TITLE
AN IMPROVED HOOK-IN-SHOULDER
FOR FASTENING RAIL TO SLEEPER
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to improved fastening system to be used in
Hook-in- Shoulder with Channel Sleepers and the Regular Shoulder in H-
Beams Sleepers for use in fastening rails with either RIL Anti Vandal Clips or
the regular RDSO MK III Clips.
This invention is an improvement in or modification of the inventions
described and claimed in Patent Application No 607/CAL/02 dated
23.10.2002 (herein after referred to as "earlier application") including
additions thereto. The invention disclosed in the earlier application relates to
a fastening system for holding rail to steel channel sleepers for track on steel
girders with the purpose of providing zero loads / zero restraint on rail.
PRIOR ART
As per Indian Railway practice in vogue the rail of Railway track on bridges
with steel channel sleepers is seated on a steel bearing plate / base plate which
is rigidly fixed to the steel channel sleeper with the help of rivets, the rail in
turn is held on to the steel bearing plate / base plate with the help of steel clips
and T-head bolt and nut arrangement which engages into pre-made
rectangular slot adjacent to the rail seat in the bearing plate. The rail is held at
the rail flange level.

Another way of holding rail to the steel channel sleeper is done by way of
fastening system and using specially designed Liners which are known in the
art.
It is known to have fastening systems in railways for holding rail to steel
channel sleepers rigidly fitted with steel bearing plates with steel clips and T-
head bolt and nut arrangement. This however, does not provide restraint on
rail in real sense. On tightening the steel clip, it presses the rail flange down
and thus the arrangement deploys numerous disadvantages. Further the use
of bolts and nuts frequently loosen due to vibration in track which in turn
requires attention of the maintenance operators besides affecting the safety of
the track.
It has further been found, and as stated in the earlier application, the
fastening system uses steel channel sleepers wherein the bearing plate / base
plate has the pre-made rectangular slots adjacent to the rail seat, and is
riveted to the steel channel sleepers. However, such fastening system is not
full proof with zero restraint (Zero Toe Load) on rail for fastening rail to
sleeper.
Although attempts have been made to improve the fastening system with
additional safety measures in designing the rail fastening system nothing is
found to be available in the art. The applicant has therefore; found that it is
necessary to provide improved Liners to be used with Hook-in-Shoulder and
fastening arrangement in Steel Channel Sleepers or in H-Beams for holding
the rail to the sleeper.
Salient features of the Hook-in-Shoulder as described in the earlier
application are as follows:
A portion of it called here as vertical stem. The length of the stem is made
slightly more than the depth of slot in the bearing plate where it is meant to be
used. The stem may be square, rectangular or round or partially round, a
rectangular block integrally connected at one of the end of the stem to

constitute a T-head and a tunnel shaped shoulder head integrally connected at
the other end. The size of T-head being marginally smaller than the size of the
slot in the bearing plate into which shoulder is required to hook into. The base
of the shoulder head at the other end of the stem is bigger in size than that of
the slot, so that it can not pass through the slot. The longitudinal axis of the
tunnel in the shoulder being perpendicular to the rail length at the time of
insertion into the slot.
For being the Special Hook- in- Shoulder on to the bearing plate supporting
the rail, the Hook- in- Shoulder shall be inserted into the rectangular slot from
the top of bearing plate keeping longer side of T-head along the longer side of
the slot so that the shoulder head is located above the bearing plate. T-head
below the bearing plate and the stem into the slot and it is then turned by 900
in the horizontal plane. In 900 turned position the tunnel in the shoulder head
runs parallel to the rail placed on the bearing plate.
The T-head is meant to be fitted into the pre-made slot in the bearing plate
and sleeper turning by 900 after fitting into the slot. Thereby it cannot be
removed without again turning by 900. The Tunnel in the tunnel head is to
receive center leg of elastic fastening top curved portion of which is fitted
against curved inner portion of the tunnel in the tunnel head.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
One of the objects of the present invention is to deploy the improved fastening
systems on both steel channel sleepers and H-Beam Sleepers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved fastening
system that can be used on old steel channel sleepers, or in new steel channel
sleeper required as replacements, with steel bearing plates provided with pre-
made slots located by the side of rail flange.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved rail
fastening system in H-Beam Sleepers where the bolt and nut arrangement is
dispensed with since in new installations Channel Sleepers are no more used.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a design of the fastening
system having a design which utilizes fewer component parts and ensures
Zero Load / Partial Toe Load / Full Toe Load as required on the rail.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved fastening
system for holding rail to Steel Channel and H-Beam sleepers which does not
loosen due to vibration, thus ensuring safety.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastening system which
requires less or practically no maintenance.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fastening system which
has the property of anti pilferage and anti sabotage properties.
A still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved
fastening system for holding rail to steel channel sleepers for track on steel
girders with insulating seat on electrified tracks.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Thus according to the invention there is provided an improved fastening
system for use in fastening rail to a Channel Sleeper using Hook-in-Shoulder
or to a H- Beam sleeper using a regular shoulder.
In the present invention "Hook-in-Shoulder", there is provided a T-head
connected to a Tunnel head by means of a stem. The Tunnel head is curved on
top and flat at the bottom between which it provided a Tunnel with curved
portion on top and flat portion at the bottom. These are all integrally

connected and the composite casting is preferably made of spheroidal graphite
iron material.
Further, according to this invention there is also provided an improved rail
fastening assembly with zero restraint (Zero Toe Load) on rail for fastening
rail to sleeper comprising of:
(a) a metallic canted bearing plate with a rectangular slot for insertion of
'T' shaped Hook-in-Shoulder, the rectangular slot being positioned as
per requirement of the rail;
(b) a pair of metallic Special Liners wherein the tunnel head of Hook-in-
Shoulder or Top Arch of the Regular Shoulder is located into the recess
in the middle of the Special Liner with the Toe resting portion of the
Liner being placed to over ride the adjacent rail foot in the assembled
condition;
(c) a pair of Elastic Fastening Clips each in the assembled condition having
one end (Central leg) driven into the Tunnel portion of Hook-in-
Shoulder or the Regular Shoulder, dependent on the type of the
Sleeper, and disposed above the curved segment of Special Liner;
(d) heel portion of said Elastic Fastening Clip bears down on the heel
resting portion of Special Liner;
(e) toe portion of said Elastic Fastening Clip being adapted to press down
on the Toe resting portion of said Special Liner being designed to
override the rail foot such that there remains a gap between the rail foot
and toe resting portion of Special Liner.
Thus the rail foot remains free from effect of toe load of the Elastic
Fastening Clip such that the rail is free to move due to effect of variation in
temperature thus relieving the structures of generally aged Girder bridge
using Channel Sleepers, including the structures of new bridges deploying

H-Beam Sleepers, from effect of heavy stresses which would have been
caused if the rails were rigidly fixed to the channel sleepers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings:
Fig. l shows elevation of a known insulated Liner for Zero Toe Load.
Fig. 2 shows elevation of a Liner for Zero Toe Load according to the
present invention.
Fig. 2A shows sectional view of Rail Seat Assembly for Zero Toe Load
according to the present invention.
Fig. 3 shows an elevation of an insulated Liner for Partial Toe Load.
Fig. 4 shows sectional view of the Rail Seat Assembly with insulated
Liner exerting Partial Toe load according to the present
invention.
Fig. 5 shows elevation of an insulated Liner for Full Toe Load
according to the present invention.
Fig. 6 shows sectional view of the Rail Seat Assembly with insulated
Liner for exerting full Toe load according to the present
invention through the LIP of the Special Liner.
Fig. 7 shows elevation of Anti Vandal Special Liner for Partial Toe Load.

Fig. 7A shows sectional view of the Rail Seat Assembly for Exerting
Partial Toe Load with RIL Anti Vandal ERC according to the
present invention.
Fig. 8 shows elevation of Anti Vandal Special Liner for Full Toe Load.
Fig. 8A shows sectional view of the Rail Seat Assembly for Exerting
Partial Toe Load with RIL Anti Vandal ERC according to the
present invention.
Fig. 9 shows elevation of a known Anti Vandal Liner for Full Toe Load.
Fig. 9 A shows elevation of a Liner for exerting "Full Toe Load" with
RDSO MK-III ERC according to the present invention.
Fig. 10 shows sectional view of Rail Seat Assembly for exerting Full Toe
Load with Filler Metal, and Partial Toe Load without Filler
Metal.
Fig. 10 A shows sectional view of Rail Seat Assembly for exerting Full Toe
load using the existing RDSO MK-III ERC according to the
present invention.
Fig. 11 shows elevation of an Insulated Anti Vandal Liner for exerting
Zero Toe load using RIL Anti Vandal ERC according to the
present invention.
Fig. 12 shows sectional view of an Insulated Anti Vandal Rail Seat
Assembly for Zero Toe load using RIL Anti Vandal ERC
according to the present invention.
Fig. 13 shows elevation of an Anti Vandal Liner for exerting Partial Toe
Load using RIL Anti Vandal ERC according to the present
invention.

Fig. 14 shows sectional view of an Insulated Anti Vandal Rail Seat
Assembly for exerting Partial Toe Load using RIL Anti Vandal
ERC according to the present invention.
Fig. 15 shows elevation of an Insulated Anti Vandal Liner for exerting
Full Toe Load using RIL Anti Vandal ERC according to the
present invention.
Fig. 16 shows sectional view of an Insulated Anti Vandal Rail Seat
Assembly for exerting Full Toe Load using RIL Anti Vandal ERC
according to the present invention.
Fig. 17 shows elevation of a Metal Base Plate installed with an
Insulating Sheet used on Steel H-Beam & Channel Sleepers
according to the present invention.
Fig. 18 shows elevation of an embedded steel Rail Pad to be used with
Zero / Partial / Full Toe Load Liner according to the present
invention.
Fig. 19 & 19A show elevation and plan views of known RIL Anti Vandal ERC.
Fig. 20 & 20A show elevation and plan views of a known RDSO MK-III ERC.
Fig. 21 shows a sectional view of a known Hook-in-Shoulder for
Channel Sleeper assembled on Metal Base Plate with Liners
according to the present invention.
Fig. 22 shows a sectional view of a known Regular Shoulder for Steel H-
Beam Sleeper assembled on a Metal Base Plate Liner according
to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the accompanying drawings, Fig l shows elevation of known
insulated Liner for Zero Toe Load. Fig 2 illustrates an improved Special Liner
with Insulation (2) for imparting Zero Toe load. When Heel (11) of Fig 20 & 20
A of the Elastic Rail Clip Mark III presses on LIP (2) of Fig 2 there is an air
gap such that there is no direct load on the rail foot, therefore enabling stress
free movement of the rail on the structure. The up and down movement
caused by passing wheels of the rolling stock on the rail head and transferred
through rail foot (4) of Fig.2A and LIP of Fig.2 of the Special Liner is
compensated by the spring action provided by the Heel (11) of Fig.20 & 20A of
the Elastic Rail Clip Mark III resting on the LIP of Special Liner of Fig. 2.
At certain locations of track on Bridge Girders it becomes necessary not to
make it entirely Zero Toe Load but restrict free movement of Rail by applying
Partial Toe Load to the extent required by the user of the Railway systems. For
this an Improved Special Liner (Fig.3) by modification of the Liner as in Fig.
2, where the bottom part of the Liner is altered with a Fulcrum (10) alongwith
the LIP, among other locations as shown. This enables to impart the required
Partial Toe Load on top of the rail foot (4) of Fig.4 during transit of wheels of
the rolling stock wheels (Fig. 4).
On certain other locations of the track on Bridge Girders, rails are rigidly fixed
to the sleeper. User Railway systems use what is known as "Box Anchoring"
i.e. fixing anchors on the rail foot on both sides of sleepers on certain panels of
Rails so as to prevent movement of the rail. To give this result, Fig.5 shows an
improved Special Liner for imparting Full Toe Load where the Special Liner
shown in Fig.2 is suitably modified for exerting Full Toe Load on rail foot (4)
of Fig.6 by the Heel (12) of the Elastic Rail Clip Mark III of Fig.20 & 20A
through the LIP of Fig.5 of the Special Liner.

Figs. 4 and 6, show sectional view of assembly for exerting Partial Toe Load
and Full Toe Load respectively.
Fig 7 Illustrates an Improved Special Liner, suitably machined, for imparting
Partial Toe Load. When Toe (14) of Fig. 19 & 19A of the modified RIL Anti
Vandal Elastic Rail Clip presses on the LIP of the Liner such that the Toe (14)
of the RIL Anti Vandal Clip locks into the notch of the Liner (1C). The Fulcrum
(10) compensates for the up and down movement caused by passing wheels on
the rolling stock of the rail head which is transferred through the LIP of the
Special Liner Fig. 7 and Rail Foot (4) of Fig. 7A. The spring action is provided
by the Toe (14) of Fig.19 & 19A of the modified RIL Anti Vandal Elastic Rail
Clip resting on the LIP of the Special Liner Fig 7. The Notch (15) in Fig.7A of
the Special Liner Fig.7 engages with the Toe (14) of the Anti Vandal Elastic
Rail Clip of Figs. 19 & 19A such that it is not possible to remove the RIL Anti
Vandal Elastic Rail Clip of Figs. 19 & 19A by mere use of a hammer. The Notch
(1C) of Fig. 7 which engages with the Toe (14) of the RIL Anti Vandal Elastic
Rail Clip prevents the Clip from being disengaged from ridge (lC) of Fig. 7 of
Special Liner. It is possible to remove the RIL Anti Vandal Elastic Rail Clip of
Figs. 19 & 19A by use of a Special tool to lift it out of the Notch (1C) of Fig.7
and then push the modified RIL Anti Vandal Elastic Rail Clip Fig.19 & 19A
from the assembly. Thus, it is not possible to remove the modified RIL Anti
Vandal Elastic Rail Clip of Fig.19 & 19A by unauthorized persons by mere help
of a hammer. Thus the assembly has anti vandal / anti sabotage property.
The bottom part of LIP of Fig.7 of Special Liner imparts the required Partial
Toe Load on top of the rail foot (4) of Fig.7A even during transit of wheels of
the rolling stock.
This is deployed at certain locations of track on Bridge Girders where it
becomes necessary not to make it entirely Zero Toe Load but to restrict free
movement of Rail by providing Partial Toe Load of the required extent as per
the user Railway systems.

Fig.8 Illustrates an Improved Special Liner, suitably machined, for imparting
Full Toe Load. When Toe (14) of Fig. 19 & 19A of the modified RIL Anti Vandal
Elastic Rail Clip presses on the LIP of the Liner such that the Toe (14) of the
RIL Anti Vandal Clip locks into the Notch of the Liner (15) the Fulcrum (10)
compensates for the up and down movement caused by passing wheels of the
rolling stock on the rail head which is transferred through the LIP of the
Special Liner Fig. 8 and rail foot (4) of Fig.8A. The spring action is provided
by the Toe (14) of Fig. 19 & 19A of the modified RIL Anti Vandal Elastic Rail
Clip resting on the LIP of the Special Liner Fig. 8. The Notch (15) in Fig.8A of
the Special Liner Fig.8 engages with the Toe (14) of the Anti Vandal Elastic
Rail Clip of Figs. 19 & 19A such that it is not possible to remove the RIL Anti
Vandal Elastic Rail Clip of Figs. 19 & 19A by mere use of a hammer. The Notch
(15) of Fig. 8A engages with the Toe (14) of the RIL Anti Vandal Elastic Rail
Clip preventing the Clip from being disengaged from Notch (15) of the Special
Liner. It is possible to remove the RIL Anti Vandal Elastic Rail Clip of Figs. 19
& 19A by use of a Special tool to lift it out of the Notch (15) and then push the
modified RIL Anti Vandal Elastic Rail Clip Fig. 19 & 19A from the assembly.
Thus, it is not possible to remove the modified RIL Anti Vandal Elastic Rail
Clip of Fig. 19 & 19A by unauthorized persons by mere help of a hammer. Thus
the assembly has anti vandal / anti sabotage property.
The bottom part of LIP of Fig.8 of Special Liner imparts the required Full Toe
Load on top of the rail foot (4) of Fig. 8A even during transit of wheels of the
rolling stock.
This is deployed at certain locations of track on Bridge Girders where it
becomes necessary to restrict free movement of Rail by providing Full Toe
Load of the required extent as per the user Railway system.
Fig 9 shows a liner of known art and Fig 10 shows an assembly using a liner of
this known art with a Non Anti Vandal Clip to apply Full Toe Load by the use
of a Metal Insert (20) enabling Full Toe Load on the Rail Foot (4). Fig. 10
shows the assembly using a Liner as in Fig.9.

Fig.10 shows Sectional side view of a Liner of known art as per Fig.9 which
produces Full Toe Load with a Metal Insert (20) as per the known art.
Fig.9A shows an Improved Special Liner for Full Toe Load when the Heel (11)
of the Clip as per the known art shown in Figs.20 & 20A rests on the LIP of the
Improved Liner for Full Toe Load shown in Fig. 9A. The Fulcrum (10)
compensates for the up and down movement caused by passing wheels of the
rolling stock on the rail head which is transferred through the LIP of the
Special Liner Fig 8 and rail foot (4) Fig.10A. The spring action is provided by
the Heel (11) of Fig.20 & 20A of RDSO MK III Elastic Rail Clip resting on the
LIP of Fig.9A of the Special Liner.
Fig.10A shows sectional views of Rail Seat Assembly with RDSO MK III
Elastic Rail Clip for Full Toe load.
As mentioned herein above Figs. 11, 13 and 15 show Elevation of a Special
Liner with Insulation (2) and a Notch (15) for exerting Zero Toe / Partial / Full
Toe load with Anti Vandal features respectively using RIL Anti Vandal Rail
Clips as in Figs. 19 and 19 A.
Fig.12, 14 and 16 show side view of such assemblies using the Special Liners 11
& 13 having Anti Vandal features for Zero / Partial / Full Toe load, Partial Toe
load using RIL Anti Vandal Rail Clips as in Figs. 19 and 19 A.
Fig.17 shows Elevation of a Base plate (8) with an Insulation Sheath (7) which
is a Base Plate Assembly used with all Insulated assemblies described above.
Fig.18 shows Elevation of an Embedded Steel Rubber Pad where a Steel Plate
(6) is embedded in a Rubber Pad (5) of known art, and is used in all
applications to enable abrasion resistance in the cases of Zero / Partial / Full
Toe Load applications.
Figs. 19 & 19 A show elevation and plan of RIL Anti Vandal Clip of known art
with a Toe (14) and Heel (13) are so made that they enable the Anti Vandal

feature of the fastening system with the Toe sitting on the Liner and the Heel
on the insert.
Figs. 20 & 20A show elevation and plan of RDSO Non Anti Vandal Clip of
known art with a Toe (12) and Heel (11) where the Heel sits on the LIP of the
Liner and the Toe on the Insert.
Fig.21 shows side view of a Hook-in-Shoulder Assembly as per known art
which can be used with Zero / Partial / Full Toe Load Fastening Systems with
/ without Insulation system, on existing bridges with Channel Sleepers to
replace the bolted arrangement which results in stressing of the bridge
structures. The inventions described above are usable with such a Shoulder
Assembly.
Fig.22 shows side view of a Regular Shoulder Assembly as per known art
which can be used with Zero / Partial / Full Toe Load Fastening Systems with
/ without Insulation system, on new bridges using H-Beam Sleepers to avoid
stressing of the bridge structures. All the inventions described above are
usable with such a Shoulder Assembly.
ADVANTAGES OF THE IMPROVED ASSEMBLY:
1. The Improved Hook-In-Shoulder has the advantage that it can be
deployed on both Steel Channel Sleepers in service on the Railway track
on steel girders and it can also be used on new steel channel sleepers
with steel bearing plates with pre-made slots located at the side of rail
flange.
2. The bolt and nut arrangement is dispensed with by using the improved
fastener.
3. The improved design utilizes fewer component parts.

4. The improved fastener ensures Zero Load / Partial Toe Load / Full Toe
Load as required on rail.
5. The improved rail fastening assembly does not loosen due to vibration.
6. The improved rail fastening assembly ensures safety.
7. The improved rail fastening assembly is practically maintenance free.
8. The improved rail fastening assemblies have the Anti Pilferage / Anti
Sabotage properties.
9. The improved assemblies can be used with insulating sheath and
Insulated Liner on electrified tracks.
It must be appreciated that the invention described herein above is only by
way of an example without restricting the scope thereof. Any modification and
/ or workshop improvement of the hook-in shoulder according to the present
invention which is within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art are
intended to be covered by this invention.

We claim:
1. An improved rail fastening with zero restraint (Zero Toe Load) on rail
for fastening rail to sleeper comprising :
(a) a metallic canted bearing plate having a rectangular slot for insertion of
T- shaped Hook-in-Shoulder, said rectangular slot being located as a
predetermined position;
(b)a pair of metallic Special Liners, the tunnel head of said Hook-in-
Shoulder being adapted into the recess in the middle of said Special
Liner;
(c) toe resting portion of said Liner being adapted to override the adjacent
rail foot in the assembled condition;
(d) a pair of elastic fastening clips, each in the assembled condition having
one end (Central Leg) driven to tunnel portion of said Hook-in-
Shoulder and disposed above the curved segment of said Special Liner;
(e) the heel portion of said elastic fastening bears down on heel resting
portion of said Special Liner; and
(f) toe portion of said elastic fastening clip being placed to pressed down
on said toe resting portion of said Special Liner which is designed to
override said rail foot such that there remains a gap between said rail
foot and toe resting portion of said Liner.

2. An improved rail fastening with zero restraint as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said tunnel head is curved at its top end and is flat at the
bottom.
3. An improved rail fastening with zero restraint as claimed in claim 1 or
2, wherein composite casting of said rail fastening is made of
spheroidal graphite iron material.
4. An improved rail fastening with zero restraint as claimed in any one of
claims1 to 3, wherein said T-head is made to be fitted into the pre
designed slot in the bearing plate and said sleeper.
5. An improved rail fastening with zero restraint as claimed in any of the
preceding claim wherein the tunnel in said tunnel head is designed to
receive centre leg of said elastic fastening top curved portion
6. An improved rail fastening with zero restraint (Zero Toe Load) on rail
for fastening rail to sleeper substantially as herein described and as
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Date this 30th day of April 2008

An improved rail fastening with zero restraint (Zero Toe Load) on rail for fastening rail to sleeper which comprises :
a. a metallic canted bearing plate having a rectangular slot for insertion of 'T'- shaped Hook-in-Shoulder, said rectangular slot
being located as a predetermined position ;
b. a pair of metallic Special Liners, the tunnel head of said Hook-in-Shoulder being adapted into the recess in the middle of said Special
Liner;
c. toe resting portion of said Liner being adapted to override the adjacent rail foot in the assembled condition;
d. a pair of elastic fastening clips, each in the assembled condition having one end (Central Leg) driven to tunnel portion of said Hook-
in- Shoulder and disposed above the curved segment of said Special Liner;
e. the heel portion of said elastic fastening bears down on heel resting portion of said Special Liner; and
f. toe portion of said elastic fastening clip being placed to pressed down on said toe resting portion of said Special Liner which is
designed to override said rail foot such that there remains a gap between said rail foot and toe resting portion of said Liner.