Rail Brace Patents (Class 238/336)
  • Patent number: 11112129
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a centering system for a heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) unit to be mounted to a curb. The centering system includes a centering wedge configured to couple to a base rail of the HVAC unit, the base rail having a lateral surface and a base surface along a length of the HVAC unit. The centering wedge includes an angled surface configured to extend between the lateral surface of the base rail and the base surface of the base rail. The angled surface is configured to contact the curb during installation of the HVAC unit to guide the HVAC unit toward a centered position on the curb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Sriram Ramanujam, Amit R. Chothave, Karan Garg
  • 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: 8763924
    Abstract: A profiled element for damping sound vibrations on rail lines including a first main surface, which is designed and dimensioned such that it can be attached as a support surface to sections of the rail web without having to provide an adhesive layer, wherein the profiled element further has at least one recess on a front surface located opposite of the support surface, wherein the at least one recess in the front surface is designed for the positive engagement of an elastic fixing element for fixing the profiled element against the rail web, and at least one widened region of the profiled element in the region of the front surface, said widened region present in the lower region of the front surface in an installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Vossloh Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bösterling, Michael Harraβ, Jörg Happe, Dirk Vorderbrück
  • Patent number: 8684279
    Abstract: A railroad alignment system for easily and efficiently lifting and aligning railroad tracks during installation. The railroad alignment system generally includes first vertical support and a second vertical support with a horizontal support extending therebetween. The vertical supports are vertically adjustable through use of a pair of adjustment members. A clamp assembly extends downwardly from the horizontal support at a position midway between the first vertical support and second vertical support. Through use of a pair of adjustment members, the clamp assembly may be closed to secure a track in place for alignment and lifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Jessie L. Bledsoe
  • Publication number: 20130134231
    Abstract: A rail brace assembly is adapted to buttress the head of a stock rail selected from one of two different stock rail groups mounted on the top surface of a brace plate. The assembly includes a stop block assembly also is affixed to the brace plate top surface. A rail brace moveable between a first brace position in which it buttresses the head of a rail from a first stock rail group and a second brace position in which it buttresses the head of a rail from a second stock rail group, has a pair of spaced side walls, an upwardly facing top surface, first rail group head and base fishing surface contact areas, second rail group head and base fishing surface contact areas, a first rail group brace plate contact surface and a second rail group brace plate contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: CLEVELAND TRACK MATERIAL, INC.
    Inventor: Cleveland Track Material, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8313041
    Abstract: A rail brace assembly is adapted to buttress the head of a stock rail selected from one of two different stock rail groups mounted on the top surface of a brace plate. The assembly includes a stop block assembly also is affixed to the brace plate top surface. A rail brace moveable between a first brace position in which it buttresses the head of a rail from a first stock rail group and a second brace position in which it buttresses the head of a rail from a second stock rail group, has a pair of spaced side walls, a upwardly facing top surface, first rail group head and base fishing surface contact areas, second rail group head and base fishing surface contact areas, a first rail group brace plate contact surface and a second rail group brace plate contact surface. An elastic fastener cooperates with a clip housing to clamp the rail brace against the stock rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Cleveland Track Material, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Remington, Karl E. Axthelm, Phillip R. Merrifield
  • Patent number: 7984862
    Abstract: A rail anchor and a rail anchor assembly are provided for use with a concrete railroad tie. An elastomeric plate is placed on a top surface of the railroad tie. A rigid plate is placed on top of the elastomeric plate. The rail anchor is placed adjacent the elastomeric plate and the rigid plate. The rail anchor has a first end with a receiving opening and a second end with a receiving indentation to receive edges of the flanges of the railroad rail. The rail anchor has a center portion joining the two ends. The outer portion of the rail anchor extends downwardly an amount less than the thickness of the elastomeric plate and the rigid plate to avoid contact with the concrete railroad tie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Amsted Rail Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim Henderson, Ed Bosshammer, Casey Walsh
  • Publication number: 20100108773
    Abstract: A rail brace assembly is adapted to buttress the head of a stock rail selected from one of two different stock rail groups mounted on the top surface of a brace plate. The assembly includes a stop block assembly also is affixed to the brace plate top surface. A rail brace moveable between a first brace position in which it buttresses the head of a rail from a first stock rail group and a second brace position in which it buttresses the head of a rail from a second stock rail group, has a pair of spaced side walls, a upwardly facing top surface, first rail group head and base fishing surface contact areas, second rail group head and base fishing surface contact areas, a first rail group brace plate contact surface and a second rail group brace plate contact surface. An elastic fastener cooperates with a clip housing to clamp the rail brace against the stock rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: James A. Remington, Karl E. Axthelm, Phillip R. Merrifield
  • Patent number: 7641128
    Abstract: A rail brace assembly is adapted to buttress the head of a stock rail selected from one of two different stock rail groups mounted on the top surface of a brace plate. The assembly includes a stop block assembly also is affixed to the brace plate top surface. A rail brace moveable between a first brace position in which it buttresses the head of a rail from a first stock rail group and a second brace position in which it buttresses the head of a rail from a second stock rail group, has a pair of spaced side walls, a upwardly facing top surface, first rail group head and base fishing surface contact areas, second rail group head and base fishing surface contact areas, a first rail group brace plate contact surface and a second rail group brace plate contact surface. An elastic fastener cooperates with a clip housing to clamp the rail brace against the stock rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Cleveland Track Material, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Remington, Karl E. Axthelm, Phillip R. Merrifield
  • Publication number: 20090224063
    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 centre 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: Pandrol Limited
    Inventors: Stephen John Cox, Andrew Garwood, Keith Poole
  • 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: 6588677
    Abstract: An insulating rail boot encasing a rail embedded in concrete, asphalt or paver construction, including, shared right-of-way, dedicated right-of-way and at-grade crossing. The rail and the rail boot are secured in place by retaining clips. The rail boot has two exposed top surfaces and a plurality of longitudinal cavities within the body of the boot. The top surfaces of the rail boot are sloped away from the rail and are coextruded with a multi-durometer material that is more rigid and tougher that the elastomer of which the boot is primarily constructed. An outside edge of each top rail boot surface is positioned flush with a surface of the road material. This cooperation between the top surfaces of the rail boot and the road surface facilitates flow of water and debris away from the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Iron Horse Engineering Co.
    Inventors: Don R. Hofstetter, Sr., Mark Grundmann
  • Patent number: 6568601
    Abstract: A rail brace assembly provides positive support for a stock rail mounted on a switch brace plate. The assembly includes a rail brace that it is installed over a fixed block attached to the brace plate. The block has a slot and a channel that accept a mating rib and tapered wings connected to the underside of the rail brace. The interaction of these elements provides vertical restraint for the rail brace. The brace assembly includes a stop that is secured to the brace plate and a tapered wedge that is disposed between the stop and the rail brace. Upon driving the wedge longitudinally of the rail, lateral force is applied to the rail brace and the rail. The stop and the wedge employ a longitudinally extending tongue and groove to prevent relative vertical movement therebetween. The junction between the wedge and the rail brace is defined by mating convex-concave surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Cleveland Track Material, Inc.
    Inventor: Rick I. Maynard
  • Patent number: 6517008
    Abstract: A rail brace assembly provides positive support for a stock rail mounted on a switch brace plate. The assembly includes a rail brace having a generally central opening that it is installed over a fixed clip housing attached to the brace plate. The clip housing accepts a resilient clip that secures the rail brace in position on the brace plate and against the stock rail. The resilient clip provides spring force directly to the rail brace in both a vertically downward direction and a lateral direction. The rail brace has a lug to prevent the clip from being removed from the clip housing due to vibration. The clip housing prevents the brace from moving laterally even if the clip breaks or becomes disengaged. The brace assembly includes a stop that is secured to the brace plate and a tapered wedge that is disposed between the stop and the rail brace. Upon driving the wedge longitudinally of the rail, lateral force is applied to the rail brace and the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Cleveland Track Material, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Remington, Karl E. Axthelm
  • Patent number: 6443363
    Abstract: A support device which can be applied to rails (R) of railway or tram tracks includes a bracket (1) having two attachment parts (6) for attachment to the rail (R) on opposite sides of a sleeper (T), a resting part (4) which rests on the sleeper (T), and is set at a distance from the attachment parts (6), and clamp members (7) for connection of the attachment parts (6) to the flange (S) of the rail (R). The bracket is arranged for supporting a service device such as a transit platform, sound barriers or other devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Effebi Technologies S.r.l.
    Inventor: Eleonora Fasano
  • Patent number: 6308897
    Abstract: A rail brace assembly for bracing a rail with respect to a tie plate. The rail brace assembly includes a brace member, a locking member, a retention member and a spring clip fastener. The brace member has a top surface adapted to engage a head fishing surface of the rail, a bottom surface adapted to engage a base fishing surface of the rail, a front friction surface and an outwardly extending toe. The retention member is adapted to be attached to the tie plate and includes a bore adapted to receive a first end of the fastener and a recess adapted to receive the toe of the brace member to thereby prevent vertical movement of the brace member and the rail. The locking member has a front surface, a rear friction surface adapted to engage the front friction surface of the brace member, and a pair of spaced apart outwardly extending legs which straddle the retention member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Inventors: James A. Remington, Daniel A. Ivanyo, Dennis Wright
  • Patent number: 6305615
    Abstract: A rail clip that is generally symmetrical about a central axis. The clip has an L-shaped base section having a horizontal leg that is securable to a support member upon which the rail rest and a vertical leg that extends upwardly from the base adjacent to the rail. An arm extends outwardly over the rail from the vertical leg of the base section and an elongated beam is mounted in the distal end of the arm that extends outwardly to either side of the arm so that beams run longitudinally along the rail. A contact pad is carried on both ends of the beam which normally rest in holding contact against the rail. As the rail is displaced upwardly in reference to the arm, second contact points are established to progressively stiffen the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Boris G. Traktovenko
  • 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: 5165598
    Abstract: A rail assembly in which the shanks of a rail between the head and the base have one pair of outwardly facing downwardly tapering flank surfaces and a frame flanking the rail has a pair of downwardly tapering inwardly facing flank surfaces spaced from and juxtaposed with the surfaces of the rail. The surfaces receive between them under precompression so as to generate a spring constant of 2 KN/mm to 8 KN/mm per meter of rail length, elastic intermediate layers which resiliently support the rail. One of the pairs of surfaces is composed of angularly adjoining upper and lower portions while the other is rectilinear over the height thereof juxtaposed with the first mentioned pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Hermann Ortwein
    Inventor: Elisabeth Ortwein
  • Patent number: 5158414
    Abstract: A rail attachment device which allows for longitudinal displacement of a rail. The rail attachment device includes a first element fixedly supported to a ribbed plate and having a vertical arm extending essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rail. The rail attachment device also includes a second element which is connected to the web of the stock rail. Connecting elements connect the first element to the second element so as to allow for longitudinal shifting of the stock rail and second element with respect to the first element fixed to the ribbed plate. In one embodiment, the second element includes a web-plate fixed to the web of the stock rail by a bolt and a plate-like element connected to the web-plate and having longitudinally extending slots. The connecting elements pass through holes formed in the vertical arm and through the elongated slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: BWG Butzbacher Weichenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Kais, Erich Nuding, Sebastian Benenowski
  • Patent number: 5104041
    Abstract: A rail brace assembly for buttressing the head of a traffic rail as a rail brace with upper and lower slanted surfaces adapted to engage corresponding surfaces on a traffic rail. The rail brace assembly includes a bearing insert having a main body portion with a top surface adapted to engage a resilient fastener, a bottom surface adapted to engage a rail brace and a downwardly depending leg adapted to be received in an opening defined in a brace plate which engages a bearing surface on the rail brace and a bearing surface on the brace plate to cause lateral loads applied to the rail brace on the bearing insert to be resisted by the brace plate. Also, the rail brace assembly includes a shoulder secured to the top surface of a brace plate adapted to receive one leg of a resilient fastener and a resilient fastener having one leg adapted to be inserted into a shoulder opening and another leg adapted to engage the top surface of a bearing insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: ABC Rail Corporation
    Inventor: James A. Remington
  • Patent number: 5050797
    Abstract: The fastening comprises a fastening shoe having, overall, an "L"-shaped cross-section, one of the branches of which is bolted with vertical elasticity to a sole-plate secured to a railway sleeper and the other branch of which is bolted with lateral elasticity to the web of the rail on the side opposite the movable point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Kihn S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Allegrucci
  • Patent number: 4940183
    Abstract: In an arrangement for fastening stock rails, wing rails or track rails (1) at the side being averted from the running edge, in which arrangement a strap (5) is pressed against the web of the rail with interposition of a leaf spring (9) or, respectively, of a spring pile, the strap (5) is given a convex shape at its outer side facing the leaf spring (9), whereby a defined pressure point (D) is provided for the attack of the leaf spring (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1990
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Maschinenbau Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Johann Rieger, Hermann Orasche
  • Patent number: 4824015
    Abstract: A rail brace assembly for buttressing the head of a rail resting on the top surface of a brace plate by engaging fishing surfaces formed on the head and base of the rail. The assembly includes a rail brace having an upper slanted surface for engaging the head fishing surface, a lower surface for engaging the base fishing surface, a bottom surface adapted to rest upon the brace plate, a front surface for receiving one leg of a resilient fastener and a pair of laterally extending ears. The assembly further includes a shoulder having laterally extending side surfaces and an opening for receiving another leg of the resilient fastener. The ears of the rail brace overlie the laterally extending side surfaces of the support to prevent longitudinal movement of the rail brace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: ABC Rail Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur W. Farrell, James A. Remington
  • Patent number: 4775103
    Abstract: A sound-damping rail assembly for a track for rail vehicles comprises a rail having a pair of downwardly converging flanks below its head and above its base. The rail is received in a frame with downwardly inclined sides, the flanks being braced against these sides by elastomeric layers which are interposed between the flanks and the sides. A further elastic layer can be provided between the base or foot of the rail and the inner supporting surface of the frame and such layers may completely envelop the rail except for the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Inventor: Hermann Ortwein
  • Patent number: 4770342
    Abstract: An adjustable rail brace assembly for buttressing the head of a rail includes a rail brace having surfaces for engaging the head and the base of the rail and a vertically extending wedging face, a cover plate for retaining the brace having a vertical wedging face which compliments the brace wedging face, and an interlock for interlocking the brace wedging face and the cover plate wedging face such that the brace and the cover plate can move relative to each other in a vertical plane, but are restrained from moving relative to each other in a horizontal plane, and an elastic fastener for engaging the cover plate to prevent vertical movement of the cover plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: ABC Rail Corporation
    Inventors: A. W. Farrell, Frederick S. Mitchell, James A. Remington
  • Patent number: 4431087
    Abstract: A guide rail clamping method and assembly including a rail bracket attached to a building, a tapped intermediate support member, rail clips, bolts and nuts. The bolts are turned to tightly clamp the guide rail between the rail clips and intermediate support member, to create a unitary assembly, and the nuts are turned on the bolts to tightly clamp the unitary assembly to the rail bracket. This enables the guide rails to be firmly clamped by their rail clips while the nuts are loosened to permit the guide rail to be accurately positioned in both the fore-aft direction, and B.G. direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1984
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Herman S. Karol
  • Patent number: 4350290
    Abstract: A resilient rail fastener assembly for curved tracks includes a unitary base plate adapted to receive a load carrying rail which includes a pair of planar brace plates for maintaining the rail in a vertical orientation and reducing noise and vibration. More particularly, the rail fastener assembly includes a unitary base plate having an upstanding shoulder disposed on one side thereof, and a pair of spaced, planar upstanding brace plates disposed on the other side thereof and formed integrally with the base plate. An elastomeric pad is positioned between the base plate and the bottom of the rail, with the brace plates being disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the rail. The upper portion of each brace plate is disposed in abutting relationship with the upper portion of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1982
    Assignee: New York City Transit Authority
    Inventor: Charles J. Bush
  • Patent number: 4119271
    Abstract: A combined rail fastener and brace for fastening rails to a railroad tie and to provide lateral bracing for the rail. The rail fastener and brace cooperates with a base plate secured to the railroad tie and includes a torsion spring member having one segment adapted to engage the extending flange of a rail and another segment of the torsion spring member positioned to abut the upper portion of the rail to provide lateral bracing against horizontal forces imparted to the rails during movement of trains thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1978
    Inventor: Frank A. Campbell