SPECIAL TRACKWORK DIRECT FIXATION FASTENER WITH SPATIAL ELASTICITY

Abstract

A direct fixation fastener in a track fixation system includes a track plate forming cutouts in opposite ends thereof, a first end restraint positioned in a first of the cutouts and a second end restraint positioned in a second of the cutouts. Each of the end restraints includes at least one fastener hole therein, such as an elongated fastener hole for lateral adjustment, and an uplift-limiting protrusion including a hook portion extending over the track plate. The fastener further includes a jacket including a non-metallic jacket material attaching the track plate to each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint and extending therebetween.

Claims

1. A direct fixation fastener comprising: a track plate including an upper rail surface and a lower surface each extending in a fore-aft direction between a track plate forward edge and a track plate back edge, and laterally between a first track plate end forming a first cutout and a second track plate end forming a second cutout; a first end restraint positioned in the first cutout and including at least one fastener hole formed therein, and an uplift-limiting protrusion extending over the track plate; a second end restraint positioned in the second cutout and including at least one fastener hole formed therein, and an uplift-limiting protrusion extending over the track plate; and a jacket including a non-metallic jacket material extending between the track plate and each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint.

2. The fastener of claim 1 wherein each respective uplift-limiting protrusion includes a curved hook portion extending laterally inward from the respective one of the first cutout or the second cutout.

3. The fastener of claim 2 wherein the non-metallic jacket material extends laterally between the track plate and each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint, and vertically between the track plate and each respective hook portion.

4. The fastener of claim 1 wherein: each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint includes an upper clamping surface, and a substrate contact surface; and the non-metallic jacket material encases each respective upper clamping surface, and the lower surface of the track plate, and each of the respective substrate contact surfaces and the upper rail surface is exposed.

5. The fastener of claim 1 wherein the jacket includes a forward lip and a back lip each extending downwardly, and laterally between the first end restraint and the second end restraint, and a plurality of standoff pads formed between the forward lip and the back lip.

6. The fastener of claim 1 wherein each respective at least one fastener hole includes a laterally elongated fastener hole, and each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint includes teeth formed adjacent to the respective laterally elongated fastener hole.

7. The fastener of claim 6 wherein each respective at least one fastener hole includes a total of one fastener hole.

8. The fastener of claim 6 wherein each respective at least one fastener hole includes two laterally outward holes spaced fore and aft, respectively, of the laterally elongated fastener hole.

9. The fastener of claim 1 wherein each of the first cutout and the second cutout is U-shaped.

10. A direct fixation fastener comprising: a track plate including an upper rail surface extending laterally between a first track plate terminal end and a second track plate terminal end; a first end restraint including at least one fastener hole formed therein; a second end restraint including at least one fastener hole formed therein; a jacket including a non-metallic jacket material attaching the track plate to each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint; and the first end restraint and the second end restraint are positioned adjacent to the first track plate terminal end and the second track plate terminal end, respectively, and each includes an uplift-limiting protrusion extending laterally inward over the track plate.

11. The fastener of claim 10 wherein the first end restraint and the second end restraint are each positioned at least partially laterally inward of the respective first track plate terminal end and the second track plate terminal end.

12. The fastener of claim 11 wherein the track plate is laterally symmetrical and fore-aft symmetrical, and forms a first cutout receiving the first end restraint, and a second cutout receiving the second end restraint.

13. The fastener of claim 12 wherein each of the first cutout and the second cutout is U-shaped.

14. The fastener of claim 10 wherein each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint includes an upper clamping surface, and an exposed substrate contact surface forming a T-shape.

15. The fastener of claim 14 wherein the at least one fastener hole includes a laterally elongated hole extending through a stem of the T-shape.

16. The fastener of claim 15 wherein the at least one fastener hole includes two laterally outward holes spaced fore and aft, respectively, of the laterally elongated fastener hole and formed in a head of the T-shape.

17. A track fixation system comprising: a direct fixation fastener including a track plate, a first end restraint, a second end restraint, and a jacket attaching the track plate to the first end restraint and the second end restraint; and the first end restraint and the second end restraint each including a base having at least one fastener hole formed therein, and an uplift-limiting protrusion extending vertically from the respective base and laterally over the track plate.

18. The track fixation system of claim 17 wherein each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint includes a laterally elongated fastener hole therein, and further comprising a first lateral adjustment plate and a second lateral adjustment plate coupled to the first end restraint and the second end restraint, respectively, and each including therein a fastener bore positionable in communication with the respective laterally elongated fastener hole.

19. The track fixation system of claim 18 wherein the jacket includes a forward lip and a back lip each extending downwardly and laterally between the first end restraint and the second end restraint, and a plurality of cloverleaf standoff pads formed between the forward lip and the back lip.

20. The track fixation system of claim 17 wherein the track plate includes a first terminal track plate end, a first cutout receiving the first end restraint extending laterally inward from the first terminal track plate end, a second terminal track plate end, and a second cutout receiving the second end restraint extending laterally inward from the second terminal track plate end.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a track fixation system, according to one embodiment;

[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a direct fixation fastener, according to one embodiment;

[0010] FIG. 3 is a sectioned side diagrammatic view of a portion of a direct fixation fastener in a track fixation system, according to one embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 4 is another diagrammatic view of a direct fixation fastener, according to one embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of parts of a direct fixation fastener, according to one embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 6 is another view showing a bottom side of a direct fixation fastener, according to one embodiment;

[0014] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a direct fixation fastener, according to another embodiment; and

[0015] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a direct fixation fastener, according to yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a track fixation system 8 according to one embodiment, and including a direct fixation fastener 10. Direct fixation fastener 10 includes a track plate 12 configured to support a section of track rail upon a supporting member such as a concrete or wooden tie or upon poured concrete, for example. It will be appreciated that a section of track rail can be supported on track plate 12 and a plurality of additional direct fixation fasteners spaced apart along a length of the section of track rail. A parallel track rail can be analogously supported by a plurality of direct fixation fasteners.

[0017] Direct fixation fastener 10 also includes a plurality of clip retainers 88 each forming a tunnel 90 for receiving a rail clip in a generally conventional manner. Clip retainers 88 may be formed of a suitable metallic material and welded to track plate 12, also metallic. Optionally a shim 92 may be positioned between direct fixation fastener 10 and the underlying tie, etc. Track plate 12 may be formed of iron, steel, or various alloys and forms a rigid structure for supporting the track rail that is electrically insulated from ground contact and resiliently supported by way of an overmolded jacket 52. Overmolded jacket 52 can include any suitable non-metallic material, including various known elastomers.

[0018] Referring also now to FIGS. 2-6, track plate 12 includes an upper rail surface 14 and a lower surface 16 opposite to upper rail surface 14. Upper rail surface 14 and lower surface 16 each extend in a fore-aft direction between a track plate forward edge 18 and a track plate back edge 20. Each of upper rail surface 14 and lower surface 16 also extends laterally between a first track plate end 22 and a second track plate end 28. In an implementation, direct fixation fastener 10 may be both laterally symmetrical about a longitudinal midline and fore-aft symmetrical about a latitudinal midline. Thus, usage herein of the terms forward and back, fore, aft, or like directional indicators, is merely for descriptive convenience. The terms lateral and laterally should be understood to refer to directions normal to a fore-aft direction and between first track plate end 22 and second track plate end 28. Direct fixation fastener 10 may be laterally elongated as illustrated.

[0019] First track plate end 22 includes a terminal end 24. Second track plate end 28 includes a terminal end 30. A first cutout 26 may be formed in first track plate end 22 and extends laterally inward from terminal end 24. A second cutout 32 may be formed in second track plate end 28 and extends laterally inward from terminal end 30. In an implementation, each of first cutout 26 and second cutout 32 may be U-shaped. A U-shape can include rounded corners or angular corners, and may not be fore-aft symmetrical. Other cutout shapes such as arcuate cutouts, stepped cutouts, and still others are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0020] Direct fixation fastener 10 further includes a first end restraint 34 positioned in first cutout 26 and a second end restraint 44 positioned in second cutout 32. Positioned in means positioned at least partially within, and with end restraints 34 and 44 typically extending laterally inward into the respective cutouts 26 and 32 relative to terminal ends 24 and 30. First end restraint 34 includes at least one fastener hole 36, 38, 40 formed therein. Second end restraint 44 includes at least one fastener hole 46, 48, 50 formed therein. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, fastener hole 36 and fastener hole 46 are laterally elongated. Fastener holes 38, 40, and 48, 50 may be circular fastener holes. As can also be seen from the drawings, each of first end restraint 34 and second end restraint 44 may include the respective laterally elongated fastener holes 36 and 46 at laterally inward positions, and two fastener holes 38, 40 and 48, 50 that are laterally outward and spaced fore and aft, respectively, of the laterally elongated fastener holes 36 and 46.

[0021] Focusing on FIG. 3, there is shown a sectioned view illustrating a fastener or bolt 72 extending through fastener hole 36. An opposite end of direct fixation fastener 10 to that illustrated may be identically configured, and thus illustration and accompanying description of FIG. 3 can be understood to refer by way of analogy to the opposite end of direct fixation fastener 10 that is not visible. In the illustrated embodiment, track fixation system 8 also includes a lateral adjustment plate 66. It should be appreciated that lateral adjustment plate 66 shown in FIG. 3 includes a first lateral adjustment plate, and a second lateral adjustment plate will be associated with and coupled to second end restraint 44. Lateral adjustment plate 66 includes therein a fastener bore 67 positionable in communication with the respective laterally elongated fastener hole 36.

[0022] As further illustrated in FIG. 3, first end restraint 34 includes teeth 64 formed adjacent to the respective elongated fastener hole 36. Teeth 64 may be positioned both fore and aft of fastener hole 36 and engage with counterpart teeth 69 on lateral adjustment plate 66 to enable different relative lateral positions of direct fixation fastener 10 relative to a preexisting bore receiving bolt 72, such as in a concrete tic. Bolt 72 and a second bolt at the opposite end of direct fixation fastener 10 can be received in anchors or the like cast-in in a concrete tie. In other embodiments, screw spikes can be engaged with a wooden tie and passed through one or all of fastener holes 36, 38, 40 and the counterpart fastener holes at the opposite end of direct fixation fastener 10. A lock washer 70 is installed between fastener 72 and lateral adjustment plate 66.

[0023] Each of first end restraint 34 and second end restraint 44 may further include an uplift-limiting protrusion. Still focusing on FIG. 3, there can be seen an uplift-limiting protrusion 32 extending over track plate 12. It can also be noted from FIG. 3 that jacket 52, including non-metallic jacket material 54, extends laterally between track plate 12 and end restraint 44. It will be understood that an uplift-limiting protrusion of second end restraint 44 will be generally identically arranged and configured. Each respective uplift-limiting protrusion 42 may include a curved hook portion 58 extending laterally inward from a vertical leg portion 57 of the respective end restraint. Vertical leg portion 57 extends from a base portion 56 of end restraint 34 having fastener holes 36, 38, 40 formed therein. Non-metallic jacket material 54 extends laterally between track plate 12 and end restraint 34 within first cutout 26, and vertically between track plate 12 and hook portion 58. During service, uplift deflection of track plate 12 in response to loads from a locomotive or rail car passing along the track rail can be reacted through non-metallic jacket material 54, and track plate 12 restrained from excessive deflection by way of uplift-limiting protrusion 42.

[0024] Focusing also now on FIG. 6, each of first end restraint 34 and second end restraint 44 may include an upper clamping surface 60, shown in FIG. 3, and a substrate contact surface 62, shown upon end restraint 34 in FIG. 6. In the illustrated embodiment, substrate contact surface 62 forms a T-shape. Laterally elongated fastener hole 36 may be formed in a stem 84 of the T-shape and fastener holes 38 and 40 may be formed in a head 86 of the T-shape.

[0025] Non-metallic jacket material 54 may encase each respective upper clamping surface 60 generally outside of the respective fastener holes formed therein, and also encase lower surface 16 of track plate 12. Each of the respective substrate contact surfaces 62 and upper rail surface 14 may be exposed and not encased.

[0026] FIG. 6 also illustrates additional features of jacket 52 including a forward lip 74 and a back lip 76 that each extend downwardly and laterally between first end restraint 34 and second end restraint 44. Jacket 52 also includes a plurality of standoff pads or cushions formed between forward lip 74 and back lip 76. In the illustrated embodiment, the plurality of standoff pads includes a plurality of cloverleaf standoff pads 78 in an alternating arrangement with a plurality of circular pads 80. Openings 82 may extend in a fore-aft direction through forward lip 74 and back lip 76 to assist in the draining of water and the like.

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 7, there is shown a direct fixation fastener 110 according to another embodiment. Direct fixation fastener 110 may be configured substantially identically to fastener 10 discussed above and includes a first end restraint 134 and a second end restraint 144. In contrast to the foregoing embodiment, end restraints 134 and 144 may include fastener holes 136 that are all circular. Fastener holes 136 may be arranged in a generally triangular pattern as shown.

[0028] Turning now to FIG. 8, there is a shown a direct fixation fastener 210 according to another embodiment and including a first end restraint 234 and a second end restraint 244. End restraints 234 and 244 may each include a total of one fastener hole, including a laterally elongated fastener hole 236. Fastener hole 236 may be associated with adjacent lateral adjustment teeth generally consistent with the foregoing description. It should also be appreciated the embodiments of FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 may be substantially identical to the embodiments discussed above apart from the differences specifically discussed and illustrated.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0029] Referring to the drawings generally, a direct fixation fastener according to the present disclosure may include a total of five metal components including a track plate, two end restraints, and two lateral adjustment plates. The overmolded jacket may encase and attach all components except the lateral adjustment plates, so that the track plate is separated from both end restraints and suspended only by the elastomer or other jacket material. The configurations contemplated herein thereby provide spatial elasticity in horizontal and vertical directions and electrical insulation from the ground. The unique bottom geometry of the elastomer, such as that depicted in FIG. 6, assists in providing required vertical stiffness and facilitating water drainage.

[0030] As also suggested above, embodiments of the present disclosure provide flexibility in how a direct fixation fastener can be attached to a support member such as a tie. Four screw spikes might be used, mounting the direct fixation fastener to a wooden tie, without providing for lateral adjustment. In other instances, two anchor bolts and adjustment plates, with lateral adjustment, can be used. Still other variations include the use of four or six anchor bolts without providing for lateral adjustment, or six screw spikes without providing for lateral adjustment. As discussed in connection with FIGS. 7 and 8, variations can include three circular holes on each side when lateral adjustment is not required, or one elongated hole on each side for applications using one anchor bolt and one adjustment plate on each end as in the embodiment of FIG. 8.

[0031] The present description is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and fair scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent upon an examination of the attached drawings and appended claims. As used herein, the articles a and an are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with one or more. Where only one item is intended, the term one or similar language is used. Also, as used herein, the terms has, have, having, or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase based on is intended to mean based, at least in part, on unless explicitly stated otherwise.