Splice Bars Patents (Class 238/159)
  • Patent number: 11639584
    Abstract: An end post (30) for a rail joint assembly comprising: a top portion (12) consisting essentially of a first electrically insulating material comprising a fiber reinforced polymer material and having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail head sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; a base (16) having a profile substantially identical to cross-sectional shapes of rail base sections of first and second rails of the rail joint assembly; and a stem (14) disposed between the top portion (12) and the base (16); wherein the stem (14) and the base (16) consist essentially of a second electrically insulating material comprising a polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: L B Foster Company
    Inventors: Arka Prabha Roy, Korhan Ciloglu, Sidney Shue
  • Patent number: 9469943
    Abstract: A joint between connected ends of two rails of different height is provided with a connector/juncture bar member which is configured to fit with and engage corresponding surfaces formed on the rails when the rails are connected together. The joint so formed is one with increased strength, with ease and accuracy of alignment during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Inventor: Arturo A. Ortiz Rivas
  • Patent number: 8915452
    Abstract: A joint between connected ends of two rails of different height is provided with a connector/juncture bar member which is configured to fit with and engage corresponding surfaces formed on the rails when the rails are connected together. The joint so formed is one with increased strength, with ease and accuracy of alignment during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: Arturo A. Ortiz Rivas
  • Patent number: 8348203
    Abstract: A leveling joint between connected ends of two rails of different height is provided with a connector/juncture bar member which is configured to fit with and engage corresponding surfaces formed on the rails when the rails are connected together. The leveling joint so formed is one with increased strength, with ease and accuracy of alignment during assembly. The leveling joint is formed of several structural members, yet functions as and affords the strength and stability of a solid, unitary assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Arturo A. Ortiz Rivas
  • Publication number: 20120223151
    Abstract: A center support sleeve for a bonded rail joint bar that includes a body having a head portion, a web portion, and a base portion. The head portion depends from the web portion, which depends from the base portion. The head portion and the base portion are bent in the same direction thereby defining a recess area therebetween. The web portion of the body also defines a plurality of holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: KOPPERS DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventors: W. Thomas Urmson, JR., John W. Mospan, John M. Downey, Patrick J. Boario, Richard Jarosinski
  • Publication number: 20120111958
    Abstract: A rail joint bar for use in an insulated lap joint assembly includes a longitudinal extending body defining a plurality of holes therein for receiving fasteners. The body has a first end and a second end positioned at opposite ends of the body relative to a longitudinal direction of the body. The body is bent forming a first portion adjacent to the first end, a second portion adjacent to the second end and spaced from the first portion in the longitudinal direction, and an intermediate portion defined therebetween and positioned between the first and second ends. The first portion and the second portion are substantially parallel to each other and, and the intermediate portion of the body is configured to accommodate an increase in thickness of a web section at a point where two railroad rails are joined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: KOPPERS DELAWARE, INC.
    Inventors: W. Thomas Urmson, JR., John W. Mospan, James A. Remington
  • Patent number: 8123144
    Abstract: A rail joint assembly is provided for joining abutting railroad rails with an electrically-insulated joint. The rail joint assembly comprises abutting railroad rails compressing an insulating gasket therebetween and rail joint bars secured through a plurality of holes by fasteners to the adjacent railroad rails. The rail joint bars comprise a body and an insulating spacer comprising a porous mesh screen and washer. A layer of epoxy is sandwiched between a rail joint bar and railroad rail and comprises a rigid epoxy on lateral portions of a first side of a rail joint bar and a flexible epoxy placed on a central portion of the first side of a rail joint bar. Rail joint bars are rectangular shaped and may have a cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Koppers Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Thomas Urmson, Jr., John M. Downey, John W. Mospan
  • Patent number: 7871015
    Abstract: A rail joint assembly joining the ends of two rails together includes a pair of joint bars. Each joint bar having one side configured to the rail web side. Mechanical fasteners mount the joint bars to the web sides. Pairs of load bearing keys are embedded in web counter bores at predetermined depths into the webs and embedded in adjacent joint bar counter bores at predetermined depths into the joint bars. The pairs of keys in the webs and the joint bars transfer railway loads through the joint and substantially strengthen the rail joint assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Transportation Technology Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Naeem Akhtar, David Daniel Davis
  • Patent number: 7735745
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at an improved device for joining together abutting railway rails between two railway ties. The rails to be joined together have a head portion, a web portion and a toe portion. The joining device includes first and second elongated metal joint bars for holding the abutting ends of the rails together. The joint bars span the ends of the rails and hold the rails together by mounting to the rails. The joint bars are mounted to each rail on opposite sides of the web portions of each rail. The joint bars are configured to mount to the web portions of the rail between the head and toe portion of each rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Jude Odihachukwunma Igwenezie
  • Patent number: 7735746
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at an improved device for joining together abutting railway rails between two railway ties. The rails to be joined together have a head portion, a web portion and a toe portion. The saddle is split at the bottom and joined with the two bottom (lower) bolts. The saddle hugs the base of the rail at the joint preventing differential vertical (shearing) displacement of the two rail ends. This can be used in insulated and non-insulated joints. The bolts are isolated from the bars and saddle and directly contact the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Inventor: Jude Odihachukwunma Igwenezie
  • Publication number: 20100096468
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at an improved device for joining together abutting railway rails between two railway ties. The rails to be joined together have a head portion, a web portion and a toe portion. The saddle is split at the bottom and joined with the two bottom (lower) bolts. The saddle hugs the base of the rail at the joint preventing differential vertical (shearing) displacement of the two rail ends. This can be used in insulated and non-insulated joints. The bolts are isolated from the bars and saddle and directly contact the rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Jude Odihachukwuma Igwemezie
  • Publication number: 20100090018
    Abstract: A rail joint assembly joining the ends of two rails together includes a pair of joint bars. Each joint bar having one side configured to the rail web side. Mechanical fasteners mount the joint bars to the web sides. Pairs of load bearing keys are embedded in web counter bores at predetermined depths into the webs and embedded in adjacent joint bar counter bores at predetermined depths into the joint bars. The pairs of keys in the webs and the joint bars transfer railway loads through the joint and substantially strengthen the rail joint assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: Transportation Technology Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Muhammad Naeem Akhtar, David D. Davis
  • Publication number: 20090302125
    Abstract: A center support sleeve for a bonded rail joint bar that includes a body having a head portion, a web portion, and a base portion. The head portion depends from the web portion, which depends from the base portion. The head portion and the base portion are bent in the same direction thereby defining a recess area therebetween. The web portion of the body also defines a plurality of holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: PORTEC RAIL PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: W. Thomas Urmson, JR., John W. Mospan, John M. Downey, Patrick J. Boario, Richard Jarosinski
  • Patent number: 7090143
    Abstract: A rail joint assembly is provided for joining abutting railroad rails with an electrically-insulated joint. The rail joint assembly comprises abutting railroad rails compressing an insulating gasket therebetween and rail joint bars secured through a plurality of holes by fasteners to the adjacent railroad rails. The rail joint bars comprise a body and an insulating spacer comprising a porous mesh screen and washer. A layer of epoxy is sandwiched between a rail joint bar and railroad rail and comprises a rigid epoxy on lateral portions of a first side of a rail joint bar and a flexible epoxy placed on a central portion of the first side of a rail joint bar. Rail joint bars are rectangular shaped and may have a cutout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Thomas Urmson, Jr., John W. Mospan, John M. Downey
  • Patent number: 5842637
    Abstract: The present invention involves a power saw for cutting railroad rails at an angle. The power saw includes a base, a cutting location disposed proximate the base, a cutting disc and associated driving mechanism, and a device for moving the cutting disc and changing the angle of the cutting disc relative to the cutting location. A table supports the cutting disc and driving mechanism, and the base has two pivots selectively engageable with the table. The driving mechanism of the cutting disc includes a cam based oscillating device for oscillating the cutting disc during cutting of a railroad rail. The power saw also includes a guide and a conveyor system for positioning a railroad rail on the cutting location. The conveyor system moves railroad rails to the guide. A device for applying force against the direction of the cutting force of the cutting disc is located at the cutting location. A device for delivering a fluid, a coolant, lubricant, or rust-inhibiting solution, is located adjacent to the cutting disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Midwest Rail Inc.
    Inventor: Delmar A. Lanzer
  • Patent number: 5503331
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a railway or railroad track joint, and more particularly, to an improved electrically insulated bonded rail joint incorporating a non-conductive spacer in or associated with a rail bonding adhesive. The present invention also relates to a method for bonding such electrically insulated rail joints. The present invention provides more control over the spacing of the adhesive layer to achieve a stronger joint and more predictable and stable electrical insulation of a track circuit with improved bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Portec-RMP Division
    Inventors: William T. Uramson, Jr., John M. Downey, John W. Mospan
  • Patent number: 4630772
    Abstract: An improved insulating plate for an insulated rail joint includes a main plate portion made of a thermo-plastic resin, thick portions formed on the main plate portion at its side face contacting a joint plate, and planar heater elements embedded in the thick portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignees: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Japanese National Railways
    Inventors: Kainen Watanabe, Hiroto Yasuhara, Toru Sugiyama, Keiji Shimizu, Yoshihiro Murata
  • Patent number: 4466570
    Abstract: An insulated joint is provided for use between sections of rail that are disposed in adjacent signal circuits. The insulated joint includes a separator disposed between a pair of dielectric end posts. The end posts have a plan configuration substantially identical to the cross section of the rail sections with which they are used. The separator is constructed from a material having sufficient strength to enable it to withstand the forces exerted by the wheels of the train. The insulating fabric disposed between the joint bar and the rail is removed at least in the portion thereof adjacent the separator head portion thereby avoiding the problem of having the insulating fabric wear adjacent the separator. In locations where the separator would be subject to greater than normal forces, a head portion with a height greater than that of the rail sections is provided to increase the strength of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: New York City Transit Authority
    Inventor: James T. Howard
  • Patent number: 4464831
    Abstract: A method of fabricating an insulating joint between a pair of end abutting rail sections of a railroad track includes the suspension of a pair of opposed fishplates at the rail joint at spaced distances outwardly of the rail sides, and simultaneously heating the rail sections and the fishplates to a predetermined temperature for activating a heat-activatable adhesive provided in fabric cuffs which are disposed between the fish surfaces and the fishplates. The fishplates are shifted along guide rods of their support assemblies inwardly toward one another into place against opposed fish surfaces of the rail sections, and are thereafter bolted in place. A device for fabricating the joint includes a box-like hood on which heaters are mounted, or a shear assembly supporting the heaters and being clamped onto the rail head. The heaters may be adjusted to accommodate various rail profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Klockner-Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lothar Weber, Friedhelm Wojtek, Horst Schwarzbach
  • Patent number: 4386736
    Abstract: An electrically insulated rail joint having two integral plastic fishplates with embedded steel reinforcement bolted on opposite sides of the rail joint. Each fishplate is provided with vertical spaced projecting ribs having wedge-shaped faces engaging the rail sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Inventors: Walter Benkler, Werner Hartmann
  • Patent number: 4292110
    Abstract: Fabric-reinforced adhesive bonding sheet, the adhesive of which is a blend of epoxy resin and a dianiline which soften and melt at 50.degree.-110.degree. C. The bonding sheet is especially useful for making insulated rail joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1981
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Bruce A. Marteness
  • Patent number: 4256259
    Abstract: A rail joint includes an insulative base piece insertable between a rail base flange and a joint bar. The ends of the base piece project longitudinally beyond the respective ends of the joint bar to provide exposed terminal sections with an intermediate central section. Longitudinal migration of the base piece during travel over the rail joint is precluded by one or more end abutment members fixedly disposed relative the base piece and including an elevated inner abutment surface intermediate the central section and each terminal section and engaging the joint bar ends. The abutment members may comprise integral elevated tabs cut from the base piece or alternatively, separate members insertable through cut-out portions in the base piece terminal sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1981
    Assignee: Portec, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Gore