Protection screen for workers on railway tracks

Abstract

Protective screen for workers on railway tracks placed longitudinally parallel to the train track, specially designed to safeguard the physical integrity of personnel carrying out construction or maintenance work, protecting them from being run over by the train. This type of element would avoid having to schedule train stops for maintenance work, being compatible with the movement of trains and without interruptions that disrupt and alter the normalized schedules, avoiding loss of time and always achieving total safety for operators. The system comprise a micro-perforated panel (9) installed longitudinally and parallel to the train track, being said panel (9) associated and fixed to some square supports, which in turn incorporate a system of height, width and horizontal leveling adjustment, being the structure that makes up the whole screen fixed to the sleeper of the track and the pavement itself, as the square support has a fixing system.

Description

Purpose of the Invention

[0001] This invention refers to a protection screen for workers on railway tracks, which, due to its technical characteristics, offers substantial advantages over other existing systems in the current state of the art and market.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a micro-perforated safety screen that is installed longitudinally on an angled support, equipped with a system for adjusting its height, width, and horizontal leveling. This screen is placed parallel to the railway track to protect workers performing construction or maintenance tasks, allowing temporary access in the presence of a train and mitigating the risk of potential accidents.Field of the technique

[0003] This invention fits in the sector corresponding to elements affecting the safety of railway traffic and more specifically safety or signaling devices for persons working in the environment of railway tracks.Background of the Invention

[0004] It is well known that construction and maintenance tasks on railway tracks involve significant risks for workers. Railway tracks are areas of limited space and high exposure, where train traffic poses serious threats to safety. Currently, there are several protection solutions available, such as signaling devices, auditory alerts, and even physical barriers. However, these solutions are not always efficient in preventing accidents, as they either rely heavily on human intervention or do not sufficiently mitigate the risks caused by proximity to moving trains.

[0005] For this reason, and in view of the lack of safety for workers performing maintenance work that has to be carried out parallel to the tracks, it is common for rail traffic stops to be planned to protect workers from the risk of being run over by the train, or for the work to be carried out during maintenance time slots, often at night, which reduces performance and increases the nuisance to neighbors due to night work and the noise it causes.

[0006] An effective solution would be to have rigid, stable and light protective screens that would guarantee the safety of the workers who are carrying out the work next to the train track. This type of element would avoid having to schedule train stops for maintenance work, being compatible with the movement of trains and without interruptions that disrupt and alter the normalized schedules, avoiding loss of time and always achieving total safety for operators.

[0007] The applicant company does not know of any effective technical solution that has the characteristics and advantages of the protective screen presented.Description of the Invention

[0008] The present invention refers to a protective screen for workers on railway tracks placed longitudinally parallel to the train track, specially designed to safeguard the physical integrity of personnel carrying out construction or maintenance work, protecting them from being run over by the train.

[0009] In essence, the innovation consists of a safety device that defines a fence based on a screen that has the basic and differentiating characteristic of being adjustable in height, width and horizontal leveling. This screen must be, on the one hand, sufficiently rigid and stable so that it does not move with the passing of trains, which obviously cause vibrations and gusts of wind and, on the other hand, sufficiently light so that it can be assembled and disassembled with speed and agility, being destined to fulfill the function of separating the train track from the work area where the operators are performing maintenance services on the track.

[0010] Thus, the screen is formed by a micro-perforated panel that is installed longitudinally and parallel to the train track, associated and fixed to square supports, which in turn incorporate a system of height, width and horizontal leveling adjustment, being the structure that forms the whole of the screen fixed to the sleeper of the track itself. Specifically, the square support has a fixing system in the existing anchorages in the supports of the track, being also attached to the pavement of the track, which ensures its total firmness and immobility.Description of the drawings

[0011] For a better understanding of the general characteristics described above, the following drawings show graphically represented in schematic form, a preferential case of practical realization of the screen by means of a square support that gives stability and strength to the fastening of the micro-perforated panel. Figure 1 shows the perspective view of the detail of the track on which the train runs and the area where the protection screen attachment is installed. Figure 2 shows the view of the support in profile perspective of the screen as a whole. Figure 3 shows the plan view of the screen assembly. Figure 4 shows the view of the lower profile support as a whole. Figure 5 shows the plan view of the bottom support in plan of the assembly. Figures 6a and 6b show plan and profile views of the attachment of the bracket in square to the track structure by means of a rail. Figures 7a and 7b show elevation and plan views of the front section or mast. Figures 8a and 8b show elevation and plan views of the rear section or mast. Description of a preferred embodiment

[0012] In view of the figures, there follows a description of a preferred, though not limitative, embodiment of the proposed invention, said figures incorporating the following numerical dimensioning defining the different parts of the innovation and certain areas which are u nderstood to be important for a better understanding. 1 leveling axis 2 horizontal and vertical arms of the bracket in angle 3 support rail of the horizontal arm of the angle bracket 4 stability tensioner of the angle bracket 5 micro-perforated panel front support mast 6 cable tray support bracket 7 micro-perforated panel rear support mast 8 bracket for fixing the vertical arm of the square bracket 9 micro-perforated display panel 10 fixing holes of the bracket in square and adjustment in height and width. 11 clamping pin. 12 anchoring plate to the pavement. 13 "U" shaped channel to fix the structure. 14 first support post for the micro-perforated panel support mast. 15 second support strut of the micro-perforated panel support mast. 16 stability tensioner fastening ring. 17 track sleeper 18 rail track 19 gauge distance 20 working area 21 train

[0013] As shown in these figures, the screen bracket is the mobile element that positions the screen, regulating its height, the track separation distance and its leveling.

[0014] Figure 1 shows the perspective view of the protection screen with its micro-perforated panel (9) installed on a railway track (18) on which the train (21) runs and the area where its fixing is installed, i.e. a sleeper (17), by means of square supports, dividing and marking the space, i.e. the gauge distance (19) of the train traffic (21) and the working area (20) of the maintenance workers, so that it is possible to carry out the work on the track in complete safety.

[0015] In the following figures - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b - are shown in detail the technical features of the invention, more particularly the conformation of the square support and the means of fixing and stabilizing the screen.

[0016] As shown in figures 2 and 3, the microperforated panel (9) is related to a square support formed by two arms (2) at right angles to regulate the screen assembly in level, height and width, Both arms (2) have a plurality of holes (10) and a ring (16) anchoring a stability tensioner (4), also presenting the arm (2) vertical cable tray clamping bracket (6). A leveling shaft (1) is located at the junction of the two arms.

[0017] Regarding the horizontal arm of the bracket, which is positioned at a lower level, intended to ensure the anchoring of the structure to the pavement and the railway track, it is inserted in a rail (3) that defines a "U" channel (13) to fix the structure to the track sleeper (17).

[0018] With respect to the vertical arm of the bracket, it is intended to be assembled with a mast for fastening the microperforated panel (9) of the screen, this mast having a double longitudinal structure, a first section or mast (5) for front support of the microperforated panel and a second section or mast (7) for rear support, both intended for fastening the microperforated panel, both intended to frame, support and hold the perforated panel (9) of the screen. In its lower part, this vertical arm incorporates a fixing support (8) of the vertical arm of the bracket in square.

[0019] Figures 4 and 5 describe in detail the bracket support that has the function of leveling and regulating in height and width of the screen, being formed by two arms (2) of undefined length and at right angles, one in vertical position, the other in horizontal, each of which has a number of holes (10) and is linked to a ring (16) for fastening a tensioner (4) to adjust the width of the screen. At the junction point of the two arms (2) is located an axis (1) for vertical leveling of the bracket. The vertical arm has a support for the placement of a cable tray (6) of the track.

[0020] Figures 6a and 6b show, with plan and profile views, the detail of the rail (3) related to the base or lower arm of the angle bracket and which defines a "U" shaped channel (13) whose function is to fix the screen to the existing fastening support on the sleeper (17) (not visible in these figures) of the track, regulating the screen in width and marking the gauge distance (19) indicated by the required safety need of the working area. This fixing is achieved by means of the holes (10) and a clamping pin (11) present in this lower arm of the bracket support.

[0021] Figures 7a and 7b and 8a and 8b show, respectively, elevation and plan views of the front support mast (5) and the rear support mast (7) of the micro-perforated panel (9), which frame and support said panel (9), being the means that guarantee its resistance, The means that guarantee its resistance, verticality and height adjustment are perforations in the vertical arm of the bracket, allowing its anchorage to the pavement on one side and to the structure of the bracket on the other side, using for this purpose some fastening struts (14) (15) of the support mast of the micro-perforated panel (9).

[0022] On the basis of what has already been described, the advantages of the claimed protective screen are evident.

[0023] The vertical leveling of the protective screen is achieved in a quick and simple way by means of the tensioning element present in the square support, which incorporates reinforcements for the fastening of the microperforated panel of the screen.

[0024] This bracket can incorporate a motorized automatic vertical and horizontal leveling system Likewise, this support can be raised or lowered individually and simultaneously when the screen needs to be leveled vertically.

[0025] Regarding the protective screen, it should be noted that its micro-perforated panel allows visibility and the passage of the wind avoiding the sail effect.

[0026] This screen must be positioned in such a way as to respect the standard rail gauge distances, which will vary according to the type of line and track. For this purpose, the screen will be fixed to the track sleeper according to the gauge set by the track owner and according to the needs of each area for which it is intended, thanks to the fact that the horizontal element is also adjustable.

[0027] Another factor to take into consideration is that the screen will be installed at a suitable distance from the track, depending on the work area to be covered so that the operator can carry out maintenance work safely.

[0028] Thanks to the structure and technical conformation of the protective screen, its stability and safety allows to shorten the distance between the track and the working area, which can be less than three meters.

[0029] The micro-perforated panel may be replaced by a non-perforated panel, or by metal mesh panels or by an acoustic panel when the work area is located on a road with very heavy traffic to protect the workers from noise and vice versa, if the noise caused by the works is very loud, to protect the passengers and, if necessary, the nearby urban environment.

[0030] The structure of the square support can be made of any geometric shape, square, round, rectangular, hexagonal, etc., as long as it maintains its mechanical properties and resistance.

[0031] Finally, it is worth mentioning that although the main purpose of the safety screen presented here is for the protection of workers in works related to railway tracks, due to its technical characteristics, it can fulfill an additional function as a means of protection for works in progress, acting as an easy-to-install barrier.

[0032] Considering that each and every one of the parts constituting the safety screen for the protection of workers on the track and other safety applications has been amply described, it is not considered necessary to make this description more extensive so that any person skilled in the art may understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom. The materials, shape and size may be varied provided that this does not alter the essential nature of the invention. The terms in which this report has been written should always be taken in a broad and non-limiting sense.

Claims

1. st Protective screen for workers on railway tracks, <b>characterized by comprising a micro-perforated panel (9) installed longitudinally and parallel to the train track, being said panel (9) associated and fixed to some square supports, which in turn incorporate a system of height, width and horizontal leveling adjustment, being the structure that makes up the whole screen fixed to the sleeper of the track and the pavement itself, as the square support has a fixing system.

2. nd Protective screen for workers on railway tracks according to the 1st claim, characterized in that the square support of the micro-perforated panel (9) is formed by two arms (2) at right angles, which have a number of perforations (10) and a ring (16) for anchoring a stability tensioner (4), with the vertical arm (2) also having a cable tray fastening support (6) and comprising a leveling axis (1) at the junction of both arms.

3. rd Protective screen for workers on railway tracks according to the 2nd claim, characterized in that the horizontal arm of the bracket, which is positioned at a lower level, is inserted in a rail (3) that defines a "U" channel (13).

4. th Protective screen for workers on railway tracks according to the 2nd claim, characterized in that the vertical arm (2) of the bracket is assembled with a mast for fastening the screen panel, this mast having a double structure, a first section or front support mast (5) and a second section or rear support mast (7) of the microperforated panel (9), which frame and support the said panel (9), both related to fastening struts (14) (15).

5. th Protective screen for workers on railway tracks according to the 1st claim, characterized in that the bracket incorporates reinforcements for fastening the micro-perforated panel of the screen.

6. th Protective screen for workers on railway tracks according to the 1st claim, characterized in that the vertical and horizontal leveling system of the bracket is automatic and motorized.

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