Pre-fastened rail pad assembly and method

Abstract

A rail pad assembly and an associated method for use with a concrete rail tie. The assembly includes rail pad for engagement with a metal rail and a protective sheet for interposition between the rail pad and the tie. The rail pad is releasably attachable to the sheet such that releasing attachment occurs without destruction.

1 . A rail pad assembly for use with a concrete rail tie, including: 
 a rail pad for engagement with a metal rail;    a protective sheet for interposition between the rail pad and the concrete rail tie; and    means for releasably attaching the rail pad to the sheet integrally formed in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet and releasing attachment without destruction of any portion of the means for releasably attaching.    
   
   
       2 . The rail pad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably attaching includes means for releasing the rail pad from the sheet without changing any structure of either the rail pad from the sheet.  
   
   
       3 . The rail pad assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the means for releasably attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes a projection, and the means for releasing the rail pad from the sheet without changing any structure includes means for releasing that does not include melting or removal of any portion of the rail pad and the sheet.  
   
   
       4 . The rail pad assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the means for releasably attaching includes means for reattaching the rail pad and the sheet without changing any structure of either the rail pad from the sheet.  
   
   
       5 . The rail pad assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the means for releasably attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes a projection on one of the rail pad and the sheet and a passageway between two sides of the other of the rail pad and the sheet, the passageway is adapted to receive the projection for an interference fit connection such that the connection is reversible via a non-damaging amount of separating force.  
   
   
       6 . The rail pad assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the means for releasably attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes a projection on one of the rail pad and the sheet and a passageway between two sides of the other of the rail pad and the sheet, the rail pad, the sheet, and the projection and the opening are configured such that when the rail pad and the sheet are attached together the projection extends into the opening from the first side but does not extend beyond the second side.  
   
   
       7 . The rail pad assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the projection and the passageway are on the rail pad and the sheet at locations that are beneath an engagement interface between the rail pad and the rail, such that the rail does not engage the projection.  
   
   
       8 . The rail pad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably attaching includes at least one projection on at least one of the rail pad and the sheet, and at least one passageway extending in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet, and the projection and the passageway having an interference fit relationship.  
   
   
       9 . The rail pad assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the interference fit relationship provides a holding force that retains the rail pad and the sheet together, and the holding force can be overcome with force large enough to separate the rail pad from the sheet but not large enough to damage any portion of the rail pad or the sheet.  
   
   
       10 . The rail pad assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the means for releasably attaching includes a plurality of projections on at least one of the rail pad and the sheet, and a corresponding plurality of passageways extending in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet for receiving the projections, and all of the projections being located along a single line.  
   
   
       11 . A method of releasably assembling a rail pad assembly for use with a concrete rail tie, including the steps of: 
 providing a rail pad for engagement with a metal rail;    providing a protective sheet for interposition between the rail pad and the concrete rail tie;    providing means for attaching the rail pad to the sheet integrally formed in at least one of the rail pad and the sheet prior to attaching the rail pad to the sheet;    attaching the rail pad to the sheet using the means for attaching; and    releasing the rail pad from the sheet without destruction of any portion of the rail pad or the sheet.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of releasing the rail pad from the sheet includes releasing the rail pad from the sheet without changing any structure of either the rail pad from the sheet.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of releasing the rail pad from the sheet includes releasing that does not include melting or removal of any portion of the projection.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing means for attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes providing at least one projection on at least one of the rail pad and the sheet and at least one passageway extending through at least the other of the rail pad and the sheet, and the step of attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes inserting the projection into the passageway in an interference fit relationship.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the step of attaching the rail pad to the sheet using the means for attaching includes attaching the rail pad to the sheet without changing any structure of either the rail pad of the sheet.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes a snap-fit interconnection of portions of the rail pad and the sheet.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein step of releasing the rail pad from the sheet is via application of a modest amount of separating force.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the rail pad has a surface upon which the rail is to be seated, and the step of providing means for attaching the rail pad to the sheet includes providing means for attaching located such that the means for attaching is located directly under the rail when the rail is seated on the rail pad.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the means for attaching includes a projection is located entirely below the surface upon which the rail is to be seated.