US1191561A - Railway-crossing. - Google Patents

Description

H. E. BURNS, RAILWAY CROSSING. APPLICATIQN FILED FEB. 17, I916- Iatented. July 18, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

H. E. BURNS.

RAILWAY CROSSING.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-17,1916.

Patented July 18, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. {Zea/card nowann a. minus, or ST. LOUIS, urssouar.

RAILWAY-CROSSING.

' Specification or Letters Patent.

Patented July 18,1916.

Application filed February 17, 1916.. Serial. No. 78,915.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD E. BURNS, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certaln new and useful Improvement in .Railway-Cross' The crossings that are now in general use in rural districts are formed from" heavy planks which are spiked directly to the track ties.

of the type mentioned is that it cannot be taken up and relaid without liability of destroying some or all of the planks that constitute the crossing, owing to the fact that the planks are held in position by large spikes which generally cannot be withdrawn Without splitting or damaging the planks.

As it is necessary to take up some crosslngs frequently to keep the track in repair, and

as one or more of the planks are generally destroyed every time said crossings are taken up, the cost of maintenance of plank crossings is very high. Furthermore, con

siderable time and labor is required to install a plank crossing, and as the planks soon rot or decay, the life of a plank crossing is generally only a few years. Solid concrete crossings are sometimes used at the intersection of a railway track and a pavedn'oad or street, but a solid concrete crossing is "ery expensive to install, and as it forms a hard spot in the track, the track rails are liable to break when they are subjected to the load of a passing train. Attempts have been made to form a permanent crossing, by laying bricks or other hard paving material on the bed of the track, but such crossings have not proved satisfactory on account of the fact that the movement produced in thevbed of the track by a passing train or by a frost causes the bricks or other hard paving material to work loose an break up.

One object of my invention is to provide a railway crossing that is more durable:

than a plank crossing and which is so con- 'structed that it can be taken up and relaid easily and without liability of injuring or destroying the crossing.

- the track One objectionable feature of a crossing Another objectis to provide a permanent railway crossing that will not interfere with the natural wave motion of the track rails or be affected by movement in the bed of produced by a passing train or by afrost.

Another object is to provide a permanent railway crossing that'ca'n be laid directly on the track ties that supportthe rails. And

" still another object is to provide a permanent crossing that can be built and installed at the same cost, or a lower cost, than a plank crossing and which can be taken up and relaid in less time than a plank crossmg.

my invention will be hereinafter pointed out.

Briefly stated, my invention consists in a I I railway crossing composed of a number of durable members combined in such a man? ner that they produce a flexible roadway which is not aflected by movement in the bed of the track or movement of the track rails. The members that constitute the crossing are combined in such a manner that the entire crossing, or a portion of it, can be taken up and relaid quickly, and in the preferred form of my invention, as herein shown, the said members consist .of oblong-shaped bloeks'that are held together Otherobject's and desirablelfeatures of by a means which permits said blocks to move independently of each other sufficiently to impart to the complete crossing a certain degree of flexibility longitudinally of the track and transversely of the track. It is immaterial, so far as my'broad idea is concerned, what the members constituting the crossing are formed of, so long as they are formed of material that is capable of successfully withstanding great wear and hard usage, and while I have herein illustrated several ways of connecting said members together, I wish it to be understood that my invention is not limited to a railway crossing of the particular construction herein illustrated.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a top plan view of a railway crossing constructed in accordance with my invention. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of said crossing, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are transverse sectional views, taken on the lines 33 and 4 -4 of Fig. 1; and Figs. 5 and 6. are transverse sectional views,

' the track ties illustrating slight modifications of my inwithout departing-from the spirit of my The members A are mounted on 1 in parallel relation to the track rails 2 and in transverse alinement with each other,- as shown in Fig. 1, thus forming a number of parallel longitudinal sections, each of which is made up of a plurality of short blocks A. The blocks A are preferably made long enough so that each block will rest upon two track-ties, and the blocks that constitute each separate longitudinal section of the crossing are connected together in such a manner that they can move vertically slightly with relation to each other, but cannot separate or pull apart longitudinally. The various longitudinal sections of the crossing are also preferably connected together in such a manner that said sections cannot separate laterally, and the entire structure is anchored to the. rails or to the track ties so as to prevent it from moving'bodily with relation to the ties on which it rests. convenient way ofronnecting the blocks or members -A constitut1ng one longitudinal invention.

section together is shown lnFig. 1, wherein the reference character 3 designates long rods or bolts, each of which passes through a plurality of blocks A that are arranged in longitudinal alinement with each other, the crossing shown in Fig. 1 comprising seven longitudinal sections, five of which are arranged between the two rails and the remaining sections being arranged outside of the rails. The blocks A are provided with holes 4 through which the rods 3 pass,

and the diameter of the hole 4 in each block great enough to permit the block to move slightly in a vertical direction with reference to the rod 3 that passes through said hole. Consequently, if one or more of the track ties drops slightly, due to displacement of the bedof the track, the blocks or members A that rest on said ties can move downwardly with relation to the remaining blocks A of the crossing. Likewise, if one or more of the track ties move upwardly, due to displacement of the bed of the track, the blocks A supported by said ties will move upwardly with relation to the remaining blocks of the crossing.

- The means shown in Figs. 1 to 4: for tying the various longitudinal sections of the crossing together consists of a plurality of transversely-disposed, bars 5 that are arranged between blocks A and which are provided with open ,shown in Fig. 3, so as in Fig. 1.

One.

from being unsupported at any time.

the abutting ends of the ings 5 through which'the longitudinallydisposed rods 3 pass, the ends of said bars 5 preferably fitting between the heads and the base flanges of the track rails 2, as

to prevent the crossing from moving, bodily upwardly OK the track ties 1. The two longitudinal sections that are arranged outside of the track rails are connected to the portion of the crossing that lies between the rails by means of short bars 6 that pass downwardly underneath the base flanges of the rails, as shown in Fig. 3, said bars 6 having openings for receiving the longitudinally-disposed .bolts 3 that pass through the blocks of the two sections of the crossing that lie adjacent. each of the rails 2. Spacing devices 7, which are preferably formed of wood, are arranged between the ends of the transversely-disposed bars 5, so as parallelrelation, theadvantage of forming the spacing devices 7 from wood being that they can be cut oil easily during the. operation of installing the crossing so that they will fit snugly between the end of a rail joint or angle bar 8 and is arranged adjacent the rail joint, as shown If desired, each of the blocks A may be provided on one of its longitudinal edges with a rib 9 and on its other longitudinal edge with a groove 10, so that when the blocks are arranged in operative position the blocks in the various longitudinal sections of the crossing will be interlocked with each other, but this is not essential to the successful operation of my crossing. s

A crossing of the construction above described is durable and can be used for a long period, as it is made up of members formed from concrete or other suitable material that is capable of successfully withstanding great wear and rough usage. It can be installed easily and it can be taken up and relaid without liability of damaging or destroying any of the members A that make up the crossing; if it becomes necessary to raise one of the rail joints, or repair one portion of the track, this can be accomplished easily by taking up only one or two sections of the crossing, it being possible to remove any section of the crossing by withdrawing the longitudinal rod 3 on which the members A constituting said section are strung. The crossing is flexible enough so that it will not interfere with the natural wave motion of the track rails, and another desirable feature thatresults from this characteristic of the crossing is that all portions of same will rise or fall with the bed of the track, and thus prevent any portion of the crossirig 11 other words, the members A that constitute the crossing are tied together in such a mannor that they cannot pull apart or separate,

the cross bar 5 that rise and fall with the track ties on which of each rail being tied together by cross bars permanent road materials,

said members are free to well adapted for use on a curved track and its cost of maintenance is ve low, on account of the fact that it is bui t up of small unitsthat can be replaced easily.

While I prefer to run a rod or cable through the members that make up one but nevertheless,

they rest, thereby eliminating the possibility' of the crossing being disrupted by an upheaval of the bed ofthe track,or from being broken by a heavy load passing over a portion of the crossin the track had rece ed, as-mightoccur if the essential that the members'constituting each crossing was composed of members'rigidly\.long1Minal section be connected together connected together. 1n thls particular manner, so lon as said- While I prefer to fill the entire space bememb rs are prevented from pulling apart tween the track rails with members A, this endwlse. For example, the members A that is not essential, as a good crossing can be are arranged in transverse alinement with d b arranging twolongitudlnal ti ns each other can be connected together in the in proximity to each rail, as shown in Fig. manner illustrated in Fig. 6, or in any other 5, each longitudinal section being made u su table way, and means can be arranged of a plurality of blocks or members A at the ends of the crosslng to prevent the strung on longitudinally-disposed rods 3 members A fromshlftmg longitudinally of and the two sections on the opposite sides track- The $511116 result Could be 300011!- phshed by coupling the members of .the out- 6 that pass downwardly underneath the base Slde o g t d nal sections together and hold flange f th il i practically th Same ng the 1ntermed1ate longitudmal sectlons manner as the cross bar 6 of the crossing 1n posltlonby means of the cross rod 11 shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the space between the shown 1n Fig. 6. V two inner longitudinal sections being filled When the crossing is made very long, one with track ballast, or any other suitable maor more portions of the crossing are conterial. structed in such a manner that they can be In Fig. 6 I have illustrated still another taken up so as to to perm t gi iform of my invention, wherein'the various nally-dlsposed t1e rods or cables 3 to be longitudinal sections of the crossing are tied l h mWn, For example, 1n a long crosstogether by cross bars 11 that pass through eyes in devices 12 which project =downwardly from the undersides of the members A, said devices 12 either passing through holes in said members or being permanently embedded in the members A, if said members are formed from concrete or other plastic material that can be molded into shape. A railway crossing of the construction above described is more durable than a'plank crossing and it can be maintained at a much of a number of members A arranged in transverse alinement with each other and connected by a cross rod 11, as indicated in Fig. 6, the portions of the crossing lying on opposite sides of same being made up in the manner illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. By withdrawing the cross rod 11, one set of blocks A extending transversely of the track could be taken up and thereafter the longitudinal bolts 3 in the other-portions of the from which the bed of longitudinal section of the crossing, it is not ing one portion of same. could be made up lower cost than a plank crossing, ow 1ng to crosslng could be withdrawn. As prethe fact that the entire crossing, or any porviously stated, however, it is immaterial tion of same, can be taken up and relaid how the various members constituting the without liability of injuring or destroying crossing are connected together, so long asthe members that form the crossing; it is they are combined in such a manner that as durable as a solid concrete crossing and they can move sufliciently with relation to can be installed at a much lower cost than a each other to impart more or less flexibility solid concrete crossing, and as it does not to the crossing. v form a hard spot in the track, it does Having thus described my'invention, what not cause the track rails to break. Such a 'I claim, and desire to secure by LettersPatcrossing is also a decided improvement on a cut, is: v brick crossing or crossing composed of other 1. A railway crossing, composed ofanumowing to the fact ber of members loosely connected one with that it is so constructed that displacement of another in such a manner that they are free the bed of the track has absolutely no effect to move slightly in a vertical direction with on the crossing arid it will not disrupt same. relation to each other without separating or A crossing of the character herein illuspulling apart.

trated, when made of concrete blocks, can 2. A railway crossing, composed of a plube manufactured and installed at as low a rality of rigid members connected together cost as a plank crossing, owing to the fact in such amanner that they form a flexible that the labor of installing the crossing roadway whose road surface members are is considerably less than installing a plank free to move relatively, to each other in a crossing; the crossing presents a neat and certain .way without pulling apart.

ornamental appearance; it is particularly 8. A railway crossing, composed of a plurality of rigid stituting the crossing.

members permanently connected one with another in such a manner that they do not interfere with the natural wave motion ofthe track rails.

4. A railway crossing, composed of rality of durable members connectedwlth each other in such a manner that they-form longitudinally-dis 'o'se'd sections, each of which can flex slig tly intermediate the ends of same.

5. A railway crossing, composed of a plurality of durable, rigid members loosely connected together in such a manner that the crossing as an entirety has sufficient flexibility to conform approximately to the bed of the track on which it is mounted without liability of said-members becoming deranged or separated.

6; A railway crossing, composed ofa plurality of members arranged end to end and divided by joints that extend'transversely of the track, each member being connected to the members arranged at the ends of same in such a manner that any member can move slightly in a vertical direction without breaking away from the othermembers con- 7 A railway crossing, composed of a plurality of members divided by joints that extend transversely and longitudinally of the I track, and means that connects one member to the two members arranged at the ends of same and permits said members to move slightly with relation to each other without disruptin the crossing. 1

8. A railway crossing, composed of a plurality of rigid and durable members, certain ones of which are joined directly together 4 and all of which are combined with the road bed in such a manner entirety has suflicient flexibility to prevent 1t from being disrupted by natural movement of the bed of the track.

9. A railway crossing, composedof a plurality of relatively short members, each of which is jointed to the members arranged at same and all of which are comthat prevents the cross the ends of bined with a means ing as an entirety with relation to the track rail.

10. A railway crossing, consi ting of a skeleton-like metal structure and a road surface formed from members that are combined with said structure in such a manner that said members" can move upwardly and downwardly slightly with relation to each other and also with relation to said structure.

11. A railway crossing, composed of a plurality of members that form a roadway over a track, and a skeleton-like metal structure that retains said members. in position vand joins each member to the members hetween which it is arranged.

12. A railway crossing, comprising a plutraclqand means" members one a plurd y I 13. A railway crossing,

.rality the track rail.

the members of each that the crossing as an a *from moving vertically reenter rality of members arranged end to end in a direction p x tending longitudinally of-thev that' directly-j oins said to another and member to move slightly upwar y or downof road surface members having alined holes that extend longitudinally of the track, and a device that passes through said holes and joins, said members together. I

' comprising two 14. A railway crossing, longitudinal sections arranged on opposite sides of one rail of the track andeach com posed of a plurality of members joined together by a. means which permits the section as an entirety to have a certain degree of flexibility, and means for preventing said sectionsfrom movingv laterally, away from 15. A railway crossing, comprising two ermits any comprising a plulongitudinal sections arranged on opposite sides of one rail of the track and each com- I posed of a plurality of comparatively rigid members joined together in. such a manner that the section as, anentirety can flex intermediate its ends, and means that ties said sections together and holds them in proper position with relation to the track rail.

16. last railway crossing, apair of longitudinal' sections arranged on opposite sides of one rail of the track. and each composed ofa plurality ofmembers arranged end to end, rods extending section, and cross bars connected to said rods and passing downwardly beneath the track rails so as to prevent said sections fgom being displaced with reference to said track rails.

17. A railwayg'crssi ng, comprising'a plurality of transyersely disposed bars arranged in engagement rails, longitudinally-disposed rods passing through openings in said bars, and members mounted on said rods between said bars to form a roadway over the track.

18. A railwaycrossing, com rising a plurality of transversely-disposed ars arranged in parallel relation and having their opposite ends fitting between the base flanges and the heads of the track rails, longitudinally-disposed rods that pass through openings in said bars, and members strung on said rods to form a roadway over the track.

19. In a railway cr0ssing,.track ties, a plurality of members mounted on said ties that form a roadway, certain of said members directly together but permits them to move vertically slightly with relation to each other without disrupting the crossing.

20. A railway crossing, rality of ion is composed comprising a plutudinal sections, each of which of a plurality of members longitudinally throughwith the track and means that joins joined together in such a manner-that the section as an entirety is free to flex slightly intermediate its ends, and means that ties said sections together.

21. A railway crossing, comprising a plurality of longitudinal sections, each of which is composed of a plurality of members joined together in such a manner that the section as an'entirety is free to flex slightly intermediate its ends, and means for tying said sections together and for preventing the crossin as an entirety from moving upwardly with relation to the track rails.

22. In a railway crossing, track ties, members resting upon said track ties and separated by joints that extend transversely of the track, and rods extending longitudinally of the track and passing through holes in said members which are of'suflicient diam-' HOWARD E, BURNS.

-. Witnesses:

WELLS L. CHURCH,

GEORGE BAKEWELL.

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