Rail coupling

Abstract

A releasable rail coupling (1000) for releasably coupling a first rail 10A providing a first portion P1 of a miming surface RS for a wheel (120) and a second rail (10B) providing a second portion P2 of the miming surface RS is described. The rail coupling (1000) comprises a first part (1100) having a first end 1110 comprising a first male coupling member (1111) and a second end (1120) arranged for joining to the first rail (10A). The rail coupling (1000) comprises a second part (1200) having a first end (1210) comprising a corresponding first female coupling member (1212), arranged to receive the first male coupling member (1111) therein, and a second end (1220) arranged for joining to the second rail (10B). The rail coupling (1000) is arrangeable in a first configuration wherein the first male coupling member (1111) and the first female coupling member (1212) are uncoupled. The rail coupling (1000) is arrangeable a second configuration wherein the first male coupling member (1111) and the first female coupling member (1212) are coupled by receiving the first male coupling member (1111) in the first female coupling member (1212). The rail coupling (1000) provides a third portion P3 of the running surface RS in the second configuration. In this way, assembly and/or disassembly of the first rail (10A) (i.e. a first length of rail) and the second rail (10B) (i.e. a second length of rail) may be facilitated and/or errors in assembly reduced.

1 . A releasable rail coupling for releasably coupling a first rail providing a first portion of a running surface for a wheel and a second rail providing a second portion of the running surface, the rail coupling comprising:
 a first part having a first end comprising a first male coupling member and a second end arranged for joining to the first rail; and   a second part having a first end comprising a corresponding first female coupling member, arranged to receive the first male coupling member therein, and a second end arranged for joining to the second rail;   wherein the rail coupling is arrangeable in:
 a first configuration wherein the first male coupling member and the first female coupling member are uncoupled; and 
 a second configuration wherein the first male coupling member and the first female coupling member are coupled by receiving the first male coupling member in the first female coupling member; 
 wherein the rail coupling provides a third portion of the running surface in the second configuration. 
   
     
     
         2 . The rail coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the first female coupling member is arranged to slidably receive, for example axially, the first male coupling member therein. 
     
     
         3 . The rail coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the first male coupling member and/or the first female coupling member comprises a relief region, arranged to facilitate moving the rail coupling between the first configuration and the second configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The rail coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the first part is arranged for joining to an end of the first rail and/or the second end of the second part is arranged for joining to an end of the second rail. 
     
     
         5 . The rail coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the first part comprises a second male coupling and/or a second female coupling member for joining to the first rail. 
     
     
         6 . The rail coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the first male coupling member comprises a circular cross-sectional shape, 
     
     
         7 . The rail coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of a length of the first male coupling member to a cross-sectional dimension, for example a diameter or a width, thereof, is in a range from 0.5:1 to 5:1, preferably in a range from 1:1 to 4:1, more preferably in a range from 1.5:1 to 3:1. 
     
     
         8 . The rail coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the second part provides, at least in part, the third portion of the running surface. 
     
     
         9 . The rail coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the first part provides, at least in part, the third portion of the running surface. 
     
     
         10 . The rail coupling according to  claim 1 , wherein the running surface comprises a cylindrical running surface or a part thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The rail coupling according to  claim 1 , comprising a third part, for example a fishplate, for attaching to the first rail and the second rail. 
     
     
         12 . A rail section providing a portion of a running surface for a wheel, the rail section comprising a rail and a first part and/or a second part of a rail coupling, according to  claim 1 , joined thereto. 
     
     
         13 . The rail section according to  claim 12 , wherein the rail comprises a cylindrical tube, wherein the running surface comprises a cylindrical running surface or a part thereof and wherein the rail comprises a flange. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a rail section according to  claim 12 , the method comprising:
 joining, by welding, the first part and/or the second part of the rail coupling member to the rail.   
     
     
         15 . A rail assembly, or a kit of parts for a rail assembly, comprising a set of rail sections, including a first rail section and a second rail section, according to  claim 12 . 
     
     
         16 . The rail assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein a discontinuity in the running surface, measured normal and/or parallel thereto, between the first rail section and the second rail section is at most 1 mm. 
     
     
         17 . A method of assembling a rail assembly according to  claim 15 , comprising:
 moving the rail coupling from the first configuration to the second configuration.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 machining the weld.   
     
     
         19 . The rail assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the discontinuity is at most 0.5 mm.