초록 ▼

A railroad switch point having fixed rails and switching rails is provided. The switch point includes a first railroad tie having a top side. The switch point also includes a rod positioned at the top side of the first railroad tie. The rod is coupled to the switching rails and is also coupled to a

A railroad switch point having fixed rails and switching rails is provided. The switch point includes a first railroad tie having a top side. The switch point also includes a rod positioned at the top side of the first railroad tie. The rod is coupled to the switching rails and is also coupled to a switch actuator. A first rail support is secured to the top side of the first railroad tie for supporting the fixed rails and the switching rails above the rod.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A railroad track switching device comprising: a railroad tie having a top side; a plate arrangement secured to the top side of the railroad tie, the plate arrangement defining a channel that extends along a length of the railroad tie; the channel being located above the top s

What is claimed is: 1. A railroad track switching device comprising: a railroad tie having a top side; a plate arrangement secured to the top side of the railroad tie, the plate arrangement defining a channel that extends along a length of the railroad tie; the channel being located above the top side of the railroad tie; a rod slidably mounted within the channel defined by the plate arrangement; and wherein the railroad tie includes a track supporting portion and an actuator supporting portion, the track supporting portion having a greater height than the actuator supporting portion. 2. The railroad track switching device of claim 1, wherein the rod is adapted to not conduct electricity between railroad rails. 3. The railroad track switching device of claim 1, wherein the rod has a dielectric construction. 4. The railroad track switching device of claim 3, wherein the rod is made of a plastic material. 5. The railroad track switching device of claim 1, wherein the channel includes interior notches that extend along a length of the channel, wherein the rod includes projections that extend along a length of the rod, and wherein the projections of the rod fit within the interior notches of the channel. 6. The railroad track switching device of claim 1, wherein the railroad tie has a generally nine inch square transverse cross section at a location beneath the plate arrangement. 7. The railroad track switching device of claim 1, wherein the railroad tie has a wood construction. 8. The railroad track switching device of claim 1, wherein the rod is adapted for connection to a switch actuator, and the rod is also adapted for connection to a pair of switching rails. 9. The railroad track switching device of claim 1, wherein the channel has an open top, and the rod includes portions that project upwardly through the open top of the channel. 10. The railroad track switching device of claim 1, wherein the rod includes a connection interface for connecting the rod to switch rails, the connection interface being configured to allow movement of the rails in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rod. 11. The railroad track switching device of claim 10, wherein the connection interface provides the rails with a range of movement of at least 1 inch in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod. 12. The railroad track switching device of claim 10, wherein the connection interface includes a rocker member pivotally connected to the rod, the rocker member having a curved surface configured for allowing the rocker member to rock relative to one of the switch rails to accommodate movement of the rail in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod. 13. The railroad track switching device of claim 10, wherein the connection interface includes a first member adapted to be carried by one of the switch rails and a second member carried by the rod, the first member defining a slot adapted to align generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rod, the second member adapted to fit within the slot. 14. A railroad track switching device comprising: a railroad tie having a top side; a plate arrangement secured to the top side of the railroad tie, the plate arrangement defining first and second channels that extend along a length of the railroad tie; the first and second channels being located above the top side of the railroad tie; a first rod slidably mounted within the first channel defined by the plate arrangement; and a second rod slidably mounted within the second channel defined by the plate arrangement. 15. A railroad switch point having fixed rails and switching rails, the railroad switch point comprising: a first railroad tie having a top side; a throw rod positioned at the top side of the first railroad tie, the throw rod being coupled to the switching rails; an actuator for moving the throw rod to change a switch position of the switching rails; and a first rail support secured to the top side of the first railroad tie for supporting the fixed rails and the switching rails above the throw rod; wherein the first rail support includes a plate arrangement that defines a channel in which the throw rod is slidably received. 16. The railroad switch point of claim 15, wherein the plate arrangement includes sets of plates that are electrically isolated from one another. 17. The railroad switch point of claim 16, wherein the throw rod has a dielectric construction. 18. The railroad switch point of claim 15, further comprising: a second railroad tie having a top side; a locking rod positioned at the top side of the second railroad tie, the locking rod being coupled to the switching rails and coupled to the actuator; an indicator rod positioned at the top side of the second railroad tie, the indicator rod being coupled to the switching rails and coupled to the actuator; a second rail support secured to the top side of the second railroad tie for supporting the fixed rails and the switching rails above the locking rod and the indicator rod. 19. A railroad track switching device comprising: a railroad tie having a top side; a plate arrangement secured to the top side of the railroad tie, the plate arrangement defining a channel that extends along a length of the railroad tie; the channel being located above the top side of the railroad tie, wherein the channel includes interior notches that extend along a length of the channel, wherein the rod includes projections that extend along a length of the rod, and wherein the projections of the rod fit within the interior notches of the channel; and a rod slidably mounted within the channel defined by the plate arrangement. 20. A railroad track switching device comprising: a railroad tie having a top side; a plate arrangement secured to the top side of the railroad tie, the plate arrangement defining a channel that extends along a length of the railroad tie; the channel being located above the top side of the railroad tie, wherein the channel has an open top, and the rod includes portions that project upwardly through the open top of the channel; and a rod slidably mounted within the channel defined by the plate arrangement.