Abstract:
A joint between connected ends of two rails of different height is provided with a connector/juncture bar member which is configured to fit with and engage corresponding surfaces formed on the rails when the rails are connected together. The joint so formed is one with increased strength, with ease and accuracy of alignment during assembly.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present invention is related to my co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “Leveling Rail Joints With Plane Support For Different Profiles”, filed of even date herewith, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket No. 070867.000010, and “Leveling Rail Joints With Plane Support For Different Height Rails”, filed of even date herewith, U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket No. 070867.000011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to rail joints for railroad track. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A railroad way is formed by joining two sets of parallel rails together, each set of rails formed of a number of rails connected lengthwise at their adjoining aligned ends. When one of the installed rails required replacement due to breakage, damage or completion of useful service life, the old installed rail has been replaced with a replacement or substitute rail, which could be a new or a used rail. In such cases, the replacement or substitute rail has often been a different height than that of the connecting rail to which connection was made. 
         [0006]    So far as is known, it has been the practice to maintain the base portions of the replacement rail and the remaining rail of the original joint at a common level in the new joint being formed. This resulted in the upper surfaces of the head portions of the joined rails being at a different height. In these situations, however, there were impacts and shocks caused when the wheels of the engines and the rolling stock passed over the joint with the rail heads of different height. The repeated application of the resulting impacts so caused resulted in damage to the rails with resulting damage and loss of service life for the rails. There were also possible safety concerns. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Briefly, the present invention provides new and improved rail track structure formed at adjoining end portions of rails which have differing characteristics. The present invention provides a new and improved leveling joint connector bar for connecting adjoining end portions of rails of different height in a track structure. The adjoining end portions of the rails have an oblique surface formed below a head portion extending inwardly towards a web portion and an oblique surface on a foot portion extending inwardly towards the web portion. The leveling joint connector bar includes an elongate joint body spanning the adjoining end portions of the rails to be joined, and having a number of connector holes formed therein aligned with connector holes in the web portions of the adjoining end portions of the rails to be joined. 
         [0008]    The elongate joint body member has an oblique upper surface formed with and extending along the length of the joint body, and the oblique upper surface is machined to conform to and engage with the oblique surface formed below the head portions of the adjoining end portions of the rails to be joined. 
         [0009]    The elongate joint body member has an oblique lower surface formed with and extending along the length of a first segment of and conforming to and engaging with the oblique surface formed on the base portion of a first of the two rails to be joined. The elongate joint body member also an oblique lower surface formed with and extending along the length of a second segment of and conforming to and engaging with the oblique surface formed on the base portion of a second of the two rails to be joined. 
         [0010]    The oblique upper surface of the elongate joint body member and the oblique lower surface of the first segment of the elongate joint body member are spaced from each a distance corresponding to the height of the first of the two rails to be joined, and the oblique upper surface of the elongate joint body member and the oblique lower surface of the second segment of the elongate joint body member are spaced from each a distance corresponding to the height of the second of the two rails to be joined. 
         [0011]    The rail track structure includes a first track and a second segment having a web portion, a base portion and a head portion, the web portions of the first and second track segments having a number of connector holes formed therein for the passage of connectors at their end portions. The head portions of the first and second track segments each have an oblique surface formed below a head portion extending inwardly towards their web portions. The base portions of the first and second track segments also an oblique surface formed on a foot portion extending inwardly towards their web portions 
         [0012]    An elongate connector bar is connected to span and join the adjoining end portions of the first and second track segments being joined, with a number of connector holes formed in the connector bar aligned with the connector holes in web portions of the adjoining end portions of the first and second track segments. 
         [0013]    The elongate joint body member has an oblique upper surface formed with and extending along the length of the joint body. The oblique upper surface conforms to and engages with the oblique surface formed below the head portions of the adjoining end portions of the rails. The elongate joint body member has an oblique lower surface formed with and extending along the length of a first segment of and conforming to and engaging with the oblique surface formed on the base portion of a first of the two rails. 
         [0014]    The elongate joint body member has an oblique lower surface formed with and extending along the length of a second segment of and conforming to and engaging with the oblique surface formed on the base portion of a second of the two rails to be joined. The oblique upper surface of the elongate joint body member and the oblique lower surface of the first segment of the elongate joint body member are spaced from each a distance corresponding to the height of the first of the two rails. The oblique upper surface of the elongate joint body member and the oblique lower surface of the second of the elongate joint body member are spaced from each a distance corresponding to the height of the second of the two rails. 
         [0015]    The present invention provides new and improved leveling rail joints where the fitting, engagement and engagement with the rails being connected at their end portions is made by a set of joint or connector bodies that provide increased strength to the assembly. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The characteristic details of the present invention are clearly shown in the following description and accompany figures, which illustrate this and provide points of reference to indicate the same parts in the figures shown. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a leveling rail joint according to the present invention for joining rails of different height characteristics. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  2 - 2  of the leveling rail joint of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines  3 - 3  of the leveling rail joint of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    In the drawings, the letter S designates generally a railroad track structure formed by a leveling rail joint L between a pair of adjacent track components, such as rail sections or segments R whose end portions E are to be joined. As will be set forth below, the adjoining end portions E of rails R which are joined by the leveling rail joint L have differing height characteristics. 
         [0021]    Turning first to the rails R, the adjoining end portions E of the rails R to be joined have differing characteristics, in this case a different height. Each of the rails R has a web portion below a head portion  10  downwardly to a foot or base portion  12 . The end portions E are brought into engagement along their respective end surfaces  14  in forming the leveling rail joint L, as will be set forth. 
         [0022]    As is evident in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a first rail  20  ( FIG. 2 ) of the rails R is of a greater height than a second rail  22  ( FIG. 3 ), due for example to the rails  22  having been in service for a period of time and rail  20  being newer. In some cases, the height difference is also in part due the result of a greater vertical of a web portion  24  of first rail  20  in comparison with web portion  26  of the second rail  22 . Typically, the rails  20  and  22  are of like or comparable profile. In other cases, the height of the head portion or the base portion, or both, of the rails R may differ and contribute to the different height characteristics of the rails R to be joined. 
         [0023]    Each of the rails R is what is termed a standard rail and includes an oblique or slanting planar surface  30  formed on a lower surface  31  extending inwardly in a downward direction from a side surface  32  on each side of the head portion  10  of the rails R. The oblique surface  30  extends at a slanting or transverse angle with respect to the vertical axis of the rails R. The slope and the angle of surface  31 , as well as their extent in the rails R is in accord with appropriate rail industry standards for the particular rails being used based on the services conditions and the like. 
         [0024]    Each of the rails R also includes an oblique or slanting planar upper surface  34  formed extending upwardly and inwardly from a side surface  35  of the foot or base portion  12 . The oblique surface  30  also extends at a slanting or transverse angle with respect to the vertical axis of the rails R. The slope and the angle of surface  34  and their extent in the rails R is also in accord with appropriate rail industry standards for the particular rails being used based on the services conditions and the like. 
         [0025]    The leveling rail joint L according to the present invention is in the form of an elongate joint body  40  of sufficient length to span the adjoining end portions E of the rails R to be joined and provide requisite strength and support in the structure so formed. The length of the joint body  40  and its extent along the adjoining end portions E with which it is mounted are determined by the intended service or usage nature of the rails R and load bearing considerations. 
         [0026]    The joint body  40  is formed of suitable strength alloy steel, depending upon the intended load and service usages of the rail structure S. Alloy steel bars are machined with flat planar surfaces to conform and engage corresponding planar surfaces of the rails R, as will be described, to form the joint body  40 . The joint body is elongate in the context of being of adequate extent along the rail joint between the rails R to provide adequate strength, support and durability during service life usage. This is determined by rail dimensions, and also intended service or usage nature of the rails, load bearing considerations and other rail design factors. 
         [0027]    The joint body  40  has a suitable number of connector holes or ports  42  formed through it along its longitudinal extent. The connector holes  42  are spaced from each other along the joint body  40  at locations aligned with the connector holes  44  in web portions  24  and  26  of the adjoining end portions E of the rails R to be joined. It is preferable that the connector holes  42  be located on center points spaced no more than about four inches from each other along the extent of the joint body  40  for increased strength. If necessary, new connector holes may be formed in the web portions of the rails R according to the location of connector holes  42  in the joint body  40 . 
         [0028]    The elongate joint body member  40  has an oblique upper surface  48  formed with and extending along the length of the joint body, and the oblique upper surface  48  is machined to conform to and engage with the oblique surface  30  formed below the head portions of the adjoining end portions E of the rails R to be joined. 
         [0029]    The elongate joint body member  40  further has an oblique lower surface  50  ( FIG. 2 ) formed with and extending along the length of a first segment  54  to conform to and engage across its surface area with the oblique surface  34  formed on the base portion  12  of the rail  20  to be joined. The elongate joint body member  40  also has an oblique lower surface  56  ( FIG. 3 ) formed with and extending along the length of a second segment  58  to conform to and engage across its surface area with the oblique surface  30  formed on the base portion of the rail  22  to be joined. 
         [0030]    Each of the oblique lower surfaces  50  and  56  of the joint body member  40  is also machined to conform to and engage the surfaces  30  on the rails  20  and  22  in forming the leveling rail joint L. Thus, each of the oblique planar surfaces of the joint body member  40  is in contact with a corresponding oblique planar surface on the corresponding rail end portion E to be engaged in forming the leveling rail joint L. 
         [0031]    The oblique upper surface  48  of body member  40  and the oblique lower surface  50  of the segment  54  of the elongate joint body member  40  are spaced from each a distance indicated as D 1  ( FIG. 2 ) in the drawings, corresponding to the height of the web portion of the rail  20  to be joined. The oblique upper surface  48  of the joint body member  40  and the oblique lower surface  56  of the second segment  58  of body member  40  are spaced from each a distance D 2  ( FIG. 3 ) corresponding to the height of the web portion of rail  22  to be joined. 
         [0032]    Thus with the rail joint L according to the present invention, the end portions E of the rails R are aligned as a common plane along upper surfaces  60  of the head portions  10 . Accordingly, as the wheels of traffic from engines and rolling stock pass over the joined rails, a level surface is present for the wheels to contact. In this way damage to the rails due to wheel impact on the rail joint with different height is substantially reduced with the present invention. In a number of cases, it is desirable to insert a shim or chuck or other support below the base portion of the shorter height rail and on the rail cross-tie as load bearing support for the joint L beneath the shorter height rail. 
         [0033]    The joint body  40  takes the form of an inner portion  62  located between the head portion  10  and base  12  of the adjoining end portions E of the rail R inwardly of the side surface  32  of the head  10 . The joint body  40  also has a support segment  64  extending outwardly from the side surface  32  of the head portions  10  of the rails R to be joined to provide additional strength to the assembled leveling joint and rail end portions E. The support segment  64  includes a surface  66  extending downwardly away from the juncture of the planar surface  30  and side surface  32  of the head portion of the rail R. The support segment  64  has a vertical outer surface  68  extending downwardly to the outer edge of oblique lower surfaces  50  and  56 . The support segment  64  is at least as thick as the inner portion  62  of the joint body member  40  located below the head portion  10  of the rail R, and can be, if desired, as much as 150% thicker is cross-section than the inner portion  62 . 
         [0034]    The joint body  40  shown in the drawings is configured to be installed on the outer side of rails R at end portions E to form a composite joint for what is known as a left hand joint, where the first rail  20  of greater height than the second rail  22  is to the left of rail  22  when one is facing the centerline of the track. For a right-hand joint, the joint body  40  is located on the inner side of the rails being joined. The joint body  40  between rails  20  and  22  could thus be on either of the parallel rails of a section of track. 
         [0035]    In assembling the leveling joint L, the head portions  10  of the rail ends E are brought into contact with each other along their vertical end surfaces  14 . Further, the end portions E are aligned so that the upper surfaces  60  of the head portions  10  are aligned in a common horizontal plane as the leveling joint L is being assembled. 
         [0036]    In an installed leveling joint L, a second joint body  140  is provided to be installed opposite the joint body  40  on right hand joints, such as an inner side of the rails  20  and  22  where the two such rails are of different height. The joint body  140  has like structural components to the joint body  40 , but the relative location of the upper surface  48  and the lower surfaces  50  and  56  of segments  54  and  58  on joint body  140  are reversed from those of joint body  40 . Accordingly, the joint body  140  is used on the inner side of a left hand joint and on the outer side of a right hand joint. 
         [0037]    The leveling joint bodies  40  and  140  which are installed on opposite sides of end sections E of a rail joint according to the present invention are manufactured so that dimensions D 1  and D 2  correspond to the height difference between the taller or newer rail  20  and the shorter or worn rail  22 . The leveling joint bodies  40  and  140  thus have corresponding height dimensions to the difference in height between rails being joined, and the rails R have the same level at their joined end portions E along a level upper surface  60  at their juncture. 
         [0038]    The leveling rail joints according to the present invention achieve increased strength in the assembled structure. The assembled joint bodies in place on the rail ends form a solid unitary structure. This structure functions is achieved as an assembly of several engaged pieces with their aligned contacting surfaces. However, should the need arise one of the structural components of the leveling rail joint can be readily changed in a short time for maintenance or replacement. 
         [0039]    The leveling rail joints in accordance with the present invention enhance the strength of the rail and joint since the matching and engagement of the joint bodies with the corresponding surfaces on the rail ends cause the joint bodies to function in effect as two additional webs to the rail. 
         [0040]    The leveling rail joints of the present invention provide accuracy in the vertical dimensions so that the heads of both rails have the same level at the upper part of the rail heads, making passage of the train wheels relatively noise free and without impact due to a change in height at the rail joint. The leveling rail joints also provide accuracy in the horizontal dimensions so that the connector bolts when installed compress the structural components of the joint with increased strength comparable to that of a solid, unitary piece. The leveling joints according to the present invention in effect provide an additional two web portions in the track structure S in the area of joined rail end portions. 
         [0041]    With the leveling rail joints of the present invention, dips or gaps are not formed between the adjoined end portions of the rails R, so that impact on or movement of rails on passage of wheels is significantly diminished. This in turn affords fewer maintenance needs, safer operation and cost savings. 
         [0042]    Having described the invention above, various modifications of the techniques, procedures, material and equipment will be apparent to those in the art. It is intended that all such variations within the scope and spirit of the appended be embraced thereby.