DEVICE FOR ADJUSTING THE ANCHORAGE POSITION OF A BINDING STRIP

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sleeper fixing mechanisms for railway rail support and more particularly to the field of adjustable sleeper fixing mechanisms.

[0002] In a railway installation, the running rails are mounted on sleepers that help maintain their gauge and cant. These sleepers also ensure the transmission of loads from the vehicles running on the rails to the supporting structure. Generally, the sleepers are laid on a layer of ballast made from a compact mixture of crushed stone and sand.

[0003] However, when a railway line crosses an engineering structure such as a bridge or viaduct, this construction is not always suitable for a ballast layer. In these cases, the sleepers are mounted directly onto the structure, typically using a pair of fastening points at their ends. Each fastening point is usually a spike screw driven through the thickness of the sleeper; the lower end of the screw screw is mounted or fixed directly to the structure. However, the installation of the sleepers, and in particular the positioning of the fastening points for each sleeper on the structure, is constrained by the structural arrangement and / or the architecture of the structure.The positioning of each of the fastening points on the sleepers, particularly their respective spacing, is thus dependent on the constraints imposed by the supporting structure formed by the engineering structure. Under these conditions, each sleeper, and in particular the position of its fastening points along its length, must be prepared according to the specific location assigned to said sleeper on the engineering structure, prior to its installation. Such a solution therefore necessitates a laborious analysis of the position of each sleeper on the section of railway track crossing the engineering structure. US publication 4795091A proposes a device that allows the fastening of a sleeper to the structure of an engineering structure to be adjusted according to the position of the spike bolt mounted through the thickness of the sleeper.While this solution allows some tolerance in the position of the holes in the crossbeam that house the lag bolts, on the other hand, it relies on an indirect fixing to the structure of the engineering work by not involving any anchoring of the lag bolt at a point through the structure of the engineering work.

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a mechanism for fixing a cross member to a support structure which makes it possible to limit, or even eliminate, the need to prepare each of the cross members intended to be installed on a support structure according to the fixing position constraints imposed by the respective location of each of the cross members on the support structure.

[0005] For this purpose, the invention relates to an assembly as detailed in the statement of main claim 1. Different variants of the invention are defined in particular by the secondary claims.

[0006] The invention will be better understood from the following description, which relates to various preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, and explained with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: [ Fig. 1 ] refers to a schematic illustration of an example of a device for adjusting the anchoring position of a crossbeam according to the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] refers to a schematic illustration of an example of positioning the various parts of the device for adjusting the anchoring position of a cross member according to the invention [ Fig. 3] refers to a schematic illustration of an example of a cross member equipped with a pair of anchoring position adjustment devices according to the invention.

[0007] The invention relates to a device for adjusting the anchoring position of a substantially axial cross member 1 on a support structure 2, characterized in that the device comprises at least: an anchor axis 3 substantially straight comprising a first end 31 fixed in translation with the support structure 2, a vertically oriented through cavity 11 in the thickness of the cross member 1 so as to be traversed by the anchor axis 3, this cavity 11 having, in a horizontal plane in the cross section of the cross member 1, a width oriented along the axis of the cross member 1 whose dimension is greater than that of the anchor axis 3, a cover piece 4 positioned above the upper surface of the cross member 1 and of sufficient dimensions to close the upper opening of the cavity 11 and bear, directly or indirectly, against the upper surface of the cross member 1, this cover piece 4 being traversed by the anchor axis 3 at the level of at least one opening 41 of dimensions substantially identical to the cross section of the anchor axis 3, a clamping mechanism 5 which, on the one hand,cooperates with a second end 32 of the anchoring axis 3 and, on the other hand, bears, directly or indirectly, against the upper surface of the cover piece 4, an adaptation mechanism 6 for the position of the orifice 41 of the cover piece 4 relative to the cross member 1, this mechanism 6 comprising at least one grooved arrangement 42 carried by the lower face of the cover piece 4 and cooperating with a complementary grooved arrangement 72 carried, directly or indirectly, by the upper surface of the cross member 1. The anchor pin 3 is a straight axial piece that may have a thread along all or part of its length. For example, this anchor pin may be of the lag screw type. The lower end of the anchor pin 3, which interacts with the support structure 2 via its end 31, may be fixed to the support structure 2 by welding or, alternatively, mounted through an opening in the support structure 2 to be retained against axial translation by an end that acts as a stop against the lower surface of the support structure 2. The device of the invention is thus arranged to allow adjustment of the position of the cross member 1's fixing along an adjustment axis aligned with the axis of the cross member 1.The cavity 11 of the cross member 1 through which the anchoring axis 3 is positioned has a width greater than that of the anchoring axis 3 so as to form an arrangement which permits different positionings of the anchoring axis 3 inside this cavity 11, according to. orientations substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cross member 1. These various possible positionings thus allow for adjustment of the position of the anchoring axis 3 relative to the cross member 1, so that the spacing between two fixing points of a cross member 1 imposed by the support structure 2 has a limited effect on the spacing between the two cavities 11 of the cross member 1 for these fixing points. The anchoring axis 3, in cooperation at each of its ends 31, 32 with, on the one hand, the clamping mechanism 5 and, on the other hand, the support structure 2, clamps the cross member 1 by pinching it between the support structure 2 and the cover piece 4.The cover piece 4, whose surface area is larger than that of the cavity opening 11, bears against the periphery of the cavity opening 11, so that the clamping force on the cross member 1 is exerted by the peripheral part of the cover piece 4 positioned beyond the edge of the cavity opening 11. The device according to the invention also includes a mechanism 6 for adapting the position of the opening 41 of the cover piece 4 relative to the cross member 1. Adjusting the position of the opening 41 allows the anchoring axis 3 to be oriented through the cross member 1 along an optimal axis for fixing and clamping the cross member 1, that is, along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cross member 1, between the support structure 2 and the upper surface of the cross member 1.The position of the orifice 41 of the cover piece 4 is adjusted by translating the cover piece 4 in the plane of the upper surface of the cross member 1. The adaptation mechanism 6 for the position of the orifice 41 of the cover piece 4 allows the position of this cover piece 4, and therefore of its orifice 41, to be locked relative to the cross member 1 when the cross member 1 is clamped against the support structure 2 by the anchoring axis 3. This adaptation mechanism 6 involves a form cooperation between the lower face of the cover piece 4 and a surface carried, directly or indirectly, by the upper surface of the cross member 1. This form cooperation thus involves complementary reliefs carried by each of the surfaces positioned opposite each other.These additional reliefs are thus arranged to prevent any movement of the cover piece 4 relative to the cross member 1 along the axis of the cross member 1, when the clamping mechanism 5 in association with the anchoring axis 3 exerts pressure on the cover piece 4 against the cross member. 1. In the context of securing the sleeper 1 against the support structure 2, the device of the invention is designed to prevent slippage of the cover piece 4 relative to the sleeper 1. The complementary features of this form-matching arrangement incorporate additional grooved arrangements. These grooved arrangements may have straight lines or various curvatures. Thus, in addition to clamping the sleeper 1, the device is adapted to prevent displacement, particularly translation, of the sleeper 1 along its axis. This displacement could occur due to vehicle vibrations from repeated traffic on the rails supported by the sleeper 1, despite the sleeper 1 being clamped against the support structure 2.

[0008] It should be noted that, within the scope of the present invention, the device of the invention can be implemented at only one of the two ends of a cross member 1, the other end comprising a known type of lag screw fastener. The device of the invention is then sufficient to secure the cross member 1 by adjusting a single anchor point. Adjusting this single anchor point of the cross member 1 allows for setting the spacing between the anchor points positioned at each end of the cross member 1. However, alternatively and preferably, each end of a cross member 1 is associated with a device for adjusting the anchoring of the cross member 1 to a support structure 2.

[0009] According to an example relating to a variant of the invention, the orientation of the grooves of this pair of grooved arrangements 42, 72 is substantially arranged perpendicular to the axis of the cross member 1. Such an arrangement of the grooves thus makes it possible to obtain cooperation of the reliefs, so that any translational displacement likely to be supported by the cover piece 4 is blocked by the cooperation of reliefs of the grooved arrangements 42, 72. These reliefs then support the shear forces of the cover piece 4 with respect to the cross member 1.

[0010] According to an example relating to another construction variant of the invention that can be combined with the construction variant detailed above, the complementary grooved arrangement 72 is supported by the upper surface of the cross member 1. In this way, the translation of the cover piece 4 against the upper surface of the cross member 1 is blocked and prevents any movement along the axis of the cross member 1. The cover piece 4 is then directly supported against the upper surface of the cross member 1.In addition, so that the cover piece 4 is able to position its orifice 41 at any point on the surface of the orifice of the cavity 11 so that the positioning of the anchor axis 3 inside the cavity 11 of the cross member 1 does not encounter any limitation when adjusting the fixing, the dimensions of the cover piece 4 are adapted with those of the upper surface of the cross member 1 so as not to prevent the placement of the orifice 41 of the cover piece 4 in superposition of any point on the surface of the orifice of the cavity 11. Also, the upper surface of the cross member 1 does not include any obstacle to the positioning of the cover piece.

[0011] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the invention alternative to the construction variant previously detailed, the complementary grooved arrangement 72 is supported by the upper surface of an intermediate piece 7 bearing against the upper surface of the cross member 1, this intermediate piece 7 comprising an orifice 71 of dimensions substantially similar to those of the upper orifice of the cavity 11 of the cross member 1 through which the anchoring axis 3 passes. The blocking of the sliding of the cover piece 4 relative to the upper surface of the cross member 1 involves clamping the cover piece 4 with the cross member 1, so that the intermediate piece 7 is positioned in superposition between the cover piece 4 and the cross member 1.The dimensions of the orifice 71 of this intermediate piece 7, being similar to those of the upper orifice of the cavity 11 of the cross member 1, allow the orifice 71 of this intermediate piece 7 to be adapted so as not to limit the positioning of the anchor pin 3 anywhere within the cavity 11 of the cross member 1. Additionally, so that the cover piece 4 can position its orifice 41 at any point on the surface of the orifice of the cavity 11, thus ensuring that the positioning of the anchor pin 3 inside the cavity 11 of the cross member 1 encounters no limitations when adjusting the fastener, the dimensions of the cover piece 4 are adapted to those of the intermediate piece 7 and the upper surface of the cross member 1 so as not to prevent the placement of the orifice 41 of the cover piece 4 in overlap with any point on the surface of the orifice of the cavity 11.Also, the respective upper surfaces of the intermediate piece 7 and the cross member 1 do not include any obstacle to the positioning of the cover piece.

[0012] According to an example relating to a specific feature of the previously detailed construction variant, the intermediate piece 7 is integrated into the cross member 1 and more particularly with the upper surface of the cross member 1, for example by overmolding.

[0013] According to an example relating to another specific feature of the previously detailed construction variant, and which can be combined with the various previous construction variants, the upper surface of the cross member 1 includes at least one locking device 8 to prevent the intermediate piece 7 from sliding relative to the cross member 1. This locking device 8 prevents any unwanted sliding or translation of the intermediate piece 7 relative to the cross member 1, and in particular any sliding or translation along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the cross member 1. Under these conditions, locking the intermediate piece 7 with the cross member 1 prevents any inappropriate movement of the cover piece 4 relative to the cross member 1 when this cover piece 4 interacts with the intermediate piece 7 through the cooperation of the grooved arrangements 42, 72.

[0014] According to an example relating to a specific feature of the previously detailed construction variant, and which can be combined with the various previously detailed construction variants, the sliding blocking device 8 for the intermediate piece 7 comprises at least one piece fixed to the upper surface of the cross member 1 and having at least one edge 81 abutting against an edge of the intermediate piece 7. This abutting piece 8 thus creates a raised feature on the upper surface of the cross member 1, forming an obstacle to the movement and / or translation of the intermediate piece 7 relative to the cross member 1, particularly along the axis of the cross member 1. This piece 8 is therefore able to withstand the various shear forces that can be exerted by the intermediate piece 7 against the upper surface of the cross member 1. As an example, this blocking device 8 is positioned against the edge of the intermediate piece 7.According to a specific feature, the locking device 8 is made in the form of a pair of stops positioned on either side of the intermediate piece 7, so that each of the opposite edges of the intermediate piece 7 is in contact with a stop of the locking device 8. According to this example, the pair of stops and the intermediate piece 7 are aligned along the axis of the cross member. 1. Il It should be noted that this locking device 8 may take the form of one or more parts mounted on the upper surface of the cross member 1 and / or take the form of a relief or parts integrated into the cross member 1 and in particular into the upper surface of the cross member 1.

[0015] According to an example relating to an alternative feature of the previously detailed construction variant, and which can be combined with the various previously detailed construction variants, the locking device 8 for the sliding of the intermediate piece 7 involves a housing forming a cavity in the upper surface of the cross member 1, this housing having dimensions similar to those of the intermediate piece 7 in a plane in section substantially parallel to the surface of the cross member 1 so as to receive the lower face of the intermediate piece 7. According to this construction example, the edges around the periphery of the housing supported by the upper surface of the cross member 1 form different abutment surfaces against which the intermediate piece 7 rests to hold this intermediate piece 7 in position on the cross member 1.In addition to blocking the intermediate piece 7, the various edges around the periphery of the housing and its complementary shape with the lower part of the intermediate piece 7 also allow for easier mounting of this intermediate piece 7 on the cross member 1.

[0016] In addition to, or even as an alternative to, the solutions provided by the blocking device 8 for the sliding of the intermediate piece 7, the shape of the orifice of the cavity 11 through the cross member 1 and the similar shape and dimensions of the orifice 71 of the intermediate piece 7 have a grooved or oblong arrangement oriented along the axis of the cross member 1. This grooved or oblong arrangement then has a width slightly greater than that of the anchoring axis 3. Under these conditions, the positioning of the anchoring axis 3 through the intermediate piece 7 and the cross member 1 blocks any movement of the intermediate piece 7 relative to the cross member 1 along an axis perpendicular to the axis of the cross member 1.

[0017] IlIt should be noted that, when the intermediate piece 7 is mounted on the cross member 1, the upper surface of the intermediate piece 7 which carries the grooved arrangement 72 is likely to be positioned level with the upper surface of the cross member 1 or, alternatively, according to a construction with a level offset, so that the surface of the intermediate piece 7 which carries the grooved arrangement 72 has a level offset with respect to the upper surface of the cross member 1.

[0018] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the invention, which can be combined with the various construction variants detailed previously, in a vertical section plane perpendicular to the axis of the grooves, the grooved arrangements 42, 72 have a sawtooth pattern. This sawtooth pattern has the advantage of facilitating the positioning of a first grooved arrangement 42 against the second grooved arrangement 72. Thus, the precise mounting of the cover piece 4 against the intermediate piece 7 or against the upper surface of the cross member 1, so that the opening 41 of the cover piece 4 is in the optimal position for the anchoring axis 3, is easily achieved.

[0019] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the invention forming an alternative to the construction variant detailed previously, in a vertical section plane perpendicular to the axis of the grooves, the grooved arrangements 42, 72 have a crenellated arrangement. To limit the difficulties of positioning a first grooved arrangement 42 against the second grooved arrangement 72, the spacing between two reliefs of these grooved arrangements is at least slightly greater than the width of the corresponding reliefs. Under these conditions, the interlocking of the reliefs carried by each of the grooved arrangements 42, 72 is facilitated.

[0020] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the invention and capable of being combined with the various construction variants detailed previously, the anchor pin 3 interacts with the opening 41 of the cover piece 4 and / or with the support structure 2 via an insulating sleeve 9. The sleeve 9 is mounted coaxially with the opening 41 of the cover piece 9, such that the anchor pin 3 passes through it. At the support structure 2, the sleeve 9 is positioned coaxially with an opening in the support structure 2 through which the lower end of the anchor pin 3 passes. The presence of one or more insulating sleeves 9 thus provides additional electrical isolation between the rail and the support structure 2. Preferably, the rail also rests against the sleeper 1 via an insulating base plate. IlIt should be noted that, alternatively or in addition, electrical insulation may be provided by the use, in addition to insulating barrels 9, of cover pieces 4 and / or intermediate pieces 7 electrically made of a material selected for its electrical insulation properties.

[0021] As an example, as illustrated by the figures, the cover piece 4 and / or the intermediate piece 7 has a substantially planar arrangement so as to present bearing surfaces with the cross member 1 and / or with the clamping mechanism 5 which are stabilized.

[0022] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the invention and capable of being combined with the various construction variants detailed previously, the clamping mechanism 5 involves at least one nut 51 in cooperation with a threaded portion of the anchoring shaft 3. This threaded portion is thus capable of being positioned along the entire length of the anchoring shaft 3 or only at its second end 32. In the context of clamping the cross member 1 against the support structure 2, the nut 51 of the clamping mechanism 5 is thus capable of bearing directly or indirectly against the upper surface of the cover piece 4.

[0023] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the invention and capable of being combined with the various construction variants detailed previously, the clamping mechanism 5 incorporates at least one spring element 52 through which the anchoring pin 3 passes and which bears, directly or indirectly, against the upper surface of the cover piece 4. In this way, the clamping force exerted by the clamping mechanism 5 is able to be maintained despite any vibrations that may occur due to the repeated movement of vehicles on the rails carried by the sleeper 1. By way of example, these spring properties can be obtained by springs or elements with elastic properties such as Belleville washers stacked along the upper part of the anchoring pin 3.

[0024] According to an example relating to a construction variant of the invention and capable of being combined with the various construction variants previously detailed, the adaptation mechanism 6 also includes a second grooved arrangement carried by the lower face of the cover piece 4 and cooperating with the complementary grooved arrangement carried, directly or indirectly, by the upper surface of the cross member 1, the grooves of this second pair of arrangements being arranged substantially parallel to the axis of the cross member 1. This particular orientation of the grooves of the second pair of arrangements thus makes it possible to adjust and lock the position of the orifice 41 of the cover piece 4 along an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the cross member 1.The construction characteristics that can be implemented and are applicable to this second pair of arrangements are identical to those previously detailed for the first pair of arrangements.

[0025] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications remain possible, particularly with regard to the composition of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims

1. Assembly comprising: - a substantially axial sleeper (1), - a device for regulating the anchoring position of the sleeper (1) on a support structure (2), characterized in that the device comprises at least: - a substantially rectilinear anchor bolt (3) comprising a first end (31) designed to be fastened in terms of movement in translation to the support structure (2), - a through-cavity (11) oriented vertically in the thickness of the sleeper (1) so that the anchor bolt (3) passes through it, this cavity (11) having, in a horizontal cross-sectional plane of the sleeper (1), a width oriented along the axis of the sleeper (1), the dimension of which is larger than that of the anchor bolt (3), - a covering piece (4) positioned above the upper surface of the sleeper (1) and having sufficient dimensions to close off the upper orifice of the cavity (11) and to bear, directly or indirectly, against the upper surface of the sleeper (1), the anchor bolt (3) passing through this covering piece (4) at at least one orifice (41) having dimensions substantially identical to the cross section of the anchor bolt (3), - a clamping mechanism (5), which, on the one hand, collaborates with a second end (32) of the anchor bolt (3) and, on the other hand, bears, directly or indirectly, against the upper surface of the covering piece (4), - an adjusting mechanism (6) for adjusting the position of the orifice (41) in the covering piece (4) relative to the sleeper (1), this mechanism (6) comprising at least one grooved arrangement (42) borne by the lower face of the covering piece (4) and collaborating with a complementary grooved arrangement (72) borne, directly or indirectly, by the upper surface of the sleeper (1).

2. Assembly according to Claim 1 incorporating a device for regulating the anchoring position of a sleeper, characterized in that the orientation of the grooves of this pair of grooved arrangements (42, 72) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis of the sleeper (1) .

3. Assembly according to Claim 2, characterized in that the complementary grooved arrangement (72) is borne by the upper surface of an intermediate piece (7) bearing against the upper surface of the sleeper (1), this intermediate piece (7) comprising an orifice (71) having dimensions substantially similar to those of the upper orifice of the cavity (11) of the sleeper (1) through which the anchor bolt (3) passes.

4. Assembly according to Claim 3, characterized in that the upper surface of the sleeper (1) comprises at least one blocking device (8) for blocking the intermediate piece (7) from sliding relative to the sleeper (1).

5. Assembly according to Claim 4, characterized in that the blocking device (8) for blocking the intermediate piece (7) from sliding comprises at least one piece fastened to the upper surface of the sleeper (1) and bearing at least one edge (81) in abutment against an edge of the intermediate piece (7).

6. Assembly according to either of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the blocking device (8) for blocking the intermediate piece (7) from sliding makes use of a housing forming a cavity in the upper surface of the sleeper (1), this housing having dimensions similar to those of the intermediate piece (7) in a cross-sectional plane substantially parallel to the surface of the sleeper (1) so as to receive the lower face of the intermediate piece (7).

7. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in a vertical cross-sectional plane perpendicular to the axis of the grooves, the grooved arrangements (42, 72) have a sawtooth design.

8. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchor bolt (3) interacts with the orifice (41) in the covering piece (4) and / or with the support structure (2) via a grommet (9).

9. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping mechanism (5) makes use of at least one nut (51) collaborating with a threaded portion of the anchor bolt (3).

10. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping mechanism (5) makes use of at least one spring element (52) through which the anchor bolt (3) passes and which bears, directly or indirectly, against the upper surface of the covering piece (4).

11. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism (6) also comprises a second grooved arrangement borne by the lower face of the covering piece (4) and collaborating with the complementary grooved arrangement borne, directly or indirectly, by the upper surface of the sleeper (1), the grooves of this second pair of arrangements being arranged substantially parallel to the axis of the sleeper (1).