Abstract:
An apparatus includes running surfaces made from metallic I-beams one of the flanges of which is adapted to support tires, whereas the web is adapted to receive flat strips which are substantially perpendicular to the web. At least one of the flanges is adapted to receive stiffening flat strips which are substantially parallel to the web. Troughs made from a metallic U-section channel are adapted to be fixed at least partly to one of the flat strips and flanges and open toward the flange adapted to support the tires. Such flanges, web, flat strips and channel are united to constitute a formwork into which is poured concrete whose level is flush with the level of the flanges.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to railroad transportation and more particularly that which employs vehicles on wheels equipped with pneumatic tires and provided with a median guide roller and which employs track apparatuses comprising, in addition to running surfaces for the circulation of the tired wheels, a central guide groove for a roller steering the vehicles when passing through a railroad switch. 
     It is known that track apparatuses of conventional type are industrial products essentially manufactured from rails and that the track is conventionally laid on ballast. The rails are therefore laid and fixed and mounted on ties, most often made from wood which determine the distance between the lines of rails and the desired inclination and which transmit to the ballast the loads supported by the rails. 
     Special track apparatuses for the circulation of vehicles mounted on tired wheels and equipped with a guide roller for ensuring the deviation of the vehicle when changing direction, for example of the type named LAV (Light Automatic Vehicles), have been designed for conventional mounting on wooden ties, with possible interposition of soleplates or plates, a roller guide groove or device and running surfaces which are most often made from I-section steel beams, whereas in practice the laying of the concerned specific track and the apparatuses associated therewith is in no way conventional. On the contrary, this equipment is laid on a concrete slab which is cast in track apparatuses around the ties which disappear approximately to the extent of about two thirds of their height. Accordingly, such arrangement imposes a modification in the reinforcements and the ironwork of the concrete of the slab in such region. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the invention is to provide a track apparatus for a railroad system employing vehicles on tired wheels and guided by a median roller, which is laid without ties so as to ensure a greater homogeneity of the reinforced concrete slab and which employs such slab for directly anchoring therein various sub-assemblies which make up the apparatus. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide such a track apparatus with running surfaces which optimise the use of mechanical industrial methods and public works methods while preserving separation between the superstructure of the apparatus and the slab so as to permit the dismantling of the superstructure and its possible replacement. 
     The invention provides a track apparatus for railroad installations employing vehicles on wheels equipped with pneumatic tires and provided with a median guide roller, such apparatus comprising running surfaces for the circulation of the tired wheels, a central guide groove for the roller for steering the vehicles when passing through a switch, and troughs closed at least locally by covers for ensuring the continuity of the running surfaces in the turning out or crossing regions of the running surfaces. This apparatus is characterized in that it comprises running surfaces made from metallic I-beams, one of the flanges of which is adapted to support the tires, whereas the web is adapted to receive flat strips substantially perpendicular to said web. At least one of the flanges is adapted to receive stiffening flat strips which are substantially parallel to the web. Troughs made, if need be, from a U-section metallic channel are adapted to be fixed at least partly to one of the flat strips and flanges, and open adjacent to the flange adapted to support the tires. The flanges, web, flat strips and trough are interconnected so as to form a formwork into which concrete is poured, the level of the poured concrete being flush with that of the flanges. 
     The track apparatus of the aforementioned type, may be constructed in particular in sub-assemblies, by the following steps: 
     constructing and shaping beams, flat strips and channels to be assembled, 
     welding the beams, flat strips and channels so as to constitute a formwork, 
     turning upside down the beams, flat strips and channels interconnected by welding, 
     laying the beams, flat strips and channels on a planar surface, 
     pouring concrete into the formwork up to the level of the flanges, 
     allowing the concrete to set, 
     turning over the composite iron-concrete apparatus thus obtained which is ready to be installed at a site of use. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further features of the invention will appear from the following description and claims and from the accompanying drawings which are given solely by way of example and in which: 
     FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are different views of a track apparatus of the switch or points type according to the prior art; 
     FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 are different views of an embodiment of a track apparatus according to the invention and, more particularly, of its &#34;switch point&#34; sub-assembly; 
     FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 are different views of the same embodiment and more particularly of its &#34;frog&#34; sub-assembly; 
     FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16 are different views of another embodiment of the track apparatus according to the invention and, more particularly, of its &#34;switch point&#34; sub-assembly; and 
     FIGS. 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 are different views of the second embodiment and, more particularly, of its &#34;frog&#34; sub-assembly. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Track apparatuses for railroad installations of the type which concerns the invention are well-known in the art. This is why there will only be described and illustrated that which directly or indirectly concerns the invention. For the rest, those skilled in the considered art will draw from available current conventional solutions for solving particular problems which may be encountered. 
     Hereinafter, the same reference numeral always identifies the same homologous element whatever the embodiment or alternative. 
     For convenience of description, each of the constituents of the invention will be described before explaining the method of manufacture. 
     An embodiment at present known in the art is shown in plan in FIG. 1 and in partial sectional views in FIGS. 2 and 3 taken on lines II--II and III--III respectively of FIG. 1. 
     Shown in FIG. 1 are wooden ties or sleepers T, a central guide device or groove G, running surfaces 1 and 3 on the left, and 2 and 4 on the right. The running surface 1, which is rectilinear in this particular instance, is constituted by an I-beam and has no discontinuity; it can be likened to a straight counter-point of a conventional switch of a conventional railroad track. The running surface 2, which is curved in this instance, is constituted also by an I-beam and has no discontinuity; it can be likened to a curved counter-point of a current switch. The running surfaces 3, on the left, and 4, on the right, can be likened to a curved and straight point respectively of a current switch, apart from guiding. The running surfaces 3 and 4 are discontinuous and comprise a plurality of elements, namely respective fixed elements 30 and 40 constituted by I-beams, and removable elements 70, such as covers of troughs 50. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a concrete slab D and the trough 50 which is fixed to the beam of the running surface 1. The design of such a trough meets two requirements, i.e. to act as a support for the covers 70 which locally prolong the running surfaces and to permit the passage of cables and other like electric conductors required for controlling or propelling the vehicles. The running surface-trough assembly is laid by means of a plate (P), for example, as illustrated. 
     In the conventional manner, &#34;switch&#34; designates a turnout or fork in a line of rails or running surfaces of the same hand and &#34;frog&#34; an intersection of two lines of rails or running surfaces of opposite hands. The words &#34;point&#34;, &#34;heel&#34;, and &#34;heart&#34; have their special meanings in the railroad art, in the same way as the word &#34;hand&#34;. 
     It is known that concrete running surface structures also exist for track apparatuses intended for the circulation of guided vehicles of this type, which have the drawback that an apparatus cannot be replaced without destruction of the apparatus itself. 
     Reference will be made to FIG. 4 which shows in plan a switch or points of a track apparatus according to the invention, and to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 which are sectional views taken on lines V--V, VI--VI, and VII--VII, respectively, of FIG. 4. 
     There is shown for example in FIG. 4, in the left sub-assembly relative to the point of the apparatus, a metallic continuous running surface 1a, rectilinear in this instance, constituted by a metallic I-beam whose web is employed as the vertical outer upright of a metallic formwork for receiving concrete. An inner vertical upright of this formwork is constituted by a vertical flat strip 11a which is connected to a metallic running surface element such as a plate 10a; the ends adjacent to the &#34;point&#34; and adjacent to the &#34;heel&#34; of the formwork are constituted by vertical flat strips 111a and 115a respectively. Within this formwork, a U-section channel 51a for being embedding in the concrete will receive covers constituting a part of the running surface; the other part of the running surface is composed of steel or concrete. The assembly is placed on plates 10a which permit the mounting of the running surface frames of the sub-assembly thus formed on the slab. 
     The plates 10a are preferably composed of weldable steel and are provided with apertures 101a for fixing them to the slab by means of anchoring bolts (not shown in the drawing). The spacing between the apertures corresponds to the length of the covers. 
     The running surface 1a is continuous and formed by one of the flanges of the I-beam. A part 30a of the running surface 3a is discontinuous and also formed by an I-beam which is stiffened by vertical flat strips 112a, 113a and 114a; a gap 60a allows access to the anchoring bolts. 
     A part 31a of the running surface 3a is composite. It comprises regions of concrete and regions formed by covers (not shown in the drawing) resting on the troughs 50a delimited by the channels 51a. To manufacture this composite part, a metallic formwork is constructed whose side is the web of the I-beam 1a. The opposite side of this formwork is formed by a vertical flat strip 11a whose height is equal to the height of the I-beams of the running surfaces. This flat strip 11a is assembled, preferably by welding, with a vertical flat strip 111a adapted to close this formwork adjacent to the &#34;point&#34;, and with a vertical flat strip 117a which permits closing this formwork onto the web of the part 30a. A vertical flat strip 118a connects the web of the part 30a to the stiffening flat strip 114a which laterally closes this formwork adjacent to the &#34;heel&#34;. A flat strip 115a which connects the web of the running surface 1a  to the stiffening flat strip 114a closes this formwork at the end. Disposed inside this formwork is a trough 50a constituted by a channel 51a for example made from a flat strip bent into a U-shape. This trough is assembled preferably by welding at the point to the vertical flat strip 111a and at the heel to the vertical flat strip 115a. Vertical stiffeners 116a connect the trough to the vertical flat strip 11a. 
     This trough further comprises cavities 52a for fixing the covers constituting the running surface; these cavities moreover act as supports for the troughs 50a in the region of the plates to which they are welded. These troughs further comprise preferably water discharging openings (not shown in the drawing). 
     The right sub-assembly comprises the continuous running surface 2a, and the discontinuous running surface which comprises the parts 40a and 41a. The method for constructing the right sub-assembly is identical to that for the left sub-assembly. Vertical flat strips 1111a, 1114a, 1115a, 1117a, 1118a which delimit a formwork perform the same function as the vertical flat strips 111a, 114a, 115a, 117a, 118a. The various elements making up this semi-switch are fixed to the plates 10a preferably by welding but may also be fixed thereto by any other suitable method. 
     The procedure for constructing a frog sub-assembly will be understood by referring to FIG. 8 which is a plan view of this frog or crossing, and to FIGS. 9, 10, 11 and 12 which are sectional views taken on lines IX--IX, X--X, XI--XI and XII--XII of FIG. 8. 
     In FIG. 8 there is shown on the left outer side of the sub-assembly the running surface 101a which extends the running surface 1a. This running surface is constituted by a metallic I-beam and rests on soleplates 2001a. In this case, this element is rectilinear. On the right outer side of the sub-assembly, there is shown the running surface 200a which extends the running surface 2a. It is constituted by a metallic I-beam and rests on the soleplates 2001a; in this case, this running surface is curvilinear. The running surfaces 100a and 200a perform the function of the outer rails of a conventional frog. 
     The heart of the frog proper is seen in the middle. The continuous metallic running surface 300a, which is in this case curvilinear, follows on the running surface 3a. It is constituted by an I-beam whose web acts as an outer vertical upright of a formwork for receiving concrete. The inner vertical upright of this formwork is formed by a vertical flat strip which is connected to the web of a metallic running surface element 401a; the ends of this formwork adjacent to the point and to the heel are formed by vertical flat strips. Inside this formwork, a trough 500a delimited by a channel 501a which is adapted to be embedded in the concrete, will receive the covers constituting the running surface in its part 402a; the elements 401a and 403a of the running surface 400a are of metal; the assembly is placed on plates 1001a. 
     The plates 1001a are preferably composed of weldable steel and provided with apertures 1011a for fixing them to the slab by means of anchoring bolts (not shown in the drawing). The running surface 300a, which is continuous, is composed of an I-beam. It is stiffened adjacent to the point by a vertical flat strip 310a (FIGS. 8 and 9). The part 403a of the running surface 400a is composed of an I-beam and is stiffened at its end adjacent to the point by a vertical flat strip 410a (FIGS. 8 and 12). The element 401a and part 402a form the composite running surface 400a. A metallic running surface 401a is constituted by the I-beam stiffened by a vertical flat strip 422a and regions of concrete and regions made up of covers (not shown in the drawing) resting on the trough 500a. 
     To manufacture this composite sub-assembly, a metallic formwork is constructed. 
     The inner edge of the formwork is constituted by a vertical flat strip 502a extended in turn by a vertical flat strip 503a which closes the formwork onto the web of the I-beam 401a, adjacent to the point, and onto the vertical flat strip 424a, adjacent to the heel, the welding of which to the web of the beam 300a terminates the formwork adjacent to the heel. Adjacent to the point, a vertical flat plate 423a closes the formwork by connecting the web of the beam 401a to the web of the beam 300a. Disposed inside this formwork is the trough 500a constituted by a sheet 501a folded into a U-shape. This channel is preferably assembled by welding to the vertical flat strips 423a and 424a. The trough 500a has orifices 522a providing access to the anchoring bolts. Tubes defining these orifices moreover constitute, if need be, supports for the trough. Covers (not shown in the drawing) close the trough 500a so as to constitute the running surface. 
     The mechanical sub-assemblies for manufacturing the right half-switch, the left half-switch and the crossing proper having been constructed in this way, the second prefabricating stage consists in completing the composite sub-assemblies by pouring concrete of suitable quality into the formworks. 
     To carry out this stage, the formwork thus constructed is turned upside down and the running surface of the sub-assemblies, defined by the flanges of the beams, is placed on a planar surface (of wood, sheet metal or any other suitable material) which is used as a formwork bottom, and then concrete is poured into the volumes V defined by the formwork and levelled off at the lower level of the surface of the other flanges of the I-beams (FIGS. 5 and 10 for example), which becomes the upper side after having turned over the formwork. 
     The assembly which constitutes the track apparatus made from right and left running surfaces, semi-switches, the crossing and the guiding device or groove, is positioned on the site in height, plan and spacing in its final position before pouring the slab proper. The slab is poured up to the lower level of the plates. 
     Reference will now be made to FIG. 13 which is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention. There is for example seen in the left sub-assembly with respect to the point of the track apparatus, a metallic continuous running surface 1b which is rectilinear in the case of this Figure and constituted by an I-beam whose web acts as an outer vertical upright of a formwork for receiving concrete for constituting a running surface 3b. The formwork of the running surface is defined on the inner side and at the ends by vertical flat strips, and troughs required for the passage of electric cables are formed when pouring the concrete of the running surface. The assembly is placed on plates. 
     This embodiment is described more precisely with reference to FIG. 13 and to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 which are sectional views taken on lines XIV--XIV, XV--XV and XVI--XVI of FIG. 13. The plates 10b are preferably composed of weldable steel and provided with orifices 101b for fixing them to the concrete slab by means of anchoring bolts (not shown in the drawing). The running surface 1b is continuous and is part of an I-beam which is fixed to the plates 10b preferably by welding but may also be fixed by bolts or rivets. 
     The concrete running surface 3b is contained in a formwork constituted on one side by the web of the beam 1band on the other side by a vertical, flat strip 11b extended by flat strips 12b and 13b. The two ends of this formwork are formed by vertical flat strips, namely strip 111b adjacent to the point and strip 115b adjacent to the heel. The flat strip 111b is preferably welded to the web of the beam 1b, to the plate 10b and to the flat strip 11b. The flat strip 115b is preferably welded to the web of the beam 1b, to the plate 10b and to the flat strip 13b which is welded to the flat strip 12b, itself welded to the flat strip 11b. The flat strip 11b is welded to the plates 10b. Stiffeners 117 welded to the web of the beam 1b and to bracket plates 116b which are welded to the vertical flat strip 11b provide in the region of the plates 10b a connection between the vertical flat strip 11b and the beam 1b. A gap 60b, defined by a U-section screen 121b, provides access to the anchoring bolts. 
     The right sub-assembly is composed of a metallic running surface 2b. The running surface 4b is composed of concrete poured into a formwork constituted by vertical flat strips 211b, 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b, 25b, 215b. The cable troughs 50bare formed when pouring the concrete. 
     The procedure for constructing this alternative embodiment of the crossing or frog sub-assembly will be explained with reference to FIG. 17 which is a plan view of this crossing, and to FIGS. 18, 19, 20 and 21 which are sectional views taken on lines XVIII--XVIII, XIX--XIX, XX--XX, and XXI--XXI of the FIG. 17. 
     Shown in FIG. 17, on the left outer side of the sub-assembly, is a running surface 100b which extends the running surface 1b, is constituted by a steel I-beam and rests on soleplates 2001b. In the case of FIG. 17, the running surface 100b is rectilinear. On the right outer side of the sub-assembly, there is shown a running surface 200b which extends the running surface 2b and is constituted by a steel I-beam and rests on soleplates 2001b. In the case illustrated, the running surface 200b is curvilinear. The beams of the running surfaces 100b and 200b perform the function of outer rails of a conventional frog or crossing. 
     The frog point proper is seen in the middle. A continuous running surface 300b, curvilinear in the case of this arrangement, follows the running surface 3a. It is constituted by an I-beam whose web acts as an upright of a formwork for receiving concrete which will constitute the central part 402b of a running surface 400b which follows the running surface 4b. It further comprises elements 401b and 402b. The formwork of the central part 402b is constituted on both sides by vertical flat strips 423b, 424b perpendicular to the web of the beam 300b and an assembly of strips interconnecting the flat strips in question. The assembly is placed on plates. 
     The plates 101b are of weldable steel and provided with orifices 1011b which enable them to be fixed to the slab by means of anchoring bolts (not shown in the drawing). The running surface 300b, which is continuous and composed of an I-beam, is stiffened at its end adjacent to the point by a vertical flat strip 310b. The running surface 300b is fixed to the plates 1001b preferably by welding but may also be fixed by bolts or rivets. The part 403b of the running surface 400b is composed of an I-beam and is stiffened at its end adjacent to the point. It is fixed to the plates 1001b in the same way as the running surface 300b. The part 401b of the running surface 400 is composed of an I-beam stiffened at its end adjacent to the point by a vertical flat strip 422b. It is fixed to the plates, as are the running surface and the parts 300b and 403b. The formwork for constructing the part 402b of the running surface 400b is formed by a vertical flat strip 424b having the same height as the I-beam of the running surface, and is welded to the web of the beam of the running surface 300b and to the plate 1001b on which it bears. This strip constitutes one end of the formwork. The other end of the formwork is constituted by a vertical flat strip 423b having the same height as the I-beam of the running surface 300b. This flat strip is welded to the web of the beam of the running surface 300b and to the plate 1001b on which it bears. It is moreover welded to the web and to the flanges of the I-beam constituting the running surface 401b. The last side of the formwork is constituted by vertical flat strips 502b, 503b which are welded to the flat strips 423b and 424b. A stiffening flat strip 417b moreover joins the web of the beam of the running surface 300b to a bracket plate 416b welded to the flat strip 502b. 
     Troughs 50b are produced when pouring the concrete of the part 402b of the running surface 400 in its formwork. 
     The mechanical sub-assemblies permitting the fabrication of the right semi-switch, the left semi-switch and the crossing proper being constructed in this way, the second pre-fabrication stage consists in finishing the composite sub-assemblies by pouring into the formworks thus constructed a concrete of suitable quality and in reserving the place for the troughs 50b. To carry out this stage, the part of the track apparatus acting as a formwork is turned upside down and the running surface side of the sub-assemblies defined by one of the flanges of the beams is placed on a planar surface (of wood, sheet metal or any other suitable material) which is used as a formwork bottom. Then the concrete is poured into the volumes V defined by the formworks and levelled off at the lower level of the I-beams (FIGS. 14 and 18 for example), which becomes the upper side after turning over. 
     The assembly constituting the right and left running surfaces, the semi-switch, the crossing and the guiding device or groove, is positioned on the site in height, plan and spacing in its final position. The slab is poured up to the lower level of the plates. 
     The entire practical interest of the invention will be understood, since it permits fabricating composite iron-concrete track apparatuses by pre-fabrication of sub-assemblies from metallic components which are, after having been constructed and shaped, interconnected preferably by welding so as to serve at least locally as a formwork for pouring concrete. Such track apparatuses may be brought to the site of use, partly or completely assembled, for direct installation, for example on a concrete slab without however preventing their replacement.