Abstract: A construction method for protecting a surface of a structure is provided to protect interior and exterior surfaces of the structure before construction starts. The construction method is executed by laying a soft base material on the surfaces of the structure and covering the base material with a quick setting cement material to form a leveled cement plate with great wear resistance and pressure resistance whereby the surfaces are not damaged by any improper force derived from the construction. Thus, the construction efficiency is increased. The base material on which the quick setting cement material is laid can be easily removed from the surfaces of the structure without tools because the base material is not adhered to the surfaces. The base material can also be reused after being separated from the quick setting cement material to prevent the occurrence of environmental pollution and reduce the cost of construction.

Abstract: A supporting device for supporting a flat panel display device includes a base, a sliding member, a supporting member, and a holding member. The base defines a pair of guiding grooves extending along a lengthwise direction of the base. The sliding member includes a first pedestal and a second pedestal. The first pedestal and the second pedestal are slidably received in the guiding grooves. The supporting member is hinged to the sliding member, and configured for supporting the flat panel display device. The holding member is slidably engaged with the base, and defines a holding cavity for receiving the supporting member.

Abstract: A spike assembly is for securing a section of a railroad to a crosstie. The spike assembly includes a spike member of generally linear shape having a tip portion structured to be installed in the crosstie, a head portion disposed opposite the tip portion and structured to engage and retain a portion of the section, and a body portion disposed therebetween. The body portion including a pair of generally opposed sides, each side having a notched portion. The spike assembly further includes a clip member having a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. Each of the first and second portions are disposed in a respective one of the notched portions and the clip member is structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.

Abstract: A railroad crosstie plug is positioned within an existing spike hole in a crosstie to restore a predetermined gage between parallel railroad rails. The plug comprises a hollow sleeve having a slot along one side thereof and an interior configuration complimentary to the configuration of the spike. A member separate from the sleeve is pivotally mounted at one end to a lower edge of the slot. The member also defines an impact surface extending across a portion of the interior of the sleeve. When a spike is forced into the sleeve against the impact surface, a second end of the member pivots out of the sleeve and into the surrounding wood of the railroad tie there by locking the sleeve and spike in place within the hole.

Abstract: Hydrophobic polyurethane compositions can be used to repair or fill-in surface defects in structural components. The hydrophobic composition can be packaged in two parts, a hydrophobic polyol part and a isocyanate part wherein the polyol part comprises a polyol and a coal tar or pitch composition and the isocyanate part comprises a reactive isocyanate compound. The parts of the composition can be mixed and applied to surface defects of structural members such as railroad ties and can rapidly form a hard, permanent, strongly bonded repair.

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 tie spike hole plugging material and method of using the same. The material includes a substantially uniform mixture of about 25-75% by volume of a granular abrasive material having a grit size in the range of about 20-100 grit and abrasive to railroad spikes, and about 25-75% by volume of a granular plastic material having a grit size of about 100 grit or less and a plastic temperature in the range of about 120.degree.-350.degree. F. The material is poured into a hole in a tie and when a spike is driven into the hole, the friction between the abrasive material and the spike generates sufficient heat to plasticize the plastic material. Upon cooling, the material firmly grasps the spike.

Abstract: A railroad tie spike hole plugging material and method of using the same. The material includes a substantially uniform mixture of about 25-75% by volume of a granular abrasive material having a grit size in the range of about 20-100 grit and abrasive to railroad spikes, and about 25-75% by volume of a granular plastic material having a grit size of about 100 grit or less and a plastic temperature in the range of about 120.degree.-350.degree. F. The material is poured into a hole in a tie and when a spike is driven into the hole, the friction between the abrasive material and the spike generates sufficient heat to plasticize the plastic material. Upon cooling, the material firmly grasps the spike.

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.