Sliding joint system for railway tracks, allowing a great longitudinal excursion, particularly for suspension bridges

Abstract

Sliding joint system in a railway track allowing a great longitudinal excursion--particularly for suspension bridges--comprising, for each rail of the track, a first fixed rail (1) having an end tapered on the outwardly facing sides of the track, and a second rail (2) positioned next to the tapered surface of the first rail (1) and sliding along the same, while continuously extending beyond the tapered surface in an oblique direction, outwardly of the track, at an acute angle. The base flange of the second rail (2) is preferably of reduced width, equal to that of its head, so as to be more flexible. The deviation and sliding of the second rail (2) in respect of the first rail (1) are ensured by guides comprising: a first set of three guide rollers (3, 4, 5) meant to align the second rail (2) parallel to the main longitudinal axis of the track; a plurality of secondary rollers (6) with fixed vertical axes, positioned so as to face the tapered surface of the first rail (1); and pairs of coupled guide rollers (7), positioned at regular intervals along a first guide channel (8) of the second rail (2). The second rail (2) thus bends into and out of alignment with the first rail (1), upon thermal extension or contraction of the bridge, thereby to accommodate great variations in the length of the bridge whilst maintaining continuous tracks.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.