Abstract: A dock bumper made from rubber material derived from scrap tires with a trapezoidal cross-section, a trapezoidal side profile, a base, and an optional longitudinal lumen. The longitudinal lumen also has a trapezoidal cross-section and may be open at one or both ends. The dock bumper is further provided with mounting holes for mounting on a surface. The mounting hole includes an opening for a fastener and an indentation in which a plug maybe securely installed to cover the fastener. A guardrail cover adapted for installation over a conventional crash barrier guardrail. A variety of rubber encased pillars, including crash barrier pillars on which guardrails are mounting, coast walls, and railroad ties. The rubber encased pillars are concrete-filled steel beams encased in rubber material derived from recycled scrap tires. The rubber encased railroad ties include raised sections for mounting and supporting railroad tracks.

Abstract: A sleeper for supporting rails within a section of track for rail vehicles is provided, wherein the sleeper has elongated reinforcing elements extending along a longitudinal axis of the sleeper and is produced as a solid material sleeper having a cavity which extends between the reinforcing elements and from at least one outer face of the sleeper into the interior of the sleeper, and wherein the sleeper is designed for use with at least two different measurement value pick-up systems, wherein one of the measurement value pick-up systems is a temperature measurement value pick-up system having an infrared sensor which is accommodated by insertion into the cavity.

Abstract: A thermoset composite material and composite railroad crosstie fabricated from the thermoset composite material that comprises a substantially homogeneous blend of an amount of vulcanized rubber particles, polyurea binding agent and urea melamine. The thermoset composite material may also contain a granulated silica material. The thermoset composite material may comprise about 30% to about 50% by weight of the vulcanized rubber particles, and it is subjected to compression molding at a predetermined temperature and pressure for a resident time period forming the composite railroad crosstie. The thermoset composite material and railroad crosstie may further comprise a fibrous glass material in the form of unbundled fibers and/or one more glass mats encapsulated within the thermoset composite material. In addition or alternatively, an elongated core insert may be encapsulated in the thermoset composite material.

Abstract: An encapsulated railroad tie structure and its method of manufacture. A core of laminated wood slats is inserted into an extruded sleeve of scrap tire rubber and polyurethane. A urethane adhesive laminates the wood slats together and serves as a lubricant and bonding agent for placement and secured engagement of the sleeve about the core. End caps are securely engaged to both the core and sleeve. The core may be provided with bores and grooves to receive sensors and conductors interconnected with a processor and transponder maintained in an end cap. The end cap also maintains a photovoltaic device and power source for the active elements of the railroad tie structure. The core may also be manufactured of a wood or other natural fiber giving the core a desired flex modulus to provide for better control and serviceability of associated rails and railway cars.

Abstract: A longitudinal sleeper and a damping railway system thereof are provided. The longitudinal sleeper comprises a pair of longitudinal prestressed concrete beams (1) respectively arranged under rails along a longitudinal direction of the rails, and concrete connection boards (2) transversely connected between the pair of the longitudinal prestressed concrete beams (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a railroad tie manufactured from plastic (2), wherein at least two steel bars (3) are embedded in the plastic and wherein the steel bars extend in longitudinal direction of the plastic railroad tie (1) and wherein specimens of the bars (3) situated in operative condition at different heights in the railroad tie are free from mutual connections other than by the plastic. The plastic (2) is Low Density Polyethylene.

Abstract: A sleeper for supporting rails within a section of track for rail vehicles is provided, wherein the sleeper has elongated reinforcing elements extending along a longitudinal axis of the sleeper and is produced as a solid material sleeper having a cavity which extends between the reinforcing elements and from at least one outer face of the sleeper into the interior of the sleeper, and wherein the sleeper is designed for use with at least two different measurement value pick-up systems, wherein one of the measurement value pick-up systems is a temperature measurement value pick-up system having an infrared sensor which is accommodated by insertion into the cavity.

Abstract: A longitudinal sleeper and a damping railway system thereof are provided. The longitudinal sleeper comprises a pair of longitudinal prestressed concrete beams (1) respectively arranged under rails along a longitudinal direction of the rails, and concrete connection boards (2) transversely connected between the pair of the longitudinal prestressed concrete beams (1).

Abstract: A method for restoring and reusing railroad ties and the resulting product are disclosed. According to the method, otherwise spent wooden ties are sorted as to their apparent suitability for providing a core for reuse. Those found unsuitable are discarded, while those found to be suitable are milled or trimmed about their dimensions to define a suitable core. That core is banded about a transverse perimeter and then submitted to a reaction injection molding process by which urethane or other suitable polymers impregnate the various voids, holes and cracks in the core, bond with the bands, and define a finish unit having the overall size and configuration of previously known railroad ties. The encapsulated product is then capped or plugged at the ends to ensure that the resulting product is impervious to penetration by the environment.

Abstract: Re-cycled tire treads are laminated into stacks and attached to a reinforcement element which has a first portion which provides increased compressive strength and a second portion which provides increased torsional and bending strength. Several embodiments with reinforcing elements ranging from T-bars, to I-beams to box beams, with variations including corrugated flanges. Pre-drilled holes can be provided in the flanges to facilitate insertion of the spikes. While steel-belted tires are preferred for use in creating stacks, provisions are made to ensure electrical isolation of the two rails to permit transmission of data thereby. The railroad tie can have electronic signaling hardware built-in by placing sensors and related circuitry between adjacent plies in a laminated stack.

Abstract: A laminated and encapsulated railroad tie structure and its associated method of manufacture. A wood core of laminated wood slats is inserted into an extruded sleeve of scrap tire rubber and polyurethane. A urethane adhesive laminates the wood slats together and serves as a lubricant and bonding agent for placement and secured engagement of the sleeve about the core. End caps are securedly engaged at each end of the composite, being secured to both the wood core and sleeve. The bottom and side surfaces of the sleeve are characterized by longitudinal grooves or slots for engagement with a railroad bed.

Abstract: A wholly wrapped railroad crosstie comprises an inner core and an outer casing that is made of deformable composite materials. The outer casing is molten and integrally united with and attached to the inner core as a whole when it is formed. The outer casing completely covers the inner core. There's no seam on the crosstie at all. So it successfully avoids the separation and friction of the crosstie. It greatly increases the reliability and service life of the crosstie, and reduces the cost of maintenance.

Abstract: Re-cycled tire treads are laminated into stacks and attached to a reinforcement element which has a first portion which provides increased compressive strength and a second portion which provides increased torsional and bending strength. Several embodiments with reinforcing elements ranging from T-bars, to I-beams to box beams, with variations including corrugated flanges. Pre-drilled holes can be provided in the flanges to facilitate insertion of the spikes. While steel-belted tires are preferred for use in creating stacks, provisions are made to ensure electrical isolation of the two rails to permit transmission of data thereby. The railroad tie can have electronic signaling hardware built-in by placing sensors and related circuitry between adjacent plies in a laminated stack.

Abstract: A railroad cross tie having an inner core with at least one longitudinally extending metallic reinforcing member and an outer casing. The cross tie includes first and second end caps. The first end cap is disposed proximate a first end of the inner core and the second end cap is disposed proximate a second opposite end. One embodiment of the cross tie includes an expansion gap longitudinally disposed between the first and second end caps. Longitudinal dimensions of the expansion gap varies in response to differential thermal expansion between the inner core and the outer casing. In other embodiments, the end caps are mechanically interlocked with the inner core and the outer casing overlays a portion of the end caps. The disclosed structures securely and reliably attach the end caps to the cross tie. A method of manufacturing cross ties is also disclosed.

Abstract: Railway tie is based upon a fiber-reinforced brittle matrix composite material. The composite material is isotropic, demonstrating pseudo-strain hardening behavior in uniaxial tension, and material ductility by design, not relying on reinforcing bars or mesh embedded within concrete or other brittle cementitious matrices for durability, abrasion resistance, or crack width control. Reinforcing bars or mesh, pretensioned or otherwise, may be used within the tie to control the load capacity and load-deformation response. The properties of this fiber-reinforced brittle matrix composite material are adjusted to preferably work with casting, injection molding, or extrusion manufacturing methods.

Abstract: A track for a vehicle comprising at least one rail, a plurality of elongated ties supporting the rail, and a fastener for holding the rail to the ties is provided. At least one tie used in the track comprises a body formed at least partially of polymeric material, and an elongated reinforcement encapsulated within the body, the reinforcement having a top section having a top surface, a bottom section having a bottom surface, and a support section connecting the top section and the bottom section, the bottom section having a greater weight than the top section.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a railroad tie comprising a core comprising wood or a wood product, and a first sleeve encapsulating the core, wherein the first sleeve comprises at least one of the group consisting of plastic, plastic-composite, or non-plastic polymers. A second sleeve may additionally encapsulate the first. In a preferred embodiment, the first sleeve is comprised primarily of poly ethylene terephthalate, and the second sleeve is comprised primarily of high density poly ethylene.

Abstract: A composite load bearing member is provided comprising an elongated inner structural member and a thick polymeric composite outer member. An apparatus for producing the composite load bearing member is provided including devices for suspending the inner structural member within a mold cavity prior to and during injection of the polymeric composite outer member. A method of using the apparatus to produce the composite load bearing member is provided.

Abstract: A process is provided for making thermoplastic-composites from recycled thermoplastics (polyolefins) together with phosphogypsum waste by-product from the phosphate fertilizer wet process or, in an equally preferred embodiment with fluorogypsum waste by-product from fluorine production wet process to produce lumber profiles. The process involves (a) admixing phosphogypsum (calcium sulfate) and/or fluorogypsum (calcium fluoride) waste byproduct and/or Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) gypsum and/or crude gypsum and/or calcined gypsum with thermoplastics and a functionalized compound with or without coupling agents to produce a filled thermoplastic-composite composition, and (b) melt processing the composition to produce a filled thermoplastic-composite article.

Abstract: The structural member and fabrication thereof may be formed by mixing wood products chemically treated for durability and thermoplastics products. The fabrication process may included processing the products to a desired particle size; mixing the particles; processing the mixture in a high intensity processor and then processing the mixture in an extruder to obtain a molten state for forming the structural element in a mold. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a search or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a railroad crosstie (90) from recycled rubber is disclosed. The rubber crosstie (90) has an expected life of between 30 to 60 years and can be made primarily of rubber crumbs obtained from stockpiles of discarded rubber tires. A feature of the invention is to produce a crosstie (90) having at least one longitudinal side incorporating a plurality of indentations for more effective engagement upon installation into a gravel bed to avoid slippage.

Abstract: A railway crosstie is adapted for use in a track system having a pair of rails supported on longitudinally spaced crossties. The railway crosstie includes an I-beam member made of a combination of recycled materials.

Abstract: A method of maintaining proper distance between railroad rails is disclosed. The method utilizes railroad ties manufactured from a composite of polystyrene and polyolefin components, preferably obtained from recycled plastics. The composite exhibits a dual phase morphology wherein the two phases, polystyrene and polyolefin, intertwine and remain continuous throughout the material.

Abstract: The sleeper (tie) comprises a body which has a variable cross section along its length and is made from reinforced polymer concrete with a dispersed reinforcement in the form of steel or synthetic fibres or both the one and the other together, which fibres compose 5-7% of the total mass of the body of the sleeper, are of different length and have a different percent of content depending on the type of fibre. At the points of fastening the rails, inserts are provided in the body, the height of the inserts satisfying the relationship: 2/3 H.sub.1 .gtoreq.H.sub.2 >1/3 H.sub.1, where H.sub.1 is the height of the highest portion at each end of the body of the sleeper, H.sub.2 is the height of the insert. The upper face of the middle part of the body is positioned higher than the lower face of the insert by a value .DELTA.H which is within the limits 0.5(H.sub.1 -H.sub.2)>.DELTA.H>0.1(H.sub.1 -H.sub.2). Metallic and wooden inserts of various geometric shape are used.

Abstract: A composite load bearing structure comprises a main body portion having a top surface and a bottom surface defining a dimension of thickness therebetween, first and second side surfaces defining a dimension of width therebetween, first and second end surfaces defining a dimension of length therebetween, and a first longitudinal axis oriented along the length of the main body portion. The thickness is significantly less than at least the length of the load bearing structure. The main body portion is made of a first composite material comprising a binding constituent in a proportion of about 10% to about 20% by volume, and an aggregate material in a proportion of about 80% to about 90% by volume. The binding constituent comprises polyethylene or a polyethylene blend having at least 10% polyethylene.

Abstract: A rail tie and track-tie connection includes a molded plastic body member having molded plastic cover pieces attached to the body member, with lip portions engaging and capturing bottom flanges on the track rails. The body member may be hollow with a filler mass supporting the sides and cross bolts providing further reinforcement. A detector circuit for electronically detecting removal of a cover piece is located within the tie body member.

Abstract: A composite railway tie, and process for manufacture thereof, is disclosed. The composite railway tie comprises a main body portion being made of a first composite material comprising a binding constituent in a proportion of about 10% to about 20% by volume, and an aggregate material in a proportion of about 80% to about 90% by volume. The binding constituent comprises a plastic material chosen from the group of polyethylene and a polyethylene blend having at least 10% polyethylene. The aggregate material is in the form of irregular multi-faceted pieces chosen from the group consisting of crushed furnace slag, crushed gravel, crushed limestone, crushed granite, crushed basalt, and crushed trap rock, and mixtures thereof. The pieces of the aggregate material are distributed and otherwise arranged within the main body portion of the second material so that opposed surfaces of the pieces of the aggregate material have at least partial contact, one with another, in a contiguous manner.

Abstract: A railroad cross-tie made from sand and recycled thermoplastic containers. To practice the invention the containers made of many thermoplastic materials are granulated and mixed together. The labels and small amounts of residue from the original contents remain on the containers. Sand is dried and coated with an adhesive substance. The coated sand and recycled granulated thermoplastic plastics are mixed and heated in a compression mold to form the railroad cross-tie.

Abstract: Modern D.C.-tractioned trains and track circuit signal systems as well as high load trains need a special track construction. A new concrete cross sleeper system is provided for high load and high velocity tracks as well as for urban rapid transit systems comprising rails and sleepers having center part, connected to bar shaped ends and having reinforcing means.On the bar shaped ends two rail seats for each rail are positioned having elastic, electrically non-conducting plastic pads. The rails are fastened onto the rail seat by special tension means clamping the foot of the rail and fixed into plugs in the sleepers. This feature allows a triple point fixing of the rail at each sleeper end. Tracks on asphalt pavement may be secured by anchor device of the general type as sold under the trademark NELSON.The new track construction decreases the intermittent load of the rail/sleeper system and avoids trouble in track circuit signal systems existing in normally used prestressed concrete sleepers (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A railway bed wherein a body on which rails are to be fitted is formed of an elastic member and rigid member and a reinforcing member is provided within the elastic member or at least on the lower surface of the rigid member.With such formation, the railway bed has a proper shock absorption and rigidity and can be expected to prevent vibrations and noises.

Abstract: The construction of steel-concrete railroad ties onto which rails are fixed is disclosed. The ties are composed of a metal saddle for fastening to the rail, comprising a tie-plate extending over a part of the upper surface of the tie and forming the zone for attachment and support of the rail. The tie-plate further extends into the tie through ribs sealed in the concrete of the tie and constitutes at least part of its reinforcement.

Abstract: A concrete sleeper for track systems incorporating electrical circuitry, in which sleeper electrically conducting cables are embedded, and therefore concealed therein, with an assembly to allow electrical connection between the cables and associated tracks and associated track side circuitry. In order to obtain connection to the track side circuitry a recess is provided in one end of the sleeper and receives a terminal box having contacts for contacting exposed ends of the embedded cables and connections within the terminal box are in turn connected to the track side circuitry. In order to achieve an electrical connection with the tracks the cables are connected, within the sleeper, to embedded parts of shoulders of rail fastening assemblies of the type marketed under the name PANDROL.

Abstract: A reinforced railroad crosstie formed by molding and bonding comminuted lignocellulosic material into a monolithic beam around a plurality of reinforcing rods, each of which has a plurality of spaced protrusions fixedly attached along its length at specific positions relative to the midpoint of the tie and the rails mounted thereon. The reinforcing rods are positioned within the crosstie proximate lines of maximum tensile stresses expected to be induced into the tie by different bending influences caused by passing trains and varying conditions of the underlying ballast. The protrusions are configured and spaced in pairs on either side of respective points of maximum expected stress to ensure maximum transfer of each stress from the lignocellulosic material to the rods. The rods are also positioned within the crosstie so as to avoid contact with the spikes employed to fasten the rail to the tie.

Abstract: This invention relates to a latex-modified, pretensioned, and prestressed concrete structure having at least about a 50% reduction in bond transfer length as compared to a structure not modified by a latex. Such structure is composed of a cured concrete composition comprising a mixture of (1) portland cement, (2) mineral aggregate, and (3) a vinylidene chloride polymer latex, said latex being present in an amount sufficient to provide from about 5 to about 25 percent by weight of polymer solids.

Abstract: A railroad bed assembly for supporting thereon metallic railroad tracks is formed with a base structure which consists essentially of reinforced concrete made as prefabricated blocks with the base structure including a slab section adapted to be installed over a ground formation at the railroad bed site and with at least one upwardly extending projection running transversely to the direction of the tracks and having a trapezoidal cross sectional configuration taken in a plane extending parallel to the tracks. The projection and the slab are integrally formed of prestressed concrete material and the projection extends to form a cross tie for supporting thereupon the tracks.

Abstract: A long concrete unit, prestressed by tendons tensioned before concreting, at least one section of which, near the end of the said unit, is submitted to maximum loads, characterized by the fact that at least one improved-bond prestressing tendon is surrounded by spirals located on either side of the zone of maximum tensile stress.

Abstract: The composite railway tie has performances which are substantially improved over those of ties of the prior art while it results in a saving in weight of metal necessary and in the cost of manufacture.The reinforcement of this tie comprises a lower assembly and an upper assembly each formed by a folded steel wire defining parallel lengths of wire connected by curved portions. The reinforcement also comprises an S-section tie member including a web which is substantially vertical and contained in the vertical plane of symmetry of the tie and two flanges which are roughly horizontal. This tie member may be manufactured on a press or by cold folding relatively cheap flat steel products.

Abstract: An improved anchor structure for use with concrete railroad ties. A modular base plate is cast into the concrete tie with integral upwardly projecting shoulders extending from the base plate which complement it to present a seat to support a steel railroad rail. An anchoring portion is also integral with each shoulder and extends downwardly to anchor the device in the tie. The shoulder also presents an opening for receiving a retaining spring clip. A resilient rubber or fiber pad is disposed on the seat between the rail and the base plate. The pad is characterized by laterally projecting tabs which abut the bridging portion on either side to preclude lateral movement of the pad. The retaining spring clip engages the rail base and also has a leg projecting through the opening. A curvilinear portion of the clip complementally engages an arcuate segment of the briding portion while a second leg is disposed in a groove presented by the bridging portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to the technique of prestressed concrete and concerns a reinforcing device comprising a cylindrical metal tube at the ends of which are friction welded two plates or flanges defining radial support surfaces for bearing on the concrete. One of these plates constitutes an end wall against which abuts a metal core for putting the tube under tension. The other plate, which has a centre aperture, comprises means such as screw threading which co-operates with a bolt for achieving said tensioning in an effective and easy manner. Preferably, the tube has a section which varies along its longitudinal axis so as to afford an improved guide for the core and improve the characteristics of the reinforcement. A particularly advantageous application is in the manufacture of composite railway ties.