TRACK-MOUNTING DEVICE FOR MOUNTING TO A RAIL OF A TRACK

Description

Field of Invention

[0001] The field of the invention relates to a track-mounting device for mounting to a rail of a track. The field of the invention further relates to a combination of a rail and a number of track-mounting devices according to the present invention.

Background

[0002] A track-mounting device for mounting to a rail of a track is known. The track- mounting device comprises a holder for holding at least one functional element. In an example, the holder is bar holder for holding at least one barrier bar. The track-mounting device has a fastening assembly, which is arranged for fastening the track-mounting device in a releasable manner onto a rail, such as onto a foot of the rail. For example, a track-mounting device may be a track-securing device for a track barrier for safeguarding or delimiting a section of a rail is known. Such a track-securing device is for instance described in NL2006100. The track-securing device comprises a bar holder for holding at least one barrier bar of the track barrier. In an example, the bar holder is arranged for holding two barrier bars. The track-securing device has a fastening assembly, which is arranged for fastening the track-securing device in a releasable manner onto a foot of the rail. The foot is fixed with at least one clamp mechanism to an underlying railway sleeper. The track-securing device for a track barrier has a retaining limb, which connects the bar holder to the fastening assembly. The retaining limb arranges the bar holder including the at least one barrier bar at a desired distance from the rail. As such, a section of the rail is safeguarded or delimited.

[0003] The bar holder needs to be suitably supported near the rail in order to retain the position of the bar holder including the barrier bars in a height direction a stable manner.

[0004] A desire exists to provide track- mounting devices, wherein the holder, such as a bar holder, can be easily positioned (including repositioned) at a desired position with respect to the rail, while providing a easily and reliably mounting onto the rail.

[0005] In addition, when a track is part of a rail switch, i.e. having a straight track part and a diverging track part, it becomes even more difficult to mount the track-mounting device to the track at said rail switch and to position the holder, or any other holder for holding a functional element, at a desired position with respect to the track. In an example, positioning a track barrier for safeguarding or delimiting a section of a rail along a rail switch becomes more cumbersome.

Summary

[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a track-mounting device for mounting to a rail of a track, in particular of a railway line, having a holder for holding at least one functional element, a fastening assembly arranged for fastening the track-mounting device in a releasable manner onto a part of the rail, such as a foot of the rail, and having a retaining limb arranged to connect the holder to the fastening assembly, wherein the retaining limb is arranged to be able to displace the position of the holder with respect to the fastening assembly, wherein the retaining limb comprises a first limb part connected to the fastening assembly and a second limb part connected to the holder, wherein the second limb part is rotatably arranged with respect to the first limb part such that the second limb part can be rotated from a first rotational position to a second rotational position with respect to the first limb part, wherein the holder at the first rotational position of the second limb part is arranged at another position when mounted with respect to the rail and/or with respect to the fastening assembly than at the second rotational position of the second limb part, wherein the second limb part has an axis of rotation with respect to the first limb part, wherein the axis of rotation is arranged substantially parallel to a vertical direction, when the track-mounting device is mounted to the rail of the track.

[0007] The second limb part of the retaining limb is rotatably arranged with respect to the first limb part of the retaining limb such that the second limb part can be rotated from a first rotational position to a second rotational position with respect to the first limb part. As a result, the holder can easily be positioned with respect to the rail and/or with respect to the fastening assembly. The holder at the first rotational position of the second limb part is arranged at another position with respect to the rail and/or with respect to the fastening assembly than at the second rotational position of the second limb part. Additionally, an orientation of the holder with respect to the rail and/or with respect to the fastening assembly can easily be adjusted by rotating the second limb part from a first rotational position to a second rotational position with respect to the first limb part. The track-mounting device according to the invention supports an easy instalment onto the rail and a reliable positioning of the holder.

[0008] The second limb part has an axis of rotation with respect to the first limb part, wherein the axis of rotation is arranged substantially parallel to a vertical direction, when the track-mounting device is mounted to the rail of the track. The vertical direction is defined as being perpendicular to a plane defined by a track of rails. As a result, the second limb part can be rotated from the first rotational position to the second rotational position with respect to the first limb part, while a height position of the holder, optionally including the functional element, is substantially constant. A height position of the holder is along the vertical direction, which is perpendicular to a plane defined by a track of rails, when the track-mounting device is mounted to the rail of the track. Typically the vertical direction is parallel to a gravity direction, in case the track does not have a slope upwards or downwards.

[0009] The advantage of the axis rotation being substantially parallel to a vertical direction is that a number of track-mounting device can hold the functional element, such as a bar, at substantially a same height position along a track, independently of the selected rotational position of the second limb with respect to the first limb. In case of track barrier for safeguarding or delimiting a section of a rail this facilitates a desired and constant height positioning of the bars of the track barrier along the track.

[0010] The holder is suitable for holding at least one functional element. Said functional element may be any functional element, such as a railway bar or a signaling element. In particular embodiments, the holder is a bar holder arranged for holding at least one bar. In particular embodiments, the holder is a signal holder arranged for holding at least one signal element, such as a signal plate or an acoustic signal element or optical signal element or a combination thereof. In even other particular embodiments, the holder is arranged for holding at least one bar and holding at least one signal element.

[0011] According to the invention, the second limb part is rotatably mounted onto the first limb part. Preferably, the second limb part is rotatably mounted onto the first limb part at a free end part of the first limb part. In examples, the second limb part is rotatably mounted onto the first limb part via a hinge or joint. In particular, the hinge or joint is a toothed hinge or toothed joint. A toothed hinge or toothed joint supports an easy positioning and retaining of the second limb part at a specific predetermined rotational angle of the second limb with respect to the first limb part. The dimensioning of the tooths of the toothed hinge or toothed joint determine the angle difference between adjacent rotational positions. E.g. a toothed wheel having 36 teeth of equal step around its perimeter determine that that a rotation angle between adjacent rotational positions is 10°.

[0012] In a particular embodiment, the holder at the first rotational position of the second limb part is positioned at a larger distance from the rail and/or from the fastening assembly than at the second rotational position of the second limb part. This embodiment is advantageous in many ways. For example, to position a bar holder including a bar at a rail switch. When mounting a plurality of track-mounting devices along a track of a rail switch, each of the track-mounting devices may be arranged using a desired, e.g. different, rotational position of the second limb part with respect to the first limb part, such that each of the bar holders of the respective track-mounting devices are arranged at a desired distance from the track.

[0013] In particular embodiments, the track-mounting device is a track-securing device for a track barrier for safeguarding or delimiting a section of a rail, wherein the holder is a bar holder for holding at least one barrier bar of the track barrier, in particular for two barrier bars.

[0014] In particular embodiments, the track-securing device comprises at least one mounting assembly mounted onto the bar holder for holding at least one barrier bar of the track barrier, wherein the mounting assembly comprises a mounting element for holding at least one barrier bar, wherein the mounting element is freely rotatably arranged around a longitudinal axis of the bar holder, and at least one adjustment ring, preferably two adjustment rings, arranged for releasably fixing the mounting assembly at a selected height position along the bar holder. Exemplary, the mounting element comprises a tubular section, which allows a free orientation around the longitudinal axis of the barrier holder.

[0015] In particular embodiments, the track-mounting device is a track-signaling device for a track signal for safeguarding a section of a rail, wherein the holder is a signal holder for holding at least one signal element. Said signal element may comprise a signal plate, an acoustic signal element, an optical signal element or a combination thereof.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, at the first rotational position, the second limb part is substantially arranged at substantially a straight angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the first limb part. A substantially straight angle (i.e. substantially 180°) of the second limb part with respect to the longitudinal direction of the first limb part means that the second limb part is arranged extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first limb part away from the fastening assembly of the track-mounting device and away from the rail, when the track-mounting device is mounted onto the rail. At said first rotational position a distance of the holder from the rail may be a maximum distance from the rail. A length of the first limb part and a length of the second limb part may be suitably selected to determine a maximum distance from the rail.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, at the second rotational position, the second limb part is arranged extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first limb part. Said second rotational position is advantages for positioning and orientating the holder, such as a signal holder, with respect to the rail or the track. In case the holder is a signal holder for holding at least one signal plate, said second rotational position can be used to either show or to hide the signal plate in a viewing direction along the track or a viewing direction transversal to the track, respectively.

[0018] In particular embodiments, an angle between the first rotational position and the second rotational position is substantially 90 degrees. Said angle between the first rotational position and the second rotational position determines a change of orientation of the holder with respect to the rail and / or with respect to the fastening assembly. Said, predetermined, angle of 90 degrees enhances a selective orientation of a signal plate for either showing or hiding of the signal plate depending on placing the second limb in the first rotational position or the second rotational position.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the angle between the first rotational position and the second rotational position is substantially 90 degrees, or more than 90 degrees, or between 90 and 360 degrees, such as substantially 180 degrees.

[0020] The direction of rotation from the first rotational position to the second rotational position may be in one rotational direction only, e.g. clockwise or counter-clockwise. In that embodiment the track-mounting device, in particular the joint or hinge of the track-mounting device, is arranged to restrict or prohibit a rotation the first rotational position to the second rotational position along the rotational direction opposite to said one rotational direction. This may be advantageous in case some rotational positions of the second limb part around the axis of rotation are not to be used. Alternatively, the direction of rotation from the first rotational position to the second rotational position may be in both rotational directions. This allows a free rotation of the second limb part around its axis of rotation.

[0021] In a particular embodiment, at the second rotational position, the second limb part is arranged extending at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the first limb part. Said acute angle may be selected in any way. In an example, said acute angle may be selected such that the holder is positioned close to the rail or close to the fastening assembly of the track-mounting device mounted onto a part of the rail, while preventing an obstruction of a track of rails.

[0022] In exemplary embodiments, the second limb part is rotatable over more than 180 degrees, preferably over 360 degrees or more, with respect to the first limb part. This allows a freely rotational placement of the second limb part with respect to the first limb part, while the holder remains positioned at a substantially constant height (in a vertical direction).

[0023] In exemplary embodiments, the second limb part is rotatably placeable in a number of rotational positions between the first rotational position and the second rotational position. The number of rotational positions between the first rotational position and the second rotational position may any suitable number such as one, two, more than two, more than 5, or between 5 - 50. Preferably, a rotation angle between adjacent rotational positions is substantially the same for each pair of adjacent rotational positions. A rotation angle between adjacent rotational positions may be selected based on desired positions or desired orientations of a holder with respect to the rail.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the retaining limb has a fastening element arranged for fastening the second limb part in a releasable manner at a selected rotational position of a plurality of rotational positions with respect to the first limb part. In an exemplary embodiment, the fastening element additionally acts as an axle of rotation for the second limb part. In an example, a toothed hinge assembly comprises a toothed female part, which is arranged below a toothed male part. The teeth of the female part are shaped complementary to the teeth of the male part. The toothed structure determines the possible rotational positions of the second limb part with respect to the first limb part. The fastening element is a bolt or pin, which is arranged protruding through the male part and the female part in a vertical direction. The bolt or pin also provides the rotational axle for rotation of the second limb part with respect to the first limb part at a central position of the hinge assembly. The bolt or pin may be arranged to clamp the toothed male part to the toothed female part such that the hinge assembly is fixed in a certain rotational position.

[0025] In an alternative example, the hinge or joint comprises a plurality of holes positioned at various rotational positions around the axis of rotation and a bolt or pin can be inserted into one of the plurality of holes to fix the second limb part in a releasable manner at a selected rotational position of a plurality of rotational positions of the respective holes.

[0026] In exemplary embodiments, the part of the rail is fixed with at least one clamp mechanism to a railway sleeper, wherein a support element is provided connected to the retaining limb, wherein the support element protrudes from the retaining limb and is arranged for supporting the retaining limb on the railway sleeper. The support element is arranged for supporting the retaining limb on the railway sleeper. In particular, the support element may protrude downwards towards the railway sleeper in an assembled state of the track-securing device and the rail (i.e. when the fastening assembly is connected to the part of the rail).In a particular embodiment, the support element has an adjustable protruding length. The protruding length may be adjusted depending on the circumstances and the desired height of the retaining limb with respect to the railway sleeper.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, the track- mounting device comprises a slide being mounted on the retaining limb, preferably on the first limb part, wherein the slide is displaceable longitudinally on the retaining limb and wherein the slide holds the support element.

[0028] The slide is displaceable longitudinally on the retaining limb. In particular, the slide is mounted onto the retaining limb between the fastening assembly and the holder. Preferably, the slide is mounted onto the first limb part of the retaining limb close to the fastening assembly. The slide has a support element, which protrudes from the retaining limb. The support element is arranged for supporting the retaining limb on the railway sleeper. In particular, the support element may protrude downwards towards the railway sleeper in an assembled state of the track-securing device and the rail (i.e. when the fastening assembly is connected to the part of the rail). The track-mounting device may be fastened to a part of the rail in a first stage by using the fastening assembly. Said part of the rail may be a foot of the rail. In a second stage the track-mounting device including the holder may be positioned in a height direction by sliding the slider along the retaining limb towards the fastening assembly until the protruding support element is supported onto the railway sleeper. In this way, the track-mounting device including the holder is suitably supported on the railway sleeper. As the railway sleeper has a known height with respect to the rail, the height of the holder is easily controlled by the support element of the slider, independently of a rotational position of the second limb part.

[0029] The track-mounting device supports an easy instalment onto the rail and a reliable height positioning of the holder of the track-mounting device, such as for safeguarding or delimiting a section of a rail. Especially, the track-mounting device supports a reliable positioning of the track-securing device for an increased distance of the holder from the rail. A preferred distance of the holder from the rail may be in the range 1.9 meter - 2.5 meter.

[0030] In particular, a downward deflection of the retaining limb under a predefined vertical load is minimized by the use of the slide including the support element.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the second limb part is rotatably mounted onto the first limb part via a hinge or joint. wherein the first limb part is releasably connected to said hinge or joint. This embodiment has the advantage that the connection between the first limb part and the hinge or joint can be temporarily released to allow a slide to be slided onto the first limb part or to replace a mounted slide from the first limb part. In addition, when producing or surface treating the first limb part and the fastening assembly they can be processed independently from the hinge or joint. In exemplary embodiments, the support element has a predetermined protruding length. The predetermined protruding length is selected to support the retaining limb on a railway sleeper. The protruding length may be fixed.

[0032] In alternative embodiments, the protruding length of the support element is adaptable. In an example, the protruding element comprises a telescopic section arranged for selectively adapting a protruding length of the support element.

[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the retaining limb and the fastening assembly cooperatively are arranged such that, in an assembled state of the track-mounting device and the rail, the protruding element engages the railway sleeper, when sliding the slider along the retaining limb towards the fastening assembly. In the assembled state, the track-mounting device is fastened to the part of the rail, such as the foot of the rail, by the fastening assembly. The protruding element engages a top surface of the railway sleeper, when sliding the slider along the retaining limb towards the fastening assembly. The fastening assembly positions the retaining limb near to the top surface of the railway sleeper at a desired distance from the top surface of the railway sleeper, when the fastening assembly fastens the track- mounting device onto the part of the rail.

[0034] Preferably, the fastening assembly is arranged for keeping the position of the retaining limb substantially stable above the top surface of the railway sleeper, when the fastening assembly fastens the track- mounting device onto the part of the rail.

[0035] In exemplary embodiments, the retaining limb, in particular one of the first limb part and the second limb part, has a first sliding part and a second sliding part, wherein the first sliding part is telescopically displaceable arranged with respect to the second sliding part. The first sliding part may be telescopically displaced with respect to the second sliding part to shorten or to lengthen, respectively, the retaining limb. In this way, the holder is easily positioned at a desired distance with respect to the fastening assembly.

[0036] In particular embodiments, the first limb part comprises the first sliding part and the second sliding part. This allows to selectively position the axis of rotation of the second limb part with respect to the first limb part at a desired distance from the rail and/or from the fastening assembly. This is especially advantageous in case a hinge or joint, which provides the axis of rotation, is to be arranged at a certain distance from the rail to prevent any blocking of the rail independently of any desired rotational position of the second limb part with respect to the first limb part

[0037] In alternative embodiments, the second limb part comprises the first sliding part and the second sliding part, wherein preferably the holder is mounted onto the second sliding part. In particular a length of the second limb part can be adjusted by the first sliding part and the second sliding part. This allows to selectively change the radius of rotation of the holder around the axis of rotation. In an example, a length of the second limb part may be minimized, by at least partially overlapping the first sliding part and the second sliding part along its length, when wanting to change an orientation of the holder while keeping a distance of the holder from the rail substantially constant independently of a rotational position of the second limb part.

[0038] In another example, the second sliding part may be telescopically mounted onto the first sliding part, wherein the holder is mounted onto an end of the second sliding part. In one mounting orientation of the second sliding part with respect to the first sliding part the end of the second sliding part including the holder is arranged facing away from the axis of rotation. In another mounting orientation of the second sliding part with respect to the first sliding part, opposite to said one mounting orientation, the end of the second sliding part including the holder is arranged facing towards the axis of rotation. In said other mounting orientation a distance between the axis of rotation and the holder may be minimized to substantially zero as said end of the second sliding part including the holder can be positioned adjacent to the axis of rotation.

[0039] The first sliding part may be slideable with respect to the second sliding part. The first sliding part may be partially accommodated by the second sliding part. Alternatively, the second sliding part may be partially accommodated by the first sliding part.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the retaining limb converges towards the railway sleeper, in an assembled state of the track- mounting device and the rail, when moving along the retaining limb towards the fastening assembly. In this way, an interdistance decreases between the retaining limb and the railway sleeper, when moving along the retaining limb towards the fastening assembly. As the interdistance decreases along the retaining limb, the support element engages the railway sleeper at a position along the retaining limb wherein the interdistance is substantially equal to a protruding length of the support element.

[0041] In embodiments, the top surface of the railway sleeper may slope downwards from the rail towards an outer end of the railway sleeper. In that case, the retaining limb may be directed substantially horizontal and the interdistance decreases between the retaining limb and the railway sleeper, when moving along the retaining limb towards the fastening assembly, due to the downward slope of the railway sleeper.

[0042] In exemplary embodiments, the track-mounting device including the fastening assembly is arranged for fastening the track-mounting device to the rail such that the first limb part of the retaining limb is inclined upwards from the fastening assembly towards the holder.

[0043] The first limb part of the retaining limb is directed upwards with respect to a vertical direction. As such, the interdistance decreases between the retaining limb and the railway sleeper, when moving along the retaining limb towards the fastening assembly.

[0044] In embodiments, the top surface of the railway sleeper may be substantially horizontal between the rail and an outer end of the railway sleeper. In that case, preferably the retaining limb is directed upwards with respect to the vertical direction. As such, the interdistance decreases between the retaining limb and the railway sleeper, when moving along the retaining limb towards the fastening assembly.

[0045] In exemplary embodiments, the retaining limb may be substantially straight in the longitudinal direction, may have a curved part along the longitudinal direction, such as a curved part being inclined upwards from the fastening assembly towards the bar holder, and may have any other suitable shape for guiding a slide along its longitudinal direction.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, the fastening assembly comprises a jaw arranged to engage onto an edge of the foot of the rail, a hook arranged to grasp onto the clamp mechanism and tensioning means arranged for drawing on the hook with respect to the jaw to fasten the track-mounting device to the rail. In this way, the fastening assembly supports a simple and fast manner of fastening the track-mounting device to the rail. The edge of the foot of the rail is normally easily accessible, especially near the railway sleeper. The hook is arranged to grasp onto the clamp mechanism. The hook may grasp a clamp, a bolt and/or a screw of the clamp mechanism. The tensioning means draw the hook with respect to the jaw, thereby fastening the track-mounting device to the rail.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment, the jaw has a recess adapted to a profile of the edge of the foot of the rail. By the recess the jaw engages both over the edge of the foot as well as under the edge of the foot. In this way, the jaw cannot unintentionally disengage from the foot of the rail. Preferably, the recess is adapted to the profile of the edge of the foot of the rail in order to position the retaining limb at a desired position above a railway sleeper. In this way, a free play of the retaining limb in the vertical direction is minimized.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the jaw has a U-shaped bow having two free ends, each free end comprising a recess adapted to a profile of the edge of the foot of the rail. The U-shaped bow is easily manufactured and the weight of the jaw can be minimized by the U-shaped bow. The U-shaped bow supports a reliable positioning of the retaining limb in a height direction and in a lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the hook is arranged for extending over the clamp mechanism, wherein the hook has a tip arranged to engage the clamp mechanism at a side of the clamp mechanism, which side is arranged opposite to the edge of the foot in a horizontal direction of the foot. The tip of the hook supports a tensioning of the fastening assembly in the horizontal direction of the foot. Preferably, the tip of the hook is arranged for engaging an element of the clamp mechanism, such as a clamping bolt.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the track-mounting device including the fastening assembly is arranged for fastening the track-mounting apparatus to the foot of the rail such that the retaining limb is inclined upwards from the fastening assembly towards the bar holder.

[0051] In another aspect of the invention, a combination of a rail or of a track having two rails, the rail having a foot which is fixed with at least one clamp mechanism to an underlying railway sleeper, and a number of track-mounting devices according to any one of the preceding claims fastened to the rail or rails of the track, wherein the fastening assembly is fastened in a releasable manner onto the rail or onto one of the two rails of the track.

[0052] Preferably, said fastening assembly is fastened in a releasable manner onto a foot of the rail.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the track is part of a rail switch, such as having a straight track part and a diverging track part, and wherein the retaining limbs of two track-mounting devices are arranged such that the holders of the two track-mounting devices are arranged at a differing distance from the respective connected rail at the diverging track part, and / or wherein the respective holders of the two track-mounting devices are arranged substantially at a same distance from the straight track part of the rail switch.

[0054] In exemplary embodiment of the combination, the track-mounting devices are track-securing devices. In an exemplary embodiment of the combination, barrier bars are held to provide a barrier between vertical parts of two adjacent track-securing devices.

[0055] In particular embodiment, adjacent barrier bars are connected to one another in the longitudinal direction of the barrier bars by a connector element. A connector element may be a mounted onto each of the barrier bars at one end of the respective barrier bar, i.e. before mounting the respective barrier bar onto the corresponding track-securing device.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment of the combination, each of the barrier bars has a cross-section which is substantially rectangular shaped or substantially tubular shaped.

Brief description of the figures

[0057] The accompanying drawings are used to illustrate presently preferred non-limiting exemplary embodiments of devices of the present invention. The above and other advantages of the features and objects of the invention will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1A

illustrates schematically a side view of an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 1B

illustrates schematically a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1A;

Figures 2A - 2B

illustrate schematically in a side view two embodiments of a combination of a track-mounting device and a rail of the present invention;

Figure 3

illustrates schematically a side view of a combination of a track-signalling device and a rail of the present invention;

Figure 4

illustrates schematically a plane view of a combination of a plurality of track-barrier devices and a rail track of the present invention;

Figure 5A - 5C

illustrates schematically a plane view of rotational positions of a track-mounting device of the present invention;

Figure 6

illustrates schematically a detailed perspective view of a fastening assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7

illustrates schematically a detailed cross section of the fastening assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG.6.

Figures 8A - 8B

illustrate schematically two different side views of a slide according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9

illustrates schematically a detailed perspective view of a releasable connection between a first limb part and a hinge assembly according to the invention;

Figure 10

illustrates schematically a detailed side view of the mounting assembly for mounting a barrier to a barrier holder.

Description of embodiments

[0058] Figure 1A illustrates schematically a side view of an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1B illustrates schematically a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 1A. The track-mounting device 1 shown is a comprises a holder 10, which in this embodiment shown a bar holder 100 for holding a number of barrier bars, a fastening assembly 20 arranged for fastening the respective track-securing device 1 in a releasable manner to a rail 2 of the railway track 300 (See Fig. 2A) and a retaining limb 30 arranged to connect the holder 10, 100 to the fastening assembly 20. '

[0059] The retaining limb 30 comprises a first limb part 32 and a second limb part 34. The first limb part is connected to the fastening assembly 20 and the second limb part 34 is connected to the holder 10. The second limb part 34 is mounted onto the first limb part 32 via a hinge assembly 33. The second limb part 34 is rotatably arranged with respect to the first limb part 32 by means of the hinge assembly 33 such that the second limb part can be rotated from a first rotational position R1, see Fig. 5A, to a second rotational position R2, see Fig. 5B, with respect to the first limb part 32. The hinge assembly 33 provides an axis of rotation A to the second limb part 34, wherein the axis of rotation A is directed substantially parallel to a vertical direction V, when the track-mounting device 1 is mounted to a rail 2 of a track, see Fig. 2A.

[0060] The possible direction of rotation of the second limb part 34 from the first rotational position R1, see Fig. 5A, to the second rotational position R2, Fig. 5B, may be in a direction R+, may be in a direction R-, or may be suitably selected from both directions R+ and R-. In case the hinge assembly 33 provides a freedom to freely rotate the second limb part 34 over 360 degrees (or more) it provides maximum freedom to rotate and position the second limb part 34 in a desired rotational position around axis A. In other embodiments, the hinge assembly 33 may be arranged to restrict an angle of rotation of the second limb part 34, such as less than 360 degrees, substantially 180 degrees or less than 180 degrees. In said embodiments, the maximum angle between a first rotational position R1 and a second rotational position R2 may be suitably selected depending on the desired range of rotating the second limb part 34 or the provided space for rotating the second limb part 34.

[0061] The first limb part 32 extends from the fastening assembly 20 to the hinge assembly 33 along a direction L1, which may be substantially parallel to a horizontal direction H when the track-mounting device 1 is mounted to a rail 2 of a track. In a preferred embodiment, the direction L1 is inclined upwards with respect to the horizontal direction H when the track-mounting device 1 is mounted to a rail 2 of a track, see Fig. 2A.

[0062] The track-mounting device 1 further comprises a slide 36, wherein the slide has a support element 38. The slide 36 is mounted onto the first limb part 32 of the retaining limb 30 and is displaceable longitudinally on the first limb part 32. The support element 38 protrudes from the retaining limb 30 downwards towards a railway sleeper 8, see Fig. 2A. The support element 38 is arranged for supporting the retaining limb 30 on the railway sleeper 8. A protruding length of the support element is suitably selected to support the retaining limb 30 on the railway sleeper 8, see e.g. the embodiment shown in Figure 8A - 8B..

[0063] An embodiment of the slide 36 is shown in FIGS. 8A - 8B. Figure 8A - 8B illustrate schematically two different side views of a slide according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slide 36 has a tubular section 37, a support element 38 and a retaining element 39. The tubular section 37 has a cross-section having substantially rectangular shape, which is substantially conformal to a cross-section of the first limb part 32 of the retaining limb 30, which also has a substantially rectangular shape. The tubular section 37 is arranged to enclose the first limb part 32 of the retaining limb 30 and engage the four sides of the outer surface of the of the first limb part 32. In this way, the slide 36 is easily displaceable along the first limb part 32.

[0064] The support element 38 protrudes from the tubular section 36, and thus from the first limb part 32, over a predetermined protruding length. The support element 38 has an adjustable protruding length, which may be suitably selected. The support element 38 comprises a bolt 38a, a nut 38b and a base element 38c having a female tread. A protruding length of the support element 38 may be suitably adapted by loosening the nut 38b, adjusting a protruding length of the bolt 38a with respect to the base element 38c by turning the bolt 38a, and fastening the bolt 38a by turning the nut 38b. In case the support element 38 is mounted onto the retaining limb 30, the support element 38 protrudes downwards towards the railway sleeper 8. The support element 38, in particular its protruding length, is arranged for support the retaining limb 30 on the railway sleeper 8. The support element 38 may have any suitable shape, such as a tubular shape.

[0065] The retaining element 39 is arranged for retaining the slide 36 in a releasable manner at a position longitudinally on the retaining limb 30. The retaining element 39 may be a bolt, such as a wing bolt, which protrudes through the tubular section 36 to engage the retaining limb 30.

[0066] Alternatively, any other retaining element may be provided, which is arranged for retaining the slide 36 in a releasable manner at a position longitudinally on the retaining limb 30. In alternative embodiments, the slide 36 of Fig. 8A - 8B may be mounted onto the second limb part 34 of the retaining limb 30 and is displaceable longitudinally on the second limb part 34.

[0067] Figure 2A illustrates schematically a detailed side view of a combination according to an embodiment of the present invention. The side view is along a longitudinal direction H of a railway sleeper 8 (i.e. parallel to a lateral direction of the railway track 300) and along a vertical direction V. The combination comprises a rail 2, having a foot 4 which is fixed with at least one clamp mechanism to an underlying railway sleeper 8, and a track-securing device 1 according to the invention.

[0068] The fastening assembly 20 of the track-securing device 1 is fastened to an edge of the foot 4 of the rail 2. The retaining limb 30 is positioned above the railway sleeper 8. In this embodiment, the top surface of the railway sleeper slopes downwards from the rail 2 towards an outer end of the railway sleeper 8. In this embodiment, the first limb part 32 may be inclined upwards from the fastening assembly 20 towards the bar holder 10 in the vertical direction V. As such, the interdistance decreases even faster between the retaining limb 30 and the railway sleeper 8, when moving along the retaining limb 30 towards the fastening assembly 20. Alternatively, the first limb part 32 of the retaining limb 30 may be directed substantially horizontal H. The interdistance decreases between the retaining limb 30 and the railway sleeper 8, when moving along the retaining limb 30 towards the fastening assembly 20, due to the downward slope of the railway sleeper 8 and/ or due to an upward inclination of the first limb part 32. The slide 36 is moved along the first limb part 32 towards the fastening assembly 20 up to a position, where the support element 38 engages the top surface of the railway sleeper 8. In this position, the support element 38 supports the retaining limb 30.

[0069] The track-mounting device 1 may further comprise a fastening element 35 for releasably retaining the retaining limb in a rotational position (i.e. of the second limb part 34 with respect to the first limb part 32). The hinge assembly 33 shown in Figs. 1A - 1B may be a toothed hinge assembly and comprise a toothed female part 33A, which is arranged below a toothed male part 33B. The teeth of the female part 33A are shaped complementary to the teeth of the male part 33B. The toothed structure determines the possible rotational positions of the second limb part 34 with respect to the first limb part 32. The fastening element 35 is a bolt or pin, which is arranged protruding through the male part 33B and the female part 33A in a vertical direction. The bolt or pin also provides the rotational axle for rotation of the second limb part 34 with respect to the first limb part 32 at a central position of the hinge assembly 33. The bolt or pin may be arranged to clamp the toothed male part 33B to the toothed female part 33A such that the hinge assembly is fixed in a certain rotational position. In another state, the bolt or pin may be released, such as by loosening the bolt, such that the toothed male part 33B may be lifted from the toothed female part 33A and the second limb part 34 may be rotated to another rotational position. The hinge assembly 33 may contain a spring assembly arranged inside the lower female part 35A arranged for lifting the bolt or pin. After positioning the second limb part 34 in said other rotational position, the bolt or pin may be turned again to clamp the toothed male part 35B to the toothed female part 35A and prohibit any rotation of the second limb part 34.

[0070] The first limb part 32 is connected to the hinge assembly 33. In embodiments, see Fig. 9, a connection between the first limb part 32 and the hinge assembly 33 is releasable. The first limb part 32 is shaped as a tubular element having a substantially rectangular cross section. The hinge assembly 33 is provided with a bar 133 having a rectangular cross section and being conformal to an inner surface of the tubular element of the first limb part 32. The bar 133 may be enclosed by the first limb part 32, when being protruded into the tubular shaped first limb part 32. The bar 133 protrudes from the hinge assembly 33 in a direction H such as to position the axis of rotation A of the hinge assembly 33 substantially in a vertical direction (when the track-mounting device 1 is mounted to a rail 2 of a track, see Fig. 2A). The bar 133 may be fixed to the first limb part 32 by using a bolt connection. The bar 133 including the hinge assembly 33 may be decoupled from the first limb part 32 to allow a slide 36 to be slided onto the first limb part 32 or to replace a mounted slide 36 from the first limb part 32. In addition, when producing or surface treating the first limb part 32 and the fastening assembly 20 they can be processed in a different way than the way the hinge assembly 33 can be produced and / or surface treated.

[0071] As shown in Fig. 1A, the second limb part 34 extends from the hinge assembly 33 to the holder 10 along a direction L2, which may be substantially parallel to a horizontal direction H when the track-mounting device 1 is mounted to a rail 2 of a track, see Fig. 2A. Preferably, the second limb part 34 is arranged at a height level h₀ (in a vertical direction V) above the fastening assembly 20, optionally including being arranged above the first limb part 20, when the track-mounting device 1 is mounted to a rail 2 of a track, see Fig. 2A. This enables a free rotation and positioning of the second limb part 34 with respect to the fastening assembly 20 and with respect to a rail 2.

[0072] The holder 10 may be a barrier holder 10, which extends substantially in a vertical direction V, see Fig. 2A. One or two mounting assemblies 140 are arranged onto the barrier holder 10, which are arranged for mounting a respective barrier 15 to the barrier holder 10. The mounting assemblies 140 are arranged for holding two barrier bars 15 at respective height positions (h1, h2).

[0073] In embodiments, each of the two mounting assembly 140 is a mounting assembly 140 as shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 10 illustrates schematically a detailed side view of the mounting assembly for mounting a barrier to a barrier holder. The mounting assembly 140 comprises a tubular section 142, a mounting clamp 144 and two adjustment rings 146. The tubular section 142 has a cross-section having a substantially round shape, which is substantially conformal to a cross-section of the barrier holder 100, which also has a substantially round shape. The tubular section 142 is arranged to enclose the barrier holder 100 and engage the circular outer surface of the barrier holder 100. In this way, tubular section 142 of the mounting assembly 140 may be easily slideable along the barrier holder 100 (e.g. in a height direction V as shown in Fig. 2A).

[0074] The mounting clamp 144 is connected to the tubular section 142 and is arranged to clamp and hold a barrier 150. Optionally the mounting clamp 144 is provided with a bolt and nut combination to enclose and fasten the barrier 150 to the mounting clamp 144.

[0075] The two adjustment rings 146 are mounted onto the barrier holder 100 above and below the tubular section 142. Each of the adjustment rings 146 has an opening shaped to be substantially conformal to a cross-section of the barrier holder 100, which also has a substantially round shape. Each of the adjustment rings 146 may be fixed to the barrier holder 100 at a desired height position. The adjustment rings 146 are arranged to retain the tubular section 142 at a desired height position along the barrier holder 100 between the adjustment rings 146.

[0076] The tubular section 142 is freely rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the barrier holder 100. As a result, the tubular section 142 allows a free orientation of the mounting clamp 144 around the longitudinal axis of the barrier holder 100. A barrier 150 may be easily clamped by the mounting clamp 144 in a desired orientation while the two adjustment rings 146 retain the tubular section 142 including the mounting clamp 144 at a desired predetermined height.

[0077] Figure 5A - 5C illustrates schematically a plane view of rotational positions of a track-mounting device of the present invention. The plane view is a horizontal plane of the track-mounting device when the track-mounting device 1 is mounted to a rail 2 of a track, see Fig. 2A.

[0078] The first rotational position R1 may be, as shown in Fig. 5A, a position of the second limb part 34, wherein the second limb part 34 extends from the hinge assembly 33 in a direction parallel to a horizontal direction L1' of the first limb part. Said horizontal direction L1' of the first limb part is the longitudinal direction L1 of the first limb part, when projected onto a horizontal plane (as seen in Fig. 5A). At said first rotational position R1 a distance of the holder 10 from the rail 2 may be a maximum distance from the rail 2. A length of the first limb part and a length of the second limb part may be suitably selected to determine a maximum distance from the rail 2.

[0079] The second rotational position R2 may be, as shown in Fig. 5B, a position of the second limb part 34, wherein the second limb part 34 extends from the hinge assembly 33 in a direction substantially perpendicular to a horizontal direction L1' of the first limb part 32.

[0080] In an alternative rotational position R2 may be, as shown in Fig. 5C, a position of the second limb part 34, wherein the second limb part 34 extends from the hinge assembly 33 in a direction at an acute angle with respect to a horizontal direction L1' of the first limb part 32. The acute angle is an angle between 90 and 180 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction L1' of the first limb part 32.

[0081] In specific embodiments, as shown in Fig. 1A - 2B, the second limb part 34 comprises a first sliding part 30a and a second sliding part 30b, wherein the first sliding part 30a is telescopically displaceable arranged with respect to the second sliding part 30b. As such, the retaining limb 30 is arranged to displaceable position the bar holder 10 with respect to the fastening assembly 20 at a desired position with respect to the rail 2.

[0082] A length of the second limb part 34 may be adjusted by suitably telescopically displacing the first sliding part 30a with respect to the second sliding part 30b. As such, a distance of the holder 10 from the fastening assembly 20 may be adjusted by telescopically displacing the first sliding part 30a with respect to the second sliding part 30b. In fact, a combination of rotating the second limb part 34 using the hinge assembly 33 and the telescopically displacing of the first sliding part 30a with respect to the second sliding part 30b provides more freedom to position the holder 10 with respect to fastening assembly 20 (or with respect to a rail 2, when the track-mounting device 1 is mounted to a rail 2 of a track).

[0083] A telescopic position of the first sliding part 30a may be fixed by a fastening assembly with respect to the second sliding part 30b, such as by a bolt, pin, etc.

[0084] Figure 2A shows an example, wherein a maximum length of the second limb part 34 is provided by positioning the first sliding part 30a at a maximum (telescopic) extension position with respect to the second sliding part 30b, while the first sliding part 30a is connected to the second sliding part 30b.

[0085] Figure 2B shows an example, wherein the first sliding part 30a is mounted onto the second sliding part 30b in an mounting orientation opposite to the mounting orientation of the first sliding part 30a with respect to the second sliding part 30b of Fig. 2A. The end of the first sliding part 30A which is connected to the holder 10 is oriented towards the axis of rotation A. In said mounting orientation a distance between the axis of rotation A and the holder 10 may be minimized to substantially zero as said end of the second sliding part including the holder 10 is positioned adjacent to the axis of rotation A.

[0086] Fig. 3 illustrates schematically a side view of a combination of a track-signalling device and a rail of the present invention. The track-signalling device 1b shown in Fig. 3 is a modified track-mounting device shown in Figs. 1A - 2B. The track-signalling device 1b for a track signal for safeguarding a section of a rail 2, and has a holder 10, which is a signal holder 200 for holding at least one signal element 250, such as a signal plate or an acoustic signal element or optical signal element or a combination thereof.

[0087] The signal holder 200 may comprise a tubular pole 210, which is directed upwards in a direction V, substantially perpendicular to the second limb part 34 (which is arranged in a horizontal direction H). The tubular pole is fixed at the outer end of the second limb part 34. The tubular pole has a circular cross section. The signal element 250 may be a signal plate, which is fixed onto another tubular pole 220 having a circular cross section (or, alternatively, onto a round staff), which fits into and is conformal to the tubular pole 210. The tubular pole 210 comprises several holes arranged at various heights. By positioning a pin into a hole of the several holes, a height of the signal element 250 can be determined, as it determines the length that the tubular pole 220 can be protruded into the outer tubular pole 210. The signal plate 250 including the inner tubular pole may be suitable rotated to a desired orientation (around the longitudinal axis of the outer tubular pole 210). In this way, the signal plate 250 can be orientated with respect to the tubular pole 210 of the signal holder 200 independently of the rotational position of the second limb part 34 with respect to axis A. In an alternative embodiment, the tubular pole 210 of the signal holder is an inner pole and the tubular pole 220 of the signal element 250 is the outer pole, which is freely rotatably arranged to a desired orientation (around the longitudinal axis of the inner tubular pole 210).

[0088] In alternative embodiments, the pole 210 and the pole 220 may have a different shape, such as having a square cross section profile. The shape of the pole 210 and the pole 220 are selected to be complementary to one another such that one pole can be placed into the other pole.

[0089] In the embodiments shown in Figures 2A and 3 downward deflection of the retaining limb 30 under a predefined vertical load is tested by applying a load of 1.2 kN onto the retaining limb 30 at a position close to the bar holder 10 according to DIN 16704-2-2. Due to the use of the support element 38, which supports the retaining limb 30 on the railway sleeper 8, the downward deflection of the retaining limb 30 under the predefined vertical load is minimized to less than 200 mm by the use of the slide 36 including the support element 38.

[0090] Figure 4 illustrates schematically a plane view of a combination of a plurality of track-securing devices and a rail track of the present invention. The combination is a railway 300 and a number of track-securing devices 1 for a track barrier for safeguarding or delimiting a section of the railway 300. The railway 300 comprises rails 2 and a number of railway sleepers (not shown). Each rail 2 has a foot, which may be fixed with at least one clamp mechanism to an underlying sleeper. On one side of the railway 20 track-securing devices 1 are mounted. Each of the track-securing devices 1 comprises a bar holder 100 for holding a number of barrier bars 150, a fastening assembly arranged for fastening the respective track-securing device 1 in a releasable manner to a rail 2 of the railway 300 and a retaining limb 30 arranged to connect the bar holder 10 to the fastening assembly. The part of the railway 300 shown in Fig. 4 is a rail switch 300, which has a straight track part 300A and a diverging track part 300B, and wherein the retaining limbs 30 of a plurality track- securing devices 1 are arranged such that the holders 100 of the two track-securing devices are arranged at a differing distance from the respective connected rail 2a, 2b at the diverging track part. In this example, two track- securing devices 1 are mounted onto a diverging rail 2b of the diverging track part 300B, while other track-securing devices 1 are mounted onto a straight rail 2a of the straight track part 300A. Several track-securing devices 1 have a retaining limb 30, wherein the second limb part is arranged at a rotational position R1 with respect to the first limb part, as shown in Fig. 5A. The second limb part and the first limb part of the retaining limb 30 are aligned to one another along the horizontal plane in a direction transversal T to the direction of the straight track L. Two track-securing devices 1 are mounted onto a diverging rail 2b of the diverging track part 300B as there is no space at these position along the track to mount these track-securing devices 1 to the straight rail 2a of the straight track part 300A (these unallowed positions of track-securing devices are indicated by the illustration of track-securing devices 1 in dotted lines). One of these track-securing devices 1 has a second limb part which is arranged at a rotational position R3, different from R1, and another of these track-securing devices 1 has a second limb part which is arranged at a rotational position R4, different from R1 and R3. The rotational positions R1, R3 and R4 of the respective track-securing devices 1 are suitably selected to position the respective barrier holder 100 of the track-securing devices 1 at a desired position. In particular, the respective holders 100 of the track- securing devices 1 are arranged substantially at a same distance from the straight track part 300B of the rail switch 300. Barrier bars 150 are held to provide a barrier between vertical parts of two adjacent track-securing devices.

[0091] In an additional or alternative embodiment, a track- securing device 1 may be mounted to a rail of a track, wherein the fastening assembly 20 is connected to an inner side of the rail an arranged between the two rails of the track. The second limb part may be arranged at a rotational position R5, which is an acute angle with respect to the first limb part as shown in Fig. 5C, and wherein the second limb part extends from the hinge assembly 33 over the rail 2, while the fastening assembly 20 is mounted onto the rail 2. In this embodiment the second limb part is arranged at a height level above the rail 2 such that the second limb part may be freely rotated (at least 360 degrees) to any desired rotational position.

[0092] In particular embodiment, adjacent barrier bars 150 are connected to one another in the longitudinal direction of the barrier bars by a connector element. A connector element may be a mounted onto each of the barrier bars at one end of the respective barrier bar, i.e. before mounting the respective barrier bar onto the corresponding track-securing device 1.

[0093] Figure 6 illustrates schematically a detailed perspective view of a fastening assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fastening assembly 20 has jaw 24, a hook 26 and a tensioning means 28. The jaw is arranged to engage onto an edge 5 of the foot 4 of the rail 2, see FIG. 7. Figure 7 illustrates schematically a detailed cross section of the fastening assembly according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 along a longitudinal direction Y of a railway sleeper 8, wherein the fastening assembly 20 is fastened onto the rail 2.

[0094] The jaw 24 is formed by a strip, which is bend into a U-shaped bow having two free ends 25. Each free end 25 comprising a recess 23, which is adapted to a profile of the edge 5 of the foot 4 of the rail 2, see FIG. 7.

[0095] The hook 26 is arranged to grasp onto the clamp mechanism 6 of the rail 2. The hook 26 has a tip 27 arranged to engage an element of the clamp mechanism 6, such as a clamping bolt, at a side of the clamp mechanism 6, which is arranged opposite to the edge 5 of the foot 4 in a horizontal direction H of the foot 4, see FIG. 7. The hook 26 is arranged for extending over the clamp mechanism 6.

[0096] The tensioning means 28 is arranged for drawing on the hook 26 with respect to the jaw 24 to fasten the track-securing device 1 to the rail 2. The tensioning means 28 comprises a lever element for moving the hook towards the retaining limb 30 and a spring element 29 to tension the hook with respect to the jaw to fasten the track-securing device 1 to the rail 2. The hook 26 comprises a telescopic guiding section, having a tip part and a main part moveable with respect to one another, wherein the spring element 29 is accommodated. The spring element 29 connects the lever to the tip part of the hook 26. By the lever, the spring 29 can be tensioned, when moving the tip part with respect to the main part of the hook 26, thereby drawing the hook 26 onto the clamp mechanism 6 and drawing the jaw 24 onto the edge 5 of the foot 4 of the rail 2.

[0097] Whilst the principles of the invention have been set out above in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that this description is merely made by way of example and not as a limitation of the scope of protection which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A track-mounting device (1) for mounting to a rail (2) of a track, in particular of a railway line, having a holder (10) for holding at least one functional element, a fastening assembly (20) arranged for fastening the track-mounting device (1) in a releasable manner onto a part (4) of the rail (2), such as a foot (4) of the rail (2), and having a retaining limb (30) arranged to connect the holder (10) to the fastening assembly (20), wherein the retaining limb (30) is arranged to be able to displace the position of the holder (10) with respect to the fastening assembly (20), wherein the retaining limb (30) comprises a first limb part (32) connected to the fastening assembly (20) and a second limb part (34) connected to the holder (10), characterised in that the second limb part (34) is rotatably arranged with respect to the first limb part (32) such that the second limb part (34) can be rotated from a first rotational position (R1) to a second rotational position (R2) with respect to the first limb part (32) , wherein the holder (10) at the first rotational position of the second limb part (34) is arranged at another position when mounted with respect to the rail (2) and/or with respect to the fastening assembly (20) than at the second rotational position of the second limb part (34), wherein the second limb part (34) has an axis of rotation (A) with respect to the first limb part, wherein the axis of rotation is arranged substantially parallel to a vertical direction, when the track-mounting device (1) is mounted to the rail (2) of the track.

2. The track- mounting device according to claim 1, wherein the second limb part (34) is rotatably mounted onto the first limb part (32), such as via a hinge (33) or joint (33), in particular preferably being a toothed hinge (33A, 33B) or toothed joint.

3. The track- mounting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (10) at the first rotational position of the second limb part (34) is positioned at a larger distance from the rail (2) and/or from the fastening assembly (20) than at the second rotational position of the second limb part (34).

4. The track- mounting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at the first rotational position (R1), the second limb part (34) is substantially arranged at substantially a straight angle with respect to a longitudinal direction (L₁) of the first limb part (32), and / or

wherein at the second rotational position (R2), the second limb part (34) is arranged extending substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first limb part (32), or

wherein at the second rotational position (R2), the second limb part (34) is arranged extending at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the first limb part (32).

5. The track- mounting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second limb part is rotatable over more than 180 degrees, preferably over 360 degrees or more, with respect to the first limb part.

6. The track- mounting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second limb part (34) can be rotatably placed in a number of rotational positions (R3, R4) between the first rotational position (R1) and the second rotational position (R2).

7. The track- mounting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining limb (30) has a fastening element (35) arranged for fastening the second limb part (34) in a releasable manner at a selected rotational position of a plurality of rotational positions (R1, R2, R3, R4) with respect to the first limb part .

8. The track- mounting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the track-mounting device (1) is a track-securing device (1a) for a track barrier for safeguarding or delimiting a section of a rail (2), wherein the holder (10) is a bar holder (100) for holding at least one barrier bar (150) of the track barrier, in particular for two barrier bars (150).

9. The track- mounting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the track-mounting device (1) is a track-signalling device (1b) for a track signal for safeguarding a section of a rail (2), wherein the holder (10) is a signal holder (200) for holding at least one signal element (250), such as a signal plate or an acoustic signal element or optical signal element or a combination thereof.

10. The track-securing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the part (4) of the rail is fixed with at least one clamp mechanism (6) to a railway sleeper (8), wherein a support element (38) is provided connected to the retaining limb (30), wherein the support element (38) protrudes from the retaining limb (30) and is arranged for supporting the retaining limb (30) on the railway sleeper (8).

11. The track-mounting device according to claim 10, wherein the track- mounting device comprises a slide (36) being mounted on the retaining limb (30), in particular on the first limb part (32), wherein the slide (36) is displaceable longitudinally on the retaining limb (30) and wherein the slide holds the support element (38).

12. The track- mounting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining limb (30), in particular one of the first limb part (32) and the second limb part (34), has a first sliding part (30a) and a second sliding part (30b), wherein the first sliding part is telescopically displaceable arranged with respect to the second sliding part.

13. The track- mounting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the track-mounting device including the fastening assembly (20) is arranged for fastening the track-mounting device (1) to the rail (2) such that the first limb part (32) of the retaining limb (30) is inclined upwards from the fastening assembly (20) towards the holder (10).

14. A combination of a rail (2) or of a track having two rails (2), the rail (2) having a foot (4) which is fixed with at least one clamp mechanism (6) to an underlying railway sleeper (8), and a number of track-mounting devices according to any one of the preceding claims fastened to the rail (2) or rails (2), wherein the fastening assembly (20) is fastened in a releasable manner onto the rail (2) or onto one of the two rails of the track.

15. The combination according to claim 14, wherein the track is part of a rail switch (300), such as having a straight track part (300A) and a diverging track part (300B), and wherein the retaining limbs (30) of two track-mounting devices are arranged such that the holders (10) of the two track-mounting devices (1) are arranged at a differing distance from the respective connected rail (2) at the diverging track part, and / or
wherein the respective holders (10) of the two track-mounting devices (1) are arranged substantially at a same distance from the straight track part of the rail switch.

Ansprüche

1. Eine Gleismontagevorrichtung (1) zum Anbringen an einer Schiene (2) eines Gleises, insbesondere einer Eisenbahnstrecke, mit einer Halterung (10) zum Halten von mindestens einem Funktionselement, einer Befestigungsanordnung (20), die zum Befestigen der Gleismontagevorrichtung (1) lösbar an einem Teil (4) der Schiene (2), wie z.B. einem Fuß (4) der Schiene (2), angeordnet ist, und mit einem Halteschenkel (30), der zur Verbindung der Halterung (10) mit der Befestigungsanordnung (20) angeordnet ist, wobei der Halteschenkel (30) derart angeordnet ist, dass er die Position der Halterung (10) bezüglich der Befestigungsanordnung (20) verschieben kann, wobei der Halteschenkel (30) einen ersten, mit der Befestigungsanordnung (20) verbundenen Schenkelteil (32) und einen zweiten, mit der Halterung (10) verbundenen Schenkelteil (34) aufweist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
der zweite Schenkelteil (34) bezüglich des ersten Schenkelteils (32) drehbar angeordnet ist, so dass der zweite Schenkelteil (34) aus einer ersten Drehstellung (R1) in eine zweite Drehstellung (R2) bezüglich des ersten Schenkelteils (32) gedreht werden kann, wobei die Halterung (10) in der ersten Drehstellung des zweiten Schenkelteils (34) nach der Montage in einer anderen Position bezüglich der Schiene (2) und/oder bezüglich der Befestigungsanordnung (20) angebracht ist, als in der zweiten Drehstellung des zweiten Schenkelteils (34), wobei der zweite Schenkelteil (34) eine Drehachse (A) bezüglich des ersten Schenkelteils aufweist, wobei die Drehachse im Wesentlichen parallel zu einer senkrechten Richtung angeordnet ist, wenn die Gleismontagevorrichtung (1) an der Schiene (2) des Gleises montiert ist.

2. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei der zweite Schenkelteil (34) drehbar an dem ersten Schenkelteil (32) montiert ist, beispielsweise über ein Scharnier (33) oder ein Gelenk (33), das insbesondere vorzugsweise aus einem Zahnscharnier (33A, 33B) oder einem Zahngelenk besteht.

3. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Halterung (10) in der ersten Drehstellung des zweiten Schenkelteils (34) in einem größeren Abstand von der Schiene (2) und/oder von der Befestigungsanordnung (20) positioniert ist, als in der zweiten Drehstellung des zweiten Schenkelteils (34).

4. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei in der ersten Drehstellung (R1) der zweite Schenkelteil (34) im Wesentlichen in einem weitgehend geraden Winkel bezüglich einer Längsrichtung (L1) des ersten Schenkelteils (32) angeordnet ist, und/oder

wobei in der zweiten Drehstellung (R2) der zweite Schenkelteil (34) so angeordnet ist, dass er sich im Wesentlichen senkrecht zu einer Längsrichtung des ersten Schenkelteils (32) erstreckt, oder

wobei in der zweiten Drehstellung (R2) der zweite Schenkelteil (34) so angeordnet ist, dass er sich in einem spitzen Winkel bezüglich einer Längsrichtung des ersten Schenkelteils (32) erstreckt.

5. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der zweite Schenkelteil über mehr als 180 Grad, vorzugsweise über 360 Grad oder mehr, bezüglich des ersten Schenkelteils drehbar ist.

6. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der zweite Schenkelteil (34) in einer Reihe von Drehstellungen (R3, R4) zwischen der ersten Drehstellung (R1) und der zweiten Drehstellung (R2) drehbar platziert werden kann.

7. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Halteschenkel (30) ein Befestigungselement (35) aufweist, das zum Befestigen des zweiten Schenkelteils (34) lösbar in einer ausgewählten Drehstellung aus einer Mehrzahl von Drehstellungen (R1, R2, R3, R4) bezüglich des ersten Schenkelteils angeordnet ist.

8. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Gleismontagevorrichtung (1) eine Gleissicherungsvorrichtung (1a) für eine Gleissperre zur Absicherung oder Abgrenzung eines Abschnitts einer Schiene (2) ist, wobei die Halterung (10) eine Stangenhalterung (100) zum Halten von mindestens einer Sperrstange (150) der Gleissperre ist, insbesondere für zwei Sperrstangen (150).

9. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Gleismontagevorrichtung (1) eine Gleissignalvorrichtung (1b) für ein Gleissignal zur Absicherung eines Abschnitts einer Schiene (2) ist, wobei die Halterung (10) eine Signalhalterung (200) zum Halten von mindestens einem Signalelement (250) ist, wie z.B. einer Signalplatte oder einem akustischen Signalelement oder optischen Signalelement oder einer Kombination aus diesen.

10. Die Gleissicherungsvorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Teil (4) der Schiene mit mindestens einem Klemmmechanismus (6) an einer Eisenbahnschwelle (8) fixiert ist, wobei ein Stützelement (38) vorgesehen ist, das mit dem Halteschenkel (30) verbunden ist, wobei das Stützelement (38) aus dem Halteschenkel (30) hervorsteht und zur Abstützung des Halteschenkels (30) auf der Eisenbahnschwelle (8) angeordnet ist.

11. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Gleismontagevorrichtung einen Schlitten (36) aufweist, der auf dem Halteschenkel (30), insbesondere auf dem ersten Schenkelteil (32) angebracht ist, wobei der Schlitten (36) auf dem Halteschenkel (30) längsverschiebbar ist und wobei der Schlitten das Stützelement (38) hält.

12. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei der Halteschenkel (30), insbesondere entweder der erste Schenkelteil (32) oder der zweite Schenkelteil (34), ein erstes Gleitteil (30a) und ein zweites Gleitteil (30b) aufweist, wobei das erste Gleitteil bezüglich des zweiten Gleitteils teleskopartig verschiebbar angeordnet ist.

13. Die Gleismontagevorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Gleismontagevorrichtung mit der Befestigungsanordnung (20) zur Befestigung der Gleismontagevorrichtung (1) an der Schiene (2) derart angeordnet ist, dass der erste Schenkelteil (32) des Halteschenkels (30) von der Befestigungsanordnung (20) in Richtung der Halterung (10) nach oben geneigt ist.

14. Eine Kombination aus einer Schiene (2) oder aus einem Gleis mit zwei Schienen (2), wobei die Schiene (2) einen Fuß (4) aufweist, der mit mindestens einem Klemmmechanismus (6) an einer darunterliegenden Eisenbahnschwelle (8) fixiert ist, und einer Reihe von Gleismontagevorrichtungen nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, die an der Schiene (2) oder den Schienen (2) befestigt sind, wobei die Befestigungsanordnung (20) lösbar auf der Schiene (2) oder auf einer der zwei Schienen des Gleises befestigt wird.

15. Die Kombination nach Anspruch 14, wobei das Gleis Teil einer Schienenweiche (300) ist, beispielsweise mit einem geraden Gleisteil (300A) und einem abzweigenden Gleisteil (300B), und wobei die Halteschenkel (30) von zwei Gleismontagevorrichtungen derart angeordnet sind, dass die Halterungen (10) der zwei Gleismontagevorrichtungen (1) in unterschiedlichem Abstand von der jeweils verbundenen Schiene (2) an dem abzweigenden Gleisteil angeordnet sind, und/oder wobei die entsprechenden Halterungen (10) der zwei Gleismontagevorrichtungen (1) im Wesentlichen im gleichen Abstand von dem geraden Gleisteil der Schienenweiche angeordnet sind.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de montage de voie (1) destiné à être monté sur un rail (2) d'une voie, en particulier d'une ligne de chemin de fer, ayant un support (10) pour supporter au moins un élément fonctionnel, un ensemble de fixation (20) agencé pour fixer le dispositif de montage de voie (1) de manière amovible sur une partie (4) du rail (2), telle qu'un patin (4) du rail (2), et ayant un membre de retenue (30) agencé pour relier le support (10) à l'ensemble de fixation (20), dans lequel le membre de retenue (30) est agencé pour être capable de déplacer la position du support (10) par rapport à l'ensemble de fixation (20), dans lequel le membre de retenue (30) comprend une première partie de membre (32) reliée à l'ensemble de fixation (20) et une seconde partie de membre (34) reliée au support (10),
caractérisé en ce que la seconde partie de membre (34) est agencée de manière rotative par rapport à la première partie de membre (32), de sorte que la seconde partie de membre (34) puisse être entraînée en rotation d'une première position de rotation (R1) à une deuxième position de rotation (R2) par rapport à la première partie de membre (32), dans lequel le support (10) au niveau de la première position de rotation de la seconde partie de membre (34) est agencé au niveau d'une autre position lorsqu'il est monté par rapport au rail (2) et/ou par rapport à l'ensemble de fixation (20) qu'au niveau de la deuxième position de rotation de la seconde partie de membre (34), dans lequel la seconde partie de membre (34) a un axe de rotation (A) par rapport à la première partie de membre, dans lequel l'axe de rotation est agencé de manière sensiblement parallèle à une direction verticale, lorsque le dispositif de montage de voie (1) est monté sur le rail (2) de la voie.

2. Dispositif de montage de voie selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la seconde partie de membre (34) est montée de manière rotative sur la première partie de membre (32), par exemple par l'intermédiaire d'une charnière (33) ou d'une articulation (33), qui est en particulier de préférence une charnière dentée (33A, 33B) ou une articulation dentée.

3. Dispositif de montage de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le support (10) au niveau de la première position de rotation de la seconde partie de membre (34) est positionné à une plus grande distance du rail (2) et/ou de l'ensemble de fixation (20) qu'au niveau de la deuxième position de rotation de la seconde partie de membre (34).

4. Dispositif de montage de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel au niveau de la première position de rotation (R1), la seconde partie de membre (34) est sensiblement agencée à un angle sensiblement droit par rapport à une direction longitudinale (L1) de la première partie de membre (32), et/ou

dans lequel au niveau de la deuxième position de rotation (R2), la seconde partie de membre (34) est agencée de manière à s'étendre sensiblement perpendiculairement à une direction longitudinale de la première partie de membre (32), ou

dans lequel au niveau de la deuxième position de rotation (R2), la seconde partie de membre (34) est agencée de manière à s'étendre à un angle aigu par rapport à une direction longitudinale de la première partie de membre (32).

5. Dispositif de montage de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la seconde partie de membre est capable de tourner sur plus de 180 degrés, de préférence sur 360 degrés ou plus, par rapport à la première partie de membre.

6. Dispositif de montage de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la seconde partie de membre (34) peut être placée de manière rotative dans un certain nombre de positions de rotation (R3, R4) entre la première position de rotation (R1) et la deuxième position de rotation (R2).

7. Dispositif de montage de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le membre de retenue (30) comporte un élément de fixation (35) agencé pour fixer la seconde partie de membre (34) de manière amovible au niveau d'une position de rotation sélectionnée d'une pluralité de positions de rotation (R1, R2, R3, R4) par rapport à la première partie de membre.

8. Dispositif de montage de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le dispositif de montage de voie (1) est un dispositif de fixation de voie (1a) pour une barrière de voie pour sécuriser ou délimiter une section d'un rail (2), dans lequel le support (10) est un support de barre (100) pour supporter au moins une barre de barrière (150) de la barrière de voie, en particulier pour deux barres de barrière (150).

9. Dispositif de montage de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le dispositif de montage de voie (1) est un dispositif de signalisation de voie (1b) pour une signalisation de voie pour sécuriser une section d'un rail (2), dans lequel le support (10) est un support de signalisation (200) pour supporter au moins un élément de signalisation (250), tel qu'un panneau de signalisation ou un élément de signalisation acoustique ou un élément de signalisation optique ou une combinaison de ceux-ci.

10. Dispositif de fixation de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel la partie (4) du rail est fixée par au moins un mécanisme de serrage (6) à une traverse de chemin de fer (8), dans lequel un élément de support (38) est fourni, relié au membre de retenue (30), dans lequel l'élément de support (38) fait saillie à partir du membre de retenue (30) et est agencé pour supporter le membre de retenue (30) sur la traverse de chemin de fer (8).

11. Dispositif de montage de voie selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le dispositif de montage de voie comprend une glissière (36) montée sur le membre de retenue (30), en particulier sur la première partie de membre (32), dans lequel la glissière (36) est déplaçable longitudinalement sur le membre de retenue (30) et dans lequel la glissière retient l'élément de support (38).

12. Dispositif de montage de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le membre de retenue (30), en particulier l'une de la première partie de membre (32) et de la seconde partie de membre (34), comporte une première partie coulissante (30a) et une seconde partie coulissante (30b), dans lequel la première partie coulissante est agencée de sorte à pouvoir se déplacer de manière télescopique par rapport à la seconde partie coulissante.

13. Dispositif de montage de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le dispositif de montage de voie comprenant l'ensemble de fixation (20) est agencé pour fixer le dispositif de montage de voie (1) au rail (2) de manière à ce que la première partie de membre (32) du membre de retenue (30) soit inclinée vers le haut à partir de l'ensemble de fixation (20) vers le support (10).

14. Combinaison d'un rail (2) ou d'une voie ayant deux rails (2), le rail (2) ayant un patin (4) qui est fixé par au moins un mécanisme de serrage (6) à une traverse de chemin de fer sous-jacente (8), et d'un nombre de dispositifs de montage de voie selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, fixés au rail (2) ou aux rails (2), dans lequel l'ensemble de fixation (20) est fixé de manière amovible sur le rail (2) ou sur un des deux rails de la voie.

15. Combinaison selon la revendication 14, dans laquelle la voie fait partie d'un aiguillage de rail (300), tel que comportant une partie de voie rectiligne (300A) et une partie de voie déviée (300B), et dans lequel les membres de retenue (30) de deux dispositifs de montage de voie sont agencés de sorte que les supports (10) des deux dispositifs de montage de voie (1) soient agencés à une distance différente du rail attaché respectif (2) au niveau de la partie de voie déviée, et/ou dans laquelle les supports respectifs (10) des deux dispositifs de montage de voie (1) sont agencés sensiblement à une même distance de la partie de voie rectiligne de l'aiguillage de rail.

Drawing