Patent ID: 8720157

Claim:
An assembly, comprising: (a) a longitudinally elongated rail gauge leveling tie operable for supporting a pair of rails at a defined longitudinal gauge, the tie having: (i) a longitudinally elongated central portion defining longitudinally spaced first and second ends, laterally spaced first and second sides, and transversely spaced upper and lower surfaces with the lower surface spaced in a first transverse direction from the upper surface, (ii) a first flange extending in the first transverse direction from the first side of the central portion, (iii) a second flange extending in the first transverse direction from the second side of the central portion, (iv) a first transversely extending orifice through the central portion of the leveling tie proximate the first end of the leveling tie, and (v) a second transversely extending orifice through the central portion of the leveling tie proximate the second end of the leveling tie, (b) a first leveling stud having proximal and distal ends, the first leveling stud operable for threaded engagement within the first orifice whereby rotation of the first leveling stud within the first orifice effects a change in the transverse distance between the distal end of the first leveling stud and the central portion of the leveling tie, and (c) a second leveling stud having proximal and distal ends, the second leveling stud operable for threaded engaement within the second orifice whereby rotation of the second leveling stud within the second orifice effects a change in the transverse distance between the distal end of the second leveling stud and the central portion of the leveling tie.