P-clip clip for retaining rails

Abstract

The invention provides a rail clip for a retaining device comprising a shoulder member for bearing on a lateral side of a rail flange, and providing a downwardly facing abutment surface. The clip is driven into the hole on the plate and reacts against the top of the base of the rail while the heel (“U” section) of the clip reacts against the plate. The attributes of the clip are as follows. The clip can be installed with the toe on the rail from right to left or from left to right making the clip completely reversible. The clip can also be installed with the heel on the rail. The clip has higher toe load than clips of comparable weight. The clip has a low profile for tight spots where overhead clearance is limited such as at rail joint where joint/splice bars are used.

1 . A rail retaining device comprising a clip that is inserted to a hole in the shoulder of a plate where said clip reacts against the top of the base of the a rail and reacts against the plate. 
   
   
       2 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said clip has a straight tail connected to a heel that extends away from said tail with a straight toe on the end of said heel. 
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said clip is reversible. 
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 2  where said heel reacts against the top of the base of said rail. 
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 2  where said toe reacts against the top of the base of said rail. 
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1  where said plate has a shoulder attached to said plate with a hole in the shoulders where the clip in inserted. 
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said clip has a straight tail connected to an oval shape. 
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 7  where said plate has a shoulder attached to said plate with a hole in the shoulders where the clip in inserted where said shoulders have stoppers that extend out of the top of said shoulders. 
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 8  where said clip fits into said stoppers limiting clip rotation. 
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said clip has a straight tail connected to a heal that extends back towards said tail with a straight toe on the end of said heel that crosses over said tail. 
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 10  wherein said toe bend up over said tail and back down. 
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said clip has a straight tail connected to a U shaped heel that extends away from towards said tail with a straight toe on the end of said heel with a bend at the end of the toe. 
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 12  wherein said bend is ninety degrees. 
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 12  wherein said end is parallel with said tail. 
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 12  wherein said end is shorter than said tail. 
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 12  where said end reacts against the top of the base of said rail. 
   
   
       17 . A device according to  claim 1  wherein said clip is made by a bending means.