Patent Publication Number: US-11384491-B2

Title: One-piece bridge tie restraining clip

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/745,141, filed Oct. 12, 2018, and entitled “One-Piece Bridge Tie Restraining Clip,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Certain disclosed embodiments relate to the field of railway construction. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the present disclosure describes systems and methods for securing railroad ties to bridge supports. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A conventional railway bed over land includes rails attached to evenly spaced wooden railroad ties that are partially surrounded by a ballast material, such as crushed stone. Track ballast supports the expected loads, facilitates drainage, and helps to hold the ties and rails in place when trains pass. 
     Railway beds across bridges and other elevated structures typically do not include any track ballast, which requires the use of another attachment method for holding the ties and rails in place and supporting the load of passing trains. Many of the existing attachment methods involve multiple component parts, extensive training, and dangerous installation by workers both above and beneath the bridge deck. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       Features of the various implementations disclosed will become more apparent in the following detailed description, in which reference is made to the appended drawing figures. Corresponding reference numbers indicate corresponding parts or elements throughout the several views of the drawing. The various elements shown in the figures are not drawn to scale unless otherwise indicated. The dimensions of the various elements may be enlarged or reduced in the interest of clarity. The several figures depict one or more implementations and are presented by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting. Included in the drawing are the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a one-piece clip for securing a railroad tie to a structural support, according to one particular embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the one-piece clip of  FIG. 1  in a starting position; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the one-piece clip of  FIG. 1  in a seated position; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of two railroad ties, each secured by the one-piece clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the one-piece clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the one-piece clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the one-piece clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 8A through 8F  is a collection of engineering drawings of the clip of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of an example method of installing the one-piece clip; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the one-piece clip of  FIG. 1  in a compressed position; and 
         FIG. 11  is a side-view illustration of the one-piece clip of  FIG. 1  in a starting position, a compressed position, and a seated position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various implementations and details are described with reference to an example: a clip for securing a railroad tie atop a support. In one implementation, a unitary length of metal rod is made into a clip that includes a vertical leg, a horizontal leg, and a resilient hook-shaped portion having a hook point. The hook-shaped portion is made so that the clip is biased toward a seated position, with the hook point positioned beneath part of the support. During installation, the vertical leg is placed through a hole in the railroad tie, driven downward until the resilient hook-shaped portion collapses into a compressed position, and driven further until the hook point moves beyond a free edge of the support and expands into the seated position. The clip secures the railroad tie without any additional parts and without requiring a worker to labor beneath the support. Although the various embodiments and implementations are described with reference to securing a generally prismatic railroad tie to a common I-beam, the systems and methods described herein may be applied to and used with any of a variety of structures. 
     The present systems and apparatuses and methods are understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     The following description of the invention is provided as an enabling teaching of the invention in its best, currently known embodiment. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the invention described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not in limitation thereof. 
     As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a component can include two or more such components unless the context indicates otherwise. 
     Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. 
     As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. 
     As used herein, the term “facilitate” means to aid, assist, or make easier. The term “impede” means to interfere with, hinder, or delay the progress. 
     As used herein, the terms “proximal” and “distal” are used to describe items or portions of items that are situated closer to and away from, respectively, a user or operator. Thus, for example, the side of an item nearest a person may be referred to as the proximal side, whereas the generally opposing side or far side may be referred to as the distal side. 
     The present disclosure describes one-piece anchors and methods for securing a railroad tie to a supporting structure, such as a bridge. Currently available anchors for securing railroad ties to bridges include some type of bar or bracket, a drilled hole, and a threaded connector such as a carriage bolt or hook bolt with a matching nut. Installation of such systems is time consuming and difficult. Workers often need to work beneath the bridge deck to drill holes, insert or receive the bolts, or fasten and tighten matching nuts. Below-deck work requires scaffolding from below or suspension from above, both of which increase the risk to workers and add significantly to the time and cost of installation. More broadly, fastening systems with multiple component parts require companies to haul and maintain an inventory of various matching parts, specific tools, and workers who are trained to perform the installation. Teams of two or more workers are generally required when installing a system that includes multiple component parts to be placed in various places, especially opposing sides or opposing ends of a structure. 
     In addition, many currently available systems are designed so that the railroad ties and the supporting beams are fastened tightly together. Tight connections between rails, ties, and supports, however, can concentrate the high load of a passing train onto particular elements, leading to overload and failure. Looser connections can help to spread the load among and across all the cooperating elements of a railway. Railroad track is a dynamic structure that is designed to flex and move, within limits, to help spread the load of a passing train. Systems that include nuts tightly fastened to bolts can generate unwanted and potentially unsafe load concentrations. 
     Reference is now made in detail to the example implementations illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed below. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective illustration of a one-piece clip  100  for securing a railroad tie  50  to a structural support  10 . The rails, as shown, are supported by a series of evenly spaced railroad ties  50  positioned across one more supports  10 . In some implementations, the support  10  is an I-shaped steel beam having a central web or body  20  and a pair of flanges  30  extending outwardly from the body  20 . The upper flange  30  has an upper surface (upon which the ties  50  may rest) and a lower surface  32  ( FIG. 2 ). The flange  30  extends outwardly to a free edge  38 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In other implementations, the clip  100  may be used with a support  10  having a different size and shape than the I-beam illustrated herein, as long as the support includes an outwardly projecting and relatively flat element such as a rim, collar, or rib, which has a lower surface under which the hook point  550  can rest when the clip is in its seated position. 
     The surfaces of the railroad tie  50 , as shown, are used to define a number of reference planes. As will be understood, the faces, ends, and sides of a railroad tie  50  are generally parallel but do not define a perfectly prismatic geometric solid. Accordingly, the planes described herein are approximations and are useful as a reference or guide for the positioning and installation methods described. The top or upper surface  60  of the tie  58  defines a horizontal plane  66 . The front or leading face  70  of the tie  50  defines a vertical plane  76 . 
     Referring briefly to  FIG. 5 , the one-piece clip  100 , according to one embodiment, is made of a unitary length of rod extending from an insertion tip  250  at one end to a hook point  550  at the other end. The clip  100  may include a vertical leg  300 , a first curved interconnected portion  350 , a horizontal leg  400 , a second curved interconnected portion  450 , and a hook-shaped portion  500 . The hook-shaped portion  500  includes a shank  520  and a bend  540  that has an arcuate shape. 
     The clip  100  is resilient, meaning herein that the clip  100  is able to spring back into shape after bending or compression. The clip  100  may be constructed of a material having a stiffness that allows the clip  100  to be resilient. In some embodiments, the clip  100  may be constructed of ASTM A36 400-strength mild steel round bar having a stiffness or yield strength of about 400 MPa and an outside diameter of 0.75 inches.  FIGS. 8A-8F  is a collection of engineering drawings of the one-piece clip  100  constructed of a single 58-inch long piece of 0.75-inch A36 steel rod, including the lengths of each section, the angular orientations, and the radius of curvature for each bend. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , on the first railroad tie, the clip  100  is shown in its starting position  600 . Part of the vertical leg  300  has been inserted into the tie  50  and the hook-shaped portion  500  lies against or adjacent to the leading face  70  of the railroad tie  50  (and, thus, is co-planar with the vertical plane  76 ). The horizontal leg  400  is oriented at an acute angle  420  (see  FIG. 6 ) relative to the leading face  70  of the tie  50 . Part of the hook-shaped portion  500 , as shown, is resting against the free edge  38  of the upper flange  30  of the beam  10 . 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the one-piece clip  100  in its starting position  600 . Applying a first downward force  620  will drive the clip  100  downward, causing the hook-shaped portion  300  to collapse or compress (in the direction of the arrow in  FIG. 2 ).  FIG. 10  is a side view of the one-piece clip in its compressed position  700 . The hook point  550  will move closer to the shank  520 , causing the hook-shaped portion  500  to collapse or close until the hook point  550  is located at or near the free edge  38  of the flange  30 . The downward force may be supplied by a sledgehammer, manually, or by any other of a variety of driving tools. 
       FIG. 11  is a side-view illustration of the one-piece clip  100  in three relevant positions: in its starting position  600 , its compressed position  700 , and its seated position  800 . The compressed position  700  is characterized by the hook-shaped portion  500  being compressed and resting against or adjacent the free edge  38  of the flange  30 . 
     Applying a second downward force  622  will drive the clip  100  further downward, causing the hook point  550  to move lower, beyond and below the free edge  38 , where the hook-shaped portion  300  will expand into a seated position  800  as shown in  FIG. 3  (and  FIG. 11 ). In this aspect, the resilient clip is biased toward expanding into the seated position  800 . As shown, the hook point  550  is positioned a first vertical distance  560  below the lower surface  32  of the flange  30 . When the clip  100  is installed, the first vertical distance  560  may be zero, in which case the hook point  550  is touching the lower surface  32 . In some implementations, the first vertical distance  560  is between about one-half inch and one inch. Horizontally, the hook point  550  is positioned a first horizontal distance  570  inward relative to the free edge  38  of the flange  30 . In some implementations, the first horizontal distance  570  is between about three inches and four inches. Referring to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8C , the first horizontal distance  570  is about 3.5 inches, as measured from the innermost edge of the vertical leg  300  (which, as shown in  FIG. 3 , rests against the free edge  38  of the flange  30 ). 
     The first vertical distance  560  below the lower surface  32  of the flange  30  will vary according to a variety of factors in the field, such as the size and shape of the railroad tie  50 , the extent to which the clip  100  is driven downward into the upper surface  60  of the railroad tie  50 , the thickness of the flange  30 , and other conditions in the field. In some implementations, the hook point  550  may be properly positioned beneath the lower surface  32 , but the horizontal leg  400  is not fully seated against the upper surface  60  of the railroad tie  50 , leaving a gap. The system in such an instance may include a shim or a plate that is sized and shaped to be inserted between the horizontal leg  400  and the upper surface  60  of the railroad tie  50 , closing the gap. 
     The first vertical distance  560  below the lower surface  32  of the flange  30  will also vary, of course, according to the thickness or height, h, of the railroad tie  50  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) and the height of the hook-shaped portion  500  (which, as shown, is roughly equal to the height of the vertical leg  300 ). In some implementations, where the height of the railroad tie  50  is h, the height of the vertical leg  300  is somewhat more than approximately 2 times h (or 2 h). In use, the crew may have an inventory of clips, each having a particular overall height that is configured for use with a railroad tie  50  having a height, h. For example, the inventory may include clips for railroad ties of various heights, in one-inch increments; for example, where h equals 11 inches, 12 inches, 13 inches, etc. In addition, clips of different sizes may be used when the bridge structure includes an intermediate deck or other layer between the beam support  10  and the railroad ties  50 . 
       FIG. 4  is a plan view of two railroad ties, each secured by the one-piece clip  100 . The vertical leg  300  of the clip  100  has been inserted into a nearly vertical hole  320  located, in some implementations, near the center of the railroad tie  50 . The vertical leg  300 , in one embodiment, may have a five-degree chamfer starting about 1.5 inches from the insertion tip  250 , as shown in  FIG. 8B , to facilitate insertion. The vertical hole  320  may drilled. The hole  320  may also be created in other ways, including but not limited to driving the vertical leg  300  of the clip directly into the railroad tie  50 . The hole  320  may have a diameter of ⅞ inch which, for a clip  100  having an outer diameter of ¾ inch, will in general not result in a tight or compression fit between the vertical leg  300  and the hole  320 . In this aspect, the connection between the clip  100  and the tie  50  is not strictly tight, but instead is relatively loose. Looser connections, in general, can help to spread the load of a passing train among and across all the cooperating elements of a railway. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the horizontal leg  400  is oriented at a first acute angle  420  relative to the vertical plane  76 , as shown. The angle  420  may be approximately forty-five degrees. Referring briefly to the direction of compression shown in  FIG. 2 , the hook-shaped portion  500  of the clip  100  will be driven by the compressive force toward the right in  FIG. 4 . As the hook-shaped portion  500  is compressed during installation, therefore, the clip  100  will tend to rotate about the vertical leg  300  in a counter-clockwise direction. The acute angle  420  of the horizontal leg  400 , together with the position of the hook-shaped portion  500  closely adjacent the leading face  70  of the railroad tie  50 , will resist the counter-clockwise rotation of the clip  100 —and thereby facilitate the controlled compression and eventual expansion of the clip  100  without unwanted rotation. The clip  100  resists rotation, at least in part, because the angle  420  is acute relative to the hook-shaped portion  500 . If the angle  420  were obtuse, the hook-shaped portion  500  would be forced away from the leading face  70  of the railroad tie  40  and the clip  100  would be allowed to rotate counter-clockwise, moving the hook-shaped portion  500  out of alignment with the vertical plane  76  and perhaps causing a failure of the clip  100  to reach a properly seated position  800 . 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the one-piece clip  100 . The hook point  550  may be shaped like the end of a metal rod, as shown, or it may be tapered or chamfered (for example, like the insertion tip  250  shown in  FIG. 8B ).  FIG. 7  is a side view of the one-piece clip.  FIG. 6  is a top view of the one-piece clip  100 , illustrating the first acute angle  420  between the horizontal leg  400  and the hook-shaped portion  500 . In some implementations, the horizontal leg  400  may be sized in length to achieve a distance, X, which is approximately half the width of the railroad tie  50 —thereby placing the vertical hole  320  near the center of the tie  50 . The size of the horizontal leg  400  for a particular implementation will vary, of course, in accordance with the width of the particular railroad tie to be secured. 
     The clip  100  may be installed through every railroad tie  50  on a bridge or other support structure, to provide support and stability along the entire structure. In this aspect, the clips  100  work together as a set, spreading and sharing the load of passing trains, in a cooperative system that helps keep the entire railway bed stable. In other implementations, the clips may be installed in every other tie or in a selected grouping of railroad ties in a location where support and stability is needed. 
       FIGS. 8A through 8F  is a series of engineering drawings of the one-piece clip  100 , according to one implementation. As shown in  FIG. 8A , the clip  100  extends from an insertion tip  250  to a hook point  550 . The clip  100  has a vertical leg  300 , a first curved interconnected portion  350 , a horizontal leg  400 , a second curved interconnected portion  450 , and a shank  520 . The shank  520 , as shown, includes a bend  540  and extends to the hook point  550 . In the example shown, the shank  520  includes a relatively straight portion having a length of 4.393 inches, a gently curving portion having a length of 18.097 inches, a bend  540  having a length of 3.400 inches, and a final portion having a length of 12.127 inches. 
       FIG. 8B  shows the orientation and dimensions for the clip  100 , according to one implementation. The insertion tip  250  may have a five-degree chamfer starting about 1.5 inches from the insertion tip  250 . The diameter of the rod is 0.75 inches. The vertical leg  300  has a length of 24 inches. The first curved interconnected portion  350  has a length of 1.571 inches and a radius R 1  of one inch. The angle between the first curved interconnected portion  350  and the horizontal leg  400  is ninety degrees. The horizontal leg  400  has a length of 8.5 inches, as shown in  FIG. 8D . The second curved interconnected portion  450  has a length of 1.571 inches and a radius R 1  of one inch. The angle between the second curved interconnected portion  450  and the first portion of the shank  520  is ninety degrees. 
       FIG. 8C  includes additional details about the shank  520 , according to one implementation. Starting from the second curved interconnected portion  450 , the first, relatively straight portion has having a length of four and thirteen thirty-seconds of an inch. The gently curving portion has a radius of eighty inches and spans a radial distance of fourteen degrees. The bend  540  has a radius of 1.5 inches and spans a radial distance of 126 degrees. The final, gently curving portion has a radius of 25 inches and spans a radial distance of thirty degrees. The hook point  550  in this view is spaced apart about 3.5 inches from the vertical leg  300 , and about 11.5 inches from the horizontal leg  400 . 
     The dimensions shown in  FIGS. 8A through 8F  are effective for a clip  100  that is sized and shaped for use with a railroad tie  50  of a particular size and shape. As shown in  FIG. 8D , for example, the horizontal leg  400  has a length of 8.5 inches and is oriented at an angle of 45 degrees relative to the vertical plane  76  ( FIG. 1 ) in which the hook-shaped portion  500  extends downward along the face  70  of the railroad tie  50 . This length and orientation places the hole  320  (into which the vertical leg  300  is placed) at about 5.25 inches from the face  70  of the railroad tie  50 . For the hole  320  to be located near the center of the tie  50 , the width of the railroad tie  50  is about 10.5 inches. A wider railroad tie would require a clip  100  with a longer horizontal leg  400 , in order to maintain the location of the hole  320  near the center of the tie. In this aspect, the width of a particular railroad tie determines, mathematically, the length and orientation of the horizontal leg  400 . The mathematical relationship between the length and orientation of the horizontal leg  400  and the tie width can be maintained for any of a variety of railroad tie sizes and shapes. 
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of an example method  900  of installing the one-piece clip  100 . For example, the method  900  may be used to secure a railroad tie  60  to a bridge support  10 , as described herein. Step  901  includes providing a clip  110  comprising a unitary length of rod formed into a vertical leg  300  having an insertion tip  250 , a horizontal leg  400 , and a hook-shaped portion  500  having a hook point  550 . 
     At step  902 , a worker may start the installation method  900  by positioning the clip  100  atop the railroad tie  50  with (1) the insertion tip  250  positioned onto or adjacent the upper surface  60  of the tie  50 , (2) the hook-shaped portion  500  positioned adjacent the leading face  70  of the tie  50 , and (3) the vertical leg  300  positioned such that it will be adjacent to the free edge  38  of the flange  30  when the vertical leg  300  is inserted through the nearly vertical hole  320  in the tie  50 . In this orientation, the location of the insertion tip  250  defines an insertion site  610  (where the hole  320  will be drilled or otherwise formed, shown in  FIG. 4 ) on the upper surface  60  of the railroad tie  50 . 
     At step  903 , the installation may proceed by creating a nearly vertical hole  320  through the railroad tie  50  at the insertion site  610 . 
     Step  904  includes inserting the vertical leg  300  into the hole  320  until a part of the hook-shaped portion  500  is positioned against the free edge  38  of the flange  30 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Step  905  includes applying a first downward force  620  to the clip  100  until it collapses into a compressed position  700 .  FIG. 10  is a side view of the one-piece clip in its compressed position  700 .  FIG. 11  is a side-view illustration of the one-piece clip in its starting position  600 , its compressed position  700 , and its seated position  800 . The compressed position  700  is characterized by the hook-shaped portion  500  being compressed and resting against or adjacent the free edge  38  of the flange  30 . The downward force  620  may be supplied by a sledgehammer, manually, or by any other of a variety of driving tools. 
     Step  906  includes applying a second downward force  622  until the hook point  550  moves beyond the free edge  38  and the clip  100  expands into a seated position  800 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The seated position  800  is characterized by the hook point  550  being located beneath the flange  30  and positioned (1) a first vertical distance  560  downward relative to the lower surface  32  of the flange  30 , and (2) a first horizontal distance  570  inward relative to the free edge  38  of the flange  30 . 
     Although several implementations and embodiments have been described herein, those of ordinary skill in art, with the benefit of the teachings of this disclosure, will understand and comprehend many other embodiments and modifications for this technology. The invention therefore is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed or discussed herein, and that may other embodiments and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although specific terms are occasionally used herein, as well as in the claims that follow, such terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and should not be construed as limiting the described invention or the claims that follow.