US1536359A - Rail or track clamp - Google Patents

Description

May 5, 1925.-

J. H. STEVENS RAIL OR TRACK CLAMP Filed April 17. 1922 amxwn/hoz I JH5le1/en.s.

Patented May 5, 1925,

mes. I-I. s rnvnns, or SANDTJSKY, 0am.

RAIL on rnaon dean-e Application filed April 17, 1922. Serial No. 553,317.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that JOHN H. S'rnvnivs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sandu sky, in the county ofErie and State of Ohio, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail or Track Clamps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a aw clamp adaptedto be securely clamped to the track portion of a railroad tie, and has for its primary object to provide a rail clamp to be used in connection with steam shovels mounted on railroad tracks.

A further object of my invention is to provide a jaw clamp for railroad rails, that can be quicklyapplied to a rail, and when in position, will act as a chock to prevent backward movement of a steam shovel.

A further object is to provide a rail clamp adapted to be used in all yards and railroad terminals to act as a chock to prevent rail? road cars running beyond a predetermined point.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a clamp of the above described character, which consists of three parts, so that in case one of the parts should become broken, 1t Wlll not be necessary to cast aside the old clamp for a new one, as the broken part can be easily replaced and used with the remaining parts.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a rail clamp of the above described character, that is simple in operation, durable, and efiicient for all purposes intended, and one that can be manufactured and placed on the market at a relatively low cost. 1

These and other objects will be further understood as the description of the invention follows.

The embodiment with which this invention, is shown is in the form of a clamp which is adapted to clamp the headsof a rail on all sides. This clamp is shown in the form of a pair of jaws loosely connected through a vertical slot in one of them, so that when a strain is exerted on one of the jaws it causes them to move towards each other firmly grasping the web of a rail. While it is my intention to make this clamp in all sizes, it is so constructed that the largest clamp will lit the smallest rail, ,in which connection a wedge is used which passes through aligned openings provided in each of the jaws, so that the wedge will not only grip the top of the rail head, but also cause the jaws to approach each other, and more firmly grip the rail web on both sides. The jaws are also provided with openings that aline, through which the wedge can be inserted, so that the wedge will ride crosswise of the rail, instead of parallel with same as I have hereinafter illustrated and described.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like numerals will be used to designate like parts throughout the several views, and

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improved clamp applied to use on arail;

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof; and

Figure 3 is a section therethrough as seen on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the invention shown in the drawing, 1 and 2 represent a pair of jaws which grip the head of a rail 3 and adapted to hold in position a tie or some other member extending across the railroad track, against which the wheels of a car dredge or other car can rest, so that said'car will be held in a fixed position. It has not been deemed necessary to show a tie or other member in the drawings. The clamping member 1 is provided with a shoulder or projection fl, which rests in engagement when in use with a web of a ra-il while the upper portion of the clamp l is provided with a second shoulder 5 adapted to engage a wedge 6 when same is used in connection with the clamping jaws. One of the jaws is approximately U-shaped in cross section, the lower end of same designated by the numeral 7 is adapted to engage the web of a rail adjacent the shoulder 4; of the clamp 1, while the upper portion of same is arcuated and rests firmly on the inclined face of the upper portion of the shoulder 5 of the clamp 1. The clamping jaw 2 is provided with a vertical slot 9 to receive an enlarged portion 10 carried by the shoulder 5 centrally thereof. One of the jaws, in this instance, the jaw 1, is provided with an extension 11, through which is fastened by suitable means a handle 12 so that the device as a whole may be readily lifted, and also that a hook or other connection, not shown, may be readily secured in the handle, thus using the same as an anchor for a tie or hoist rope.

From the foregoing description, it can be readily seen that I have provided a device that is not only efiicient and durable for the purpose specified but the same can be readily used in connection with a hoist for removing and replacing new rails on the railroads. When desiring to use my device for the purpose intended, the jaw member 1 is placed in position, the aw member 2 is then placed on the opposite side of the rail, by passing the same over the handle and extension 11 formed on the clamp 1, said handle and extension passing through the vertical groove 9, and should the clamp be larger than the rail, so that same will not hold securely thereon, a wedge is driven between the aligned openings in the clamping jaws parallel with the rail, or through an opening at right angle to the rail, both of which would cause the jaws l and 7 to firmly grip the web of the rail, thus securely anchoring the clamp in position.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, I realize that minor details may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, therefore, I do not wish to limit myself to the exact details shown or material used, but wish to make such changes as fall within my invention.

What I claim as new for my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the above described character, a pair of substantially U-shaped jaws, one of said jaws provided with an extension on its upper end, a second jaw member provided with a vertical opening, said extension on the first mentioned jaw adapted to extend therethrough, and means for causing the jaws to firmly grasp the web of a rail.

:2. ln a device of the class described, a pair of substantially U-shaped jaws, one of said jaws provided with an extension on its upper end, the other jaw having an elongated slot therein, said extension on the first mentioned jaw extending through said slot forming interfitting clamping jaws, and a wedge associated with said jaws for causing the latter to firmly grip the web of said rail.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN H. STEVENS.

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