US2154164A - Rail and cross-tie assembly - Google Patents

Description

. c. H. R. HowE 2,154,164

RAIL AND CROSS-TIE ASSEMBLY Filed April 18, 1958 2 sheets-sheet 1 mm /ff "myV/ April 1l, 1939. CQH, R, HOWE RAIL AND GROSSI-TIE ASSEMBLY F'ilecv April 18, 1938 2 SheetS-Sheetl 2 'arles H?. braune.

YPatente-cl Apr. 11, 1939 N UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 20 Claims.

This invention relates to rail and cross tie assemblies, and to improved forms of rail clips for maintaining the: desired relation between a tie plate carried by a rail cross tie and a rail seated 5 on the declare. v

The construction of railroad roadbeds is substantially standardized. The common practice is to seat the rails on metal tie plates carried by wooden cross ties. Such tie plates are frequentm ly secured to the cross ties by threaded fasteners, such as screw spikes or lag screws. The rails are usually secured to the tie plates by cut spikes which are passed through openings inthe tie plates and driven into the cross ties until the spike heads engage the rail base flanges and clamp the latter to the tie plates. Each tie plate is generally formed with one or two ribs to pro-vide a shoulder or shoulders for engagement with one or both edges of the rail base flange, as the case may be, to limit lateral movement of the rail in one or both directions relative to the tie plate. To prevent rail creeping, it is also the common practice to clamp anti-creeping devices to the underside of the rails and adjacent their cross ties. Each of these anti-creeping devices by engaging the adjacent side of the adjoining cross tie serves to avoid longitudinal rail movement in one direction.

It isone of the objects of this invention to provide an improved rail clip which may be used with conventional rail, tie plate and cross tie assemblies and which eliminates the necessity for the usual cut spikes and anti-creeping devices referred to above.

Another object is to provide an efficient rail clip which is. relatively simple to construct and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object is to provide a rail clip which, during use, will yieldingly and resiliently maintain the desired relative arrangement of a rail, tie plate and cross tie, and will at the same time avoid creeping of the rail.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rail, tie plate and tie assembly with a plurality of coil type rail clips so relatively arranged as to secure maximum resistance to longitudinal rail movements in both directions. Y

Other objects of this invention will appear from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawings showing different embodiments of this invention.

In the drawings,

Figure I is a perspective View of a rail and tie assembly including two similar rail clipsembodying this invention, portions of the cross tie being broken away for purposes of illustration.

Figure II is a side elevational View of one of the rail clips and fasteners in Figure I with adjacent portions of the rail, tie plate and cross tie of Figure I shown in vertical cross-section.

Figure III is a. plan View of the rail clip of Figures I and II in assembled position.

Figure IV is a side elevational View of a fastener and another form of rail clip embodying this invention with the rail clipl in assembled position, adjacent parts of a rail, tie plate and cross tie being shown in cross section for purposes of illustration.

Figure V is a View similar to Figure I but showing two other forms of rail clips embodying this invention.

Figure VI is a side elevational view of the rail clip at the right in Figure V, with adjacent portions of the rail, tie plate and cross tie of Figure V shown in vertical cross section.

Figure VII is an enlarged perspective view of the rail clip shown at the left in Figure V.

Figure VIII is a perspective view of the rail clip shown in Figure IV.

Figure IX is a perspective View of the rail clip shown in Figure VI.

Referring now to the drawings, the conventional practice is to seat a rail I on a metal tie plate I I carried by a wooden cross tie I2. The tie plates I I, now commonly used, have shoulders 6 and l which engage respectively the edges 8 and. 9 of the rail base flanges I3 and I4 to prevent lateral movement of the rail Il).

The usual practice, heretofore, has been to secure the metal tie plate II to the wooden cross tie I2 by fasteners extending through the apertures I of the tie plate II and into the wooden cross tie I 2. 'Ihe prior practice has also been to insert cut spikes (not shown) in the square openings I6 and to drive the spikes into the wooden tie I2 until the spike heads engage the base flange (I3 or I4) and draw the latter against the tie plate I I, and the tie plate I I against the cross tie I2. The necessity for these cut spikes is eliminated by the present invention.

This invention provides a novel rail clip, four forms of which are shown in the drawings and bear respectively the reference characters A, B, C and D. The drawings also show a fifth rail clip E which is identical in character and construction to rail clip A. These rail clips A, B, C, D and E may be formed of any suitable material. In the preferred practice of this invention, each of the rail clips A, B, C, D and E is constructed by bending or otherwise shaping an elongated bar of spring steel into the form shown in the drawings.

Each of the rail clips A is in the form of a coil, preferably a helical coil spring having any desired number of loops or convolutions. The opposite end or arm portions 20 and 2I of each rail clip A preferably extend laterally from the uppermost and lowermost convolutions of the rail clip. The end portions 20 and 2| preferably are also arranged substantially parallel to each other and substantially tangential to the helical coil of the rail clip A.

The rail clip A is secured in place by a suitable fastener, such as a cut spike or threaded bolt. A threaded or screw type of fastener 22 is preferred as it may be removed and replaced from time to time without appreciable damage to the wooden tie. Threaded fasteners are also preferred to cut spikes as the latter are more apt to work their way out of the wooden cross ties as cars pass over the rails and exert a pumping action on the fastener,

To position the rail clip A, a threaded fastener 22 is passed through the convolutions of the rail clip A and an aperture I5 of the tie plate I I and then partially screwed into the wooden cross tie I2. The rail clip A is now so arranged on the tie plate II that the tangential end portions 20 and 2I extend toward the rail base flange edge 8 with the end portion 20 extending preferably at substantially right angles to the vertical plane passing through the flange edge 8. The upper end portion 20, which in effect constitutes a spring arm, is arranged to overlie the top surface of the base flange I3, and the lower end portion 2| is arranged to extend to and abut the base flange edge 8 (see Figs. II and III). In this position of the end portion 2I, it lies in the slot or recess formed in the shoulder 6 of the tie plate I I as a continuation of the hole I6 therein, which hole I6, it will be noted, is customarily used for the insertion of a cut spike (not shown). If desired, the end portion 2l may be so angularly bent that it contacts and abuts the opposite side walls of the hole I6 provided by the shoulder 6 (see Fig. III). In this way, the end portion 2l serves as a lug which is interlocked with the tie plate II and prevented from rotating or turning around the screw spike 22 as an axis.

With the rail clip A so positioned, the screw spike 22 is screwed into the wooden cross; tie I2 until the shoulder or head 24 of the screw spike 22 comes into contact with the top surface of the helical coil spring and forces the same into such degree of compression as may be required. As the screw spike 22 compresses the helical coil spring, it also brings the spring arm 20 thereof into contact with the top surface of the base flange I3 and causes the spring arm 20 to exert downward pressure thereon. As the downward pressure increases, tensile stress is established in the spring arm 20, which stress increases until the helical coil of clip A is completely closed.

vIn actual practice, however, the coil of the rail clip A preferably would only be partially closed or compressed by the fastener 22 (see Fig. II).

The end 25 of spring arm 20 preferably is slightly upturned, so that it will slide on the `top surface of the rail base flange I3 when the spring arm 20 is ilexed due to tightening of the fastener 22 or to vibration in the rail Il] incident to vthe passing of trains. The spring arm 20 is also preferably arched or bowed as shown in the drawings to avoid such engagement with the rail base iiange I3 as would raise the end 25 free of the rail base flange I3.

When arranged in rail and tie assemblies as explained above, the rail clips A of this invention oifer the following advantages. When a tie plate II, for one reason or another, embeds itself into its cross tie I2, the helical coil spring of rail clip A, being under compression, will expand and press the tie plate II firmly against the cross tie I2 to materially reduce the abrasive action of the metal tie plate I I on the wooden tie I2. The pressure exerted on the top of the rail base ange I3 from the screw spike 22 through the intermediary of the spring arm 20 confines the possible extent of vertical separation between the rail I0, tie plate II and cross tie I2 to a distance directly controlled by the strength of the spring arm 20.

When placed under load, the rail I0 deects and causes the entire assemblage to move downward as a unit. When the load is removed, the rail I0 reacts upwardly and the Weight of the cross tie I2, tie plate II, screw spike 22 and rail clip A, is lifted by the rail I0 through the medium of the spring arm 2l), which through its resiliency absorbs the direct pull that otherwise would be exerted on the screw spike 22. In this way, the rail clip A materially reduces the tendency of the threads of its screw spike 22 to shear the wood of the cross tie I2.

The use of the rail clip A, by obviating the use of the ordinary cut spikes generally inserted through openings I6, eliminates the damage to the cross tie I2 caused by the driving and-re driving of the cut spikes, when rail is being newly laid or replaced. It is not necessary to entirely withdraw the screw spike 22 from the cross tie l2, when changing rail of the same Width of base, if the spring rail clip A is used to secure the rail Il! in place. The screw spike 22 need be loosened only enough to permit the rail clip A to be lifted above the rail base iiange I3 and rotated through an angle of ninety degrees in either direction. The rail I0 is then free to be replaced. The new rail is secured in place by restoring the rail clip A to the position it occupies in Figure I and tightening the screw spike 22 to the desired degree.

In one preferred practice of this invention, each tie plate II is provided with at least two rail clips, for example rail clips A and E, one at each side of the associated rail IIJ, as shown in Figure I. These two rail clips A and E, if desired, may be identically the same in construction. The two rail clips A and E are preferably so arranged that when rail I0 tends to have longitudinal movement in the direction of arrow a (see Fig. I), it also tends to move the spring arm 2l) of rail clip A in a direction to uncoil the latter, and when the rail I0 tends to have longitudinal movement in the other direction (see arrow b) it also tends to move the spring arm 20 of the rail clip E in a direction to uncoil the latter. In;y other words, the relative arrangement of the rail clips A and E is such that the rail I0 will be opposed by substantially the same force (the sum of the forces exerted by the two rail clips A and E) in either direction of movement. This equalization of the forces opposing movement of the rail in opposite direction tends to prevent rail creeping and to maintain the rail I0 in the desired position relative to the tie plate I I. It is to be understood that the termfuncoil as used herein and in the appended claims is used in a sense to indicate direction and not to indicate permanent distortion of the helical coils.

Itis also noted that any tendency of the rail I0 to move in either longitudinal direction tends to produce rotation of the rail clips A and E in the same direction as the rail movement. When the rail I0 tends to move in the longitudinal direction of arrow o, the spring arm 20 of the rail clip Atends to rotate in a direction towards the end portion 2| of the rail clip A. That is, the spring arm 20 tends to travel inwardly and upwardly on the sloping top of the base iiange I3, thereby intensifying the pressure of the spring arm 20 of rail clip A on the base flange I3 and increasing the resistance of the spring arm 20 to rail creeping. At the same time, the rail Ill tends to move spring arm 20 of the rail clip E in a direction away from its end portion 2|, whereby the thrust of such end portion 2| on the adjacent base flange edge 3 is increased. The contact between the end portion 2| of the rail clip E and the rail flange edge 8, therefore, not only offers resistance to rail movement, but also opposes any tendency of the rail I6 to rotate the rail clip E and decreasethe pressure exerted by its spring arm 20 on the base ange I4.

When the rail I0 tends to move in the reverse longitudinal direction, that is, in the direction of arrow a., the reaction of the spring clips A and E just explained will be reversed, but the combined resistance of the two rail clips A and E to this reverse rail movement will be substantially the same.

The rail clip B of the drawings is substantially similar in all respects to the rail clips A and E except that the end portion 2| of rail clip B is bent downwardly (rather` than laterally) to provide a depending lug 26 for interlocking engagement within a cut spike hole I6.

The rail clip C' of Figures V and VII is also substantially similar to the rail clips A and E except in one respect, namely the shape of the locking lug of the end portion 2|. The rail clip C has its end portion 2| swaged or otherwise shaped to provide a lug 21 having a lateral flare as shown in Figure VII. The shape of lug 21 is preferably such that at its greatest width its dimension is substantially the same as the distance between the opposite yside walls of the recess in shoulder 1 forming a continuation of a cut spike hole I6. When the rail clip C is in the assembled position (see Fig. V), the lug 21 has interlocking engagement within the recess of tie plate shoulder 1 and abuts the base flange edge 9, so that the rail clip C will function in substantially the same manner as rail clip A.

The rail clips A, C and E are preferably so arranged in the rail and tie assemblies that the end portion 2| thereof normally engages the adjacent edge of the base flange. With this arrangement, the end portion 2| will be forced against the adjacent rail base flange edge (8 or 9) whenever the rail I0 has a tendency to move the spring arm 2U in va. direction to uncoil the associated helical coil. Both end portions 20 and 2| of the rail clips A, C or E may, therefore, serve to avoid rail creeping, while the end portion 2| of each rail clip (A, C or E') also serves to interlock the latter with the associated tie plate II.

The internal diameter of the helical coils of the rail clips A, B, C and E is, preferably somewhat larger than the diameter of the fastener 22, so that the latter will not interfere with the desired action of the rail clips during use.

The end portions 2| of the rail clips (A, B and C) are preferably so proportioned that they will have sufficient freedom forlengthwise movement within the respective recesses in the tie plate shoulders (6 or 1) to function in the manner above described for opposing rail movement, but will still be confined by the sides of these recesses to prevent turning of the rail clips about their fasteners.

The fourth form (D) of rail clip illustrated in the drawings is shown in Figures V, VI, and IX. This rail clip D may be formed by bending or otherwise shaping an elongated bar to provide axially aligned loops 30 and 3| connected by an intermediate laterally extending loop 32. The loop 32 is in effect a spring means for yieldingly maintaining the loops 30 and 3| in spaced relation when not in use (see Figure VII) or when assembled with a rail, tie plate, and cross tie, as shown in Figures V and VI.

The rail clip D is secured to the rail assembly by a screw spike 22 which is passed through the loops 30 and 3|, through an aperture I5 of the tie plate II and into the wooden cross tie I2. By continuing to turn the screw spike 22, the head 36 thereof will force the loop 30 toward the loop 3| and thereby force the loop 32 against the top surface of the flange I3. To prevent rotation of the rail clip D about the screw spike 22, the lower end 33 of the rail clip D is preferably bent downwardly so as to have interlocking engagement within a cut spike hole I6 and serve substantially the. same function of the lug 26 of Figure IV.

The loops 36 and 3| are preferably so arranged as to b-e in substantially parallel planes during f useunder normal operating conditions. The loop 3|) is also preferably in the form of a ring. With this arrangement, the loop or ring 3B will contact the underface of the head 36 of lag screw 22 throughout substantially its entire circumference. At the same time, the loop 3| will have substantially continuous engagement with tie plate II on three sides of the screw bolt 22. This relation of the loops 3U and 3| with each other and with the screw bolt 22 and tie plate will tend to eliminate or minimize sidewise tilting of the rail clip D when the latter is secured in place by the screw bolt 22.

The outer end of loop 32 is preferably upturned slightly for the same purpose as the end 25 of the spring arm 2|] in Figure I. The loop 32 may also be slightly bowed to clear the edge 8 of the rail flange I3 as shown in Figure VI.

The rail clip D, like the other forms shown in the drawings, serves to yieldingly and resiliently maintain the rail IIJ, tie plate II and cross tie I2 in the desired assembled relation. If desired, the rail clip D may have its end portion 33 shaped and constructed similarly to the end portion 2| of either the rail clip A or C, so that it may serve the same purposes as said end portion 2|.

The foregoing is illustrative, and it will be understood` that this invention includes all embodiments coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A rail clip in the form of a relatively long bar of spring metal having spaced looped portions through which a fastener may extend, another portion to overlie and resiliently engage the base flange of an associated rail support, and a further portion in the form of a lug for inter locking engagement within a recess of said rail support.

2. A rail clip comprising a relatively long resilient bar having spaced looped portions through which a fastener may extend, one end portion of said bar being formed into a lug for interlocking engagement with an associated rail support to prevent turning movement of said bar end about said fastener, another portion of said bar extending laterally of said looped portions to overlie and engage the base flange of an associated rail mounted on said support.

3. A rail clip comprising a helical coil spring having one end portion extending substantially tangentially to the helical coil and of such length as to overlie and engage the base flange of an associated rail, the other end portion of said coil spring being formed into a projecting lug for interlocking engagement within a recess of an associated tie plate.

4. A rail clip comprising a helical coil spring having its end portions extending substantially tangentially therefrom in substantially parallel relation, one of said end portions being formed into a lug for interlocking engagement with an associated rail support, and the other of said end portions being of such length and shape as to overlie and engage the base flange of an associated rail mounted on said support.

5. A rail clip comprising a coil through which a fastener may extend, one end of the coil being formed into a lug for interlocking engagement with an associated rail support to prevent turning movement of said coil end about said fastener, said coil end being also arranged to abut the base flange edge of an associated rail mounted on said support, the other end of said coil extending laterally therefrom to overlie and engage the base flange of said rail. Y

6. A rail clip comprising a helical coil spring having its end portions extending from opposite lsides thereof in a direction substantially tangential to the helical coil, one of said end portions being of such length as to overlie and engage the base ange of an associated rail, and the other of said end portions being of such length Ilas to abut the base flange edge of said associated rail.

7. A rail clip comprising a relatively long resilient bar having such shape as to provide at least two spaced loops through which a fastener may extend, the portion of said bar connecting lsaid two loops having such shape as to provide a third loop extending laterally of said rst two loops to overlie and yieldingly engage the base flange of a rail.

82A rail clip comprising a relatively long bar 'formed of spring steel, said bar having one end portion in the shape of a ring, another portion `forming a loop with its axis substantially in alignment with the axis of said ring, a portion intermediate said rst two portions and forming a second loop extending laterally of said ring and rst Iloop to overlie and yieldingly engage the base flange of an associated rail, and the other bar end portion formed into a depending lug for engagement within an aperture of an associated rail support.

9. A rail clip comprising a relatively long bar formed of spring steel, said bar having one end portion substantially in the shape of a ring, another portion forming a loop with its axis substantially in alignment with the axis of said ring, a portion intermediate said first two portions and forming a second loop extending laterally of said ring and first loop to overliey and yieldingly engage the base iiange of anV associated rail, said ring and rst loop being adapted to receive a fastener and to be yieldingly maintained in spaced relation by said intermediate loop portion, and the other bar end portion formed into a depending lug for engagement Within an aperture of an associated rail support.

10. A rail clip comprising a relatively long bar formed of spring steel, said bar havin-g one end portion substantially in the shape of a ring, another portion forming a loop with its axis substantially in alignment with the axis of said ring, a portion intermediate said first two portions and forming a second loop extending laterally of said ring and rst loop to overlie and yieldingly engage the base flange of an associated rail, said ring providing an annular seat for the head of a fastener which may be inserted through the ring and first mentioned loop and the other bar end portion formed into a depending lug for engagement within an aperture of an associated rail support.

11. In combination with a cross tie, a recessed tie plate disposed thereon, and a rail seated on the tie plate; a rail clip in the form of a resilient bar having spaced loop portions, another portion extending laterally of said loops and overlying the base flange of said rail, and a further portion interlocked within the recess of said tie plate; and a fastener extending through said loop portions and through the tie plate into said tie.

12. In combination with a cross tie, a recessed and apertured tie plate disposed thereon, and a rail Seated on the tie plate; a rail clip in the form of a helical coil spring having its upper end portion extending laterally therefrom and over the base flange of said rail, a threaded fastener extending through said helical coil and through the aperture in said tie plate into said tie and placing said coil spring under compression to force said upper end portion against said base flange, said helical coil having its other end portion disposed within the recess of said tie plate to prevent turning of said lower end portion about said fastener.

13. In combination with a cross tie, a recessed and apertured tie plate disposed thereon, and a rail seated on the tie plate; a rail clip in the form of a helical coil spring having its upper end portion extending laterally therefrom and over the base flange of said rail, a threaded fastener extending through said helical coil and through the aperture in said tie plate into said tie and placing said coil spring under compression to force said upper end portion against said base flange, said helical coil having its other end portion abutting the adjacent edge of said base flange to resist creeping of the rail, said other end portion being also disposed within the recess of said tie plate to prevent turning of said lower end portion about said fastener.

14. In combination with a cross tie, an apertured tie plate disposed thereon and having a recessed shoulder, and a rail seated on the tie plate and abutting said shoulder; a rail clip in the form of a helical coil spring having its upper end portion extending laterally therefrom and over the base flange of said rail, a threaded fastener extending through said helical coil and through the aperture in said tie plate into said tie and placing said coil spring under compression to force said upper end portion against said base flange, said helical coil having its other end portion extending through said recess and abutting the adjacent edge of said base fiange to resist creeping of the rail, said other end portion being of such shape as to contact the opposite sides of said recess to prevent turning of said lower end portion in either direction about said fastener.

15. In combination with a cross tie, an apertured tie plate disposed thereon and having a recessed shoulder, and a rail seated on the tie plate and abutting said shoulder; a rail clip in the form of a helical coil spring having its upper end portion extending laterally therefrom and over the base flange of said rail, a threaded fastener extending through said helical coil and through the aperture in said tie plate into said tie and placing said coil spring under compression to force said upper end portion against said base flange, said helical coil having its other end portion extending into said recess and angularly disposed to abut on opposite sides thereof to prevent turning of said end portion in either direction about said fastener.

16. In combination with a cross tie, a recessed and apertured tie plate disposed thereon, and a rail seated on the tie plate; a rail clip in the form of a helical coil spring having its upper end portion extending laterally therefrom and over the base flange of said rail, a threaded fastener extending through said helical coil and through the aperture in said tie plate into said tie and placing said coil spring under compression to force said upper end portion against said base flange, the lower end of said coil being formed into a downwardly extending lug disposed within the recess of said tie plate,

17. In combination with a cross tie, a tie plate disposed thereon, and a rail seated on the tie plate; at least two rail clips, each rail clip being in the form of a helical coil spring having the upper end portion thereof extending laterally therefrom and engaging the base flange of said rail, the other end portion of each coil having interlocking engagement with said tie plate, a fastener for each rail clip, each fastener extending through the convolutions of the associated coil spring and the tie plate into the cross tie and placing the coil spring under compression to force the upper end portion thereof against said 'oase ilange, said flange engaging end portions being oppositely disposed so that one flange engaging end portion will tend to move in a direction to uncoil its coil spring in opposing longitudinal movement of the rail in one direction and the flange engaging end portion of the other rail clip tends to uncoil its coil spring in opposing longitudinal movement of the rail in the other direction.

18. In combination with a cross tie, a tie plate disposed thereon, and a rail seated on the tie plate; at least one rail clip at each side of said rail, each of said two rail clips being in the form of a coil spring having one end portion extending laterally therefrom and engaging the top surface of the adjacent base flange of said rail, the other end portion of each of said rail clips abutting the adjacent edge of the base flange and having interlocking engagement with said tie plate, a fastener for each coil spring, each fastener extending through the convolutions of its respective coil springand the tie plate into said cross tie and placing the coil spring under compression to force the upper end portion thereof against the respective base flange, said flange engaging end portions of the two rail clips at opposite sides of the rail being so disposed that the flange engaging portion of one rail clip will tend to move in a direction to uncoil its coil spring in opposing longitudinal movement of the rail in one direction and the flange engaging end portion of the other rail clip will tend to uncoil its coil spring in opposing longitudinal movement of said rail in the other direction.

i9. In combination with a cross tie, a recessed and apertured tie plate disposed thereon, a rail seated on the tie plate, and a headed fastener i extending through the aperture of said tie plate and into said cross tie; a rail clip comprising an elongated bar formed of spring metal, said bar having an end portion in` the shape of a ring encircling said fastener and providing an annular seat for the head thereof, another portion looped about the shank of said fastener below said ring portion and bearing on said tie plate, and a portion intermediate of said ring and rst loop portions and in the form of a resilient loop overlying the base flange of said rail and yieldingly maintained in engagement therewith by said fastener, the other end portion of said bar being in the form of a lug having engagement within the recess of said tie plate to prevent rotation of the rail clip about said fastener.

20. A rail clip comprising a relatively long, resilient bar of such shape that one end has a loop formation to receive a fastener, such as a rail spike, that a loop extends laterally from said loop formation to overle a rail base flange, that a loop extends from said rail base flange loop and is in substantial alignment with said loop formation, and that the other bar end is formed to have interlocking engagement within a rail tie plate aperture.

CHARLES H. R. HOWE.

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