This cross-member system with shell (10) for a railroad track, intended to be wedged in an apron of the railroad track, of the type including a cross-member (12) having a lower face (20), and an upper face (22) that is intended to receive a rail fastening system (14), and a shell, is characterized in that the shell envelops substantially the entire cross-member so as to define an inner volume for receiving the cross-member that is sealed against outside attacks.

This cross-member system with shell (10) for a railroad track, intended to be wedged in an apron of the railroad track, of the type including a cross-member (12) having a lower face (20), and an upper face (22) that is intended to receive a rail fastening system (14), and a shell, is characterized in that the shell envelops substantially the entire cross-member so as to define an inner volume for receiving the cross-member that is sealed against outside attacks.

An improved screwed fastening system for railway rails is proposed to allow rail fastening clips to be moved onto and off the rail more easily, facilitating track installation and maintenance. One improvement comprises providing in the screwed fastening system a clip guiding device, for guiding the rail fastening clip whilst it is being driven, which has an asymmetrically-located hole for receiving the screw-threaded shank of a screwbolt. Another improvement comprises providing in the screwed fastening system a rail fastening clip and screwbolt assembly which have inter-engaging driving portions. In each case, rotation of the screwbolt in one direction brings about translational movement of the rail bearing portion of the clip away from the screwbolt, and rotation of the screwbolt in the opposite direction brings about translational movement of the rail bearing portion of the clip towards the screwbolt.

An improved screwed fastening system for railway rails is proposed to allow rail fastening clips to be moved onto and off the rail more easily, facilitating track installation and maintenance. One improvement comprises providing in the screwed fastening system a clip guiding device, for guiding the rail fastening clip whilst it is being driven, which has an asymmetrically-located hole for receiving the screw-threaded shank of a screwbolt. Another improvement comprises providing in the screwed fastening system a rail fastening clip and screwbolt assembly which have inter-engaging driving portions. In each case, rotation of the screwbolt in one direction brings about translational movement of the rail bearing portion of the clip away from the screwbolt, and rotation of the screwbolt in the opposite direction brings about translational movement of the rail bearing portion of the clip towards the screwbolt.

A tie having a non-linear keyway under the overlying rail to provide support to restrain lateral and longitudinal movement of the rail. A fastening system to hold rails down on a tie comprises a rail plate that may be fastened to the tie within the keyway. The fasteners are protected to avoid damage in case of a derailment or other adverse conditions. Also disclosed are visual inspection mechanisms to assist with determining whether a fastening system is securely attached to the tie.

An improved rail anchoring spike that includes barbs is used for fastening metal to ties. The spike includes a head having one or more flanges and a stand-off extending axially from the flange(s). The spike includes a shank extending axially from the stand-off to form a tapered tip. The shank is adapted to engage dense material of the tie by a combination of threads and barbs on the shank. The threads are generally parallel and extend over a threaded portion of the shank. The shank includes a plurality of barbs positioned in a lower half of the threaded portion. Each barb is positioned between a pair of threads. Each barb is configured to minimize damage to fibers of the tie during installation of the spike as the fibers relax behind, and engage with, a barbed end. This prevents movement of the spike over time despite deterioration of the tie.

An improved rail anchoring spike that includes barbs is used for fastening metal to ties. The spike includes a head having one or more flanges and a stand-off extending axially from the flange(s). The spike includes a shank extending axially from the stand-off to form a tapered tip. The shank is adapted to engage dense material of the tie by a combination of threads and barbs on the shank. The threads are generally parallel and extend over a threaded portion of the shank. The shank includes a plurality of barbs positioned in a lower half of the threaded portion. Each barb is positioned between a pair of threads. Each barb is configured to minimize damage to fibers of the tie during installation of the spike as the fibers relax behind, and engage with, a barbed end. This prevents movement of the spike over time despite deterioration of the tie.

The invention concerns a process for installation of an expansion anchor device, which is used to secure a part to the surface of a structural support member. The anchor device comprises an expandable sleeve (1), mainly extending along a longitudinal axis (X-X) with a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3), which is designed to be placed within a hole formed in the structural member that is designed to have the anchor applied thereto. In the process, once the hole has been formed in the support member and said anchor device has been placed in the hole, a step of orienting the sleeve (1) is carried out, such that the expansion of the latter occurs along the highest-resistance direction of the structural support member. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the process, which comprises a cylindrical bushing (26) having an axial through hole (27), front coupling means (28) located at the end (29) of the bushing facing the sleeve (1) of the anchor device, said means (28) being adapted for engagement with front counter-coupling means (30) placed on the proximal end (2) of the sleeve (1) of the anchor device as well as a handle (31) connected to said bushing (26).

The invention concerns a process for installation of an expansion anchor device, which is used to secure a part to the surface of a structural support member. The anchor device comprises an expandable sleeve (1), mainly extending along a longitudinal axis (X-X) with a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3), which is designed to be placed within a hole formed in the structural member that is designed to have the anchor applied thereto. In the process, once the hole has been formed in the support member and said anchor device has been placed in the hole, a step of orienting the sleeve (1) is carried out, such that the expansion of the latter occurs along the highest-resistance direction of the structural support member. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the process, which comprises a cylindrical bushing (26) having an axial through hole (27), front coupling means (28) located at the end (29) of the bushing facing the sleeve (1) of the anchor device, said means (28) being adapted for engagement with front counter-coupling means (30) placed on the proximal end (2) of the sleeve (1) of the anchor device as well as a handle (31) connected to said bushing (26).

An improved rail anchoring spike that includes barbs is used for fastening metal to ties. The spike includes a head having one or more flanges and a stand-off extending axially from the flange(s). The spike includes a shank extending axially from the stand-off to form a tapered tip. The shank is adapted to engage dense material of the tie by a combination of threads and barbs on the shank. The threads are generally parallel and extend over a threaded portion of the shank. The shank includes a plurality of barbs positioned in a lower half of the threaded portion. Each barb is positioned between a pair of threads. Each barb is configured to minimize damage to fibers of the tie during installation of the spike as the fibers relax behind, and engage with, a barbed end. This prevents movement of the spike over time despite deterioration of the tie.