Geometrical instruments – Gauge – With support for gauged article
Patent
1986-05-21
1987-06-23
Little, Willis
Geometrical instruments
Gauge
With support for gauged article
33 1Q, 33144, G01B 728
Patent
active
046741941
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to apparatus for determining the profile of the head of a rail as used in railways and tramways. It will be appreciated that the apparatus may be used in connection with other like elongated members having an enlarged head or like portion extending in the longitudinal direction thereof.
Various apparatus has been disclosed in prior published patent specification for examining rail tracks, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,517,307 and 3,924,461 and Australian Patent application No. 48795/79. These prior disclosures each have limitations in regard to the extent of the profile that may be checked or measured in a single set-up of the apparatus. In particular, the prior proposals are not capable of operating on the underside of the rail head in the same set-up of the apparatus as used to operate on the top and side surfaces of the rail head.
It is therefore the principle object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for determining the profile of a longitudinal portion of an elongated member such as a rail, that is effective in use and can scan the profile over a wide angle of rotation.
With this object in view, there is provided apparatus for determining the profile of a longitudinal portion of an elongate member comprising a base frame, an arm mounted on said base frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about a fixed axis, means to releasably secure the base frame to the elongate member with the pivot axis of the arm in a plane substantially parallel to the direction of elongation of the elongate member and inclined to said direction of elongation, said arm being adapted for securement thereto of a ranging device having a ranging line so that when the ranging device is fitted said ranging line intersects the pivot axis of the arm within the portion of the elongate member that the profile is to be determined.
Conveniently, the means to releasably secure the base frame to the elongate member is adapted so that the pivot axis of the arm is located in the longitudinal axial plane of the elongate member when the base frame is so secured. Preferably, means are provided to sense the angular position of the arm about its axes of rotation relative to a fixed datum on the base frame.
Conveniently, the ranging device emits a light beam, and the device is fitted to the arm so the axis of the beam intersects the pivot axis of the arm within the profile to be determined.
The disposition of the pivot axis of the arm, inclined as above discussed, enables the ranging device to rotate through an angle of rotation in excess of 90.degree. on either side of the central position wherein ranging device is vertically above the pivot axes of the arm. Conveniently, the ranging device can move through up to 120.degree. on either side of the central position, and preferably through an angle of 170.degree. on either side of the central position.
This extent of movement will enable the ranging device, when fitted to a railway rail, to provide, in the one set-up of the apparatus on the rail, readings over the full width of the rail head, down the full height of each side of the rail head, and across at least part of the underface of the rail head on each side of the rail web. This extent of coverage of a rail head profile has not been possible with previously known equipment.
The invention will be more readily understood from the following description of one practical arrangement of the profile measuring apparatus as depicted.
In the drawings;
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus fitted to a rail of a railway,
FIG. 2 is an enlarged part elevational view partly in section,
FIG. 3 is an end view of the apparatus in FIG. 1 showing in detail the mounting assembly, and
FIG. 4 shows opposite side views of a replaceable roller assembly for the mounting assembly.
Referring now to the drawings, the apparatus comprises a base frame 1 having a mounting assembly 2 secured to each end of the base frame 1 whereby the base frame may be mounted in a longitudinal disposition on a conventional rail by means o
REFERENCES:
patent: 3864039 (1975-02-01), Willmarth
patent: 4040738 (1977-08-01), Wagner
patent: 4069590 (1978-01-01), Effinger
patent: 4181430 (1980-01-01), Shirota et al.
patent: 4288926 (1981-09-01), Long et al.
Acet Limited
Little Willis
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