US2050432A

US2050432A - Rail spike

Info

Publication number: US2050432A
Application number: US4766A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank S Hayes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1935-02-04
Filing date: 1935-02-04
Publication date: 1936-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 1953-08-11

Description

Aug. H 193% HAYES 2,050,432

RAIL SPIKE Filed Feb. 4, 1935 Inventor Attorney Patented Aug. 11, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.-

My invention relates to improvements in rail spikes.

An important object of the invention is to provide a rail spike which may be started into the shank and formed with anchor members thereon whereby the anchor devices assist in deforming the shank during the driving of the spike, to increase the holding power of the spike in the tie.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rail spike having a normally straight shank with one face in a straight line. from the head to the point with an anchoring notch intermediate therein, of an opposed face having a bulge near the head and formed on a curve beginning slightly below the bulge and terminating at the point end of the spike forming a cutting edge therewith and having a plurality of notches formed in the curved surface to serve in anchoring the spike in the tie, as well as to weaken the shank structure to permit it to become deformed and to curve outwardly from the rail during the driving of the spike in the tie.

A further object of the invention, in conjunction with the shank above set forth, resides in the formation of the spike head, whereby parallel ribs are formed under the head to contact and engage the rail flange for securely holding the rail and, at the same time, elevating the head a proper distance so that a withdrawing tool may be applied to 'the head whenever it becomes necessary to remove the spike.

A still further object of the invention is the production of a spike of the kind above described that is simple in construction, eflicient in operation, and can be manufactured at a minimum cost.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists in certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements or features as will hereinafter be fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts'throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the spike, and

Figure 2 is a cross section of a rail and a cross section through a tie plate and through a fragment of the tie, disclosing the manner of starting the spike into the tie and the position and formation taken by the spike when driven into the tie.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 ll designates the rectilinear shank or body portion of the spike having a head II that projects from all sides of the shank and having the usual extended projection on one side thereof for engaging the rail base flange. In forming the shank lfl one side of the shank I3 is formed in a straight line from the head H to the point I2 with the exception of a notch 14 which is provided by recessing the shank face l3 on a gradual curve and 15 terminating in an abrupt shoulder which forms a notch in which the shoulder will serve as an anchoring means when the spike is driven into the tie.

0n the opposite face I5 of the shank, the shank 20 is formed with a bulge near the head as l5 and then the shank, from a point near the bulge to the end of the spike, is formedwith a gradual curve, the curve becoming sharper as it nears the point I2. Intermediate and extending into 25 the shank are two or more notches I6, I 6, formed after the manner of the notch 14 on the opposite edge of the spike. The two edges thus formed end in a point l2 which is provided with a cutting edge l2' formed by grinding a surface that 30 provides a sharp cutting edge and which surface being slightly flattened, will aid in drifting the point of the spike to one side as it is driven into a tie.

The two side faces of the shank are parallel 35 with each other so that the point of the shank forms a chisel-like edge and cuts the fibers of the tie the full width of the spike. The spike, having one straight edge as l3 and a curved edge I! terminating in the point I2, is thus properly pointed for proper driving.

The curved edgefl'l serving as a shoe in that operation will cause tige spike to start to drift and also will cause the frpt; face l3 to curve so that r when the driving is finished the spike will assume a curved position due t'o-Ithe weakening effects of the transversely disposed notches I4 and I6 and to the tendency of the curved face I! to project the point outward from the rail. In this deformed position the transversely disposed notches I4 and 50 I6 all serve as anchoring means to prevent withdrawal of the spike by any action of jzthe rail flange. The wide base assumed by the points of the opposed spikes engaging the rail base flange will also serve as secure anchoring means 55 independent of the notches and prevent the rail withdrawing the spikes under action of traffic or due to any tendency that the rail may have to tip on its vertical axis.

It is practice, in laying down railways, to use, beneath the rail base, a tie plate 20 which is usually provided with transverse ribs 2| on the underside of the plate and it is intended that these ribs settle into the fiber of the wood under the weight of traific. When they are first placed on the ties these plates ride on the ribs until the assembly of the rails, tie plates, and ties is made complete and these transverse ribs 2| serve as anchors or means to prevent drifting of the tie plate. The tie plate 20 is also provided with a transverse rib 22 on the upper side and paralleling the rail base for the purpose of serving as an obstruction for the rail base to maintain the proper gauge for the track. The tie plate is also perforated to allow passage of the spikes through the plate and into the tie.

When the spike of the present invention is properly driven into the tie, the shank below the head of the spike, including the bulge I5, is closely supported in the perforations in the tie plate against any possibility of the head being offset or drawn away from contact with the rail base or flange and these perforations also provide against any possibility of the spike distorting the fibers of the tie at or near the upper face thereof or of enlarging the hole out by the spike as it passes into the tie.

The head of the spike, as here shown, is formed with a flat driving face so that a sufficient flat area is provided for contact by the mall or hammer to insure proper driving and on the under, overhanging face of the spike are formed ribs as I9, these ribs being angular or tapered to match the taper of the rail flange and permit the ribs to be set tightly on the rail to provide two contact surfaces therewith.

In constructing a railway or in renewing ties it will be best to insert the spikes in a substantially perpendicular manner and drive the spike on the outer side of therail several inches into the tie. Then drive the inner spike completely into the tie and set it tightly against the rail base. As the spike enters the wood of the tie and by reason of the formation of the point there will be a gradual drifting of the tie shank outwardly from the rail. The cutting edge being chisel-like and set at an angle provides for this constant drift and also causes a deformation due to the weakening of the structure of the shank by the notches l4 and I6 and when completely driven, the spike will have assumed the approximate position shown in Figure 2, to the right thereof.

In following the plan outlined, when the inner spike has been entirely driven the bulge l5 will act upon the one side of the perforation in the tie plate 20 to hold the tie plate to the gauge to which the rail has been set. The outside spike is then driven completely into the tie and the bulge acting against the inside face of the perforation through the tie plate will cause the rib 22 on the upper side of the tie plate to be forced against the flange of the rail base so that in subsequent use of the rails, the rails are held against spreading by reason of their contact against the rib 22 rather than by reason of the contact with the spikes themselves.

With the spikes thus set, any tendency of the rail to tip or move would not act upon the spikes to withdraw them from the ties. By reason of the tie anchorage involving the deformed spike shank, the notches in said shank, and the angle that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

A rail spike adapted for engagement with a tie plate having a spike-receiving opening and a transverse rib alined with the inner edge of the opening and said spike including a head and a shank, said head having ribs forming grooves on its under side and said ribs engaging the rail, said shank being provided with a curved, notched front edge and a straight, notched rear edge, the front edge characterized by a bulge contiguous with said head for engagement with the tie plate whereby said bulge engages the tie plate to force the transverse rib into contact with the rail flange to maintain the desired gauge.

FRANK S; HAYES.