US1649316A - Rail joint - Google Patents

Description

W. T. MASTERS RAIL JOINT Nov. 15, 1927. 1,649,316

Filed Au 1926 INVENTOR.

BY ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES inane PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM '1. MASTERS, OF KHEDIVE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO SMITH A. HOGE, OF RICES LANDING, IPENNSYLVANIA.

v RAIL JOINT.

Application filed August 19, 1926. Serial No. 130,182.

My invention relates to a rail joint and important objects thereof are to provide a rail joint which does not require bolts and nuts to effect its attachment to the rails,

which provides a resilient rail connection permitting of the expansion and contraction of the rails, which may be quickly attached to the rails or removed therefrom, which is strong, durable and efiicient in its use, and

comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details-of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention hereinafter disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed Without departing from the spirit of the invention. I

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rail joint attached to the rail ends and constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Referring in detail to the drawing 1 and 2 respectively denote adjoining rails mounted on the usual tie plate A. Each of the rails 1 and 2 includes the web 3 and base 4. The web 3, of each of the rails 1 and 2, is formed with an elongated opening, respectively indicated at 5 and 6, which are disposed adjacent to the end of the rails.

A pair of associated connecting plates 7 and 8 arearranged along each side of the adjoining rails 1 and 2. The pair of plates 7 and 8 disposed on both sides of the rails 1 and 2 are identical in construction and arrangement, with the exception that they extend in opposite directions relatively to each other.

The plate 7 consists of a vertically disposed portion 9 and a horizontally disposed portion 10, and the plate 8 consists of a vertically disposed portion 11 and a horizontally disposed portion 12. The inner end of the plate 7 overlaps the inner end of the associated plate 8. The plate portions 10 and 12 conform to, overlap, and extend beyond the base 4, of the rails 1 and 2, and

further extend beyond the outer ends of re- 515 spective vertical portions 9 and 11..

A T-bolt 13 is pivot-ally connected adjacent to the inner end of plate portion 11 and extends through an elongated slot 14 formed in the vertical plate portion 9. By shifting the T-bolt 13 so that the head thereof extends vertically as shown in the draw ing, the overlapping plate portions 9 and 11 are detachably clamped together in the locked position.

The outer end of the plate portion 11 is formed with a hook 15, and the outer end of the plate portion 9 is formed with ahook 16. The hook 15 of the plate 8 disposed on one side of the rails 1 and 2, extends into the. slot 5 and engages the-web 3 of the rail 1, whiie the hook 16 of the plate 9 disposed on the other side of the rails 1 and 2, extends into the slot 6 and engages the web 3 of the rail 2. The hooks 16 of the plates 7 extend into respective openings 5 and 6 and overlap the hooks 15, ofthe plates 8, engaged in the rail openings 5 and 6 inthe manner above stated. U

The portion 10 of the plate 7 is provided with a fixed apertured stud 17, and the portion 12 of the plate 8 is provided with a fixed apertured stud 18. A spiral spring 19, having its ends anchored to respective studs 17 i and 18, exerts a pull tending to draw the plates 7 and 8 toward each other to 8d tighten the engagement of hooks 15 and 16 with the rails 1 and 2.

The portion 10, of the plate 7, is formed with a pair of slots 20 and with an elongated slot 21, the latter being disposed adjacent to in the inner end thereof. The portion 12 of the associated plate 8, is likewise formed with a pair of slots 22 and with an elongated. slot 23 disposed adjacent to the inner end thereof. The slot 21 of the plate 7, registers with the slot 23 of the associated overlapped plate 8 and are adapted for the reception of a common securing spike. The slots 20 and 22 are also intended for the passage of securing spikes, which would also extend through suitable elongated apertures formed inthe tie plate A.

A substantially U-shaped flat spring 24 is mounted in each of the rail slots 5 and 6. The spring 24 acts against the hooks 16 of the plates 7 and are auxiliary to the main springs 19 in forcing the associated plates 7 and 8 toward each other to the securing position. 7

It will here be noted that in my improved 110 rail joint. no bolts and nuts are employed, and that none of the securing spikes engage the rails. By this construction the action of the springs 19 and 24, and the provision of.

the elongated spike slots 20, 21, 22 and 23, will allow of the contraction and expansion of the rails 1 and 2 in and with the connect ing plates 7 and 8.

WhatlI claim is:

1. The combination with a pair of adjoining rails provided with openings adjacent to the ends thereof, of a rail joint comprising a pair of associated connecting plates disposed at each side of said adjoining rails, each of said pair of plates formed with a hook engaging in respective openings of said rails, a locking bolt carried by one of each pair of plates and engaging the other of said associated pair of plates for securing said associated pair of plates in position, and a resilient member connected with each of said pair of plates for forcing said pair of associated plates to the securing position.

2. The combination with a pair of adjoining rails provided with openings adjacent to the ends thereof, of a rail joint comprising a pair of associated connecting plates disposed at each side of said adjoining rails, the adjacent. ends of said pair of associated plates overlapping each other each of said pair of plates formed with a hook engaging in respective openings of said rails, a locking bolt shiftably attached to one of each pair of plates and engaging in a slot formed in the other of said associated pair of plates for securing said associated pairs of plates in position, and a spiral spring connected with each of said pairs oi associated plates for forcing said pair of associated plates to the securing position.

3. The combination with a pair of adjoining rails provided with openings adjacent to the ends thereof, of a rail joint comprising a pair of associated connecting plates disposed at each side of said adjoining rails, the adj acent; ends of said pair of associated plates overlapping each other, each of said pair of plates formed with a hook engaging in respective openings of said rails, a locking bolt shiftably attached to one of each pair of plates and engaging in a slot formed in the other of said associated pair of plates for securing said associated pairs of plates in position, a spiral spring connected with each of said pairs of associated plates for forcing said pair of associated plates to the securing position, said pair of plates provided with a plurality of elongated spike apertures, and a substantially U-shaped spring mounted in each of said rail openings and engaging said hooks for maintaining the latter in the securing position in said rail openings, substantially as described and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature.

VILLIAM T. MASTERS.

Images