EP2354301A1

EP2354301A1 - Vibration isolator with an elastic boot for continuously supported rails and method for fixing this vibration isolator

Info

Publication number: EP2354301A1
Application number: EP11153271A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick Carels
Original assignee: CDM NV
Current assignee: CDM NV
Priority date: 2010-02-03
Filing date: 2011-02-03
Publication date: 2011-08-10
Also published as: BE1019173A5

Abstract

Vibration isolator with an elastic boot for continuously supported rails, which are embedded in a railway bed, whereby the elastic boot comprises a first part (I) and a second part (2), each of which extend in a lateral cavity (7) of the rail according to the longitudinal direction of the rail, and comprises a third part (3), which extends under the rail, whereby the elastic boot has a tongue and groove joint with which the third part (3) is fixed and the elastic boot is fixed to the rail as a result of which the first part (1) is clamped between the rail and the third part (3).

Description

The invention concerns a vibration isolator with an elastic boot for continuously supported rails which are embedded in a railway bed, whereby the rails have a rail head and a rail foot which are connected by means of a rail body with two sides having each a lateral cavity extending over the entire length of the rail between the rail head and the rail foot.
The elastic boot fits closely to the rail and extends over practically the full length of the rail. It envelops the rail almost entirely, leaving the top side of the rail head accessible, such that a railway vehicle can move over it.
Thus, the elastic boot may consist of preferably at least three parts, namely a first and a second part which mainly extend in the lateral cavities on either side of the rail body and a third part which mainly extends under the rail foot. Further, this third part also fits closely to the first and second part of the boot.
The elastic boot makes sure that the rail is kept in place in a groove in the railway bed, which is preferably made of concrete. Thus, the rail is clamped in this groove by the elastic boot and, preferably, no additional fastening means are thereby required for fixing the rails to the railway bed.
According to the present state of the art, such elastic boots are clamped against the rail, after which the latter is embedded in a concrete railway bed. Alternatively, these boots are glued to one another and/or to the rails by means of adhesive. Possibly, the elastic boot may also be formed by casting the elastic material in a mould round the rail.
Patents DE4004208 , DE4344815 and EP0854234 describe a boot which is mainly formed of three elastic parts which are fixed to the rail by means of additional fastening means.
European patent EP1807569 also describes such a boot which is formed of three parts being clamped to the rail by means of additional external clamping means, after which this rail is embedded in concrete together with the boot. Further, this patent describes a method for installing and embedding a rail in a railway bed at a railway site. The rails which are enveloped by an elastic boot are hereby put in a correct position in relation to one another by means of installation bridges over the railway to be installed. To this end, the rails with the elastic boot are clamped under the rail head by means of claws via the flanks of the boot and hung under the installation bridges. It is also possible for these enveloped rails to be supported via the rail foot. The railway bed is subsequently provided round the enveloped rails. Hereby must be borne in mind that the claws will have to be removed so as to be able to also provide material from the railway bed against the flanks of the boot where said claws are situated.
One of the disadvantages of the existing elastic boots is that, when they are provided round the rails, these rails will have to be rotated almost entirely round their longitudinal axis so as to completely cover said rails. This is rather laborious, given the heavy weight of the rails.
For electrified tracks it is also important to electrically insulate these tracks sufficiently from the railway bed to prevent any possible leakage currents. Although these existing elastic boots also have electrically insulating qualities, major leakage currents still occur. This may also be due to a bad or inaccurate installation or to moisture seeping in.
Existing elastic boots are disadvantageous in that, when embedding the rails which are covered with said boots, one must bear the clamping means in mind, since they must be either removed during the embedding in concrete or they must be embedded in the concrete together with the rail and the boot. Thus, these clamping means may also cause electric leakage currents.
The invention aims to remedy these disadvantages by proposing a vibration isolator and a method making it possible to provide a vibration-isolating boot in a simple manner on the rails and to subsequently embed them in concrete without any adhesives being required or without any separate clamping means having to be provided and/or removed. Moreover, the rail preferably must not be entirely revolved around its longitudinal axis when covering the rail. The boot can hereby be also simply provided on the site where the railway is being installed. Finally, the proposed vibration isolator makes it possible to restrict electric leakage currents.
To this aim, the elastic boot of the vibration isolator according to the invention is designed such that the third part of the boot is fixed by means of a tongue and groove joint, and such that the first part is clamped between the rail and this third part so as to fix the elastic boot to the rail, as claimed in the annexed claims.
Practically, the third part is provided with a standing wall extending past the rail foot and which connects to a flank of the first part, such that said tongue and groove joint connects the standing wall to the first part and/or to the far end of the rail foot.
Advantageously, the tongue and groove joint consists of at least one rib and a corresponding recess in which this rib fits, whereby they extend over practically the full length of the elastic boot. This rib and the corresponding recess co-operate in order to fix the third part to the first part. The tongue and groove joint is preferably elastically deformable, for example as said rib and recess are elastically deformable.
In a very advantageous manner, the third part rests on the top side of the rail foot and the third part preferably also partly clamps the first part between this third part and the top side of the rail foot.
Further, the tongue and groove joint extends between the first part and the third part, preferably between the rail head and the rail foot, when the elastic boot envelops the rail.
The invention also concerns a method for making a railway bed with an embedded continuously supported rail with a rail head and a rail foot which are mutually connected by a rail body.
According to this method, the rails are suspended in a correct position via the rail head, such that, preferably, the rail body and the rail foot are freely accessible.
When covering the rail, a first part and a second part of the elastic boot are put in a first lateral cavity and a second lateral cavity of the rail respectively, on a first side and a second side respectively of the rail, such that the first and second part extend over practically the full length of the rail.
It is also possible to cover the rail with at least a part of the elastic boot, in particular with the first part and the second part, before or after it is being suspended via the rail head.
Next, a third part of the elastic boot is put over the bottom side of the rail foot, such that this third part at least partly clamps the first part between the rail and this third part, as a result of which the boot is fixed to the rail. As the rail is suspended to the rail head, the bottom side of the rail is freely accessible.
Finally, material from the railway bed is provided round the rail enveloped by the elastic boot, after which this material hardens and a groove is formed in which the enveloped rail is fixed.
With these methods according to the invention, the rails can be suspended to the rail head via the top side of this rail head by means of a magnet, such that the rail body, the rail foot, the bottom side and the lateral sides of the rail head are freely accessible.
Further, with these methods according to the invention, it is possible to provide a continuous, electrically insulating layer immediately onto the rail before the elastic boot is provided round this rail, such that it envelops the rail foot almost entirely over the full length of the rail, thereby leaving the rail head free.
Other particularities and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description of a practical embodiment of the method and device according to the invention; this description is given as an example only and does not restrict the scope of the claimed protection in any way; the figures of reference used hereafter refer to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a cross section of a rail enveloped with an elastic boot according to a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic exploded view of a cross section of a rail and an elastic boot according to a first embodiment of the invention as in figure 1.
Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a cross section of a rail enveloped with an elastic boot according to a second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a cross section of a rail enveloped with an elastic boot according to a third embodiment of the invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a cross section of a rail enveloped with an elastic boot according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a cross section of a rail enveloped with an elastic boot according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a cross section of a rail enveloped with an elastic boot according to a sixth embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a cross section of a rail enveloped with an elastic boot according to the first embodiment of the invention, whereby an additional electrically insulating layer is also provided.
Figure 9 is a schematic exploded view of a cross section of a rail and an elastic boot according to a first embodiment of the invention as in figure 8.
Figures 10 and 11 are schematic representations of a rail placed in a railway bed according to a method of the invention by means of a bridge with claw means.

In the different figures, the same figures of reference refer to identical or analogous elements.
The invention generally concerns a vibration isolator comprising an elastic boot for a rail embedded in a railway bed, whereby the top side of the rail head practically corresponds to the top side of the railway bed and whereby the rails are continuously supported by the elastic boot. In particular, the invention concerns an elastic boot for rails having a rail head and a rail foot which are mutually connected by means of a rail body having two sides with a lateral cavity on each side extending over the full length of the rail between the rail head and the rail foot. The elastic boot has been designed such that it envelops the rail practically entirely, thereby leaving the rail head accessible for a railway vehicle to move over the latter. Thus, the rail is entirely insulated in relation to the railway bed by the boot. Further, the elastic material of this boot is sufficiently rigid to continuously support the rail and to make sure that the rail is kept in place in a groove in the railway bed when a railway vehicle moves over this rail. Such elastic materials are already known to the expert and they may consist for example of rubber or recycled rubber as described in European patents EP0854234 and EP 1807569 .
A possible practical first embodiment of the vibration isolator according to the invention is schematically represented in figures 1 and 2.
This vibration isolator comprises an elastic boot which fits closely to the rail and extends over almost the full length of the rail. The boot may be built of several units extending in one another's prolongation according to the longitudinal direction of the rail. These units preferably have a length of 1 to 2 metres. Further, the boot practically entirely envelops the rail, thereby leaving the top side of the rail head 4 accessible, such that a railway vehicle can move over the latter.
According to the invention, the boot is formed of at least three parts 1, 2 and 3 extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail.
A first part 1 extends in a first cavity 7 of a first lateral side of the rail whereas a second part 2 extends in a second cavity 7 of a second side of the rail.
These first and second parts 1 and 2 rest on the top side 10 of the rail foot 5 and are preferably at least partly clamped between the top side 10 of the rail foot 5 and the bottom side 11 of the rail head 4. Consequently, these first and second parts 1 and 2 at least partly fit closely onto the rail and at least partly fill the lateral cavities 7 between the rail foot 5 and the rail head 4. These first and second parts 1 and 2 each have a flank 19 which is turned away from the rail and practically parallel to the rail body 6.
A third part 3 of the elastic boot extends under the rail foot 5. This third part 3 has a U-shaped cross section and is sufficiently rigid for the rail to rest on. If this third part 3 is put over the bottom side 12 of the rail foot, this part 3 will extend past the top side 10 of the rail foot 5. This third part 3 connects the first part 1 to the second part 2 and fits closely to the bottom side 12 of the rail foot 5, which rests on said third part 3. The third part 3 hereby also fits closely to the flanks 19 of the first part 1 and the second part 2 of the boot. Preferably, these parts 1, 2 and 3 mutually fit in such a way that a watertight boot is obtained.
Thus, said third part 3 preferably has a U-shaped cross section with a basis 15 and two standing walls 16 extending opposite one another. When this third part 3 is put over the bottom side 12 of the rail foot 5, the basis 15 will thus fit onto said bottom side 12, and the walls 16 will fit onto said first part 1 and said second part 2 respectively. The standing walls 16 at least partly overlap the flanks 19 of the first and second parts 1 and 2. Thus, the rail is put in the U-shaped part 3 together with the first and second part 1 and 2 of the boot.
The boot is hereby provided with at least a tongue and groove joint with which the third part 3 is fixed to the first part 1, and with a tongue and groove joint with which the third part 3 is fixed to the second part 2. The tongue and groove joint comprises a tongue with a rib 8 and a corresponding groove with a notch 9 in which the rib 8 fits. To this end, the elastic boot is provided with at least one rib 8 and a corresponding notch 9 in which this rib 8 fits, such that the third part 3 is fixed to the standing flanks 19 of the first part 1 and the second part 2 respectively. This also makes it possible to obtain a watertight seal between said three parts 1, 2 and 3.
Preferably, the first part 1 and the second part 2 are provided with ribs 8, and the third part 3 is provided with two corresponding notches 9 in which these ribs 8 fit. These ribs 8 and notches 9 extend over the full length of the boot. In particular, said notches 9 are provided in the sides of the standing walls 16 turned towards one another, whereas said ribs 8 are situated in a corresponding position on the flanks 19 at the second and third part 2 and 3.
The third part 3 hereby also clamps the first part 1 and the second part 2 between the third part 3 and the rail. Consequently, the elastic boot is also fixed to the rail as a result thereof.
This construction is advantageous in that it is not necessary to glue the different parts of the boot together or onto the rail. Other fastening means such as clips or clamps are not required either to fix the boot to the rail.
When covering the rail, the first and second parts 1 and 2 are preferably first provided in the lateral cavities 7 of the rail and the third part 3 is subsequently provided over the bottom side of the rail foot and the flanks of the first and second part. The third part 3 can hereby be brought towards the rail with the first and second parts 1 and 2 or vice versa. According to the method of the invention, this can be done without having to revolve the rail round its longitudinal axis.
A second embodiment of the invention is represented in figure 3 and differs from the above-described first embodiment in that, in order to fix the third part 3 of the elastic boot to the first part 1 and the second part 2, also ribs 8' are provided to this third part 3, whereas corresponding recesses 9' are provided in the first part 1 and the second part 2 of the boot. Preferably, these ribs 8' protrude over the top side 10 of the rail foot 5 when the third part 3 has been put over the bottom side 12 of the rail foot 5. In this second embodiment, the first and second parts 1 and 2 further also have ribs 8 which should fit on top of the far ends 18 of the rail foot 5. The far ends 18 of the rail foot 5 are formed by the lateral sides of the rail foot 5. The third part 3 is hereby provided with two corresponding notches 9 in which the ribs 8 fit together with the far ends 18 of the rail foot 5. As in the first embodiment, the ribs 8 and 8' and the notches 9 and 9' extend over the full length of the boot.
Thus, this embodiment comprises two different tongue and groove joints. A first tongue and groove joint comprises a tongue with a rib 8' of the standing wall 16 and a corresponding groove with a notch 9' in the flank 19 of the first or the second part 1 or 2. A second tongue and groove joint comprises a tongue with a rib 8 of the first or the second part 1 or 2, together with a far end 18 of the rail foot 5 and a corresponding groove with a notch 9 in the standing wall 16.
A third possible embodiment of the invention, represented in figure 4, differs from the above-described first embodiment in that the second and the third part 2 and 3 of the boot are formed of a whole. Consequently, these two parts 2 and 3 are permanently connected to one another. A recess 13 extending over almost the full length of the boot can be provided between the second 2 and the third part 3. As a result, the connection 14 between these parts 2 and 3 is easily elastically deformable, such that they can rotate in relation to one another. In order to connect the third part 3 to the first part 1, the standing wall 16 is moved past the rail foot 5, against the flank 19 of the first part 1.
A fourth and fifth possible embodiment of the invention, represented in figures 5 and 6, mainly differ from the above-described second and third embodiment in that the third part 3 is provided over a rib 8 and the rail foot 5 and has been designed such that the rib 8 as well as a far end 18 of the rail foot 5 fit in the notch 9. On the top side 10 of the rail foot 5, the rib 8 and the far end 18 of the rail foot 5 hereby fit closely together. Further, an edge 17 of the third part 3 thus extends over the top side 10 of the rail foot 5.
Thus, in this embodiment, the tongue and groove joint comprises a tongue comprising the rib 8 as well as the far end 18 of the rail and a corresponding groove comprising the notch 9 in the standing wall 16 of the third part 3.
A sixth possible embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 7 and mainly differs from the second, fourth and fifth embodiment in that the notch 9 in the third part 3 has been designed such that only the far end 18 of the rail foot 5 fits in it. These notches 9 in the third part 3, together with the far ends 18 of the rail foot 5, form tongue and groove joints with which the third part 3 is fixed to the rail foot 5, such that this third part 3 further clamps the first and second parts 1 and 2 between this third part 3 and the rail.
It is advantageous to use the far ends 18 of the rail foot 5 for the tongue and groove joint in that this far end 18 makes sure that the tongue is not elastically deformable, as in the sixth embodiment, or it makes sure that the rib 8 is less elastically deformable, as in the second, fourth and fifth embodiment. As a result, this connection is much more solid and for example less dependable of a correct fit of the first and second parts 1 and 2. To this end, the standing walls 16 of the third part 3 in these embodiments have at least an edge 17 and/or a rib 8' extending over the top side 10 of the rail foot 5, such that the far end 18 of the rail foot 5 is clamped as a result thereof. Thus, the third part 3 is fixed to the far ends 18 of the rail foot 5.
The third part 3 possibly comprises an elastic bottom, not represented in the figures, which fits onto the bottom side 12 of the rail foot 5 and which is selected as a function of the expected load of the rail and the required vibration damping.
The elastic boot is formed such that its inside preferably fits almost entirely onto the rail. The outside of the elastic boot further fits onto the groove in the railway bed. This elastic boot prevents the rail from making any direct contact with the railway bed.
According to the invention, the rail can also be provided with an electrically insulating layer 20 provided round the rail foot 5 between the rail and the elastic boot, as represented in figures 7 and 8. This insulating layer 20 extends over the full length of the rail from one side of the rail body 6, over the entire rail foot 5, up to the other side of the rail body 6. The electrically insulating layer can be made of materials known as such, such as PP, i.e. polypropylene, rubber, PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride, XLPE, i.e. cross-linked polyethene, which provide a better electric insulation than the elastic material out of which parts 1, 2 and 3 of the boot are made. The thickness of this electrically insulating layer 20 is preferably smaller than the thickness of the elastic boot. In particular, this thickness is preferably smaller than the smallest thickness of the elastic boot. This thickness preferably amounts to 0.5 to 5 mm. The electrically insulating layer 20 may consist of a foil or a coating which is provided on the rail and/or on the inside of the elastic boot. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electrically insulating layer 20 is formed of a foil of polypropylene having a thickness of 0.5 to 2 mm and which preferably amounts to practically 1 mm. This additional electrically insulating layer 20 does not need to extend up to the rail head 4 to provide a sufficient electric insulation for the rail, together with the elastic boot. This layer 20 only needs to cover the rail foot 5 and possibly a part of the rail body 6.
The additional electrically insulating layer 20 helps to prevent any stray current which may occur in the rails enveloped by an elastic boot in embedded rails of for example electrified tram rails.
Naturally, this electrically insulating layer 20 can be applied in all the above-described embodiments of the invention, but also in other existing elastic boots for continuously supported and/or embedded rails. Thus, this additional insulating layer 20 can also be applied to a rail whereby an elastic boot is cast round the rail. The electrically insulating layer 20 can be glued on the rail and/or it can be clamped between the rail and the elastic boot.
The invention also concerns a method for installing and embedding a rail on a railway site and for making a railway bed with embedded continuously supported rails.
The method makes it possible to put the rails in a correct position and to then cast the hardening of the railway bed round the rails up to practically the same height as the top side 24 of the rail head 4.
With a method according to the invention, in a first step, uncovered rails are suspended via the rail head 4 over a foundation by means of an installation bridge 22 with claw means 21, such that the rail body 6 and the rail foot 5 are freely accessible, as is also represented in figures 9 and 10. The rail is hereby put in its required position on the site. It is hereby made sure that the top sides of connecting rails are situated in one and the same plane, or in other words, that successive connecting rails are aligned. Further, it is also made sure that the distance up to an adjacent rail and the height in relation to this adjacent rail is correct, such that together they form the tracks of a railway. Consequently, the rail is also aligned in relation to an adjacent rail.
Further, a first part 1 of the elastic boot is provided in a first lateral cavity 7 of the rail and, in an analogous manner, a second part 2 of the elastic boot is provided in a second lateral cavity 7 on the other side of the rail. The first part 1 and the second part 2 hereby extend on either side of the rail over preferably almost the full length of this rail. Preferably, these first and second parts 1 and 2 also fill the lateral cavities 7 entirely and they rest on the top side 10 of the rail foot 5.
Possibly, according to this method, also the first and second parts 1 and 2 can be provided before the rail is suspended to the installation bridge 22.
In a following step, a third part 3 of the elastic boot is put over the bottom side 12 of the rail foot 5, such that this third part 3 extends past the rail foot and at least partly clamps the first and/or the second part 1 and 2. To this end, the third part 3 is provided with at least a standing wall 16 which fits onto the flank 19 of the first and/or the second part 1 and/or 2. Preferably, the standing wall 16 overlaps the flanks 19. As the third part 3 clamps the first and/or second parts 1 and 2 together with the rail foot 5, these parts 1, 2 and 3 are fixed to the rail. In this manner, the elastic boot is fixed to the rail, preferably without any additional adhesives or clamps being required.
Possibly, the boot is formed of several analogous units provided in an analogous way in one another's prolongation round the rail. These units thus each consist of an analogous first, second and third part 1, 2 and 3. Thus, practically the full length of the rail is covered with the boot. Preferably, the units and/or parts which are situated in one another's prolongation overlap at least partly, such that the seam between these units and/or parts is practically entirely sealed. To this end, the far ends of said parts 1, 2 and 3 are mitred, for example, or they have what is called a tongue and groove joint, such that successive units connect in a fitting manner without any gaps.
Finally, material from the railway bed is provided round the rail enveloped by the elastic boot. This material may be concrete, for example, forming a groove after having hardened in which the covered rail is fixed. Material from the railway bed is hereby preferably provided until the top side of the railway bed reaches practically the same height as the top side 24 of the rail head 4.
With this method according to the invention, the third part 3 is fixed by means of a tongue and groove joint at the standing walls 16.
Thus, the third part 3 may be fixed, for example, to the first and/or second parts 1 and 2 as a rib 8 of the first part 1 and/or a rib 8 of the second part 2 are each provided in a corresponding notch 9 of the third part 3. When this third part 3 is provided, it will be elastically deformed and put over the first and second parts 1 and 2, such that the ribs 8 snap in the notches 9. The third part 3 thus meshes in the first and/or second parts 1 and 2, such that these three parts 1, 2 and 3 entirely cover the rail under the rail head 4.
Thus, according to this method, also the third part can be snapped over the rail foot 5 as the far ends 18 of the rail foot 5 are put in a notch 9 in the third part 3. The standing walls 16 hereby fit onto the flanks 19 of the first and/or second parts 1 and 2 and clamp these parts 1 and 2 between the third part 3 and the rail.
According to a specific method of the invention, in a first step, uncovered rails are suspended via the rail head 4 over a foundation by means of an installation bridge 22 with claw means 21, such that the rail body 6 and the rail foot 5 are freely accessible, as is also represented in figures 9 and 10. The rail is hereby put in its required position on the site. It is hereby made sure that the top sides of connecting rails are situated in one and the same plane, or in other words, that successive connecting rails are aligned. Further, it is also made sure that the distance up to an adjacent rail and the height in relation to this adjacent rail is correct, such that together they form the tracks of a railway. Consequently, the rail is also aligned in relation to an adjacent rail.
In a second step, a first part 1 of the elastic boot is provided in a first lateral cavity 7 of the rail. Further, in an analogous manner, a second part 2 of the elastic boot is provided in a second lateral cavity 7 on the other side of the rail. The first part 1 and the second part 2 hereby extend on either side of the rail over preferably almost the full length of this rail. Preferably, these first and second parts 1 and 2 also fill the lateral cavities 7 entirely and they rest on the top side 10 of the rail foot 5.
In a third step, a third part 3 of the elastic boot is put over the bottom side 12 of the rail foot 5, such that this third part 3 at least partly clamps the first and/or the second part 1 and 2. To this end, the third part 3 is provided with two standing walls 16 which fit onto the flanks 19 of the first and second parts 1 and/or 2 and which overlap these flanks 19. As the third part 3 clamps the first and second parts 1 and 2 together with the rail foot 5, these parts 1, 2 and 3 are fixed to the rail. In this manner, the elastic boot is fixed to the rail, preferably without any additional adhesives or clamps being required.
In a fourth step, material from the railway bed is provided round the rail enveloped by the elastic boot.
With this specific method according to the invention, the third part 3 is fixed to the first and second parts 1 and 2 as a rib 8 of the first part 1 and a rib 8 of the second part 2 are each put in a corresponding notch 9 of the third part 3. When this third part 3 is applied, it will be elastically deformed and put over the first and second parts 1 and 2, such that the ribs 8 snap in the flanks 19 in the notches 9 of the standing wall 16. The third part 3 thus meshes in the first and second parts 1 and 2, such that these three parts 1, 2 and 3 cover the rail entirely under the rail head 4.
It is possible to provide an electrically insulating layer 20 before the elastic boot is provided on the rail.
According to a very advantageous method of the invention, the rail in the installation bridge 22 is practically only being held on the top side 24 of the rail head 4, such that the lateral sides and the bottom side of the rail head 4 remain freely accessible, as well as the rail body 6 and the rail foot 5, as represented in figures 9 and 10. Thus, the rail is only being held on a part of the rail head 4 that should remain accessible once the rail is installed in order to allow railway vehicles to move over the latter.
This is made possible by suspending the rail on one or several magnets 21 which are placed above the railway to be made by means of installation bridges 22. The installation bridge 22 is provided with adjusting means to put the rail in the correct position in relation to the foundation. To this end, the magnet 21 is placed at the required height and distance from an adjacent rail by means of the bridge 22. Further, the magnet 21 is directed such that the rail is situated in a correct position. The rails are thus aligned in relation to one another, such that they can form a railway.
According to a possible embodiment of the invention, the magnet has a flat surface which can attract the almost flat top side 24 of the rail head 4 and can seize it.
This method makes it possible, for example, to easily suspend an uncovered rail under a bridge 22 and to cover it with the boot according to the invention. Thus, the first and second parts 1 and 2 of the boot can be provided in the lateral cavities 7 of the rail in an unhindered manner, after which the third part 3 is pushed over the rail foot 5 and is snapped in the flanks 19 of the first and second parts by means of a tongue and groove joint.
Possibly, by means of this method according to the invention, also elastic material can be cast round an uncovered rail, such that this material covers the rail almost entirely up to the top side of the rail head 4.
This method also makes it possible to easily cover the rail with an electrically insulating layer 20 by providing a coating or a foil while it is hanging under a bridge 22, before providing an elastic boot.
Further, this method also makes it possible to easily provide a hardening for the railway bed, such as concrete, between the rails without having to account for any contact points between the rails of the elastic boot and the claw means which maintain the rail in its correct position. Indeed, these claw means only extend above the railway bed. As soon as the rails have been definitively aligned, concrete will be cast to this end round the covered rails, for example. As soon as the hardening 23 of the railway bed has been provided, the installation bridge 22 with the magnets 21 can be easily removed.
Magnets which are suitable to be used for these claw means are known as such. Permanent or electric magnets can be used, for example. These magnets must attract sufficiently to provide for a sufficient bearing power to hold the rail, possibly together with the elastic boot. Several magnets could be used hereby, distributed over the length of a rail. Thus, for example, magnets with a bearing power of some 1,000 kilos could be used.
Thus, also an electrically insulating layer 20 can be easily provided according to the above-described methods, before providing the elastic boot. This layer 20 is preferably provided round the rail foot 5 and against a part of the rail body 6. It is not required hereby to provide the layer 20 close round the rail head 4.
The electrically insulating layer 20 and the elastic boot are preferably provided close to the rail, such that any moisture seeping in is prevented. Possibly, the elastic boot can hereby press the electrically insulating layer 20 against the rail.
Naturally, the invention is not restricted to the method described above and to the devices represented in the accompanying drawings. Thus, for example, the boot can also be provided with clamping means extending over the full length of the boot and making it possible to clamp the rail with the boot in the groove, and which, after these clamping means have been removed, make it possible to remove the rail with the boot from the groove without damaging the boot or the railway bedding.
Possibly, the contact surface between the different parts 1, 2 and 3 may also be uneven, in particular at the tongue and groove joint, creating a greater shear resistance at the contact surfaces between the different parts 1, 2 and 3.
Thus, with a method according to the invention, the rails can be put in a correct position either before these rails are covered with the boot or after the boot has been provided round the rail.

Claims

Vibration isolator with an elastic boot for continuously supported rails which are embedded in a railway bed,
whereby the rails have a rail head (4) and a rail foot (5) which are mutually connected by means of a rail body (6) and have a lateral cavity (7) on either side extending over the full length of the rail between the rail head (4) and the rail foot (5),
whereby the elastic boot is to extend over practically the full length of the rail, and hereby fits closely to the rail and envelops it practically entirely, leaving at least a top side (24) of the rail head (4) accessible, such that a railway vehicle can move over the latter, and whereby the elastic boot is sufficiently rigid to clamp the rail in a groove in the railway bed and to keep the rail in place there,
and whereby this elastic boot comprises a first part (1) and a second part (2) each of which extend in a lateral cavity (7) of the rail according to the longitudinal direction of the latter, and whereby this boot comprises a third part (3) extending under the rail foot (5) of the rail according to its longitudinal direction and on which the rail rests,
characterised in that the third part (3) has at least one standing wall (16) which extends past the rail foot (5) and which fits onto a flank (19) of the first part (1) which fixes the third part (3) by means of at least a tongue and groove joint and which clamps the first part (1) between the rail and the third part (3), as a result of which the elastic boot is fixed to the rail.
Vibration isolator according to claim 1, whereby the first part (1) and the second part (2) of the elastic boot fill the lateral cavities (7) of the rail almost entirely.
Vibration isolator according to claim 1 or 2, whereby said tongue and groove join connects the standing wall (16) to the first part (1).
Vibration isolator according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby said tongue and groove joint has at least one groove with a recess (9) in the standing wall (16) in which a far end (18) of the rail foot (5) is to extend, such that this far end (18) forms at least a part of a tongue of said tongue and groove joint.
Vibration isolator according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby said tongue and groove joint has at least one tongue comprising at least one rib (8) of the elastic boot and a corresponding groove with a recess (9) in the elastic boot, whereby this rib (8) and recess (9) extend over practically the full length of the elastic boot.
Vibration isolator according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby said tongue and groove joint
has at least one groove consisting of a recess (9) which is provided in the standing wall (16) of the third part (3) and which extends over the full length of this third part (3)
and has at least one corresponding tongue consisting of at least a rib (8) which is provided on the first part (1) and which extends over the full length of this first part (1),
whereby at least the rib (8) fits in the recess (9) and whereby this third part (3) clamps the first part (1) between the third part (3) and the rail.
Vibration isolator according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the third part (3) is provided with two recesses (9) extending over the full length of this third part (3) and whereby the first part (1) and the second part (2) are each provided with a corresponding rib (8) extending over the full length of these parts (1, 2) and which each fit in a recess (9) of the third part (3), whereby this third part (3) clamps the first and the second part (1, 2) between the third part (3) and the rail.
Vibration isolator according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the second part (2) and the third part (3) form a physical whole and are thus permanently connected to one another.
Vibration isolator according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby the tongue and groove joint is elastically deformable and whereby it has a tongue which is less elastically deformable than a corresponding groove.
Vibration isolator according to any one of the preceding claims, whereby an electrically insulating layer (20) is provided between the elastic boot and the rail, whereby this layer (20) envelops the bottom side of the rail foot (5) entirely and extends over the full length of the rail up to at least the top side (10) of the rail foot (5) and, preferably, up to the rail body (6), and whereby this layer (20) preferably leaves the rail head (4) entirely free.
Method for covering a rail for a railway bed with an embedded continuously supported rail having a rail head (4) and a rail foot (5) which are connected by means of a rail body (6) and having a lateral cavity (7) on either side extending over the full length of the rail between the rail head (4) and the rail foot (5), with an elastic boot on which the rail rests and which is sufficiently rigid to clamp the rail in a groove in the railway bed and to keep the rail in its position here, whereby
at least a first part (1) and a second part (2) of the elastic boot are each fitted in a lateral cavity (7) of the rail, such that this first part (1) and this second part (2) each extend on one side of the rail according to the longitudinal direction of the rail, characterised in that
at least a third part (3) of the elastic boot is put over the bottom side of the rail foot (5) and is fixed to the rail foot (5) and/or the first part (1) by means of a tongue and groove joint, and whereby this third part (3) at least partly clamps the first part (1) between the rail and this third part (3), as a result of which the boot is fixed to the rail.
Method according to claim 11, whereby in order to fix the third part (3), the rails are suspended via the rail head (4), so that preferably the rail body (6) and the rail foot (5) are freely accessible.
Method according to claim 11 or 12, whereby the third part (3) is elastically deformed so as to introduce a first rib (8) of the first part (1) in a corresponding notch (9) of the third part (3), such that the first part (1) is fixed to the third part (3).
Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, whereby the third part (3) also clamps the second part (2) at least partly between the rail and this third part (3).
Method according to claim 14, whereby the third part (3) is elastically deformed so as to introduce a second rib (8) of the second part (2) in a corresponding notch (9) of the third part (3), as a result of which the second part (2) is fixed to the third part (3).
Method for constructing a railway bed with an embedded continuously supported rail, whereby a rail is covered with an elastic boot as in any one of the preceding claims, whereby the rail is suspended via the rail head (4), such that, preferably, the rail body (6) and the rail foot (5) are freely accessible, after which material from the railway bed (23) is provided round the rail enveloped by the elastic boot and this material hardens, and a groove is formed in which the rail is fixed together with the elastic boot.