Track track link for support bracket of machine for laying or refurbishing railway line and hinge assembly of such link

Abstract

The invention relates to a chain link (10) for a track track (100) of a support bracket (1) of a machine for laying or renovating railway lines, comprising a single-piece metal part (11) defining two hinge axes (A1, A2) parallel to and spaced apart from each other, the single-piece metal part (11) having a single-piece metal part (11) located between the two hinge axes (A1, A2). A central portion (12) between the two hinge axes (A1, A2) and two opposite end portions (13, 14) on both sides of the central portion (12), each of the two end portions (13, 14) being associated with one of the two hinge axes (A1, A2) and each of the two end portions comprising a plurality of parallel fingers (15), the invention relates to a one-piece metal part (11) comprising a plurality of parallel fingers (12) spaced apart in pairs by a finger-free space (16) and through which holes (17) are aligned along associated articulation axes (A1, A2), the one-piece metal part (11) comprising a rolling surface (18) on one side of a geometric reference plane (P) comprising two articulation axes (A1, A2). And a surface (19) opposite the rolling surface (18) on the other side of the geometric reference plane (P), the opposite surface (19) being covered with a layer (20) of elastic material covering at least a portion of each finger (15) of the central portion (12) and of the two end portions (13, 14).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the technical field of machines for laying or renovating railway lines.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a crawler track link of a support bracket of a machine for laying or renovating railway lines, to an articulated assembly of at least two such links, a crawler track running mechanism of a support bracket of a machine for laying or renovating railway lines, comprising a crawler track consisting of such an articulated assembly, and a support bracket of a machine for laying or renovating railway lines equipped with at least one such crawler track running mechanism. Background Art

[0003] Builders or managers of rail transport networks often need to build new tracks or rebuild existing tracks, i.e. replace some of their components, such as the rails and the sleepers that support them, as well as fasteners and other accessories. This renewal need is largely due to wear and tear of the track, but it may also involve replacing older models with newer ones to achieve better performance. Such track laying or track renovation operations are carried out using trains that include a number of specialized machines to perform a variety of very specific operations.

[0004] During these operations, the train is often required to operate on a section of track without guide rails, especially directly on the sleepers.

[0005] Track solutions are available, with tracks configured to move along trackless sections during track laying or track renovation operations.

[0006] However, for reasons of cost and life expectancy, rail replacement is increasingly out of sync with sleeper replacement. Therefore, the problem of protecting the sleepers on which the tracks travel during these operations becomes increasingly important.

[0007] Solutions to this problem are known, such as that disclosed in document DE 202021001054, which proposes surrounding the track tread with a strip of protective rubber material. However, such mechanisms are complex, since they involve managing the separate movements of the track tread and of the rubber protective strip and, in fact, create multiple constraints during use that require periodic maintenance operations, for example to protect these elements from the external environment and avoid degradation of their operating performance. Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention aims to overcome all or some of the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular by proposing a solution that provides better protection of the sleepers, especially at their chamfers, during track laying or replacement operations, while improving the simplicity and reliability of the carriages in the train.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the invention, a crawler track link for a support bracket of a machine for laying or renovating railway lines is proposed, the crawler track link comprising a single-piece metal part defining two articulation axes parallel and spaced apart from each other, the single-piece metal part having a central portion located between the two articulation axes and two opposite end portions located on either side of the central portion, each end portion being associated with one of the two articulation axes and each end portion comprising a plurality of parallel fingers separated in pairs by finger-free spaces and through which holes are passed, the holes being aligned along the associated articulation axes, the single-piece metal part comprising a rolling surface located on one side of a geometric reference plane including the two articulation axes and a surface opposite to the rolling surface located on the other side of the geometric reference plane, the opposite surface being covered with a layer of elastic material covering at least a portion of each finger of the central portion and of the two end portions.

[0010] Thanks to this combination of characteristics, the link is protected on the side opposite to its rolling surface by a layer of elastic material, which enables it to withstand the forces by being in direct contact with the sleeper. Once assembled with a plurality of other similar links to form a crawler track, a plurality of layers of elastic material are obtained, positioned in a discontinuous manner, since these layers are specific to each link, but their overlap on the opposite surfaces of at least a portion of each finger of the two end portions makes it possible to ensure the support of the link of such a track on a portion of the track without a guide rail, during which a layer of elastic material is always present.

[0011] In one embodiment, the layer of elastic material completely covers the main part of the opposing surface defined by the two articulation axes and covers at least a part of the fingers of the two end portions beyond the main part. Such links assembled together to form a crawler track ensure the continuity of the elastic material by maximizing the contact surface.

[0012] In one embodiment, a major portion of the opposing surfaces is flat. This helps to optimize the contact surface.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the layer of elastic material has a thickness greater than or equal to 6 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 10 mm, and / or less than or equal to 15 mm, preferably less than or equal to 12 mm.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the end of each finger is rounded, the roundness of each finger preferably being defined by a rounded connecting face forming the junction between the face of the rolling surface and the face of the opposing surface.

[0015] In one embodiment, the layer of elastic material has curved portions, each curved portion covering a rounded portion of the end of each finger on the side opposite to the rolling surface.

[0016] In one embodiment, the layer of elastic material is continuous and preferably has a constant thickness.

[0017] In one embodiment, the elastic material constituting the layer comprises, preferably consists of, rubber.

[0018] In one embodiment, the layer of elastic material has a hardness greater than or equal to 92 Shore A and / or less than or equal to 97 Shore A. Such hardness provides improved resistance for use in the railway industry.

[0019] In one embodiment, the distance between the articulation axes of the end portions is greater than or equal to 45 mm and / or less than or equal to 55 mm. Due to this center distance, the size of the links is sufficiently reduced to improve the contact surface of the track being laid or renovated on the sleepers.

[0020] In one embodiment, at least some of the fingers on each of the two end portions have flat lateral guide sides which are perpendicular to the hinge axis and which define in pairs a finger-free space.

[0021] In one embodiment, the fingers of one of the two end portions are each positioned between two planes perpendicular to the hinge axis and define a finger-free space of the other of the two end portions.

[0022] In one embodiment, the rolling surface comprises two rolling tracks separated by a guide rib.

[0023] According to another aspect, the present invention relates to an articulated assembly having at least two links as described above, wherein it is noteworthy that the finger-shaped portions of the end portion of the first link of the two links are inserted into the finger-free space of the end portion of the second link of the two links so as to cross each other, and the articulated assembly further comprises a hinge pin which is inserted into the hole of each finger-shaped portion of the mutually crossing finger-shaped portions of the first link and the second link.

[0024] An example of an articulated assembly is a crawler track corresponding to a continuous chain of such links articulated in pairs.

[0025] In one embodiment, the links are identical.

[0026] In one embodiment, the elastic strips of the links overlap in pairs in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction of the frame.

[0027] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a crawler track travel mechanism for a support bracket of a machine for laying or renovating railway lines, the crawler track travel mechanism comprising a crawler track consisting of an articulated assembly of a plurality of links as described above, which are sequentially assembled in pairs, and the crawler track travel mechanism comprising a frame carrying crawler track guide wheels for rolling on rolling surfaces of the crawler track links.

[0028] In one embodiment, the center distance between two adjacent wheels is greater than or equal to 45 mm and / or less than or equal to 55 mm.

[0029] In one embodiment, the wheels have axes parallel to the articulation axes of the links, wherein the center distance of the wheels is strictly greater than the value of the center distance between the articulation axes of the links and strictly less than the value of twice the center distance between the articulation axes of the links.

[0030] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a support bracket of a machine for laying or renovating railway lines, notably comprising at least one crawler track running gear as described above, preferably at least two lateral running gears. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show:

[0032] Figure 1 : An isometric perspective view of a support bracket of a machine for laying or renovating railway lines according to one embodiment;

[0033] Figure 2 : Used for Figure 1 An isometric top view of a crawler track walking mechanism of a supporting bracket;

[0034] Figure 3 : Figure 2 A front view of a crawler track travel mechanism;

[0035] Figure 4 : Figure 2 An isometric bottom view of the crawler track travel mechanism;

[0036] Figure 5 : Figure 2 A view of a crawler track chain link of a crawler track walking mechanism;

[0037] Figure 6 : Figure 2 An isometric perspective view of a portion of a crawler track of a crawler track walking mechanism;

[0038] Figure 7 : Figure 6A bottom view of a crawler track;

[0039] Figure 8 : Figure 6 Front view of a caterpillar track.

[0040] For greater clarity, the same or similar elements are identified by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[0041] In the specification and claims, for purposes of clarity the terms longitudinal, transverse and vertical will be used with reference to the trihedron X, Y, Z indicated in the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 A view of a support carriage 1 of a machine for laying or renovating a railway line (not shown) according to one embodiment is shown. The support carriage 1 comprises two running gears 200 which are arranged laterally with respect to the support carriage 1 and are symmetrically parallel to each other with respect to a vertical plane parallel to the longitudinal direction X of the support carriage 1.

[0043] Each lateral walking mechanism 200 comprises a frame 210 carrying wheels 220 for guiding the crawler track 100 during its rotational movement around the guide wheels 220 .

[0044] The frames 210 of the two running gears 200 are connected together to form a main frame of the support bracket 1. This main frame and the frames 210 in each of the two running gears 200 have fastening interfaces for attachment, in particular a set of devices for connection to a machine for laying or renovating a railway line. For example, these fastening interfaces are configured to receive at least one deformable parallelogram and devices for controlling the parallelogram, for example comprising a set of cylinders, so as to enable the support bracket 1 to be moved at least along the vertical part. In this way, it is possible to raise the support bracket 1 to an elevated position relative to the rolling plane P0 and to lower the support bracket 1 to a position in which the rail 100 rests and rests on a rolling surface contained in the rolling plane P0.

[0045] Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 In more detail, Figure 1 The walking mechanism 200 is shown.

[0046] The track 100 is made up of a plurality of articulated assemblies 100' of links 10. In this way, each track 100 of the associated running gear 200 defines an endless chain or loop of links 10 articulated in pairs around guide wheels 220 situated on the same side of the support bracket 1, associated with one of the given lateral running gears 200, so as to be interposed between them and the rolling plane P0.

[0047] Each link 10 of the crawler track 100 comprises a one-piece metal component 11 defining two articulation axes A1, A2 parallel and spaced apart from each other. Each of the two articulation axes A1, A2 is parallel to the transverse direction Y of the associated frame 210. The metal component 11 is one-piece and has a central portion 12 located between the two articulation axes A1, A2 and two opposite end portions 13, 14 located on either side of the central portion 12. Each of the end portions 13, 14 is associated with one of the two articulation axes A1, A2.

[0048] Each of the end portions 13, 14 comprises a plurality of parallel fingers 15 separated in pairs by finger-free spaces 16 and through which holes 17 are passed, which holes 17 are aligned along the associated articulation axis A1, A2.

[0049] Figure 5 An example of a chain link 10 of this type is shown in more detail in FIG. Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 The articulated assembly 100 ′ of the links 10 forming the crawler track 100 in pairs is shown in more detail in FIG.

[0050] The articulated assembly 100' of the two links 10 of the crawler track 100 is achieved when the fingers 15 of the end portion of the first of the two links 10 of the assembled links are inserted into the fingerless spaces 16 of the end portion of the second of the two links 10 of the assembled links so as to cross each other. By crossing the fingers 15 of the two end portions 13, 14 of the two independent links 10, the holes of each associated mutually crossing finger 15 are aligned, thereby forming an aperture (here a through hole) defined by a series of holes 17 of each finger 15 in question, which is aligned along an axis parallel to the transverse direction Y of the associated frame 210. The hinge pin 117 inserted into this series of aligned holes 17 in each mutually crossing finger 15 of the end portions 13, 14 of the two independent links 10 ensures the connection between these links 10. It is noted that each finger 15 has a width along an axis parallel to the transverse direction Y, which width may be equal for the same end portion 13, 14 and preferably for the same link 10. However, the width of the finger 15 may also be variable, for example increasing in width in the transverse direction Y from the center to the side edge of the end portion 13, 14 of the associated link 10.

[0051] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in detail in the figure, with reference to two links 10, 10' assembled together, each link is provided with two hinge pins A1, A2 and A1', A2' respectively: the holes 17 in the separate end portions of two adjacent links 10, 10' enable the two hinge pins A2, A1' of the associated end portions to be shared so that they are coaxial in a crossed position to form an articulation between the two adjacent links 10, 10'.

[0052] In order to retain the hinge pin 117 in the articulated assembly 100' and in particular to prevent it from translating along the articulation geometric axes A1, A2, it is locked in two directions by translational locking means. These locking means may comprise, for example, a shoulder on one side of the joint against which the hinge pin 117 abuts and a welding point on the other side of the joint in order to weld it to the associated link 10.

[0053] For a given chain link 10, the one-piece metal component 11 comprises:

[0054] a rolling surface 18 situated on one side of a geometrical reference plane P comprising the two articulation axes A1, A2, the rolling surface 18 being situated on the inner side of the crawler track 100. The rolling surface 18 has two running rails 181 against which the wheels 220 of the guiding crawler track 100 roll, the running rails 181 being separated by guide ribs 180, making it possible to simply guide the chain link 10 and therefore the crawler track 100; and

[0055] A surface 19 , which is opposite to the rolling surface 18 on the other side of the geometrical reference plane P, is located on the outside of the track 100 .

[0056] According to the invention, the opposite surface 19 is covered by a layer of elastic material 20 covering at least a portion of each finger 15 of the central portion 12 and of the two end portions 13, 14. Since this layer of elastic material 20 is located on the side facing outwards of the rail 100, opposite the frame 210, it ensures a good grip of the bracket on the rolling surface, which is contained in the rolling plane P0. Moreover, this layer of elastic material 20 prevents damage to the material against which the supporting bracket 1 rests. In particular, when the supporting bracket 1 is placed on a portion of the railway line without guide rails, i.e. directly on a sleeper 2 of the railway line, the layer of elastic material 20 is inserted between the associated link 10 and the sleeper 2, thereby protecting the sleeper 2.

[0057] A number of processes can be used to manufacture the chain link 20 so that the elastic material layer 20 can be placed on the one-piece metal part 11. Possible processes include vulcanization of a vulcanizable elastic material. In this case, the vulcanization is performed using heat and pressure. The deformation of the vulcanization is cold bonding. Note that the elastic material layer 20 can be reinforced. For example, such a reinforcement can be a fabric. The fabric can advantageously be colored (e.g. red) to serve as an easily visible and detectable wear indicator of the elastic material layer 20 on each chain link 10.

[0058] In order to ensure continuous support of the support bracket 1 on the elastic material layer 20, the elastic material layers 20 of the links 10 partially overlap in pairs in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction of the frame 210, i.e. here in the longitudinal direction. This feature is achieved in particular by the fact that the opposite surfaces 19 of each link 10 are covered by an elastic material layer 20, which covers at least a portion of each finger 15 of the central portion 12 and the two end portions 13, 14 of each link 10 of the crawler track 100.

[0059] Specifically, in this embodiment, the layer of elastic material 20 of each link 10 completely covers a main portion 21 of the opposing surfaces 19 defined by the two articulation axes A1 , A2 and covers at least a portion of the fingers 15 of the two end portions 13 , 14 beyond the main portion 21 .

[0060] Specifically, as in Figure 7 It can be seen that in the assembled position of the links 10, the fingers 15 of one end portion of each link 10 of the crawler track 100 are inserted into the finger-free spaces 16 of one end portion of an adjacent link 10, the elastic material layers 20 extend beyond the main portion 21, and adjacent elastic material layers 20 are obtained to cross each other in pairs at one end portion 13, 14 of each link 10.

[0061] In order to ensure the necessary and sufficient strength of the elastic material layer 20, it is configured that the elastic material layer 20 has a thickness e greater than or equal to 6 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 10 mm, and / or less than or equal to 15 mm, preferably less than or equal to 12 mm. For the same strength reasons, the elastic material constituting the layer 20 is selected to have a hardness greater than or equal to 92 Shore A and / or less than or equal to 97 Shore A.

[0062] The elastic material used may be natural or synthetic. Rubber is an example of an elastic material that may be used in the present application.

[0063] The fingers 15 of the chain link 10 have rounded ends, the roundness of each of these fingers 15 being defined by a rounded connecting face 150 forming the junction between the face of the rolling surface 18 and the face of the opposite surface 19. The centre of curvature of the rounded connecting face 150 is preferably contained in a geometrical reference plane P containing the two articulation axes A1, A2. The connecting face 150 is rounded so as to be convex. In the region of the fingers 15, the rounded connecting face 150 longitudinally defines the associated chain link 10.

[0064] The layer of elastic material 20 has inclined portions, for example curved or chamfered portions 22 , each covering a rounded portion of the rounded end of each finger 15 on the side of the surface 19 opposite the walking surface 18 .

[0065] The fingers 15 of each of the two end portions 13 , 14 have flat transverse guide flanks 151 which are perpendicular to the articulation axes A1 , A2 and which delimit laterally in pairs the finger-free spaces 16 .

[0066] In the longitudinal direction, the finger-free space 16 of each of the two end portions 13, 14 has a face 160 forming the bottom of the space, which has a shape complementary to that of the finger 15 it accommodates. In particular, the bottom of the space 16 locally delimits the associated link 10 in the longitudinal direction and has a concave circular face, the curvature of which is equal to the curvature of the circular connection face 150 of the associated finger. In this way, the links 10 articulated in pairs are guided in rotation while protecting the connection from the external environment, such as dust or gravel.

[0067] A major portion 21 of the opposed surfaces 19 of each link 10 is flat in order to maximise the contact surface and distribution of forces when the link rests on a trackless section of railway line.

[0068] The layer of elastic material 20 is formed in one piece and is continuous, i.e. without discontinuities such as holes, so as to improve its grip on the one-piece metal part 11. The layer of elastic material 20 also has a constant thickness e, even when it covers at least a part of the fingers 15 of the two end portions 13, 14 of the main portion 21. This ensures uniform protection of the trackless section of the railway line with the associated crawler track 100, even in the articulation area, at the articulations between the links 10.

[0069] like Figure 8 As shown in detail in , each link is configured so that the center distance d measured between the articulation axes A1, A2 of the end portions 13, 14 is greater than or equal to 45 mm and / or preferably less than or equal to 55 mm. In this way, the contact surface is maximized and sufficient distribution of forces across the different links 10 is ensured.

[0070] The center distance D between two adjacent wheels 220 is greater than or equal to 45 mm and / or less than or equal to 55 mm, so as to maximize the number of load transfer points on each sleeper 2 .

[0071] Furthermore, the wheels 220 are rotatably mounted about an axis B parallel to the articulation axes A1, A2 of the links 10. The center distance D of the wheels is configured to a value strictly greater than the center distance d between the articulation axes A1, A2 of the links 10 and strictly less than twice the center distance d between the articulation axes A1, A2 of the links 10. It will be understood that all wheels have the same center distance D. Likewise, all links 10 are identical and have the same center distance d.

[0072] In order to further maximize the number of transfer points, each running gear 200 is configured so that the axes of rotation B of at least twenty of the coplanar wheels 220 of the wheels 220 are located in the same plane. In the embodiment shown here, the center distance D of the wheels 220 is configured so that at least three wheels always rest on the sleepers 2, and / or preferably, the length of the support bracket 1 is configured so that it always rests on at least three sleepers 2, preferably on four sleepers 2. For this purpose, the length of the subset of coplanar wheels 220 is preferably greater than or equal to 1800 mm, and even more preferably greater than or equal to 1950 mm.

[0073] In order to avoid premature wear of the chamfers on the sleepers 2, the frame 210 of each running gear 200 has at least one end portion carrying an end wheel 221 so that along this end portion, the links 10 extend along an inclined plane, i.e. their geometrical reference plane P is inclined relative to the running plane P0.

[0074] For ease of manufacture and to reduce unit costs, all the links 10 on the track 100 and on the support bracket 1 are identical. In order to allow the end portions 13, 14 of the links 10 to continuously cross each other in pairs, even if they are identical, the fingers 15 of one of the two end portions 13, 14 are each positioned between two planes P1, P2 perpendicular to the articulation axes A1, A2 and defining a space 16 free of the fingers of the other of the two end portions 13, 14.

[0075] Of course, the present invention has been described above by way of example. It should be appreciated that those skilled in the art can produce different variant embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0076] It should be emphasized that all features as taught by a person skilled in the art from the present disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims, even if they have been specifically described in relation to other determined features, individually and in any combination, may be combined with other features or groups of features disclosed herein, provided that this has not been explicitly excluded and there are no technical circumstances that make such a combination impossible or insignificant.

Claims

1. A crawler track (100) link (10) for a support carriage (1) of a machine for laying or renovating railway lines, comprising a single-piece metal component (11) defining two articulation axes (A1, A2) parallel to and spaced apart from each other, the single-piece metal component (11) having a central portion (12) located between the two articulation axes (A1, A2) and two opposite end portions (13, 14) located on either side of the central portion (12), each of the end portions (13, 14) being associated with one of the two articulation axes (A1, A2) and comprising a plurality of parallel fingers (15) The one-piece metal component (11) comprises a plurality of parallel fingers (15) separated in pairs by finger-free spaces (16), and holes (17) pass through the plurality of parallel fingers (15), the holes being aligned along associated articulation axes (A1, A2), the one-piece metal component (11) comprising a rolling surface (18) on one side of a geometric reference plane (P) and a surface (19) opposite to the rolling surface (18) on the other side of the geometric reference plane (P), the geometric reference plane (P) comprising the two articulation axes (A1, A2), the opposite surface (19) being covered with a layer of elastic material (20), the elastic material layer (20) covering at least a portion of each of the fingers (15) of the central portion (12) and the two end portions (13, 14).

2. The chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The layer (20) of elastic material completely covers a main portion (21) of the opposing surfaces (19) defined by the two articulation axes (A1, A2) and covers at least a portion of the fingers (15) of the two end portions (13, 14) beyond the main portion (21).

3. The chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that: The major portion (21) of the opposing surface (19) is flat.

4. A chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The elastic material layer (20) has a thickness (e) greater than or equal to 6 μm, preferably greater than or equal to 10 μm, and / or less than or equal to 15 μm, preferably less than or equal to 12 μm.

5. A chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The end of each finger (15) is rounded, and the roundness of each finger (15) is preferably defined by a rounded connecting surface (150) forming a junction between the surface of the walking surface (18) and the surface of the opposing surface (19).

6. The chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that: The layer of elastic material (20) has inclined, for example curved or chamfered, portions (22) each covering a rounded portion of the end of each finger (15) on the side of the surface (19) opposite to the walking surface (18).

7. A chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The layer of elastic material (20) is continuous and preferably has a constant thickness (e).

8. A chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The elastic material layer (20) has a hardness greater than or equal to 92 Shore A and / or less than or equal to 97 Shore A.

9. A chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The center distance (d) between the articulation axes (A1, A2) of the end portions (13, 14) is greater than or equal to 45 mm and / or less than or equal to 55 mm.

10. A chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that At least some of the fingers (15) on each of the two end portions (13, 14) have flat lateral guide sides (151) which are perpendicular to the hinge axes (A1, A2) and define the finger-free spaces (16) in pairs.

11. A chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The fingers (15) of one of the two end portions (13, 14) are each positioned between two planes (P1, P2) perpendicular to the hinge axes (A1, A2) and define the finger-free space (16) of the other of the two end portions (13, 14).

12. A chain link (10) for a crawler track (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The rolling surface (18) comprises two rolling tracks (181) separated by a guide rib (180).

13. An articulated assembly (100') of at least two links (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the finger-shaped portions (15) of the end portion of a first link of the two links (10) are inserted into the finger-free space (16) of the end portion of a second link of the two links (10) so as to cross each other, and the articulated assembly (100') further comprises a hinge pin (117) which is inserted into the hole (17) of each finger-shaped portion of the mutually crossing finger-shaped portions (15) of the first link and the second link.

14. The hinge assembly (100') according to claim 13, characterized in that: The chain links (10) are all identical.

15. A crawler track travel mechanism (200) for a support bracket of a machine for laying or renovating railway lines, comprising a crawler track (100), the crawler track (100) comprising an articulated assembly (100') of a plurality of links (10) according to claim 13 or 14, the plurality of links (10) being assembled in pairs in sequence, and the crawler travel mechanism comprising a frame (210), the frame (210) carrying wheels (220), the wheels (220) being used to guide the crawler track (100) to roll on the rolling surfaces (18) of the links (10) of the crawler track (100).

16. The crawler track travel mechanism (200) according to claim 15, characterized in that: The center distance (D) between two adjacent wheels (220) is greater than or equal to 45 mm and / or less than or equal to 55 mm.

17. The crawler track travel mechanism (200) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that: The wheel (220) has an axis (B) parallel to the articulation axis (A1, A2) of the link (10), and the center distance (D) of the wheel is strictly greater than the value of the center distance (e) between the articulation axes (A1, A2) of the link (10), and is strictly less than twice the value of the center distance (e) between the articulation axes (A1, A2) of the link (10).

18. A support bracket (1) for a machine for laying or renovating railway lines, characterized in that The support bracket comprises at least two crawler track running mechanisms (200) according to any one of claims 15 to 17.

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