US2089025A - Highway crossing - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 3, 1937. w. c. HEDGcocK HIGHWAY CROSSIN G Filed March 13', 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 COGU l Q l @je Aug. 3, 1937. w. c. HEDGcocKv HIGHWAY CROSSING l Filed March l5, 1935 4 Sheets-Sh'eet 2 v L L i f1 P Kw l.

Aug. 3, 1937. w. c. HEDGcocK 2,089,025

A HIGHWAY CROSSING Filed March 13, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 O O G nG G Aug- 3, 1937 w. c. HEDGcocK 2,089,025

HIGHWAY CROSSING Filed March 15, 1955 4 'sheets-sheet 4 Il )11H11 IIII ,.g

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ll'mll Patented Aug. 3, 1937 UNHTED STATES HIGHWAY CROSSING Wiliam C. Hedgcock, Wilmette, lll., assigner to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey Application March 13, 1933, Serial No. 660,491

21 Claims.

The present invention relates to railway crossings and the like.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a novel railway crossing including a plurality of crossing members adapted to provide a smooth crossing, and one which is particularly adapted to withstand the present-day heavy truck loads.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel railway crossing comprising a plurality of interchangeable crossing members, thus facilitating the easy assembly of said crossing and removal thereof when track repairs are necessary, as likewise to provide for the easy replacement of individual members when necessary.

The present invention comprehends the idea of providing a novel railway crossing comprising a plurality of crossing members adapted to be secured in place in wedging engagement with the track rails. More particularly, the present invention contemplates the idea of providing a plurality of crossing members having means for engaging beneath the head of the track rails, these crossing members being adapted to be moved into and secured in an operative position in wedging relation with the track rail.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel railway crossing in which the members forming the same are adapted for use with rails of various heights, suitable supporting means being used therewith whereby the crossing members are disposed in their operative position in wedging relation with these rails.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a railway crossing comprising a series of crossing members disposed adjacent the inner edge of the track rails and which are provided with novel means for retaining insulating means disposed therebetween.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved railway crossing which is inexpensive to make and maintain, one which will not interfere with track circuits and one which fulfills all requirements of manufacture and service.

Another object within the purview of the present invention is to provide a novel crossing between tracks which may comprise a plurality of members incorporating the structure of the crossing members used between the rails of each of the tracks, these crossing members being suitably secured in position and at the correct elevation to provide a smooth crossing between these tracks for the passage of heavy loads thereover.

Other objects, features, capabilities and advantages are comprehended by the invention, as will later appear and as are inherently possessed thereby.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 isa fragmentary top plan view of a railway crossing made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in cross-section taken in a plane represented by line 2-2 of Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary View in elevation taken in the plane represented by line 3 3 of Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure l is an enlarged fragmentary view in cross-section taken in the plane represented by line 4-4 of Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 5 kis an enlarged fragmentary view in cross-section taken in the plane represented by line 5-5 of Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary View in cross-section taken in the plane represented by line 6 6 of Figure 1 of the drawings;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of a railway crossing made in accordance with the present invention and disclosing an alternative construction for the crossing members thereof;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view in cross-section taken in the plane represented by line 8-8 of Figure 7 of the drawings;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary view in cross-section taken in the plane represented by line 9-9 of Figure 7 of the drawings;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in cross-section taken in the plane represented by line lll-l0 of Figure '7 of the drawings;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view in cross-section disclosing the present invention embodied in a crossing between railway tracks;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary View in cross-section similar `to that of Figure 11 of the drawings, disclosing an alternative construction for the crossing between tracks;

Figure 13 is a fragmentary View in cross-section similar to Figures 11 and 12, disclosing a further alternative construction for the crossing between tracks;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary view in cross-section of a crossing member as disclosed in Figures 11 to `13 inclusive, disclosing its engagement with the rails of the tracks; and

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view in cross section disclosing the connection of adjacent crossing members disclosed in Figures 11 to 13 inclusive of the drawings.

Referring now more in detail to the drawings,

an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in connection with a multiple track crossing, including the railway tracks generally referred to as 2 and 4, although it is of course un- 5 derstood that the same is designed for use in a single track crossing. These railway tracks 2 and 4 are of similar construction and of conventional design, and comprise spaced rails such as E and 8, supported upon the spaced ties, such as l0, l2 and |4, and secured thereto, as by means of spikes I6. These rails may be any of the standard weights, and are formed with a head IB,

a vertically disposed web 20, and laterally ex-x tending anges 22 and 24. v

The railway crossing made in accordance with the present invention, and generally referred to as 26, comprises a series of crossing members 28 disposed adjacent the inner `edgei'of each 'of the rails 6 and 8, and a series of crossinglmembers 36 disposed adjacent the outer edge of each of the'rails 8 and 8. Thecrossing members 28 of the' series adjacentthe inner edge of each of' the rails S and 8 are of similar construction `and are interchangeable one with the other, thereby providing an arrangement'whereby the individual members may .be removedv andreplaced, when necessary, with great ease. These crossing members 28 are formedwith a top plate 32 provided with upstanding anti-skid means, such as buttons 34, or the like, the top plate 32 being provided with marginal depending flanges orlegs 36 for reinforcing the same. If desired, the plate 32 may be further reinforced by `means* of a depending l'ange or web'extending between opposite depending flanges 36.k l

These crossingmembers 28 have their edge, at the inner or gaugeedge ofthe rails, formed with a channel 40 1 to provide clearance `for wheel flanges of passing trains. This channel 40 at spaced intervals is further provided with lugs or extensions42 adapted to engage under the rail head i8 for a purpose to be later more fully disclosed.

The crossing membersv 28 of the two series disposed adjacent the rails 6 and 8 are supported along one edge thereof as by means of the central Stringer 44 and stringers 46 and 48 disposed adjacent the rails S and 8, respectively, these stringere 44, 46 and 48 being secured to the ties, such as l0, I2 and M, as by meansof the spikes 58 and the like. Each of the crossing members 28 adjacent the channel 40, aswell as adjacent the depending leg 36 loppositely disposed thereto, is formed with a plurality of spaced pockets 52, each of which is formed with a lower wall 54 providing a supporting surface for supporting these plates on the stringers. These crossing members 28, under ordinary conditions, are maintained in their operative position by the'screw spikes 56 60 disposed in the pockets 52 andwhich threadedly engage in the Stringer 44. Howevenin case of` an interfering rail joint, the lugs or extensions 42 may be removed and the'crossing members at that point fastened "to" the stringers adjacent either the rail 6 or 8 by means of screw spikes 56 disposed in the pockets 52 at that point. It isYof' courseunderstood that if desired, screw spikes, such as 56, may be inserted in the pockets 52 adjacent the channel 40, although this arrangement is not necessary because of the wedging relation between the crossing member and the rail at that Pointv" Each of the crossing members-28I is further formed with an extending flange 62 to retain and 75 to prevent displacement of 'an insulation strip 64 disposed between the legs 36 of the members of the two series adjacent the rails 6 and 8.

The crossing members 30 are of a construction quite similar to the crossing members 28 and comprise an upper top plate 66 having anti-skid means, such as the buttons B8, the top plate 86 being formed with downwardly depending legs or flanges 'i8 corresponding to the legs or flanges 36 of the plates 28 and having a series of pockets 52 therein for supporting these plates upon the stringers, such as 'l2 and '14. These crossing members 30 are likewise formed with lugs or extensions 'l adapted to engage beneath the head I8 of the rails 6 and 8, whereby the same may be secured in wedged relation therewith as by means of screw spikes 55 received in the pockets 52. If desired, or because of interfering rail joints, screw spikes 56 may be introduced into the pockets 52 adjacent the lugs I6 for securing the crossing members to the stringers 'I4 at that point as explained for the crossing member 28.

In the embodiment disclosed in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the tracks 2 and 4 have a crossing of similar construction, and the intervening space therebetween may be lled as by means of a concrete slab 18, the corners of which may be reinforced as by means of the angle irons 80, this concrete slab and the angle irons being at;

substantially the same level as the top plate 66 of the crossing members 80 of the adjacent tracks. The 'approach 8| to the crossing may comprise a concrete slab 83 reinforced at the cornerby an angle iron 85 at substantially the level of1the crossing members 30.

If desired, the crossing 26 may include` end:

plates 82 formed with an inclined top plate portion 84 having a downwardly depending leg or flange 86 adjacent which is provided one or more pockets 88 adapted to provide'a support for thesev plates upon adjacent stringere, these end plates beingsecured to these stringers as by means of screw' spikes 56 passing downwardly through openings 90 formed in the lower supporting wall of these pockets 88, the head 60 of these screw spikes being disposed within the cavity formed-by Y these pockets.

In Figure '7 of the drawings, a crossing, generally referred to as 92, may be formed in accordance with the hereinbefore described crossing 26, 'and comprises series of members 94 and 96 secured upon stringers, such as 98, between rails, as for example the rail |00, which is se-k cured upon the cross ties |02. A series of crossing members |04 may likewise be provided, these members being disposed adjacent the outer edge of the rails, |00 and being secured to stringers,v

such as |06, which in turn are supported upon the cross ties |02. The approach plates |08 correspond to the approach plates 82 of the here' inbefore described embodiment, and may likewise be. provided in association with the cross members 94, 96 and |04, as disclosed.

'Ihe crossing members 94, 96 and |04 correspond essentially with the crossing members 26, 28 and 30, of, the embodiment shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and vary therefrom only as to the vstructure provided for securing them to the stringers. As disclosed in Figure 10 of the drawings, the edge of the crossing members 94 adjacent the inner or gauge edge of the rail |00 is formed with a channel-shaped portion ||0 having spacedi lugs ||2 projecting therefrom which are adapted to engage beneath the head of the rail |00.

The crossing members 94 and 96 are of similar construction and are formed with a plurality of pockets |4 adjacent each of the corners thereof, these pockets I4 having a bottom wall ||6 spaced in relation to the top plate I8 and being 5y apertured as at |20 to receive the shank of a screw spike |22. Adjacent each of the pockets ||4, these crossing members are formed with spaced walls |24 depending downwardly from the top plate |8 and terminating in the support l0 plate |26 extending therebetween and being formed integral with the vertical wall |28 of the channel portion |0 or with a corresponding wall depending from the plate ||8 at other portions of the crossing member. The supporting plate |26 is formed with an aperture |30 in alignment with the aperture through which the shank of the screw spike |22 passes, this screw spike shank passing downwardly and into the stringer disposed therebelow for securing the crossing members thereto at that point. Each of the crossing members 94 and 96 is likewise formed with an outwardly disposed flange |32 corresponding to the flange 62 of the crossing members 26 and 28, which overlies the insulation strip |34 disposed between these crossing members and which is supported upon the stringers 98.

The crossing members |04 are of somewhat similar construction to the crossing members with the exception that the same are formed with pockets |36, corresponding to the pockets ||4, and support plates |38 directly therebeneath which are integral with flanges |40 depending from the edge of the top plate |42. These support plates |38 are reinforced by integral spaced walls |44 extending to the top plate |42, this construction being all in accordance with the construction of. the plates 94 and 96.

The present invention further comprehends a novel crossing between tracks in a multiple track crossing. As disclosed in Figure 11 of the drawings, an embodiment selected to illustrate the present invention is shown as comprising a cross- 45 ing |46 disposed between rails |48 and |50 of adjacent tracks, these rails |48 and |50 being supported on and secured to the cross ties |52 and |54, respectively. The crossing |46 comprises a series of crossing members |56 and |58 corresponding essentially to the crossing members |04 of the embodiment shown in Figure '1 of the drawings, and are formed with spaced lugs |60 and |62 adapted to extend beneath and engage the head of rails |40 and |50, respectively. These crossing members |56 and |58 are supported at their inner edge upon the stringers |64 and |66 which are disposed adjacent the rails |48 and |50 and are secured to the cross ties |52 and |54, respectively. Their outer edge is supported upon stringers |68 and |10 of somewhat wider construction than the corresponding stringers |64 and |56, and which are in turn secured to the cross ties |52 and |54, respectively.

The crossing |46 further includes a series of crossing members |12 which are supported on the stringers |68 and |10 and span therebetween. These crossing members |12 are formed as disclosed in Figure l5 of the drawings, and are provided along their longitudinal edges with secur- 70 ing means, generally referred to as |14. This corresponds with similar structure as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10 o-f the drawings. It is of course understood, however, that such securing means |14 may correspond with the securing means disclosed in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 6 inclusive. 'I'he crossing members |12 are likewise provided with outwardly extending flanges |16 and |18 adapted to overhang insulation strips and |82 which are supported upon the stringers |68 and |10, respectively, these strips |80 and |82 likewise being engaged by overhanging anges |84 and |86 pro-- vided at the outer edge of the crossing members |56 and |58, respectively.

The crossing |46 between the rails of. adjacent tracks may be of any desired height, depending upon the stringers selected for supporting the same upon the cross ties |52 and |54, whereby the same may be adjusted to any height corresponding to the height of the rails |48 and |50, the top of this crossing being substantially at the level of the rails |48 and |50 and being formed, if desired, with the anti-skid means, including buttons |88. l

In Figure 12 of the drawings is disclosed an alternative construction for a crossing between the rails |48 and |50 of adjacent tracks, this In this embodiment, the inner edge of the crossing members and |92 is supported upon stringers |96 and |98 which in turn aresupported upon and secured to cross ties |52 and |54, respectively. The outer edge of these members |90 and |92, however, is supported upon and secured to spaced tie members 200, which may be supported upon and secured to the cross ties |52 and |54. The crossing members |94 are suitably disposed between the members |90 and |92 and aresecured to and supported upon the tie members 200. As in the previously disclosed embodiment, the insulation strips 202 and 204 are disposed between crossing members |90 and |94, and crossing members |94 and |92, respectively, the same being held in place as by means of suitable anges formed on these members, all

in accordance with the previously discussed crossing members |56, |58 and |12.

In Figure 13 of the drawings is disclosed a still further crossing, generally referred to as 206, diS- posed between rails |48 and |50 of adjacent tracks, these rails being supported upon the cross ties |52 and |54. In this embodiment, the crossing comprises a series of end crossing members 208 and 2|0, and series of crossing members 2|2 and 2 4 disposed therebetween. The crossing 206 includes stringers 2|6, 2|8, 220, 222 and 224 disposed between the rails |48 for supporting the plates 208, 2li?, 2|2 and 2|4. The stringers 2|6 and 224 are secured to the cross ties |52 and |54, respectively, adjacent the rails |48 and |50, while the stringers 2|8 and 222 are supported in part by the cross ties |52 and |54, respectively, and in part by spaced tie members 226 disposed between cross ties |52 and |54. The Stringer 220 is supported upon and secured centrally of thel tie members 226. The crossing members 208 and 2|!) are substantially of similar construction to the crossing members |56 and |58, respectively, of the embodiment shown in Figure 11 of the drawings, and have anges overlying insulation strips 228 and 290, respectively. The crossing members 2 |2 and 2|4 correspond essentially with the crossing members |12 and |94 and are formed respectively, with danses overhanging insulation strips 228 and 230'as likewise an insulation stripf 232 disposed therebetween and supported on the string'err 220.

In the' embodiment disclosed in Figures 11, 12,

5'- and 13 of the drawings, it is of course understood that the crossing members may be formed in accordance with either of the embodiments heretofore disclosed, and may be of any desired length and width to suit the occasion, as for example, when the rails |48 and |50 are at Varying distances apart or the varying lengths of the cross ties necessitate variations in width or length of the individual cross members.

From the above disclosure, it will be quite apparent that the crossing members are particularly designed for withstanding heavy truck loads and may bev either of the cast plate type or formed from rolled plates and shapes welded together. It will likewise be recognized that any one of these crossing members may be easily and readily applied and removed, and the entire crossing construction is well adapted to be used in association with rails of various heights, it being necessary only to vary the depth of the stringer members used for any particular rail height. The stringers are of such a height that when the crossing members are inserted at a vertical angle sothat the legs or extensions thereof engage under the head of the rails, further angular movement of the crossing members into their substantially horizontal operative position effects a wedging of the same with these rails, so that when the crossing members are held in this operative posij `tion by means of the screw spikes, the same are 2not readily displaced or dislodged by the heavy loads passing thereover.

While I have herein described and upon the drawings shown illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the inven- -40 tion is not limited thereto, but may comprehend other constructions, arrangements of parts, details and features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails, crossing members disposed adjacent said rails, and means adjacent said rails and extending in substantially parallel relation thereto for providing the sole support for 50 said crossing members, said crossing members having longitudinally spaced lugs engaging under the head of said rails in wedging relation when in position on said supporting means, and means for securing said crossing members to said supv55 porting means in said wedging relation.

2. Ina railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent said rails, means independent of said rails supported on cross ties and 60 extending in substantially parallel relation to said rails'for supporting the longitudinal edge portions of said members adjacent said rails, said members being supported on said supporting means and having means extending laterally '65 thereof and engaging under the head of said rails in wedging relation, and means common to each of said series and extending in substantially parallel relation to said rails for maintaining and supporting opposite longitudinal edge portions of 70 said crossing members in said wedging relation.

3. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails mounted on spaced ties, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent each of said rails, means disposed on said ties for J75 supporting said members between said rails, Sad

meansv comprising stringers supported on said ties andl disposed adjacent said rails and a stringer common to both series of members disposed on saidk ties between said rst-named stringers, said crossing members having means engaging with said rails whereby the same are in wedged relation therewith when disposed in operable position on said supporting means at substantially the level of said rails, and means for securing said members to said stringers in said wedged relation with said rails.

4. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails mounted on spaced ties, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent each of said rails, means disposed on said ties for supporting said members between said rails, said means comprising stringers supported on said ties and disposed adjacent said rails and a stringer common to both series of members disposed on said ties between said rst-named stringers, said members being provided with a channel adjacent the inner or gauge edge of said rails to provide clearance for the wheel iianges of passing trains, said members having means adjacent said channel engaging with said rails whereby the same are in wedged relation therewith when disposed in operable position on said supporting means at substantially the level of said rails, and means for securing said members in said wedged relation with said rails.

5. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails mounted on spaced ties, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent each of said rails, means disposed on said ties for supporting said members on said ties and between said rails, said means comprising stringers supported on said ties and disposed adjacent said rails and a stringer common to both series of members disposed on said ties between said first-named stringers, said crossing members having means engaging with said rails whereby the same are in wedged relation therewith when disposed in operable position on said supporting means at substantially the level of said rails, means for securing said members in said wedged relation with said rails, and insulating means between said series.

6. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails mounted on spaced ties, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent each of said rails, means for supporting said members on said ties and between said rails, said crossing members having means engaging with said rails whereby the same are in wedged relation therewith when disposed in operable position on said supporting means at substantially the level of said rails, means for securing said members in said wedging relation with said rails, the members of each series having laterally extending anges and depending marginal flanges engaging said supporting means, and insulating means between said series, said insulating means being engaged by said flanges and said supporting means to prevent dislodgment of the same.

7. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails mounted on spaced ties, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent each of said rails, means supported on said ties between said rails and providing the sole support for said crossing members, said members being provided with a channel adjacent the inner or gauge edge of said rails to provide clearance for the wheel flanges of passing trains, said members having longitudinally spaced lugs adjacent said channel and extending laterally thereof engaging with said rails whereby the same are in wedged relation therewith when disposed in operable position on said supporting means at substantially the level of said rails, means for securing said members to said supporting means in said wedged relation, and insulating means between said series.

8. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails mounted on spaced ties, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent each of said rails, means for supporting said members on said ties and between said rails, said members being provided with a channel adjacent the inner or gauge edge of said rails to provide clearance for the Wheel flanges of passing trains, said members having means adjacent said channel engaging with said rails whereby the same are in wedged relation therewith when disposed in operable position on said supporting means at substantially the level of said rails, means for securing said members in said wedged relation with said rails, the members of each series having laterally extending flanges and depending marginal flanges engaging said supporting means, and insulating means between said series, said means being engaged by said anges and said supporting means to prevent dislodgement of the same.

9. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails mounted on spaced ties, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent each of said rails, means supported on said ties between said rails and providing the sole support for said crossing members, said crossing members having means engaging with said rails whereby the same are in wedged relation therewith when disposed in operable position on said supporting means at substantially the level of said rails, means for securing said members to said supporting means in said wedged relation, a series of crossing members disposed at the outer edges of said rails and having means engaging with said rails whereby the same are in wedged relation therewith when in operable position, means supported on said ties providing the sole support for said last-named crossing members, and means for securing said last-named crossing members to said last-named supporting means in said wedged relation.

10. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails mounted on spaced ties, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent each of said rails, means: supported on said ties providing the sole sup-port for said members between said rails, said means comprising spaced stringers disposed in substantially parallel relation to said rails, said members being provided with a channel adjacent the inner or gauge edge of said rails to provide clearance for the wheel flanges of passing trains, said members having spaced lugs adjacent said channel extending laterally thereof and engaging with said rails whereby the same are in wedged relation therewith when disposed in operable position on said supporting means at substantially the level of said rails, means for securing said members in said wedged relation with said rails, a series of crossing members disposed at the outer edges of said rails and having spaced lugs extending laterally thereof and engaging with said rails whereby the same are in wedged relation therewith when in operable position, means supported on said ties providing the sole support for said last-named members, said supporting means comprising spaced stringers disposed in substantially parallel relation to said rails, and means for securing said crossing members to said stringersi 11. In a railway crossing, the combination of spaced rails, crossing members disposed on both sides of said rails, said members having means directly engaging with and under the head of said rails whereby the` same are in wedged relation with said rails when in an operable position substantially at the level of said railsand means for supporting `and holding said members in said operable position, said means comprising spaced stringere disposed on said ties and in-substantially parallel relation to said rails. v

l2. Acrossing member comprising a top plate portion having spaced apertured depressed pockets, and spaced supporting legs disposed adjacent said pockets having an integral inwardly apertured flange extending therebetween.

13. A crossing member comprising a top plate portion having spaced apertured depressed pockets,v supporting legs disposed adjacent said pockets having an inwardly apertured flange, and reinforcing means integral with and extending between said top plate and flanges.

14. A crossing member comprising a top plate portion having spaced apertured depressed pockets, supporting legs disposed adjacent said pockets having an inwardly apertured flange, and spaced walls integral with and extending between said top plate and flanges.

l5. In a railway crossing, the combination of a plurality of tracks, each of said tracks comprising spaced ties, spaced rails supported thereon, -Y

spaced stringers disposed on said ties adjacent a rail of each track, a crossing between tracks including a series of crossing members disposed adjacent a rail of each track and secured to said stringere, and a series of crossing members between said rst-mentioned series spanning between the ties of said tracks and secured to one of said spaced stringers of each track.

16. In a railway crossing, the combination of a plurality of tracks, each of said tracks comprising spaced ties, spaced rails supported thereon, a Stringer secured to said ties adjacent a rail of each of said tracks, spaced tie members supported on and spanning between the ties of said tracks, and a crossing between said tracks secured to said stringers and last-mentioned ties.

1'?. A crossing member comprising a top plate portion having an apertured depressed pocket, and a marginal ange having an inwardly d1sposed support plate portion beneath said pocket provided with an aperture in alignment with the aperture of said pocket.

18. A crossing member comprising a top plate portion having an apertured depressed pocket, and a marginal flange having an inwardly disposed support plate portion beneath said pocket provided with an aperture in alignment with the aperture of said pocket, and means extending between the top plate and support plate for reinforcing the same.

19. A crossing member comprising a top plate portion having an apertured depressed pocket, and a marginal flange having an inwardly disposed support plate portion beneath said pocket provided with an aperture in alignment with the aperture of said pocket, and spaced walls extending 'between said plate portions.

20. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails mounted on spaced ties, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent each of said rails, means disposed on said ties for supporting said members between said rails, said means comprising stringers supported on said ties and disposed adjacent said rails and a stringer common to both series of members disposed on said ties between said rst-named stringers, said stringers providing the sole support for said crossing members, said crossing members having means engaging with said rails whereby the same are disposed in operable position on said sup-porting means. at substantially the level of said rails, and means for securing said members to said stringers in engaging relation with said rails.

21. In a railway crossing or the like, the combination of spaced rails mounted on spaced ties, a series of crossing members disposed adjacent each of said rails, means disposed on said ties for supporting said members on said ties and between said rails, said means comprising stringers supported on said ties and disposed adjacent said rails and a Stringer common to both series of members disposed on said ties between said firstnamed stringers, said stringers providing the sole support for said crossing members, said crossing members having means engaging with said rails whereby the same are disposed in operable 10 position on said supporting means at substantiaIly the level of said rails, means for securing said members in engaging relation with said rails, and insulating means between said series.

WILLIAM C. HEDGCOCK.

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