US711862A - Rail-joint. - Google Patents

Description

N0.,7l|,862. Patented 0st. 2!, I902.

A. HOWARD.

RAIL JOINT.

[Application filed Aug. 8, 1902.)'

(No Model.)

fliz.

' ranged to be moved into alinement with the,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AURELIUS HOWARD, OF WADSWORTH, OHIO.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711,862, dated October 21, 1902.

Application filed August 8, 1902.

To all whont it may concern:

Be it knownthatI, AURELIUS HOWARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at Wadsworth, in the county of Medina and State of Ohio, have invented anew and useful Rail- Joint, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention, while relating particularly to rail-joints, includes features that can be used in other relations, such as connecting-beams, girders, and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide mechanism of the above character which can be quickly applied and constitutes a strong and rigid bond that will not become accidentally loosened if subjected to shocks and jars. The structure eliminates the necessity of bolts or similar threaded devices,which often become released.

The preferred embodiment of the invention' is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification. An inspection of the claims will show, however, that the structure shown and described is open to changes and modifications.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rail-joint embodying the improvements. Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the same. Fig. 3 is a plan View of the body and shanks carried thereby. Fig. etis a perspective view of the fish-plate. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the holdingheads. Fig. 6 is a view of one of the lockingrings employed.

Similar reference-numerals indicate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings a body-bar 10 is employed having a plurality of spaced parallel shanks 11 projecting from one side thereof, these shanks having longitudinally-disposed grooves 12 in their ends and intermediately-disposed transverse seats 13. The shanks are preferably though not necessarily curved, as illustrated, and to their free ends are pivoted holding-heads 14,'which are arshanks or folded back upon the same. These heads are provided at their free ends with lips 15, arranged to interlock in the seats 13 heads when the latter Serial No. 118,950. No model.)

ofthe' shanks when said heads are in their folded positions, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Locking devices in the form of rings 16 are arranged to surround the shanks and the are folded back, said heads being provided in their ends with sockets 17, in which the rings seat themselves. There is also employed in the structure a fishplate 18, 'having a plurality of openings 19, through which the shanks are passed.

The present structure is shown in connection with railway-rails, said rails being designated by the reference-numeral 20 and having the usual openings therethrough. The body 10 is located upon one side of the rails, while the shanks are passed through the openings therein. The fish-plate 18 is located upon the side of the rails opposite the body, the heads being turned back against said fishplate, thereby holding it in place, these heads being secured by the rings 16, as will be readily apparent. The structure as set forth can be quickly applied to rails or other articles to be fastened together and when locked in place formsarigid and secure bond. The several parts cannot become readily displaced, as in the case of the threaded nuts ordinarily employed. The interlocking engagements beween the heads and the shanks are also worthy of notice, as by means of this construction the strain imparted to said heads is absorbed by said'interlocking engagements and the pivots are therefore relieved of the same.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein-described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shank, of aholding-head pivoted to the shank and arranged to aline therewith, said head being of small enough able into substantial alinement with the shank and being foldable back upon the same, and means for holding the head in its folded position.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shank, of a holding-head pivoted to the shank and foldable back upon the same, said shank and head having an interlocking engagement when the latter is in its said folded position.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shank having a notch, of a holding-head pivoted to the shank and foldable upon the same, said head having a lip that engages in the notch of the shank when the head is in its folded position.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shank, of a holding-head pivoted to the shank, said head being movable into substantial alinement with the- 6. In a device of the class described, the

combination with a shank, of aholding-head pivoted at one end to the shank and having a seat in its other end, said head being movable into substantial alinement with the shank and foldable back upon the same, and a locking-ring engaging the shank and head to hold the latter in its folded position, said ring fitting in the seat of thehead.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with a body having a plurality of shanks projecting from one side, of separate heads pivoted to the various shanks and foldable back upon the same, and means for securing the heads in their folded positions.

8. The combination with rails, of a body having a plurality of shanks projecting from one side thereof and passing through the rails, a fish-plate fitted over the shanks on the sides of the rails opposite the body, separate heads pivoted to the various shanks and foldable back against the fish-plate, and rings surrounding the shanks and the heads to hold the latter in their folded positions.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AURELIUS HOWARD.

Witnesses:

J. F. BRITTAIN, J OHN H. DURLING.

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