초록 ▼

An improved railroad frog, and method incorporating the same, for facilitating the intersection of rail lines in a more efficient, effective, and durable manner. In one aspect the invention is a railroad frog apparatus comprising: a body having flangeways that intersect; and at least one connection

An improved railroad frog, and method incorporating the same, for facilitating the intersection of rail lines in a more efficient, effective, and durable manner. In one aspect the invention is a railroad frog apparatus comprising: a body having flangeways that intersect; and at least one connection plug extending from the body for connecting to a running rail; the at least one connection plug having a cross-sectional profile that is substantially identical to a cross-sectional profile of the running rail. In another aspect the invention is a railroad frog apparatus having at least one flangeway having a floor with a convex surface formed of at least one arc. Such geometric surface shape of the floor reduces rail batter, undesirable vibration, and damage to train wheels.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A railroad frog apparatus for connecting intersecting rail lines comprising: a body having flangeways that intersect; at least one connection plug extending from the body for connecting to a running rail; the at least one connection plug having a cross-sectional profile that

What is claimed is: 1. A railroad frog apparatus for connecting intersecting rail lines comprising: a body having flangeways that intersect; at least one connection plug extending from the body for connecting to a running rail; the at least one connection plug having a cross-sectional profile that is substantially identical to a cross-sectional profile of the running rail; and wherein at least one of the flangeways has a floor surface having a convex cross-section defined by a first arc, a second arc and a third arc; the first arc extending from a first point to a second point; the second arc extending from the second point to a third point; the third arc extending from the third point to a fourth point; the first and fourth points being at flangeway depths so as to avoid contact with a flange of a train wheel passing through the flangeway; wherein upon the train wheel entering the flangeway, the flange of the train wheel initially contacts the floor at the first arc; and wherein upon the train wheel exiting the flangeway, the flange of the train wheel disengages the floor at the third arc. 2. The railroad frog apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first arc, the second arc, and third arc are all of approximately constant radius. 3. A railroad frog apparatus for connecting intersecting rail lines comprising: a body having two flangeways that intersect; at least one connection plug extending from the body for connecting to a running rail, the at least one connection plug having a cross-sectional profile that is substantially identical to a cross-sectional profile of the running rail; the at least one connection plug extending from the body a distance that allows the running rail to connect to at least one connection plug by a termite weld; wherein the apparatus is machined from a single piece of rail steel; and wherein at least one of the flangeways has a floor surface having a convex cross-section defined by a first arc of constant radius, a second arc of constant radius and a third arc of constant radius; the first arc extending from a first point to a second point; the second arc extending from the second point to a third point; the third arc extending from the third point to a fourth point; the first and fourth points being at flangeway depths so as to avoid contact with a flange of a train wheel passing through the flangeway; wherein upon the train wheel entering the flangeway, the flange of the train wheel initially contacts the floor at the first arc; and wherein upon the train wheel exiting the flangeway, the flange of the train wheel disengages the floor at the third arc. 4. A railroad frog apparatus for connecting intersecting rail lines comprising: a body having flangeways that intersect; and a plurality of connection plugs extending from the body for connecting to a running rail; wherein at least one of the flangeways has a floor surface having a convex cross-section defined by a first arc, a second arc and a third arc; the first arc extending from a first point to a second point; the second arc extending from the second point to a third point; the third arc extending from the third point to a fourth point; the first and fourth points being at flangeway depths so as to avoid contact with a flange of train wheel passing through the flangeway; wherein upon the train wheel entering the flangeway, the flange of the train wheel initially contacts the floor at the first arc; and wherein upon the train wheel exiting the flangeway, the flange of the train wheel disengages the floor at the third arc. 5. A method of connecting two running rails for intersection in a railroad comprising: providing a railroad frog apparatus having a body with two intersecting flangeways and four connection plugs extending from the body, each of the connection plugs having cross-sectional profiles that are substantially identical to a cross-sectional profile of a corresponding running rail to which the connection plug is to be connected; butting the running rails against the corresponding connection plug; and welding each running rail to the corresponding connection plug; wherein at least one of the flangeways of the railroad frog apparatus has a floor surface having a convex cross-section defined by a first arc of constant radius, a second arc of constant radius and a third arc of constant radius; the first arc extending from a first point to a second point; the second arc extending from the second point to a third point; the third arc extending from the third point to a fourth point; the first and fourth points being at flangeway depths so as to avoid contact with a flange of train wheel passing through the flangeway; wherein upon the train wheel entering the flangeway, the flange of the train wheel initially contacts the floor at the first arc; and wherein upon the train wheel exiting the flangeway, the flange of the train wheel disengages the floor at the third arc.