FR2771760A1 - RAILWAY CROSSING CARRYING SLIPPERS, AND SLIPPERS FOR SUCH CROSSINGS - Google Patents

Abstract

The sleeper consists of at least one rigid block (2), especially of concrete, with its lower part set in a boot (20) molded e.g. from a rigid thermoplastic or resin concrete. The boot is in the form of a rigid shell with an inner sole (33) and pre-stressed segments (39, 40) which are elastic in response to compression or shearing forces. The sole and segments are fitted detachably to the boot and independently of the block, and the upper edge of the boot has a seal between it and the block.

Description

The present invention relates to a railway sleeper, comprising

  at least one rigid block, in particular of concrete, having a substantially planar lower face intended to rest on a support, an upper face intended to receive at least one longitudinal rail, and four peripheral faces which connect the upper face to the lower face and of which each has a substantially planar lower part, on the basis of two longitudinal peripheral faces, the lower parts of which converge downwardly on each other and two transverse peripheral faces, the lower parts of which converge on the bottom, said block being provided with a waterproof liner enveloping its lower face and the lower parts of its peripheral faces and comprising for this purpose a flat bottom having a substantially flat upper face along the lower face of the block with the interposition of an elastic sole, in particular in compression and in shear, and a rim continuous peripheral bordering this bottom and having an upper edge at least approximately parallel to this bottom, at a level higher than that of the lower parts of the peripheral faces of the block, this rim having four substantially flat internal faces, each of which runs along the lower part of a face

respective block device.

  Such sleepers are frequently used for laying a railway without ballast, for example in or on a structure such as a tunnel or a viaduct, offering as support for the sleepers a raft or a slab. The sleepers are brought to the installation site already provided with their slippers, temporarily retained by links, then they are placed in their final position relative to the support, in particular by placing them by the slippers on a temporary raft and adjusting their position. by means of appropriate devices, and finally filling with concrete or the like a clearance remaining between the slippers and the support as well as from one slipper to the other, by embedding the frame and the

  slippers without however exceeding their upper edge.

  After the concrete has set, the temporary retention links of the slippers are cut flush with the concrete and the slippers alone provide a mechanical connection between the blocks of the crosspieces and the support, allowing, together with the generally provided elastic sole, a possibility

relative elastic deflection.

  To this end, in the currently known technique, each boot is made of a piece of a material having the elasticity of the rubber, in dimensions such that it comes to be applied firmly, by the internal faces of its rim, on the lower parts of the peripheral faces of the block, it being understood that the rheostatic thrust applied by the concrete strengthens this support. When then, it is possibly necessary to proceed with the change of the crosspiece, the block is released from the liner which is left

  in place and into which we introduce a new block.

  As it is currently practiced, this technique of laying track without ballast is not entirely satisfactory and, in this regard, it appeared that the slippers as they were currently designed, and their mode of cooperation with the sleepers, could

to be implicated.

  A first difficulty appears during the manufacture of sleepers and the installation of slippers on the blocks, in the workshop. Indeed, the block manufacturing technique, generally by concrete molding, does not allow to respect very strict manufacturing tolerances while the molding techniques of materials having the elasticity of rubber allow to communicate to the slippers precise dimensions. This results in a certain degree of imprecision in the adaptation of the liner to the block to which it must adapt; in particular, the internal faces of the rim of the liner adapt more or less well to the lower zones of the peripheral faces of the block and the value of the mutual support pressure presents a great uncertainty while it conditions on the one hand the restraint of the bootie by the block during the handling phases of the sleeper, which may cause the booties to temporarily be retained on the sleepers by means of ties or other expedients, and on the other hand the reaction of the assembly formed by the block, the liner and the support, through the filling concrete, when the trains pass when the cross member

is in service.

  S15 On arrival at the installation site, the material constituting the slippers is very vulnerable to punching and slipping on the support or on the temporary raft, and tears of

  some slippers may occur.

  Then, when placing the filling concrete and then setting it, the rheostatic thrust applied to the liner causes it to deform, which comes to be pressed under a more or less controlled pressure, generally strong, on the block, to such an extent that it can result in a total impossibility, for the block, to play elastically inside the liner, both in the direction of the height and in a plane parallel to the support, which practically cancels the damping effects generally sought by means of the bootie, and can

  cause rapid deterioration of it.

  Finally, when it is necessary to replace the cross member, the support stresses thus existing between the internal faces of the liner and the lower parts of the peripheral faces of the block may hinder its extraction, at the risk of causing damage to the slipper. Once the block has been extracted from the latter, the latter retains an interior dimensioning rigorously adapted to that of the block which has just been extracted therefrom and the installation of another block, that is to say that of a new cross member can either present great difficulties if, due to the manufacturing constraints already mentioned, this block has a dimension slightly greater than that of the previously extracted block whereas, if the new block has a dimension less than that of the previously block extract, the support of the lower parts of the peripheral faces of the new block on the internal faces of the liner may be insufficient, or even

  non-existent in longitudinal and / or transverse direction.

  An object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and, to this end, the present invention provides a crosspiece of the type indicated in the preamble, further characterized in that the liner is formed from a substantially rigid shell bearing, between each inner face of the liner and the lower part of the respective corresponding peripheral face of the block, a respective flat segment, elastic in particular in compression and in shear, placed in preload

  elastic compression and shear.

  A skilled person will easily understand the

  advantages of such an embodiment of the liner.

  Even if the latter can be manufactured, for example by molding a rigid thermoplastic material or a resin concrete, with the same dimensional precision as the elastic liners hitherto used, its precise adaptation to the block that '' it is intended to receive, in the workshop, can be easily carried out even if this block has wide manufacturing tolerances, by making the choice of segments of thickness and / or of an appropriate nature to obtain a firm mutual support, providing a determined elastic prestressing, in particular in compression and shear, it being understood that this prestressing is provided by the segments alone, between two rigid components which constitute the liner on the one hand and the block on the other hand. Generally, in a sleeper according to the invention and unlike the case of the sleepers of the prior art, using elastic slippers, the block does not come into contact with the liner, which can be considered to form a rigid assembly with the concrete filling and with the support, so that all the elasticity of the support of the block compared to the support and all the effects of damping of the vibrations undergone by the block with the passage of the trains are ensured by the segments and the sole alone, that is to say without the slipper playing a role other than that for this purpose

  a rigid counterpart, integral with the support.

  During installation, a substantially rigid liner offers better resistance to slipping or

  punching on any type of support, i.e.

  say retains its watertightness under conditions in which a traditional bootie, made of material

  elastic, may tear or puncture.

  When, next, the filling concrete is placed, the substantially rigid liner resists the rheostatic thrust of this concrete so that the precise adjustment and adjustment of the mutual support stresses between the inner faces of the liner and the zones lower of the peripheral faces of the block, via the segments, is preserved and that, subsequently, the block can move elastically under well-defined conditions, inside the liner, during passage

trains.

  If, then, it is necessary to change the crosspiece, the extraction of the block does not present any difficulty since the support of the liner on it has varied little or, in any case, has not considerably strengthened due to the rheostatic thrust of the concrete and when, then, it is desired to set up a new block in the liner, that is to say this new block has a dimensioning sufficiently close to the preceding block to come to occupy the place of the latter without disturbing the constraints applied in a disturbing manner to the segments as well as to the elastic sole, that is to say, if the new block has dimensions substantially different from those of the previous block due to the tolerances, it is possible to change all or part of the segments and / or the elastic sole to restore known conditions

block support in the liner.

  In this regard, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each segment is detachably retained in the liner and independent of the block, for example because each internal face has a peripheral shoulder for retaining the respective segment to against a relative sliding, said shoulder being dimensioned weakly enough not to come into contact with the block, and / or each internal face and the respective segment have distributed means of detachable mutual latching, for example in the form of '' a groove parallel to the upper face of the bottom of the liner, arranged on each internal face, and grooves complemented on each segment. Likewise, preferably, the sole is detachably retained in the liner and independent of the block, and it is even possible to provide for the cross member to have a thickness spacer interposed between the sole and the upper face of the bottom, detachably retained in the liner and independent of the sole, which makes it possible to intervene both on the thickness of the wedge, considered to be substantially incompressible, and on the characteristics of the sole to choose the support characteristics of the cross member downwards in the slipper. To this end, advantageously, provision is made for each internal face to form, in the immediate vicinity of the upper face of the bottom, at a level lower than that of a lower limit of the respective segment, a shoulder for retaining the sole and, where appropriate. , of the shim against a relative sliding, said shoulder being dimensioned sufficiently

  weakly so as not to come into contact with the block.

  Naturally, the fact that the shoulders thus provided on the internal faces of the rim of the liner do not come into contact with the block is understood by reference to normal conditions of use of the crosspiece. In addition, the shim of possible thickness advantageously has, in contact with the sole, a roughness obtained by a relief such as ridges, diamond tips or spikes, which prevents any slipping of

the sole on the wedge.

  Incidentally, the use of a rigid material to make the liner also makes it possible to provide reliefs that are closely located inside of it, in order to come into contact with the block when it is introduced into the liner. , so as to serve as a positioning guide, then either break or wear out on the first pass of a train so as not to hinder the operation of the elastic segments and the elastic sole. The fact of dissociating, in accordance with the present invention, on the one hand the elastic segments in particular in compression and in shearing and on the other hand the liner itself, meanwhile substantially rigid, also offers the possibility of choosing at will the mechanical characteristics of the segments, that is to say their nature, their thickness, possibly their conformation in contact with the lower part of the peripheral face of the corresponding block respectively, and in particular to adapt these characteristics to the position

segments.

  In particular, provision may be made, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for the segments corresponding to the longitudinal faces to have a stiffness greater than that of the segments corresponding to the transverse faces so that the segments corresponding to the longitudinal faces provide mainly damping and that the segments corresponding to the transverse faces simply provide resilient support for the block vis-à-vis the liner and, through the latter and the concrete

  filling, relative to the support.

  It is also possible, as is known per se with regard to the internal faces of the slippers made of elastic material, for each segment to have a discontinuous structure in contact with the lower part of the respective corresponding peripheral face of the block, for example under form of a groove parallel to the upper face of the bottom, which makes it possible to facilitate the work of the segment with elastic shearing during vertical elastic deflections of the block, moreover mainly taken up in elastic compression work by the sole, for a determined elastic compressive stress of the segments between the

block and liner.

  It will be observed that, in particular because of the possibility of locating at the level of the segments and of the sole, freely chosen, the supports between the cross-member and the filling concrete, the liner of which can be considered to be an integral part because of its rigidity , we benefit from a greater latitude than in the past to draw the block and, correspondingly, the liner so that we can play not only on the mechanical characteristics of the segments and the sole but also on the slope of the internal faces of the rim of the boot relative to the upper face of the bottom thereof or of the lower parts of the peripheral faces of the block with respect to the lower face of

  this to determine the behavior of the block,

  support screw, and in particular the possibilities of relative elastic deflection and damping, at

passing trains.

  We can also more easily determine the conditions of effectiveness of a seal between the upper edge of the liner edge and the block, in order to avoid the penetration of water and, during installation, concrete inside the bootie, between it

and the block.

  In this regard, it is advantageously provided that a seal is removably retained on the liner, for example by providing that the seal and the upper edge of the rim of the liner

  present mutual nesting means.

  The effectiveness of the joint is further increased if, according to an improvement of the crosspiece according to the invention, the inner liner, between the internal faces and the upper edge of its rim, and the block, externally, above the lower parts of these peripheral faces, have substantially planar facets arranged in facing relation, without mutual contact, and forming a respective flaring upwards, each peripheral face of the block has, above the corresponding facet respectively, an upper part substantially planar, and the upper parts of the longitudinal peripheral faces and the upper parts of the transverse peripheral faces, respectively, converge mutually upward and connect to the respective facet along a peripheral edge of the block, at least approximately parallel to the lower face of the block and located at a level lower than that of the upper edge of the rim of the liner, so that the seal seals tightly on the upper parts of the faces

block devices.

  This avoids any accumulation of water above the joint, between it and the block, so that the runoff is guided as best as possible so as not to

  risk entering the boot.

  This avoids the formation, inside the liner, of pockets of stagnant water which, expelled by the passage of trains, would in particular create at the bottom of the liner pockets of air which are detrimental to the support of the sole.

  or the shim at the bottom of the liner, i.e.

  tell the distribution of support on the support, through the filling concrete and the liner itself. To further avoid the formation of air pockets under the bottom of the liner, that is to say between it and the filling concrete, which would also adversely affect the distribution of support between the bottom of the liner and concrete, it is advantageous to provide that the bottom of the liner has a convex underside, which helps to evacuate the air from below the liner when the filling concrete is placed and vibrated. For this purpose, for example, the lower face of the bottom has a flat central zone, parallel to its upper face, to authorize a set support on the support or on a frame covering the latter, when the front crosspieces are in place. pouring the filling concrete, and further constituting in the bottom of the liner an area of greater thickness, better resistant to shifting and puncturing, and an upward peripheral area there towards the edge of the liner from said area

  central to ensure the evacuation of air.

  Advantageously, the stiffness of the liner is ensured without having to resort to a large wall thickness for the latter by providing that the

  liner has externally reinforcing ribs.

  These may advantageously include anchoring means for means for retaining and / or positioning the liner, with it of the cross member, relative to the support, in particular before and during the placement of the filling concrete. For example, it is thus possible to ensure a direct connection of the liner with a frame covering the support, without resorting to links passing over the block and which it would then be necessary to section: such links can be provided between the means anchor provided on the ribs and

  the reinforcement, and remain embedded in the filling concrete.

  The reinforcing ribs can be oriented longitudinally and / or transversely, in particular perpendicular to the upper edge of the rim, along the latter and, when the underside of the bottom has a flat central zone and a peripheral ascending zone towards the rim of the liner. from this central zone, they can also extend under this ascending peripheral zone, so as to extend coplanarly the aforementioned flat central zone and thus increase the bearing surface of the liner, for example on a frame superimposed on the support, before the

  placement of filling concrete.

  In addition, the reinforcing ribs can extend peripherally around the liner and, in particular, it is advantageously possible to provide that one of the reinforcing ribs extends continuously around the edge of the liner, substantially parallel to the upper face. from the bottom, at a level lower than that of the upper edge of the rim and corresponding substantially to that of an upper limit of the segments, to serve as a level reference for the pouring of a material for connecting the liner with the support, namely in practice

filling concrete.

  This arrangement makes it possible to precisely adjust the level of the filling concrete, or other material connecting the liner with the support, on the one hand with respect to the segments, so that the rheostatic thrust of the concrete does not apply to the liner of effort in overhang with respect to the segments, above the latter, which could cause a deflection, or even a break, of the wall of the liner at this level and a blocking effect in the liner, or conversely that the filling concrete does not reach an insufficient level S15 thereby causing a distribution of the forces between the liner and the filling concrete, and indirectly between the block and the liner via the segments, on an insufficient surface at risk to cause excess constraints. Such an arrangement also makes it possible to avoid any risk of overflow of the filling concrete above the upper edge of the liner, with the risk of penetration inside the latter, which would create hard support points between the block and the liner and would harm the elasticity of mutual support by

  through the segments and the sole.

  While it is understood that the present invention can be applied as well to so-called "monoblock" sleepers, comprising a single block provided with a copy of said liner, as to so-called "biblock" sleepers comprising two transversely blocks extremes or "blocks" each of which is provided with a copy of said liner and which are mutually connected in a solid manner by a rigid transverse spacer, generally metallic, this possibility of precisely adjusting the level of the filling concrete with respect to the upper edge of the Chausson offers an additional advantage in the case of such a bi-block sleeper by also allowing the respect of a predetermined spacing, or exceeding a predetermined threshold, between the spacer and the filling concrete. Indeed, this avoids a risk of the presence of concrete between the spacer and the slab formed by the filling concrete, in the immediate vicinity of the liner, which could cause on the one hand an accumulation of various wastes and consequently of humidity at this level, at the risk of allowing the passage of stray currents affecting the operation of electronic safety circuits, which requires mutual insulation of the rails, and on the other hand risks of fatigue of the spacer by localized support on the filling concrete flush with the

blochet, passing trains.

  It will be observed that the presence of the spacer does not constitute an obstacle to the free choice of the position of the upper edge of each liner relative to the respective block since, if the upper edge of the edge of each liner is located at a level below that to which the spacer is connected to each block by a longitudinal peripheral face thereof, the seal advantageously provided on the upper edge of the edge of each liner can continue without discontinuity or deviation under the spacer while, if the upper edge of the rim of each liner is located at an intermediate level of the spacer, it can advantageously be provided that this upper edge has a notch located around it, in which case sealing means are provided between each liner, the corresponding block and the spacer, inside the respective notch, for example by stuffing this

  last using suitable material.

  We are thus assured, in each case, that the runoff water coming from the spacer does not penetrate

not in the slipper.

  Provision may be made for the shell of a cross member according to the invention to be made in a single piece, for example by molding a thermoplastic material, or alternatively of a resin concrete, but it may advantageously be made of a sealed assembly, substantially rigid, of several watertight partial shells, substantially

  rigid, for example produced by this means.

  Thus, according to one embodiment, the shell can be made up of two watertight, substantially rigid half-shells, each of which corresponds to a respective half of the block considered in transverse direction and which are assembled together in a leaktight and substantially rigid manner, the along a longitudinal plane, which is particularly suitable in the case of a short block in transverse direction, that is to say

of a block of a bibloc crosspiece.

  It is also possible to provide, in a manner better suited to the case of one-piece sleepers, for the hull to consist of two watertight, substantially rigid half-shells, each of which corresponds to a respective end zone of the block considered in transverse direction, and of a chute. watertight, substantially rigid, which corresponds to a zone of the block situated between said extreme zones thereof and which is assembled to each of the half-shells, in a watertight and substantially rigid manner, the

  along a respective longitudinal plane.

  It will be observed that the half-shells used in both cases can be identical, which makes it possible to use standard half-shells to face all the situations, by assembling them mutually either directly or by l through a chute of appropriate size depending on the

block dimension.

  Advantageously, the partial shells are assembled mutually by interlocking, namely preferably in a transverse direction, and mutual clamping, which makes it possible to have a possibility of adjusting the transverse dimension of the hull according to the manufacturing tolerances of the block. for which it is intended, it being understood that these tolerances are

  at most of the order of a millimeter.

  Naturally, insofar as the liner of a sleeper according to the invention has in itself original characteristics, the present invention is not limited to the complete sleeper, comprising both at least one block and one liner, but also to a waterproof boot, intended for the production of a railway sleeper and comprising for this purpose a flat bottom having a substantially planar upper face and a continuous peripheral rim bordering this bottom and having an upper edge at least approximately parallel to this bottom, this rim having four substantially flat internal faces, this liner being characterized in that it is formed from a substantially rigid shell, as defined for the production of a crosspiece according to the invention. Other features and benefits of

  the invention will emerge from the description below, relating to a few nonlimiting examples of implementation, as well as

  attached drawings which are part

integral to this description.

  - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a so-called "biblock" cross member made in accordance with the present invention, except that the seal ensuring the seal between each liner and each block or

  "blochet" has not been shown.

  - Figure 2 shows, on a larger scale, the block which is on the right of Figure 1, with its

  shoe but also without the joint.

  - Figure 3 shows a view of this cross member after its installation on a support, the cross member being seen in elevation in a longitudinal direction identified in III in Figure 3 and the support being seen in section by a plane perpendicular to the direction of the rails , considered

  as a longitudinal reference.

  - Figure 4 shows, in a view identical to that of Figure 3 but on a larger scale, the block and the liner appearing to the left of this Figure 3, that is to say the block and the liner illustrated in Figure 2 and to the right of Figure 1, with partial cutaway and

  seal between the liner and the block.

  - Figures 5 and 6 show views of the block, the liner and the joint, in section through longitudinal planes marked respectively in V-V and VI-VI at the

figure 4.

  - Figure 7 shows, in a view similar to that of Figure 2, two half-shells constituting the liner

  according to a preferred embodiment, these two half

  hulls being shown in a position prior to

their assembly.

  - Figure 8 shows a view of one of these two half-shells at the end, in a transverse direction marked by

an arrow VIII in Figure 7.

  - Figure 9 shows, in a view similar to that of Figure 7, the liner formed of the two assembled shells and provided internally with the segments used to

block support.

  - Figure 10 shows, in a view similar to that of Figure 1, a single cross member putting

works the invention.

  - Figure 11 shows, in a view similar to that of Figure 3, the same cross in a direction identified by an arrow XI in Figure 10, after laying on

a support.

  - Figure 12 shows, in a perspective view, similar to that of Figure 7, a chute intended to be interposed between two half-shells similar to those which have been illustrated in Figure 7 to constitute the liner of the one-piece sleeper of Figures 10 and 11. - Figure 13 shows a view of the liner thus produced, with the support segments for the block, in a

  view similar to that of FIG. 9.

  We will first refer to Figures 1 to 9, where there is illustrated a cross member 1 bibloc, formed of two blocks or "blocks" 2 of prestressed reinforced concrete, both symmetrical with respect to the same plane 3 oriented at least approximately vertically when the crossmember is in service, these two blocks being mutually juxtaposed in a direction 4 of plane 3, mutually symmetrical with respect to a plane 9 perpendicular to plane 3 and to direction 4, and connected mutually by a rigid spacer 5, rectilinear and oriented in the direction 4, and for example constituted by a metal angle partially embedded in one and the other of the blocks 2. The direction 4 is horizontal if the cross member 1 corresponds to a section of track railway in a straight line and has a slope which can go up to a few degrees with respect to the horizontal in the case of a crosspiece 1 corresponding to a curved section of track. Each of the blocks 2 is intended to carry a respective rail 11 of the railway, in a non-detailed but known manner from a

Tradesman.

  By convention, the rails 11 define, by their common direction, a longitudinal reference so that the plane 9 and the cutting planes V-V and VI-VI which are parallel to it are longitudinal while the

  plane 3 and direction 4 are transverse.

  If we refer to the position of use of the cross member 1, which will serve as a reference for the assembly

  from this description, each block 2 is delimited towards the

  bottom by a flat lower face 6 to the manufacturing tolerances, perpendicular to the plane 3 and parallel to the direction 4, which lower face 6 is intended to rest indirectly on a support 7 constituted by

  example by the upper face of a raft or a dal-

  the; side 6 is generally parallel, at least

approximately on this face 7.

  Upwards, the block 2 is delimited by an upper face 8 which has a generally planar shape, perpendicular to the plane 3 and parallel to the direction 4, in a manner not illustrated, or even inclined by a few degrees relative to the lower face 6 so as to approach it in the direction of approximation with respect to the plane 9 in the direction 4, that is to say towards the inside of the track formed by the rails 11. This side 8 is intended to carry the rail 11 corresponding to block 2 and may have recesses and / or reliefs 12 for receiving and retaining small intermediate materials for mounting the rail 11, not shown but well known to a person skilled in the art. For the fixing of these small materials and / or of the rail 11, on the upper face 8 of the block 2 can project two studs arranged along a respective axis located in the plane 3 and at least approximately perpendicular to the direction 4, also not illustrated but well known to a skilled person. The mounting of each rail 11 on the associated block 2 is not characteristic of the present invention; it is well known elsewhere and will not be

detailed further.

  Each of the faces 6 and 8 has an approximately rectangular plan shape, the dimensions of the lower face 6 being slightly greater than those of the upper face 8, and the one and the other are connected, by means of a respective bevel 14,, to a set of external peripheral faces which connect them to one another and are connected in pairs, on the basis of two transverse peripheral faces 16, 17

  and two longitudinal peripheral faces 18, 19.

  In particular for reasons of manufacturing the block 2 by molding, each of the peripheral faces 16, 17, 18, 19 has two parts or sections, on the basis of a lower panel bearing the same respective reference numeral assigned to the index a, and an upper section bearing the same respective reference numeral assigned to the index b, each of these sections being substantially planar,

manufacturing tolerances.

  The transverse peripheral faces 16, 17 are mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane 3 and their lower sides 16a, 17a converge mutually downward by including an angle of some degrees, not referenced, with the plane 3 while their upper sides 16bn 17b converge mutually upward at an angle of a few degrees, not referenced, with respect to the plane 3. According to the preferred embodiment which has been illustrated, the upper and lower sections respectively of each transverse peripheral face 16, 17 do not are not connected directly, but through a respective facet 16c, 17c, substantially planar to the manufacturing tolerances. The two facets 16c, 17c, which are mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane 3, diverge mutually upward, forming with respect to this plane an unreferenced angle slightly greater than that formed with respect to this plane the lower panels 16a, 17a, of such that the facets 16c, 17c define a widening of the block 2 upwards, at the transition between the lower panels 16a, 17a and the upper panels 16b, 17b. Thus, the panels 16a and 16b are connected to the corresponding facet 16c along a respective rectilinear edge 16d, 16th parallel to the face 6, and the panels 17a and 17b are connected to the corresponding facet 17c along an edge respective rectilinear 17d, 17th also parallel to face 6, the edges 16d and 17d appearing in hollow and the edges 16th and 17th in relief. The edges 16d and 17d are mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane 3 and located at the same distance or at the same level with respect to the lower face 6 of which they are closer than the face

  upper 8, as well as the 16th and 17th edges.

  Similarly, the longitudinal peripheral faces 18 and 19 are mutually symmetrical with respect to a plane 10 perpendicular to the axis 4, it being understood that the face 18 extends upwards above a symmetrical zone of the face 19 by relative to the plane 10 taking into account the aforementioned inclination of the upper face 8 of the block with respect to its lower face 6. The lower sides 18a and 19a of these longitudinal peripheral faces 18, 19 converge mutually downward, forming with respect to the plane 10 an angle not referenced and substantially identical, in the example illustrated, to that which the lower panels 16a and 17a of the peripheral faces 16 and 17 form with respect to the plane 3 and the upper panels 18b and 19b of these longitudinal peripheral faces 18 and 19 converge mutually upward, forming with respect to the plane 10 an angle which is not referenced and which is substantially identical, in the example illustrated, to that which the upper panels 16b e t 17b of the peripheral faces 16 and 17 form with respect to the plane 3. According to the preferred embodiment which has been illustrated, the respectively upper and lower sections of each transverse peripheral face 18, 19 are not connected directly, but by the through a respective facet 18c, 19c, substantially planar to the manufacturing tolerances. The two facets 18c, 19c, which are mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane 3, diverge mutually upward, forming with respect to this plane an unreferenced angle slightly greater than that formed with respect to this plane the lower panels 18a, 19a, of such that the facets 18c, 19c define a widening of the block 2 upwards, at the transition between the lower panels 18a, 19a and the upper panels 18b, 19b. Thus, the sections 18a and 19b are connected to the corresponding facet 18c along a respective straight edge 18d, 18e and the sections 19a and 19b are connected to the corresponding facet 19c along a respective straight edge 19d, 19e, the edges 18d and 19d appearing in hollow and the 18th and 19th edges appearing in relief. The edges 18d and 19d are mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane 10, parallel to the face 6 and arranged at the same distance therefrom, this distance being identical to that which separates from the face 6 the edges 16d and 17d so that the edges 16d, 17d, 18d, 19d are connected to each other to form around the block 2 a plane ridge or rectangular, re-entrant belt, parallel to the underside 6, while the edges 18th and 19th, also mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane 10 and parallel to face 6, are arranged at the same distance from this face 6 as the edges 16th and 17th so that the edges 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th connect with each other to form around the block 8 a rectangular edge or flat belt , protruding, also parallel to face 6

but further away from it.

  For installation without ballast on the upper support surface 7, the block 2 is wrapped integrally, at its lower part defined by its lower face 6, the bevel 14, the lower sections 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a of the faces peripherals 16, 17, 18, 19, the facets 16c, 17c, 18c, 19c as well as areas of the upper panels 16b, 17b, 18b, 19b immediately adjacent to these facets 16c, 17c, 18c, 19c, by a waterproof liner which , in accordance with the present invention, has the shape of a substantially rigid shell, in particular in flexion and in compression; by way of nonlimiting example, this liner 20 can be made of material

  molded thermoplastic or resin concrete.

  For this purpose, the liner 20 has a flat bottom 21, of generally rectangular shape, which has a substantially planar upper face 22 running parallel to the face 6 and is bordered on all sides by a continuous peripheral rim, rising 23 flaring from below. at the top, in relation to the flaring of the lower part of the block 2 from bottom to top, between the lower face 6 of the latter and all of the edges 16th,

17th, 18th, 19th.

  More specifically, the rim 23 is formed by four essentially flat panels 24, 25, 26, 27 each of which is associated with one, respectively, of the peripheral faces 16, 17, 18, 19 of the block 2 and which is connect on the one hand two by two and on the other hand to the bottom 21. Between the upper face 22 of the bottom 21 of the liner 20 and the lower face 6 of the block 2 is interposed a shock absorbing sole 33 which, in known manner, is produced in a material having the elasticity of rubber, in particular in compression and in shear, and for example in cellular elastomer and which, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, rests freely, that is to say of easily removable, on a shim 34 which is substantially incompressible, also resting freely, that is to say easily removable on the upper face 22 of the bottom 21. Advantageously, in a manner not shown but easily understandable by a Métis Man er, the risk of the sole sliding on the shim is avoided by making it rough in contact with the sole, for example by fitting appropriate reliefs such as ridges, spikes

diamond, spikes.

  The block 2 thus rests on the bottom 21 of the liner via the sole 33 and the shim 34 which, for this purpose, have a plan shape substantially identical to that of the underside 6 of the block 2 , that is to say substantially rectangular, with dimensions preferably greater by a few

  millimeters to those of this face 6.

  Inside the liner 20, that is to say towards the block 2, each of the panels 24, 25, 26, 27 has an internal face 28, 29, 30, 31 essentially constituted by a respective flat plane 28a, 29a, 30a, 31a, extending from a level corresponding substantially to that of the junction between the bevel 14 of the block 2 and the outer peripheral faces 16, 17, 18, 19 thereof to a corresponding level substantially to that of the junction edge 16d, 17d, 18d, 19d between the lower face 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a of the peripheral face 16, 17, 18, 19 corresponding to block 2 and the corresponding facet 16c, 17d respectively 18d, 19d, by presenting an obliquity identical to that of the lower panel 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a corresponding so as to be parallel to the latter without coming into contact with it, that is to say respecting a interval

continuous not referenced.

  Each of the sections 28a, 29a, 30a, 31a has a rectangular periphery as large as possible, defined by a continuous peripheral shoulder 28b, 29b, b, 31b whose projection relative to the respective pan is

  low enough that it also respects

  screw of block 2 a continuous interval not referenced. This shoulder has two rectilinear sides, respectively upper and lower, parallel to the upper face 22 of the bottom 22 and situated at respective levels corresponding substantially to that of the junction between the bevel 14 of the block 2 and the outer peripheral faces 16, 17, 18, 19 thereof and that of the edges 16d, 17d, 18d, 19d, and two rectilinear sides perpendicular to its upper and lower sections and as close as possible to the mutual connections of the internal faces 28a, 29a, 30a, 31a. The lower sides of the shoulders 28b, 29b, 30b, 31b form in

  in addition around the upper face 22 of the bottom 21,

  above this face, a peripheral shoulder bordering it on all sides and opposing a path of the sole 33 and the shim 32

sliding on this face 21.

  Each internal face 28, 29, 30, 31 further comprises above the upper side of the peripheral shoulder 28b, 29b, 30b, 31b of each panel 28a, 29a, a, 31a a respective planar facet 28c, 29c, 30c , 31c which is connected downwards to this upper side and extends to a level corresponding substantially to that of the edges 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th of the peripheral faces 16, 17, 18, 19 of block 2 by presenting a obliquity close to that of the facets 16c, 17c, 18c, 19c, or slightly more pronounced than the latter, so as to define inside the liner 20 an upward flaring, opposite the flaring of the block 2, without risk of contact between the latter, in particular by its facets 16c, 17c, 18c, 19c, and the liner 20, in particular by its

facets 28c, 29c, 30c, 31c.

  Upwards, except possibly in a closely located location as will appear below, the internal faces 28, 29, 30, 31 of the panel 24, and more precisely the facets 28c, 29c, 30c, 31c of its internal faces, are connected to an upper edge 32 of the rim 23, which upper edge 32 is parallel to the upper face 22 of the bottom 21 of the liner 20 and to the lower face 6 of the block 2 and has at a level slightly higher than that of the projecting edges 16th, 17th , 18th, 19th of the peripheral faces 16, 17, 18, 19 of block 2 a common T-shaped section or the like, capable of allowing the fixing, on its complementarity, of a continuous, elastically flexible seal 34 and / or compressible, for example natural or synthetic rubber, which is supported in prestress by elastic deformation on the areas of the upper panels 16b, 17b, 18b, 19b of the peripheral faces 16, 17, 18, 19 of the most 2 block close to the ridges 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th to create a seal at this level between block 2 and the liner without affecting the possibilities of elastic deflection

from block 2 in the liner.

  If, in a manner not illustrated, the spacer 5 penetrates into the peripheral face 19 of the block 2 exclusively at the level of the upper panel 19b thereof, and more precisely above the upper edge 32 of the liner 23, this rim 32 can extend continuously like the seal 34 over the entire periphery of the rim 23, in a manner not illustrated but easily understood by a person skilled in the art. If, on the other hand, as illustrated, the spacer 5 enters the peripheral face 19 of the block 2 straddling the upper face 19b and the facet 19c thereof, or more generally in part at a level lower than that of the upper edge 32 of the liner 20, the latter has, in a localized manner under the spacer 5, at the upper part of its corresponding panel 27, a notch 35 at the level of

  which the seal 34 has an interruption 36.

  The notch 35, limited to the upper edge 34 and to an upper zone of the facet 31c, without reaching the level of the upper side of the shoulder 31b of the internal face 31 of the panel 27, has for example a rectangular shape, symmetrical by with respect to plane 3, with dimensions sufficient to respect a continuous interval with respect to the spacer 5, that is to say so as not to come into contact with this spacer 5. At this level, the seal between the liner 20 and the block 2 can be ensured by filling in the interruption of the seal 36, inside the notch 35 and around the spacer 5, by means of an appropriate material, not shown, such as than an alveolar synthetic material. In general, in accordance with the present invention, any direct contact between the block 2 or the spacer 5 and the liner 20 is avoided, at least in

  normal operating conditions.

  To establish between the lower sections 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a of the peripheral faces 16, 17, 18, 19 of the block 2 and the internal faces 28, 29, 30, 31 of the liner 20 an elastic support in compression and in shearing, type of that which the sole 33 provides between the lower face 6 of the block 2 and the upper face 22 of the bottom 21, by means of the shim 34, on each face 28a, 29a, 30a, 31a is retained by simple pressing against it and fitting inside the respective shoulder 28b, 29b, 30b, 31b, a respective flat segment 37, 38, 39, 40, elastic in particular in compression and in shear and placed in elastic preload of compression and shear between the lower panel 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a of the peripheral face 16, 17, 18, 19 respectively associated and the panel 28a, 29a, 30a, 31a of the internal face 28, 29, 30, 31 respectively associated with the liner 20. The retention of each segment 37, 38, 39, 40 on the pan respectively associated ié 28a, 29a, a, 31a can also be ensured by distributed mutual latching, in a manner not illustrated but easily understandable by a skilled person, for example by means of grooves arranged in each pan 28a, 29a, a, 31a parallel to the upper face 22 of the bottom 21 and of grooves complemented on each

segment 37, 38, 39, 40.

  Each of the segments 37, 38, 39, 40 has a plan shape substantially identical to that defined by the peripheral shoulder 28b, 29b, 30b, 31b of the respective pan 28a, 29a, 30a, 31a and a thickness at rest, as prestressed with respect to block 2, greater than the projection that this shoulder forms with respect to the corresponding pan respectively, so as to permanently keep, under normal operating conditions, block 2 at a distance from the faces

  internal 28, 29, 30, 31 of liner 20.

  The segments 37, 38, 39, 40 are preferably detachably retained in the liner 20 and independent of the block 2, in the same way as the sole 33 and the shim 34, so as to be easily interchangeable. They can advantageously be made of a material having the elasticity of the rubber and, if necessary, their elasticity in compression and in shearing can be increased, at the level of their contact with the lower panel 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a of the peripheral face. 16, 17, 18, 19 of the corresponding block 2 respectively, by arrangement of localized discontinuities, for example in the form of a groove 41, 42, 43, 44, parallel to the upper face

22 from the bottom 21 of the liner.

  It will be observed that, insofar as they are independent of the liner 20 and made of a material different from the material constituting the latter, the segments 37, 38, 39, 40 can be freely chosen as to their nature, their thickness, their mechanical characteristics, in particular of elasticity in compression and in shear; in particular, the segments 39 and 40 corresponding to the longitudinal peripheral faces 18, 19 of the block 2 can thus be chosen so as to have a stiffness greater than that of the segments 37, 38 corresponding to the transverse peripheral faces 16, 17 of the block 2, of such that the segments 39, 40 mainly provide a damping function between the block 2 and the liner and, through the latter, the support face 7 while the segments 37, 38 simply provide resilient support of the block 2 with respect to the liner 20 and, through the latter, with respect to the support face 7. This choice is however only a non-limiting example and other choices can be made without the '' we therefore go beyond the scope of the present invention, and in particular the choices according to which the four segments 37, 38, 39, 40

  have the same characteristics.

  Likewise, although segments 37, 38, 39, 40 have been described and illustrated, each of which continuously covers almost the entire pan 28a, 29a, 30a, 31a respectively corresponding, provision could be made for only partial coverage of all or part of these sections by the corresponding segments, for example divided for this purpose into several elementary segments distributed over the respectively corresponding pan and individually retained thereon, in a removable manner, for example by one and / or the other means previously

  described, as will readily be understood by a person skilled in the art.

  The upper edge 32 of the liner 20 connects the internal faces 28, 29, 30, 31 of the rim 23 thereof to respective external peripheral faces 45, 46, 47, 48 thereof, which delimit the panels 24, 25 , 26, 27 towards the outside of the liner 20, until they connect with the bottom 21. The thickness of the panels 24, 25, 26, 27 being substantially constant, these external faces 45, 46, 47, 48 have a shape close to that of the corresponding internal face respectively 28, 29, 30, 31, but this shape is indifferent with regard to the present invention since it ensures

good stiffness in the liner 20.

  This rigidity is however reinforced by ribs 50, 52, 53, 54 arranged in relief on the outer peripheral faces 45, 46, 47, 48 and, in part,

  under the bottom 21 and material coming with the liner 20.

  These ribs can have any suitable shape and any suitable arrangement relative to the liner 20. However, preferably, one of them externally belts the liner 20 at a level corresponding substantially to that of the upper side of the peripheral shoulders 28b, 29b, 30b, 31b of the panels 28a, 29a, 30a, 31a of the inner peripheral faces 28, 29, 30, 31 of the shoe 20, to indicate the limit up to which the latter can and must be embedded in filling concrete 49 poured between the booties 20 of the two blocks 2, on the one hand, and between each of these booties 20 and the support face 7, on the other hand, to ensure the joining of the booties 20 with the latter after that one has adjusted the position of the rails 11 relative to this face 7, in a manner known in itself to a person skilled in the art. Advantageously, this rib 50, thus arranged parallel to the upper face 22 of the

  bottom 21 of liner 20 and upper edge 32 thereof

  ci, at a level lower than that of this edge 32, extends continuously around the liner 20 to also serve as a float guide for the upper face 51 of the concrete 49. Naturally, the spacer 5 must be placed at the above this face 51 while respecting a clearance 52 towards it, the possible notch 35 is integrally located above the rib 50 in order to simplify the sealing of the connection between the liner 20 and the block 2 opposite a concrete passage

  when placing the filling concrete 49.

  A similar peripheral rib 52, also parallel to the upper edge 32, can be placed immediately below the latter to serve as a

  counter-support to the seal 34 opposite the support of the latter

  ci on the outer peripheral faces 16, 17, 18, 19 of the block 2, and the two ribs 50 and 51 are advantageously connected to each other, in a distributed manner in order to ensure the rigidity of the liner 20 in the area of the panels 24, 25, 26, 27 located above the segments 37, 38, 39, 40, by ribs 53 as for

  they oriented perpendicular to the edge 32, that is to say to the upper face 22 of the bottom 21, on each of the

  outer peripheral faces 45, 46, 47, 48.

  Other ribs 54, also perpendicular to the rim 34 and to the upper face 22 of the bottom 21 of the liner 20, extend downward, from the peripheral rib 50, on each of the outer peripheral faces 45, 46, 47 , 47, to the bottom 21 and partially below it, and more precisely under a peripheral zone 55 of its lower face 56 which, moreover, has a planar central zone 57, parallel to the upper face 22. The peripheral zone 55 of the lower face 56 is ascending from its central zone 57, towards the rim 23 of the liner 20, and more precisely towards each of the panels 24, 25, 26, 27 forming this rim 23, which gives the underside 56 a convex shape facilitating the evacuation of air which could tend to remain occluded between the concrete 49 and the bottom 21 of the liner 20, or of water which would tend to

  accumulate there due to the vibration of the concrete.

  Naturally, other conformations, also convex, of the face 56 could be chosen without

  this goes beyond the scope of the present invention.

  However, a plane conformation of the central area 57

  of the face 56 makes it possible to place the liner 20, that is to say

  say the cross member 1 as a whole, in a stable position on any flat support, and in particular on a reinforcing mesh 58 disposed above the support face 7, at a distance from the latter, prior to the installation of the cross members 1 and the pouring of concrete

  filling 49, which drowns this frame 58.

  Advantageously, at least some of the ribs 54 have means, such as notches 59, making it possible to anchor the liner 20 on the frame 58, by means of links then embedded in the filling concrete 49, or even on other reinforcements provided inside this concrete, or else on means for positioning the sleepers 1 in relation to the

  others and relative to the support face 7.

  Naturally, other means could be provided for this purpose, in particular on the ribs 54, and by

  example of holes or indentations of these.

  Given the conformation of the underside 56 of the bottom 21, the ribs 54 bypass the connection of the rim 23 of the liner 20 to the bottom 21 thereof and extend under the peripheral zone 55 by presenting a respective edge downward 60, flat, coplanarly extending the central area 57 of the lower face 56. At the circumvention of the junction between the bottom 21 and the rim 23, this edge 60 bends in a quarter circle upwards and along the panels 24 ,, 26, 27 of the rim 23, the ribs 54 are delimited by an edge situated in a respective geometrical plane parallel to the plane 3 as regards the ribs of the panels 24 and 25, or to the plane 10 as regards the ribs of the panels 26 and 27. This respective plane also delimits the peripheral rib 50 and, on the panels 26 and 27, the peripheral rib 52 and the ribs 53; on the other hand, on the panels 24 and 25, the peripheral ribs 52 and the ribs 53 are delimited, in the direction of a distance from the plane 3, by an edge situated in a plane offset towards the plane 3 relative to the plane delimiting the ribs

54 and 50.

  However, other configurations of the ribs, 52, 53, 54 could be chosen without that

  so far from the scope of the present invention.

  The rigid shell forming the liner 20 in accordance with the present invention may be made in one piece, in a manner not illustrated, or, preferably, be made by a tight, substantially rigid assembly, of several partial shells themselves

  waterproof and substantially rigid, as illustrated.

  Advantageously, in the case of a liner 20 intended for one of the blocks 2 of a biblock crossmember, the

  shell forming the liner consists of two half

  watertight, substantially rigid shells 61, 62, each of which corresponds to a respective half of the block 2 considered in transverse direction, that is to say to one of the halves of the block 2 separated by the plane 10 with respect to which the two half-shells 61, 62 are mutually symmetrical, except for the presence of the notch 35 on one of the two, namely the half-shell 62 in

  the illustrated example, and along which these two half

  hulls 61 and 62 are mutually contiguous and assembled mutually. For example, for this purpose, each of the half-shells 61, 62 has, along the plane 10, a respective flat front face 63, 64, advantageously defined not only by a song of the corresponding part of the panel 24, 25 and of the part of the bottom 21 respectively corresponding, but also by a respective rib 54 directly adjoining the plane 10 when the two half-shells 61, 62 are assembled together. According to a preferred embodiment, the front faces 63, 64 comprise means of mutual interlocking in direction 4, in the form of a continuous rib 65 arranged on one of the front faces 63, and more precisely on one side from the upper edge 32 relative to the plane 3 to the other side of this upper edge relative to this plane, namely on the edge of the corresponding part of the panel 24, the edge of the corresponding part of the bottom 21 and the edge of the corresponding part of the panel 25. In addition, the other front face 64 has a groove or groove 66 extending continuously on the edge of the respective corresponding parts of the panels 24 and 25 and of the bottom 21, on one side of the edge upper 32 with reference to plane 3 on the other side of this upper edge 32 in

reference to this plan.

  The dimension of the rib 65 and of the groove or groove 66 in the direction 4 is chosen to be sufficient to allow a slight tolerance in the relative positioning of the two half-shells 61 and 62 in this direction, according to the tolerances allowed for the block 2 , so that one can not only assemble the slippers 61 and 62 in a position in which their front faces 63 and 64 are mutually contiguous along the plane 10, in particular at the level of the respective ribs 54, respectively adjacent to this plane , but also in a position in which a gap remains between the front faces 63 and 64 while retaining an interlocking

  tight of the rib 65 in the groove or groove 66.

  In either case, the half-shells 61 and 62 can be assembled by different means, in particular by clamping at the level of the ribs 54 immediately adjoining the plane 10, for example by pinching these two ribs 54 one towards the other by means of elastic clamps of known type, overlapping the edges of these ribs, or by screwing or riveting these ribs together. One could however also provide other means of mutual securing of the two half-shells 61 and 62, and for example a bonding

  when the material from which they are made is suitable.

  The segments 28, 29 corresponding to the panels 24, 25 thus subdivided by the fact of the liner 20 in the form of two half-shells can be produced, each, in one piece, or also be subdivided into two halves, mutually contiguous on

  along plane 10, as illustrated in the figures.

  The liner can also consist of more than two partial shells, but it is preferable to reserve such a solution in the case of a liner intended for a one-piece cross member, provided with a single copy of this liner, as illustrated in the figures. 10 to 13 which will now be referred to, it being understood that one could also adopt in such a case a liner formed by two half-shells, or even a liner

monobloc.

  Insofar as the single block constituting in this case the crosspiece has great similarities with one of the blocks 2 of a biblock crosspiece 1, we find in Figures 10 to 13, as far as they are relevant, the same references than in Figures 1 to 9, however incremented by 100, for the components or parts of

matching components.

  The main difference between the one-piece cross member 101 and the two-piece cross member 1 is that a single block 102, for example of prestressed reinforced concrete, receives the two rails 111 and therefore has for this purpose an appropriate dimension in the transverse direction. 104, in particular at the level of its upper face 108 suitably shaped. More precisely, between two end parts which are mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane 109 and corresponding to the upper faces 8 of the two blocks 2 of the biblock crossmember 1, this upper face 108 has a plane zone, for its part perpendicular to the plane 109 and parallel to a face flat bottom not referenced of the cross member 101, in any point comparable to the lower face 6 of a block 2 except that it extends over the entire dimension of the cross member 101 perpendicular to the plane 109. The upper face 108 of block 102 is connected to its lower face not referenced by four peripheral faces 116, 117, 118, 119, each of which has the same subdivision into upper pan, lower pan and intermediate facet as the outer peripheral faces 16, 17, 18, 19 of a block 2 and which correspond substantially to the latter except that the faces 118 and 119 are identical, mutually symmetrical with respect to the plane 109, and that the faces 116 and 117 overlap the plane 109 to which they are perpendicular and with respect to which they

* are respectively symmetrical.

  The shape of the block 2 will therefore not be described any further and it will be readily deduced from the design of the boot that of the boot 120, which is substantially rigid, which envelops the block 102 downwards. Indeed, the only differences between this liner 120 and a liner 20 consist of its dimension perpendicular to the plane 109, adapted to the dimension that the block 2 has between its outer peripheral faces 118 and 119, and the production of this liner 120, in the example illustrated, by assembling three watertight and substantially rigid partial shells, namely: two half-shells 161, 162, each of which may advantageously be identical to one, respectively, of the shells 61 and 62 if not that the shell 162 corresponding to the shell 62 does not have a notch comparable to the notch 35, each of these half-shells 161, 162 equipping a respective end zone of the block 102, with reference to the direction 104, and this up to 'to a respective plane 110 perpendicular to this direction 104 and corresponding to the plane 10 of one of the blocks 2, - and a substantially rigid watertight chute 167 which corresponds to an area of the block 102 intermediate between the two planes 110 and which is assembled to each of the two half-shells 161, 162, in a sealed and substantially rigid manner, along this respective plane 110, for example in the manner described in connection with the mutual assembly of the two half-shells 61 and 62 constituting the liner 30. Naturally, at the level of the chute 120 as at the level of the half-shells 161 and 162, the liner 120 has all the arrangements which have been described with regard to the liner 20, and in particular the ribs external peripherals 150, 152 which correspond to the ribs 50 and 52, respectively, ribs 153 and 154 which correspond to the ribs 53 and 54, respectively, and a bottom face that is centrally planar and peripherally convex; upwards, it has a continuous peripheral upper edge 132, capable of receiving an equally continuous seal, not shown, corresponding to the seal 34 and, internally, it presents all of the arrangements described with regard to the liner 20 and in in particular the elastic segments in compression and in shear, of which only the segments 138 and 139 corresponding to the segments 38 and 39 are visible in the figures and lining the panels 125 and 126 internally corresponding to the panels 25 and 26, it being understood that the panels 124 and 127 corresponding to the panels 24 and 25 also carry, internally, such segments. Like the segments 37 and 38, the segments such as 138 corresponding to the panels 124, 125 subdivided due to the production of the shell 120 by assembly of three partial shells 161, 162, 167 can be produced respectively from one piece on the together of the three partial shells, or present the same subdivision according to the plans 110. Likewise, like the segments 37, 38, 39, 40, the segments such as 138 and 139 can almost entirely cover the respective pan, as illustrated , or cover it only partially, in a distributed manner, in the form of several respective elementary segments which are mutually disjoint, distributed over this panel and detachably retained thereon for example by any of the methods indicated segments

37, 38, 39, 40.

  Naturally, in the case of the one-piece cross member 101 as in that of the two-piece cross member, the liner 120 also includes internally, on the upper face of its bottom 121, also subdivided along the planes 110, a sole 133 at all points similar to the sole 33 and advantageously resting on the upper face of the bottom by means of a shim of thickness not referenced, but this sole 133 is advantageously made in one piece for the three

partial hulls 161, 162 and 167.

  Like the liner 20, the liner 120 is dimensioned so as never to come into direct contact with the block, 102 in this case, under normal operating conditions, that is to say so that the supports of the block 102 on the liner and, through it, on the filling concrete 149 ensuring its rigid connection with the support face 107, take place

  exclusively via sole 133, screw-

  with respect to which the shim behaves mechanically as the bottom of the liner itself would behave directly, and by means of segments such as 138 and 139, under conditions allowing a certain elastic deflection in all directions , with the possibility of choosing the characteristics of the segments such as 138 and 139 so as to provide a damping effect by means of the segments which, like the segment 139, line the longitudinal panels 126 and 127 while ensuring a simple elastic bearing effect by means of segments such as segments 138, which

  line the transverse panels 124, 125.

  A person skilled in the art will readily understand that the mode of implementation of the invention which has just been described constitutes only a non-limiting example, with respect to which many variants can be provided without departing from the scope of this invention. .

Claims (28)

  1. Railway sleeper, comprising at least one rigid block (2, 102), in particular made of concrete, having a substantially planar lower face (6) intended to rest on a support (7, 107), an upper face (8 , 108) intended to receive at least one longitudinal rail (11, 111), and four peripheral faces (16, 17, 18, 19, 116, 117, 118, 119) which connect the upper face (8, 108) to the lower face (6) and each of which comprises a substantially planar lower part (16a, 17a, 18a, 19a), on the basis of two longitudinal peripheral faces (18, 19, 118, 119) whose lower parts (18a, 19a) converge mutually downwards and from two transverse peripheral faces (16, 17, 116, 117) the lower parts (16a, 17a) of which converge downwards, said block (2, 102) being provided with a liner (20, 120) waterproof enveloping its lower face (6) and the lower parts (16a, 17a, 18a, 19a) of its peripheral faces (16, 17 , 18, 19, 116, 117, 118, 119) and comprising for this purpose a flat bottom (21, 121) having an upper face (22) substantially planar along the lower face (6) of the block (2, 102) with interposition of an elastic sole (33, 133), in particular in compression and in shear, and a continuous peripheral rim (23) bordering this bottom (21, 121) and having an upper edge (32, 132) at least approximately parallel to this bottom (21, 121), at a level higher than that of the lower parts (16a, 17a, 18a, 19a) of the peripheral faces (16, 17, 18, 19, 116, 117, 118, 119) of the block (20 , 120), this rim (23) having four internal faces (28a, 29a, 30, 30a, 31a) substantially planar, each of which runs along the lower part (16a, 17a, 18a, 19a) of a peripheral face (16, 17 , 18, 19, 116, 117, 118, 119) respectively of the block (2, 102),   characterized in that the liner (20, 120) is formed of a substantially rigid shell carrying, between each inner face of the liner (20, 120) and the lower part (16a, 17a, 18a, 19a) of the peripheral face ( 16, 17, 18, 19, 116, 117, 118, 119) respectively corresponding to the block (2, 102), a flat segment (37, 38, 39, 40, 138, 139) respective, elastic in particular in compression and in shear, pre-stressed   elastic compression and shear.   2. Sleeper according to claim 1, characterized in that each segment (37, 38, 39, 40, 138, 139) is detachably retained in the liner (20, 120) and independent of the block.   3. Traverse according to claim 2, characterized in that each internal face (28a, 29a, a, 31a) has a peripheral shoulder (28b, 29b, b, 31b) for retaining the respective segment (37, 38, 39,, 138, 139) against a relative sliding, said shoulder (28b, 29b, 30b, 31b) being dimensioned weakly enough not to come into contact with the block (2, 102).   4. Sleeper according to any one of   claims 2 and 3, characterized in that each side   internal (28a, 29a, 30a, 31a) and the respective segment (37, 38, 39, 40, 138, 139) have distributed means removable mutual latching.   5. Traverse according to any one of   Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sole   (33, 133) is detachably retained in the liner   (20, 120) and independent of the block (2, 102).   6. Traverse according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises a shim (34) interposed between the sole (33, 133) and the upper face (22) of the bottom (21, 121), retained so removable in the liner (20, 120), independent of the sole (33, 133) and having roughness on contact of it.   7. Sleeper according to any one of   claims 5 and 6, characterized in that each side   internal (28a, 29a, 30a, 31a) forms in the immediate vicinity of the upper face (22) of the bottom (21, 121), at a level lower than that of a lower limit of the respective segment (37, 38, 39, 40, 138, 139), a shoulder (28b, 29b, 30b, 31b) for retaining the sole (33, 133) and, if necessary, the shim (34) against a relative sliding, said shoulder (28b, 29b, 30b, 31b) being dimensioned sufficiently weakly so as not to   not come into contact with the block (2, 102).   8. Sleeper according to any one of   Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the segments   (39, 40, 139) corresponding to the longitudinal faces (18, 19, 118, 119) have a stiffness greater than that of the segments (37, 38, 138) corresponding to the transverse faces (16, 17, 116, 117) of such so that the segments (39, 40, 139) corresponding to the longitudinal faces (18, 19, 118, 119) and the segments (37, 38, 138) corresponding to the transverse faces (16, 17, 116, 117) mainly provide a depreciation and a resilient support, respectively.   9. Sleeper according to any one of   claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each   segment (37, 38, 39, 40, 138, 139) has a discontinuous structure in contact with the lower part (16a, 17a, 18a, 19a) of the peripheral face (16, 17, 18, 19, 116, 117, 118, 119) respectively corresponding to the block (2, 102). 10. Traverse according to claim 9, characterized in that each segment (37, 38, 39, 140, 138, 139) has a groove (41, 42, 43, 44) parallel to the upper face (22) of the bottom ( 21, 121), towards the lower part (16a, 17a, 18a, 19a) of the peripheral face (16, 17, 18, 19, 117, 118, 119)   respectively corresponding to the block (2, 102).   11. Sleeper according to any one of   Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the edge   upper (32, 132) of the rim (23) of the liner (20, 120)   carries a seal (34) vis-à-vis the block.   12. Cross member according to claim 11, characterized in that the seal (34) is   detachably retained on the liner (20, 120).   13. Cross member according to claim 12, characterized in that the seal (34) and the upper edge (32, 132) of the flange (23) of the liner (20,   ) present means of mutual nesting.   14. Sleeper according to any one of   Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the liner   (20, 120), internally, between the internal faces (28a, 29a, 30a, 31a) and the upper edge (32, 132) of its   rim (23), and the block (2, 102), externally,   above the lower parts (16a, 17a, 18a, 19a) of its peripheral faces (16, 17, 18, 19, 116, 117, 118, 119), have facets (16c, 17c, 18c, 19c, 28c,   29c, 30c, 31c) substantially planar arranged opposite   screw, without mutual contact, and forming a respective flare upwards, in that each peripheral face (16, 17, 18, 19, 116, 117, 118, 119) of the block has, above the facet (16c , 17c, 18c, 19c) respectively corresponding, an upper part (16b, 17b, 18b, 19b) substantially planar, and in that the upper parts (18b, 19b) of the longitudinal peripheral faces (18, 19, 118, 119) and the upper parts (16b, 17b) of the transverse peripheral faces (16, 17, 116, 117), respectively, converge upward and join the respective facet (16c, 17c, 18c, 19c) along a peripheral edge (16th, 17th, 18th, 19th) of the block (2, 102), at least approximately parallel to the lower face (6) of the block (2, 102) and situated at a level lower than that of the upper edge ( 32, 132) of the rim (23) of the liner (20, 120) so that the seal (34) bears in a sealed manner on the upper parts EXTERIORFEATURES 16b, 17b, 18b, 19b) of the peripheral faces (16, 17, 18, 19, 116, 117, 118, 119) of the block. 15. Sleeper according to any one of   Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the bottom   (21, 121) of the liner (20, 120) has a face lower (56) convex.   16. Traverse according to claim 15, characterized in that the lower face (56) of the bottom (21, 121) has a central zone (57) planar, parallel to its upper face (22), and a peripheral zone (55) ascending towards the edge (23) of the   liner (20, 120) from said central area (57).   17. Sleeper according to any one of   Claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the liner   (20, 120) externally has ribs (50, 52,   53, 54, 150, 152, 153, 154) of reinforcement.   18. Traverse according to claim 17, characterized in that the reinforcing ribs (154) comprise means (59) for anchoring for retaining and / or positioning means relative to the support (7, 107).   19. Sleeper according to any one of   claims 17 and 18, characterized in that one   (50, 150) reinforcing ribs (50, 52, 53, 53, 150, 152, 153, 154) extends continuously around the edge (23) of the liner (20, 120), substantially parallel to the upper face (22) of the bottom (21, 121), at a level lower than that of the upper edge (32, 132) of the rim (23) and corresponding substantially to that of an upper limit of the segments (37, 38, 39 , 40, 138, 139), to serve as a level reference for the pouring of a material (49) connecting the liner (20, 120) with the support (7, 107).   20. Sleeper according to any one of   claims 1 to 19, characterized in that said   shell consists of a tight, substantially rigid assembly, of several partial shells (61,   62, 161, 162, 167) tight, substantially rigid.   21. Traverse according to claim 20, characterized in that said shell consists of two half-shells (61, 62) sealed, substantially rigid, each of which corresponds to a respective half of the block (2) considered in transverse direction (4) and which are joined together in a leaktight and substantially   rigid, along a longitudinal plane (10).   22. Sleeper according to claim 20, characterized in that said shell consists of two half-shells (161, 162) sealed, substantially rigid, each of which corresponds to a respective end zone of the block (102) considered in transverse direction (104 ), and of a watertight, substantially rigid chute (167) which corresponds to an area of the block (102) situated between said extreme areas thereof and which is assembled to each of the half-shells (161, 162), tightly and substantially rigidly, along a respective longitudinal plane (110).   23. Sleeper according to any one of   claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the shells   partial (61, 62, 161, 162, 167) are assembled   mutually by mutual interlocking and clamping.   24. Sleeper according to any one of   Claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the cross member   (101) comprises a single block (102) provided with a copy said liner (120).   25. Sleeper according to any one of   Claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the cross member   (1) comprises two transversely extreme blocks (2) each of which is provided with a copy of said liner (20) and which are mutually connected,   by a rigid transverse spacer (5).   26. Traverse according to claim 25, characterized in that the spacer (5) is connected to each block (2) by a longitudinal peripheral face (19) thereof, and in that the upper edge (32) of the rim (23) of each liner (20) is located at an intermediate level of the spacer (5) and has a   notch (35) located around it.   27. Traverse according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises sealing means between each liner (20), the corresponding block (2) and the spacer (5), inside the respective notch (35).   28. Waterproof liner, intended for the production of a railway cross-member (1, 101) and comprising for this purpose a flat bottom (21, 121) having a substantially planar upper face (22) and a continuous peripheral rim ( 23) bordering this bottom (21, 121) and having an upper edge (32,132) at least approximately parallel to this bottom (21, 121), this rim (23) having four internal faces (28a, 29a, a, 31a) substantially flat, characterized in that it is formed of a substantially rigid shell, as defined for the production of a cross member according to   any of the preceding claims.