Patent ID: 7556209

Claim:
A composite rail for trains or other vehicles, comprising: a metal rail; and a laminate vulcanized to a portion of the metal rail utilizing a rubber to metal adhesive, wherein the laminate comprises two or more rubber-containing layers, wherein a first layer (i) is a closed cell foam rubber layer, and wherein a second layer (ii) of the laminate has less closed cell foam rubber than said first layer (i) or is free of closed cell foam rubber and is disposed on an outer surface of the laminate, wherein the laminate includes a third rubber layer (iii) having less closed cell foam rubber than said first layer (i) or is free of a closed cell foam rubber that is interposed between the rail and said first closed cell foam rubber layer (i), wherein the laminate is dielectric, and wherein the rail includes a bottom flange, a top flange adapted to support a train or other vehicle, and a web portion interconnecting the bottom flange and top flange.