Special trackwork direct fixation fastener with spatial elasticity

Abstract

A direct fixation fastener in a track fixation system includes a track plate forming cutouts in opposite ends thereof, a first end restraint positioned in a first of the cutouts and a second end restraint positioned in a second of the cutouts. Each of the end restraints includes at least one fastener hole therein, such as an elongated fastener hole for lateral adjustment, and an uplift-limiting protrusion including a hook portion extending over the track plate. The fastener further includes a jacket including a non-metallic jacket material attaching the track plate to each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint and extending therebetween.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A direct fixation fastener comprising:
 a track plate including an upper rail surface and a lower surface each extending in a fore-aft direction between a track plate forward edge and a track plate back edge, and laterally between a first track plate end forming a first cutout and a second track plate end forming a second cutout;   a first end restraint positioned in the first cutout and including at least one fastener hole formed therein, and an uplift-limiting protrusion extending over the track plate;   a second end restraint positioned in the second cutout and including at least one fastener hole formed therein, and an uplift-limiting protrusion extending over the track plate; and   a jacket including a non-metallic jacket material extending between the track plate and each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein each respective uplift-limiting protrusion includes a curved hook portion extending laterally inward from the respective one of the first cutout or the second cutout. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 2  wherein the non-metallic jacket material extends laterally between the track plate and each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint, and vertically between the track plate and each respective hook portion. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein:
 each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint includes an upper clamping surface, and a substrate contact surface; and 
 the non-metallic jacket material encases each respective upper clamping surface, and the lower surface of the track plate, and each of the respective substrate contact surfaces and the upper rail surface is exposed. 
 
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein the jacket includes a forward lip and a back lip each extending downwardly, and laterally between the first end restraint and the second end restraint, and a plurality of standoff pads formed between the forward lip and the back lip. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein each respective at least one fastener hole includes a laterally elongated fastener hole, and each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint includes teeth formed adjacent to the respective laterally elongated fastener hole. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 6  wherein each respective at least one fastener hole includes a total of one fastener hole. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 6  wherein each respective at least one fastener hole includes two laterally outward holes spaced fore and aft, respectively, of the laterally elongated fastener hole. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 1  wherein each of the first cutout and the second cutout is U-shaped. 
     
     
         10 . A direct fixation fastener comprising:
 a track plate including an upper rail surface extending laterally between a first track plate terminal end and a second track plate terminal end;   a first end restraint including at least one fastener hole formed therein;   a second end restraint including at least one fastener hole formed therein;   a jacket including a non-metallic jacket material attaching the track plate to each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint; and   the first end restraint and the second end restraint are positioned adjacent to the first track plate terminal end and the second track plate terminal end, respectively, and each includes an uplift-limiting protrusion extending laterally inward over the track plate.   
     
     
         11 . The fastener of  claim 10  wherein the first end restraint and the second end restraint are each positioned at least partially laterally inward of the respective first track plate terminal end and the second track plate terminal end. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 11  wherein the track plate is laterally symmetrical and fore-aft symmetrical, and forms a first cutout receiving the first end restraint, and a second cutout receiving the second end restraint. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 12  wherein each of the first cutout and the second cutout is U-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 10  wherein each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint includes an upper clamping surface, and an exposed substrate contact surface forming a T-shape. 
     
     
         15 . The fastener of  claim 14  wherein the at least one fastener hole includes a laterally elongated hole extending through a stem of the T-shape. 
     
     
         16 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein the at least one fastener hole includes two laterally outward holes spaced fore and aft, respectively, of the laterally elongated fastener hole and formed in a head of the T-shape. 
     
     
         17 . A track fixation system comprising:
 a direct fixation fastener including a track plate, a first end restraint, a second end restraint, and a jacket attaching the track plate to the first end restraint and the second end restraint; and   the first end restraint and the second end restraint each including a base having at least one fastener hole formed therein, and an uplift-limiting protrusion extending vertically from the respective base and laterally over the track plate.   
     
     
         18 . The track fixation system of  claim 17  wherein each of the first end restraint and the second end restraint includes a laterally elongated fastener hole therein, and further comprising a first lateral adjustment plate and a second lateral adjustment plate coupled to the first end restraint and the second end restraint, respectively, and each including therein a fastener bore positionable in communication with the respective laterally elongated fastener hole. 
     
     
         19 . The track fixation system of  claim 18  wherein the jacket includes a forward lip and a back lip each extending downwardly and laterally between the first end restraint and the second end restraint, and a plurality of cloverleaf standoff pads formed between the forward lip and the back lip. 
     
     
         20 . The track fixation system of  claim 17  wherein the track plate includes a first terminal track plate end, a first cutout receiving the first end restraint extending laterally inward from the first terminal track plate end, a second terminal track plate end, and a second cutout receiving the second end restraint extending laterally inward from the second terminal track plate end.