HRP20070525A2 - Resilient clip and method of fastening of rails on sleepers - Google Patents

Abstract

The solution to the problem of reliable and quick attachment of the rail to wooden or concrete thresholds and their dismantling is achieved according to this invention with a metal pressure plate (1.5) in the shape of a trapezoid and a plastic support plate (1.4). The metal pressure plate and the plastic backing plate form a whole that enables the pre-assembly of the entire assembly in the factory and the subsequent installation of the rail at the location itself. The shape of the metal pressure plate (1.5) enables continuous pressure along its entire edge (2.1), which ensures a solid and reliable connection. The edge that rests on the base of the rail is designed in such a way that it enables smooth sliding on the base of the rail when pulling, thus avoiding unnecessary resistance and damage. The other, narrower side of the pressure plate is shaped to have a locking edge (3.2) at the end to prevent any movement after the metal pressure plate has been pulled onto the rail and assembly is complete. The plastic backing plate has a fixing groove (4.2) at the outer end into which the narrower, outer end of the pressure plate (1.5) fits. The groove is designed in such a way that it forms a tight connection with the outer end of the metal pressure plate, so that it is not possible to remove the pressure plate without its deformation. The support plate has a larger groove (4.4) on it, which enables the pressure plate to be deformed during disassembly.

Description

The field of technology

The invention relates to a solution of an elastic clip that enables the fastening of rails to wooden or concrete railway sleepers. According to the International Classification of Patents, the invention belongs to the area marked with E01B9/28.

Technical problem

Fastening the rails to the thresholds is solved by a suitable assembly of parts, which is commonly called: a clip, it is a long-term, painstaking and very responsible job that requires the hiring of a large number of workers or very expensive specialized machines. In practice, fastening is performed at the location itself, where tightening with Tyrfon screws takes a lot of time, and the quality and strength of the joint is very difficult to check. With the exceptional number of screws that need to be tightened, there is a great possibility that individual screws remain untightened or insufficiently tightened, which, along with the vibrations that occur during use due to the passing of trains, can eventually lead to the loosening of other screws and the weakening of the force of the clip on the rail, and thus the loosening of the entire connection between the threshold and the rail. Such a weakening of the connection between the sleeper and the rail is potentially a great danger for the safety of rail traffic. Checking the strength of the connection, i.e. whether the clip achieves the prescribed pressing force on the rail, is almost neither acceptable nor feasible.

The rails attached to the thresholds with the classic system are not secured against vandalism, i.e. unauthorized dismantling, which, taking into account today's increased threat of terrorism, should certainly not be ignored. With the previously known and applied systems, anyone can dismantle the rail with a relatively simple tool and thus make it unsafe for traffic.

On the other hand, the dismantling of the rails itself is slow because each clip has to be dismantled individually, which is a process that takes a lot of time, also requires the hiring of a large number of workers and specialized machines and affects the amount of costs.

State of the art

Solving the problem of proper and adequate fastening of threshold rails has been done in several different ways in the past.

One way, known as the "pandroll system", is to fasten with a buckle that is made of spring steel in the form of a helical coil and is listed in application GB1510224. When attaching the rail to the threshold, the flat end of each clip must be driven into the eyelet so that one end of the clip enters the eyelet while the other end presses against the rail. One of the disadvantages of this solution is the time required for the installation of such clips, which is very long considering that the worker has to insert each clip separately into the eyelet.

The next disadvantage of this solution is the fact that the clip presses the rail at one point, and over time, due to loads and vibrations, the clip deforms at that point and thus loses the necessary pressing force. This solution also has its drawbacks when using insulating material between the clip and the rail, which can thin out and break through at that point over time. Controlling every buckle on one route is practically impossible. Disassembly, like assembly for the reasons mentioned, is very slow and clumsy.

The next method, known as the "SKL system", is described in patent document US5096119 and is also performed with round spring steel. The solution consists of a buckle made of round spring steel bent into a modified letter "M" and a backing plate. The connection between the rail and the threshold is achieved by screwing a Tyrfon screw through the clip and the base plate into the threshold. At the same time, one part of the clip points to the base plate lying on the threshold, and the other part of the clip presses the rail. Here, the pressure of the clip on the rail is achieved through two points, and the disadvantages of this connection are similar to the disadvantages of the previous example. In order to achieve the desired pressing force, the Tyrfon screw must be turned all the way in order to press the central part of the buckle against the base plate. The disadvantage is precisely in checking whether each screw has achieved the necessary force, i.e. whether it is screwed all the way, which cannot be done in a simple way. This fact shows that this system is also unreliable.

As with the previous examples, assembly and disassembly are very slow, because it is necessary to twist and screw each screw, which, even with the automated operation, requires stopping at each threshold.

The aforementioned solutions do not allow for pre-assembly in workshops and bringing an already finished structure to a location where only rails are still added.

The design of the buckle, which enables the uniform transfer of force to the rail and thus a more reliable connection, is shown in patent file US5125573. A trapezoidal metal plate is used as a clip, the wider end of which rests on the rail and thus ensures an even distribution of the pressure force. After installing the rail, the metal plate is placed in the final position. This solution allows for pre-assembly. Dismantling is still time-consuming, because it is necessary to unscrew each screw separately and move the clip from its seat, only after that it is possible to remove the rail itself.

The mentioned solutions approach the problem in different ways, but none of them solves the problems in a satisfactory way. A very important drawback is the fact that disassembly is almost as time-consuming as assembly. It is necessary to unscrew each screw all the way to completely free the rails from the clips with which they are attached.

Presentation of the essence of the invention

The solution to the problem of attaching the rail (1.2) to the sills (1.1) and their disassembly according to this invention is achieved by a special assembly of parts that creates an elastic buckle, the main components of which are a metal pressure plate (1.5) in the shape of a trapezoid and a plastic backing plate (1.4). The metal pressure plate (1.5) and the plastic support plate (1.4) form a whole that enables pre-assembly of the entire elastic clip assembly in the factory and subsequent installation on the rails (1.2) at the location itself. The shape of the metal pressure plate (1.5) enables continuous pressure over the entire edge, which ensures a solid and reliable connection. The edge (2.1) that rests on the rail (1.3) is designed in such a way that it enables smooth sliding along the base of the rail (1.3) when pulling, thus avoiding unnecessary resistance and damage. The other side of the metal pressure plate (1.5) is shaped to prevent any movement after the plate is pulled onto the rail (1.3) and assembly is complete. The plastic backing plate (1.4) has a groove at its outer end into which the narrower, outer end of the metal pressure plate (1.5) enters. The groove is designed in such a way that it forms a tight connection with the outer end of the pressure plate (1.5) so that the removal of the metal pressure plate (1.5) is not possible. The support plate (1.4) has one larger groove on it that enables the pressure plate (1.5) to be deformed and dismantled.

Thanks to the colored part (2.2) on the base plate (1.4), it is possible to determine very simply and quickly, by visual inspection, whether all the pressure plates (1.5) are correctly pulled onto the base of the rail (1.3), thus avoiding spending time on checking each screw and pressure plates.

Brief description of the drawing

Figure 1a. and Figure 1b.: Assembly of the elastic clip for attachment in the pre-assembled state

Position 1.1 Threshold

Position 1.2 Rail

Position 1.3 Rail base

Position 1.4 Base plate

Position 1.5 Metal pressure plate

Position 1.6 Tyrfon screw

Position 1.7 Thrust force Fa

Figure 2a. and Figure 2b.: Assembly of the elastic clip for attachment in the assembled state

Position 2.1 Edge of metal pressure plate

Position 2.2 Painted part of the base plate

Position 2.3 Fastening force, Fb

Position 2.4 Dismantling force, Fc

Figure 3a. and Figure 3b.: Metal pressure plate 1.5

Position 3.1 Cross-section of the metal pressure plate

Position 3.2 Fixing edge

Position 3.3 Thrust plate

Position 3.4 Curvature line

Position 3.5 Oval hole for Tyrfon screw

Position 3.6 Wider side of the metal pressure plate

Position 3.7 Narrow side of the metal pressure plate

Figure 4a. and Figure 4b.: Base plate 1.4

Position 4.1 Cross-section of the base plate

Position 4.2 Slot for fixing

Position 4.3 Limiter for fixing

Position 4.4 Groove - space for deformation of the metal pressure plate

Position 4.5 Hole for Tyrfon screw

Position 4.6 Support of the edge of the metal pressure plate

Position 4.7 Bevel surface of the base plate

Position 4.8 Surface of contact of base plate and threshold

A detailed description of at least one way of realizing the invention

The elastic clip solution for reliable and quick fastening of rails to wooden or concrete thresholds consists of two basic components. The first component is a metal pressure plate (1.5), that is, a part of the elastic clip that achieves the necessary force Fb (2.3) on the base of the rail (1.3). The metal pressure plate (1.5) is in the shape of an equilateral trapezoid whose wider side (3.6) is bent under a certain radius (2.1), which enables smooth sliding on the base plate (1.4) as well as on the base of the rail (1.3) during pushing. The opposite, narrower side (3.7) of the metal pressure plate (1.5) is also bent in the same direction as the wider one, but so that its edge created by bending is sharp, i.e. at 90° (3.2). This edge is intended to be in the final, assembled position inside the intended fixing slot (4.2) on the base plate (1.4).

The pressure surface (3.3), which was created after bending the shorter side of the metal pressure plate (1.5), is used as a place for the force Fa (1.7) to act perpendicular to that surface, and in order to push and pull the metal pressure plate (1.5) to the base of the rail ( 1.3). The additional function of the pressure plate (3.3) is to prevent any movement of the metal pressure plate (1.5) after the completion of pulling, i.e. assembly. This was achieved by resting the pressure plate (3.3) on the inner edge (4.3) of the fixing slot (4.2) located on the base plate (1.4). On the metal pressure plate (1.5) there is an oval opening (3.5) along the bisector, which is intended for the passage of the tyrphon screw (1.6). The metal pressure plate (1.5) is bent at an obtuse angle on the curve line (3.4), and thus the metal pressure plate receives an elastic bias to achieve the necessary fastening force Fb (2.3) to the base of the rail (1.3).

The second component of the solution of the elastic buckle according to the invention is a plastic base plate (1.4) which has a round hole (4.5) intended for a tyrphon screw (1.6) to pass through. On the base plate (1.4) there is a slot for fixing (4.2) which is intended for fixing, i.e. locking the metal pressure plate (1.5) in the final assembled state, in such a way that the lower fixing edge (3.2) of the metal pressure plate (1.5) enters into him. Locking is made possible by the shape and depth of the fixing groove (4.2). The shape of the fixing slot (4.2) is such that it completely matches the lower fixing edge (3.2) of the metal pressure plate (1.5).

Relying on each other in the assembled state of the elastic clip, i.e. the pressure surface (3.3) of the metal pressure plate and the surface of the fixing stop (4.3) of the support plate (1.4) ensures a firm locking in the final, mounted, position and prevents any movement of the pressure plate ( 1.5) and possibly its fixing edge (3.2) popping out of the fixing slot (4.2) of the base plate (1.4). On the base plate (1.4) there is also a larger groove - space for deformation (4.4) which is intended for plastic deformation of the metal pressure plate (1.5) under the action of the force during disassembly Fc (2.4), which is provided during the process of dismantling the metal pressure plate (1.5).

On the base plate (1.4) there is also a surface - support for the edge (4.6) of the metal pressure plate (1.5), on which the edge (2.1) of the longer side (3.6) of the metal pressure plate (1.5) rests in the pre-assembled state. The height of the surface (4.6) of the base plate corresponds to the height of the very base of the rail (1.3) with which it touches, that is, those two points are in the same plane.

On the surface (4.6), the bevel surface of the base plate (4.7) continues at an angle that corresponds to the angle (3.4) at which the metal pressure plate (1.5) is bent. On the upper surface of the base plate (1.4) there is a surface painted with a visible color (2.2), which in the pre-assembled state is covered by a pressure plate (1.5). After pulling the pressure plate (1.5) into the final, mounted position, that painted surface (2.2) becomes visible, which is a sign that the metal pressure plate (1.5) is in the final position. Thus, by visual inspection, it can be determined that the installation of that panel has been completed.

Method of industrial or other application of the invention

The technical solution according to the invention finds its application in all cases involving the mounting of rails on concrete or wooden thresholds. This technical solution enables a high degree of automation of the process of mounting and dismounting railway tracks on sleepers. It is possible to use a self-propelled service vehicle or a device mounted on a service vehicle that will move the pressure plates to the end position without stopping.

The advantage of this solution over the existing ones is the possibility of pre-assembly, so the whole process, except for the installation of rails, which is done on site, can be done in the workshop. This avoids separate transport of thresholds, base plates and fastening clips.

This solution is applicable in all conditions and locations where rails are installed and where costs and installation time are significantly reduced.

The solution to the technical problem explained in the description of the invention

The solution to the technical problem according to the subject invention is based on the design of an elastic buckle, the main components of which are a metal pressure plate (1.5) and a plastic support plate (1.4) and their use in the assembly as follows.

The assembly of the elastic clip, which is in a pre-assembled state, is shown in Figures 1a and 1b and consists of a railway sleeper (1.1) and a base plate (1.4) which is laid on the railway sleeper, and a metal pressure plate is placed on the base plate (1.4) (1.5) in such a way that its wider side (3.6) in the pre-assembled state rests on the surface (4.6) of the base plate (1.4) which serves as a support for the edge (2.1) of the metal pressure plate (1.5) while the rest of the metal pressure plate is placed on the upper surface of the base plate (1.4) while the outer, narrow side (3.7) of the metal pressure plate (1.5), together with the edge for fixing and locking (3.3) passes over the edge of the base plate (1.4).

The base plate (1.4) on the lower side opposite the groove - the space for the deformation of the metal pressure plate (4.4) in the same direction as this groove, has a corresponding protrusion (4.8), the surface of which is designed to fit into the same groove made in the railway sleeper, that is, that they have the same contact surface (4.8), which prevents any mutual movements of the base plate (1.4) and the railway sleeper (1.1).

The thus formed elastic clip assembly, which consists of a support plate (1.4) and a metal pressure plate (1.5) is fixed to the railway sleeper (1.1) by screwing into the railway sleeper (1.1) a Tyrphon screw (1.6), which passes through an oval opening (3.5) ) on the metal pressure plate (1.5), and further passes through the round hole (4.5) on the support plate (1.4).

By screwing the Tyrfon screw (1.6) into the railway sleeper (1.1) in the described manner, it can also be tightened in the factory with a force that is determined in advance and is sufficient so that in the final, assembled state the connection is firm and that the metal pressure plate (1.5) achieves the necessary force that will press the base of the rail (1.3) towards the railway sleeper (1.1) and thus keep the rail (1.2) in the given position. In such a position, the pressure plate (1.5) covers the brightly colored upper surface (2.2) of the base plate (1.4).

The assembly arranged in this way is ready for transport to the location and installation of rails on railway sleepers.

After the rail (1.2) is placed on the thresholds (1.1) in the defined position at the workplace, the final fastening of the rail to the thresholds can be started, which is achieved by moving the metal pressure plate (1.5) along the base plate (1.4) by the action of the pressure force Fa (1.7) perpendicular to the surface of the pressure plate (3.3), which is also in the direction perpendicular to the rail.

The free movement of the metal pressure plate (1.5) in the direction of the pressure force Fa (1.7) is made possible by an oval opening (3.5) which is of sufficient dimensions to allow the body of the screw (1.6) to pass freely, but narrow enough that the head of the screw cannot pass through. By the action of the pressure force Fa (1.7) on the pressure surface (3.3) of the metal pressure plate (1.5), the metal pressure plate moves towards the base of the rail (1.3), until its lower edge sharpens the fixing edge (3.2) on its opposite narrow side (3.7 ) does not snap into the fixing slot (4.2) made on the base plate (1.4). The shape of the fixing edge (3.2) made on the metal pressure plate (1.5), as well as the depth of the fixing groove (4.2) made on the base plate (1.4) ensure a complete mutual abutment so that it is impossible for the pressure plate (1.5) to return to its original position .

The fastening force Fb (2.3) by which the metal pressure plate (1.5) in the mounted state with its edge (2.1) on the wider side (3.6) acts on the base of the rail (1.3) is actually a force that arises as a result of the action of the tyrphon screw (1.6), twisted in railway sleeper (1.1) by tightening force on the metal pressure plate (1.5), which is made of spring sheet as a material with elastic properties and which is also designed in such a way that in the unassembled state it is pre-bent along the curve line (3.4) for the appropriate angle in the direction of force Fb(2.3).

By bringing the metal pressure plate (1.5) to the final position, in which its lower sharp fixing edge (3.2) on its narrower side (3.7) jumps into the fixing groove (4.2) made on the base plate (1.4), the fastening of the rail to the Prague. After the pressure plate (1.5) has been placed in the final position, the brightly colored surface (2.2) of the support plate (1.4) becomes visible, which confirms that the metal pressure plate (1.5) is in the final position, i.e. that the rail (1.2) is attached to railway sleeper (1.1) with sufficient fastening force Fb(2.3).

The rail mounted in this way is ready for traffic and no manual work is needed to fasten the rails to the thresholds on site.

The disassembly of the rail (1.2) from the railway sleeper (1.1) is achieved by the action of the force during disassembly Fc (2.4) perpendicular to the surface of the metal pressure plate (1.5), which achieves its deformation by bending, during which it fills the groove created - space for deformation (4.4) metal pressure plates (1.5).

Given that the wider side (3.6) of the metal pressure plate (1.5), which rests on the base of the rail (1.3), is fixed with a Tyrfon screw, the other side of the metal pressure plate (1.5) on which the fixing edge (3.2) is located, due to permanent plastic deformations caused by the action of force during disassembly Fc (2.4) comes out of the fixing slot (4.2) and the metal pressure plate (1.5) can be moved to the original position it had in the pre-assembly state by applying an appropriate force in the opposite direction from of the action of the thrust force Fa (1.7).

Therefore, by simply moving the deformed metal pressure plate (1.5) to the original position it had in the pre-assembly state, the rail becomes free due to the action of the force in the opposite direction to the action of the force Fa (1.7). This method of dismantling does not leave any waste parts on the route that need to be collected and transported later.

The technical solution for attaching rails to sleepers with elastic clips according to the invention, enables the use of a suitable device that can be installed on a service vehicle and the entire process of mounting and dismounting rails on railway sleepers can be performed quickly and with a high degree of automation, which results in large savings in employed resources as well as in the number of people that need to be hired, and also in the time spent on assembly and disassembly.

Claims (6)

1. Elastic clip for attaching rails (1.2) to wooden or concrete railway sleepers (1.1), characterized by the fact that the base plate (1.4) on one side of the upper surface has a fixing groove (4.2) whose shape and dimensions are such that it fits completely the fixing edge (3.2) of the metal pressure plate (1.5) rests in its final position, and on the same surface of the supporting plate (1.4) towards the middle there is a groove - space for deformation (4.4), whose cross-section is in the form of an isosceles triangle, after of which the upper surface under a certain obtuse bevel angle continues with the bevel surface (4.7), which then passes into the surface - the support of the edge (4.6) of the wider side (3.6) of the metal pressure plate (1.5), in which way the height of the base plate (1.4) at that end, it equals the height of the edge of the base of the rail (1.3) on the edge of which the base plate (1.4) rests, while on the underside of the base plate (1.4), opposite the groove - the space for deformation (4.4) of the metal pressure plate (1.5), in the same direction with that slot, exc a corresponding protrusion (4.8), whose surface shape is designed so that it fits into the same groove made in the railway sleeper (4.8), and a metal pressure plate (1.5) in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid is laid on the upper surface of the base plate (1.4), in the manner that, in the pre-assembled state, the edge (2.1) of the wider side (3.6) of the metal pressure plate (1.5), which is bent with a certain radius (2.1), rests on the surface of the base plate - the support of the edge (4.6), while the rest of the metal pressure plate (1.5) laid on the upper surface of the supporting plate (1.4) so that its opposite, narrow side (3.7), bent at a 90° angle (3.2) in the same direction as the edge of the wider side (3.6) of the metal pressure plate (1.5) is bent ), covers the upper surface of the base plate, including its colored part (2.2). 2. Elastic clip for attaching rails (1.2) to wooden or concrete railway sleepers (1.1) according to patent claim 1, indicated by the fact that it is part of the metal pressure plate (1.5), made of spring sheet, after the curve line (3.4) and according to on its wider side (3.6), bent to one side at an obtuse bevel angle that is equal to the bevel angle of the base plate (1.4), whereby the metal pressure plate (1.5) in the pre-assembled state receives an elastic bias to achieve the necessary fastening force Fb (2.3) on the base of the rail (1.3), by the action of the tyrfon screw (1.6), twisted into the railway sleeper (1.1) by the force of tension on the metal pressure plate (1.5) in the assembled state. 3. Elastic clip for attaching rails (1.2) to wooden or concrete railway sleepers (1.1) according to patent claim 1, characterized by the fact that a round hole (4.5) is made through the base plate (1.4) on part of the bevel surface (4.7), and in metal pressure plate (1.5) has an oval opening (3.5) designed for the passage of the tyrfon screw (1.6). 4. The procedure for attaching rails to wooden or concrete railway sleepers with elastic clips, characterized by the fact that the formed assembly in the pre-assembled state, consisting of a base plate (1.4) and a metal pressure plate (1.5) is fixed to the railway sleeper (1.1) by screwing it into the sleeper (1.1) tyrphon screw (1.6), which passes through the oval opening (3.5) on the metal pressure plate (1.5), and then passes through the round hole (4.5) on the base plate (1.4), which achieves tightening with a pre-determined force and it is sufficient so that in the final, assembled state, the connection is firm and that the metal pressure plate (1.5) achieves the necessary force that will press the base of the rail (1.3) towards the railway sleeper and thus keep the rail (1.2) in the given position. 5. The procedure for attaching rails to wooden or concrete railway sleepers with elastic clips according to patent claim 4, characterized by the fact that the final attachment of the rail to the sleepers is achieved by moving the metal pressure plate (1.5) along the base plate (1.4) by the action of the force Fa (1.7) perpendicular to the surface of the pressure plate (3.3), which is also in the direction perpendicular to the rail, while the free movement of the metal pressure plate (1.5) in the direction of the force Fa (1.7) is enabled by the oval opening (3.5), which is of sufficient dimensions to allow the free passage of the tyrfon body screw (1.6), but narrow enough that the head of the bolt cannot pass through, in such a way that the action of the force Fa (1.7) on the pressure surface (3.3) of the metal pressure plate (1.5), the metal pressure plate (1.5) moves towards the base of the rail ( 1.3), until its lower sharp fixing edge (3.2) on its opposite side snaps into the fixing groove (4.2) made on the base plate (1.4), which is made possible by the fact that the shape of the fixing edge is is (3.2) made on the metal pressure plate (1.5), as well as the depth of the fixing groove (4.2) made on the base plate (1.4) completely overlap each other so that it is impossible for the pressure plate (3.3) to return to its original position. 6. The procedure for attaching rails to wooden or concrete railway sleepers with elastic clips according to patent claim 4, characterized in that the action of the pressure force Fa (1.7) on the pressure surface (3.3) of the metal pressure plate (1.5) brings the metal pressure plate (1.5) into final position, in which its lower sharp fixing edge (3.2) jumps into the fixing groove (4.2), made on the support plate (1.4) when the brightly painted surface (2.2) becomes visible, which confirms that the metal pressure plate (1.5), in in that final position, with its edge (2.1) on the wider side (3.6), it acts on the base of the rail (1.3) with a fastening force Fb (2.3).