Grade crossing interface pad

Abstract

An interface pad for a concrete tie includes a resilient contact pad to cushion the tie from any overlying parts in a railway application, such as panels in a grade crossing or rails in a turnout. The pad may be flat or a cupped shape and may be of varying size to accommodate varying tie widths. The invention further comprises means and methods to correctly secure such an interface pad to a concrete railroad tie and minimize the possibility that the interface pad will be forcibly removed from the tie during installation of the tie.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An interface pad for a concrete tie, comprising:
 a tubular body having opposed first and second ends separated by a sidewall; and   a contact pad on said second end;   wherein the perimeter of said contact pad is smaller than the perimeter of said second end.   
     
     
         2 . The interface pad of  claim 1  wherein said sidewall flares outwardly from said second end to said first end. 
     
     
         3 . The interface pad of  claim 1  further comprising a lip extending from said first end. 
     
     
         4 . The interface pad of  claim 1  wherein said contact pad comprises a central pad at least partially surrounded by an outer pad. 
     
     
         5 . The interface pad of  claim 4  wherein said central pad and said outer pad each extend out a distance from said second end, and the distance extended by said central pad is less than the distance extended by said outer pad. 
     
     
         6 . The interface pad of  claim 4  wherein said central pad and said outer pad have different durometer hardnesses. 
     
     
         7 . The interface pad of  claim 1  further comprising one or more locking tabs extending from said contact pad. 
     
     
         8 . The interface pad of  claim 1  further comprising one or more locking tabs extending from said second end. 
     
     
         9 . The interface pad of  claim 1  wherein said body is cylindrical. 
     
     
         10 . The interface pad of  claim 1  wherein said body is solid. 
     
     
         11 . The interface pad of  claim 1  wherein said body is partially solid. 
     
     
         12 . A concrete tie comprising at least one interface pad as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a concrete tie having an interface pad, comprising the steps of:
 providing at least one interface pad comprising a tubular body having opposed first and second ends separated by a sidewall and a contact pad on said second end, wherein the perimeter of said contact pad is smaller than the perimeter of said second end;   placing a template over said interface pad, said template comprising at least one opening adapted to surround said contact pad and abut said second end;   placing said template and said interface pad in a concrete tie form;   casting said concrete tie over said template and said interface pad; and   removing said template from said tie once said concrete has hardened.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein said interface pad further comprises one or more locking tabs extending from said contact pad and said template further comprises one or more notches to accommodate said locking tabs. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of removing said template comprises pulling said template over said locking tabs. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein said step of placing a template over said interface pad comprises inserting said interface pad into said opening and twisting said interface pad to connect said locking tabs with said notches.