US1612755A

US1612755A - Rail clamp

Info

Publication number: US1612755A
Application number: US45431A
Authority: US
Inventors: Earnest F Thorp
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1925-07-22
Filing date: 1925-07-22
Publication date: 1926-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 1943-12-28

Description

E. F. THORP RAIL CLAMP Dec. 2s, 192s. 1,612,755

Filed J uly 22"I 1925 Y BY Patented Dec. 2S, i923.

EARNEST F. THOR?, OF BGNO, ARKANSAS.

RAIL CLAMP.

Application filed July 22,

My invention relates to improvements in rail clamps tor use in connection with the track rails et' railway tracks; and the object thereof is to provide, in a. manner as hereinat'ter set forth, a track rail clamp to prevent the rails et a railway track trom spreading and for holding the rails of the track in gauge thereby reducing the possibility ot accidents, due to spreading rails, to a minimum.

Further objects of t-he invention are toprovide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a rail clamp which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable,acting not only as a means to prevent the spreading et the rails but as a bracingl device therefor, thoroughly ei'icixent in its use, conveniently installed with respect to the rails of a' railway track, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

lilith the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which tall within the scope oi the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a railway track, showing the adaptation thereto of a rail clamp in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a iragn'ientary view in top plan of a railway track, showing the adaptation thereto ot a rail clamp in accordance with this invention.

Figure 3 is a side view ot the combined holder, guide and abutment element.l

Iligurt-i 4 is a top plan view oi" a combined brace and clamping member.

Figure 5 is Aa side view ot a combined brace and clamping member.

Figure G is a top plan view et the upper brace member.

Referring to the drawings in detail 1 and 2 indicate the rails of a track and which are mounted upon ties 3. The rails 1 and 2 are tiredly secured to the ties by spikes 4.

A rail clamp in accordance with this invention is arranged between apair et' ties 3 and is disposed transversely with respect to the 1925. Serial No. 45,4531.

track. rl'he rail clamp includes a pair of oppositely disposed combined brace and clamping members referred to generally by the reference characters 5, 6, a pair oi' upper brace members referred to generally by the reference character 7, 8 a combined holder, guide and abutment element ormember referred to generally by the reference character 9, a turn buckle 10, a pair ot clamping nuts 11 associated with the member 5, a pair ot' clamping nuts 12 associated with the member 6, a connecting device 13 between the members 5 and 7 and a connecting device 14 between the members 6 and 3.

The combined brace and clamping members are oppositely disposed with respect to each other, and as they are of the same construction, but one will be described, as the description of one will apply to the other. l/Vith reference to Figures 4 and 5, each combined brace and clamping member, comprises a fiat bar 14 or" substantial length having a tapered rear portion 15 which merges into a peripherally threaded cylindrical shank 16 arranged at the inner end ot the combined brace and clamping member. rEhe outer end et the bar 14 terminates in an overhanging clampingl head 17 which 'eX- tends inwardly with respect to the bar 14 and is spaced therefrom as at 18 to provide a pocket. The top of the head 17 is formed with a seat 19 and a shoulder 20. The track rail is mounted upon the outer end of the bar 14 and the outer side et' the base 21 thereoi is extended into the pocket 18. The inner side ot the head abuts against the outer 'tace oit the web 22 of the track rail and the seat 19 of the head 17 is positioned against the outer side et' the lower Ytace ot the ball or head 23 of the track rail. The shoulder 2() abuts against the outer side edge ot' the head or ball 23 ot the track rail. rilhe bar 14 is formed in proximity to the tapered port-ion 15 ot the combined brace and clamping meniber with a lengthwise extending slot 24.

As the upper brace members 7 and 3 are ot like construction, but one will be described, as the description ot one will apply to the other. The upper brace members are oppositely disposed with respect te each other and each consists ot a bar 2V, having the major portion of its length dat and square in cross section. The outer end terminal portion of the bar 29 is disposed at an upward inclination, as indicated at 26 and which is adapted to abut against the inner tace et the web 22 of the track rail and seat upon the upper face of the inner side of the base 21 of the track rail. The inner end of the bar 25, centrally thereof, is formed With a polygonal shaped lug 27 for a purpose to be presently referred to. The bar 25 intermediate` its ends is formed With a lengthwise extending slot 28, Which when the bar is in bracing` position, is arranged in alinement With the slot 24 of a combined brace and clamping member.

he combined holder, guide and abutment member or element is of U-shaped contour and it includes a base 29, a pair of upstanding arms 30, 3l. Each of said arms is formed near its lower end with an opening 32 and on its outer face in proximity to its upper' end with a pocket 33. Each arm at its upper end is formed with a right angularly disposed flange SellVhen the rail clamp is mounted in coupling position, as well as bracing position, with respect to the track rails l and 2, the combined bracing and clamping members 5, 6 are arranged to extend in opposite directions and with the shanks 16 thereof extended tlnough the openings 32 formed in the arms 30, 3l. The clamping heads i7 are positioned against and exteriorly with respect to the track rails l and 2. rThe element 9 is arranged centrally of the track bed and after the shanks 16 have been eX- tendcd therethrough into the turn-buckle, the latter' is adjusted so that the heads 17 of the members 5, 6 will be tightly clamped against the track rails l and 2. After the members 5 and 6 have been set in the desired position, the pairs of clamping nuts ll, l2 are adjusted so that one of each pair will abut against the inner face of an arm of the member 9, see Figure l. Before the members 5 and 6 are tightly clamped in position, the upper brace members 7 and 8 are arranged in superposed relation with respect to the members 5, 6, the lugs 27 are mounted in the pockets BSand the inclined outer ends of the members 7 and 8 are positioned against the Webs of the track rails. rlhe members 5, 6, 7 and 8 are then tightly clamped against the track rails and the members 7 and S brought in tight abutting engagement with the arms of the member 9. After the parts are in the position as shown, the connecting devices 13 and la, each of which consists of a headed bolt and a nut, are extended through the alining slots 2a, 28 and the members 5 and 6 are tightly connected to the braces 7 and 8. The slots 24- and'28 provide for adjustment when desired7 to enable the connectingrdevice to be mounted in position.

It is thought that the many advantages of a rail clamp, in accordance with this invention and for the purpose set forth, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, vet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which Will fall Within the scope of the. invention as claimed.

.VVha-t l claim is l. A rail clamp comprising a combined holder, guide and abutment member of U- shape'd contour, a pair of oppositely disposed combined brace and clamping members adapted to be held in clamping engagement with respect to a pair of track rails and having` their inner ends extending through the arms of said abutment member, a pair of oppositely disposed upper braces for interposition between said abutment member and the pair of track rails. and means engaging with the inner ends of said brace members, Within said abutment member, for maintaining sai-d brace members in clamping engagement with the track rails and further for maintaining` said braces in abutting position with respect to the track rails and said abutment member.

2. A rail clamp according to claim l having the inner ends of the upper braces provided ifvith means for seating in the arms of said abutment member.

3. A rail clamp according` to claim l having a pair of connecting devices, one of the connecting devices connecting an upper brace to a combined brace and clamping member and the other of said connecting devices connecting the other upper brace to the other combined brace and clamping member, said braces and combined brace and clamping members provided with registering slots for the passage of said connecting devices.

t. A rail clamp according to claim l having the inner ends of said upper braces orovided With means for seating in the arms of said abutment member, and with the arms of said abutment member provided ivith means for overlapping the top of the upper braces at the inner ends thereof.