Roadbed Patents (Class 238/2)
  • Publication number: 20080257971
    Abstract: Method of adjusting the height of a fixed rail carriageway, in which the sleepers supporting the rails are embedded in a carriageway panel resting on a substrate includes the steps of separating the carriageway panel from the substrate at the common contact face, forming filling apertures extending from the upper face to the lower face of the carriageway panel, lifting the carriageway panel to a fixed target height, incorporating a flowable casting material through the filling apertures in order to fill the space between the carriageway panel and the substrate, wherein separation is effected by pressure impacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Kowalski, Stephan Freudenstein
  • Publication number: 20080173724
    Abstract: A track superstructure for a railway on a subgrade (12) inclined transversely to the length thereof, comprises a ballast structure (16) of individual ballast stones (18), and sleepers (20) embedded in the ballast structure, on which rails (24) may be mounted, the ballast structure (16) comprising load dissipation regions (26) beneath the sleepers (20), said regions receiving loads acting vertically on the ballast structure (16) via said sleepers (20) when a train rides on the rails (24) and transferring these loads to the subgrade (12) below the ballast structure (16). This transfer is characterized in that substantially only the voids between the ballast stones (18) within the load dissipation regions (26) of the ballast structure (16) are filled with a foam material (28), especially a PU foam material, for fixing the ballast stones (18) in a stable position, and an elastic drain layer (14) is arranged between the ballast structure (16) and the subgrade (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Applicant: MSB-Management GmbH
    Inventor: Tim Frenzel
  • Publication number: 20080116290
    Abstract: Concrete carriageway for rail vehicles, having single- or multiple-block sleepers embedded in a carriageway panel, whereby the carriageway panel has areas of thinned cross-section disposed transverse to the direction of travel for generating cracks and in each has at least one body for transmitting transverse forces which overlaps the region of thinned cross-section on both sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2005
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventor: Stephan Freudenstein
  • Patent number: 7093768
    Abstract: A rigid track consisting of concrete, in particular pre-cast components, comprising a slab with traversing fixing elements, or a plurality of fixing elements arranged thereon, of rails for track-borne vehicles. The inventive rigid track is characterized by a pre-cast concrete component constituting a protuberance that is positioned on the slab, parallel to at least one rail and located on at least one side of the rail. The protuberance acts as a guard and a guide for the vehicle during derailment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Max Bogl Bauuntemehmung GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Dieter Reichel, Stefan Bögl, Erich Lindner
  • Patent number: 6997391
    Abstract: An ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene material is utilized in a railroad flangeway to reduce the wear of a railroad crossing base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: BNSF Railway Company
    Inventor: John H. Bosshart
  • Patent number: 6954974
    Abstract: In a method of constructing a rail track on a concrete slab, the concrete slab is poured around anchor members for fixing tie plates supporting the rails of the rail track. The method includes the following steps: suspending the rails premounted on their tie plates above the location at which the concrete slab is to be poured, each tie plate including a base under which is disposed a temporary tie plate for accurately guiding the anchor members, adjusting the position of the rails, pouring the concrete slab up to the height of the temporary tie plates, raising the rails and removing the temporary tie plates, and accurately positioning the rails premounted on their tie plates on the concrete slab in their final position and fixing the tie plates to the anchor members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventor: Nicolas Rada
  • Patent number: 6843181
    Abstract: Ducting associated with rail track comprising a bed (13) located along at least a portion of the length of the rail track, the bed lying proximate the rails (11), a resiliently deformable cover (27) receivable over the bed and comprising a plurality of elongated channel members located in an end to end relationship having their flanges (29) extending downwardly and outwardly, the cover being intended to cooperate with the bed to define a duct able to accommodate conductors, optical fibres, cable and services. The bed has retention means (21) in the form a groove to receive and retain the lips (31) of the channel members. An apparatus having a carriage (73) is movable along the rail track to cause inward resilient deformation of the cover by pairs of rollers (71) to enable installation and withdrawal of the lips (31) from the grooves (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Inventor: Jonathan Mark Morris
  • Patent number: 6764021
    Abstract: A concrete railroad grade crossing comprised of a precast concrete gauge panel extending between the rails and precast concrete approach panels which extend between each rail and the roadway. Elastomeric gauge seals are provided on the opposite sides of the gauge panels for sealing the space between the sides of the gauge panels and the rails. Elastomeric approach seals are provided on the inner ends of the approach panels for engagement with the outer sides of the rails. The inner ends of the seals have lobes formed therein which are embedded in the respective panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: American Concrete Products Co.
    Inventors: Randall G. Birt, Thomas L. Egan
  • Patent number: 6732418
    Abstract: A method of constructing a rail track on a concrete slab, in which method the concrete slab is poured around anchor members for fixing tie plates supporting rails of the rail track, includes the following steps: suspending temporary tie plates at the location where the tie plates supporting the rail track are to be placed, the temporary tie plates supporting anchor members to be partly embedded in the concrete and including vents for evacuating air trapped under the bottom face of the temporary tie plate when pouring the concrete slab, pouring a concrete slab up to the height of the temporary tie plates, removing the temporary tie plates after the concrete slab has dried, and placing the tie plates supporting the rails accurately in their final position and fixing the tie plates to the anchor members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventor: Nicolas Rada
  • Patent number: 6672515
    Abstract: A rail track structure for securing railway rails on a ballast track or a solid track includes a standard sleeper used on the ballast track; consisting of a plurality of gabions holding ballast and a resiliently compressible pad placed below the sleeper typically below the rail seat between the sleeper and the gabions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Konkan Railwary Corporation Ltd.
    Inventor: Bojji Rajaram
  • Publication number: 20030052182
    Abstract: A rail track structure for securing railway rails on a ballast track or a solid track includes a standard sleeper used on the ballast track; consisting of a plurality of gabions holding ballast and a resiliently compressible pad placed below the sleeper typically below the rail seat between the sleeper and the gabions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventor: Bojji Rajaram
  • Patent number: 6502760
    Abstract: A supporting system supporting a rail of a rail track above a substrate. The system includes a support having an tipper surface for supporting the rail and a lower surface facing the substrate. The support is maintained between the lower surface and the substrate and, in response to separation of the rail and the substrate, movement of the rail towards the substrate is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Coventry University
    Inventor: Michael James Keedwell
  • Patent number: 6488215
    Abstract: A two-block concrete railroad tie for a fixed rail carriageway with an at least partially continuous reinforcement, which is exposed between the blocks and, after alignment, engages the sealing compound over a supporting layer, becoming anchored in it, the blocks being provided with a mounting surface, which is shortened in the longitudinal direction and from which slanting side surfaces extend upward at least at the front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Pfleiderer Infrastrukturtechnik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Winfried Mohr
  • Patent number: 6468631
    Abstract: Elastic band-shaped base (1) made of rubber or of a material similar to rubber for insulating and absorbing vibrations and impact sound, specially track-bed matting, wherein the base is fitted with spaced tubes (2, 3) running parallel to the ground side (4) of the base on at least two planes (I, II). The tubes have a semicircular, semi-oval, or semi-ellipsoidal cross section. The invention is characterized in that two planes (I, II) are arranged at a distance (A) in relation to each other, irrespective of the total number of the planes of tubes, forming a continuous intermediate covering (5) running parallel to the ground side (4) of the base (1), in such a way that the smoothed down sides of the tubes (2, 3) all face the intermediate covering (5). The inventive design provides for advantageous construction parameters of the elastic base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Phoenix Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bernd Pahl, Jan Thiedeitz, Norbert Garbers, Michail Rabkin
  • Patent number: 6431462
    Abstract: A concrete gauge panel spans the gap between two parallel railroad tracks. Two concrete field panels lead from the roadway surface to the railroad tracks, one panel on each side of the railroad tracks. A spacer sits between the concrete of the concrete field and gauge panels and the railroad tracks. The spacer is affixed to the panels in a way that allows the spacer to be removed and replaced without replacing the entire panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Omega Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: George Apostolou, Isidoros Garifalakis, Adolfo Bella
  • Patent number: 6427925
    Abstract: A system for embedding a pair of rails of a railway track comprises a pair of field panels adapted for positioning opposite each other at outer sides of the rails and a gauge panel adapted for positioning between the rails. Each field panel has a side surface adapted to face its corresponding rail outer side and the gauge panel has opposite side surfaces adapted to face the inner sides of the rails. A first filler strip is associated with each of the field panels and a pair of second filler strips are associated with the gauge panel. Each of the first and second filler strips include a sealing portion that is adapted to contact one of the inner and outer rail sides and a mounting portion for connecting the filler strip to its respective panel. A U-shaped reinforcing member extends along a length of each filler strip mounting portion such that each filler strip is sandwiched between its respective reinforcing member and panel side surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Century Precast, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Richard Christopher Gaudet
  • Patent number: 6422478
    Abstract: Elastomeric pads positioned on top of railroad ties have flanges that extend along chamfered corners of railroad ties and shoulders that extend upward and are located along the tops of the flanges. Pre-cast concrete panels that are commonly provided at railway grade crossings between and alongside the rails rest on the pads. The shoulders are compressible by the weight of the concrete panels and help to keep the flanges in place on the chamfered edges of the ties and resist movement of the pads from their intended positions between the concrete panels and the ties. The pads may be extruded of thermoplastic synthetic rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Northwest Rubber Extruders, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Lucas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6415987
    Abstract: A method for collecting liquid spillage at rail facilities using a structure that may include a plurality of center pans (10) and side pans (14) arranged in end to end relation. The pans (10, 14) are formed of a plastic material, preferably high density polyethylene. Each pan (10, 14) has a vertical drain pipe (54, 78) which fits within an elastomeric sleeve (60) about an upper drain opening (34) in a transverse drain conduit (28) positioned between a pair of crossties beneath the pans (10, 14). Each center pan (10) has a resilient upwardly inclined side flange or lip (44). For installation, the center pan (10) is preferably installed by first inserting one resilient side flange (44) beneath the head (16) of an adjacent rail (12) and then lowering the bottom (40) of the pan (10) onto the upper surface of the crossties (24) with drain pipe (54) received in sealing relation within the aligned elastomeric seal (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Century Group L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jon R. Vincent, Richard C. Gaudet
  • Patent number: 6354512
    Abstract: A method of making a polymer coated rail in which a rail to be coated (10) is positioned on a mould base (11) in an inverted manner, so that the head (12) of the rail is immediately adjacent the base plate (11). Then, mould side pieces (13, 14) are secured to the base plate (11) to run parallel to the side of the rail (10). Antislip material such as bauxite or granite chippings (21) are positioned in the mould so that they lie on the base plate (11), and then the liquid polymer is poured into the mould to fill the spaces (19, 20) and so encapsulate the rail (10). The polymer is poured into the mould, until its surface (22) covers the foot (23) of the rail. In this state, the polymer is allowed to cure, so that it solidifies, and once the side plates (13, 14) have been removed, the rail together with its polymer coating can be lifted from the base plate (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignees: Hyperlast Limited, ALH Rail Coatings Limited
    Inventor: Robert Paul Vennell
  • Publication number: 20010048033
    Abstract: A method for collecting liquid spillage at rail facilities using a structure that may include a plurality of center pans (10) and side pans (14) arranged in end to end relation. The pans (10, 14) are formed of a plastic material, preferably high density polyethylene. Each pan (10, 14) has a vertical drain pipe (54, 78) which fits within an elastomeric sleeve (60) about an upper drain opening (34) in a transverse drain conduit (28) positioned between a pair of crossties beneath the pans (10, 14). Each center pan (10) has a resilient upwardly inclined side flange or lip (44). For installation, the center pan (10) is preferably installed by first inserting one resilient side flange (44) beneath the head (16) of an adjacent rail (12) and then lowering the bottom (40) of the pan (10) onto the upper surface of the crossties (24) with drain pipe (54) received in sealing relation within the aligned elastomeric seal (60).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventors: Jon R. Vincent, Richard C. Gaudet
  • Patent number: 6296195
    Abstract: A rail arrangement includes a bullheaded rail having joint ties and a rail head, a rail bridge and a rail foot. There is a driving track made of concrete with an integrated joint, in which the rail is seated in connection with a substrate; as well as profiles made of elastomeric material. The profiles includes a base profile arranged below the foot of the rail and which has flanges on both sides which completely or partially grip around the foot of the rail. The base profile has a plurality of channels having a rhombic cross-sectional shape and extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail, which are arranged in the plane extending parallel with the underside of the foot of the rail. The channels at the edges of the base profile have a smaller cross sectional shape than the channels at the center area. There are two side profiles abutting the rail on both sides. One of the side profiles preferably has a tracking groove on the side of the wheel rim. There is also a joint tie coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Phoenix Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmuth Blank, Bernd Pahl
  • Patent number: 6293473
    Abstract: In an infrastructure for a railway track with continuous elastic support, the two rail (1) forming the track rest with their lateral limiting surfaces beneath the rail head, via elastic intermediate layers (3), against inner lateral limiting surfaces of a frame consisting of two frame halves (4, 5). The frame is located in a trough (6) embedded in a concrete plate (2) running longitudinally underneath the rails (1). Between a frame half (5) and a lateral wall (6R) of the trough (6) a wedge (7) is provided, pointing downwards with its narrower end and which can be tightened by screws (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Inventors: Hermann Ortwein, Elisabeth Ortwein
  • Patent number: 6290143
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for collecting liquid spillage at rail facilities including the plurality of center pans (10) and side pans (14) arranged in end to end relation. The pans (10, 14) are formed of a plastic material, preferably high density polyethylene. Each pan (10, 14) has a vertical drain pipe (54, 78) which fits within an elastomeric sleeve (60) about an upper drain opening (34) in a transverse drain conduit (28) positioned between a pair of crossties beneath the pans (10, 14). Each center pan (10) has a resilient upwardly inclined side flange or lip (44). For installation, the center pan (10) is preferably installed by first inserting one resilient side flange (44) beneath the head (16) of an adjacent rail (12) and then lowering the bottom (40) of the pan (10) onto the upper surface of the crossties (24) with drain pipe (54) received in sealing relation within the aligned elastomeric seal (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Century Group, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Jon R. Vincent, Richard C. Gaudet
  • Patent number: 6273341
    Abstract: A non-derailable train system including a movable crossing platform for preventing train derailments. The non-derailable train system including a movable crossing platform includes spaced tracks having a rounded upper surface, train wheels having a concave outer perimeter wall complimentary to the rounded upper surface of the tracks for preventing lateral removal of the wheels from the tracks. Also included is a movable platform system for facilitating crossing of the tracks by other vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Ahmed Debabi
  • Patent number: 6250562
    Abstract: Pre-cast concrete panels are commonly provided at road-rail crossings, to serve as the roadway, but such panels have been liable to premature failure. Rubber caps are placed over the cross-ties, between the panel and the ties, to isolate the panel from the stresses that arise when the panel contacts the ties directly. The caps are ribbed. Two kinds of ribs are provided, some solid and rectangular, others triangular and hollow. The ribbed panels provide resilience and hysteresis over a range of conditions, to prevent fretting and cracking of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Performance Polymers Inc.
    Inventor: Dominicus Bruyn
  • Patent number: 6149067
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a precast railway crossing slab adapted to extend transversely across the surface of conventional railway ties, with slots or gaps dimensioned and disposed to receive a pair of railway rails therethrough. The crossing slab includes a post-tensioning system in which metal cable strands or tendons are sheathed within plastic tubes and are positioned in the slab mold frame prior, to pouring of concrete. Tendon anchors are also disposed in the slab mold frame prior to pouring. After the concrete hardens, a hydraulic jack is used to tension and anchor the tendons in a stressed condition, thus providing reinforcement to the slab. The railway crossing slab of the present invention may be utilized with or without surface or edge metal plating. Flange way fillers which typically comprise rubber strips extending between the sidewalls of the metal rail and the concrete slab may optionally be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Oldcastle Precast, Inc.
    Inventors: George Clinton Brookhart, Jr., James A. Baker, Paul B. Miller
  • Patent number: 6129288
    Abstract: A railroad crossing panel filler for attachment to a headed support member on a railroad crossing panel slab includes an elongated elastomeric filler body with a slab engaging surface formed along the body. A rail engaging surface is also formed along the filler body opposite the slab engaging surface. An elongated support member head receiving channel is formed within the filler body and extends along the length thereof between the slab engaging surface and the rail engaging surface. An elongated support member receiving slot extending along the length of the filler body and includes a first open end along the slab engaging surface and a second end opening into the enlarged support member head receiving channel. The support member head receiving channel and support member receiving slot are configured to releasably receive a headed panel support member to releasably mount the elastomeric filler body to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: CXT, Incorporated
    Inventors: Rick W. Petersen, Steven R. Mattson
  • Patent number: 6079630
    Abstract: A railway grade crossing apparatus comprises at least one rectangular gauge panel of precast concrete with resilient bumpers on opposing sides for closely fitting between the rails and rectangular field panels of precast concrete, each having a resilient bumpers on one side for placement between the outside of each rail and the adjacent road abutment, the gauge and field panels having means for attaching lifting a device to the top surface of the panel, and the method of installing said apparatus comprising lifting the panels into place with a bumper abutting the side of a rail, and exerting a lateral force on the panel toward the rail to compress the bumper whereby the opposite side may be urged downward into place and releasing the lateral force to allow the resilience of the compressed bumper to adjust the lateral position of the panel to a final position between the rails or rail and road abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: Rick A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6055693
    Abstract: A railway short span trestle is designed for quick erection at an installation site by assembly of a minimum number of parts. Those parts include a pair of spaced apart girders and whatever number of modular floor assemblies are required to span the length of those girders. Each floor assembly may be preassembled in the shop to include crossbeams for connection to the girders, a ballast floor plate which interconnects the crossbeams, and the bent curb plates which contain and support the ballast for a railway track. The invention is further directed to a method of constructing a railway short span trestle including tho preassembly of the modular floor assemblies and final connection of those floor assemblies to a pair of girders to provide a unitary trestle ready for placement onto a substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Owen Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley R. Lehr, Jerry Martin, Mark V. Holland, Mark L. McCune
  • Patent number: 6027033
    Abstract: In a device for fixing a rail resting on a support by means of an anti-vibration pad, a prestress is applied to this pad so that the operating point of the anti-vibration pad (2) always remains in the region of linear behaviour of the said anti-vibration pad in order to limit the static rail deflections while providing the desired anti-vibration isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Inventor: Patrick Vanhonacker
  • Patent number: 6016968
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a precast railway crossing slab adapted to extend transversely across the surface of conventional railway ties, with slots or gaps dimensioned and disposed to receive a pair of railway rails therethrough. The crossing slab includes a post-tensioning system in which metal cable strands or tendons are sheathed within plastic tubes and are positioned in the slab mold frame prior to pouring of concrete. Tendon anchors are also disposed in the slab mold frame prior to pouring. After the concrete hardens, a hydraulic jack is used to tension and anchor the tendons in a stressed condition, thus providing reinforcement to the slab. The railway crossing slab of the present invention may be utilized with or without surface or edge metal plating. Flange way fillers which typically comprise rubber strips extending between the sidewalls of the metal rail and the concrete slab may optionally be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Oldcastle Precast, Inc.
    Inventors: George Clinton Brookhart, Jr., James A. Baker, Paul B. Miller
  • Patent number: 5988519
    Abstract: A precast concrete curved grade crossing includes a plurality of base members, each of which has a central recess formed in the upper surface thereof. The central recess receives a plurality of center panels. The plurality of base members and center panels are laid end-to-end to form a curved crossing. Each of the plurality of base members and center panels have a substantially trapezoidal shape which varies in dimension proportional to the radius of curvature of the crossing. A restraining rail is removably attached to a first standard rail, both being received between the base members and center panels to add rigidity and structural stability. The first standard rail together with the restraining rail are encased by a wide rubber boot which extends through the crossing in a single continuous piece to maintain electrical isolation between the concrete base member and center panels and the first and restraining rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Pacific International Pipe Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Jordie
  • Patent number: 5863147
    Abstract: A rigid concrete slab for conveying vehicular or railroad traffic which is provided with functional longitudinal beams that extend or protrude downward from the underside of the slab and are fully and continuously supported by the underlying material. The attached beams enhance, strengthen and stabilize both longitudinally and transversely. Friction and suction, or interface adhesion, between the beams and the underlying material in which it rests causes the beams to act as anchors thereby further resisting displacement or distortion of the slab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignees: David E. Pressler, Stephen J. Schneider
    Inventor: David E. Pressler
  • Patent number: 5806764
    Abstract: In a track whose rails are laterally and downwardly supported on the rail outer side and on the rail inner side via elastic intermediate inserts (4, 6) by longitudinal carriers underneath the head portion (3), the rails (2) extend at a distance above the track structure parts located therebelow. The longitudinal carriers at the rail outer side are first console ledges (5) which are part of a base plate (10) lying under the rails (2), and the longitudinal carriers on the rail inner side are second console ledges (7) which are part of an inner plate (11) lying between the rails (2), which inner plate (11) in turn is supported on the base plate (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Gmundner Fertigteile Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bernhard Neumann
  • Patent number: 5782405
    Abstract: In accordance with illustrative embodiments of the invention, a drain basin system for collecting liquids and light solids that are spilled while loading or unloading a rail tank car includes a system of precast concrete pan members. Center pan members which are positioned between the rails have upwardly inclined flanges on their outer sides which extend partly over the plates of the rails, and outside pan members have identical flanges on their inner sides and upstanding walls on their outer sides. A pair of the system of pan members positioned end-to-end are arranged to have a higher elevation at the joint between them so that liquids run toward opposite ends where they enter trench drains either directly or via sealed tubular drains. Flashing strips cover the abutting joints, and also extend along the inclined flanges on opposite sides of each rail and up underneath the sides of the head thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Jon R. Vincent
  • Patent number: 5738279
    Abstract: An elastic, essentially plate-shaped track foundation consists of closed-pored foamed and crosslinked rubber material, preferably EPDM rubber. The foaming and crosslinking preferably is performed in one working step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Saar-Gummiwerk GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Ihle, Heinz Volker
  • Patent number: 5713517
    Abstract: A sock for a tie of ballastless rail track that is to be held in a bed of concrete, the sock comprising firstly an elastically deformable case receiving the tie whose bottom edge is chamfered, and secondly a pad lying beneath the tie in the bottom of the case, wherein the bottom portion of the case includes, in its inside wall, recesses guaranteeing compression flexibility thereto even after the wall has been deformed under the effect of hydrostatic pressure from the concrete bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Allevard
    Inventor: Claude Loison
  • Patent number: 5622312
    Abstract: Rail track insert assembly for use between rails and adjacent road surfaces in a road level rail bed comprising resiliently flexible elongate members engaging, respectively, with the rail and the adjacent road surface and defining a generally vertical slip plane at their interface, to accommodate vertical movement of the rail in response to the passage of rail car wheels, while sealing against intrusion of surface water and detritus. An elongated channel defined in the under surface of each of the insert members accommodates rail clips securing the rail to the underlying track bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Inventor: John K. Martin
  • Patent number: 5605281
    Abstract: A support system for a rail section which bridges the gap between foundations which are relatively movable auxiliary rails running parallel to the rail across the sleepers which are supported by the foundation, and underpinning supports providing a stiff connection between rail and auxiliary rails. The underpinning supports move in response to relative movement of the foundation so that undesirable rail bending is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: BWG Butzbacher Weichenbau, GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Benenowski, Hubertus Hohne, Alfred Kais, Erich Nuding
  • Patent number: 5540382
    Abstract: A pair of mud dispersement devices are deployed beneath a railroad tie and upon ballast material supporting the tie. Each device includes a flat elongated structure for underlying a half of the railroad tie and resting upon the ballast material supporting the tie. The elongated structure has opposite inner and outer ends and opposite top and bottom surfaces and defines a wedge-shaped cavity below the bottom surface which increases in height proceeding from the inner end of the elongated structure to the outer end thereof. A plurality of support elements are mounted on the top surface of the elongated structure and project upwardly therefrom for contacting the railroad tie to transmit a load produced by rolling stock moving on the railroad track downwardly from the railroad tie to the inclined plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: James D. Scheller
  • Patent number: 5535947
    Abstract: A pair of rails are secured on a plurality of perpendicularly disposed ties which rest on a ballast material. A gauge panel is disposed between the rails and has a top surface which is substantially the same height as the rails. Field inserts are positioned on the outside of the parallel rails and field panels, which have a top surface that is substantially the same height as the rails, are positioned in contact with the field inserts. Gauge inserts are inserted into the space between the gauge panel and the parallel rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Inventors: Thomas A. Hogue, William K. Hull
  • Patent number: 5513797
    Abstract: A track rail having a groove for flanges of rail vehicle track wheels in an upper surface of the rail and having a central bar portion and flanges extending integrally sideways from the top of the bar portion is inserted in a recess preformed in the roadway with clearance so the rail is supported from the roadway's surface by the flanges. The rail is shallow so the recess is only shollowly preformed in the roadway. If the roadway has insufficient load-bearing capacity it is possible to reinforce the roadway by a concrete beam around 30 centimeters wide and 10 centimeters deep grouted with concrete in the road surface; this again is shallow for rail tracks. This beam would be recessed to receive the rail as above and also to receive the flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Inventor: Lewis Lesley
  • Patent number: 5511485
    Abstract: An arrangement for installing a protective layer between a subgrade and a layer of ballast of a track bed includes an excavating unit to remove ballast from underneath the track and a subgrade stabilizing unit by which additives are disposed directly over the exposed subgrade and blended underneath the track with the subgrade for formation of a protective layer following a leveling and compacting process. Removed and cleaned ballast is then laid by a conveyor over the new protective layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Franz Plasser Bahnbaumaschinen-Industriegesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Ernesto Romani, Livio Abbruzzese, Josef Theurer, Herbert Worgotter, Friedrich Oellerer
  • Patent number: 5492158
    Abstract: Described is a system for collecting organic material, such as oil, etc., underneath rail vehicles, in particular railway locomotives, the systen having at least one absorption material in at least one pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Inventor: Werner Haag
  • Patent number: 5487501
    Abstract: A shock absorber component 7 is in the form of a flatly placeable strip, plate or mat and is especially for supporting the track of railroads. The shock absorber component 7 is placed between the superstructure 2 and the roadbed 1 of the track assembly. The shock absorber component 7 includes a core layer 8 having bonded rubber particles 12 and a cover layer 10 made of flexible material. The cover layer 10 surrounds this core layer 8. The rubber particles 12 of the core layer 8 are exclusively porous and the cover layer 10 is made of a compact rubber material. The cover layer 10 is vulcanized to the core layer 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Assignee: Clouth Gummiwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wilhelm Engst, Alexander Repczuk, Horst Weller
  • Patent number: 5423339
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for washing an article and collecting the used wash water as well as a wash pad and a mobile apparatus. A wash truck is modified to include a water treatment unit and a submersible pump for removing used wash water from a water-proof surface, such as pavement or the wash pad. The used wash water is subsequently recycled and reused or disposed of without harm to the environment. The wash pad includes a bottom sheet and a containment wall that together define a containment area for containing the used wash water. A secondary containment area may be defined for wash pads that are used for the washing of vehicles. The wash pad may be rolled for storage upon a reel mounted to the wash truck. Other embodiments provide wash pads for use in washing rail-mounted articles, and the interiors of trailers and shipping containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Inventor: Douglas Latimer
  • Patent number: 5172858
    Abstract: A process for supporting a railway track installation is proposed, in which vehicle tires, preferably used tires, completely filled with ballast, are embedded under each tire in a ballast layer, forming the lateral embankment with their outer sections. These embedded vehicle tires form a hold for the ballast layer in the embankment area, so that lateral yielding of the corresponding ballast is prevented in this area, to a great extent. In addition, such a process offers the possibility of using the extremely large number of used tires which come from road vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Inventor: Gunter Frohn
  • Patent number: 5163614
    Abstract: A railroad bed and method for making, wherein a less compact asphalt layer is spread on top of a more compact one, a trough shaped ballast bedding element suitably of reinforced concrete is placed over the aforementioned asphalt layers, a slab bearing the rails is applied into the trough-shaped ballast bedding, and an elastic, plastic-modified bituminous mortar is injected into the space between the slab and the ballast bedding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: Beton-es Vasbetonipari Muvek
    Inventors: Laszlo Tamas, Zsolt Paapenek, Attila Komaromy, Istvan Varszegi, Antal Tapai, Jozaef Kokai, Adrian Horvath, Laszlo Farkas, Jeno Fulop, Andras Piller, Istvan Dombi
  • Patent number: 5060856
    Abstract: The upper part of an elastomeric mat acting as a sound-damping element below a bed of ballast in a track support assembly is provided with a single layer of a knit, preferably a multiaxial warp knit fabric which, in part, protects the body of the mat against deterioration by penetration of the stones therethrough and provides high tensile strength in substantially all directions for the mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Inventor: Hermann Ortwein
  • Patent number: 4985276
    Abstract: The process for hardening ballasts and other heaped structures calls for an adhesive, which is pourable at ambient temperatures, to first be transformed into the solid state by means of cooling. Then, the application of the liquid adhesive onto the heaped structure is time-dosed by the thawing of the cooled adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Messer Griesheim
    Inventors: Karl R. Zeiss, Paul Degen