US1606440A - Rail brace - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 9 1926.

J. G. MUELLER RAIL BRACE Jrw wcr MUELLER,

JEHN (5,

Filed Jan. 22, 1926 01mm K Patented Non. 9, 1926.

srares I ll i'ggt JOHN G. nuntnnn, or'n'nrron, onto.

RAIL BBACE.

Application filed January 22, 1926. Serial No. 82,927.

My invention relates to rail braces and in particular to a brace for preventing the spreading of rails.

It is the object of my invention to provide a unitary, detachable, assembled brace to prevent the spreading of rails, adapted to be associated with the usual retaining spikes which retain the rails from moving inwardly, and further adapted to be associated with and between the customary supportmg ties for the rails.

In particular it is my object to provide a clamp or engaging member for the rail which has a universal jaw for receiving the three st ndard sizes of rails.

It is another important object of my invention to provide a base plate which extends completely from side to side beneath the base of the rail, providing a continuous broad bearing surface for receiving the upset strains and the strains of spreading which are imparted to the rails by the load thereon. It is a further object to provide the supporting tie rod directly beneath the plate portion and closely fitting therewith to prevent movement therebetween.

It is my object to provide means to adjust the position of saidclamping members on either side of the rails with respect to the independent spikes engaging the separated rails in order that the rails may be suitably maintained in position with respect to one another and clamped between the respective spikes and the associated clamping members of my invention.

Referring to the drawings Figure l is a section across a track with the rails in section, showing a typical installation of my equipment for preventing the spreading of rails with one of the rail clamps in section;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 looking outwardly at the inside of one of the rails with the tie rod in section;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of my rail clamp;

Figure at is an inside end elevation of my rail clamp;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3 of my rail clamp.

Referring to the drawings in detail, 1 designates the usual railroad tie upon which are mounted rails 2 having base flanges 3. The inner flanges of these rails are engaged by the usual spikes 4. Between the ties and extending from rail to rail is arranged my rail brace which consists of a tie rod 5 threaded at elther end as at 6 and carrymg thereon 'washers 7 and nuts 8. Mounted on the op-- posite ends of this tie rod are my clamps conslsting of a closely fitting sleeve portion '9 terminating in an enlarged head portion 10 which consists o1 an annular rib forming a broad bearing plate for the washer 7 and the nut 8. The top of this tubular portion 9 is completely closed by a transverse fiat plate 11 upon which the base 3 of the rail rests. It will be noted that this plate is Wedge shaped. It extends from one margin of the base flange 3 to the other, thereby completely spanning the flange. On the outside of the plate is an upwardly and inwardly projecting hook portion 12 which has a broad bearing end 13which rests upon the upper surface of the base 3 of the rail. The space 1% between the flat surface of the plate 11 and the angular surface of the hook 12 is of such size and taper that rails of varying width of base flange 3 are accommodated therein so that I may employ a standard clamping member in my rail brace.

It will be noted that this hook 12 has a hollow arch-shaped construction, thereby imparting to it great strength.

It will be further noted that reinforcing flanges or braces 15 extend from the walls of the tubular portion 9 upwardly to the plate portion 11.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as may be necessary to adapt it to varying conditions and uses.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In combination, in a rail brace, a tie rod, retaining members for said rails slidably mounted on the ends of said tie rod, nuts on the end of said rod for engagement with the ends of said retaining members, said retaining members consisting of closely engaging tubular portions, rail engaging base plate portions and hook portions for engaging the outside edge and top of said rail, said hook portions consisting of arch shaped members having fiat end and lateral engaging portions.

2. A rail engaging member for use in a rail brace consisting of a tubular portion, a plate portion mounted thereon, a hook portion mounted on the end thereof extending over said plate portion but separated therefrom, said plate portion being adapted to extend the complete width beneath the base of a rail, and said hook portion being adapted to extend a lesser distance than the base plate portion, both of said hook and base plate portions being tapered from one end of the tubular portion inwardly toward the other end.

3. A rail engaging member for use in a rail brace consisting of a tubular portion,

a plate portion mounted thereon, a hook portion mounted, on the end thereof extending over said plate portion but separated therefrom, said plate portion being adapted to extend the complete width beneath the base of a rail, and said hook portion being adapted to extend a lesser distance than the base plate portion, both of said hook and base plate portions being tapered from one end of the tubular port-ion inwardly toward the other end, and an annular rib on said tubular portion adapted to support said plate portion.

4. The combination, in a rail brace, of a member having a tubular portion fitting on a rail brace rod, a plate portion mounted thereon and a hook portion connected toone end thereof extending above said plate portion having the margins of said hook portion extending upwardly and outwardly, said hook portion having its outer end parallel with said plate portion and the interior of the hook portion formed in an arch to impart strength thereto.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

JOHN G. MUELLER.

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