Spring Patents (Class 238/349)
  • Patent number: 7744010
    Abstract: The present invention provides an isolator particularly adapted for use with a rail anchor utilized in an application where railroad rail is installed on concrete ties. The isolator protects the concrete tie from contact with the rail anchor caused by longitudinal movement of the rail due to train acceleration of deceleration or expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. In one embodiment, the isolator is comprised of a structural plastic material and includes a front face section and a rear face section. The front face section and rear face section each comprise a generally rectangular structure, having a top edge, bottom edge, and side edges. Top and bottom sections join the front face section and rear face section and form part of the isolator. The rail anchor also comprises a support section that extends from an intersection of the rear face section with the bottom section. The rail isolator is designed to be embedded in a concrete railroad tie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Unit Rail Anchor Company
    Inventor: Martin Earl Reed
  • Patent number: 7703695
    Abstract: A two-part rail clip insulator (40, 50) for a tie and rail seat assembly that enables the seat to be pre-assembled at the rail tie fabrication plant into a preloaded position where a rail (2) may be laid on the tie (5) on site, the clips (30) being movable to the loaded position after the rail is placed in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: AirBoss Railway Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Hartley Frank Young, Jose Ricardo Mediavilla Prado
  • Patent number: 7673810
    Abstract: A rail fastening clip is used with a rail clip support having a rail clip slot of the kind used in K plates. The rail clip is formed from a U shaped member made of metal plate having a base and two arms tapered from the base to their tips, with the arms being bent inwardly beyond the base in a large arc and the tips are bent back toward the base and oriented for contact with the foot of the rail. The base is adapted to fit in the K plate slot of the rail clip support. The base of the clip has a leading edge remote from the arms that contacts the upper interior surface of the support slot to form at least a line of contact with the upper interior surface of the slot. The line of contact is about 6 mm. The design overcomes the problem of rotation of the clip within the support slot and is a more cost effective clip than that currently used with K plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: AirBoss Railway Products Inc.
    Inventor: Hartley Frank Young
  • Patent number: 7637438
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rail fastener for track systems, comprising a tensioning element (1) made of an elastic material, in particular hardened spring steel that in the assembled state is fixed in place between a retaining plate (3) provided on a sleeper (2) and a fastening anchor (4) such that the tensioning element exerts a retention force on the foot (5) of a rail (6) in order to hold the rail (6) in position, the tensioning element (1) being symmetrically aligned with respect to a vertically oriented plane of symmetry (7) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (8) of the rail (6). According to the invention, the tensioning element (1) has two torsion legs (1a? and 1a?), preferably extending essentially in parallel, in order to achieve stepped overload protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Schwihag AG
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Schwiede, Frank Meyer
  • Publication number: 20090302126
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rail support point for a rail-guided vehicle for anchoring in a wooden tie, including a plate as a support for the rail, which plate is anchored on both sides of the rail by means of fastening bolts that pass through the plate, the plate having on its bottom side collars that surround the fastening bolts and that engage in correspondingly shaped depressions in the wooden tie, the plate being configured as a ribbed plate having raised ribs that are arranged lateral to the rail foot and that guide the latter and being made of plastic, and the collar being embodied as a slitted ring. Also disclosed is a rail fastening using the rail support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Udo Wirthwein, Joachim Süss
  • Publication number: 20090152369
    Abstract: The invention relates to fixing means for fixing railway lines to sleepers or stretches of track, comprising an elastic rail clip (51) and a clip anchor element (31). According to the invention, the elastic rail clip (51) has retaining elements that can be inserted into the clip anchor element (31) and guided into the latter by being rotated about a rotational axis (D) and at least one pressure bow (52), which can be brought into pre-tensioned contact with the foot (24) of a railway line (21), when the elastic rail clip is rotated (51) about the rotational axis (D) in relation to the clip anchor element (31). The elastic rail clip (51) has essentially annular clip bows (55, 56) that act as the retaining elements and the clip anchor element (31) has guide elements (34) that are concentric with the rotational axis (D).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Karsten Westerhoff, Jorg Brecht, Erik Danneberg, Andreas Rinsdorf, Bernfried Hesselmann, Vladimir Kobelev, Michael Stahl
  • Publication number: 20090084864
    Abstract: A system for fastening a rail on a substrate includes a base plate, molded into which is a central portion, the width of which is adapted to the width of the rail foot of the rail to be fastened, with at least one fastening element for connecting the base plate to the substrate. The at least one tensioning element is provided for holding down the rail on the base plate. The system provides a fastening system allowing fastening of rails that satisfies modern requirements with the additional benefit of low production costs and simple assembly, while maintaining the basic configuration of the base plate provided and using simple means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Vossloh-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bosterling, Michael Steidl
  • Publication number: 20090057435
    Abstract: The invention provides a rail clip for a retaining device comprising a shoulder member for bearing on a lateral side of a rail flange, and providing a downwardly facing abutment surface. The clip is driven into the hole on the plate and reacts against the top of the base of the rail while the heel (“U” section) of the clip reacts against the plate. The attributes of the clip are as follows. The clip can be installed with the toe on the rail from right to left or from left to right making the clip completely reversible. The clip can also be installed with the heel on the rail. The clip has higher toe load than clips of comparable weight. The clip has a low profile for tight spots where overhead clearance is limited such as at rail joint where joint/splice bars are used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Jude Igwemezie
  • Publication number: 20080302881
    Abstract: A rail fastening apparatus for fastening an inner stock rail (2) in a railway slide chair assembly comprises a baseplate (100) having on one face thereof a rail seat region (110) on which the inner stock rail (2) sits when the slide chair assembly is in use, a resilient rail fastening clip (7) for restraining such an inner stock rail (2), the clip (7) comprising an elongate member having at one end a toe portion (71) for bearing on the rail (2), locating means (101, 102) for locating the rail fastening clip (7), which locating means (101, 102) are positioned on the baseplate (100) in a second region (120) spaced from the rail seat region (110), the clip (7) having at its other end a heel portion (72) for engaging the locating, means (101, 102), and the locating means (101, 102) comprising an abutment portion (101a) against which the heel portion (72) of the clip (7) abuts when the apparatus is in use to inhibit withdrawal of the clip (7) from the rail (2), and loading means (9) for vertically deflecting the c
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: John Phillip Porrill, David Ronald Seeley, Heinz Ossberger, Josef Leitner, Hans-Ulrich Dietze, Hubertus Hohne
  • Publication number: 20080237363
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for fastening a rail (S), comprising a sleeper (1) which has a supporting face (3) intended to support the flange (Sf) of the rail (S), the supporting face (3) merging, at its sides which extend parallel to the longitudinal extent (L) of the rail (S) to be fastened thereto, into respective levelling faces (7, 8) which are situated at a higher level than the supporting face (3), an angled mounting plate (20, 21) which has, in each case, a central portion (22), on the underside (23) of which is formed a support surface (24) by which the angled mounting plate (20, 21) can be placed down on the respective levelling face (7, 8) assigned to it of the sleeper (1), and a supporting portion (25) which is formed onto the central portion (22) and points downwards from the underside (23) of the latter and which, when the system is fully fitted, bridges the clear space between the flange (Sf) of the rail (S) and the levelling face (7, 8), a resilient member (100, 101) which can be placed
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Georg Hauschild, Dirk Vorderbruck, Roland Buda, Gerold Bohm, Peter Van Bommel, Dierk Bressel
  • Publication number: 20080105758
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rail fastener for track systems, comprising a tensioning element (1) made of an elastic material, in particular hardened spring steel that in the assembled state is fixed in place between a retaining plate (3) provided on a sleeper (2) and a fastening anchor (4) such that the tensioning element exerts a retention force on the foot (5) of a rail (6) in order to hold the rail (6) in position, the tensioning element (1) being symmetrically aligned with respect to a vertically oriented plane of symmetry (7) that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (8) of the rail (6). According to the invention, the tensioning element (1) has two torsion legs (1a? and 1a?), preferably extending essentially in parallel, in order to achieve stepped overload protection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Schwiede, Frank Meyer
  • Patent number: 7147169
    Abstract: The present invention provides an isolator particularly adapted for use with a rail anchor utilized in an application where railroad rail is installed on concrete ties. The isolator protects the concrete tie from contact with the rail anchor caused by longitudinal movement of the rail due to train acceleration of deceleration or expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. In one embodiment, the isolator is comprised of a structural plastic material and includes a front face section and a rear face section. The front face section and rear face section each comprise a generally rectangular structure, having a top edge, bottom edge, and side edges. A center section joins the front face section and rear face section and forms part of the top of the isolator. In another embodiment, the front face section includes a top section and bottom section, with the top section having a lower edge projecting laterally at an acute angle from the bottom section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Unit Rail Anchor Co.
    Inventor: Casey Walsh
  • Patent number: 6830199
    Abstract: A rail fixing clip of a railway for fixing a rail of the railway with respect to a rail support has an insertion portion and a support portion. The insertion portion includes a hinge portion of a straight line rod shape and a couple-of-force portion extended from one end of the hinge portion and arranged in parallel with respect to the hinge portion above the hinge portion and inserted into an elongated hole of a fixing implement of the rail support. The support portion includes a co-working portion extended from the other end of the couple-of-force portion and arranged in parallel with respect to the couple-of-force portion above the couple-of-force portion and a pressing portion extended from the co-working portion and arranged in parallel with respect to the insertion portion at a certain horizontal distance below the co-working portion for thereby pressing the upper surface of the flange portion of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Inventor: Young Gil Jang
  • Patent number: 6651896
    Abstract: A rail mounting system for mounting a rail (31), to a rail bearing (20), the mounting system comprising a tapered baseplate (26, 27) for supporting the base flange of a rail (30) on the rail bearing at an inclination thereto, and clamp devices (34, 35, 36, 37) for urging the base flange of the rail onto the baseplate and rail bearing. The baseplate (26) is secured to the rail bearing (20) solely by virtue of the compressive force exerted by the clamp devices through the base flange of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Balfour Beatty plc
    Inventor: Andrew Raymond Foan
  • Patent number: 6595434
    Abstract: Track-bound transport systems have existed for a long time. The drawback with them is that they can only withstand low load and are vulnerable in varying weather conditions. The purpose of the invention is to considerably increase the load they are capable of supporting and to reduce dependence on changes in weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Hen-See Teknik AB
    Inventor: Gerhard Seeger
  • Patent number: 6431463
    Abstract: A rail tie plate suitable for attachement to a wood tie has a pair of upstanding abutment members to accommodate a rail flange, each having an opening allowing insertion of a rail clip. The tie plate tapers on thickness and has an upper side canted with respect to the lower side. The lower side is provided with wedge shaped projections that tapers laterally in the same direction as the tie plate and have an end face making an angle no greater than 90° with respect to the lower side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Jude O. Igwemezie
  • Patent number: 6367704
    Abstract: A rail fastening system including a cast shoulder and an elastic rail spring clip for applying a holding force to an insulator and a rail. The spring clip includes a pair of compressible arms for exerting a rail hold down force and a substantially horizontal base portion for application to the cast shoulder. The cast shoulder includes an anchoring portion, a receiving portion including converging opposing sides angled to define a throat having a width less than a decompressed width of the spring clip arms, and notches on the sides adjacent to the throat. In practice, the spring clip is applied to the cast shoulder such that two spring clip arms contact and move along the converging sides causing the spring clip arms to be compressed by the sides. When the arms move beyond the throat, the arms spring outwardly into the notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: AirBoss Railway Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose Mediavilla
  • Patent number: 6325301
    Abstract: In a device for supporting a rail fastened to a sole-plate resting on an anti-vibration pad, the sole-plate is urged towards the supporting structure by at least one adjustable prestressing resilient device acting on the sole-plate so as to apply a defined prestressing force to the anti-vibration pad. Each prestressing resilient device includes a threaded bolt, an adjusting nut and a vertically acting spring assembly which comprises a first spring having a first stiffness, a second spring arranged round the first spring and having a second stiffness higher than said first stiffness, and a device for retaining said first and second springs in such a way that each of said springs is able to act independently from the other one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Patrick Vanhonacker
  • Patent number: 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: 6257495
    Abstract: A device for securing railway rails (12) on a solid track includes a standard concrete sleeper (16) used for the ballast track. Each of the rails (12) is guided between two angle guide plates (30) and urged by a tensible clamp (34) against the concrete sleeper (16). A resilient intermediate plate (52) is disposed between the rail flange (14) and the standard concrete sleeper (16) and, at their ends remote from the rail (12), the angle guide plates (30) include a first (24) and a second surface (28), the first surface (24) being inclined obliquely to the vertical in the mounted position and abutting a correspondingly shaped sloping surface (44) of the standard concrete sleeper (16). The second surface (28) is aligned substantially vertically and rises over the top of the standard concrete sleeper (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Vossloh Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Eisenberg
  • Patent number: 6149068
    Abstract: This invention relates to rail anchorages that are used with all rails, but is particularly concerned with adjustable rail anchorages, which allow rail alignment to be adjusted, and which are installed on rails used by cranes. To reduce this rail movement and to help limit vertical uplift of the rail, pressure is applied to the rail flange by resilient material attached to the part of the rail anchorage that overhangs the rail flange. The object of this invention is to provide support to the resilient material in a way that its length can be increased from the bonded surface or outside of the pocket in which it is installed. The invention allows for a greater variation in rail size and rail elevation that can be accommodated with one rail anchorage type and differing lengths of the resilient material. Please refer to FIG. 12 in the accompanying drawings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Godfrey Matthew Owen Molyneux
  • Patent number: 5823426
    Abstract: A rail fastening plate used to secure a railway rail to a sleeper or other rail foundation uses a spring clip. The plate includes a base section adapted to be secured to a rail foundation by securing bolts passing through each of a plurality of apertures in the base section. A pair of spaced raised ribs upstanding from an upper surface of the base section, the ribs being spaced apart so as to receive a railway rail therebetween. Channels cut across the ribs are shaped to include narrowed outer sections and a wider central section. The narrowed sections act as a gate through which the clip must pass and which serves to retain the clip in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Everts & Van Der Weijden Exploitatie
    Inventor: Richard Robert Calusinski
  • Patent number: 5735458
    Abstract: A railway rail anchoring device, for use with a railway rail-fastening clip which is approximately M-shaped in plan and has first and second leg portions and a rail-bearing portion, comprises a base member and first and second clip-retaining members connected together by the base member such that the first clip-retaining member is spaced apart from the second clip-retaining member so as to define between the first and second clip-retaining members an opening for receiving the rail-bearing portion of such a clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Pandrol Limited
    Inventors: Trevor P. Brown, Brian G. Conroy, Stephen J. Cox, Christopher Gardner, Roger D. Larke, Barry Marshall, Jan Svendsen
  • Patent number: 5722509
    Abstract: A tube and tube retainer applied to the base of a railroad rail and capable of being simply and quickly adjusted for the application of lubricant to the wheel/rail interface contact patch. The tube accepts a lubricant supply from an external source at one end and directs it to the appropriate area of the wheel/rail contact patch. Implementation may include a plurality of such tubes on one or both rails to improve effectiveness. The present invention reduces overall waste by applying smaller amounts of lubricant with each tube, but increasing the total amount of lubricant applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Consolidated Rail Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Clifton Clinger
  • Patent number: 5718376
    Abstract: A resilient rail-fastening clip has a first straight portion (11) for locating the clip in a clip anchoring device (2) when the clip is in use, a second bent portion (12), a third heel portion (13), a fourth bend portion (14) and a fifth toe portion (15). When viewed such that lower most points of the first and fifth portions (11 and 15) of the clip lie in a horizontal plane, proceeding from the first portion (11), the second portion (12) appears to bend up out of that plane towards and then away from a vertical plane passing through the fifth portion (15). The clip (1) is used in an assembly including a baseplate (2) having a non-vertical stop (21d) on its shoulder (21) up which the clip (1) slides during installation until brought to rest through friction at a desired height above the rail (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Pandrol Limited
    Inventors: Stephen John Cox, Barry Marshall, Christopher Gardner, Martin David Somerset, Brian George Conroy
  • Patent number: 5605284
    Abstract: An elastic rail clamp (10), for fastening a rail to an underlying rail plate or rail tie (1). The clamp is of the type comprising a pair of substantially parallel members (19) folded into a D configuration so as to have a front toe portion (16) adapted to seat on a flange of the rail, which toe portion is formed by respective free end regions (18) of the substantially parallel members, and to also have a base portion (11) adapted to seat in a slot (4) in the rail plate or a shoulder secured to the rail tie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Assignee: Pandrol Limited
    Inventor: Hartley F. Young
  • Patent number: 5522542
    Abstract: A unitary clamp adapted to fit in a part circular opening defined by two arcuate arms having a gap between their opposing ends that are formed on a vertical upstanding wall of a clamp plate having a base for resting on a sleeper in which the base of the clamp plate is to carry a rail that is parallel to the clamp plate upstanding wall and the clamp is to fit in the part circular opening and engage both the clamp plate and the rail. The clamp has a unitary member of two generally C shaped sections each having upper and lower curved arms joined by a central member, and a cross-connecting piece at the end of the central member at one of said upper and lower arms of each of the two sections to place the sections spaced apart and generally parallel to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Inventor: Ezildo Ciecielski
  • Patent number: 5494212
    Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for fastening a rail to a concrete tie comprising a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. The rail seat assembly includes a rail seat basin and a rail seat wherein the rail seat is disposed in the rail seat basin and bonded thereto with an elastomeric material having a void formed therein between the bottom of the rail seat and the bottom of the rail seat basin so as to produce a shear spring which transfers applied vertical load from the rail to the tie. The rail seat assembly is embedded in the tie and the rail anchor is adapted to engage a portion of the rail and to interlock with the rail seat assembly so as to cooperate with the rail seat assembly to fasten the rail to the tie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Kerr-McGhee Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: S. Hudson Owen
  • Patent number: 5485955
    Abstract: A rail-tie fastening assembly for fastening a rail to a concrete tie comprising a rail seat assembly and a rail anchor. The rail seat assembly includes a rail seat basin and a rail seat wherein the rail seat is disposed in the rail seat basin and bonded thereto with an elastomeric material having a void formed therein between the bottom of the rail seat and the bottom of the rail seat basin so as to produce a shear spring which transfers applied vertical load from the rail to the tie. The rail seat assembly is embedded in the tie and the rail anchor is adapted to engage a portion of the rail and to interlock with the rail seat assembly so as to cooperate with the rail seat assembly to fasten the rail to the tie.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1996
    Assignee: Kerr-McGee Chemical Corporation
    Inventor: S. Hudson Owen
  • Patent number: 5373988
    Abstract: A rail fastening assembly for fastening a rail to a sleeper and comprising an insert and a complimentary resilient clip. The insert has a shank portion extending upwardly into a jaw. The jaw has a locating recess extending along the entire length of the upper surface and with the depth for receiving the clip. The base of the jaw has a seat with a ledge extending into a projection. The clip comprises a first and second loops, each having a flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Inventor: Yellapragada S. Rao
  • Patent number: 5248341
    Abstract: Disclosed is a robotic paint system for aircraft consisting of a robotic wash/rinse gantry, a robotic cart carrying a robotic painting system, and a control system.The paint system includes a robotically controlled wash/rinse gantry movable along the entire extent of the aircraft being maintained. A robotically controlled cart is provided which is carried by a plurality of wheel assemblies on a curved track. A robotically controlled platform is provided for carrying the robotic painting system, and a mechanism is also provided for adjusting the platform up and down as well as towards and away from the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Engineering Incorporated
    Inventors: Henry K. Berry, Jr., Lester L. Knight, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5221044
    Abstract: There is disclosed a rail fastening system for wood or concrete ties having provisions for rail gage adjustment and including a pair of shoulders removably secured to a railway tie plate or a shoulder retaining in a concrete tie with provisions for lateral adjustment of the rails by the placing of a series of spacers between the flange base of the rail and the shoulders, with the dimensions of the spacers selected to provide constant deflection of the rail clips, if used, regardless of the adjusted position of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Inventor: Sergei G. Guins
  • Patent number: 5203501
    Abstract: Device for fixing a rail onto a slab of concrete comprising a metal chair fixed onto a metal base with interposition of a resilient sole, by means of clamps which are tightened by rotation on an inclined plane and which come to fix simultaneously the rail onto the metal chair and the metal chair onto the base. Preferably the clamps press against pillars formed on the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Etablissements Vape
    Inventor: Gerard Vanotti
  • Patent number: 5170937
    Abstract: Concrete railroad stringer assembly for securing a railroad track comprising supports imbedded in the stringer and having a bow-shaped part extending above the stringer. The supports either are equipped with an abutment made of synthetic material or are made of ductile material forming itself an abutment for the railroad track. The supports are equipped with or intended to receive securing straps for securing the railroad track on the stringer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Etablissements Vape
    Inventor: Gerard Vanotti
  • Patent number: 5148981
    Abstract: A track circuit retainer clip adapted to be driven on the edge of the base of a rail holds one or a plurality of conductors parallel to and within the rail base edge. The clip comprises a U-shape spring metal clip having a bight portion and upper and lower legs which embrace the rail base edge. The upper leg includes a center spring finger extending from the bight portion which includes two concave side-by-side recesses to hold the conductors against the upper leg. The outer end of the spring finger flares upwardly to facilitate insertion and the lateral edges of the spring finger are bent upwardly to avoid biting into the conductors. The lower leg includes barbs struck from the edge which terminate in truncated biting edges extending substantially parallel to the rail base edge. The line contact transverse the direction of insertion provides ease of insertion and better gripping or holding action without scratching or notching the bottom of the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Erico International Corporation
    Inventors: Edward J. Lynch, Jr., Raymond S. Laughlin
  • Patent number: 5148980
    Abstract: In a device for mounting in position guide rails (1), in which device the guide rail (1) is free of perforations and is seized by claws (3), which claws (3) are fixed in a mounting part, the mounting part has a mounting plate (2) extending in parallel relation to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail, noting that the claws (3) can be passed through perforations (16) in the mounting plate and can be braced against the mounting plate (2), in particular with the interposition of a spring (4), at the side, located opposite the guide rail (1), of the mounting plate (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Zeltweg Gesellschaft m.g.h.
    Inventors: Dieter Fritz, Heinz Ossberger, Johannes R. Oswald
  • Patent number: 5096119
    Abstract: The invention concerns a rail fastener on concrete ties (4) or the like including resilient tension clamps (6) of steel rods in the form of a W and angled guide plates (3) for the rail base (1a). This so-called HM rail fastener is inventively improved by a special shaping of the tension clamp and angled guide plate, to simplify the securing of the rail on the concrete ties, in that the rotation of the elastic strainers which was previously necessary in HM construction when passing from the preassembly to the assembly position is omitted. This is achieved in that the angled guide plate (3), which is provided with a rib (3a) extending longitudinally to the rail foot for abutment on the rail foot (1a), contains in this rib special recesses (3b) for the reception and retention of the free ends of the tension clamp in the preassembly position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Vossloh-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Schultheiss, Horst Bauernfeind, Helmut Eisenberg
  • Patent number: 5083706
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for a railroad concrete sleeper wherein an insert is embedded in the concrete and extends across the sleeper, the insert having flanges which form between them a mouth of a T-slot over a wider space below the flanges and having surfaces which key it into the concrete, and a retaining block having a tail which bears upwardly against the undersurface of the flange which lies beneath a rail foot, and a head which bears downwardly on the upper surface of the other flange outboard of the rail foot, the head having an aperture extending through it in a direction also across the sleeper, and a bent rod type fastener is retained by the aperture and bears downwardly both on the rail foot and on the block head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Amatek Limited
    Inventor: Robert L. Bratchell
  • Patent number: 5069386
    Abstract: This invention relates to a clip for fastening a rail of a railway on a rail support comprising: a spring clip forming a device for fastening or clamping the rail on a rail support, constituted by a clip made of elastic metal having a first end and a second end and presenting successively, from the first end, a first section forming a substantially rectilinear arm, a second section forming a substantially 180.degree. bend, a third section, a fourth section forming a substantially 180.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Allevard Industries
    Inventor: Philippe Duval
  • Patent number: 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: 5046907
    Abstract: A one-piece single- or double-shank spring clip, which is used for elastic rail mounting for positively and elastically anchoring a rail relative to a tie plate without using any screws, said tie plate including fastening holes and the spring clip being adapted to be brought into engagement with said fastening holes in the area of its shank, consists of a bent steel rod, which is provided with one or with two spring loop(s) holding down the rail foot. The spring clip has one or two shanks, which are followed by one or two spring loops for holding down the rail foot, the shank being defined by a steel rod member bent by 180.degree. and having, at its lower end in the area of the 180.degree.-bend, one or several projection(s) adapted to engage the tie plate underside, which faces away from the rail, in the area of the fastening hole (FIG. 2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Hans J. Von Lange
    Inventors: Hans J. von Lange, Oswald Lochschmidt
  • Patent number: 5042717
    Abstract: Fastening strap composed of a rod having a vertical rectilinear part (20) and a curved part which forms a spring and the end (10) of which grips the flange (25) of the rail to be fastened, after being tensioned as a result of the rotation of the strap above a ramp (30), the lower end of the rectilinear part being equipped with a heel (2) catching on a retaining surface (36) in the tie. The strap has an intermediate bearing point (6) which, during the rotation of the strap, bears on an abutment (38) or on a bearing surface of a metal sole plate. This intermediate bearing point ensures the stability of the strap during its rotation and in its tensioned position and, if an abutment is used, keeps this abutment in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Etablissements Vape
    Inventor: Gerard Vanotti
  • Patent number: 5016816
    Abstract: Resilient railroad fastener system comprising an elongated shoulder member and spring clip to be so applied and combined with the shoulder member as to create a toe load applied downward to the rail; the shoulder member having a reaction surface to be engaged at a first angle by one arm of the spring clip and the shoulder member being configured with a capturing surface to capture the other spring arm while cocking the spring clip at an angle to the horizontal when the spring clip is applied to the shoulder member; whereby when installed the spring clip has a toe load impressed thereon which is the vector sum of the clip load and shoulder reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1991
    Assignee: Unit Rail Anchor Company
    Inventor: Mark E. Lanham
  • Patent number: 4988040
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device for securing a rail to a railroad tie, and wherein a base plate is provided with guide ribs for abutting the rail foot. The base plate is secured to the tie and the guide ribs provide anchorage openings wherein anchors may be introduced into the anchorage openings for clamping the rail foot to the base plate. A resilient rail attachment with no threaded connections is obtained by the provision of extension arms integrally formed with the anchors and projecting beyond the rail foot. The anchors are disposed on both sides of the rail and resilient clamping elements are positioned in the longitudinal direction of the rail into channels formed between the rail foot and the extension arms. The clamping elements are subjected to deformation and supported under tension between the rail foot and the extension arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1991
    Assignee: Schwihag Gesellschaft fur Eisenbahnoberbau GmbH
    Inventor: Siegfried Keusch
  • Patent number: 4978065
    Abstract: A method of fixing a rail on a rail-support by metal spikes each comprising a round shaft having a top and terminated by a head for bearing against a rail flange with at least the bottom portion of the spike shaft being received in the rail-support in such a manner that the spike head is directed away from the rail-supporting surface of the rail-support. The bottom portion of the shaft includes at least one zone made of a plastically deformed material, and an antirotation structure is provided co-operating with complementary parts of the rail support for preventing any rotation of the bottom portion of the spike relative to the rail support when a couple below a predetermined value is applied to the top portion of the spike.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Allevard Industries S.A.
    Inventor: Michel Deuchemin
  • Patent number: 4971247
    Abstract: A pad has a base portion, which lies on a foundation and on which a flange of a railway rail lies, and upstanding side portions extending upwardly from opposite sides of the base portion and formed with a recess in which lies a part of a rail clip. The pad may have sideways-extending portions for projecting on opposite sides of a clip-retaining member and it may also have projecting islands, possibly chevron-shaped, on one face or on both faces. The base portion may be one member made of soft material and this may be fixed to a separate member made of harder material which is formed with the side portions and the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Pandrol Limited
    Inventor: Lance Harkus
  • Patent number: 4967954
    Abstract: An adjustable rail seating and fastening device that maintains and adjusts gauge of a rail and secures a rail to a rail support or tie plate, positively engages the rail support at both ends of the device, and provides a biasing element to maintain the engagement between the device, the rail support and the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: American Track Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Hans von Lange
  • Patent number: 4953787
    Abstract: A boltless two-piece rail fastening assembly for securing a railway rail, supported on a conventional tie plate, to a wooden cross tie is comprised of a chair and a rail clip latched thereon. The chair includes a body, having a jaw with a bight configured to receive the clip, and at least one downwardly projecting leg or shank for securing the chair adjacent the base flange of the rail. The rail clip is a torsional spring clip in the general form of an "S" having a rail-bearing leg for proximate engagement with the base flange of the rail and a tie bearing leg for proximate engagement with the tie plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Assignee: Chemetron-Railway Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Graham M. Fee
  • Patent number: 4946099
    Abstract: A concrete sleeper has an elongate metal insert having a T-slot containing a T-head of a retaining block which bears against a rail foot to retain rail gauge. The retaining block can be rotated by 180.degree. and slid along the T-slot to abut an edge of the foot of a rail, the T-slot being sufficiently long to allow adjustment of the rail on the sleeper. After rail position has been determined, the block location can be fixed by inserting grout into the T-slot. Alternatively, the T-slot can have abutment lugs which determine the block position, and thereby the rail position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Amatek Limited
    Inventor: Robert L. Bratchell
  • Patent number: 4943006
    Abstract: A sleeper having two pairs of protuberances upstanding from its upper portion, the protuberances of each pair defining between them a rail seat, apertures in the upper wall of the sleeper which extend from the protuberances for a short distance away from the rail seat, four U-shaped clips engaging each sleeper, each U-shaped clip having an upper toe, which bears downwardly on the upper portion of the rail, a heel engaging the upper surface of the sleeper adjacent the relevant aperture, and a lower toe extending through an aperture in the rail and bearing upwardly against the undersurface of a respective protuberance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: BHP Rail Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Clark, Norman K. Geddes