Tie plate separator and method thereof

#1. Field of the Invention

#An apparatus and method is taught for separating and sorting tie plates so that the tie plates may be sequentially fed to a tie plate distribution system. More specifically, an apparatus and method are taught for feeding a tie plate distribution system wherein the tie plates are separated and sorted mechanically rather than manually thereby improving efficiency of a tie plate distribution process.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#In order that the embodiments may be better understood, embodiments of the tie plate sorter in accordance with the present invention will now be described by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit the scope of the present invention as other embodiments of the tie plate sorter of the present invention will become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the instant description. Examples of the present invention are shown in figures wherein:

#FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a first embodiment of a tie plate separator or sorter assembly and distribution conveyor.

#FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

#It is to be understood that the tie plate sorter assembly is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

#Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like numeral indicate like elements throughout several views, there are shown in FIGS. 1 through 19 various aspects of a tie plate separator or sorter assembly which receives a plurality of tie plates and positions the tie plates sequentially on an exit conveyor for subsequent feeding to a tie plate distribution system. A method is further shown herein for performing the function described with the various structures disclosed.

#Referring initially to FIG. 1, a side view of a tie plate sorter assembly 10 positioned on a hi-rail truck 12 for separating a plurality of tie plates positioned on the truck by a crane or other loading structure 28 and feeding a tie plate distribution system 15.