From Rail To Noncontiguous Rail Or Other Object Patents (Class 238/14.2)
  • Patent number: 11492026
    Abstract: A single rail shunt cable assembly is configured to repair a damaged railroad rail segment. The single rail shunt cable assembly has a shunt cable with a first shunt cable end and a second shunt cable end. A first cable clip is joined to the first shunt cable end. A second cable clip is joined to the first shunt cable end. An ohm meter is joined to the shunt cable proximate the first cable clip. The ohm meter that shows a circuit connection between the first clamp and the second clamp when the first clamp and the second clamp are attached to the damaged railroad rail segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: David Brian Moore
  • Patent number: 8939380
    Abstract: A method of making an electrical connection to a railroad rail includes fastening a wire bonding assembly to a railroad rail, the wire bonding assembly including first and second spaced apart washer plates contacting the rail and a metal bar supported by the washer plates. The metal bar is electrically connected with the rail with a first conductive lead contacting a selected point on the rail and a selected point on the metal bar. A second conductive lead is connected to another selected point on the metal bar for establishing an electrical connection to the rail from an electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventors: Mark E. Bousquet, Kurt D. Harmon
  • Patent number: 8851395
    Abstract: Method for applying an electrical contact to a hole (2) of a metal wall portion (1), comprising the steps of providing a bush (12), a punch (11) with a shaft (16), an expansion portion (19) and a connecting portion (20) thereof, a pulling device (21) with an abutment portion (22) and a pulling mechanism (23) for engaging the punch (11) and to pulling it proximally with respect to the abutment portion (22), inserting the punch (11) in a passage hole (25) of the bush (12) so that the connecting portion (20) protrudes proximally from the bush and the expansion portion (19) is located on end (14), bush connecting the punch (11) to the pulling device (21), inserting the preassembled bush (12)-punch (11)-unit from a proximal side of the wall portion (1) distally in the hole (2) and activating the pulling device (21) to pull the punch (11) proximally through the bush, thereby radially expanding bush and permanently anchoring it in the hole (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cembre Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin Ernest Woolley, Benjamin Ryan Mullaley
  • Patent number: 8157185
    Abstract: A system and method for non-invasively attaching components to railroad track rails. More specifically, a connector is provided that can quickly and effectively electrically connect one or more signal lines with a surface of the track rail. In one embodiment, the non-invasive connector utilizes a spring clamp to form an electrical connection with a flange portion of the track rail. First and second opposing members of the spring clamp include teeth that mar the surface of the flange to form an electrical connection between the track rail and the spring clamp when the flange is forced between these opposing members. A signal line is electrically connected to the spring clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fastrax Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Reichle, Gary E. Choate
  • Patent number: 8157186
    Abstract: A system and method for non-invasively attaching components to railroad track rails. More specifically, a connector is provided that can quickly and effectively electrically connect one or more signal lines with a surface of the track rail. In one embodiment, the non-invasive connector utilizes a spring clamp to form an electrical connection with a flange portion of the track rail. First and second opposing members of the spring clamp include teeth that mar the surface of the flange to form an electrical connection between the track rail and the spring clamp when the flange is forced between these opposing members. A signal line is electrically connected to the spring clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Fastrax Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Reichle, Gary E. Choate
  • Publication number: 20100187322
    Abstract: A system and method for non-invasively attaching components to railroad track rails. More specifically, a connector is provided that can quickly and effectively electrically connect one or more signal lines with a surface of the track rail. In one embodiment, the non-invasive connector utilizes a spring clamp to form an electrical connection with a flange portion of the track rail. First and second opposing members of the spring clamp include teeth that mar the surface of the flange to form an electrical connection between the track rail and the spring clamp when the flange is forced between these opposing members. A signal line is electrically connected to the spring clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: FASTRAX INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID L. REICHLE, GARY E. CHOATE
  • Patent number: 6244517
    Abstract: System for attaching an electric terminal connector to an element, including a threaded rod being one of, integral with, or fixed to the element and a nut, provided with a clamping washer adapted to clamp a terminal connector on one of, the element, or an electrically conductive member attached to the element. The clamping washer has a surface thereon adapted to be positioned across a surface on a terminal connector. The surfaces across from a terminal connector and the clamping washer are rotatable relative to each other without unscrewing the nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Dubuis, Societe Anonyme
    Inventors: Alain Courtois, Jean-Pierre Huet