US1815044A - Insulator - Google Patents

Description

Patented July 21, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN D. BEE-BE, 0F AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE B. F. GOODRICH COMPANY, 7

NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK INSULATOR Application filed April 17,

This invention relates to electric or shock insulators and more especially to resilient insulators having cushioning as well as dielectric properties.

The invention is especially directed to insulators for use between track-rails and clamps or-clips by which said rails are secured to metal tie-plates mounted upon metallic ties. The insulators serve to cushion the clips against the vibration of the rails and the strains due to heat-expansion of the metal, and permit the rails to be used as electrical conductors for propulsion or for signaling purposes by insulating them against current leakage and against ground currents which otherwise would reach them through the metal ties.

The chief objects of the invention are to provide an improved insulator for use between a track rail and a clip for securing the rail to a metal tie; to provide an insulator for the purpose mentioned which will serve as a cushion between the respective members; and to provide an insulator having a wear surface of abrasion resisting material.

Of the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse section through a track rail and tie assembly showing my improved insulator, in its preferred form, operatively associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my improved insulator, and a portion of a sheet of insulating material normally used with a rail and tie assembly.

Referring to the drawings, 10 is one of a pair of metal rail ties which may comprise. sections of worn out track rails, and 11 is one of a pair of angle irons or other suitable metal strips welded to the ends of the ties 10 to connect them in parallel spaced relation. Secured to the top faces of the ties 10 is a pair of tie plates such as the tie plate 12, Fig. 1, each adapted to provide support for a track rail 13, and a cushion of insulating material such as the rubber sheet 1 1 is positioned between the tie plate and the rail, the cushion preferably being of somewhat greater width than the base flange of the rail and of greater length than the tie plate 12. The tie plate 12 is formed with a plurality 1929. Serial No. 355,872

of rectangular apertures 15, 15 at each side of the rail 13, and mounted therein are respective C-shaped clips 16 which engage the tie plate 12 and extend over the marginal portions of the base flange of the rail13, one of my improved insulators 17 being positioned between the rail'and each of the clips 16. A spring wedge 18 is mounted in each aperture 15 behind the clip 16 therein for urging the latter toward the rail, and the cushion 14 is formed with marginal notches lt which extend inwardly to the base flange of the rail 18, to permit the insulators 17 and clips 16 to engage the rail.

The insulator 17 comprises an angular structure of tough, resilient rubber having good aging and dielectric properties, approximately conforming to the contour ,of the marginal portion of the rail 13 and to fit the adjacent face of the clip 16, and formed with lateral flanges 17 17 which overlie the adjacent lateral faces of the clip, and an end flange 17 which overlies the adjacent end face of the clip. The rail-side face of theinsulator 17 and the end flange 17' are provided with a metal wear-plate 19, preferably vulcanized thereto and extending somewhat short of the lower margin of the frail-side face and the upper margin of the end flange 17 The wear-plate 19 protects the insulator 17 from friction due to vibration of the rail 13, and also confines the end flange 17 against the end face of the clip 16 so that said flange will not fall away therefrom should it disintegrate after long use.

My improved insulator is durable in use as to resistance to weather, in its inherent capacity for absorbing vibration, and in its protection from friction due to vibration. It is easily attached or detached from the rail-holding clips, and provides perfect insulation between the clips and the rails so that the latter may be used for electrical conductors for a signaling system. The termination of the plate 19 short of the upper limit of the rubber member avoids bridging across the rubber and short electrical connection of the rail and tie by debris.

My invention may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and I do not limit my claims wholly to the specific construction shown and described.

I claim:

1. An insulator comprising a resilient rubber cushion, and a rigid wear-surface of abrasion resisting zmaterial vulcanized thereto.

2. An insulator comprising a resilient rubleer cushion, and -a rigid wear-=sur face comprising a plate of metal attached thereto by a Vulcanized bond.

3. An integral insulator adapted to be positioned between a track-rail and a retain-r ing clip therefor, said insulator comprising a resilient rubber cushion adapted to engage said clip, and a metal wear-surface attached thereto and adapted to engage said rail, said wearsu-riace extending somewhat short of the upper margins of the dielectric structure.

.4. An insulator for use between a trackrail and a retaining member therefor, said insulater comprising a resilient rubber stm-i ctune adapted to be positioned between the rail and retaining member and formed with lateral flanges adapted to zoverlie respective faces of the said member.

5. .rbn integral insulator for use between a tracker-ail and a retaining member therefor, insulator comprising a resilient rubber cushion, and a metal wear-surface vulcanized to a side of said structure and extending short of the margins thereof.

6. An integral insulatorfor use between 4 track-.mil and a retaining member therefor,

said insulator comprising a resilient nibber structure adapted to positioned be tween the rail and the retaining member and formed with lateral flanges adapted to overlie respective faces of the latter, and a metal wear-surface attached to one side of the structure.

In witness whereof I have hereunto .set my hand this 15th day of April, 1929.

JOHN D. BEEBE.

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