Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
  • E01B—PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS
  • E01B7/00—Switches; Crossings
  • E01B7/02—Tongues; Associated constructions

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a sliding device for railway switches.
• the subject device is meant for use both when installing new track switches and in existing switches.
• the support structure is generally mounted on the track with fastening means.
• different constructive solutions can be configured, and hence different types of sliding devices.
• a first type of device is derived directly on the sliding bearing of the points or anyway requires a specific design of the sliding bearing, as is readily apparent for instance from the description of the patents DE 4041264 and US 5390881.
• This known kind of device has the drawback of being able to be mounted exclusively on a bearing especially designed to receive it. It cannot be applied to the most common standards of sliding bearings currently present for instance on railway lines.
• anchoring to the track occurs directly on the rail flange with fastening means that require the introduction of a plurality of elements (for instance, anchoring pincers shaped complementarily with respect to the flange of the point) which entail increased production and installation expenses (see description of the patent CH 368201).
• a last type of sliding device which in itself overcomes the aforesaid drawbacks, is described in the patent EP 922 807. It is a sliding device for railway switches which comprises a support structure provided with fastening means which allow it to be mounted superiorly to a sliding bearing of any kind, mounted on the upper part of a sleeper, without requiring any modification to the elements constituting the switch,
• This support structure has a box like arrangement, substantially shaped complementarily to an upper portion of the sliding bearing, and it is provided with two lateral flanks, on each whereof is mounted at least a shaft which supports at least a rotary sliding element able to support the point when it is removed from the stock rail.
• the technical task constituting the basis for the present invention is to obtain a sliding device for railway switches that overcomes the aforesaid drawbacks.
• the technical task of the present invention is to provide a sliding device for railway switches that is easily mounted on any railway switch, irrespective of the relative position of the bearing and of the point.
• the specified technical task and the indicated aims are substantially achieved by a sliding device for railway switches as described in the appended claims.
• FIG. 2 shows an exploded axonometric view of a second embodiment of a sliding device according to the present invention
• FIG. 3 shows an exploded axonometric view of a third embodiment of a sliding device according to the present invention
• FIG. 13 shows an exploded axonometric view of a fourth embodiment of a sliding device according to the present invention
• - Figures 14 through 20 shows an exploded axonometric of the variants realizzative of the device of Figure 13;
• FIG. 25 through 27 show a schematic and sectioned view of three operative configurations of a sliding device according to the present invention
• FIG. 28 and 29 show a detail of a sliding device according to the present invention.
• the reference number 1 globally designates a sliding device 1 for railway switches according to the present invention.
• the sliding device 1 is meant to be coupled to railway switches (not shown) which have at least a fixed stock rail and a least a point movable, on command, between an active position, in which it is close to the stock rail, and an inactive position, in which it is distanced from the stock rail.
• the sliding device 1 shown in the accompanying figures is destined to support the point during its move between the active position and the inactive position and during its permanence in the inactive position, according to the operating procedures described in the patent EP 922 807.
• the sliding device 1 comprises first of all a support structure 2 which has a central body 3 and two lateral flanks 4 connected to the central body 3.
• the central body 3 can be coupled to an upper portion of a sliding bearing mounted over a sleeper of a track (not shown), and the support structure 2 has a "C" shaped, in order partially to encompass the sliding bearing.
• the central body 3 is constituted by a flat plate which may have laterally (with reference to the direction of development which in use is perpendicular to the track) two flanges 5, perpendicular thereto, extending downwards, for the connection of the lateral flanks 4.
• the sliding device 1 is also provided with at least two rotary sliding elements 6 able to support the point in the inactive position.
• they are idle rollers 6 pivotally engaged to the lateral flanks 4 of the support structure 2, with horizontal axes of rotation, mutually parallel and substantially perpendicular, in use, to the direction of actuation of the point in correspondence with the sliding device 1.
• two, four, six or more rotary sliding elements 6 can be provided, with half associated to a lateral flank 4 and half to the other one.
• the lateral flanks 4 have at least a first part 8 associated to the central body 3 and at least a second part 9 associated to the first part 8.
• the first part 8 is fastened to the central body 3, for instance by means of welding, and, in the illustrated embodiments, it vertically extends laterally to the central body 3 itself (in the cases where they are present, it is coupled to the vertical flanges 5 of the central body 3).
• the second part 9 is instead movable relative to the first part 8 in such a way as to be adjustable vertically relative thereto, to adapt the position of the sliding elements 6 to the operative conditions of the switch whereto the sliding device 1 is applied.
• the second movable part 9 of the flanks is removably secured to the first fixed part 8, whereto it is connected by means of one or more fastening screws 10 which are inserted into threaded holes 11 obtained on the fixed part 8 and possibly on the vertical flanges of the central body 3.
• the mobile part 9 has vertically elongated through holes 12 which allow to adjust its position.
• the second mobile part 9 of the flanks can be adjustable relative to the fixed part 8, both in continuous fashion (solution, not shown herein, in which the coupling surfaces are smooth), and in discrete fashion (as shown in the accompanying figures) with the capability to provide adjustment according to a predefined pitch.
• the first part 8 and the second part 9 of the lateral flanks 4 respectively have a first and a second coupling surface 13, 14, at least partly substantially having complementary shapes.
• each coupling surface 13, 14 has a indentations 15 for coupling with the other surface (the indentations 15 are visible only in
• the pitch of the indentations 15 constitutes the pitch for adjusting the movable part 9.
• the discrete adjustment solution illustrated herein is preferable both when there are requirements for mechanical tightness between the movable part 9 and the fixed part 8, and to facilitate the positioning of the rotary sliding elements 6.
• the movable part 9 or the fixed part 8 of each lateral flank 4 or both (the latter being the preferred solution) have an appendage 16 with mainly horizontal development positioned on the side of the device which in use is oriented towards the track.
• This appendage 16 is able, in use, to be coupled to the lower part of the stock rail, and it interiorly has a profile 17 for coupling to said stock rail.
• the appendage 16 is provided with means 17 for adjusting the position of the movable part 9 or of the fixed part 8 whereof it is a part, operatively active in correspondence with the coupling profile 17.
• the adjustment means 17 comprise a through screw 18 with mainly vertical development, inserted through the appendage 16 in proximity with its tip.
• each idle roller 6 has a lateral surface 21, hump shaped, to improve the sliding of the point.
• fastening means 7 In regard to the fastening means 7, they can assume the most suitable shape according to requirements.
• the fastening means comprise at least a slot 22 obtained in the support structure 2 and at least a locking member 23 inserted through the slot 22. This solution allows to adjust the position of the sliding device 1 relative to the bearing and to the point.
• the slot 22 is elongated according to a substantially horizontal direction of development and, in use, transverse to the track, whilst the locking member 23 is able to be hitched in use either with the sliding bearing or with the sleeper.
• the locking member 23 is not shown, but it can be constituted either by a locking screw, or by the mounting screw of the sliding bearing.
• the slot 22 is obtained along the central longitudinal axis of the central body 3, in correspondence with the end 24 which in use is farther away from the track. Moreover, the slot 22 is open in correspondence with said end 24 and two holed metal plates 25 are provided for tightness (Figure 12).
• the first engagement element 27 has a nut screw 29 for receiving the tightening screw 26.
• the first and the second engagement elements 27, 28, which can be inserted into cavities present on the sliding bearing, have respective inclined surfaces 30, relative to said tightening screw 26, which allow their mutual sliding.
• the first engagement element 27 can slide along the tightening screw 26 following its rotation in a direction or in the other. Consequently, screwing the tightening screw 26 causes the movement of the two engagement elements 27, 28 within the cavity (by mutual sliding along the respective inclined surfaces 30), between a first configuration of minimum bulk, in which they can be inserted without interference into the cavity, and a second configuration of maximum bulk, in which they act in sealed fashion within said cavity by means of two corresponding gripping surfaces 31.
• the mounting of the sliding device 1 of the present invention provided with the engagement elements 27, 28, entails, first of all, the preparation of the bearing whereto it is to be applied, which is cleaned and deburred at least on the edges. I n particular, the cavities of the bearing must be completely freed from any deposits which may have accumulated therein. Subsequently, the two engagement elements 27, 28 are inserted into the cavities and the support structure 2 is installed above the bearing.
• the tightening screws 26 are inserted through the slots 22 and screwed to the nut screws 29 to lock the device.
• the device is also correctly positioned transversely to the track by means of the slots 22.
• the device is so fitted, once the support structure 2 is positioned and locked, it is also possible to act on the through screws 18 of the adjustment means 17 to bring them to bear on the stock rail. Lastly, they are also locked by means of the horizontal screws 20.
• the mounting is similar, with obvious modifications, in the case of the first type of fastening means 7 described herein.
• the present invention achieves important advantages.
• the sliding device for railway switches of the present invention can be easily mounted with an optimal adjustment on any railway switch, regardless of the relative position of the bearing and of the point.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Railway Tracks (AREA)
• Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)
• Push-Button Switches (AREA)
• Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
• Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
• Bearings For Parts Moving Linearly (AREA)
• Slide Switches (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=34717602

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 2003
  • 2003-12-30 DE DE60320871T patent/DE60320871D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-12-30 AU AU2003300752A patent/AU2003300752A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-12-30 US US10/585,105 patent/US20070176055A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-12-30 WO PCT/IT2003/000863 patent/WO2005064080A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 2003-12-30 ES ES03819229T patent/ES2305584T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-12-30 EP EP03819229A patent/EP1706539B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-12-30 CA CA002552373A patent/CA2552373A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-12-30 AT AT03819229T patent/ATE394548T1/de active

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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