초록 ▼

A railroad cross tie having an inner core with at least one longitudinally extending metallic reinforcing member and an outer casing. The cross tie includes first and second end caps. The first end cap is disposed proximate a first end of the inner core and the second end cap is disposed proximate a

A railroad cross tie having an inner core with at least one longitudinally extending metallic reinforcing member and an outer casing. The cross tie includes first and second end caps. The first end cap is disposed proximate a first end of the inner core and the second end cap is disposed proximate a second opposite end. One embodiment of the cross tie includes an expansion gap longitudinally disposed between the first and second end caps. Longitudinal dimensions of the expansion gap varies in response to differential thermal expansion between the inner core and the outer casing. In other embodiments, the end caps are mechanically interlocked with the inner core and the outer casing overlays a portion of the end caps. The disclosed structures securely and reliably attach the end caps to the cross tie. A method of manufacturing cross ties is also disclosed.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method of manufacturing railroad cross ties, each of the cross ties having a longitudinal length, said method comprising:providing a plurality of longitudinally extending inner cores for manufacturing a corresponding number of cross ties;securing two adjacent inner cores tog

What is claimed is: 1. A method of manufacturing railroad cross ties, each of the cross ties having a longitudinal length, said method comprising:providing a plurality of longitudinally extending inner cores for manufacturing a corresponding number of cross ties;securing two adjacent inner cores together in an end-to-end configuration by attaching a connecting member to each of the adjacent inner cores and wherein the connecting member is capable of imparting both compressive and tensile longitudinal forces between the two adjacent inner cores when the two adjacent inner cores are secured together by the connecting member;forming an outer casing on the exterior of the adjacent inner cores;separating the adjacent inner cores to form first and second cross ties by separating the connecting member into a first part and a second part wherein the first part of the separated connecting member forms a portion of the first cross tie and the second part of the separated connecting member forms a portion of the second cross tie.