Title of Invention

"TRACK COVER"

Abstract A track cover comprising cover slabs laid on rail level, said cover slabs having a cover layer forming the upper side of these cover slabs, and a reinforcement mechanically reinforcing this cover layer, said cover layer being formed of a composite material consisting of a particulate aggregate and a binder, characterized in that the reinforcement of the cover slabs (5, 6) is formed by corrosion-resistant or corrosion-protected section rods (11) which, over part of their surface, are embedded in the cover layer (10) and, with their residual surface, extend exposed on that side (12) of the cover layer (10) which faces downwards when installed in the track (10).
Full Text The invention relates to a track cover comprising cover slabs laid on rail level, said cover slabs having a cover layer forming the upper side of these cover slabs, and a reinforcement mechanically reinforcing this cover layer, said cover layer be¬ing formed of a composite material consisting of a particulate aggregate and a binder.
Track covers of the aforementioned type are known in which a reinforcement formed of iron rods is completely embedded in the cover layer which constitutes the cover slab. As a consequence of the reinforcement being completely embedded in the cover lay¬er, this cover layer is comparatively thick, and therefore, a comparatively large amount of cover layer material is required, resulting in a correspondingly heavy weight of the finished cov¬er slabs, also requiring, during the production of the cover slabs, rather complex manipulations for positioning the rein¬forcement in the composite material mass which, at first, has not set; it must also be mentiqned that any possible overloads which have occurred and caused damage on the reinforcement can¬not readily be recognised, because the reinforcement is com¬pletely embedded.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a track cover of the initially defined types, in which the cover slabs have a simple structure, require less composite material at a pre-determined load bearing capacity as compared to earlier con¬structive ideas, and accordingly, also have a lower weight and allow for an easier procedure as regards the assembly of the re¬inforcement with the cover layer material when producing the cover slabs.
The inventive track cover of the initially defined type is characterised in that the reinforcement of the cover slabs is formed by corrosion-resistant ot corrosion-protected section rods which, over part of their Surface, are embedded in the cov¬er layer and, with their residual surface, extend exposed on that side of the cover layer which faces downwards when in¬stalled in the track. By this design, the above-indicated aim can well be met, and it also ought to be mentioned that by the exposure of part of the corrosion-resistant or corrosion-protec¬ted section rods which form the reinforcement of the cover slab,
not only a simple holding of the same in their desired position during assemblage with the cover layer material is possible, but also in the finished state of the cover slabs an inspection of these section rods can be carned out at any time; as the corro¬sion-resistant section rods, advantageously fiber-reinforced plastics rods can be provided; further suitable embodiments are section rods of corrosion-resistant metal or section rods made of metal which are provided with an anti-corrosion coating; here, in particular, rust-resistant metal or a metal provided with a coating which protects against the formation of rust is to be considered for the section rods; anti-corrosion coatings may be metallic, such as electro-galvanized coatings, or coat¬ings of synthetic resins or lacquer coatings.
A preferred embodiment which is advantageous particularly with a view to the production of the cover slabs is character¬ised in that the reinforcement of the cover slabs is formed by corrosion-resistant or corrosion-protected section rods which, by a portion of their cross-section, are embedded in the cover layer and, by the remaining portion of their cross-section, pro¬ject from that side of the cover layer which, when installed in the track, faces downwards. A further advantageous embodiment in which comparatively little material will suffice for the rein¬forcement rods, is characterised in that the cover layer is arched at its lower side and the reinforcement comprises corro¬sion-resistant or corrosion-protected section rods which are em¬bedded in the cover layer at mutually opposite sides of such an arch and extend exposed under the intermediate part of the arch.
For as simple a manipulation as possible during the produc¬tion of the cover plates, and also for an advantageous distribu¬tion of the loads, externally acting on the cover slabs, to the individual plastics rods which form Griff the reinforcement, an embod¬iment of the inventively designed track cover is advantageous which is characterised in that the reinforcement comprises a grating formed of corrosion-res±3tant or corrosion-protected section rods.
As regards the cover layer, or as regards the composite ma¬terial provided for forming the cover layer, respectively, it is suitable in most cases if the cover layer is formed of concrete. Both, in terms of using as cost-effective a material as pos¬sible, and in terms of a production technology which is as neut-
ral with respect to the envirotment as possible, it is advant¬ageous if the cover layer is made of a concrete that is bound with cement or a cement-like binder. In order to attain high strengths, special corrosion resistance, short cycle times dur¬ing the production, and also to make it possible to repair dam¬aged slabs in an easy way, it is advantageous if it is provided for the cover layer to be made of a polymer concrete, in partic¬ular polyester concrete. A combination of properties of the cov¬er slabs which is suitable in many cases is obtained if it is provided for the cover layer to be formed of a concrete whose binder, in addition to cement Or to a cement-like substance, also contains a synthetic resin.
The design of the reinforcement of the cover slabs with cor¬rosion-resistant or corrosion protected section rods, provided with the subject matter of the invention, which section rods are only partially embedded in the cover layer, also provides for the advantageous possibility of using the reinforcement for mechanical protection of the rim of the cover layer over the en¬tire periphery, or over part of the periphery thereof, and such an embodiment is characterised in that the reinforcement also contains ledges embracing the trim of the cover layer at least over part of the periphery of the latter.
It is particularly advantageous if a track cover does not change or changes only little, the dynamic behaviour of a track as compared to the dynamic behaviour of portions of the track located outside of the track cover. For, pronounced differences in the dynamic behaviour of consecutive track portions when the track is passed by heavy rail-borne vehicles may lead to detri¬mental damage. For this reason, it is particularly advantageous within the scope of the subject matter of the invention if it is provided for the cover slabs present between the rails of the track, with their rims which face the rails to be supported on the rails only, and to self-subportingly bridge the space that is present between the rails from rail to rail.
The invention will now be explained in more detail by way of examples and with reference to the drawings in which such ex¬amples are schematically illust ated. In the drawings,
Fig. 1 shows a track provided with a track cover designed according to the invention, in top view;
Fig. 2 shows this track with a track cover in a section ac-
cording to line II-II of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 shows this track with a track cover in a section ac¬cording to line III-III of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 shows a section of cover slab, as it is provided in the track cover illustrated in Fig. 1, in a section carried out according to line IV-IV, wherein the region indicated by a circle in Fig. 1 is illustrated;
Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of a track provided with a track cover designed according to the invention, in a sectional illustration similar to Fig. 2:
Fig. 6 shows a top view of a track with a further embodiment of a track cover designed according to the invention, in which the reinforcement of the cover plate is a grating formed with corrosion-resistant or corrosion-protected section rods;
Fig. 7 shows this track in a section according to line VII-VII of Fig. 6; and
Fig. 8 shows a partial recfion of an inner cover slab in the track cover provided at this track, in a section carried out ac¬cording to line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6, the partial region marked by a circle in Fig. 6 being illustrated;
Fig. 9 shows the surroundings of a rail in a section accord¬ing to Fig. 7, on an enlarged scale;
Fig. 10 shows a further development of the embodiment illus¬trated in Fig. 5, wherein the reinforcement also comprises a grating formed of corrosion-resistant or corrosion-protected section rods; in this case, the surroundings of a rail of the track is illustrated on an enlarged' scale.
In the embodiment of a track cover provided on a track 1 illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4, inner cover slabs 5 arranged between the rails 2, 3 of the track 1 and outer cover slabs 6 consecutively laid externally on the rails 2, 3 are provided. The rails 2, 3 of the track are laid on sleepers 4. The inner cover slabs 5 rest on the rails 2, 3 with elastic sections 7 in¬terposed, the outer cover slabs 6 rest on the rails 2, 3, on the one hand, with elastic sections 1 being interposed, and on bases 9 arranged beside the track 1, on the other hand, via elastic sections 8. The cover slabs 5, 0 are level with the rails 2, 3.
The cover slabs 5, 6 have a cover layer 10 which forms the upper side of these cover slabs, and the cover slabs have a re¬inforcement mechanically reinforcing the cover layer. The cover
layer is formed of a composite material made up of a particulate aggregate and a binder, such a composite material being, e.g., concrete. The reinforcement is formed with corrosion-resistant or corrosion-protected section rods 11. These section rods 11 are embedded in the cover layet 10 over part of their surface, and extend with the remainder of their surface exposed on the -in the installed state of the cover slabs - lower side 12 of the cover slabs 5, 6. In this embodiment, as can directly be seen e.g. in Fig. 4, a portion 13 of the cross-section of these sec¬tion rods is embedded in the cover layer 10, and the remaining portion 14 of the cross-sectiort of these section rods 11 pro¬jects from the lower side 12 of the cover layer 10.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, cover slabs 5, 6 are provided - similar to the embodiment according to Figs. 1 to 4 - which cover slabs are laid at the rail level of a track 1, resting on the rails 2, 3 of the track, on the one hand, and on bases 9, on the other hand. In this embodiment, the cover slabs 5, 6 have a cover layer 10 which is arched on its lower side 12, and the reinforcement comprises corrosion-resistant or corro¬sion-protected section rods 11 which are embedded in the cover layer 10 on mutually opposite sides. 15, 16 of the arched lower side 12 of the cover layer 10, and extend exposed in the inter¬mediate part 17 of the arch. There, the ends 18 of these section rods 11 are embedded in the rim regions of the cover layer 10, and the intermediate parts 19 of these section rods 11 form re¬inforcing elements which are under tensile stress, and by this a very good reinforcing effect of the reinforcement formed by the section rods 11 can be achieved.
Both, in the embodiment according to Figs. 1-4 and also in the embodiment according to Fig, 5, the cover layer 10 of the cover slabs 5, 6, at least at its rims 10a which extend in par¬allel with the rails 2, 3, is formed with a greater thickness, and the cover slabs 5, 6 are supported or carried, respectively, by these thickened rims 10a of the cover layer 10.
Figs. 6 to 9 show a track with an embodiment of a track cov¬er in which the cover slabs have a grating 20 to reinforce their cover layer 10, which grating is formed of corrosion-resistant or corrosion-protected section rods 11 integrated with each oth¬or. Also in this embodiment, the section rods 11 are embedded in the cover layer 10 by a portion 18 of their cross-section and
project with the remaining portion 14 of their cross-section from the lower side 12 of the cover layer 10. In this case, the grating is formed of section rods extending in parallel with the rails 2, 3 and of section rods extending transversely to the rails 2, 3. In this instance, the reinforcement designed in the form of a grating 20 has a ledge, 22 at least on that rim 10a of the cover layer 10 of the respective cover slab, which faces the respective rail 2, 3, these ledges 22 embracing the respective rim 10a, on the one hand, and serving as a support, or bearing, respectively, of the cover slabs, on the other hand. In particu¬lar, in this embodiment, as cari be seen e.g. from Figs. 6 and 7, the cover slabs arranged between the rails 2, 3 each are de¬signed in the form of two slab halves 5a, 5b, which at their mu¬tually facing sides are assembled in hinge-like manner. The mutually facing rims 21 of the two slab halves are designed such that in the state illustrated in Fig. 7, in which the two slab halves together form a continuous slab, these rims engage with each other, resulting by this inter-engagement in a position-stable mutual support of the two slab halves on each other. This design of the mutually facing rims 21 of the two slab halves may advantageously be realized in the form of rim ledges 24 which are provided on the reinforcement, as illustrated by way of ex¬ample in Fig. 7. To install and remove the cover slabs arranged between the rails, the slab halves 5a, 5b may be folded up to¬wards each other in hinge-like manner. Analogous to the embodi¬ment according to Figs. 1 to 4 and the embodiment according to Fig. 5, also in this case the cover slabs present between the rails of the track are supported on the rails only by their rims which face the rails, and that they self-supportingly bridge the space 23 present between the rails 2, 3, from rail to rail.
In the embodiment illustrated in Fig.10, the cover layer 10 of the cover slabs 5, 6 is arched on the lower side 12, similar to the embodiment according to fig, 5. The reinforcement com¬prises section rods 11 which are embedded by their ends in the sides of the arch and extend expused therebetween. In Fig. 10, only the embedding of one end 18 each of the section rods 11 is visible. Furthermore, the reinforcement also comprises a grating 20 formed by section rods, which grating is embedded in the cov¬er layer 10.




WE CLAIM:
1. A track cover comprising cover slabs laid on rail level, said cover slabs having a cover layer forming the upper side of these cover slabs, and a reinforcement mechanically reinforcing this cover layer, said cover layer being formed of a composite material consisting of a particulate aggregate and a binder, characterized in that the reinforcement of the cover slabs (5, 6) is formed by corrosion-resistant or corrosion-protected section rods (11) which, over part of their surface, are embedded in the cover layer (10) and, with their residual surface, extend exposed on that side (12) of the cover layer (10) which faces downwards whea installed in the track (10).
2. A track cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement of the cover slabs (5,6) is formed by corrosion resistant or corrosion-protected section rods (11) which, by a portion (13) of their cross-section, are embedded in the cover layer (10) and, by the remaining portion (14) of their cross-section, project from that side (12) of the cover layer which, when installed in the track, faces downwards.
3. A track cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cover layer. (10) is arched at its lower side (12) and the reinforcement comprises section rods (11) which are embedded in the cover layer (10) at mutually opposite sides (15, 16) of such an arch and extend exposed under the intermediate part (17) of the arch.
4. A track cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcement comprises a grating (20) formed of corrosion-resistant or corrosion-protected section rods (11)
5. A track cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover layer (10) is made of concrete.
6. A track cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cover layer (10) is made of polymer concrete, in particular polyester concrete.
7. A track cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cover layer (10) is made of a concrete that is bound with cement.
8. A track cover as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cover layer (10) is made of a concrete whose binder in addition to cement also contains a synthetic resin.
9. A track cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcement also contains ledges (22, 24) embracing the rim of the cover layer (10) at least over part of the periphery of the latter.
10. A track cover as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover slabs (5) present between the rails (2, 3) of the track (1), with their rims facing the rails (2, 3) are supported on the rails only, and self-supportingly bridge the space (23) that is present between the rails from rail to rail.

Documents:

132-delnp-2005-abstract.pdf

132-DELNP-2005-Claims.pdf

132-delnp-2005-complete specification (granted).pdf

132-delnp-2005-complete specification-(as files).pdf

132-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(30-03-2010).pdf

132-delnp-2005-correspondence-others.pdf

132-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-PO.pdf

132-DELNP-2005-Description (Complete).pdf

132-DELNP-2005-Drawings.pdf

132-delnp-2005-form-1.pdf

132-delnp-2005-form-2.pdf

132-DELNP-2005-Form-3-(30-03-2010).pdf

132-delnp-2005-form-3.pdf

132-delnp-2005-form-5.pdf

132-delnp-2005-pct-210.pdf

132-delnp-2005-pct-304.pdf

132-delnp-2005-pct-308.pdf

132-delnp-2005-pct-332.pdf

132-delnp-2005-pct-338.pdf

132-delnp-2005-pct-409.pdf

132-delnp-2005-petition-137.pdf


Patent Number 243223
Indian Patent Application Number 132/DELNP/2005
PG Journal Number 40/2010
Publication Date 01-Oct-2010
Grant Date 30-Sep-2010
Date of Filing 14-Jan-2005
Name of Patentee GMUNDNER FERTIGTEILE GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H & CO. KG.
Applicant Address KUFERZEILE 30, A-4810 GMUNDEN, AUSTRIA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 BERNHARD NEUMANN FEUERSTEINSTRASSE 16, A-4810 GMUNDEN, AUSTRIA.
PCT International Classification Number E01C 9/04
PCT International Application Number PCT/AT2003/000193
PCT International Filing date 2003-07-09
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 GM 478/2002 2002-07-17 Austria