Abstract: A rail track derailer is comprised of a box assembly which includes a pair of parallel, spaced guide plates supported vertically on a horizontal base mounting plate configured for attachment on the gage of a rail to the top sides of a pair of spaced rail ties. The spaced guide plates may be transversely locked to the gage side of a rail. A pivotal arm is slidably attached between the guide plates. The arm includes a derailer shoe along the top of a rail. An arrangement of guide surfaces and followers that connect the box assembly and arm effect positioning of the shoe on and off the rail. The mounting plate may be attached to ties by spikes and to concrete or steel ties by plates on the underside of such toes bolted to the box assembly mounting plate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a derail assembly used in the railroad industry for derailing a wheel of an undesirably moving railed vehicle. The invention particularly relates to derailing a moving locomotive having a pilot at the front of the locomotive. The derail may be a single ended derail or a double ended derail. The derail includes a rigid derail plate which is in direct contact with the upper surface of the rail. An upright derail bar is securely mounted on the derail plate and the derail bar is angled outwardly for engaging a wheel of the locomotive or other railway car when moving undesirably for causing a desired derailment. The second derail bar may be provided in the case of a double ended derail. The derail includes longitudinally spaced rigid hooks at opposite ends of the derail to secure one side of the derail to the rail. The opposite side has a clamp mounted on the derail for securing the derail to the rail.

Abstract: This invention relates to a derail assembly used in the railroad industry for derailing the wheel of an undesirably moving railed vehicle and, in particular, relates to derailing a moving locomotive having a pilot at the front of the locomotive. The derail assembly includes a full rigid derail plate which is in direct contact with the entire upper surface of the rail. An upright derail bar is securely mounted on the derail plate and the derail bar is angled outwardly for engaging a wheel of the locomotive when moving undesirably for causing a desired derailment. The derail includes longitudinally spaced rigid hooks at opposite ends of the derail. The hooks secure one side of the derail assembly to the rail. On the opposite side of the rail, a clamp assembly is provided on the derail shoe from the hooks. The hooks and the clamp cooperate to secure the derail assembly to the rail.

Abstract: This invention relates to a derail assembly used in the railroad industry for derailing the wheel of an undesirably moving railed vehicle and, in particular, relates to derailing a moving locomotive having a pilot at the front of the locomotive. The derail assembly includes a full rigid derail plate which is in direct contact with the entire upper surface of the rail. An upright derail bar is securely mounted on the derail plate and the derail bar is angled outwardly for engaging a wheel of the locomotive when moving undesirably for causing a desired derailment. The derail includes longitudinally spaced rigid hooks at opposite ends of the derail. The hooks secure one side of the derail assembly to the rail. On the opposite side of the rail, a clamp assembly is provided on the derail shoe from the hooks. The hooks and the clamp cooperate to secure the derail assembly to the rail.

Abstract: This invention relates to hinged derail assemblies used in the railroad industry for derailing a wheel of an undesirably moving railed vehicle. The hinged derail assembly includes a base that is positioned adjacent one rail of a pair of railroad rails. A derail shoe is pivotally mounted on the derail base and is moveable between a derailing position and an inoperative position. In the present invention a biasing member, such as a torsion spring, is secured to both the base of the hinged derail assembly and the derail shoe. The spring provides upward lifting force whether the derail shoe is in the inoperative position or in the derailing position. This lifting force assists the worker in the manual lifting of the derail shoe. The invention also relates to a method of constructing the hinged derail wherein the torsion spring is installed when the derail shoe is generally upright.

Abstract: This invention relates to hinged derail assemblies used in the railroad industry as a safety device for derailing a wheel of an undesirably moving railed vehicle, such as a railroad freight car. The hinged derail assembly includes a base that is rigidly mounted on a pair of spaced railroad ties and is operatively positioned adjacent one rail of a pair of conventional railroad rails. A derail shoe is pivotally mounted on the derail base and is moveable between an operative or derailing position and an inoperative position when the derail shoe is moved away from the rail. When the derail shoe is on the rail, a deflecting member on the shoe is positioned to angularly deflect a wheel of the freight car or the like which is undesirably rolling along the rail. This causes the derailing of the wheeled vehicle and prevents harm to things or personnel in the area.

Abstract: This invention relates to hinged derail assemblies used in the railroad industry for derailing a wheel of an undesirably moving railed vehicle. The hinged derail assembly includes a base that is positioned adjacent one rail of a pair of railroad rails. A derail shoe is pivotally mounted on the derail base and is moveable between a derailing position and an inoperative position. In the present invention a biasing member, such as a torsion spring, is secured to both the base of the hinged derail assembly and the derail shoe. The spring provides upward lifting force whether the derail shoe is in the inoperative position or in the derailing position. This lifting force assists the worker in the manual lifting of the derail shoe. The invention also relates to a method of constructing the hinged derail wherein the torsion spring is installed when the derail shoe is generally upright.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate assembly includes a gate arm adapter, which is pivotally mounted to allow a lowered gate arm to rotate in response to a generally perpendicular force in a generally horizontal plane either toward or away from a railroad crossing. The gate arm mechanism further includes multiple interchangeable spring assemblies that generate a return force to bring a displaced gate arm back to its normal operating position, and at least two latch hook assemblies for selectively latching the gate arm in its normal position and controlling the rate of return of the gate arm from a displaced position through application of a pivotally leveraged force to a braking surface of the adapter.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate assembly is provided that includes a gate arm adapter, which is pivotally mounted to allow a lowered gate arm to rotate away from a generally perpendicular force in a generally horizontal plane either toward or away from a railroad crossing. The gate arm mechanism further includes multiple interchangeable spring assemblies that generate a return force to bring a displaced gate arm back to its normal operating position, and at least two latch hook assemblies for selectively latching the gate arm in its normal position and controlling the rate of return of the gate arm from a displaced position through application of a pivotally leveraged force to a braking surface.

Abstract: A railroad crossing gate mechanism is provided that includes a gate arm adapter which is pivotally mounted to allow a lowered gate arm to rotate away from a generally perpendicular force in a generally horizontal plane. The gate arm mechanism further includes multiple interchangeable spring assemblies that generate a return force to bring a displaced gate arm back to its normal operating position, and a latch hook assembly for selectively latching the gate arm in its normal position and controlling the rate of return of the gate arm from a displaced position through application of a pivotally leveraged force to a braking surface.

Abstract: A wheel stop for an overhead rail vehicle includes a wheel block assembly pivotably fastened to a clamping assembly. The wheel block assembly is provided with an actuator connector positioned such that a downward force on the wheel block assembly tends to move the wheel block assembly from a wheel-engaging position to a retracted position. An actuating assembly permits an operator to actuate a lift rod for moving the wheel block assembly from a ground location. Shock absorbing elements on the wheel stop prevent damage. The actuating assembly is provided with apertures for receiving a padlock to prevent tampering.

Abstract: The output voltage of a D.C. motor used to raise and lower a railroad crossing gate is monitored to detect when the D.C. motor begins to generate power, indicating that the motor is being driven by a rising gate arm. If the motor generates power above a adjustable predetermined value, the gate arm mechanism is considered to be operating too fast whereupon an impedance is shunted across the motor's armature thereby applying a load to the generating motor. The electrical load causes the motor to act as a dynamic brake slowing the gate arm mechanism operation and reducing the likelihood that the mechanical components of the crossing gate arm mechanism will be damaged.

Abstract: A bi-directional derail is provided with an improved construction which reduces the thrust load imparted by a rail vehicle wheel against the derail, while maintaining the weight and material cost of the derail within practical limits. In a preferred embodiment, the derail is provided with a derail shoe having deflector bars which are reinforced with deflector rail support flanges for increased strength and which have an extended length and gradual deflection angle, preferably no more than 15 degrees from the longitudinal axis of the rail.

Abstract: A hinged derail is provided with an adjustment assembly for adjusting the position of the hinge pin relative to the rail. The hinged derail is adjustable to provide for proper alignment of the deflecting block with the top surface of a rail for a variety of rail heights. In a preferred embodiment, the adjustment assembly includes a pair of rotatable adjustment flanges which support the hinge pin in an eccentric fashion. Rotation of the adjustment flanges changes the vertical position of the hinge pin. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an actuating assembly is provided for operatively associating a power actuator with the derail shoe.

Abstract: An operator for a railroad implement is provided with a linkage which mechanically isolates an actuator from impact forces transmitted through the linkage. Isolation provided by the linkage permits the use of a low power actuators which easily lend themselves to complete energization from solar energy sources. The operator is also provided with a safety electric interlock to prevent energization of the actuator during manual operation. A spring assembly tool is incorporated into the operator housing to facilitate installations and removal of compression springs in the operator mechanism.

Abstract: A wheel stop for an overhead rail vehicle includes a wheel block assembly pivotably fastened to a clamping assembly. The wheel block assembly is provided with an actuator connector positioned such that a downward force on the wheel block assembly tends to move the wheel block assembly from a wheel-engaging position to a retracted position. An actuating assembly permits an operator to actuate a lift rod for moving the wheel block assembly from a ground location. Shock absorbing elements on the wheel stop prevent damage. The actuating assembly is provided with apertures for receiving a padlock to prevent tampering.

Abstract: Improved lightweight and ultra-lightweight portable derails are disclosed. A portable derail for installation on railway track to prevent a railcar or locomotive from passing beyond a fixed point, thereby protecting workmen and equipment against accidents, the derail being very lightweight and portable so a workman can easily carry it from one location to another, and yet being designed to function effectively under severe loading conditions and resist any tendency to slide along the rail when subjected to impact.

Abstract: A shoe or clamp assembly for securing a buffer stop or bumping post to railroad track with a predetermined magnitude of retardation against sliding movement of the buffer stop when the same is engaged by a moving railcar to be stopped. The shoe assembly which clamps against opposite sides of a buffer stop wall, and also clamps against opposite sides of a rail, is secured by at least one bolt and nut and also a spring stack so that a torque wrench is not required in order to effect such securement.

Abstract: A railway gate arm assembly including a gate arm which is mounted to permit pivoting about a longitudinal axis when an external force is applied to the gate arm thereby causing the latter to swivel out of a vertical plane, and at least two torsion springs, one mounted on each side of the gate arm and having depending spring legs which engage against corresponding sides of the gate arm and bias the gate arm to a vertical position so if the gate arm is caused to swivel out of a vertical plane by an external force, it will be returned to the vertical plane by the depending spring legs when the external force is removed.

Abstract: An improved rail skate intended for mounting on the top of a rail, including an upwardly inclined ramp portion and an entry or toe portion whereby a wheel of an approaching railcar will roll up on top of the entry or toe portion and engage the ramp thereby stopping movement of the wheel relative to the rail skate and thereafter causing the rail skate to slide along the top of the rail until the railcar is ultimately stopped, the rail skate having a shoe element with a substantially V-shaped cross-section including a raised central portion and depending sides.