US1754609A - Railway-roadbed construction - Google Patents

Description

Aprll 15, 1930. P. CHIPMAN 1,754,509

RAILWAY ROADBED coNsTRUcTIpN Filed May 6, 1929 ISSheetS-Sheet l Paw C77 z'man Wm M106- d l m I n Elnll vlllle ||l.l|\..|l|| x! |l Illu llxlHEll l llllrlll S @o TEFhlmmllwmww-HTEIFL, i mlmlm L Illli. lil. Il l ATTORNEYS P. cHlPMAN 1,754,609

RAILWAY ROADBED CONSTRUCTION- Filed May 6, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet '2 April 15, 1930 April 15, 1930. P. CHIPMAN 1,754,609

RAILWAY ROADBED CONSTRUCTIONV Filed May 6, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Paz/Z 7H/birra?? BY Wm MW@ ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PAUL CHIPMAN, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK H. ALFRED, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN RAILWAY-ROADBED CONSTRUCTION Application filed May 6,

This invention relates generally to railway roadbed constructionssuch as that set forth in Patent 1,716,911 granted June 117 1929 to Frank H. Alfred and myself; and consists of 5 certain novel features of construction, com

binations and arrangements of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a railway roadbed embodying my invenn tion;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on f, the line Q--Q of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a top plan view similar to Figure 1 but showing a slightly modified form of construction;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

25 l Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through the meeting ends of the slabs shown in Figure 5;

Figure S is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view through one of the cross walls of 3" the construction shown in Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing another modification;

Figure 10 is a cross sectional view through the construction shown in Figure 9.

In ordinary railroad tracll the rails have two functions; iirst, to carry the wheels and take the resulting wear; and second, to distribute the load of the wheels over several ties. In the proposed construction the rails would be relieved of the second function and would thus be practically free from tensile stresses. Therefore, the rails could be made lighter as only a head for wearing and a base for bearing need be provided, and could also 1929. Serial No. 360,897.

be made harder with a higher carbon content; thus greatly increasing their durability.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 is a subgrade including superposed layers 2 and 3 respectively of ballast and sand, 4 is a slab having a base or platform 5 on the sand 3 of the sub-grade and having laterally spaced longitudinally extending girders 6 and 7 respectively rising from said platform, 8 are longitudinally spaced cross walls or beams extending transversely of the base 5 between the girders; 9, 10, 11 and 12 respectively are reinforcing members for said slab, and 13 and 1&1 respectively are rails on the girder portions 6 and 7 of a section of a roadbed embodying my invention. As shown7 the base 5 of the slab comprises a mass of concrete of suitable dimensions, such as nine feet wide; six inches deep and nineteen and one-half feet long. The girders 6 and 7 are also formed of concrete and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive are integral with the base 5. Preferably these girders are parallel throughout their length and extend upwardly from the base adjacent to the outer longitudinal edges thereof. The top walls 15 and 16 respectively of these girders incline slightly transversely from their outer to their inner longitudinal edges, as shown, and are provided at approximately the longitudinal centers thereof with shallow upwardly opening channels or recesses 17 and 18 respectively, while the side walls 19 and 20 of each girder diverge downwardly from the top walls to the base 5. Suitable transversely extending holes or passages 21 are formed in the girder 7 at spaced points longitudinally thereof to enable water;` etc., upon the base 5 between the girders to drain transversely of the slab to opposite sides of the base.

Likewise, the cross walls 8 are formed of concrete and are integral with the base 5 and girders 6 and 7. Preferably these walls eX- tend at substantially right angles to the girders at spaced points longitudinally of the 90 base 5, but the depth of these cross walls is preferably less than the depth of the girders.

hus these cross walls 8 form with the base 5 and girders 6 and 7 a series of upwardly opening troughs that extend longitudinally the slab. As shown, these cross walls are substantially inverted U-shape in cross section and are provided at the base with holes or passages 22 that extend transversely thereof and constitute drainage ports or openings for water between the troughs longitudinally of the slab.

Preferably, the reinforcing members 9 are in the form of loops of metal that extend through and tie together the base 5, girders 6 and 7 and cross walls 8. The reinforcing members 10 extend transversely of and are embedded in the base 5 and are provided intermediate of their ends between the girders 6 and 7 with upwardly bowed or arched portions 23, while the reinforcing members 11 and 12 respectively are embedded in and cxtend longitudinally of the base 5 and girders.

With this construction the rails 13 and 14 rest upon relatively thin sheets or layers 23 of insulating material such as fibre or wood in the recesses 17 and 18 and are held in place thereon by means of plates 24 and bolts 25. As shown, the plates 24 overlap the bases 26 of the rails While the bolts 25 extend through these plates and threadedly engage suitable metal sockets 27 embedded in the girders 6 and 7 upon opposite sides of the recesses 17 and 18.

In Figures 5 to 8 inclusive I have shown a slight modification in which the girders 30 and 31 and cross walls 32 are formed separately from but will be mounted upon the base 33. As shown, this base 33 is nine feet wide, nineteen feet six inches long and six inches high and is provided with reinforcing mem ers 34 and 35 respectively corresponding to the reinforcing members 10 and 11. 'Ihe girders 30 and 31 are substantially square shape in cross section and rest upon superposed layers 35 and 36 respectively of building paper and prepared roofing adjacent to the longitudinal side edges of the base 33. Suitable reinforcing members 38 and 39 corresponding to the members 12 extend longitudinally of the girders 30 and 31, preferably in two vertically spaced horizontal planes. Rails 40 and 41 are mounted upon sheets 42 of insulating material in longitudinally extendin recesses 43 in the girders and are secured t ereto by bolts 44, plates 45 and sockets 46. The cross Walls 32 in this instance however are integral with the girders 30 and 31 only but rest upon the base 33 when the parts are assembled. Preferably loops 47 of metal corresponding to the loops 9 are embedded in and are used to reinforce the walls 32 and girders 30 and 31. Moreover, with this construction the girders 30 and 31 and cross walls 32 as a unit may be properly aligned and maintained in such alignment by suitable pegs 49 and wedges 50. Preferably, these pegs 49 comprise metal bars having their lower ends embedded in the base 33, and the wedges 50 are of wood and extend between said pegs and the outer walls of the girders.

In Figures 9 and 10 I have shown another modification in which the upper faces and 61 respectively of the girders 62 and 63 are provided throughout their length at their inner longitudinal edges with upstanding portions 64 and 65 respectively of substantially square cross section that constitute guard rails in case of derailment. Otherwise the construction shown in these two views is identical with that set forth in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. Preferably these guard rails 64 and 65 are concrete and formed integral with the girders 62 and 63. Suitable bars 66 of metal are embedded in these guard rails 64 and 65 to reinforce the same. However, such rails may be separate from and secured to the girders 62 and 63. For example, old discarded rails may be secured to the girders at this point.

Thus from the foregoing disclosure it will be readily apparent that the girders under the rails distribute the wheel loadns longitudinally. The cross walls or beams together with the loop reinforcements constitute transverse connections between the girders and maintain them in the same position relative to each other. The base or platform under these girders and cross walls distributes the load transversely over the sub-grade or earth foundation. The layers of fibre or wood insulation between the girders and rails also constitute means to deaden sound and protection for the concrete.

Preferably, the roadbed construction in accordance with the foregoing would be formed of a series of slabs which would be pre-cast and arranged end to end. Such castings could be provided with hooks such as embedded in the base 5, whereby such slabs could be lifted by suitable cranes (not shown) to the desired position on the sub-grade. Moreover, tongue and groove connections such as that shown and described in the co-pending application heretofore referred to could be provided between the pre-cast slabs to provide for expansion and contraction thereof due to changes of temperature, and to prevent adjacent ends of the slabs from sagging or moving vertically relative-to each other. For instance, one end of each slab could be provided With a transversely extending tongue 80, While the opposite end of such slab could be provided with a transversely extending groove 81. Thus, when the slabs are assembled end to end the tongue and groove arrangement would not only effectively prevent sagging of such slabs at the joints but would permit contraction and expansion as described. Convenience in lifting the slab,

as hereinafter described, in order to restore the original surface is probably the most important consideration in determining the proper distance between these joints.

Placing sand, cinders, gravel or crushed stone between and outside of the girders is not essential but would generally be desirable: (a) to reduce damage in case of derailment, as a deadener or non-refiector of noise and, (c) as a protection against frost and possible heaving due thereto.

It is also desirable to have a method of adjusting the elevation of the rails to correct unequal settlement of the sub-grade. To a limited extent this can be accomplished by inserting shims of wood or metal between the rails and their supports. For larger inequalr ties of surface it is proposed that the slabs be lifted to the proper elevation by a crane or with jacks and that sand or a grout made of cement and sand be forced between the slab and the earth by means of compressed'air. If the platform is made separately, as illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 inclusive, it will be necessary to lift only the frame consisting of the girders and cross walls in adjusting the surface. In this case the filling material could be placed between this frame and the base or platform. Any suitable means (not shown) may be used to force sand and the like between the sub-grade and the platform or base of the slab. Preferably the platform or base 5 of the slab is provided throughout its length with a longitudinally extending depending bead 5 which constitutes an abutment at approximately the longitudinal median plane of the slab for the sand that is forced between the sub-grade and platform.

The entire concrete structure including the girders, cross walls and platform can be built integrally as illustrated in Figures l to 4L inclusive, or if desirable, the platform can be formed separately as illustrated in Figures 5 to 8 inclusive. In any event, the girders and cross walls should be built integrally. 'Ihe concrete may be cast in place or pre-cast in suitable molds or forms and afterwards placed in the track. In the vlatter case the sections would be delivered alongside the point of use and swung to place with a crane. They would either be laid on a carefully graded bed of sand or be held at the proper elevation and sand forced under them with compressed air.

lVhile it is believed that from the foregoing description the nature and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself to what is herein shown and described, and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A support for railway rails including a platform of concrete, girders of concrete on said platform, cross walls of concrete on said platform between said girders, reinforcing means for said platform including metal members extending transversely of and embedded in said platform, said members being provided intermediate their ends between said girders with arched portions, and reinforcing means for said girders and cross walls including elements extending laterally from said cross walls and embedded in said girders.

2. In a railway roadbed, the combination with a track including laterally spaced rails, of a support for said rails including a platform of reinforced concrete, laterally spaced girders of reinforced concrete on said platform an d constituting seats for said rails, one of said girders having a transversely extending passage therethrough at the platform for permitting water on the platform between said girders to flow transversely of said platform to the outer edges thereof, and cross walls on said platform between said girders and having openings extending therethrough at said platform to permit water to flow longitudinally of said platform.

In a railway roadbed, the combination with a sub-grade, and a track including laterally spaced rails, of a support for said rails including a platform on said sub-grade and provided upon its lower face with an abutment for sand and the like forced between said sub-grade and platform.

t. A support for railway rails including a platform of concrete, laterally spaced rail supporting girders extending longitudinally of said platform, cross walls extending between said girders, and connections between said girders and cross walls, including metal parts extending longitudinally of the cross walls and having end portions thereof embedded in the girders.

A support for railway rails including a platform of concrete, laterally spaced rail supporting girders of concrete movable upon said platform, cross walls connecting into said girders and resting on said platform, reinforcing means embedded in the platform, and connections between said girders and cross walls including reinforcing means embedded in said cross walls and girders, the portions in said girders constituting extensions of the portions in said cross walls.

6. A support for railway rails including a platform of concrete, girders of concrete on said platform, cross walls of concrete on said platform between said girders, reinforcing means for said platform including metal members extendingl transversely of and embedded in said platform, and reinforcing means for said girders and cross walls including elements extending laterally from said cross walls and embedded in said girders.

7. In a railway roadbed, a ground engaglill izo

LLI)

ing platform comprising a slab of reinforced concrete having a substantially Hat upper Surface, rail supporting means adjustably mounted on said platform and including laterally spaced reinforced concrete rail supporting girders, and connections between said gilders, and means associated With the platform and lgirdlers for aligning and maintaining the rail supporting means in proper alignment on said platform.

In testimony whereof I aiix my sifrnature.

PAUL oHIPiiAN.

Images