Patent ID: 6481637
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: E01B

Abstract:
A method of limiting the lateral displacement of an exposed surface of an elastomeric rail pad during loading of said rail pad, said rail pad including an active area having a first substantially planar surface and a second substantially planar surface that is disposed distally and in parallel planar alignment with respect to said first substantially planar surface, comprising the steps of:(a) providing said rail pad having a cylindrical recess disposed in said active area on said first substantially planar surface, said cylindrical recess including a first end disposed at said first substantially planar surface and extending into said pad a predetermined amount and including at least one other cylindrical recess that is disposed in said active area on said second substantially planar surface and wherein a portion of an inside diameter of said cylindrical recess aligns longitudinally with a portion of an inside diameter of said at least one other cylindrical recess and wherein said cylindrical recess and said at least one other cylindrical recess each includes a center longitudinal axis and wherein said center longitudinal axis of said cylindrical recess is offset with respect to said center longitudinal axis of said at least one other cylindrical recess; (b) placing said active area intermediate a rail and a tie; and (c) applying a compressive load to said rail pad, whereby a portion of a lateral deformation resulting from said compressive load is distributed in the space provided by said cylindrical opening in said rail pad.