US2608123A - Locking spike - Google Patents

Description

g- 26, 1952 A. l. ISRAELSON 2,608,123

LOCKING SPIKE Filed Nov. 15, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l flZberi'I. Israeisan 1a 13 .13 a 923% W 13 Fig.7 W

Aug. 26, 1952 A. I. ISRAELSON LOCKING SPIKE Filed Nov. 15, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 26, 1952 A. I. ISRAELSON 2,608,123

LOCKING SPIKE Filed Nov. 15, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 HIM 26, 1952 A. l. ISRAELSON 2,608,123

LOCKING SPIKE Filed Nov. 15, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 26, 1952 A. ISRAELISON LOCKING SPIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 15, 1945 awe/M31 filbefri I. Ifiraeison fiatenteci Aug. 2 6, 1952 .LLTUNITED STATES ATENT O C LOCKING SPIKE Albertl. Israelson, Hartington, Nebr. Application November 15, 1945, Serial No. 628,690 l 2 Cam's. (o1. 85-23) I This invention relatesto spikes and securing means therefor wherein the spike when driven into wood or thelike, will be efiectivelysecured inplace.

' As used in railroad rail constructions, the spike is subjected to very severe strains. This is particularly true at the joints.

When the rails are laid, the spikesare driven in to the required depthyeither with the common chair plate or some of the later improvements, or substitutes for the same. Each time the wheel'of a car passes over'a particular tie and its'spikes, compression first takes place followed'by a release'of the pressure This repeated action causes the ordinary spike to be and a key to hold the spike in place, with means to positively hold the key in locking positon;

.Another and further object of the invention the groove, the key being so shaped asto always lifted a small amount. After continued use, it

is necessary to redrive the spikes to their former depth. After the second 'and successive times the spikes-are driven in," they are more easily raised due to the fact that the holes are worn and are slightly larger. 7

In addition, when there is a space resulting from movement'of the-spike, in the wood, water is permitted to enter. This causes .the hole to remain'larger when and after it has been wet, swelled and dried out.

When water is so admitted, freezing takes place in winter, further disruptingthe wood fibers and causing loose spikes after the freezing action'is over.

j In'overcoming the difiiculties of securing rails and ties together, various means have been used, someof which cut the fiber of the wood ties near or at" the surface and open the spaces between the fibers to the admission'of rain water. This rain water causes deterioration and rotting of the wood.

-The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved spike for the use on railroads or for securing metal to wood or wood to wood'in general application. Another object of the invention is the provision of a spike construction wherein a locking key secures the spike in place and leaves no open holes, in the wood for the collection of rain water.

'Another object of the invention is the provision of a suitable spike wherein a key is located in a slot'or groove in the side of the spike, the main portion of the groove'being located between the edges of one side. 7 I

' A still further object of the invention is the provision of a spike which may be used with a plate through which it is driven and having a spring tending to draw upwardly on the spike v the key when necessary-even though the spike be pressed by the wood into the groove. p

Anotherand still further object of the invention is the provision of a spike having a tapered body with a groove preferably parallel to the axis of the body .of the spike.

Another and further object of the invention is the provision of a spike having a groove with straight and curved portions to guide a key into the wood and with provision for the extraction of and key are driven through an opening in a chair plate of only sufficient width to admit the spike and key when straight.

Another and still further object of the inven tion is the provision of aspike having a spring,-

the spike having a slightly downwardly extending lip from the spike head to hold the spring in place when the spike is in operative position.

Another and still further object of the inven:-

tion is the provision of a spike assembly where-f in when the spike and its spring hold a rail in place, the rail may be removed Without with:

ing. depth, (3) preventing effective bending'of the spike shank away from the rail, (4) provide for limited movement of the rail without movement of the spike in the Wood of the, tie and (5) maintain' a steady resilient pressure on the flange of the rail to hold the same in place.-

Other and further objects will be apparent from.

a reading of the complete specification.

Referring to the drawing wherein are illus,- trated different embodiments and applications ofthe invention, I I

Fig. 1 is a side View of one embodiment of the invention, shown as applied to a railroad rail, the

latter being in section.

Fig. 2 is a view taken at from Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan vie of the'structure shown on Figs. 1 and 2. w

Fig. 4 is a View of the slot side of the spike.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a key after it has been driven into its place.

Figs. 6 and '7 are side and edge views of the key respectively of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a cross section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9is a side view of another adaptation of the invention, .i

Fig. 10 is a top plan vi'ew of the structure shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 11 is a side view of another embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a view of the structure of Fig. 11 taken at 90.

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the structure mus" trated in Figs. 11 and 12. H Fig. 14 is a side view of still another adaptation of the invention.

Fig. 15 is a view of the structure illustrated in.,Flg. 14 but from a point 90 from that of Fig. 14..

.Flg. 16 is plan view of the structureillus- 4 of the key l3, straight, there is no pocket to collect water should it have a tendency to enter. Further, this construction causes the whole body of the spike and its key to be tightly bound in the wood into which it is driven.

As the key is driven into place, it follows the curved portion 12 of the groove and extends outwardly into the wood as illustrated in Fig. 2.

Surrounding'the spik' mesa of resilient material, is a spring mem'b'f M having an opening H l This spring member I4 has an extension M which rests upon the flange of the rail l0 and an oppositely extending extension I l which may rest upon the chair or plate II, or the tie.

The opening HP in the spring member I is of a size to receive the shank of the spike l2 with sufii'cient s ace to drive the key I3 into its place but without much space to spare. This construction tends to make the chair or plate I I, the spike 12, the key l3 and the spring [4, a semiid PU FW 'Q- msam s re o i efir e Pele "cdlhpfs'gibi and expansion of the wood in the tie I5, t1'ie Eitensions 14 and 14 will give and tak -dependwherein two pieces of timber are secured together 7 n' br e..-

13 is a top plan view of the structure shown nFie. l fisJQi a sidegvi wor aspi e h v n a bod withtsufiicienttaper toper nit the spike and bent key be withdrawn through a chair or other plate having an opening the width vof which is substantially that of the larger part of the body -,.t h spik r 1?ie.. 2 s dev ewoi a ikeshowi s. a .cut eweyi z eni sm o rmi th l ckineendpf the key to straighten out and enter the indentation to fa l t t thd e altx n v2? 3% e of. a ot r f rm showin the cut away slot or indentation and showing the 891 body of .less taperthanthe taper of the of t esp e in F -2Q- i $351.33.. .5 p rs e ve i w i .three.9th r adaptations of my invention-sin the same installatiori. ss 9 2 i11 stre ae ii i urth r adaptation'of the invention showing a spike with a shoulder' ndp o Sp te. l.

. Fi re 1 ewi s o s ike. uc asis illustrated in Fig. 22 in connection with a rail and'a spring such as is shown in i lf'figs. 27 andzfi are respectively cross section viewson lines 21-21 and 28 28..o f F ig. 2 6,

B.ef erri ng particularly toFigs. 1 to 3, Ill desisnates the 1. Po n o a, il. it e h i o pl t p which the r res s and wh ch isprovided with a hole ll. Myimproved spike flZ i'sprovided with a slot, I25 which is located between the edges of the outer side and atits bot; toxin has a curved portion I2 whieh extends across the face andto the edge of thespike e is qv a di ri inally strai h The thickness of this key I3 is slightly less than the width offtheslo't I2 and its width is more than equal to the depth of the slot [2'5 allows a portion of the key to extend outwardly beyond the face of the spike. The portion which extends beyond the face of the spike has an outer face, the upper 'or outer end of which is preferably outward of the lower or innerportion. This. feature enables the upper. portion to seal the opening in the 'wood against the entry of rain water. And by constructing the outer surface me. on th e e ii .61 ifi n m this movement of the spring, the ear-tea poiti'o'ii l3 oi the key I3 being embedded in the wees-a1 of the tie I5, will preterit niov'ni'eiit 6f th'spike. it is to be noted thatthekey-e'iidis bevf ld two directions as shown at I3. 13 6a 'Fig's li and 6. The bevel [3 .theky to curving course in the wees. i shown Fig. and the bevel m tends ta new the 'iii the slot or groove l2,

In driving the spike, when the tr aek s'tio'n l0 and chair ll are in place, the'spike 'is 'fo 'd into the ee until the spring 1'4 is iind'rteiisibii tending tolift the sp ke outer the wood. 4 H I I It is to be noted that the 'in'ai'n pbfrtib'nbrme groove I2, above its curved portion, is inter;- mediate the edges of thesi'defac'eof the spike and is preferably parallel'to th'e axis oi'sfiike. This construction breaks a hamper 'o'f fibers of the wood, permits the spike ote'nrmiy held by its four edges and is given further bilitybythe key.. N V v R The shank of the pike, "whicli 'is preferably slightly tapered, and the extens on for the key beyond its slot, preferably fill the Opening 11 in the spring member i4 when the spike is Th place. This forms a sem -new connection firever'itin'g play between the members I 2 l3 andfl. Since the ihain body, of the key "goes down a straight with the 'woc'id, it euteveey few ween was. a h u pe iie 'ii j fie s w gem: is least "as large as any other part 'of the key,

the opening madeby the lower partfifii ri euv The spike l2 maybe 'u s'e'awi'th bif withtiiititfie chair or plate u. 'Wlie'n 'usedwiththe'pii'rteW I, it may be necessary to withdraw the amete for example, when -it 'iejrrteeeary to *rpiaeet rail. Since the opening'in' the chair or plate "H is only of "sufiici'ent size to receive the shank"6r body of the spike and the protruding key, iii-ovision has been "ni'ade to iwi'th dr'aw the spike through the opening H The firvd 'ii'rtion l z of the groove is provided with'a. eiit'awa j firtion [2 adjacent the outlet'of the groove. This is illustrated in Fig. 22, the shape o'fth'eiky shown as it has been withdrawn "from thewd'od. It is to be noted that whenthe key "sateen; key and body of thespik'e occii pyfib iii'ofe space than the upper "portion of the spike body,

- when passing through the opening II of the chair or plate I I. V

- In the construction illustrated in Figs, 9 and 10, the spike I2 having a slot I2. I2 and key I3, I3 are similar to the corresponding parts illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 already described. In this construction, the spring 94 has two extensions 94 94 which contactthe flange of the rail III. An opening 94 permits the shank of thespike I2 to pass with preferably only suffi cient room for the shank and the upper end of the key I3. I

It is to be noted that the main body of the spring member is offset from a line throughthe centers of the extensions 94 94 This is for the purpose of permitting the shank of the spike I2 to passthrough the opening I I of the chair or plate II, alongside the edge of the flange of the rail I0 and yet throw the extensions 94, 94 to the side so that both ofv them. will press downwardly on the flange of the rail section Ill-.g

.The operation of this construction is someev what similar to the first described construction. The rail I0 and the chair orplate II being in place, the spike is passed through the opening 94 and the opening II in the chair or plate II. While extensions 94*, 94 are held in contact with the flange of the rail II], the spike is driven to the proper depth to place the spring 94 under sufiicient tension to hold the rail flange in place. After the spike has been driven to the proper depth, the key I3, as shown in Fig. 6.11s inserted and driven in until it follows the curved portion I2 of the groove and the endv of the key Ii-l has assumed the shape'illustrated in Fig. 5. It will now be seen that with the upper end of the key held tightly with the spike in the opening 94, the rail will be resiliently held in place with no tendency for the rail flange to get a hold on the spike to lift it from its place. Moreover, the key holds the spike firmly in place in the. wood. Referring now to Figs. 11, 12 and 13, it is to be here noted that the spike I2; with its groove I2 I2 the key I3 with its curved portion I3 all coact with the flange of the rail II], the opening II of the chair or plate IIv and the tie (not shown) as has been described for similar parts ofFigs.1to8. The spring member H4 is provided with two extensions II4ewhichare designed forcontact with the chair'or plate -II as shown in-Fig. 13. These extensions pass on'either side of the shank of the spike 12.x The-extension ll l extends toward and contacts th flange of the rail section III. The opening II in the chair or plate is preferably so formed that-it will maintain a tight contact with that part of the key I3 which ex-r tends beyond the groove III of the spike and tends to hold the key in place.

When assembled, the spike is placed in the opening I I and driven into the tie. When nearly in place, the spring member H4 is slipped into place and the spike driven in until'the spring is under the desired compression. The key is inserted and driven to its place asalready described. To more securely hold the spring H4 in place, the'spike head has a lip I2 which extends over the top of the extension II4 When used in this manner, the short lip I2 will be between the extensions I M whichlatter will be under the same tension.

Referring now to the form illustrated in Figs. 14, 15 and 16, the spike with its grooveIZ", I2

with the rail II), the opening II of the chair plate II and the tie, ashas been heretofore de scribedfor similar'partsof Figs. lto 8. t V

In this adaptation, the spring I44 has two extensions I44 I4 9, which, as in the case of the form shown in Figs. '9 and 10, both contact with the flangeof the rail I0. In this form, the spring member I44 has a saddle -I4'4 'in which the under side of the head rests, while the lip I2 holds the spike head locked to the spring I44.

In use, the spik is placed in the opening I If of the chair or plate II and driveninto the tie therebeneath until sufficiently. low to engage the saddle I44, of the spring member I44. .The

spring member I44 is then put inplace with the lip I2 over the=edge of the saddleIM and the spike driven in until there issufiicient tension in the spring member. The opening of the chair platevis sufliciently small to'engage the extending portion of the key when the latter is driven to itsplace as alreadydescribed. In Figs. 18- and 19, a form of the invention is illustrated wherein two timbers I5 I5 are; secured together. On the top of thetirnberiIfi is placed the plate I II which has a center opening III of a size and shape toper mit passage of the body I2 of the spike. A spring member. 2H; isprovided to perform afunction similar to that of the-spring member I4 illustratedv in Fig-.1.

This spring member 2H3 may have as many as four arms 2 I4 and an opening ZI I- to receive the body I2- of the spike. As in the previously described forms, the body I2 of the spike has a groove having a section I2 which is substane o tially parallel with the axis of thespike and at its bottom a curved section I2 v to turn thekey I3 into the wood of the timber I5 5, as at. I3, Fig. 18. N v I In use, as on a wooden tread bridge, there is considerable up and down movement of the time. bers, By this construction, the lower end .of the spike is kept in place by the end, I3 -of.the key and when the pressure is released, the spring 2 I 4 restores the parts to theirv normal positions. Figs. 20, 21 and 2 2 are to be understood as illustrating spikes having bodieswhich are tapered, less tapered and straight, respectively; Of the general shape of the heretoforedescribed forms, is the shape shown in Fig. 21. However, it is to be .understood that the forms illustrated in Figs. 20 and 22' may be substituted wherever a spike is shown assembled inthe other'views ofthe drawing. I Inthefforms of the spikes illustrated in Figs; 20,. 21, 22, the bodies of the respective spikes are designated I2,.I2 and 12 It-Will be noted that in each of these forms, the key slot or groove is on a flat side, while in some of the previously described forms,- the slot or groove'is on aside having a chamfered endto form the point of the spike. This invention is adapted for use in either man-ner. The body of the. s ike may be tapered as to' any two opposite sides .or all four sides maybetapered. I .In the case of sufficient taper to permit the end of the key to be withdrawn without the necessity of a cut away place I2, the curved port-ionof the slot or groove is extended to the edge of the spike as illustrated in Fig. 20. 1 1

When the spikes are withdrawn from their operative positions, the keys assume positions illustrated inFigs. 20, 21 and 22.

In Fig. 23, the rail I0 is. resting (in chair or plate II which is provided on each side of the rail with three openings Il through which the spikes are driven into the tie. For the sake-'01;

.elo'omess, theishnwing or ftheiieand hall of the plate II, are omitted. .Ihespike'itzis provided with a slot or groove 12, D te receive .the.:key It with its lower portion .curved. when put :in pliwmmdfhavingits tip .beyeled asst; 13 .fl gas' olreadyidescribed. The spike iszprorided with a liplft whichholds the pressure spring infiplace ls iwillbe described;

'In the must-motion oi the spike 'shown in 23, it is assumed. that the :size .nndistrength :of the keys make impossible from a practical standpoint, .to "remove thespikes when, .iorexsmp'le,it is desired :to remove :a. railzsec'tion. The oonslxuetionwhereby the :removal of the. made possible, will now be described.

The springs 314 hauera saddle portion which snags the underside of the "head of the :spike amiis held inrplace by the :lip 12 :and the iresiiiencypf the spring 314. The spring 3H is provided with an extension 3 which engages therohair or plate II and with an extension 314* which engages. thexail-to holdthe latter.:iniplace.

The opening II in the chairpor-plate II is placed nwithjts inner edge adjacent the rail edge and :is of sufllcient size. only to permit admis-' sion'and drivmgof thespike :IZ. Since .thesp'ike is taperedjpreferably onrat least two sides, the opening II will. boot a'size .to permit the spike to fit snugly when it is driven to its operative pmition;

.It will be obvious from the construction. descrihedthat the springmay :be forced :out and the .sameor-amew one replaced when, for .example,it is desired to removeandreplace a rail section. .The removal and replacement of...the springs will .be later described in .detail.

Between the spikes I2.;of Fig. 23, is showna spike I I2 which is illustrated with its head;at.90 to the positions of the headset the spike I2. A spring fli hasan extension 411 for engagement withthezrail'to assist in holding the rail in place. Two other. extensions-ll A xstraddlethe. spike head otthe: spike .I I2 andiengage the chair or plate I I.

.Theshead of thespike I I2 isso placed that its lip 1m .engagesa saddle on the sprin member I! totpress downwardly on the extension "4 tolholdthe rail onithe chair.

,In the constructionshown in Fig. 23, the two spaced spikes 12 hold the rail against lateral movement and exert some pressure 'on the rail flange. Theintermediatespike 'I I-zdoes not'hold the :mil-against lateral movement'but does exert a greater downward pressure onathe rail flange than either'ofthe spikes I2. This is due to'the differences in the distances from the point of contact ofth'e lip II'IZ to the points of contact-of the extensions H4 and M4", the latter being longer than the former.

' .In assembling the structure illustrated in Fig. 23, the-chairs or plates II being'in place, the

.In caseit is desiredAor reason; :to remove the springs 3H, 4, it is only necessary to drive azsmall'wedge :under the overhanging-end :of the spike. clears rthezspringirom the It is :now possible to .knock the spring to one:si,de untilfitnlears thespike. To replace therspring, alewer iszplaced under the lip :I l. with the-Spr belowtheiever. The-spring all may, in this way, be compressed untilit can clear thelip I13 A- hammerrmayinow be used :to knock the spring .to its place, after which the :lever is releasediand removed.

To':release the spring .Hljrom .the'spike head. especial two-.pronged lever may be used, utillzing theshort overhang 'LZ'Ofithfi spikeheados a fulcrum, the two extensions 4W being pressed down until the spring .can be :madeto clear the lip 5H2. 'Ioreplsce, this spring may .be driven or pried into place from :its rail .end.utllizing the special two-pronged-lever do one it .into place.

In Figs..24 and25, are illustratedenotheriorm of spike ioruse-withacoil spring. 'Thespikeln preierably :has a :taperedzbody, as illustrated. 0n onesideeoi thespike body ZiS agroove 5I2having a lower curved'end 5H. Unlike the spikes I1 and H2, the spike in has a shoulder in extending from its head "512 which shoulder am is provided with a suitable lower surface to contact with the upper surface of the chair or plate I I;

The head 'a'IZ is provided with :a flip 51.2" to hold the holdingispringiitl inplaoe. A tongue 5I2 isprovidedon the lower side of the lip and extends into the coil of the spring 5. to act as a :means for steadying-the spring 5 and for. holding itin-its place.

A locking key .5I3 ;having a curved end 5 I8; when :in place; is provided of asize to snuglyiflt in the grooveSI-Z andof .a thickness to be, when in'place, pressed firmly by the'adiacent wood to minimizethe wear due :to :movement when the parts are-under pressure.

.ltis to be'noted that thechair or plate ,I I :has openings which may-be either adjacentjthe positionof the'edgeof the flange of the .rail'or at a.

- distance as-illustratedin Fig. 25.

Inutilizing this spike, the rail I0 andits -chsir. or plate I I are first placed in their relative proper positions. The-spike 5I2 is 'now started to :its seat through the .opening II 'of the plate II. The spike-is now driven in part way-until the spring 5 can be inserted over the tongue H2, under the-lip 612*. Thespike-is now drivenrtoits place -with the shoulder -5I2 resting on the plate- II. In this position, there is a space below the bottom of the tongue :5l-2 This space permits railsare placed imposition and the spikes driven in part way. The springs 3 are now placed under'the lips I2 and the spikes I2 driven home until the springs 3I4 are under the desired tension; With the spikes in this position, the keys are placed in their slots or grooves and driven in. The ends'iollowing the curved portion Ii! of the -grooves, will assume the positions illustrated at I3 and will then emerge from the slot or :groove and enter the wood, as already described.

The intermediate spike H2, is now driven in, thezspring member! inserted and the spike I I2 driven to'its'position. The key I3 is now driven inasnlready described and the construction is the slight changes in position inavertical direction, of'the rail flange of the rail III. I

The key 5I3 is now inserted in zthe'groovein and is drivenin. As-therpointreaches thelower endof 1 the g groove, it follows the curved portion of the groove to the side-oi the spike where it enters the WOOdltOTlOCk the spike in itsoperative posi tion. -As the end-ofthe groove is curved,-thekeyenters the-.wood in the formof ahook, thusholding theikey firmlvin the .tie and .the spike isthus heldfirmlyagainst the spring to press in turn, against the .rail :fiange.

It will 'be 'thus clear that the 'parts willibe held in proper :relative'positions with no bending of the spike outwardly from-the rail andwith no tendency for'the 'rails to spread; yet permitting" resilient slight movement in vertical direction.

.As already noted for these-spikes generally, the spike Slimavbo provided witha cut away poxtion 512 similar in construction and function to the cut away portion 12 of the spike l2. This cut away portion provides a space for the key to occupy if it should be necessary to draw the spike for any purpose.

While I have shown and described various adaptations of my invention, it is to be understood that the disclosure is merely illustrative and that modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and within its scope as claimed.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. In combination, a spike comprising a shank of substantially rectangular cross section, a groove in a side of the shank and extending longitudinally thereof, a locking key for the groove, the groove being of substantially uniform cross section and extending from the spike head substantially parallel to one edge of the side and having a curved extension of similar cross section extending to one edge of the side, the shank being cut away at the end of the groove and toward its point to permit bending of the key end parallel to the spike axis and remain substantially in the cross section of the spike shank at its head end, the locking key being of a substantially uniform cross section and of a shape to substantially fill the groove and of a width greater than the depth of the groove to extend outwardly of the straight and curved sections of the groove and of a length to extend beyond the end of the groove when the key is in place.

2. In combination, a spike comprising a shank of substantially rectangular cross section, a groove of substantially rectangular cross section in a side of the shank and extending longitudinally thereof, a locking key for the groove, the

groove being of substantially uniform cross section and extending from the spike head substantially parallel to and adjacent one edge of the side and having a curved extension of similar cross section extending to the opposite edgeof the side, the shank being cut away at the end of the groove and toward its point to permit bending of the key and parallel to the spike axis and remain substantially in the cross section of the spike shank at its head end, the locking key being of a substantially uniform cross section and of a shape to substantially fill the groove and of a Width greater than the depth of the groove to extend outwardly of the straight and curved sections of the groove and of a length to extend beyond the end of the groove when the key is in place.

ALBERT I. ISRAELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 311,162 Gallagher Jan. 20, 1885 814,525 Durboraw Mar. '6, 1906 1,106,767 Young Aug. 11, 1914 1,114,305 Starbuck Oct. 20, 1914 1,407,678 Roussel Feb. 21, 1922 2,218,156 Scholes Oct. 15, 1940 2,450,361 Scholes Sept. 28, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,839 Great Britain July 19, 1895 27,126 Great Britain Nov. 19, 1897

Images