Securing spikes in pre-existing loosened spike cavities in railroad ties

Abstract

Technology is disclosed by which loosened railroad spikes may be re-secured in pre-existing spike cavities in reconditioned or repaired railroad ties, i.e. novel, facile, on-site, non-complex, miniaturized pre-packaged, clean, non-labor intensive, non-equipment intensive ways of bonding or polymerizing pre-existing previously used railroad spike cavities in the field for again receiving railroad spikes in a secure manner, so as to repair damaged spike cavity walls and prevent moisture infiltration. Frangibly encapsulated bonding agent or polymerizable resin placed in pre-existing spike cavities is preferred.

1 . A method for affixing a railroad spike into a previously used railroad spike cavity: comprising the acts of: 
 inserting adhering material contained within a frangible vessel into a previously used railroad spike cavity defined by a railroad tie surface;    discharging the adhering material from the frangible vessel into the spike cavity;    placing a spike into the spike cavity so that the adhering material firmly adheres to the spike and the surface defining the tie cavity.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the inserting act comprises manually dropping the vessel into the spike cavity.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the discharging act comprises rupturing a wall of the vessel in the spike cavity.  
   
   
       4 . A method according to claim  3 wherein the rupturing act comprises tearing the vessel wall by inserting the spike into the spike cavity against the vessel.  
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the discharging act comprises cutting the vessel wall with a hand-held cutting instrument.  
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 3  wherein the discharging act comprises rupturing the wall of the frangible vessel prior to full insertion into the previously used spike cavity.  
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the inserting act comprises placing a vessel containing epoxy in the spike cavity.  
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the inserting act comprises placing a vessel containing foamable polyurethane in the spike cavity.  
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the vessel is selected from the group consisting of frangible plastic and glass.  
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the frangible vessel is comprised of spaced outer and inner walls creating two interior sealed chambers.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10  wherein the interior sealed chamber contains separate non-activated resinous material and an activator.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the adhering material is selected from the group consisting of a bonding agent and a polymerizable resinous material.  
   
   
       13 . A method of re-securing a railroad spike in a pre-existing railroad spike cavity comprising the acts of: 
 removing a loosened spike from a spike cavity to expose the spike cavity;    inserting a containerized bonding agent or polymerizable resinous material into the exposed spike cavity;    discharging the bonding agent or polymerizable resinous material from its containerized state into the spike cavity;    thereafter fully inserting a spike into the spike cavity.    
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the bonding agent comprises an epoxy;  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the resinous material comprises foamable polyurethane;  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the fully inserting act is into the resinous material and occurs at a time selected from the group consisting of immediately following polymerization, after partial curing has occurred and after full curing has occurred.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein further comprising the act of impregnating a wall defining the spike cavity with the bonding agent or resinous material to strengthen the wall and cure any wall defects.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the inserting act comprises keeping the resinous material and an activator separate while containerizing both.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein the inserting act comprises confining the resinous material and the activator in separate frangible compartments while containerized.  
   
   
       20 . An on-site method for addressing the problem of loosened railroad spikes in previously formed spike cavities in railroad ties comprising the acts of: 
 removing railroad spikes from associated railroad spike cavities to expose the spike cavities;    inserting capsulized foamable polyurethane and activator into the exposed spike cavities;    displacing a railroad spike into each capsule contained within the spike cavities rupturing each capsule causing the polyurethane and the activator to commingle to polymerize and foam the polyurethane in each spike cavity;    whereby the polyurethane foam securely adheres the spikes in each spike cavity.    
   
   
       21 . In combination: 
 a railroad tie;    a spike cavity in the railroad tie;    an encapsulated composition disposed in the spike cavity;    whereby release of the composition within the spike cavity will firmly secure an    inserted railroad spike in the spike cavity.    
   
   
       22 . A method of securing a railroad spike in a pre-used spike cavity in a railroad tie comprising the acts of: 
 providing a railroad tie with an exposed pre-used spike cavity therein;    placing an encapsulated composition in the pre-used spike cavity;    causing release of the composition within the spike cavity;    firmly securing an inserted railroad spike in the spike cavity with the released composition.