Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a track switch cover system and method. The system and method allows for easy installation and removal of track switch covers as well as quick and easy access to the switch mechanism shrouded by the covers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/531,983 filed Sep. 7, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Cover assemblies for railroad track switch to control snow and ice accumulation on the track switch mechanism. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Track switches are mechanism that are used to direct trains from one track to another track. These mechanisms have a number of moving parts. The switching mechanisms work best when they are not covered by ice and snow. Heating units are sometime provided at the track switch to melt away or prevent snow and ice accumulation. Covers are also used in conjunction with the heating units or alone to limit snow and ice accumulation on the track switches. There is a need for improved cover assemblies that facilitate quick and easy access to the switching mechanism, quick and easy installation and removal. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a track switch cover system and method. The system and method allows for easy installation and removal of track switch covers as well as quick and easy access to the switch mechanism shrouded by the covers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of a track switch cover assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure installed at a track switch location; 
         FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the track switch cover assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a center portion of the track switch cover assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged exploded view of several components shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of mounting components for the cover assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged exploded view of the components shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of mounting components for the cover assembly of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view side portion of the track switch cover assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the mounting components shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the mounting components shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the mounting components shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the mounting components shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the mounting components shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 14  is an end view of the mounting components of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 15  is an end view of the mounting components of  FIG. 12  mounted to a stationary rail; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the mounting components of  FIG. 15  mounted to a moving rail; 
         FIG. 17  is an end view of the mounting components of  FIG. 12  supporting a track cover; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the mounting components of  FIG. 12  supporting a track cover; and 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the mounting components of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the track switch cover assembly of the present disclosure is described in more detail. In the depicted embodiment the track switch cover system includes a center cover portion  10  that extends between the two inner opposed track rails  12 ,  14  and a side cover portion  16 ,  18  that extends adjacent to the field side (outside side) of opposed outer track rails  20 ,  22 . The center cover portion  10  and side cover portions  16 ,  18  together minimize snow and ice build-up in the track switch area. The cover portions according to the present disclosure are configured to be quickly and easily installed, removed for summer and service, and reinstalled for winter. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-7 , the center cover portion is described in greater detail. In the depicted embodiment the center cover portion  10  includes a number of individual cover sections that are arranged end-to-end to cooperatively cover the area between the opposed inner track rails  12 ,  14 . In the depicted embodiment some cover sections have a one-piece construction, whereas other cover sections are made of two pieces that are attached to each other via a hinged connection. 
     In the depicted embodiments the center cover portions are attached to the opposed inner track rails  12 ,  14  via a number of mounting flange configurations including single slot flange  24  and a double slot flange  26  that are secured to the rails via bolts ( FIGS. 3-7 ) as well as flanges that connect to the rails without bolts ( FIGS. 12-20 ). Each of the depicted embodiments will be described in greater detail below. However, it should be appreciated that certain features from these various embodiments can be combined in different ways than depicted. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 3-7 , both the single slot and double slot flanges are further described. In the depicted embodiment the flanges are bolted to the gauge side of the inner rails  12 ,  14 . In the depicted embodiment the flanges  24 ,  26  are attached via bolts that extend either through aperture  28 ,  30  in a first portion  34  of the flange or via bolts that engage a downwardly open channel  32  in a first portion  36  of the flange. 
     In the depicted embodiment both the single and double slot flange embodiments  24 ,  26  include second portions  38 ,  40  that extend from the first portions  34 ,  36  inwardly towards the center of the track. The second portions engage and support the center cover portion  10 . A quick disconnect fastener assembly is configured to extend through the covers and engage the flanges anywhere along the slots. The slots allow for faster assembly and disassembly as they do not require precise alignment between the flanges and apertures in the covers. On the depicted embodiment the slots are longitudinal and generally parallel to the rails. However, it should be appreciated that other slot configurations are also possible. 
     In the depicted embodiment the quick disconnect fastener assembly includes a stud  44 , a pin  46 , a washer  48 , and a nut  50 . An upper end of the stud  44  aligns with an aperture in the covers, and the lower end of the stud  44  is tightened to the slot via the nut  50  upon initial installation. The covers are secured to the stud with the washer  48  and pin  46  combination. In the depicted embodiment the wafer is relatively large which allows the stud  44  to be relatively small in diameter in comparison to the width of the slot. The difference between the stud  44  diameter and the slot width allow for more flexibility in the fit and easier assembly and disassembly. In the depicted embodiment the cover can be disconnected from the flanges  24 ,  26  by simply pulling the pin  48  out of engagement with the stud  44 . Re-securing the cover to the flange involves aligning the aperture in the cover with the stud and engaging the washer and pin to the stud after the cover is properly situated on the flange. It should be appreciated that other quick disconnect fastener assemblies exist that do not use pins and studs. For example, in an alternative embodiment the quick disconnect fastener assembly includes wing nuts that engage threaded posts. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-11 , the side covers and side cover mounting assembly are described in further detail. In the depicted embodiment the side covers  16 ,  18  are configured to pivot outwardly from their secured position to expose the area adjacent the outside of the tracks  20 ,  22 . In the depicted embodiment the side cover mounting assembly includes a base member  52  that is pivotally connected to a cover mounting member  54  via a pivot pin  56 . In the depicted embodiments the cover mounting member is fastened to the cover. 
     In the depicted embodiments the base member is either directly secured to a railroad tie or secured to a railroad tie via a base plate  64 . In the depicted embodiment, nuts  68  and bolts  66  are used to secure base member  52  to the base plate  64 ; otherwise, lag bolts can be used to secure the base member  52  directly to the railroad tie. In the depicted embodiments the base member  52  includes a post or stud  58  that extends through an aperture in the cover mounting member  54 . The cover mounting member  54  is fastened to the covers  16 ,  18  via fasteners  70 ,  72  that extend through the cover and slot shaped apertures  74 ,  76  in the cover mounting member  54 . The slot shaped apertures  74 ,  76  allow for quicker installation as precise alignment between apertures in the covers  16 ,  18  and apertures in the cover mounting member  54  is not required. The pivot pin  56  engages and pivotally connects the base member  52  with the cover mounting member  54 . Pivot pin  56  is secured in place with a first retaining pin  62 . A second retaining pin  60  engages the post  58  and limits movement between the base member  52  and the cover mounting member  58 . 
     In the depicted embodiments the side covers  16 ,  18  can be detached by simply disengaging the first retaining pin  62  and removing the pivot pin  56 . Alternatively, the side covers  16 ,  18  can be pivoted outwardly by simply disengaging the second retaining pin  60  and pulling the cover away from the tracks. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12-18 , an alternative embodiment of bracket assembly depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is described in greater detail. The depicted bracket assembly is similar to the bracket assembly in  FIGS. 5 and 6  with respect to how they interface with the covers. Accordingly, the ease of assembly and disassembly of the covers is shared between these embodiments and will not be re-described below. In the depicted embodiment the brackets can be connected to the rails without the use of tools. Therefore, the alternative embodiment has the added functionality of decreasing the time and effort involved with attaching the brackets (also referred to herein as flanges) to the rails. Also, since the brackets are not bolted to the rails, they can be connected to the rails where there are not bolts or through holes on the rail, which makes them flexible in that they can be connected essentially anywhere along the rail. 
     In the depicted embodiment the bracket is shaped such that a magnetic force between the side of the rail and the bracket is sufficient to connect the bracket to the rail such that a group of brackets are able to support the track cover mounted thereon. In the depicted embodiment the bracket body is a fabricated or cast bracket whose angles generally follow the contour of the web and foot of the rail. In the depicted embodiment the bracket includes a cover supporting portion  120  that projects generally horizontally (perpendicular to the side of the rail) (see  FIGS. 15-17 ). In the depicted embodiment, this cover supporting portion  120  includes one or more apertures (e.g., longitudinal slot) to engage mounting hardware for mounting the covers via a quick connect fastener assembly. 
     The bracket  100  also includes a generally vertical rail connection portion  122 . In the depicted embodiment the cover supporting portion  120  is generally perpendicular to the rail connection portion  122 . In the depicted embodiment the rail connection portion  122  includes a boltless rail connecting assembly, which in the depicted embodiment includes one or more magnets. In the depicted embodiment apertures  101  are provided in the rail connection portion  122  to allow for a fixed or floating or self-centering/self-adjusting mounting of the magnets  104  which apply a force holding the bracket against the rail. It should be appreciated that it is desirable to maximize contact between the rail connection portion  122  and the rail itself to maximize the attractive force between the magnet and the rail. Since the surface profiles of the rail may not be perfectly flat or vertical, it may be desirable to allow the magnets to “float” to move to an orientation that most maximizes the contact between the rail connection portion  122  and the surface of the rail. In one embodiment the magnets  104  are mounted by means of a bracket  106 , held in place by nuts  109  and bolts  107 . The nuts and bolts can be loosened to allow the brackets  106  some freedom of movement so that the brackets  106  can self-align with the surface of the rail. 
     The bracket  100  also includes a foot portion  124  that is configured to rest on the base of the rail. In the depicted embodiment the foot portion includes foot pads  105  that interface between the bracket  100  and the base of the rail. The foot pads can be comprised of a high friction material such as rubber. When the weight of the cover is applied to the cover supporting portion  102 , force is transferred through the rail connecting portion  122  to the foot portion  124  and through the foot pads  105  to the base of the rail. 
     In the depicted embodiment the bracket  100  also includes claw portion  126  that is connected to the foot portion  124 . The claw portion  126  grabs the edge of the rail and extends under the edge of the rail. The claw portion  126  serves to locate the bracket properly on the rail and also can facilitate the connecting between the bracket  100  and the rail by camming against the bottom surface of the rail when a downward force is applied to the cover supporting portion  120 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , an additional embodiment of the bracket are shown. The bracket  130  shown in  FIG. 19  has a rail connecting portion  122  that is adjustable in height in the field. The installer can in the field make the connecting portion  122  taller or shorter as needed. The bracket  130  also has a foot portion  124  that is adjustable in the field. The installer can in the field make foot portion  124  narrower or wider as needed. These adjustments can allow the installer to configure the bracket to maximize the contact between the rail connection portion  122  and the rail and the claw portion  126  and the rail. It should be appreciated that the bracket can be casted or formed of a metal such as steel or aluminum. Alternatively, the bracket can be constructed of a non-conductive material such as nylon, fiberglass, etc. The non-conductive construction can be advantageous when the conduction of electricity between different rails is undesirable. It should also be appreciated that the bracket assembly can be used to mount structures other than covers to the rails (e.g., it can be used to mount sensors to the rails). 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.