US736883A - Rail-joint. - Google Patents

Description

No. 736,883. PATENTED'AUG. 18, 1903. W. O. SGOFIELD.

RAIL JOINT.

.APPLIOATION IILLD JULY 9. 1903.

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W 6410M Ammey No- 736,883. PATENTED AUG: 18, 11903.

. W. G. SGOPIELD.

RAIL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1903.

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WITNESSES: [NVE/VTOR 010 mm wAsnlNn UNITED STATES Patented August 18, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

WINFRED C. SCOFIELD, OF GREENYVICH, CONNECTICUT.

RAIL-JOINT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 736,883, dated August 18, 1903. Application filed July 9,1903. Serial No. 164,869. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WINFRED 0. SOOFIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Green wich,in the county of Fairfi old and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joints, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in rail-joints; and its object is to provide rails which are so constructed as to permit them to be securely fastened together without the use of bolts or other fastening means, the ends of the rails being adapted to interlock in such a manner as to prevent sagging of the ends and the resultant pounding by wheels passing thereover. r

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illus trated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of my invention, and in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the adjoining ends of rails connected by means of my improved joint. Fig. 2 is a similar View showing one of the ends in section. Fig.3 is a horizontal section through the joint. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one end of a rail constrncted in accordance with my invention. Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a section on line 6 6, Fig, 2; and Fig. 7is a plan view of the complete rail.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a rail, the web of which is enlarged at each end, as shown at 2 and 3, respectively. The enlargement 3 is provided with alongitudinally-extending slot 4, the upper inner corner of which is recessed, as shown at 5, and the upper and lower walls of this recess are at an angle to the lower face of the rail. A partition 7 is interposed between the recess 5 and the rear lower'portion of slot 4., and the faces of this partition are so shaped as to be parallel with the lower face ofthe rail and with the upper face of the recess 5, respectively. The enlargement 3 of the rail extends beyond the enlargement 2 and is reduced to form a key 8, which is equal in thickness to the width of the slot l. The upper edge of this key is arranged at an angle to the lower edge thereof, and tongues 9 and 10 are formed at the free ends of the key, said tongues being separated by a recess 11, which is the same in area andform as the partition 7. The inner face of the key 8 is in alinement with the inner wall of the slot 4 and with the longitudinal center of the rail. It will be understood that one slot and one key are formed at each end of the rail and at opposite sides thereof, as shown in Fig. 7.

When it is desired to assemble the rails constructed in the manner herein shown, the adjoining ends thereof are placed at an angle to each other, so as to permit the overlapping keys 8 to enter their respective slots 4. The rails are then placed in horizontal alinement, and it is obvious by referring to Fig. 2 that independent longitudinal movement of the two rails while in this position is absolutely impossible in view of the fact that the tongues 9 will bind upon the walls of the recesses 5 and securely hold the rails together. Moreover, the tongues will support the abutting ends of the rails and prevent sagging thereof, and therefore pounding will be obviated.

. In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; butI do not limit myself thereto, as I am'aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

vHaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. A rail having a key extending from one end thereof, said key being tapered inwardly from its free end and having tongues arranged at angles to each other, a recess being formed within the rail, and adjacent the key, substantially the same in area and form as said key.

2. A rail having keys extending from the ends thereof adjacent opposite sides, the up per edges of said keys being inclined downwardly andinwardly, and tongues formed integral with the ends of the keys, the upper tongues at angles to the lower tongues, the

rail having recesses in the bottom thereof I cesstherein substantially similar in form and x6 and adjacent the keys, said recesses being area as the key and adapted to receive the the same in form and area as the tongues. same.

3. A rail-joint comprising a rail having a In testimony whereof I affix my signature key at one end and extending longitudinally in presence of two witnesses.

thereof, the upper edge of said key being in- WINFRED G. SOOFIELD. clined downwardly and inwardly, tongues at Witnesses:

the outer end of key and arranged at angles THOMAS J. EGAN,

to each other, and a second rail having a re- ATWOOD SLATER.

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