U.S. patent number 3,701,320 [Application Number 05/114,808] was granted by the patent office on 1972-10-31 for method and apparatus for laying railroad ties on a prepared road surface.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Morrison-Knudsen Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to George Monte Gilbert Battermann, Joseph G. Fearon.
United States Patent |
3,701,320 |
Fearon , et al. |
October 31, 1972 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LAYING RAILROAD TIES ON A PREPARED ROAD
SURFACE
Abstract
A method and means are disclosed for dispensing railroad ties at
regularly spaced intervals along a prepared roadbed surface from a
moving vehicle. Bundles of ties are placed in the input end of the
tie laying vehicle and conveyed to a breaking station where the
rows of ties making up the bundle are separated into individual
ties and conveyed in sequence along a first flow path to a tie
plate receiving and spike setting station. The ties have predrilled
holes therein in the positions where the spikes are normally set in
place. Tie plates having a requisite number of spikes associated
therewith are conveyed along a second flow path to the tie plate
receiving and spike setting station. At the tie plate receiving and
spike setting station. At the tie plate receiving and setting
station the ties are aligned in position relative to the spikes
extending through the tie plates, and the spikes set into place.
The ties with their associated spikes are then conveyed to a
pressing station where the outer spikes are completely inserted in
the railroad ties. The ties are then discharged at spaced intervals
along the prepared roadbed in position for laying rails
thereon.
Inventors: |
Fearon; Joseph G. (Libby,
MT), Battermann; George Monte Gilbert (Libby, MT) |
Assignee: |
Morrison-Knudsen Company, Inc.
(Boise, ID)
|
Family
ID: |
22357553 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/114,808 |
Filed: |
February 12, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
104/6; 104/307;
104/16; 414/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01B
29/26 (20130101); E01B 29/24 (20130101); E01B
29/06 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E01B
29/06 (20060101); E01B 29/26 (20060101); E01B
29/24 (20060101); E01B 29/00 (20060101); E01b
029/32 (); E01b 029/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;104/4,5,6,2,9,16
;254/43 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Forlenza; Gerald M.
Assistant Examiner: Bertsch; Richard A.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which a particular property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. The method of dispensing railroad ties at regularly spaced
intervals along a prepared roadbed surface from a moving vehicle,
the dispensed ties having tie plates thereon set in place with rail
spikes, comprising:
1. advancing a tie having predrilled holes therein in the positions
where spikes are to be located along a first flow path to a tie
plate receiving and spike setting station,
2. advancing tie plates having spikes associated therewith along a
second flow path to positions above the tie at the tie plate
receiving and spike setting station,
3. mating the predrilled holes in the tie with the spikes held by
the plates,
4. setting the spikes partway into the tie to hold the tie plates
in position,
5. advancing the tie to a discharge station, and
6. discharging the tie with its associated tie plates and spikes
from the vehicle along the prepared roadbed in position for laying
rails thereon.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein, prior to step (1), including the
steps of advancing a bundle of ties along the first flow path and
breaking the bundle of ties apart row by row as necessary for
advancing of individual ties along the first flow path in spaced
apart relation.
3. The method of claim 1 including inserting a predetermined number
of spikes through holes in the tie plates prior to advancing
thereof along the second flow path.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein step (3) is carried out by
a. determining the transverse position of the tie relative to the
position of the spikes held by the tie plates by sensing the
positions of the predrilled spike holes in the tie,
b. aligning the tie transversely to mate the predrilled holes with
the position of the spikes,
c. setting the tie plates in position on the tie by pressing the
spikes partway into the tie,
d. advancing the tie to a pressing station, and
e. pressing the partially driven spikes on the outer side of each
tie plate substantially completely into the tie.
5. An integral system for dispensing railroad ties from a moving
vehicle at predetermined spaced apart intervals along a prepared
roadbed surface, the dispensed railroad ties having tie plates set
in place on the ties with at least one rail spike through each
plate into the tie holding the tie plates in position,
comprising:
a first conveyor for conveying a tie along a first flow path to a
tie plate receiving and spike setting station,
a second conveyor for conveying tie plates and spikes to the tie
plate receiving and spike setting station,
tie positioning and spike setting means for (1) aligning the tie
transversely to the correct position for receipt of the tie plates
and spikes thereon and (2) setting of the spikes extending through
the tie plates into the tie to hold the tie plates in position,
a third conveyor for conveying the tie with the tie plates and
spikes thereon from the tie plate receiving and spike setting
station to a pressing station,
pressing means for pressing the outer spikes on each of the tie
plates completely into the tie,
means advancing the tie to a discharge station, and
discharge means at the discharge station for discharging the tie at
predetermined spaced intervals from other ties along the prepared
roadbed.
6. The system of claim 5 including, a tie bundle rotator prior to
the first conveyor having a conveyor associated therewith for
conveying a bundle of ties into the bundle rotator at predetermined
intervals, the bundle rotator having means for rotating the bundle
of ties upwardly about a pivot point near the lower forward edge of
the tie bundle to an angular position less than 90.degree. and
greater than 45.degree. with respect to a horizontal plane, bundle
breaking means adjacent the bundle rotating means for dislodging at
predetermined intervals the forwardmost row of ties, allowing the
ties in the row to fall by gravity onto the first conveyor.
7. The system of claim 5 including one or more tie sorters
positioned along the first conveyor for controlling the input of
ties to the tie plate receiving and spike setting station and for
turning the ties so that the surface of the tie receiving the tie
plates and spikes is facing upward.
8. The system of claim 5 wherein the tie positioning and spike
setting means comprises a receiver for the ties capable of shifting
the ties transversely to their direction of travel, holding means
above the upper surface of the tie in the receiver for receiving
and holding tie plates having spikes inserted therein, sensing
means sensing the position of predrilled holes in the upper surface
of the tie in relation to the spikes inserted in the tie plates,
positioning means associated with the receiver means and responsive
to the sensing means for aligning the predrilled holes in the tie
with the spikes, means for pressing the spikes partially into the
predrilled holes of the aligned tie while the tie is in the
receiver, release means releasing the tie from the receiver, and
pressing means for pressing the outer spikes associated with each
tie plate substantially completely into the tie.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the pressing means includes
pressure plates adapted to contact the top surfaces of the outer
spikes of each tie plate and power means operatively connected to
the pressure plates to press the spikes into the ties.
10. The system of claim 5 wherein the discharge means comprises a
conveyor for the ties ending adjacent the prepared road surface and
at about the same level thereof, articulatable tie stop means at
the lower end of the conveyor for dispensing one tie at a time on
the prepared road surface at intervals determined by the forward
travel of the vehicle, sensing means sensing the forward travel on
the vehicle, and control means operatively connected to the tie
stop means and responsive to the sensing means to release a tie by
retraction of the tie stop means on receipt of a signal from the
sensing means.
11. A mechanism for automatically positioning tie plates on a
railroad tie having predrilled holes for spikes therein and
inserting spikes thereinto, comprising:
1. receiving means capable of shifting transversely to the
direction of travel of the tie for receiving a tie,
2. holding means above the upper surface of the tie for receiving
and holding tie plates having one or more rail spikes inserted
therein,
3. sensing means sensing the position of the predrilled holes in
the tie relative to the spikes held in position above the tie by
the tie plates,
4. positioning means operatively connected to the receiving means
and responsive to the sensing means for aligning the predrilled
holes in the tie with the spikes, and
5. pressing means for pressing the spikes into the predrilled holes
of the aligned tie while the tie is in the receiving means.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the invention
This invention relates to a method of dispensing railroad ties at
regularly spaced intervals along a prepared roadbed surface and to
means for accomplishing such.
2. Prior Art Relating to the Disclosure
Laying of railroad ties along a prepared roadbed preparatory to
laying new rails thereon has generally been a manual operation. In
the past bundles of ties have been layed at spaced intervals along
the prepared roadbed. The bundles are broken and manually
positioned along the roadbed surface at predetermined intervals. At
the same time the bundles of ties are dispensed along the roadbed
surface bundles of plates and spikes are also dispensed. The plates
and spikes are unbundled and the plates manually placed in the
correct positions on the rail ties and spikes driven into the ties
to hold the plates in place on the ties. Not only is this manual
process expensive because of the number of laborers needed to carry
out the operation and the high cost of manual labor, but the
process is also slow and inefficient. There is no means known for
economically and practically automating the process of laying
railroad ties having tie plates and spikes associated therewith
along a prepared roadbed surface in ready position for laying of
rails thereon.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of dispensing railroad ties at
regularly spaced intervals along a prepared roadbed surface and to
means of accomplishing such from a moving vehicle. A bundle of ties
is conveyed by a first conveyor from the input end of the vehicle
to a bundle breaking station where the bundle is rotated to an
angle less than 90.degree. and greater than 45.degree.. Each bundle
of ties is made up of a number of rows of ties stacked in vertical
relation. Bundle breaking means adjacent the bundle rotating means
dislodges a row of ties at a time, allowing the dislodged ties to
fall onto a second conveyor wherein they are conveyed along a first
flow path to a tie plate receiving and spike setting station. Tie
stop means are included along the second conveyor for feeding
single ties in sequence along the first flow path to the tie place
receiving and spike setting station in a predetermined spaced apart
relation. Tie plates having a requisite number of spikes associated
therewith are fed along a second flow path to the tie plate
receiving and spike setting station. At the tie plate receiving and
spike setting station the ties are aligned for positioning of the
tie plates thereon and setting of the tie spikes therein. The ties
with their associated tie plates and spikes are then discharged and
conveyed to a press section where the outer spikes are driven
substantially into place. The ties are then discharged from the
vehicle along the prepared roadbed in spaced position for laying of
rails thereon.
The primary purposes of this invention are to provide a method and
means of laying railroad ties which (1) is more efficient, (2) is
less costly, (3) is substantially automated, thus dispensing with a
large amount of manual labor and (4) is capable of laying ties in
alignment such that the rails can easily be positioned thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an overall side elevational view of the vehicle for
dispensing railroad ties at regularly spaced intervals along a
prepared roadbed surface;
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the operations taking place
in the tie laying machine of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the bundle rotating means
in its lowered position;
FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the bundle rotating means
in "UP" position having a bundle of ties positioned thereon and
bundle pusher means for aiding in dislodging one row of ties at a
time from the bundle rotating means;
FIG. 5 is an expanded partial cross sectional view along section
line 5--5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the second conveyor and tie rotating and
stop means downstream from the bundle rotating means;
FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the second conveyor and tie
rotating and stop means of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an expanded side view of one of the tie rotating and stop
means of FIGs. 6 and 7;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the tie rotating and stop means of FIG.
8;
FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of means for roughly aligning
the rail ties transversely prior to their entry into the tie plate
receiving and spike setting station;
FIG. 11 is a plan view of the conveying means for the spikes and
tie plates;
FIG. 12 is an expanded cross sectional view along section line
12--12 of FIG. 11 showing a tie plate in position on the tie plate
conveyor with spikes positioned in place in the tie plate;
FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional view along section line 13--13
of FIG. 14 illustrating the tie plate holding means at the tie
plate receiving and spike setting station;
FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of the tie plate receiving and
spike setting station and pressing station, including means for
aligning the railroad ties transversely, positioning the tie plates
thereon, setting the spikes partially into place, discharging the
ties with the partially set spikes to a press station and pressing
the outer spikes into the tie;
FIG. 15 is a partial expanded cross sectional view of the tie index
means of FIG. 14;
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a typical tie plate generally used
in railroad laying;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view along section line 17--17 of FIG. 14
illustrating the mechanical means used to sense the location of
predrilled railroad ties for positioning of the tie and setting of
spikes therein;
FIg. 18 is a partial cross sectional view of the mechanical means
shown in FIG. 17 in relation to a tie having predrilled holes
therein;
FIG. 19 is a cross sectional view along section line 19--19 of FIG.
14 illustrating the means for aligning the rail ties transversely
for correct positioning of the predrilled holes in relation to the
spikes held in place above the ties;
FIG. 20 is a front view of the press means for setting the outer
spikes on each tie plate completely into the rail tie after partial
setting thereof in the tie plate receiving and spike setting
station;
FIG. 21 is a partial perspective view of the means for controlling
discharge of the railroad ties having spikes and plates associated
therewith from the moving vehicle at predetermined intervals along
the prepared roadbed;
FIG. 22 is a cross sectional elevation along a vertical axis of the
discharge section of the moving vehicle; and
FIGS. 23 and 24 are electrical and pneumatic schematics for
carrying out the operations heretofore described.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For purposes of describing the tie laying machine each of the
functions of the machine will be described and the mechanical means
for carrying out each of the functions. Overall operation of the
machine, described with relation to FIGS. 1 and 2, includes (1)
placing a bundle 1 of ties on the input or first conveyor 10 at the
input end of the vehicle, (2) conveying the ties as a bundle to a
bundle rotating station 20, (3) rotating the bundle of ties to a
position less than 90.degree. and greater than 45.degree., (4)
breaking the forward row of ties by operation of the bundle pusher
and tie dislodging means 30, (5) conveying the ties along a second
conveying means with intermittent stops by tie stop sorters 40 into
a tie plate receiving and spike setting station (6) conveying tie
plates having a predetermined number of spikes associated therewith
along conveying means 70 intersecting the flow path of the ties at
the tie plate receiving and spike setting station, (7) aligning the
ties transversely of their direction of travel to receive the tie
plates and their associated spikes, (8) setting the plates and
spikes into position, (9) discharging the ties to a press station
150, (10) pressing the present spikes into the tie, and (11)
discharging the ties at predetermined spaced intervals from the
vehicle along the prepared roadbed by a discharge assembly 160.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the vehicle is powered by suitable power
means 2, the power means furnishing power for moving the vehicle,
turning the vehicle, and driving the means for accomplishing the
purposes described broadly above. The prime mover, for example, a
diesel engine, drives a generator (not shown) which provides
electrical power to the vehicle. It is preferred to use air to
carry out the necessary operations although other means may be
used. To minimize and conserve space the structural support frame 3
of the vehicle is hollow and acts as a reservoir for the air used
to carry out the functions to be described through action of
pneumatic cylinders.
The operation outlined broadly above will be described in detail
under appropriate headings.
1. INPUT CONVEYOR
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 bundles of ties 1 are placed on input
conveyor 10 which is suitably a belt or chain conveyor trained
around rollers 11 and 12. The conveyor is driven by suitable means
such as an air motor. Starting and stopping of the conveyor may be
by manual or automatic controls to control input of each bundle of
ties to the bundle rotating station 20.
2. BUNDLE ROTATOR
The bundle rotator 20 is shown in detail in FIG. 3. The bundle
rotator includes a pair of parallel, L-shaped arms 21 pivotally
mounted for pivoting about shafts 22 journalled for rotation in
collars 25 resting on an I-beam cross member of the frame of the
vehicle. The L-shaped arms are sized to hold a typical bundle of
railroad ties. A bundle of ties is delivered into the arms of the
bundle rotator when it is in its lowered position by conveyor 10.
When the bundle of ties contacts the upright arms the input
conveyor 10 is topped either manually or automatically. The bundle
of ties is then rotated upwardly and forwardly about shafts 22 to
the "UP" position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3. The "UP"
position is greater than 45.degree. with reference to a horizontal
plane and less than 90.degree.. The optimum angle is about 70
degrees but is not particularly critical. The bundle of ties should
be placed such that when the lower, forwardmost tie is dislodged
from its position on the L-shaped arms the forward row of ties
will, by gravity, fall into position on a second conveying means
downstream from the bundle rotator. The L-shaped arms of the bundle
rotator are raised and lowered by power means such as paired
pneumatic cylinders 23 whose pistons are attached to the L-shaped
arms as shown in FIG. 3 and whose cylinders are pivotally secured
to structural members 24 extending from the I-beam cross member of
the frame of the vehicle.
3. BUNDLE PUSHING AND DISLODGING MEANS
Means 30 for advancing the tie bundle forward on the bundle rotator
while in its "UP" position and dislodging the forward rows of ties
are shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. Each forward row of rail ties is
dislodged and allowed to fall by gravity on conveying means where
they are conveyed through the tie sorters to the tie plate
receiving and spike setting station. The bundle pushing means
includes a pair of articulatable L-shaped arms 31 adapted to grip
the bundle of ties resting on arms 21 in the "UP" position at each
rear corner. The arms 31 are pivotable about connection 32 to guide
members 33 which travel in rails 34. The rails are inclined
upwardly relative to the direction of travel of the tie bundle and
are positioned substantially parallel to the lower members of arms
21 when in the "UP" position. The forward ends of guide members 33
are pivotally attached to pistons of a pair of double acting power
cylinders 35 pivotally secured to the frame of the vehicle and
mounted parallel to each other on each side of the bundle rotator.
When a bundle of ties is rotated to the "UP" position shown in FIG.
4 the pistons of cylinders 35 are advanced until the arms can be
fitted around the rear corners of the bundle of ties. The arms are
locked into the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 5 by suitable
locking means 36. On retraction of the pistons of paired cylinders
35 the bundle of ties is advanced forwardly a predetermined
distance. Directly beneath the forwardmost row of ties is a bundle
dislodger, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The bundle dislodger may be a
double acting power cylinder 37 on the upper end of whose piston is
secured an elongated bar 38 which on advance of the piston contacts
the forwardmost row of ties held on the L-shaped arms 21 of the
bundle rotator at an appropriate angle to dislodge them and allow
them to fall by gravity on the forwardly inclined roller conveyor
39. The conveying means 39 as shown includes two parallel roller
conveyors inclined forwardly in the direction of travel of the
ties. As the forwardmost row of ties is dislodged they fall on the
conveyor 39 and are conveyed by gravity to tie sorters shown
generally as reference numeral 40.
4. TIE SORTERS
The tie sorters shown generally as reference numeral 40 in FIGS. 6
and 7 of the drawings and in detail in FIGS. 8 and 9, serve two
purposes; (1) to space the ties at predetermined intervals for the
discharge to the conveying means conveying the ties to the tie
plate receiving and spike setting station and (2) to turn the ties
so that the predrilled spike holes drilled in the ties and edged
surface where the spikes are to be located are facing forward.
Three or more sets of tie sorters may be used although the number
is not particularly critical. The tie sorters may be actuated
manually or automatically to let a tie advance to the adjacent
conveying means or to turn the ties so that the surfaces having the
predrilled holes therein are facing upward. Each of the tie sorters
is identical in structure and includes L-shaped dogs 41 positioned
to catch the lower forward edge of a tie. The tie sorters are
located in sequence so that if, for example, a tie on the first set
of tie sorters must be turned 90.degree. to have the surface with
the predrilled holes therein facing upward, actuation of the tie
sorter rotates the tie 90.degree. and deposits it on the next
adjacent tie sorter. If the ties on the tie sorters are correctly
positioned the L-shaped dogs 41 are dropped below the level of the
conveyor 39 allowing the ties to proceed to the next adjacent
conveying means. The L-shaped dogs 41 of each tie sorter are
secured between parallel plates 42 which are mounted between plates
43 for pivotal movement (1) clockwise about shaft 44 to rotate a
tie resting on the dog 90.degree. and (2) counter-clockwise about
shaft 45 to drop the dog below the level of the conveyor 39 to
allow a tie resting on the conveyor to by pass the dog. Shaft 44 is
rigidly attached to parallel plates 42. The respective ends of
shaft 44 extend through slots 46 in both of the outer parallel
plates 43 and are secured to pistons of paired cylinders 47 which
are attached to crossmembers of the frame of the vehicle. Slots 46
have a curvature equal to the radial distance between shaft 44 and
shaft 45 and a length equal to the downward travel distance of the
dog. On retraction of the pistons of cylinder 47 the dog is dropped
to allow a tie resting on conveyor 39 to bypass the tie sorter.
Shaft 45 is rigidly attached at its ends to outer parallel plates
43 and extends through slots 48 in the inner parallel plates 42.
Slots 48 have a curvature equal to the radial distance between
shaft 44 and shaft 45 and a length sufficient to allow the dog to
be rotated clockwise approximately 90.degree. or more by the piston
of double acting power cylinder 49 pivotally attached at its lower
end to shaft 50 extending between the lower ends of parallel plates
43. The piston of the cylinder is pivotally attached to bracket 51
secured at its ends to plates 42. A roller 52 may be mounted back
of dog 41 to support a tie resting against the dog. Spring 52
extending between and around shafts 44 and 45 aids in returning the
dog to normal position after allowing a tie to by pass.
If a tie on the first set of tie sorters is not correctly
positioned with the predrilled holes facing upward cylinder 49 is
activated to rotate dog 41 about shaft 44, thereby depositing the
tie on the next adjacent tie sorter and at the same time rotating
it 90.degree.. If the tie held in place by the dog of the second
tie sorter is not in correct position the tie can be rotated
another 90.degree. to deposit against the dog of the third tie
sorter.
5. TIE ALIGNING MEANS
The tie aligning means is shown generally in FIG. 10 and referred
to generally by reference numeral 60. The railroad tie after
leaving the last of the tie sorters falls on conveyor 61 which
conveys the tie into the aligning means which roughly aligns the
tie transversely of its direction of travel prior to entry into the
tie plate receiving and spike setting station. The aligning means
includes a pair of elongated side wings 62 pivotally secured to the
frame of the vehicle at their forward ends. The width between the
side wings approximates the length of a typical railroad tie. A
bell crank 63 pivoted midway between the side wings to a cross
member of the frame of the vehicle has linking arms 64 and 65
pivotally attached to the side wings. Cable 66 attached to the
forward end of bellcrank 63 has a gravity weight 67 secured to the
free end thereof to maintain the position of the side wings 62. A
railroad tie entering between the side wings is pushed transversely
of its direction of travel to roughly align the tie for entry into
the tie plate receiving and spike setting station.
6. CONVEYING MEANS FOR THE TIE PLATES AND SPIKES
FIGS. 11 and 12 show the means 70 for conveying the spikes and tie
plates along a second flow path to the tie plate receiving and
spike setting station. As shown in FIG. 11 two parallel conveying
means 71 such as inclined roller conveyors, have their input end on
the upper deck of the vehicle (see FIG. 1) and are inclined
downwardly and end at the tie plate receiving and spike setting
station. Referring to FIG. 1 bundles of tie plates 72 and boxes of
spikes 73 are placed on the upper deck at the input end of the
vehicle. The tie plate bundles are unbundled and the spikes unboxed
and placed on belt conveyor 74 which conveys the tie plates and
spikes to respective receiving stations 75a and 75b. Workers
sitting in seats 76a and 76b on each side of the belt conveyor 74
remove the tie plates from the belt conveyor and place them on the
roller conveyor 71. Two other workers sitting in seats 77a and 77b
place spikes in the tie plates 78, preferably three spikes 79 to a
plate as shown in FIG. 12. The tie plates with associated spikes
then feed down the length of conveying means 71 to the tie plate
receiving and spike setting station.
7. TIE TILT ASSEMBLY
The tie tilt assembly is shown generally in FIG. 14. The function
of the tie tilt assembly is to (1) receive a tie, (2) align the tie
transversely with respect to spikes held in tie plates above the
tie, (3) raise the tie into contact with the spikes to partially
set them in place in the tie and (4) discharge the tie. The tie
tilt assembly is generally referred to by reference numeral 80. A
heavy plate 81, generally rectangular, is pivotally mounted to the
frame of the vehicle for movement transverse to the direction of
travel of the ties at pivot point 82. A double acting power
cylinder 83 pivotally attached to the frame of the vehicle at 84
has its piston pivotally attached to the back side of plate 81. A
tie supporting L-plate 85 extending about the length of a railroad
tie is slidably mounted for vertical movement to plate 81. The
bottom surface of the L-plate 85 has an elongated slot 86 therein
running parallel to the length dimension of the plate. The function
of the slot will be described later. Slidably disposed on top of
the L-shaped plate 85 is a second L-shaped plate 87. Referring to
FIGS. 14 and 19 the L-shaped plate 87 has on its under surface a
ring 88 extending through the elongated slot of plate 85. A double
acting power cylinder 89 is attached at 90 to the frame of the
vehicle and has its piston 91 pivotally attached to the mounting
ring 88. Advance and retraction of the piston of the double acting
cylinder slides the L-shaped plate 87 transversely of the direction
of travel of the tie to align the ties transversely for receiving
spikes and tie plates.
Paired double acting cylinders 92 (FIG. 14) are pivotally attached
to an upper cross member of the frame of the vehicle at 93 and have
their pistons respectively pivotally secured to the upper ends of
L-shaped plate 85. Advancing and retraction of the pistons of
cylinders 92 raises and lowers the L-shaped plates 85 and 87. A
rail tie is advanced along conveyor 61 until received in the
L-shaped plate 87. Sensing means stop the conveyor and retract the
piston of cylinder 83 to tilt the tie tilt assembly from a vertical
position to the position shown in FIG. 14.
8. TIE PLATE AND SPIKE RECEIVING STATION
The tie plate and spike receiving station, referred to generally by
reference numeral 100, is shown generally in FIGS. 13 and 14. Tie
plates with their associated spikes advancing down conveyors 71 are
received in the tie plate and spike receiving station 100 shown
generally in FIG. 13. A tie support plate 101 secured to the lower
ends of each conveyor has slots 102, 103 and 104 therein extending
parallel to the direction of travel of the tie plates down the
conveyors 71. The location of these slots coincides with the
positions of the spikes 79 extending through the tie plate 78, as
shown in FIG. 12. The slots extend completely through the cover
plates. Tie plates 78 with their associated spikes 79, as shown in
FIG. 12, advance down conveyors 71 and slide across the top of
support plates 101. The tie plates are stopped by dogs 105, 106 and
107 normally positioned across slots 102, 103 and 104 and in the
pathway of the spikes extending through the tie plate. The dogs are
each pivotally mounted as shown in FIG. 13 to the underside of tie
support plate 101 to hold the tie plate in correct position for
setting the spikes in the predrilled holes on the upper surface of
the railroad tie which, when the tie tilt assembly is tilted to the
position shown in FIG. 14, is beneath the tie support plate 101.
Dog 105, pivotable about pivot point 108, is linked by linking rod
109 to shaft 110 journalled for rotation to the frame of the
vehicle and extending transversely of the direction of travel of
the railroad ties. Dog 106, pivotable about pivot point 111, is
linked by linking arm 112 to rod 110. Dog 107, pivotable about
pivot point 113, is linked by linking rod 114 to rod 110. Dog 116
is normally in the position shown in FIG. 13 and is pivotable about
pivot point 117 and connected by linking rod 118 to one end of bell
crank 119 pivotable midway between its ends. Rod 121 extends
between the other end of the bell crank and dog 105. A double
acting power cylinder 122 has its piston pivotally attached to rod
110 as shown in FIG. 14. Advance and retraction of the piston
rotates shaft 110 and causes concurrent advance and retraction of
the linking rods 109, 112, and 114. In the position shown in FIG.
13 the dogs 105, 106 and 107 hold a tie plate with associated
spikes in place. On clockwise rotation of rod 110 the dogs are
retracted allowing the tie plate and its associated spikes to be
released. At the same time dog 116 rotates to closed position to
catch the inner spike of the next tie plate and hold it until dogs
105, 106 and 107 are moved to closed position.
9. TIE ALIGNING ASSEMBLY
The tie aligning assembly is shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 and is
referred to generally by reference numeral 120. Once the tie plates
with their associated spikes are in position on the tie support
plate 101 and the tie is in position in the tie tilt assembly as
shown in FIG. 14 the tie is raised to an alignment position. An
alignment assembly is then moved forward. The alignment assembly
includes a switch plate 121 on which are mounted a number of
fingers 122 which feel the position of predrilled holes in the
upper surface of the rail tie and actuate power cylinder 89 (see
FIG. 19) aligning the railroad tie transversely to position the tie
for setting of the spikes held by the tie plate in the predrilled
holes. Once the correct position is sensed by fingers 122 the
switch plate 121 retracts and the tie is moved vertically to set
the spikes in place in the predrilled holes. Once the spikes are
set in place the tie tilt assembly lowers the dogs 105, 106 and
107, referred to previously, open to their release position
allowing the tie and its associated tie plates and spikes to be
discharged. Referring to FIG. 17 the switch plate 121 has a series
of nine arms 123 extending parallel to the direction of travel of
the railroad ties and pivotally attached thereto at about their mid
points. At the forward ends of the arms are downwardly extending
fingers 122 extending through openings 124 in the switch plate.
Referring to FIG. 14 the piston 125 of a double acting power
cylinder 126 (pivotally attached to the frame of the vehicle) is
attached to the underside of switch plate 122. Advance of the
piston moves the switch plate and its associated arms and fingers
into feeling position in contact with the upper surface of the
railroad tie when the railroad tie is moved into alignment position
(shown in dotted lines in FIG. 14). Each arm 123 has associated
with it a microswitch 127 (see FIG. 18). When the switch plate is
moved into feeling position certain of the fingers 122 mate with
the predrilled holes in the upper surface of the railroad tie and
actuate the particular microswitch. Depending on the location of
the holes sensed by the fingers the tie is moved horizontally to
the right or left by power cylinder 89 (see FIG. 19) until the
correct alignment position is sensed by the fingers. When this
occurs power cylinder 126 is actuated to retract the switch plate.
The double acting cylinders 92 of the tie tilt assembly move the
tie upward to a spike setting position wherein the spikes are
partially set in place in the predrilled holes. The tie with its
associated plates and spikes is then discharged. Spaced above and
parallel to the tie support plate 101 is a backing plate 128
supported in place by struts 129. The backing plate provides a back
support for the upper surface of the tie plate and spikes when the
tie is raised into contact with the spikes to set them partially in
place in the tie. Generally the spikes are pressed a distance of 1
to 3 inches into the ties before discharge of the tie.
10. TIE INDEXING ASSEMBLY
The tie indexing assembly is best illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15
and is referred to generally by reference numeral 130. Once the tie
is discharged from the tie tilt assembly it falls onto conveyor
surface 61 and is advanced into contact with the first set of a
series of upended dogs 131, 132 and 133 which are spaced at
predetermined intervals on each side of the conveyor 61 between the
tie plate receiving and setting station and the pressing station.
The dogs index the ties one at a time into position under the press
to be described for setting of the outer spikes of each tie plate
substantially completely into the tie. Each of the dogs is pivoted
for movement counterclockwise around pivot points 134, 135 and 136
on projections extending upwardly from sleeve 137 which is slidably
mounted over tubular member 138 extending beneath and parallel to
the direction of travel of the ties. Ears 139 attached beneath each
of the dogs project laterally and contact the dogs preventing
rotation about their pivot points past the position shown in FIG.
14. The piston of power cylinder 140 is pivotally attached to
sleeve 137. Advancing and retraction of the piston of the power
cylinder moves the sleeve forward and backward. On advance of the
piston of power cylinder 140 the forward surface of each of the
dogs contacts ties resting on the tie slide 141 and advances them a
predetermined amount toward the pressing station. The ties are free
to slide forwardly over the dogs as the dogs freely pivot forward
(counterclockwise) as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 15.
11. PRESS ASSEMBLY
The press assembly is referred to generally by reference numeral
150 and is best illustrated in FIG. 14 and 20. The press of the
press assembly presses certain of the partially set spikes
completely into the railroad tie. Preferably the outer spikes on
each of the tie plates are pressed completely into place as shown
in FIG. 20 while the inner spike is left partially set until the
rails are positioned in place on the ties. The press assembly 150
includes two press plates 151 having pressing surfaces adapted to
contact the outer spikes on each tie plate and press them into the
tie. The press plates 151 are pivotally connected together by a
linking arm 152. A pair of double acting power cylinders 153
pivotally connected at their upper ends to a cross arm 154 of the
frame of the vehicle extend downwardly. Their pistons are pivotally
connected, respectively, to the upper ends of each of the press
plates 151. Directly beneath the press plates are reinforced
crossmembers 155 welded to the frame providing adequate support for
the downward pressure exerted by the press plates on extension of
the pistons of the respective cylinders.
The last dog 133 of the tie index assembly, on advance of the
piston of power cylinder 140, pushes the tie forward into position
for pressing beneath the press plates. Actuation of the power
cylinders 153 is controlled by suitable means as will be explained.
Once the outer spikes are pressed into the tie the press plates
retract and the next rail tie is pushed into position by the tie
index assembly, displacing the already set tie forward until it
falls onto conveyor 61 which conveys it to the discharge
station.
12. DISCHARGE ASSEMBLY
The discharge assembly is shown generally by reference numeral 160
and is best illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22. At the end of conveyor
61 a gravity roller conveyor 161 is mounted and is inclined
downwardly to ground level. The railroad ties are advanced by
conveyor 61 to the input end of conveyor 161 and travel by gravity
down the length of the conveyor until stopped at the discharge end
of the conveyor by dog 162 secured between the frame members of the
conveyor and pivotable about pivot point 163. The piston of double
acting power cylinder 164 is secured to the lower end of dog 163 so
that on retraction of the piston, the dog is lowered below the
upper surface level of conveyor 161, and on advance of the piston
the dog is raised to the position shown in FIG. 22 to prevent the
lowermost tie coming down the discharge conveyor 161 from dropping
onto the ground. The power cylinder 164 is actuated intermittently
to lower dog 162 and allow the lowermost tie to fall onto the
ground by microswitch 165 (FIG. 21) whose contact arm rides against
the surface of cam wheel 166. Cam wheel 166 is of predetermined
diameter and rides against wheel 167 rotatably mounted on a shaft
extending between support members 168. When the raised portion of
cam wheel 166 contacts the arm of the microswitch a circuit is
closed which actuates the power cylinder 164 to allow a tie to be
dropped onto the ground. The diameter of wheel 166 controls the
spacing of the ties along the prepared roadbed. It is preferred to
dispense a tie at intervals of about 20 to 25 inches (center to
center).
The ties discharged onto the input end of the discharge conveyor
161 acquire considerable momentum as they travel to ground level
and against dog 162. To prevent damage to the dog 162 a cylindrical
inflatable member 169 is mounted beneath a cross member 170 to the
frame of the vehicle above the discharge conveyor. The member 169
has means for inflating it so as to press the lower surface thereof
against the upper surface of ties advancing down conveyor 161 and
slow their speed. Additionally spring-biased means 171 may be
provided to exert additional pressure on the ties to prevent damage
to dog 162.
13. MODE OF OPERATION
Coordination of the various operations taking place from the input
end to the discharge end of the vehicle is carried out by automatic
means or manually, if desired. Automatic operation of the various
assemblies may be triggered by suitably located limit switches and
relays which actuate power cylinders to carry out the various
operations. The exact location of the limit switches may be as
desired. Reference is made to FIGS. 23 and 24 showing electrical
and pneumatic schematics.
Referring to FIG. 23 the input conveyor 10 is stopped and started
by a manual off-on switch 200. Speed of the conveyor 10 is
controlled by a flow control valve 201. With a bundle of ties
positioned on the upper surface of the input conveyor 10 and the
bundle rotator 20 in lowered position starting of the conveyor will
move the bundle of ties into the arms 21 of the bundle rotator.
Limit switch 202 mounted on the frame of the vehicle, is contacted
by the arms 21 of the bundle rotator when in lowered position to
effect closing of contacts 202a and opening of contacts 202b. Limit
switch 203, mounted adjacent the conveyor 10, has its contacts
normally closed and is opened by a bundle of ties on conveyor 10
contacting it. When switch 200 is turned on, the bundle of ties is
moved into the arms 21 of the bundle rotator by conveyor 10 until
limit switch 204, mounted on the arms 21 of the bundle rotator, is
contacted, opening contacts 204a and closing contacts 204b. Opening
of the contacts 204a stops conveyor 10.
Raising of arms 21 is effected by extension of the pistons of power
cylinders 23. Actuation of the cylinders may be controlled manually
or automatically by a switch 205 having two normally open contacts
205a and 205b. The 205b contacts are closed for "manual" operation.
In "auto" position the 205a contacts are closed, completing the
circuit when contacts 204b of switch 204 are closed by the tie
bundle, thereby actuating raising of arms 21 automatically.
When the arms 21 reach "UP" position the contacts of switch 206
mounted to the frame of the vehicle are closed.
The bundle pusher and tie dislodging means may be operated manually
or automatically. For manual operation the paired cylinders 35 are
actuated by a four way solenoid valve 207 controlled by manual
off-on switch 208. The forward row of bundle of ties is dislodged
manually by actuation of power cylinder 37 with a two way solenoid
valve 209 controlled by manual off-on switch 210. After dislodging
the forward row of ties the bundle pusher is actuated to advance
the next row of ties into position above the dislodging means. As
the ties are advanced contacts 204b of switch 204 are opened. When
the last row of ties is dislodged from the arms 21 of the bundle
rotator switch 206 opens causing retraction of the pistons of power
cylinders 23 and lowering of the arms to "DOWN" position.
The dislodged ties fall on roller conveyor 39 where they advance
into contact with the first of the tie sorters 40. The tie sorters
(three shown) are actuated in a similar manner. The tie resting
against dog 41 of the first tie sorter may be turned 90.degree. or
allowed to pass over the dog by retraction thereof. Both operations
may be manually or automatically controlled by suitable means. For
manual operation, closing of the contacts of switch 211 controls
fourway solenoid valve 212 which actuates cylinder 49.
A tie discharge from the last of the tie sorters is advanced by
conveyor 61 to the tie tilt assembly.
Conveyor 61 is started, stopped and its speed controlled in the
same manner as input conveyor 10.
Initially the L-plates 85 and 87 of the tie tilt assembly are in
vertical position. The contacts of switch 213 are closed when
plates 85 and 87 are in "DOWN" position. Closing of switch 213
partially completes the circuit to relay 214 and energizes relay
216 which operates solenoid valve 217 to advance the piston of
power cylinder 126 to "FEEL" position. When the tie contacts the
forward wall of plate 87 it closes the contacts of switches 217 and
220. Closing of switch 217 allows current through relay 214 which
energizes fourway solenoid valve 215 to advance the piston of power
cylinder 92 and raise the tie until the tie (1) closes open
contacts 218a of switch 218 on switch plate 121 partially
completing the circuit to relay 219 and (2) opens contacts 218b of
switch 218 interrupting current to relay 214 and stopping advance
of piston 92. Closing of switch 220 energizes relay 219 which
operates solenoid valve 221 causing the piston of cylinder 83 to
retract, tilting the tie tilt assembly to the position shown in
FIG. 14.
In the "FEEL" position the fingers 122 (approximately one-fourth
inch in diameter) sense the position of the predrilled holes in the
tie. The arms of each of the fingers 122 actuate normally open
switches 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229 and 230. When the
fingers locate a hole in the tie and drop therein the contacts of
the switch are closed. All of these switches are wired in series.
Closing of one of the switches energizes an associated relay which
operates solenoid valve 231 to advance or retract the piston of
power cylinder 89 to move the tie transverse to its direction of
travel a predetermined amount. For example, closing of either
switch 222 or 223 energizes relay 232 completing the circuit
through normally closed switch 237 and operates solenoid valve 231
to move the plate 87 on which the tie is resting to the right until
the contacts of switch 237 are opened. Switch 237 is generally
positioned so as to be opened when the plate 87 and tie thereon
have moved about one inch to the right.
If either of switches 224 or 225 are closed relay 233 is energized
completing the circuit through switch 238 causing the tie to move
to the right a predetermined distance, generally about one-half
inch. If switches 227, 228 or 229, 230 are closed their associated
relays 235 and 236 are energized moving the plate and tie thereon
to the left predetermined amounts depending on the location of
normally closed switches 239 and 240.
If switch 226 is closed relay 234 is energized by passing the tie
aligner. The finger associated with switch 226 is located in the
correct position for tie setting. If the tie happens to be in that
position it is not moved.
When one of the switches 222 to 230 closes the circuit to relay 216
is interrupted causing the piston of cylinder 126 to retract and
retract the switch plate. In the retract position switch 241 is
closed operating solenoid valve 215 to move (by means of power
cylinder 92) plate 87 and the tie thereon to "SET" position. Switch
242 is in the "SET" position. When the normally open contacts of
switch 242 are closed relay 243 is energized providing current
through either switch 244 or 245 to recenter the plate 87 of the
tie aligner assembly. At the same time energizing the relay 243
operates solenoid valve 246 opening a valve to power cylinder 126
to advance the piston thereof and release the tie from the
assembly. The dogs 105, 106 and 107 (FIG. 12) stay in release
position until the plate 87 is in "DOWN" position where it closes
the contacts of switch 213 dropping out relay 242.
The tie indexing assembly 130 moves the ties from set position to
press position. The piston of cylinder 140 is normally retracted.
Through a series of suitably located limit switches and relays the
piston is advanced and retracted at periodic intervals to index the
ties from set position to press position beneath the press plates
151. The press may be operated manually or automatically. When
operated automatically a tie in correct position under the press
plates 151 closes a limit switch which causes the press plates 151
to move down into contact with the outer spikes of each tie plate.
A pressure sensitive switch directly under the tie causes the press
plates to retract when a predetermined pressure is reached,
generally 1,200 to 2,000 psi.
The power cylinder 164 of the tie discharge assembly is controlled,
as mentioned previously, by limit switch 165 which actuates a
solenoid valve to retract or advance the piston of cylinder 164
whenever the raised portion of cam wheel 166 contacts the arm of
switch 165.
Although specific means have been described for automatically or
manually operating the vehicle other suitable means within the
skill of the art may also be utilized.
* * * * *