Rail anchoring spike
AssigneeLewis Bolt & Nut Company
InventorsDavid Oram, David Michael Barry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved fastener for attaching metal to wood is described. The fastener is particularly suited for use as a railroad spike for attaching a metal rail to a wooden tie. The improved spike is adapted for installation by either driving or screwing the spike into the tie. A plurality of flutes are adapted to engage with the tie, thereby preventing loosening of the spike. The spike may be used with or without a metal boss or fishplate to secure a metal rail to a wooden tie.
Claims36
A metal to wood fastening spike, comprising:
- (a) a head having an first and second annular flanges;
- (b) a stand-off extending axially from said second flange;
- (c) a plurality of flutes extending axially from said stand-off, said flutes being adapted to engage wood;
- said stand-off having a length adapted to ensure that said flutes are at least partially embedded in wood when said spike is used to fasten metal to wood;
- and
- (d) a shank extending axially from said flutes to form a tapered tip, said shank further comprising a plurality of helical, generally parallel threads extending over at least a portion of said shank, running from said flutes to said tip.
A railroad track assembly comprising a metal rail, a wooden tie, a metal tie plate adapted to engage said rail, and a spike driven into said tie, said spike adapted to fasten said tie plate and said rail to said tie, said spike further comprising:
- (a) a head having first and second annular flange;
- (b) a stand-off extending axially from said second flange;
- (c) a plurality of flutes extending axially from said stand-off, said flutes being adapted to engage wood;
- said stand-off having a length adapted to ensure that said flutes are at least partially embedded in said tie when said spike is used to fasten said tie plate to said tie;
- and
- (d) a shank extending axially from said flutes to form a tapered tip, said shank further comprising a plurality of helical, generally parallel threads extending over at least a portion of said shank, running from said flutes to said tip.
A method of using a railroad spike, comprising:
- (a) providing a railroad spike comprising a head having first and second annular flanges, a stand-off extending axially from said second flange, a plurality of flutes extending axially from said stand-off, and a shank extending axially from said flutes to form a tapered tip, said shank further comprising a plurality of helical, generally parallel threads extending over at least a portion of said shank running from said flutes to said tip;
- (b) providing a wooden tie, a metal rail, and a fishplate adapted to engage with said rail and said tie;
- and
- (c) driving said spike into said tie until said flutes are at least partially embedded in said tie, and said fishplate is engaged with said rail.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.