GB2511740A

GB2511740A - Railway Rail Baseplate Apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2511740A
Application number: GB201304291A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ruben Ripoll Garcia
Original assignee: Pandrol Ltd
Current assignee: Pandrol Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-11
Filing date: 2013-03-11
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: ES2596238A2; WO2014140530A1; GB201304291D0; ES2596238B2; ES2596238R1

Abstract

A railway baseplate 1 comprising a plate 10, made at least partially of plastics material and configured to provide a rail support region 11, and first and second metal fastenings 120A, 120B each comprising a first railway rail clip engaging portion 121, 122, a second railway rail clip engaging portion 121, 122, and an elongate portion 123 connecting the first railway rail clip engaging portion to the second railway rail clip engaging portion. The elongate portions of the metal fastenings extend under the rail support region of the plate. The first railway rail clip engaging portion of the first and second metal fastening extend upwardly through the plate on one side of the rail support region of the plate, and the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the first and second metal fastening extend upwardly through the plate on the opposite side of the rail support region of the plate. A first and second anchoring device 12A, 12B is formed by the first and second rail clip engaging portions.

Description

RAILWAY RAIL BASEPLATE APPARATUS

The present invention relates to railway rail baseplate apparatus.

Railway rail baseplates are used in railway rail fastening assemblies to provide a rail support region for supporting a railway rail on a rail foundation, such as a concrete slab. Anchoring devices, which may be integrally formed with the other parts of the baseplate or removably attached thereto (by bolts or other means), are provided on opposite sides of the rail support region for retaining respective resilient railway rail fastening clips whereby the railway rail may be secured to the rail foundation.

Conventionally such baseplates are made of metal, for example rolled steel or cast iron, but for the purposes of reducing weight and/or cost it may be desirable for the baseplate to be made at least partly of plastics material, such as glass reinforced nylon.

However, resilient rail fastening clips apply a great deal of force to the anchoring devices on which they bear, both when the clips are being installed and/or when the clips are bearing on the rail. If used with a plastic baseplate the forces to which the anchoring device is subjected by the clip would cause damage to the anchoring device (if it itself is plastic) and/or the area of the baseplate around the anchoring device.

For example, consider a plastic baseplate having metal anchoring devices (shoulders) housing rail fastening clips known as PANOROL e-clips® which are driven onto a rail foot in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rail. Such clips are formed by bending a metal rod so as to have at one end a straight portion, which acts as a centre leg for location within an aperture in a shoulder secured to the rail foundation adjacent to the rail seat, and bent portions, on either side of the straight portion, having contact regions for bearing respectively on the rail foot (the toe" of the clip) and part of the shoulder (the heel" of the clip). As such a clip is driven into the shoulder the positions of the contact forces at the heel and centre leg of the clip relative to the rail edge stay the same, but the loads increase as the clip is pushed further into the housing, deflects more, and generates more load. The load on the clip toe acts on the rail rather than the anchoring device, so there is a moment acting on the anchoring device immediately from the point when driving of the clip into the anchoring device begins. That is, as viewed along the line of the rail axis, at each clip position there is a large upward force acting on the centre leg of the clip and a large downward force acting on the heel of the clip. Together, these four loads apply two large "hogging" moments to the baseplate on each side of the rail. Plastic is a relatively weak material with a relatively low elastic modulus, so unless the plate is deep enough to provide sufficient bending strength it will bend upwards under these forces.

With another type of rail fastening clip (such as the type known as a PANDROL FASTCLIP® for example). which is driven onto a rail foot laterally, i.e. perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rail, as at first all the clip contact positions act against the anchoring device, initially there is no net moment acting on the anchoring device. However, when the clip toe moves across from the anchoring device onto the rail, the forces on the anchoring device no longer balance and a large hogging moment acting about an axis parallel to the rail axis is suddenly applied to the baseplate.

It is desirable to provide railway rail baseplate apparatus in which the baseplate is made of plastics material and damage to the baseplate can be avoided.

According to an embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a railway rail baseplate apparatus configured to provide a rail support region, for supporting a railway rail on a rail foundation, and two anchoring devices, located on opposite sides of the rail support region, for retaining respective resilient railway rail fastening clips whereby the railway rail may be secured to the rail foundation, which railway rail baseplate apparatus comprises a plate, made at least partially of plastics material and configured to provide the rail support region, and first and second metal parts each comprising a first railway rail clip engaging portion, a second railway rail clip engaging portion, and an elongate portion connecting the first railway rail clip engaging portion to the second railway rail clip engaging portion, wherein the elongate portions of the metal parts extend under the rail support region of the plate, the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal part and the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal part extend upwardly through the plate on one side of the rail support region of the plate, and the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal part and the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal part extend upwardly through the plate on the opposite side of the rail support region of the plate, such that a first one of the two anchoring devices is formed by the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal part and the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal part and a second one of the two anchoring devices is formed by the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal part and the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal part.

By forming the two anchoring devices as two halves joined together under the rail, so that the anchoring device on the field side of the plate is connected to the anchoring device on the gauge side of the plate, all the moments are contained within the metal parts and do not act on the plastic plate, thereby preventing damage to the plate..

In one embodiment the plate is provided with recesses beneath the rail support region in which the elongate portions are respectively located.

In one embodiment each of the metal parts has a planar base which is flush with surrounding underside portions of the plate.

In one embodiment the first and second metal parts consist of respective first and second metal components which are separate from one another.

Alternatively the apparatus may further comprise an additional metal part connecting the first engaging portion of the first metal part and the second engaging portion of the second metal part, and/or an additional metal part connecting the first engaging portion of the second metal part and the second engaging portion of the first metal part.

In one embodiment the plate has first and second end regions provided with bolt holes for receiving shanks of respective bolts whereby the apparatus may be secured to a rail foundation. In this case each of the first and second metal parts may include a first end portion extending from the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the metal part and a second end portion extending from the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the metal part, the first end portion of the first metal part and the second end portion of the second metal part extending under part of the first end region of the plate and the second end portion of the first metal part and the first end portion of the second metal part extending under part of the second end region of the plate. Preferably, the end portions of the first and second metal parts have respective projecting portions which extend along the underside of the plate towards the bolt holes and are shaped so as to permit passage of the bolt shanks between adjacent projecting portions.

Thus a railway rail baseplate apparatus embodying the present invention can provide a strong yet lightweight alternative to prior art baseplates, providing the advantages of reducing the costs of manufacture, transportation, handling and installation.

According to an embodiment of a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a metal rail fastening component having no screw-threaded portion, which component is configured for use with a plate farmed at least partially of plastics material, the plate being configured to provide a rail support region for supporting a railway rail in a railway rail fastening assembly comprising separate first and second resilient railway rail fastening clips for securing the railway rail to the plate, which metal component comprises first and second railway rail clip engaging portions and an elongate portion connecting the first railway rail clip engaging portion to the second railway rail clip engaging portion, such that the first clip engaging portion and the second clip engaging portion are arranged so as to extend in an upwards direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongate portion, wherein the first railway rail clip engaging portion is configured to constitute part, but not all, of a first railway rail clip anchoring device for retaining the first railway rail fastening clip of the railway rail fastening assembly, and wherein the second railway rail clip engaging portion is configured to constitute part, but not all, of a second railway rail clip anchoring device for retaining the second railway rail fastening clip of the railway rail fastening assembly.

Using such a metal component to form part of each anchoring device provides strength to the plate and thereby allows damage to the plastic plate to be avoided.

In one embodiment the metal rail fastening component further comprises first and second end portions, which extend respectively from the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions away from the elongate portion, and first and second projecting portions extending respectively from the first and second end portions such that the first and second projecting portions project in the same direction laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate portion and substantially perpendicularly with respect to the upwards direction in which the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions extend.

The first and second railway rail clip engaging portions of the metal component may each be configured to provide a clip engaging surface, the clip engaging surface of the first rail clip engaging portion extending in a first direction and being inclined downwardly proceeding in the first direction, and the clip engaging surface of the second rail clip engaging portion extending in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and being inclined downwardly proceeding in the second direction.

According to an embodiment of a third aspect of the present invention there is provided first and second railway rail anchoring devices comprising a set of first and second metal components, separate from one another, each metal component being a metal component embodying the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the said first railway rail anchoring device consists of the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal component and the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal component, and the said second railway rail anchoring device consists of the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal component and the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal component.

According to an embodiment of a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a plate, made at least partially of plastics material and configured to provide on a first major face thereof a rail support region, for supporting a railway rail on a rail foundation, the plate being provided with at least a first aperture therethrough on one side of the rail support region, at least a second aperture therethrough on the opposite side of the rail support region, and a central recess, extending under the rail support region on a second major face of the plate which is opposite to the first major face thereot which adjoins the first and second apertures at respective ends thereof.

In one embodiment the second major face of the plate has first and second additional recesses at respective first and second end regions of the plate in which respective throughholes are formed, the first and second additional recesses being contiguous with the first and second apertures respectively at ends thereof opposite to those adjoining the central recess.

According to an embodiment of a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a railway rail baseplate apparatus comprising a plate, made at least partially of plastics material and configured to provide a rail support region, for supporting a railway rail on a rail foundation, and first and second anchoring devices embodying the third aspect of the present invention, extending upwardly through the plate and located on opposite sides of the rail support region, for retaining respective resilient railway rail fastening clips whereby the railway rail may be secured to the rail foundation, the elongate portions of the first and second metal components which form the first and second anchoring devices extending under the rail support region of the plate.

The plate of the fifth aspect of the present invention may also embody the fourth aspect of the present invention.

In apparatus embodying the present invention, the plate and metal components may be configured so as to achieve a close fit therebetween. Alternatively, the metal components may be moulded into the plate.

Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a railway rail fastening assembly including railway rail baseplate apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1A showing a perspective view and Figure 18 showing an exploded view; Figure 2 shows a plate embodying the present invention as shown in Figure 1, Figure 2A showing a top plan view, Figure 2B showing a bottom plan view, Figure 2C showing a side view, Figure 2D showing a perspective view from above and Figure 2E showing a perspective view from below; Figure 3 shows a metal component embodying the present invention as shown in Figure 1, Figure 3A showing a top plan view, Figure 38 showing a side view, Figure 30 showing a perspective view towards the side shown in Figure 3B and Figure 3D showing another perspective view towards the side opposite to that shown in Figure 38; Figure 4 shows the railway rail fastening assembly of Figure 1, Figure 4A showing a perspective view partially in cross section and Figure 46 showing a side view partially in cross section; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the plate and metal components of Figure 1 from beneath; Figure 6 shows a railway rail fastening assembly including railway rail baseplate apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6A showing a side view, Figure 6B showing a plan view, Figure 6C showing an exploded view from below, Figure 60 showing an exploded view from above, Figure 6E showing an end view, Figure 6F showing a perspective view, Figure 6C showing a cross-sectional view taken on line 0-C in Figure 6B and Figure 6H showing a cross-sectional view taken on line H-H in Figure 68; Figure 7 shows a plate embodying the present invention as depicted in Figure 6, Figure 7A showing a side view, Figure 7B showing a top plan view, Figure 7C showing an end view, Figure 7D showing a bottom plan view and Figure YE showing a perspective view from above; and Figure 8 shows a metal component embodying the present invention as depicted in Figure 6, Figure BA showing a side view, Figure 8B showing an end view, Figure SC showing a top plan view and Figure 3D showing a perspective view from one side.

A railway rail fastening assembly including railway rail baseplate apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. Railway rail baseplate apparatus 1 is configured to provide a rail support region 11, for supporting a railway rail 2 on a rail foundation 100, and two anchoring devices 12A, 128, located on opposite sides of the rail support region 11, for retaining respective resilient railway rail fastening clips 3A, 3B whereby the railway rail 2 may be secured to the rail foundation 100. In this embodiment the baseplate apparatus 1 is symmetrical in plan about the centre line of the rail support region 11 which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rail.

The rail fastening assembly further comprises a rail pad 4 provided on the rail support region 11 of the baseplate apparatus 1, for cushioning the foot 2A of the rail 2, and two bolted assemblies 5, with serrated washers 6, for securing the baseplate apparatus to the rail foundation 100.

Railway rail baseplate apparatus 1 comprises a plate 10, made at least partially of plastics material, which is configured to provide the rail support region 11, and first and second metal rail fastening parts consisting in this embodiment of metal components 120A, 1208 which are separate from one another. Each metal component 120A, 12DB, which may be made from cast iron for example, comprises a first railway rail clip engaging portion 121, a second railway rail clip engaging portion 122, and an elongate portion 123 connecting the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121 to the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122 at respective lower connecting portions 124, 125 thereof. Advantageously, in this embodiment the first and second rail clip engaging portions 121k 122 and the elongate portion 123 are integrally formed, for example by casting, but that need not be the case.

Figures 4A and 4B show views of the baseplate apparatus 1 in partial cross-section so that a side view of the metal components 120A, 1208 can be seen. The elongate portions 123 of the metal components 1 20A, 1208 extend under the rail support region 11 of the plate 10, the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121 of the first metal component 120A and the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122 of the second metal component 120B extend upwardly through a first anchoring device region 13A of the plate 10 on one side of the rail support region 11 and the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122 of the first metal component 120A and the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121 of the second metal component 1206 extend upwardly through a second anchoring device region 136 of the plate 10 on the opposite side of the rail support region 11, such that a first one 1 2A of the two anchoring devices 1 2A, 126 is formed by the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121 of the first metal component 120A and the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122 of the second metal component 1206 and a second one 12B of the two anchoring devices 12A, 12B is formed by the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122 of the first metal component 120A and the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121 of the second metal component 1203.

In this embodiment the plate lOis provided with four apertures 131 to 134 in the anchoring device regions 13A, 138, outside the rail support region 11, through which the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121, 122 of the first and second metal components 120A, 1208 extend. The plate 10 is also provided with elongate recesses 1 OA, 106 beneath the rail support region 11 in which the elongate portions 123 of the metal components 1 20A, 1208 are respectively located. The plate 10 and metal components 120A, 1206 are configured so as to achieve a close fit therebetween. If the fit is such that the metal components 1 20A, 12DB can be removed from the plate 10 without damaging it, this may also allow the metal components 120A, 120B to be interchanged with other metal components designed for use with another version of the same type of clip or even with a different type of clip.

In an alternative embodiment, the metal components 120A, 1206 may be moulded into the plate 10 during manufacture of the plate 10 such that the elongate portions 123 and lower connecting portions 124, 125 are embedded in the plate and upper portions of the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121, 122 protrude from an upper surface lOU of the plate 10 on either side of the rail support region 11.

Figure 2 shows a plate 10 suitable for use in rail baseplate apparatus 1 embodying the first aspect of the present invention. Plate 10 is made at least partially of plastics material, such as glass reinforced nylon (e.g. PA66 + 35% GE). For example, the plate could be formed wholly of plastics material, or be formed generally of plastics material with some portions, which are subject to the greatest forces, being provided with reinforcing material such as metal. The plate lOis configured to provide rail support region 11, for supporting railway rail 2 on rail foundation 100, first and second tapered end regions 14, a first anchoring device region 13A provided between the rail support region 11 and one of the end regions 14, and a second anchoring device region 1 3B provided between the rail support region 11 and the other of the end regions 14.

Opposite sides of the rail support region 11 are defined by respective walls 110 which extend above the height of the anchoring device regions 13A, 13B and the end regions 14. Lower parts of front faces 121 D, 1 22D of the first and second clip engaging portions 121, 122 abut outer faces of the walls 110 when the metal components 1 20A, 1206 are in the plate 10. Each anchoring device region 13A, 136 is formed with two apertures therethrough, apertures 133 and 134 being provided in the first anchoring device region 13A and apertures 131 and 132 being provided in the second anchoring device region 138. Although this arrangement is preferred, in an alternative embodiment the apertures 131 and 132 may be contiguous, and/or the apertures 133 and 134 may be contiguous, for example being linked in each case by a thinner elongate recess, for manufacturing or other purposes. In the present embodiment the outline of each aperture 131, 132, 133, 134 matches that of the clip engaging portion 121, 122 which itis intended to accommodate.

Ramps 135A, 1356 are formed respectively between the apertures 133 and 134 in anchoring device region 13A and between the apertures 131 and 132 in anchoring device region 136, to assist in driving the clips 3A, 36 onto the rail foot.

As shown in Figures 2B, 2E, 5A and 56, between and around the elongate recesses 1 OA, 1 OB formed in the underside 1 OL of the plate 10, a multiplicity of rebates I DC are formed by a plurality of intersecting ribs IOD provided over the underside of the plate 10. The recess 1OA extends under the rail support region 11 and interconnects respective ends of the apertures 132 and 134, while the recess 106 extends under the rail support region 11, parallel to the recess 1 OA, and interconnects respective ends of the apertures 131 and 133.

Each end portion 14 of the plate 10 is provided with a recess 15 in the upper surface lOU of the plate 10, the recess 15 having a serrated floor 15A through which an elongate aperture 1 5B is formed for receiving one of the bolted assemblies 5 by which the plate 10 is secured to the rail foundation 100. By virtue of the elongate apertures 156, the serrated recess floors ISA and the serrated washers 6 on the bolted assemblies 5, the position of the plate 10 relative to the rail foundation 100 can be adjusted laterally within defined limits.

So as to save on material, the end regions 14 of the plate 10 are tapered, so that in plan the plate 10 is narrower at its ends than in its middle, and also have inclined upper surfaces so that in side view the thickness of the plate 10 decreases towards each end.

However the shape of the end regions is not essential and may be varied, for example to accommodate additional bolts and/or bolts in alternative locations.

Figure 3 shows a metal component 120A (1206) suitable for use in rail baseplate apparatus I embodying the present invention. As mentioned above, the metal component 120A (1206) comprises first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121, 122 having respective lower connecting portions 124, 125 at which they are connected to opposite ends of an elongate portion 123 of the metal component such that the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121, 122 extend in an upwards direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate portion 123. To reduce the weight of, and! or material in, the metal components, 120A, 12DB, in this embodiment an aperture l23a is formed through the elongate portion 123 and respective recesses 124a and 125a are formed in the connecting portions 124, 125.

The first railway rail clip engaging portion 121 is configured to constitute part, but not all, of a first railway rail clip anchoring device 12A for retaining a first railway rail fastening clip 3A of a railway rail fastening assembly, and the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122 is configured to constitute part, but not all, of a second railway rail clip anchoring device 12B for retaining a second railway rail fastening clip 3B of the railway rail fastening assembly. The first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121, 122 are each configured to provide a downwardly-facing first clip engaging surface 121A, 122A. In this embodiment, where the rail fastening clips 3A, SB to be retained are of the type known as PANDROL FASTCLIP®, the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121, 122 are also each configured to provide an upwardly-facing second clip engaging surface 121B, 1228 and a wall 121C, 122C which interconnects the first and second clip engaging surfaces 121A, 122A. The first clip engaging surface 121A of the first rail clip engaging portion 121 extends in a first direction and is inclined downwardly proceeding in the first direction, and the first clip engaging surface 1 22A of the second rail clip engaging portion 122 extends in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and is inclined downwardly proceeding in the second direction. In this embodiment, the elongate portion 123 extends in a third direction substantially parallel to the first and second directions. Each rail fastening clip 3A, 3B is made from a rod of material which is substantially M-shaped in plan and has, proceeding from the first free end of the rod to the second free end of the rod, a first substantially straight part 31, a second bent part, a third part, a fourth bent part, a fifth part, a sixth bent part and a seventh substantially straight part 37, where the fourth part forms the toe of the clip which bears on the rail foot and the first and seventh parts 31, 37 form respective outer legs of the clip and have uppermost contact points and lowermost contact points which contact the anchoring device 12A, 12B. The first clip engaging surfaces 121A, 122A are configured to contact the uppermost contact points of clip legs 31, 37, and the second clip engaging surfaces 121 B, 1228 are configured to contact the lowermost contact points of clip legs 31, 37. In the baseplate apparatus I shown in Figure 1 the interconnecting walls 121C, 1 22C of the first and second clip engaging portions 121, 122 are positioned such that the clip legs 31,37 are received in a space which lies between the wall 1210 and the wall 1220. In an alternative arrangement (not shown), so that the clip legs 31, 37 are received outside the space between the wall 1210 and the wall 1220, the metal components 120A, 120B may be replaced by modified components or the metal components 1 20A, 1208 could be used in a reversed orientation (i.e. rotated by 180°).

Optionally, in accordance with the embodiment described, the metal components 120A, 120B are identical to one another, which has the advantage that there is no need to distinguish between the two metal components 120A, 1206 other than in the way they are oriented in the plate 10, thereby simplifying manufacture and use of the apparatus, but this is not essential.

A railway rail fastening assembly including railway rail baseplate apparatus 1' according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 6. The same reference numerals are used as with respect to Figure 1 to 5 except for parts of the apparatus which differ but serve the same purpose as those of the baseplate apparatus 1, these being given the same reference numerals followed by', e.g. 120A'.

Railway rail baseplate apparatus 1' is configured to provide a rail support region 11, for supporting a railway rail 2 on a rail foundation 100, and two anchoring devices 12A', 12B', located on opposite sides of the rail support region 11, for retaining respective resilient railway rail fastening clips 3A, 3B whereby the railway rail 2 may be secured to the rail foundation 100. In this embodiment the baseplate apparatus 1' is symmetrical in plan about the centre line of the rail support region 11 which extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the rail.

Railway rail baseplate apparatus 1' comprises a plate 10' (as shown in Figure 7), made at least partially of plastics material, which is configured to provide the rail support region 11, and first and second metal rail fastening parts consisting in this embodiment of metal components 120A' (as shown in Figure 8), 120B' which are separate from one another. In this embodiment the metal components I 20A', 1 20B' are designed to extend along substantially the whole length of the plastic plate 10'. Each metal component 120A', 1208', which may be made from cast iron for example, comprises a first railway rail clip engaging portion 121' having a lower connecting portion 125', a second railway rail clip engaging portion 122' having a lower connecting portion 124', an elongate portion 123' connecting the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121' to the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122' at respective lower connecting portions 124', 125' thereof, first and second end portions 128', 129' extending from respective ones of the lower connecting portions 125', 124', and first and second return portions 126', 127' projecting outwardly from one side of the metal component 1 20A', 120B' at respective ones of the end portions 128', 129' and having respective bolt notches 1 26A', 1 27A'. A longitudinal axis of the first end portion 128', a longitudinal axis of the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121', a longitudinal axis of the elongate portion 123', a longitudinal axis of the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122' and a longitudinal axis of the second end portion 129' are substantially parallel and approximately coincident. When installed in the plate 10' the edge of the return portion 126' of one metal component 120A' (120B') extends alongside the edge of the return portion 127' of the other metal component 120B' (120A'), so as to abut or almost abut one another, except at the bolt notches 126A', 127A' which together form an aperture for receiving the shank of one of the bolts 5. Thus, the return portions 126', 127' of each metal component 120A', 1208' underlie the bolts 5, providing extra stability by preventing flexing of the plastic plate 10' under cyclic loading. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the return portions may be without a bolt notch but shaped such that when the metal components are installed in the plate the edges of adjacent return portions are spaced apart so as to leave a slot therebetween through which a bolt shank can extend. A base 12cR' of each metal component 120A'. 1203', including the underside of each return portion 126', 127', constitutes a substantially planar foot which, when the components 120A', 1208' are installed in the plate 10', is flush with the surrounding portions of the underside 1 DL' of the plate 10', providing a load path to the surface of the rail foundation and thereby enabling the plate 10' to resist bending under vertical loading.

Advantageously, in this embodiment each metal component 120A', 120B' is integrally formed, for example by casting, but that need not be the case.

The elongate portions 123' of the metal components 120A', 120B' extend under the rail support region 11 of the plate 10', the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121' of the first metal component 120A' and the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122' of the second metal component 120B' extend upwardly through a first anchoring device region 1 3A' of the plate 10' on one side of the rail support region 11, and the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122' of the first metal component 1 20A' and the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121' of the second metal component 1203' extend upwardly through a second anchoring device region 133' of the plate 10' on the opposite side of the rail support region 11, such that a first one 12A' of the two anchoring devices 12A', 123' is formed by the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121' of the first metal component 1 20A' and the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122' of the second metal component 1203' and a second one 123' of the two anchoring devices 12A', 12B' is formed by the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122' of the first metal component 120k and the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121' of the second metal component 1208'.

Plate 10' is made at least partially of plastics material, such as glass reinforced nylon (e.g. PA66 + 35% GF). For example, the plate could be formed wholly of plastics material, or be formed generally of plastics material with some portions, which are subject to the greatest forces, being provided with reinforcing material such as metal.

The plate 10' is configured to provide rail support region 11, in an upper surface lOU' thereof, for supporting railway rail 2 on rail foundation 100, first and second tapered end regions 14', a first anchoring device region 13A' provided between the rail support region 11 and Dne of the end regions 14', and a second anchoring device region 13B' provided between the rail support region 11 and the other of the end regions 14'.

In this embodiment the plate 10' is provided with four apertures 131' to 134' extending through the plate 10' in the anchoring device regions 13A', 136', outside the rail support region 11 through which the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121', 122' of the first and second metal components 120k, 1206' extend. The underside 1OL' of the plate 10' is provided with elongate recesses bA, lOB extending beneath the rail support region 11 for locating the elongate portions 123' of the metal components 120A', 1208. The recess bA' interconnects respective ends of the apertures 132' and 134', while the recess lOB', which is parallel to the recess bA', interconnects respective ends of the apertures 131' and 133'. Between the elongate recesses bA', lOB', a multiplicity of rebates bC' are formed by a plurality of intersecting ribs 100' on the underside 1OL' of the plate 10'. The underside 1OL' of the plate 10' is also provided with recesses bE', bE', lOG' and 1OH' for receiving respective end portions 128', 129 of the metal components 120A', 1206', and recesses 101', 1OJ' each for receiving a return portion 126' of one of the metal components 120k (1206') and a return portion 127' of the other of the metal components 1206' (120A').

The plate 10' and metal components 120A', 120B' are configured so as to achieve a close fit therebetween. If the fit is such that the metal components 1 20A', 1206' can be removed from the plate 10' without damaging it, this may also allow the metal components 120A', 120B' to be interchanged with other metal components designed for use with another version of the same type of clip or even with a different type of clip.

In an alternative embodiment, the metal components 120A', 120B' may be moulded into the plate 10' during manufacture of the plate 10' such that the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121', 122' protrude from the plate 10' on either side of the rail support region 11, Opposite sides of the rail support region 11 are defined by respective walls 110'.

Lower parts of front faces 121D', 122D' of the first and second clip engaging portions 121', 122' abut outer faces of the waIls 110' when the metal components 1 20A', 1 20B' are in the plate 10'. Each anchoring device region 13A', 13B' is formed with two apertures therethrough, apertures 133' and 134' being provided in the first anchoring device region 13A' and apertures 131' and 132' being provided in the second anchoring device region 13B'. Although this arrangement is preferred, in an alternative embodiment the apertures 131' and 132' may be contiguous, and/or the apertures 133' and 134' may be contiguous, for example being linked in each case by a thinner elongate recess, for manufacturing or other purposes.

On each side of the rail support region 11, between the apertures 133' and 134' and between the apertures 131' and 132', the upper surface lOU' of the plate 10' is formed with an up-ramp 135A', 135B' and a contiguous down-ramp 136A', 136B' to assist in driving the clips 3A, 3B onto the rail foot, Because of the inclination of the plate 10', which provides rail cant, the length of the down ramp 1 36A' is less than that of the downrampl36B'.

Each end portion 14' of the plate 10' is provided with a recess 15' in the upper surface lOU' of the plate 10', the recess 15' having a serrated floor 15A' through which an elongate aperture 1SB' is formed for receiving one of the bolted assemblies 5 by which the plate 10' is secured to the rail foundation 100. By virtue of the elongate apertures 15B', the serrated recess floors 15A' and the serrated washers 6 on the bolted assemblies 5, the position of the plate 10' relative to the rail foundation 100 can be adjusted laterally within defined limits.

As in the first embodiment, the end regions 14' of the plate 10' are tapered, so that in plan the outline of the plate 10' is narrower at its ends than in its middle. Upper surfaces of the anchoring device regions 13A', 13B' and the end regions 14' are curved so that in side view the thickness of the plate 101 decreases smoothly towards each end. In addition the plate 10'is generally thicker at the anchoring device region 13B' side of the rail support region 11 than at the anchoring device regions I 3A'. However the outline and profile of the plate 10' may differ from this.

Figure 8 shows a metal component 120A' suitable for use in rail baseplate apparatus 1' embodying the present invention. As mentioned above, the metal component 120A' comprises first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121', 122' having respective lower connecting portions 124', 125' at which they are connected to opposite ends of an elongate portion 123 of the metal component such that the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121', 122' extend in an upwards direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate portion 123'. First and second end portions 128', 129' extend from respective ones of the lower connecting portions 125', 124', and first and second return portions 126', 127' project outwardly from one side of the metal component 120A' at respective ones of the end portions 128', 129' and have respective bolt notches 126A', 127A'. As illustrated in Figure 6D', in this embodiment metal component 120B' is the mirror image of metal component 120A'. The base 120L' of each metal component 120A', 120B', including the underside of each return portion 126', 127', constitutes a substantially planar foot through which load may be transmitted to the surface of the rail foundation.

To reduce the weight of, and/or material in, the metal components, 120A', 120B', in this embodiment apertures 1 23a' are formed through the elongate portion 123', apertures I 24a', 1 25a' are formed respectively through connecting portions 124', 125', aperture 1 24b' is formed spanning connecting portion 124' and end portion 129', and aperture 125b' is formed spanning connecting portion 125' and end portion 128'.

The first railway rail clip engaging portion 121' is configured to constitute part, but not all, of a first railway rail clip anchoring device 12A' for retaining a first railway rail fastening clip 3A of a railway rail fastening assembly, and the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122' is configured to constitute part, but not all, of a second railway rail clip anchoring device 123' for retaining a second railway rail fastening clip 3B of the railway rail fastening assembly. The first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121', 122' are each configured to provide a downwardly-facing first clip engaging surface 121A', 122A'. In this embodiment, where the rail fastening clips 3A, 3B to be retained are of the type known as PANDROL FASTCLIP®, the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121', 122' are also each configured to provide an upwardly-facing second clip engaging surface 121B', 1228' and a wall 121C', 122C' which interconnects the first and second clip engaging surfaces 121k, 122A'. The first clip engaging surface 121A' of the first rail clip engaging portion 121' extends in a first direction and is inclined downwardly proceeding in the first direction, and the first clip engaging surface 122A' of the second rail clip engaging portion 122' extends in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and is inclined downwardly proceeding in the second direction. In this embodiment, the elongate portion 123' also extends in the second. The end portions 128', 129' extend respectively in the first and second directions, but their outer faces are rounded off to follow the tapering of the end regions 14' of the plate 10'. The first clip engaging surfaces 121k, 122A' are configured to contact the uppermost contact points of clip legs 31, 37, and the second clip engaging surfaces 121B', 122B' are configured to contact the lowermost contact points of clip legs 31, 37. In the baseplate apparatus 1' shown in Figure 6 the interconnecting walls 121 C', 1220' of the first and second clip engaging portions 121', 122' are positioned such that the clip legs 31, 37 are received in a space which lies between the wall 1210' and the wall 1220'.

In the embodiments described the rail fastening clips 3A, 3B to be retained are of the type known as PANDROL FASTCLIP® which, as described for example in EPO61 9852, are designed to be driven onto and off the foot of a rail laterally with respect to the longitudinal rail axis. However, railway rail baseplate apparatus embodying the present invention could be designed for use with other types of resilient rail fastening clips, either other laterally-driven clips (for example clips of the type known as SAFELOK®, made of plate-form material, one example of which is described in US6923381).

When the rail fastening clips to be retained are not PANDROL FASTCLIP® rail fasteners, the shape and configuration of the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions 121, 122 (121', 122') and/or their clip engaging surfaces 121A, 122A (121A', 122k), will be adapted accordingly and therefore are likely to differ from those shown in the present application. Similarly the plate 10 (10') may be adapted for use with other types of rail fasteners. For example ramps 1 35A, 135B (1 35A', 1358' and/or 136k, 1366') may be omitted if not required.

In embodiments of the present invention first and second railway rail anchoring devices 12A, 128 (12A', 12B') consist ofa set of two separate metal components 120A, 1208 (120A', 1208'). The first railway rail anchoring device 12A (12A') consists of the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121 (121') of a first one 1 20A (1 20A'; 1 20A") of the metal components and the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122 (122') of a second one 120B (120B') of the second metal component, and the second railway rail anchoring device 12B (12B') consists of the second railway rail clip engaging portion 122 (122') of the first metal component 120A (120A') and the first railway rail clip engaging portion 121(121') of the second metal component 1208 (1206').

Although in the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described above the metal components 1 20A, 12DB (120k, 1 20B') of each apparatus 1 (1') are separate from one another, in some circumstances it may be advantageous, with a view to improving resistance to forces and protecting the plate further from excessive loading, if the metal components 120A, I 206 (1 20A', 1206') were linked together by one or more additional parts (not shown in the drawings), for example by a bar of material joined to and extending between a first clip engaging portion of a first metal part and a second clip engaging portion of a second metal part, and/or a bar of material joined to and extending between a first clip engaging portion of the second metal part and a second clip engaging portion of the first metal part.

It should be noted that in the embodiments described the metal components 1 20A, 1206 (120A', 1206') do not have any screw-threaded portions.

As mentioned above, the plate 10(10') and metal components 120A, 120B(120A', 120B') may be configured so as to achieve a close fit therebetween. In this case, as shown in Figure 5 with respect to the first embodiment, in order to connect one of the metal components 1206 (120B') with the plate 10 (10'), the first and second clip engaging portions 121, 122 (121', 122') of the metal component 1206 (12DB') are lined up underneath the plate 10(10') with respective apertures 131, 133 (131', 133') therein and then inserted into the apertures 131, 133 (131', 133') until the first and second clip engaging portions 121, 122 (121', 122') extend out of the upper side of the plate 10 (10') and the elongate portion 123 (123') has slid into place within the elongate recess 106 (106'). This may be done before, after (as in Figure 5) or at the same time as connecting the other of the metal components 120A (1 20A') with the plate 10 (10').

The components 120A, 1206 (120A', 1206') are retained within the plate by, for example, some form of snap fit engagement of the plate with the components and/or the presence of the clips when in contact with the first and second rail clip engaging portions 121, 122 (121', 122') in a "parked" (pre-installed) or installed position.

In the embodiments described the thickness of the plate 10 (10') varies from one end region 14 (14')to the other end region 14(14'), such that generally the part of the plate (10') on one side of the rail support region ills thicker than the part of the plate 10 (10') on the other side of the rail support region 11, whereby the rail support region 11 is inclined so as to provide a cant to the rail. This is not essential, however; for example, rail cant could be provided in some other way, for example by placing a shim under the plate 10 (10') or inclining the upper surface of the rail foundation.

Claims

Claims 1 A railway rail baseplate apparatus configured to provide a rail support region, for supporting a railway rail on a rail foundation, and two anchoring devices, located on opposite sides of the rail support region, for retaining respective resilient railway rail fastening clips whereby the railway rail may be secured to the rail foundation, which railway rail baseplate apparatus comprises a plate, made at least partially of plastics material and configured to provide the rail support region, and first and second metal parts each comprising a first railway rail clip engaging portion, a second railway rail clip engaging portion, and an elongate portion connecting the first railway rail clip engaging portion to the second railway rail clip engaging portion, wherein the elongate portions of the metal parts extend under the rail support region of the plate, the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal part and the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal part extend upwardly through the plate on one side of the rail support region of the plate, and the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal part and the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal part extend upwardly through the plate on the opposite side of the rail support region of the plate, such that a first one of the two anchoring devices is formed by the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal part and the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal part and a second one of the two anchoring devices is formed by the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal part and the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal part.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate is provided with recesses beneath the rail support region in which the elongate portions are respectively located.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the metal parts has a planar base which is flush with surrounding underside portions of the plate.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the first and second metal parts consist of respective first and second metal components which are separate from one another.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising an additional metal part connecting the first engaging portion of the first metal part and the second engaging portion of the second metal part.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3 or 5, further comprising an additional metal part connecting the first engaging portion of the second metal pad and the second engaging portion of the first metal part.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plate is provided with apertures, outside the rail support region, through which the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions extend.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plate has first and second end regions provided with bolt holes for receiving shanks of respective bolts whereby the apparatus may be secured to a rail foundation.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein each of the first and second metal parts includes a first end portion extending from the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the metal part and a second end portion extending from the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the metal part, the first end portion of the first metal part and the second end portion of the second metal part extending under part of the first end region of the plate and the second end portion of the first metal part and the first end portion of the second metal part extending under part of the second end region of the plate.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the end portions of the first and second metal parts have respective projecting portions which extend along the underside of the plate towards the bolt holes and are shaped so as to permit passage of the bolt shanks between adjacent projecting portions.
11. A metal rail fastening component having no screw-threaded portion, which component is configured for use with a plate formed at least partially of plastics material, the plate being configured to provide a rail support region for supporting a railway rail in a railway rail fastening assembly comprising separate first and second resilient railway rail fastening clips for securing the railway rail to the plate, which metal component comprises first and second railway rail clip engaging portions and an elongate portion connecting the first railway rail clip engaging portion to the second railway rail clip engaging portion such that the first railway rail clip engaging portion and the second railway rail clip engaging portion are arranged so as to extend in an upwards direction with respect to a longitudinal axis of the elongate portion, wherein the first railway rail clip engaging portion is configured to constitute part, but not all, of a first railway rail clip anchoring device for retaining the first railway rail fastening clip of the railway rail fastening assembly, and wherein the second railway rail clip engaging portion is configured to constitute part, but not all, of a second railway rail clip anchoring device for retaining the second railway rail fastening clip of the railway rail fastening assembly.
12. A metal rail fastening component as claimed in claim 11, further comprising first and second end portions, which extend respectively from the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions away from the elongate portion, and first and second projecting portions extending respectively from the first and second end portions such that the first and second projecting portions project in the same direction laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the elongate portion and substantially perpendicularly with respect to the upwards direction in which the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions extend.
13. A metal rail fastening component as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the first and second railway rail clip engaging portions are each configured to provide a clip engaging surface, the clip engaging surface of the first rail clip engaging portion extending in a first directFon and being inclined downwardly proceeding in the first direction, and the clip engaging surface of the second rail clip engaging portion extending in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, and being inclined downwardly proceeding in the second direction.
14. First and second railway rail anchoring devices comprising a set of first and second metal components, separate from one another, each metal component being a metal component as claimed in claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the said first railway rail anchoring device consists of the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal component and the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal component, and the said second railway rail anchoring device consists of the second railway rail clip engaging portion of the first metal component and the first railway rail clip engaging portion of the second metal component.
15. A plate, made at least partially of plastics material and configured to provide on a first major face thereof a rail support region, for supporting a railway rail on a rail foundation, the plate being provided with at least a first aperture therethrough on one side of the rail support region, at least a second aperture therethrough on the opposite side of the rail support region, and a central recess, extending under the rail support region on a second major face of the plate which is opposite to the first major face thereof, which adjoins the first and second apertures at respective ends thereof.
16. A plate as claimed in claim 15, wherein the second major face of the plate has first and second additional recesses at respective first and second end regions of the plate in which respective throughholes are formed, the first and second additional recesses being contiguous with the first and second apertures respectively at ends thereof opposite to those adjoining the central recess.
17. A railway rail baseplate apparatus comprising a plate, made at least partially of plastics material and configured to provide a rail support region, for supporting a railway rail on a rail foundation, and first and second anchoring devices as claimed in claim 14, extending upwardly through the plate and located on opposite sides of the rail support region, for retaining respective resilient railway rail fastening clips whereby the railway rail may be secured to the rail foundation, the elongate portions of the first and second metal components which form the first and second anchoring devices extending under the rail support region of the plate.
18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the plate is a plate as claimed in claim or 16.
19. A railway rail baseplate apparatus substantially as shown in and hereinbefore described with reference to Figures ito 5 or Figures 6 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.
20. A plate substantially as shown in and hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 5 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
21. A metal rail fastening component substantially as shown in and hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3 or Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.