GB2347456A

GB2347456A - Securing equipment to a railway rail foundation

Info

Publication number: GB2347456A
Application number: GB9928321A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Byles; Peter Shrubsall
Original assignee: Multiclip Co Ltd
Current assignee: Multiclip Co Ltd
Priority date: 1998-12-03
Filing date: 1999-11-30
Publication date: 2000-09-06
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-30
Also published as: GB2347456B; GB9826674D0; GB9928321D0

Abstract

A device (3) for securing equipment, such as an aerial fixation assembly (10) for use in a train protection system, to a railway rail foundation (2) having secured to an upper face thereof at least one resilient rail clip-retaining shoulder (6) when in use, for retaining a resilient rail clip (5) provided for fastening a railway rail (4) to the rail foundation (2), the device (3) being connected to the equipment (10) when in use, or formed integrally therewith, has a first part (32) for underlying part of such a rail clip (5) whereby pressure of that rail clip part on the said first part of the device (3) prevents displacement of the equipment (10). An aerial fixation assembly (10), for use in a train protection system, comprises a grid-like structure (11) about which an aerial (12) is wound when the assembly (10) is in use, and a beam (1), secured to the grid-like structure (11), having means (such as the device 3) for securing the beam (1) to a railway rail foundation (2).

Description

SECURING EOUIPMENT TO A RAILWAY RAIL FOUNDATION The present invention relates to a device for securing equipment, such as an aerial fixation assembly for use in a train protection system, to a railway rail foundation.

Train protection systems, intended to prevent trains colliding with one another when using the same track, are now being installed. These systems employ radio aerials for communicating information about train positions.

These aerials must be secured to railway rail foundations, e. g. concrete sleepers, at various signal sites along the track, but the presently-employed method of bolting the aerial fixation assembly to the foundation requires the track to be closed to rail traffic for unacceptably long periods of time, especially on concrete sleepers where drilling bolt holes is more difficult.

It is also desirable to secure other items of equipment, such as beacons, transponders, magnets, etc., to a rail foundation, without bolting the equipment to the foundation.

According to an embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for securing equipment to a railway rail foundation having secured to an upper face thereof, when in use, at least one resilient rail clip-retaining shoulder, for retaining a resilient rail clip provided for fastening a railway rail to the rail foundation, the device being connected to the equipment when in use, or formed integrally therewith, wherein the device has a first part for underlying part of such a rail clip whereby pressure of that rail clip part on the said first part of the device prevents displacement of the equipment.

To install such a device on existing track all it is necessary to do is remove the rail clip from the anchoring shoulder, position the device appropriately and then replace the rail clip in the shoulder such that it bears on the device. Thus, a device embodying the first aspect of the present invention allows the equipment to be secured to concrete rail foundations much more easily and quickly than the previously-used bolt method. It is anticipated that it will even be possible to install the devices whilst the track is still open to rail traffic.

Preferably, the rail clip part is a part of the rail clip which bears on the shoulder and the first part of the device is arranged so as to be interposed between the rail clip part and the underlying shoulder.

Alternatively, the rail clip part is a part of the rail clip which bears on the rail and the first part of the device is arranged so as to be interposed between the rail clip part and the underlying rail or an electrical insulator lying on the rail.

The device desirably further comprises a second part for engaging such an anchoring shoulder.

Preferably, when the device is interposed between the clip and the shoulder, the second part comprises a region formed as a channel shaped to fit over part of the shoulder. In this case, the first part comprises a lip formed at the end of the channel.

Alternatively, when the device is interposed between the clip and the rail, the second part comprises a hole formed in the device for receiving the anchoring shoulder therethrough. In this case, the first part is desirably formed along one edge of the hole.

According to an embodiment of a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an aerial fixation assembly for use in a train protection system, the assembly comprising a grid-like structure about which an aerial is wound when the assembly is in use, a cover for encasing the said grid-like structure and aerial, and a beam, secured to the grid-like structure, having means for securing the beam to a railway rail foundation.

Desirably, at least the beam, and preferably also the grid-like structure and the cover, are formed from a fibre glass material.

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a first device embodying the first aspect of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1; Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C are respective plan, front and side views of an aerial fixation assembly embodying the second aspect of the present invention in combination with a second device embodying the first aspect of the present invention ; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the device of Figs. 3A to 3C; and Fig. 5 is another perspective view of the device of Figs. 3A to 3C.

Figures 1 and 2 show a first device 3 (hereafter referred to in the description as a"yoke") embodying the present invention in a railway rail fastening assembly comprising a concrete rail foundation or sleeper 2, on which stands a rail 40, cushioned by an underlying rail pad 8, a pair of clip-retaining shoulders 6 (only one of which is shown), and a pair of resilient rail clips 5 (only one of which is shown) installed in respective shoulders 6. The clips 5 bear on respective flanges 4 (only one of which is shown) of the rail 40 via respective insulators 7 (only one of which is shown). The yoke 3 is attached at one end thereof to one end of a beam 1. To the other end (not shown) of the beam 1 equipment (such as an aerial fixation assembly, beacon, transponder, magnet, or other lightweight equipment, etc.) is secured, the equipment either being formed integrally with the beam 1 or secured to the beam 1 when in use.

The yoke 3 has a first end 3a, at which it is attached to the beam 1, and a second end 3b, formed with a lip 3c which rests, under part of the clip 5, on a portion of the shoulder 6. The yoke 3 is shaped so as to form a channel, narrower at the first end 3a, so as to fit snugly around the beam 1, than at the second end 3b, which is broader so as to accommodate the shoulder 6. The first end 3a of the yoke 3 has holes 3d for receiving means, such as bolts, for securing the yoke 3 to the beam 1.

By way of example only, as shown in Figs. 3A to 3C, an aerial fixation assembly 10 for use with a device embodying the present invention comprises a beam 1 extending along the length of a railway sleeper 2 perpendicular to the rails (not shown in Figs. 3A to 3C). The beam 1 is connected to a grid structure 11, resembling a kind of walkway used in the oil industry, about which a radio aerial 12 is wound (see Fig. 3C in particular). The aerial 12 serves to communicate information about train positions. To protect the aerial 12 from damage, the grid structure 11 and aerial 12 are encased by a cover 13 secured to the grid structure 11.

The material (s) used to make the beam 1 must be non-electrically-conductive. In this example, the beam 1, grid structure 11 and the cover 13 are made of a fibre glass material, fibre glass being chosen since, as well as being non-conductive, it is also strong, light and non-corrosive.

In an alternative arrangement, not shown, beams 1 may be provided on both sleepers 2.

At each end of the beam 1 is a device 30, embodying the present invention, for securing the aerial fixation assembly 10 to the sleeper 2. This second device 30 differs from the first device 3 as will now be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5.

One end of the yoke 30, which is, very approximately, spade-shaped, is formed as a channel 31, provided with holes 31a, for connection to one end of the beam 1. The other end of the yoke 30 is bent so as to provide a lip 32 (the"first part"mentioned above) which sits on the rail flange 4 beneath a rail clip 5.

Formed adjacent to the lip 32, partly in the portion of the yoke 30 which is bent, is a hole 33 (the"second part"mentioned above) for receiving an anchoring shoulder 6 within which the rail clip 5 is installed.

Another hole 34 is provided adjacent the channel 31 for reducing the amount of material used in the yoke 30.

The yoke 30 is strengthened by walls 35 provided along its edges on either side of the holes 33,34.

The yokes 3,30 are desirably made from steel.

Of the two yokes 3 and 30, the form of yoke 3 is preferred since it does not interfere with the function of the insulator 7, which is provided to reduce the risk of short-circuiting one rail to another.

Claims

Claims 1. A device for securing equipment to a railway rail foundation having secured to an upper face thereof, when in use, at least one resilient rail clip-retaining shoulder, for retaining a resilient rail clip provided for fastening a railway rail to the rail foundation, the device being connected to the equipment when in use, or formed integrally therewith, wherein the device has a first part for underlying part of such a rail clip whereby pressure of that rail clip part on the said first part of the device prevents displacement of the equipment.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said rail clip part is a part of the rail clip which bears on the said shoulder and the said first part of the device is arranged so as to be interposed between the said rail clip part and the underlying shoulder.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said rail clip part is a part of the rail clip which bears on the said rail and the said first part is arranged so as to be interposed between the said rail clip part and the underlying rail or an electrical insulator lying on the rail.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, further comprising a second part for engaging such an anchoring shoulder.
5. A device as claimed in claim 4, when read as appended to claim 2, wherein the said second part comprises a region formed as a channel shaped to fit over part of the said shoulder.
6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said first part comprises a lip formed at the end of the said channel.
7. A device as claimed in claim 4, when read as appended to claim 3, wherein the said second part comprises a region formed with a hole for receiving the said shoulder therethrough.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the said first part is formed along one edge of the said hole.
9. A device for securing equipment to a railway rail foundation, the device being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or Figures 4 and 5, of the accompanying drawings.
10. An aerial fixation assembly for use in a train protection system, the assembly comprising a grid-like structure about which an aerial is wound when the assembly is in use, a cover for encasing the said grid-like structure and aerial, and a beam, secured to the grid-like structure, having means for securing the beam to a railway rail foundation.
11. An aerial fixation assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said beam is formed from a fibre glass material.
12. An aerial fixation assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the said grid-like structure, the said cover and the said grid are formed from a fibre glass material.
13. An aerial fixation assembly for use in a train protection system, the aerial being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 3A to 3C of the accompanying drawings.
14. An aerial fixation assembly as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 in combination with a device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.