CA2446646C - Track covering - Google Patents
Track covering Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2446646C CA2446646C CA002446646A CA2446646A CA2446646C CA 2446646 C CA2446646 C CA 2446646C CA 002446646 A CA002446646 A CA 002446646A CA 2446646 A CA2446646 A CA 2446646A CA 2446646 C CA2446646 C CA 2446646C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- supporting
- track
- elements
- covering
- positioning blocks
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
- E01B19/00—Protection of permanent way against development of dust or against the effect of wind, sun, frost, or corrosion; Means to reduce development of noise
- E01B19/003—Means for reducing the development or propagation of noise
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01C—CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR
- E01C9/00—Special pavings; Pavings for special parts of roads or airfields
- E01C9/04—Pavings for railroad level-crossings
Abstract
A track covering including covering elements (5) inserted between the two rails (2, 3) of a track (4) and optionally also covering elements (6) placed to join these rails (2, 3) externally. The covering elements (5, 6) are seated on carrying elements (14) which, extending in the direction (15) of the sleepers, are each positioned above the interspace (16) provided between consecutively arranged sleepers (8) and are each comprised of two supporting and positioning blocks (17) connected via an elongated connection means (18). The supporting and positioning blocks (17) comprise supporting noses (11) intended to engage in the lateral recesses of the rails (2, 3). The covering elements seated on the carrying elements are secured against lateral displacement and lifting by form-engagement on the supporting and positioning blocks (17). The carrying elements (14) with the covering elements (5, 6) seated thereabove are arranged above the sleepers (8) and the sleeper bedding (9) of the track (4) at a vertical distance from these sleepers (8) and the sleeper bedding (9), bridging the space located therebelow in a self-supporting manner.
Description
Track Covering The invention relates to a track covering including covering elements inserted between the two rails of a track and designed to be substantially plane on top, and optionally also covering elements placed to join these rails externally and likewise de-signed to be substantially plane on top, which covering ele-ments, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the track, extend each over several consecutive sleepers of the track and are ar-ranged above said sleepers and the sleeper bedding of the track at a vertical distance from the sleepers and the sleeper bed-ding, whereby the dead weight of the covering elements inserted between the rails and occasionally loads acting thereon are transmitted only on the two rails by means of supporting noses engaging in the lateral recesses of the rails.
Track coverings of the aforementioned kind are frequently provided in order to form, in connection with a track or a track system, a traffic surface on the level of the rails which is fit for traffic and pedestrians. These may, for instance, comprise level crossings or also traffic surfaces which are fit for road vehicles and, at the same time, interspersed with tracks, and which are located in major factory premises or storage facilit-ies. Track coverings comprising accordingly designed covering elements may also be provided to reduce the emission of noise caused by rail vehicles running on rails.
The principle on which track coverings of the initially defined kind are based, i.e., to arrange the covering elements above the sleepers and the sleeper bedding of the track at a vertical distance from the sleepers and the sleeper bedding and to transmit the dead weight of the covering elements as well as loads occasionally acting on these elements via supporting noses only on the rails of the track so as to provide a sleeper-inde-pendent as well as sleeper-bedding independent self-supported bridging of the space located between the two rails of a track, is of substantial importance to the obtainment of good operating properties of a track and the maintenance of these operating properties over extended periods of time. Considerable dynamic loads are, in fact, exerted on the track by the vehicles running in the region of a track covering and, in particular, rail vehicles. Yet, the elastic properties of the track, which are determined to a high degree by the sleepers and their bedding, are to be changed by a track covering possibly not at all or only to a slight extent. By arranging the covering elements at a vertical distance above the sleepers and the sleeper bedding, adverse effects of the track covering on the elastic behaviour of the track are largely eliminated.
With known track coverings of the initially defined kind, the supporting noses engaging in the lateral rail recesses usu-ally referred to as "fishing surfaces" are laterally formed to the covering elements. In order to prevent the covering elements from resting on the rail fastening elements which are provided on the individual sleepers of the track and project higher up-wards than the edge of the rail foot, the covering elements are provided with recesses arranged in correspondence with the sleeper distance, leaving free a space for the rail fastening elements. Thus, covering elements prefabricated in series call for an equally spaced-apart placement of the track sleepers in the region of a track covering. Existing tracks frequently do not comply with this requirement, and in some cases it may hap-pen even with track systems to be newly mounted that this re-quirement is not always met for structural and constructive reasons.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a track covering of the initially defined kind which can be provided in a simple manner even for tracks where the sleepers thereof are not placed at completely identical distances from one another.
The track covering of the initially defined kind and de-signed according to the invention is characterized in that the covering elements are seated on carrying elements which, extend-ing in the direction of the sleepers, are each positioned above the interspace provided between consecutively arranged sleepers and are each comprised of two supporting and positioning blocks connected via a long stretched-out connection means, which sup-porting and positioning blocks, viewed in the longitudinal dir-ection of the track, have dimensions corresponding at most to the clear distance between the rail fastening means provided on consecutively arranged sleepers and which supporting and posi-tioning blocks, on their sides facing the rails, further com-prise supporting noses intended to engage in the lateral re-cesses of the rails, wherein the supporting and positioning blocks are positioned for engagement of the supporting noses in the neighbouring recess of the respectively associated rail by a length adapted to the track dimensions in the direction of the sleepers, of the connection means provided in the respective carrying element, and that the covering elements seated on the carrying elements are secured against lateral displacement on the supporting and positioning blocks of the carrying elements by form-engagement and the covering elements inserted between the rails, by partially covering the supporting and positioning blocks in the direction of the sleepers, extend as far as to the flange grooves of the track and the covering elements optionally provided on the outer sides of the rails extend as far as to the immediate vicinity of the rails. By this configuration, it is possible to perfectly fulfill the aforementioned objective in a structurally simple manner. The carrying elements may be posi-tioned above the interspaces between consecutively arranged sleepers as a function of the respective track sleeper position actually provided, it being unnecessary that the sleepers of the track are laid in an equidistant manner. The positioning of the covering elements is not stringently bound to the position of the sleepers, nor to the position of the rail fastening means provided on the sleepers. If the distance of the sleepers varies by a mean value, viewed over the longitudinal extension of the track, as may be the case if larger tolerances have occurred in the placement of the sleepers, covering elements having identic-al longitudinal dimensions may be used, as a rule. Since the length and the shape of the covering elements is not directly dependent on the distances present between consecutively ar-ranged sleepers of a track, covering plates prefabricated with standardized lengths may also be readily shortened in terms of length if necessary, and hence adapted to the circumstances pre-vailing on the intended installation site. Since the coordina-tion of the shape of the covering elements with the position of the sleepers and the rail fastening elements required by the known track coverings of the initially mentioned type is no longer required with the track covering configured according to the invention, the covering elements of the track covering ac-- ------- -----cording to the invention may be formed in a comparatively simple manner and also may have constant cross sections over their en-tire lengths, i.e., may form portions of a sectional strand, thus allowing for a particularly simple and cost-saving produc-tion. In this manner, covering elements having different lengths may be provided in a very simple manner by appropriate separa-tion cuts, thus meeting various demands resulting from mutually different sleeper distances without problem.
With track coverings, in most cases, not only the space present between the two rails of a track is to be covered by covering elements, but also the surface strips externally join-ing the track rails on either side are to be covered by covering elements. In a manner analogous to the self-supporting type cov-ering design intended for the space provided between the two rails of a track, also the covering of the two zone strips ex-ternally joining the track rails comprises carrying elements which are each positioned in a self-supporting manner above the interspace provided between consecutively arranged sleepers while extending in the direction of the sleepers, and are each comprised of two supporting and positioning blocks connected via an elongated connection means, on which carrying elements cover-ing elements will then be seated. The rail-side supporting and positioning blocks comprise supporting noses and are supported on the rails by means of these supporting noses engaging in the lateral recesses of the rails; the supporting and positioning elements provided on the rail-remote end of the carrying ele-ments are supported on pedestals, said rail-remotely arranged supporting and positioning blocks preferably being secured against displacement in cooperation with said pedestals.
The covering elements usually have the shapes of substan-tially closed plates with some small openings being optionally provided in the same, which may serve, e.g., to attach hoists or the like. It is, however, also feasible to provide covering ele-ments in the form of gratings if liquid or particulate materials are to be able to flow off unhampered.
Due to the fact that the covering elements seated on the carrying elements and arranged between the track rails extend as far as to the flange grooves of the track, or delimit the flange grooves internally, and that covering elements optionally ar-ranged on the rail outer sides extend as far as to the immediate vicinity of the rails, the formation of undesired openings between consecutively arranged supporting and positioning blocks is avoided; such openings might appear negative as vehicles hav-ing narrow wheels are running over the coverings and also as people are walking over the same.
In the assembled state, the covering elements together with the carrying elements form a stable structure in which, viewed in the direction of the sleepers, on the one hand, covering ele-ments are present between the supporting and positioning blocks in a manner secured on the supporting and positioning blocks by form-engagement and, on the other hand, the elongated connection provided between the supporting and positioning blocks is formed therebelow. The supporting and positioning blocks via their sup-porting noses transmit onto the rails the dead weight of this structure comprised of the covering elements and the carrying elements as well as loads acting on this structure, whereby the supporting and positioning blocks care for the positioning of this structure in the track, on the one hand, and for the posi-tioning of the covering elements on the carrying elements, on the other hand.
The materials suitable for the covering elements and also for the supporting and positioning blocks preferably are con-crete or a concrete-like composite material comprised of a par-ticulate aggregate and a binder. If desired, a reinforcement may also be provided within these structural components. As binders, both cement and substances similar to cement in terms of proper-ties as well as synthetic materials of various types may be con-sidered, wherein synthetic materials like, e.g., polyester, may constitute the sole binder or may serve to modify or supplement a bond primarily based on cement or a cement-like material. Also several synthetic materials may be combined to form a binder, and it is likewise feasible to combine several substances from the group of cement and cement-like materials to form said bind-er. If a sound-deadening or sound-absorbing behaviour of the track covering is to be attained, it is advantageously provided that the particles contained in the composite material of which the covering elements are formed are comprised of light building materials, in particular porous light building materials. Fa-vourable materials are, e.g., granulated synthetics, granular slag particles, spherical and burnt, blown alumina particles and similar burnt natural or synthetically produced materials, wherein mixtures of various such particulate materials may be considered as well. Even fibrous particles may constitute the aggregate, either alone or in combination with other particles.
In order to increase the edge strength of the covering elements and/or the carrying capacity of the same, and in order to achieve advantages in the production and handling of the same, these elements, if desired, may also be provided with a frame made of a metal or synthetic material. The supporting and posi-tioning blocks may also be made of synthetic materials either as a whole or in part (supporting noses), thermoplasts or duro-plasts or elastomers being conceivable. The use of elastomers offers advantages in respect to shock absorbance and also in re-spect to facilitating the mounting of the covering. Furthermore, it is beneficial if the covering elements and/or the supporting and positioning blocks are provided with a reinforcement. In the latter case, it is advantageous to allow the reinforcement to extend as far as into the supporting noses.
In the track covering designed according to the invention, a good connection of the covering elements with the carrying ele-ments appears of relevance, which connection is to be readily manipulatable both during the installation of the track covering and during a removal optionally required for track maintenance, to offer a good long-duration stability and to be able to trans-mit elevated loads, if need be. From the form-engagement of the covering elements with the supporting and positioning blocks results a good fixation in the lateral direction. The dead weight of the covering elements and optionally the surface pres-sure attainable by the squeezing of the covering elements in many cases will be sufficient to prevent the covering elements from being lifted. In addition, and in an advantageous manner with a view to mounting and dismounting, it may be provided that the assemblage of the covering elements with the carrying ele-ments comprises holding or securing pins. These holding or se-curing pins may, for instance, be provided with screw threads or designed as socket pins.
In order to obtain a good coherence of the covering elements and the carrying elements also in the vertical direction, it is advantageously provided that the supporting and positioning blocks of the carrying elements on the sites where these are connected with the covering elements comprise undercuts in which accordingly formed zones of the covering elements engage. Thus, the good coherence mentioned may be achieved in a structurally simple manner and by simple manipulations already when connect-ing the covering plates with the carrying elements.
In order to ensure a good transmission on the carrying ele-ments, of loads acting on the covering elements and in order to ensure a statically beneficial load distribution positively in-fluencing the stability in the event of loading, it is advant-ageously provided that the supporting and positioning blocks on their side facing away from the respective rail are stepped in a rabbet-like manner from top, that the covering elements on their edges facing the supporting and positioning blocks are stepped in a rabbet-like manner from the bottom so as to correspond with the supporting and positioning blocks, and that the covering elements rest on the step formed on the supporting and position-ing blocks. The inward shift of the load transmission: covering elements - carrying elements caused by this step structure, raises the load carrying capacity of the covering elements or, in the event of a predetermined carrying capacity, offers ad-vantages in terms of dimensioning.
It is, furthermore, beneficial if it is provided that a ledge made of a flexible material, in particular an elastomer material, is inserted between the covering elements and the sup-porting and positioning blocks on the sites where the covering elements are connected with the respective blocks. Such an em-bodiment of the track covering designed according to the inven-tion facilitates handling during the assemblage procedure of the covering elements with the carrying elements and also reduces the noise emitted during the passage of a track, since the transmission of vibrations from the rails to the covering ele-ments is markedly reduced by the flexible material ledge.
In respect to the configuration of the carrying elements, an advantageous embodiment of the track covering according to the invention contemplates that the supporting and positioning block connecting means provided on the individual carrying elements - $ -are formed by at least one rod or plate leading from one of these blocks to the other one of these blocks. The connecting means provided on the individual carrying elements may, thus, be realized in a manner requiring little space, and, as a result, a relatively large amount of space will be available for a thick-walled stable configuration of the covering elements, which is of particular advantage for the achievement of a high load-bear-ing capacity. Furthermore, the low space demand of connecting means designed as rods in the carrying elements allows the car-rying elements to remain in the track during subsequent track maintenance works, e.g., when subsequently packing the track bedding. For the manipulations involved in the installation of the carrying elements, it is, furthermore, advantageous if the respective rod or plate is designed to be elastically flexible.
A realization of the rods or plates of fibre-reinforced synthet-ic materials or steel allows for the attainment of a high strength and good long-duration stability at low manufacturing expenses. It is also beneficial if the rods or plates reach as far as into the supporting noses of the supporting and position-ing blocks, forming a reinforcement.
Another embodiment of the track covering designed according to the invention, which allows for the installation of the cov-ering into a track, and the possible removal of the covering, in a particularly simple manner, is characterized in that the con-necting means of the supporting and positioning blocks provided on the individual carrying elements are formed by pairs of semirods, one semirod of a pair each being connected with the one supporting and positioning block of a carrying element and the other semirod of this pair being connected with the other supporting and positioning block of this carrying element, and the two semirods of the respective pair on their ends facing away from the whole blocks are mutually connected in a hinge-like manner, the hinge-connection, on the one hand, forming a fixed position in which the two semirods are in mutual align-ment, on the other hand, enabling the two semirods to fold up into an angular position. This embodiment enables a particularly simple installation procedure of the carrying elements in the track by inserting into the track the carrying elements in the folded-up angular position of the pairs of semirods and sub-sequently pressing the semirods into the position in mutual alignment, whereby the placement of the covering elements on the carrying elements is effected either with the semirods being already in the aligned position, or the covering elements are positioned and connected with the carrying elements as the semirods are being pressed straight. For the latter mode of op-eration, an advantageous embodiment is characterized in that tooth-like projections are provided on the inner sides of the supporting and positioning blocks, which tooth-like projections, with the covering elements positioned on the supporting and pos-itioning blocks of the carrying elements, engage in lateral sur-faces of the covering elements formed in correspondence with these tooth-like projections and extending in the longitudinal direction of the track. This embodiment in a simple manner also allows for the obtainment of very stable covering element seats which are secured against lifting.
An elastic support of the supporting noses provided on the supporting and positioning blocks ensures stable seats of the carrying elements on the track rails, which balance out struc-tural tolerances, thereby also largely reducing the transmission of vibrations from the track rails onto the supporting and posi-tioning blocks. In this context, an embodiment in which the in-stallation of the carrying elements into the track is feasible in a particularly simple manner is characterized in that support sections made of elastically damping materials, in particular an elastomer material, are inserted between the lateral recesses of the rails and the supporting noses provided on the supporting and positioning blocks and each engaging in the respective re-cesses.
In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by way of exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the Figures of the drawing. In the drawing, Fig. 1 depicts a track provided with an embodiment of a track covering designed according to the invention in the top view; Fig. 2 illustrates this track sectioned along line II-II of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale relative to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 likewise is a section through the surroundings of the left-hand rail of Fig. 2 on an even fur-ther enlarged scale; Figs. 4 to 8 show variants in illustrations analogous to Fig. 2; Figs. 9 and 10 depict a further embodiment in illustrations analogous to Fig. 2, Fig. 9 showing this track covering in the state of being installed and Fig. 10 showing this track covering in the completely installed state. In the drawing, identical details are denoted by the same reference nu-merals in the different Figures.
In the track represented in Figs. 1 to 3, which is provided with an embodiment of a track covering 1 designed according to the invention, covering elements 5 are placed between the two rails 2, 3 of a track 4 and covering elements 6 are placed to join these rails 2, 3 externally. The covering elements 5, 6 have substantially plane surfaces. The covering elements 5, 6 are seated on carrying elements 14 extending in the direction 15 of the sleepers and each positioned above the interspace 16 present between consecutively arranged sleepers 8 of the track.
For reasons of clarity, Fig. 1 illustrates the track 4 without any covering in sections a and d, provided with carrying ele-ments 14 in section b and provided with the complete covering in section c, i.e. the track including the covering elements 5, 6 positioned on the carrying elements 14.
The sleepers 8 of the track 4 are arranged at different dis-tances from one another, as may result in rough tolerance track building or from special situations with complexly designed track sections.
The carrying elements 14, which are each positioned above the interspace 16 present between consecutively arranged sleep-ers 8, are each comprised of two supporting and positioning blocks 17 which are connected by an elongated connection means 18 and, viewed in the longitudinal direction 7 of the track 4, have a dimension 19 corresponding at most to the clear distance 21 between the rail fastening means 20 provided on consecutive sleepers 8. The supporting and positioning blocks 17 on their sides facing the rails 2, 3 comprise supporting noses 11 for en-gagement in the lateral recesses 10 of the rails 2, 3, and the supporting and positioning blocks 17 are positioned for engage-ment of the supporting noses 11 in the respectively neighbouring recess 10 of the respectively associated rail 2, 3, by a length adapted to the track dimensions in the sleeper direction 15, of the connection means 18 provided in the respective carrying ele-ment 14. The covering elements 5, 6 are seated on the supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements, and the car-rying elements 14 with the covering elements 5, 6 seated thereon are arranged above the sleepers 8 and the sleeper bedding 9 of the track at a vertical distance from these sleepers and the sleeper bedding, whereby the dead weight of the covering ele-ments 5 and the carrying elements 14 carrying these covering elements 5 as well as loads occasionally acting thereon are transmitted only on the two rails 2, 3 by means of supporting noses 11 engaging in the lateral rail recesses 10 so as to en-sure the self-supporting bridging of the space present between the two rails 2, 3. The covering elements 6 placed to join the rails 2, 3 of the track externally likewise are seated on carry-ing elements 14 analogously to the covering elements 5, one of the supporting and positioning blocks 17 of these carrying ele-ments engaging the neighbouring rails 2 and 3, respectively, by a supporting nose 11 and one of the supporting and positioning blocks 17 being provided on the rail-remote side of these carry-ing elements and supported on a pedestal 23. Again, a self-sup-porting bridging of the spaces located between the rails 2, 3 of the tracks and the externally arranged pedestals 23 is provided by the covering elements connected with the carrying elements.
For the elastic support of the supporting noses 11 of the various carrying elements on the track rails, support sections 12 made of an elastically resilient material, in particular an elastomer material, are inserted between the lateral recesses 10 of the rails 2, 3 and the supporting noses 11. In a correspond-ing manner, flexible ledges 13 are inserted between the rail-re-mote supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements carrying the covering elements 6, and the pedestals 23.
The covering elements 5 arranged between the rails 2, 3 ex-tend as far as to the flange grooves 30 of the track by par-tially covering the supporting and positioning blocks 17 in the sleeper direction 15, and the covering elements 6 provided on the outer sides of the rails 2, 3 reach as far as to the immedi-ate vicinity of the rails 2, 3. Thus, the formation of undesired openings in the rail region is counteracted.
The covering elements 5, 6 rest on the upper sides of the supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements 14 arranged below the covering elements, a step-like form-engage-ment, thus, preventing the covering elements from being later-ally displaced relative to the associated carrying elements. The supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements 14 on the sites where these are connected with the covering ele-ments 5, 6 comprise undercuts 31 in which accordingly formed zones 32 of the covering elements 5, 6 engage; thereby, the cov-ering elements 5, 6 are also secured against lifting off the carrying elements.
The connecting means 18 of the supporting and positioning blocks 17 provided at the carrying elements 14 are comprised of a rod 33 leading from one of the blocks 17 to the other block.
Such rods may be replaced with thin plates. Preferably, this rod 33, or the plate provided instead, is designed to be elastically flexible, thus facilitating the assemblage of the covering ele-ments with the carrying elements, since the supporting and posi-tioning blocks 17 comprising said undercuts can be slightly pivoted in the sense of an opening of the undercuts during mounting by pressing up the centre of the rod 33 or an accord-ingly designed plate, respectively, such that the covering ele-ment zones 32 shaped to correspond with said undercuts may be readily inserted between the undercuts 31, whereupon the previ-ously lifted centre of the rod 33 is released, thus ensuring a firm engagement between the undercuts 31 and the zones 32.
Depending on the materials provided for the covering ele-ments 5, 6 and the blocks 17 of the carrying elements 14, and the requirements set on these elements 5, 6, 14 in each respect-ive case, it is beneficial in many cases to provide a reinforce-ment 28 in covering elements 5 and/or a reinforcement 29 in covering elements 6 and/or a reinforcement 39 in blocks 17, as indicated in Fig. 3. Such reinforcements may be provided also in other embodiments, e.g. in those illustrated in the remaining Figures. The reinforcements may, for instance, be designed in the form of rods or grids made of metals or synthetic materials or also in the form of fibres. Frequently, no reinforcements need be provided at all.
In the variant represented in Fig. 4, the supporting and po-sitioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements are stepped from top in a rabbet-like manner on their sides facing away from the respective rail so as to form a step 27 on these blocks 17 by a rabbet 26, and covering elements 5, 6 are stepped from the bot-tom in a rabbet-like manner on their edges facing the supporting and positioning blocks in a manner corresponding with the sup-porting and positioning blocks 17, resting on the steps 27 formed by the supporting and positioning blocks 17. In the case illustrated in Fig. 4, no undercut is provided and the covering elements 5, 6 are secured against upward lifting by holding pins 24, which are, for instance, provided with screw threads 25, en-gaging in corresponding female threads or screw-in pegs provided in the blocks 17 and not illustrated in detail. A variant would be socket pins. The resting of the covering elements 5, 6 on the steps provided inwardly on the supporting and positioning blocks reduces the supporting width of the covering elements 6, this enabling the latter to be burdened by a higher load and/or di-mensioned to be less heavy at a pregiven load-bearing capacity.
The variant represented in Fig. 5 contemplates a configura-tion similar to that of Fig. 3, wherein, however, a ledge 36 made of a soft-flexible material and, in particular, an elast-omer material is inserted between the covering elements 5, 6 and the respective supporting and positioning blocks 17 on the sites where the covering elements 5, 6 are connected with said blocks 17. This facilitates the assemblage of the covering elements with the carrying elements, and the seat of the covering ele-ments on the carrying elements may also be improved by such ledges.
In the variant illustrated in Fig. 6, the supporting and po-sitioning blocks 17 are made entirely of a synthetic material, to which end a dimensionally stable elastomer is particularly suitable. The rods 33 constituting the connection means of the carrying elements extend as far as into the supporting noses 11 of the supporting and positioning blocks 17. In the case illus-trated, the covering elements 5, 6 simply rest on the supporting and positioning blocks without any undercuts, the transmission of load occurring on top of the blocks 17 and the lateral fric-tion between the covering elements 5, 6 and the supporting and positioning blocks 17, in addition to the dead weight of the covering elements 5, 6, securing the latter against lifting. If desired, a reinforcement is provided.
In the variant according to Fig. 7, the geometry of the co-operating zones of the covering elements 5, 6 and the supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements 14 carrying these covering elements is chosen to be similar to that of the embodiment according to Fig. 3 with the exception that, follow-ing the lateral undercuts 31 of the supporting and positioning blocks 17, the respective lateral inner surfaces of these blocks 17 extend freely downwards, thus usually enabling simpler hand-ling in practice when connecting the covering elements with the carrying elements, in the course of which the zones 32 of the covering elements 5, 6 enter into engagement with the undercuts 31 provided on the blocks 17.
At the variant according to Fig. 8, again geometric condi-tions similar to those illustrated in Fig. 3 are present, yet the undercuts 31 are designed to be semi-circular in cross sec-tion, which provides for an enhanced stability and durability of the zones 32 formed in correspondence with the undercuts and provided on the edges of the covering elements 5, 6, on the one hand, and also facilitates the procedure involved in connecting the covering elements and the carrying elements, on the other hand.
In the embodiment represented in Figs. 9 and 10, of a track covering designed in accordance with the invention, the carrying elements 14 allocated to the covering elements 5 to be arranged between the rails 2, 3 of the track, are provided with connec-tion means 18 comprised of pairs of semirods 33a, 33b between the supporting and positioning blocks 17. One semirod 33a of a pair is each connected with one of the supporting and position-ing blocks of such a carrying element, the other semirod 33b of this pair being connected with the other one of the supporting and positioning blocks of this carrying element; the two semirods 33a, 33b of the respective pair on their ends facing away from said supporting and positioning blocks are intercon-nected in a hinge-like manner, the hinge connection 34 allowing the folding up of the two semirods 33a, 33b into an angular pos-ition as illustrated in Fig. 9. In this manner, the carrying elements 14 can most readily be inserted between the track rails 2, 3 by folding up into the angular position illustrated and the semirods 33a, 33b subsequently can be brought into a mutually aligned position by being pressed down in the sense of arrow 22, as illustrated in Fig. 10. The hinge connection 34 is designed to form a fixed position in the mutually aligned position of the semirods illustrated in Fig. 10. Depending on the configuration of the cooperating surfaces of the covering elements and the supporting and positioning blocks, the connecting of the cover-ing elements 5 with the supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements 14 may be effected as the semirods are be-ing pressed down into the mutually aligned position or after this mutually aligned position has been reached. In the event of an undercut engagement, the covering elements may be connected with the carrying elements as the semirods are being pressed down. This also holds for the configuration illustrated in Figs.
9 and 10, in which tooth-like projections 37 are provided on the inner sides of the supporting and positioning blocks 17, which projections engage in lateral surfaces 38 of the covering ele-ments 5 formed in correspondence with these tooth-like projec-tions 37, with the covering elements 5 being positioned on the supporting and positioning blocks of the carrying elements 14.
Those edges 35 of the covering elements 5, 6 which extend transversely to the rails advantageously are each positioned to extend over a carrying element 14, as is apparent from Fig. 1, which ensures a good coherence of consecutively arranged cover-ing elements, because two neighbouring covering elements are each commonly seated on one carrying element.
Track coverings of the aforementioned kind are frequently provided in order to form, in connection with a track or a track system, a traffic surface on the level of the rails which is fit for traffic and pedestrians. These may, for instance, comprise level crossings or also traffic surfaces which are fit for road vehicles and, at the same time, interspersed with tracks, and which are located in major factory premises or storage facilit-ies. Track coverings comprising accordingly designed covering elements may also be provided to reduce the emission of noise caused by rail vehicles running on rails.
The principle on which track coverings of the initially defined kind are based, i.e., to arrange the covering elements above the sleepers and the sleeper bedding of the track at a vertical distance from the sleepers and the sleeper bedding and to transmit the dead weight of the covering elements as well as loads occasionally acting on these elements via supporting noses only on the rails of the track so as to provide a sleeper-inde-pendent as well as sleeper-bedding independent self-supported bridging of the space located between the two rails of a track, is of substantial importance to the obtainment of good operating properties of a track and the maintenance of these operating properties over extended periods of time. Considerable dynamic loads are, in fact, exerted on the track by the vehicles running in the region of a track covering and, in particular, rail vehicles. Yet, the elastic properties of the track, which are determined to a high degree by the sleepers and their bedding, are to be changed by a track covering possibly not at all or only to a slight extent. By arranging the covering elements at a vertical distance above the sleepers and the sleeper bedding, adverse effects of the track covering on the elastic behaviour of the track are largely eliminated.
With known track coverings of the initially defined kind, the supporting noses engaging in the lateral rail recesses usu-ally referred to as "fishing surfaces" are laterally formed to the covering elements. In order to prevent the covering elements from resting on the rail fastening elements which are provided on the individual sleepers of the track and project higher up-wards than the edge of the rail foot, the covering elements are provided with recesses arranged in correspondence with the sleeper distance, leaving free a space for the rail fastening elements. Thus, covering elements prefabricated in series call for an equally spaced-apart placement of the track sleepers in the region of a track covering. Existing tracks frequently do not comply with this requirement, and in some cases it may hap-pen even with track systems to be newly mounted that this re-quirement is not always met for structural and constructive reasons.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a track covering of the initially defined kind which can be provided in a simple manner even for tracks where the sleepers thereof are not placed at completely identical distances from one another.
The track covering of the initially defined kind and de-signed according to the invention is characterized in that the covering elements are seated on carrying elements which, extend-ing in the direction of the sleepers, are each positioned above the interspace provided between consecutively arranged sleepers and are each comprised of two supporting and positioning blocks connected via a long stretched-out connection means, which sup-porting and positioning blocks, viewed in the longitudinal dir-ection of the track, have dimensions corresponding at most to the clear distance between the rail fastening means provided on consecutively arranged sleepers and which supporting and posi-tioning blocks, on their sides facing the rails, further com-prise supporting noses intended to engage in the lateral re-cesses of the rails, wherein the supporting and positioning blocks are positioned for engagement of the supporting noses in the neighbouring recess of the respectively associated rail by a length adapted to the track dimensions in the direction of the sleepers, of the connection means provided in the respective carrying element, and that the covering elements seated on the carrying elements are secured against lateral displacement on the supporting and positioning blocks of the carrying elements by form-engagement and the covering elements inserted between the rails, by partially covering the supporting and positioning blocks in the direction of the sleepers, extend as far as to the flange grooves of the track and the covering elements optionally provided on the outer sides of the rails extend as far as to the immediate vicinity of the rails. By this configuration, it is possible to perfectly fulfill the aforementioned objective in a structurally simple manner. The carrying elements may be posi-tioned above the interspaces between consecutively arranged sleepers as a function of the respective track sleeper position actually provided, it being unnecessary that the sleepers of the track are laid in an equidistant manner. The positioning of the covering elements is not stringently bound to the position of the sleepers, nor to the position of the rail fastening means provided on the sleepers. If the distance of the sleepers varies by a mean value, viewed over the longitudinal extension of the track, as may be the case if larger tolerances have occurred in the placement of the sleepers, covering elements having identic-al longitudinal dimensions may be used, as a rule. Since the length and the shape of the covering elements is not directly dependent on the distances present between consecutively ar-ranged sleepers of a track, covering plates prefabricated with standardized lengths may also be readily shortened in terms of length if necessary, and hence adapted to the circumstances pre-vailing on the intended installation site. Since the coordina-tion of the shape of the covering elements with the position of the sleepers and the rail fastening elements required by the known track coverings of the initially mentioned type is no longer required with the track covering configured according to the invention, the covering elements of the track covering ac-- ------- -----cording to the invention may be formed in a comparatively simple manner and also may have constant cross sections over their en-tire lengths, i.e., may form portions of a sectional strand, thus allowing for a particularly simple and cost-saving produc-tion. In this manner, covering elements having different lengths may be provided in a very simple manner by appropriate separa-tion cuts, thus meeting various demands resulting from mutually different sleeper distances without problem.
With track coverings, in most cases, not only the space present between the two rails of a track is to be covered by covering elements, but also the surface strips externally join-ing the track rails on either side are to be covered by covering elements. In a manner analogous to the self-supporting type cov-ering design intended for the space provided between the two rails of a track, also the covering of the two zone strips ex-ternally joining the track rails comprises carrying elements which are each positioned in a self-supporting manner above the interspace provided between consecutively arranged sleepers while extending in the direction of the sleepers, and are each comprised of two supporting and positioning blocks connected via an elongated connection means, on which carrying elements cover-ing elements will then be seated. The rail-side supporting and positioning blocks comprise supporting noses and are supported on the rails by means of these supporting noses engaging in the lateral recesses of the rails; the supporting and positioning elements provided on the rail-remote end of the carrying ele-ments are supported on pedestals, said rail-remotely arranged supporting and positioning blocks preferably being secured against displacement in cooperation with said pedestals.
The covering elements usually have the shapes of substan-tially closed plates with some small openings being optionally provided in the same, which may serve, e.g., to attach hoists or the like. It is, however, also feasible to provide covering ele-ments in the form of gratings if liquid or particulate materials are to be able to flow off unhampered.
Due to the fact that the covering elements seated on the carrying elements and arranged between the track rails extend as far as to the flange grooves of the track, or delimit the flange grooves internally, and that covering elements optionally ar-ranged on the rail outer sides extend as far as to the immediate vicinity of the rails, the formation of undesired openings between consecutively arranged supporting and positioning blocks is avoided; such openings might appear negative as vehicles hav-ing narrow wheels are running over the coverings and also as people are walking over the same.
In the assembled state, the covering elements together with the carrying elements form a stable structure in which, viewed in the direction of the sleepers, on the one hand, covering ele-ments are present between the supporting and positioning blocks in a manner secured on the supporting and positioning blocks by form-engagement and, on the other hand, the elongated connection provided between the supporting and positioning blocks is formed therebelow. The supporting and positioning blocks via their sup-porting noses transmit onto the rails the dead weight of this structure comprised of the covering elements and the carrying elements as well as loads acting on this structure, whereby the supporting and positioning blocks care for the positioning of this structure in the track, on the one hand, and for the posi-tioning of the covering elements on the carrying elements, on the other hand.
The materials suitable for the covering elements and also for the supporting and positioning blocks preferably are con-crete or a concrete-like composite material comprised of a par-ticulate aggregate and a binder. If desired, a reinforcement may also be provided within these structural components. As binders, both cement and substances similar to cement in terms of proper-ties as well as synthetic materials of various types may be con-sidered, wherein synthetic materials like, e.g., polyester, may constitute the sole binder or may serve to modify or supplement a bond primarily based on cement or a cement-like material. Also several synthetic materials may be combined to form a binder, and it is likewise feasible to combine several substances from the group of cement and cement-like materials to form said bind-er. If a sound-deadening or sound-absorbing behaviour of the track covering is to be attained, it is advantageously provided that the particles contained in the composite material of which the covering elements are formed are comprised of light building materials, in particular porous light building materials. Fa-vourable materials are, e.g., granulated synthetics, granular slag particles, spherical and burnt, blown alumina particles and similar burnt natural or synthetically produced materials, wherein mixtures of various such particulate materials may be considered as well. Even fibrous particles may constitute the aggregate, either alone or in combination with other particles.
In order to increase the edge strength of the covering elements and/or the carrying capacity of the same, and in order to achieve advantages in the production and handling of the same, these elements, if desired, may also be provided with a frame made of a metal or synthetic material. The supporting and posi-tioning blocks may also be made of synthetic materials either as a whole or in part (supporting noses), thermoplasts or duro-plasts or elastomers being conceivable. The use of elastomers offers advantages in respect to shock absorbance and also in re-spect to facilitating the mounting of the covering. Furthermore, it is beneficial if the covering elements and/or the supporting and positioning blocks are provided with a reinforcement. In the latter case, it is advantageous to allow the reinforcement to extend as far as into the supporting noses.
In the track covering designed according to the invention, a good connection of the covering elements with the carrying ele-ments appears of relevance, which connection is to be readily manipulatable both during the installation of the track covering and during a removal optionally required for track maintenance, to offer a good long-duration stability and to be able to trans-mit elevated loads, if need be. From the form-engagement of the covering elements with the supporting and positioning blocks results a good fixation in the lateral direction. The dead weight of the covering elements and optionally the surface pres-sure attainable by the squeezing of the covering elements in many cases will be sufficient to prevent the covering elements from being lifted. In addition, and in an advantageous manner with a view to mounting and dismounting, it may be provided that the assemblage of the covering elements with the carrying ele-ments comprises holding or securing pins. These holding or se-curing pins may, for instance, be provided with screw threads or designed as socket pins.
In order to obtain a good coherence of the covering elements and the carrying elements also in the vertical direction, it is advantageously provided that the supporting and positioning blocks of the carrying elements on the sites where these are connected with the covering elements comprise undercuts in which accordingly formed zones of the covering elements engage. Thus, the good coherence mentioned may be achieved in a structurally simple manner and by simple manipulations already when connect-ing the covering plates with the carrying elements.
In order to ensure a good transmission on the carrying ele-ments, of loads acting on the covering elements and in order to ensure a statically beneficial load distribution positively in-fluencing the stability in the event of loading, it is advant-ageously provided that the supporting and positioning blocks on their side facing away from the respective rail are stepped in a rabbet-like manner from top, that the covering elements on their edges facing the supporting and positioning blocks are stepped in a rabbet-like manner from the bottom so as to correspond with the supporting and positioning blocks, and that the covering elements rest on the step formed on the supporting and position-ing blocks. The inward shift of the load transmission: covering elements - carrying elements caused by this step structure, raises the load carrying capacity of the covering elements or, in the event of a predetermined carrying capacity, offers ad-vantages in terms of dimensioning.
It is, furthermore, beneficial if it is provided that a ledge made of a flexible material, in particular an elastomer material, is inserted between the covering elements and the sup-porting and positioning blocks on the sites where the covering elements are connected with the respective blocks. Such an em-bodiment of the track covering designed according to the inven-tion facilitates handling during the assemblage procedure of the covering elements with the carrying elements and also reduces the noise emitted during the passage of a track, since the transmission of vibrations from the rails to the covering ele-ments is markedly reduced by the flexible material ledge.
In respect to the configuration of the carrying elements, an advantageous embodiment of the track covering according to the invention contemplates that the supporting and positioning block connecting means provided on the individual carrying elements - $ -are formed by at least one rod or plate leading from one of these blocks to the other one of these blocks. The connecting means provided on the individual carrying elements may, thus, be realized in a manner requiring little space, and, as a result, a relatively large amount of space will be available for a thick-walled stable configuration of the covering elements, which is of particular advantage for the achievement of a high load-bear-ing capacity. Furthermore, the low space demand of connecting means designed as rods in the carrying elements allows the car-rying elements to remain in the track during subsequent track maintenance works, e.g., when subsequently packing the track bedding. For the manipulations involved in the installation of the carrying elements, it is, furthermore, advantageous if the respective rod or plate is designed to be elastically flexible.
A realization of the rods or plates of fibre-reinforced synthet-ic materials or steel allows for the attainment of a high strength and good long-duration stability at low manufacturing expenses. It is also beneficial if the rods or plates reach as far as into the supporting noses of the supporting and position-ing blocks, forming a reinforcement.
Another embodiment of the track covering designed according to the invention, which allows for the installation of the cov-ering into a track, and the possible removal of the covering, in a particularly simple manner, is characterized in that the con-necting means of the supporting and positioning blocks provided on the individual carrying elements are formed by pairs of semirods, one semirod of a pair each being connected with the one supporting and positioning block of a carrying element and the other semirod of this pair being connected with the other supporting and positioning block of this carrying element, and the two semirods of the respective pair on their ends facing away from the whole blocks are mutually connected in a hinge-like manner, the hinge-connection, on the one hand, forming a fixed position in which the two semirods are in mutual align-ment, on the other hand, enabling the two semirods to fold up into an angular position. This embodiment enables a particularly simple installation procedure of the carrying elements in the track by inserting into the track the carrying elements in the folded-up angular position of the pairs of semirods and sub-sequently pressing the semirods into the position in mutual alignment, whereby the placement of the covering elements on the carrying elements is effected either with the semirods being already in the aligned position, or the covering elements are positioned and connected with the carrying elements as the semirods are being pressed straight. For the latter mode of op-eration, an advantageous embodiment is characterized in that tooth-like projections are provided on the inner sides of the supporting and positioning blocks, which tooth-like projections, with the covering elements positioned on the supporting and pos-itioning blocks of the carrying elements, engage in lateral sur-faces of the covering elements formed in correspondence with these tooth-like projections and extending in the longitudinal direction of the track. This embodiment in a simple manner also allows for the obtainment of very stable covering element seats which are secured against lifting.
An elastic support of the supporting noses provided on the supporting and positioning blocks ensures stable seats of the carrying elements on the track rails, which balance out struc-tural tolerances, thereby also largely reducing the transmission of vibrations from the track rails onto the supporting and posi-tioning blocks. In this context, an embodiment in which the in-stallation of the carrying elements into the track is feasible in a particularly simple manner is characterized in that support sections made of elastically damping materials, in particular an elastomer material, are inserted between the lateral recesses of the rails and the supporting noses provided on the supporting and positioning blocks and each engaging in the respective re-cesses.
In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by way of exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the Figures of the drawing. In the drawing, Fig. 1 depicts a track provided with an embodiment of a track covering designed according to the invention in the top view; Fig. 2 illustrates this track sectioned along line II-II of Fig. 1, on an enlarged scale relative to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 likewise is a section through the surroundings of the left-hand rail of Fig. 2 on an even fur-ther enlarged scale; Figs. 4 to 8 show variants in illustrations analogous to Fig. 2; Figs. 9 and 10 depict a further embodiment in illustrations analogous to Fig. 2, Fig. 9 showing this track covering in the state of being installed and Fig. 10 showing this track covering in the completely installed state. In the drawing, identical details are denoted by the same reference nu-merals in the different Figures.
In the track represented in Figs. 1 to 3, which is provided with an embodiment of a track covering 1 designed according to the invention, covering elements 5 are placed between the two rails 2, 3 of a track 4 and covering elements 6 are placed to join these rails 2, 3 externally. The covering elements 5, 6 have substantially plane surfaces. The covering elements 5, 6 are seated on carrying elements 14 extending in the direction 15 of the sleepers and each positioned above the interspace 16 present between consecutively arranged sleepers 8 of the track.
For reasons of clarity, Fig. 1 illustrates the track 4 without any covering in sections a and d, provided with carrying ele-ments 14 in section b and provided with the complete covering in section c, i.e. the track including the covering elements 5, 6 positioned on the carrying elements 14.
The sleepers 8 of the track 4 are arranged at different dis-tances from one another, as may result in rough tolerance track building or from special situations with complexly designed track sections.
The carrying elements 14, which are each positioned above the interspace 16 present between consecutively arranged sleep-ers 8, are each comprised of two supporting and positioning blocks 17 which are connected by an elongated connection means 18 and, viewed in the longitudinal direction 7 of the track 4, have a dimension 19 corresponding at most to the clear distance 21 between the rail fastening means 20 provided on consecutive sleepers 8. The supporting and positioning blocks 17 on their sides facing the rails 2, 3 comprise supporting noses 11 for en-gagement in the lateral recesses 10 of the rails 2, 3, and the supporting and positioning blocks 17 are positioned for engage-ment of the supporting noses 11 in the respectively neighbouring recess 10 of the respectively associated rail 2, 3, by a length adapted to the track dimensions in the sleeper direction 15, of the connection means 18 provided in the respective carrying ele-ment 14. The covering elements 5, 6 are seated on the supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements, and the car-rying elements 14 with the covering elements 5, 6 seated thereon are arranged above the sleepers 8 and the sleeper bedding 9 of the track at a vertical distance from these sleepers and the sleeper bedding, whereby the dead weight of the covering ele-ments 5 and the carrying elements 14 carrying these covering elements 5 as well as loads occasionally acting thereon are transmitted only on the two rails 2, 3 by means of supporting noses 11 engaging in the lateral rail recesses 10 so as to en-sure the self-supporting bridging of the space present between the two rails 2, 3. The covering elements 6 placed to join the rails 2, 3 of the track externally likewise are seated on carry-ing elements 14 analogously to the covering elements 5, one of the supporting and positioning blocks 17 of these carrying ele-ments engaging the neighbouring rails 2 and 3, respectively, by a supporting nose 11 and one of the supporting and positioning blocks 17 being provided on the rail-remote side of these carry-ing elements and supported on a pedestal 23. Again, a self-sup-porting bridging of the spaces located between the rails 2, 3 of the tracks and the externally arranged pedestals 23 is provided by the covering elements connected with the carrying elements.
For the elastic support of the supporting noses 11 of the various carrying elements on the track rails, support sections 12 made of an elastically resilient material, in particular an elastomer material, are inserted between the lateral recesses 10 of the rails 2, 3 and the supporting noses 11. In a correspond-ing manner, flexible ledges 13 are inserted between the rail-re-mote supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements carrying the covering elements 6, and the pedestals 23.
The covering elements 5 arranged between the rails 2, 3 ex-tend as far as to the flange grooves 30 of the track by par-tially covering the supporting and positioning blocks 17 in the sleeper direction 15, and the covering elements 6 provided on the outer sides of the rails 2, 3 reach as far as to the immedi-ate vicinity of the rails 2, 3. Thus, the formation of undesired openings in the rail region is counteracted.
The covering elements 5, 6 rest on the upper sides of the supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements 14 arranged below the covering elements, a step-like form-engage-ment, thus, preventing the covering elements from being later-ally displaced relative to the associated carrying elements. The supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements 14 on the sites where these are connected with the covering ele-ments 5, 6 comprise undercuts 31 in which accordingly formed zones 32 of the covering elements 5, 6 engage; thereby, the cov-ering elements 5, 6 are also secured against lifting off the carrying elements.
The connecting means 18 of the supporting and positioning blocks 17 provided at the carrying elements 14 are comprised of a rod 33 leading from one of the blocks 17 to the other block.
Such rods may be replaced with thin plates. Preferably, this rod 33, or the plate provided instead, is designed to be elastically flexible, thus facilitating the assemblage of the covering ele-ments with the carrying elements, since the supporting and posi-tioning blocks 17 comprising said undercuts can be slightly pivoted in the sense of an opening of the undercuts during mounting by pressing up the centre of the rod 33 or an accord-ingly designed plate, respectively, such that the covering ele-ment zones 32 shaped to correspond with said undercuts may be readily inserted between the undercuts 31, whereupon the previ-ously lifted centre of the rod 33 is released, thus ensuring a firm engagement between the undercuts 31 and the zones 32.
Depending on the materials provided for the covering ele-ments 5, 6 and the blocks 17 of the carrying elements 14, and the requirements set on these elements 5, 6, 14 in each respect-ive case, it is beneficial in many cases to provide a reinforce-ment 28 in covering elements 5 and/or a reinforcement 29 in covering elements 6 and/or a reinforcement 39 in blocks 17, as indicated in Fig. 3. Such reinforcements may be provided also in other embodiments, e.g. in those illustrated in the remaining Figures. The reinforcements may, for instance, be designed in the form of rods or grids made of metals or synthetic materials or also in the form of fibres. Frequently, no reinforcements need be provided at all.
In the variant represented in Fig. 4, the supporting and po-sitioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements are stepped from top in a rabbet-like manner on their sides facing away from the respective rail so as to form a step 27 on these blocks 17 by a rabbet 26, and covering elements 5, 6 are stepped from the bot-tom in a rabbet-like manner on their edges facing the supporting and positioning blocks in a manner corresponding with the sup-porting and positioning blocks 17, resting on the steps 27 formed by the supporting and positioning blocks 17. In the case illustrated in Fig. 4, no undercut is provided and the covering elements 5, 6 are secured against upward lifting by holding pins 24, which are, for instance, provided with screw threads 25, en-gaging in corresponding female threads or screw-in pegs provided in the blocks 17 and not illustrated in detail. A variant would be socket pins. The resting of the covering elements 5, 6 on the steps provided inwardly on the supporting and positioning blocks reduces the supporting width of the covering elements 6, this enabling the latter to be burdened by a higher load and/or di-mensioned to be less heavy at a pregiven load-bearing capacity.
The variant represented in Fig. 5 contemplates a configura-tion similar to that of Fig. 3, wherein, however, a ledge 36 made of a soft-flexible material and, in particular, an elast-omer material is inserted between the covering elements 5, 6 and the respective supporting and positioning blocks 17 on the sites where the covering elements 5, 6 are connected with said blocks 17. This facilitates the assemblage of the covering elements with the carrying elements, and the seat of the covering ele-ments on the carrying elements may also be improved by such ledges.
In the variant illustrated in Fig. 6, the supporting and po-sitioning blocks 17 are made entirely of a synthetic material, to which end a dimensionally stable elastomer is particularly suitable. The rods 33 constituting the connection means of the carrying elements extend as far as into the supporting noses 11 of the supporting and positioning blocks 17. In the case illus-trated, the covering elements 5, 6 simply rest on the supporting and positioning blocks without any undercuts, the transmission of load occurring on top of the blocks 17 and the lateral fric-tion between the covering elements 5, 6 and the supporting and positioning blocks 17, in addition to the dead weight of the covering elements 5, 6, securing the latter against lifting. If desired, a reinforcement is provided.
In the variant according to Fig. 7, the geometry of the co-operating zones of the covering elements 5, 6 and the supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements 14 carrying these covering elements is chosen to be similar to that of the embodiment according to Fig. 3 with the exception that, follow-ing the lateral undercuts 31 of the supporting and positioning blocks 17, the respective lateral inner surfaces of these blocks 17 extend freely downwards, thus usually enabling simpler hand-ling in practice when connecting the covering elements with the carrying elements, in the course of which the zones 32 of the covering elements 5, 6 enter into engagement with the undercuts 31 provided on the blocks 17.
At the variant according to Fig. 8, again geometric condi-tions similar to those illustrated in Fig. 3 are present, yet the undercuts 31 are designed to be semi-circular in cross sec-tion, which provides for an enhanced stability and durability of the zones 32 formed in correspondence with the undercuts and provided on the edges of the covering elements 5, 6, on the one hand, and also facilitates the procedure involved in connecting the covering elements and the carrying elements, on the other hand.
In the embodiment represented in Figs. 9 and 10, of a track covering designed in accordance with the invention, the carrying elements 14 allocated to the covering elements 5 to be arranged between the rails 2, 3 of the track, are provided with connec-tion means 18 comprised of pairs of semirods 33a, 33b between the supporting and positioning blocks 17. One semirod 33a of a pair is each connected with one of the supporting and position-ing blocks of such a carrying element, the other semirod 33b of this pair being connected with the other one of the supporting and positioning blocks of this carrying element; the two semirods 33a, 33b of the respective pair on their ends facing away from said supporting and positioning blocks are intercon-nected in a hinge-like manner, the hinge connection 34 allowing the folding up of the two semirods 33a, 33b into an angular pos-ition as illustrated in Fig. 9. In this manner, the carrying elements 14 can most readily be inserted between the track rails 2, 3 by folding up into the angular position illustrated and the semirods 33a, 33b subsequently can be brought into a mutually aligned position by being pressed down in the sense of arrow 22, as illustrated in Fig. 10. The hinge connection 34 is designed to form a fixed position in the mutually aligned position of the semirods illustrated in Fig. 10. Depending on the configuration of the cooperating surfaces of the covering elements and the supporting and positioning blocks, the connecting of the cover-ing elements 5 with the supporting and positioning blocks 17 of the carrying elements 14 may be effected as the semirods are be-ing pressed down into the mutually aligned position or after this mutually aligned position has been reached. In the event of an undercut engagement, the covering elements may be connected with the carrying elements as the semirods are being pressed down. This also holds for the configuration illustrated in Figs.
9 and 10, in which tooth-like projections 37 are provided on the inner sides of the supporting and positioning blocks 17, which projections engage in lateral surfaces 38 of the covering ele-ments 5 formed in correspondence with these tooth-like projec-tions 37, with the covering elements 5 being positioned on the supporting and positioning blocks of the carrying elements 14.
Those edges 35 of the covering elements 5, 6 which extend transversely to the rails advantageously are each positioned to extend over a carrying element 14, as is apparent from Fig. 1, which ensures a good coherence of consecutively arranged cover-ing elements, because two neighbouring covering elements are each commonly seated on one carrying element.
Claims (18)
1. A track covering including covering elements inserted between the two rails of a track and designed to be substantially plane on top, and optionally also covering elements placed to join these rails externally and likewise designed to be substantially plane on top, which covering elements, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the track, extend each over several consecutive sleepers of the track and are arranged above said sleepers and the sleeper bedding of the track at a vertical distance from the sleepers and the sleeper bedding, whereby the dead weight of the covering elements inserted between the rails and loads occasion-ally acting thereon are transmitted only on the two rails by means of supporting noses engaging in the lateral recesses of the rails, characterized in that the covering elements (5, 6) are seated on carrying elements (14) which, extending in the direction (15) of the sleepers, are each positioned above the interspace (16) provided between consecutively arranged sleepers (8) and are each comprised of two supporting and positioning blocks (17) connected via an elongated connection means (18), which supporting and positioning blocks (17), viewed in the longitudinal direction (7) of the track (4), have dimensions (19) corresponding at most to the clear distance (21) between the rail fastening means (20) provided on consecutively arranged sleepers (8) and which supporting and positioning blocks (17), on their sides facing the rails (2, 3), further comprise sup-porting noses (11) intended to engage in the lateral recesses (10) of the rails (2, 3), wherein the supporting and positioning blocks (17) are positioned for engagement of the supporting noses (11) in the neighbouring recess (10) of the respectively associated rail (2, 3) by a length adapted to the track dimensions in the direction (15) of the sleepers, of the connection means (18) provided in the respective carrying element (14), and that the covering elements (5, 6) seated on the carrying elements (14) are secured against lateral displacement on the sup-porting and positioning blocks (17) of the carrying elements by form-engagement and the covering elements (5) inserted between the rails (2, 3) extend, by partially covering the supporting and positioning blocks (17) in the direction of the sleepers, as far as to the flange grooves (30) of the track, and the covering elements (6) optionally provided on the outer sides of the rails (2, 3) extend as far as to the immediate vicinity of the rails (2, 3).
2. A track covering according to claim 1, characterized in that the assemblage of the covering elements (5, 6) with the carrying elements (14) comprises holding or securing pins (24).
3. A track covering according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the supporting and positioning blocks (17) on their side facing away from the respective rail are stepped in a rabbet-like manner from top, that the covering elements (5, 6) on their edges facing the supporting and positioning blocks (17) are stepped in a rabbet-like manner from the bottom so as to correspond with the supporting and positioning blocks (17), and that the covering elements (5, 6) rest on the step (27) formed on the supporting and positioning blocks (17).
4. A track covering according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting and positioning blocks (17) of the carrying elements (14) on the sites where these are connected with the covering elements (5, 6) comprise undercuts (31) in which accordingly formed zones (32) of the covering elements (5, 6) engage.
5. A track covering according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a ledge (36) made of a flexible material, in particular an elastomer material, is inserted between the covering elements (5, 6) and the supporting and positioning blocks (17) on the sites where the covering elements (5, 6) are connected with the respective blocks (17).
6. A track covering according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the supporting and positioning block connecting means (18) provided on the individual carrying elements (14) are formed by at least one rod (33) or plate leading from one of these blocks (17) to the other one of these blocks (17).
7. A track covering according to claim 6, characterized in that the respective rod (33) or plate is designed to be elastically flexible.
8. A track covering according to claim 6, characterized in that the supporting and positioning block connecting means (18) pro-vided on the individual carrying elements (14) are formed by pairs of semirods (33a, 33b), one semirod (33a) of a pair being each connected with the one supporting and positioning block (17) of a carrying element (14) and the other semirod (33b) of this pair being connected with the other supporting and positioning block (17) of this carrying element (14), and the two semirods (33a, 33b) of the respective pair on their ends facing away from said blocks (17) are mutually connected in a hinge-like manner, the hinge-connection (34), on the one hand, forming a fixed position in which the two semirods (33a, 33b) are in mutual alignment and, on the other hand, enabling the two semirods (33a, 33b) to fold up into an angular position.
9. A track covering according to claim 8, characterized in that tooth-like projections (37) are provided on the inner sides of the supporting and positioning blocks (17), which tooth-like projections, with the covering elements (5) seated on the sup-porting and positioning blocks (17) of the carrying elements (14), engage in lateral surfaces (38) of the covering elements (5, 6) formed in correspondence with these tooth-like projections (37) and extending in the longitudinal direction (7) of the track.
10. A track covering according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the rods (33) or plates are made of a fibre-reinforced synthetic material or of steel.
11. A track covering according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the supporting and positioning blocks (17) are provided with a reinforcement (39) that reaches into the supporting noses (11).
12. A track covering according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the rods (33, 33a, 33b) or plates reach as far as into the supporting noses (11) of the supporting and positioning blocks (17), forming a reinforcement.
13. A track covering according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the supporting and positioning blocks (17) are formed of a composite material comprised of a particulate aggregate and a binder.
14. A track covering according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the supporting and positioning blocks (17) as a whole, or only the supporting noses (11) of said blocks (17), are formed of a synthetic material, in particular an elastomer material.
15. A track covering according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that support sections (12) made of an elastically damping material, in particular an elastomer material, are inserted between the lateral recesses (10) of the rails (2, 3) and the supporting noses (11) provided on the supporting and positioning blocks (17) and each engaging in the respective recesses (10).
16. A track covering according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the covering elements (5, 6) are comprised of a composite material formed of a particulate aggregate and a binder.
17. A track covering according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the covering elements (5, 6) are provided with a reinforcement (28, 29).
18. A track covering according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that those edges (35) of the covering elements (5, 6) which extend transverse to the rails extend to the major part above one carrying element (14) each.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATA739/2001 | 2001-05-09 | ||
| AT0073901A AT410953B (en) | 2001-05-09 | 2001-05-09 | TRACK COVERING |
| PCT/AT2002/000093 WO2002090659A1 (en) | 2001-05-09 | 2002-03-25 | Track cover |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2446646A1 CA2446646A1 (en) | 2002-11-14 |
| CA2446646C true CA2446646C (en) | 2009-06-02 |
Family
ID=3680235
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002446646A Expired - Fee Related CA2446646C (en) | 2001-05-09 | 2002-03-25 | Track covering |
Country Status (21)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1386037B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3990293B2 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN100419162C (en) |
| AT (2) | AT410953B (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2002240696B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2446646C (en) |
| CZ (1) | CZ301140B6 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE50201046D1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK1386037T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2227433T3 (en) |
| HR (1) | HRP20030622B1 (en) |
| HU (1) | HU224357B1 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO321676B1 (en) |
| PL (1) | PL201584B1 (en) |
| PT (1) | PT1386037E (en) |
| RS (1) | RS50367B (en) |
| RU (1) | RU2280119C2 (en) |
| SK (1) | SK287681B6 (en) |
| TN (1) | TNSN03053A1 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW577947B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2002090659A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT8456U1 (en) * | 2005-02-09 | 2006-08-15 | Gmundner Fertigteile Gmbh | RAILWAY TRANSFER |
| CN100436714C (en) * | 2006-01-12 | 2008-11-26 | 许吉锭 | Railway road junction integrated rubber laying board |
| US7988066B2 (en) | 2006-06-13 | 2011-08-02 | Newstyle Nominees Pty Ltd | Rail track crossing |
| AT10383U1 (en) | 2007-10-17 | 2009-02-15 | Gmundner Fertigteile Gmbh | TRACK COVERING |
| RU2450098C2 (en) * | 2010-07-26 | 2012-05-10 | Открытое акционерное общество "Тушинский машиностроительный завод" | Rail crossing made of rubber panels |
| CZ2010938A3 (en) * | 2010-12-15 | 2012-07-25 | Prokop Rail A.S. | Railway or street-railway track with noise and vibration-reducing modular elements and means for seating the modular element in the railway or street-railway track |
| CN102587231A (en) * | 2011-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | 张洪德 | Method for mounting bed acoustic boards on ballastless track |
| CN102877390A (en) * | 2012-10-26 | 2013-01-16 | 牡丹江市屹天科技有限责任公司 | Railway crossing resin pavement device |
| CN103132403B (en) * | 2013-02-28 | 2015-10-28 | 中铁第一勘察设计院集团有限公司 | Resistance flue tiny fragments of stone, coal, etc. covering layer |
| CN104131496A (en) * | 2014-07-23 | 2014-11-05 | 北京九州一轨隔振技术有限公司 | Removable vibration damping tramcar track |
| RU170804U1 (en) * | 2016-10-06 | 2017-05-11 | Дмитрий Александрович Павленко | Portable collapsible railway metal flooring |
| RU179284U1 (en) * | 2017-11-14 | 2018-05-07 | Алексей Николаевич Зубцов | PEDESTRIAN CROSSING THROUGH RAILWAY |
| DE202018105484U1 (en) * | 2018-09-24 | 2020-01-02 | Robel Bahnbaumaschinen Gmbh | Monitoring device for monitoring a temporary rail connection of two rail sections of a rail and rail connection system with such a monitoring device |
| RU198082U1 (en) * | 2020-02-04 | 2020-06-17 | Федеральное государственное бюджетное учреждение "3 Центральный научно-исследовательский институт" Министерства обороны Российской Федерации | UNIVERSAL Dismountable RAILWAY |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US1551165A (en) * | 1924-07-26 | 1925-08-25 | Henry E Muchnic | Railway crossing |
| US1720187A (en) * | 1927-11-10 | 1929-07-09 | George E Nagel | Filler for railway crossings |
| US4093120A (en) * | 1977-01-24 | 1978-06-06 | Park Rubber Company | Railroad crossing structure |
| DE4229289A1 (en) * | 1992-09-02 | 1994-03-10 | Kraiburg Gummi Dev Gmbh | Track transition device, molded body for a track transition device and method for producing a molded body for a track transition device |
| NL194553C (en) * | 1994-06-06 | 2002-07-02 | Veldhoen Raalte B V | Device for the sound insulation of a railway track. |
| AT2319U1 (en) * | 1997-04-18 | 1998-08-25 | Gmundner Fertigteile Gmbh | RAILWAY COVERING FOR TRACKS |
-
2001
- 2001-05-09 AT AT0073901A patent/AT410953B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
2002
- 2002-02-25 TW TW091103341A patent/TW577947B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-03-25 DK DK02706510T patent/DK1386037T3/en active
- 2002-03-25 CN CNB028059700A patent/CN100419162C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-03-25 EP EP02706510A patent/EP1386037B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-03-25 PL PL367536A patent/PL201584B1/en unknown
- 2002-03-25 RU RU2003127024/11A patent/RU2280119C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-03-25 WO PCT/AT2002/000093 patent/WO2002090659A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2002-03-25 PT PT02706510T patent/PT1386037E/en unknown
- 2002-03-25 DE DE50201046T patent/DE50201046D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2002-03-25 RS YUP-808/03A patent/RS50367B/en unknown
- 2002-03-25 AU AU2002240696A patent/AU2002240696B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2002-03-25 HU HU0304068A patent/HU224357B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-03-25 AT AT02706510T patent/ATE276406T1/en active
- 2002-03-25 CA CA002446646A patent/CA2446646C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-03-25 SK SK1029-2003A patent/SK287681B6/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-03-25 JP JP2002587708A patent/JP3990293B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2002-03-25 CZ CZ20033008A patent/CZ301140B6/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2002-03-25 ES ES02706510T patent/ES2227433T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2003
- 2003-07-08 TN TNPCT/AT2002/000093A patent/TNSN03053A1/en unknown
- 2003-08-01 HR HR20030622A patent/HRP20030622B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2003-11-07 NO NO20034974A patent/NO321676B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20150325 |