A bolt and nut fastener used to join adjacent guide rail sections via a fishplate, ensuring alignment and continuity at guide rail splice joints.
Full Definition
Rail fishbolts are the fasteners used in conjunction with fishplates to connect successive guide rail sections end-to-end in the elevator hoistway. Each joint uses two fishplates (one on each side of the rail web) and typically four fishbolts per joint, tightened to a specified torque. Fishbolt torque is critical: under-torqueing allows the joint to rock under car passage, creating vibration and noise; over-torqueing can crack the rail head. High-tensile fishbolts and hardened washers are specified to maintain clamping force despite vibration-induced loosening over time. Fishbolt condition — torque, corrosion, and thread condition — is checked at every major maintenance visit. In high-rise buildings, guide rail expansion joints require specially designed fishplates that allow longitudinal movement while maintaining lateral alignment.
