Hollow Switch Tie Assembly for Railway

Abstract

The disclosed solution generally relates to a hollow steel tie assembly for railway. The hollow steel tie assembly is generally configured to house switch machine components (e.g., switch rods). Further, the hollow steel tie assembly is configured with interface plates that enable the installation of varying configurations of rail fasteners. As such, the hollow steel tie assembly may be used for many types of rail, geometries, gauges, handedness, etc. Additionally, the hollow steel tie assembly is configured for use with existing as well as new switch machines. The hollow steel tie assembly comprises a shell configuration that provides ready access to internal components while maintaining support for top plates, rail fasteners, and attached rail. Further, the hollow steel tie assembly comprises electrically insulating layers in order to maintain electrical isolation between reciprocal rails.

1 . A hollow switch tie assembly configured to be operatively connected to a plurality of rails, the hollow switch tie assembly comprising:
 a shell configured to be operatively connected to a plurality of support plates;   the plurality of support plates configured to be operatively connected to a plurality of interface plates; and   the plurality of interface plates configured to be operatively connected to the plurality of rails, wherein the plurality of interface plates comprises a first interface plate and a second interface plate, wherein the first interface plate comprises a first rail base support configured to be operatively connected to a first rail within the plurality of rails, wherein the second interface plate comprises a second rail base support configured to be operatively connected to a second rail within the plurality of rails.   
     
     
         2 . The hollow switch tie assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support plates is operatively connected to the shell via a first plurality of fasteners, wherein the first plurality of fasteners is semi-permanent. 
     
     
         3 . The hollow switch tie assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interface plates is operatively connected to the shell via a second plurality of fasteners, wherein the second plurality of fasteners is removable. 
     
     
         4 . The hollow switch tie assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first rail base support and the second rail base support are configured with different angular orientations, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The hollow switch tie assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of interface plates and the plurality of support plates have an H-shape. 
     
     
         6 . The hollow switch tie assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises a first plurality of areas being configured to accommodate one or more heating components, wherein the shell further comprises a second plurality of areas that provides elastic support for the plurality of support plates. 
     
     
         7 . The hollow switch tie assembly of  claim 1 , the hollow switch tie assembly further comprising:
 a second plurality of support plates operatively connected to the shell, wherein the second plurality of support plates is rectangular; and   a plurality of roller assemblies operatively connected to the second plurality of support plates.   
     
     
         8 . The hollow switch tie assembly of  claim 1 , the hollow switch tie assembly further comprising:
 a first plurality of shims being metallic and non-electrically insulating; and   a second plurality of shims being non-metallic and electrically insulating the plurality of support plates from the shell.   
     
     
         9 . The hollow switch tie assembly of  claim 1 , the hollow switch tie assembly further comprising:
 a cover plate; and   a plurality of cover plate fasteners operatively connecting the cover plate to the shell.   
     
     
         10 . A kit configured for connecting a plurality of rails, the kit comprising:
 a switch machine; and   hollow switch tie assembly, comprising:
 a shell configured to be operatively connected to a plurality of support plates; 
 the plurality of support plates configured to be operatively connected to a plurality of interface plates; and 
 the plurality of interface plates configured to be operatively connected to the plurality of rails, wherein the plurality of interface plates comprises a first interface plate and a second interface plate, wherein the first interface plate comprises a first rail base support configured to be operatively connected to a first rail within the plurality of rails, wherein the second interface plate comprises a second rail base support configured to be operatively connected to a second rail within the plurality of rails. 
   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of support plates is operatively connected to the shell via a first plurality of fasteners, wherein the first plurality of fasteners is semi-permanent. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of interface plates is operatively connected to the shell via a second plurality of fasteners, wherein the second plurality of fasteners is removable. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the first rail base support and the second rail base support are configured with different angular orientations, respectively. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of interface plates and the plurality of support plates have an H-shape. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the shell comprises a first plurality of areas being configured to accommodate one or more heating components, wherein the shell further comprises a second plurality of areas that provides elastic support for the plurality of support plates. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow switch tie assembly further comprises:
 a second plurality of support plates operatively connected to the shell, wherein the second plurality of support plates is rectangular; and   a plurality of roller assemblies operatively connected to the second plurality of support plates.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow switch tie assembly further comprises:
 a first plurality of shims being metallic and non-electrically insulating; and   a second plurality of shims being non-metallic and electrically insulating the plurality of support plates from the shell.   
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the hollow switch tie assembly further comprises:
 a cover plate; and   a plurality of cover plate fasteners operatively connecting the cover plate to the shell.   
     
     
         19 . A hollow switch tie assembly configured to be operatively connected to a plurality of rails, the hollow switch tie assembly comprising:
 a shell configured to be operatively connected to a plurality of support plates;   the plurality of support plates configured to be operatively connected to a plurality of interface plates, wherein the plurality of support plates is operatively connected to the shell via a first plurality of fasteners, wherein the first plurality of fasteners is semi-permanent; and   the plurality of interface plates configured to be operatively connected to the plurality of rails, wherein the plurality of interface plates comprises a first interface plate and a second interface plate, wherein the first interface plate comprises a first rail base support configured to be operatively connected to a first rail within the plurality of rails, wherein the second interface plate comprises a second rail base support configured to be operatively connected to a second rail within the plurality of rails, wherein the plurality of interface plates is operatively connected to the shell via a second plurality of fasteners, wherein the second plurality of fasteners is removable.   
     
     
         20 . The hollow switch tie assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the first rail base support and the second rail base support are configured with different angular orientations, respectively.