초록 ▼

The invention is a method of manufacturing elevated rail segments and an elevated rail system including those rail segments. Features of the elevated rail system include pivot points between the track and vertical supports elevating the rail system, eccentric bolt and washer assemblies that allow pr

The invention is a method of manufacturing elevated rail segments and an elevated rail system including those rail segments. Features of the elevated rail system include pivot points between the track and vertical supports elevating the rail system, eccentric bolt and washer assemblies that allow precise vertical and horizontal adjustment of the vertical supports and threaded bolts that allow precise micro-adjustment of height of the track above the concrete foundations.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An elevated rail system, comprising: a track formed of a plurality of hollow structural members joined end-to-end to achieve a preselected length of track;a plurality of vertical supports for selectively elevating the track above ground, each vertical support further comprising: a vertical beam s

1. An elevated rail system, comprising: a track formed of a plurality of hollow structural members joined end-to-end to achieve a preselected length of track;a plurality of vertical supports for selectively elevating the track above ground, each vertical support further comprising: a vertical beam secured at a first end to a concrete foundation;dual adjustment brackets slideably engaging a second end of the vertical beam to allow for precise elevation of the track; anda pivot mechanism disposed between the track and the dual adjustment brackets configured to prevent buildup of stresses caused by thermal expansion or contraction of the track; anda reaction assembly rotationally coupled to the pivot mechanism and anchored to a concrete foundation, the reaction assembly disposed between adjacent vertical supports, ground and the track, the reaction assembly anchoring local stresses caused by the thermal expansion or contraction of the track. 2. The elevated rail system according to claim 1, wherein each of the pivot mechanisms comprises pivot points rotationally coupling the track to the vertical support. 3. The elevated rail system according to claim 1, wherein each of the vertical supports further comprise a vertical support bracket coupled to the track, the vertical support bracket comprising: a frame supporting pivot points within the pivot mechanism, the pivot points rotationally coupled to the dual adjustment brackets of the vertical support; anda plurality of struts securing the track to the frame. 4. The elevated rail system according to claim 1, wherein the pivot mechanism allows lengthwise expansion or contraction of the track in either direction along the track away from the reaction assembly. 5. The elevated rail system according to claim 1, wherein the reaction assembly further comprises: a lateral support bracket mounted within a concrete foundation; andtwo parallel reaction frames each connected at a first end to the lateral support bracket and each connected at a second end to a first vertical support bracket. 6. The elevated rail system according to claim 5, wherein each of the parallel reaction frames is adjustable in length. 7. The elevated rail system according to claim 5, wherein the reaction assembly further comprises two more parallel reaction frames each connected at a first end to the lateral support bracket and each connected at a second end to a second vertical support bracket. 8. The elevated rail system according to claim 7, wherein each of the parallel reaction frames is adjustable in length. 9. The elevated rail system according to claim 1, wherein each of the vertical supports further comprises: a footing frame mounted within each of the concrete foundations for receiving the first end of the vertical beam; andtwo eccentric bolt and washer assemblies adjustably connecting the footing frame to the first end of the vertical beam, allowing for precise adjustment of vertical inclination of the vertical support. 10. The elevated rail system according to claim 9, wherein each of the eccentric bolt and washer assemblies allows the first end of the vertical beam to be adjusted horizontally and vertically relative to the footing frame by axially rotating the eccentric bolt. 11. The elevated rail system according to claim 1, wherein each of the adjustment brackets is configured to slide axially against the second end of the vertical beam, thereby providing arbitrary vertical adjustment in length of the vertical support between the track and the concrete foundations. 12. An elevated rail system, comprising: a plurality of hollow triangular prism-shaped rail segments joined end-to-end, each of the plurality of hollow triangular prism-shaped rail segments forming a piecewise linear segment of a track;a plurality of vertical supports rotationally coupled to the track for selectively elevating the track above ground, each of the vertical supports comprising: a vertical beam with first end secured to a concrete foundation;a vertical support bracket coupled to the track having two pivot points;a pair of adjustment brackets disposed between the vertical beam and the vertical support bracket, the adjustment brackets each having a lower end slideably engaging a second end of the vertical beam to allow for precise elevation of the track, the adjustment brackets each having an upper end rotationally coupled to one of the pivot points; andwherein the rotational coupling of the pivot points allows the track to expand or contract along its centroid due to thermal expansion. 13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a reaction assembly coupled at a track end to one of the plurality of vertical supports and anchored at a foundation end to a concrete foundation, the reaction assembly disposed between adjacent vertical supports, the ground and the track, the reaction assembly anchoring local stresses caused by the thermal expansion or contraction of the track. 14. The system according to claim 12, wherein each of the vertical supports further comprises: a footing frame mounted within the concrete foundation for receiving the first end of the vertical beam; andtwo eccentric bolt and washer assemblies adjustably connecting the footing frame to the first end of the vertical beam, allowing for precise adjustment of vertical inclination of the vertical support. 15. An elevated rail system, comprising: a plurality of rail segments, each of the rail segments connected end-to-end and forming a piecewise linear segment of a track; anda plurality of vertical supports rotationally coupled to the track for selectively elevating the track above ground, each of the vertical supports comprising: a vertical beam with first end secured to a concrete foundation;a footing frame mounted within the concrete foundation for receiving a first end of the vertical beam;two eccentric bolt and washer assemblies adjustably connecting the footing frame to the first end of the vertical beam, the eccentric bolt and washer assemblies allowing for precise adjustment of vertical inclination of the vertical support;a vertical support bracket attached to the track, the vertical support bracket further comprising two pivot points; andtwo adjustment brackets, each adjustment bracket having a pivot end rotationally coupled to each of the two pivot points and slide ends slidably attached to a second end of the vertical beam. 16. The elevated rail system according to claim 15, wherein the vertical support bracket further comprises: a frame supporting two pivot points rotationally engaged to the pivot ends of the adjustment brackets of the vertical support; anda plurality of struts securing the track to the frame. 17. The elevated rail system according to claim 15, further comprising a reaction assembly coupled at a track end to one of the plurality of vertical supports and anchored at a foundation end to a concrete foundation, the reaction assembly disposed between adjacent vertical supports, the ground and the track, the reaction assembly anchoring local stresses caused by the thermal expansion or contraction of the track. 18. An elevated rail system, comprising: a track formed of a plurality of rail segments, each rail segment joined end-to-end, the track having arbitrary length and configured for supporting a vehicle; anda plurality of vertical supports configured for selectively elevating the track above corresponding concrete foundations formed in ground, the plurality of vertical supports each further comprising: a vertical support bracket attached to the track including two pivot points;a vertical beam oriented vertically between the track and one of the concrete foundations; andtwo adjustment brackets, each rotationally connected to one of the two pivot points and slidably attached to the vertical beam, each of the two adjustment brackets further comprising a threaded bolt disposed between the adjustment bracket and the vertical beam, the threaded bolt providing micro-adjustment of height of the track above the one concrete foundation. 19. The elevated rail system according to claim 18, further comprising a reaction assembly having a track end coupled to one of the plurality of vertical supports and further having a foundation end anchored to a concrete foundation, the reaction assembly anchoring local stresses caused by thermal expansion or contraction of the track. 20. The elevated rail system according to claim 18, wherein the vertical support bracket further comprises: a frame supporting the two pivot points rotationally engaged to the dual adjustment brackets of the vertical support;the track end of the reaction assembly attached to the frame; anda plurality of struts securing the track to the frame.