SYSTEM FOR THE CONTINUOUS RELATIVE SELF-ALIGNMENT OF RAILS ON SLEEPERS

Abstract: System for the continuous reciprocal self-alignment of rails (12-112) on sleepers (11), which comprises pre-installed bolts (13) or like locking means in cooperation with a machine which lays, positions and secures the elements that clamp the rails, the rails (12-112) being reciprocally anchored and positioned and the sleepers (11) being then reciprocally positioned together with the rails (12-112).

Description: This invention concerns a system for the continuous relative self-alignment of rails on sleepers as employed to support and position the rails. In particular, the invention concerns rail-sleeper systems which provide for the positioning of alignment means between the upper surface of the sleeper and the foot of the rail. Sleepers to which rails are fitted for the passage of trains are known. Some types of sleepers comprise anchorage bolts positioned during the beginning of the phase of instalment of the rails. With such a type of sleeper it is necessary to be able to position the rails correctly in relation to each other and also to be able to position the sleepers and therefore the bolts in relation to the rails. Such a type of sleeper is laid on the railway roadbed, the bolts having been correctly positioned beforehand and therefore located on the two sides of each single rail. Thereafter each single rail is positioned freely between the bolts. It is therefore necessary to tackle the problem of positioning the bolts and therefore the sleepers correctly in relation to the rails and of positioning the rails themselves correctly in relation to each other. Moreover, continuous plates or continuous sleepers exist which extend lengthwise to the track without any substantial gap. In this case too the rails have to be positioned correctly in relation to each other and in relation to the continuous plates or sleepers. AU-B-548030 discloses a device suitable to position two rails in relation to an axis along the centre line between those rails by taking as reference points auxiliary stops which are also required to be relatively positioned. This system is not foolproof and does not ensure correct alignment and parallelism. The invention according to the present application overcomes the above problems. According to the invention both rails are clamped relatively with a fixture frame so as to form one single rigid whole. In the case of discontinuous sleepers having pre-set reference positions consisting of pre-positioned bolts or other analogous elements, alignment means position the sleeper in relation to the fixture frame. In the case of continuous sleepers the fixture frame is positioned in relation to reference positions on the continuous sleeper; these reference positions may be anchorage bolts or other means. According to the invention a feeler is provided which is solidly fixed to the fixture frame and cooperates with the bolts or with other reference elements suitable for the purpose. Where bolts are used as the reference elements, the bolts located on one side of the rail are so used. The feeler monitors the position of the bolts or other reference elements in relation to the rail and enables the required lateral, relative positioning of the sleeper and fixture frame and therefore of the sleeper and rails to be obtained. The invention is set forth and characterised in the main claim, while the dependent claims describe variants of the idea of the main embodiment. The attached figures, which are given as a non-restrictive example, show the following: Fig. 1 shows a possible installation of a rail on a sleeper; Fig. 2 shows the system for positioning the sleeper in relation to the fixture frame and the rails. In the example shown each rail 12 is positioned in an appropriate continuous seating 20 included lengthwise in a sleeper 11. The sleeper 11 as shown represents one single sleeper to be employed side by side with a plurality of other sleepers in supporting and positioning the rails 12. However, in a variant the sleeper 11 may also have the cross section of a continuous plate or sleeper platform that supports the rails 12. The sleeper 11 comprises in its continuous seating 20 bolts 13 already correctly positioned and fixed solidly to the sleeper by an anchorage 19. The bolts 13 may be replaced with equivalent fixture elements without departing thereby from the spirit of the invention. In the example shown, when the sleeper 11 has been properly located, a sole plate 18 is fitted and the rail 12 is then positioned. The rail 12 is correctly installed in relation to the other parallel rail 112. Thereafter an alignment element 16 is positioned on which a resilient pressure element 17 is installed; a washer 15 is then fitted and the assembly is then clamped by a nut 14. The problem to be overcome is the correct positioning of the sleeper 11 and therefore bolts 13 in relation to the two rails 12 and of the rails in relation to each other. According to the invention a fixture crossbar frame 21 is provided which can be positioned vertically by jacks 23; the whole assembly is supported on a frame of a machine that lays, positions and secures elements which clamp the rails; the machine is not shown as this is not necessary for the understanding of the invention. The crossbar frame 21 bears a second frame comprising positioner rods 27-29, which are pivoted on pivots 30 on the crossbar frame 21. The vertical or almost vertical rods 29 comprise at their ends guide and thrust rollers 26 suitable to cooperate with a lateral profile 23 of the sleeper 11. A jack 28 connectes the crossbar frame 21 to the substantially horizontal positioner rod 27 in a movable manner. Clamp assemblies 24 are correctly lodged and positioned in a stationary manner in relation to each other on the cross bar frame 21. These clamp assemblies 24 can be actuated by a jack 32 and comprise clamping grippers 31 which cooperate with the head of the rails 12. Positioner supports 33 may be provided if the clamping grippers 31 are able to oscillate. When the rails 12-112 have been engaged by the grippers 31 on the clamp assembly 24, they are properly positioned in relation to each other and also to the crossbar frame 21. The grippers 31 consist advantageously of rollers. The crossbar frame 21 includes a feeler assembly 25, which is solidly fixed to the crossbar frame and is suitable to feel the position of one or the other of the bolts 13 or other reference elements suitable for the purpose in attachments other than that shown. In the example shown the feeler assembly 25 serves to control the position of the bolt 13 located on the inner side of the rail 12. When the feeler assembly 25 comes into contact with the bolt 13 of the rail 12, it feels the position of the bolt and therefore the position of the rail 12 in relation to the bolt. The feeler assembly 25 can therefore check the relative positions of the bolts 13 and rails 12-112 and can therefore give the jack 28 the right command for the proper lateral positioning of the sleeper 11 in relation to the rails 12-112. The horizontal positioner rod 27 acts on one or the other of the lateral profiles 23 of the sleeper by means of the rollers 26 and constrains the sleeper to move sideways. The system therefore obtains the exact positioning of the rails 12-112 between the relative pairs of bolts 13. The relative positioning of the rails 12-112 and of the rails 12-112 and bolts 13 is secured by installation of the alignment element 16, pressure element 17 and washer 15, the whole assembly being clamped with the nut 14. The positioner rods 27-29 comprise various anchorages for adaptation to various widths of the sleeper 11 and also comprise various anchorages for the same purpose in relation to the crossbar frame 21. In a variant the sleeper 11 is continuous along the length of the rails 12-112 and comprises properly pre-positioned bolts 13 or equivalent elements. The crossbar frame 21 can oscillate sideways owing to the action of the rods 27-29 and rollers 26 cooperating with one or the other fixed point consisting of the lateral profile 23 of the continuous sleeper 11. In this manner the correct positioning of the crossbar frame 21 and therefore of the rails 12-112 solidly secured to the frame is obtained in relation to the continuous sleeper 11.

Claims: 1. System for the continuous relative positioning of rails with respect to sleepers with pre-installed bolts or locking means, in cooperation with a machine which lays, positions and secures the elements that clamp the rails, wherein the system comprises a cross bar frame (21) and is characterised in that the crossbar frame (21) bears a second frame comprising positioner rods (29) mounted on pivots (30) on the crossbar frame (21), said positioner rods having at their ends guide and thrust rollers (26) for cooperating with the ends of the sleepers, and clamping grippers (31) mounted on the crossbar frame, said clamping grippers being shaped to cooperate with the rails (12) to ensure correct spacing of the rails, and adjustment means (28) connecting the crossbar frame (21) to the second frame to pivot said positioner rods about said pivots (30) and cause movement of the sleeper relative to the rails laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rails. 2. System as claimed in claim 1, in which the rails (12-112) are relatively positioned and secured by clamp assemblies (24) solidly fixed to a crossbar fixture frame (21). 3. System as claimed in any claim hereinbefore, in which the crossbar frame (21) comprises a feeler (25) solidly fixed to the frame (21) to monitor the relative positioning of the rails (12-112) and sleepers (11). 4. System as claimed in any claim hereinbefore, in which the crossbar frame (21) can be moved and positioned sideways. 5. System as claimed in any claim hereinbefore, in which the clamp assembly (24) cooperates with positioner supports (33). 6. System as claimed in any claim hereinbefore, in which grippers (31) of the clamp assembly (24) are able to rotate with a substantially vertical axis.

Inventors: MANCINI, FLAVIO
Applicants: DANIELI & C. OFFICINE MECCANICHE S.P.A., ITI/CLM IMPIANTI TECNICI INDUSTRIALI SPA
Application year: 1988
Main classification: E01B29
IPC codes: E01B29