US 6,772,868 B2Granted

Railroad rail-connector assembly

AssigneePan Electric Corporation

InventorRoy K. Warner

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A railroad rail is electrically and mechanically connected to a power conductor by an electrical connector that includes a first connector part having a first tail that is bolted to the web of the railroad rail, a socket, and a first opening in the socket. The connector also includes a second connector part having a second tail, a head rotatably received in the socket, and a second opening in the head. The second connector part is rotatable in the socket between an open position, in which the first and second openings are aligned to allow a power conductor to be inserted into the connector, and a clamped position, in which the first and second openings are partially misaligned to clamp the electrical conductor in place. A fastener passes through the first and second tails to hold the second connector part in the clamped position.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A railroad rail-connector assembly comprising:

a railroad rail comprising an upper flange and a lower flange interconnected by a web;
a first connector part comprising a first tail, a socket, and a first opening in the socket;
a second connector part comprising a second tail, a head rotatably received in the socket, and a second opening in the head, said second connector part rotatable in the socket between an open position, in which the first and second openings are aligned, and a clamped position, in which the first and second openings are partially misaligned;
a first fastener mechanically securing one of the tails to the web, thereby electrically coupling the associated connector part to the rail;
a second fastener passing through the first and second tails and operative to hold the second connector part in the clamped position;
wherein said first tail comprises a distal portion that extends beyond said second tail generally parallel to the web adjacent the first fastener, and wherein said first tail further comprises a proximal portion that angles away from the web near an end of said second tail remote from the head.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/241,636Filed 11 Sep 2002 · us provisional application
Priority: 13 Sep 2001
Published: US 2003/0047400 A113 Mar 2003
Granted: 10 Aug 2004
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

H01R 4/40
Utilising a clamping member acted on by screw or nut: pivotable clamping member
B61K 13/00
Auxiliary equipment specially adapted for railways, not otherwise provided for: other auxiliaries
H01R 4/64
Characterised by the form or material of the contacting members: connections between or with conductive parts having primarily a non-electric…
H01R 4/5008
Utilising a cam, wedge, cone or ball also combined with a screw: using rotatable cam