US2155217A - Rail bond - Google Patents

Description

April 1939- w. P. BOVARD 2,155,217

RAIL BOND I Filed Feb. 4, 1937,

1n venlor WILLIAM '1 30104190 Attorney Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAIL BOND corporation of New Jersey Application February 4, 1937, Serial No. 123,950

7 Claims.

My invention relates to rail bonds for electrically connecting the adjacent ends of rails conducting current.

The object of my invention is to provide a bond having a portion adapted for insertion in an opening or cavity in a portion of the rail, preferably the side of the rail head, and which can be expanded so as to securely engage the side wall of the opening or cavity in the rail.

A further object of my invention is to provide a bond which can be easily and simply installed as by means of a hammer.

My invention resides in the new and novel construction, combination, and relation of the parts hereinafter described and shown in the drawing accompanying this specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a single terminal and conductor.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal view in partial section of the terminal and conductor shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 isa side View of a pin I use and later 5 describe.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55' of Fig. 3. v

Fig. 6 is a modified form of one end of the pin I use.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view of a modification of the terminal I use and which corresponds to a section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 shows a bond terminal assembled in a rail prior to the final installation.

Fig. 9 is a View showing a terminal completely installed in a cavity in a rail head.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, I provide a conductor which may be of copper, bronze, or steel. The copper conductor will, of

course, give the lowest resistance to the flow of current. The conductor is cut to the length required, and secured to each end is a terminal 2. I have shown the conductor with a terminal at one end only, and bonds are very often so constructed, but the majority of bonds comprise the cable I with two terminals 2, one at each end of the conductor.

The terminal 2 comprises a drive portion 3 with a portion 4 projecting therefrom for insertion in the cavity 5 of the rail 6. The portions 3 and t may be made of ferrous or non-ferrous metal, the former preferred as for instance, a soft or deformable steel such as forging steel. The member 3 has a projecting sleeve 1.

55 The portion 4 is provided with a channel 8 and form diameter and a bifurcated end l2 comprising the spaced prongs l3 forming the slot I4. The pin it is made preferably of a heat treated steel such as an alloy steel so treated that it is tough and as hard as or harder than the steel 10 of the terminal portion 4, yet the prongs [3 being bendable as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4.

The pin I0 is also provided with a portion I5 formed with a taper. The portions II and I5 of 15 the pin H] are provided with ribs l6 which cut into the portions of the terminal to prevent rotation of the pin relative to the terminal after assembly.

The pin l [I is also provided with a head portion 90 ll which has a shoulder face l8 and a tapered end face I9, the latter corresponding with the end wall 2% of the cavity 5 in the rail head.

The terminal portion 4 is provided with an end face 21. Positioned between the faces l8 and 2| 5 is a sleeve 22 preferably of copper or other nonferrous metal. The sleeve 22 may be omitted, if desired, and the metal of the portion 4 extended to the face l8 as shown in Fig. 7.

I prefer the portion of the terminal 22 to be 30 of copper as it is more compressible, easily deformable, expanding in those directions in which it is unrestricted, at the same time it tends to harden as the metal deforms. I find that after the bond terminal has been installed, the por- 35 tion 22 of the terminal may have even embedded itself into or interlocked with the wall of the cavity.

In constructing my invention, the parts 3 and 4 are forged or pressed from the metal desired preferably soft steel and the channels 8 and 9 formed therein as by drilling. The channel 9 may extend only to the channel 8 or it may extend beyond the channel 8 as shown in Fig. 2. In the latter case the conductor will be locked in place by the bifurcated end of the pin ID as well as by the compression of the walls of the portions 3 and I.

The pin is constructed as herein before described and the copper sleeve 22 likewise.

The parts having been formed, the cable is first positioned in the channel 9 then the pin is positioned in the channel 8 as far as possible with the sleeve 22 in position on the pin.

The parts are then pressed together axially which forces the pin I0 into final position as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. As the split end of the pin engages with the conductor I, the ends are spread as shown in Fig. 3 or by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. This interlocks the pin with the drive portion 3 and also interlocks the pin with the conductor I.

In forcing the parts together the walls of the portions 3 and i of the terminal are forced into intimate and close engagement with the conduc tor I thus providing a connection between the parts which will prevent their separation.

The forcing together of the parts into their final position is best brought about by placing the partially assembled parts in suitable dies and subjecting the same to pressure as by means of a stamping or hydraulic press or other apparatus well known to those skilled in the art, thus the size and relation of the parts will be .better maintained.

, The installation of my invention, comprises the drilling of a cavity preferably in the side face 7 of each rail head adjacent the ends of the juxta- 'to the terminal will force the part 4 into the cavity as shown in Fig. 9. In applying the force to the head 3, the member '22 being of relative soft metal and being brought under compression between'the faces l8 and 2! (see Fig. 2), the same 'willbe expanded and forced into; intimate and binding engagement with the side wall of the cavity '5. .Further application of force tothe member 3 will cause the portion 4 to shorten thus tending to increase its diameter and force the portionl into binding engagement with the wall of the cavity 5. v If the copper sleeve 22 is omitted'and the portion 4 of the terminal extended to the face l8 of the pin as shown in Fig. '7, then the entire portion 4 will in time be shortened and simultaneously increased in diameter under force applied to the portion 3 which in turn will cause a binding engagement between the portion 4 of the terminal and the wall of the cavity 5.

As previously stated, the parts of my invention may be formed of various metals and combinations thereof, but I prefer to have the pin Ill of as hard a metal and a tougher metal than the r the cavity.

other parts, yet not so hard that the prongs l3 will not bend in the assembled operation. It is notmy intent that the portions H and I5 of the pin shall expand during the installation of the bond. I

During the installation the portions 3 and 4 may slide upon the pin I0 since the free end of the pin is held by the end face 29 of the cavity 5 and force is applied to the portion 3. This movement of parts during installation tends to tighten the bifurcated end of the pin with respect to the conductor I and terminal portion 3.

Itwill be noted that the distances a and b are equal in Figs. 8' and 9 showingthat the extra length of the parts 4 and 22 has been forced into Having disclosed my invention, modifications will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; therefore, I wish to be limited only by my claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a rail having a cavity therein of a rail bond comprising a terminal adapted to be installed in the cavity in the rail and a conductor secured to the terminal, the terminal comprising a drive portion having a channel therein for the reception of the conductor and a second portion projecting from the drive portion and having a channel therethrough which intersects the first channel at substantially right angles thereto, the said second portion being adapted to be inserted in a rail cavity to extend therein'short of the end wall of the cavity,

a headed pin having a part extending through the last said channel and into the first channel to engage the conductor therein and forming a third portion of the terminal, the said second portion of the terminal having an end face spaced from the head of the pin and a ring of copper forming a fourth portion of the terminal positioned in the said space and encircling the pin, the diameter of the second and the fourth portions and the head of the third portion being equal and the total length of these portions being greater than the depth of the rail cavity, the said second and fourth portions of the terminal being expandable in the rail cavity into binding engagement with the wall of the rail cavity when force is applied to the said drive portion of the terminal.

2. A rail bond comprising a terminal with a conductor secured thereto, the terminal comprising a drive portion having a channel therein for the reception of the conductor and a second portion projecting from the drive portion and having a channel therethrough which intersects the first channel at substantially right angles thereto, the said second portion being adapted to be inserted in a rail cavity to extend therein short of the end wall of the cavity, a headed pin having a part extending through the last said channel and into 7 the first channel to engage the conductor therein and forming a third portion of the terminal, the said pin having a tapered part connecting it to the said first part, the said second portion of the terminal having an end face spaced from the head of the pin and a collar of non-ferrous metal. forming a fourth portion of the terminal positioned in the said space and encircling the tapered part of the pin, the second and fourth portions of the terminal being expandable into bind- .ing engagement with the wall of the rail cavity when force is applied to the drive portion.

3. A rail bond comprising in combination a conductor and a terminal secured thereto, the said terminal comprising a drive portion having means for securing the conductor thereto, and a second portion for insertion in a rail cavity, the second portion provided with a channel and a headed pin forming a third portion of the terminal mounted in the channel with the head spaced away from the end, face of the second portion,

the terminal having a fourth portion. of nonconductor and a terminal secured thereto, the said terminal comprising a drive portion having means to secure the conductor thereto and a second portion for insertion. in a rail cavity, the second portion having a channel therethrough, a pin forming a third portion of the terminal mounted in the channel and contacting with the conductor and having a head to engage the end wall of the rail cavity, the pin being slidable relative to the conductor in an axial direction relative to the said second portion of the terminal when force is applied to the drive portion tending toforce the conductor and pin into closer engagement and to expand the end of the second portion of the terminal into close contact with the side wall of the rail cavity.

5. The combination with a rail having a cavity therein of a rail bond comprising a terminal adapted to be installed in a cavity in the rail and a conductor secured to the terminal, the terminal being provided with a drive portion and a second portion adapted to enter and be expanded in the rail cavity, the said second portion having a channel and a pin positioned in the channel, the pin having a bifurcated end engaging the conductor and the other end exposed for contact with the end wall of the rail cavity, the pin adapted to be forced into stronger engagement with the conductor and the said second portion of the terminal adapted to be forced into tight engagement with the side wall of the rail cavity when force is applied to the drive portion of the terminal.

6. A rail bond comprising a terminal and a conductor secured thereto, the terminal compris; ing a drive portion and a second portion adapted to enter and be expanded in arail cavity, the said second portion having a channel extending axially thereof and a pin of hardermaterial than said second portion mounted in the channel and having one end extending into the said drive portion and engaging the conductor and interlocked with the drive portion to prevent its withdrawal therefrom, means on the pin to interlock with the said second portion of the terminal to prevent relative rotation of the pin and said second portion, the pin having a tapered portion atone end to expand the enclosed end of the second portion of the terminal when the said second portion of the terminal is forced into the rail cavity.

7. A rail bond terminal for installation in a rail cavity comprising a part adapted to receive a conductor and a second part to be inserted Within the rail cavity, the latter part of the terminal having a separately formed central portion of relatively softer material than the other portion, and adapted to be expanded into holding engagement with the side wall of the rail cavity when the said second part is forced into the rail cavity.

WILLIAM P. BOVARD.

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