Abstract: A method for forming an engagement portion in a workpiece is provided, said workpiece preferably consisting at least partially of wood, materials containing wood fibers, wood composite materials, veneer, plastics materials and combinations thereof. The method has the following steps of: providing the workpiece having a cutout, introducing a predetermined volume of a curable filling compound into the cutout and introducing an engagement element into the curable filling compound, wherein the engagement element has an engagement structure which at least partially represents a geometric counterpart to the engagement portion, the engagement portion takes up a predetermined position in the workpiece, and the engagement structure is arranged at least partially in the filling compound.

Abstract: A nail that is configured by: a nail main body composed of a soft iron material in which a head portion is formed in an upper end portion of a columnar body; and a tip end portion having a circular conical shape or a polygonal pyramidal shape that is formed in a lower end portion of the nail main body, in which the tip end portion is subjected to a tip end portion hardening treatment by quenching or plastic forging. The nail meets the Japanese Industrial Standards, is capable of being driven in a straight manner even when the tip end portion hits a hard knot, and is capable of being manufactured with relative ease.

Abstract: A railway spike for connecting an associated metal member with an associated wood member includes a head including an annular flange and a standoff extending axially from the flange. An intermediate section extends axially from the standoff. At least one holding ring is disposed on the intermediate section. The at least one holding ring extends radially away from the intermediate section and is adapted to engage the associated wood member. A shank extends axially from the standoff. The shank includes a thread which is adapted to engage the associated wood member.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved designs of railroad spikes and improved methods of manufacturing the same. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for manufacturing a railroad spike may have the steps of: preparing a metal blank having a substantially circular cross-section; subjecting the metal blank to at least one cold heading process and at least one cold extrusion process to form a railroad spike having (a) a circular head with a fillet at its bottom side that is angled to engage a railroad tie plate or rail base and (b) a non-threaded shank with a substantially square cross-section and a chiseled tip; and coating the railroad spike with an anti-corrosion material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to improved designs of railroad spikes and improved methods of manufacturing the same. According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for manufacturing a railroad spike may comprise the steps of: preparing a metal blank having a substantially circular cross-section; subjecting the metal blank to at least one cold heading process and at least one cold extrusion process to form a railroad spike having (a) a circular head with a fillet at its bottom side that is angled to engage a railroad tie plate or rail base and (b) a non-threaded shank with a substantially square cross-section and a chiseled tip; and coating the railroad spike with an anti-corrosion material.

Abstract: An improved fastener for attaching metal to wood is particularly suited for use as a railroad spike for attaching a metal rail to a wooden tie. The improved spike is adapted for installation by either driving or screwing the spike into the tie. A plurality of flutes are adapted to engage with the tie, thereby preventing loosening of the spike. The spike may be used with or without a metal boss or fishplate to secure a metal rail to a wooden tie.

Abstract: An improved fastener for attaching metal to wood is provided. The fastener is particularly suited for use as a railroad spike for attaching a metal rail to a wooden tie. The improved spike is adapted for installation by either driving or screwing the spike into the tie. A plurality of flutes are adapted to engage with the tie, thereby preventing loosening of the spike. The spike may be used with or without a metal boss or fishplate to secure a metal rail to a wooden tie.

Abstract: A system for elastically fastening rails mounted on underlying cross ties. The foot of the rail is clamped by elastically fastening metallic rail spikes anchored in the cross tie. The rail spikes have a shaft portion and a head portion eccentrically arranged thereon, as well as a plastic element arranged in an electrically insulating manner. This fastening system also has a component linkable to the spike for impressing a permanent bending moment on the shaft portion in all stress phases and for permanently clamping the rail spike. This type of fastening system is suitable both for wooden and concrete cross ties. This system may also include a dowel to anchor the rail spike within the cross tie. This invention also impresses a permanent bending stress on the shaft of the rail foot, so that the rail spike extraction forces can be set at a higher level than is normally obtained.

Abstract: An improved railroad spike, configured to resemble a conventional U.S. railroad spike as to its head, shank and tip. The improved spike features (1) a keyhole bore which extends between and through the head and top of the spike, and (2) and a pair of angular V-grooves on the shank in communication with the bore.

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).

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.

Abstract: Spikes for holding elastic rail clamps for use with wooden rail ties. The spike portion incorporating recesses in its surface to accommodate an adhesive which improves adhesions between the spike and the wooden tie. The lower end of the spike which faces the rail incorporates a series of ribs.

Abstract: A track spike (1) with a single or double shaft for wooden ties with spring loop (6), shaft (5) and crosspiece (4). The crosspiece (4), is, in its upper area via a bend (9) of the corresponding shaft portion in the direction of the rail foot (8), offset with resilience relative to the shaft (5). The crosspiece thus engages and retains the rail in position on the tie.

Abstract: A staple for installation in a wood support having a U-shaped body defined by a pair of rod-like legs in fixed parallel spaced-apart relationship terminating at one end with the opposite ends of an arcuate member and each leg terminating its respective other end in a chamfered, cut-away point. Each leg is further provided with a notched barb outwardly extending beyond the surface of each leg defining a rounded ramp on its side nearest the point and a step on its other side. A sleeve of insulative material is disposed on the inside of the staple adjacent to the arcuate member.

Abstract: A railway spike consists of a bar folded to form first and second legs. Proceeding upwardly from the nose, formed by the two ends of the bar, firstly there is a first portion in which the legs are straight and parallel, then a second portion in which they diverge, then a third portion in which they converge, then a fourth portion in which they diverge again and finally a fifth portion which includes the uppermost part of the spike. When the first leg is on the left, no part of the fourth or fifth portion of the spike is further to the left than is the leftmost part of the first leg in the second and third portions. The spike may pass through a hole in a baseplate on which a rail stands, a resilient clip having a portion which bears downwardly on a flange at the bottom of the rail and having a further portion which presses upwardly on a flat surface at the bottom of the plate.

Abstract: A spike retainer which may be forcibly driven through an aperture in a tie plate into a wood cross tie includes an upper lip for engaging a flanged base of a rail supported by the tie plate. A movable wedge attached to the spike retainer is forced between the cross tie and the tie plate when a spike is forcibly inserted into the spike retainer, thereby clamping the tie plate and the flanged base of the rail between the upper lip and the movable wedge. The spike retainer is initially inserted into a pre-drilled hole in the cross tie by means of an insertion tool having a channel which permits the spike retainer to be forcibly inserted into the hole without engaging the movable wedge.

Abstract: A railroad spike retainer is disclosed which may be driven into a railroad tie together with the spike it retains. The retainer exerts a retention force both against the spike to prevent its regression from the retainer and also against the tie to prevent the regression of the retainer itself from the tie.