Concrete Patents (Class 238/7)
  • Patent number: 11085153
    Abstract: This method for manufacturing a railway track support comprising a plurality of prefabricated elements (28) comprises the following successive steps: providing, in a production zone (16) for prefabricated elements (28) located near an installation zone (14), a movable insertion machine (52) configured to arrange at least one insert (34) in a fresh concrete block, the production zone being separate from the installation zone; pouring and shaping fresh concrete in order to form individual fresh concrete blocks having predetermined dimensions; arranging at least one insert in each fresh concrete block using the movable insertion machine (52); drying the fresh concrete blocks to obtain the prefabricated elements (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Andrea Ninni
  • Patent number: 10597826
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sleeper pad (1) for fastening to at least one outer surface (3) of a railway sleeper (4) facing a ballast bed (2), the sleeper pad (1) including or consisting of at least one damping layer (5), wherein the damping layer (5) has an EPM index in the range from 10 to 25%, preferably in the range from 10 to 20% when carrying out a load test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Getzner Werkstoffe Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Augustin, Harald Loy, Stefan Potocan
  • Patent number: 9157192
    Abstract: In order to produce a slab track for rail vehicles with an emergency pathway (12) for road vehicles, a prefabricated track section with rails (8) and sleepers (5) is supported and positioned on a substructure (1) by means of a supporting and aligning device (4). Subsequently, a track slab (10) is produced by casting in the sleepers (5). The part of the sleepers (5) that projects from the track slab (10) and the rails (8) are separated by formwork elements, and an emergency pathway (12) is applied to the track slab (10) by casting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: SONNEVILLE AG
    Inventors: Peter Laborenz, Bruno Kiefer, Anabel Hengelmann
  • Publication number: 20140158785
    Abstract: In a section of a ballasted track that extends over a plurality of crossties, ballast is removed and crossties are removed. Crosstie blocks mounted in concrete slabs are inserted, lifted, and fastened to the rails. The rails are supported by temporary, vertically adjustable supports and adjusted. In an area that extends over a number of concrete slabs, infill concrete is filled in from the underground up to at least part of the height of the concrete slabs, and after the infill concrete has hardened, at least a part of each of the supports located between two respective concrete slabs is removed. The method allows the conversion to be carried out without changing the position of the rails. After the placement of the supports, the track is immediately operable again so that the relevant section need not remain closed until all method steps are completed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventors: Martin FINK, Marco HABEGGER, Peter LABORENZ
  • Patent number: 8662407
    Abstract: A grade crossing system for facilitating vehicle crossing of a railway track that includes a first rail line and a second rail line is disclosed. The grade crossing system includes one or more field panels and one or more gauge panels. The one or more gauge panels may include one or more end gauge panels and one or more central gauge panels. A method for assembling a grade crossing system for facilitating vehicle crossing of a railway track that includes a first rail line and a second rail line is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Inventor: Linda Thomas
  • Patent number: 8580177
    Abstract: A rail support block assembly includes a resilient member and a molded block having a top, a bottom and peripheral wall. The block is adapted for fastening one or more rails on the top. The prefabricated resilient member has an outer tray and inner tray arranged within the outer tray, and includes a resilient intermediate structure between the trays. The block is molded. The block is fixed in the inner tray to extend under the bottom of the block and along a lower region of the peripheral wall. The resilient member may form a part of the block mold, so that a mold member combined with the resilient member delimit the mold for the block. The moldable material is introduced and adheres directly to the inner tray of the prefabricated resilient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Edilson Sedra B.V.
    Inventor: Gerrit Marinus Van Der Houwen
  • Publication number: 20130264394
    Abstract: Provided in the disclosure is a pre-stressed concrete track slab of slab-type ballast-less track, which includes a slab body (1), on which fastening embedded casings (4) are arranged. At least one row of longitudinal common steel bars (11) and at least one row of transverse common steel bars (12) are arranged in the slab body (1) along a length direction and a width direction. The longitudinal common steel bars (11) are insulated from the transverse common steel bars (12). At least one row of longitudinal pre-stressed steel bars (7) and at least one row of transverse pre-stressed steel bars (6) are fastened in the slab body (1) along the length direction and the width direction through anchor backing plates and fastener devices (8). In the pre-stress directions of the longitudinal pre-stressed steel bars (7) and the transverse pre-stressed steel bars (6), it is post-tensioned in both directions or it is pre-tensioned in one direction and post-tensioned in the other direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: RAILWAY ENGINEERING RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF CHINA ACADEMY OF RAILWAY SCIENCE
    Inventors: Jijun Wang, Cheng Jiang, Weibin Liu, Yong Zhao, Meng Wang, Ziqing Jiang, Jia Fan, Xianggang Du
  • 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: 8430333
    Abstract: A prefabricated module (1) to be used in constructing a track for an urban transport vehicle. The module comprises an integral carrier structure (2) made of concrete and comprising two side sills (4) having an upper surface (5), used as a driving pathway for the vehicle wheels, and connecting crossbars (8) which connect and retain the sills substantially parallel to each other. The lower surfaces (6, 39) of the sills and crossbars are ground-bearing surfaces. A guiding rail section (3), mounted on the carrier structure, is preferably symmetrical, has an I section and a lower portion coated with a liner material (13). The modules, whether rectilinear or curved, are to be placed on an existing road layout or in a trench with a compacted bottom, and are connected one after the other to form the driving track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Lohr Industrie
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Andre, Martin Klotz
  • Patent number: 8393552
    Abstract: Prefabricated module for manufacturing a railway which comprises (i) a railway bed element (1) with two standing lateral faces (4,5) situated opposite one another, a base (6) and a rail side (7) situated opposite the latter, whereby two parallel rails (8) are to be mounted or have been mounted on this rail side (7), (ii) a supporting element (2) with a bottom (14) and two opposite standing walls (15,16) defining a shaft in which the railway bed element (1) is situated, whereby said base (6) of the railway bed element (1) is provided opposite said bottom (14), and (iii) a vibration-insulating jacket (3) made of an elastic material, whereby this jacket (3) is provided between the railway bed element (1) and the supporting element (2), such that the railway bed element (1) does not make any direct contact with the supporting element (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Prefarails S.A.
    Inventors: Patrick Carels, M Joseph Rode
  • Publication number: 20120286055
    Abstract: Systems and related methods involving isolation tubs are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: an isolation tub formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic resin, the tub defining a reservoir; concrete positioned within the reservoir; and rails extending across the tub and being supported by the concrete, the rails being spaced from each other to form a special trackwork (STW) assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: PCI-TRAMMCO, LLC.
    Inventors: Glenn Robinson, William H. Moorhead
  • Patent number: 8281722
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solid track comprising a concrete strip on a supporting structure that consists of individual, successively arranged segments (2) and comprising rails (6) for a rail-guided vehicle that are located on the concrete strip. The concrete strip is continuous and spans the individual segments (2) and an anti-friction layer (10) is located between the concrete strip and the segments (2). The solid track according to the invention is characterized in that the concrete strip is a profiled concrete strip (7), in which the course of the solid track in terms of curvature and lateral inclination are reflected and in that in the region of adjacent end faces (13) of two neighboring segments (2), the track is equipped with a device (200) that spans both end faces (13) and absorbs any alteration in the position of the adjacent end faces (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Max Bogl Bauunternehmung GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Reichel
  • Patent number: 8245950
    Abstract: A rail seal for sealing the gap between a rail and the surrounding surface material in a rail crossing or track construction, wherein the rail seal is removable from the gap and can be re-installed in the gap without damaging the surrounding surface material. More particularly, the rail seal is formed with an integral hinge element that has a closed position and an open position wherein an upper portion of the rail seal is released from and extends upwardly away from a lower portion of the seal body thereby imparting additional flexibility to the seal body. To remove the rail seal from the gap adjacent the rail, the rail seal can be manipulated so as to be pulled free from the gap. In order to re-install the rail seal, the additional flexibility provided by the hinge element allows the rail seal to be manipulated and deformed as required so as to be re-installed within the open gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Polycorp Ltd.
    Inventors: Bruce E. Burkhardt, Richard T. Ellis
  • Patent number: 8091797
    Abstract: A trackway for guiding rail-bound vehicles is disclosed that includes a plurality of pre-fabricated concrete slabs firmly attached to one another, wherein each of the concrete slabs includes positioning and connecting elements. At least one groove is formed in each of the concrete slabs and at least one elastic sleeve is configured to fit within the groove(s) of several of the concrete slabs. A plurality of rails are configured to fit within the elastic sleeve(s), wherein the length of one of the rails is longer than the length of one of the concrete slabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Max Bogl Bauunternehmung GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Reichel, Stefan Bogl
  • Patent number: 7988066
    Abstract: A rail track crossing comprising a support element (29) associated with each rail (11) of a rail track and configured to be supported from a sleeper (13) whereby the support element extends to each side of each rail, the support element having an engagement portion (31) which is to be at each side of the respective rail, a set of panels comprising a pair of lateral panels (37) and a central panel (39) wherein the central panel is to be received between the rails and supported upon the support elements and to be engaged by the engagement portions, the lateral panels being intended to be located to the sides of the rail track to be engaged with the engagement portion located at the respective side, wherein when the lateral panels and the central panel are in position their upper surfaces jointly provide a substantially continuous surface across the rail track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Newstyle Nominees Pty Ltd
    Inventors: James Lawson Hughes, Ridolfo Carace Bumett, Henry Dixie Stephen
  • Patent number: 7975932
    Abstract: A track structure for railborne vehicles comprising a bed on which rails fastened to sleepers are seated. The structure comprises a concrete trough seated on a substructure and having walls extending in the longitudinal direction. The side walls are spaced apart parallel to one another at least by a sleeper length. A method of manufacturing of the structure is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventor: Guenzel Graf von der Schulenburg-Wolfsburg
  • Patent number: 7891576
    Abstract: The invention relates to track system having two substantially parallel tracks (6) which are disposed on respective concrete slabs (1) of a fixed track. The slabs (1) comprises a plurality of track supports (2, 2?) for receiving and fastening thereon two parallel rails (5). The top surfaces (3) of the slabs (1) of the two tracks (6) are inclined independent of the a guiding system of the tracks (6) and of the corresponding position of the rail supports (2, 2?) relative to the two outer sides (8) of the track system and form a slope. The invention also relates to a concrete slab of a fixed track, which comprises supports (2, 2?) for the first rail (5) which are higher in relation to the top surface (3) of the slab (1) than the supports (2, 2?) for the second rail (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Max Bogl Bauunternehmung GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stefan Bögl
  • Publication number: 20110036917
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solid trackway (1) for rail vehicles having a substantially continuous bedding of the rails (2) on a concrete slab (3), wherein the rail (2) is supported with the foot thereof on an elastic intermediate layer (7). The solid trackway (1) further comprises a side guide piece (8) supporting and guiding the rail (2) in the horizontal direction. The rail (2) is mounted on the concrete slab (3) at discrete mounting points (9) by means of a mounting means (12). Only the elastic intermediate layer (7) is disposed between the rail (2) and the concrete slab (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: MAX BOGL BAUUNTERNEHMUNG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Bogl, Erich Lindner
  • Patent number: 7850089
    Abstract: Fixed carriageway for rail vehicles having sleepers embedded in a carriageway panel and a reinforcement includes plural longitudinal and transverse rods disposed parallel and transverse to the sleepers, wherein the longitudinal rods and transverse rods are electrically isolated from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Rail.One GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Freudenstein, Franz Geissler, Christof Nottbeck, Sascha Lay
  • Publication number: 20100276503
    Abstract: Fixed carriageway for rail vehicles, which is mounted on resilient elements, the concrete support panel including prefabricated panels and a layer of in-situ concrete applied thereon, wherein the prefabricated panels rest on the resilient elements and form a monolithic bond with the in-situ concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: RAIL.ONE GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Kowalski, Heinrich Gall, Franz Haban
  • Publication number: 20100065651
    Abstract: The invention relates to a solid track comprising a concrete strip on a supporting structure that consists of individual, successively arranged segments (2) and comprising rails (6) for a rail-guided vehicle that are located on the concrete strip. The concrete strip is continuous and spans the individual segments (2) and an anti-friction layer (10) is located between the concrete strip and the segments (2). The solid track according to the invention is characterised in that the concrete strip is a profiled concrete strip (7), in which the course of the solid track in terms of curvature and lateral inclination are reflected and in that in the region of adjacent end faces (13) of two neighbouring segments (2), the track is equipped with a device (200) that spans both end faces (13) and absorbs any alteration in the position of the adjacent end faces (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: MAX BOGL BAUUNTERNEHMUNG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Reichel
  • Publication number: 20100001088
    Abstract: In a trackway made of concrete slabs (1) with rails (2) for guiding rail-bound vehicles such as railways or tramways, the rails (2) are arranged countersunk in each case one groove in the slab (1) and are guided with an elastic sleeve (3). The rails (2) have a rail head (7), a rail web (8) and a rail foot (9), wherein a minimum width (B) of the groove is larger than the maximum width (b) of the rail foot (9). The concrete slabs (1) are prefabricated components which have positioning elements and connecting elements at their end sides and are permanently connected to one another. The rails (2) are longer than the slab (1) and are pressed into the elastic sleeve (3) of a plurality of slabs (1). In a method for manufacturing a trackway made of concrete slabs (1) with rails (2), the slab (1) is manufactured with the groove and is then installed in the trackway. Finally, the rails (2) are pressed into the elastic sleeve (3) of a plurality of successive slabs (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: MAX BOGL BAUUNTERNEHMUNG GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Reichel, Stefan Bogl
  • Patent number: 7641127
    Abstract: A track system is made by setting a longitudinally extending row of concrete high-pressure injection piles in grown soil and then positioning atop the piles a succession of sleeper frames each including a pair of longitudinally extending rigid concrete beams held together transversely by a rigid steel structure. A longitudinally extending body of concrete is then cast between the beams around the steel frame. Finally longitudinally extending rails are fastened atop the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Hain, Uwe & Hain, Silke, LS Beratungsburo Lublow GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Markus
  • Patent number: 7500617
    Abstract: Spindle device for the height adjustment and alignment of tracks on a substructure, having a transverse cantilever which is fixed to an elongate nut adjustable in height on a height adjustment spindle and which engages under the rail and which is formed as a horizontal spindle plate which is mounted on the elongate nut pivotably about a horizontal axis and on which a slide provided with a clamping mount device for the rail foot is displaceable by means of a second spindle device transverse to the height adjustment spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: RAIL.ONE GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz-Peter Wirtz, Arnold Pieringer
  • Patent number: 7484669
    Abstract: A rail cover and support for mounting and insulating the rails of an electric transit system in which the rail cover is vulcanized both to the rail and outer skid support at the manufacturing site prior to delivery to the field and a rail cover completely surrounds both the base flange and web portion of each rail and terminates along the undersides of the top flange. In one form, the upper free ends of the rail cover are increased in thickness to form bumpers along opposite sides of the rail to cushion it against undue shifting or vibration. In fabricating the rail, a sheet dielectric material is vulcanized to the rail with or without a skid plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: MetroShield LLC
    Inventor: Harold W. Gray, Jr.
  • 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: 6913717
    Abstract: A method of constructing a rail track in which a concrete track slab is produced and rail track anchor members are inserted in the track slab by an inserter system mobile along the route of the rail track includes the following steps: using a machine for continuously pouring concrete to produce two concrete walls laterally delimiting the edges of the track slab to be poured; pouring the concrete track slab between the walls; and using the inserter system to insert anchor members in the freshly poured track slab, the tie plate inserter system being adjusted accurately by a measuring station, topographical survey points, a measuring system, and reflectors carried by the inserter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventors: Marc Sayadi, Yvan Skific
  • Publication number: 20040099750
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for correcting the position of a slab construction, especially a solid carriageway for high-speed vehicles, consisting of precast concrete slabs (1). The precast slabs (1) are supported by a substrate made from hardenable underpoured material (4) and a supporting layer (5) on the base. In order to correct the person of at least one precast slab (1), the precast slab (1) is at least partially detached from the substructure, especially from the under poured material (4) and/or the supporting layer (5), whereupon it is finely aligned and then underpoured once more with said material (4). A separating device (20.21) is arranged on a precast concrete slab (1) which is to be detached on a successive precast concrete slab in a device provided with one such separating device in order to detach at least one part of a concrete slab (1) pertaining to a solid carriageway for high speed vehicles from the substructure thereof, especially when the position is corrected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Dieter Reichel, Stefan Bogl, Ulrike Schreiner, Erich Lindner
  • Patent number: 6616061
    Abstract: A railway or tramway rail fastening system includes a shell (2) and a resilient fill (4) within the shell for holding a rail (1), the shell having an inner profile open channel form to receive the rail, the inner profile being shaped to hold firmly, through the fill (4), the head and base region and/or an intermediate portion of the rail. The arrangement is such that pinch points are produced which hold the rail in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventor: Charles Penny
  • 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: 6237856
    Abstract: A method for installing a steady rail track, for which the concrete railroad ties, which carry the rails or auxiliary rails and the continuous reinforcement of which protrudes below out of the only partially constructed concrete casing, are preinstalled initially into a rail grid and subsequently lined up positionally over a supporting layer and embedded in a casting composition, the rail grid, with interposing of a supporting reinforcement, which is optionally tied to the underside of the railroad tie reinforcement, being aligned directly over a hydraulically bound supporting layer and the casting composition, preferably using movable, removable side formwork, is applied on the hydraulically bound supporting layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Pfleiderer Infrastrukturtechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans Bachmann, Winfried Mohr
  • 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: 5788153
    Abstract: An infrastructure for railway tracks with continuous elastic support has two rails forming the track supported via elastic intermediate layers with their lateral limiting surfaces located underneath the rail head against the inner lateral limiting surfaces of a frame consisting of two frame halves and underneath each rail a longitudinal plate consisting of concrete. One of the frame halves rests against a first lateral wall of a trough while the other frame half rests via a wedge against the second lateral wall of the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Hermann Ortwein
  • Patent number: 5653388
    Abstract: A method for installing a permanent railroad track, for which the concrete railroad ties, carrying the tracks, are lined up positionally in a concrete trough and embedded in a casting compound with embedment in longitudinal reinforcements, in that, to begin with, the tracks with the railroad ties are pre-assembled into a track lattice, which is lined up with the upper edge of the rails and subsequently cast, 2-block concrete railroad ties with two reinforced individual blocks being used, the reinforcement comprising essentially structural steel rods, which run essentially parallel to the axis of the railroad ties, are connected by axially spaced-apart shackles into a reinforcing cage and extend continuously as connecting rods through both individual blocks, at least some protruding beyond the outer end surfaces of the individual blocks and the longitudinal reinforcements, which were previously placed loosely in the concrete trough, being raised and connected with the connecting rods and with the ends of the s
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Pfleiderer Verkehrstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Pietschmann, Hans Bachmann, Pierre-Olivier Boutin, Winfried Mohr, Gilles de Pontbriand, Franz Geissler
  • Patent number: 5538182
    Abstract: A railroad grade crossing system includes an integral concrete pad that has a pair of spaced-apart cavities located in its upper surface. The cavities have planar bottom surfaces that support rails with their heads flush with the top surface of the pad. The cavities have outer side walls that conform to the shape of the rails. The rails are placed in the cavities against the outer side walls and are secured in place by a rail anchor system. The remainder of the cavities are filled with elastomeric liners that have outer side walls that are shaped to conform to the shape of the rails. The inserts are held in place in the cavities by frictional engagement between bulbous gripping heads, secured to anchors located in the pads, that frictionally interfit into conforming holes located in the inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: Omni Products, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Andrew Davis, Bryan Holland, Jack Williams
  • Patent number: 5503082
    Abstract: A concrete-embedded, machinery-anchoring floor system includes parallel, accurately-extruded steel rails each having a unique cross-sectional configuration. Vertical loading of the rails improves the load-bearing strength of the concrete, whether the loading is in tension or compression. Each rail includes a pair of spaced angularly-extending, outwardly and downwardly-projecting flanges. When a downward compressive load is applied through the rails from above, the load also applies downward and inward force vectors generally perpendicular to the angular flanges, compressing concrete therebetween. If tension is applied to a rail from a cantilevered load, the angular flanges are fulcrumed toward each other about their connecting joints with the rail, also compressing and strengthening concrete therebetween. The angular flanges are rounded at their distal edges to enable supporting and interconnecting reinforcing bars to be easily welded to the rounded edges, irrespective of the angle of the bars to the edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1996
    Assignee: Bosma Machine & Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Marinus B. Bosma
  • Patent number: 5464152
    Abstract: A precast concrete grade crossing includes a plurality of base members, each of which has a central recess formed in the upper surface thereof. A pair of rails are each encased by a rubber boot which extends through the crossing in a single continuous piece. The boot-encased members are received in the recess which includes a shoulder along the outer side of each rail. The shoulder bears against a lip of the boot which extends upwardly to along outer side of the head of the rail to prevent moisture from entering the space between the boot and the rail below the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Pacific International Pipe Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Wabnitz
  • Patent number: 5435486
    Abstract: To make a ballast-free permanent rail way, an asphalt base is applied to a substructure comprised of concrete. Railway ties, which have a recess in the center on their underside, are laid on the asphalt base. In order to secure the ties against transverse forces and to assure accurate fitting and wear-free anchoring, the ties have a first bore in the center and the substructure has a blind bore. The blind bore is filled with an adhesive and then a dowel or a threaded rod is inserted into the blind bore which passes through a sliding spacer sleeve inserted into the first bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Walter Bau-Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf Gerlach, Ralf Walter, Bernhard Schad, Gunther Leykauf, Josef Eisenmann
  • Patent number: 5312038
    Abstract: A railroad superstructure framework made in the form of a reinforced concrete block is provided on a top face thereof with a plurality of evenly spaced parallel recesses of a certain depth. Each recess receives a sleeper having a height greater than the certain depth. A middle region of the concrete block is provided with a channel element transversely crossing the plurality of recesses. A plurality of draining channels extend transversely from the channel element to an outside environment to allow for water drainage from the channel element of the concrete block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventors: Paolo Merlanti, Mario Santini
  • Patent number: 5285964
    Abstract: The method relates to the laying of rails in a trench into which concrete is subsequently poured in order to fasten the rails. The method consists in laying adjustable-length ties (4) on the bottom of the trench (3), in roughly positioning the rails (14, 15) by means of block-supports, in fastening the ties to the rails by using tie-screws (10) and anchor sleeves (11) as bolts and nuts, in adjusting the length of the ties and in leveling the ties by means of auxiliary screws (18), and then in pouring the concrete, the auxiliary screws being subsequently removed. The ties are preferably pre-equipped with tie-screws, with sleeves and with rail-fastening clamps and the tie-screws and the sleeves may also be used for fastening tie-plates to the ties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Etablissements Vape
    Inventor: Gerard Vanotti
  • Patent number: 5181657
    Abstract: A grade crossing system for extending a roadway across a railroad track comprises elongate elastomeric pad units which abut each side of the rails in the track but do not extend across the entire crossing. The elastomeric pad units rest on the ties that carry the rails and have planar top surfaces that are coplanar with the tops of the rails. The remainder of the crossing is filled with non-elastomeric panels that also rest on the ties and have planar top surfaces that are coplanar with the top surface of the rails. The abutting edges of the pad units and the panels overlap such that the panels hold the pad units down against the ties and urge them against the sidewalls of the rail flanges. Thus, mechanical fasteners are not required to hold the crossing elements in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Omni Rubber Products, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Andrew Davis
  • Patent number: 5150835
    Abstract: A rail support adjusting and fastening device according to the present invention is used in such a state that tilting of each of the rails and the gage of a track are briefly adjusted in advance by connecting members (cross ties and the like) for connecting parallel rails to one another when the track is directly laid onto a concrete bed as a direct fastened track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Inventor: Akio Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 4846401
    Abstract: The railroad crossing tie-down system of the present invention includes anchor plates which are attached permanently to railroad ties with the side margins of the anchor plates projecting outwardly from the sides of the ties. The crossing elements which will be attached by the system have openings passing through them at selected locations midway between adjacent ties. Cross tie beams having nuts located at their centers have a length which is slightly greater than the distance between adjacent ties. Elongate bolts which extend through the openings in the crossing elements have threaded extremeties which will engage the nuts. Before the crossing elements are installed on the anchor plates the bolts are inserted through the openings and the cross tie beams are attached to them and are oriented so that the cross tie beams are parallel with the ties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Riedel Omni Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald R. Kennel
  • Patent number: 4743415
    Abstract: A process for sealing railroad structures in which the ballast is cleared from the track, the ties are placed on blocks 3, prefabricated concrete elements 6 then being placed under each block, concrete is then poured into the spaces 7 between the prefabricated elements and finally after hardening the tracks are again lowered onto the railroad structure. This relatively simple process sequence includes the use of a synthetic concrete, preferably a synthetic microconcrete, which ensures that due to an extremely intimate connection between the prefabricated elements and the concrete in the spaces between these elements a monolithic layer is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1988
    Assignee: Syncrete S. A.
    Inventor: Pierre A. Crouzet
  • Patent number: 4703890
    Abstract: Ballastless railroad lines are laid on prefabricated reinforced concrete slabs, which can eliminate the need for periodic maintenance of the ballast of traditional railroad lines, such maintenance being expensive and often difficult to carry out. Prefabricated, possibly prestressed, slabs are thereby positoned upon a steel reinforced concrete block having the functions of a foundation and connector for the prefabricated slabs with the interposition of a concrete-asphalt mortar layer between the slabs and block. The slabs are secured to the foundation block either by means of two half-cylinders, forming parts of the slab structure, or by shoulders formed by upturned sides of the foundation block (tub).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1987
    Assignee: I.P.A. S.p.A. Industria Prefabbricati
    Inventors: Pietro Tognoli, Gianfranco Cremaschi, Antonio Migliacci, Giancarlo Bono
  • Patent number: 4641779
    Abstract: A modular railway crossing structure supports a pair of rails. The modular railway crossing includes multiple base members, which are aligned axially along the length of the rails. The rails are encased by rubber boot elements. Each base member has a central recess formed in the upper surface. A pair of planar central rail locking members fit in the recess. The base members and the central rail locking members interrelate to support the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1987
    Inventors: Terrence X. O'Brien, Dale E. McKennie
  • Patent number: 4616395
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for laying a railroad track includes laying, in tandem, a series of pre-cast concrete slabs on a prepared track bed, the slabs being isolated from the bed, and from each other, by rubber isolation pads, and the slabs having cavities formed on the top faces. The rails are held above the slabs, in their proper location, by removable gauge beams having adjustment means to exactly locate the rails. Before filling the cavities with concrete the shoulder-pins, used to secure the rails, are located with their pin portions in the cavities by being removably secured to templates. The templates are held suspended above the slabs by being removably attached to a rail. The rails are used as guides after setting their exact gauge (separation), elevation and cant (angle of inclination) on the gauge beams, to determine the positions of the templates and shoulder-pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Perini Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil A. Farese, Fred C. Grover, Steve R. Moore, Robert W. Gilfillan
  • Patent number: 4266719
    Abstract: A rail-mounting assembly in which a rigid member supporting the rail is received with clearance in an opening of an overlying rigid body. The clearance has downwardly and inwardly inclined flanks which bear upon a rubber-metal support damping sound, shock and vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Clouth Gummiwerke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hermann Ortwein, Hans Braitsch