ARRANGEMENT WITH AT LEAST ONE RAIL AND ONE BEAM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of railway infrastructure. It relates more particularly to a group of at least two assemblies, each comprising at least one rail and one support, as well as a method for laying the group.

[0002] Rail supports allow the rail to be held in the desired position, as well as the transmission of the forces of the rolling stock passing from the rail to the base.

[0003] For the current track, the traditional supports consist of sleepers, generally made of concrete. To be able to fix the rails to the concrete sleeper, if necessary by means of a tie plate, it is necessary to provide suitable reservations in the concrete sleeper, and in the right place with good precision, of the order of a millimeter.

[0004] There are sleepers with a groove to accommodate bolt heads, to fix the rails to the sleepers. However, these should be cast into a slab, the latter being cast into a foundation slab. Implementation is therefore more complex.

[0005] The track device is a railway element used to support and guide railway rolling stock in certain specific cases. The track device can, for example, be used to create a branch or a crossing. The track device can also be an expansion device, particularly in cases requiring free expansion of the rails greater than that permitted by standard joints, for example on a bridge joint. The geometry of the track devices depends on the configuration of the railway, and is specific to each situation.

[0006] There are various solutions for supporting a track device.

[0007] It is possible to place concrete sleepers on a base following the geometry of the track switch, then pour concrete between the sleepers to obtain a complete support. Such an installation has the disadvantage of being intolerant to settlements which cannot be compensated once the sleepers are laid, and that after pouring the concrete, fine adjustments of the position of the track switches are no longer possible. In order to obtain greater flexibility of adjustment after installation of the support, it is possible to use grooved sleepers as presented in document EP2603637. But in these solutions involving poured concrete, a large quantity of concrete is necessary to obtain satisfactory strength, which is expensive, bulky and heavy.

[0008] Alternatively, there are track device supports made of prefabricated slabs, for example proposed in document AT521653. These slabs are adapted to the geometry of the track device by their shape. The fixing points of the track devices on the slabs can be predefined during the manufacture of the slabs, the disadvantage being that a large number of different molds are necessary to manufacture supports adapted to different geometries of track devices. Furthermore, this has the disadvantage that a subsequent adjustment of the geometry of the track devices relative to the slabs is complex and restricted. Document EP-A-1700954 shows a group according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] The problem that the present invention seeks to solve is to propose an assembly comprising a support for a standard track or track apparatus, the manufacture, and / or transport, and / or assembly, and / or maintenance of which are facilitated on the one hand, and the design and implementation of which are independent of the type of fixing devices and the variable geometries of the track apparatus. The proposed invention makes it possible to make the support of the track or track apparatus independent of the type of fixing devices and therefore of the type of track or track apparatus.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a support for a current track or track device having a limited number of separate parts.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a track device support compatible with a large number of different track device geometries.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a support for a current track or track device allowing adjustment after installation.

[0013] The object of the present invention is to meet at least in part the aforementioned objects by proposing a track or track apparatus arranged on a support comprising prefabricated concrete blocks allowing flexible use. To this end, it proposes an assembly comprising a support, at least one rail and a plurality of devices for fixing said rail to said support. This assembly is particular in that: said support comprises a plurality of concrete blocks, each block being in one piece and comprising at least two grooves, said fixing devices each comprising at least one head arranged in a groove of one of said blocks.

[0014] Thanks to these arrangements, the support is made largely of standardizable modular blocks, the use of which can be adapted to many different contexts. In the current track, for special geometries, especially those with strong curvature and in the case of variation in curvature (gradients of radii of curvature), the usual supports, all identical, are not suitable, and these arrangements allow the use of identical blocks for different track geometries.

[0015] According to other characteristics: said at least two grooves may be rectilinear, which facilitates the manufacture of the blocks and the adjustment of the placement of the fixing devices relative to the grooves, said grooves of a block may all be parallel and spaced apart by a single spacing, preferably between 450 and 750 mm, which further facilitates the manufacture of the blocks, said assembly may comprise a track device for a railway vehicle, junction, crossing, expansion device or the like, in which said support is a track device support and said track device comprises said rail, which makes it possible to benefit from a large number of advantages of the present invention, at least one block may comprise a recess configured to allow the installation of at least part of an operating mechanism, such as a motorization, a locking system, a wedging system, a return system, a linkage, or a heating system,which allows the assembly according to the invention to easily integrate one or more of these elements, at least two blocks may be identical, preferably where appropriate said track device comprising a switch and said two blocks being configured to at least partially support said switch; this allows the reuse of the same mold for two blocks and reduces manufacturing costs, said track device may comprise a crossing frog, and said blocks may be configured to support said crossing frog, which allows the assembly according to the invention to easily integrate a crossing frog, said track device may comprise any other specific arrangement of track device, which allows the assembly according to the invention to easily integrate such an element, said fixing devices may comprise a saddle provided with two holes each having a large length,the holes being arranged on one side and the other of said rail, said long length being parallel to said rail, and of sufficient length to allow an intersection of the vertical projection of each of said holes with the same groove, on the upper face of a block, which makes it possible to easily adjust the orientation of the rail relative to the groove, and to use tie plates in an assembly according to the invention, without the obligation to provide a specific tie plate for each fixing, and in particular specific for each angle between the rail and a groove, said track device may comprise a crossing frog, said assembly being able to comprise a frog support arranged between said crossing frog and at least one support block, which makes it possible to best integrate the crossing frog into the assembly according to the invention, in particular a crossing frog manufactured from an existing mold, and which has not been designed specifically for an assembly according to the invention,said track device may comprise a direct track and the grooves may be perpendicular to said direct track, which facilitates the use of identical blocks for assemblies with track devices of different geometry, said track device may comprise a switch zone, and at least one block located at the switch zone, said block having a larger dimension in the direction of circulation than its dimension in the direction perpendicular to the circulation, which makes it possible to optimize the dimensions of the blocks, in particular for the purpose of their transport, said track device may comprise a crossing zone and at least one block of the crossing zone, said block having a smaller dimension in the direction of circulation than its dimension in the direction perpendicular to the circulation, which makes it possible to optimize the dimensions of the blocks, in particular for the purpose of their transport,The present invention also relates to a group of at least two assemblies according to the invention, each comprising a current track part, respectively a track device, in which at least one block of a first assembly is identical to at least one block of a second assembly, the current track parts, respectively track devices, of the first and second assemblies having different geometries.

[0016] Thanks to these provisions, it is possible to reuse the same mold for a greater number of blocks, which reduces manufacturing costs on the one hand, but also makes it possible to standardize and thus simplify the processes of laying and implementing an assembly according to the invention.

[0017] The present invention also relates to a group of at least two assemblies according to the invention, each comprising a track device, each comprising at least one switch and an operating mechanism comprising at least one means for applying an operating force to a point of application of said switch in order to move it between an open position and a closed position, in which the distance between the point of application closest to the free end of said switch and at least one edge of the block above which said point of application is arranged is the same for both assemblies, the track devices of the first and second assemblies having different geometries. A different positioning distance of the crossing frog will thus be observed with respect to the edges of the block(s) supporting the crossing frog for both assemblies, the track devices of the first and second assemblies having different geometries.

[0018] Thanks to these provisions, it also becomes easier to use identical blocks for assemblies with track devices of different geometry; in particular, the block above which said application point is arranged can more easily be identical, in particular when it includes a recess, for assemblies with track devices of different geometry.

[0019] A single-piece concrete block is described comprising at least two grooves as a spare part or reuse of an assembly according to the invention, which can be intended indifferently for at least two assemblies whose current track parts, respectively track devices, have different geometries.

[0020] Thanks to these provisions, it is possible to provide a reduced stock of spare parts for a given site, since several blocks on this site are identical; moreover, the reuse of blocks that have become unnecessary on a particular site is facilitated.

[0021] A method of installing an assembly is described, comprising at least the following steps: manufacturing a plurality of concrete blocks, each block being cast in one piece, transporting said blocks, laying the blocks on a base, fixing said rail to said blocks.

[0022] Thanks to these provisions, the assembly according to the invention can be produced simply and inexpensively, allowing the installation and implementation processes to be standardized and thus simplified.

[0023] According to other characteristics: said method may comprise, after the fixing step, a step of adjusting the height and / or lateral direction of a fixing device relative to a block by modifying the position of at least one of said fixing devices relative to said support, which allows adjustments after installation of the track device.

[0024] The present invention finally relates to a method of installing at least two assemblies according to the invention comprising the following steps: manufacturing at least two identical blocks, installing a first assembly comprising at least one of said at least two identical blocks, installing a second assembly comprising at least one other of said at least two identical blocks, the current track parts, respectively track devices, of the first and second assemblies being able to have different geometries, which further increases the potential for reusing the molds in which the blocks are cast, and therefore further reduces manufacturing costs by making it possible to standardize and thus simplify the installation and implementation processes.

[0025] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended figures in which: [ Fig.1 ] There [ Fig.1 ] is a top view of an assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig.2 ] There [ Fig.2 ] is a top view of an assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention, [ Fig.3 ] There [ Fig.3 ] is a side view of a block and a fixing device of an assembly according to a particular embodiment of the invention, [ Fig.4 ] There [ Fig.4 ] is a perspective view of a block of an assembly according to a particular embodiment of the invention, [ Fig.5 ] There [ Fig.5 ] is a sectional view of an indirect fixing device of an assembly according to a particular embodiment of the invention, [ Fig.6 ] There [ Fig.6 ] is a perspective view of the fixing device of the [ Fig.5 ], [ Fig.7 ] There [ Fig.7 ] is a sectional view of a device for direct attachment of an assembly according to a particular embodiment of the invention, [ Fig.8 ] There [ Fig.8 ] is a perspective view of the fixing device of the [ Fig.7 ], [ Fig.9 ] There [ Fig.9 ] is a top view of several attachment methods according to the invention in different configurations, [ Fig.10 ] There [ Fig.10 ] is a perspective view of a detail of an assembly according to a particular embodiment of the invention. [ Fig.11 ] There [ Fig.11 ] is a perspective view of a block of an assembly according to a particular embodiment of the invention comprising a recess,

[0026] The present invention applies to a support and rails of a common track, as shown in figs. 3 And 4 .

[0027] It has the advantage of being able to use the same brackets for different types of rail or saddles, and avoids the difficulty of having to precisely plan the reservations for the fixings when manufacturing the brackets.

[0028] Furthermore, the support is made largely of standardizable modular blocks, the use of which can be adapted to many different contexts. In the current track, for special geometries, especially those with strong curvature and in the case of variation in curvature (gradients of radii of curvature), the usual supports, all identical, are not suitable, and these arrangements allow the use of identical blocks for different track geometries

[0029] The present invention has a large number of advantages when applied to track devices, and will be described in more detail in this context below.

[0030] The assembly according to the invention, represented in [ Fig.1 ] And 2, comprises a track device for a railway vehicle and a track device support. The track device can be of any type: for example, it can be a device adapted for a junction or a crossing, or an expansion device; generally speaking, it is any device laid on the track, and for which standard track laying is not suitable. The track device can comprise a switch, located in a switch zone 1 and / or a crossing frog located in a crossing zone 2 and / or a transition zone 3.

[0031] The track device comprises at least one rail 4 and a plurality of devices 5 for fixing the rail 4 to the track device support.

[0032] In the context of the present invention, a fixing device is understood to be any device allowing the fixing of a rail, a stock rail, a switch, a stock rail or a switch frog on the switch support. A person skilled in the art will be able to choose the most appropriate fixing device for each application. It may be a direct fixing device, in which the rail 4 is fixed directly to the switch support. It may also be an indirect fixing device, in which an interface part is fixed to the support by a first fixing means and the rail 4 is fixed to said interface part by a second fixing means, each fixing means being able to comprise an elastic fastener, an angle guide, an insulator, a lag screw, a sole, or even a tilting wedge. The interface part may then be continuous or discontinuous, in particular in the longitudinal direction of the rail 4.

[0033] The track support comprises a plurality of prefabricated concrete blocks 6. The blocks 6 are monobloc, that is to say that they are each cast in one piece, preferably in a mold.

[0034] As shown in [ Fig.3 ] And 4 , the blocks 6 each comprise at least two grooves 7 on their upper face, typically between five and ten grooves 7. The upper face of a block 6 is the face on which a part of the track device is arranged.

[0035] The fixing devices 5 each comprise at least one head 8 arranged in a groove 7 of a block 6. The head 8 may have the shape of a screw head, or be of parallelepipedal shape, or any other shape making it possible to prevent the extraction of the device from the groove 7 from above.

[0036] For indirect fixing, fixing a saddle to the block 6 can be difficult. In fact, most often a saddle has four fixing holes, two on each side of the rail. However, with blocks 6 of an assembly according to the invention, these two holes are not necessarily arranged above a groove.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in figs. 5 et 6 , the fixing devices 5 comprise a saddle 9 provided with two holes 10 having a great length, for example oblong or rectangular. The holes 10 are arranged on either side of the rail 4, their great length being parallel to the rail 4. The great length of the holes 10 is sufficient to allow an intersection of the vertical projection of each of the two holes 10 with the same groove 7, on the upper face of a block. The fixing device 5 can then comprise two rods each passing through one of the holes 10, and ending with the head 8 located in the groove 7, and on which is arranged a tightening nut (not shown), and where appropriate a washer, in order to fix the saddle 9 to the block 6. This arrangement makes it possible to indirectly fix rails 4 at variable angles in a single groove 7 of a block according to the invention, the rail being fixed to the saddle in a conventional manner, for example by an elastic fastener.

[0038] It is also possible to use saddles that are wide enough to be fixed to the blocks 6 by two adjacent grooves 7. This can be by a hole of great length as described above, or by saddles specially adapted to a given profile.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated in figs. 7 à 8 , the fixing device may comprise a rod ending in its lower part with a head 8 inserted into a groove 7 of a block 6, and allowing the rail 4 to be fixed directly to the block 6, for example by an elastic fastener tightened by a tightening nut and, where appropriate, a washer. Depending on the construction arrangements adopted, a vertical and / or horizontal stop may be added to the rear of the fastener, and / or a base between the rail 4 and the block 6.

[0040] There [ Fig.9 ] represents different types of fixing devices 5a, 5b, 5c arranged on a block 6 having grooves 7. Each fixing device 5 fixes a section of rail 4 with an angle between the rail 4 and the groove 7. By traversing the [ Fig.9 ] from left to right, this angle is 0°, then 10°, 20°, 30° and finally 40°.

[0041] The groove 7 has a profile adapted to receive the head 8, for example a rectangular profile. The groove 7 preferably has a narrowing 11 on its open end so that the head 8 cannot come out of the groove 7 by a vertical translational movement.

[0042] The grooves 7 are preferably straight, but may also be curved or have one or more angles.

[0043] Furthermore, the grooves 7 may not be arranged from one end of the block to the other, but only on the parts of the block likely to receive a fixing. This makes it possible to improve the electrical insulation between the two rails of a track, by not allowing the groove to conduct the electric current from one rail to the other of the track. This can also make it possible to design the blocks with recesses in places where the groove is not present. This also makes it possible to reduce the quantity of rail in a block, and therefore to reduce its cost.

[0044] The grooves 7 of a block 6 are preferably parallel to each other and spaced apart by a single spacing, for example between 450 and 750 mm. This spacing is defined according to the class of equipment or the axle load of the rolling stock to be run on the track equipment, the section of the rail 4, the stiffness of the track, or the installation of locking systems, shunting or return mechanisms, as well as the crossing point.

[0045] The grooves 7 make it possible to have on each block 6 a multiplicity of potential fixing points for a fixing device 5 on the block 6. Thus, after the block 6 is installed on the railway track, it is possible to adjust the position of the fixing device 5 on the block 6 along the groove 7, for example transversely to the direction of the rail 1. This also allows the use of identical blocks 6 for different geometries of track devices, for example by placing the fixing devices at different levels of the grooves 7. It is thus possible to define a limited number of different blocks 6 making it possible to support a wide variety of track devices.

[0046] In the context of the present invention, the term "geometry of track devices" refers to all the parameters of the track devices, in particular the radii of curvature of the diverted track, the radius being constant or not along the track device, the tangent of the device, defined as the tangent of the angle between the direct and diverted tracks at the crossing, the types of rails, the different classes of devices, etc. Furthermore, the term "geometry of the current track portion" refers to all the geometric parameters of the track, in particular the radii of curvature of the track, the radius being constant or not along the current track portion.

[0047] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the assembly according to the invention may comprise at least two identical blocks 6, each located at different locations on the current track portion or the track switch. This is all the easier to obtain for track switches having large radii of curvature, for which the spacing of the rails 4 varies little from one block 6 to another. For current track, this is particularly useful for large curves, with variable curvatures.

[0048] If the track device has a switch, the two identical blocks 6 can be configured to support at least part of the switch. In fact, at the switch, the gauge of the rails 4 varies the least, and it is therefore there that two identical blocks 6 will be most easily installed.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, several identical blocks 6 can be used for several track devices of different geometries; the adaptation of the position of the fixing means in the grooves 7 is sufficient for the supports comprising these blocks 6 to be adapted to different geometries of track devices.

[0050] According to the invention, it is thus possible to consider a group of at least two assemblies each comprising a portion of current track, in which at least one block 6 of a first assembly is identical to at least one block 6 of a second assembly, while the geometries of the portions of current track of the first and second assemblies are different, for example having different curvatures, or different variations in curvature. The assemblies of the same group can be installed for example on the same construction site, in locations more or less distant from each other.

[0051] We can also consider a group of at least two sets, one comprising a part of current track, the other a track device, in which at least one block 6 of the part of current track is identical to at least one block 6 of the track device. We can also consider a group of at least two sets, in which one of the two sets comprises at least two identical blocks, whether it is a part of current track, or a track device.

[0052] We can also consider a group of at least two assemblies each comprising a track device in which at least one block 6 of a first assembly is identical to at least one block 6 of a second assembly, while the geometries of the track devices of the first and second assemblies are different. The assemblies of the same group can be installed for example on the same construction site, in places more or less distant from each other.

[0053] For example, the set according to the [ Fig.2 ] includes ten blocks (from 6a to 6j) all different. The set according to the [ Fig.1 ], longer, with a larger radius of curvature of the diverted track, may include for example a block 6a, a block 6b, two blocks 6c, a block 6d, a block 6e, a block 6f, two blocks 6g and two blocks 6h.

[0054] For even longer track devices, more of the same 6-blocks can be used. For example, with around ten different 6-blocks, most 6-blocks can be manufactured for track device supports of all geometries.

[0055] The 6a blocks are arranged in the same way between the whole [ Fig.1 ] and that of the [ Fig.2 ] relative to the needle tip. More precisely, the distance between the point of application closest to the free end of said needle and at least one edge of the block above which said point of application is arranged, is the same for both assemblies. This makes it possible in particular to use the same type of block 6a for both assemblies at the level of the needle tip, even if the block 6a has a recess to house at least part of the operating mechanism.

[0056] The 6g blocks located at the crossing zone 2 can be used for both sets even if the crossing heart is not located in the same way for both sets, in particular if the tip of the crossing heart is not arranged at the same distance from the edge of the 6g block.

[0057] We will thus observe a different positioning distance of the crossing center with respect to the edges of the block(s) supporting the crossing center for the two sets, the track devices of the first and second sets having different geometries.

[0058] A crossing heart can also rest on two adjacent blocks.

[0059] The present invention therefore allows the reuse of identical block 6 molds for a large number of different track devices. It is thus possible to produce many different assemblies with a reduced number of molds in which the blocks 6 are cast. Costs are reduced thanks to the small number of molds, which can be used for different geometries of track devices, and studies are simplified due to high standardization.

[0060] For track devices comprising a straight direct track 12, the grooves 7 of the blocks 6 can be arranged perpendicular to the direct track, which facilitates such use of identical blocks 6.

[0061] In order to further optimize this advantage, as illustrated in [ Fig.10 ], it is possible to position a block 6 at the tip of a switch 13, in an identical manner for several assemblies whose track devices have different geometries. These assemblies each comprise an operating mechanism comprising at least one means for applying an operating force to a point of application 14 of a switch 13 in order to move it between an open position and a closed position. It is thus possible to provide that the distance between the point of application 14 of the operating force closest to the free end of the switch 13, and a transverse wall of the block 6 on which said point of application is arranged, is the same for all these assemblies. This point of application 14 can then be taken as a reference point for arranging the blocks 6 along the switch.

[0062] It is known that short needles 13 can be operated by a single point of application of the operating force, in which case this point of application 14 will be considered as the closest to the free end of the needle 13. For longer needles, it is necessary to provide two or more points of application of the operating force, in which case the point of application 14 to be considered will be the closest to the needle tip 13. In certain cases, a mechanism is provided for locking the needle 13 in the closed position, and / or in the open position; such a locking mechanism is generally arranged near the point of application 14 of the operating force closest to the needle tip 13.

[0063] It is thus possible to consider a group of at least two assemblies according to the invention in which each assembly each comprises at least one point 13 and an operating mechanism. Each operating mechanism comprises at least one means 14 for applying an operating force to a point of application of said point 13 in order to move it between an open position and a closed position. The distance between the point of application 14 closest to the free end of said point 13 and at least one edge of the block 6 above which said point of application 14 is arranged is the same for both assemblies, while the track devices of the first and second assemblies have different geometries. The assemblies of the same group can be installed for example on the same construction site, on locations more or less distant from each other.

[0064] An advantage of the invention is that after installation of the fixing device 5, it is still possible to make adjustments by moving the fixing device 5 along the groove 7.

[0065] A given block 6 can be considered as being a spare part of an assembly according to the invention. Such a block 6 can then be intended indifferently for several assemblies whose track devices have different geometries. This makes it possible to optimize the stocks of spare parts, in particular for a site comprising track devices of different geometries, and to promote better use of these parts.

[0066] Furthermore, whereas usually the parts making up track device supports are abandoned after use because they are too specific to a track device having a particular geometry, the present invention makes it possible to increase the potential for reuse of the blocks 6. This makes it possible to reduce the number of new parts to be manufactured and therefore reduces the consumption of raw materials.

[0067] The single-piece nature of block 6 provides better mechanical strength; in fact, the entire block 6 can contribute to absorbing the forces experienced at the grooves 7. The assembly according to the invention can therefore be used for relatively heavy rolling stock, with a support comprising a moderate quantity of concrete.

[0068] The height of the blocks 6 is determined by the person skilled in the art to ensure good mechanical strength of the assembly. In order to accommodate all the elements of the track apparatus, this height must sometimes be adapted to obtain a constant level of the rail 4. It is for example possible to use a first height for all the blocks located in the switch zone 1, a second height for the blocks located in the transition zone 3, and a third height for the blocks located in the crossing zone 2. Preferably, the height of the blocks 6 allows the use of maintenance tools such as clamping Cs, the installation of glued insulating joints, or even the production of welds.

[0069] According to two particular embodiments of the invention, in the case where the assembly comprises a switch zone 1, at least one block located in the switch zone 1 may have a larger dimension in the direction of travel of the railway vehicle than its dimension in the direction perpendicular to the travel. In the case where the assembly comprises a crossing zone 2, at least one block located in the crossing zone 2 may have a smaller dimension in the direction of travel of the railway vehicle than its dimension in the direction perpendicular to the travel. In these two cases the size and the number of blocks is optimized, because it is adapted to the horizontal size of the track device.

[0070] The blocks 6 have, seen from above, a preferably quadrilateral shape, such as a rectangle or a trapezoid.

[0071] The blocks 6 may be configured in any way to be adapted to support a specific element of a track switch, for example a crossing frog. The assembly according to the invention may also comprise a frog support 17, located between the crossing frog and at least one block 6; the frog support 17 may for example be a steel plate. Such a frog support 17 may be configured to receive fixing devices anywhere along the length of the frog support 17; this facilitates the use of identical blocks with other assemblies comprising different crossing frogs, and facilitates the installation of crossing frogs manufactured in existing molds in assemblies according to the invention.

[0072] As illustrated in [ Fig.11 ], the block 6 may comprise a recess 15 configured to accommodate at least part of an operating mechanism 16. In the context of the present invention, the operating mechanism 16 refers to all or part of the device allowing the movement of needles, their locking or even their wedging. The operating mechanism 16 may for example comprise one or more elements from among a motorization, a locking system, a wedging system, a return system, a linkage, or a heating system. As illustrated in [ Fig.11 ], the block 6 may also include a widening in the direction transverse to the rail 4, in order to accommodate an operating mechanism 16.

[0073] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocks 6 can be designed to be easily transportable; for example, it is possible to provide for all the blocks 6 to be made with their smallest dimension not exceeding the maximum dimension permitted for transport on a railway wagon, or the maximum dimension permitted for transport on a truck. For example, in the switch area 1, where the transverse dimension to the traffic is sufficiently small, the longitudinal dimension may be larger, for example more than 4 or even 5 meters, whereas in the crossing area, where the transverse dimension to the traffic must be larger, the longitudinal dimension will be kept, for example, less than 3.5 meters.

[0074] The dimensions of the blocks 6 can also be chosen so that they do not exceed a maximum weight, to facilitate the handling of these blocks on a construction site.

[0075] The assembly according to the invention can be installed according to a method comprising the following steps: manufacturing a plurality of concrete blocks 6, each block 6 being cast in one piece, transporting said blocks 6, in particular to the place of installation of said assembly, laying the blocks 6 on a base, for example a concrete slab, fixing a current track or a track device on said blocks 6, in particular by means of the fixing devices 5.

[0076] The above method may include, after the fixing step, a step of adjusting the height and / or lateral position of a fixing device 5 relative to a block 6. This adjustment step makes it possible in particular to modify the position of at least one of said fixing devices 5 relative to said support.

[0077] Two assemblies according to the invention, each comprising a part of current track, respectively a track device, can be laid according to a method comprising the following steps: manufacturing at least two identical blocks, for example by molding, installation of a first assembly comprising at least one of said at least two identical blocks, installation of a second assembly comprising at least one other of said at least two identical blocks.

[0078] In the above method, the two installation steps can be carried out, for example, on the same construction site, at locations more or less distant from each other. In addition, the geometries of the current tracks, respectively of the track devices, of the first and second sets can be different.

[0079] Although the above description is based on particular embodiments, it is in no way limiting of the scope of the invention, and modifications may be made, in particular by substitution of technical equivalents or by different combination of all or part of the characteristics developed above.

Claims

1. Group of at least two assemblies each comprising a support, at least one rail (4) and a plurality of devices (5) for fixing said rail (4) to said support, said support comprising a plurality of concrete blocks (6), each block (6) being integral and comprising at least two grooves (7), said fixing devices (5) each comprising at least one head (8) arranged in a groove (7) of one of said blocks (6), said assemblies each comprising a plain track section, or a turnout, the plain track sections or turnouts of the first and second assemblies having different geometries, said group being characterized in that at least one block (6) of said first assembly is identical to at least one block (6) of said second assembly, or one of the two assemblies comprises at least two identical blocks.

2. Group according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least two grooves (7) are rectilinear.

3. Group according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said at least two grooves (7) is blind, in the sense that at least one of the ends of the groove (7) does not open onto an end of said block (6).

4. Group according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein said grooves (7) of a block (6) are all parallel and spaced at a same spacing, preferably between 450 and 750 mm.

5. Group according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the assemblies comprises a railway turnout, bifurcation, crossing, dilatation device or the like, wherein said support is a turnout support and said turnout comprises said rail (4)6. Group according to the preceding claim, in which at least one block (6) comprises a recess (15) configured to allow the installation of at least part of a maneuvering mechanism (16), such as a motorization, a locking system, a wedging system, a referral system, a rodding system, or a heating system.

7. Group according to at least one of claims 5 to 6 in which said turnout comprises a switch zone, and said two identical blocks (6) are configured to support at least part of said switch zone.

8. Group according to at least one of claims 5 to 7 wherein said turnout comprises a frog, and said blocks are configured to support said frog.

9. Group according to at least one of claims 5 to 8 in which said fastening devices (5) comprise a baseplate (9).

10. Group according to the preceding claim, wherein said baseplate (9) is provided with two holes (10) each having a long length, the holes (10) being arranged on either side of said rail (4), said long length being in the longitudinal direction of said rail (4), and of sufficient length to allow intersection of the vertical projection of each of said holes (10) with a same groove (7), on the upper face of a block (6).

11. Group according to at least one of claims 5 to 10, wherein said turnout comprises a frog, said assembly comprising a frog support (17) disposed between said frog and at least one block (6).

12. Group according to at least one of claims 5 to 11, wherein said turnout comprises a direct track (12) and the grooves (7) are perpendicular to said direct track (12).

13. Group according to at least one of claims 5 to 12, wherein said turnout comprises a switch zone (1), and at least one block (6) located at the switch zone (1) has a larger dimension in the direction of travel than its dimension in the direction perpendicular to the travel.

14. Group according to at least one of claims 5 to 13, wherein said turnout comprises a crossing zone (2) and at least one block (6) of the crossing zone has a smaller dimension in the traffic direction than its dimension in the direction perpendicular to the traffic.

15. Group according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, in which the two assemblies each comprise a plain track section.

16. Group according to at least one of claims 5 to 14, wherein the two assemblies each comprise a railway turnout, bifurcation, crossing, dilatation device or the like, wherein said support is a turnout support and said turnout comprises said rail (4).

17. Group according to the preceding claim, wherein each turnout comprises at least one switch rail (13) and a maneuvering mechanism comprising at least one means of applying a maneuvering force to a point of application (14) of said switch rail (13) in order to move it between an open position and a closed position, wherein the distance between the point of application (14) closest to the free end of said switch rail (13) and at least one edge of the block (6) above which said point of application is disposed, is the same for both sets, the turnouts of the first and second sets having different geometries.

18. Method of installing a group according to one of claims 1 to 17, comprising the following steps: - manufacture of a plurality of concrete blocks (6), each block (6) being cast in one piece, - transport of said blocks (6), - laying the blocks (6) on a substructure, - fixing said at least one rail to said blocks (6), characterized in that at least two blocks (6) are identical.

19. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising after the fixing step a step of height and / or lateral adjustment of a fixing device (5) with respect to a block (6) by modifying the position of at least one of said fixing devices (5) with respect to said support.

20. Method according to one of claims 18 or 19, comprising the following steps: - installation of a first assembly comprising at least one of said at least two identical blocks (6), - installation of a second assembly comprising at least one other of said at least two identical blocks (6).