GB2430419A

GB2430419A - Train rail guard

Info

Publication number: GB2430419A
Application number: GB0505144A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward O'connor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-03-12
Filing date: 2005-03-12
Publication date: 2007-03-28
Also published as: GB0505144D0

Abstract

An arrangement for preventing the accumulation of leaves and other debris on a train rail has two separate elements which are intended to interact with each other in use. The first element is a modular guard device comprising a series of base units 1 which can be attached to the base of a rail and which are adapted to receive guard units 2 which extend above the level of the top of the rail. The upper section of the guard unit may comprise a row of rigid or semi-flexible rods or bristles intended to catch or deflect debris. The guard unit receiving component may have a hinged relationship to its base, allowing movement of the guard units away from the top of the rail for the purpose of cleaning and maintenance. The second element of the invention is a scraper device 3 which is mounted to a rail vehicle and is arranged to impact with the upper elements of the guard units as the train moves forward to dislodge any debris which may have accumulated on the guard unit.

Description

Train Rail Guard

Background

This invention addresses the problem of leaves as well as other debris which settles on rail lines.

Rails suffer the settlement of various types of dust dirt and detritus which has a negative effect on wheel I rail interaction. Leaves are especially serious since when compressed by the wheels of passing trains they create problems of traction and damage to the rails via wheel slippage friction and heat transfer.

Currently the solution to this is to clean the rails manually and I or to cut back trees and branches from the rail line. This and similar solutions are repetitive, labour intensive and therefore expensive and also damages the surrounding environment.

The present invention provides a means to protect the rails from the direct deposit of leaves and other detritus.

According to the present invention there is provided a modular rail guard which attaches to the rail line. Such rail guard consisting of a series of lockable base units attachable I lockable to the track or its surrounds and into or onto which can be fixed or connected one or more guard units such units having multiple vertical and / or horizontal extensions and such units and I or exensions being hinged or configured so to be adjustable or mobile under pressure and extendable or positionable above the level of the rail so as to catch or deflect debris or otherwise protect the rail surface.

According to the present invention there is also provided a rail sweeper unit such sweeper unit being attachable to the train via the wheels or carriage or other part and positioned so as to interact with the guard unit by way of impact or other physical connection and configured so that such interaction or impact mobilises the guard unit and I or debris which has settled or rests on the guard unit when the train is in motion.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of reference to the accompanying non-scaled drawings in which - Figure 1 Shows a schematic representation of a base unit Figure 2 Shows a schematic representation of a guard unit with multiple flexible extensions.

Figure 3 Shows a schematic representation of the angled sweeper unit attached to the body of the train in front of the wheels Figure 4 Shows the base and guard units in place and a view of the sweeper unit Figure 5 Shows the guard units revolved outwards on their hinges to allow rail access and maintenance Referring to the drawings in figure 1 A base unit I comprises a lockable clamp Ia attachable to the rail ZI with a holding slot I b which is hinged Ic for outward movement Referring to the drawings in figure 2 A guard unit 2 comprising a lower section which is wedge angled 2a and an upper section which has a row of rigid or semi- flexible rods or bristles 2b Referring to the drawings in figure 3 A sweeper unit 3 comprising twin holding bars 3a which attach to the carriage of the train Z2 and to an angled rail I guard sweeper 3b positioned to run above the rail surface in front of the train wheel Z3 in the direction of arrow 3d Referring to the drawings in figure 4 A modular rail guard comprising a base unit I with connected guard unit 2 attached to a rail zi and a rail sweeper unit 3 attached to a train body z2 in front of the train wheel z3 which moves along the rail zI between the extensions of the guard unit 2 in the direction of arrow 3d.

Referring to the drawings in figure 5 A base unit I attached to a rail zI has a hinged joint Ic allowing the connected guard unit 2 to move away from and back towards the rail for access to the rail.

When in use one possible employment of the invention operates so that several base units I are attached at intervals along the rail ZI and several guard units 2 are slotted into place into the base units in a continuous linked or closely adjacent row either side of the rail such that the guard extensions 2b protrude upwards either side of the rail zi.

Any debris such as leaves that fall toward the rails zi are then caught and held on the guard unit extensions 2b until the sweeper unit 3 attached to the train carriage Z2 moves along the track between the extensions 2b impacting on the debris and removing it upwards and aside thereby allowing the train wheel z3 to run over a clean rail zi. (p

Claims

I

a modular rail guard which attaches to the rail line. Such rail guard consisting of a series of lockable base units attachable I lockable to the track or its surrounds and into or onto which can be fixed or connected one or more guard units such units having multiple vertical and I or horizontal extensions and such units and / or exensions being hinged or configured so to be adjustable or mobile under pressure and extendable or positionable above the level of the rail so as to catch or deflect debris or otherwise protect the rail surface.

Such rail guard operating in conjunction with a rail sweeper unit such sweeper unit being attachable to the train via the wheels or carriage or other part and positioned so as to interact with the guard unit by way of impact or other physical connection and configured so that such interaction or impact mobilises the guard unit and I or debris which has settled or rests on the guard unit when the train is in motion.

A modular rail guard substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawing.