Improvements in Railway Sleepers

20,249. Innes, W. R. D. Sept 12. Sleepers, composite.-Relates to reinforcedconcrete sleepers having near each end longitudinal vertical slots for T-headed bolts which are inserted and turned through 90 degrees, and metal bearing-plates for the bolts at the lower ends of the slots; and consists in the use of a cambered bearing-plate e, Fig. 10, with a slot e' for the bolts to prevent them from slipping outwards. The plates are secured by their edges entering recesses, Fig. 2, at the ends of the slots, which widen upwards to allow a slight radial movement of the bolts. The slot at one end of the sleeper may be replaced by two openings to admit a bolt each, to secure the rail rigidly at that end. The rails are secured by clamps with nuts and locking- washers. The sleeper is reinforced by preferably eight rods b, Fig. 1, in tiers, bent as shown and eyeleted to receive stirrups c. Sleeper materials.-The concrete sleeper is preferably constructed from an aqueous admixture of basaltic stone chips, crushed basaltic matter, and Portland cement, with or without some sand.