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In this article, Andrew explores our longstanding work in this space by taking a look back at some rail industry patents HLK has worked on over the last 175 years.
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Dr George Haseltine and William Robert Lake met whilst working as consultant engineers in the US, apparently on the large railroad development that was taking place in the US during the 1840s. Haseltine and Lake moved back to the UK and in 1850 formed a partnership, Haseltine Lake & Co, which operated as Consulting Engineers and Patent Agents.
Since its formation, Haseltine Lake & Co worked on many inventions relating to the rail industry. There are many examples, such as GB189314428A relating to railway brakes; GB189401003A relating to electric railways; and GB189418215A relating to a railway signalling apparatus. The patent system helped incentivise the development of early railway technology and in many cases secured the significant financial investments required for the growth of the railways. We are proud of the role that Haseltine Lake & Co played in the development of this important industry.
Of particular note, Haseltine Lake & Co represented the Elastic Rail Spike Company since it was formed in the 1930s. The Elastic Rail Spike Company was subsequently renamed Pandrol in honour of a Norwegian railway engineer, Per Pande-Rolfsen, who developed the PR railway clip. The PR clip innovatively secures a railway rail to the sleeper below and its introduction redefined the industry standard in the 1950s with millions of PR clips still in service across many of today’s rail networks. We are honoured to still represent Pandrol as they continue to innovate in the 21st century.
An early Elastic Spike Company patent drawing
A Pandrol PR clip
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This is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Should you require advice on this or any other topic then please contact hlk@hlk-ip.com or your usual HLK advisor.