Railway switch operation safety wedge

Abstract

The utility model discloses a railway turnout operation safety wedge, including from top to bottom transverse handle, vertical rod and wedge body main part, wherein, transverse handle, it is located the top of safety wedge, and it is connected wedge body main part through vertical rod, wedge body main part, it is located the bottom of safety wedge, and it is the hollow structure of upward open mouth, wherein, the bottom of hollow structure has the bottom plate of closing wedge body main part, a plurality of parallel longitudinal partitions are arranged to the hollow structure and are separated into at least one first receiving groove with first cross -section area and at least one second receiving groove with second cross -section area and at least one third receiving groove with third cross -section area through a plurality of longitudinal partitions, wherein, first cross -section area is greater than second cross -section area, and second cross -section area is greater than third cross -section area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of railway equipment maintenance technology, and in particular to a safety wooden wedge for railway turnout operations. Background Technology

[0002] In routine railway maintenance, daily cleaning and lubrication of turnouts, as well as snow removal and de-icing in winter, are crucial for ensuring the normal switching function of turnouts. Each turnout has a slide plate, which directly supports the switch rail and stock rail. The smooth surface of the slide plate allows for low-resistance sliding of the switch rail during switching, ensuring the switch machine accurately moves the switch rail to its correct or reverse position. The main functions of the slide plate are: 1) to transmit the vertical pressure generated by passing trains to the sleepers and ballast, maintaining the stability of the turnout structure; 2) to lock the stock rail position; and 3) to ensure smooth sliding of the switch rail on the slide plate.

[0003] Cleaning and lubrication are performed regularly on critical parts of railway turnouts, such as the contact surfaces between the switch rail and the stock rail, the transmission components of the switch machine, various pins, and slide plates. Cleaning effectively removes dust, oil, and debris, preventing them from affecting the normal switching of the turnout and extending the service life of components. Lubrication reduces friction between components, making turnout switching more flexible and reducing the probability of mechanical jamming and equipment failure. Similarly, snow removal and de-icing in winter involves promptly clearing snow and ice from critical parts of the turnout, such as the area between the switch rail and the stock rail. Snow and ice can freeze turnout components, affecting the tight contact between the switch rail and the stock rail, the normal operation of the switch machine, and the overall performance of the turnout, threatening traffic safety. Therefore, it is necessary to quickly remove snow and ice manually or mechanically to ensure the normal operation of the turnout.

[0004] During cleaning, oiling, snow removal, and de-icing operations, safety wedges are placed at specific locations on the turnout to prevent accidental turnout switching that could injure workers or disrupt operations, providing a safe and stable working environment. The primary function of the safety wedge is to physically prevent the switch rail from locking to the stock rail. During routine maintenance or troubleshooting, the safety wedge is placed between the switch rail and the stock rail, forming a rigid barrier. If the turnout unexpectedly switches due to signal malfunction or equipment failure, the safety wedge prevents the switch rail from moving towards the stock rail, preventing workers' hands, feet, or tools from being trapped in the rail gap and preventing crushing or shearing accidents.

[0005] Safety wedges are called "wooden wedges" because when they were first developed, their bases were made of solid wood, forming a solid wooden block. This solid wooden block prevented accidental switch changes from injuring workers or disrupting normal operations. A pole was attached to the top of the solid wooden block, with a handle at the top. By placing the solid wooden block of the safety wedge between the switch's point rail and stock rail, a safe and stable working environment was provided for the workers.

[0006] Later, with the development of electrified railways, to ensure insulation performance and to prevent the safety wedge's base from damaging the increasingly precise tracks, the base of the safety wedge was replaced with an insulating material, such as rubber, which has a certain degree of flexibility. However, because solid rubber bases are too heavy and inconvenient to carry at the turnout site, existing safety wedges use a completely hollow, inverted cubic structure for the rubber base to reduce weight. When using existing safety wedges, the rubber base is placed between the switch point rail and the stock rail, providing a safe and stable working environment for operators.

[0007] See Figure 1-1 , Figure 1-2 As shown, this diagram illustrates in 3D a safety wedge for a rubber block with a completely hollow, inverted cubic structure, as described in the prior art. See further details. Figures 2-1 to 2-6 They are respectively Figure 1-1 , Figure 1-2 The safety wedge is shown in the front view, rear view, left view, right view, top view, and bottom view. Figure 3 This illustrates an exemplary placement of safety wedges during turnout operations. An arrow points to the safety wedge placement position indicated by the rectangular box, which means that the safety wedge is placed vertically at that location, typically between the point rail and the main rail repulsion position after the first traction point, and this position is located on the slide plate.

[0008] However, existing safety wedges have a completely hollow, inverted cubic rubber block structure, which makes their center of gravity higher than that of the original solid wooden blocks. When existing safety wedges are placed vertically at the working position of the turnout, such as between the switch rail and the stock rail, they are prone to tipping over, thus affecting the safety of turnout operation. In windy weather, these safety wedges are even more likely to tip over.

[0009] Therefore, in order to improve the safety of railway turnout operations, it is urgent to improve the current safety wooden wedges.

[0010] The information disclosed in the background section is only intended to enhance the understanding of the background of this utility model, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0011] To address the shortcomings or defects of the existing technology, this utility model discloses a safety wooden wedge for railway turnout operations, comprising:

[0012] From top to bottom: horizontal grip, vertical bar, and wedge body.

[0013] A horizontal grip, located above the safety wedge, is connected to the wedge body via a vertical rod.

[0014] The main body of the wedge, located at the bottom of the safety wedge, is a hollow structure with an upward opening.

[0015] The bottom of the hollow structure has a base plate that closes the main body of the wedge.

[0016] The hollow structure is provided with multiple parallel longitudinal partitions and is divided into at least one first storage slot with a first cross-sectional area, at least one second storage slot with a second cross-sectional area, and at least one third storage slot with a third cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross-sectional area, and the second cross-sectional area is larger than the third cross-sectional area.

[0017] Preferred,

[0018] The main body of the wedge is rectangular.

[0019] Preferably, the safety wedge further includes:

[0020] Multiple overflow outlets are located on the bottom plate of at least multiple storage slots.

[0021] A directional marking strip, which is attached to the lateral grip or wedge body and extends laterally.

[0022] Reflective strips are attached to the outside of the lateral grip or the outside of the wedge body.

[0023] Preferably, the lateral grip includes a horizontal segment and a first inclined segment and a second inclined segment connected at an angle from the horizontal segment, the first inclined segment, the second inclined segment and the horizontal segment forming a triangular structure.

[0024] Preferably, the overflow port is located on the bottom plate of the storage tank at a corner near the wedge body.

[0025] Preferably, the overflow port is O-shaped, U-shaped, or V-shaped.

[0026] Preferably, the reflective strip is a fluorescent reflective sticker affixed to the front and rear sides of the wedge body.

[0027] Preferably, the lateral grip has a non-slip wavy texture.

[0028] Preferably, for the cuboid-shaped wedge body, the length of its cross-section is 140mm and the width is 90mm.

[0029] Preferably, the multiple first storage slots and multiple second storage slots are arranged along the longitudinal direction.

[0030] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: this utility model can ensure that the center of gravity of the safety wedge is located in a lower position as much as possible to enhance the stability of the safety wedge when placed longitudinally, and can effectively improve safety.

[0031] The description is merely an overview of the technical solution of this utility model. In order to make the technical means of this utility model clearer and more understandable, so that those skilled in the art can implement it according to the contents of the specification, and in order to make the described and other objects, features and advantages of this utility model more obvious and easy to understand, specific embodiments of this utility model are illustrated below. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Various other advantages and benefits of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this invention, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings.

[0033] In the attached diagram:

[0034] Figure 1-1 , Figure 1-2 This is a 3D diagram of the safety wedge of a rubber block with a completely hollow bottom and an inverted cubic structure, in the prior art, showing its upright position and its inverted 3D position.

[0035] Figures 2-1 to 2-6 They are respectively Figure 1-1 , Figure 1-2 The front view, rear view, left view, right view, top view, and bottom view of the safety wedge are shown.

[0036] Figure 3 This is an exemplary placement position for safety wooden wedges during turnout operations;

[0037] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a safety wooden wedge according to one embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in the storage state according to an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of a safety wooden wedge according to one embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the tilt angle of a safety wooden wedge according to one embodiment of this application.

[0041] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The following will refer to the appendix. Figures 1-1 to 7 Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below. While specific embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of the present invention and to fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art.

[0043] It should be noted that certain terms are used in the specification and claims to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art will understand that different terms may be used to refer to the same component. This specification and claims do not distinguish components based on differences in terminology, but rather on differences in function. The terms "comprising" or "including" used throughout the specification and claims are open-ended and should be interpreted as "comprising but not limited to." The following descriptions of the preferred embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of implementing the general principles of the specification and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of this invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0044] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this utility model, the following will provide further explanation and description with reference to the accompanying drawings and several specific embodiments. The accompanying drawings do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this utility model.

[0045] To better understand this utility model, such as Figures 4 to 7 As shown, in one embodiment, the present invention discloses a safety wooden wedge for railway turnout operations, comprising:

[0046] From top to bottom: horizontal handle 5, vertical bar, and wedge body 1.

[0047] The horizontal grip 5, located above the safety wedge, is connected to the wedge body via a vertical rod.

[0048] The main body 1 of the wedge, located at the bottom of the safety wedge, is a hollow structure with an upward opening.

[0049] The bottom of the hollow structure has a base plate that closes the main body of the wedge.

[0050] The hollow structure is provided with multiple parallel longitudinal partitions and is divided into at least one first storage groove 2 with a first cross-sectional area, at least one second storage groove 3 with a second cross-sectional area, and at least one third storage groove 4 with a third cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross-sectional area, and the second cross-sectional area is larger than the third cross-sectional area.

[0051] It is understandable that the first storage slot, the second storage slot, and the third storage slot are actually three different types of storage slots.

[0052] For this embodiment, compared to Figure 1-1 , Figure 1-2 , Figures 2-1 to 2-6 The safety wedge of the prior art, which is a completely hollow, inverted cubic structure rubber block, has the following two important and obvious differences:

[0053] Firstly, since the hollow structure of this embodiment is an upward-opening hollow structure, rather than the completely hollow inverted cubic structure rubber block safety wedge of the prior art, if the two are implemented as two specific safety wedges with the same size and material, then the center of gravity of the safety wedge of this embodiment will be lower than that of the safety wedge in the prior art. This means that this embodiment helps to improve the stability of the safety wedge when placed longitudinally at the turnout operation point.

[0054] Secondly, because the hollow structure of this embodiment is an upward-opening hollow structure, and the hollow structure is equipped with multiple parallel longitudinal partitions, while the existing technology uses a completely hollow, inverted cubic structure rubber block safety wedge that cannot have multiple downward longitudinal partitions, if both are implemented as two specific safety wedges with the same size and material, then this embodiment will increase the proportion of the weight of the wedge body below the safety wedge to the total weight of the safety wedge due to the multiple longitudinal partitions. This also makes the center of gravity of the safety wedge in this embodiment lower than that of the safety wedge in the existing technology. This means that this embodiment helps to improve the stability of the safety wedge when placed longitudinally at the turnout operation point. The lateral handle design effectively prevents slippage compared to... Figures 1-1 to 2-6The existing vertical handle design also improves stability during use. Furthermore, the built-in storage slots of different sizes allow for centralized storage of various tools, facilitating carrying and inventory, and the modular storage structure also enhances work efficiency.

[0055] In another embodiment,

[0056] The main body of the wedge is rectangular.

[0057] In another embodiment, the safety wedge further includes:

[0058] Multiple overflow outlets are located on the bottom plate of at least multiple storage slots.

[0059] A directional marking strip 6 is attached to the lateral grip 5 or the wedge body 1 and extends laterally.

[0060] Reflective strips are attached to the outside of the lateral grip 5 or the outside of the wedge body 1.

[0061] The overflow outlet design prevents oil buildup and keeps the working environment clean. Directional markings guide operations towards proper placement, preventing improper use of safety wedges. For example, it ensures the safety wedge is placed between the switch rail and the main rail in the indicated direction, with the lateral handle parallel or perpendicular to the designated rail, or with one side of the cuboid wedge body parallel or perpendicular to the designated rail. Reflective strips significantly improve nighttime visibility, helping to ensure worker safety. If the lateral handle or grip is made of fluorescent rubber, combined with the reflective strips, it can maximize the search for safety wedges and prevent them from being missed on the line. It should be noted that fluorescent rubber, also known as fluorescent rubber, is a known material and existing technology. The base plate of the storage slot is part of the base plate of the wedge body.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment of the railway turnout safety wooden wedge, the lateral handle 5 is a non-removable structure.

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of the railway turnout safety wooden wedge, the lateral handle 5 includes a horizontal section and a first inclined section and a second inclined section connected to the horizontal section at an inclination. The first inclined section, the second inclined section and the horizontal section form a triangular structure.

[0064] See Figure 6 and Figure 7 In a preferred embodiment of the railway turnout safety wooden wedge, the overflow port is located at the bottom edge of the wedge body 1. For example, the overflow port is located on the bottom plate of the receiving groove near a corner of the wedge body. Figure 6 In the middle, the round holes located at the four corners of the base plate indicate the four overflow holes.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment of the railway turnout safety wooden wedge, the overflow port is O-shaped, U-shaped, or V-shaped.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment of the railway turnout operation safety wooden wedge, the reflective strip is a fluorescent reflective sticker pasted on the front and rear sides of the wedge body 1.

[0067] See Figure 7 In a preferred embodiment of the railway turnout safety wedge, the lateral handle 5 is provided with a non-slip wavy texture. For example, the non-slip wavy texture is recessed inwards at the bottom of the lateral handle, which also provides better ergonomic grip.

[0068] In a preferred embodiment of the railway turnout safety wooden wedge, the wedge body, which is rectangular in shape, has a cross-sectional length of 140mm and a width of 90mm.

[0069] Existing wooden wedges come in various widths and sizes. Furthermore, due to the large number of turnout models, some wedges with smaller longitudinal dimensions exist on-site. During cleaning and lubrication of large-aperture turnouts, this can lead to locking of the rear of the switch rail when the turnout is at a large opening, posing a safety hazard. Therefore, the wedge dimensions have been optimized. As mentioned earlier, the cross-sectional length of the cuboid wedge body is 140mm. This is because, according to Chinese railway standards, the first traction point opening distance for large-aperture turnouts is 160±5mm. Therefore, the 140mm cross-sectional length of the cuboid wedge body ensures compatibility with various turnout opening distances. Even with a first traction point opening distance of 160±5mm, placing the 140mm side laterally between the switch rail and the stock rail effectively positions the wedge body within the 160±5mm opening gap, preventing locking after misoperation of the turnout. For other cases where the opening distance is significantly smaller than 160±5mm but greater than 90mm, the 90mm wide side can be placed laterally between the switch rail and the base rail. In other words, the length and width dimensions of this embodiment improve the adaptability of the safety wedge. Furthermore, the 90mm width of the cuboid wedge body has other benefits: the 90mm width ensures sufficient space for the various storage slots, and combined with the upward-opening hollow structure and multiple longitudinal partitions, effectively lowers the center of gravity of the safety wedge, synergistically ensuring the stability of longitudinal placement during use. In other words, the 90mm width also helps to ensure that the center of gravity of the safety wedge is located lower, enhancing its stability when placed longitudinally.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment of the railway turnout safety wedge, the thickness of each face of the cuboid-shaped wedge body is 7.5 mm. More preferably, the wedge body is a one-piece cast structure. For example, the wedge body is made of an insulating material with a certain degree of flexibility, such as rubber. Thus, by using rubber material for the main structure and ensuring a thickness of 7.5 mm, both the safety strength of the wedge and its portability and lightweight are achieved.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment of the railway turnout safety wedge, the first storage slot 2 is used to hold an oil can, which includes at least an oil can for mechanical parts and an oil can for the slide plate; the second storage slot 3 is used to hold a putty knife, and the third storage slot is used to hold a brush. For example, the putty knife includes large and small putty knives, and the brush includes a cleaning brush and an oiling brush. Because the oil can, putty knife, and brush are of different sizes, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first storage slot is larger than that of the second storage slot, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the second storage slot is larger than that of the third storage slot.

[0072] In one embodiment, the lateral handle 5 has an ergonomic structure to avoid the risk of slipping during transport in special scenarios.

[0073] In summary, the present invention, through the above description, demonstrates its many features:

[0074] In routine cleaning and oiling operations, tools such as brushes, oil cans, and putty knives are required. However, these tools are often misplaced, haphazardly pulled along, and inconvenient to carry. Furthermore, they are easily lost or left behind on the tracks, affecting traffic safety. This invention addresses this issue by using a storage slot for safety wedges. This not only enhances storage capacity and maximizes space utilization but also allows for zoned management. The longitudinal partitions within the storage slot increase the weight of the wedge, making it less prone to tipping over when placed vertically. After work is completed, the storage slot facilitates inspection and prevents tools from being left on the tracks, thus improving the functionality of the safety wedges.

[0075] Furthermore, traditional wooden wedges tend to accumulate grease and grime at the bottom, affecting their performance. This wooden wedge features an overflow outlet at the bottom to promptly drain oil and water, preventing grease buildup on items such as oil cans and brushes, thus improving the user experience. As mentioned earlier, the main structure of the wedge is cast with rubber material, ensuring a thickness of 7.5mm, achieving both the safety strength of the wedge and its portability and lightweight design. To further enhance safety and prevent the wedge from being left at turnout locations due to poor visibility during nighttime operation, which could cause equipment hazards and train accidents, this invention also utilizes fluorescent rubber material for the safety wedge and incorporates highly reflective warning strips on the side to increase nighttime visibility, preventing omissions and ensuring that all materials are used efficiently after operation, thus guaranteeing train operation and equipment safety. This optimized safety wedge design improves both safety and functionality, effectively enhancing stability during placement, reducing usage risks, increasing maintenance efficiency, and adding features. It has broad application value. See also... Figures 4 to 7 It also includes a set of standard dimensions for reference, which helps with standardization.

[0076] The above description has been given for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, this description is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to the forms disclosed herein. Although numerous exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain variations, modifications, alterations, additions, and sub-combinations thereof.

Claims

1. A railway switch operation safety wedge, characterized in that, It includes, From top to bottom: horizontal grip, vertical bar, and wedge body. A horizontal grip, located above the safety wedge, is connected to the wedge body via a vertical rod. The main body of the wedge, located at the bottom of the safety wedge, is a hollow structure with an upward opening. The bottom of the hollow structure has a base plate that closes the main body of the wedge. The hollow structure is provided with multiple parallel longitudinal partitions and is divided into at least one first storage slot with a first cross-sectional area, at least one second storage slot with a second cross-sectional area, and at least one third storage slot with a third cross-sectional area, wherein the first cross-sectional area is larger than the second cross-sectional area, and the second cross-sectional area is larger than the third cross-sectional area.

2. The railroad switch job safety key of claim 1 wherein, The main body of the wedge is rectangular.

3. The railroad switch job safety key of claim 1 wherein, The safety wedge also includes: Multiple overflow outlets are located on the bottom plate of at least multiple storage slots. A lateral grip, which is fixedly connected to the wedge body via a vertical rod. A directional marking strip, which is attached to the lateral grip or wedge body and extends laterally. Reflective strips are attached to the outside of the lateral grip or the outside of the wedge body.

4. The railroad switch job safety key of claim 1 wherein, The lateral grip includes a horizontal section and a first inclined section and a second inclined section that are inclinedly connected from the horizontal section. The first inclined section, the second inclined section and the horizontal section form a triangular structure.

5. The railroad switch job safety key as defined in claim 3 wherein, The overflow port is located on the bottom plate of the storage tank, near the corner of the wedge body.

6. The railroad switch job safety key as defined in Claim 3 wherein, The overflow port is O-type, U-type, or V-type.

7. The railroad switch job safety key as defined in Claim 3 wherein, The reflective strips are fluorescent reflective stickers affixed to the front and back sides of the wedge body.

8. The railroad switch job safety wedge of claim 1 wherein, The lateral grip has a non-slip wavy texture.

9. The railroad switch job safety wedge of claim 1 wherein, The wedge-shaped body has a cross-section with a length of 140 mm and a width of 90 mm.

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