Patents Assigned to Vae Nortrak North America Inc.
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Publication number: 20130026246Abstract: The invention relates to an interface pad comprising a stiffener supporting a resilient pad to cushion the panels in a grade crossing between and around the rails from impact with the underlying ties and to prevent the panels from moving. The pad may be flat or a cupped shape and may be of varying size to accommodate varying tie widths. The invention further comprises means to securely fasten such an interface pad to a railroad tie and minimize the possibility that the interface pad will be forcibly removed from the tie during installation of the rails or panels in the grade crossing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Applicant: VAE NORTRAK NORTH AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Steven R. MATTSON
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Patent number: 7677466Abstract: An insulated rail joint assembly comprises a rail with a thick web section, held in place by joint bars and secured with electrically isolated fasteners. The joint bars have non-uniform cross-sections, being shaped with a thicker midsection area and thinner ends. Electrically non-conductive shear pins through the rail and the joint bars provide shear resistance and prevent glue bond failure. High strength cloth between the rail ends and between the rail and the joint bars strengthens the joint, as does an insulating rail clip resiliently fastened to an insulating tie plate, which itself may be supported on a cross tie of increased width.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America Inc.Inventors: Gary Click, Brent Duffner
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Patent number: 7185860Abstract: A modular tongue switch assembly comprises a tongue pivotally connected to a slide surface, held down by a pivot retainer. The slide surface consists of slide plate sections removably attached to corresponding bed plate sections, which are in turn welded onto a base plate. Floating brace blocks hold a non-integral stock rail in place on the base plate. When the tongue moves, a horizontal lever arm actuates an inner box assembly housed within an outer box and containing the conductor rail, allowing the passing train to maintain contact with the conductor rail, if necessary. A novel rodding and lever arrangement is used.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2004Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America, Inc.Inventors: Cory O'Brien, Gary Click
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Patent number: 7168664Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2003Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignee: Vae Nortrak North America Inc.Inventors: Gary Click, Cory O'Brien
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Patent number: 6955326Abstract: A modular tongue switch assembly comprises a tongue pivotally connected to a slide surface, held down by a pivot retainer. The slide surface consists of slide plate sections removably attached to corresponding bed plate sections, which are in turn welded onto a base plate. Floating brace blocks hold a non-integral stock rail in place on the base plate. When the tongue moves, a horizontal lever arm actuates an inner box assembly housed within an outer box and containing the conductor rail, allowing the passing train to maintain contact with the conductor rail, if necessary. A novel rodding and lever arrangement is used.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Vae Nortrak North America Inc.Inventors: Cory O'Brien, Gary Click
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Patent number: 6758445Abstract: A railway frog insert assembly comprises a casting defining the heel and toe sections of a frog. The portion of the casting intermediate the heel and toe sections consists of an integral spine extending between the heel and toe sections. The height of the spine is below the level of the flangeways in the vicinity of the point. An intermediate point section, the base of which is hollowed out, is removably seated over the spine. The top surface of the intermediate section defines the point, a small portion to the toe side of the point, a small portion to the heel side of the point, and the flangeways in the vicinity of the point.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America Inc.Inventors: Gary Click, Allen James Tuningley
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Patent number: 6688560Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America, Inc.Inventors: Gary Click, Cory O'Brien
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Patent number: 6543727Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2001Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America Inc.Inventors: Gary Click, Cory O'Brien
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Patent number: 6442824Abstract: A compromise rail is formed of a single length of stock rail. One end of the rail is forged over a distance of 19-48 inches to reduce the height of the forged portion, which is then machined to match the running rail to which that end is to be attached. The invention avoids the expense and inconvenience of flash butt welding a forged section to a uniform profile rail as is done in prior art compromise rails.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2001Date of Patent: September 3, 2002Assignee: Vae Nortrak North America, Inc.Inventors: Tom Stanley, Paul Valastin
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Patent number: 6325299Abstract: A compromise rail is formed of a single length of stock rail. One end of the rail is forged over a distance of 19-48 inches to reduce the height of the forged portion, which is then machined to match the running rail to which that end is to be attached. The invention avoids the expense and inconvenience of flash butt welding a forged section to a uniform profile rail as is done in prior art compromise rails.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2000Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: Vae Nortrak North America Inc.Inventors: Tom Stanley, Paul Valastin
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Patent number: 6158698Abstract: A hollow tie assembly for rodding associated with moveable trackwork (such as in a switch or a moveable point frog) serves the function of a tie, houses and protects throw rods, lock rods and detector rods, is adapted to accommodate North American switch machines, and does not interfere with mechanical tampers. The rodding is housed within two elongated and spaced channels which are held in predetermined spaced relationship. Switch plates straddle the flanges of each channel and the moveable rails or points are mounted on the switch plates. Rod adapters and switch clip provide a sliding connection to the moveable rails or points. The rods are made of insulating material and the switch plates and associated components include insulation to avoid cross conduction between the rails.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1999Date of Patent: December 12, 2000Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America, Inc.Inventors: Gary Click, Al Forshaw, Brian Charles, Cory O'Brien
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Patent number: 5797565Abstract: A railway crossing, sometimes referred to as a diamond crossing, has four substantially identical crossing beams which have cutouts made for a wide range of crossing angles. At least two separate base plates are cut to fit the required crossing angle and positioned beneath the crossing beams. Each crossing beam has a flangeway groove extending along at least a portion of the beam length and each beam has integral rail shaped ends for connection to a standard rail section. The crossing beams have top cutouts and bottom cutouts that intersect and are set for a predetermined crossing angle. Boltless locator pins prevent horizontal movement of the top and bottom beams on the plates, and elastic fasteners hold the top and bottom beams to the plates to restrict vertical movement between the top and bottom beams and the plates.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 1996Date of Patent: August 25, 1998Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America, Inc.Inventors: Alan James Tuningley, Johannes Rainer Oswald, Gary David Click, Michael Brian Starkey, Tommy Lee