Modular mobile rail system for railway tracks / Railway attractions, adaptable and reusable, with integrated wheel system and synthetic rubber foundations for transporting and stabilizing parts.
The modular rail system with retractable wheels and synthetic rubber foundations addresses the inflexibility and environmental concerns of traditional railway construction, enabling efficient, adaptable, and sustainable railway network creation.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2024008210
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-30
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing railway construction technologies lack flexibility, mobility, and environmental sustainability, particularly in the context of railway attractions, leading to inefficiencies in construction, transport, and environmental impact.
A modular rail system with retractable wheels, synthetic rubber foundations, and adaptable locking mechanisms, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and reuse, while minimizing environmental disruption.
Enables rapid, flexible, and safe construction of railway networks adaptable to various terrains, reducing costs and environmental impact, and facilitating efficient transport and reuse.
Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Modular mobile rail assembly for railway tracks / Railway attractions, adaptable and reusable, with integrated wheel system and synthetic rubber foundations for transporting and stabilizing parts.
[0001] Technical field: Rail transport, rail construction, manufacturing of rails for railway attractions. Description of the invention “CONFIGARO B”
[0002] The present invention relates to a modular rail system for the construction of railways, particularly for railway attractions of all kinds, such as roller coasters and the like. This innovative system aims to offer increased flexibility, mobility, and safety during the construction, operation, and transport of such infrastructure. The objective is to enable the rapid and efficient creation of railway networks adaptable to various terrains, usable for public or tourist transport purposes, while minimizing environmental impact. Main features:
[0003] 1. Lego-type modularity: The system consists of metal parts Modular components that assemble easily like Lego bricks. This modularity allows for precise adaptation to the site's topography and offers a wide variety of possible configurations. The pieces fit together intuitively, just like Lego. Once connected, cylinder locks or spring-loaded bolts ensure robust and secure locking, guaranteeing the overall stability.
[0004] 2. Integrated mobility: Each part is equipped with a retractable wheel system allowing for easy movement. In the raised position, the wheels are retracted, not interfering with the rail's operation. In the lowered position, they allow the part to be moved. Furthermore, each part is equipped with integrated lifting or towing hooks, enabling efficient transport by crane or vehicle. Thanks to its integrated wheel system and lifting / towing hooks, transporting parts is simple and quick, reducing construction costs and delays.
[0005] *Retractable fixed wheels: In the raised position, the wheels are retracted, not interfering with the operation of the rail. In the lowered position, they allow the part to be moved easily.
[0006] *Optional rotating rods: Lateral rotating rods can be added to facilitate the transport of parts, offering an alternative to fixed wheels.
[0007] 3. Synthetic rubber base: Each modular piece rests on a Integrated platform made of synthetic rubber, perfectly fitted to the metal part of the rail.
[0008] *The main function of the integral synthetic rubber base is to serve as a portable alternative to the fixed gravel bed generally used in railway construction. This base ensures stability and dampens vibrations and shocks, while allowing for the rapid assembly of track components in the field without digging and without damaging the environment. The synthetic rubber offers increased stability, good ground grip, and absorption of vibrations and shocks caused by the movement of the train. The rubber base is grooved on its underside tangent to the ground, further improving its ground grip.
[0009] *The secondary function of the synthetic rubber surface is to optimize and significantly reduce the transport and storage of modular rail parts, by allowing the parts to be stacked upside down, one on top of the other (*the synthetic rubber base allows several parts to be stacked and transported on a single vehicle, thus optimizing logistics).
[0010] 4. Anchoring stakes: Some parts are equipped with retractable stakes with a A locking mechanism (spring, screw, or wedge) securely fastens the piece to the ground, depending on the terrain. The choice of locking system depends on the type of ground. For transport, the stakes retract into the synthetic rubber base.
[0011] 5. Adaptability: The modular parts are designed to adapt to different The system is designed to adapt to different types of terrain, allowing for the creation of varied and personalized routes. This enables the creation of custom railways tailored to the specific needs of each project.
[0012] 6. Reusability: The assembly can be disassembled and reused at other sites, offering thus offering great flexibility, reduced costs and minimal environmental impact.
[0013] 7. Safety: The modular parts are connected to each other by spring bolts and cylinder locks, thus ensuring the security and stability of the assembly. The synthetic rubber base provides additional stability and cushioning. The purpose of the invention:
[0014] The invention makes it possible to use roller coasters / railway attractions of their various types as a new and revolutionary means of intercity transport between suitable urban and tourist destinations worldwide. This is achieved while preserving environmental quality and a profitable and sustainable economic model. According to the model, the railway track must be divided into three distinct sections, depending on the geographical and technical characteristics of each section, and based on rigorous engineering calculations, while adhering to strict safety standards.
[0015] Section B1 (Urban Zone): This section, located in an urban area and characterized by low travel speeds, will be constructed from fully mobile segments. Similar to conventional railways, which are generally not fixed to the ground but rest on ballast serving as a stabilizing base for the infrastructure, their stability and adhesion to the ground will be ensured by a synergistic combination of three main factors: • Weight of the train and the track: The weight of the train and the track itself constitutes the main force that stabilizes the entire system, in the same way as for conventional railways, which are also not fixed to the ground. • Watertight connection between track sections: A continuous and solid connection between the different track sections ensures that the track functions as a single, stable, and rigid unit. This structure allows for a uniform distribution of the loads exerted on the track by the train and reduces the risk of deformation or deviation from the track's trajectory. • Synthetic rubber stabilization platforms: These platforms, located under each modular track section, provide an additional damping layer that reduces vibrations and shocks generated during travel. Furthermore, synthetic rubber has a high coefficient of friction with the ground, which increases static friction and prevents track slippage or displacement. The coefficient of friction between the synthetic rubber and the ground can reach values as low as 0.9, depending on the type of rubber and soil.
[0016] Section B2 (Main alignment): This section should constitute the major part of the track alignment and will use robust piles with locking mechanisms (spring, wedge, or screw) adapted to the specific soil type.These piles do not replace the three main factors mentioned above, but add an additional level of stability and ground adhesion, particularly in conditions where the soil is less stable or uniform.
[0017] Section B3 (Mountainous / Extreme Track): In this section, characterized by difficult terrain conditions, a fixed, elevated track will be constructed above the ground, similar to roller coasters in amusement parks worldwide. Adherence to the strictest construction standards will guarantee the safety of the system and the user experience.
[0018] The estimate is that section B3 will represent only a small percentage of the total lane length on any chosen intercity route, due to the large The flexibility afforded by the project's unique characteristics is further enhanced by this section, which will also serve as a unique marketing tool and tourist attraction. The breathtaking scenery and the unique experience of driving on extreme mountain terrain are expected to attract nature-loving tourists and those seeking thrilling experiences, thus contributing to the project's success.
Claims
Demands
1. Mobile railway system, characterized by its retractable / folding wheels attached to its components, allowing the transport of parts of the railway system by towing on road or on any track intended for wheeled vehicles.
2. Modular railway system, characterized by its Lego-like modularity, its integrated retractable wheel system, its lifting / towing hooks, its secure locking system (cylinder locks or spring bolts), its retractable anchoring stakes and its synthetic rubber base.
3. Railway system according to claim 2, characterized in that each modular piece rests on a synthetic rubber base, said base ensuring stability and damping of vibrations and shocks, while allowing rapid assembly of the rail pieces in the field without digging the ground and without damage to the environment.
4. Railway system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the synthetic rubber base also wraps around and covers the sides of the railway track, thus providing an additional layer of protection and safety for train passengers.
5. Railway system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that certain modular parts are equipped with removable / foldable anchoring pegs with a locking mechanism (spring, screw or wedge), so as to allow improvement of the fixing and adhesion to the ground of the part / of the rail as a whole.
6. Railway system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the modular parts are made of metal and synthetic rubber combined in an integrated manner.