Shallow flangeway rail seal
US8100342B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE01C9/04
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A rail seal for sealing the gap between a rail and a concrete panel in a railroad crossing so as to provide a generally even or level surface for vehicular or pedestrian traffic while still providing an appropriate rail structure for receiving and guiding the train wheels along the tracks is provided. More particularly, the upper surface of the rail seal is formed with a recessed portion or flangeway for receiving the flanged-end of a train. The flangeway or recessed portion, however, is formed so that the surface of the flangeway lies in a plane above the bottom of the rail head but below the upper surface of the rail head, thereby providing a “shallow” flangeway. The provision of a “shallow” flangeway helps to reduce the risks associated with vehicular and/or other pedestrian traffic that must access or cross the railroad tracks. Specifically, the shallow flangeway helps to prevent the heels of pedestrian shoes or the smaller width bicycle, stroller or wheelchair wheels from becoming trapped in the gaps typically associated with railroad crossing structures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.