TIE PLATE FOR RAILROAD

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to railroads and more particularly to a railroad tie plate to be secured to a railroad tie (also known as a “sleeper”) in order to support and locate a rail in relation to the railroad tie (sleeper).

BACKGROUND

In constructing a railroad, it is conventional to attach parallel sections of rail to supporting members known as railroad ties, or in some locales “sleepers.” Railroad ties may be arranged perpendicular to the rails, such that each railroad tie supports two rails. The space between parallel rails forms the gauge of the track.

A rail is sometimes attached to a railroad tie by driving one or more spikes into the railroad tie, each of the one or more spikes having a head or lug to overlap a flange portion of the rail. Plates, known as tie plates, of various shapes are sometimes interposed between rails and railroad ties.

When a rail is seated on the tie plates, the rail shall be fixed and will not move relative to the tie plates.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a railroad tie plate (or interchangeably “tie plate”) comprises a generally prismatic body extending in a width dimension of the tie plate between a field side and a gauge side. A field side flange on the field side extends from a bottom surface of the tie plate in a thickness dimension of the tie plate. A gauge side flange on the gauge side extends from the bottom surface of the tie plate in the thickness dimension of the tie plate. An intermediate portion extends between the field side flange and the gauge side flange. The intermediate portion includes a rail seat configured to receive a railroad rail.

At least one of the field side flange and the gauge side flange comprises a fixing portion configured to receive a fixing device configured to secure the tie plate to a railroad tie. The field side flange comprises a first retaining device accommodating portion configured to receive a first retaining device configured to secure the railroad rail to the rail seat.

The field side flange comprises a fixed retainer that is a monolithic part of the tie plate.

The fixed retainer extends in the thickness dimension away from the bottom surface of the tie plate and toward the gauge side, and the fixed retainer overhangs the rail seat. The fixed retainer is configured to prevent the railroad rail from moving in the thickness dimension.

The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a railroad tie plate in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the railroad tie plate in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the railroad tie plate in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the railroad tie plate in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, corresponding to view A as indicated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the railroad tie plate in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, corresponding to view B as indicated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the railroad tie plate in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the railroad tie plate in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a front cutaway view of the railroad tie plate in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, corresponding to view C as indicated in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a front cutaway view of the railroad tie plate in accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, with a rail seated thereon, corresponding to view C as indicated in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to FIG. 1-FIG. 8, according to an embodiment, tie plate 10 has a form of a generally prism of length L, width W, and thickness T. Tie plate 10 extends in width dimension W between field side 104 and gauge side 106. Field side 104 is to be installed on the field side (toward the outside) of a railroad track. Gauge side 106 is to be installed on the gauge side (toward the space between the rails) of a railroad track.

Tie plate 10 includes intermediate portion 110, field side flange 140, and gauge side flange 160. Intermediate portion 110 includes rail seat 112 on which a railroad rail 20 (shown in FIG. 9) may be seated. The lengthwise dimension of the rail, extending in the direction of travel of a train along the rail, is oriented along lengthwise dimension L of tie plate 10. A railroad tie (sleeper) may abut bottom surface 102 when tie plate 10 is installed. In some embodiments, an intermediate substrate, such as a pad or spacer, may be interposed between bottom surface 102 and a railroad tie (sleeper) when tie plate 10 is installed. An overall length of tie plate 10 may be from 6 to 9 inches, e.g., approximately

$7 \frac{3}{4}$

inches; an overall width of tie plate 10 may be from 12 to 16 inches, e.g., approximately 14 inches; and an overall height of tie plate 10 in the thickness direction may be from 1.5 inches to 2.5 inches, e.g., approximately 2 inches. A width of field side flange 140 may be from 2 inches to 5 inches, e.g., approximately

$3 \frac{9}{16}$

inches; a width or intermediate portion 110 may be from 5 inches to 7 inches, e.g., approximately 6 1/16 inches; and a width of gauge side flange 160 may be from 3 inches to 6 inches, e.g., approximately

$4 \frac{3}{8}$

inches.

Rail seat 112 may have a surface corresponding in shape to a bottom surface of a rail 20 to be seated thereon. In some embodiments, rail seat 112 may be substantially flat. In other embodiments, rail seat 112 may have a curvature. In some embodiments, rail seat 112 may be canted at an angle sloping from the field side (outside) toward the gauge side (inside) along the width dimension W. In an embodiment, rail seat 112 may be canted at a ratio of 1:40. In other embodiment, the gauge side (inside) of the rail seat 112 may be thicker than the field side (outside) of the rail seat 112 by about ⅛ inches to 3/16 inches, e.g., approximately 5/32 inches. As an 7 example, a thickness of the gauge side (inside) of the rail seat 112 may be approximately ⅞ inches, and a thickness of the field side (outside) of the rail seat 112 may be approximately 23/32 inches. When installed between rail 20 and a railroad tie (sleeper), an embodiment may cause rail 20 resting on rail seat 112 to be angled toward the field side (outside) of the railroad track.

Various embodiments of tie plate 10 may be dimensioned to accommodate a rail flange of width between 5 inches and 7 inches. Particular embodiments may be dimensioned for use with 6-inch rail. Other embodiments may be dimensioned for use with 5.5 inches rail. Still other embodiments may be dimensioned for use with 100-8 base rail.

Flange 140 is on the field side (outside) along the width direction W of tie plate 10. Flange 140 may be referred to as “field side flange.” Flange 160 is on the gauge side (inside) along the width direction W of tie plate 10. Flange 160 may be referred to as “gauge side flange.” Each of flanges 140 and 160 may include one or more spike holes 114. Spike holes 114 may have a generally rectangular shape, for instance a square shape, to accommodate railroad spikes to be driven through each spike hole 114 into a railroad tie (sleeper).

In some embodiments, each of flanges 140 and 160 may include one or more screw hole (not shown) as substitute or supplement to spike holes 114. Screw holes may have a generally circular shape to accommodate railroad screws to be driven through each screw hole into a railroad tie (sleeper). In some embodiments only spikes or only screws may be used. In other embodiments both spikes and screws may be used. In some embodiments spikes may be inserted through spike holes 114 as an initial means of fixing tie plate 10 to a railroad tie (sleeper) and screws may be inserted later in a subsequent securing step. Insertion and tightening of one or more spikes or screws may be accomplished manually or by means of automated machinery in accordance with various embodiments.

Spike holes 114 and screw holes are non-limiting examples of fixing portions. In other embodiments, a fixing portion configured to receive a fixing device for securing a tie plate to a railroad tie may include one or more of a hole, a slot, a groove, a cavity, a peg, or any other form adapted to interface with a fixing device for securing the tie plate to a railroad tie.

Railroad spikes and screws are non-limiting examples of fixing devices. Consistent with various embodiments, a fixing device for securing a tie plate to a railroad tie may include one or more of a spike, a screw, a pin, a staple, a wedge, or any other form adapted to interface with a fixing portion and a railroad tie, to secure the tie plate to the railroad tie.

Spike holes 114 may have side lengths from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, e.g., approximately 11/16 inches and screw holes may have diameters from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, e.g., approximately 1 inch.

Field side flange 140 may have a thickness at field side 104 from 0.25 inches to 1 inch, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches and gauge side flange 160 may have a thickness at gauge side 106 from 0.25 inches to 1 inch, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches. According to some embodiments, field side flange 140 may have a uniform thickness t1. In other embodiments, flange 140 may have a variable thickness. According to some embodiments, gauge side flange 160 may have a uniform thickness t2. In other embodiments, flange 160 may have a variable thickness. In some embodiments, thickness t1 may be substantially equal to thickness t2. In other embodiments, thickness t1 may differ from thickness t2.

According to some embodiments, field side face 104 may be essentially vertical, forming a stepped edge. In some embodiments, gauge side face 106 may be essentially vertical, forming a stepped edge. In other embodiments, side faces 104, 106 may be sloped.

In accordance with various embodiments, field side flange 140 may include flat surface 141 extending along field side 104 between a first edge 108a and a second edge 108b along the length dimension L. In accordance with various embodiments, gauge side flange 160 may include flat surface 161 extending along gauge side 106 between the first edge 108a and the second edge 108b.

Still referring to FIG. 1, field side flange 140 may include field side shoulder 144 extending upward from flange 140 in thickness dimension T. The word “upward” as used herein means “away from the bottom surface 102.”

The field side shoulder 144 may further include a field side rib 148 further extending upward in thickness dimension T from field side shoulder 144.

The rib 148 may have a higher inclination than other portion of the shoulder 144. As shown in FIG. 2, between an inclined upper surface of the rib 148 and an upper surface of the other portion of the shoulder 144, there may be a curved surface with a radius r4 from 0.75 inches to 1.25 inches, e.g., approximately 1 inch. The interface between the top of the rib 148 and the inclined upper surface of the rib 148 may be a curved surface with a radius r5 from ⅜ inches to 0.5 inches, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches.

Field side rib 148 may include a lateral wall 148a extending upward from the rail seat 112 in the thickness dimension T and extending along lengthwise dimension L from the first edge 108a to the second edge 108b.

The lateral wall 148a may provide support to a field side (outside) edge of railroad rail 20 (FIG. 9) when railroad rail 20 is seated on rail seat 112.

Field side shoulder 144 may extend from 1/16 inches to 0.75 inches, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches in the thickness dimension T.

Field side rib 148 may extend from 0.125 inches to 0.75 inches, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches in the thickness dimension T.

Lateral wall 148a may have a height from 0.125 inches to 0.75 inches, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches in the thickness dimension T.

Field side flange 140 may further include one or more first holes 146 extending through the railroad tie plate in the thickness dimension T.

First holes 146 may extend through the field side shoulder 144 in the thickness dimension.

In further non-limiting embodiments, the first holes 146 may extend through the field side rib 148 in the thickness dimension. As shown in FIG. 1, the first holes 146 may cut the lateral wall 148a. As shown in FIG. 6, the first holes 146 may have a side overlapping the lateral wall 148a.

The first hole 146 may have the same or similar shape and the same or similar size as the spike holes 114. In other words, the first hole 146 may have a generally rectangular shape, for instance a square shape, to accommodate a rail spike to be driven through the first hole 146 into a railroad tie (sleeper). First holes 146 may have side lengths from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, e.g., approximately 11/16 inches. When a railroad rail 20 is seated on rail seat 112, a rail spike can be inserted through the first hole 146 and tightened to secure the railroad rail 20 to the rail seat 112. The rail spike to be inserted through the first hole 146 may be the same as the rail spike to be inserted through the spike holes 114.

First hole 146 is a non-limiting example of a first retaining device accommodating portion. In other embodiments, a first retaining device accommodating portion configured to receive a first retaining device configured to secure the railroad rail 20 to the rail seat 112 may include one or more of a hole, a slot, a groove, a cavity, a peg, or any other form adapted to interface with a first retaining device for securing the railroad rail 20 to the rail seat 112. Rail spike is a non-limiting example of first retaining device. Consistent with various embodiments, a first retaining device for securing a railroad rail 20 to a rail seat 112 may include one or more of a spike, a screw, a pin, a staple, a wedge, or any other form adapted to interface with a fixing portion and a railroad tie, to secure the railroad rail 20 to the rail seat 112. The first retaining device is not a monolithic part of the tie plate 10.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there is one first hole 146.

In various non-limiting embodiments, a distance between a center of a first hole 146 and the first edge 108a is from 2 inches to

$2 \frac{1}{4}$

inches, e.g., approximately

$2 \frac{1}{8}$

inches.

As shown in FIG. 1, the field side flange 140 further includes a fixed retainer 142 overhanging the rail seat 112. The fixed retainer 142 is a monolithic part of the tie plate 10, and extends in the thickness dimension T away from the bottom surface of the tie plate 10 and toward the gauge side.

In various non-limiting embodiments, the fixed retainer 142 extends from the field side shoulder 144. In various non-limiting embodiments, the fixed retainer 142 extends from the field side rib 148.

The fixed retainer 142 is configured to prevent the railroad rail 20 from moving in the thickness dimension T. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixed retainer 142 may have a shape of a hook. As shown in FIG. 9, when a railroad rail 20 is seated on the rail seat 112, the fixed retainer 142 constrains the movement of the railroad rail 20 in the thickness direction, like a hook.

The fixed retainer 142 can be also configured to prevent the railroad rail 20 from moving toward the field side.

The fixed retainer 142 is configured to engage a foot 202 of the railroad rail 20, as shown in FIG. 9.

The fixed retainer 142 may have a surface 142b facing the rail seat 112, and the surface 142b facing the rail seat 112 conforms to a surface of a foot 202 of the railroad rail 20.

In other embodiments, the surface 142b facing the rail seat 112 may have a higher inclination than the inclination of the rail seat 112, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, surface 142b may extend from the upper end of the lateral wall 148a. Between the lateral wall 148a and the surface 142b, there may be a curved surface with a radius of r3 from ⅜ inches to 0.5 inches, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches.

The upper surface of the fixed retainer 142 may include a first inclined surface f1, a first curved surface with a radius of r1, a second inclined surface f2 and a second curved surface with a radius of r2.

The first inclined surface f1 may have an approximate or identical inclination of the surface 142b. The second inclined surface f2 may have an inclination much higher than any of the rail seat 112, the surface 142b, the first inclined surface f1 and the inclined upper surface of the rib 148.

The first curved surface r1 may be arranged between the first inclined surface f1 and the second inclined surface f2. Radius r1 may be from 0.5 inches to ⅝ inches, e.g., approximately 9/16 inches.

And the second curved surface r2 may be arranged between the second inclined surface f2 and the upper surface of the other portion of the shoulder 144. Radius r2 may be from 0.5 inches to ¾ inches, e.g., approximately ⅝ inches.

In various non-limiting embodiments, the fixed retainer 142 overhangs the rail seat 112 by at least one tenth of a width of the rail seat 112 along the width dimension W.

A portion of the fixed retainer 142 overhanging the rail seat 112 may have a width from 0.75 inches to 1 inch, e.g., approximately ⅞ inches.

The fixed retainer 142 may include a lateral wall 142a extending upward in the thickness dimension T and extending along lengthwise dimension L. The lateral wall 142a may have a height from 0.25 inches to 0.75 inches, e.g., approximately 0.5 inches in the thickness dimension T.

A lower edge of the lateral wall 142a may have a height with respect to the rail seat 112 in the thickness dimension T from 0.5 inches to 1 inch, e.g., approximately 0.75 inches.

In various non-limiting embodiments, the fixed retainer 142 is not coextensive with either side of the tie plate 10 in a length dimension L of the tie plate 10.

In various non-limiting embodiments, a ratio of a length of the fixed retainer 142 along a length dimension to a length of the tie plate 10 along the length dimension is in a range of 0.2 to 0.5.

The fixed retainer 142 may have a length from 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches, e.g., approximately 3 inches in the length dimension L, a width from 1.5 to 2.5 inches, e.g., approximately

$2 \frac{1}{3 2}$

inches in the width dimension W, and a height from 1 inch to 1.5 inches, e.g., approximately

$1 \frac{1}{4}$

inches in the thickness dimension T.

In various non-limiting embodiments, the fixed retainer 142 and the first hole 146 (or the first retaining device accommodating portion) are arranged along a length dimension L of the tie plate 10.

In various non-limiting embodiments, the fixed retainer 142 and the first holes 146 (or the first retaining device accommodating portion) are spaced apart along the length dimension of the tie plate 10.

In various non-limiting embodiments, a distance between a center of the fixed retainer 142 and the second edge 108b is from 2 inches to

$2 \frac{1}{4},$

e.g., approximately

$2 \frac{1}{8}$

inches.

In various non-limiting embodiments, a distance between the center of the fixed retainer 142 and the center of the first hole 146 is from 3 inches to 4 inches, e.g., approximately

$3 \frac{1}{2}$

inches.

In various non-limiting embodiments, a distance between the first edge 108a and a side of the fixed retainer 142 near the first edge 108a in the length dimension L is from 0.5 inches to 0.75 inches, e.g., approximately ⅝ inches.

In various non-limiting embodiments, a distance between a side of the fixed retainer 142 far from the first edge 108a and an adjacent side of the first hole 146 in the length dimension L is from 1 inch to 2 inches, e.g., approximately

$1 \frac{5}{8}$

inches. When a rail spike (not shown) is inserted into the first hole 146 and tightened, a distance between an edge of the rail spike and the side of the first hole 146 in the length dimension L may be from 1 inch to 1.5 inches, e.g., approximately

$1 \frac{11}{32}$

inches.

In various non-limiting embodiments, a distance between the field side 104 and the lateral wall 142a of the fixed retainer 142 in the length dimension L is from 4 inches to 5 inches, e.g., approximately

$4 \frac{7}{16}$

inches.

In various non-limiting embodiments, a distance between the field side 104 and a side of the fixed retainer 142 near the field side 104 in the length dimension L is from 2 inches to 3 inches, e.g., approximately

$2 \frac{13}{32}$

inches. Spike holes 114 may be formed between the side of the fixed retainer and field side 104. In various non-limiting embodiments, a distance between a side of the fixed retainer 142 near the field side 104 and an adjacent side of a spike hole 114 formed between the side of the fixed retainer and field side 104 is from 0.75 inches to ⅞ inches, e.g., approximately 13/16 inches.

It could be understood that the fixed retainer 142 should be sufficiently far from the first hole 146 and the spike holes 114 to avoid being hit by a hammer for the spike.

Still referring to FIG. 1, gauge side flange 160 may include gauge side shoulder 164 extending upward from flange 160 in thickness dimension T.

The gauge side shoulder 164 may further include a gauge side rib 168 which further extends upward in thickness dimension T from gauge side shoulder 164.

The rib 168 may have a higher inclination than other portion of the shoulder 164. As shown in FIG. 2, between an inclined upper surface of the rib 168 and an upper surface of the other portion of the shoulder 164, there may be a curved surface with a radius r6 from 1 inch to 1.5 inches, e.g., approximately 1.25 inches. The interface between the top of the rib 168 and the inclined upper surface of the rib 168 may be a curved surface with a radius r7 from ⅜ inches to 0.5 inches, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches.

Gauge side rib 168 may include a lateral wall 168a extending upward from the rail seat 112 in the thickness dimension T and extending along lengthwise dimension L from the first edge 108a to the second edge 108b.

The lateral wall 168a may provide support to a gauge side (inside) edge of a railroad rail 20 (FIG. 9) when the rail 20 is seated on rail seat 112.

Gauge side shoulder 164 may have a thickness identical to the thickness of the field side shoulder 144 in the thickness dimension and extend from 1/16 inches to 0.75 inches, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches in the thickness dimension T.

Gauge side rib 168 may have a thickness identical to the thickness of the field side rib 148 and extend from 0.125 inches to 0.75 inches, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches in the thickness dimension T.

Lateral wall 168a may have a height identical to the height of the lateral wall 148a, and being from 0.125 inches to 0.75 inches, e.g., approximately 7/16 inches in the thickness dimension T.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3, an imaginary line K connecting a pinnacle of field side rib 148 to a pinnacle of gauge side rib 168 has an inclination matching an inclination of rail seat 112. For example, where rail seat 112 is canted at a ratio of 1:40, imaginary line K between ribs 148 and 168 may be parallel to rail seat 112, having a slope corresponding to a 1:40 ratio.

Gauge side flange 160 may further include one or more second holes 166 which extend through the railroad tie plate 10 in the thickness dimension T.

Second holes 166 may extend through the gauge side shoulder 164 in the thickness dimension T.

In further non-limiting embodiments, the second holes 166 may extend through the gauge side rib 168 in the thickness dimension T. As shown in FIG. 1, the second holes 166 may cut the lateral wall 168a. As shown in FIG. 6, the second holes 166 may have a side overlapping the lateral wall 168a.

The second hole 166 may have the same or similar shape and the same or similar size as the spike holes 114. In other words, the second hole 166 may have a generally rectangular shape, for instance a square shape, to accommodate a rail spike to be driven through the second hole 166 into a railroad tie (sleeper). Second holes 166 may have side lengths from 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches, e.g., approximately 11/16 inches. When a railroad rail 20 is seated on rail seat 112, rail spikes can be inserted through the second holes 166 and tightened to secure the railroad rail 20 to the rail seat 112. The rail spikes to be inserted through the second hole 166 may be the same as the rail spike to be inserted through the spike holes 114.

Second hole 166 is a non-limiting example of a second retaining device accommodating portion. In other embodiments, a second retaining device accommodating portion configured to receive a second retaining device configured to secure the railroad rail 20 to the rail seat 112 may include one or more of a hole, a slot, a groove, a cavity, a peg, or any other form adapted to interface with a second retaining device for securing the railroad rail 20 to the rail seat 112. Rail spike is a non-limiting example of second retaining device. Consistent with various embodiments, a second retaining device for securing a railroad rail 20 to a rail seat 112 may include one or more of a spike, a screw, a pin, a staple, a wedge, or any other form adapted to interface with a fixing portion and a railroad tie, to secure the railroad rail to the rail seat 112.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there is two second holes 166.

A distance between a center of a second hole 166 and the first edge 108a may be identical to the distance between the center of the first hole 146 and the first edge 108, and is from 2 inches to

$2 \frac{1}{4},$

e.g., approximately

$2 \frac{1}{8}$

inches.

A distance between a center of another second hole 166 and the second edge 108b may be identical to the distance between the center of the fixed retainer 142 and the first edge 108, and is from 2 inches to

$2 \frac{1}{4},$

e.g., approximately

$2 \frac{1}{8}$

inches.

A distance between the centers of the two second holes 166 may be identical to the distance between the center of the fixed retainer 142 and the center of the first hole 146, and is from 3 inches to 4 inches, e.g., approximately

$3 \frac{1}{2}$

inches.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Features discussed with respect to a particular embodiment are not limited to that embodiment, but may be combined with or substituted for other features of other embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the claims or of other embodiments covered by the claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, define, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public.

Claims

1. A railroad tie plate comprising: a generally prismatic body extending in a width dimension of the railroad tie plate between a field side and a gauge side;a field side flange on the field side, the field side flange extending from a bottom surface of the railroad tie plate in a thickness dimension of the railroad tie plate;a gauge side flange on the gauge side, the gauge side flange extending from the bottom surface of the railroad tie plate in the thickness dimension of the railroad tie plate;an intermediate portion extending between the field side flange and the gauge side flange, the intermediate portion including a rail seat configured to receive a railroad rail;wherein at least one of the field side flange and the gauge side flange comprises a fixing portion configured to receive a fixing device configured to secure the railroad tie plate to a railroad tie;wherein the field side flange comprises a first retaining device accommodating portion configured to receive a first retaining device that secures the railroad rail to the rail seat;wherein the field side flange comprises a fixed retainer that is a monolithic part of the railroad tie plate, the fixed retainer extending in the thickness dimension away from the bottom surface of the railroad tie plate and toward the gauge side, and the fixed retainer overhanging the rail seat; andwherein the fixed retainer is configured to prevent the railroad rail from moving in the thickness dimension.
2. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the fixed retainer is configured to prevent the railroad rail from moving toward the field side.
3. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the fixed retainer is configured to engage a foot of the railroad rail.
4. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the fixed retainer has a surface facing the rail seat and the surface conforms to a surface of a foot of the railroad rail.
5. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the fixed retainer and the first retaining device accommodating portion are arranged along a length dimension of the railroad tie plate.
6. The railroad tie plate of claim 5, wherein the fixed retainer and the first retaining device accommodating portion are spaced apart along the length dimension of the railroad tie plate.
7. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a length of the fixed retainer along a length dimension to a length of the railroad tie plate along the length dimension is in a range of 0.2 to 0.5.
8. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the fixed retainer overhangs the rail seat by at least one tenth of a width of the rail seat along the width dimension.
9. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the fixed retainer is not coextensive with either side of the railroad tie plate in a length dimension of the railroad tie plate.
10. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the first retaining device is not a monolithic part of the railroad tie plate.
11. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the first retaining device accommodating portion is a first hole extending through the railroad tie plate in the thickness dimension and the first retaining device is a rail spike.
12. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the gauge side flange comprises a second retaining device accommodating portion configured to receive a second retaining device that secures the railroad rail to the rail seat.
13. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the fixing portion comprises a hole extending through the railroad tie plate in the thickness dimension of the railroad tie plate.
14. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the field side flange comprises a field side shoulder extending upward from the field side flange in the thickness dimension of the railroad tie plate; wherein the field side shoulder comprises a field side rib further extending in the thickness dimension from the field side shoulder;wherein the field side rib comprises a lateral wall extending from the rail seat in the thickness dimension and extending in a length dimension of the railroad tie plate.
15. The railroad tie plate of claim 14, wherein the fixed retainer extends from the field side rib.
16. The railroad tie plate of claim 14, wherein the first retaining device accommodating portion is a first hole extending through the field side rib in the thickness dimension and the first retaining device is a rail spike.
17. The railroad tie plate of claim 14, wherein the gauge side flange comprises a gauge side shoulder extending upward from the gauge side flange in the thickness dimension of the railroad tie plate; wherein the gauge side shoulder comprises a gauge side rib further extending in the thickness dimension from the gauge side shoulder;wherein the gauge side rib comprises a lateral wall extending from the rail seat in the thickness dimension and extending in a length dimension of the railroad tie plate.
18. The railroad tie plate of claim 17, wherein an inclination of an imaginary line between a pinnacle of the field side rib and a pinnacle of the gauge side rib is equal to an inclination of the rail seat.
19. The railroad tie plate of claim 1, wherein the fixed retainer has a surface facing the rail seat and the surface has a higher inclination than an inclination of the rail seat.

TIE PLATE FOR RAILROAD

Information

Publication Number

Date Filed

Date Published

Inventors

Original Assignees

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract

Description

Claims