METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURING A RAILROAD SWITCH

Abstract

A securement apparatus for securing a railroad switch including a box with an interior compartment. A portion of a switch stand of a railroad switch is received within the interior compartment and thereby engages with the box. The box includes at least one slot defined a wall of the box to receive a portion of the hand of the switch stand. The box includes an engagement member located within the interior compartment of the box. The engagement member engages and securing the portion of the switch stand. The box further includes a locking mechanism which engages with the box and a tether to securing the securement apparatus to the ground.

Claims

1. A securement apparatus for securing a railroad switch, the securement apparatus comprising: a box defining an interior compartment; an engagement member located within the interior compartment, wherein the engagement member engages and secures at least a portion of a switch stand; and a locking mechanism configured to engage with the box and the locking mechanism is configured to secure the securement apparatus to a ground.

2. The securement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the box comprises: a front wall and a rear wall opposite one another; a first wall and a second wall opposite one another and extending between the front and rear walls; a top wall extending between the front wall, the rear wall, the first wall, and the second wall; and a first slot defined in one of the front, rear, first, second, and top walls and adapted to receive at least a portion of a handle of the switch stand.

3. The securement apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the box further comprises: a second slot opposite the first slot and defined in one of the front, rear, first, second, and top walls and adapted to receive at least the portion of the handle of the switch stand.

4. The securement apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engagement member comprises: a first assembly and a second assembly spaced a distance apart from one another and engaged with the box; and wherein the first and second assembly are adapted to engage a first and second side of the switch stand.

5. The securement apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first and second assemblies receive a portion of a lock to secure a switch mechanism of the switch stand.

6. The securement apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each of the first and second assemblies comprise: a suspended shackle pivotally engaged with the box and located within the interior compartment.

7. The securement apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first and second assemblies are configured to be positioned on a first side and a second side of the switch stand.

8. The securement apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a platform engaged with the box; and wherein the first and second assemblies are operably engaged with the box via a pivot joint along the platform.

9. The securement apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an aperture or doorway defined in the front wall; a door located proximate to the aperture or doorway of the front wall configured to allow a user selective access to the interior compartment of the box.

10. The securement apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the locking mechanism is configured to engage the door and one of the first or second wall.

11. The securement apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the locking mechanism further comprises: a latch configured to engage with the door and one of the first or second wall; a lock configured to be received by the latch; and a tether fixedly engaged with the ground and configured to be received and secured to the latch via the lock.

12. The securement apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: an opening opposite the top and defined by the first, second, front and rear walls; and wherein the aperture, the first slot, the second slot, the opening, and the interior compartment are all in fluid communication with one another.

13. The securement apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the box further comprises: an opening defined by a bottom end of each of the front, rear, first and second walls; and wherein the portion of the switch stand of the railroad switch is received within the interior compartment via the opening.

14. The securement apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first slot and the second slot are linearly aligned with one another along the first and second walls.

15. The securement apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first slot and the second slot are mirror image of one another.

16. A method of securing a railroad switch comprising: positioning a box onto at least a portion of the railroad switch at a switch stand, wherein the railroad switch is in a first configuration; positioning at least a portion of a handle of the railroad switch within a slot defined in the box; engaging at least a portion of a foot latch of the switch stand with an engagement member located within the box; securing an engagement member to the at least the portion of the foot latch; and securing the box to the ground via a locking mechanism.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising: disengaging the locking mechanism from the box; releasing the at least the portion of the foot latch from the engagement member; manipulating a railroad switch from the first configuration to a second configuration; positioning the box onto at least the portion of the railroad switch at the switch stand; positioning at least the portion of a handle of a railroad switch within another slot defined in the box; resecuring the at least the portion of the foot latch and the railroad via the box, engagement member, and locking mechanism in the second configuration.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein engaging at least the portion of a foot latch of the switch stand with the engagement member further comprises: positioning a first assembly proximate a first side of the switch stand; positioning a second assembly proximate a second side of the switch stand; and securing the least the portion of a foot latch of the switch stand, the first assembly, and the second assembly to one another via a lock.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein securing the box to the ground via the locking mechanism further comprises: securing the box in a closed position with a latch; and securing the latch to a tether, wherein the tether is fixedly engaged with the ground, via a lock.

20. The method according to claim 17, wherein releasing the at least the portion of the foot latch from the engagement member further comprises: repositioning a door of the box from a closed position to an open position; releasing the at least the portion of the foot latch from a lock of the engagement member; and lifting the box from the railroad switch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] One or more exemplary embodiment(s) of the present disclosure is set forth in the following description, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example configurations and methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale.

[0016] FIG. 1 is an environmental front, top, right perspective view of a first embodiment of a securement apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure shown engaged with a railroad switch.

[0017] FIG. 2 is an environmental front elevation view of the first embodiment of the securement apparatus with a door of the securement apparatus in an open position to show an engagement mechanism of the securement apparatus engaged with a railroad switch.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the first embodiment of the securement apparatus of FIG. 2 with an anchor and a tether of a locking mechanism removed.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a second side view of the first embodiment of the securement apparatus as shown in FIG. 3.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a first side view of first embodiment of the securement apparatus as shown in FIG. 3, with a door in a closed position.

[0021] FIG. 6A is a front, top, right operational view of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 shown being positioned atop the railroad switch.

[0022] FIG. 6B is a front, top, right operational view of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 shown engaging an engagement member with a foot latch of the railroad switch.

[0023] FIG. 6C is a front, top, right operational view of the first embodiment of FIG. 1 shown being secured a ground via a locking mechanism.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a front, top, right perspective view of a second embodiment of a securement apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure with an anchor and tether of the locking mechanism removed.

[0025] Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-8, there is shown a first embodiment of a securement apparatus (e.g., a lock box) in accordance with the present disclosure, generally indicated at 10. Securement apparatus 10 includes a box 12 that is adapted to cover at least a portion of a railroad switch R and is securable to a ground G, which will be described in more detail below regarding the method of using box 12 to secure railroad switch R.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-5, securement apparatus 10 generally includes the box 12 adapted to cover at least the portion of railroad switch R, a locking mechanism 14 adapted to secure the securement apparatus 10 to the ground G, and an engagement member 16 (FIG. 2) adapted to engage and secure a switch stand S of a railroad switch R.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, box 12 is generally cube in shape and includes a set of five walls with an opening on the bottom of the apparatus. Specifically, box 12 comprises a front wall 18 and a rear wall 20 opposite and spaced apart from one another. Front wall 18 includes a top end 18A and a bottom end 18B opposite one another and defining the uppermost and lowermost limits of front wall 18. Front wall 18 further includes an outer surface 18C and an inner surface 18D opposite one another and defining a thickness of front wall 18. Front wall 18 further includes a left end or a first end 18E and a right end or a second end 18F opposite one another. Rear wall 20 includes a top end 20A and a bottom end 20B opposite one another and defining the uppermost and lowermost limits of rear wall 20. Rear wall 20 further includes an outer surface 20C and an inner surface 20D opposite one another and defining a thickness of rear wall 20. Rear wall 20A further includes a left end or a first end 20E and a right end or a second end 20F opposite one another. Top ends 18A, 20A of front and rear walls 18, 20 are substantially aligned with one another. Bottom ends 18B, 20B of front and rear walls 18, 20 are substantially aligned with one another.

[0029] It will be understood that although front and rear walls 18, 20 as illustrated herein are of the same size and shape, alternatively, front and rear wall 18, 20 each may be of any shape and size to allow box 12 to cover at least the portion of railroad switch R.

[0030] Box 12 further includes a left wall or a first wall 22 and a right wall or a second wall 24 opposite and spaced a distance apart from one another. First wall 22 includes a top end 22A and bottom end 22B opposite one another and defining the uppermost and lowermost limits of first wall 22. First wall 22 further includes an outer surface 22C and an inner surface 22D (FIG. 6A) opposite one another and defining a thickness of first wall 22. First wall 22 further includes a first end 22E and a second end 22F opposite one another. Second wall 24 includes a top end 24A and bottom end 24B opposite one another and defining the uppermost and lowermost limits of second wall 24. Second wall 24 further includes an outer surface 24C and an inner surface 24D opposite one another and defining a thickness of second wall 24. Second wall 24 further includes a first end 24E and a second end 24F opposite one another. Top ends 22A, 24A of I first and second walls 22, 24 are substantially aligned with one another. Bottom ends 22B, 24B of first and second walls 22,24 are substantially aligned with one another.

[0031] First and second wall 22, 24 are operably engaged and substantially perpendicular to front and rear walls 18, 20. First end 22E of first wall 22 and first end 18E of front wall 18 are operably engaged with one another. Second end 22F of first wall 22 and first end 20E of rear wall 20 are operatively engaged with one another. First end 24E of second wall 24 and second end 18F of front wall are operatively engaged with one another. Second end 24F of second wall 24 and second end 20F of rear wall 20 are operatively engaged with one another.

[0032] Top ends 22A, 24A of first and second walls 22, 24 are substantially aligned with top ends 18A, 20A of front and rear walls 18, 20. Bottom ends 22B, 24B of first and second wall 22, 24 are substantially aligned with bottom ends 18B, 20B of front and rear walls 18, 20.

[0033] It will be understood that although front, rear, first, and second walls 18, 20, 22, 24 as illustrated herein are of the same size and shape, alternatively, front, rear, first, and second walls 18, 20, 22, 24 each may be of any shape and size to allow box 12 to cover at least the portion of railroad switch R.

[0034] Box 12 further includes a top wall 26 operably engaged with front, rear, first and second walls 18, 20, 22, 24. Top wall 26 includes a front end 26A and a rear end 26B opposite one another. Top wall 26 further includes an outer surface 26C and an inner surface 26D opposite one another and defining a thickness of top wall 26. Top wall 26 further includes a left end or a first end 26E and a right end or a second end 26F opposite one another.

[0035] Top wall 26 is operably engaged and extends between each of top ends 18A, 20A, 22A, 24A of front, rear, first and second walls 18, 20, 22, 24. Top end 22A of top wall 26 is substantially aligned with front wall 18, specifically with top end 18A of front wall 18. Rear end 26B of top wall 26 is substantially aligned with rear wall 20, specifically top end 20A of rear wall 20. First end 26E is substantially aligned with first wall 22. Specifically, first end 26E of top wall 26 is substantially aligned with first ends 18E, 20E of front and rear walls 18, 20. Second end 26F of top wall 26 is a substantially aligned second wall 24. Specifically, second end 26F of top wall 26 is substantially aligned second ends 18F, 20F of front and rear walls 18, 20.

[0036] It will be understood that although front, rear, first, second, and top walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 as illustrated herein are of the same size and shape, alternatively, front, rear, first, second, and top walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 each may be of any shape and size to allow box 12 to cover at least the portion of railroad switch R.

[0037] In one specific embodiment, front, rear, first, second, and top walls 18, 20, 22, 24 are welded to one another.

[0038] Box 12 further includes an opening 28 defined by the bottom ends 18B, 20B, 22B, 24B of front, rear, first and second wall 18, 20, 22, 24. Opening 28 is opposite to top wall 26. Opening 28 is in fluid or open communication with an environment surrounding box 12. Opening 28 is open so as to allow the box 12 to be lowered or positioned and thereby cover at least a portion of the switch R or the switch stand S.

[0039] It will be understood that although box 12 is depicted herein in generally as a cube having the set of five walls and the opening, alternatively, box 12 may be of any shape and configuration complementary to cover at least apportion of railroad switch R.

[0040] It will also be understood that the overall size of front wall 18, rear wall 20, first wall 22, second wall 24, top wall 26 and opening 28 will vary based on the overall size of box 12.

[0041] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, front wall 18 defines a doorway or an aperture 30 (FIG. 6A) extending through at least a portion of front wall 18. Front wall 18 is defined by a base wall 32 which is fixedly engaged with first and second wall 22, 24 and a door 36. Door 36 will be described in more detail below. Base wall 32 extends between first and second wall 24, 26 proximate to bottom end 18B of front wall 18. Aperture 30 is further defined by first wall 22, second wall 24, top wall 26 and connection wall 32. Aperture 30 is of a shape and size to allow access to a volume of the box or an interior compartment 34. The interior compartment 34 of the box 12 is defined collectively by the five wall or panels of the box. Specifically, interior compartment 34 of box 12 is defined by the inner surfaces 18D, 20D, 22D, 24D, 26D of front, rear, first, second, and top walls 18, 20, 22, 24, 26. Opening 28, aperture 30, and interior compartment 34 are all in fluid or open communication with one another.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, front wall 18 includes door 36 located proximate the aperture 30 defined in front wall 18. Door 36 is pivotable between an open position as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 6A, and 6B and a closed position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6C to selectively permit access or preclude access, as the case may be, to the interior compartment 34 or volume of the box 12. When the door is in the closed position, the top end 18A of front wall 18 is defined by an upper limit of the door 36 and the bottom end 18B of front wall 18 is defined by a lower limit of the base wall 32.

[0043] Door 36 is configured to allow a user to access the interior compartment 34. Connection wall 32 and door 36 together form front wall 18. It will be understood that outer and inner surfaces 18C, 18D of front wall 18 are equally an outer surface and an inner surface of each connection wall 32 and door 36 and will therefore not be numbered independently.

[0044] Door 36 includes at least one hinge 38 configured to mount door 36 to box 12. Each of the at least one hinge 38 includes a first portion (not numbered) engaged with inner surface 18D of front wall 18 on door 36. Each of the at least one hinge 38 includes a second portion (not numbered) engaged with inner surface 22D of first wall 22. First portion and second portion are engaged with one another via a pivot point (not numbered) to allow door 36 to move between a closed position as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6C and an open position as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 6A, and 6B. In one specific embodiment, each of the at least one hinge 38 is a L-Type hinge.

[0045] It will be understood that each of the at least one hinge 38 may be of any shape and configuration to allow door 36 to move between the closed and open positions. It will also be understood that door 36 illustrated herein is mounted to first wall 22 of box 12 with a first and a second hinge, alternatively, door 36 may be mounted to any portion of box 12 that will allow the user to access the interior compartment 34 such as mounted to second wall 24. Additionally, door 36 may be mounted with any suitable number of hinges or any other suitable means that will still allow the user to access the interior compartment 34.

[0046] Locking mechanism 14 selectively interacts with door 36 to lock door 36 in its closed position to ensure that the box 12 remains closed so that the items within the interior compartment 30 of box 12 are prevented from being tampered with.

[0047] In one specific embodiment, top wall 26 includes a handle 40 operably engaged and extending outwardly from outer surface 26C of top wall 26.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 4, first wall 22 defines a first slot 42 extending through the first wall 22 from outer surface 22C to inner surface 22D. First slot 42 extends upwardly from bottom end 22B towards top end 22A. In one embodiment, the slot is offset from the center of the first wall 22. In one particular embodiment, the slot 42 is offset toward the rear wall 20 (i.e., closer to the rear wall 20 than the front wall 18). Additionally, slot 42 is bound by an upper limit or terminal end that terminates below the top 22A of the first wall 22. As such, the length of the slot 42 is shorter than the height dimension of the first wall 22. First slot 42 is of a shape and size to complement a switch stand handle H where at least a portion of the switch stand handle receivable within the first slot 42. First slot 42 is in fluid communication with opening 28, aperture 30, and interior compartment 34. First slot 42 is of a shape and size to allow for the handle H of the railroad switch R to pass therethrough.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 5, second wall 24 defines a second slot 44 extending through the second wall 24 from outer surface 24C to inner surface 24D. Second slot 44 extends upwardly from bottom end 24B towards top end 24A. In one embodiment, the second slot is offset from the center of the second wall 24. In one particular embodiment, the second slot 44 is offset toward the rear wall 20 (i.e., closer to the rear wall 20 than the front wall 18). Additionally, second slot 44 is bound by an upper limit or terminal end that terminates below the top 24A of the second wall 24. As such, the length of the second slot 44 is shorter than the height dimension of the second wall 24. Second slot 44 is of a shape and size to complement switch stand handle H where at least a portion of the switch stand handle receivable within the second slot 44. Second slot 44 is in fluid communication with opening 28, aperture 30, interior compartment 34, and first slot 42. Second slot 44 is of a shape and size to allow for the handle H of the railroad switch R to pass therethrough.

[0050] In one embodiment, first slot 42 and second slot 44 are mirror images of one another. First and second slots 42, 44 are linearly aligned with one another along the first and second wall 22, 24.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 5, locking mechanism 14 includes a latch 46 operably engaged with box 12, a tether 48 operably engaged with the latch 46 via a lock 50, and an anchor 52 configured to secure tether to the ground G.

[0052] Latch 46 includes a plate 54 and a receiver 56 operably engaged with one another. Plate 54 is operably engaged with outer surface 18C of front wall 18 at door 36. Receiver 56 is operatively engaged with outer surface 24C of second wall 24 or outer surface 22C of first wall 22. Plate 54 defines a hole 58 extending through a portion of plate 54 and configured to receive the receiver 56. Receiver 56 defines an opening 60 extending therethrough and configured to receive a portion of lock 50.

[0053] In one embodiment, plate 54 is operably engaged with outer surface 24C of second wall 24 or outer surface 22C of first wall 22 and receiver 56 is operably engaged with outer surface 18C of front wall 18 at door 36. Alternatively, plate 54 is operably engaged with outer surface 18C of front wall 18 at door and receiver 56 is operably engaged with outer surface 24C of second wall 24 or outer surface 22C of first wall 22.

[0054] In one specific embodiment, latch 46 may be a hasp latch and receiver 56 is a locking eye configured to be received within the hole 58 defined on the plate 54 of the hasp latch 46.

[0055] It will be understood that latch 46 may be of any configuration and location on box 12 to secure door 36 in the closed position. It will be also understood that latch 46 and lock 50 may be of any configuration and location to secure box 12 to tether 48. Tether 48 is fixedly engage with the ground G.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, lock 50 is configured to receive at least a portion of tether 48 and be received within opening 60 of the receiver 56 to secure box 12 to anchor 52 and thereby the ground G. In one specific embodiment, tether 48 may be a chain.

[0057] It will be understood that although tether 48, lock 50, and anchor 52 as illustrated herein are separate components, alternatively, any of tether 48, lock 50 or anchor 52 may be a single component.

[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, box 12 further includes a platform 62 extending between first and second walls 22, 24. Specifically, platform 62 extends between inner surfaces 22D, 224D of first and second walls 22, 24. Platform 62 includes a top surface 62A and a bottom surface 62B opposite one another.

[0059] Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, engagement member 16 generally includes a platform 62, a first assembly 64 and a second assembly 66. First and second assemblies 64, 66 are spaced along platform 62 and are pivotally engaged with platform 62. First assembly 64 is adapted to engage a left side or a first side SL of the switch stand S of the railroad switch R. Second assembly 66 is adapted to engage a right side or a second side SR of the switch stand S of the railroad switch R.

[0060] First and second assemblies 64, 66 are identical to one another expect for location along platform 62 and it will be understood that the following description of first assembly 64 equal applies to second assembly 66.

[0061] First assembly 64 includes a plate 68 operably engaged with bottom surface 62B of platform 62. Plate 68 is secured to platform 62 via at least one bolt 70 extending through platform 62. First assembly 64 further includes a pivot joint 72 operably engaged with plate 68. First assembly 64 further includes a connection member 74 extending outwardly from and pivotably engaged with pivot joint 72. Pivot joint 72 defines a pivot axis to allow connection member 74 to pivot relative to plate 68 via pivot joint 72. Connection member 74 operably engages with a shackle 76. Shackle 76 engages the connection member 74 via a pin 78 where pin 78 is received within a hole (not numbered) defined by the connection member 74. Shackle 76 is selectively rotatable about the connection member 74 via pin 78 to allow for adjustability to effectuate the connection of the box 12 to a portion of the switch stand S. The nature of first and second assemblies 64, 66 as suspended and free hanging allow for engagement mechanism 16 and thereby box 12 to accommodate different types of switches, thereby improving or aiding user ability to use the box 12 on a number of different switches that have varying/different/disparate anchor points depending on which type of switch is being covered by box 12. Although first and second assemblies 64, 66 are illustrated herein are suspending and free hanging, alternatively, first or second assemblies 64, 66 may be fixed anchors which manufactured and size to mate with a corresponding railroad switch R.

[0062] First and second assemblies 64, 66 are configured to be rotated into a desired position on the left and right sides of the switch stand S respectively and capable of receiving at least a portion of the lock L to further secure the switch mechanism via a lock L and a foot latch F. The configurations of first and second assemblies will be discussed in more detail below regarding the method of using securement apparatus 10 to secure railroad switch R.

[0063] Having now described securement apparatus 10, a method of installing securement apparatus 10 will now be described in greater detail.

[0064] Switch stand S includes a foot latch F adapted to secure the switch mechanism (not numbered) via an another lock L (which is different than lock 50). The switch mechanism is adapted to move between a first configuration and a second configuration to control the direction of a railroad track between the first configuration and the second configuration. The handle H is adapted to engage the switch mechanism to allow a railroad worker to change to switch the railroad switch from the first configuration to the second configuration and thereby changing the direction of the railroad tines to switch the railroad track from first configuration to second configuration.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 6A, a user or a railroad worker provides the securement apparatus 10 including box 12. The user engages box 12 with railroad switch R at switch stand S by lowering or positioning box 12 in the direction of arrow A. Prior to positioning the box 12, the user should ensure that the opening 28 to the box is below the handle 40. Typically, this is accomplished but the user grasping the handle 40 and positioning the box downward. This ensures that the opening at the bottom of box 12 will allow the box 12 to cover the switch R. As the user positions box 12 in the direction of arrow A the handle H of the railroad switch R is positioned to be within one of or both of the first or second slots 42, 44. Also, as the user positions box 12 in the direction of arrow A, the engagement member 16 engages at least a portion of the railroad switch R within the interior compartment or interior volume defined by the box 12. Specifically, foot latch F and enclosed switch mechanism are placed between each of the first and second assemblies 64, 66 within interior compartment 34 and below the platform 62. Typically, during the process of positioning to box over the switch R, the door 36 will be unlocked. In one specific embodiment, the user may utilize handle 40 to position box 12 in the direction of arrow A.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 6B, the user positions the door 36 into the open position to allow the user to access the interior compartment via the doorway or aperture 30 (which is now exposed by having opened the door 36) defined in the front wall 18 at the door 36. The user can secure a portion of the foot latch F and the engagement member 16 to one another. Specifically, the user then manipulates, rotates and positions first and second assemblies 64, 66 independently to allow the user to secure the first assembly 64, the foot latch L, and the second assembly 66 to one another via the lock L. Specifically, the user can thread lock L into an open space defined by the shackle 76 on one of first or second assemblies 64, 66. The user then threads the lock into the foot latch F. Lastly, the user threads the lock into the open space defined by the shackle 76 on the other one of first or second assemblies 64, 66. The user then can secure the lock L to secure the switch mechanism within the railroad switch R. In one exemplary embodiment, the lock L is a threaded quick link that extends through the two shackles 76 and a portion of the switch R.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 6C, the user may position door 36 into the closed position. The user then secures box 12 to the locking mechanism 14. Specifically, the user may secure door 36 to box 12 in the closed position via latch 46, by moving plate 54 and receiving the receiver 56 within the hole 58 defined within the plate 54. The user can then secure the latch to the tether via the lock 50. Specifically, the user then threads the lock 50 of the locking mechanism 14 into the opening 60 defined in the receiver 56. The user then secures the lock 50 to anchor 52 via tether 48. The user then locks and secures the lock 50 and thereby securing the securement apparatus 10 to the ground G.

[0068] The user may repeat the steps in reverse to allow themselves to access the railroad switch R and to move the railroad track into different configuration. The user disengages the locking mechanism 14, specifically the lock 50 and tether 48 from the box 12. The user may release the foot latch L from the engagement member 16. The user then lifts box 12 off of railroad switch R at the foot latch F. The user may manipulate the railroad into a second configuration and utilize a second foot latch F2 (FIG. 6B) and securement mechanism (not numbered). The user may then relocate the securement apparatus 10 and lower or position box 12 onto the second foot latch F2. As the user positions box 12 onto the second foot latch F2, the user can position the handle H of the railroad switch R within one of the first slot 42 or second slot 44. The user may then resecure the second foot latch F2 and the railroad via the box 12, engagement member 16, and locking mechanism 14 in the second configuration. Specifically, the user engages the locking mechanism 14, specifically the lock 50 and tether 48 with a ground at a second location to secure the railroad in the second configuration.

[0069] It will be understood that although the securement apparatus 10 is depicted herein as being secured to the ground via the tether 48, lock 50, and anchor 52, any suitable means for securing box 12 to ground G may be utilized.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a second embodiment of a box in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, generally indicated at 112. Box 112 includes a front wall 118, a rear wall 120, a first wall 122, a second wall 124, and a top wall 126. Front wall 118 and rear wall 120 are substantially identical to front wall 18 and rear wall 20 respectively and therefore will not be described in much detail hereafter.

[0071] First wall 122 is substantially identical to first wall 22 except for the particular features described below. First wall 122 defines a first slot 142 extending through an outer surface 122C to an inner surface 122D. First slot 142 extends downwardly from a top end 122A of first wall 122 for a distances and a bottom end (not numbered) of first wall 122 is unbroken.

[0072] Second wall 124 is substantially identical to second wall 24 except for the particular features described below. Second wall 124 defines a second slot 144 extending through an outer surface 124C to an inner surface 124D. Second slot extends downwardly from a top end 124A of second wall 124 for a distances and a bottom end 124B of second wall 124 is unbroken.

[0073] Top wall 126 is substantially identical to top wall 26 except for the particular features described below. Top wall 126 defines a third slot 146 extending through an outer surface 126C to an inner surface 126D. Third slot 146 extends from a left end or a first end 126E to a right end or a second end 126F.

[0074] First, second, and third slots 142, 144, 146 are in fluid communication with one another and a interior compartment 134 defined by front wall 118, rear wall 120, first wall 122, second wall 124, and top wall 126.

[0075] It will be understood that although first, second, and third slots 142, 144, 146 as depicted herein are rectangular in shape, alternatively, first, second, and third slots 142, 144, 146 may be of any shape or size to allow for at least a portion of the handle H of the railroad switch R may be received within the first, second, and third slots 142, 144, 146.

[0076] Unless explicitly stated that a particular shape or configuration of a component is mandatory, any of the elements, components, or structures discussed herein may take the form of any shape. Thus, although the figures depict the various elements, components, or structures of the present disclosure according to one or more exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that any other geometric configuration of that element, component, or structure is entirely possible. For example, instead of the box 12 being a cube, the walls of box 12 can be semi-circular triangular, rectangular or square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, decagonal, dodecagonal, diamond shaped or another parallelogram, trapezoidal, star-shaped, oval, ovoid, lines or lined, teardrop-shaped, cross-shaped, donut-shaped, heart-shaped, arrow-shaped, crescent-shaped, any letter shape (i.e., A-shaped, B-shaped, C-shaped, D-shaped, E-shaped, F-shaped, G-shaped, H-shaped, I-shaped, J-shaped, K-shaped, L-shaped, M-shaped, N-shaped, O-shaped, P-shaped, Q-shaped, R-shaped, S-shaped, T-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped, W-shaped, X-shaped, Y-shaped, or Z-shaped), or any other type of regular or irregular, symmetrical or asymmetrical configuration

[0077] Various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

[0078] While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

[0079] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.

[0080] The articles a and an, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean at least one. The phrase and/or, as used herein in the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understood to mean either or both of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with and/or should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., one or more of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the and/or clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to A and/or B, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as comprising can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification and in the claims, or should be understood to have the same meaning as and/or as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, or or and/or shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as only one of or exactly one of, or, when used in the claims, consisting of, will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term or as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. one or the other but not both) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as either, one of, only one of, or exactly one of. Consisting essentially of, when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0081] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase at least one, in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase at least one refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, at least one of A and B (or, equivalently, at least one of A or B, or, equivalently at least one of A and/or B) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. As another example, at least one of: A, B, or B is intended to cover A, B, C, A-B, A-C, B-C, and A-B-C, as well as any combination with multiple of the same item.

[0082] While components of the present disclosure are described herein in relation to each other, it is possible for one of the components disclosed herein to include inventive subject matter, if claimed alone or used alone. In keeping with the above example, if the disclosed embodiments teach the features of A and B, then there may be inventive subject matter in the combination of A and B, A alone, or B alone, unless otherwise stated herein.

[0083] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the term effecting or a phrase or claim element beginning with the term effecting should be understood to mean to cause something to happen or to bring something about. For example, effecting an event to occur may be caused by actions of a first party even though a second party actually performed the event or had the event occur to the second party. Stated otherwise, effecting refers to one party giving another party the tools, objects, or resources to cause an event to occur. Thus, in this example a claim element of effecting an event to occur would mean that a first party is giving a second party the tools or resources needed for the second party to perform the event, however the affirmative single action is the responsibility of the first party to provide the tools or resources to cause said event to occur.

[0084] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being on another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and/or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being directly on another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being connected, attached or coupled to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being directly connected, directly attached or directly coupled to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed adjacent another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0085] Spatially relative terms, such as under, below, lower, over, upper, above, behind, in front of, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as under or beneath other elements or features would then be oriented over the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term under can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms upwardly, downwardly, vertical, horizontal, lateral, transverse, longitudinal, and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0086] Although the terms first and second may be used herein to describe various features/elements, these features/elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element. Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a second feature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussed herein could be termed a first feature/element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0087] An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure. Reference in the specification to an embodiment, one embodiment, some embodiments, one particular embodiment, an exemplary embodiment, or other embodiments, or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, of the invention. The various appearances an embodiment, one embodiment, some embodiments, one particular embodiment, an exemplary embodiment, or other embodiments, or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. Furthermore, the use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., such as, or the like) is intended merely to better illustrate or illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of that or those embodiments. No language in this specification should be construed as indicating any unclaimed element as essential to the practice of the disclosed embodiment.

[0088] If this specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic may, might, or could be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to a or an element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to an additional element or another element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element or the another element.

[0089] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word about or approximately, even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase about or approximately may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate that the value and/or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is +/0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/2% of the stated value (or range of values), +/5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. Further, recitation of ranges of values herein are not intended to be limiting, referring instead individually to any and all values falling within that range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.

[0090] Additionally, the method of performing the present disclosure may occur in a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, no sequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitly stated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of the method in a different order could achieve a similar result.

[0091] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as comprising, including, carrying, having, containing, involving, holding, composed of, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases consisting of and consisting essentially of shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0092] To the extent that the present disclosure has utilized the term invention in various titles or sections of this specification, or in the context of those sections, this term has been included as required by the formatting requirements of word document submissions (i.e., docx submissions) pursuant the guidelines/requirements of the United States Patent and Trademark Office and shall not, in any manner, be considered a disavowal of any subject matter.

[0093] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

[0094] Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of the disclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exact details shown or described.