A protection device for a balise

Abstract

The foregoing provides a protection device (10) for a balise (20). The protection device (10) comprises a base (100) and a lid (200). The lid (200) is attachable to the base (100) to define a body (30) that at least partially encloses a compartment (101) of the base (100) in which the balise (2) is receivable. A joint (31) is defined at an outer surface (32) of the body (30) where the base (100) meets the lid (100). The joint (31) comprises two widthways portions (31A, 31B) that extend in a width direction (W) of the device (10) and are separated in a length direction (L) of the device (10). The device (10) further comprises two deflector plates (300), the deflector plates (300) each being mountable to the body (30) to cover a respective widthways portion (31A, 31B) of the joint (31).

Description

[0001] The following relates to a balise protection device for receiving a balise; an assembly comprising the protection device and the balise; and a method for assembling the same.Background

[0002] A balise is an electronic beacon or transponder placed between the rails of a railway as part of an automatic train protection system. They are normally attached to a sleeper. Balises are used to transmit information to trains, such as speed limits, train identification, and track layout.

[0003] Balise protection devices are used to prevent damage or displacement of a balise during its service life. The protection device may be a box that provides shielding of the balise and / or enhances the strength of its connection to the sleeper.

[0004] There is a requirement for balise protection devices that offer improved protection and functionality.

[0005] The invention relates to an improved balise protection device and is defined by the appended independent claims. Some optional features are defined by the dependent claims.

[0006] KR 100 898 918 B1 discloses a railway track structure device for protecting a track circuit device housing fixedly installed on a concrete road of a railway. US 1 580 467 A discloses automatic train control systems for railroads and in particular a trackway influence communicating device for such systems. DE 295 14 399 U1 discloses a housing for a ground-based radio station mounted on a wooden sleeper between two railway tracks. AT 17766 U1 discloses a balise protection device. EP 3 437 954 A1 also discloses a balise protection device. CN 212 727 661 U discloses a beacon protection box relating to rail transit equipment.Summary

[0007] The present invention is defined by the independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Advantageous embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Fig. 1 shows a protection device for a balise in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; Fig. 2 shows the device of Fig. 1 with a lid of the device in a partially removed state; Fig. 3 is an exploded diagram of the device of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 shows the device of Fig. 1 with a balise aligned for attachment to a sleeper of a rail track. Detailed Description

[0009] The subsequent description relates to a protection device 10 for a balise 20 that is receivable in the protection device 10.

[0010] With reference to Figs. 1 and 3, the protection device 10 comprises a base 100 and a lid 200. The lid 200 is attachable to the base 100 to define a body 30 that at least partially encloses a compartment 101 of the base 100 in which the balise 20 is receivable. A joint 31 is defined at an outer surface 32 of the body 30 where the base 100 meets the lid 100. The joint 31 comprises two widthways portions 31A, 31B that extend in a width direction W of the device 10 and are separated in a length direction L of the device 10. The device 10 further comprises two deflector plates 300. The deflector plates 300 are each mountable to the body 30 to cover a respective widthways portion 31A, 31B of the joint 31.

[0011] The device 10 is configured for attachment to a railway sleeper 40 (as shown in Fig. 4) so that the width direction (W) of the device 10 extends parallel to the railway sleeper 40 and the length direction (L) of the device extends parallel to the rails 50. In this way, the deflector plates 300 face the direction of travel of rail traffic passing over the protection device 10. The purpose of the deflector plates 300 is to help secure the lid 200 to the base 100. This is achieved by the deflector plates 300 at least partially covering the widthways joint 31A, 31B to overlap a portion of the lid 200. The principal advantages of this are twofold: First, by covering at least a portion of the widthways joints 31A, 31B, the ingress of snow, ice and other detritus that may be pushed into the joints 31A, 31B by passing rail traffic is significantly reduced, or prevented altogether. This helps avert a failure mode in which snow and ice get in between the lid 200 and the base 100 to force them apart. Second, by overlapping the lid 200, the deflector plates 300 help hold the lid 200 to the base 100, even where fixings have not been properly fastened.

[0012] The base 100 is shown with the lid 200 removed in Fig. 3. The base 100 comprises an upper surface 102 and a lower surface 104. The upper surface 102 is separated from the lower surface 104 by opposing lateral surfaces 107. The base 100 may be a solid body that is machined or moulded from any suitable mouldable material. In one example, the base 100 is made of a non-metallic material such as glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP). Manufacturing the base 100 from a non-metallic material prevents interference with electronic signals passing two and from the balise 20.

[0013] The upper surface 102 of the base 100 comprises a central portion 102C that is shaped to form a compartment 101 for the balise 20. The compartment 101 is formed as a channel 101 that extends in the width direction W of the device 10. The compartment 101 is open at the lateral surfaces 107 of the base 100. In this way, the balise 20 can be slid into the compartment 101 in the width direction W. The compartment's 101 dimension in the length direction L of the device is substantially equal to the equivalent dimension of the balise 20 so that the balise 20 is securely located in the length direction L when received in the compartment 101.

[0014] The upper surface 102 of the base 100 further comprises grooves 102G that are formed either side the central portion 102C; and end surfaces 102E that extend from the grooves 102G to respective outer edges 103 of the base 100.The grooves 102G extend in the width direction W of the device 10 and are open at the lateral surfaces 107 of the base 100. The end surfaces 102E extend at an oblique angle to a generally planar lower surface 104 of the base 100 to provide the base 100 with pointed ends 105.

[0015] The lid 200 comprises an upper surface 202 and a lower surface 204. The upper surface is separated from the lower surface by opposing lateral surfaces 205. The lid 200 may be a solid body that is machined or moulded from any suitable mouldable material. In one example, the lid 200 is made of a non-metallic material such as glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP). Manufacturing the lid 200 from a non-metallic material prevents interference with electronic signals passing two and from the balise 20.

[0016] The upper surface 202 of the lid 200 comprises a middle upper surface 202MU and end surfaces 202E, either side the middle upper surface 202MU. The end surfaces 202E extend to ends 206 of the lid 200 and slope downwards from the middle upper surface 202MU so that, when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100, the end surfaces 202E of the lid 200 slope downward from the middle upper surface 202MU toward respective end surfaces 102E of the base 100. The widthways portions 31A, 31B of the joint 31 are formed where the end surfaces 202E of the lid 200 meet the end surfaces 102E of the base 100. This means that the device 10 comprises a double-wedge profile with sloping ends that face the direction of travel of passing rail traffic. An advantage of this shape is that snow, ice and other detritus that may be pushed long the track by rail traffic is more easily deflected over the device 10. This better protects a balise 20 housed therein. In the illustrated example, the upper surface 202 of the lid 200 is provided with a checker plate pattern to provide grip to the footwear of rail workers who may step on the device 10. The checker plate pattern may be formed directly in the upper surface 202 of the lid 200 or may be provided by a separate checker plate that is shaped to conform to the upper surface 202.

[0017] The lower surface 204 of the lid 200 comprises a central portion 204C that is shaped to compliment the compartment 101 of the base 100 when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100. The central portion 204C is formed as a channel 101 that extends in the width direction W of the device 10 and is open at the lateral surfaces 205. The channel's 207 dimension in the length direction L is substantially equal to the equivalent dimension of the compartment 101 so that, when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100, the channel 207 of the lid 200 and the compartment 101 of the base 100 together form a chamber 34 having openings 33. The openings 33 are provided in opposing lateral surfaces 32A of the body 30 that are formed of the lateral surfaces 107, 205 of the base 100 and the lid 200. The openings 33 communicate the chamber 34 with an exterior of the device 10 and allow the balise 20 to be freely slid in and out of assembled device 10.

[0018] The lower surface 204 of the lid 200 further comprises tongue portions 204T (hereinafter tongues 204T) formed either side the central portion 204C. The tongues 204T are formed in relief and extend in the width direction W to the lateral surfaces 205 of the lid 200. The tongues' 204T dimension in the length direction L is substantially equal to the equivalent dimension of the grooves 102G and are arranged so that the tongues 204T sit within respective grooves 102G when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100. Therefore, the tongues 204T locate the lid 200 in the length direction relative to the base 100.

[0019] The lid 200 is provided with a first set of through holes 208 that extend between the end surfaces 202E of the upper surface 202 and lower surface 204 in the region of the tongues 204T. The through holes 208 are each configured to receive a screw fixing 209, such as a screw or bolt. While eight through holes 208 are illustrated (four each side), any number may be used as appropriate. The grooves 102G in the base 100 are provided with a corresponding first set of female threaded holes 108 for engaging the screw fixings 209. The through holes 208 are arranged to align with the female threaded holes 108 when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100 so that the screw fixings may be used to attach the lid 200 to the base 100.

[0020] In the illustrated example, each deflector plate 300 comprises an upper wall 301 and a lower wall 302. When the deflector plates 300 are mounted to the body 30 of the base 100, the upper wall 301 of each deflector plate 300 is configured to cover a portion of the upper surface 32U of the body 30 and the lower wall 302 is configured to partially cover a portion of the lower surface 32L of the body 30. The portion of the upper surface 32U of the body 30 covered by the deflector plates 300 is formed of at least the end surfaces 102E of the base and a portion of the end surfaces 202E of the lid 200. The portion of lower surface 32L of the body covered by the deflector plates 300 is formed of a portion of the lower surface 104 of the base 100.

[0021] The upper wall 301 extends from the lower wall 302 along a common edge 303. The upper wall 301 extends at an oblique angle to the lower wall 302 that is substantially equal to the angle of the pointed ends 105 of the base 100. The deflector plates 300 may further comprise ribs 306 (as in the illustrated example) that upstand between an inner surface of the upper wall 301 and an inner surface of the lower wall 302 to stiffen the deflector plate 300. Corresponding cut outs 109 are provided in the pointed ends 105 of the base 100 to receive the ribs 306.

[0022] To secure each deflector plate 300 to the body 30 of the device 10, each deflector plate 300 is mounted to a respective pointed end 105 of the base 100 and screw fixings 209' are passed through openings in the lower wall of the deflector plate 300 for threaded engagement with female threaded holes at the lower surface 104 of the base 100.

[0023] A tab 304 extends from an interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301. The interior edge 305 is opposite and parallel to the common edge 303. In the illustrated example, the tab 304 and only the tab 304 of each deflector plate 300 is arranged to extend over a respective widthways portion 31A, 31B of the joint 31. The tab 304 extends only partially along the full length of the interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301 and is centred along the interior edge 305. In this way, from an assembled state of the device 10, the lid 200 may be removed from the base 100 by removing the necessary screw fixings and sliding the lid 200 in the width direction W until the end surfaces 202E of the lid 200 are clear of respective tabs 304, whereupon the lid 200 may be lifted up and clear of the base 100. This allows for the lid 200 to be removed without removing the deflector plates 300, even where a full widthways movement of the lid 200 may be blocked by the rails 50.

[0024] In one example, the tab 304 may extend no more than 60% along the full length of the interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301; or, preferably, no more than 50% along the full length of the interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301. In this way, each deflector plate 300 covers only a part of the respective widthways portion 31A, 31B of the joint 30 when attached to the body 30 of the device 10.

[0025] In one example, the tab 304 may extend no more than 250mm along the interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301; or, preferably, no more than 200mm along the interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301.

[0026] In one embodiment, the lid 200 and the base 100 comprises respective sets of through holes 203, 106. Each through hole of the sets of through holes 203, 106 are configured to receive a screw fixing. To readily distinguish each set of through holes, the set of through holes 203 in the lid 200 are herein referred to as the 'set of lid through holes 203' and the set of through holes 106 in the base 100 are herein referred to as the 'set of base through holes 106'. The set of lid through holes 203 are arranged to align with the set of base through holes 106 when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100. In such an embodiment, the balise 20 is provided with through holes 21 (as shown in Fig. 4) that are arranged so that, when the balise 20 is received in the compartment 101 and the lid 200 is attached to the base 100, the through holes 21 in the balise 20 align with both the set of lid through holes 203 and the set of base through holes 106. In this way, the balise 20 may be secured within the device 10 by screw fixings 60 without needing a further closure for the chamber 34. A further advantage of this arrangement is that the balise 20 can be removed from the device 10 by simple removal of the screw fixings 60 from the through holes 21 of the balise 20, allowing the balise 20 to be slid out of the device 10 in the width direction W. When the device 10 is attached to a sleeper 40, the screw fixings 60 may be passed though the through holes 106, 203 of the base 100 and the lid 200 for engagement with the sleeper 40. The sleeper may be provided with female threaded holes for engagement with the screw fixings 60; alternatively the sleeper 40 may be provided with through holes to allow the screw fixings 60 to pass therethrough for securing with a nut.

[0027] To assemble the device 10 with a balise 20, the following method is employed: the base 100 is provided; the deflector plates 300 are attached to the ends 105 of the base 100 and screw fixings are inserted through openings in the lower wall 302 and into female threaded holes in the lower surface 104L of the base 100; the balise 20 is then inserted into the compartment 101 of the base 100; the lid 200 is then slid under the deflector plates 300 so that the deflector plates 300 at least partially overlap the joint 31 formed where the base 100 meets the lid 200; and the lid 200 is fixed to the base 100 by inserting one or more screw fixings through the lid 200 for threaded engagement with the base 100.List of Reference Numbers

[0028] 10 - Protection device; 20 - Balise 30 - Body 31 - Joint 31A, 31B - Widthways portions of the joint 32 - Outer surface of the body 32A - Lateral surface of the body 32L - Lower surface of the body 32U - Upper surface of the body 33 - Opening 34 - Chamber 100 - Base 101 - Compartment 102 - Upper surface of the base 102C - Central portion of the upper surface 102E - End surfaces of the base 102G - Groove 103 - Outer edges 104 - Lower surface of the base 105 - Pointed ends 106 - Set of base through holes 107 - Lateral surfaces of the base 108 - First set of female threaded holes 109 - cut outs 200 - Lid 202 - Upper surface of the lid 202E - End surface of the lid 202MU - Middle upper surface 203 - Set of lid through holes 204 - Lower surface of the lid 204T - Tongue portion of the lower surface of the lid 204C - Central portion of the lower surface of the lid 205 - Lateral surfaces of the lid 206 - Ends of the lid 207 - Channel 208 - First set of through holes 209 - Screw fixing 300 - Deflector plates 301 - Upper wall 302 - Lower wall 303 - Common edge 305 - interior edge 306 - ribs

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0009]The subsequent description relates to a protection device 10 for a balise 20 that is receivable in the protection device 10.

[0010]With reference to Figs. 1 and 3, the protection device 10 comprises a base 100 and a lid 200. The lid 200 is attachable to the base 100 to define a body 30 that at least partially encloses a compartment 101 of the base 100 in which the balise 20 is receivable. A joint 31 is defined at an outer surface 32 of the body 30 where the base 100 meets the lid 100. The joint 31 comprises two widthways portions 31A, 31B that extend in a width direction W of the device 10 and are separated in a length direction L of the device 10. The device 10 further comprises two deflector plates 300. The deflector plates 300 are each mountable to the body 30 to cover a respective widthways portion 31A, 31B of the joint 31.

[0011]The device 10 is configured for attachment to a railway sleeper 40 (as shown in Fig. 4) so that the width direction (W) of the device 10 extends pa...

[0001] The following relates to a balise protection device for receiving a balise; an assembly comprising the protection device and the balise; and a method for assembling the same.Background

[0002] A balise is an electronic beacon or transponder placed between the rails of a railway as part of an automatic train protection system. They are normally attached to a sleeper. Balises are used to transmit information to trains, such as speed limits, train identification, and track layout.

[0003] Balise protection devices are used to prevent damage or displacement of a balise during its service life. The protection device may be a box that provides shielding of the balise and / or enhances the strength of its connection to the sleeper.

[0004] There is a requirement for balise protection devices that offer improved protection and functionality.

[0005] The invention relates to an improved balise protection device and is defined by the appended independent claims. Some optional features are defined by the dependent claims.

[0006] KR 100 898 918 B1 discloses a railway track structure device for protecting a track circuit device housing fixedly installed on a concrete road of a railway. US 1 580 467 A discloses automatic train control systems for railroads and in particular a trackway influence communicating device for such systems. DE 295 14 399 U1 discloses a housing for a ground-based radio station mounted on a wooden sleeper between two railway tracks. AT 17766 U1 discloses a balise protection device. EP 3 437 954 A1 also discloses a balise protection device. CN 212 727 661 U discloses a beacon protection box relating to rail transit equipment.Summary

[0007] The present invention is defined by the independent claims, to which reference should now be made. Advantageous embodiments are set out in the dependent claims.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Fig. 1 shows a protection device for a balise in accordance with some embodiments of the invention; Fig. 2 shows the device of Fig. 1 with a lid of the device in a partially removed state; Fig. 3 is an exploded diagram of the device of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 shows the device of Fig. 1 with a balise aligned for attachment to a sleeper of a rail track. Detailed Description

[0009] The subsequent description relates to a protection device 10 for a balise 20 that is receivable in the protection device 10.

[0010] With reference to Figs. 1 and 3, the protection device 10 comprises a base 100 and a lid 200. The lid 200 is attachable to the base 100 to define a body 30 that at least partially encloses a compartment 101 of the base 100 in which the balise 20 is receivable. A joint 31 is defined at an outer surface 32 of the body 30 where the base 100 meets the lid 100. The joint 31 comprises two widthways portions 31A, 31B that extend in a width direction W of the device 10 and are separated in a length direction L of the device 10. The device 10 further comprises two deflector plates 300. The deflector plates 300 are each mountable to the body 30 to cover a respective widthways portion 31A, 31B of the joint 31.

[0011] The device 10 is configured for attachment to a railway sleeper 40 (as shown in Fig. 4) so that the width direction (W) of the device 10 extends parallel to the railway sleeper 40 and the length direction (L) of the device extends parallel to the rails 50. In this way, the deflector plates 300 face the direction of travel of rail traffic passing over the protection device 10. The purpose of the deflector plates 300 is to help secure the lid 200 to the base 100. This is achieved by the deflector plates 300 at least partially covering the widthways joint 31A, 31B to overlap a portion of the lid 200. The principal advantages of this are twofold: First, by covering at least a portion of the widthways joints 31A, 31B, the ingress of snow, ice and other detritus that may be pushed into the joints 31A, 31B by passing rail traffic is significantly reduced, or prevented altogether. This helps avert a failure mode in which snow and ice get in between the lid 200 and the base 100 to force them apart. Second, by overlapping the lid 200, the deflector plates 300 help hold the lid 200 to the base 100, even where fixings have not been properly fastened.

[0012] The base 100 is shown with the lid 200 removed in Fig. 3. The base 100 comprises an upper surface 102 and a lower surface 104. The upper surface 102 is separated from the lower surface 104 by opposing lateral surfaces 107. The base 100 may be a solid body that is machined or moulded from any suitable mouldable material. In one example, the base 100 is made of a non-metallic material such as glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP). Manufacturing the base 100 from a non-metallic material prevents interference with electronic signals passing two and from the balise 20.

[0013] The upper surface 102 of the base 100 comprises a central portion 102C that is shaped to form a compartment 101 for the balise 20. The compartment 101 is formed as a channel 101 that extends in the width direction W of the device 10. The compartment 101 is open at the lateral surfaces 107 of the base 100. In this way, the balise 20 can be slid into the compartment 101 in the width direction W. The compartment's 101 dimension in the length direction L of the device is substantially equal to the equivalent dimension of the balise 20 so that the balise 20 is securely located in the length direction L when received in the compartment 101.

[0014] The upper surface 102 of the base 100 further comprises grooves 102G that are formed either side the central portion 102C; and end surfaces 102E that extend from the grooves 102G to respective outer edges 103 of the base 100.The grooves 102G extend in the width direction W of the device 10 and are open at the lateral surfaces 107 of the base 100. The end surfaces 102E extend at an oblique angle to a generally planar lower surface 104 of the base 100 to provide the base 100 with pointed ends 105.

[0015] The lid 200 comprises an upper surface 202 and a lower surface 204. The upper surface is separated from the lower surface by opposing lateral surfaces 205. The lid 200 may be a solid body that is machined or moulded from any suitable mouldable material. In one example, the lid 200 is made of a non-metallic material such as glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP). Manufacturing the lid 200 from a non-metallic material prevents interference with electronic signals passing two and from the balise 20.

[0016] The upper surface 202 of the lid 200 comprises a middle upper surface 202MU and end surfaces 202E, either side the middle upper surface 202MU. The end surfaces 202E extend to ends 206 of the lid 200 and slope downwards from the middle upper surface 202MU so that, when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100, the end surfaces 202E of the lid 200 slope downward from the middle upper surface 202MU toward respective end surfaces 102E of the base 100. The widthways portions 31A, 31B of the joint 31 are formed where the end surfaces 202E of the lid 200 meet the end surfaces 102E of the base 100. This means that the device 10 comprises a double-wedge profile with sloping ends that face the direction of travel of passing rail traffic. An advantage of this shape is that snow, ice and other detritus that may be pushed long the track by rail traffic is more easily deflected over the device 10. This better protects a balise 20 housed therein. In the illustrated example, the upper surface 202 of the lid 200 is provided with a checker plate pattern to provide grip to the footwear of rail workers who may step on the device 10. The checker plate pattern may be formed directly in the upper surface 202 of the lid 200 or may be provided by a separate checker plate that is shaped to conform to the upper surface 202.

[0017] The lower surface 204 of the lid 200 comprises a central portion 204C that is shaped to compliment the compartment 101 of the base 100 when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100. The central portion 204C is formed as a channel 101 that extends in the width direction W of the device 10 and is open at the lateral surfaces 205. The channel's 207 dimension in the length direction L is substantially equal to the equivalent dimension of the compartment 101 so that, when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100, the channel 207 of the lid 200 and the compartment 101 of the base 100 together form a chamber 34 having openings 33. The openings 33 are provided in opposing lateral surfaces 32A of the body 30 that are formed of the lateral surfaces 107, 205 of the base 100 and the lid 200. The openings 33 communicate the chamber 34 with an exterior of the device 10 and allow the balise 20 to be freely slid in and out of assembled device 10.

[0018] The lower surface 204 of the lid 200 further comprises tongue portions 204T (hereinafter tongues 204T) formed either side the central portion 204C. The tongues 204T are formed in relief and extend in the width direction W to the lateral surfaces 205 of the lid 200. The tongues' 204T dimension in the length direction L is substantially equal to the equivalent dimension of the grooves 102G and are arranged so that the tongues 204T sit within respective grooves 102G when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100. Therefore, the tongues 204T locate the lid 200 in the length direction relative to the base 100.

[0019] The lid 200 is provided with a first set of through holes 208 that extend between the end surfaces 202E of the upper surface 202 and lower surface 204 in the region of the tongues 204T. The through holes 208 are each configured to receive a screw fixing 209, such as a screw or bolt. While eight through holes 208 are illustrated (four each side), any number may be used as appropriate. The grooves 102G in the base 100 are provided with a corresponding first set of female threaded holes 108 for engaging the screw fixings 209. The through holes 208 are arranged to align with the female threaded holes 108 when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100 so that the screw fixings may be used to attach the lid 200 to the base 100.

[0020] In the illustrated example, each deflector plate 300 comprises an upper wall 301 and a lower wall 302. When the deflector plates 300 are mounted to the body 30 of the base 100, the upper wall 301 of each deflector plate 300 is configured to cover a portion of the upper surface 32U of the body 30 and the lower wall 302 is configured to partially cover a portion of the lower surface 32L of the body 30. The portion of the upper surface 32U of the body 30 covered by the deflector plates 300 is formed of at least the end surfaces 102E of the base and a portion of the end surfaces 202E of the lid 200. The portion of lower surface 32L of the body covered by the deflector plates 300 is formed of a portion of the lower surface 104 of the base 100.

[0021] The upper wall 301 extends from the lower wall 302 along a common edge 303. The upper wall 301 extends at an oblique angle to the lower wall 302 that is substantially equal to the angle of the pointed ends 105 of the base 100. The deflector plates 300 may further comprise ribs 306 (as in the illustrated example) that upstand between an inner surface of the upper wall 301 and an inner surface of the lower wall 302 to stiffen the deflector plate 300. Corresponding cut outs 109 are provided in the pointed ends 105 of the base 100 to receive the ribs 306.

[0022] To secure each deflector plate 300 to the body 30 of the device 10, each deflector plate 300 is mounted to a respective pointed end 105 of the base 100 and screw fixings 209' are passed through openings in the lower wall of the deflector plate 300 for threaded engagement with female threaded holes at the lower surface 104 of the base 100.

[0023] A tab 304 extends from an interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301. The interior edge 305 is opposite and parallel to the common edge 303. In the illustrated example, the tab 304 and only the tab 304 of each deflector plate 300 is arranged to extend over a respective widthways portion 31A, 31B of the joint 31. The tab 304 extends only partially along the full length of the interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301 and is centred along the interior edge 305. In this way, from an assembled state of the device 10, the lid 200 may be removed from the base 100 by removing the necessary screw fixings and sliding the lid 200 in the width direction W until the end surfaces 202E of the lid 200 are clear of respective tabs 304, whereupon the lid 200 may be lifted up and clear of the base 100. This allows for the lid 200 to be removed without removing the deflector plates 300, even where a full widthways movement of the lid 200 may be blocked by the rails 50.

[0024] In one example, the tab 304 may extend no more than 60% along the full length of the interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301; or, preferably, no more than 50% along the full length of the interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301. In this way, each deflector plate 300 covers only a part of the respective widthways portion 31A, 31B of the joint 30 when attached to the body 30 of the device 10.

[0025] In one example, the tab 304 may extend no more than 250mm along the interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301; or, preferably, no more than 200mm along the interior edge 305 of the upper wall 301.

[0026] In one embodiment, the lid 200 and the base 100 comprises respective sets of through holes 203, 106. Each through hole of the sets of through holes 203, 106 are configured to receive a screw fixing. To readily distinguish each set of through holes, the set of through holes 203 in the lid 200 are herein referred to as the 'set of lid through holes 203' and the set of through holes 106 in the base 100 are herein referred to as the 'set of base through holes 106'. The set of lid through holes 203 are arranged to align with the set of base through holes 106 when the lid 200 is attached to the base 100. In such an embodiment, the balise 20 is provided with through holes 21 (as shown in Fig. 4) that are arranged so that, when the balise 20 is received in the compartment 101 and the lid 200 is attached to the base 100, the through holes 21 in the balise 20 align with both the set of lid through holes 203 and the set of base through holes 106. In this way, the balise 20 may be secured within the device 10 by screw fixings 60 without needing a further closure for the chamber 34. A further advantage of this arrangement is that the balise 20 can be removed from the device 10 by simple removal of the screw fixings 60 from the through holes 21 of the balise 20, allowing the balise 20 to be slid out of the device 10 in the width direction W. When the device 10 is attached to a sleeper 40, the screw fixings 60 may be passed though the through holes 106, 203 of the base 100 and the lid 200 for engagement with the sleeper 40. The sleeper may be provided with female threaded holes for engagement with the screw fixings 60; alternatively the sleeper 40 may be provided with through holes to allow the screw fixings 60 to pass therethrough for securing with a nut.

[0027] To assemble the device 10 with a balise 20, the following method is employed: the base 100 is provided; the deflector plates 300 are attached to the ends 105 of the base 100 and screw fixings are inserted through openings in the lower wall 302 and into female threaded holes in the lower surface 104L of the base 100; the balise 20 is then inserted into the compartment 101 of the base 100; the lid 200 is then slid under the deflector plates 300 so that the deflector plates 300 at least partially overlap the joint 31 formed where the base 100 meets the lid 200; and the lid 200 is fixed to the base 100 by inserting one or more screw fixings through the lid 200 for threaded engagement with the base 100.List of Reference Numbers

[0028] 10 - Protection device; 20 - Balise 30 - Body 31 - Joint 31A, 31B - Widthways portions of the joint 32 - Outer surface of the body 32A - Lateral surface of the body 32L - Lower surface of the body 32U - Upper surface of the body 33 - Opening 34 - Chamber 100 - Base 101 - Compartment 102 - Upper surface of the base 102C - Central portion of the upper surface 102E - End surfaces of the base 102G - Groove 103 - Outer edges 104 - Lower surface of the base 105 - Pointed ends 106 - Set of base through holes 107 - Lateral surfaces of the base 108 - First set of female threaded holes 109 - cut outs 200 - Lid 202 - Upper surface of the lid 202E - End surface of the lid 202MU - Middle upper surface 203 - Set of lid through holes 204 - Lower surface of the lid 204T - Tongue portion of the lower surface of the lid 204C - Central portion of the lower surface of the lid 205 - Lateral surfaces of the lid 206 - Ends of the lid 207 - Channel 208 - First set of through holes 209 - Screw fixing 300 - Deflector plates 301 - Upper wall 302 - Lower wall 303 - Common edge 305 - interior edge 306 - ribs

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0009]The subsequent description relates to a protection device 10 for a balise 20 that is receivable in the protection device 10.

[0010]With reference to Figs. 1 and 3, the protection device 10 comprises a base 100 and a lid 200. The lid 200 is attachable to the base 100 to define a body 30 that at least partially encloses a compartment 101 of the base 100 in which the balise 20 is receivable. A joint 31 is defined at an outer surface 32 of the body 30 where the base 100 meets the lid 100. The joint 31 comprises two widthways portions 31A, 31B that extend in a width direction W of the device 10 and are separated in a length direction L of the device 10. The device 10 further comprises two deflector plates 300. The deflector plates 300 are each mountable to the body 30 to cover a respective widthways portion 31A, 31B of the joint 31.

[0011]The device 10 is configured for attachment to a railway sleeper 40 (as shown in Fig. 4) so that the width direction (W) of the device 10 extends pa...

Claims

1. A balise protection device (10) for receiving a balise (20) for an automatic train protection system, the balise protection device (10) comprising a base (100) and a lid (200); wherein the lid (200) is attachable to the base (100) to define a body (30) that at least partially encloses a compartment (101) in which the balise (2) is receivable; wherein a joint (31) is defined at an outer surface (32) of the body (30) where the base (100) meets the lid (100); the joint (31) comprising two widthways portions (31A, 31B) that extend in a width direction (W) of the balise protection device (10) and are separated in a length direction (L) of the balise protection device (10); wherein the balise protection device (10) further comprises two deflector plates (300), the deflector plates (300) each being mountable to the body (30) to cover a respective widthways portion (31A, 31B) of the joint (31), wherein each deflector plate (300) comprises an upper wall (301) and a lower wall (302), the upper wall (301) extending from the lower wall (302) along a common edge (303), the upper wall (301) being configured to partially cover an upper surface (32U) of the body (30) and the lower wall (302) being configured to partially cover a lower surface (32L) of the body (30); and characterized by each deflector plate (300) comprising a tab (304) extending from an interior edge (305) of the upper wall (301), the interior edge (305) being opposite and parallel to the common edge (303).

2. The balise protection device (10) of claim 1, wherein the balise protection device (10) is configured for attachment to a railway sleeper (40) so that the width direction (W) of the balise protection device (10) extends substantially parallel to the railway sleeper (40) and the length direction (L) of the balise protection device (10) extends substantially parallel to a rail.

3. The balise protection device (10) of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each deflector plate (300) covers only a part of the respective widthways portion (31A, 31B) of the joint (30) when attached to the body (30) of the balise protection device (10).

4. The balise protection device (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the upper wall (301) extends at an oblique angle to the lower wall (302).

5. The balise protection device (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the tab (304) and only the tab (304) of the deflector plate (300) extends over the respective widthways portion (31A, 31B) of the joint (31) when the deflector plate (300) is attached to the body (30) of the balise protection device (10).

6. The balise protection device (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the tab (304) extends only partially along the full length of the interior edge (305) of the upper wall (301); and, optionally, wherein the tab (304) is centred on the interior edge (305).

7. The balise protection device (10) of claim 6, wherein the tab (304) extends no more than 60% along the full length of the interior edge (305) of the upper wall (301); or, preferably, no more than 50% along the full length of the interior edge (305) of the upper wall (301).

8. The balise protection device (10) of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the tab (304) extends no more than 250mm along the interior edge (305) of the upper wall (301); or, preferably, no more than 200mm along the interior edge (305) of the upper wall (301).

9. The balise protection device (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the body (30) comprises two, opposed lateral surfaces (32A) that extend in a length direction (L) of the balise protection device (10); and wherein an opening (33) in each lateral surface (32A) communicates the compartment (101) with an exterior of the balise protection device (10).

10. The balise protection device (10) of any preceding claim, wherein an upper surface (102) of the base (100) comprises two grooves (102G) that extend in the width direction (W) of the balise protection device (10) and are spaced apart in the length direction (L), each groove (102G) being configured to receive a corresponding tongue (204T) of the lid (200) when the lid (200) is attached to the base (100); and, optionally, wherein the upper surface (102) of the base (100) comprises end surfaces (102E) that each extend to respective outer edges (103) of the base (100), the end surfaces (102E) extending at an oblique angle to a lower surface (104) of the base (100) to provide the base (100) with pointed ends (105) over which the deflector plates (300) are mountable; and, optionally, wherein an upper surface (202) of the lid (200) comprises a middle upper surface (202MU) and end surfaces (202E) that slope downwards from the middle upper surface (202MU) so that, when the lid (200) is attached to the base (100), the end surfaces (202E) of the lid (200) slope downward from the middle upper surface (202MU) toward respective end surfaces (102E) of the base (100); and, optionally, wherein the two widthways portions of the joint (31A, 31B) are formed where the end surfaces (202E) of the lid (200) meet the end surfaces (102E) of the base (100).

11. The balise protection device (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the lid (200) comprises a set of lid through holes (203) and the base (100) comprises a set of base through holes (106), the respective sets of through holes (203, 106) being configured to align with each other when the lid (200) is attached to the base (100); and, optionally, wherein the balise protection device (10) further comprises a balise (20) having through holes (21) that align with both the set of lid through holes (203) and the set of base through holes (106) when the balise (20) is received in the compartment (101) and the lid (200) is attached to the base (100).

12. An assembly comprising the balise protection device (10) of any preceding claim and the balise (20).

13. A method of assembling the balise protection device (10) of claim 1 with a balise (20), the method comprising: providing the base (100); attaching the deflector plates (300) to ends (105) of the base (100); inserting the balise (20) into the compartment (101) of the base (100); sliding the lid (200) under the deflector plates (300) so that the deflector plates (300) at least partially overlap the joint (31) formed where the base (100) meets the lid (200); and fixing the lid (200) to the base (100).

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the lid (200) comprises a set of lid through holes (203) and the base (100) comprises a set of base through holes (106), the respective sets of through holes (203, 106) being configured to align with each other when the lid (200) is attached to the base (100); and, wherein the balise protection device (10) further comprises a balise (20) having through holes (21) that align with both the set of lid through holes (203) and the set of base through holes (106) when the balise (20) is received in the compartment (101) and the lid (200) is attached to the base (100), the method further comprising fixing the lid (200) to the base (100) by inserting one or more screw fixings through the lid (200) and balise (20) for threaded engagement with the base (100).

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