Cross-tie

Abstract

The present invention provides a cross-tie having an elongated body that comprises a reaction rail supporting section, two running rail supporting sections and a power rail supporting section. The reaction rail supporting section is adapted for supporting a reaction rail and the two running rail supporting sections are each adapted for supporting a respective running rail. The power rail supporting section is adapted for supporting at least one power rail.

1 . A cross-tie comprising an elongated body, said elongated body comprising: 
 a reaction rail supporting section adapted for supporting a reaction rail;    two running rail supporting sections, each running rail supporting section adapted for supporting a respective running rail; and    a power rail supporting section adapted for supporting at least one power rail.    
   
   
       2 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said power rail supporting section is adapted for supporting a power rail support, which in turn is adapted for supporting the at least one power rail.  
   
   
       3 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one power rail can be adjusted at least one of vertically and laterally in relation to said elongated body.  
   
   
       4 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said power rail supporting section is operative for supporting one power rail, wherein the power rail and at least one running rail are electrically insulated from one another.  
   
   
       5 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the at least one running rail acts as a negative return path for the power rail.  
   
   
       6 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a wedge member is adapted for being positioned between said running rail supporting section and a respective running rail.  
   
   
       7 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said wedge member includes a first surface adapted for contacting said running rail supporting section, and a second surface adapted for contacting a respective running rail, wherein said first surface and said second surface are positioned at an angle of between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to one another.  
   
   
       8 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said wedge member is made from an electrically insulating material.  
   
   
       9 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said insulating material includes nylon.  
   
   
       10 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated body is adapted for supporting at least one derailment guard rail.  
   
   
       11 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated body comprises at least one ATC cable support.  
   
   
       12 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said elongated body is adapted for being secured to a guideway via at least one stud-assembly.  
   
   
       13 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said elongated body is adapted for being electrically insulated from the guideway.  
   
   
       14 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said elongated body is adapted for being electrically insulated from the guideway via an elastomeric pad.  
   
   
       15 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said at least one stud-assembly is electrically insulated from the guideway.  
   
   
       16 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said at least one stud-assembly includes an insulating insert for electrically insulating said at least one stud assembly from the guideway.  
   
   
       17 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said elongated body is electrically insulated from said at least one stud assembly.  
   
   
       18 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 17 , wherein said elongated body is electrically insulated from said at least one stud assembly via a shouldered insulating ring.  
   
   
       19 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one power rail is electrically insulated from the rail guideway.  
   
   
       20 . A cross-tie as defined in  claim 19 , wherein the at least one power rail is electrically insulated from the rail guideway via at least one of an elastomeric pad, an insulating insert, a shouldered insulating ring, and an insulating wedge member.  
   
   
       21 . A railway track including a rail guideway, said railway track comprising a plurality of cross-ties, as defined in  claim 1 , extending across the rail guideway.  
   
   
       22 . An assembly, comprising: 
 a cross-tie having: 
 a) a reaction rail supporting section adapted for supporting a reaction rail;  
 b) two running rail supporting sections, each running rail supporting section adapted for supporting a respective running rail; and  
   at least one stud assembly adapted for securing said cross-tie to a guideway of a railway track, said at least one stud assembly being operative for electrically insulating said cross-tie from the guideway.    
   
   
       23 . An assembly as defined in  claim 22 , wherein said at least one stud assembly includes an insulating insert for electrically insulating said cross-tie from the guideway.  
   
   
       24 . An assembly comprising: 
 a cross-tie having an elongated body including: 
 a) a reaction rail supporting section adapted for supporting a reaction rail;  
 b) two running rail supporting sections, each running rail supporting section having a lower surface adapted for facing a rail guideway and an upper surface adapted for supporting a running rail, the upper surface being substantially parallel to the lower surface;  
   a wedge member adapted to be positioned on said upper surface of said running rail supporting section between said upper surface and the running rail.    
   
   
       25 . An assembly, comprising: 
 a cross-tie having: 
 a) a reaction rail supporting section adapted for supporting a reaction rail;  
 b) two running rail supporting sections, each running rail supporting section adapted for supporting a respective running rail; and  
 c) a power rail supporting section;  
   a power rail support adapted for having at least one power rail connected thereto, said power rail support adapted for being removably connected to said cross-tie at said power rail supporting section.