Moveable point frog friction-reducing assembly
OwnerBradley Gene Smith, Brent Alan Duffner +1inventors
InventorsBradley Gene Smith, Brent Alan Duffner, Derek Stephen Cameron
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A solution is disclosed comprising a moveable point frog friction-reducing assembly configured for installation at or near a moveable point frog (also referred to as a swing nose crossing). In one aspect, the moveable point frog friction-reducing assembly is configured to use a plurality of roller assemblies to reduce friction. In another aspect, the moveable point frog friction-reducing assembly is configured to use a sliding block to reduce friction. Some of the many benefits of the disclosed solution are to increase the operational life of a moveable point frog, reduce the maintenance costs of a moveable point frog, and to protect property, and more importantly human lives.
Claims13
A moveable point frog friction-reducing assembly configured for installation at or near a moveable point frog, the moveable point frog friction-reducing assembly comprising:
- a first base plate assembly;
- a first wing clamp, the first wing clamp being operatively connected at the first base plate assembly;
- a second wing clamp, the second wing clamp being operatively connected at the first base plate assembly;
- a first horizontal tension assembly, the first horizontal tension assembly being operatively connected to the first wing clamp and the second wing clamp;
- a second horizontal tension assembly, the second horizontal tension assembly being operatively connected to the first wing clamp and the second wing clamp;
- a first vertical tension assembly, the first vertical tension assembly being operatively connected to the first wing clamp and the first base plate assembly;
- a second vertical tension assembly, the second vertical tension assembly being operatively connected to the second wing clamp and the first base plate assembly;
- and
- a first friction-reducing assembly, the first friction-reducing assembly being operatively connected to the first base plate assembly.
A sliding assembly configured for installation in a moveable point frog friction-reducing assembly, the sliding assembly comprising:
- a slide block being comprised of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (“UHMWPE” high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), low-density polyethylene (“LDPE”), polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”), acetal plastic, or a combination thereof, the slide block further comprising:
- a ramp, the ramp being disposed about a perimeter of a plurality of dorsal surfaces of the slide block;
- and
- a plurality of holes, the plurality of holes being configured to support a plurality of bushings, the plurality of bushings being configured to compress the slide block and cause the plurality of bolts to lock into position when the slide block is installed into a base plate assembly:
- the first plurality of bushings, the first plurality of bushings being disposed in a first plurality of holes within the slide block, respectively;
- and
- a first plurality of bolts, the first plurality of bolts being disposed at a plurality of dorsal surfaces of the first plurality of bushings, respectively, wherein the first plurality of bolts is configured to receive a first plurality of nuts, the first plurality of nuts being configured to secure the first plurality of bolts to a surface of the base plate assembly, further wherein the plurality of dorsal surfaces of the first plurality of bushings is configured to receive the first plurality of bolts at or below the plurality of dorsal surfaces of the slide block.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.