Rail gauge-plate insulator

摘要

A gauge-plate insulator for positioning between and mounting to two rail-spacing members that in turn extend transversely between and mount to two parallel rails to mechanically interconnect but electrical insulate the rail-spacing members and thus the parallel rails. The insulator includes a plate, front and rear mounting holes extending vertically through the plate, and a tongue extending downward from the plate along its lateral midsection from front to back. In typical embodiments, the insulator includes elongated platforms surrounding the mounting holes and arranged perpendicular to the tongue, and the insulator is of a one-piece monolithic construction made of a material selected for mechanical strength and electric insulation. And in some embodiments the insulator includes a tented top surface, ribs extending perpendicular to the tongue, and/or multi-level platforms.

主权项

1. A gauge-plate insulator for mounting, by fasteners, between two rail-spacing members of a railroad track system, comprising:
a plate having a front end section, a rear end section, an inter-end midsection therebetween, a left side section, a right side section, a lateral midsection therebetween, and a top surface; a tongue extending downward along the lateral midsection of the plate from the front section to the rear section of the plate; front and rear pairs of mounting holes extending through the plate, the front pair of mounting holes positioned on the front section of the plate, the rear pair of mounting holes positioned on the rear section of the plate, left ones of the front and rear mounting holes positioned on the left section of the plate, right ones of the front and rear mounting holes positioned on the right section of the plate, and the mounting holes adapted to cooperate with the fasteners to mount the gauge-plate insulator to the rail-spacing members; and front and rear platforms extending upward from the plate and surrounding at least one of the front and rear mounting holes, respectively, the front and rear platforms each defining a respective top surface that is positioned above the top surface of the plate, wherein the front platform is elongate and surrounds both of the front mounting holes, the rear platform is elongate and surrounds both of the rear mounting holes, and the elongate front and rear platforms extend generally perpendicularly to the tongue; wherein in use the gauge-plate insulator mechanically interconnects but electrically insulates the two rail-spacing members.