U.S. patent application number 12/400195 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-09 for retention assembly and railway spike assembly incorporating same.
This patent application is currently assigned to ANSALDO STS USA, INC.. Invention is credited to Kevin McQuistian.
Application Number | 20100224691 12/400195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42677347 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100224691 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McQuistian; Kevin |
September 9, 2010 |
Retention Assembly and Railway Spike Assembly Incorporating
Same
Abstract
A spike assembly is for securing a section of a railroad to a
crosstie. The spike assembly includes a spike member of generally
linear shape having a tip portion structured to be installed in the
crosstie, a head portion disposed opposite the tip portion and
structured to engage and retain a portion of the section, and a
body portion disposed therebetween. The body portion including a
pair of generally opposed sides, each side having a notched
portion. The spike assembly further includes a clip member having a
first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion
disposed therebetween. Each of the first and second portions are
disposed in a respective one of the notched portions and the clip
member is structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.
Inventors: |
McQuistian; Kevin; (Apollo,
PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ECKERT SEAMANS CHERIN & MELLOTT
600 GRANT STREET, 44TH FLOOR
PITTSBURGH
PA
15219
US
|
Assignee: |
ANSALDO STS USA, INC.
Pittsburgh
PA
|
Family ID: |
42677347 |
Appl. No.: |
12/400195 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
238/371 ;
238/375 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01B 9/12 20130101; E01B
9/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
238/371 ;
238/375 |
International
Class: |
E01B 9/12 20060101
E01B009/12; E01B 9/06 20060101 E01B009/06 |
Claims
1. A spike assembly for securing a section of a railroad to a
crosstie, said spike assembly comprising: a spike member of
generally linear shape comprising: a tip portion structured to be
installed in said crosstie; a head portion disposed opposite said
tip portion and being structured to engage and retain a portion of
said section; and a body portion disposed therebetween, said body
portion including a pair of generally opposed sides, each side
having a notched portion; and a clip member comprising: a first
portion; a second portion; and an intermediate portion disposed
therebetween, wherein each of said first portion and said second
portion is disposed in a respective one of said notched portions
and wherein said clip member is structured to engage a portion of
the cross tie.
2. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein said body portion further
includes a third side disposed between the pair of generally
opposed sides, said third side having a notched portion in which
the intermediate portion of said clip member is disposed.
3. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the first portion
and the second portion of said clip member include a flared portion
structured to engage said portion of the cross tie.
4. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein said crosstie includes a
number of holes and wherein the spike assembly is structured to be
inserted into a corresponding one of said holes.
5. The spike assembly of claim 4 wherein the corresponding one of
said holes in the crosstie was formed by another spike previously
driven into the crosstie.
6. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein the clip member is formed
from a unitary piece of material.
7. The spike assembly of claim 6 wherein the unitary piece of
material is formed from spring steel.
8. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein the spike member is formed
from a spike previously driven into and removed from a
crosstie.
9. The spike assembly of claim 2 wherein the third side of said
spike member includes a generally planar surface, wherein the
intermediate portion of said clip member includes an outward
surface, and wherein the planar surface and the outward surface are
generally coplanar.
10. The spike assembly of claim 1 wherein the clip member is
structured to engage the portion of the crosstie in a manner such
that extraction of the spike assembly from the crosstie is
inhibited.
11. The spike assembly of claim 2 wherein the body portion of said
spike member has a generally rectangular cross-section.
12. A clip member for securing a spike member to a crosstie, said
spike member including a tip portion, a head portion disposed
opposite said tip portion, and a body portion disposed
therebetween, said body portion including a pair of generally
opposed sides, each side having a notched portion, said clip member
comprising: a first portion structured to be disposed in the
notched portion of one of said pair of generally opposed sides of
said spike member; a second portion structured to be disposed in
the notched portion of the other of said pair of generally opposed
sides of said spike member; and an intermediate portion disposed
therebetween, wherein said clip member is structured to engage a
portion of said cross tie.
13. The clip member of claim 12 wherein the body of said spike
member further includes a third side disposed between the pair of
generally opposed sides, said third side having a notched portion;
and wherein the intermediate portion of said clip member is
structured to be disposed in the notched portion of the third side
of said spike member.
14. The clip member of claim 12 wherein each of the first portion
and the second portion include a flared portion with each flared
portion being structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.
15. The clip member of claim 14 wherein the portion of the cross
tie comprises an inner surface of a hole in said crosstie; and
wherein the hole in said crosstie was formed by another spike
previously driven into the crosstie.
16. The clip member of claim 12 wherein the clip member is formed
from a unitary piece of material.
17. The clip member of claim 11 wherein the third side of said
spike member includes a generally planar surface, wherein the
intermediate portion of said clip member includes an outward
surface, and wherein the outward surface is structured to be
generally coplanar with the planar surface.
18. A method for securing a section of a railroad to a crosstie,
the method comprising: providing a spike assembly comprising: a
spike member of generally linear shape comprising: a tip portion
structured to be installed in said crosstie; a head portion
disposed opposite said tip and being structured to engage and
retain a portion of said section; and a body portion disposed
therebetween, said body portion including a pair of generally
opposed sides, each side having a notched portion; and a clip
member comprising: a first portion; a second portion; and an
intermediate portion disposed therebetween, each of said first
portion and said second portion being disposed in a respective one
of said notched portions and said clip member is structured to
engage a portion of the cross tie; and installing said spike
assembly into the crosstie to secure said railroad thereto.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising: installing said
spike assembly in a pre-existing hole in the crosstie.
20. The method of claim 18 further comprising coupling the clip
member onto the spike member prior to installing the spike assembly
into the crosstie.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field
[0002] The disclosed concept pertains generally to railway spikes
and, more particularly, to railway spikes of the type having
retainers for preventing the spike from working loose in a railway
tie. The disclosed concept also pertains to retention assemblies
for use in preventing a railway spike from loosening in a railway
tie. The disclosed concept further pertains to methods for securing
sections of railway to railway ties.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] The railroad industry has long been plagued by the problem
of loosening of rails from wood cross ties along the railway
roadbeds. Railroad rails are ordinarily positioned on tie plates,
which are thick rectangular steel plates having a width
considerably greater than the width of the flanged base of the
rails. Generally, grooves are provided in tie plates for snugly
accommodating the flanged bases of the rails. Apertures are
provided in the tie plates adjacent the flanged bases of the rails
so that spikes can be driven through such apertures into the cross
ties in such a manner that heads of the spikes securely engage the
flanged bases. As long as the spikes remain tightly engaged in the
cross ties, both the rails and the tie plates remain securely
attached to the cross ties.
[0005] Although the rails are secured to the cross ties by driving
headed spikes into the cross ties to contact the flanges of the
rails, the spikes nevertheless may loosen as a result of vertical
forces caused by wave-like motions of the rails produced as engines
and loaded cars move along the rails. Further, lateral wheel forces
produced on the tops of the rails as a result of side-to-side
swaying of the moving locomotive and its cars and centrifugal
forces as the locomotive and cars traverse curves of the railway
tend to cause rails to tilt or rock about their flanged bases. The
wave-like motion and lateral forces due to swaying, and various
early attempts to solve the problem are described in U.S. Pat. No.
3,964,680, incorporated herein by reference.
[0006] To alleviate the problem of loosening of spikes, various
spike retainers have been utilized in attempting to reliably retain
spikes in the wood cross ties despite the tendency of the above
described forces to loosen spikes. The above mentioned patent
discloses one such railroad spike retainer. However, a need still
exists for mechanisms to address the problem of loosening
spikes.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] These needs and others are met by embodiments of the
invention, which are directed to a spike assembly for securing a
section of railroad to a crosstie, a clip member for securing a
spike member to a crosstie, and a method for securing a section of
a railroad to a crosstie.
[0008] In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a spike
assembly for securing a section of a railroad to a crosstie is
provided. The spike assembly comprises a spike member of generally
linear shape and a clip member. The spike member comprises a tip
portion structured to be installed in the crosstie, a head portion
disposed opposite the tip portion and being structured to engage
and retain a portion of the section, and a body portion disposed
therebetween. The body portion includes a pair of generally opposed
sides, each side having a notched portion. The clip member
comprises a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate
portion disposed therebetween. Each of the first portion and the
second portion is disposed in a respective one of the notched
portions and the clip member is structured to engage a portion of
the cross tie.
[0009] The body portion may further include a third side disposed
between the pair of generally opposed sides, the third side having
a notched portion in which the intermediate portion of the clip
member is disposed.
[0010] Each of the first portion and the second portion of the clip
member may include a flared portion structured to engage the
portion of the cross tie.
[0011] The crosstie may include a number of holes and the spike
assembly may be structured to be inserted into a corresponding one
of the holes. The corresponding one of the holes in the crosstie
may have been formed by another spike previously driven into the
crosstie.
[0012] The clip member may be formed from a unitary piece of
material. The unitary piece of material may be formed from spring
steel.
[0013] The spike member may be formed from a spike previously
driven into and removed from a crosstie.
[0014] The third side of the spike member may include a generally
planar surface, the intermediate portion of the clip member may
include an outward surface, with the planar surface and the outward
surface being generally coplanar.
[0015] The clip member may be structured to engage the portion of
the crosstie in a manner such that extraction of the spike assembly
from the crosstie is inhibited.
[0016] The body portion of the spike member may have a generally
rectangular cross-section.
[0017] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a clip
member for securing a spike member to a crosstie is provided. The
spike member includes a tip portion, a head portion disposed
opposite the tip portion, and a body portion disposed therebetween.
The body portion includes a pair of generally opposed sides, each
side having a notched portion. The clip member comprises a first
portion structured to be disposed in the notched portion of one of
the pair of generally opposed sides of the spike member, a second
portion structured to be disposed in the notched portion of the
other of the pair of generally opposed sides of the spike member,
and an intermediate portion disposed therebetween. The clip member
being structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.
[0018] The body of the spike member may further include a third
side disposed between the pair of generally opposed sides, the
third side having a notched portion. The intermediate portion of
the clip member may be structured to be disposed in the notched
portion of the third side of the spike member.
[0019] Each of the first portion and the second portion may include
a flared portion with each flared portion being structured to
engage a portion of the cross tie.
[0020] The portion of the cross tie may comprise an inner surface
of a hole in the crosstie and the hole may have been formed by
another spike previously driven into the crosstie.
[0021] The clip member may be formed from a unitary piece of
material.
[0022] The third side of the spike member may include a generally
planar surface, wherein the intermediate portion of the clip member
includes an outward surface, and wherein the outward surface is
structured to be generally coplanar with the planar surface.
[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method
for securing a section of a railroad to a crosstie is provided. The
method comprises providing a spike assembly and installing the
spike assembly into the crosstie to secure the railroad thereto.
The spike assembly comprises a spike member of generally linear
shape and a clip member. The spike member comprises a tip portion
structured to be installed in the crosstie, a head portion disposed
opposite the tip portion and being structured to engage and retain
a portion of the section, and a body portion disposed therebetween.
The body portion includes a pair of generally opposed sides, each
side having a notched portion. The clip member comprises a first
portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion disposed
therebetween. Each of the first portion and the second portion is
disposed in a respective one of the notched portions and the clip
member is structured to engage a portion of the cross tie.
[0024] The method may further comprise installing the spike
assembly in a pre-existing hole in the crosstie.
[0025] The method may further comprise coupling the clip member
onto the spike member prior to installing the spike assembly into
the crosstie.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained
from the following description of the preferred embodiments when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a spike assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed concept.
[0028] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the spike assembly of FIG.
1.
[0029] FIG. 3 is another exploded view of the spike assembly of
FIG. 1.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a cut away view showing the spike assembly of FIG.
1 installed in a portion of a crosstie.
[0031] FIG. 5 is another cut away view showing the spike assembly
of FIG. 1 installed in a portion of a crosstie.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are
"connected" or "coupled" together shall mean that the parts are
joined together either directly or joined through one or more
intermediate parts. Further, as employed herein, the statement that
two or more parts are "attached" shall mean that the parts are
joined together directly.
[0033] As employed herein, the term "number" shall mean one or an
integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality).
[0034] FIGS. 1-3 show a spike assembly 10 according to an
embodiment of the invention. Spike assembly 10 includes a spike
member 12 and a clip member 40. Spike member 12 is of generally
linear shape and includes a tip portion 14, an opposite head
portion 16, and a body portion 18 disposed therebetween. The spike
member 12 is preferably made from a forged steel. Tip portion 14
and head portion 16 are preferably formed in a manner which tends
to assist in insertion of the spike member 12, as will be discussed
below. However, it is to be appreciated that tip 14 and head 16 may
be of other formations from those shown in the Figures without
varying from the scope of the present invention.
[0035] Body portion 18 is preferably of rectangular cross-section
and includes a first side 20, a second side 22 generally opposed to
first side 20, a third side 24, and a fourth side 26 generally
opposed to third side 24. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the
first and second sides 20,22 includes a notched portion 21,23.
Preferably, notched portions 21 23 are formed in the spike member
12 during the forging process from which spike member 12 is
initially produced. However, it is to be appreciated that notched
portions 21,23 could also be formed in a pre-existing spike through
machining operations.
[0036] Although shown having a generally rectangular cross-section,
it is to be appreciated that body portion 18 may also be of
different cross-section (e.g., without limitation, circular)
without varying from the scope of the invention.
[0037] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1-3, clip member 40 is
preferably formed from a unitary piece of spring steel. As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, clip member 40 includes a first portion 42, a second
portion 44 and an intermediate portion 46 disposed therebetween.
Preferably the first and second portions 40,42 are oriented
generally parallel with respect to each other and generally
perpendicular to the intermediate potion 44. Clip member 40 is
dimensioned such that each of the first portion 42 and the second
portion 44 is disposed in a respective one of the notched portions
21,23 when the clip member 40 is disposed on the spike member 12 as
shown in FIG. 1. Preferably, clip member 40 generally engages spike
member 12 in a manner that may be readily hand assembled and is
such that clip member 40 is retained on spike member 12 without
need for any additional fastening mechanisms.
[0038] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the third
side 24 also includes a notched portion 25 (FIG. 3) in which the
intermediate portion 46 of the clip member 40 may be disposed (such
as shown in FIG. 1). Preferably, notched portion 25, like notched
portions 21,23, is formed during the forging operation in which the
spike member 12 is formed, however, notched portion 25 could also
be formed from a latter machining process. Preferably, the notched
portion 25 is sized such that the outward facing surface (not
numbered) of the intermediate portion 46 of the clip member 40 is
generally coplanar with the generally planar surface of third side
24, as shown in FIG. 1. Such arrangement provides for insertion of
the spike assembly 10 into a crosstie without interference by the
intermediate portion 46, as will be discussed below.
[0039] Each of the first and second portions 42,44 of clip member
40 include a flared portion 43,45 that project generally outwardly
from each of notched portions 21,23 when the clip member 40 is
disposed on spike member 12, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows the spike assembly 10 installed in a crosstie
50. Such crossties 50 are commonly formed of wood but may also be
formed from other material(s) (e.g., without limitation, composite
material). The spike assembly 10 may be installed by striking the
head portion 16 in a direction toward the crosstie 50, thus driving
the spike assembly 10 into the crosstie 50. It is to be readily
appreciated that the present concept allows for installation of the
spike assembly 10 at a location on the crosstie 50 where either a
pre-existing hole 52 was previously formed (e.g., without
limitation, by a spike member previously driven) or where no
pre-existing hole is present. Accordingly, the spike assembly 10
described herein may readily be used to replace old railway spikes
that have become loosened.
[0041] When used to replace an existing spike that has become
loose, the existing spike, if still present, is first removed from
the crosstie leaving a hole 52 in the crosstie 50. Next, spike
assembly 10 is inserted, tip portion 14 first, through a hole 56 in
tie plate 54 and further into hole 52 voided by the previous spike.
Preferably, spike assembly 10 is driven into the previously voided
hole 52 by hammering or similar action to the head portion 16 until
the head portion 16 generally contacts and retains tie plate 54
and/or rail member 58 to crosstie 50. As the spike assembly 10 is
inserted and subsequently driven into the hole 52, the flared
portions 43 and 45 generally compress inward toward the notched
portions 21 and 23, thus allowing insertion of the spike assembly
10 into the crosstie 50 with negligible resistance. However, upon
attempting to back the spike assembly 10 out of the hole, the
flared portions 43 and 45 will tend to extend outward from the
notched portions 21 and 23 and effectively engage the crosstie 50
in a manner that inhibits extraction of the spike assembly 10 (see
FIG. 5).
[0042] In addition to being used in conjunction with a previously
formed hole in a crosstie, the spike assembly 10 may also be used
where no previously formed hole exists. In such situation, the
spike assembly 10 may be simply driven into the crosstie 50, tip
portion 14 first. In such application, tip portion 14 is preferably
of pointed shape, such as shown in FIGS. 1-5, in order to promote
driving of the spike assembly 10 into the crosstie.
[0043] While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have
been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those
details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the
disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are
meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of
the disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the
claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.
* * * * *