FASTENING OF RAILS ON SLEEPERS BY RESILIENT CLIPS

FIXATION DE RAILS SUR DES TRAVERSES A L'AIDE D'ATTACHES ELASTIQUES

English Abstract

A solution to the problem comprising a reliable and fast fastening of rails on
wooden or concrete sleepers and their
dismounting is carried out according to this invention by a metal pressure
plate - clip in the form of a trapezoid (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.5)
and a plastic tie-plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.4). The metal pressure plate - clip
and the plastic tie-plate constitute an entirety, which allows
pre-assembling of the whole assembly in a factory and subsequent incorporation
of a rail on the location itself. The form of the metal
pressure plate - clip provides a continuous pressure along its entire edge
(Fig. 3, Pos. 2.1), providing a firm and reliable connection.
The edge leaning on the rail base is formed in the way to enable a smooth
gliding along the rail base during pulling on, preventing
unnecessary resistance and damage. The other, narrower side of the pressure
plate is formed in the way that it has a fixation edge
at its end (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.2), preventing any shifting, after the metal
pressure plate - clip is pulled on the rail and the mounting is
finished. The plastic tie-plate has a fixation groove at its outer end (Fig.
4, Pos. 4.2) in which the narrower, outer end of the pressure
plate enters. The groove is formed in the way that it forms a firm connection
with the outer end of the metal pressure plate - clip,
so that taking out of the pressure plate is not possible. The tie-plate also
contains a bigger groove (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.4), which allows
deformation of the pressure plate during dismounting. Due to the coloured edge
made on the tie-plate, a very simple and quick visual
checking is sufficient to establish whether all the pressure plates are
properly pulled on the rail base, thus preventing the spending of
time to the control of every screw and pressure plate. A technical solution to
the problem comprising the fastening of rails on sleepers
by resilient clips according to the invention, includes the use of a
corresponding device, which may be installed on the maintenance
vehicle and the whole process including the fastening of rails on sleepers and
removing them from the sleepers may be carried out
with a high degree of automation, which allows significant savings of funds
and workers to be engaged in it and the reduction of
time to be spent on the fastening of rails and releasing them from the
sleepers.

French Abstract

L'invention permet de procéder à la fixation sûre et rapide de rails sur des traverses en bois ou en béton et au démontage de ces derniers, par le biais d'une plaque de pression ou attache métallique se présentant sous la forme d'un trapèze (Fig.1, 1.5) et d'une semelle en plastique (Fig.1, 1.4). L'attache ou plaque de pression métallique et la semelle en plastique constituent un tout, ce qui permet de préassembler l'ensemble en usine et d'intégrer ensuite le rail à l'ensemble sur place. La forme de l'attache ou plaque de pression métallique lui permet d'exercer une pression continue le long de la totalité de son bord (Fig. 3, 2.1), garantissant un raccordement ferme et sûr. Le bord reposant sur le patin de rail est formé de façon qu'il permet un glissement sans heurt le long du patin lors de la pose, évitant toute résistance et dégâts inutiles. L'autre côté plus étroit de l'attache est formé de manière qu'il comporte un bord de fixation à une extrémité (Fig. 3, 3.2), empêchant tout déplacement une fois l'attache ou plaque de pression métallique posée sur le rail et le montage terminé. La semelle en plastique comporte à son extrémité extérieure une rainure de fixation (Fig. 4, 4.2) dans laquelle vient s'insérer l'extrémité extérieure plus étroite de l'attache. La rainure est formée de façon qu'elle permet un raccordement solide avec l'extrémité extérieure de l'attache ou plaque de pression métallique et qu'il n'est pas possible d'enlever l'attache. La semelle comporte également une rainure plus large (Fig. 4, 4.4), qui permet une déformation de l'attache au cours du démontage. Etant donné que le bord de la semelle est coloré, il suffit d'une simple inspection visuelle pour établir si toutes les attaches ont été correctement installées sur le patin de rail, ce qui permet d'éviter de consacrer du temps à contrôler chaque vis et attache. L'invention, qui apporte une solution technique au problème de la fixation des rails sur des traverses au moyen d'attaches élastiques, fait appel à un dispositif correspondant qui peut être installé sur le véhicule d'entretien. La totalité du processus de fixation des rails sur les traverses et de retrait de ces derniers peut s'effectuer avec un degré élevé d'automatisation, ce qui permet de réaliser d'importantes économies de coût et de main d'oeuvre, et de réduire le temps passé à fixer les rails sur les traverses et à les en retirer.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A technical solution comprising the fastening of rails (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.2)
to wooden or
concrete railway sleepers (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.1) by resilient clips according to
the invention, using
the corresponding screws and also sleeper screws (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.6) is
characterised by the
fact that a tie-plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.4 and Fig. 4) containing a round hole
(Fig. 4, Pos. 4.5),
designed for a corresponding, regularly a sleeper screw (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.6) to
pass through it,
has a groove in the form of a right-angle triangle (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2) on its
upper surface, and a
groove - space for deformation in the form of equilateral triangle (Fig. 4,
Pos. 4.4), which
surface is followed by the inclination surface of the tie-plate (Fig. 4, Pos.
4.7) at the angle
corresponding to the angle (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.4) at which the metal pressure
plate - clip is bent,
which continues as a surface, supporting the edge of the metal pressure plate -
clip (Fig. 4,
Pos. 4.6), while at the lower side of the tie-plate (Fig.1, Pos. 1.4 and Fig.
4), opposite to the
groove - space for deformation of the metal pressure plate (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.5)
and in the same
direction as this groove, there is a corresponding protrusion (Fig. 4, Pos.
4.8), the surface of
which is carried out in the way that it leans against the same groove carried
out on the sleeper
(Pos. 4.8, Fig. 1 and Fig. 2), and the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 1,
Pos. 1.5 and Fig. 3) in
the form of equilateral trapezoid, the wider side of which, as bent at a
particular radius (Fig. 1
and Fig 3, Pos. 2.1) is leaned against the surface of the tie-plate (Fig. 1
and Fig. 2, Pos. 4.6),
while the rest of the metal pressure plate - clip lies on the upper surface of
the tie-plate (Fig.
1, pos. 1.4), and its opposite, narrower side, also bent at the same side as
the longer one, but
thus, that its edge created by bending is sharp, or at 900 (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.2),
and together with
the fixing and locking edge (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.3) goes beyond the edge of the tie
plate (Fig. 1,
Pos. 1.4), while the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.5 and Fig. 3)
contains an oval
opening (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.5) designed for a sleeper screw to pass through it
(Fig. 3, Pos. 3.4),
while the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3) is at its curvature line bent
at an obtuse angle to
one side (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.4) giving the metal pressure plate - clip a resilient
pre-stress to exert
the required pressure force on the rail base (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.3)


2. A technical solution comprising the fastening of rails on wooden or
concrete railway
sleepers by resilient clips according to claim 1, is characterized by the fact
that the assembly
as formed, which consists of the tie-plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.4) and metal
pressure plate - clip
(Fig. 1, Pos. 1.5) is fastened on the railway sleeper (Fig. 3, Pos. 1.1) by
screwing in the
sleeper (Fig. 3, Pos. 1.1) a sleeper screw (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.6), which passes
through the oval
opening (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.5) made on the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3),
continuing through
the round hole, made on the tie-plate (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.4), achieving tightening
by force, which is
pre-determined, and sufficient to make the connection firm in the assembled
condition (Fig. 2)
and the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.5) to achieve the required
force, which
would press the rail base (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.3) towards the rail sleeper and keep
the rail (Fig. 2,
Pos. 1.2) in the required position.


3. A technical solution comprising the fastening of rails on wooden or
concrete railway
sleepers by resilient clips according to claims 1 and 2, is characterized by
the fact the final
fastening of rails on sleepers is achieved by shifting the metal pressure
plate - clip (Fig. 1,
Pos. 1.5) along the tie-plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.4) using Fa force (Fig. 1, Pos.
Fa), which acts
perpendicularly to the pressure surface (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.3), and at the same
time at the direction
which is perpendicular to the rail, while free movement of the metal pressure
plate - clip (Fig.
1, Pos. 1.5) in the Fa force direction (Fig. 1, Pos. Fa) is enabled by the
oval opening (Fig. 3,
Pos. 3.5), the dimensions of which are sufficient enough to enable free
passage of the sleeper
screw body (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.6), but not sufficient to enable the passage of the
sleeper screw

8



head, in the way that the action of Fa force (Fig. 1, Pos. Fa) to the surface
of the metal
pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.3) shifts the metal pressure plate -
clip towards the rail
base (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.3), until its lower sharp fixation edge, at its opposite
side (Fig. 3, Pos.
3.2), enters the fixation groove, made on the tie-plate (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2),
providing that he form
of the fixation edge made on the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3, Pos.
3.2) and the depth of
the groove made on the tie-plate (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2) are completely leaning
against each other,
not allowing the pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.3) to return to the
previous position.


4. A technical solution comprising the fastening of rails on wooden or
concrete railway
sleepers by resilient clips according to claims 1, 2, and 3 is characterized
by the fact that the
F b force (Fig. 2, Pos. F b), by which the metal pressure plate - clip in its
assembled condition
(Fig. 2, Pos 1.5) acts by its edge (Fig. 2, Pos. 2.1) on the rail base (Fig.
2, Pos. 1.3), is in fact a
force resulting from the action made by the sleeper screw (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.6)
as screwed in the
sleeper (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.1), by the tightening force on the metal pressure
plate - clip (Fig. 1,
Pos. 1.5), which is made of spring metal sheet, as a material with resilient
characteristics, and
which is also made in the manner that in the non-assembled condition, it is
previously bent at
its curvature line (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.4) at a corresponding angle in F b force
direction.


5. A technical solution comprising the fastening of rails on wooden or
concrete railway
sleepers by resilient clips according to claims 1, 2, and 3 is characterized
by the fact that
driving of the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.5) in its final
position, in which its
lower sharp fixation edge (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.2) enters the fixation groove made
on the tie-plate
(Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2), ends the fastening of a rail on a sleeper, in which
position a brightly
coloured surface (Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, Pos. 2.2) becomes visible, showing that
the metal pressure
plate - clip is in its final position, and that the rail (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.2) is
fastened to the sleeper
(Fig. 2, Pos. 1.1) by the action of F b force.


9

Description

CA 02705284 2010-05-07
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FASTENING OF RAILS ON SLEEPERS BY RESILIENT CLIPS
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates to a solution, which comprises the fastening of rails on
sleepers by
resilient clips. According to the International Patent Classification, the
invention belongs to
the field indicated under E 01 B 9/28.

2. Technical problem

The fastening of rails on sleepers is a very time consuming, hard and
responsible work, which
requires the engagement of a large number of workers or the use of very
specialized
machinery. The fastening of rails on sleepers is carried out in practice on
the location itself,
where the fastening by sleeper screws is a very time consuming job, while the
quality and
firmness of the connection as carried out is very hard to be examined. In
addition to a large
number of screws required to be fastened, there is a high possibility that
particular screws
remain unfastened or insufficiently fastened, which along with the vibrations
generated by
trains, may eventually result in the unscrewing of other screws and weakening
of the clipping
power on the rail, and thereby the weakening of the whole connection between a
sleeper and a
rail. Such a weakening of the connection between a sleeper and a rail is
potentially a great risk
for the safety of the railway traffic. Examination of the connection firmness,
and checking
whether the clip generates the prescribed pressure on the rail is almost not
allowable or
feasible.

The rails fastened on sleepers by the use of the classic system are not safe
from vandalism, or
unauthorized dismounting, which, taking into consideration the current risk of
terrorism, must
not be disregarded. In the systems as known and applied thus far, anyone
having relatively
simple tools may dismount a rail making the traffic unsafe.

On the other hand, the dismounting itself is carried out very slowly, because
each and every
clip must be dismounted individually, which is a very time consuming process,
requiring
engagement of a large number of workers and use of specialized machinery,
which increases
costs.

3. State of the Art

A solution to the problem comprising regular and adequate fastening of rails
on sleepers was
carried out in several different ways in the past. One of the methods, known
under the title
"pandrol system" includes the fastening by clips made of spirally shaped
spring round steel
described in the application GB 1510244. The fastening of a rail on a sleeper
requires that the
flat end of every clip be inserted in the eye, so that one end of the clip
enters the eye, while
the other end makes pressure on the rail. One of the disadvantages of this
solution is the high
consumption of time for the installation of such clips, giving the fact that
the worker has to
insert every clip individually.

The further disadvantage of such a solution comprises the fact that the clip
makes pressure on
the rail in one spot only, so as the time passes, and due to heavy loads and
vibrations, the clip
becomes deformed at such a spot, loosing its pressure force. This solution
contains
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deficiencies also when using the insulation material between the clip and the
rail, which may
become thinner and even broke by the time. It is practically impossible to
control every clip
used on a route. Dismounting as well as mounting is for the mentioned reasons
very slow and
inconvenient.

The further solution, known under the title "SKL system" is described in the
patent file
US5096119, and is also using spring round steel. The solution consists of a
clip, made of
round spring steel, bent into the modified letter "M", and a tie-plate. The
connection between
a rail and a sleeper is achieved by screwing a sleeper screw through a clip
and a tie-plate into
the sleeper. One part of the clip makes pressure on the tie-plate, lying on
the sleeper, and the
other part of the clip makes pressure on the rail. Here the pressure of the
clip on the rail is
achieved through two spots, and disadvantages of such a connection are similar
to the ones
indicated in the previous example. In order to achieve the desired pressure
force the screw has
to be screwed in its entirety to press the middle part of the clip against the
tie-plate. The
disadvantage consists just of checking whether each screw has achieved the
required force, or
whether it is screwed in its entirely, respectively, which is not very simple
to be carried out.
This fact shows that this system is unreliable too.

Like as in the previous examples, the mounting and dismounting are carried out
very slowly,
because every screw has to be screwed or unscrewed, requiring stopping
intervals at each
sleeper.

The mentioned solutions do not allow pre-assembling in workshops and
transportation of the
complete structure to the location where only the rails would have to be
added.

The embodiment of a clip enabling even transmission of the force to the rail,
and thereby a
more reliable connection, is described in the patent file US5125573. A metal
plate of
trapezoid form serves as a clip, lying with its wider end on the track,
ensuring thereby even
distribution of the pressure force. After installing a rail, the metal plate
is put in its final
position. This solution allows pre-assembling. Dismounting is still time
consuming, because
every screw has to be unscrewed individually enabling the clip to be removed
from the
bedding, and finally the rail to be removed itself.

The mentioned solutions address the problem in different ways, but none of
them solves
problems in a satisfactory way. The fact that the mounting and dismounting are
almost
equally time consuming constitute a very significant deficiency. Every screw
has to be
unscrewed in its entirety to release completely the rails from the clips
fastening them.

4. Disclosure of the Essence of the Invention

A solution to the problem comprising the fastening of rails on sleepers and
their dismounting
is carried out according to this invention by a metal pressure plate - a clip,
in the form of
trapezoid and a plastic tie-plate. The metal pressure plate - clip and the
plastic tie-plate, form
an entirety, which allows pre-assembly of the entire, assembly in the factory,
and subsequent
incorporation of a rail on the spot. The form of the metal pressure plate -
clip, ensures a
continued pressure along the entire edge, providing a firm and reliable
connection. The edge
leaning against the rail is formed in the way to allow smooth gliding along
the base of the rail
during pulling on, and prevents unnecessary resistance and damage. The other
side of the
pressure plate is formed in the way to prevent any shifting, after the plate
is pulled on the rail
and the mounting is finished. The plastic pressure plate has a groove on its
outer end, in which
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enters a narrower, outer end of the pressure plate. The groove is formed in
the way that it
forms a firm connection with the outer end of the pressure plate, preventing
the pressure plate
to be taken out. The tie-plate also contains one bigger groove, which allows
deformation of
the pressure plate and the dismounting thereof.

The coloured edge of the tie-plate allows a very simple and quick visual
checking and
establishing whether all the pressure plates are put on correctly to the rail
base, which
prevents the waist of time on the control of every screw and pressure plate.

5. A Short Description of Drawings

Figure 1 A fastening assembly in a pre-assembled condition
Position 1.1 a sleeper
Position 1.2 a rail
Position 1.3 a rail base
Position 1.4 a tie-plate
Position 1.5 a metal pressure plate - a clip
Position 1.6 a sleeper screw
Position Fa pressure force

Figure 2 A fastening assembly in an assembled condition
Position 2.1 edge of the metal pressure plate - clip
Position 2.2 coloured part of the tie-plate
Position Fb fastening force
Position Fc force used for dismounting
Figure 3 A metal pressure plate - a clip

Position 3.1 cross-section of the metal pressure plate - clip
Position 3.2 fixation edge
Position 3.3 pressure plate
Position 3.4 curvature line
Position 3.5 oval opening for a sleeper screw
Figure 4 Tie-plate

Position 4.1 cross-section of the tie-plate
Position 4.2 fixation groove
Position 4.3 fixation delimiter
Position 4.4 groove - space for deformation of the metal pressure plate
Position 4.5 a hole for a sleeper screw
Position 4.6 a support of the edge of the metal pressure plate - clip
Position 4.7 inclination of the tie-plate
Position 4.8 leaning surface of a tie-plate and a sleeper
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6. A Detailed Description of at Least one of the Methods for Carrying Out the
Invention
A solution comprising a reliable and fast fastening of rails on wooden and
concrete sleepers
includes two basic components. The first is a metal pressure plate (Fig. 3),
or a clip,
respectively, exerting the required force on the rail base (Fig. 1 Pos. 1.3).
The metal pressure
plate - clip (Fig. 3) has a form of equilateral trapezoid, the longer side of
which is bent at a
certain radius (Fig. 3 Pos. 2.1), allowing a smooth gliding along the tie-
plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.4)
as well as along the rail base (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.3), during pressure. The
opposite, shorter side of
the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3) is also bent to the same side as the
longer one, but in
the manner that its edge, resulting from bending is sharp, or making an angle
of 90 ,
respectively (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.2). Such an edge is designed to be within the
groove provided on
the tie-plate (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2) in its final, assembled position.

The pressure surface (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.3) developed after bending of the shorter
side of the metal
pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.1) serves as the spot to be exerted a
force upon acting
vertically on such surface, with a purpose of pressing and pulling on the
metal pressure plate -
clip the rail base. Additional function of the pressure plate (Fig. 3, Pos.
3.3) is to prevent any
shifting of the metal pressure plate - clip after finishing the pulling on or
the assemblage,
respectively. This is achieved by leaning of the pressure surface (Fig. 3,
Pos. 3.3) against the
inner edge (Fig. 4, Pos.4.3) of the groove (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2) carried out on
the tie-plate (Fig. 4).
The metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3) contains along its central line an
oval opening (Fig. 3,
Pos. 3.5) designed for the screw to pass through it (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.4). The
metal pressure plate
- clip (Fig. 3) is on its curving line bent at an obtuse angle (Fig. 3, Pos
3.4), giving the metal
pressure plate - clip a resilient pre-stress to exert the required pressure
force upon the rail
base (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.3).

The second component of the solution is a plastic tie-plate (Fig. 4)
containing a round hole
(Fig. 4. Pos. 4.5) designed for the sleeper screw to pass through it (Fig. 1,
Pos. 1.6). The tie-
plate (Fig. 4) contains a groove (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2) designed for the fixation
or locking,
respectively of the metal pressure plate (Fig. 3) in its final, assembled
condition, in the
manner that the lower edge (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.2) of the metal pressure plate -
clip (Fig. 3) fits in
it. The form and depth of the fixation groove (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2) allows
locking. The form of the
fixation groove (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2) is such as to correspond completely to the
lower edge of the
metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.2).

The pressure surface (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.3) of the metal pressure plate - clip,
and the surface of the
fixation delimiter (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.3), leaning against each other, ensures a
firm locking in the
final, assembled position and prevents any shifting of the pressure plate and
possible
disengagement of the fixation end (fig. 3, Pos. 3.2) from the fixation groove
(Fig. 4, Pos.
4.2). The tie-plate (Fig. 4) also contains a bigger groove (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.4),
which is designed
for plastic deformation of the metal pressure plate - clip, as applied in the
pressure plate
dismounting process.

The tie-plate (Fig. 4) also contains a surface (Fig. 4. Pos. 4.6) on which the
edge of the metal
pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.4) lies in a pre-assembled condition.
The height of the
.surface (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.6) of the tie-plate corresponds to the height of the
rail base itself (Fig.
1, Pos. 1.3), being in contact with it, meaning that those two points are at
the same level.

The surface (Fig.4, Pos. 4.6) is followed by the inclined surface of the tie-
plate (fig. 4, Pos.
4.7) at an angle corresponding to the angle (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.4) at which the
metal pressure plate
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- clip is bent. At the upper surface there is a surface coloured by a bright
colour (Fig. 2 and
Fig. 4, Pos. 2.2), which is in a pre-assembled condition, covered by the
pressure plate (Fig. 1,
Pos. 1.5). After pulling the pressure plate on in the final assembling
position (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.5),
this coloured surface (Fig. 2, Pos. 2.2) becomes visible, giving the sign that
the pressure plate
is in the final position. Thus, using visual checking, it can be established
that the mounting of
the plate is finished.

7. The Manner of Industrial or Other Application of the Invention

The technical solution according to the invention can be applied in all the
cases in which the
fastening of rails on concrete or wooden sleepers are concerned. This
technical solution
provides a high degree of automation in the process of fastening the railway
rails on and
removing them from sleepers. A self-propelled maintenance vehicle or a device
mounted on
it, which would continually shift pressure plates in their final position, may
be used.

The advantage of this solution over the existing ones is the possibility of
pre-assembly,
meaning that the whole process, except the installation of rails, which is
done at the location
itself, may be carried out at the workshop. Thus, individual transportation of
sleepers, tie-
plates and fastening clips is avoided.

This solution is applicable. under and on all the conditions and locations
where rails are
fastened on sleepers and where a significant reduction of costs and time
consumption is
desired.

8. A Solution to the Technical Problem Described in the Description of the
Invention

A solution to the technical problem according to the invention concerned is
based on the
embodiment of the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3) and plastic tie-plate
(Fig. 4) and their
use in the assembly in the manner such as follows.

The assembly, which is in a pre-assembled condition, and is shown in Fig. 1,
consists of a
railway sleeper (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.1) and a tie-plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.4, and Fig.
4), placed on the
sleeper, while a metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.5 and Fig. 3) is
placed on the tie-
plate in the way that its wider side (Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, Pos. 2.1) is leaned
against the surface of
the tie-plate (Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, Pos. 4.6) while the rest of the metal
pressure plate - clip is
placed on the upper surface of the tie-plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.4) while the
outer, narrower side,
together with the fixation and locking edge (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.3) extends beyond
the edge of the
tie-plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.4).

The tie-plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 4.6 and Fig. 4) has at its lower part, which is
opposite to the groove
- a space designed for deformation of the metal pressure plate (Fig. 4, Pos.
4.5), a
corresponding protrusion (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.8) made in the same direction as the
groove, the
surface of which is carried out in such a the way as to lean against a similar
groove carried out
on the sleeper (Pos. 4.8, Fig 1 and Fig 2), meaning that they have the same
leaning surface
(Pos. 4.8, Fig 1 and Fig.2) and prevent any shifts between the tie-plate (Pos.
1.4, Fig. 1 and
Fig. 2) and the sleeper (Pos. 4.8, Fig 1 and Fig 2).

The assembly as formed, which consists of the tie-plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.4) and
the metal
pressure plate - clip (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.5) is fastened on a sleeper (Fig. 3,
Pos. 1.1) by screwing a
sleeper screw (Fig 1, Pos. 1.6) in the railway sleeper (Fig 1, Pos. 1.1),
which screw passes


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through the oval opening (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.5) made on the metal pressure plate -
clip (Fig. 3),
and continues through the round hole made on the tie-plate (Fig 4, Pos. 4.4).

The sleeper screw (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.6) by screwing it in the sleeper in the
described manner may
be fastened even in the factory, using a force, which is pre-determined and
sufficient to make
the assembly to be firm in its final, assembled condition (Fig. 2), and to
make the metal
pressure plate - clip (Fig. 1, Pos- 1.5) to exert the force which is required
to press the rail base
(Fig. 1, Pos. 1.3) against the sleeper, keeping the rail (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.2) in
the required position.
In such a position, the pressure plate (Fig. 3, Pos. 1.5) covers the vividly
coloured upper
surface of the tie-plate (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.4), making it invisible.

The assembly as finished is ready to be transported to the location where
rails would be
fastened on sleepers.

After the rail (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.2) is put in situ to a defined position on
sleepers (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.1),
the final fastening of the rail on sleepers may start by shifting the metal
pressure plate - clip
(Fig. 1, Pos. 1.5) along the tie-plate (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.4) by the action of Fa
force (Fig. 1, Pos. Fa)
perpendicularly to the surface of the pressure plate (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.3), which
is, at the same
time, perpendicularly to the rail.

Free movement of the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.5) in the Fa
force direction
(Fig. 1, Pos. Fa) is enabled by the oval opening (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.5), the
dimensions of which are
sufficient enough to enable free passage of the sleeper screw body (Fig. 1,
Pos. 1.6), but not
sufficient to enable the passage of the screw head. By the use of Fa force
(Fig. 1, Pos. Fa) on
the surface of the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.3), the metal
pressure plate - clip
is shifted towards the rail base (Fig. 1, Pos. 1.3), until its upper sharp
fixation edge, at its
opposite side (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.2), enters the fixation groove (Fig. 4, Pos.
4.2), made on the tie-
plate. The form of the fixation edge made on the metal pressure plate - clip
(Fig. 3, Pos. 3.2)
and the depth of the groove made on the tie-plate (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2) are
completely leaning
against each other, not allowing thereby the pressure plate - clip (Fig. 3,
Pos. 3.3) to return to
the previous position.

The Fb force (Fig. 2, Pos. Fb), by which the metal pressure plate - clip, in
its assembled
condition (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.5), acts using its edge (Fig. 2, Pos. 2.1) on the
rail base (Fig. 2, Pos.
1.3) is in fact the force created by the sleeper screw (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.6), as
screwed in the
sleeper (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.1), by the fastening force used on the metal pressure
plate - clip (Fig. 1,
Pos. 1.5), made of spring sheet metal with resilient characteristics, and in
the manner that it is,
in a non-assembled condition, previously bent according to a curving line
(Fig. 3, Pos. 3.4) at
a corresponding angle in the direction of Fb force activity.

The process of fixation of a rail on a sleeper ends by putting the metal
pressure plate - clip
(Fig. 2, Pos. 1.5) in the final position in which its lower sharp fixation
edge (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.2)
enters the fixation groove, made on the tie-plate (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.2). After
the pressure plate is
put in the final position, a surface coloured by a bright colour (Fig. 2 and
Fig. 4, Pos. 2.2)
becomes visible, confirming that the metal pressure plate - clip is in the
final position, and
that the rail (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.2) is fastened on the sleeper (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.1)
by the action of
sufficient Fb force.

A rail assembled in such a way is ready for traffic and no work performed
manually,
comprising the fastening of rails on sleepers at that location, is required.

6


CA 02705284 2010-05-07
WO 2009/063260 PCT/HR2008/000035
Removal of a rail (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.2) from a sleeper (Fig 2, Pos. 1.1) is
achieved by the Fc force
(Fig. 2, Pos. Fc), which acts perpendicularly to the surface of the metal
pressure plate - clip
(Fig. 2, Pos. 1.5), achieving its bending deformation, to fill the groove -
space for
deformation of the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 4, Pos. 4.4).

With regard to the fact that the wider side of the metal pressure plate - clip
(Fig. 2, Pos. 1.5),
leaning against the rail base (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.3), is fastened by the sleeper
screw, the other side
of the pressure plate having a fixation edge (Fig. 3, Pos. 3.2) comes out from
the groove (Fig.
4, Pos. 4.2) due to permanent plastic deformation created by the action of Fc
force, and allows
the metal pressure plate - clip (Fig. 2, Pos. 1.5) to be shifted to the
previous position, which it
had in a pre-assembled condition, acting on it by a corresponding force, in
the direction which
is opposite to the direction of the Fa force.

Thus, the shifting itself of the deformed metal pressure plate - clip to the
previous position,
which it had in a pre-assembled condition, by the force acting opposite to the
direction of Fa
force, releases the rail. Such a dismounting method leaves no waste material
on the track to be
subsequently collected or transported.

The technical solution comprising the fastening of rails on sleepers by
resilient clips
according to the invention, includes the use of the corresponding device,
which can be
mounted on the maintenance vehicle, and the whole process of fastening the
rails on sleepers
as well as removing them from the sleepers may be carried out fast with a high
degree of
automation, reduced costs, reduced number of workers, and reduced time to be
spent on
mounting and dismounting activities.

7