Rail fastening device

A method of fastening a rail in position using a rail fastening device having a clip having a front, a rear and opposite sides, the front comprising a forwardly-projecting cap portion adapted for abutment with the rail to be fastened, the rear comprising a body having an elongate aperture extending obliquely forwardly between the opposite sides towards the front of the clip, the elongate aperture having a front side wall and a rear side wall, the rail fastening device further comprising a washer which is slidable along a substantially planar upper surface of the body of the clip surrounding the elongate clip aperture, the washer having an aperture and a side edge formation disposed radially outwardly of the aperture, a rear upstanding formation on the clip extending parallel to the elongate aperture, the side edge formation of the washer being engageable with said rear upstanding formation so as to define a pivot axis, the device further comprising an elongated upstanding fastener extending through the aligned apertures of the clip and washer, wherein the washer is rotatable forwardly about said pivot axis into a position in which the front side wall of the elongate clip aperture extends as a chord across the washer aperture, the method comprising:

• positioning the clip adjacent the rail such that the forwardly-projecting cap portion abuts the rail;
• engaging the clip and the washer with an elongate upstanding fastening member extending throught the aligned apertures of the clip and the washer;
• sliding the clip towards the rail and tightening the fastening member by rotating an upper end portion thereof in a tightening direction until it abuts the upper surface of the washer and causes the washer to pivot forwardly across the planar surface of the clip about the pivot axis into a position in which the front side wall of the elongate aperture extends as a chord across the washer aperture.