Rail sleeper

Abstract

The rail sleeper ( 10 ) is provided with a sleeper body ( 12 ) comprising one rail contact area ( 16 ) on each of the opposing ends thereof, within which the sleeper body ( 12 ) is widened. A rail ( 24 ) may be fixed in each rail contact area ( 16 ) by means of a hold-down element ( 28 ) able to grip a rail foot. Each rail contact area ( 16 ) comprises three rail contact surfaces ( 18 ) adjacent to one another in the extension of the rail ( 24 ). At least one hold-down element ( 28 ) is disposed between and above at least one partial region of respective adjacent rail contact surfaces ( 18 ) of each rail contact area ( 16 ). The sleeper body ( 12 ) is free of reinforcement elements within each rail contact area ( 16 ) on both sides of the intermediate spaces between adjacent rail contact surfaces ( 18 ).

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A rail sleeper comprising
 a sleeper body comprising respectively a rail contact area on each of its opposing ends and having an enlarged width within said rail contact areas,   each rail contact area being adapted for fixation of a rail therein by means of a hold-down element able to engage a rail foot,   
     wherein
 each rail contact area comprises three rail contact surfaces arranged adjacent to one another in the extension of the rail, 
 at least one hold-down element is arranged between and above at least one partial region of respective adjacent rail contact surfaces of each rail contact area, and 
 the sleeper body is free of reinforcement elements within each rail contact area on both sides of the intermediate spaces between adjacent rail contact surfaces. 
 
   
   
       12 . The rail sleeper according to  claim 11 , wherein respectively at least one first reinforcement profile element, extending in the direction of the rail, is arranged below the rail contact areas within the sleeper body. 
   
   
       13 . The rail sleeper according to  claim 12 , wherein said reinforcement profile is arranged centrally relative to the rail contact area or, in case of two or more reinforcement profiles, these are arranged symmetrically and/or centrically relative to the rail contact area. 
   
   
       14 . The rail sleeper according to  claim 12 , wherein said reinforcement profile or each reinforcement profile comprises at least one leg extending substantially at a right angle relative to the rail contact area and, in case of a reinforcement profile comprising a plurality of such legs, these legs are arranged symmetrically to the rail contact area. 
   
   
       15 . The rail sleeper according to  claim 12 , wherein the sleeper body is traversed by at least one second reinforcement profile element which in each of the rail contact areas extends below a middle rail contact surface and which is connected to said first reinforcement profile elements. 
   
   
       16 . The rail sleeper according to  claim 12 , wherein the sleeper body is configured a bi-block sleeper body comprising two blocks each including one rail contact area, and said first reinforcement profile elements are connected to each other by a second reinforcement profile element, said second reinforcement profile element interconnecting said two blocks and being arranged in each of the rail contact areas below the middle rail contact surfaces. 
   
   
       17 . The rail sleeper according to  claim 11 , wherein the region of said second reinforcement profile element that is located between said two blocks is protected against corrosion by an enclosure of plastic material. 
   
   
       18 . The rail sleeper according to  claim 17 , wherein said enclosure of plastic material is formed with a receiving recess for receiving a conductor rail. 
   
   
       19 . The rail sleeper according to  claim 11 , wherein the sleeper body comprises concrete or polymer concrete. 
   
   
       20 . The rail sleeper according to  claim 16 , wherein said blocks comprise plastic and/or said second reinforcement profile element and optionally also said first reinforcement profile elements comprises a substantially plane surface.