Clamps Patents (Class 238/338)
  • Patent number: 11655595
    Abstract: An adjustable device for railway to cross active faults is provided to fix a rail and a sleeper, including: a fastener mounting base, disposed between the rail and sleeper; clamping pipes, disposed between the fastener mounting base and the sleeper, the sleeper is provided with a through groove, and the clamping pipes are detachably fixed inside the through groove; control parts, disposed on an inner wall of the clamping pipes, each of the control parts is configured to detect lateral pressures between the fastener mounting base and corresponding one of the clamping pipes, thereby to separate the corresponding one of the clamping pipes from the through groove, the device ensures that the rail will not produce bending deformations after the lateral dislocation of the bottom layer during earthquake events, and ensure that a train or rail repair vehicle can pass at a low speed after earthquake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Songfeng Guo, Shengwen Qi, Manchao He, Hui Zhou, Yu Zou, Zhiqing Li, Lihui Li, Bowen Zheng, Jinxuan Li, Guangming Luo, Fengjiao Tang, Weiluan Wen
  • Patent number: 11162227
    Abstract: A boltless fastener assembly for a heavy haul railway with an axle load of 35-40 tons includes a pre-embedded steel holder, an e-clip, an insulated gauge block and a rubber pad. A clamping leg-heel end of the e-clip is provided with an L-shaped retaining end. The pre-embedded steel holder is improved to adapt to the e-clip, and an opening is formed at a portion of the pre-embedded steel holder close to the clamping leg-heel end of the e-clip, so that the e-clip can be installed normally. During normal installation, the L-shaped retaining end of the e-clip does not contact the pre-embedded steel holder. When the rail undergoes large torsional deformation, the L-shaped retaining end on one side of a rail moves upward to contact an upper edge of the opening of the pre-embedded steel holder or engages with a second heel end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignees: CHINA ACADEMY OF RAILWAY SCIENCES CORPORATION LIMITED RAILWAY ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CHINA ACADEMY OF RAILWAY SCIENCES CORPORATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Junheng Xiao, Hangwei Fang, Zirui Li, Yanshan Li, Chengliang Li, Haoyong Yu, Liangshan Xu, Zhen Pan
  • Patent number: 10711825
    Abstract: Fastener apparatus including a self-adjusting and automatically self-leveling head separate from a threaded shank portion. An embodiment self-leveling head portion defines an annular recess and lip portion sized to receive a seal. A threaded shank resides within an annular cup center of the self-leveling head and has a thread-free portion seated by the compressed seal creating a water tight seal. Embodiments for sheet metal screw and bolt fasteners not requiring seals are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Inventor: David A. W. Curtis
  • Patent number: 10240299
    Abstract: A fastening mechanism for coupling track rail to a substrate includes a fastener body formed by a metallic base and an overmolded non-metallic coating. Metallic pillars are coupled with the fastener body, and define bores for receiving anchors held fast within a substrate. The coating encases the metallic base and extends peripherally around the metallic pillars to position vibration-attenuating non-metallic material between the metallic base and the metallic pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Constantine, Wilbur Osler
  • Patent number: 9889492
    Abstract: The bead ring winder winds a cord around the circumference of a former by rotating a rotation shaft to form a bead ring. The former includes a fixed segment, which is fixed to the rotation shaft, and a separated segment, which is coupled to the fixed segment to be movable toward and away from the fixed segment, so that the former is configured to be able to increase and decrease the circumference length of the former. The bead ring winder includes a setting member, which can be replaced to set a separated distance of the separated segment from the fixed segment when changing the winding diameter of a bead ring to be formed, and a fastening plate and a fastening bolt, which fasten the separated segment to the fixed segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignees: Fuji Seiko Co., Ltd., Fuji Shoji Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroshi Oguchi
  • Publication number: 20150048172
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rail clamp for fastening rail equipment, said rail clamp being integrally composed of a polymeric composition produced by pultrusion or molding, vacuum molding or compression molding. It has high mechanical strength. It is anticorrosive and insulating and is preferably composed of a resin and reinforcing fibers and/or a thermoplastic. It is advantageously formed as a one piece structure. The rail clamp is especially used to fasten rails to base slabs and has economic advantages compared to the rail clamps known in the art, which are made of steel coated with rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: ROBERT P. DUFRESNE
  • Patent number: 8833671
    Abstract: Railway rail fastening apparatus, for suspending a railway rail at discrete locations along its length above a rail foundation, comprises two rail suspending assemblies located when in use one on each side of the rail. Each assembly comprises an elastic member for supporting the head of the rail on one side thereof and a bracket for applying a lateral clamping force to the elastic member. The rail suspending assembly on one side of the rail is located such that the center line of the assembly is offset with respect to that of the rail suspending assembly on the other side of the rail by x mm along the longitudinal axis of the rail, where x is 50?x>0 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Pandrol Limited
    Inventors: Stephen John Cox, Andrew Garwood, Keith Poole
  • Patent number: 8740106
    Abstract: An elastic clip for fixing a railway rail, comprising a head arch having a front end thereof inserted into a clip shoulder of a base plate or a tie; a first front arch extending in one piece from the head arch and upwardly curved in an oblique direction; a first toe extending in one piece from the first front arch and having a bottom thereof contacting a top of a flange of a rail; a second front arch extending in one piece from the first toe and upwardly curved in an oblique direction; and a second toe extending in one piece from the second front arch and having a top of a front end of thereof contacting a bottom of the head arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Sampyo Engineering & Construction Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki Tae Ryou, Eung-Dae You
  • Patent number: 8480008
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a switch controller to a rail tie utilizing a frame. The frame extends along the rail tie and includes a platform which is spaced from one rail and cantilevered relative to the tie. A mount positions the switch controller to the platform and a clamp connects the frame relative to the rail tie to permit the proper positioning of the platform relative to the one rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Inventor: Jim Arnold
  • Patent number: 8413910
    Abstract: The invention provides a base plate, and a fastener equipped with such a base plate, whose weight is minimized and whose stiffness is optimised on the one hand and which is suitable for being supported on an elastic intermediate layer on the other hand. To this end, a base plate according to the invention for fastening a rail to a fixed bottom support has, the base plate being made of a plastics material and a stiffening structure which is formed by ribs and by depressions present between the ribs being formed or molded in the underside of the base plate, which underside is associated with the fixed bottom support, depressions of the stiffening structure being closed off, in accordance with the invention, by a filling material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Vossloh-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bösterling, Lutz Rademacher, Adrian Bednarczyk, André Hunold
  • Publication number: 20120318881
    Abstract: A railway rail fastening apparatus has a baseplate for receiving a railway rail to be fastened thereto and baseplate securing elements for securing the baseplate to a baseplate seat area of a concrete railway foundation. The baseplate securing elements carry first and second fastening assemblies configured for location on the concrete rail foundation on opposite sides of the baseplate seat area. Each of the first and second fastening assemblies including fixing member having a first part that extends from the baseplate member for retention within the concrete rail foundation. Only the fixing member of one fastening assembly includes a screw-threaded fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: PANDROL LIMITED
    Inventors: Stephen John Cox, John Phillip Porrill, Anthony Adedipe, Nicholas Lloyd
  • Publication number: 20120211571
    Abstract: A rail fastening system is provided. The rail fastening system includes a fastener including a baseplate and at least one of clamp. The at least one clamp mounts with the baseplate and extends under a rail of a railroad to abut against a flange of the rail opposite a flange adjacent to the baseplate. Certain embodiments of the fastener include adjustment teeth to finely adjust the positioning of the clamps relative to the baseplate. Certain other embodiments of the fastener include slotted clamps that receive a baseplate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: RAIL CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Dennis Hanke, Dean T. Wickman
  • 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
  • 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: 8052068
    Abstract: The invention relates to a guide plate for laterally guiding a rail S for rail vehicles to be fastened to a base 2 by means of a spring element 13 having a front face, against which the rail S is supported in the mounting position, and having an insulator element 19 which can be placed onto the foot F of the rail to be fastened, via which insulator element 19 the spring element 13 in the mounting position acts on the foot F of the rail S. The invention also relates to a system for fastening a rail, which comprises such a guide plate 3. In order to simplify mounting and to ensure reliable, correct positioning of the insulator element even under unfavourable mounting conditions, the invention makes provision for the insulator element 19 to be mounted on the guide plate 3 so that it can pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignees: Vossloh-Werke GmbH, Wirthwein GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Renneckendorf, Thomas Dörfler
  • Patent number: 7992797
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for non-invasively attaching components to railroad track rails. More specifically, an anchor is provided that securely fastens to the track rail in a non-invasive manner for holding one or more signal lines to a surface of the track rail. In one embodiment, the non-invasive anchor utilizes a compressive force to clamp to a flange portion of the track rail. In this regard, first and second body members of the anchor may be advanced toward the toward opposing surfaces of track rail to compress the component between a portion of the anchor and a surface of the track rail. In one embodiment, a pawl prevents the withdrawal of these body members from one another such that the compressive force may be maintained once the anchor is applied to the track rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Fastrax Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Reichle
  • Patent number: 7992796
    Abstract: A base plate for fastening a rail to a fixed bottom support, having a through-opening which runs from the upper side of the base plate to its underside and through which a clamping bolt having a polygonal head is inserted from the underside, forming in the underside, a receptacle, wherein the head of the clamping bolt is seated. Each side-face of the bolt head has a face for contact formed on the circumferential wall, which extends for part of the length of a side-face of the bolt head, and against which side-face has, planar support. The faces for contact on the circumferential wall are spaced apart from one another. There is formed in the circumferential wall of the receptacle, between each pair of adjacent faces for contact, a recess wherein there is no contact between the bolt head and the circumferential wall of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Vossloh-Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Adrian Bednarczyk
  • Publication number: 20110068183
    Abstract: A base plate for fastening a rail to a fixed bottom support, having a through-opening which runs from the upper side of the base plate to its underside and through which a clamping bolt having a polygonal head is inserted from the underside, forming in the underside, a receptacle, wherein the head of the clamping bolt is seated. Each side-face of the bolt head has a face for contact formed on the circumferential wall, which extends for part of the length of a side-face of the bolt head, and against which side-face has, planar support. The faces for contact on the circumferential wall are spaced apart from one another. There is formed in the circumferential wall of the receptacle, between each pair of adjacent faces for contact, a recess wherein there is no contact between the bolt head and the circumferential wall of the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: VOSSLOH-WERKE GMBH
    Inventor: Adrian Bednarczyk
  • Publication number: 20100193598
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastening device (100) for fastening a railwayrail (10) onto a support (4), comprising a primary element (101) and a secondary element (102). The secondary element (102) corresponds to nut and bolt fasteners comprising at least one nut and one screw (9) with a screw body (82) and a screw head. The primary element (101) comprises at least one part (1,2) with an upper surface and lower surface, said part being crossed in its thickness by at least one aperture (80) able to receive said screw (9). Said aperture (80) is formed by a first recess (8) located on the upper surface of said part and intended for receiving the screw body and a second recess (8) located on the lower surface of said part and intended for receiving the screw head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: HF HOLDING S.A.
    Inventors: Thierry Couvreur, Michel Lens
  • Publication number: 20100044451
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rail clamp for fastening rail equipment, said rail clamp being integrally composed of a polymeric composition produced by pultrusion or molding, vacuum molding or compression molding. It has high mechanical strength. It is anticorrosive and insulating and is preferably composed of a resin and reinforcing fibers and/or a thermoplastic. It is advantageously formed as a one piece structure. The rail clamp is especially used to fasten rails to base slabs and has economic advantages compared to the rail clamps known in the art, which are made of steel coated with rubber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: PULTRUSION TECHNIQUE INC.
    Inventor: Robert P. Dufresne
  • Patent number: 7648080
    Abstract: A rail fixing device including a tensioning clamp extending from a holding element and removably arranged on a ribbed plate on which the rail base is mounted. The ribbed plate is placed on an elastic intermediate layer which is maintained in a required prestressed state by the holding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignees: BWG GmbH & Co. KG, VAE GmbH, Pandrol Limited, VAE Eisenbahnsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Hubertus Höhne, Hans-Ulrich Dietze, Heinz Ossberger, Josef Leitner, John Porrill, David R. Seeley
  • Patent number: 7530502
    Abstract: A clamp for securing a transducer to a train rail comprises a bracket having a base which engages the foot of the rail. An upright arm at one end of the base extends adjacent the web of the rail and carries a threaded adjuster which engages the transducer and urges it into contact with the rail. The clamp is sufficiently resilient so that, when the adjuster is tightened to a predetermined extent, both temporary and permanent de formation of the rail can be accommodated without difficulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Armscor Business (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Brian Sherriff, Francois Alvyn Burger
  • Patent number: 7472837
    Abstract: A guide rail support assembly includes a brace and a guide rail positioned on the brace. A hook device having a base and two hooks extending from the base and around the brace and secures the guide rail to the brace. The brace has no apertures such that the hooks extend completely around the brace without penetrating any portion of the brace. Adjustment shims are positioned adjacent the brace and a spring clip is mounted adjacent the base and the adjustment shims for securing the hook device to the brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corp.
    Inventors: Brian Weaver, Robert C. Roberts, Jr., Mark Sutcliffe
  • Patent number: 7467748
    Abstract: A guide rail support assembly includes a brace and a guide rail positioned on the brace. A hook device having a base and two hooks extending from the base and around the brace and secures the guide rail to the brace. The brace has no apertures such that the hooks extend completely around the brace without penetrating any portion of the brace. Adjustment shims are positioned adjacent the brace and a spring clip is mounted adjacent the base and the adjustment shims for securing the hook device to the brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Progress Rail Services Corp.
    Inventors: Brian Weaver, Robert C. Roberts, Jr., Mark Sutcliffe
  • Patent number: 7261244
    Abstract: An electrically-insulated tie plate for electrically isolating parts of a railroad rail system from each other. The electrically-insulated tie plate includes a base plate having a recessed area for receiving a railroad rail and a layer of electrically-insulating material covering portions of the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Portec Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Urmson, Jr., John W. Mospan, John M. Downey
  • Patent number: 6702192
    Abstract: A rail retaining device has a shoulder member for bearing on a lateral side of a rail flange. The shoulder has a downwardly facing abutment surface. A rail clip is of bent rod symmetrical about a vertical plane. The clip has an inner portion bearing on the flange, intermediate limb portions reacting with the abutment surface and flexed resiliently downwardly in the installed position, and an outer portion connected to each intermediate limb portion and extending arcuately outwardly and downwardly to a lower portion adapted to bear on a bearing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Inventor: Jude O. Igwemezie
  • Patent number: 6651896
    Abstract: A rail mounting system for mounting a rail (31), to a rail bearing (20), the mounting system comprising a tapered baseplate (26, 27) for supporting the base flange of a rail (30) on the rail bearing at an inclination thereto, and clamp devices (34, 35, 36, 37) for urging the base flange of the rail onto the baseplate and rail bearing. The baseplate (26) is secured to the rail bearing (20) solely by virtue of the compressive force exerted by the clamp devices through the base flange of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Balfour Beatty plc
    Inventor: Andrew Raymond Foan
  • Patent number: 6595434
    Abstract: Track-bound transport systems have existed for a long time. The drawback with them is that they can only withstand low load and are vulnerable in varying weather conditions. The purpose of the invention is to considerably increase the load they are capable of supporting and to reduce dependence on changes in weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hen-See Teknik AB
    Inventor: Gerhard Seeger
  • Publication number: 20020000475
    Abstract: A rail retaining device has a shoulder member for bearing on a lateral side of a rail flange. The shoulder has a downwardly facing abutment surface. A rail clip is of bent rod symmetrical about a vertical plane. The clip has an inner portion bearing on the flange, intermediate limb portions reacting with the abutment surface and flexed resiliently downwardly in the installed position, and an outer portion connected to each intermediate limb portion and extending arcuately outwardly and downwardly to a lower portion adapted to bear on a bearing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 3, 2002
    Inventor: Jude O. Igwemezie
  • Patent number: 6325301
    Abstract: In a device for supporting a rail fastened to a sole-plate resting on an anti-vibration pad, the sole-plate is urged towards the supporting structure by at least one adjustable prestressing resilient device acting on the sole-plate so as to apply a defined prestressing force to the anti-vibration pad. Each prestressing resilient device includes a threaded bolt, an adjusting nut and a vertically acting spring assembly which comprises a first spring having a first stiffness, a second spring arranged round the first spring and having a second stiffness higher than said first stiffness, and a device for retaining said first and second springs in such a way that each of said springs is able to act independently from the other one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Patrick Vanhonacker
  • Patent number: 6213407
    Abstract: A clip for securing a rail seal element to a rail includes a generally L-shaped first clip member having a clamping arm and an elongate connector arm extending from one end of the clamping arm and capable of passing under the rail; a second clip member removably slidable on the connector arm; and a locking mechanism capable of releasably locking the second clip member against sliding movement along the connector arm. In use, the second clip member is removed from the connector arm so that the connector arm can be passed under the rail with minimum disruption of the ballast. The second clip member is then slid back onto the connector arm, and the assembled clip then oriented so that the rail and the rail seal are positioned between the damping arm and the second clip member. The second clip member is then slid on the connector arm toward the clamping arm so as to tightly press the rail and rail seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Polycorp Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Ellis, Christopher Whelan
  • Patent number: 6158666
    Abstract: The present invention relates to vacuum fastened guide that supports and facilitates movements of a machining device along at least one component to be operated upon. The guide includes a primary rail that is vacuum coupled to the component. The primary rail includes a primary tube portion for slideable engagement with the machining device, and a primary contact platform coupled to the primary tube portion for forming a vacuum between the primary rail and the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventors: David P. Banks, James N. Buttrick, Jr., Charles H. Glaisyer, Darrell D. Jones, Russell C. McCrum, Philip M. Wright
  • Patent number: 6149068
    Abstract: This invention relates to rail anchorages that are used with all rails, but is particularly concerned with adjustable rail anchorages, which allow rail alignment to be adjusted, and which are installed on rails used by cranes. To reduce this rail movement and to help limit vertical uplift of the rail, pressure is applied to the rail flange by resilient material attached to the part of the rail anchorage that overhangs the rail flange. The object of this invention is to provide support to the resilient material in a way that its length can be increased from the bonded surface or outside of the pocket in which it is installed. The invention allows for a greater variation in rail size and rail elevation that can be accommodated with one rail anchorage type and differing lengths of the resilient material. Please refer to FIG. 12 in the accompanying drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Godfrey Matthew Owen Molyneux
  • Patent number: 6092735
    Abstract: An adjustable rail anchorage device including a rail clip and a cam rotatable around a fixed mounting bolt for laterally moving the rail clip into anchoring position on the rail. The cam includes a passageway for the mounting bolt and a circular boss portion with an outer circular wall having a gap defined at projected wall positions where the projected perimeter of the wall approximately coincides with the projected perimeter of the passageway to transfer lateral loads from the rail to the mounting bolt. A welded platform base with a raised haunch for locating the mounting bolt can be used to transfer lateral loads from the rail to the raised haunch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Godfrey Matthew Owen Molyneux
  • Patent number: 5842422
    Abstract: In a vehicle track having longitudinal rail members positioned in parallel on either side of a track centerline and on which respective drive wheels and guide wheels of a vehicle move, the improvement including longitudinal rail members each having an asymmetrical cross-section and being composed of a head portion having a primary upper running face which engages the periphery of the drive wheel, a lower guide face opposed to the primary upper running face which engages the guide wheel, and a secondary running face which is substantially vertical, which is located inwardly of the head portion towards the track centerline, and which engages the flange of the drive wheel; and a leg portion extending downwardly from the head portion; and a plurality of track support members arranged at intervals along the vehicle track and composed of a clamp device having first and second clamp faces which are moveable, which are juxtaposed to the leg portion one on each side thereof, which grip the leg portion, and which each
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Inventor: Arthur Ernest Bishop
  • Patent number: 5582371
    Abstract: A rail flange securement clamp for adjustably mounting a switch point roller assist apparatus on a railroad rail includes a base plate and a top plate, the top plate generally upwardly spaced from the base plate and an adjustable connection device extending between and connecting the base plate and top plate for increasing and decreasing the distance between the base plate and top plate. A rail flange engagement plate having a base section and a rail flange engagement section is adjustably mounted on the securement clamp above the top plate such that the base section is mounted above the top plate and the rail flange engagement section extends outwardly from the top plate for engagement of a flange of a railroad rail thus securing a switch point roller assist apparatus on the railroad rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Inventors: John Humphrey, Dean Wieser
  • Patent number: 5474233
    Abstract: This invention relates to an insert for fixation of a railway clip comprising an inner conduit, parallel to the rail, intended to receive the rectilinear central portion of the clip, a horizontal rear face on which abuts the rear portion, parallel to the rail, of the clip which is joined to the central portion by a 180.degree. bend and which then extends towards the rail, above the inner conduit, by a substantially perpendicular loop whose end comes into abutment on an insulating stop resting on the base of the rail, wherein the upper face of the insert comprises, towards the inlet orifice of the inner conduit, a retaining boss against which the loop of the clip comes into bearing contact to maintain the clip in a position of equilibrium, where the free end of the central portion is placed in the inlet orifice of the inner conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Allevard
    Inventor: Joel Cailliau
  • Patent number: 5373988
    Abstract: A rail fastening assembly for fastening a rail to a sleeper and comprising an insert and a complimentary resilient clip. The insert has a shank portion extending upwardly into a jaw. The jaw has a locating recess extending along the entire length of the upper surface and with the depth for receiving the clip. The base of the jaw has a seat with a ledge extending into a projection. The clip comprises a first and second loops, each having a flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Yellapragada S. Rao
  • Patent number: 5348120
    Abstract: A rail lubrication apparatus of the type used with a rail having a base with outwardly extending flanges, a head, and a web connecting the base and the head, is comprised of a wiping bar and a first set of clamps for maintaining the wiping bar in position with respect to the rail. The lubrication apparatus also comprises a pump actuator and a second set of clamps for maintaining the pump actuator in position with the rail. The rail lubrication apparatus may be used with a pump, responsive to the pump actuator, for pumping a lubricant from a reservoir to the wiping bar to form a complete rail lubrication system. The clamps, wiping bar, and pump actuator are each of a unique construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1994
    Assignee: Portec Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald K. Junk, William T. Urmson, Jr., Thomas R. Walker
  • Patent number: 5316108
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a guide rail to a girder in an elevator shaft wall provides for vertical displacement of the guide rail relative to the walls of the elevator shaft. The apparatus includes a U-shaped intermediate plate of corrosion-proof metal positioned between the side surfaces of the flange of the guide rail and a U-shaped support bracket. The support bracket, the intermediate plate and the guide rail flange are held against the girder by a longer leg of a U-shaped rail clamp having a shorter leg attached to the girder. The friction coefficient between the side surfaces of the flange of the guide rail and the U-shaped intermediate plate is greater than the friction coefficient between the intermediate plate and the support bracket, so that when the guide rail is displaced vertically, the support bracket will slide on the intermediate plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: David B. Pearson
  • Patent number: 5135165
    Abstract: A rail clamping device is provided for aligning and clamping the flange of a rail to a support surface. A slotted clip is fitted over an anchor bolt or other suitable connector, a plate cam washer having an eccentric hole is placed upon the clip, and a nut threaded upon the bolt to secure the clip and washer to the rail flange. The clip has a slotted base portion which slidably engages the support surface in a loose condition and bears upon the support surface in a clamped condition. An abutment portion extends from the base perpendicular to the support surface to engage the outer face of the rail flange. A cantilever portion extends forwardly from the abutment portion and has a bottom surface to which a synthetic rubber strip is bonded to engage the upper surface of the flange to clamp the flange to the supporting surface. The cam washer slidably engages the top surface of the base portion in a loose condition. The cam washer has an outer flank for engaging a rearward face of the abutment portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Gantrex Limited
    Inventor: David Greenhow
  • Patent number: 5125573
    Abstract: Device for fixing a rail on a tie, comprising an abutment made of plastic material and a clamp made of steel fixed by a rail screw or a nut. The clamp is provided with an oblong hole which makes it possible to displace the clamp in a direction perpendicular to the rail, in such a way that the clamp can occupy a preparation position, in which the rail can be placed vertically between two abutments, and a fixing position, in which the clamp bears against the flange of the rail. This device makes it possible to pre-equip ties in workshops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Etablissements VAPE
    Inventor: Gerard Vanotti
  • Patent number: 5069386
    Abstract: This invention relates to a clip for fastening a rail of a railway on a rail support comprising: a spring clip forming a device for fastening or clamping the rail on a rail support, constituted by a clip made of elastic metal having a first end and a second end and presenting successively, from the first end, a first section forming a substantially rectilinear arm, a second section forming a substantially 180.degree. bend, a third section, a fourth section forming a substantially 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Allevard Industries
    Inventor: Philippe Duval
  • Patent number: 5022584
    Abstract: A rail fastener for fastening rails to a support structure, particularly adapted for use in switches, crossovers, frogs and the like where a track plate must support a pair of closely spaced or nonparallel rails. The rail fastening includes a rigid track plate to which the rail is adjacent and two fastener pads laterally spaced on the track plate and disposed between the track plate and the support structure. Each fastener pad has a rigid member and a resilient member bonded together and two pins to join the elastomeric member to the track plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventor: James W. Sherrick
  • Patent number: 4978065
    Abstract: A method of fixing a rail on a rail-support by metal spikes each comprising a round shaft having a top and terminated by a head for bearing against a rail flange with at least the bottom portion of the spike shaft being received in the rail-support in such a manner that the spike head is directed away from the rail-supporting surface of the rail-support. The bottom portion of the shaft includes at least one zone made of a plastically deformed material, and an antirotation structure is provided co-operating with complementary parts of the rail support for preventing any rotation of the bottom portion of the spike relative to the rail support when a couple below a predetermined value is applied to the top portion of the spike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Allevard Industries S.A.
    Inventor: Michel Deuchemin
  • Patent number: 4953787
    Abstract: A boltless two-piece rail fastening assembly for securing a railway rail, supported on a conventional tie plate, to a wooden cross tie is comprised of a chair and a rail clip latched thereon. The chair includes a body, having a jaw with a bight configured to receive the clip, and at least one downwardly projecting leg or shank for securing the chair adjacent the base flange of the rail. The rail clip is a torsional spring clip in the general form of an "S" having a rail-bearing leg for proximate engagement with the base flange of the rail and a tie bearing leg for proximate engagement with the tie plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Chemetron-Railway Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham M. Fee
  • Patent number: 4921167
    Abstract: A connection assembly for connecting guide rails to the flange of a load carrying member includes clamping elements and bolt members in-connection with the T-shaped groove of the flange of the load carrying member and the guide rails for securing the guide rails to the flange. The flange includes flange parts inwhich each further includes clamping surfaces separated by an indent which is not in abutment with the respective guide rails when the clamping surfaces are in engagement with the respective guide rail. The connection assembly further includes holding rails associating with the flange parts, the clamping elements and bolt members in a manner to sandwich the guide rails between the holding rails and the flange parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 1, 1990
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Roland Staggl, Hartwig Sprung, Eberhard Becker
  • Patent number: 4889282
    Abstract: The present application describes a rail clip assembly, particularly but not exclusively for securing a crane rail to a flanged girder. The assembly comprises a first part adapted to be attached to the rail support surface adjacent the rail, a second part overlying the first part and having a lateral surface for abutment with a lateral face of the rail, and a bolt for fixing the second part to the first part independently of attachment of the first part to the rail support surface. The parts have aligned apertures through which the bolt extends, one of the apertures being elongate to enable the second part to assume different positions relative to the first part. The elongate aperture extends in a direction inclined at an acute angle to the longitudinal direction of the rail. The first and second parts have cooperating laterally directed surfaces which are abutted in all relative positions of the parts for transmitting to the first part laterally directed forces applied to the second part by the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1989
    Assignee: GH International Ltd.
    Inventor: Ian M. Marchant
  • Patent number: 4844337
    Abstract: A main railway rail and a guard rail are maintained in spaced apart relationship on a tie plate having a shoulder located between the rails by an elastically deformed clip. The clip has two end lengths extending from opposite ends of a central length. One length of the clip rides on the main rail flange and the other length of the clip rides on the guard rail flange while the central length engages the intermediate shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Chemetron-Railway Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham M. Fee
  • Patent number: 4753403
    Abstract: A railroad track mounting arrangement for mounting a detecting device in proximate relation to a rail head portion of a section of rail includes first and second V-shaped rail clamp member which exhibit inner contours substantially equivalent to the outer contour of the rail base such that a tight fit is achieved therebetween. A side mounting portion extends from the rail clamp members at a point where, upon installation of the rail clamps, the side mounting portions are in close proximity to the rail base. A mounting bracket secures to the side mounting portion and has a base portion for holding in a secure manner the detecting device. A nut and bolt arrangement secures the rail clamps together and, in the event of overtightening, fractures, thereby insuring positive detection of a faulty installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: James P. Chew