Concrete tie

Abstract

A spread rod tie assembly having a body with a top surface that has at least two levels is provided. That is, the tie body upper surface preferably includes two generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms disposed at each end of the tie body. The platforms are at a first height and are structured to support a pair of fixed rails. The tie body upper surface also has a recessed, generally flat spread rod bed disposed at a medial portion of the tie body between the rail platforms. The spread rod bed is at a second height that is below the first height. In this configuration, the tie body maintains the rails at the required height above the ballast while allowing for a device, such as, but not limited to, a spread rod to be disposed above the tie body between the rails.

1 . A tie assembly structured to accommodate an above-the-tie spread rod, said spread rod structured to extend between a pair of railroad switch assembly movable rails, said railroad also having a pair of fixed rails, said tie assembly comprising:
 an elongated concrete tie body having a first end, a medial portion, a second end, and an upper surface;   said upper surface having two generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms disposed at said body first end and said body second end, said platforms being at a first height and structured to support said pair of fixed rails;   said upper surface having a recessed generally flat spread rod bed disposed at said medial portion between said rail platforms, said spread rod bed being at a second height which is below said first height; and   wherein said spread rod may be substantially disposed over said spread rod bed at a height below said rail platforms.   
     
     
         2 . The tie assembly of  claim 1  wherein said tie body includes a cover assembly, said cover assembly structured to generally cover said spread rod bed. 
     
     
         3 . The tie assembly of  claim 1  wherein:
 said tie body has a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side;   said spread rod bed includes a first sidewall extending along said body first longitudinal side and a second sidewall extending along said body second longitudinal side; and   wherein said spread rod bed defines an upwardly open cavity.   
     
     
         4 . The tie assembly of  claim 3  wherein:
 said spread rod bed first sidewall includes at least one opening extending from said spread rod bed to the outer face of said first longitudinal side; and   said opening structured to act as a drain for any liquid that becomes trapped in said cavity.   
     
     
         5 . The tie assembly of  claim 3  further including a cover assembly, said cover assembly structured to generally cover said spread rod bed. 
     
     
         6 . The tie assembly of  claim 5  wherein:
 said cover assembly includes a cover member and a plurality of first fastener components;   said tie body includes a plurality of second fastener components; and   wherein said cover assembly first fastener components are structured to engage said tie body second fastener components when said cover member is disposed over said cavity.   
     
     
         7 . The tie assembly of  claim 6  wherein said cover member is a generally rigid member having a cross-section that is, generally, an inverted U-shape. 
     
     
         8 . A railroad switch assembly for a railroad, said railroad having at least one pair of fixed rails coupled to a plurality of generally solid ties, said switch assembly comprising:
 an actuator structured to move a plurality of elongated rods between a first position and a second position;   a plurality of elongated rods coupled to said actuator;   a pair of movable rails coupled to said plurality of elongated rods, said movable rails disposed within, and extending generally parallel to, said fixed rails;   wherein said actuator is structured to move said plurality of rods between a first position and a second position, said plurality of rods coupled to said movable rails and wherein the movement of said plurality of rods between a first position and a second position move said movable rails between a first position and a second position;   at least one spread rod structured to hold said movable rails in a generally fixed relation;   said at least one spread rod coupled to, and extending between, said movable rails;   said spread rod disposed at a spread rod tie assembly, said spread rod tie assembly having an elongated concrete body having a first end, a medial portion, a second end, and an upper surface;   said upper surface having two generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms disposed at said body first end and said body second end, said platforms being at a first height and structured to support said pair of fixed rails;   said upper surface having a recessed generally flat spread rod bed disposed at said medial portion between said rail platforms, said spread rod bed being at a second height which is below said first height;   wherein said at least one spread rod may be substantially disposed over said spread rod bed at a height below said rail platforms.   
     
     
         9 . The switch assembly of  claim 8  wherein said body includes a cover assembly, said cover assembly structured to generally cover said spread rod bed. 
     
     
         10 . The switch assembly of  claim 8  wherein:
 said body has a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side;   said spread rod bed includes a first sidewall extending along said body first longitudinal side and a second sidewall extending along said body second longitudinal side; and   wherein said spread rod bed defines an upwardly open cavity.   
     
     
         11 . The switch assembly of  claim 10  wherein:
 said spread rod bed first sidewall includes at least one opening extending from said spread rod bed to said first longitudinal side; and   said opening structured to act as a drain for any liquid that becomes trapped in said cavity.   
     
     
         12 . The switch assembly of  claim 10  wherein said body includes a cover assembly, said cover assembly structured to generally cover said spread rod bed. 
     
     
         13 . The switch assembly of  claim 12  wherein:
 said cover assembly includes a cover member and a plurality of first fastener components;   said body includes a plurality of second fastener components; and   wherein said cover assembly first fastener components are structured to engage said body second fastener components when said cover member is disposed over said cavity.   
     
     
         14 . The switch assembly of  claim 13  wherein said cover member is a generally rigid member having a cross-section that is, generally, an inverted U-shape. 
     
     
         15 . A railroad switch assembly for a railroad, said railroad having at least one pair of fixed rails coupled to a plurality of generally solid ties, said ties supported on a bed of ballast, said ballast further disposed between adjacent ties, said switch assembly comprising:
 an actuator structured to move a plurality of elongated rods between a first position and a second position;   a plurality of elongated rods coupled to said actuator;   a pair of movable rails coupled to said plurality of elongated rods, said movable rails disposed within, and extending generally parallel to, said fixed rails;   wherein said actuator is structured to move said plurality of rods between a first position and a second position, said plurality of rods coupled to said movable rails and wherein the movement of said plurality of rods between a first position and a second position move said movable rails between a first position and a second position;   at least one spread rod structured to hold said movable rails in a generally fixed relation;   said at least one spread rod coupled to, and extending between, said movable rails;   at least one spread rod tie assembly structured to support said fixed rails and be disposed below said movable rails; and   said spread rod disposed above at least one spread rod tie assembly and not above said ballast.   
     
     
         16 . The switch assembly of  claim 15  wherein:
 said spread rod tie assembly has an elongated concrete body having a first end, a medial portion, a second end, and an upper surface;   said upper surface having two generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms disposed at said body first end and said body second end, said platforms being at a first height and structured to support said pair of fixed rails;   said upper surface having a recessed generally flat spread rod bed disposed at said medial portion between said rail platforms, said spread rod bed being at a second height which is below said first height; and   wherein said at least one spread rod may be substantially disposed over said spread rod bed at a height below said rail platforms.   
     
     
         17 . The switch assembly of  claim 16  wherein said body includes a cover assembly, said cover assembly structured to generally cover said spread rod bed. 
     
     
         18 . A tie system structured to support a pair of fixed rails and a pair of movable rails, said tie system comprising:
 a plurality of solid ties structured to support said fixed rails, each said solid tie having an elongated body with a longitudinal axis;   said solid ties being disposed in a spaced relationship having each longitudinal axis extending generally parallel to each other;   each space between adjacent solid ties defining a crib;   a bed of ballast disposed beneath said solid ties and within said cribs;   at least one spread rod tie assembly structured to support said fixed rails and be disposed below said movable rails;   said at least one spread rod tie assembly disposed between adjacent solid ties; and   said at least one spread rod tie assembly structured to accommodate a spread rod disposed above said at least one spread rod tie assembly and not above said ballast.   
     
     
         19 . The tie system of  claim 18  wherein:
 said spread rod tie assembly has an elongated concrete body having a first end, a medial portion, a second end, and an upper surface;   said upper surface having two generally flat, generally parallel rail platforms disposed at said body first end and said body second end, said platforms being at a first height and structured to support said pair of fixed rails;   said upper surface having a recessed generally flat spread rod bed disposed at said medial portion between said rail platforms, said spread rod bed being at a second height which is below said first height; and   wherein said at least one spread rod may be substantially disposed over said spread rod bed at a height below said rail platforms.   
     
     
         20 . The tie system of  claim 19  wherein said body includes a cover assembly, said cover assembly structured to generally cover said spread rod bed.