Railroad Trail Mat System with Integrated Rail Clamps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Abandoned railroad tracks pose challenges for conversion into trails due to legal complexities, property disputes, and the difficulty in easily reverting back to rail use without modifying or removing existing infrastructure, which can lead to environmental concerns and flooding issues.

Innovation Solution

A trail mat system that securely mounts to railroad tracks without altering the existing infrastructure, using recyclable materials and a design that includes rail clamps and securing fasteners to provide a removable trail surface while maintaining hydraulic relief and accommodating utility lines, allowing for easy conversion between trail and rail use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If railroad tracks are converted to trails by removing rails and infrastructure, then trail creation is simplified, but the ability to revert back to rail use is lost and environmental harm increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of trail creationVSAvoidability to revert to rail use

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The trail surface is divided into discrete modular units that can be independently installed and removed. Each module contains integrated rail clamps that secure to existing rails, allowing the trail system to be segmented into manageable sections that preserve underlying rail infrastructure while enabling easy conversion and reversal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trail surface modules are designed to nest over and around existing rail infrastructure. The modular units contain embedded rail clamps that attach to rails, creating a nested configuration where the trail system encompasses the rail system without removing it, thus preserving future rail use options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If railroad tracks are converted to trails by removing existing infrastructure, then trail construction is easier, but environmental harm and flooding issues worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of trail constructionVSAvoidenvironmental harm and flooding

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The modular trail design preserves the underlying rail infrastructure and associated drainage features before construction begins. By maintaining the existing rail bed and drainage structures beneath the modular surface units, the system pre-cushions against potential flooding and environmental harm that would result from complete infrastructure removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potential harm of having abandoned rail infrastructure into a benefit by utilizing the existing rails and drainage structures as a foundation for the trail. What was previously considered waste or harmful (abandoned tracks) becomes the structural basis for an environmentally friendly trail system that maintains natural drainage patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If rail clamps securely attach to rails to prevent mat flotation during flooding, then trail safety improves, but the complexity of the attachment system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrail safety during floodingVSAvoidattachment system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rail clamp mechanism is integrated directly into the modular trail surface units, merging the attachment function with the trail surface structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate attachment systems and reduces overall complexity while maintaining secure attachment to prevent flotation during flooding events.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The rail clamps serve multiple functions: they securely attach the trail surface to the rails during normal use, prevent flotation during flooding events, and remain in place to facilitate easy removal and reversal of the trail system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the conversion of railroad tracks to trails without removing the rail infrastructure, preserving the ability to revert back to rail use, reducing environmental impact, and addressing flooding concerns, while providing a safe and durable trail surface.

Implementation Method 1

Physical clamping to the existing rail transmits bad linearly to the rail prohibiting cantilevered action of the surface, or floatation within an active flood event.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS20230105715A1System for converting existing railroad tracks to trails

Publication Date: 2023.04.06 VAN METER BRAD

AI summary

A trail mat system having a mat extending between and on top of a pair of railroad track rails; at least one rail clamp section disposed on a bottom side of the mat including a rail cavity for receiving at least a portion of the rails; at least one clamp arm included in the rail clamp section engaging one of the rails; and, a securing fastener operatively associated with the at least one clamp arm to bias the clamp arm against the rail to prevent separation of the mat from the rails; whereby the mat is configured to be placed over and removably secured to the rails to provide a trail surface overtop the rails without removing the rails or other elements of the railroad track.