US1249161A - Rail-fastener. - Google Patents

Description

J. S. MATHEWS.

RAIL FASTENER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2. 19]].

Patented Dec. 4, 1917.

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JOHN S. MATHEWS, OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA, ASSIGIN'OR OF ONE-HALF T0 CARL E. NEUBAUER, ONE-SIXTEENTH TO BEN GRIMM, AND ONE-SIXTEENTH TO JOHN BEER HALTER, ALL OF DULUTH, MINNESOTA.

BAIL-FASTENEE.

Specification of Letteis Patent.

Patented Dec. 4, 191?.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it knownv that 1, JOHN S. MATHEWS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Duluth, in the county of St. Louis and State of Minnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rail-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification. 1 The present invention relates to rail fasteners; and it proposes certain hereinafter described improvements in devices of this character whereby the spikes, which fasten the rail sections to the ties or sleepers, are prevented from becoming loose and working out of the ties under the constantly repeated jarring caused by the passage of trains over the rails, and instead, are securely held in place, thus avoiding sagging and creeping of the rails.

According to the invention, there is provided for each spike a specially constructed spring plate, which overlies the adjacent flange of the rail and is formed with an outwardly-projecting tongue having an opening for the passage of the spike therethrough, the inner edge of the opening being line with the edge of the rail flange so as to in- 7 sure its direct engagement by the spike.

This spring plate is normally flat, but is flexed or bowed downward by the spike head, so that its interposition between the latter and the rail flange in a compressed or tensioned state serves to take up the jars due to passing trains which wouldv otherwise directly affect the spike, from which itfollows that the spike is enabled to firmly engage the rail and to remain securely embedded in the tie.

An embodiment of the invention is illustlated in the accompanying drawing, whereo Figure 1 is a perspective. view, showing the improved fastener in use.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, showing the form which the spring plate assumes when not in use.

Referring more particularly to said drawing, 5 indicates in a general manner a standard or conventional rail section embodying, as usual, tread and web portions 6 and 7 and a pair of oppositely-projecting base flanges 8.

' The attachment of the rail to the sleeper 9, (Fig. 2) is efiected by means of spikes 10, WhlCh may be of any desired type, the heads 11 of the spikesoverlying the rail flanges.

bent downward so as to form supporting legs 13, these legs being provided at their free outer corners with retaining extensions or toes 14. Also, there is formed on the body portion of each plate, midway between the ends of its outer longitudinal edge, an

outwardly-projecting tongue 15, which, in

turn, is formed with an opening 16, exactly conforming in its dimensions to the crosssectional area of the spike shank' This tongue 15 is disposed co-planar with the body of the spring plate, and the rear edge of its opening 16 coincides with the outer longitudinal edge of the said plate, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The toes 14 on the bent ends or feet 13 of the plate serve as a positioning means for the latter, and they are so proportioned as to locate the aforesaid outer edge of the plate and, hence, the rear edge of the opening 16, directly above the outer edge of the rail flange, so that the rear or inner face of the spike shank, when driven into the tie, will directly engage the flange edge and, in consequence, hold the rail against sidewise movement. The plate itself will likewise be securely held against both sidewise and endwise movement in either direction, by the passage of the spike through, and its tight fit in, the opening 16, and by the engagement of the toes 14 with the rail edge, as will be understood.

When not in use, the body of the plate assumes a straight or flat position; but when held in place on the rail flange by the spike, the-pressure imposed upon it, due to driving the spike home in the tie, causes the plate to buckle or flex downward, until it assumes the concave formation represented in Figs. 1 and 2. It may be stated, however, that said plate is strong enough to resist a very considerable pressure, (in practice, about 1000 pounds), before buckling in the mandriven fully home, the central portion of the plate will still be disposed above and out of contact with the upper face of the flange.

- Bv reason of this arrangement, the shocks caused by passing trains are taken up by the plates, instead of being directly exerted upon the spikes, so that the heads of the latter have at all times a secure and rigid hold on said plates, with the result that the danger of the spikes becoming loosened by such shocks or jars is avoided.

I claim as my invention:

1. A rail fastener, comprising a spring plate adapted to rest upon a rail flange and having an integral tongue intermediate the ends of its body portion, which projects laterally outward from the outer longitudinal edge of said body portion and is provided with an opening for the passage of a spike therethrough, so that the head of the spike will project inwardly across said body portion, said opening conforming in size and shape to the cross-sectional area of the shank of the spike; and supporting means on said plate for holding its body portion spaced above the upper face of said rail flange; said body portion being normally fiat, but

adapted to flex, downward under the pres sure imposedupon it by the spike head.

2. A rail fastener, comprising aspring plate adapted to rest upon a rail flange and having an integral tongue intermediate the ends of its body portion, which projects laterally outward from the outer longitudinal edge of said body portion and is provided with an opening for the passage of a spike therethrough, so that the head of the spike will project inwardly across said body portion and contact directly with the same, said opening conforming in size and shape to the cross-sectional area of the shank of the spike; and integral supporting feet on said plate fdr holding its body portion spaced above the upper face of the rail flange and having toes engageable with the outer edge of said flange to position the rear edge of said opening directly above said flange edge.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN S. MATHEWVS. Witnesses:-

H. J. PALMER, J 01m BERNARD.

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