Re: Weber Patent Rail Joint

Patent #402,371, Fig. 4 shows the more massive, outer member of the fish plate as carrying the wheel load as you mention. Is the part that carries the wheel load made of a compressible material like rubber? If so, it would appear that the downward wheel load would cause the rubber material to bulge out horizontally. Since that horizontal pressure would be contained between the rail and that fixed outer flange connected to the base plate, bulging would exert a squeeze on the rail.
So, as the wheel loads the joint, it also strengthens it. What a bizarre idea. The problem is that to allow the wheel load to add side compression, you need a compliant joint which lacks strength when a wheel is not loading it. It seems to make more sense to just make the joint rigid so the wheel does not have to strengthen it.
Does the patent reference say what that material is that is lifing the wheel?
RK