Track circuit retainer clip

Abstract

A track circuit retainer clip for a running rail adapted to secure a conductor extending perpendicular to the rail around the edge of the base of the rail in close proximity therewith. The clip includes a U-shape spring metal body having upper and lower legs adapted to embrace the edge of the base of the rail. Each leg includes a center section bowed outwardly adapted to embrace the conductor and hold it tightly against the top and bottom of the rail base edge. The legs of the clip include inwardly directed tangs or barbs struck from the edge of the legs, the inwardly projecting tip of each tang being truncated to provide a linear biting edge to engage the top and bottom of the rail base with a line contact extending longitudinally of the rail or normal to the direction of insertion of the clip. In the unstressed form of the clip the truncated edges extend inwardly away from the edges at a slight angle so that as the clip is stressed when driven on the rail base the spring of the center sections brings the truncated biting edges of the tangs into substantially uniform pressure longitudinal line contact with the top and bottom of the rail base.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.