with a boss or fulcrum, 9, arranged lengthwise of the rails, but nearer the plate 3 than the plate 4, so that the power of the bolt 8 will act upon the plate 3 through alonger leverage than that through which the bolt 8 acts upon the plate 4. The truss-plates, 3, 4, are provided throughout their lower edges with toe flanges, 10, which restupon the inclined 'surface of the rail flanges, and strengthen the trussplates laterally, and at the same time improve their bearing surfaces. The truss-plates, 3, 4, rest throughout their height against the vertical bolts, 8, 8, and it will be seen, that the act of tightening up such bolts produces a tendency in the truss plates to slide `down the inclines of the rail flanges, which, ot' course, results in their closer engagement with the bolts 8 Sa; and as such bolts are held against outward movement, the truss plates will be prevented from slipping oft the rail fianges at their lower edges. With the truss-plates provided with the toe flanges, 10, it is hardly possible that the action of the

bolts

8, 8a could cause the upper edges of the truss-plates to slip inward' from under the plates 7, but as a precaution or safe-guard against such inward movement of the truss-plates independently of the plates, 7, I provide the inner edges of the plates 7 with depending lips vor lugs, 11,

which engage over the upper edges of the truss-plates, as shown, and hold them firmly against the bolts.

' In order that there may be no' outward movement of the bolts S, Sad and plates 7, I provide the latter with depending flanges or wedges, 12, along their outer edges, which engage between the upturned fianges, 6, of the baseplate, and the

bolts

8, 8, the space between the truss-

plates

3, 4,and the wedges 12 being just sufficient to permit ot' the passage of the bolts, and the wedges l2 being of considerable depth or vertical diameter in crosssection, they will bear at a low point on the bolts, and thus effectually prevent the plates 7 from tipping when the bolts are tightened up. The flanges, 6, of the base-plate, are inclined or wedge shaped, so as to be complementary in shape to the wedges 12, and thus, it will be seen, that as the

bolts

8, 8* are tightened up, the wedges 12 will crowd between the rigid fianQres, 6, and the bolts, 8, 8, `and will cause the bolts a slight tendency to tip inward, which movement will, of course, be

i also imparted to the truss-plates, 3, 4, causing may be interposed between the heads of the rails and the angle formed by each of the truss-plates with its toe flange, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, whereby the upward movement of the toe fiange 10 will be transmitted to the heads of the rails for affording them greater support and guarding against their independent lateral movement. But, it should be understood,that the purpose of 4the inward movement of the

bolts

8, 8 at their upper ends, induced by the wedges, 6, 12, is not simplyfor supplying motion to the braceplates, as the joint as a whole, is complete without such brace-plates, this inward movement being mainly for the purpose of counteracting the tendency of the truss-

plates

3, 4, to rock outward under the pressure of the

bolts

8, 8a.

The truss-plates, 3, 4, may be about the same in length as the ordinary fish plates, 4or long enough to rest on two ties,while the baseplate or chair, 5, and the plates 7, need be of sufficient length only to extend a short distance along each rail; usually, they are about five inches in length, while the truss-plates are thirty inches in length.

The joint as a whole, may be anchored to the ties in any of the well known ways, but I prefer to accomplish this by providing the truss-plates along their lower outer edges with outwardly projecting flanges, 13, in whichare formed notches, through which spikes, 13, are driven into the Vcross-ties. This fiange, 13, is also cut away, as shown in Fig. 4, so as to form shoulders, 13b, adjacent to the bolts 8, t thus preventing the longitudinal movement of the base-plate 'and parts connected therewith, relatively to the truss-plates.

There may be any desired number of the

bolts

8, 8, but I have found `that two on each side are sufficient, the nuts on vthe bolts 8, being arranged on the upper ends, while those on the bolts Sar-the side of the rails on which the wheel flanges pass-*being arranged on the lower ends, the joint being usually tightened by means of the upper nuts.

An advantage in using two bolts on each side, is that each may be passed through or set into an ordinary notch in the edge of the rail flanges, as shown in Fig. `5, thus not only getting the bearing points of the truss-plates, 3, 4, nearer the web of the rail,but anchoring the rails to the joint `and preventing them from creeping away from the joint.

The main purpose of the plates 7, itfwl'l be understood, is to constitute a flat and firm bearing surface for the heads and nuts of the bolts, 8, 8, while at the same time, (by reason of their lips or lugs 11) guarding against the displacement of 'the truss-plates,3,4; and for the sake of convenience of description, I will therefore, hereinafter term them bearing plates; but I wish it to be distinctly understood that by that term I do not mean to include the lipsor lugs 11, and wedges l2, unless the same are particularly specified.

As a modification of the truss-plates and IOO the bearing plates '7, I haveshown in Fig. 6, a form in which the truss-plate and the bearing plate are formed integrally. `In this instance, the lug or lip 11, is, of course, omitted. The bearing-plate 72L is thicker than in the other form, and the Wedge 12a thereon, is formed by beveling its outer edge, so as to co-operate with the Wedge-shaped flange, 6, and perform the functions before described. The bearing plates 7a, in this instance, may or may not extend throughout the length of the truss-plate, et.

As a still further modication of the trussplates, I have shown in Fig. 7, a much simplified form, in which the bearing plates for the

bolts

8, 8a are constituted by vertical wedgeshaped ribs or brackets, 7 b, so arranged as to come one on each side of each bolt, under the head, or nut thereof. With this form, the necessity of punching or boring holes for the bolts is avoided, and the whole truss plate, with the bearing plates or brackets 7.b thereon, maybe rolled or drop-forged by one operation.

Should the rails be already provided with the ordinary angle-bars or angular fish-plates,

the truss-plates,3,4, mightbe supported upon the inclined portionsA thereof, instead of on.

the foot flanges of the rails asshown, if it should bedesired to vemploy such angle-irons in conjunction with my improved joint.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v l. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails and a chairfor base-plate, of a trussplate supported on edge on the rail flanges` and means for suspending said base plate from the upper edge of said vtruss-plate, substantially as set forth.

2. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails and a base-plateor chair, of a trussplate supported by therail flangesY and bolts having their bearings upon the upper edge of said truss-plate and supporting the base-plate, substantially as set forth.

3. In arail joint, the combination with the rails and a base-.plate or chair,.of .truss-plates supported by the rail flanges and having their upper edges arranged at a distance from the rail-heads and means for supporting the baseplate from said truss-plates, substantially as set forth.

4. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails provided with ldownwardly and outwardly inclined surfaces; of truss-plates resting upon said inclined surface, a base-plate having upturned flanges,'bearingplatessupported by said truss plates and bearing against said upturned flanges, and means for drawing said bearing plates and the baseplate or chair together,substantially as set forth.

5. In a rail joint, the combination with thek rails; of a base-plateor chair having upturned flanges, bearing plates supported.,by said truss-plates and having a bearingtagainst the flanges of said base-plate or chair, and ineans for drawing said bearing plates and base-plate or chair together, substantially as set forth.

6. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails; ofabas'e-plate or chair having upturnedV flanges, trussplates supported by the rail flanges, bearing plates supported bysaid trussplates and having Wedges orbevels'bearing against the flanges of said base-plate or chair, andmeans for drawing said bearing. plates and base-plate or chai r together, substantially as set forth.

7. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails; of abase-plate or chair having upturned iianges, truss-plates supported by the rail flanges,bearing plates supported by said trussplates and having wedges or bevels adapted to bear against the flanges of said base-plate or chair; and bolts against which said trussplates bear, for clamping said base-plate or chairand truss-plates on the rail flanges, substantially as set forth.

8. In a rail joint. the combination with the rails; of a base-plate or chair having upturned flanges, truss-plates supported by the rail flan ges, bearing plates supported bylsaid trussplates and having wedges or bevels 'adapted to bear against said upturned fianges; and bolts passing through said bearing plates and base-plate orchair contiguous to lthe edges of the rail anges, substantially .as set forth.

9. In a rail joint, the, combination withthe rails; of abase-plate or chairhaving upturned IOO beveled or Wedge shaped flanges, .truss-plates supported by the railiiangesbearing plates supported by said truss -plates and having bearing against said upturned beveled flanges, andmeans for drawing said bearing .plates and base-plate or chair together, substantially as set forth.

10. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails; of abase-plate or chair having upturned anges, truss-plates supported by the rail Y flanges, bearing plates supportedbysaid trussflanges and having inturned angle toes, bearing plates supported by said truss-.plates and s having wedges or 4bevels adapted to bear against the said upturnediiang'esand means for. drawing said bearing plates and base-plate or chair together, substantially `as set forth.

l2. In a rail joint, the combination with the l Y rails; of a base-plate o'r chair having upturned flanges, `truss -plates supported. by the rail flanges and having inturned angle-toes, braceplates interposed between-said angle toes and the heads of the rails, bearing plates Asupported `bysaid truss-plates and having wedges or bevels adapted to bear against said upturned ianges, and means for drawing saidv bearing plates and base-plate `or 'chaifr to-` substantially as set forth.

gether, substantially as set forth.

13. In arail joint, the combination with the rails; of a base-plate or chairhaving upturned 1 flanges, truss -plates supported' by the rail flanges, bearing plates supported by said truss-plates and having depending wedgeshaped or beveled portions adapted to be'ar againstsaid upturned ilanges,and bolts passing throughsaid bearing plates andbase-plate or chair and against which said beveled p01 tions bea-r, substantially as set forth.

14. In arail joint, the-combination with the rails; of a base-plate or `chair having uptu rned flanges, perpendicular truss-plates supported by the rail rilanges, bearing :plates .supported by said truss-plates and `having depending' wedges bearing against said upturned flanges, and upright boltsragainstwhichtherail.(langes and said truss-plates bear, passing through said bearing plates and base-plate or chair,

and forming bea-rings for `said depending Wedges, substantially .as set fforth.

15. In a rail joint, the combination with athe rai-ls; having notches in their `flanges; of a base-plateor ychair having upturned `ffianges,

truss-plates supported by the Vrail ilanges, bearing platesfsupported by said truss-plates and bearing against said upturned flanges, and bolts passing throughisaid bearing plates and base-plate or chai-r and "being seated in said notches in the rail `ianges, substantiallgT asset forth.

16. In a rail joint, the combination With the rails; of truss-plates of differing strength 0n opposite sides of the-rails, abase-plate orchair fulcrumed under the railsand `constituting a lever, one arm of which lever 'being longer than the other, and a binding connection between the arms of `said leverand truss-plates,

17. In a rail j oint,thecombination with the rails; of truss-:plates of diering heights on opposite sides of therail-s, a base-plate or-chair having a fulcrum located to one sideof the centerof the rails, and binding `connections between said base-plate or chair vand trussplates, substantiallyas set forth.

18. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails; of truss-plates of differing strength `on opposite sidesfof the rails, a base-plateor chair having upturned iianges and being fulcrumed under the rails, so as tovconstitute alever, one arm of which lever being longer .than the other, bearing plates supported bysaid trussplates and having bearing against said upturned flanges, and binding connections between said truss-plate'or chair 'and bearing plates, substantially asset forth.

19. In a rail joint, the combination with the rails; of truss-plates of diiering vertical 'extent on opposite sides of the rail flanges, bearing `plates supported bysaid t-russ-plates-and having depending wedge-shaped or beveled portions, a base-plate forch'air fulcrumed under the rails `to one side fof the loenter thereof, and havingrupturned flanges adapted to engage said depending portions, and upright bolts against which said ydepending portions and the truss-plates bear, passing through said bearing plates and base-plate -or chair, substantially asset forth.

MILTON C. NILES.

Witnesses:

F. A. HOPKINS, R. C. OMOHUNDRO.