Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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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
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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,
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
