Patent ID: 6758406
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: E01B

Abstract:
A brace assembly for a rail having a head and a base connected by a web, comprising:a tie plate having an upper surface portion with a longitudinal centerline for receiving the base of the rail; a wedge block stationarily mounted on the tie plate adjacent the upper surface portion, the wedge block having an inner wall adapted to face the web of the rail; a longitudinally extending groove formed in the inner wall of the wedge block; a brace having an inner side that is adapted to engage the rail and a tongue on an outer side that extends laterally into the groove, the brace, including the tongue, comprising a single, rigid member; a mating tapered wedge surface on the brace and a mating tapered wedge surface on the wedge block that are at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal centerline, the brace being longitudinally movable relative to the tie plate and the wedge block to wedge the brace wedged against the rail; a fastener mounted to the wedge block for fastening the brace to the wedge block in a wedged position; and wherein: the groove has a base portion that is adapted to face toward the web; the wedge surface on the wedge block is located on the base portion; and the wedge surface on the brace is located on an outer edge of the tongue.