Integrated walkway system

A walkway system comprising a plurality of support assemblies, each having a pair of spaced apart beam support plates on an upper side thereof, and a plurality of pairs of beams. Each pair of beams is supported by pairs of spaced apart beam support plates of at least two support assemblies. A plurality of cross members extend between lower portions of the pairs of beams. The cross members are configured to support one or more cables resting thereupon. A plurality of decking members extend between the pairs of beams. The decking members are secured to upper sides of the beams. The cross members, beams and decking members cooperate to form a partial enclosure for the cables, thereby eliminating the need for a separate cable tray.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to walkways. Certain embodiments provide integrated walkway systems for use with railways.

BACKGROUND

Walkways are often erected next to railways, particularly next to elevated railways. Such walkways may facilitate access to the tracks for maintenance staff. Walkways may also be erected to provide a safe platform for receiving passengers exiting from trains in the event of an emergency or an unscheduled stop between stations.

FIGS. 17A-Cshow an example section of a prior art walkway. In the illustrated example, a steel frame is provided which includes a number of vertical posts10, diagonal braces12, lateral supports14, upper longitudinal supports16and lower longitudinal supports18. Lateral supports14support one or more cable trays20(seeFIG. 17C) for carrying cables. A cover plate17may be attached between upper longitudinal supports16and lower longitudinal supports18. Upper longitudinal supports16support a plurality of decking planks30, which are typically covered with safety tread to provide increased traction.

Typical prior art walkways are generally constructed primarily from steel, due to its strength. However, steel can be relatively difficult to work with, and is relatively heavy, which can lead to increased costs. Also, it is often not cost effective to form curved walkways from steel, so instead prior art walkways are typically made up of a number of straight sections when the walkway is placed alongside a curved railway.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the invention provides a walkway system comprising a cable tray system which both supports cables and serves as part of the structural support of the walkway system. Certain embodiments of the invention thus provide walkway systems which are structurally sound and are more cost effective and faster and easier to install than typical prior art walkway systems.

Another aspect of the invention provides a walkway system comprising a plurality of support assemblies, each having a pair of spaced apart beam support plates on an upper side thereof, and a plurality of pairs of beams. Each pair of beams is supported by pairs of spaced apart beam support plates of at least two support assemblies. A plurality of cross members extend between lower portions of the pairs of beams. The cross members are configured to support one or more cables resting thereupon. A plurality of decking members extend between the pairs of beams. The decking members are secured to upper sides of the beams. The cross members, beams and decking members cooperate to form a partial enclosure for the cables, thereby eliminating the need for a separate cable tray.

Further aspects of the invention and details of example embodiments are described below.

DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 1A, 1B, 2 and 3show an integrated walkway system100according to an example embodiment of the invention. Walkway system100comprises a plurality of support assemblies110which are configured to be secured to the ground or other supporting structure upon which walkway system100is to be mounted. A decking assembly120is mounted atop support assemblies110. Walkway system100is preferably constructed entirely or almost entirely from aluminum, thereby providing reduced weight as compared to prior art walkway systems, which are typically constructed primarily from steel.

Decking assembly120defines a partial enclosure140in which a plurality of electrical cables or other elongated members may be supported, as described further below. Walkway system100thus eliminates the need for separate supporting structures such as cable trays or the like, which is typically required in prior art walkway systems in order to accommodate cables or other elongated members.

In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-3, each support assembly110comprises a pair of generally vertical posts112connected by a horizontal brace114and a diagonal brace116. Each post112has a base plate111coupled to the bottom thereof for securing support assembly110to the supporting structure (not shown). Each post112also has a beam support plate113coupled to the top thereof for securing support assembly110to decking assembly120, as described below.

As shown inFIG. 3, supplemental support braces118may be provided for some support assemblies110. The bottoms of support braces118are coupled to anchor plates (not specifically enumerated) for securing to the supporting structure, and the tops of support braces118are coupled to posts112, preferably at upper portions thereof. Supplemental support braces118may be provided, for example, at every third support assembly110, or at other locations (which may or may not be evenly spaced) along walkway system100.

Decking assembly120comprises a single structural beam122along each side thereof. A plurality of longitudinally-oriented beams122are arranged in pairs along the length of walkway system100. Each beam122has a height H (seeFIG. 2) sufficient to accommodate the installation of cables within decking system120, as described below. In some embodiments, H is at least 18 centimeters.

In the illustrated embodiment, each beam122comprises an I-beam having an upper flange122U and a lower flange122L connected by a central webbing122W (seeFIG. 2). In other embodiments, beams122may comprise “C”-channels, siderails, or custom extrusion members.

Each beam122is positioned atop beam support plates113of two or more support assemblies110. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends of adjacent beams122running along one side of decking assembly120abut one another at the midpoints of beam support plates113. Splice plates121(seeFIG. 3) are preferably attached to the ends of adjacent beams122to cover the junctions therebetween. Splice plates121may be attached to beams122using suitable fasteners such as, for example, bolts and nuts.

A plurality of cross members124extend between each pair of beams122for supporting cables C (not shown inFIGS. 1-3, seeFIG. 16B) or other flexible elongated members thereon. Cross members124are fixedly attached to lower portions of beams122. In some embodiments, cross members124are welded to beams122in a suitable fabrication facility before being delivered to the location where walkway system100is to be installed. Cross members124are preferably supported by flanges extending inwardly from the bottoms of beams122. Cross members124may be spaced approximately 30 cm (1 foot) apart in some embodiments. In other embodiments, cross members124may be spaced closer together or farther apart, depending upon the flexibility (or lack thereof) of the elongated members to be supported by cross members124.

A rim angle126may be attached to the top of each beam122. Rim angles126may be attached to beams122using suitable fasteners, such as bolts and nuts, for example. A plurality of decking members130extend between the rim angles126attached atop each pair of beams122. Rim angles126provide upwardly extending flanges for aiding in the positioning of decking members130. Decking members130provide structural support for decking assembly120by holding the tops of each pair of beams122in fixed relation to one another. In some embodiments, rim angles126may be attached to beams122using the same fasteners which are used to attach decking members130to beams122, as described below.

Decking members130cooperate with beams122and cross members124to form a partial enclosure140. As noted above, cross members124are fixedly attached to bottom portions of beams122. Decking members130are fastened between the tops of beams122, as described below, to provide increased structural stability to decking assembly120. Partial enclosure140provides protection and support for cables located therein, and thus avoids the need for cable trays.

FIGS. 4 to 10show details of decking members130according to one embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, decking members130come in one of two types: a first type of decking member130A, as shown inFIG. 6, and a second type of decking member130B as shown inFIG. 7. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, decking members130A and130B (collectively referred to as decking members130) are arranged in alternating fashion. Decking members130A and130B (collectively referred to as decking members130) respectively comprise tread plates131A and131B (collectively referred to as tread plates131) forming the tops thereof. Tread plates131may have ridges132protruding upwardly therefrom for providing increased traction for people walking on decking plates130. Decking members130A and130B may also have reinforcing ribs133A and133B, respectively, extending downwardly from central portions thereof to provide increased rigidity to decking members130.

Each decking member130A has a pair of webs134A extending downwardly from tread plate131A near the edges thereof. Webs134A are set back from the edges of tread plate131A by a distance D1, to define flanges135A. Webs134A have a width equal to a distance D2.

Each decking member130B has a pair of interlocking features134B at the edged of tread plate131B configured to correspond with the structure of decking members130A. Each interlocking feature134B comprises a first portion135B extending outwardly from the bottom of tread plate131B for a distance equal to D1, to accommodate flanges135A of decking members130A. A second portion136B extends downwardly from first portion135B by a distance equal to the height of webs134A, and a third portion137B extends outwardly form the bottom of second portion135B by a distance D3. A fourth portion138B extends upwardly from the outward edge of third portion137B. Distance D3is greater than distance D2, and may be more than three times greater than distance D2in some embodiments to allow decking members130to be arranged in a curved configuration, as described below with reference toFIGS. 8 to 10. In some embodiments, distance D2is approximately 2.5 mm and distance D3is 8 mm or more.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, decking members130may be arranged in a straight configuration, with webs134A of decking members130A either abutting or spaced slightly apart from second portions136B of decking members130B. When installed, first portions135B and third portions137B of interlocking features134B of decking members130B are held in place under flanges135A and webs134A, respectively, of decking members130A. Decking members130may be secured to beams122(and rim angles126) by bolting or otherwise fastening decking members130A to beams122at locations indicated by reference characters139. Decking members130B are thus held in place by portions of interlocking features134B located under corresponding portions of decking members130A without requiring bolts or other fasteners through decking members130B. Accordingly, only half as many bolts or other fasteners are required to secure decking members130in place as compared to prior art decking systems.

Decking members130may also be arranged in a curved configuration, as shown inFIGS. 8 to 10. To arrange decking members130in a curved configuration, webs134A of decking members130A are positioned to abut second portions136B of decking members130B along one side of decking members130, as shown inFIG. 9, and webs134A of decking members130A are positioned to be spaced apart from second portions136B of decking members130B along the other side of decking members130, as shown inFIG. 10. This advantageously allows decking members130to be mounted on curved beams122without requiring specially made wedge-shaped decking, as would typically be required in prior art decking systems.

In some embodiments, decking members130have a length equal to a spacing between beams122. In other embodiments, decking members130may be longer than the spacing between beams122.FIG. 11shows an embodiment similar to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1-3wherein rim angles126have been replaced with cantilevered rim members127to accommodate decking members130′ which are longer than the spacing between beams122. Cantilevered rim members127and decking members130′ may be attached to beams122using suitable fasteners at locations indicated by reference characters139′.

To install walkway system100, support assemblies110are first mounted at predetermined locations along the length of the walkway. Supplemental support braces118may be provided for selected support assemblies, as described above. Next, a plurality of pairs of beams122(each pair of beams122coupled together by cross members124) are fastened to beam support plates113of support assemblies. Each beam122may be attached to the associated beam support plates113using suitable fasteners such as, for example, bolts and nuts. Splice plates121are then fastened between the adjacent ends of beams122. Next, cables may be laid out atop cross members124. Once the cables are in place, decking members130(and optionally rim angles126) are fastened across the tops of beams122.

FIGS. 12 to 16show walkway systems200,300,400,500and600according to other embodiments of the invention. Walkway systems200300,400,500and600are similar to walkway system100, and where applicable, corresponding features thereof are indicated using corresponding reference characters (for example, for system200, reference characters for features corresponding to those in system100have the form 2xx in place of 1xx). To avoid unnecessary repetition, features of systems200300,400,500and600which are analogous to those described above will not be described again.

FIGS. 12 and 12Ashow a walkway system200which comprises a support assembly210configured for supporting decking assembly220from both the ground (or other horizontal supporting structure) and a vertical wall. Support assembly210comprises a post212with one of the beam support plates213at the top thereof, which is anchored to the ground using a base plate211. The other of the beam support plates213is coupled to a side wall anchor plate215, which is coupled to post212by horizontal brace214. Side wall anchor plate215may be secured to the vertical wall using suitable fasteners.

FIGS. 13 and 13A-D show a walkway system300which comprises a step328which facilitates walking between an upper decking assembly320U and a lower decking assembly320L. As shown inFIG. 13B, step328comprises inwardly extending flanges328A at the bottom thereof. Flanges328A are configured to be secured under rim angles326of lower decking assembly320L. End plates325are attached to cover the ends of upper and lower decking assemblies320U and320L and the exposed side of step328. The beams322of upper decking assembly320U are supported by beam support plates313of support assemblies310, as are the beams322of lower decking assembly320L except at the junction between upper and lower decking assemblies320U and320L. At the junction between upper and lower decking assemblies320U and320L, support assembly310comprises one or more beam support flanges323attached to posts312. Also, as shown inFIG. 13D, beams322of walkway system300are not parallel, but instead are at an angle to provide a change in width of system300. Accordingly, cross members324and decking members330are likewise adapted to conform to the tapering width between beams322.

FIGS. 14 and 14Ashow a walkway system400which comprises a support assembly410configured to support one or more handrails442along one side thereof (two handrails are shown in the illustrated embodiment). Support assembly410comprises a socket415which is supported on one of posts412by a socket support plate417. Socket415is configured to receive a handrail post419which in turn supports handrails442. Decking assembly420has one rim angle426atop one beam422, and has a kickplate444attached atop the beam422adjacent to handrails442. A cable separator429may also be provided within decking assembly420.

FIGS. 15 and 15Ashow a walkway system500which comprises a support assembly510configured to support one or more handrails542down a central portion thereof (two handrails are shown in the illustrated embodiment). Support assembly510comprises a pair of diagonal braces515and516arranged in an “X” configuration between posts512. Diagonal braces515and516support a handrail post519, the bottom end of which may be coupled therebetween. A pair of horizontal braces514extend between the tops of posts512on either side of handrail post519. Handrail post519supports handrails542, and also comprises one or more decking support flanges517for supporting decking members530. Decking members530in the region of handrail post are adapted to fit around handrail post519, for example, by providing a hole therethrough or by providing a pair of smaller sized decking members (not shown), each extending from handrail post519out to one of beams522.

FIGS. 16, 16A and 16Bshow a walkway system600which comprises a support assembly610configured for supporting decking assembly620from only a vertical wall. Support assembly610comprises a lower side wall anchor plate651and an upper side wall anchor plate652. Anchor plates651and652may be secured to the wall using suitable fastener (not shown) and corresponding backing plates653and654, respectively. An angled support655extends outwardly and upwardly from lower side wall anchor plate651.

An outer post656, which has one beam support plate613on the top thereof, extends upwardly from the outer end of angled support655. Outer post656may also comprise a socket support plate617for supporting a socket615and a handrail post619. An inner post657, which has the other beam support plate613on the top thereof, extends upwardly from an inner portion of angled support655. A first pair of angled braces658extend outwardly and downwardly from upper side wall anchor plate652and are coupled to either side of both inner and outer posts657and656. A second pair of angled braces659extend outwardly and downwardly from either side of inner post657to either side of outer post656.