CA2824875C - Track - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a track, comprising a covering formed from slab-like cover elements (2), the upper face (5) of the covering forming a transportation surface running at the level (3) of the rails (4) of the track. The cover elements (2) are supported at the edge zones (6) thereof facing the rails (4) of the track by engaging in the lateral recesses (8) of the rails (4) via intermediate elastomeric profiles (7a, 7b). The elastomeric profiles (7a, 7b) arranged in the lateral recesses (8) of the rails (4) are provided with reinforcement elements (14, 15, 16, 27), which are arranged in the interior (11) of said elastomeric profiles (7a, 7b) and/or on the outer face (12) thereof.

Description

Track Field of the Invention The present invention relates to transportation systems, and more particularly to a track.
Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a track including a covering formed of slab-shaped cover elements, an upper side of which covering forms a traffic surface extending level with rails of the track, wherein the cover elements, at their edge zones facing the rails of the track, are only supported on the rails of the track via interposed elastomer profiles engaging in lateral recesses of the rails, and wherein the elastomer profiles are arranged in the lateral recesses of the rails and comprise longitudinally stable reinforcing elements that are located in one of an interior of said profiles and on an exterior surface thereof, the reinforcing elements extending over a longitudinal extension of said profiles and being intimately connected with elastomer material of said profiles, the rigidity of said reinforcing elements being higher than that of the elastomer material.
The invention according to its embodiments relates to a track including a covering formed of slab-shaped cover elements, the upper side of which covering forms a traffic surface extending on the level of the rails of the track, wherein the cover elements, at their edge zones facing the rails of the track, are only supported on the rails of the track via interposed elastomer profiles while engaging in the lateral recesses of the rails.
The configuration of the mounting of the cover elements forming a traffic surface in a track of the aforementioned type offers intended advantages both for retaining the dynamic properties of the track in the region of the covering and for carrying out structural work required for the maintenance of the track, such mounting of the cover elements also having beneficial

- 2 -properties in terms of achieving a sound-absorbing behavior of the track.
It is an intended object of the present invention to further improve the properties relating to the mounting of the cover elements in a track of the initially defined kind by prolonging the service life of the elastomer profiles via which the cover elements are supported on the rails, and also by preventing the elastic properties of said elastomer profiles from changing their characteristics over as long a period as possible.
The track according to the embodiments of the invention of the initially defined kind is characterized in that the elastomer profiles arranged in the lateral recesses of the rails and supporting the cover elements comprise longitudinally stable reinforcing elements that are located in the interior of said elastomer profiles and/or on the exterior surface thereof, extend over the longitudinal extension of said profiles and are intimately connected with the elastomer material of said profiles, the rigidity of said reinforcing elements being higher than that of the elastomer material. Such a configuration will well meet the previously cited objectives. The deformations of the elastomer profiles, which are caused by the loads exerted by the cover elements, can be smoothed out over their cross sections, while at the same time achieving a reduction of the extent of such deformations. By smoothing out the deformations, the seating of the cover elements on the elastomer profiles will also be improved, and the homogenization of the deformations will counteract the formation of local tension peaks, which might induce structural fatigue at these points. It can be reached that the elastic behavior of the elastomer profiles will remain largely constant over extended periods and the operational life of these profiles, which is determined by a reduction of the elastic properties and by other wear phenomena, will be prolonged.
The reinforcing elements provided in the configuration according to the embodiments of the invention of a track of the aforementioned type can be comprised of various materials,

- 3 -wherein, in particular, metals and even various synthetic materials may be considered. The reinforcing elements may illustratively be provided in prefabricated form and connected to preformed elastomer profiles, or embedded in the same. Such preformed reinforcing elements can also be embedded into, or linked to, the elastomer profiles as the latter are being molded.
The prefabrication of reinforcing elements from moldable masses such as, e.g., synthetic materials provided for molding, can be performed in special molds only serving for the prefabrication of the reinforcing elements in question, or in combination molds in which the prefabrication of reinforcing elements is performed in a first step, and the manufacture of the elastomer profiles takes place subsequently, while forming intimate bonds of the reinforcing elements with the elastomer material. In another technique, which is particularly practicable for the formation of reinforcing elements to be provided on the exterior surfaces of the elastomer profiles, the elastomer profiles are molded in a first step with the spaces provided for receiving the reinforcing elements being left free, and moldable masses are introduced into the free spaces in a second step and formed to reinforcing elements and solidified, which process may optionally also be performed in molds in which the elastomer profiles have previously been molded.
An embodiment of the track configured according to embodiments of the invention is characterized in that elastomer profiles supporting cover elements of the covering are provided, which elastomer profiles each comprise as reinforcing elements a group of rods extending over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profile and arranged in the interior of the respective elastomer profile in the elastomer profile region located between the edge zone resting on the respective elastomer profile, of a cover element and the upper side of the rail foot on which the respective elastomer profile rests, at mutual distances viewed in the direction of the transverse extension of the rail foot. This embodiment in a simple manner will provide both a good dimensional stability and a reduction and

- 4 -homogenization of the deformations caused by the loads exerted by the cover elements, which, as already mentioned above, will have a positive influence on the seating of the cover elements and on the service life of the elastomer profiles. By selecting the positions of the rods in those cross sectional areas of the elastomer profiles in which the major portion of the loads exerted by the cover elements is absorbed, the tensions acting within the elastomer material will be homogenized, the selection of the distances between said rods being relevant to the positioning of the reinforcing elements comprised of rods.
A simplified variant of the aforementioned embodiment is characterized in that elastomer profiles supporting cover elements of the covering are provided, which elastomer profiles, in the interior of the respective elastomer profile in the elastomer profile region located between the edge zone resting on the respective elastomer profile, of a cover element and the upper side of the rail foot on which the respective elastomer profile rests, each comprise as reinforcing element at least one strip-shaped plate extending over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profile and whose width extension extends in the direction of the transverse extension of the rail foot.
An embodiment that offers intended advantages, in particular, in terms of keeping wear phenomena on the surfaces of the elastomer profiles low, while largely reducing wear occurring on the contact sites of the cover elements with the elastomer profiles is characterized in that elastomer profiles supporting cover elements of the covering are provided, which elastomer profiles, on the upwardly oriented surface area, on which a cover element rests with its edge zone, each comprise as reinforcing element a strip-shaped plate extending over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profile and intimately connected with the elastomer material of the elastomer profile.
With a view to reducing wear phenomena on the contact sites of the elastomer profiles with the rails, it is intended to be advantageous if it is provided that elastomer profiles supporting

- 5 -cover elements of the covering are provided, which elastomer profiles, on the downwardly oriented surface area, on which the respective elastomer profile rests on the rail foot, each comprise as reinforcing element a strip-shaped plate extending over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profile and intimately connected with the elastomer material of said profile.
The previously mentioned provision of reinforcing elements in the surface region of the elastomer profiles may also be combined with the above-mentioned provision of reinforcing elements in the interior of the elastomer profiles.
In respect to the configuration of, as already mentioned, reinforcing elements provided in the surface region of the elastomer profiles, it will be intended, furthermore, be advantageous if it is provided that plates arranged to extend over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profiles are angularly configured, with the geometric line of the angled configuration extending in the longitudinal direction of the respective elastomer profile. The transmission of lateral guiding forces, which act on the elastomer profiles in addition to the weight loads exerted by the cover elements, will thus be complied with in the sense of a reduction of the tensions occurring within the elastomer material, and a wear-reducing adaptation to the respectively provided shape of the rail foot will also be achieved.
A further embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is characterized in that the elastomer profiles supporting the cover elements are placed in the regions between rail fastening elements consecutively arranged in the longitudinal direction of the track and serving to fix the rails of the track to sleepers, and that covering elements covering the rail fastening elements are arranged in the mid-region of the track between the two rails of the track so as to sit above the rail fastening elements, the cover element-supporting elastomer profiles provided in said mid-region abutting on the cover elements by their end faces.
Handling during the installation of the cover element-supporting

- 6 -elastomer profiles will thus be facilitated, and by appropriately forming the elastomer profiles on this site, the need to take into account the rail fastening elements engaging the rail foot can be obviated; the latter appears to be relevant exactly in the context of said elastomer profiles comprising longitudinally stable reinforcing elements. The covering elements sitting above the rail fastening elements will facilitate handling during the installation of the elastomer profiles and also provide a good protection of the rail fastening elements against adverse external influences.
Brief Description of the Drawings In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by way of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawing, in which such examples are schematically illustrated.
In the drawing, Fig. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a track formed according to an embodiment of the invention in a schematic section laid transversely to the longitudinal extension of the track;
Fig. 2 is an elevational view of an elastomer profile as provided in a track represented in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3, on an enlarged scale, shows the region present in a rail of the track illustrated in Fig. 1, in a section laid analogously to Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of an embodiment to be regarded as a variant of Fig. 3;
Figs. 5 and 6, in sections laid analogously to Figs. 3 and 4, depict exemplary embodiments in which elastomer profiles comprising reinforcing elements arranged in the surface region are provided;
Fig. 7 in a partially broken-up top view, depicts a portion of the exemplary embodiment of a track in which the cover element-supporting elastomer profiles are each arranged to extend from one rail fixation to the next;
Fig. 8 depicts a portion of the exemplary embodiment - 6a -according to Fig. 7 in a section along line VIII-VIII.
Description of the Embodiments In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 of a track 1 formed according to the invention, a covering formed of slab-shaped cover elements 2 is provided, the upper surfaces 5 of said cover elements 2 forming a traffic surface extending at the level 3 of the rails 4 of the track. The rails 4 of the track are fixed to sleepers 3a by rail fastening elements 4a. The cover elements 2, in their edge zones 6 facing the rails 4 of the track, are only supported on the rails 4 of the track via interposed elastomer profiles 7a, 7b, 7c while engaging in the lateral recesses 8 of the rails 4. The cover elements arranged between the two rails 4 of the track thus bridge the space between the two rails of the track in a self-supporting manner from one rail to the other, and that cover elements externally arranged consecutively to the two rails of the track, in their edge zones facing the rails of the track, are supported on the rails of the track and, on their sides facing away from the rails of the track, rest on basements not illustrated in detail.
The elastomer profiles 7a, 7b arranged in the lateral recesses 8 of the rails 4 and supporting the cover elements 2, in their interiors 11, comprise longitudinally stable reinforcing

- 7 -elements 14 that extend over the longitudinal extension 13 of said profiles 7a, 7b and are intimately connected with the elastomer material of said profiles. The rigidity of the reinforcing elements, which are comprised of round rods in the illustrated case, is larger than the rigidity of the elastomer material of the elastomer profiles 7a, 7b. The rods forming the reinforcing elements 14 may have other cross-sectional shapes as well. The reinforcing elements 14 are arranged in that region 19 of the elastomer profiles 7a, 7b which is located between the edge zone 6 of the respective cover element 2 resting on the respective profile 7a, 7b, and the upper side 18 of the rail foot 17 of the respective rail 4. The reinforcing elements 14 are arranged at mutual distances 21 viewed in the direction 20 of the transverse extension of the rail foot 17. By appropriately selecting the size of said distances 21, the extent of the deformation resulting from the load exerted on the elastomer profiles by the cover elements 2, and even the elasticity of the elastomer profiles, can be influenced.
In the variant illustrated in Fig. 4, a strip-shaped plate 15 extending over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profile is provided in the interior 11 of the respective elastomer profiles 7a, 7b as reinforcing element, the width extension of said plate extending in the direction 20 of the transverse extension of the rail foot 17. As in the example according to Fig. 3, the strip-shaped plate 15 is arranged in that region 19 of the respective elastomer profile 7a, 7b which is located between the edge zone 6 resting on the respective elastomer profile, of a cover element 2 and the upper side 18 of the rail foot 17, on which the respective profile 7a, 7b rests.
It is also possible to provide several strip-shaped plates arranged one above the other in a spaced-apart relationship in the individual elastomer profiles. An example of such a plate 15a provided in addition to the plate 15 in the respective elastomer profile is indicated in broken lines in Fig. 4.
In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the

- 8 -elastomer profiles 7a, 7b supporting cover elements 2, on the upwardly oriented surface region 23, on which a respective cover element 2 rests with its edge zone 6, each comprise as reinforcing element a strip-shaped plate 16 that extends over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profile and is intimately connected with the elastomer material of the respective elastomer profile. The strip-shaped plate 16 constitutes a reinforcing element that influences the deformation and elasticity behavior of the respective elastomer profile and is, moreover, also able to largely reduce wear phenomena occurring at the sites of contact between the cover elements 2 and the elastomer profiles 7a, 7b.
In the exemplary embodiment depicted in Fig. 6, elastomer profiles 7b, which support cover elements 2, are provided, which, on the downwardly oriented surface region 24, on which the respective profile rests on the rail foot 17, each comprise as reinforcing element a strip-shaped plate 27 that extends over the longitudinal extension of the said profile and is intimately connected with the elastomer material of said profile. Such a plate 27 acts against wear phenomena that might be caused by a load-dependent movement of the elastomer profiles 7b on the respective rail foot 17, and also helps homogenize the deformation and elasticity behaviors of the elastomer profiles.
In the case represented in Fig. 6, the strip-shaped plates 27 assist the action of the strip-shaped plates 16 arranged in the surface region 23 of the elastomer profiles 7a, 7b.
The strip-shaped plates 27, 16 provided in the exemplary embodiments according to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are angularly configured, the geometric line 25 of the angled configuration, which is indicated by a point in said drawing figures, extending in the longitudinal direction 26 of the respective elastomer profile. By these angled configurations, the fact is taken into account that the cover elements 2 exert both weight loads and lateral guiding forces on the elastomer profiles, and that the upper side of the rail foot is buckled.

- 9 -Figs. 7 and 8 for reasons of space merely depict that portion of an exemplary embodiment of a track formed according to the invention which is located in the region of one rail 4. The portion located in the region of the other rail of the track is analogously designed. The rails 4 of the track are fastened to sleepers 3a by rail fastening elements 4a. In the mid-region 30 of the track, which is located between the two rails of the track and extends upwardly from the rail 4 in the illustration according to Fig. 7, the rail fastening elements 4a are covered by covering elements 28 arranged to sit above the rail fastening elements. The cover elements 2, which are illustrated in Fig. 7 so as to point upwards from the rail, on their sides facing the rail 4 are supported by elastomer profiles 7b engaging in the recess of the rail 4 that is provided on this side. The elastomer profiles 7b are placed in the regions between consecutively arranged rail fastening elements 4a, abutting with their end faces 29 on the covering elements 28. For a better overview, the above-mentioned cover elements oriented upwardly from the rail 4 are illustrated broken away in Fig. 7.
For the rail-side mounting of these cover elements 2, further elastomer profiles 7c are provided in addition to the elastomer profiles 7b to provide support towards the head of the rail 4. The elastomer profiles 7c are only shown in Fig. 8, whereas they have been omitted in Fig. 7 to keep free the view onto the elastomer profiles 7b. In the illustrated embodiment, the elastomer profiles 7c each comprise a lip downwardly closing the switch opening of the track. The cover elements 2 arranged to extend outwardly from the rail 4 of the track in Fig. 7 are illustrated so as to be point downwards from the rail 4 and mounted with elastomer profiles 7a on the side of the rail. These elastomer profiles 7a are also placed between consecutively arranged rail fastening elements 4a.
In this exemplary embodiment, the elastomer profiles 7a, 7b are again provided with reinforcing elements, which are, however, not illustrated in Fig. 7 for the sake of clarity.

Claims (8)

Claims:

1. A track including a covering formed of slab-shaped cover elements, an upper side of which covering forms a traffic surface extending level with rails of the track, wherein the cover elements, at their edge zones facing the rails of the track, are only supported on the rails of the track via interposed elastomer profiles engaging in lateral recesses of the rails, and wherein the elastomer profiles are arranged in the lateral recesses of the rails and comprise longitudinally stable reinforcing elements that are located in one of an interior of said profiles and on an exterior surface thereof, the reinforcing elements extending over a longitudinal extension of said profiles and being intimately connected with elastomer material of said profiles, the rigidity of said reinforcing elements being higher than that of the elastomer material.

2. The track according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinally stable reinforcing elements are located on each of the interior of said profiles and on the exterior surface thereof.

3. The track according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the elastomer profiles supporting the cover elements of the covering each comprises as reinforcing elements a group of rods extending over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profile and arranged in the interior of the respective elastomer profile in an elastomer profile region located between an edge zone resting on the respective elastomer profile of each cover element and an upper side of a foot of the rails on which the respective elastomer profile rests, at mutual distances viewed in a direction of transverse extension of the foot.

4. The track according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the elastomer profiles supporting the cover elements of the covering, in the interior of the respective elastomer profile in an elastomer profile region located between an edge zone resting on the respective elastomer profile, of each cover element and an upper side of a foot of the rails on which the respective elastomer profile rests, each comprises as reinforcing elements at least one strip-shaped plate extending over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profile and whose width extension extends in a direction of the transverse extension of the foot.

5. The track according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the elastomer profiles supporting the cover elements of the covering, on an upwardly oriented surface area on which each cover element rests with an edge zone of each corner element, each comprises as reinforcing elements a strip-shaped plate extending over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profile and being intimately connected with the elastomer material of the elastomer profile.

6. The track according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the elastomer profiles supporting the cover elements of the covering each comprises, on a downwardly oriented surface area on which the respective elastomer profile rests on a foot of the rails, as reinforcing elements, a strip-shaped plate extending over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profile and being intimately connected with the elastomer material of said profile.

7. The track according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the plates arranged to extend over the longitudinal extension of the respective elastomer profiles are angularly configured, with a geometric line of the angular configuration extending in a longitudinal direction of the respective elastomer profile.

8. The track according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the elastomer profiles supporting the cover elements are placed in regions between rail fastening elements consecutively arranged in a longitudinal direction of the track and serving to fix the rails of the track to sleepers, and wherein the covering elements cover the rail fastening elements and are arranged in a mid-region of the track between the rails of the track so as to sit above the rail fastening elements, the elastomer profiles provided in said mid-region abutting on the cover elements by their end faces.