GB1590382A

GB1590382A - Track sections

Info

Publication number: GB1590382A
Application number: GB3804576A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Purdy R C
Current assignee: Purdy R C
Priority date: 1977-08-19
Filing date: 1977-08-19
Publication date: 1981-06-03

Description

(54) TRACK SECTIONS (71) 1, ROBERT CROSSLEY PURDY, a British Subject of 50 Parkside, Wollaton, Nottingham do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a Patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to track sections for making up a track along which a vehicle may run.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a track section having two rail members spaced laterally from one another and being rigidly connected together, each rail member including a first joint formation located at one end and a second joint formation located at the other end, the first joint formation including a pivot shaft extending transversely of the rail member, the second formation including a projection having a recess for pivotally receiving the pivot shaft of a similar rail member so that similar track sections can be joined in an end to end relationship, the joint formations being so constructed as to permit adjacent joint track sections to hinge relative to one another over a predetermined angular range and to also prevent longitudinal separation of the track members whilst positioned in said angular range and to permit separation when hinged beyond said range.

According to another aspect there is provided a track made up of track sections as defined above.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view showing the embodiment Figure 1 in use; and Figure 4 is an end view of the arrangement shown in Figure 3.

Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a track section 10 upon which a wheeled vehicle may run. The track section 10 includes two longitudinal extending rail members 11 and 12 which in the illustrated embodiment are conveniently formed from 'U' sectioned metal girders.

The rail members 11 and 12 are spaced laterally from one another and are joined together at respective ends by cross-member 14 and a ground engaging support 15, and also at a position mid-way along their length by a crossmember 13. As seen in the drawings the ground engaging support 15 is located beneath rail members 11 and 12 and so in use spaces the rail members of connected sections from the ground as seen in Figure 3. This is particularly advantageous if the ground is uneven.

The ground engaging support 15 is also conveniently formed from 'U' sectioned metal girder and is welded to the rail members.

Projecting from ground engaging support 15 is a support formation in the form of two support members 16 and 17 which serve to support the end of a connected rail section as seen in Figure 3. Support members 16 and 17 are also conveniently formed from 'U' sectioned metal girders and are welded to ground engaging support 15.

As seen in Figures 1 and 2, at the left hand end of the track section, each rail member is provided with a joint formation 20. Each joint formation 20 has a protrusion 22 which projects beyond the end of each rail member 11 or 12 from a gap 23 defined between rail 1] or 12 and a member 24. The protrusion 22 forms part of a plate 25 which is located within the gap 23; the plate 25, associated rail member and member 24 being welded together.

A pivot shaft 26 is provided which extends between rail member 11 or 12 and its respective member 24.

At the right hand end of both rail members 11 and 12 there is provided a joint formation 30 which is co-operative with joint formations 20 of a similar track section to enable such track sections to be joined in an end to end fashion, the joint formations permitting pivotal movement between connected sections over a predetermined angular range whilst preventing scparation of the track members. This is particularly advantageous when the track sections are to be laid on ground which undulates e.g.

as in a coal mine roadway.

The joint formation 30 of each rail member includes a gap 31 defined between the respective rail member and a member 32. Within the gap 31 there is located a plate 34 having a projection 35 which includes a recess 36 for engagement with a pivot shaft of the joint formation 20 of a similar track section. The plate 34 also includes a recess 36a into which the protrusion 22 of the joint formation 20 may be introduced.

In use, track sections may be joined end to end by interlocking joint formations 20 and 30 with the result that a reliable connection is provided, longitudinal, transverse and vertical separation ofjoined track sections being prevented by the cooperaflon of the protrusion 22 and recess 36a and the pivot shaft 26 with recess 36. Separation of adjacent track sections is achieved by hinging one relative to the other about co-operating shafts 26 and recess 36 beyond said predetermined range so that protrusions 22 are withdrawn from cooperating recesses 36a.

In consequence, lengths of track for receiving carriages 50 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be quickly laid and taken up. The carriages 50 include a platform 51 supported on two bogies 52 each bogie having wheels 53 for engaging the upper surface of the rail members and wheels 54 for restraining lateral movement of the bogie from the track. The wheels 54 also co-operate with the upper wall 20a of each rail to prevent the bogies 52 from lifting off the track sections.

It will be appreciated that the joint formation 20 of each rail member need not necessarily be located at the same end. Also if desired, formations 20 and 30 may be modified so that formation 30 is provided with the pivot shaft and formation 20 is provided with the projection 35.

It is to be appreciated also that in the illustrated embodiment, the ground engaging support 15 need not necessarily extend across from one rail member to the other, but if desired, the middle portion of the illustrated support 1 5 may be removed so leaving each rail member with an individual ground support. In such a case an additional cross-member, similar to cross member 14, would be provided to extend between members 32. If desired the rail section may include several ground supports spaced along its length to provide ground engagement at more than one location along its length.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A track section having two rail members spaced laterally from one another and being rigidly connected together, each rail member including a first joint formation located at one end and a second joint formation located at the other end, the first joint formation including a pivot shaft extending transversely of the rail member, the second formation including a projection having a recess for pivotally receiving the pivot shaft of a similar rail member so that similar track sections can be joined in an end to end relationship, the joint formations being so constructed as to permit adjacent joint track sections to hinge relative to one another over a predetermined angular range and to also prevent longitudinal separation of the track members whilst positioned in said angular range and to permit separation when hinged beyond said range.

2. A track section according to Claim 1 wherein cross-members are provided for rigidily connecting the rail members to one another, the cross members being located so as not to project above or below the rail members.

3. A track section according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein at least one ground engaging support is provided for spacing the track section from the ground at at least one location along its length.

4. A track section according to Claim 3 wherein one ground engaging support is provided which extends laterally from one rail member to the other, said support being located adjacent an end of the track section.

5. A track section according to Claim 4 including a support formation projecting beyond said one end of the track section, the support formation, in use, serving to support the opposite end of a similar track section when joined to said track section.

6. A track section according to Claim 7 wherein the support formation includes two support members projecting from said one ground engaging support.

7. A track section according to any preceding Claim wherein the first formation also includes a protrusion extending beyond the end of the rail member and the second formation includes a recess for reception of the protrusion of a similar rail member.

8. A track section according to any Claims 1 to 6 wherein the second formation includes a protrusion extending beyond the end of the rail member and the first formation includes a recess for reception of the protrusion of a similar rail member.

9. A track section according to any preceding Claim wherein the first formation of each rail member is located at the same end of the track section.

10. A track section according to any of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the first formation of each rail member is located at opposite ends of the track section.

11. A track section according to any preceding claim wherein the rail members are in crosssection of channel shape.

12. A track section substantially as described with reference to, and as illustrated in, any of the accompanying drawings.

13. A track composed of a plurality of track sections according to any preceding claim joined together in end to end relationship.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. engagement with a pivot shaft of the joint formation 20 of a similar track section. The plate 34 also includes a recess 36a into which the protrusion 22 of the joint formation 20 may be introduced. In use, track sections may be joined end to end by interlocking joint formations 20 and 30 with the result that a reliable connection is provided, longitudinal, transverse and vertical separation ofjoined track sections being prevented by the cooperaflon of the protrusion 22 and recess 36a and the pivot shaft 26 with recess 36. Separation of adjacent track sections is achieved by hinging one relative to the other about co-operating shafts 26 and recess 36 beyond said predetermined range so that protrusions 22 are withdrawn from cooperating recesses 36a. In consequence, lengths of track for receiving carriages 50 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 may be quickly laid and taken up. The carriages 50 include a platform 51 supported on two bogies 52 each bogie having wheels 53 for engaging the upper surface of the rail members and wheels 54 for restraining lateral movement of the bogie from the track. The wheels 54 also co-operate with the upper wall 20a of each rail to prevent the bogies 52 from lifting off the track sections. It will be appreciated that the joint formation 20 of each rail member need not necessarily be located at the same end. Also if desired, formations 20 and 30 may be modified so that formation 30 is provided with the pivot shaft and formation 20 is provided with the projection 35. It is to be appreciated also that in the illustrated embodiment, the ground engaging support 15 need not necessarily extend across from one rail member to the other, but if desired, the middle portion of the illustrated support 1 5 may be removed so leaving each rail member with an individual ground support. In such a case an additional cross-member, similar to cross member 14, would be provided to extend between members 32. If desired the rail section may include several ground supports spaced along its length to provide ground engagement at more than one location along its length. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A track section having two rail members spaced laterally from one another and being rigidly connected together, each rail member including a first joint formation located at one end and a second joint formation located at the other end, the first joint formation including a pivot shaft extending transversely of the rail member, the second formation including a projection having a recess for pivotally receiving the pivot shaft of a similar rail member so that similar track sections can be joined in an end to end relationship, the joint formations being so constructed as to permit adjacent joint track sections to hinge relative to one another over a predetermined angular range and to also prevent longitudinal separation of the track members whilst positioned in said angular range and to permit separation when hinged beyond said range.