EP0201382A1 - Support and fastening device of a railroad rail - Google Patents

Abstract

This support and fastening device of a railroad rail (18, 30, 41) comprises a tie plate (1, 32, 43, 55, 70) on the central portion (2, 56, 71) on which rests the rail, and lateral portions (5, 6) with which the clips (22, 40, 49) of the rail interact. The tie plate comprises, in each of its lateral portions, a housing (13, 14, 59, 60, 75) receiving the head of a fastening element (15, 24, 35, 46) for the clips and a groove extending under the tie plate in a substantially longitudinal direction thereof, and in which is disposed a removable retention element (17, 25, 36, 48), passing through a hole (16) made in the head of the fastening element. Each lateral portion of the tie plate comprises means for locking and supporting different types of clips.

Description

The present invention relates to the fixing of railway rails and it relates more particularly to a device for supporting and fixing a rail of the type comprising a saddle.

Various support and fixing devices of this type are known in the prior art, however, these devices have a certain number of drawbacks.

In fact, these support and fixing devices include rail attachment systems, (for example with leaf springs, spring rods, toads, etc.) with which a very specific type of saddle must be used. The saddles of the prior art are therefore only suitable for cooperating with a single type of attachment system, which, when the type of attachment system is changed, requires replacing the saddle. However, this is happening more and more frequently, given the growing number of types of fastening system.

In addition, the disassembly and replacement of the fastening systems is not always easily achievable, especially when these fastening systems are seized after years of use.

Certain current saddles also require expensive machining (for example milling with a shaping tool), or notching of the crosspieces, which makes the cost price of such an installation relatively high.

Document DE-589 188 describes a device for supporting and fixing a railway rail, comprising a central part on which the rail rests and lateral parts with which the rail fastening means cooperate. This device comprises in each of its lateral parts, a housing receiving the head of a fastening member of the attachment means and two bearing surfaces arranged on either side of said housing in a substantially longitudinal direction of the saddle.

A retaining member is supported on these bearing surfaces by passing through a recess in the head of the fixing member to hold it in position.

The US document. 1,719,822 also describes a device for supporting and fixing a rail.

This device also comprises a central part on which the rail rests and lateral parts with which the attachment means cooperate. Openings in the lateral parts of this device allow the passage of part of the attachment means, this part comprising a recess through which extends a removable retaining member cooperating with two bearing surfaces extending from one side and other openings in the lateral parts of the device, to retain the attachment means.

However, the devices described in these documents cannot be used with different types of fastening system.

An object of the invention is therefore to propose a device for supporting and fixing a railway rail, which can be used with any fastening system, and with which it is possible to switch from one type of attachment system to another, without changing the saddle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a support and fixing device which allows easy replacement of the fastening systems.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for supporting and fixing a railway rail of the type comprising a saddle, comprising a central part on which the rail rests and lateral parts with which means for co-operating 'rail fastener, characterized in that the saddle comprises in each of its lateral parts, a housing receiving the head of a fastening member of the fastening means and two bearing surfaces arranged on either side of said housing in a substantially longitudinal direction of the saddle, on which rests a removable retaining member passing through an orifice formed in the head of the fixing member and in that each lateral part of the saddle includes locking and support means different types of attachment.

• -la Fig.1 représente une vue de face - schématique d'une selle entrant dans la constitution d'un dispositif de support et de fixation selon l'invention;
• -la Fig.2 représente une vue de dessus de la Fig. 1;
• -la Fig.3 représente une vue de face d'un organe de fixation entrant dans la constitution d'un dispositif de support et de fixation selon l'invention;
• -la Fig.4 est une vue de gauche en coupe partielle de la Fig.3;
• -la Fig.5 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne A-A de la Fig.3;
• -la Fig.6 représente un organe de retenue entrant dans la constitution d'un dispositif de support et de fixation selon t'invention;
• -la Fig.7 représente un dispositif de support et de fixation selon l'invention dont une partie est représentée en coupe et comportant un premier type de sytème d'attache;
• -la Fig.8 représente une vue en coupe suivant la ligne B-B de la Fig. 7;
• -la Fig.9 représente un dispositif de support et de fixation selon l'invention comportant un second type de système d'attache;
• -la Fig.10 représente un dispositif de support et de fixation selon l'invention comportant un troisième type de système d'attache;
• -la Fig.1 représente une vue de dessus d'une variante de réalisation d'une selle entrant dans la constitution d'un dispositif de support et de fixation selon l'invention;
• -la Fig.12 représente une vue de face de la selle représentée sur la Fig. 11;
• -la Fig.13 représente une vue de dessus d'une autre variante de réalisation d'une selle entrant dans la constitution du dispositif de support et de fixation selon l'invention;
• -la Fig.14 représente une vue de face de la de la selle représentée sur la Fig. 13; et
• -la Fig.15 représente une vue de gauche de la Fig.13.

The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• -The Fig.1 shows a front view - schematic of a saddle forming part of a support and fixing device according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 represents a top view of FIG. 1;
• FIG 3 shows a front view of a fixing member forming part of a support and fixing device according to the invention;
• - Fig.4 is a left view in partial section of Fig.3;
• -The Fig.5 is a sectional view along the line AA of Fig.3;
• FIG 6 shows a retaining member forming part of a support and fixing device according to the invention;
• FIG. 7 represents a support and fixing device according to the invention, part of which is shown in section and comprising a first type of attachment system;
• FIG. 8 represents a sectional view along line BB of FIG. 7;
• FIG. 9 represents a support and fixing device according to the invention comprising a second type of attachment system;
• FIG. 10 represents a support and fixing device according to the invention comprising a third type of attachment system;
• - Fig.1 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of a saddle forming part of a support and fixing device according to the invention;
• FIG. 12 represents a front view of the saddle shown in FIG. 11;
• -The Fig.13 shows a top view of another alternative embodiment of a saddle forming part of the support and fixing device according to the invention;
• FIG 14 represents a front view of the saddle shown in FIG. 13; and
• FIG. 15 represents a left view of FIG. 13.

As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2 which represent a saddle 1 forming part of a support and fixing device according to the invention, this saddle comprises a flat central part 2 on which rests a railway rail. This central part 2 is delimited by two bosses 3 and 4 which, as can be seen more precisely in FIG. 2 extend in a substantially longitudinal direction of the saddle 1, parallel to the rail.

The saddle also comprises, beyond these bosses 3 and 4, lateral parts 5 and 6 in which are provided fixing holes 7 to 10 intended to allow the saddle to be fixed on any support (not shown) which can by example be a railway sleeper, for example by means of lag bolts.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, grooves 11 and 12 in the general form of an inverted V, are formed respectively under the bosses 3 and 4. The upper part of these grooves is in a semi-cylindrical shape and the grooves 11 and 12 open out on either side of the saddle.

As can be seen in Fig. 2, housings 13 and 14 are provided in the bosses 4 and 3 respectively, approximately on the central transverse axis of the saddle 1.

These housings are intended to receive the head of a fixing member which is shown in FIG. 3 and which is in the form of a stud 15 whose head has a diameter such that it can penetrate the orifices 13 or 14 of the saddle. This head is provided with an orifice 16 which, as can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5, crosses the head of the stud.

This orifice 16 is intended to receive a retaining member, shown in FIG. 6, and which is in the form of a cylindrical rod 17 and can be constituted by a pin.

As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 7 which represents a device for supporting and fixing a railroad track according to the invention, a railroad track 18 rests on the central part 2 of the saddle 1, between the bosses 3 and 4. The saddle is fixed to a cross member 19, known per se, using for example lag bolts 20 and 21 penetrating into the corresponding fixing holes 7 to 10, which have been described with reference to FIG. 2, so as to fix the saddle on the cross-member 19.

Toads are disposed respectively above the bosses 3 and 4 of the saddle 1. These toads have, as can be seen more clearly on the left side of FIG. 7, for the toad 22, an orifice 23 through which passes a stud 24 of the type which has been described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. These toads are in the general form of an inverted U, one branch of which bears on a lateral part of the saddle 1 and the other branch of which, which is shorter than the first, bears on the shoe of the railroad track so as to maintain it in position on the central part of the saddle.

A pin 25 of the type which has been described with reference to FIG. 6, is arranged in the groove 12 of the saddle and passes through the orifice formed in the head of the stud 24 so as to constitute a removable retaining member for this head inside the housing 14 formed in the boss 3 of the saddle , when a nut 26 is screwed onto the threaded part of the stud 24 to apply a tightening action on the toe 222 by means of a flat washer 27 and an elastic washer 28. The mounting of the right-hand part of the fixing device being similar, this part will not be described.

We see in Fig. 8 which represents a section along line B-B of FIG. 7 that the head of the stud 24 is introduced into the orifice 23 of the toad 22 and into the housing 14 of the boss 3 formed on the saddle 1, so that the pin 25 can be introduced into this orifice so as to constitute a member for removable retainer which is supported on bearing surfaces, formed by the groove, arranged on either side of the housing formed in this boss. This groove extends in the substantially longitudinal direction of the saddle. The toad 22 is therefore held in position by means of the nut 26 of the flat washer 27 and of the elastic washer 28.

It should be noted that the shape of the groove makes it possible to produce the saddle by rolling. However, this saddle can also be obtained by molding or forging. In this case, the most varied forms can be obtained and allow to receive a greater number of types of fastening system. Thus, the forms and the method of fixing by pin-pin of the rail fastening devices, make it possible to limit the machining of the saddle to drilling operations in the case where it is laminated. The saddle can also come out of the foundry, and no core is necessary to obtain it.

As we have seen, the mounting and dismounting operations of the rail attachment means are extremely easy. In fact, during assembly, the saddle is firstly fixed to the crosspiece by means of lag bolts, nails or anchors, then the rail is placed with or without an elastic sole on the saddle. The stud is then placed in the corresponding seat of the saddle and the pin is introduced into the groove until it crosses the head of the stud. When this is done, the toad is put in place and the nut is tightened so as to fix the rail on the saddle.

During disassembly, it suffices to drive out the pin to release the stud and therefore the rail fixing clip. This avoids the drawbacks linked to the fact that nuts and studs can become seized after several years of use, allowing disassembly and replacement much easier.

It should also be noted that the saddle can be attached to all types of sleepers (wooden, notched or not, concrete, metallic, etc.). It can also be made flat or inclined (1/40 °, 1/20 °, etc.). As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, different attachment systems can be adapted to such a support and fixing device. Thus, for example, as can be seen in FIG. 9, a rail 30 is arranged on a sole 31 resting on the central part of a saddle 32 of construction similar to that which has already been described. A lag screw 33 passes through a fixing hole formed in a lateral part of the saddle 32 so as to fix the latter on a cross-member 34. A stud 35 comprising in its lower part a head provided with an orifice in which a pin is arranged 36, is placed in a corresponding housing with a boss 37 so as to constitute, with a nut 38 screwed onto this stud 35 and a washer 39 disposed under the nut 38, a device for fixing the rail-30 through a spring wire 40. One end of this spring wire 40 is supported on a lateral part of the saddle 1 and its other end is supported on the shoe of the railroad.

A rail 41 (Fig. 10) is arranged on a sole 42 resting on the central part of a saddle 43 of construction similar to that which has already been described. This saddle 43 is fixed to a crosspiece 44 by means of a lag screw 45. The means for fixing the rail consist of a stud 46 comprising a head disposed in a corresponding housing of a boss 47 of the saddle. This head of the stud has an orifice in which is housed a pin 48 for retaining the stud. The rail is fixed by a curved spring blade 49, one end of which is supported in a housing 50 provided for this purpose, in a lateral part of the saddle and of which another end is supported on the shoe of the rail 41. A nut 51 allows a clamping action to be applied to the blade 49 and therefore to the rail 41 so as to maintain the latter in position.

Figs. 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of a saddle forming part of a device according to the invention.

This saddle is in the form of a metal plate 55 comprising a central part 56 delimited by bosses 57 and 58. In these bosses are housed housings 59 and 60 in which are housed the heads of the studs as described above. This saddle also comprises lateral parts in which are provided fixing holes 61 to 64 which can receive, for example, lag bolts for fixing the saddle to a cross-member.

This saddle can for example be produced by molding which makes it possible to form, near the housings 59 and 60, blocking and support means coming from molding and allowing the retention of the rail fastening systems. Thus, for example, there may be provided on an extra thickness or rib 66 of each lateral part of the saddle, two shoulders 67 spaced longitudinally on this lateral part and arranged symmetrically relative to the housing 59 so that one can have one end of an attachment means between these two shoulders in order to ensure a longitudinal locking thereof.

On the other hand, these locking means may also include retaining housings which are in this case constituted by notches 68 formed in the extra thickness 66 of each lateral part of the saddle. These notches 68 are spaced longitudinally and arranged symmetrically with respect to the housing 59 so as to receive projecting parts of a fastening means in order to prevent any longitudinal and transverse displacement thereof.

- According to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 13 to 15, a saddle 70 has a central part 71 delimited by flanges 72 and 73. As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 13, these edges have two separate parts. If we refer to the right part of the saddle shown in FIG. 13, it has been found that the lower part of the rim 72 is formed by a boss 74 similar to what has already been described, that is to say that this boss has in its central part a housing 75 for the head of a member for fixation. This housing is therefore offset from the central transverse axis X-X of the saddle. An extra thickness or rib 76 is provided on each lateral part of the saddle. This extra thickness has shoulders 77 and retaining housings 78 formed in the extra thickness, spaced apart longitudinally and arranged symmetrically with respect to the housing 75.

The upper part of the rim 72 is constituted by a bulge 79 allowing the attachment of attachment means of the PANDROL type.

As can be seen, this arrangement is reversed on the rim 73, that is to say that the bulge is arranged in the lower part of this rim.

It goes without saying that other forms of locking means can be envisaged so that the lateral parts of the saddle are shaped so as to be able to cooperate with fastening means of different types.

Claims (5)

1. Support and fixing device for a railway rail (18; 30; 41) of the type comprising a saddle (1; 32; 43; 55; 70) comprising a central part (2; 56; 71) on which the 4th rail rests and lateral parts (5,6) with which the fastening means (22; 40; 49) of the rail cooperate, characterized in that the saddle comprises in each of its lateral parts a housing (13, 14; 59.60; 75) receiving the head of a member (15; 24; 35; 46) for fixing the fastening means and two bearing surfaces arranged on either side of said housing in a substantially longitudinal direction of the saddle, on which a removable retaining member (17; 25; 36; 48) is supported, passing through an orifice (16) formed in the head of the fixing rail and in that each lateral part of the saddle comprises locking means and support for attachment means of different types. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the blocking means further comprise shoulders (67; 77) and retaining housings (50; 68; 78) spaced apart longitudinally and arranged symmetrically with respect to said housing. 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said retaining housings consist of notches (68) formed in a rib (66) of each lateral part of the saddle. 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the housings are offset relative to the central transverse axis of the saddle. 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the saddle comprises on either side of its part centered the a boss (74) in which is formed the housing (75) intended to receive the head of the fixing member and a bulge (79) extending above said bearing surfaces.

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