Pedestrian level crossing, particularly for a section of electrified railway line

Abstract

A pedestrian level crossing (1) comprises a first rail (R1), a second rail (R2), and a rail gap (D) between the first rail (R1) and the second rail (R2), the first rail (R1) and the second rail (R2) each having a foot (RP). A first cross member (21) and a second cross member (22) are fixed to the foot (RP) of the first rail (R1) below said foot (RP); a third cross member (23) and a fourth cross member (24) are fixed to the foot (RP) of the second rail (R2) below said foot (RP). A central panel (91) is fixed in the rail gap (D) to the first cross member (21), the second cross member (22), the third cross member (23), and the fourth cross member (24), the central panel (91) being made of an electrically insulating material. Specific application to electrified railways, to protect against electrocution due to electric currents flowing in the rails.Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 5.

Description

Title of the invention: Pedestrian level crossing, in particular for a section of electrified railway line. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a pedestrian level crossing for a section of railway track, in particular for a section of electrified railway track. Technological background

[0002] In many railway installations, it is mandatory to provide, at certain locations on the railway, a level crossing for pedestrians which allows a pedestrian to cross the railway safely, in particular without falling.

[0003] When a railway is electrified, electric current can flow at any time through any rail, as the rails conduct the traction current to a nearby substation. The traction current has a very high electrical intensity and therefore poses a major risk of electrocution. Furthermore, even if the railway is not electrified, it usually contains track circuits that carry a track circuit current conducted by the rails. The track circuit current also has a high electrical intensity, although lower than that of the traction current, and therefore also poses a risk of electrocution.For pedestrian level crossings open to the public, this problem can be circumvented by constructing the railway track in such a way that the sections of rail likely to be touched by pedestrians never conduct traction current or track circuit current. However, this solution cannot always be applied to pedestrian level crossings located in areas closed to the public, where railway personnel must occasionally cross the track to inspect installations or carry out maintenance. Therefore, there is an additional safety requirement for these pedestrian level crossings, in that they must allow pedestrians to cross the track without being electrocuted.

[0004] A known solution for meeting this requirement is illustrated in [Fig. 1], which shows a top view of a section of railway track V. It should be noted that [Fig. 1] is schematic and not to scale. As is known per se, the section of railway track V comprises a first rail RI and a second rail R2 parallel and spaced apart. The space between the rails RI and R2, hereafter referred to as the "inter-rail gap," is designated by the reference numeral D. The rails RI and R2 each have a foot RP and a head RC connected by a web not shown in [Fig. 1]. The feet RP are fixed to sleepers T which typically rest on ballast B, the ballast B not shown in [Fig. 1]. A central panel P is placed on the sleepers T without touching the rails RI, R2. Also not shown in [Fig. 1], two side panels are placed on the sleepers T, on either side of the central panel P, outside the rail gap D. To cross the section of track V, railway personnel walk on the central panel P and on the side panels without touching the rails RI, R2. The central panel P and the side panels are solid wooden panels.

[0005] This known solution is not entirely satisfactory in practice. First, since the panels are simply placed on the sleepers T, it is not always easy to maintain sufficient clearance Y between the panels and the RC head of the RI, R2 rails. This is particularly problematic for the central panel P because clearance Y is necessary for the passage of train wheels. Second, the upper surfaces of the panels, on which railway personnel must stand, are not necessarily at the correct height to allow easy passage over the section of track V. Third, since the central panel P and the side panels are solid wooden panels, they retain moisture in the event of rain, which can lead to accelerated aging of the RI, R2 rails through corrosion. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention aims to provide a level crossing for pedestrians which remedies all or part of the disadvantages mentioned above.

[0007] To this end, the invention proposes a pedestrian level crossing comprising a first rail, a second rail, and an inter-rail space between the first rail and the second rail, the first rail and the second rail each comprising a support, the pedestrian level crossing comprising: - a first transverse element and a second transverse element fixed to the foot of the first rail under said foot; - a third transverse element and a fourth transverse element fixed to the foot of the second rail under said foot, the third transverse element being spaced by and located in line with the first transverse element, and the fourth transverse element being spaced by and located in line with the second transverse element; and - a central panel fixed in the inter-rail space to the first transverse element, to the second transverse element, to the third transverse element and to the fourth transverse element, the central panel being made of an electrically insulating material.

[0008] In such a pedestrian level crossing, the central panel is fixed in the space between the rails to the cross members. Since the central panel is made of an electrically insulating material and the cross members are spaced apart, even if an electric current flows through one of the rails, this electric current cannot reach a pedestrian walking on the central panel. The level crossing therefore protects pedestrians against electrocution. Furthermore, the construction of the level crossing is simple, requiring only the fixing of the cross members to the rail supports, possibly requiring the removal of some ballast, and then the fixing of the central panel to the cross members.

[0009] In some embodiments, the electrically insulating material is a non-slip polymer or composite material. This limits the risk of a person using the level crossing slipping while walking on the central panel, and therefore improves the safety of the level crossing, particularly in wet weather.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the central panel includes a grating. In this way, in case of rain, rainwater is not retained in or near the central panel, but on the contrary flows through the grating. Thus, the level crossing does not retain moisture in case of rain, which tends to prevent accelerated aging of the rails by corrosion.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first transverse element, the second transverse element, the third transverse element and the fourth transverse element each comprise a plate fixed to the foot of the first or second rail and a structural profile fixed to the plate.

[0012] In some embodiments, the structural profile is welded to the base plate. The welding of the structural profile to the base plate can be carried out in the workshop, so that the transverse elements can be prefabricated, thus avoiding the need for in-situ welding when assembling the level crossing.

[0013] In certain embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth transverse elements each further comprise an adjustment profile fixed to the structural profile, with the central panel being fixed to the adjustment profiles. With such adjustment profiles, it is very easy to adjust the height of the central panel simply by fixing the adjustment profiles higher or lower to the structural profiles.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the pedestrian level crossing further comprises: - a first external element and a second external element respectively fixed to the first transverse element and the second transverse element; and - a first side panel fixed to the first outer element and to the second outer element outside the inter-rail space, the first side panel being made of an electrically insulating material.

[0015] In certain embodiments, the pedestrian level crossing further comprises: - a third external element and a fourth external element respectively fixed to the third transverse element and the fourth transverse element; and - a second side panel fixed to the third outer element and to the fourth outer element outside the inter-rail space, the second side panel being made of an electrically insulating material.

[0016] The side panel(s) complete the level crossing and prevent a person using the level crossing from having to walk on the ballast. They can be made of the same material as the central panel and, like the central panel, can include a grating.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth external elements each comprise a base piece fixed to a plate and a side profile fixed to the base piece, the side profile preferably being welded to the base piece. The welding of the side profile to the base piece can be carried out in the workshop, so that the external elements can be prefabricated, thus avoiding the need for in-situ welding during the assembly of the level crossing.

[0018] In some embodiments, said base piece is fitted onto said plate.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the third and fourth outer elements each further comprise a lateral adjustment profile attached to the side profile, the first side panel being attached to the lateral adjustment profiles of the first and second outer elements, and the second side panel being attached to the lateral adjustment profiles of the third and fourth outer elements. With the lateral adjustment profiles, similarly to the central panel, it is very easy to adjust the height of the side panels simply by attaching the lateral adjustment profiles higher or lower to the side profiles. Brief description of the figures

[0020] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will clearly explain what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented. Regarding the accompanying figures:

[0021] [Fig.1] Fig.1 represents schematically, from a top view, a section of railway equipped with a pedestrian level crossing according to the prior art;

[0022] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a perspective view of a transverse element of a passage pedestrian level;

[0023] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a perspective view of an exterior element of a passageway pedestrian level;

[0024] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a perspective view of the transverse element and the element exterior assembled one to the other;

[0025] [Fig.5] Fig.5 is a perspective view of a pedestrian level crossing according to one embodiment of the invention, the pedestrian level crossing being partially installed on a section of railway track;

[0026] [Fig.6] The [Fig.6] is an enlargement of detail VI on the [Fig.5];

[0027] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is an enlarged view along arrow VII on the [Fig.5];

[0028] [Fig.8] Fig.8 is a partial perspective view of the level crossing for pedestrians fully installed;

[0029] [Fig.9] Fig.9 is a perspective view of the entire level crossing for pedestrians of the [Fig.8]. Description of method(s) of implementation

[0030] In the figures, and unless otherwise specified, identical elements shall bear the same reference symbols.

[0031] An embodiment of a pedestrian level crossing 1 (hereinafter referred to as "level crossing 1" for convenience) according to an embodiment of the invention is described above. Level crossing 1 is intended to be installed on a section of railway track V as described above with reference to [Fig. 1], in place of the solid wooden central panel P and the solid wooden side panels mentioned above. The reference numeral RA in the drawings designates the web of a rail RI, R2, this web connecting the foot RP of the rail in question to its head RC.

[0032] Schematically, the level crossing 1 employs four transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24 to which a central panel 91 is fixed in the rail space D, and preferably four lateral elements 41, 42, 43, 44 to which two lateral panels 98 are fixed outside the rail space D, on either side of the central panel 91.

[0033] Referring to [Fig.2], the transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24 each comprise a plate 25 and a structural profile 29. The structural profile 29 is fixed to the plate 25, preferably by being welded to the plate 25 at 29A. In the example shown, the structural profile 29 has a U-shaped profile.

[0034] Referring to [Fig. 3], the external elements 41, 42, 43, 44 each comprise a base piece 45 and a side profile 49. The side profile 49 is fixed to the base piece. base 45, preferably by being welded to the base piece 45 in 49A. In the example shown, the side profile 49 has a "U" shaped profile.

[0035] With reference to [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], the base piece 45 may have a hollow cross-section complementary to an outer contour of the plate 25, which allows the base piece 45 to be fitted onto the plate 25 as will be described below.

[0036] Figures 5 to 7 illustrate how the transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24 and the external elements 41, 42, 43, 44 are used to construct the level crossing 1. In the following description, reference is made to the rail gap D and to an inner side CD and an outer side CE of the rails RI, R2, the sides CD, CE being understood relative to the longitudinal axis RX of the rails RI, R2 as shown in [Fig. 1].

[0037] As can be seen more clearly in [Fig. 5], at the first rail RI, a first transverse element 21 and a second transverse element 22 are fixed by their plates 25 to the foot RP of the first rail RI under this foot RP. Thus, as can be seen in [Fig. 6], the plates 25 extend under the foot RP, partly within the rail gap D on the inner side CD of the first rail RI, and partly outside the rail gap D on the outer side CE. Similarly, at the second rail R2, a third transverse element 23 and a fourth transverse element 24 are fixed by their plates 25 to the foot RP of the second rail R2 under this foot RP. The third transverse element 23 is located in line with the first transverse element 21.Furthermore, the third transverse element 23 is spaced from the first transverse element 21; in other words, the ends of the transverse elements 21 and 23 in the rail gap D do not touch but are at a certain distance from each other. Similarly, the fourth transverse element 24 is located in line with the second transverse element 22 and at a distance from the second transverse element 22.

[0038] To fix the plates 25 to the feet RP of the rails RI, R2 under these feet RP, ballast B can be locally removed from BR under the feet RP.

[0039] The plates 25 can be attached to the RP feet in any suitable manner. In one embodiment, the plates 25 are attached to the RP feet by being connected, for example by nuts 201, to fasteners 200 identical to those used to attach the RP feet to the cross members T. For this purpose, the plates 25 have at least one through hole 27 (see [Fig. 2]), and in particular two through holes 27, one for attaching the inner side CD and the other for attaching the outer side CD. In the example shown in the figures, and without limitation, the fasteners 200 are of the Nabla clip type.

[0040] Adjustment profiles 51, 52, 53, 54 are fixed respectively on the structural profiles 29 of the transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24, for example by screwing. As can be seen more clearly in [Fig.5], the adjustment profiles 51, 52, 53, 54, for example, have an "L" shaped profile, which allows them to be easily fixed onto the structural profiles 29.

[0041] A central panel 91, shown in [Fig. 8] and [Fig. 9], is attached to the transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24 by means of the adjusting profiles 51, 52, 53, 54, for example by means of screws. In the example shown, these screws include wing nuts 95.

[0042] The central panel 91 is made of an electrically insulating material. Thus, and since the transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24 are spaced apart, even if an electric current passes through one of the rails RI, R2, this electric current cannot reach a pedestrian walking on the central panel 91. The level crossing 1 therefore protects pedestrians against electrocution. Furthermore, the construction of level crossing 1 is simple as it only requires fixing the transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24 to the RP feet of the rails RI, R2, possibly removing ballast B in BR, then fixing the central panel 91 to the transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24. Finally, it is very easy to adjust the height of the central panel 91, simply by fixing the adjustment profiles 51, 52, 53, 54 higher or lower to the structural profiles 29.

[0043] Advantageously, the electrically insulating material of the central panel 91 is a non-slip polymer or composite material. This limits the risk of a person using the level crossing 1 slipping while walking on the central panel 91, and therefore improves the safety of the level crossing 1, particularly in wet weather.

[0044] Preferably, the central panel 91 comprises or consists of a grating made of said electrically insulating material. In other words, and as can be seen in Figures 8 and 9, the central panel 91 comprises or consists of a lattice of slats made of said electrically insulating material. In this way, in the event of rain, rainwater is not retained in or near the central panel 91, but on the contrary flows through the grating. Thus, the level crossing 1 does not retain moisture in the event of rain, which tends to prevent accelerated aging of the RI, R2 rails by corrosion.

[0045] In some embodiments, the level crossing 1 is limited to the transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24, the adjusting profiles 51, 52, 53, 54, and the central panel 91 attached to the adjusting profiles 51, 52, 53, 54. However, to avoid requiring the person using the level crossing 1 to walk on the ballast B, it is preferable for the level crossing 1 to also include a side panel 98 outside the rail gap D, at the level of the outer side CE of one of the rails RI, R2, as shown in [Fig. 8]. More preferably, and as shown in [Fig. 9], the level crossing 1 includes two side panels 98 outside the rail gap D. rail D, one being positioned at the outer side CE of one of the rails RI, R2 and the other being positioned at the outer side CE of the other of the rails RI, R2.

[0046] To fix the side panels 98, external elements 41, 42, 43, 44 and lateral adjustment profiles 71, 72, 73, 74 are used.

[0047] The external elements 41, 42, 43, 44 are fixed respectively to the transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24. More precisely, with reference to [Fig. 7], the base pieces 45 are fitted onto the plates 25 and then fixed to the plates 25. For example, the base pieces 45 fitted onto the plates 25 are attached to the plates 25 by nuts 301. For this purpose, each base piece 45 has two opposing through holes 48, one of which is visible in [Fig. 4], and each plate 25 has a corresponding through hole 28 visible in [Fig. 3]. Advantageously, the plate 25 has at least one shoulder 26 which defines a maximum fitting length of the base piece 45 on the plate 25.

[0048] With reference to Figures 5, 6, and 7, the lateral adjustment profiles 71, 72, 73, and 74 are fixed respectively to the lateral profiles 49 of the outer elements 41, 42, 43, and 44, for example, by screwing. As can be seen more clearly in [Fig. 5] and [Fig. 7], the lateral adjustment profiles 71, 72, 73, and 74 have, for example, an "L"-shaped profile, which allows them to be easily fixed to the lateral profiles 49.

[0049] On the outer side CE of the first rail RI, a side panel 98 is attached to the outer elements 41, 42 by means of the lateral adjustment profiles 71, 72, for example by means of screws. In the example shown, these screws include wing nuts 97. Similarly, on the outer side CE of the second rail R2, another side panel 98 is attached to the outer elements 43, 44 by means of the lateral adjustment profiles 73, 74. The finished level crossing 1 shown in Figures 8 and 9 is then obtained.

[0050] Like the central panel 91, the side panels 98 are made of an electrically insulating material. Thus, even if an electric current passes through one of the rails RI, R2, this electric current cannot reach a pedestrian walking on a side panel 98. Furthermore, it is very easy to adjust the height of the side panels 98, simply by fixing the lateral adjustment profiles 71, 72, 73, 74 higher or lower to the side profiles 49.

[0051] Like the central panel 91, the electrically insulating material of the side panels 98 is a non-slip polymer or composite material, and preferably, the side panels 98 comprise or consist of a grating. To simplify the construction of the level crossing 1, it is possible, but not mandatory, to manufacture the central panel 91 and the side panels 98 from the same electrically insulating material.

[0052] In summary, level crossing 1 protects pedestrians against electrocution while being of simple and inexpensive construction. Indeed, it only requires fixing the transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24 and the adjusting profiles 51, 52, 53, 54, then the central panel 91, and optionally the lateral elements 41, 42, 43, 44 and the lateral adjusting profiles 71, 72, 73, 74, then the side panels 98. All these fixings can be made by screwing, without requiring welding or special tools. The transverse elements 21, 22, 23, 24 and the lateral elements 41, 42, 43, 44 can be prefabricated in the workshop by welding the profiles 29 and 49, which avoids having to carry out in situ welding when assembling level crossing 1.

[0053] Of course, level crossing 1 is also applicable to non-electrified railway lines.

Claims

Demands

1. Pedestrian level crossing (1) comprising a first rail (RI), a second rail (R2), and a rail gap (D) between the first rail (RI) and the second rail (R2), the first rail (RI) and the second rail (R2) each comprising a foot (RP), the pedestrian level crossing (1) being characterized in that it comprises: - a first transverse element (21) and a second transverse element (22) fixed to the foot (RP) of the first rail (RI) under said foot (RP); - a third transverse element (23) and a fourth transverse element (24) fixed to the foot (RP) of the second rail (R2) under said foot (RP), the third transverse element (23) being spaced by and located in the extension of the first transverse element (21), and the fourth transverse element (24) being spaced by and located in the extension of the second transverse element (22);and - a central panel (91) fixed in the inter-rail space (D) to the first transverse element (21), to the second transverse element (22), to the third transverse element (23) and to the fourth transverse element (24), the central panel (91) being made of an electrically insulating material.;

2. Pedestrian level crossing (1) according to claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating material is a non-slip polymer or composite material.

3. Pedestrian level crossing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the central panel (91) has a grating.

4. Pedestrian level crossing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first cross member (21), the second cross member (22), the third cross member (23) and the fourth cross member (24) each have a plate (25) fixed to the foot (RP) of the first rail (RI) or the second rail (R2) and a structural profile (29) fixed to the plate (25).

5. Pedestrian level crossing (1) according to claim 4, wherein the structural profile (29) is welded to the plate (25).

6. Pedestrian level crossing (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein the first transverse element (21), the second transverse element (22), the third element transverse (23) and the fourth transverse element (24) each further comprise an adjustment profile (51, 52, 53, 54) fixed to the structural profile (29), the central panel (91) being fixed to the adjustment profiles (51,52, 53,54).

7. A pedestrian level crossing (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pedestrian level crossing (1) further comprises: - a first outer element (41) and a second outer element (42) respectively fixed to the first transverse element (21) and the second transverse element (22); - a first side panel (98) fixed to the first outer element (41) and the second outer element (42) outside the rail gap (D), the first side panel (98) being made of an electrically insulating material; - a third outer element (43) and a fourth outer element (44) respectively fixed to the third transverse element (23) and the fourth transverse element (24); and - a second side panel (98) fixed to the third outer element (43) and to the fourth outer element (44) outside the rail space (D), the second side panel (98) being made of an electrically insulating material.

8. Pedestrian level crossing (1) according to claim 7 and according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first outer element (41), the second outer element (42), the third outer element (43) and the fourth outer element (44) each comprise a base piece (45) fixed to said plate (25) and a side profile (49) fixed to the base piece (45), the side profile (49) preferably being welded to the base piece (45).

9. Pedestrian level crossing (1) according to claim 8, wherein said base piece (45) is fitted onto said plate (25).

10. Pedestrian level crossing (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the first outer element (41), the second outer element (42), the third outer element (43) and the fourth outer element (44) each further comprise a lateral adjustment profile (71, 72, 73, 74) fixed to the lateral profile (49), the first lateral panel (98) being fixed to the lateral adjustment profiles (71, 72) of the first outer element (41) and the second outer element (42), and the second lateral panel (98) being fixed to the lateral adjustment profiles (73, 74) of the third outer element (43) and the fourth outer element (44).

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