Railways – Track layers – Tie replacer
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-05
2003-06-10
Le, Mark T. (Department: 3617)
Railways
Track layers
Tie replacer
Reexamination Certificate
active
06575099
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates to a railway tie insertion guide for use with a tie insertion machine, and having a tie plate extending substantially across the entire distance between the tracks. The invention also relates to a method of inserting railway ties.
2. Description of the Related Art
Preparing a railway track frequently requires removal and replacement of the old railroad ties. Frequently, the new ties have slightly larger dimensions than the old ties, requiring either the use of a scarifying process (the use of reciprocating blades to widen the railway tie channel), or the use of higher pressure insertion tools.
One proposed method of inserting new railroad ties is to utilize a pantograph-type crane arm having a clamp mechanism at one end, with the crane arm being dimensioned and configured to push the old tie out from underneath the rails through the insertion of the new tie in the same location. Such mechanisms may include a hold down plate to bear against the top of the tie during insertion. Such systems may also include a guide sleeve through which the tie is passed prior to passing under the rails. A guide plate that provides guide surfaces on top on each side of the tie being inserted, positioned directly over the ballast and between the tracks, would likely provide more affective support and guidance for the tie as it is inserted.
Other proposed tie insertion systems include telescoping crane arms, dimensioned and configured to extend and retract parallel to the desired location of the tie. Such systems could also benefit from having an appropriate guide plate to provide guidance for the tie from directly over the ballast, between the tracks.
Accordingly, there is a need for a railway tie insertion system having a tie guide plate providing guidance along the top and both side surfaces of the railway tie throughout the entire insertion process. There is also a need for a railway tie guide plate having an easily adjustable height.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a railway tie insertion guide for use in conjunction with a railway tie insertion vehicle.
The tie insertion guide includes a top guide plate, and a pair of side guides attached to the top plate, dimensioned and configured to fit against the top and both sides of a railway tie. The guide plate is mounted to a carrier frame, with a plurality of movable shims for setting the height of the guide plate with respect to the carrier frame. Shims may thereby be inserted or removed to set the working height of the carrier frame. Alternatively, the guide plate may be mounted to the carrier frame through the use of threaded rods and/or electronically controlled hydraulic cylinders, for setting the height of the guide plate with respect to the carrier frame.
The carrier frame is dimensioned and configured to reciprocate between a raised position wherein the carrier frame is stored, and a lowered position wherein it is used to guide the insertion of a tie. Preferred means for raising and lowering the carrier frame may include a pivoting arm, in conjunction with one or more hydraulic cylinders.
In use, when the tie insertion vehicle has stopped with the carrier frame and tie insertion arm directly above a tie that needs to be replaced, the guide plate is first lowered over the desired position. Next, the telescoping tie insertion arm is pivoted downward and extended, with the grasping portion closing around a new tie. The new tie is aligned with the channel within the ballast wherein the new tie will be located, and if a kicker and/or extractor has not been previously used to remove the old tie, the new itself will be utilized to push the old tie out of its channel. Retraction of the telescoping arm inserts the tie into the desired location in the ballast, below the guide plate. As the tie passed below the guide plate, the flat guide plate, dimensioned and configured to fit between the two rails, does not permit any significant escape of ballast at the end of the plate. Additionally, the side guides help to ensure that the tie is perpendicular to the rails.
It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a railway tie guide plate dimensioned and configured to cover substantially all of the width between a pair of railroad tracks.
It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a railway tie insertion system wherein the tie is guided by a top and a pair of side guide surfaces throughout the entire insertion process.
It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a railway tie insertion system wherein the height of the guide plate may be easily adjusted.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent through the following description and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3698324 (1972-10-01), Peppin et al.
patent: 3780664 (1973-12-01), Holley et al.
patent: 4418625 (1983-12-01), Allmer
patent: 4421034 (1983-12-01), Allmer
patent: 5197389 (1993-03-01), Glomski et al.
patent: 5907914 (1999-06-01), Theurer
patent: 6158353 (2000-12-01), Theurer
patent: 6170401 (2001-01-01), Miller et al.
Anderson Jared
Madison Harry
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott , LLC
Harsco Technologies Corporation
Lang IV William F.
Le Mark T.
McCarry Robert
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