Improved Railroad Chair

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


This improvement is on that kind of chair sailed a key chair, in which a wooden pin is Iriven in by the side of the rails to tighten ;hem in their places, and deaden the sound, [t has been tried on the New York Central Railroad, and has given every satisfaction. Ihe improvement consists in placing the spike loles nearly or directly undr the key when it LS in its place, so that when the spikes and keys are in their places the heads of the spikes will be in contact with the key, which presents them from jarring out, and they, in their urn, prevent the key from shaking out also. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the chair and tails, Fig. 2 is an end view of the chair by itself, and Fig. 3 an end view of the chair and rail. Similar letters refer to the same parts in each. A is the chair, placed at the junction of the two rails, R R. B is the key, and a a the spikes. The sides or lips of the chair, c c, are made of proper shape to grasp the rail by its flanges at the bottom, and one or both of them is made with a recess on the inside to receive B. The lips, c c, are made of requisite thick-n ess to give strength, and have ribs or beads, 6 6 ft, on them, to increase their stiffness and strength. The ends of the rails, as is usual, have notches cut in their lower flanges at a proper distance from the end, for the spikes to catch into. One of them is represented at w, Fig. 1. These holes are so placed that the spikes pass through them, and the heads of the spikes are hooked as represented, and stand under the key, and in contact with it; the key, therefore, prevents the spikes working up and down. This complete railroad chair is the invention of John S. Robinson, Levi Herendeen and George Sheldon, of Canandaigua, N. Y., and was patented by them October 27th, 1857. Further information may be obtained by addressing Robinson Herendeen, as above.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 13 Issue 14This article was published with the title “Improved Railroad Chair” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 13 No. 14 (), p. 108
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican12121857-108c

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe