Method and apparatus for electrically isolating a rail in a precast concrete grade crossing
AssigneePacific International Pipe Enterprises, Inc.
InventorBenjamin Wabnitz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A precast concrete grade crossing includes a plurality of base members, each of which has a central recess formed in the upper surface thereof. A pair of rails are each encased by a rubber boot which extends through the crossing in a single continuous piece. The boot-encased members are received in the recess which includes a shoulder along the outer side of each rail. The shoulder bears against a lip of the boot which extends upwardly to along outer side of the head of the rail to prevent moisture from entering the space between the boot and the rail below the shoulder.
Claims14
A method for electrically isolating a rail in a precast concrete grade crossing having a base member formed with a central recess, said central recess having parallel walls formed to conform generally to the outer surface of a rail, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a boot formed from substantially planar elastomeric material molded to conform to a substantial portion of the surface of said rail:
- encasing a rail having a base portion, a web portion and a head portion in said elastomeric boot which extends from said base portion to cover substantially all of the outer surface of said head portion when said rail is so encased;
- positioning the boot-encased rail in the central recess of the precast base member with the outer surface of the rail being directed toward one of the walls of the central recess;
- pinching a substantially planar portion of the boot between a substantially vertical surface formed on said one wall of the central recess and an outer substantially vertical surface of the head portion until the boot is in sealing engagement with said head portion;
- and
- maintaining the boot-encased rail in such sealing engagement.
Apparatus for electrically isolating a rail in a precast concrete grade crossing, said apparatus comprising:
- a precast concrete base member formed with a central recess, said central recess having parallel walls formed to conform generally to the outer surface of a rail;
- a rail having a base portion, a web portion and a head portion;
- an elastomeric boot encasing said rail and extending from said base portion to cover substantially all of the outer surface of said head portion, said boot being formed from substantially planar elastomeric material molded to conform to a substantial portion of the surface of said rail;
- and
- a substantially vertical surface formed on one of said parallel walls, said vertical surface being opposite a substantially vertical surface formed on the outer surface of the head when the rail is forced against said one wall of the central recess;
- and
- a space defined between said vertical wall surface and said vertical head surface and being sized to pinch said boot between said vertical wall surface and said vertical head surface when the boot-encased rail is forced against said one wall of the central recess.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.