Rail-Joint Page: 3 of 3
[1], 2 p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this patent.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
1,356,931
large enough for the rather loose reception
of the fastening bolts 30 which are applied
to connect the rail-ends to each other, the
obvious purpose being to permit expansion
b and contraction of the rails. During this
action one rail-end slides a little toward or
away from the other, as the engagement of
the several shoulders with their respective
steps permits, and even the engagement of
10 the tongue 18 with the groove 8 permits.
Yet the latter prevents the lateral separation
of the tongues of the two rails until and
unless they shall withdraw from each other
so far longitudinally that the tongue and
15 grooves become disengaged, and it is my
intention to have these parts so long that
they will not disengage by contraction.
Each shoulder rests upon its step, and each
step is integral at one end with the tongue
20 along which it is cast. Therefore, when a
wheel carrying a heavy load passes over
this rail joint, the load passes first from the
ball B on to the tongue 1 where the weight
is divided between this tongue and that of
25 the mating rail, and by the latter it is con-
veyed to the steps of the first rail. As the
wheel progresses, the load on the tongue of
the rail being, left is conveyed to the steps
on the rail being approached, and eventually
so the wheel passes fully onto the ball B of
the last-named rail, and on its way. ,Thus it
will be seen that this rail joint accomplishes
the objects first pointed out above, may be
very easily mated with a like joint in a com-
35 panion rail, and is economical in manufac-
ture because the ends of the rails are made
in duplicate. While the face of the tongue
1 has been shown as cut off on a line fol-
lowing the transverse center of the rail, itis not impossible that this line could stand 40
a little oblique. Other changes and adapta-
tions are possible but need not be suggested.
What is claimed as new is:
1. A rail joint comprising duplicate rail-
ends whereof each is cut vertically and lon- 45
gitudinally through the ball of the rail
downwardly, to produce a tongue at one side
and a recess at the other, the base of the
recess having two upwardly facing steps and
one -of them provided alongside the tongue 50
with a longitudinal groove, and the tongue
having two downwardly facing shoulders
and one- of .them provided with a longi-
tudinal tongue, these elements adapted to
mate with corresponding elements of the 55
companion rail-end, and means for locking
the tongues face to face.
2. The combination of two rail sections,
each of ' said rail sections being cut away
forming a tongue and having a longitudinal 60
groove alongside the rear 'portion of said
tongue and having an angular portion along-
side the tongue below said groove and in-
wardly from the outer edge of the flange
of the rail, and the end portion of each rail 65
section being undercut forming a flat under
face and a longitudinal depending tongue,
and the. lower portion of the tongue below
said undercut portion being further under-
cut forming an angular recess in the bot- 70
tom of the tongue.
In testimony whereof, I affix my signa-
ture, in the presence of two witnesses.
JOHN A. McDONALD.
Witnesses:
WM. ROMAN,
JOHN -SIGMUND.
Search Inside
This patent can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Patent.
McDonald, John A. Rail-Joint, patent, October 26, 1920; [Washington D.C.]. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1258610/m1/3/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.