US594757A - Territory - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIE.

JULIUS RICHARD, OF BISBEE, ARIZONA TERRITORY, ASSIGN OR OF THREE- EIGHTHS TO FRANK DU OAOHER, AUGUST J OERSS, FRED COLEMAN, AND OTTO VON KANEL, OF SAME PLACE.

RAILROAD-S PIKE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,757, dated November 30, 1897. I

Application filed December 5, 1896. Serial No. 614,601. (No modeL) I To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,'JULIUs RICHARD, a citizen of the Republic of France, residing at Bisbee, in the county of Cochise and Territory of Arizona, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railroad-Spikes; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which-it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to railroad-spikes, and has for its object to provide a simple, cheap, and efficient spike which when driven I 5 into the tie will be adapted to spread and obtain a firmer hold on the tie than by the ordinary construction.

The improved spike is divided longitudinally and beveled as to its separated por- 2o tions, so that as the spike is driven down the said portions are caused to spread away from a central line, thereby causing the spike to become more firmly embedded in the tie, and the said spike also comprises near its head cheek portions and also a laterally-projecting lug forming a sustaining-shoulder, all of which will be hereinafter described.

The invention consists in a railroad-spike embodying certain novel features and details 0 of construction,as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the drawings, and incorporated in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved railroadspike. Fig. 2 is a section through the tie, showing the position of the spike when driven to place. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the spike.

Similar numerals of reference designate cor- 40 responding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The improved railroad-spike contemplated in this invention resembles in its general outline an ordinary railroad-spike. This spike comprises the body or shank portion 1,which is provided at one end with an enlarged head 2, having the usual overhanging or laterallyprojecting lip 3 for engaging the base of a railway-rail, or the fish-plate, which connects to the contiguous ends of the rails in a manner well understood.

For the purpose of carrying out this invention a round hole 3 is formed in the spike, extending transversely therethrough at a point about an inch, more or less, below the 5 5.

head 2, and this hole extends in a direction at right angles to the rail when the spike is in place. From the hole 3 the body or shank of the spike is divided longitudinally, said division extending to the point or end of-the 6o spike and opening out through it, whereby the body or shank of the spike is divided into two equal portions firmly conneoted or formed integrally with the head 2. At their extremities these divided portions are beveled on their inner faces downward and outward, as indicated at 4, whereby as the spike is driven home the divided portions are caused to separate or be deflected in opposite directions, assuming a position shown in Fig. 2, and thereby serving to prevent the displacement of the spike.

Just under the head 2 the body or shank 1 is provided with cheeks 5, formed by thickening the spike on each side at a point on each side of the transverse hole 3. These cheeks not only strengthen the body of the spike adjacent to the point where the same is weakened by the formation of the hole 3, but they also serve to snugly fill the mouth of the opening in the tie formed by driving the spike therein. On that side of the spike opposite to the side from which the lip 3 projects is a laterally-projecting lug 6, which forms a sustaining-shoulder, the same being adapted to be driven partly into the tie, so as to become firmly seated and serving to prevent the spike from being thrust away from the base-flange of the rail when subjected to heavy strain.

The under side of the laterally-projecting lug 6 is concaved, as clearly shown, so that as the spike is driven to' place in the tie it will be at the same time forced toward the rail for causing the lip' 3 to engage more firmly over the base-flange of the rail.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a very simple and efiioient spike is provided, which obtains a much firmer hold on the tie than an ordinary spike and which is especially useful on curves where the greatest strain is brought to bear on the spike.

The object in making the transverse opening 3 round is to afford no angular termination to the longitudinal division in the spike, which would increase the liability of the spike to split entirely in two.

The spike is formed from malleable metal, so that it will spread without breaking.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is As an article of manufacture, a railroadspike provided below its head with a round transverse opening extending therethrough, the shank of the spike being divided longitudinally and centrally from said opening to the point of the spike where the divided portions are beveled reversely upon their inner vsurfaces, thickened cheek portions at each side of the spike extending from the transverse opening upward toward the head, and a rearWardly-projecting lug forming a sustaining-shoulder and having a curved and concave lower surface whereby in driving the spike, said shoulder or lug serves to force the head of the spike into solid engagement with the base of the rail, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JULIUS RICHARD.

Vitnesses:

O. HARRIS; JOSEPH CUMMINGS.

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