US3762641A

US3762641A - Railroad track

Info

Publication number: US3762641A
Application number: US00208087A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Schubert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-01-05
Filing date: 1971-12-15
Publication date: 1973-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1990-10-02
Also published as: GB1373520A; DE2155479A1; PL77316B1; CA948168A; FR2121204A5; CH545376A; ZA7268B; IT943703B

Abstract

Each tie of a railroad track has flexurally stiff bracing elements extending in the direction of the track rails into both adjacent cribs. The bracing elements extend along the axis of symmetry extending longitudinally centered between the rails and/or under the rails. Preferably, two or more adjacent ties with the bracing elements are formed into a unit, for instance a cast reinforced concrete unit.

Description

Unit States Patent 11 1 1111 3,762,641 Schubert 1 Oct. 2, 1973 [5 RAILROAD TRACK 2,750,118 6/1956 Hastings 238/25 872,831 12/1907 Longacre.... 238/26 [76] Inventor. Egon Schubert, Lalnzerstrasse 3,289941 12/1966 Sonneville 238/116 2511/31 Vlenmh Austria 1,585,419 5/1926 Ruse 238/115 [22] Filed. Dec 15 1971 3,680,777 2/1970 Arau 238/10 E 1 1 p 208,087 Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch [30] Foreign Application Priority Data AnomeymKurt Kelman Jan. 5, 1971 Austria A 34 [57] ABSTRACT [52] US. Cl. 238/29, 238/10 R, 238/25, Each tie of a railroad track has fllexurally stiff bracing 238/116 elements extending in the directi1on of the track rails [51] Int. Cl E0lb 2/00 into both adjacent cribs. The bracing elements extend [58] Field of Search 238/25, 26, 84, 85, along the axis of symmetry extending longitudinally 238/50, 52, 53, 24, 109, 115, 116, 10 E centered between the rails and/or under the rails. Preferably, two or more adjacent ties with the bracing ele- 156] I References Cited ments are formed into a unit, for instance a cast rein- UNITED STATES PATENTS forced Concrete l,66(),605 2/1928 Ethcridge 238/109 5 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures PAIENIEDnm 2191a SHEET 10F 3 THTFHJT RAILROAD TRACK The present invention relates to improvements in railroad track comprising two rails defining a track gage and a plurality of transverse ties subtending the rails. Adjacent ties define cribs therebetween and the ties extend beyond each of the rails by about one third of the gage.

It is known to substitute concrete ties for the traditionally used wooden ties, the concrete ties being of a shape similar to that of the wooden ties. It has also been proposed to interconnect two adjacent concrete ties by steel or concrete elements to form a unit of gridiron shape. Tracks using such tie units exhibit little resistance to lateral movement which is prevented only by the frictional engagement between the ties and ballast, and the resistance offered by the lateral ends of the ties embedded in the ballast. Furthermore, the stiffness of the track in the vertical and horizontal directions is relatively low, being derived solely from that of the rails. Therefor, such tracks require relatively frequent positional correction, i.e. grading and/or lining.

It has also been proposed to support track rails on longitudinally extending, narrow concrete blocks which are interconnected by transversely extending spacing elements mounted at intervals along the track. Such longitudinally extending rail supporting blocks may have a plurality of supports for the rails and the transverse spacing elements may be pivotally connected to the blocks. Whatever the interconnection between the transverse spacing elements and the longitudinally extending rail supporting blocks, it is difficult to maintain the gage of such tracks. Furthermore, such tracks require different apparatus for building and maintaing the track.

Furthermore, to absorb the considerable forces at rail joints, it has been proposed to connect the two ties adjacent the joints to form a gridiron including rail supporting and clamping plates extending transversely to the ties. The attachment of the plates to the ties has unduly weakened the latter.

It has also been attempted to form ties into a gridiron shape by interconnecting the outer ends ofa multiplicity of parallel steel carrier elements by angle irons in an effort to increase the resistance of the track to lateral movement. However, the angle irons increased the stiffness only slightly and, since they are embedded in the ballast, they are soon worn out and are difficult to control.

Finally, it has been proposed to arrange longitudinally extending tie elements between transversely extending track ties, and to unite them into a gridiron or grating by means of the plates and bolts used to fasten the rails to the ties. The interconnection between the longitudinally extending elements and the transverse ties is at the ties, and the connection of the elements to the ties is not resistant to flexure even if the longitudinally extending tie elements are cruciform. Since the rail fastening means themselves are used for the connection, the tie gridirons cannot be mass produced off site but are assembled from separate parts on the site where the track is laid. Connections of this type tend to become loose rapidly so that this type of tie gridiron has found no acceptance.

Rails capable of sustaining high-speed traffic must rest on good support. Such support has been provided experimentally by transversely or longitudinally extending concrete blocks supporting the rails, or the rails have been fastened directly to massive concrete bodies. The concrete rail carrier plates may thus extend in the direction of the rails or transversely thereto. Such a rail support is quite rigid and provides a good and long-lasting support for the rails. However, it is very expensive in production and maintenance.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a railroad track of the initially indicated general type which shows improved resistance to lateral displacement, whose tie portion may be readily transported, and which can be laid and maintained with traditional track maintenance machinery.

The above and other objects are accomplished according to the invention with flexurally stiff bracing elements extending from each of the ties in the direction of the rails into both adjacent cribs, the longitudinally extending bracing elements being symmetrically ar ranged in respect of the axis of symmetry extending longitudinally centered between the rails, i.e. the brac ing elements extend along this axis and/or under the rails.

The flexurally stiff bracing elements connected to the transverse ties considerably increase the resistance of the track to lateral displacement and, furthermore, enable adjacent ties to be interconnected in the cribs, which facilitates the connection.

The above and other objects, advantages and fea tures of the present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of certain now preferred embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of a portion of a railroad track according to one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a section along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 and showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a section along line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. I and showing yet another embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a section along line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5 and showing a modification of the embodiment thereof;

FIG. 8 is a section along line VIII-,VIII of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9, 10 and 12 are top views illustrating thr'ee embodiments of connections between adjacent tie bracing elements;

FIG. 11 is a section along line XI-XI of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a section of one of the connection parts of the connection of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a section along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 12.

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts functioning in a like manner in all figures, reference will first be made to FIGS. 1 and 2. The railroad track is shown to comprise two rails l, l defining a track gage and a plurality of transverse ties 2 subtending the rails. Adjacent ties define cribs of ballast therebetween (not shown) and the ties extend by about one third of the gage beyond each of the rails. Each tie 2 has flexurally stiff or rigid bracing elements 3 extending in the direction of the rails into both adjacent cribs. These bracing elements rest on, and frictionally engage, the ballast and this considerably increases the resistance of the track to lateral displacement.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the longitudinally extending bracing elements extend along the axis of symmetry of the track which extends longitudinally centered between the rails. The bracing elements 3 of two adjacent ties 2 are in alignment. The adjacent bracing elements extending between the two adjacent ties have facing and abutting ends of V-shape which conformingly engage each other to form an interlocked grid-like support for the rails.

The ties and their bracing elements are integral parts and may be cast of concrete, for instance, which makes mass production possible. Also, it will be noted that the centrally extending bracing elements will in no way interfere either with the laying or maintenance of the track by conventional track working machinery.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the transverse ties are each formed of two concrete rails supports 2f, 2 interconnected by a steel rod 4. Longitudinally extending bracing elements 5 extend under the respective rails, being symmetrically arranged in respect of the axis of symmetry of the track, the bracing elements being in alignment and adjacent bracing elements having abutting ends. Here, too, the crib spaces 6 remain free for track work by traditional track correction machinery.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 shows a transportable unity 7 of gridiron shape wherein four adjacent ties 2 are interconnected by the longitudinally extending bracing elements 3a extending between adjacent ties along the axis of symmetry of the track and longitudinally extending bracing elements 5a extending between adjacent ties under the respective rails 1, 1. Such flexurally stiff or rigid units may be mass produced in the factory and installed at the site where adjacent units 7 may be connected to each other to form a track rail support of any desired length (the connection between adjacent units not being shown in FIG. 5). Such rigid units will impart very high resistance to lateral displacement of the track and also impart to the track added rigidity in a vertical and horizontal direction. The length of the units 7 is so selected that they may be laid in track curves in the form of sides of polygons forming the arc of the curve and the superelevation may be formed by additional supports under the units. Sufficient spaces remain free in the cribs to permit normal track maintenance operations, the uniformity of the crib width making it possible to use track tampers which tamp four ties simultaneously.

The modification of the unit shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 has the ties 2 interconnected solely by a centrally extending bracing element 3a. This unit is cast of concrete to form an integral unit of ties and bracing element and a longitudinally extending, stressed steel reinforcement 8 is embedded in the concrete bracing element 3a. If desired, the reinforcing rod 8 may be prestressed.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a connection between adjacent units 7 which have been described in connection with FIG. 5. In this embodiment, stressed steel reinforcements 8a extend longitudinally in the concrete bracing elements 5a, the unit being integrally cast of concrete, and projecting ends of the steel reinforcing rods 8a, which extend from the facing ends of the aligned bracing elements 50 between adjacent ties of adjacent units, constitute threaded bolts. A turnbuckle 10 is threadedly mounted on the

bolts

9, 9 and may be turned to stress the reinforcing rods.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show another embodiment of interconnecting adjacent tie units, one unit comprising tie 2a with bracing element 5a extending under rail 1 and the other unit comprising tie 2b with aligned bracing element 512. In this connection between facing ends of the bracing elements, a U-shaped steel connector 11 extends from the end of bracing element 5a while a tenon or stud 12 extends from the end of bracing element 5b and is engaged between the legs of U-shaped connector 11. A transverse connecting member 13 in the form of a split pin extends through the legs of the U-shaped connector and over the tenon to form the connection. This connection makes it possible to displace the two connected units relative to each other in the direction of the rails, which is necessary in track curves. In straight track sections, the connecting member 13 could extend through the tenon to provide an immobile connection.

FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate yet another type of connection. In this embodiment, the facing ends of bracing

elements

5a, 5b are inwardly tapering, Le. of frustoconical or frusto-pyramidal shape, and a sheet metal trough l4 encloses the two tapering bracing element ends on three sides and is open on top, the shape of the trough being best shown in FIG. I4. In installing this connection, the trough 14 may be fastened to the end of bracing element 5a, for instance, by means of a cross bolt 15. The trough then serves as a guide for placing the end of adjacent bracing element 5b into juxtaposition, whereupon bolt 16 is fastened to make the con nection. If a flexurally stiff connection is desired, the metal trough is fitted conformingly about the bracing element ends and is filled with an adhesive mass, such as a synthetic resin, which hardens into a solid mass.

I claim:

I. A railroad track comprising two rails defining a track gage and a plurality of transverse ties subtending the rails, adjacent ones of the ties defining cribs therebetween, and the ties extending beyond each of the rails by about one third of the gage, the track having an axis of symmetry extending longitudinally centered between the rails, each of the ties having flexurally stiff bracing elements extending in the direction of the rails into both adjacent cribs, the longitudinally extending bracing elements being symmetrically arranged in respect of the axis of symmetry and the longitudinally extending bracing elements of two adjacent ones of the ties being in alignment, adjacent ones of the bracing elements extending between the two adjacent ties having facing ends, and comprising a U-shaped connector element extending from one of the facing ends, a tenon extendingfrom the other facing end, the tenon being 'en-' gaged between the legs of the U-shaped connector element, and a transverse connecting member extending through the legs of the U-shaped connector element and holding the tenon to form a connection therebetween.

2. The railroad track .of claim ll, wherein two adjacent ones of said ties and their bracing elements constitute an integral unit.

3. The railroad track of claim 2, wherein said unit is of cast concrete.

4. The railroad track of claim 3, further comprising longitudinally extending, stressed steel reinforcements in the concrete bracing elements.

5. A railroad track comprising two rails defining a track gage and a plurality of transverse ties subtending the rails, adjacent ones of the ties defining cribs therebetween, and the ties extending beyond each of the ements extending between the two adjacent ties having facing inwardly tapering ends, and comprising a sheet metal trough enclosing the two tapering bracing element ends on three sides and beingopen on top, fastening means for affixing the trough to the bracing element ends, and an adhesive synthetic resin mass filling the trough.

Claims

1. A railroad track comprising two rails defining a track gage and a plurality of transverse ties subtending the rails, adjacent ones of the ties defining cribs therebetween, and the ties extending beyond each of the rails by about one third of the gage, the track having an axis of symmetry extending longitudinally centered between the rails, each of the ties having flexurally stiff bracing elements extending in the direction of the rails into both adjacent cribs, the longitudinally extending bracing elements being symmetrically arranged in respect of the axis of symmetry and the longitudinally extending bracing elements of two adjacent ones of the ties being in alignment, adjacent ones of the bracing elements extending between the two adjacent ties having facing ends, and comprising a U-shaped connector element extending from one of the facing ends, a tenon extending from the other facing end, the tenon being engaged between the legs of the U-shaped connector element, and a transverse connecting member extending through the legs of the U-shaped connector element and holding the tenon to form a connection therebetween.

2. The railroad track of claim 1, wherein two adjacent ones of said ties and their bracing elements constitute an integral unit.

3. The railroad track of claim 2, wherein said unit is of cast concrete.

5. A railroad track comprising two rails defining a track gage and a plurality of transverse ties subtending the rails, adjacent ones of the ties defining cribs therebetween, and the ties extending beyond each of the rails by about one third of the gage, the track having an axis of symmetry extending longitudinally centered between the rails, each of the ties having flexurally stiff bracing elements extending in the direction of the rails into both adjacent cribs, the longitudinally extending bracing elements being symmetrically arranged in respect of the axis of symmetry and the longitudinally extending bracing elements of two adjacent ones of the ties being in alignment, adjacent ones of the bracing elements extending between the two adjacent ties having facing inwardly tapering ends, and comprising a sheet metal trough enclosing the two tapering bracing element ends on three sides and being open on top, fastening means for affixing the trough to the bracing element ends, and an adhesive synthetic resin mass filling the trough.