Keyway tie
Assigneevoestalpine Nortrak Inc.
InventorsSteven R. Mattson, Scott D. Lesher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tie having a non-linear keyway under the overlying rail to provide support to restrain lateral and longitudinal movement of the rail. A fastening system to hold rails down on a tie comprises a rail plate that may be fastened to the tie within the keyway. The fasteners are protected to avoid damage in case of a derailment or other adverse conditions. Also disclosed are visual inspection mechanisms to assist with determining whether a fastening system is securely attached to the tie.
Claims38
A railway tie having an upper surface to support a rail crossing a longitudinal axis of said tie, said rail being supported on an upper surface of a rail plate, comprising:
- at least one keyway in said railway tie upper surface;
- wherein a protrusion on a lower surface of said rail plate is accommodated within said keyway, and interaction between said protrusion and said keyway restrains said rail and said rail plate from moving along said longitudinal axis and transverse said longitudinal axis.
A fastening assembly for a railway tie to secure a rail to said tie, said fastening assembly comprising:
- a rail plate having an upper surface and an opposed lower surface;
- shoulders on said rail plate upper surface to define a rail seat therebetween, said rail seat being configured to accommodate a base of said rail and said shoulders being configured to accommodate rail fasteners to hold said rail in said rail seat;
- a rail seat pad configured to rest between said rail seat and said rail;
- at least one recess within said rail plate to accommodate a fastener configured to secure said rail plate to said tie;
- and
- a cover configured to overlay an upper portion of said fastener, said cover comprising at least one protrusion from an underside of said rail seat pad.
An inspection apparatus to indicate whether a rail plate is secured to a railway tie, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one protrusion on an upper surface of said tie;
- and
- at least one aperture on said rail plate, said aperture being aligned with said protrusion such that installation of said rail plate on said tie allows said protrusion to extend through said aperture and be visible above an upper surface of said rail plate;
- wherein misalignment of said rail plate and said tie will result in said protrusion receding from said aperture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.