US 11,680,374 B2
Direct fixation fastener assembly for track rail having molded support block and method of making same
Scott David Osler, Southland, NY (US)
Assigned to Progress Rail Services Corporation, Albertville, AL (US)
Filed by Progress Rail Services Corporation, Albertville, AL (US)
Filed on Jan. 3, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/734,049.
Prior Publication US 2021/0207329 A1, Jul. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. E01B 9/46 (2006.01); E01B 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC E01B 9/46 (2013.01) [E01B 1/004 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A fastening system for track rail comprising:
a molded support block including a lower side having a base face extending to a lower perimetric edge, an upper side having an upper perimetric edge, and a plurality of outer sides each extending between the lower side and the upper side;
at least two of the outer sides each including a respective planar side face extending continuously from the upper perimetric edge to the lower perimetric edge, and being oriented obliquely to the upper side so as to form a taper that opens in a direction of the lower side;
the molded support block further including retention elements positioned within bores opening at the upper side;
a direct fixation fastener positioned upon the upper side and including a metallic frame having an upper rail plate, and a non-metallic overmolded jacket encasing the metallic frame;
a clearance extends in lateral directions from the direct fixation fastener to the upper perimetric edge, such that the direct fixation fastener is positionable at a range of lateral positions upon the upper side of the support block;
a plurality of clamping fasteners structured to engage with the retention elements to clamp the direct fixation fastener to the upper side within the range of lateral positions; and
reinforcements situated entirely within the molded support block such that the plurality of outer sides are entirely unobstructed from the upper perimetric edge to the lower perimetric edge.