Method and Arrangement for Rail Track Fixing

Abstract

A rail track arrangement has a rail, a sheath or shell which receives the rail and a resilient layer between the sheath and the rail. The sheath has mounting points at an upper surface of each side of the sheath, and upper side portions of the resilient layer extends laterally over the mounting points at each side of the sheath and engage with the mounting points. The upper surface mounting points for the sheath can be used for positioning of the sheath, and enable the sheath to be grouted into position in a one stage process. The mounting points enable the sheath to be installed without the rail, with high accuracy.

1 . A method of laying a rail track arrangement, comprising:
 temporarily fixing a support structure to a rail container, the support structure being fixed to the container using mounting points at upper regions of side walls of the container, wherein the support structure provides a fixed dimension between the side walls of the container;   suspending and moving the container to a desired position;   fixing the container to a base;   removing the support structure; and   inserting a rail into the container.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is used to move the container to the desired position. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising inserting a resilient layer into the container before inserting the rail, and after removing the support structure. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein inserting a resilient layer comprises clipping upper lateral portions of the resilient layer into the mounting points thereby to provide lateral seals. 
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein fixing the container to a base comprises grouting the container into a concrete base. 
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein grouting the container into a concrete base comprises grouting to a level substantially flush with the upper surfaces of the side walls of the container. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support structure comprises a lid which covers the top open part of the container. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the lid has at least a portion which corresponds in position to the position of a portion of the rail when inserted into the container. 
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the lid portion is used as a reference point for the step of moving the container to a desired position. 
     
     
         10 . A method as claimed in any preceding, claim, wherein the fixed dimension between the side walls of the container is set to provide desired compression of the rail when inserted as a push fit. 
     
     
         11 . Rail installation equipment for installing a rail track arrangement comprising a rail, a container which receives the rail and a resilient layer between the container and the rail, the equipment comprising:
 a support structure for releasably suspending the container using fixings which engage with mounting points at upper regions of side walls of the container, wherein the support structure provides a fixed distance between the side walls of the container; and   a positioning arrangement for positioning the container by moving the support structure.   
     
     
         12 . Equipment as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the support structure comprises a lid which covers the top open part of the container. 
     
     
         13 . Equipment as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the lid has at least a portion which corresponds in position to the position of a portion of the rail when inserted into the container., 
     
     
         14 . Equipment as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the lid portion is used as a reference point for the positioning arrangement. 
     
     
         15 . A rail container arrangement for a rail track arrangement comprising a rail, the container which receives the rail and a resilient layer between the container and the rail, the rail container arrangement comprising:
 a base part having lateral side walls and defining a channel for receiving a rail, each lateral side wall having a mounting point at an upper region; and   a top part, the top part having fixing points for releasable fixing to the mounting points, the top part providing a fixed relative position between the side walls during positioning and installation of the base part.   
     
     
         16 . A rail container arrangement as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the top part comprises a lid which covers the top open part of the channel. 
     
     
         17 . A rail track arrangement comprising:
 a rail;   a container which receives the rail and which is grouted into a continuous base; and   a resilient layer between the container and the rail,   wherein the container has mounting points at an upper region of each side of the container, and wherein upper side portions of the resilient layer extend laterally over the mounting points at each side of the container and engage with the mounting points.   
     
     
         18 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the continuous base comprises a concrete base. 
     
     
         19 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 17  or  18 , wherein the grout reaches the level of the mounting points, and the upper side portions extend laterally over the top of a part of the grout layer. 
     
     
         20 . An arrangement as claimed in  claim 17 ,  18  or  19 , wherein the cross section of the rail, perpendicular to the rail length, comprises a head portion and a supporting portion having substantially the same width. 
     
     
         21 . An arrangement as claimed in any one of  claims 17  to  19 , wherein the cross section of the rail, perpendicular to the rail length, comprises a head portion, a base portion and a narrower intermediate web portion, and wherein filler pieces are provided adjacent each side of the web portion such that the outer shape of the rail and filler portions is substantially rectangular. 
     
     
         22 . A support arrangement for receiving a rail, comprising:
 a container for receiving the rail; and   a resilient layer lining an inner channel of the container,   wherein the container is grouted into a support structure, and the container has mounting points at an upper region of each side of the container, the mounting points being set with a predetermined spacing to provide desired compression of the rail when inserted as a push fit.   
     
     
         23 . A support arrangement as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the predetermined spacing varies along the length of the container. 
     
     
         24 . A support arrangement as claimed in  claim 22  or  23 , wherein the cross sectional shape of the resilient layer, perpendicular to the rail direction, varies along the length of the container. 
     
     
         25 . A support arrangement as claimed in any one of  claims 22  to  24 , wherein upper side portions of the resilient layer extend laterally over the mounting points at each side of the container and engage with the mounting points.