US2066382A

US2066382A - Device for holding and positioning railroad spikes

Info

Publication number: US2066382A
Application number: US670664A
Authority: US
Inventors: James W Ames
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1933-05-12
Filing date: 1933-05-12
Publication date: 1937-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 1954-01-05

Description

Jan. 5, 1937.

Filed May 12, 1953 Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR HOLDING AND POSITIONING RAILROAD SPIKES 10 Claims.

This invention has to do with railroad track construction and relates to the method and manner of holding and positioning the railroad rail spikes and tie plates when they are used, so as to permit the track to be raised and lowered during the passage of a train without withdrawing the spikes but at the same time insuring that the rail will be prevented from misplacement or displacement.

The particular. object of this invention 1s the provision of a separate element which may be used in combination with a tie, tie plate and spike to hold the spike in proper position relative to the tie plate and the flange of the railroad rail.

Another object is the provision of an element adapted for use in combination with a tie and spike for holding thespike in proper position relative to the tie and the flange of the track.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and which shows merely for the purpose of illustrative disclosure various embodiments of my invention, it being expressly understood however, that various changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claims without digressing from my inventive idea.

In the drawing- Figure' 1 represents a perspective view of a railroad tie, tie plate and rail with my invention in use.

Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse cross section of the same.

Figure 3.is a perspective view of one form of one of the devices as shown in its proper position relative tothe spike.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another form of one of the devices.

Figure 5 represents a partial transverse cross section of a modified form of construction in which the spacer member rests on top of the tie and is not driven into the tie as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 6 represents a front elevation view of a modified form, parts being shown in section to facilitate the disclosure, where the spacer member is positioned at the front of the spike and no tie plate is used; and,

Figure '7 represents a side elevation of the structure shown in Figure 6, parts being shown in section to facilitate the disclosure.

According to my invention it is the purpose to lay railroad rails to have the rails ride so that the spikes when driven home will not contact directly with the top surface of the bottom flange of the rail, that is, the head of the spike will be spaced from engagement with this flange. The purpose of this arrangement is to permit the rail to move up and down during the passage of the cars over the rail without withdrawing or loosening the spike and at the same time having the spike head in such position as to prevent the rail from being raised up too much or from moving or turning or twisting sidewise to an improper position or out of alinement. This result has been accomplished in various ways. This invention is directed to a new means for accomplishing this result and includes means embodying a separate element or device which will not only hold the spike in proper relative position to the rail but will also assist in holding the tie plate in engagement with the tie.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral I designates a railroad tie, 2 designates a tie plate of standard construction and 3 designates a railroad rail of standard construction. This rail has the bottom flange 4 adapted to rest upon the tie plate between the upwardly extended ribs or flanges 5 thereof. The tie plate is provided with suitable apertures 6 to receive the spike I. This spike I is provided with a head 8 having the forward overhanging or projecting portion 9 and a rear overhanging or projecting portion or shoulder I0. spike is adapted to be driven into a tie with the overhanging portion 9 of the head over the flange 4 of the rail. Previously the head 8 of the spike engaged the upper surface of the flange 4 directly, but as stated before, according to my invention, the spikes are driven so that a space is left between the head 8 and the overhanging portion 9 thereof and the upper surface of the flange 4 of the rail.

The'reference character I I generally designates a device or element or spacer member which cooperates with the tie, tie plate and spike. to positively hold the spike in proper position with respect to the rail. When no tie plate is used, the spacer member cooperates with the tie and spike to positively hold the spike in proper position. This element or spacer member may take several forms, some of which are illustrated in the drawing. It includes essentially a body portion of sufficient length to extend into the aperture 6.,

As above set forth the of the tie plate and to engage under the rear overhanging portion or shoulder III or front overhanging portion 9 of the spike, said body portion being provided with some means for engaging part of the tie or tie plate to operate as a positive stop to' limit the distance to which the element or device I I can be driven into the tie or through the tie plate. Different thicknesses of spacer members may be used as it may be desirable to make the member heavier so that it is a larger factor in holding the tie plate down.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the element I I comprises an elongated flat plate body having an upper portion I2, the upper end,

of which is adapted to engage under the rear overhanging portion or shoulder ID of the spike I. The upper end of element I I may engage the side or .front projecting portions of the spike. When the element is placed in front of the spike, the lifev of the spike .is lengthened because the element is interposed between the .flange of the rail and the spike. The lower portion I3 of the body is adapted to extend through the aperture 6 in the tie plate and into the tie and is pro- Videdwith. the beveled or sharpened edge I4 to cause the same totend to move inwardly or toward the spike at all times. This lowerportion I3 may be of such length as to correspond with the thickness of thetie plate only and does'not have to extend into the tie as shown in Figure 5. The engagement of the sides of thelower portion I3 with the sides of the aperture 6 will hold the element in position in cooperation with the engagement of the shoulder-portions I5 of the element with the top of the tie plate. In the form shown in Figure 3 these shoulders are provided with portions extending laterally from the body of the element II. of course-theseprojections may extend in difierent directions and .may be formed by striking up portions of thebody of the element as well as in various other ways.

Another form is illustrated in Figure 4 where the element I6 is generally in the form of an angle shaped member having the body I! adapted to haveits upper portion engage underneath the used-with the two channel flanges cut-ofi to provide two shoulders or abutments. v

In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and '7 the spacer'member or element engages under the front overhanging or projecting portion 9 of the spike. The spacer member or elementis formed from sheet metal and has the body member 20 and flanges 2 I. which are cut from'the body member 20 and bent ba'ckt'o form shoulders which may embrace the spike. The lower end of the body 20 is beveled as at 22. The front portion 23 of the spacer member is adapted to'en gage, the flange 4 of the rail and the front of the spike and protect the spike from Wear. The device of this form may also be made of malleable orother cast metal. V

It is to be expressly understood that I am not to be limited to the forms shown. as the spacer The right angle flange is members may take a variety of shapes'and forms. If necessary, the heel of the spike may be thickened for special purposes or for ordinary use. Also, I am not to be limited to the tie plate shown, for the invention is adapted for use with any form of tie plate. My invention is adapted for use at the front, side or rear of the spike and with or without a tie plate.

Using the spacer member gives the spike a better bearing by filling up the space between the spike and the back portion of the hole in the tie plate, or for giving the spike a snug fit in the plate or tie whether new or old parts are used. Also when the hole in the tie plate becomes enlarged because of corrosion orwear, a new thicker member may be substituted for the old spacer. The old spike or a new spike may be used. If the spacer is made long enough, it can also serve to give a tight fit to a spike driven inan old hole in the tie which is. enlarged by wearor decay.

In operation these devices are used as follows:

The spike may be partially driven intocthe tie and then the element ordevice I I is placed in position in back of the spike and with its upper end in engagement with the rear overhanging portion or shoulder II) of the spike head and asthe spike is driven through the tie plate it is alsodriven' into the tie until the shoulders or abutmentsL l5, en; gage the top of the tie plates which limit 'the' 'inward movement of the spike and positions; the head of the spike the proper distance frornthe top of the rail flange. Or the spacer element may be driven in first and then the spike driven into the tie. If the member is the one shown in Figure 5 it is placed in the tie plate in position before the spikeis driven home intoithe' tie.

When no tie plate is used, the shoulders ofithe member engage the: top of..the tie. Also the spacer member may be placed at the front or side of the spike and when .,in. front itprotects the spike from wear. The element maybe ofsufficient size so that it has substantial engagement with the side faces of the tie plate formed by the aperture therethrough so as to assist in holding the parts in-proper position. Asstated in the specification, the lower portion of the. element may be beveled or sharpened so as to tend to be forced inwardly which will also cooperate in locking and holding the parts together.

WhatIclaim is: I 1. In combination .with .a railroad rail, a tie and a tie plate having an'aperture a spike having a head and. an .element positioned in the aperture in the tie plate and along the spike and z;

engaging the head thereof, said element being provided with a stop or-abutment. to engagethe tie plate and thus limit the extent to whichthe spike, can be driven into. the tie. I

2. In combination with a railroad rail, and a tie plate having an -aperture, aspike having ahead, and an element positioned in the aperture in the tie plate and. along the spike and engaging the head thereof said element having a portion of substantially the same widthas a tie" head of the spike, said element being provided with a stop or abutment intermediate its ends for engaging the tie plate to limit the extent to which the spike can be driven into the tie.

4. The combination with a railroad rail, a tie plate, a tie and a spike, of means for holding the spike so that the head thereof is spaced from the top of the bottom flange of the rail, said means including an element having its top portion engaging a shoulder on the head of the spike, and having a stop or abutment intermediate its ends adapted for engagement with the top of the tie plate.

5. In combination with a railroad rail, a tie, and a tie plate having a spike aperture, a spike having a head provided with a shoulder, and an element having a portion positioned in the aperture in the tie plate and being positioned along the spike, said element having its top portion engaging the shoulder on the head and being provided with a stop or abutment intermediate its ends to engage the top of the tie plate and limit the extent to which the spike can be driven into the tie.

6. In combination with a railroad rail, a tie, and a tie plate having a spike aperture, a spike having a head provided with a shoulder and an element having a. portion positioned in the aperture in the tie plate and being positioned along the spike, said element having its top portion engaging the shoulder on the head and being provided with a stop or abutment intermediate its ends to engage the top of the tie plate and limit the extent to which the spike can be driven into the tie, said element also being provided with a beveled lower edge to force the element to move inwardly and toward the spike and lock and hold the parts securely together.

7. In combination with a railroad rail, 2. tie, and a tie plate having a spike aperture, a spike having a head provided with a shoulder, and an element having a portion positioned in the aperture in the tie plate and being positioned along the spike to make a snug fit for the spike in the tie plate when new or when the tie plate aperture has become enlarged by corrosion or wear, said element having a portion engaging the shoulder on the head and having a stop or abutment for engaging the top of the tie plate and limit the extent to which the spike can be driven into the tie, said element also being provided with a beveled lower edge to force the element to move inwardly and toward the spike and lock and hold the parts securely together.

8. In combination with a railroad rail and a tie, a spike having a head, and an element positioned along the spike adapted to contact the spike and having its top portion engaging the head of the spike, said element being provided with a stop or abutment for engaging the tie and limiting the extent to which the spike can be driven into the tie.

9. In combination with a railroad rail, a tie and a tie plate having an aperture, a spike having a head and an element positioned in the aperture in the tie plate and along the rear of the spike and engaging the head thereof, said element being provided with a stop or abutment to engage the tie plate and thus limit the extent to which the spike can be driven into the tie, said element also being provided with a beveled lower edge to force the element to move inwardly and toward the spike and lock and hold the parts securely together.

10. In combination with a railroad rail having a flange, a tie, a tie plate on said tie and having an aperture and means for receiving said rail flange, a spike positioned in said aperture and having a head adapted to be spaced from said rail flange, and an element positioned in said aperture of said tie plate and engaging the head of the spike, said spike being adapted to prevent removal of said rail from said receiving means in said tie plate, said element being provided with an abutment extending beyond said aperture in said tie plate to engage said tie plate and so limit the extent to which the spike can be driven into the tie.

JAMES W. AMES.