Patent Application
20080093507
A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
As used herein and in reference to the movable rails, “generally parallel” is a relative phrase meaning that the movable ends of the movable rails are closer to parallel than the fixed ends of the movable rails. The movable rails, however, converge towards each other slightly at the movable ends.
As used herein, the “height” of the tie upper surface and the tie bed are measured relative to the bottom of the tie body.
As shown in
The movable rail movable ends 32, 34, as well as a length of the movable rails 26 extending toward the fixed ends 36, 38, are maintained in a generally parallel relationship by at least one spread rod 40. As shown in
Except for the overlapping inner ends 58, 60 and the coupling device 68, the bight portion 50 extends, generally, in a single plane. The first upward extension 48 and the second upward extension 52 extend generally upward from the plane of the bight portion 50. The first upward extension 48 and the second upward extension 52 may also be angled slightly outwardly. The first upward extension 48 and the second upward extension 52, preferably, have a vertical rise of between 6 inches and 10 inches, and more preferably about 8 inches. The first upward extension 48 and the second upward extension 52 each have an outer tip that is structured to be pivotally coupled to the first lug assembly 44 and the second lug assembly 46, respectively. Preferably, the first upward extension 48 and the second upward extension 52 each have a pivot pin opening 74.
The first lug assembly 44 is coupled to the first movable rail 28. The second lug assembly 46 is coupled to the second movable rail 30. Each lug assembly 44, 46 includes a pivot pin 76 that is coupled to either the first upward extension 48 or the second upward extension 52. In this configuration, the spread rod 40 is structured to maintain the first movable rail 28 and the second movable rail 30 is a generally fixed, spaced relation.
The spread rod 40 is disposed above a spread rod tie assembly 80. The spread rod tie assembly 80 includes an elongated body 82, preferably made from concrete, having a first end 84, a medial portion 86, a second end 88, and an upper surface 90. The upper surface 90 has two generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms 92, 94 disposed at the tie body first end 84 and the tie body second end 88, respectively. The platforms 92, 94 are at a first height and are structured to support the pair of fixed rails 16. That is, the platforms 92, 94 may have a tie plate 100 or similar structure coupled thereto. The upper surface 90 also has a recessed generally flat spread rod bed 102 disposed along the tie body medial portion 86 between the rail platforms 92, 94. The spread rod bed 102 is at a second height which is below the first height. That is, the spread rod bed 102 extends in a plane that is below the plane of the rail platforms 92, 94. Given the U-shaped body of the spread rod 40, the spread rod 40 may be substantially disposed over the spread rod bed 102 at a height below the rail platforms 92, 94. That is, the spread rod bight portion 50 may extend just above, and generally parallel to, the spread rod bed 102. In this configuration, the spread rod 40 is not disposed within the ballast 12, but is also below a height wherein a passing rail vehicle, or anything hanging below a passing rail vehicle, is likely to impact upon the spread rod 40.
The tie body 82 also has a first longitudinal side 104 and a second longitudinal side 106. The spread rod bed 102 may include a first sidewall 108 extending along the tie body first longitudinal side 104 and a second sidewall 110 extending along the tie body second longitudinal side 106. In this configuration, the spread rod bed 102 defines an upwardly open cavity 112. The first longitudinal side 104 may further include at least one opening 114 extending from the spread rod bed 102 to the outer face of the first longitudinal side 104. The at least one opening 114 is structured to act as a drain for any liquid that becomes trapped in the cavity 112.
The spread rod tie assembly 80 may also include a cover assembly 120 structured to generally cover the spread rod bed 102. Preferably, the cover assembly 120 includes a cover member 122 and a plurality of first fastener components 124. The cover member 122 may be a flexible member, such as but not limited to, canvas, or a combination of flexible and rigid elements but, in a preferred embodiment, the cover member 122 is elongated, and generally rigid and has a cross-section that is, generally, an inverted U-shape. The tie body 82 includes a corresponding plurality of second fastener components 126 structured to engage the plurality of first fastener components 124. For example, where the plurality of first fastener components 124 are openings 130 disposed adjacent to the distal ends of the cover member 122, the plurality of second fastener components 126 on the tie body 82 may include a plurality of threaded rods 132 extending from the forward and aft faces of the tie body 82.
While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
