RAIL BOLT LOCKING DEVICE

Abstract

A rail bolt nut locking device comprising a member having a first planar section at one end of the member, and a second planar section at an opposite end of the member, a central, curved intermediate section located between the planar sections. The first and second planar sections are substantially flat but include openings which are adapted to be friction fitted around the nuts of rail bolts which have been used to hold a frog or rail joint bar in place on a railway rail. The intermediate section is preferably made of a resilient plastic, to allow relative movement of the first and second planar sections. The planar sections, when fitted to the rail bolts, prevents loosening of the rail bolt nuts, and the curved intermediate section can act to prevent the rail bolts from backing out of the openings provided for the rail bolts. A device and method to lock the rail bolts in place is provided.

Claims

1. A rail bolt nut locking device comprising a member having a first planar section at one end of the member, and a second planar section at an opposite end of the member, and wherein each of said first and second planar sections are substantially flat but each having openings adapted to be friction fitted around the rail bolt nuts of first and second rail bolts, and wherein, said first and second planar sections are separated by at least one curved, resilient intermediate section which allows relative movement of the first and second planar sections.

2. A locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said openings comprises a series of teeth which are adapted to be fitted around the shoulders of a rail bolt nut, so as to provide said friction fit.

3. A locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said resilient intermediate section allows said section to be flexed, bent or twisted.

4. A locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking device is made from injection- or blow-molded plastic.

5. A locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said device is configured to be installed on rail bolts which have been installed in an alternating pattern from each side of the rail.

6. A locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said rail bolt nut is square or hexagon shaped.

7. A locking device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said locking member additionally comprises a further central planar section having an opening adapted to be friction fitted around a rail bolt nut, and said first and second planar sections are each attached to said central planar sections by curved, resilient intermediate sections which allows relative movement of the first and second planar sections.

8. A method for reducing the amount of rotational movement of adjacent rail bolt nuts in a rail joint bar, by placing one or more locking devices as claimed in claim 1, on at least two rail bolt nuts.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8 wherein each of said openings comprises a series of teeth which are adapted to be fitted around the shoulders of a rail bolt nut, so as to provide said friction fit.

10. A method for reducing the amount of rotational movement of adjacent rail bolt nuts in a frog, by placing one or more locking devices as claimed in claim 1, on at least two rail bolt nuts.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of said openings comprises a series of teeth which are adapted to be fitted around the shoulders of a rail bolt nut, so as to provide said friction fit.

12. A rail bolt nut locking system comprising placing a rail bolt nut locking devices as claimed in claim 1, around the nuts of at least two rail bolts, on at least one side of a rail.

13. A rail bolt nut locking system as claimed in claim 12 wherein each of said openings comprises a series of teeth which are adapted to be fitted around the shoulders of a rail bolt nut, so as to provide said friction fit.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example only in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0047] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rail connection assembly according to the prior art, including the ends of two rail sections, and two 4-hole joint bars with 4 rail bolts;

[0048] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1;

[0049] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a 4-hole joint bar, and a rail bolt, according to the prior art;

[0050] FIG. 4 is a front view of a rail bolt nut locking device of the present invention;

[0051] FIGS. 5 to 7 are a side view, an end view and a back view, respectively, of the rail bolt nut locking device of FIG. 4;

[0052] FIGS. 8 and 9 are perspective front and back views of the device of FIG. 4;

[0053] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the rail connection assembly of FIG. 1, which additionally includes the rail bolt nut locking device of FIG. 4, located on each side of the rail;

[0054] FIG. 11 is a top view of the assembly shown in FIG. 10;

[0055] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a rail connection assembly having a 6-hole joint bar connection, and the rail bolt nut locking device of FIG. 4, located on each side of the rail;

[0056] FIG. 13 is a top view of the assembly shown in FIG. 12;

[0057] FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective and top views of an alternative arrangement of a rail connection assembly having a 6-hole joint bar connection, and the rail bolt nut locking device of FIG. 4, located on each side of the rail;

[0058] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a rail bolt locking device of the present invention;

[0059] FIG. 17 is a top view of a rail connection assembly having a 6-hole joint bar connection, and two of the alternative embodiment of the rail bolt nut locking devices of FIG. 16;

[0060] FIG. 18 is a top view of a rail frog;

[0061] FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the rail nut locking device, for use on frog sections;

[0062] FIG. 20 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 19;

[0063] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the device of FIG. 19; and

[0064] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 19 attached to two adjacent nuts on a frog.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example only. In the drawings, like reference numerals depict like elements.

[0066] It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Also, unless otherwise specifically noted, all of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a rail line connection according to the prior art, and generally depicted as item 10, is shown in FIG. 1, and includes the ends of two steel rail lines 12 and 14 which are in abutment with one another. Each rail 12 and 14 has a rail head section 20, a foot section 22, and a web section 24 that sits between rail head 20 and foot 22. A small gap 16 is established between rails 12 and 14. A four-bolt, steel joint bar 18 is seated under rail head section 20, and primarily against the web section 24 on both sides of rails 12 and 14. Both joint bars 18 on each side of rails 12 and 14, span across gap 16.

[0068] Four rail bolts 26 are used to hold joint bars 18 in place with rail bolts 26 being placed through the four openings 36 in both of the joint bars 18 on either side of rails 12 and 14, and through the two openings provided in the web sections 24 of each of rails 12 and 14. FIG. 2, which is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 1, shows the installation of one rail bolt 26 through the two joint bars 18 located on both sides of rail 12.

[0069] The details of the rail joint bars 18, and the rail bolts 26 are seen in FIG. 3, and it can be seen that, in this embodiment, rail bolts 26 have a rounded head section 28, an oval shoulder section 30, and a threaded section 32 which is adapted to receive nut 34. Rail joint bars 18 include four openings 36 which have a slightly oval shape and which are adapted to receive the oval shoulder section 30 of rail bolt 26.

[0070] While the rail bolts 26 can be installed all on the same side of rail joint bars 18, in this particular embodiment, rail bolts 26 are installed in an alternating pattern meaning that the rail bolts 26 are installed so that heads 28 alternate between the two sides of the rail (12, 14). Consequently, the nuts 34 are also positioned in an alternating pattern on the two sides of the rail (which is the combination of rail sections 12 and 14). As such, two nuts 34 and two heads 28 are located on each side of the rail (12, 14), with one head 28 being positioned in a medial location so as to be located between the two nuts 34 on each side. A further head 28 located one end or the other of the joint bars 18. In this arrangement, the two heads 28 are located in the first and third openings 36 in the rail joint bar 18 on one side of the rail (12, 14), and in the second and fourth openings 36 in the rail joint bar 18 on the other side of the rail (12, 14). Nuts 34 are positioned in the opposite arrangement.

[0071] It will clear to the skilled artisan that the shape and design of the rails, rail joint bars and rail bolts can vary, and that there are currently numerous modified designs for rail joint bars, and rail bolts. However, it will also be clearly understood by the skilled artisan that the ends of rail lines have been joined together in the manner generally shown in FIG. 1, for numerous years. In particular, the present invention is of primary use when rail bolts 26 are installed in an alternating pattern.

[0072] As previously described though, nut 34 on any or all of the rail bolts 26 is susceptible to loosening as a result of vibration, temperature fluctuations, and the like, and loosening of nuts 34 can result in loosening of the rail joint, and/or misalignment of the ends of rails 12 and 14. This can lead to derailment of any train passing over this compromised rail joint.

[0073] To reduce the likelihood of nut 34 loosening, or to ameliorate the effect of nuts 34 loosening, the present invention provides a rail bolt nut locking device 50, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 9, to prevent movement of nuts 34. Locking device 50 is preferably made of a resilient plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or other plastic capable of withstanding the rigorous environmental conditions, and features a central, ribbon shaped section 52 with a first substantially planar section 54, and a second substantially planar section 56 located at each end of ribbon shaped central section 52. Each of the first and second planar sections (54, 56) has an opening, 58 and 60, respectively. Around the perimeter of openings 58 and 60, are a series of teeth 62, which are provided to engage, in use, nuts 34. Teeth 62 can be beveled so that it is easier to place the device 50 on nuts 34, while providing a tightening effect by friction fit, as the device is pressed onto the nut.

[0074] Central section 52, as shown, is a thin, flat section which is generally in the shape of an arc. The front of central section 52 is shown as being smooth, as seen in FIG. 4, while the back of central section 52 can include reinforcing ribs 68, as shown in FIG. 7. Central section 52 is preferably semi-rigid which means that it can be bent, twisted or flexed, to a certain degree during installation, but remains sufficiently rigid during use to prevent nuts 34 from moving, or in general, prevent unwanted movement of device 50 caused by the normal forces acting on nuts 34.

[0075] The arc in central section 52, as seen in the side view of FIG. 5, creates a concave opening, generally depicted as area 70. This arc can also be seen in the end view shown in FIG. 6, and can also be seen in the front and back perspective views shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0076] The overall length of device 50 can vary depending on its particular application. Normally, the distance between openings in joint bars 18 are known, and device 50 is constructed so that openings 58 and 60 will generally align with every second joint bar openings (to establish an alternating rail bolt pattern). Typically, device 50 is between 20 and 120 cm long, and most typically, between 30 and 100 cm long although this can vary depending on the application. Generally, the width of device 50 is between 2 and 6 cm, and the thickness of the sections is between 1 and 5 cm.

[0077] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a modified rail joint system 80 wherein two rail bolt nut locking devices 50 according the present invention, have been installed on the rail bolt nuts 34 of the rail connection arrangement 10 shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 10, one device 50 is installed on each side of the rail (12, 14), and openings 58 and 60 are fitted around first and second nuts 34 located on each side of the rail (12, 14), using teeth 62. Concave area 70 is located between central section 52 and the rail bar 18, and thus creates an area in which the head 28 of the intervening rail bolt 26, is placed. This area 70 is preferably sized so that central area 52 is immediately adjacent to head 28. In a preferred embodiment, when device 50 is installed, head 28 is positioned within 0 and 5 cm, and more preferably, 0.1 and 1 cm, of the central section 52. Central area 52 can contact head 28 (i.e. gap is 0 cm), but this contact should not result in any significant force that might cause nuts 34 to be forced out of openings 58 and 60.

[0078] A second device 50 is installed on the other side of the rail (12, 14), as is seen in FIG. 11 (which is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 10).

[0079] To install devices 50, the device is held over the appropriate rail bolt nuts 34, in a position close to its final position. One opening 58 is fitted over one nut 34 and pressed into place so that teeth 62 engage nut 34. The resilient nature of the locking device material allows central section 52, to be slightly flexed or rotated if necessary so that the teeth 62 of opening 60 are aligned with nut 34 of the alternating rail bolt. The second end of device 50, with opening 60 is then also pressed into place. Thus, the task of installing device 50 can be easily accomplished within a few seconds, and devices 50 can be easily and quickly installed on the rail bolt nuts 34, on both sides of rail (12, 14), in a short time period.

[0080] It should also be noted, that by placement of head 28 within area 70, and close to central area 52, rail bolt 26 is prevented from backing out of the holes in the joint bar or rail.

[0081] Also, when two of devices 50 are fitted in place on each side of the rail, rail bolt nuts 34 are now positioned within openings 58 or 60 of both devices 50. As a result, both of devices 50 are prevented from rotating to any significant degree, and each nut 34 in devices 50 are held in their tightened position. Furthermore, for each device 50, at least one bolt head 28 is positioned within area 70, and is in contact with, or adjacent to, central section 52. In this arrangement, even if the nut 34 for that rail bolt 26 was to loosen, bolt 26 could not back out of the holes in joint bars 18 and rail sections 12 or 14 since it would be held in place by central section 52. As a result, rail bolts 26 are at least held in position, and as a result, the overall chances of the failure of the modified rail joint system 80, is reduced.

[0082] Moreover, in use, any loosening of a nut 34 would be initially prevented by the resistance to movement by the resilient nature of device 50. As such, the amount of rotational movement of the nuts 34 would be minimized. However, should nut 34 begin to loosen due to excessive forces, it will ultimately deform the shape of central section 52, so as to be easily visible by the operator on inspection. This deformation would be observable by a railway maintenance crew, who would be able to investigate the cause of the loosening of nut 34 and apply whatever corrective measures would be necessary to prevent total loosening of nut 34. Short of a catastrophic failure of central section 52, the resilient nature of device 50 of the present invention thereby acts to prevent complete loosening of nuts 34, and/or at least provides notification of such loosening to the operator. However, in normal applications, since nuts 34 are essentially prevented from any significant rotation by device 50, the likelihood of a total release of nuts 34 is virtually eliminated.

[0083] In FIG. 12, which is a perspective view, and FIG. 13, which is a cross-sectional view along line C-C of FIG. 12, an alternative use of device 50 is shown on a 6-hole joint bar. In this application, rail sections 80 and 82 are joined to create a rail (80, 82). Two six-hole joint bars 84 and 86 are positioned on each side of the rail (80, 82). Rail bolts 26 of the same type previously described, have been used to attach rail bars 84 and 86 to the rail (80, 82), in an alternating bolt pattern. Two devices 50 have been installed over first and second nuts 34 of alternating bolts, with a device 50 being located on each side of the rail (80, 82), in a manner that both of devices 50 span the gap 88 between rail sections 80 and 82.

[0084] In the approach shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, not all nuts 34 are covered by, or attached to, device 50. However, at least 4 nuts 34 for the 6 rail bolts 26, are protected from loosening by devices 50 of the present invention.

[0085] It will also be noted that devices 50 span the gap 88 between rail sections 80 and 82. This approach is not always needed, and as such, in an alternative embodiment, two devices 50 can be positioned in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 wherein FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 12, and FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view along line C-C. In this approach however, devices 50 are connected to the two nuts 34 located at the end of rail bars 84 and 86 in a manner so that devices 50 do not span gap 88. One benefit of this approach is that all six rail bolts 26 are either attached to device 50, by having device 50 directly connected to nuts 34, or have their heads 28 positioned within the arced area 70 in devices 50.

[0086] Additionally, multiple devices 50 might be used on each side of the rail. In this approach, two of devices 50 might be attached to a single nut, in order to connect all nuts to a device 50.

[0087] Alternatively, in FIG. 16, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, a modified linear device 90 is used having a first substantially planar section 92 at one end, a second substantially planar section 94 at the other end, and a central substantially planar section 96 located between sections 92 and 96. Openings 102, 104 and 106 are provided in each planar section, and these openings include teeth for use for connection to the nuts 34 of rail bolts 26. Two ribbon shaped sections 98 and 100 connect the first substantially planar section 92 to the central substantially planar section 96, and connect the second substantially planar section 94 to central substantially planar section 96. Both ribbon shaped sections 98 and 100 include an arc structure, as previously described.

[0088] Two of these devices 90 are used to be fitted over the six bolts in a six-hole rail bar 106, in the manner shown in FIG. 17 with one rail bar 106, and one device 90 being located on each side of the rail (80, 82). In use, devices 90 are fitted to nuts 34 of the first, second and third rail bolts, on each side of rail (80, 82), in a manner similar to that previously described. The distances between the openings 102, 104, and 106 are configured to align with the holes provided in the rail bars.

[0089] In the top view of FIG. 17, which is a cross-sectional view similar to those shown in FIGS. 11, 13 and 15, it can also be noted that all nuts 34 are now attached to devices 90 and the heads of four of the bolts 28 are covered by the arced ribbon shaped sections 98 and 100. This aids in preventing all of the bolts in a six-hole rail bar from loosening and/or backing out of the holes in the rail or rail bars.

[0090] In FIG. 18, the switch area of two railway tracks, generally depicted as 200, is shown. The frog 201 is generally shown in area F, and it is connected to rails 202, 204, 206 and 208, by use of rail bolts and nuts, in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 1, or as shown in FIG. 22. Devices 210 or 250, discussed hereinbelow, are used to hold the nuts, and bolts, in place.

[0091] As seen in FIGS. 19 to 21, rail bolt locking device 250 is preferably made of a resilient plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or other plastic capable of withstanding the rigorous environmental conditions, and features a ribbon shaped central section 252 with a first substantially planar section 254, and a second substantially planar section 256 located at each end of ribbon shaped central section 252. Each of the first and second planar sections (254, 256) has an opening, 258 and 260, respectively. Around the perimeter of openings 258 and 260, are a series of teeth 262, which are provided to engage, in use, the nuts holding the frog together or in place.

[0092] Central section 252, as shown, is a thin, flat section which is generally in the shape of an arc. The front of central section 252 is shown as being smooth, as seen in FIG. 19, while the back of central section 252 can include reinforcing ribs 268, as shown in FIG. 21. Central section 252 is preferably semi-rigid which means that it can be bent, twisted or flexed, to a certain degree during installation, but remains sufficiently rigid during use to prevent nuts contained therein, from moving.

[0093] The arc in central section 252, as seen in the side view of FIG. 20, creates a concave opening, generally depicted as area 270. It will be noted that the arc in device 250 is much more pronounced than the arc in the device shown in FIG. 5.

[0094] It is also to be noted that the overall length of device 250 can vary depending on its particular application. Normally, the distance between openings in the frog 200 are known, and device 250 is constructed so that openings 258 and 260 will generally align with the openings in the frog. Typically, device 250 is between 10 and 30 cm long, and most typically, between 15 and 20 cm long although this can vary depending on the application. Generally, the width of device 250 is between 2 and 6 cm, and the thickness of the various sections is between 1 and 5 cm.

[0095] FIGS. 19 to 21 shows a frog nut device 250 for use when the nuts are located on one side, and the distance between nuts can be smaller than those shown in, for example, the device shown in FIG. 10. One or two devices 250 can be installed on one side of the rail, in order to lock the rail bolt nuts in position, in a manner similar to the devices previously described.

[0096] FIG. 22 shows a frog 201 which is connected to rail sections 206 and 208 using a normal joint bar connections 210 in the manner previously described. Rail sections 202 and 204 extend into, and lay adjacent to portions of frog 201. Bolt holes (not shown) are provided in frog 201 and rail sections 202 and 204 in order to allow rail bolts to be passed through both, and tightened using suitable nuts and bolts. Bolt lock 250 is used to hole the nuts for the rail bolts tightly in position, and prevent the nuts and bolts from loosening.

[0097] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a rail bolt nut locking device which fully satisfies the goals, objects, and advantages set forth hereinbefore. Therefore, having described specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that alternatives, modifications and variations thereof may be suggested to those skilled in the art, and that it is intended that the present specification embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0098] Additionally, for clarity and unless otherwise stated, the word comprise and variations of the word such as comprising and comprises, when used in the description and claims of the present specification, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0099] Moreover, words such as substantially or essentially, when used with an adjective or adverb is intended to enhance the scope of the particular characteristic; e.g., substantially planar is intended to mean planar, nearly planar and/or exhibiting characteristics associated with a planar element.

[0100] Further, use of the terms he, him, or his, is not intended to be specifically directed to persons of the masculine gender, and could easily be read as she, her, or hers, respectively.

[0101] Also, while this discussion has addressed prior art known to the inventor, it is not an admission that all art discussed is citable against the present application.