Tie Bars Patents (Class 246/449)
  • Patent number: 7686258
    Abstract: In a railroad switch for use with intersecting railroad rails and having two switch points interconnected by a switch machine between two switch point assemblies and connected thereto by an operating rod at each end of the switch machine, a system for a greaseless switch point assembly having a mounting clip and a pivot pin for connecting each operating rod to its associated switch point, the greaseless switch point assembly having a bushing proximate a part of the pivot pin that fits within an opening in the mounting clip, and an insertion device extending into the opening proximate the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Maurizio Biagiotti
  • Publication number: 20090277999
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a railroad switch point having fixed rails and switching rails. The switch point includes a first railroad tie having a top side. The switch point also includes a rod positioned at the top side of the first railroad tie. The rod is coupled to the switching rails and is also coupled to a switch actuator. A first rail support is secured to the top side of the first railroad tie for supporting the fixed rails and the switching rails above the rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Railway Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Fox
  • Publication number: 20090045297
    Abstract: In a device for checking the end positions of movable parts of a railway switch, in which at least one separate end-position checking device (5, 6) is assigned to each movable switch part (3, 4), wherein the end-position checking device (5, 6) includes a rod (8) and a checker housing (9) in which the rod (8) is inserted and in which at least one limit switch (21, 22) is arranged to detect the two end positions of the movable switch part (3, 4), the rod (8) in its portion reaching into the housing (9), or the housing (9), comprises at least two axially spaced-apart switching flanks for the actuation of the at least one limit switch (21, 22), wherein at least one of said switching flanks is arranged to be axially displaceable relative to the other of said switching flanks and fixable in the respective position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicants: VAE Eisenbahnsysteme GmbH, VAE GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Achleitner, Martin Meieregger, Wolfgang Oberhoffner
  • Patent number: 7484695
    Abstract: A switch machine for railway and tramway switches or the like, having an enclosure for its operating units of the same size as a tie and adapted to be used like a tie, characterized in that the switch machine has a modular construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Alstom Ferroviaria S.p.A.
    Inventor: Silvano Cavalli
  • Publication number: 20080093507
    Abstract: A spread rod tie assembly having a body with a top surface that has at least two levels is provided. That is, the tie body upper surface preferably includes two generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms disposed at each end of the tie body. The platforms are at a first height and are structured to support a pair of fixed rails. The tie body upper surface also has a recessed, generally flat spread rod bed disposed at a medial portion of the tie body between the rail platforms. The spread rod bed is at a second height that is below the first height. In this configuration, the tie body maintains the rails at the required height above the ballast while allowing for a device, such as, but not limited to, a spread rod to be disposed above the tie body between the rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin McQuistian
  • Patent number: 7341226
    Abstract: A lost motion apparatus for adapting a typical in-tie switch machine, designed for use with interconnected switch points, to be used as an in-tie machine for moving the movable V-point of a movable point frog assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Maurizio Biagiotti, Wallace M. Catanach, III, Charles D. Crawford, Miles Metschke
  • Patent number: 7300023
    Abstract: An in-tie machine for moving the movable elements of a switching device, such as the switch points of a switch point assembly or the moving V-point of a movable point frog, with a sliding device which selectively engages a control rod with either a fixed seat or a moving seat, to shift the movable elements and lock them in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Maurizio Biagiotti
  • Patent number: 7191986
    Abstract: In a device for checking the operation of devices (4) used to displace movable switch parts (2, 3), in which the movable switch parts (2, 3) are connected with each other by a coupling rod (13), the coupling rod (13) is comprised of two coupling rod parts (14, 15) that are relatively movable in the axial direction. Sensors (34, 35) are provided for the detection of at least two different displacement positions of the coupling rod parts (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignees: VAE Eisenbahnsysteme GmbH, VAE Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Herbert Achleitner, Anton Schaffer, Josef Hörtler
  • Patent number: 7178764
    Abstract: In a device for operating rail switches, in which a plurality of mutually coupled hydraulic operating devices are arranged in an offset manner in the longitudinal direction of the rails, the cylinder-piston units of the hydraulic operating devices are connected to be driven in the same direction. The working volumes (13) of the hydraulic cylinder piston units (7) each comprise two regions (18, 19) with defined cylinder cross sections, wherein the respective regions (18) containing end-position securing means (20, 21), safety locking means and/or sensors, of the cylinder-piston units (7) arranged in an offset manner in the longitudinal direction of the rails have equal cross sections and the respective other regions (19) of the cylinder-piston units (7) arranged in an offset manner in the longitudinal direction of the rails have cross sections differing from one another. (FIG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignees: VAE Eisenbahnsysteme GmbH, VAE GmbH
    Inventor: Herbert Klein
  • Patent number: 7168662
    Abstract: A switching assembly includes a pair of hollow ties, a pair of supports, and a linkage. The linkage extends generally through the hollow ties, whereby the cribs are generally free of linkage components, and the ballast in the cribs can be compacted with known automated machinery. The linkage includes a number of lugs and a number of rods, with the rods each being formed from standard bar stock and threaded, and with the linkage configuration avoiding the need to custom bend any of the rods. The hollow ties are formed from generally available standard box section steel, as are the supports. The spacing between the hollow ties can be varied in accordance with the pitch of the other rail ties of the railroad switch. Each hollow tie can include a heater. The switching assembly is highly adjustable, which makes it suitable for use in numerous different track configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Union Switch & Signal, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin McQuistian, Edward E. Edwards, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7168663
    Abstract: In a switch actuator for movable frogs (1), comprising at least one cylinder piston unit (5) having a defined preset piston stroke, the cylinder piston unit (5) is connected with bearings (6) capable of being displaced in the axial direction of the piston stroke, which bearings are connected with a stationary substructure for the adjustment of a defined center position of the piston stroke and the driver for the movable frog (1). The driver for the movable frog (1) is coupled with the cylinder piston unit (5) with first stops (9) displaceable in the axial direction being interposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignees: VAE Eisenbahnsysteme GmbH, VAE GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Schnedl
  • Patent number: 7135648
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an end position detector for movable switch parts (3) which comprises a rod assembly and a housing (12), into which the rod assembly penetrates and in which at least one sensor for sensing an end position of the rod assembly is arranged. According to the invention, the rod assembly is connected to the movable switch part (3) such that it can be pivoted in a vertical plane that lies transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rails, wherein the rod assembly comprises at least one rod (8) of circular cross section, and wherein said rod (8) in its region that penetrates into the housing (12) in a sealed fashion carries on its periphery at least one switching flank (13) that cooperates with a switch contact (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignees: VAE Eisenbahnsysteme GmbH, VAE GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Schnedl, Armin Lassacher
  • Patent number: 6290189
    Abstract: In a point-operating device for pressing one tongue (28) against a stock rail (3) and for simultaneous pull-off of another tongue (29) from an opposite stock rail (4), the operability is improved when between the stock rails/tongues of a point, a moving device, which is formed with at least four adjustable vertical spring assemblies (8, 9, 12, 13), is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Schwihag Gesellschaft für Eisenbahnoberbau mbH
    Inventor: Armin Heim
  • Patent number: 6270041
    Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically locking the end positions of movable point sections, with two adjusting rods (12, 14 ), each of which is connected with one of the point sections and which are coupled mechanically with one another, with at least one locking tappet (28) for locking the adjusting rods in each case in one of their end positions and a force limiting device, which cancels the locking, when the force, exerted by the point sections on the adjusting rods, exceeds a certain value, and the force limiting device is formed by a coupling device (30, 32), which yields when stressed and is located between the adjusting rods (12, 14), and by a transfer mechanism (16, 38), which converts the movement of one of the adjusting rods into a movement for unlocking the locking tappet (28).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Hanning & Kahl GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Wolfgang Helas, Jens Meinecke, Günter Worm
  • Patent number: 6158698
    Abstract: A hollow tie assembly for rodding associated with moveable trackwork (such as in a switch or a moveable point frog) serves the function of a tie, houses and protects throw rods, lock rods and detector rods, is adapted to accommodate North American switch machines, and does not interfere with mechanical tampers. The rodding is housed within two elongated and spaced channels which are held in predetermined spaced relationship. Switch plates straddle the flanges of each channel and the moveable rails or points are mounted on the switch plates. Rod adapters and switch clip provide a sliding connection to the moveable rails or points. The rods are made of insulating material and the switch plates and associated components include insulation to avoid cross conduction between the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: VAE Nortrak North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Click, Al Forshaw, Brian Charles, Cory O'Brien
  • Patent number: 5562267
    Abstract: A box sleeper (1), characterized by a steel box-like sleeper section member (5) which has a cross-sectional width (15) and a cross-sectional height (16) matching that of a normal concrete or wooden sleeper and has an open part (31) on top and is closable at its ends by transverse plates (17 and 18) and has laterally projecting bearing flanges (13 and 14) for stockrail fasteners (28, 29), points-tongue slide chairs (30) and/or operating components of tip fasteners. The box-like sleeper section member (5) is associated with tip fasteners in the form of "latch fasteners" (33) comprising stationary guides (32) and movable latches (34), cam rods (34) and cam-rod bearings (37), all of which project into the upper part (31) of the box-like sleeper section member (5), whereas the bottom part houses the points-tongue slide rods (54), the tongue-monitoring linkage (45), heating rods (43) if any, and shock-absorbing elements (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1996
    Assignee: Schwihag GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Heim, K. Ohm, K Spiegel, Rudolf Kopl, Jurgen Kruger, Volker Klein, Hans-Joachim Scholte
  • Patent number: 4637578
    Abstract: A railroad frog has either a cast or rail-built point, resting on a baseplate which is fastened to ties. A pair of heel rails are attached to the point, to the ties and to traffic rails. A pair of movable wing rails extend from the toe of the frog to a location adjacent the point of the frog. At the frog point an open wing rail forms a flangeway with the point, while the other, closed wing rail cooperates with the point to form a continuous tread surface through the frog. The wing rails are alternately thrown between the open and closed positions by an actuator. A series of stops define the open wing rail position and act to hold down the open wing rail. The wing rails have hinges which allow them to move. The wing rails have a full rail base at the hinges. Adaptor plates allow use of the frog on concrete ties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Abex Corporation
    Inventor: Earl E. Frank