US797921A - Rail-joint. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTBD AUG. 22

G. SHBGKLBR. RAIL JOINT.

unmunon rmzn 1123.8. 1905.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE,

GEORGE SHEGKLER, OF CHESTER, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF TO SIMEON SHEOKLER, OF CHESTER, WEST VIRGINIA.

RAIL-JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1905.

Application filed April 8, 1905. Serial No. 254,525.

practice will obviate the employment of connecting-bolts extended transversely through the rail and the consequent weakening of the latter, one wherein relative vertical movement of the rail sections, and consequent pounding of the ends of the latter, is overcome, and one wherein the pairs of fish-plates employed at the joints will be securely inter-.

locked one with the other.

Withthis and other objects in view the invention comprises the novel features of construction and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end view, partly in section, of a device embodying the invention and showing the rail in position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a pair of fish-plates shown in operative interlocked engagement. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of one of the chairs, and Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the same.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a rail-section, which may be of the usual or any approved construction and material and comprises a head or tread 2, a web 3, and a base 4, all of which are shown herein as being of the ordinary form.

In practice the rail-sections are arranged in end wise relation, as usual, and for connecting their meeting ends I employ a pair of members or fish-plates 5, which are identical-in form and are each provided in accordance with my invention with a base portion or plate 6, formed integrally with the side portion or fish-plate proper, 5, there being provided upon the inner. edge and at one end of the baseplate 6 a transversely extending coupling member or portion 7, having formed in its upper face a depression or seat 8 of substantially wedge shape, as shown, and of gradually-decreasing width from its inner toward its outer end,-the outer inclined wall of the depression 8 being of undercut dovetailed form, as seen at 9, while upon the other end of the plate 6 there is provided a longitudinally-extending coupling member or tongue 10 of a form to fitwithin the depression 8 and. having its outer inclined edge beveled at 11 for interlocking engagement with the undercut wall 9 of the recess. The outer edge of the sections 5 are provided with spike-receiving recesses 12, while the fish-plate 5 at its point of junction with the plate 6 and at that 'end of the member from which the tongue projects is cut away or recessed, as at 18, to form a seat for the reception of the normally inner end of the extension 7 when the parts are assembled.

In practice when the members or plates 5 are applied for connecting the rail-sections at the joint the transverse extension or coupling member of one section extends wholly across the adjacent end of the other section and is engaged by the coupling member or tongue 10 upon the latter, it being apparent that the tongues 10 are entered into the recesses or seats 8 by a relative longitudinal movement of the members 5 and that relative vertical movement of the latter is obviated, owing to the interlocking engagement of the beveled edges 9 and 11 and the entrance of the inner end of the extensions 7 into the seats or recesses 13. Furthermore, it will be observed that owing to the wedge-shaped conformation of the tongues 10 and the recesses 8 a wedging action will be effected which causes firm interlocking engagement of the edges 9 and 11 and that owing to the members 5 fitting upon and inclosing the base-flange 4 and the upper edges of the fish-plates bearing beneath the overhanging portion of the rail-head 2 relative vertical movement of the meeting ends of the rail-sections is prevented and pounding of the rail ends obviated. It may be mentioned that when the spikes are entered into the recesses 12 for securing the plates to the ties the said spikes will perform the further function of securing the members against accidental movement relative one to the other.

'From the foregoing it is apparent that I produce a simple inexpensive device admirably adapted for the attainment of the ends in view, it being understood that minor changes in the details herein set forth may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, What I claim as new is- 1. A fish-plate having a base-plate provided at one end with a transverse extension having aseat or recess provided with an undercut Wall, and a longitudinal extension carried by the other end of the base-plate and designed to enter and fit the seat, said longitudinal extension being projected beyond the terminal of the fish-plate and having a beveled edge to conform to the undercut Wall of the recess.

2. In a rail-joint, a pair of cooperating fishplates having base portions adapted to lie beneath a rail-base, said base-plates each having at oneend a transverse extension of alength to extend Wholly across the adjacent end of the companion section and provided With a seat or recess and a longitudinal extension carried by each of the base-plates and designed to enter and fit the seat provided in the transverse extension of the companion plate, said longitudinal extensions being projected beyond the relatively opposite terminals of the fish-plates.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE SHECKLER.

Witnesses:

DANIEL MCLANE, M. ANDERSON.

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