Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~t64-11~
WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94/00303
- 1 -
Improved Rail Tie, Tie Plate and Clip
The present invention relates in a first aspect
' to a rail tie plate, in a second aspect to a rail tie clip,
and in a third aspect to a rail tie. Preferably, these
three components are used together, although each may be
used independently of the others.
It is known to provide tie plates between the
rails and the ties or sleepers of rail track in order to
provide a sacrificial wear surface for the rail. However,
known tie plates are not as easy or convenient to install
as is desirable. Usually, they require the use of separate
fasteners such as bolts or spikes for attaching them to the
tie.
According to a first aspect of the present
invention there is provided a rail tie plate comprising two
elements each provided with at least one downwardly
extending leg having a lateral projection for passing
through and engaging below a horizontal plate member of a
tie for resisting vertical movement, and each element
having a longitudinal shoulder for abutment on opposite
sides, respectively, of a rail flange for resisting lateral
movement of the rail, and inwardly from the shoulder, a
plate portion for extending beneath the rail and engaging
the plate portion of the other element. Each plate portion
may be provided with interengaging formations transmitting
lateral load applied to one plate element to the other
plate element. With this arrangement, the elements of the
tie plate may be applied relatively easily to a horizontal
plate member of a tie, usually a steel tie, provided with
perforations for receiving the leg and lateral projection
without requiring additional fastener elements such as
bolts or spikes.
According to a second aspect of the invention
there is provided, in combination, a tie plate having
WO 94128245 PCT/CA94/00303
- 2 -
opposing longitudinal edges, longitudinally extending
shoulders spaced inwardly from such edges adapted to
accommodate a rail flange therebetween, an opening in each
shoulder, a resilient rail clip having an end portion
extending inwardly through each opening and adapted to bear
resiliently on an upper side of the flange for restraining
the rail against vertical movement, and a base portion
extending outwardly from the opening and adapted to bear on
a bearing surface. Such bearing surface may be a part of
the tie plate or of the rail tie. This combination
provides increased stability and greatly reduces or
eliminates risk of rail rollover, to which known plate and
clip devices have been prone, owing to the clip acting as a
first order lever with the upper side of the opening acting
as a fulcrum and upward movement of the rail flange being
resisted by the reaction of the bearing surface. Further,
upward movement of the rail flange may be limited by
closure of the spacing between the upper side of the rail
flange and the lower edge of the clip and this distance can
be made small. As a result rotation of the base of the
rail can be transferred to the tie plate which may be
anchored at a point spaced a distance laterally from the
rail, so that the moment of the force resisting rail
rollover is considerably increased. The tie plate
preferably is, but need not necessarily be, a modified tie
plate in accordance with the above first aspect of the
invention.
The invention also provides a resilient tie clip
comprising a base having at least one generally laterally
facing abutment surface adapted to engage a generally
laterally facing abutment surface of a tie plate, for
resisting lateral pressure on the clip, an intermediate
portion extending upwardly and laterally from the base and
adapted to pass through an opening in a tie plate shoulder,
and an end portion extending laterally from the
intermediate portion and downwardly for lodging resiliently
on an upper surface of a rail flange. Such clip is
WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94/00303
advantageously employed in the combination mentioned above.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides
a steel tie for incorporation in a rail track, comprising a
generally horizontal oblong rectangular plate member for
' 5 connection transversely of the rail and for restraining
vertical rail movement, and web structure extending
generally vertically on the underside of the plate member
and generally parallel to and spaced inwardly from the
longer sides of the plate member and serving to restrain
longitudinal rail movement. An end or ends of the plate
member may be bent downwardly to provide restraint against
lateral tie movement, or, in a preferred form, at least one
ballast engaging plate member may be connected to the tie
on its underside and facing generally transversely of the
rail for restraining lateral tie movement.
With the preferred form of tie of the invention,
the elements that provide vertical, longitudinal and
lateral restraint respectively have in effect been
separated into three distinct elements each of which can be
designed substantially independently of the others to
provide the required motion restraint and other
characteristics. The tie is well adapted to distribute
stress and mitigate stress concentrations. A further
advantage is that the structure of the tie lends itself
readily to conventional stress analysis techniques, for
example finite element stress analysis so that the elements
and the structure as a whole can be engineered to provide
for satisfactory stress management.
With the tie of the invention, the horizontal
plate member bears on the ballast and can serve to provide
sufficient bearing area to maintain ballast stresses at
desired low levels. The web structure can serve to ensure
adequate shear stiffness for the tie. Preferably, the web
structure comprises one or more webs the lower edge or
edges of which is or are thickened or bulbous, since it has
WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94/00303
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been found that this reduces stress concentrations in the
tie. The bent over end or ends of the plate member, or the
ballast engaging plate member or members provide restraint
against lateral buckling of the track under compressive or
thermal forces, centripetal train faces on curves, partial
uplift of track between heavy axles or combinations of
these. In the preferred form, the ballast engaging plate
member or members are concave on the side facing forwards
or adjacent end of the tie to provide increased lateral
strength, and have a portion or portions passing upwardly
through the horizontal plate member and are located
relative to the plate member, for example by bending or
twisting the end portions or by using cotter pins or like
pins passed through holes in the portions upstanding above
the horizontal plate member. A portion of the ballast
engaging plate member or members is preferably seated in
and located in a notch in a lower edge of a web member.
This preferred arrangement provides a simple and highly
effective connection between the ballast engaging plate
member or members and the tie. The tie may have a ballast
engaging plate member adjacent each end and, if the end
plate members do not provide sufficient lateral restraint
in a given application an intermediate plate may be
provided at a point the preferred location of which may
desirably be determined with the aid of stress analysis.
The above noted aspects of the invention are
described in more detail hereinafter, by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a first form of
tie in accordance with the invention;
Figs. 2 and 3 are plan and side views,
respectively, of the tie of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line IV-IV
in Fig. 3;
WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94/00303
- 5 -
Fig. 5 is an isometric view showing rail
fastening means of the tie of Figs. 1-3;
Fig. 6 shows the shoulder portions and locking
pins for the fastening means of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 shows a cross section on an enlarged scale
taken on the line VII-VII in Fig. 3;
Fig. 8 is a longitudinal cross section on an
enlarged scale of a modified form of tie having two
vertical webs and a ballast engaging plate member in
accordance with the invention;
Fig. 9 is an isometric view of a further modified
form of tie having two vertical webs in accordance with the
invention;
Figs. 10 and 11 are plan and side views,
respectively, of a still further modified form of tie
having two vertical webs;
Fig. 12 shows a transverse cross section taken on
the line XII-XII in Fig. 10; and
Figs. 13, 14 and 15 show longitudinal cross
sections taken on the lines XIII-XIII, XIV-XIV and XV-XV,
respectively, in Fig. il.
Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view showing various
forms of tie supported on ballast and illustrating the
ballast requirements thereof;
Fig. 17 is an isometric view of a preferred form
of tie plate in accordance with the invention.
Figs. 18 and 19 are isometric views of a further
form of plate in unassembled and assembled condition,
WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94/00303
respectively.
Fig. 20 is an end view, partly in section showing
successive stages in the application of a plate in
accordance with Figs. 18 and 19 to a plate member of a tie.
Fig. 21 is an isometric view of a preferred form
of clip.
Fig. 22 is an end view partly in section of
preferred forms of tie plate and clip applied to a plate
member of a tie.
Fig. 23 is an end view, partly in section, of a
preferred form of plate and clip applied to a wooden tie.
Fig. 24 is a partial side view, partially in
section showing a further form of tie plate and clip in
accordance with the invention.
Figs. 25 and 26 are isom~,etric views of further
preferred forms of tie plate in accordance with the
invention;
Fig. 27 is a partial view illustrating
application of a preferred tie plate to a preferred form of
rail tie;
Fig. 28 is an isometric view of a preferred rail
tie adapted to receive preferred tie plates;
Fig. 29 is a partial isometric view of a short
section of rail engaged by further preferred forms of tie
plate and rail clip;
Fig. 30 is an end view partially in section
showing a tie having the tie plate and clip of Fig. 29
applied thereto;
WO 94/28245 ~ 16 4-115 PCT/CA94/00303
Fig. 31 is a partially isometric view showing a
tie and tie plate and a further preferred form of tie clip;
Fig. 32 is a partial cross-section through the
tie, plate and clip of Fig. 31; and
Fig. 33, which appears on the same sheet as Fig.
24, is a side view, partly in section, showing a further
modified form of tie plate and clip.
Referring first to the embodiment of the
invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7, a steel tie 20 comprises a
generally horizontal oblong rectangular plate member 21
which is for connection transversely of the rails of which
a short section of one rail is indicated at 22 in Figures 1
and 2. Web structure extends generally vertically on the
underside of the plate member 21. In the example of
Figures 1 to 7, the web structure comprises a web member 23
extending substantially centrally between the longer sides
of the plate member 21. Preferably, in order to alleviate
strains to which the tie is subjected in use, the plate
member 21 increases in thickness from each longer edge
inwardly toward the web member 23. ~'or example, in one
preferred form, the lower side 21a of the member 21 slopes
inwardly downwardly at an angle of about 2°. The lower
side of the member 21 joins with the web member 23 through
a smooth arcuate transition portion 21b. Preferably, in
order to reduce stresses to which the tie is subjected in
use, the lower edge of the web member 23 is formed with a
bulbous portion 24, the edges of which merge smoothly with
the sides of the web member 23, as best seen in Fig. 7.
In the preferred form of tie shown in the
. 30 drawings, the horizontal member 21 provides sufficient
bearing area to minimize ballast stress. The web member 23
ensures adequate shear stiffness whereas the bulbous
portion 24 at the base of the web member 23 carries tensile
and compressive stresses arising from bending of the tie.
WO 94128245 PCT/CA94J00303
To fasten the rails such as rail 22 to the ties,
shoulder members 26 are provided. The shoulder members 26
hold the rail 22 with the aid of conventional clip members,
for example Universal Pandrol clips 26a as shown. As will
be appreciated, however, the structure of the invention is
adapted to cooperate with various forms of rail fastening
devices. In the example shown in Figs. 1 to 7, a pair of
the shoulder members is employed on each side of each rail
22. Each shoulder member 26 has two leg portions that
extend through slots formed in the horizontal plate member
21. The leg members 27 anchor beneath the plate member 21
through application of locking pins 28 inserted through
openings 29 in each leg member 27. In the preferred form,
to provide for desired inward cant of the rails 22, cant
plates 31 are employed between the shoulder members 26 and
the upper side of the horizontal plate member 21. The
plates 31 are provided with slots to receive the leg
members 27. It may be noted that cant plates 31 of any
desired degree of tilt may be incorporated into the
fastening means. For example, some railroads use 1:20 cant
plates and others 1:40 cant plates. The tie according to
the present invention does not need to be specially
deformed to provide for either type of rail seat cant. The
cant plates 31 which are sandwiched between the rails 22
and the plate member 21 also serve as sacrificial wear
plates that are considerably easier and substantially less
expensive to replace than an entire tie. If desired, in
order to provide improved distribution of stress through
the tie, the cant plates may be crowned in the direction
longitudinal of the rails 22. Such crowning of the cant
plates is indicated somewhat exaggeratedly and
schematically by the broken line 32 in Fig. 7. Such
crowning may desirably provide for point contact between
the inclined or canted rails 22 and the cant plate 31.
Such point loading may improve the distribution of stress
and mitigate stress concentrations.
The tie 20 may be provided with at least one
I;ECTIFIED SHEET (RULE 91)
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WO 94/28245
PCT/CA94I00303
_ g _
ballast engaging plate member such as a member 33 connected
to the tie on its underside and facing generally
transversely of the rail 22 for restraining lateral tie
movements. To provide for added lateral strength, the
plates 33 are preferably curved, to provide a concavity on
the side facing transversely outwardly towards the end of
the tie 20. Each plate member 33 is connected to the tie
20 through a three point securement. The upper end of each
plate member 33 is provided with a pair of upwardly
extending end portions 34 passing through slots 34a formed
symmetrically of the medium of the plate member 21 that
extends transversely of the rail, for transferring lateral
forces between the portions 34 and the plate member 21.
The slots are, accordingly, preferably formed symmetrically
on each side of the web member 23. Cotter pins 36 or like
retaining pins may be passed through holes 35 in the upper
end portions 34 to locate the plate members at each of two
upper points adjacent the upper side of the plate member
21. Alternatively, the end portions 34 extending above the
plate member 21 may be bent over or twisted to locate them
relative to the plate member 21. The third retaining point
for each plate member 33 is provided in the examples shown
in Figs. 1 to 7 by a notch 37 formed in the lower side of
the bulbous portion 24 of the web member 23. Each plate
member 33 is formed with a slot in its upper side, as seen
in Figure 7, through which the web member 23 extends. A
portion 39 of the plate member adjacent the lower end of
the slot 38 lodges in the notch 37.
The plates 33 are preferably connected in the
ends of the tie 20 at areas where the stresses applied are
very low. A further advantage of the present design is
that the size of the plates 33 can be increased or
decreased at will by substituting differently sized plates
for the plates 33 in order to provide greater or smaller
ballast-engaging area or to match the required lateral
track stability in a given application.
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WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94/00303
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Alternatively, instead of providing separate
plates 33, an end or both ends of the plate member 21 may
be bent over downwardly to provide restraint against
lateral movement. In such case, the end portion or
portions of the web member 23 are cut away, and the end or
ends of the plate member bent down preferably to abut
against the cut ends of the web member 23.
Where the lateral stability provided by the end
plates 33 is not sufficient, one or more intermediate
ballast-engaging plates 41 may be located in the middle
span of the tie 20 to provide extra lateral strength to the
tie 20 and to brace the web member 23 against transverse
buck33ng_. The exact location of the intermediate plate or
plates 41 to avoid undesired stress concentrations may be
determined by conventional stress analysis methods. In the
example shown, the intermediate plate member 41 is,
similarly to the plate members 33, retained by a three
point securement wherein cotter pins 42 are passed through
holes in upper end portions 43 of the plate member 41
upstanding through slots formed through the horizontal
plate member 21 on either side of the web 23, and a lower
portion of the plate 41 is located in a notch 44 formed in
the bulbous portion 24 at the bottom edge of the web 23.
Fig. 8 illustrates a modified form of tie having
two vertical web members. Elements similar to the
embodiment of Figs. 1 to 7 are indicated by the same
reference numerals raised by 100. As seen in the cross
section of Fig. 8, which is taken in the direction
longitudinally of the rails, the tie 120 has a horizontal
plate member 121 provided on its underside with two web
members 123 each extending parallel to and inset from the
longer sides of the plate 121. It may be noted that a
central portion 121c between the webs 123 is somewhat
thicker than the edge portions on either side. In this
example, a three point connection for the ballast engaging
plate member 133 is provided by an upper central portion
WO 94/28245
PCT/CA94/00303
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134 of the plate 133 passing through a corresponding
central slot in the portion 121c, and having an opening 135
through it for receiving a cotter pin or like retaining
pin. Notches 137 formed in the lower edge of each web
member 123 receive and locate lower end portions of slots
' 138 formed in the upper side of the plate 133.
With reference to Fig. 9, a further embodiment is
shown and reference numerals raised by 200 indicate
elements similar to those of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to
7. The tie 220 of this embodiment differs from the
embodiment of Fig. 8 chiefly in that the lower ends of the
web members 223 are each provided with tensile and
compressive stress reducing bulbous portions 224. The
ballast engaging plate members 233 are provided with a
three point securement similar to that described above with
reference to Fig. 8, wherein there is an upper portion 234
located_ahove the plate member 231 by means of a cotter pin
or the like passed through an opening in the member 1234,
and lower portions of the plate 233 engage in notches
formed in the bulbous portions 224 respectively.
Referring to Figs. l0 to 15, this shows still a
further embodiment. Elements similar to those of Figs. 1
to 7 are indicated by the same reference numerals raised by
300. The tie 320 of this embodiment differs from that of
Fig. 9 chiefly in that the longer edge portions 312d of the
horizontal plate member 321 are thickened and taper
somewhat inwardly towards the web members 323. As seen in,
for example, the cross section of Fig. 14, the profile of
the underside of the horizontal plate member 321 curves
arcuately smoothly to blend with a planar portion 321e
between the thickened portion 321d and the web 323. The
portion 321e blends arcuately smoothly with the side of the
web 323.
The shoulders 326 have a single leg portion 327
that passes through apertures in the cant plates 331 and in
WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94/00303
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the horizontal plate member 321. The leg 327 is formed
with a laterally extending portion 346 that engages the
lower side of the horizontal plate member 321 between the
web members 323.
In the embodiment of Fig. 9, shoulder members 236
similar to those described above with reference to Figs. 10
to 13 may be used for fastening the cant plates 231 and
rails 222 to the tie member 220.
As will be appreciated, the tie members described
above, whether having a single web member 23 attached to
the horizontal plate member 21, or having double web
members 123, 223 or 224, are well adapted to be formed from
steel stock by, for example, rolling from bar stock.
The ties as described above are well adapted to
be incorporated in rail track using conventional tie rail
and ballast laying techniques.
Figure 16 shows cross-sections of various forms
of tie supported on ballast 51 disposed on a ground or
grade surface 52. In the case of a~wood tie 53, a minimum
depth "d" of ballast 51 is required below the bearing or
ballast engaging surface 54. An additional depth of
ballast "a" is required to engage the sides 56 and ends of
the tie 53 to restrain longitudinal and lateral movements,
respectively. Similarly, with a known form of steel tie
57, an additional depth of ballast "a" is required above
the bearing surface 58 to engage surface 59 resisting
longitudinal movement and surfaces above bearing surface 58
resisting lateral movements. With a known trough shape
steel tie 61 a smaller additional ballast depth "c" may be
required below surface 62 which transmits part of the
downward force to the ballast, but there may be
difficulties in introducing ballast into the cavity of the
trough 61. With the preferred form of tie 20 of the
invention it is relatively easy to introduce ballast below
WO 94/28245 ~ 16 4I 1 ~ PCT/CA94/00303
- 13 -
the plate member 21, and the web member 23 and plates 33
resisting longitudinal and lateral movements extend below
the bearing surface 21a so that an additional depth of
ballast is not required.
Fig. 17 shows a tie plate 410 adapted to be
formed by conventional rolling and punching processes from
sheet steel stock, or by casting and comprising two
elements 410a and 410b which in use interengage along a
line 411.
Figures 18 to 20 show a similar tie plate 420
which is adapted to be formed by conventional rolling
processes or by conventional casting processes and
comprises two elements 420a and 420b similar to elements
410a and 410b, respectively, except for some differences
noted below. As best seen in Figs. 18 and 19, the
interengaging portions are similar on each element and
comprise a rectangular longitudinally opening recess 412
and an oppositely directed longitudinally extending
rectangular tongue 413, the tongue 413 of each element 410a
and 410b, or 420a and 420b, fitting snugly into the recess
412 of each other element.
When in the assembled condition shown in Fig. 17
or 19 the plate 410 or 420 has two longitudinally extending
shoulders 414 for receiving, as seen in Figs. 22 and 23, a
flange 416 of a rail 417 snugly therebetween.
A laterally outer longitudinal edge 418 of each
element 410a and 410b or 420a and 420b is formed with
longitudinally spaced formations for engaging a plate
member 419 of a steel tie. Each formation comprises a
downwardly extending leg 421 and a projection 422 extending
laterally therefrom. In the preferred form as shown, each
projection extends laterally outwardly to facilitate
application of the plate elements 410a and 410b, or 420a
and 420b, to plate member 419 in the manner indicated in
WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94100303
_ x.16 ~-1 ~ ~
- 14 -
Fig. 20. Each element 410a, 410b or 420a, 420b is received
in a pair of longitudinally spaced slots formed through the
plate member 419 of the steel tie, for example by punching.
One slot 423a and 423b of each pair is seen in the cross-
section of Fig. 20. The width of each slot 423a and 423b
is approximately equal to the thickness of the metal of the
legs 421 and projections 422 and its length is
approximately the length of each leg 421 and projection
422, so that these latter fit through the slots 423a and
423b with a small clearance. As seen in solid lines in
Fig. 20 each element 410a, 410b, or 420a, 420b is applied
in an upright position with its projection 422 received in
the slots and is rotated inwardly downwardly as seen in
successive stages in broken lines in Fig. 20, so that in
the installed position the portions 412 and 413 interengage
as seen in Fig. 17 and the projections 422 lodge under the
plate 419.
Preferably, a tie 20, 120, 220, or 320 as
described above with reference to Figs. 1 to 16 is modified
by punching slots such as the slots 423a and b through its
plate member, so that it is used as plate 419 with the tie
plates 410 or 420 as described above. Other forms of steel
tie may be used however with less advantage. For example
BHP steel ties as available from BHP Rail Products (Canada)
Ltd., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada may be used.
As will be appreciated each edge 418 may have a
single leg 421 and projection 422 extending continuously
along it or along a portion, for example a central portion,
or may have more than two legs 421 each parallel with a
projection 422, engaging corresponding slots in the plate
419.
In the installed position, projections 422 resist
upward movement of the plate 410 or 420 relative to the
plate member 419 of the tie, and the legs 421 resist
lateral and longitudinal movement. Lateral stresses
WO 94/28245 x,16 ~ 11.~ pCT/CA94/00303
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imposed by a rail flange on one shoulder 414 are
transmitted through the interengaging formations 412 and
413, so that the legs 421 on each element 410a and 410b, or
420a and 420b share the lateral loads.
As noted above, the plate member 21 of the tie 20
varies continuously in thickness since it tapers from the
central web member 23 outwardly to each longer edge. This
is highly advantageous since as a result there is a unique
position of tie plate such as tie plate 410, relative to
the plate member 21, at which the thickness of the plate
member 21 matches the height of the legs 421, or, more
accurately, the vertical distance between the lower sides
of the elements 410a and 410b and the upper sides of the
projections 422. Therefore, when installed, the tie plate
such as plate 410 tends to adopt this unique or equilibrium
position and the arrangement increases the stability of the
location of the plate 410 relative to the tie 20 against
movement in the direction extending longitudinally of the
rail 417.
In the example shown in Fig. 17 each shoulder 414
is formed with a longitudinally horizontally elongated
opening 424 for receiving a rail clip as described in more
detail later with reference to Figs. 21 to 23.
The tie plates 420 of Figs. 18 to 20, however,
have channel-like longitudinally extending recesses 414a
which can receive a limb of a conventional rail clip such
as a PANDROL (trademark) rail clip for retaining a rail
flange such as flange 416 on the plate 420.
It may be noted that between the shoulders 414,
each plate 410 or 420 provides a planar upper side 426
which preferably is inclined or canted in the lateral
direction relative to a planar lower side 427, to provide
for desired inward cant of the rails 417.
21 641 1 5
- 16 -
Figure 21 shows a rail clip 430 having a
longitudinally elongated generally rectangular base portion
428 with a planar lower side 429. Each end is formed with
a downwardly extending tab 431 which is spaced inwardly
from a laterally outer side edge 432 of the base 428. An
intermediate portion 433 inclines laterally inwardly and
upwardly from the base 428 to a transition portion 434
curving downwardly to provide a convex upper side and an
end portion 436 curving upwardly to provide a convex lower
side 437.
Figure 22 shows a two part tie plate 440 similar to
that described above in detail with reference to Figs. 17
to 20 and installable on a tie 419 formed with slots
therethrough in the same manner as described above with
reference to Fig. 20. The elements 440a and 440b in this
case are preferably formed by casting.
Each shoulder 414 provides a box-form abutment portion
and is formed with a horizontally longitudinally elongated
slot or opening 424 through it that is bounded by a
continuous upper wall providing a downwardly facing
abutment surface. Each slot 424 preferably tapers in width
in the laterally inward direction, as seen in side view in
Fig. 22, so as to provide a lower upwardly laterally
inclining ramp portion, to facilitate inward driving of the
end portion 436 of a clip 430 as described above with
reference to Fig. 21. At this point it may be noted that,
in the embodiment of Fig. 17, the slot opening 424 formed
through each shoulder 414 tapers in width inwardly again
with the object of facilitating or guiding inward movement
of the end 436 of a clip 430.
In Figs. 17 and 22, the plate 410 or 440 includes
planar web members 441 extending laterally between the
shoulders 414 and the longitudinal edges 418 that are
punched or otherwise formed with a pair of pits or openings
442 spaced apart longitudinally to receive the spaced tabs
431 of the clip 430.
In use, after installation of the plates 410 or 440 on
a tie such as ties 20, 120, 220 or 320 and after
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WO 94/28245 ~,1 6 4-11 ~ PCT/CA94/00303
- 17 -
laying of rail 417 on the plates, the end portions 436 of
the clips 430 are introduced through the openings 424 and
are driven inwardly for example by pressure or blows
applied on the outer edge 432 to the installed position
seen in Fig. 22 wherein the tabs 431 snap into the openings
442 and the lower side of the end portion 436 of the clip
430 bears on the upper side of the rail flange 416.
Preferably each opening 424 has its length approximately
the same as the width of the portion 433 of the clip 430 so
that the clip 430 lodges in the tie plate 410 or 440 with
little longitudinal play or clearance.
In the installed position as seen in Fig. 22, the
transition and end portions 434 and 436 are deformed
upwardly relative to the intermediate portion 433, the
upper side of which bears on the upper side of the opening
414. The line or area of contact between the side of the
opening 414 and the clip portion 433 acts as a fulcrum with
the result there is a resilient reaction tending to urge
the transition and end portions 434 and 436 firmly
downwardly to engage the said flange and to urge the base
portion 428 downwardly, resulting in the snapping of the
tabs 431 into the openings 442 as the clip 430 is driven
inwardly. In use, tabs 431 serve as abutment members the
lateral flanks of which provide oppositely and laterally
facing abutment surfaces engaging the opposing laterally
facing sides of the openings 442 and serving to resist
lateral displacement of the clips 430 relative to the tie
plate 440.
In the event of a reaction applied to the rail
417 tending to rotate it about its longitudinal axis,
rotation of the rail is limited by the laterally outer end
or toe of the rail flange A engaging the underside B of the
intermediate portion 433 of the clip 433. Further upward
reaction is transferred direct to the shoulder 414, upward
movement of which is resisted by projection 422 engaging
the plate 419 of the tie member. As a result there is a
WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94/00303
X164-11~
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large moment or torque resisting rotation of the rail 417,
the length of the arm of which torque is substantially the
distance between the projection 422 and the shoulder 414.
Further, even in the event that the transition
and end portions 434 and 436 are stressed beyond their
elastic limit and become deformed so that they no longer
bear resiliently on the flange 416, the clips 430 are
retained positively on the plate 410 or 440 as a result of
the reaction between the clip portion 433 and the opening
414 tending to urge the tabs 431 downwardly into the
openings 442, so that the clips 430 will continue to resist
rail rollover in the manner described above.
Fig. 23 shows a further example of a tie plate
450, similar to the plate 440 except it is formed as a
single piece, for example by casting, suitable for
installation on a concrete or wooden tie. In this case,
the web members 441 extend a distance beyond the openings
442 and each are provided with openings 443 through which
anchor members 444 may pass. Each web member 441 may have
a set of, for example, two or three openings 443 spaced
longitudinally along the member 441, for receiving
conventional fasteners. Such fasteners may be spike
members 446, for example, driven into a wooden tie or
sleeper 447. The openings 443 may also receive studs or
other conventional .cast in place anchors of..a..Gnncrete tie,
for example.
As will be appreciated, the one piece ti~.plate
450 in combination with the clips 430 tends to resist pail
rollover by limiting rotation of the toe A of the rail
flange and transferring such rotational forces to the plate
450, so that the forces are resisted by the large moment
applied by the spike 446 or other fastener spaced laterally
outwardly a considerable distance from the toe A.
Fig. 24 shows a partial view of a further form of
WO 94/28245
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tie plate 460 and clip 470. The tie plate 460 is adapted
to be formed by casting. Laterally outwards of each
shoulder 414, the plate 460 is formed with a reaction
shoulder 461, on the upper side of which the base portion
471 of the clip 470 rests. The shoulder 461 may extend
longitudinally a distance somewhat greater than the width
of the base portion 461. In this example the upper side of
the reaction shoulder 461 is formed with one or more
upstanding studs 462 which are preferably circular in
section and snap into holes 472 formed in the clip 470 when
the clip 470 is driven inward through the opening 424 to
bear on the upper side of the rail flanc~~ 416, thereby
providing abutment members and openings providing co-
operating lateral abutment surfaces resisting displacement
of the clip 470 under lateral pressure.
The opening 424 in the shoulder in this example
does not taper in width but has parallel upper and lower
sides 424a and 424b.
The plate form clip 470 has an upswept
intermediate portion 473 which in,the installed position is
deformed resiliently and bears on the~upper side 424a of
the opening while a downswept end portion 474 is deformed
resiliently and bears resiliently on the upper side of the
rail flange 416.
As before, rotation of the toe A of the rail 417
is transferred by the clip 470 to the plate 460. The line
on which the portion 473 of the clip 470 bears on the
shoulder 414 in this case is inside the opening 424
intermediate its ends with the result that the bearing area
increases with the loading applied to the clip 470 by the
rail 417.
As will be appreciated the plate 460 may be a
two-part plate similar to those described above with
reference to Figs. 17 to 20 and 22 or may be a one-piece
WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94/00303
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plate as described above with reference to Fig. 23.
Fig. 25 shows a modification of the tie plate 460
formed as a two-part plate having elements 460a and 460b
which unite along a line 411 inclining, for example at 45°,
to the longitudinal direction of the rail. As best seen in
Fig. 27, each element 460a and b has a rectangular stud 476
on its underside which engages in a corresponding
rectangular opening 477 punched in the plate member 21 of
tie 20 on installation in order to increase the stability
of location of the plate 460 relative to the tie 20, and
especially resisting lateral forces. It may be noted the
tie 20 in Fig. 27 is modified in that it has a planar lower
face 24a on the bulbous or thickened portion 24.
Fig. 26 shows a further modified two part tie
plate 478, wherein each shoulder 414 is at a lateral edge
of the respective element 478a or b for use with a tie clip
engaging directly with the tie, such as a tie 20, as seen
in Figs. 28 to 31. Further, the elements 478a and b are
formed with locating and force-resisting studs 479,
circular in this example, which are of different sizes, and
at each rail position on plate member 21 there-is a pair of
corresponding differently sized openings 481, so that the
tie plates 478 can be installed only in a given
orientation, usually with each canted surface 426 facing
inwardly of the rail track, with a view to avoiding
misinstallation.
Figs. 29 and 30 show the use of the tie plate 478
with a resilient steel plate form tie clip 482 having a
base portion 483 engaging the upper side of the plate
member 21, and an intermediate portion 484 curving
downwardly and inwardly to an upswept end portion 486.
Inwardly from the base portion 483, the clip includes an
inwardly and downwardly inclining locking portion 487 which
in the installed position as seen in Fig. 30 snaps into an
opening or pocket 488 formed in the upper side of the plate
WO 94/2$245 ~ 16 411 ~
PCT/CA94/00303
- 21 -
member 21. In installation, the end portion 486 is
inserted loosely manually into the opening 424 and the rear
of the intermediate portion 484 is given blows with a
driving tool such as a hammer or slug to drive clip 482
inwardly toward the position shown in Fig. 30. As the end
portion 486 is urged upwardly as it rides on the upwardly
inclining surface of the rail flange 416, and the
intermediate portion 484 is compressed more strongly as it
progressively enters the opening 424, there is a strong
downwardly compressive reaction at the base 483 and locking
portion 487, so that the latter snaps into the pocket 488
when it reaches the installed position. The clip 482 can
be removed if desired by levering upwardly on the clip
between the base portion 483 and locking portion 487 using
a bar like tool.
Referring to Figs. 31 to 32, a plate-form
resilient tie clip 489 is used together with tie plate 478.
The clip has a spiral-section portion 491 of which a bight
or base portion 492 engages the plate member 21 of the tie
20 or other steel tie having a generally planar upper
member. The clip 489 has an upwardly concave intermediate
portion and a downwardly and then upwardly inwardly swept
end portion 494. In installation, the end portion 494 is
inserted loosely in the opening 424 and the clip 489 is
driven inwardly with blows from a hammer or like driving
tool. As the downwardly swept portion 494a enters the
opening 424 there is a strong cnmpLessive reaction with the
upper side of the openi~~ 424, so that as the clip 489 is
driven inwards ~:. snaps to the installed position wherein
the cor:.~-.e portion 493 is received in the opening 424.
w'... clip 489 is flexed strongly resiliently by the
compressive forces acting at the lines of contact between
the upper side of the opening 424 and the upwardly concave
portion 493 and there is a strong compressive reaction
between the base portion 492 and the plate member 21.
It may be noted that in the event of upward
WO 94/28245 PCT/CA94/00303
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rotation of the toe A of the rail flange 416, the clip 489
functions as a first class or first order lever wherein the
clip 489 pivots about its point or area of contact with the
upper side of the opening 424 which acts as a fulcrum, so
that the upward force exerted by the toe A on the end
portion 494 is counterbalanced by the upward reaction of
the plate member 21 on the base portion. The same first
order lever action also occurs with the clips 430 of Figs.
21 to 23, 470 of Fig. 24 and 482 of Figs. 29 and 30,
wherein the area of contact between the clip and the upper
side of the opening 424 acts as a fulcrum. The stresses
exerted on the clip in this first order lever action can be
made much less than are possible with second or third order
lever arrangements as occur with known rail tie clips.
In a further modification, instead of having a
clip such as the clip 430, 470, 482 or 489 pass through an
opening, such as the opening 424, in the shoulder such as
shoulder 414, of the tie plate as in the embodiments shown
in Figs. 17 and 22 to 32, the shoulder, as seen in Figure
33, may be formed to be generally T-shape,-~as indicated at
414a as viewed laterally from the side of the tie plate
440a, with the upright of the T connected to the tie plate.
The end portion of the clip 430a that engages on the rail
flange is in such case formed with a slot extending
longitudinally inwardly from the end of the clip 430a, so
that, when the clip 430a is driven inwardly, the upright of
the T 414a enters proc~res5ivply into the slot, and the
upper side of the clip on either =i~:~ of the slot engages
on the underside of the adjacent horizoW~?. limb of the T
in the same manner that the above mentioned clips ..-~~rage on
the upper side of the opening 414.
The T members 414a need not be disposed laterally
opposite one another centrally of the plate 440a and may be
longitudinally offset from one another. Similarly, the
openings 424 in the embodiments of Figs. 17 and 22 to 32
may be longitudinally offset from one another along the tie
WO 94128245 PCT/CA94/00303
'~16~-~1~
- 23 -
plate, and the shoulder portions 414 may be of a length
somewhat less than the length of the tie plate.
