Pre-fastened rail pad assembly and method
A rail pad assembly and an associated method for use with a concrete rail tie. The assembly includes rail pad for engagement with a metal rail and a protective sheet for interposition between the rail pad and the tie. The rail pad is releasably attachable to the sheet such that releasing attachment occurs without destruction.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/924,517 filed Aug. 24, 2004.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the field of rail pad assemblies for railway systems that have metal rails and concrete rail ties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONRailway systems commonly seat a metal rail upon a concrete rail tie via the use of a rail pad. There is a well-known problem of abrasion that can occur between a rail pad and a concrete rail tie.
Generally, a rail pad deflects vertically and horizontally in a cyclic fashion under the loads imposed by the wheels of passing trains. The cyclical loads imposed upon the rail pad create relatively short-term vertical load pulses that cause the face of the rail pad to oscillate on the concrete tie. Deterioration of the rail pad and erosion of the concrete rail tie can occur. It is known to use a protective member or sheet located between the rail pad and the concrete rail tie to prevent deterioration. The rail pad and the protective sheet can be considered to be the major parts of a rail pad assembly. However, the handling of the various components of a rail pad assembly is often labor intensive and/or otherwise problematic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a rail pad assembly for use with a concrete rail tie. The assembly includes a rail pad for engagement with a metal rail and a protective sheet for interposition between the rail pad and the concrete rail tie. The assembly also includes means for releasably attaching the rail pad to the sheet integrally formed in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet and releasing attachment without destruction of any portion of the means for releasably attaching.
In accordance with another aspect, the present invention provides a method of releasably assembling a rail pad assembly for use with a concrete rail tie. The method includes providing a rail pad for engagement with a metal rail, providing a protective sheet for interposition between the rail pad and the concrete rail tie, and providing means for attaching the rail pad to the sheet integrally formed in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet prior to attaching the rail pad to the sheet. The method also includes attaching the rail pad to the sheet using the means for attaching, and releasing the rail pad from the sheet without destruction of any portion of the rail pad or the sheet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
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It of course is to be appreciated that the interference fit avoids the need to use separate fastener(s). Also, it is to be appreciated that the interference fit avoids the need to perform a separate fastening step, such as gluing, welding, or melting any parts. Still further, it is to be appreciated that the interference fit avoids the need to change or destroy any structure. For example, the projections 36 need not be broken off or melted to permit removal. Thus, the rail pad 10 remains attached to the protective sheet 12 and yet the attachment is reversible via a non-damaging amount of separating force. It is to be appreciated that tremendous labor saving is likely to be realized.
Also, the Figures show one example aspect that the projections 36 are at locations that are beneath an engagement interface between the rail pad and the rail, such that the rail does not engage the projection. One way of viewing this is that the rail pad, the sheet, and the projection and the opening are configured such that when the rail pad and the sheet are attached together the projection extends into the opening from the first side but does not extend beyond the second side. This due to the size of the projections 36 being such that no part of the projections extend above the rail pad. This helps to avoid undesirable damage to the projections 36. Specifically, breakage of upper portions of the projections can be avoided. Moreover, the rail actually covers the projections. Of course, different projection locations and heights are contemplated.
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It is to be appreciated that any projection 36 may be adapted to any passageway 22 to ensure that the rail pad 10 is attached to the protective sheet 12 to make handling, etc. easier. Accordingly, it is also to be appreciated that the rail pad 10 may include any number of projections, and the protective sheet 12 may include any number of passageways, in a fashion similar to that disclosed herein. Of course, it is to be appreciated that the projections and the passageways may be reversed between the rail pad la and the protective sheet 12 (i.e., projections extending from the rail pad). Also, other types of integrally-formed, attaching/retaining elements on the pad and sheet are contemplated to be within the scope of the present invention. As such, it is to be appreciated that the present invention provides means to attach the rail pad 10 and the protective sheet 12, which does not require separate attachment components, devices, etc. For example, pieces of adhesive tape extending to secure the protective sheet to the rail pad and are not needed.
The present invention also includes a method of assembling a rail pad assembly 8 for use with a concrete rail tie 16. In one example consideration, first, a rail pad 10 is provided for engagement with a metal rail 14. Next, a protective sheet 12 is provided for interposition between the rail pad 10 and a concrete rail tie 16. Next, means for attaching the rail pad 10 to the protective sheet 12 are provided. The means for attaching are integrally formed in at least one of the rail pad 10 and the protective sheet 12. Finally, the rail pad 10 is attached to the protective sheet 12 using the means for attaching. In another example consideration, the method includes providing the rail pad 10 for engagement with the metal rail 14, providing the protective sheet 12 for interposition between the rail pad and the concrete rail tie; and providing the means for attaching the rail pad to the sheet integrally formed in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet prior to attaching the rail pad to the sheet. The method also includes attaching the rail pad 10 to the sheet 12 using the means for attaching, and releasing the rail pad from the sheet without destruction of any portion of the rail pad or the sheet. It is to be appreciated that the steps of these example method may be performed in any order, and that additional steps may be incorporated into this example method as required.
It is to be understood that the invention has been described with regard to certain example embodiments. It is to be appreciated that certain modifications, changes, adaptations, etc., are contemplated and considered within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A rail pad assembly for use with a concrete rail tie, including:
- a rail pad for engagement with a metal rail;
- a protective sheet for interposition between the rail pad and the concrete rail tie; and
- means for releasably attaching the rail pad to the sheet integrally formed in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet and releasing attachment without destruction of any portion of the means for releasably attaching.
2. The rail pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the means for releasably attaching includes means for releasing the rail pad from the sheet without changing any structure of either the rail pad from the sheet.
3. The rail pad assembly of claim 2, wherein the means for releasably attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes a projection, and the means for releasing the rail pad from the sheet without changing any structure includes means for releasing that does not include melting or removal of any portion of the rail pad and the sheet.
4. The rail pad assembly of claim 2, wherein the means for releasably attaching includes means for reattaching the rail pad and the sheet without changing any structure of either the rail pad from the sheet.
5. The rail pad assembly of claim 2, wherein the means for releasably attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes a projection on one of the rail pad and the sheet and a passageway between two sides of the other of the rail pad and the sheet, the passageway is adapted to receive the projection for an interference fit connection such that the connection is reversible via a non-damaging amount of separating force.
6. The rail pad assembly of claim 2, wherein the means for releasably attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes a projection on one of the rail pad and the sheet and a passageway between two sides of the other of the rail pad and the sheet, the rail pad, the sheet, and the projection and the opening are configured such that when the rail pad and the sheet are attached together the projection extends into the opening from the first side but does not extend beyond the second side.
7. The rail pad assembly of claim 6, wherein the projection and the passageway are on the rail pad and the sheet at locations that are beneath an engagement interface between the rail pad and the rail, such that the rail does not engage the projection.
8. The rail pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the means for releasably attaching includes at least one projection on at least one of the rail pad and the sheet, and at least one passageway extending in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet, and the projection and the passageway having an interference fit relationship.
9. The rail pad assembly of claim 8, wherein the interference fit relationship provides a holding force that retains the rail pad and the sheet together, and the holding force can be overcome with force large enough to separate the rail pad from the sheet but not large enough to damage any portion of the rail pad or the sheet.
10. The rail pad assembly of claim 1, wherein the means for releasably attaching includes a plurality of projections on at least one of the rail pad and the sheet, and a corresponding plurality of passageways extending in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet for receiving the projections, and all of the projections being located along a single line.
11. A method of releasably assembling a rail pad assembly for use with a concrete rail tie, including the steps of:
- providing a rail pad for engagement with a metal rail;
- providing a protective sheet for interposition between the rail pad and the concrete rail tie;
- providing means for attaching the rail pad to the sheet integrally formed in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet prior to attaching the rail pad to the sheet;
- attaching the rail pad to the sheet using the means for attaching; and
- releasing the rail pad from the sheet without destruction of any portion of the rail pad or the sheet.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of releasing the rail pad from the sheet includes releasing the rail pad from the sheet without changing any structure of either the rail pad from the sheet.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of releasing the rail pad from the sheet includes releasing that does not include melting or removal of any portion of the projection.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing means for attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes providing at least one projection on at least one of the rail pad and the sheet and at least one passageway extending through at least the other of the rail pad and the sheet, and the step of attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes inserting the projection into the passageway in an interference fit relationship.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of attaching the rail pad to the sheet using the means for attaching includes attaching the rail pad to the sheet without changing any structure of either the rail pad of the sheet.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes a snap-fit interconnection of portions of the rail pad and the sheet.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein step of releasing the rail pad from the sheet is via application of a modest amount of separating force.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the rail pad has a surface upon which the rail is to be seated, and the step of providing means for attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes providing means for attaching located such that the means for attaching is located directly under the rail when the rail is seated on the rail pad.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the means for attaching includes a projection is located entirely below the surface upon which the rail is to be seated.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 30, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 28, 2006
Inventor: James Nevins (Roaming Shores, OH)
Application Number: 11/512,945
International Classification: E01B 19/00 (20060101);