Railway tie fastening assembly, kit and method

Abstract

The solution disclosed herein generally relates to a rail fastening assembly for securing rails to railway sleepers (or sleepers), and the solution includes the rail fastening assembly, kit, and method. The rail fastening assembly includes a shoulder assembly, a guide plate, and a tension clamp. The guide plate is configured with a plurality of guide plate support sections. The tension clamp is configured with a shoulder engagement section for engaging the shoulder assembly. The shoulder assembly is configured with a shoulder post for engaging the railway sleeper. The tension clamp is positioned at the plurality of guide plate support sections to engage the shoulder assembly at various locations before, during, and after installation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross-reference and priority of related applications] This disclosure claims priority to the following documents: U.S. provisional case No. 63 / 627,623 filed on January 31, 2024, concerning “RAILWAY TIE FASTENING SYSTEM”, and U.S. non-provisional case No. 19 / 017,640 filed on January 11, 2025, concerning “RAILWAY TIE FASTENING SYSTEM”.

[0002] All of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This disclosure relates to a fastening system, and more particularly to a fastening system for railway sleepers. Prior Technology

[0003] In railway systems, the base rail system is secured to various types of sleepers using a fastening system. Existing fastening systems primarily rely on bolts, which apply tension to clips or springs, which in turn apply tension to the base rail. When the bolts lose tension, the rail can detach from the railway sleeper, leading to installation risks. Therefore, the primary purpose of bolt system maintenance is to ensure the rail is properly secured to the sleepers.

[0004] Many bolts have head patterns (e.g., square, hexagonal, etc.) that are prone to peeling during installation or maintenance. This peeling can cause the bolt to become trapped in railway sleepers and require cutting to remove it. Cutting can lead to improper maintenance and cause malfunctions. For example, cutting can damage other components of the fastener (e.g., support base, clamp, jig, etc.).

[0005] Bolt heads may be sheared off during normal operation of railway vehicles, causing tension clamps to separate from the rails and / or sleepers. Similarly, when bolt heads are damaged, personnel need to use cutting tools to remove the remaining bolt shanks stuck in the railway sleepers. As mentioned above, these removal operations incur maintenance costs. Furthermore, removal operations may pose safety risks to maintenance personnel who frequently rely on manual tools.

[0006] A predetermined amount of torque is required to properly engage the tension clamp via the bolts. During normal operation of railway vehicles, loss of tension in the bolts causes the tension clamp to disengage from the rails. Currently, the torque value cannot be easily determined visually, and manual tools are required to test the installed bolts. When bolts are improperly tightened, they need to be adjusted. Adjusting bolts is labor-intensive and leads to higher maintenance costs. Furthermore, manual adjustment is prone to human error, thus reducing the safety of railway vehicles.

[0007] There is a great need for a rail fastening system that reduces maintenance and increases safety, such as the one disclosed in this article. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This disclosure discloses a rail fastening assembly for mounting railway sleepers on rails. The rail fastening assembly includes a shoulder assembly and a guide plate, wherein the guide plate has a plurality of guide plate support sections. The rail fastening assembly also includes a tension clip, which includes a shoulder engagement section configured to operably engage the shoulder assembly. The tension clip is further supported by the plurality of guide plate support sections and is also configured to be supported by the rail. The shoulder assembly includes a shoulder and a shoulder insulator. The shoulder includes a shoulder tension clip receiver and a shoulder post, the shoulder tension clip receiver being configured at the shoulder engagement section to receive the tension clip, and the shoulder post including a shoulder post recess. The shoulder assembly is configured via the shoulder post into a hole within the railway sleeper. The shoulder also includes a curved section, the curved section being configured to support the tension clip at the shoulder engagement section. The base assembly includes a rail seat pad and a wear pad, the rail seat pad having a plurality of protrusions and the wear pad having a plurality of openings configured to allow the shoulder assembly to be positioned within the openings belonging to the plurality of openings.

[0009] The tension clamp also includes a rail contact section and a guide plate contact section. The rail contact section is configured to be operably connected to the rail, and the guide plate contact section is configured to be operably connected to a plurality of guide plate support sections. The plurality of guide plate support sections includes a first guide plate support section, a second guide plate support section, and a third guide plate support section. The rail fastening assembly is configured to be positioned at any one of the first, second, and third positions. The first position includes contact between the rail contact section and the second guide plate support section. The second position includes contact between the rail contact section and the third guide plate support section. The third position includes engagement of the tension clamp with the shoulder assembly through an engagement section.

[0010] This disclosure also discloses a kit configured to secure rails to railway sleepers. The kit includes a plurality of rail fastening components and a base assembly. The plurality of rail fastening components includes a first rail fastening component and a second rail fastening component. The first rail fastening component includes a shoulder component, a guide plate, and a tension clip, wherein the guide plate has a plurality of guide plate support sections, and the tension clip includes a shoulder engagement section configured to operably engage the shoulder component. The tension clip is also configured to be supported by the plurality of guide plate support sections, wherein the tension clip is further configured to be supported by the rail. The shoulder component includes a shoulder and a shoulder insulator. The base assembly includes a rail seat and a wear pad, the rail seat having a plurality of protrusions, and the wear pad having a plurality of arrangements to allow the shoulder component to be positioned within openings belonging to a plurality of openings.

[0011] This disclosure also discloses a method for securing a rail to a railway sleeper using a rail fastening assembly and a base assembly. The method includes placing the base assembly below the rail and above the railway sleeper, and placing the rail fastening assembly at the railway sleeper. The rail fastening assembly includes a shoulder assembly and a guide plate, wherein the guide plate has a plurality of guide plate support sections, including a first guide plate support section, a second guide plate support section, and a third guide plate support section. The rail fastening assembly also includes a tension clip, which includes a shoulder engagement section configured to operably engage the shoulder assembly. The tension clip is further configured to be supported by the plurality of guide plate support sections, and the tension clip is also configured to be supported by the rail. The tension clip also includes a rail contact section.

[0012] The method further includes placing the tension clip in a first position, wherein the first position includes contact between the rail contact section and the second guide plate support section. The method further includes moving the tension clip to a second position, wherein the second position includes contact between the rail contact section and the third guide plate support section. The method further includes moving the tension clip to a third position, the third position including a tension clip engaged with the shoulder assembly via a shoulder engagement section. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0013] The accompanying drawings, incorporated herein and forming part of this specification, illustrate exemplary forms of the claims and, together with the above general description and the following detailed description, explain the features of the claims.

[0014] Figure 1A shows a front view of the rail fastening system.

[0015] Figure 1B shows a top view of the rail fastening system.

[0016] Figure 1C shows a perspective view of the rail fastening system.

[0017] Figure 1D shows an exploded view of the rail fastening system.

[0018] Figure 2A shows a front view of the base assembly.

[0019] Figure 2B shows a top view of the base assembly.

[0020] Figure 2C shows a perspective view of the base assembly.

[0021] Figure 2D shows an exploded view of the base assembly.

[0022] Figure 3A shows a front view of a plurality of shoulder components.

[0023] Figure 3B shows a top-view plan view of a plurality of shoulder components.

[0024] Figure 3C shows a perspective view of a plurality of shoulder components.

[0025] Figure 3D shows an exploded view of multiple shoulder components.

[0026] Figure 4A shows the front view of a plurality of guide plates.

[0027] Figure 4B shows a top view of a plurality of guide plates.

[0028] Figure 4C shows a perspective view of a plurality of guide plates.

[0029] Figure 4D shows an exploded view of a plurality of guide plates.

[0030] Figure 5A shows a front view of a plurality of tension clips.

[0031] Figure 5B shows a top-view plan view of a plurality of tension clips.

[0032] Figure 5C shows a perspective view of a plurality of tension clips.

[0033] Figure 5D shows an exploded view of a plurality of tension clips.

[0034] Figure 6A shows a front view of a rail fastening system with tension clips in a first position.

[0035] Figure 6B shows a top-view plan view of a rail fastening system with a tension clip in a first position.

[0036] Figure 6C shows a perspective view of a rail fastening system with a tension clip in a first position.

[0037] Figure 7A shows a front view of a rail fastening system with tension clips in the second position.

[0038] Figure 7B shows a top view of a rail fastening system with tension clips in the second position.

[0039] Figure 7C shows a perspective view of a rail fastening system with a tension clip in a second position.

[0040] Figure 8A shows a front view of a rail fastening system with tension clips in the third position.

[0041] Figure 8B shows a top-view plan view of a rail fastening system with tension clips in the third position.

[0042] Figure 8C shows a perspective view of a rail fastening system with a tension clip in the third position. Implementation

[0043] Various configurations are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same element symbols will be used in the drawings to denote the same or similar parts. Specific examples and embodiments are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the patent application.

[0044] The existing rail fastening system has many problems. When personnel replace rails, the existing rail is removed from the existing fasteners, and the new rail is then inserted into the existing fasteners. These operations are performed on average every twelve to fifteen months, with shorter intervals required in many cases due to curves in the track. During these rail replacement operations, fasteners can be damaged. For example, bolts or tension bolts may shear off the shaft, causing its head to loosen. Personnel then need to cut or drill out the remaining shaft of the hardware, which may damage the rail, railway sleepers, and fastener bases.

[0045] Conversely, the solution disclosed in this case relies on the mechanical insertion of tension clips into a guide plate with a shoulder assembly. No tension screws or similar fasteners are required to operatively engage / connect the rail to the rail fastening assembly. Therefore, rail replacement operations only require removing the tension clips before removing the existing (potentially damaged) rail and installing the new (undamaged) rail. Consequently, personnel do not need to worry about the risk of damage to bolts, tension screws, or other similar hardware.

[0046] Another problem with existing rail fastening systems relates to the proper torque of the bolts. Since existing solutions rely on bolts (or other similar fasteners), the bolt torque is crucial for ensuring a functional connection between the rail and the fastener. When the torque is too low, the rail fastener can detach from the rail, posing a risk to railcars, property, and even lives. Therefore, personnel must constantly check and adjust the bolt torque. This process is labor-intensive, as personnel must use hand tools (and not visually inspect) to ensure sufficient torque values. Furthermore, human error can be introduced by personnel failing to adequately adjust the torque during inspections and / or failing to observe incorrect torque.

[0047] Conversely, the solution disclosed in this case provides tension clips installed on the guide plate and shoulder assembly. The tension clips are mechanically designed to maintain an operational connection between the rail and the rail fastening system. Therefore, torque values ​​associated with the bolts are not applicable, and personnel do not need to rely on torque tools for maintenance. Furthermore, the solution disclosed in this case improves the visual inspection of the rail fastening assembly, which reduces maintenance costs and minimizes human error related to improper tool use (e.g., checking torque values ​​using measuring tools).

[0048] Another existing problem concerns the heterogeneous use of railway sleepers within the railway system. Railway operators frequently install sleepers from different manufacturers. Furthermore, different models from the same manufacturer may be used. Consequently, existing railway fasteners may or may not be compatible with specific sleepers. This leads to the use of different brands and types of rail fastening systems. Therefore, the increased railway maintenance costs due to personnel handling different types of hardware create safety risks.

[0049] Conversely, the solution disclosed in this case is highly interoperable with many types of railway sleepers / railties. One objective of the disclosed solution is to replace existing, inappropriate types of rail fastening systems. To further achieve this objective, the disclosed solution is configured to modify existing heterogeneous railway systems. Therefore, railway operators can deploy the disclosed solution throughout the system to reduce the variability of rail fastening systems. Furthermore, operators are free to use existing railway sleepers (railties) with the disclosed solution. In short, operators can quickly deploy the disclosed solution to address the deficiencies of existing rail fastening systems.

[0050] Another existing problem concerns the transportation of rail fasteners. Because the current system relies on bolts and tension clamps, components are typically transported in bulk in crates. These components must be assembled by personnel before installation. This assembly increases installation time. For example, washers need to be correctly installed between the bolt head and the tension clamp / clamp. If a component is missing, personnel may not notice because a bolt without a washer can still be installed, but it could lead to premature failure due to the lack of a required component in the final installation.

[0051] Conversely, the solution disclosed in this case allows for configuration prior to transportation, enabling the components of the rail fastening system to be substantially pre-assembled. Specifically, the tension clamps can be transported from their parking position, allowing the disclosed rail fastening system to be operatively connected during transportation and prior to installation. Those skilled in the art will understand the advantages of having substantially operatively connected components over loosely assembled parts. Furthermore, the disclosed solution has fewer components than many existing solutions, thus reducing the risk of component loss. Therefore, the disclosed solution not only reduces installation costs but also improves safety by preventing component loss. As will be discussed, the disclosed solution is configured for easy transition from the parking position to the pre-installation position. After the pre-installation position, the tension clamps can be moved to the final installation position. In short, the disclosed solution provides a series of positions that accelerate installation and improve safety.

[0052] Another issue concerns the base plate (or guide plate) spanning the rail base, from the field side to the gauge side. These types of base plates are difficult to install and maintain because both sides require maintenance. For example, if a fault occurs on the field side of the base plate, the rail must be completely removed so that the base plate can be removed. Therefore, all tension clamps and bolts need to be loosened. This process is very cumbersome and poses safety risks (e.g., human error by maintenance personnel).

[0053] Conversely, the solution disclosed in this case includes a guide plate positioned on one side of the rail. In other words, the guide plate on the outer side of the rail can be replaced without replacing the corresponding guide plate on the gauge side (or vice versa). Therefore, maintenance personnel can maintain one side of the rail without interfering with the other side. Another advantage is that the gauge side and the outer side of the rail can use different types / brands of rail fastening solutions. For example, fasteners of a completely different brand from the disclosed solution can be deployed on opposite sides of the rail. Therefore, operators can incrementally deploy the disclosed solution without completely replacing both sides of the rail fasteners (i.e., the outer side of the rail and the gauge side).

[0054] Some existing solutions lack sufficient support to prevent tension clamp tilting. For example, solutions that rely on holding the tension clamp to the side without providing support in the critical direction may cause it to tilt. This tilting can lead to the tension clamp separating from the rail. Once the tension clamp separates, the rail may shift, resulting in catastrophic damage to railcars and a risk of injury or death.

[0055] Conversely, the solution disclosed in this case features a shoulder assembly that firmly holds the tension clip in a way that prevents tilting. Therefore, the tension clip maintains a strong connection / engagement with the rail base. This connection ensures that the tension clip will not disengage when forces are applied to the rail by railway vehicles. The forces can be very large in the curved sections of the rail. However, the disclosed solution is configured to maintain an operational connection with the rail, thereby protecting railway vehicles, operators, and passengers.

[0056] Figure 1A shows a front view of the rail fastening system 100. Several reference axes are shown: a first axis 103X, a second axis 103Y (not shown), and a third axis 103Z. Axis 103X is transverse to the direction of travel of the railway vehicle moving along rail 201. Axis 103Y is longitudinal to the direction of travel of the railway vehicle moving along rail 201. Axis 103Z is perpendicular to the upward direction.

[0057] The rail fastening system 100 series is typically configured to fasten rail 201 to railway sleepers 301. Rail 201 can be any type and specification of rail. As shown, rail 201 is a standard Vignoles rail, but it can also be any type of rail with a substantially similar base profile. Railway sleepers 301 can be constructed of wood (timber), concrete, or a combination thereof.

[0058] The rail fastening system 100 includes a plurality of rail fastening assemblies 101Z and a base assembly 110. The rail 201 is typically supported by the base assembly 110 so that the railway sleepers 301 do not directly contact the rail 201. Therefore, the base assembly 110 includes a rail seat pad 105 and abrasion shims 107. The rail seat pad 105 is typically configured to provide elasticity to the rail fastening system 100. This elasticity may include load distribution and wheel impact mitigation. In one embodiment, the rail seat pad 105 may be composed of a polymer, which provides a degree of electrical insulation. The abrasion shim 107 is typically configured to reduce rail seat wear (commonly referred to in the industry as "RSA"). The abrasion shim 107 may include a polymeric material, which has the additional advantage of providing a degree of electrical insulation.

[0059] A plurality of rail fastening assemblies 101Z include a first rail fastening assembly 101A and a second rail fastening assembly 101B. The plurality of rail fastening assemblies 101Z include a plurality of guide plates 109Z, a plurality of tension clips 111Z, and a plurality of shoulder assemblies 114Z. The first rail fastening assembly 101A includes a first guide plate 109A, a first tension clip 111A, and a first shoulder assembly 114A. The second rail fastening assembly 101B includes a second guide plate 109B, a second tension clip 111B, and a first shoulder assembly 114B. Those skilled in the art will understand that the rail fastening assemblies 101A and 101B are substantially similar, with each rail fastening assembly located on opposite sides of the rail 201. The plurality of guide plates 109Z include a first guide plate 109A and a second guide plate 109B. The plurality of tension clips 111Z includes a first tension clip 111A and a second tension clip 111B. The plurality of shoulder assemblies 114Z includes a first shoulder assembly 114A and a second shoulder assembly 114B.

[0060] A plurality of guide plates 109Z are typically configured to provide an interface between the railway sleeper 301 and a plurality of tension clips 111Z, so that a plurality of fastening components 101Z can be operatively connected to the rail fastening system 100 to the railway sleeper 301.

[0061] A plurality of shoulder assemblies 114Z are typically configured to be fixed in railway sleepers 301 so that a plurality of rail fastening assemblies 101Z hold the rail 201 in place. In one embodiment, the plurality of shoulder assemblies 114Z may be pre-installed in the railway sleepers 301. In another embodiment, the plurality of shoulder assemblies 114Z may be retrofitted into existing railway sleepers 301 via drilling. Alternatively, adhesives (e.g., epoxy resin) may be used to secure the plurality of shoulder assemblies 114Z.

[0062] The first shoulder assembly 114A includes a first shoulder 115A and a first shoulder insulator 113A. The second shoulder assembly 114B includes a second shoulder 115B and a second shoulder insulator 113B. The shoulders 115A and 115B are configured to be embedded in the railway sleeper 301 via a shoulder post (not shown in the immediate view). The shoulders 115A and 115B are respectively located above the shoulder insulators 113A and 113B. The shoulder insulators 113A and 113B are typically configured to provide electrical insulation between the shoulders 115A and 115B and the railway sleeper 301.

[0063] The rail fastening assemblies 101A and 101B are positioned slightly differently from each other. Rail fastening assembly 101A is configured in a first position, wherein tension clip 111A contacts the railway sleeper 301 and guide plate 109A. The first position generally corresponds to a position in which rail fastening assembly 109A does not provide tension between railway sleepers 301 via the engagement of tension clip 111A and shoulder assembly 114A. In other words, the first position is a pre-installed position in which the rail 201 and railway sleeper 301 are not operatively connected.

[0064] Conversely, the rail fastener 101B is configured in a third position, in which the tension clip 111B contacts the rail 201 and the guide plate 109B. This third position provides tension so that the rail fastening assembly 101B holds the rail 201 to the railway sleeper 301 via the shoulder assembly 114B and the tension clip 111B. A second position exists but is not shown in the immediate view. The second position, as the name suggests, is an intermediate position between the first and third positions. This document will reveal the second position in more detail. However, in short, the second position allows a plurality of tension clips 111Z to be positioned within a plurality of rail fastening assemblies 101Z for operation, transport, etc. However, the second position does not provide an operative connection between the rail 201 and the railway sleeper 301.

[0065] Figure 1B shows a top plan view of the rail fastening system 100. Those skilled in the art will note the first position of the rail fastening assembly 109A and the third position of the rail fastening assembly 101B.

[0066] Figure 1C shows a perspective view of the rail fastening system 100. The wear shims 107 are more clearly visible when they extend beneath the plurality of guide plates 109Z (specifically, guide plate 109B in the immediate view). Therefore, the rail fastening system 100 is partially insulated from the railway sleepers 301 during installation. Furthermore, the rail 201 itself is partially insulated from the railway sleepers 301.

[0067] Figure 1D shows an exploded view of the rail fastening system 100. The immediate view shows the first hole 303A and the second hole 303B in the railway sleeper 301. Holes 303A and 303B are typically configured to receive shoulders 115A and 115B to provide fixation to the railway sleeper 301. In one embodiment, an adhesive (e.g., cement, epoxy resin, etc.) may be applied to the installed shoulders 115A and 115B.

[0068] Figure 2A shows a front plan view of the base assembly 110. The rail seat pad 105 and wear pad 107 are shown in more detail.

[0069] Figure 2B shows a top plan view of the base assembly 110. The rail seat 105 and wear pad 107 are shown in more detail.

[0070] Figure 2C shows a perspective view of the base assembly 110. The rail seat pad 105 and wear pad 107 are shown in more detail.

[0071] Figure 2D shows an exploded view of the base assembly 110. The rail seat 105 includes a plurality of washers 135Z, including a first washer 135A, a second washer 135B, a third washer 135C, and a fourth washer 135D. The plurality of washers 135Z are generally configured to hold the rail seat 105 in place.

[0072] The wear pad 107 includes a plurality of openings 137Z, including a first opening 137A and a second opening 137B. The plurality of openings 137Z are generally configured such that shoulder assemblies 114A and 114B can protrude along axis 103Z, so that a plurality of tension clips 111Z can engage shoulder assemblies 114A and 114B.

[0073] Figure 3A shows a front view of a plurality of shoulder components 114Z. The first shoulder tension clip receiver 121A and the second shoulder tension clip receiver 121B are obscured in the front view. The shoulder tension clip receivers 121A and 121B are typically configured to receive a plurality of tension clips 111Z, respectively.

[0074] Figure 3B shows a top plan view of a plurality of shoulder assemblies 114Z. A first curved section 138A and a second curved section 138B are respectively disposed on the ventral surfaces of shoulder assemblies 114A and 114B. When the rail fastening assemblies 101A and 101B are in the first position, the curved sections 138A and 138B allow tension clips 111A and 111B to rest on the shoulder assemblies 114A and 114B.

[0075] Figure 3C shows a perspective view of a plurality of shoulder components 114Z. Shoulder tension clip receivers 121A and 121B are shown in more detail. Rail fastening component 101B is engaged in a third position, wherein tension clip 111B is substantially locked in shoulder tension clip receiver 121B.

[0076] Figure 3D shows an exploded view of a plurality of shoulder assemblies 114Z. The close-up view shows shoulder 114A including shoulder post 120A. Similarly, shoulder 114B includes shoulder post 120B. Shoulder posts 120A and 120B are typically configured to be secured within the railway sleeper 301 via holes 303A and 303B, respectively. In one embodiment, shoulder posts 120A and 120B are operably attached to the railway sleeper 301 using an epoxy resin adhesive. To provide further stability and fixation, shoulder posts 120A and 120B each include a first shoulder post recess 119AA and a second shoulder post recess 119BA. Those skilled in the art will understand that any size and number of shoulder post recesses can be present in commercial deployments. In one embodiment, shoulder posts 120A and 120B may be threaded.

[0077] Figure 4A shows a front plan view of a plurality of guide plates 109Z. Guide plates 109A include a first opening 141A and a second opening 141B (both are obscured in the immediate view). Openings 141A and 141B are generally configured to allow a plurality of shoulder assemblies 114Z to extend along axis 103Z so that a plurality of tension clips 111Z can engage shoulder assemblies 114Z.

[0078] A plurality of guide plates 109Z include a plurality of guide plate support sections that hold the tension clips 111A and 111B in place when the tension clips 111A and 111B engage with the plurality of shoulder assemblies 114Z. Specifically, guide plate 109A includes a plurality of guide plate support sections 139AZ. Similarly, guide plate 109B includes a plurality of guide plate support sections 139BZ. The plurality of guide plate support sections 139AZ includes a first guide plate support section 139AA, a second guide plate support section 139AB, and a third guide plate support section 139AC. Likewise, the plurality of guide plate support sections 139BZ includes a first guide plate support section 139BA, a second guide plate support section 139BB, and a third guide plate support section 139BC.

[0079] Guide plate support sections 139AA and 139BA are configured to hold a portion of tension clips 111A and 111B in the third position, respectively. Guide plate support sections 139AB and 139BB are configured to hold a portion of tension clips 111A and 111B in the first position, respectively. Guide plate support sections 139AC and 139BC are configured to hold tension clips 111A and 111B in the second position, respectively.

[0080] Figure 4B shows a top plan view of the plurality of guide plates 109Z. Again, tension clip 111A is in the second position, while tension clip 111B is in the third position.

[0081] Figure 4C shows a perspective view of the plurality of guide plates 109Z. Again, tension clip 111A is in the second position, while tension clip 111B is in the third position.

[0082] Figure 4D shows an exploded view of the plurality of guide plates 109Z. It more clearly shows the bending properties of the plurality of guide plates 139AZ, 139BZ and how each guide plate is configured to position the cylindrical shape of the plurality of tension clips 111Z.

[0083] Figure 5A shows a front plan view of a plurality of tension clips 111Z. Tension clips 111A and 111B each include a plurality of contact sections disposed between various components of the rail fastening system 100, the rail 201, and the railway sleeper 301 to provide tension. Tension clip 111A includes a first guide plate contact section 143AA, a second guide plate contact section 143AB (not visible), a first rail contact section 145AA, and a second rail contact section 145AB (not visible). Similarly, tension clip 111B includes a first guide plate contact section 143BA, a second guide plate contact section 143BB (not visible), a first rail contact section 145BA, and a second rail contact section 145BB (not visible).

[0084] Tension clip 111A includes a shoulder engagement section 147A configured to engage shoulder assembly 114A to operably hold rail 201 to railway sleeper 301. Similarly, tension clip 111B includes a shoulder engagement section 147B configured to engage shoulder assembly 114B to operably hold rail 201 to railway sleeper 301. Furthermore, shoulder engagement sections 147A and 147B engage with shoulder tension clip receivers 121A and 121B, and the extension shape of shoulder engagement sections 147A and 147B, such as the internally narrowed shape of shoulder tension clip receivers 121A and 121B, further holds tension clips 111A and 111B in place.

[0085] Figure 5B shows a top-view view of a plurality of tension clips 111Z. The contact segments 143AB, 145AB, 143BB, and 145BB, which were previously obscured in the live view, are shown more clearly.

[0086] Figure 5C shows a perspective view of a plurality of tension clips 111Z. The immediate view shows the tension clip 111B in the third position by contacting the guide plate contact sections 143BA and 143BB with the guide plate 109B. In addition, the contact sections 145BA and 145BB are in contact with the rail 201.

[0087] Figure 5D shows an exploded view of a plurality of tension clips 111Z. The bending properties of the plurality of tension clips 111Z are clearly illustrated so that those skilled in the art will understand how tension clips 111A and 111B provide the force required to hold the rail 201 to the railway sleeper 301.

[0088] Figure 6A shows a front plan view of the rail fastening assembly 101B with tension clip 111B in a first position. As shown in the front view, tension clip 111B rests on guide plate contact sections 143BA and 143BB on the railway sleepers 301. Furthermore, tension clip 111B rests on guide plate 109B. Specifically, rail contact sections 145BA and 145BB contact guide plate support section 139BB. Rail contact sections 143BB and 145BB are not shown in the current view.

[0089] In the first position, the shoulder engagement section 147B is close to but not fully engaged with the shoulder 115B. In other words, since there is no tension holding the tension clip 111B in place, the tension clip 111B will move freely away from the guide plate 109B. The first position demonstrates an advantage of the disclosed solution, because the tension clip 111B can be replaced without replacing the guide plate 109B. Those skilled in the art will further understand, and vice versa.

[0090] Figure 6B shows a top plan view of the rail fastening assembly 101B with tension clip 111B in the first position. The view more clearly shows the rail contact sections 145BA, 145BB contacting the guide plate 109B at the guide plate support section 139BB. Furthermore, the view clearly shows that the shoulder engagement section 147B is not fully engaged with the shoulder assembly 114B (at shoulder 115B). As shown, the guide plate contact sections 143BA, 143BB rest on the railway sleeper 301. It should be clear that when the rail fastening assembly 101B is in the first position, the guide plate support sections 139BA, 139BC are not in contact with the tension clip 111B.

[0091] Figure 6C shows a perspective view of the rail fastening assembly 101B with the tension clip 111B in a first position. Again, the immediate view shows the shoulder engagement section 147B near but not engaged with the shoulder assembly 114B. Furthermore, the tension clip 111B is resting near the curved section 138B. Therefore, the first position roughly corresponds to the situation where a manual (or mechanical) installer has placed the tension clip 111B on the railway sleeper 301 and is ready to engage the tension clip 111B with the shoulder assembly 114B. For example, the installer can set the first position before moving to a second or third position.

[0092] Figure 7A shows a front plan view of the rail fastening assembly 101B with tension clip 111B in the second position. Tension clip 111B is in contact with the railway sleeper 301 and guide plate 109B. However, tension clip 111B is not yet in contact with the rail 201 (as opposed to the third position). Rail contact sections 145BA and 145BB are in contact with guide plate support section 139BC. Similarly, guide plate contact sections 143BA and 143BB are in contact with the railway sleeper 301. For clarity of the second position, tension clip 111B is not in contact with guide plate support sections 139BA and 139BB.

[0093] The shoulder engagement section 147B contacts the shoulder assembly 114B at the shoulder 115B. Therefore, the tension clip 111B can be substantially held in place, but does not provide tension between the rail 201 and the railway sleeper 301. In other words, the tension clip 111B is merely positioned but not yet in contact with the rail 201 itself (which will be shown with respect to the third position).

[0094] Figure 7B shows a top plan view of the rail fastening assembly 101B with tension clip 111B in the second position. The immediate view shows more clearly the rail contact section 145BB contacting the guide plate 109B at the guide plate support section 139BC. Those skilled in the art will now appreciate that the guide plate contact section 143BB is shown in more detail.

[0095] The shoulder engagement section 147B shown contacts the shoulder assembly 114B (at shoulder 115B). However, in the second position, the tension clip 111B does not provide tension to the rail 201. The advantage of the second position is that it allows the tension clip 111B to be substantially connected to the guide plate 109B. For example, the second position can be used before installation when transporting the rail fastening assembly 101B. Similarly, the second position can be used as a pre-installation position prior to the third position. For example, the rail 201 may still require alignment but is ready for fastening.

[0096] Figure 7C shows a perspective view of the rail fastening assembly 101B with tension clip 111B in the second position. The immediate view shows more clearly the shoulder engagement section 147B positioned within the shoulder assembly 114B. Again, the guide plate contact sections 147BA and 147BB do not contact the rail 201 (as in the third position).

[0097] Figure 8A shows a front plan view of the rail fastening assembly 101B with tension clip 111B in the third position. The third position corresponds to the position where the rail fastening assembly 101B provides tension between the rail 201 and the railway sleeper 301 (via shoulder assembly 114B). Therefore, in one configuration, the third position is the installation position when the rail 201 is fastened to allow the railway vehicle to move safely.

[0098] The live view shows rail contact section 145BA in contact with rail 201; rail contact section 145BB is not visible in the live view. Shoulder engagement section 147B engages with shoulder assembly 114B (at shoulder 115B) at shoulder tension clip receiver 121B to provide sufficient tension to hold rail 201 in place. The engagement details of shoulder engagement section 147B are shown more clearly in subsequent views.

[0099] Guide plate support section 139BA supports tension clip 111B at guide plate contact sections 143BA and 143BB; guide plate contact section 143BB is not visible in the immediate view. It is clear that guide plate support sections 139BB and 139BC are not used in a third position. As disclosed, each guide plate support section 139BA, 139BB, and 139BC supports tension clip 111B at its respective position to enable efficient and safe installation of rail fastening assembly 101B.

[0100] Figure 8B shows a top plan view of the rail fastening assembly 101B with tension clip 111B in the third position. The view shows the shoulder engagement section 147B fully engaged with the shoulder assembly 114B. The shoulder 115B tapers along axis 103X, clamping the tension clip 111B and making it difficult to remove, thereby securing the rail 201 to the railway sleeper 301. However, the tension clip 111B can still be removed as needed with appropriate force (or tools) to maintain the rail 201 in place.

[0101] One advantage of the third position is that technicians (or autonomous systems) can visually inspect the rail fastening assembly 101B to determine if the tension clip 111B is in place. This inspection is easily performed because the shoulder joint section 147B is visible through the shoulder assembly 114B. Existing systems rely on the inability to easily check for sufficient bolt tension without the appropriate tools. If the tension clip 111B is loose, technicians can easily identify and fix the problem without the tools required to test the bolts.

[0102] For example, assuming tension clip 111B is visibly corroded, a technician can easily remove it by force or cutting. Furthermore, if guide plate 109B is still in good condition, it is not necessary to completely replace the entire rail fastening assembly 101B. Therefore, one advantage of the rail fastening system 100 is its ease of maintenance throughout the service life of the rail 201 and / or railway sleepers 301.

[0103] Figure 8C shows a perspective view of the rail fastening assembly 101B with tension clip 111B in the third position. The immediate view clearly shows the shoulder engagement section 147C within the shoulder assembly 114B. Again, the shoulder 115B has a narrowing shape, which substantially secures the tension clip 111B in place, thereby securing the rail 201 to the railway sleeper 301. Since the guide plate support section 139 serves as a channel for the guide plate contact sections 143BA, 143BB, the guide plate support section 139 provides additional stability to the tension clip 111B.

[0104] The live view shows a true view of the manual (or mechanical) system inspecting the rail fastening assembly 101B. One can easily see the tension clip 111B in place and providing the necessary tension to the rail 201 to maintain attachment to the railway sleeper 301. Additionally, physical tests (e.g., by pulling) can be performed on the tension clip 111B to determine if it is providing the desired fixation.

[0105] The foregoing method descriptions and figures / symbols are provided as illustrative examples only and are not intended to require or imply that the operations of the various aspects must be performed in the order presented. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the order of operations in the various aspects described herein can be performed in any order. Words such as "afterwards," "then," and "following" are not intended to restrict the order of operations; these words are used to guide the reader through the description of the methods and systems described herein. Furthermore, any reference to a request element in the singular, for example, using the articles "a," "one," or "the," should not be construed as limiting the element to the singular.

[0106] The foregoing description of the aspects disclosed herein is intended to enable anyone of ordinary skill in the art to make, implement, or use the claims. Various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied in other respects without departing from the claims. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to limit itself to the forms disclosed herein, but rather to conform to the broadest scope consistent with the claims disclosed herein.

[0107] 100: Rail fastening system 101A: First rail fastening assembly, rail fastening assembly 101B: Second rail fastening assembly, rail fastening assembly, railway fasteners 101Z: Rail fastening components 103X: First axis, axis 103Y: Second axis, axis 103Z: Third axis, shaft 105: Rail seat cushion 107: Wear gasket 109A: First guide plate, guide plate 109B: Second guide plate, guide plate 109Z: Guide Plate 110: Base assembly 111A: First tension clip, tension clip 111B: Second tension clip, tension clip 111Z: Tension Clip 113A: First shoulder insulator, shoulder insulator 113B: Second shoulder insulator, shoulder insulator 114A: First shoulder assembly, shoulder assembly 114B: Second shoulder assembly, shoulder assembly 114Z: Shoulder Components 115A: First shoulder, shoulder 115B: Second shoulder, shoulder 119AA: first shoulder column recess 119BA: Recessed part of second shoulder column 120A: Shoulder column 120B: Shoulder column 121A: First shoulder tension clip receiver, shoulder tension clip receiver 121B: Second shoulder tension clip receiver, shoulder tension clip receiver 135A: First gasket 135B: Second gasket 135C: Third gasket 135D: Fourth gasket 135Z: Gasket 137A: First opening 137B: Second opening 137Z: Opening 138A: First bending section, bending section 138B: Second bending section, bending section 139: Guide plate support section 139AA: First guide plate support section, guide plate support section 139AB: Second guide plate support section, guide plate support section 139AC: Third guide plate support section, guide plate support section 139AZ: Guide plate support section, guide plate 139BA: First guide plate support section, guide plate support section 139BB: Second guide plate support section, guide plate support section 139BC: Third guide plate support section, guide plate support section 139BZ: Guide plate support section, guide plate 141A: First opening, opening 141B: Second opening, opening 143AA: First guide plate contact section 143AB: Second guide plate contact section, contact section 143BA: First guide plate contact section, guide plate contact section 143BB: Second guide plate contact section, contact section, guide plate contact section 145AA: First rail contact section, contact section, rail contact section 145AB: Second rail contact section, contact section, rail contact section 145BA: First rail contact section, contact section, rail contact section 145BB: Second rail contact section, contact section, rail contact section 147A: Shoulder joint segment 147B: Shoulder joint segment 147C: Shoulder joint segment 201: Railway Track 301: Railway sleepers 303A: First hole, hole 303B: Second hole, hole

Claims

1. A rail fastening assembly for setting railway sleepers on rails, the rail fastening assembly comprising: Shoulder components; A guide plate having a plurality of guide plate support sections, including a first guide plate support section, a second guide plate support section, and a third guide plate support section; and a tension clip including a shoulder engagement section configured to operably engage the shoulder assembly, the tension clip being further configured to be supported by the plurality of guide plate support sections and by the rail.

2. The rail fastening assembly as described in claim 1, wherein, The shoulder assembly includes: a shoulder; and a shoulder insulator.

3. The rail fastening assembly as described in claim 2, wherein, The shoulder includes: a shoulder tension clip receiver disposed at the shoulder joint to receive the tension clip; and a shoulder post including a shoulder post recess.

4. The rail fastening assembly as described in claim 3, wherein, The shoulder assembly is configured to be installed through a hole in the railway sleeper via the shoulder post.

5. The rail fastening assembly as described in claim 3, wherein, The shoulder also includes a curved section that is configured to support the tension clip at the shoulder joint.

6. The rail fastening assembly as claimed in claim 1 further includes a base assembly: a rail seat pad having a plurality of protrusions; and a wear pad having a plurality of openings configured to allow the shoulder assembly to be positioned within the openings belonging to the plurality of openings.

7. The rail fastening assembly as described in claim 1, wherein, The tension clamp further includes: a rail contact section configured to be operably connected to the rail; and a guide plate contact section configured to be operably connected to the plurality of guide plate support sections.

8. The rail fastening assembly as described in claim 1, wherein, The rail fastening assembly is configured to be positioned at any one of the first, second, and third positions.

9. The rail fastening assembly as described in claim 8, wherein, The first position includes the rail contact section that contacts the second guide plate support section.

10. The rail fastening assembly as described in claim 8, wherein, The second position includes the rail contact section that contacts the third guide plate support section.

11. The rail fastening assembly as described in claim 8, wherein, The third position includes the tension clip that engages with the shoulder assembly via the engagement segment.

12. A kit configured to secure rails to railway sleepers, the kit comprising: A plurality of rail fastening assemblies, including a first rail fastening assembly and a second rail fastening assembly; The first rail fastening assembly includes: a shoulder assembly; a guide plate having a plurality of guide plate support sections, including a first guide plate support section, a second guide plate support section, and a third guide plate support section; and a tension clip including a shoulder engagement section configured to operably engage the shoulder assembly, the tension clip being further configured to be supported by the plurality of guide plate support sections, and the tension clip being further configured to be supported by the rail.

13. The kit as described in claim 12, wherein, The shoulder assembly includes: a shoulder; and a shoulder insulator.

14. The kit as described in claim 13, wherein, The shoulder includes: a shoulder tension clip receiver disposed at the shoulder joint to receive the tension clip; and a shoulder post including a shoulder post recess.

15. The kit as described in claim 12, wherein, The tension clamp includes: a rail contact section configured to be operably connected to the rail; and a guide plate contact section configured to be operably connected to the plurality of guide plate support sections.

16. The kit as described in claim 12, wherein, The base assembly includes: a rail seat pad having a plurality of protrusions; and a wear pad having a plurality of openings configured to allow the shoulder assembly to be positioned within the openings belonging to the plurality of openings.

17. A method for securing a rail to a railway sleeper using a rail fastening assembly and a base assembly, the method comprising: The base assembly is placed below the rail and above the railway sleeper; The rail fastening assembly is placed at the railway sleeper, wherein the rail fastening assembly includes: a shoulder assembly; a guide plate having a plurality of guide plate support sections, the plurality of guide plate support sections including a first guide plate support section, a second guide plate support section, and a third guide plate support section; and a tension clip including a shoulder engagement section configured to operably engage the shoulder assembly, the tension clip also being supported by the plurality of guide plate support sections, the tension clip further including a rail contact section; and the tension clip is placed in a first position, the first position including the rail contact section contacting the second guide plate support section.

18. The method as described in claim 17, further comprising: The tension clamp is moved to a second position, which includes the rail contact section contacting the third guide plate support section.

19. The method as described in claim 18, further comprising: The tension clip is moved to a third position, which includes the tension clip engaging with the shoulder assembly via the shoulder engagement section.

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