CA2558523C - Noise reducing track covering - Google Patents
Noise reducing track covering Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2558523C CA2558523C CA2558523A CA2558523A CA2558523C CA 2558523 C CA2558523 C CA 2558523C CA 2558523 A CA2558523 A CA 2558523A CA 2558523 A CA2558523 A CA 2558523A CA 2558523 C CA2558523 C CA 2558523C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cover elements
- rails
- track
- cover
- partial
- 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
Links
- 230000008093 supporting effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 210000001331 nose Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- NJPPVKZQTLUDBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N novaluron Chemical compound C1=C(Cl)C(OC(F)(F)C(OC(F)(F)F)F)=CC=C1NC(=O)NC(=O)C1=C(F)C=CC=C1F NJPPVKZQTLUDBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000036961 partial effect Effects 0.000 claims description 33
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 31
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000008635 plant growth Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229910052729 chemical element Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011358 absorbing material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000994 depressogenic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000012010 growth Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 241000209504 Poaceae Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000035508 accumulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009825 accumulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 e.g. Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003450 growing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003864 humus Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011236 particulate material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008929 regeneration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011069 regeneration method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009331 sowing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002759 woven fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
- E01B21/00—Track superstructure adapted for tramways in paved streets
-
- 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
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
- E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
- E01B2204/00—Characteristics of the track and its foundations
- E01B2204/14—Vegetation on or around railway-tracks
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Road Paving Structures (AREA)
- Railway Tracks (AREA)
- Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)
- Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)
- Building Environments (AREA)
Abstract
A noise-reducing track cover comprising cover elements (6, 7) arranged on the track. The cover elements (6, 7) have a slab-like base (8) and, on their upper side (9), they are provided with a layer (10) provided for plants (11) to take root therein, and the cover elements (6, 7) are provided with supporting noses (15) on their rims that face the rails, which supporting noses engage in the lateral recesses of the rails with elastomer sections (16) interposed. The cover elements (6) arranged between the rails of a track rest on the rails (2, 2') merely by means of these supporting noses (15) and self-supportingly bridge the space (17) between the rails. Cover elements (7) externally adjoining the rails rest on the rails by their supporting noses (15), on the one hand, and on pedestals (18), on the other hand, and self-supportingly bridge the space between the respective rail and the respective pedestal.
Description
NOISE REDUCING TRACK COVERING
The invention relates to a noise-reducing track cover comprising cover elements arranged on the track, these cover elements having a slab-like base and, on their upper side, a layer provided for plants to take root therein.
In such track covers, by providing the layer for plants to take root therein on the cover elements, a dense growth of plants filling the entire area is intended to be obtained, and cover elements provided with a plant growth in this manner are intended to have good sound-absorbing properties. Such a plant growth is intended to be relatively simple to obtain by sowing or by planting or, under favourable conditions, may even form by itself.
Known cover elements of this type provide cover elements in the form of troughs which are set up at the track by means of a larger number of supporting elements and carrying elements. This results in relatively high structural expenditures and complex manipulations.
Also other track covers are known which are formed with cover elements comprised at least on their upper side of a slab-shaped, sound-absorbing material. Sound-absorbing materials as a rule are mechanically sensitive, mostly porous and also have relatively high production costs and require great care when being installed in track systems. These properties do not agree with the conditions generally prevailing in track systems. By pressure loads exerted by walking over such cover elements of sound-absorbing design and by the impact caused by the falling of various objects on the cover elements, the latter are easily damaged. Moreover, in the area of railway facilities, undesired deposits of fine, particulate material form easily, and such deposits may cause a negative change in the noise-dampening capacity achieved by sounds-absorbing apertures or pores of cover elements.
It is an intended object of the present invention to provide a noise-reducing track cover of the initially defined type, in which the disadvantages of the aforementioned type are intended to be largely avoided and which can be intended to be produced with relatively little expenditures in terms of construction and of mounting technique, and with which a stable fit of the cover elements on the track can be intended to be attained also under the rough conditions of the railroad operation. By the installation of the cover elements, the dynamic behaviour of the track is to be changed as little as possible.
The invention relates to a noise-reducing track cover comprising cover elements arranged on the track, these cover elements having a slab-like base and, on their upper side, a layer provided for plants to take root therein.
In such track covers, by providing the layer for plants to take root therein on the cover elements, a dense growth of plants filling the entire area is intended to be obtained, and cover elements provided with a plant growth in this manner are intended to have good sound-absorbing properties. Such a plant growth is intended to be relatively simple to obtain by sowing or by planting or, under favourable conditions, may even form by itself.
Known cover elements of this type provide cover elements in the form of troughs which are set up at the track by means of a larger number of supporting elements and carrying elements. This results in relatively high structural expenditures and complex manipulations.
Also other track covers are known which are formed with cover elements comprised at least on their upper side of a slab-shaped, sound-absorbing material. Sound-absorbing materials as a rule are mechanically sensitive, mostly porous and also have relatively high production costs and require great care when being installed in track systems. These properties do not agree with the conditions generally prevailing in track systems. By pressure loads exerted by walking over such cover elements of sound-absorbing design and by the impact caused by the falling of various objects on the cover elements, the latter are easily damaged. Moreover, in the area of railway facilities, undesired deposits of fine, particulate material form easily, and such deposits may cause a negative change in the noise-dampening capacity achieved by sounds-absorbing apertures or pores of cover elements.
It is an intended object of the present invention to provide a noise-reducing track cover of the initially defined type, in which the disadvantages of the aforementioned type are intended to be largely avoided and which can be intended to be produced with relatively little expenditures in terms of construction and of mounting technique, and with which a stable fit of the cover elements on the track can be intended to be attained also under the rough conditions of the railroad operation. By the installation of the cover elements, the dynamic behaviour of the track is to be changed as little as possible.
According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a noise-reducing track cover comprising cover elements arranged on the track, the cover elements each having a slab-like base and, on their upper side, a layer provided for plants to take root therein, wherein the cover elements are arranged between rails of the track, the cover elements having supporting noses at their respective rims that face the rails, the supporting noses engaging in lateral recesses of the rails with elastomer sections interposed therebetween, the cover elements resting on the rails by means of the supporting noses to self-supportingly bridge the space between the rails.
By this design, the aforementioned intended objects can be intended to be met. The supporting of the cover elements by means of the supporting noses provided on these cover elements, which supporting noses engage in the lateral recesses of the rails, is intended to result in a very stable fit of the cover elements in a structurally simple manner, installation of the cover elements in the track and a possible removal of the former for the purpose of maintenance work being intended to be easy to accomplish. The self-supporting bridging of the space present between the rails of the respective track is intended to avoid a detrimental influence on the track bedding by the cover elements, and in this manner a detrimental influence on the dynamic behaviour of the track is intended to be prevented. Moreover, by the fact that the cover elements are supported merely on the rails, the noise dampening effect obtained by the plants growing on the cover elements is intended to be further improved.
An illustrative embodiment of the track cover according to the invention is characterized in that cover elements arranged to externally adjoining the rails are provided, which cover elements have supporting noses on their rim that faces the respective rail, said supporting noses engaging in the lateral recesses of the respective rails with elastomer sections interposed, said cover elements being supported on the respective rail merely by these supporting noses and, on their side facing away from this rail, are supported on a pedestal provided adjacent the track and self-supportingly bridge the space between the respective rail and the - 2a -pedestal.
Furthermore, it is very suitable if it is provided for the layer provided for plants to take root therein to be covered by anon-woven fabric. By this measure, it is intended that both the layer provided for plants to take root therein and also the plants that are rooted in this layer and which penetrate the non-woven fabric, can be protected in a simple manner, and in particular, it is intended to be achieved that the material of the layer provided for plants to take roots therein as well as the plants rooted in this layer are protected against the suction action exerted by rapidly moving rail-borne vehicles, and moreover, it is intended to be ensured in this manner that already shortly after the layer provided for plants to take roots therein has been applied, the cover elements can be walked on or light vehicles, e.g. lawn mowers, can be moved thereon without any negative effects. For this purpose it is also provided for the slab-like base of the cover elements to have a sufficient dimensional stability at least for walking thereon and for movement thereon with light equipment.
In order to prevent undesired accumulations of rain water or other liquids on the cover elements, it is an alternative to provide the cover elements with drain openings and/or drain channels.
An embodiment of the cover elements intended to be of very simple construction which also is easy to handle during installation in the track and during a possible removal from the track is characterised in that the slab-like base of the cover elements has the shape of a U-section extending transversely to the rail-longitudinal direction, which U-section is formed of a substantially plane bottom plate and of flange ribs projecting upwards from the bottom plate and provided at those rims of the bottom plate which extend transversely to the rail longitudinal direction, the rail-side supporting of the cover elements being effected by supporting noses which are formed by the ends of the flange ribs that face the rails.
A further embodiment of the inventive track cover which, above all, is intended to be advantageous as regards its handling during installation of the cover elements in the track and during a possible removal of the cover elements from the track is characterised in that the cover elements arranged between the rails of the track so as to extend from rail to rail are designed in the form of partial cover element forming element pairs, the partial cover elements of each pair being assembled in hinge-like manner and the geometric hinge axis extending in parallel to the rails. In this embodiment, it is further intended to be advantageous if it is provided that the partial cover elements of each element pair are supported on each other at their rims which face each other, and with each partial cover element, along its rim that faces the other partial cover element of the respective pair, carrying sections and resting sections are provided in me-ander-like alternating succession, the resting sections of the one partial cover element of the respective pair resting on the carrying sections of the other partial cover element, and the resting sections of the other partial cover element of the re-spective pair resting on the carrying sections of the one par-tial cover element.
The invention will now be described in more detail herein-after and with reference to the drawing in which exemplary em-bodiments of the subject matter of the invention are schematically illustrated. In the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a track provided with a first embodiment of an inventively designed track cover, in a section made transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track; Fig. 2 shows a variant to the former, in which the base of the cover elements has a depressed upper side, in a section analogous to that of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an embod-iment in which the base of the cover elements has the shape of a trough, once more in a section extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track; Fig. 4 shows an embodiment, in which the base of the cover elements has the shape of a U-section, in a section extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track, and Fig. 5 shows this embodiment in a section extending in the longitudinal direction of the track, according to line V-V of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which the cover elements of the track cover are designed in the form of partial cover elements assembled in pairs, in a section extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track, and Fig. 7 shows this embodiment in an axonometric view in the folded-up state, as results during the installation or removal of the cover elements.
In the track 1 illustrated in Fig. 1, the rails 2, 2' of the track are fastened to sleepers 4 by means of rail fastening ele-ments 3, the sleepers 4 in turn being carried on a bed of gravel 5. This track is provided with an embodiment of a track cover designed according to the invention, which is formed with cover elements 6 arranged between the rails 2, 2' and with cover ele-ments 7 externally adjoining the rails 2, 2'. The cover elements 6, 7 have a slab-like base 8 and, on their upper side 9, a layer -provided for plants to take root therein. Plants 11 rooted in this layer 10, which may be grasses, e.g., are sketched. The slab-like base of the cover elements 6 has rim ledges 12 delim-iting the layer 10 provided for plants to take root therein to-wards the flange grooves 13; these rim ledges 12 may also be moulded to the base 8 or joined thereto. In analogous manner, rim ledges 12' are provided at the cover elements 7 delimiting the layer 10, provided at these cover elements for plants to take root therein, at the rims of the cover elements 7 that ex-tend in the longitudinal direction of the rails.
In order to meet the requirements of rail traffic, the grow-ing plants can also be cut frequently, with appropriate ma-chines, e.g., moving on the track. To form the layer provided for plants to take root therein, various materials may be used.
Thus, in addition to soil, humus and sand, e.g., also granular materials, such as, e.g., clay or rock particles or plastics granules may be used, and also foamed material in plate or particle form. By means of the base of the cover elements, a clear-cut separation between this layer provided for plants to take root therein and the track bedding is given, and neither the plant growth nor the fine material, which forms the layer for the plants to take root therein, can negatively affect the track bedding. The material forming the layer for plants to take root therein can be applied to base parts of the cover elements that have already been laid, which simplifies the laying, since weight load resulting from the layer provided for plants to take root therein does not exist when laying the cover elements. By the continuous growth of the plants, a regeneration of the sound-absorbing properties is also given after disturbing influ-ences.
The rims 14 of the cover elements 6, 7 which face the rails 2, 2' have the shape of supporting noses 15 which are supported on the rails with elastomer sections 16 interposed. In this man-ner, the cover elements 6 are mounted on the rails 2, 2' only and self-supportingly bridge the space 17 between the rails 2, 2' from rail to rail. At their side facing away from the re-spective rail 2, 2', the cover elements 7 are supported on ped-estals 18 located adjacent the track, with elastomer sections 19 interposed, there also existing a self-supporting bridging from the respective rail 2, 2' to the respective pedestal 18. In the longitudinal direction of the track, a plurality of cover ele-ments 6, 7 each is consecutively arranged. On the rims of the cover elements which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track, rim ledges may be provided at the base 8 of the cover elements, which rim ledges will delimit the layer provided for plants to take root therein at the individual cover elements, or a layer 10 that extends continuously over several cover elements may be provided, with the cover elements 6, 7 having to be laid in abutting sequence and any possibly re-maining narrow gaps between successive cover elements having to be bridged with a cover strip or having to be closed with a joint filler.
It is an alternative to arrange a non-woven fabric 20 on the layer 10 provided for plants to take root therein, since in this manner the layer 10 and also the plants 11 growing thereon will be stabilized against external influences. To drain off liquid substances which act on the cover elements - these influences also including rain water - drain openings 21 are provided at the base 8 of the cover elements 6, 7.
The illustrated assembly of the track 1 on a bed of gravel 5 is to be seen as by way of example. Also other embodiments of the substructure are possible.
In the variant of the Fig. 1-embodiment illustrated in Fig.
2, the only thing shown of the track cover is a cover element 6, arranged between the rails 2, 2' of the track. Of course, also with this variant, cover elements externally adjoining the rails 2, 2' of the track can be provided. The illustrated base 8 ex-hibits depressions 22 on its upper side 9 which are separated by ribs 23 from each other. By this depressed configuration of the upper side 9 of the base 8 of the cover elements 6, a good hold of the layer 10, for plants to take root therein, on the base 8 is attained. Also in this variant shown in Fig. 2, drain open-ings 21 are provided in the base 8. If desired, a non-woven fab-ric may also be arranged on this layer 10 provided for plants 11 to take root therein.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the base of the cover elements has the shape of a trough 25, and each one of these troughs 25 is filled with the layer 10 provided for plants 11 to take root therein. Supporting noses 15 are moulded to the rims 14 of the trough 25, which supporting noses are supported on the rails 2, 2' with elastomer sections 16 interposed, and in this manner, the cover elements 6 of the track cover are merely supported on the rails 2, 2' and self-supportingly bridge the space 17 between the rails from rail to rail. The troughs 25 are provided with drain openings 21.
In the Figs. 4- and 5-embodiment of an inventively designed track cover, the slab-like base 8 of the cover elements 6 has the form of a U-section 27 extending transversely to the rail-longitudinal direction. This U-section is formed of a substan-tially plane bottom plate 28 and of flange ribs 29 which Iegin at those rims of the bottom plate 28 that extend transversely to the rail-longitudinal direction and which project upwards from the bottom plate 28. These cover elements 6 are carried by sup-porting noses 30, with elastomer sections 16 interposed, on the rails 2, 2' only, and self-supportingly bridge the space 17 between the rails from rail to rail. The supporting noses 30 are merely formed by the ends of the flange ribs 29 facing the rails. The space present in the U-section 27 between the flange ribs 29 is filled with the layer 10 provided for plants 11 to take root therein. In this embodiment, drain channels 24 are provided to drain off liquid substances, which drain channels lead to drain openings 21 or may also directly lead to the out-side. Such drain channels 24 may illustratively be shaped in a flow-promoting manner.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of a track cover designed according to the invention, the cover elements arranged between the rails 2, 2' of the track have the form of partial cover elements 31, 31' which together form element pairs. The partial cover elements 31, 31' of each one of these pairs are assembled in hinge-like manner, the geometric hinge axis 32 extending in parallel with the rails 2, 2'. The partial cover elements 31, 31' of each element pair are supported on each other on their rims 33, 33' which face each other. In each partial cover element, along the rim that faces the other par-tial element of the respective pair, carrying sections 34 or 34', respectively, and resting sections 35 or 35', respectively, are provided in meander-like alternating succession. The resting sections 35 of the one partial cover element 31 of the respect-ive pair rest on the carrying sections 34' of the other partial carrying element 31' of the respective pair, and the resting sections 35' of the other partial cover element 31' of the re-spective pair rest on the carrying sections 34 of the one par-tial cover element 31 of the respective pair. In this manner, the partial cover elements 31, 31' are connected in pairs to a slab-like element which, in the levelled position, as illus-trated in Fig. 6, is capable of carrying loads, these not only being loads derived from the layer 10 provided for plants to take roots therein and from those plants 11 that are rooted therein, but also loads coming from the outside, as they occur when such a track cover is walked or driven over. In the case illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, each base of the partial cover elements 31, 31' has the shape of a trough 36, and these troughs 36 are carried on the rails 2, 2' by means of supporting noses 15 moulded to the rail-side rim of the respective trough, with elastomer sections 16 being interposed. The space 17 between the rails 2, 2' is self-supportingly bridged from rail to rail. In Fig. 7, the growth formed by the plants 11 and ex-tending over the upper side of the partial cover elements has been outlined in the form of a geometric pattern for the sake of simplicity. By the possibility illustrated in Fig. 7 of folding up the partial cover elements of each pair in hinge-like manner, insertion of these cover elements into the track and a possibly required removal of the cover elements from the track are sub-stantially facilitated.
For the sake of simplicity, in the embodiments of the track cover designed according to the invention and illustrated in Figs. 3 to 7, only the cover elements arranged between the rails 2, 2' of a track have been illustrated. Yet, also with these em-bodiments, it is possible to provide cover elements externally adjoining the rails of the track.
By this design, the aforementioned intended objects can be intended to be met. The supporting of the cover elements by means of the supporting noses provided on these cover elements, which supporting noses engage in the lateral recesses of the rails, is intended to result in a very stable fit of the cover elements in a structurally simple manner, installation of the cover elements in the track and a possible removal of the former for the purpose of maintenance work being intended to be easy to accomplish. The self-supporting bridging of the space present between the rails of the respective track is intended to avoid a detrimental influence on the track bedding by the cover elements, and in this manner a detrimental influence on the dynamic behaviour of the track is intended to be prevented. Moreover, by the fact that the cover elements are supported merely on the rails, the noise dampening effect obtained by the plants growing on the cover elements is intended to be further improved.
An illustrative embodiment of the track cover according to the invention is characterized in that cover elements arranged to externally adjoining the rails are provided, which cover elements have supporting noses on their rim that faces the respective rail, said supporting noses engaging in the lateral recesses of the respective rails with elastomer sections interposed, said cover elements being supported on the respective rail merely by these supporting noses and, on their side facing away from this rail, are supported on a pedestal provided adjacent the track and self-supportingly bridge the space between the respective rail and the - 2a -pedestal.
Furthermore, it is very suitable if it is provided for the layer provided for plants to take root therein to be covered by anon-woven fabric. By this measure, it is intended that both the layer provided for plants to take root therein and also the plants that are rooted in this layer and which penetrate the non-woven fabric, can be protected in a simple manner, and in particular, it is intended to be achieved that the material of the layer provided for plants to take roots therein as well as the plants rooted in this layer are protected against the suction action exerted by rapidly moving rail-borne vehicles, and moreover, it is intended to be ensured in this manner that already shortly after the layer provided for plants to take roots therein has been applied, the cover elements can be walked on or light vehicles, e.g. lawn mowers, can be moved thereon without any negative effects. For this purpose it is also provided for the slab-like base of the cover elements to have a sufficient dimensional stability at least for walking thereon and for movement thereon with light equipment.
In order to prevent undesired accumulations of rain water or other liquids on the cover elements, it is an alternative to provide the cover elements with drain openings and/or drain channels.
An embodiment of the cover elements intended to be of very simple construction which also is easy to handle during installation in the track and during a possible removal from the track is characterised in that the slab-like base of the cover elements has the shape of a U-section extending transversely to the rail-longitudinal direction, which U-section is formed of a substantially plane bottom plate and of flange ribs projecting upwards from the bottom plate and provided at those rims of the bottom plate which extend transversely to the rail longitudinal direction, the rail-side supporting of the cover elements being effected by supporting noses which are formed by the ends of the flange ribs that face the rails.
A further embodiment of the inventive track cover which, above all, is intended to be advantageous as regards its handling during installation of the cover elements in the track and during a possible removal of the cover elements from the track is characterised in that the cover elements arranged between the rails of the track so as to extend from rail to rail are designed in the form of partial cover element forming element pairs, the partial cover elements of each pair being assembled in hinge-like manner and the geometric hinge axis extending in parallel to the rails. In this embodiment, it is further intended to be advantageous if it is provided that the partial cover elements of each element pair are supported on each other at their rims which face each other, and with each partial cover element, along its rim that faces the other partial cover element of the respective pair, carrying sections and resting sections are provided in me-ander-like alternating succession, the resting sections of the one partial cover element of the respective pair resting on the carrying sections of the other partial cover element, and the resting sections of the other partial cover element of the re-spective pair resting on the carrying sections of the one par-tial cover element.
The invention will now be described in more detail herein-after and with reference to the drawing in which exemplary em-bodiments of the subject matter of the invention are schematically illustrated. In the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a track provided with a first embodiment of an inventively designed track cover, in a section made transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track; Fig. 2 shows a variant to the former, in which the base of the cover elements has a depressed upper side, in a section analogous to that of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an embod-iment in which the base of the cover elements has the shape of a trough, once more in a section extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track; Fig. 4 shows an embodiment, in which the base of the cover elements has the shape of a U-section, in a section extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track, and Fig. 5 shows this embodiment in a section extending in the longitudinal direction of the track, according to line V-V of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which the cover elements of the track cover are designed in the form of partial cover elements assembled in pairs, in a section extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track, and Fig. 7 shows this embodiment in an axonometric view in the folded-up state, as results during the installation or removal of the cover elements.
In the track 1 illustrated in Fig. 1, the rails 2, 2' of the track are fastened to sleepers 4 by means of rail fastening ele-ments 3, the sleepers 4 in turn being carried on a bed of gravel 5. This track is provided with an embodiment of a track cover designed according to the invention, which is formed with cover elements 6 arranged between the rails 2, 2' and with cover ele-ments 7 externally adjoining the rails 2, 2'. The cover elements 6, 7 have a slab-like base 8 and, on their upper side 9, a layer -provided for plants to take root therein. Plants 11 rooted in this layer 10, which may be grasses, e.g., are sketched. The slab-like base of the cover elements 6 has rim ledges 12 delim-iting the layer 10 provided for plants to take root therein to-wards the flange grooves 13; these rim ledges 12 may also be moulded to the base 8 or joined thereto. In analogous manner, rim ledges 12' are provided at the cover elements 7 delimiting the layer 10, provided at these cover elements for plants to take root therein, at the rims of the cover elements 7 that ex-tend in the longitudinal direction of the rails.
In order to meet the requirements of rail traffic, the grow-ing plants can also be cut frequently, with appropriate ma-chines, e.g., moving on the track. To form the layer provided for plants to take root therein, various materials may be used.
Thus, in addition to soil, humus and sand, e.g., also granular materials, such as, e.g., clay or rock particles or plastics granules may be used, and also foamed material in plate or particle form. By means of the base of the cover elements, a clear-cut separation between this layer provided for plants to take root therein and the track bedding is given, and neither the plant growth nor the fine material, which forms the layer for the plants to take root therein, can negatively affect the track bedding. The material forming the layer for plants to take root therein can be applied to base parts of the cover elements that have already been laid, which simplifies the laying, since weight load resulting from the layer provided for plants to take root therein does not exist when laying the cover elements. By the continuous growth of the plants, a regeneration of the sound-absorbing properties is also given after disturbing influ-ences.
The rims 14 of the cover elements 6, 7 which face the rails 2, 2' have the shape of supporting noses 15 which are supported on the rails with elastomer sections 16 interposed. In this man-ner, the cover elements 6 are mounted on the rails 2, 2' only and self-supportingly bridge the space 17 between the rails 2, 2' from rail to rail. At their side facing away from the re-spective rail 2, 2', the cover elements 7 are supported on ped-estals 18 located adjacent the track, with elastomer sections 19 interposed, there also existing a self-supporting bridging from the respective rail 2, 2' to the respective pedestal 18. In the longitudinal direction of the track, a plurality of cover ele-ments 6, 7 each is consecutively arranged. On the rims of the cover elements which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the track, rim ledges may be provided at the base 8 of the cover elements, which rim ledges will delimit the layer provided for plants to take root therein at the individual cover elements, or a layer 10 that extends continuously over several cover elements may be provided, with the cover elements 6, 7 having to be laid in abutting sequence and any possibly re-maining narrow gaps between successive cover elements having to be bridged with a cover strip or having to be closed with a joint filler.
It is an alternative to arrange a non-woven fabric 20 on the layer 10 provided for plants to take root therein, since in this manner the layer 10 and also the plants 11 growing thereon will be stabilized against external influences. To drain off liquid substances which act on the cover elements - these influences also including rain water - drain openings 21 are provided at the base 8 of the cover elements 6, 7.
The illustrated assembly of the track 1 on a bed of gravel 5 is to be seen as by way of example. Also other embodiments of the substructure are possible.
In the variant of the Fig. 1-embodiment illustrated in Fig.
2, the only thing shown of the track cover is a cover element 6, arranged between the rails 2, 2' of the track. Of course, also with this variant, cover elements externally adjoining the rails 2, 2' of the track can be provided. The illustrated base 8 ex-hibits depressions 22 on its upper side 9 which are separated by ribs 23 from each other. By this depressed configuration of the upper side 9 of the base 8 of the cover elements 6, a good hold of the layer 10, for plants to take root therein, on the base 8 is attained. Also in this variant shown in Fig. 2, drain open-ings 21 are provided in the base 8. If desired, a non-woven fab-ric may also be arranged on this layer 10 provided for plants 11 to take root therein.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the base of the cover elements has the shape of a trough 25, and each one of these troughs 25 is filled with the layer 10 provided for plants 11 to take root therein. Supporting noses 15 are moulded to the rims 14 of the trough 25, which supporting noses are supported on the rails 2, 2' with elastomer sections 16 interposed, and in this manner, the cover elements 6 of the track cover are merely supported on the rails 2, 2' and self-supportingly bridge the space 17 between the rails from rail to rail. The troughs 25 are provided with drain openings 21.
In the Figs. 4- and 5-embodiment of an inventively designed track cover, the slab-like base 8 of the cover elements 6 has the form of a U-section 27 extending transversely to the rail-longitudinal direction. This U-section is formed of a substan-tially plane bottom plate 28 and of flange ribs 29 which Iegin at those rims of the bottom plate 28 that extend transversely to the rail-longitudinal direction and which project upwards from the bottom plate 28. These cover elements 6 are carried by sup-porting noses 30, with elastomer sections 16 interposed, on the rails 2, 2' only, and self-supportingly bridge the space 17 between the rails from rail to rail. The supporting noses 30 are merely formed by the ends of the flange ribs 29 facing the rails. The space present in the U-section 27 between the flange ribs 29 is filled with the layer 10 provided for plants 11 to take root therein. In this embodiment, drain channels 24 are provided to drain off liquid substances, which drain channels lead to drain openings 21 or may also directly lead to the out-side. Such drain channels 24 may illustratively be shaped in a flow-promoting manner.
In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of a track cover designed according to the invention, the cover elements arranged between the rails 2, 2' of the track have the form of partial cover elements 31, 31' which together form element pairs. The partial cover elements 31, 31' of each one of these pairs are assembled in hinge-like manner, the geometric hinge axis 32 extending in parallel with the rails 2, 2'. The partial cover elements 31, 31' of each element pair are supported on each other on their rims 33, 33' which face each other. In each partial cover element, along the rim that faces the other par-tial element of the respective pair, carrying sections 34 or 34', respectively, and resting sections 35 or 35', respectively, are provided in meander-like alternating succession. The resting sections 35 of the one partial cover element 31 of the respect-ive pair rest on the carrying sections 34' of the other partial carrying element 31' of the respective pair, and the resting sections 35' of the other partial cover element 31' of the re-spective pair rest on the carrying sections 34 of the one par-tial cover element 31 of the respective pair. In this manner, the partial cover elements 31, 31' are connected in pairs to a slab-like element which, in the levelled position, as illus-trated in Fig. 6, is capable of carrying loads, these not only being loads derived from the layer 10 provided for plants to take roots therein and from those plants 11 that are rooted therein, but also loads coming from the outside, as they occur when such a track cover is walked or driven over. In the case illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, each base of the partial cover elements 31, 31' has the shape of a trough 36, and these troughs 36 are carried on the rails 2, 2' by means of supporting noses 15 moulded to the rail-side rim of the respective trough, with elastomer sections 16 being interposed. The space 17 between the rails 2, 2' is self-supportingly bridged from rail to rail. In Fig. 7, the growth formed by the plants 11 and ex-tending over the upper side of the partial cover elements has been outlined in the form of a geometric pattern for the sake of simplicity. By the possibility illustrated in Fig. 7 of folding up the partial cover elements of each pair in hinge-like manner, insertion of these cover elements into the track and a possibly required removal of the cover elements from the track are sub-stantially facilitated.
For the sake of simplicity, in the embodiments of the track cover designed according to the invention and illustrated in Figs. 3 to 7, only the cover elements arranged between the rails 2, 2' of a track have been illustrated. Yet, also with these em-bodiments, it is possible to provide cover elements externally adjoining the rails of the track.
Claims (7)
1. A noise-reducing track cover comprising cover elements arranged on the track, the cover elements each having a slab-like base and, on their upper side, a layer provided for plants to take root therein, wherein the cover elements are arranged between rails of the track, the cover elements having supporting noses at their respective rims that face the rails, the supporting noses engaging in lateral recesses of the rails with elastomer sections interposed therebetween, the cover elements resting on the rails by means of the supporting noses to self-supportingly bridge the space between the rails.
2. The track cover according to claim 1, further comprising cover elements that are arranged to externally adjoin the rails, the externally adjoining cover elements having a slab-like base and, on their upper side, a layer provided for plants to take root in, and having supporting noses at their respective rims that face each rail, the supporting noses engaging in lateral recesses of the rails with elastomer sections interposed therebetween, the externally adjoining cover elements resting on the rails by means of the supporting noses and being supported, on their respective sides facing away from the rails, by a pedestal provided adjacent the track to self-supportingly bridge the space between the each rail and the pedestal.
3. The track cover according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the layer provided for plants to take root therein is covered by a non-woven fabric.
4. The track cover according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the slab-like base of the cover elements has a sufficient dimensional stability at least for walking thereon and for moving thereon with light equipment.
5. The track cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the slab-like base of the cover elements has the shape of a U-section extending transversely to the rail longitudinal direction, which U-section is formed of a substantially plane bottom plate and of flange ribs projecting upwards from the bottom plate and provided at rims of the bottom plate which extend transversely to the rail longitudinal direction, wherein rail-side support of the cover elements is effected by supporting noses which are formed by the ends of the flange ribs that face the rails.
6. The track cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover elements arranged between the rails of the track are designed in the form of first and second partial cover elements forming element pairs, the partial cover elements of each element pair being assembled in a hinge-like manner and, when assembled, said partial cover elements present a geometric hinge axis extending in parallel to the rails.
7. The track cover according to claim 6, wherein the partial cover elements of each element pair are supported by each other at their rims which face each other, and wherein each partial cover element provide, along its rim that faces the other partial cover element of the respective pair, carrying sections and resting sections that are disposed in meander-like alternating succession, the resting sections of the first partial cover element of the respective pair resting on the carrying sections of the second partial cover element thereof, and the resting sections of the second partial cover element of the respective pair resting on the carrying sections of the first partial cover element thereof.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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AT1622004 | 2004-03-05 | ||
ATGM162/2004 | 2004-03-05 | ||
PCT/AT2005/000072 WO2005085529A1 (en) | 2004-03-05 | 2005-03-04 | Noise reducing track covering |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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CA2558523A1 CA2558523A1 (en) | 2005-09-15 |
CA2558523C true CA2558523C (en) | 2012-09-04 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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CA2558523A Expired - Fee Related CA2558523C (en) | 2004-03-05 | 2005-03-04 | Noise reducing track covering |
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EP (1) | EP1721045B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4902524B2 (en) |
AT (1) | AT7683U3 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2005219446B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2558523C (en) |
PL (1) | PL1721045T3 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI347390B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005085529A1 (en) |
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JP4813871B2 (en) * | 2005-11-01 | 2011-11-09 | 積水化学工業株式会社 | Sleeperwood and sleeper heat-resistant cover |
AU2007260579B2 (en) * | 2006-06-13 | 2012-09-06 | Newstyle Nominees Pty Ltd | Rail track crossing |
AT11028U1 (en) * | 2008-09-24 | 2010-03-15 | Thera S Di Kraus & Di Fh Maier | SOUND ABSORPTION ARRANGEMENT FOR SLABS |
HUP1300606A2 (en) | 2013-10-24 | 2015-05-28 | Michael Leier Kg | Covering system for reducing noise from guided transport (train, tram, subway, suburban railway); and method for installation of the covering |
CZ306897B6 (en) * | 2016-01-26 | 2017-08-30 | Jan Eisenreich | A railway or tramway track |
Family Cites Families (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE3930498C1 (en) * | 1989-09-08 | 1991-04-11 | Otto Frenzel, Bauunternehmen, 3222 Freden, De | Plant substrate for railway lines - has U=shaped rigid troughs inserted into track to support substrate |
DE4009479A1 (en) * | 1989-09-08 | 1991-03-28 | Frenzel Juergen | DEVICE SYSTEM FOR COVERING TRACKS |
AT404266B (en) * | 1995-10-03 | 1998-10-27 | Gmundner Fertigteile Gmbh | RAILWAY RAILWAYS |
US5805691A (en) | 1996-05-28 | 1998-09-08 | Mci Corporation | System and method for safely and efficiently redirecting a telephone call |
TW345603B (en) * | 1996-05-29 | 1998-11-21 | Gmundner Fertigteile Gmbh | A noise control device for tracks |
DE19643533C2 (en) * | 1996-10-23 | 2000-10-26 | Thyssen Krupp Materials & Serv | Walkable and / or passable cover for tracks with soundproofing elements |
JP2002281822A (en) * | 2001-01-16 | 2002-10-02 | Sekisui Chem Co Ltd | Vegetation structure |
DE20116789U1 (en) * | 2001-07-10 | 2002-01-17 | Adler, Berthold, Dipl.-Ing., 45329 Essen | Covered track |
AT6414U1 (en) * | 2002-07-17 | 2003-10-27 | Gmundner Fertigteile Gmbh | TRACK COVER |
JP2004137683A (en) * | 2002-10-15 | 2004-05-13 | Kochi Prefecture | Greening structure of tramcar track and greening method |
-
2005
- 2005-02-24 TW TW094105599A patent/TWI347390B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2005-03-04 JP JP2007501054A patent/JP4902524B2/en active Active
- 2005-03-04 AU AU2005219446A patent/AU2005219446B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2005-03-04 WO PCT/AT2005/000072 patent/WO2005085529A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2005-03-04 CA CA2558523A patent/CA2558523C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2005-03-04 EP EP05714160.8A patent/EP1721045B1/en active Active
- 2005-03-04 PL PL05714160T patent/PL1721045T3/en unknown
- 2005-03-07 AT AT0013305U patent/AT7683U3/en not_active IP Right Cessation
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PL1721045T3 (en) | 2015-12-31 |
AT7683U2 (en) | 2005-07-25 |
CA2558523A1 (en) | 2005-09-15 |
AU2005219446A1 (en) | 2005-09-15 |
JP2007526412A (en) | 2007-09-13 |
EP1721045A1 (en) | 2006-11-15 |
WO2005085529A1 (en) | 2005-09-15 |
TWI347390B (en) | 2011-08-21 |
JP4902524B2 (en) | 2012-03-21 |
TW200538605A (en) | 2005-12-01 |
EP1721045B1 (en) | 2015-07-29 |
AU2005219446B2 (en) | 2010-11-11 |
AT7683U3 (en) | 2006-06-15 |
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