GB2546311A

GB2546311A - Tram/train flange-groove eliminator

Info

Publication number: GB2546311A
Application number: GB1600776.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Glyn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-01-15
Filing date: 2016-01-15
Publication date: 2017-07-19
Also published as: GB201600776D0

Abstract

A rubber strip 1 for filling the groove of a tram or rail track 3. The rubber strip is secured in the channel either by anchors 2 or adhesive. The securing means may be along the entire strip length, or at distinct points along the strip. The rubber filler strip is deformable, and will yield under the weight of a tram or train, but not to the weight of lighter vehicles or small-wheeled objects such as a bike, pram, or wheelchair. The top face of the rubber body has a non-slip grip surface.

Description

Tram Flange-Groove Eliminator Description

This invention relates to the problem of narrow wheels (wheelchair, pram/buggy, bike etc) becoming stuck in tram/train rail/tracks and causing accident, injury and death.

The nature of tram and train tracks means that they need to have a groove for the tram/train wheel to gain purchase on the track. This 'Flange-groove' causes problems for vehicles with narrow wheels because they become stuck in the flange-groove and render the small vehicle un-steerable. This in turn leads to accidents, injury and death.

To overcome this existing problem, the present invention proposes a strip of rubber (of a lengths yet to be determined but could be many tens of metres per strip) that is simply inserted into the flange-groove in order to eliminate the gap that traps the wheels of smaller vehicles. The rubber strip is of such a composition that it yields under the weight of the tram/train but not under the weight of smaller vehicles. The advantages of this are that the flange-groove is eliminated, thus eliminating small vehicle accidents caused by the flange-groove. Small vehicles would be able to approach the tram/train track/rail from any angle without the wheels becoming trapped in the flange-groove.

The top of the rubber strip has a non-slip grip feature, as part of the rubber strip, which simply helps rubber wheels to grip the top of the rubber strip. Preferably, the rubber strip is secured by adhesive or screws/anchors inserted into the steel of the tram/train rail/track and, if necessary and preferable, further still into the material directly below the rail. Washers between the head of the anchor and the 'floor' of the rail/track may be required. An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings - see next page:

Drawings

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows the rubber strip inserted into a cross-section of a tram/train rail/track; and

Figure 2 shows a perspective of a length of the tram/train rail/track with the rubber strip inserted.

Figure 1. A tram/train rail/track (3) exists. There is a necessary groove (the flange-groove) along the tram/train rail/track to accommodate the tram/train wheel and give it purchase and keep it on direction. The rubber strip (1) is inserted into the flange-groove to fill it and to eliminate the existence of the gap. The rubber strip is anchored to the tram/train rail/track by anchors (2) - see further description below. The tarmac (4) is at the same level as the top of the standard tram/train rail/track.

Figure 2. A standard tram/train rail/track (3) exists. The tarmac (4) is at the level of the top of the tram/train rail/track. The rubber strip (1) is inserted into the flange-groove in lengths yet to be determined and is anchored to the tram/train rail/track with anchors (2). The spacing and frequency of the anchors is yet to be determined. The rubber strip may also be anchored to the tram/train rail/track with an adhesive.

The rubber used to fill the flange-groove will be a type of rubber that will yield under the weight of a tram/train but will not yield under the weight of smaller vehicles. If necessary, the anchors may also be made of rubber. The top face of the rubber strip has, incorporated into the moulding, a non-slip 'grip' feature which simply facilitates traction and purchase for smaller wheeled vehicles.

Claims

1. The present invention proposes a rubber strip that is laid tightly and secured into the 'flange-groove' of a tram/train rail/track to prevent small-wheeled vehicles of any description from becoming disabled by the 'flange-groove'.

2. The rubber strip, according to claim 1, which is of any practical length and is secured within the 'flange-groove' by anchors of any suitable material.

3. The rubber strip, according to claim 1, is designed to fit the 'flange-groove' exactly and is of suitable composition to yield to the weight of a tram/train but not to the weight of a lighter vehicle.

4. The rubber-strip, according to claim 1, if not secured to the tram/train rail/track with adhesive, is secured with anchors that are designed to yield to weight or will not hinder the passage of the tram/train-wheel because they are protected by the rubber strip above.

5. The rubber strip, according to claim 1, has non-slip 'grip' features on it's top face as part of its moulding to aid grip and purchase of smaller vehicles and pedestrians.

5. The rubber strip, according to claim 1, if not secured by actual anchors, is secured by adhesive, either at various points along it's length or for the entire length of the rubber strip.