Method and apparatus for connecting rails

Abstract

An apparatus for connecting abutting rail ends which are electrically isolated from one another comprises a cast tie having a pair of spaced-apart elongate support members cast into it. First and second yoke members are attached to both of the support members in a manner such that they are electrically isolated from the support members. A first clamp member associated with the first support member can be attached to both sides of the first rail end, and a second clamp member associated with the second yoke member can be attached to both sides of the second rail end. The yoke members are cast into the tie in a manner such that they are electrically isolated from one another and from the tie. The resulting structure not only holds the rail ends rigidly with respect to one another but also holds them rigidly with respect to the tie.

1 . Apparatus for connecting abutting rail ends comprising: 
 (a) A cast tie;    (b) a pair of spaced-apart, elongate support members which are cast into said tie generally under where the rail ends cross said tie;    (c) a first yoke member which is attached to both of said support members in a manner such that said first yoke member is electrically isolated from said support member;    (d) a second yoke member which is attached to both of said support members in a manner such that said second yoke member is electrically isolated from said support members;    (e) a first clamp member, associated with said first yoke member, which is attachable to a first one of said rail ends;    (f) a second clamp member, associated with said second yoke member, which is attachable to a second one of said rail ends; and    (g) said yoke members being cast into said tie in a manner such that they are electrically isolated from said tie and from one another.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said tie has a first section which electrically isolates said yoke members from one another and from the rest of said tie and a second section which forms the rest of said tie.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said first section surrounds said yoke members.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said first section is epoxy grout.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said second section is concrete.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said tie comprises a pair of elongate spaced apart legs, and a cross member which extends between said legs where a rail crosses said tie.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said first and second yoke members have aligned openings which said support members pass through.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said support members are elongate bars.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said yoke members are attached to and are electrically isolated from said support members by a high compression strength epoxy which is placed between said yoke members and said support members.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each said yoke member comprises a pair of side-by-side feet which said openings extend through.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein one foot of each yoke member fits between the pair of feet in the other yoke member.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said clamp members are attached to said feet and the clamp member of the first yoke member is offset from and separated from the clamp member of the second yoke member.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said clamp members have first legs which are integral with the respective yoke members and second legs which are releasably attached to the respective yoke member.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the portions of said yoke members which said second legs attach to and said second legs have interfitting, discontinuous surfaces which prevent movement of said second legs laterally with respect to said yoke members.  
   
   
       15 . A method for making and apparatus for connecting abutting rail ends comprising: 
 (a) providing a mold for making a tie, said mold having a first cavity configured to cast a pair of side-by-side legs and a second cavity which extends between said legs and is fluidly connected therewith;    (b) placing a pair of elongate support members in said mold with one of said support members being located in each leg;    (c) attaching a pair of yoke members to both of said support members with said yoke members being in said second cavity;    (d) electrically isolating said support members from said yoke members;    (e) filling said first cavity with concrete; and    (f) filling said second cavity with an electrically nonconductive material.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said support members are electrically isolated from said yoke members by inserting a high compression strength epoxy between them.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein said electrically non-conductive material is epoxy grout.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  including the additional step of installing a rail clamp on each of said yoke members.