# US 11,299,859 B2 · Railroad tie plate distribution apparatus and method therefore

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- Number: US 11,299,859 B2
- Document ID: US11299859B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/433,720
- Filed: 2019-06-06
- Published: 2019-12-19
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-06-14
- Assignees: B & B Metals, Inc.
- Applicants: B & B Metals, Inc.
- Inventors: Coty T. Coots
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299859B2

## CPC

- E01B 29/32: Installing or removing track components, not covered by the preceding groups, e.g. sole-plates, rail anchors (E01B31/26 takes precedence)
- E01B: PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS (derailing or rerailing blocks on track, track brakes or retarders B61K)

## Abstract

Present embodiments relate to a railroad tie plate distribution apparatus and method therefore. The tie plate distribution apparatus which may be used in manual or automatic distribution modes in order to place tie plates on a railroad tie in a spaced apart sequence as the apparatus moves over a track being serviced. The tie plate distributor includes an actuator to feed tie plates on to a railroad track system being serviced.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tie plate distributor, comprising:
a conveyor having a first end and a second end;
a stop near the second end of said conveyor, said stop being movable to allow advancing of a tie plate in a distribution zone;
a second stop disposed in said distribution zone, said second stop biased to a blocking position;
an actuator which engages the tie plate and forces said tie plate past said second stop.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tie plate distributor of claim 1, said distribution zone having a frame.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tie plate distributor of claim 1, said second stop being a first support and a second support.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The tie plate distributor of claim 3, said second stop being pivotal for movement from a first position to a second position, wherein one of said first and second positions is said blocking position.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The tie plate distributor of claim 3 further comprising a spring disposed between a fixed position and said second stop.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tie plate distributor of claim 1, further comprising a magnet disposed on said actuator, said magnet retaining or releasing said tie plate.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The tie plate distributor of claim 6 wherein said actuator pushes said tie plate and said tie plate pushes said second stop open.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The tie plate distributor of claim 6 wherein said magnet is one of a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The tie plate distributor of claim 6 wherein said magnet retains said tie plate at a third stop and releases said tie plate on to a railroad tie.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The tie plate distributor of claim 1 further comprising a gripping device at an end of said actuator.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The tie plate distributor of claim 1 further comprising a sensor which is operably connected to one of said actuator or a magnet.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The tie plate distributor of claim 1 further comprising a manual switch to actuate at least one of said actuator or a magnet.

### Claim 13 (depends on 6)

The tie plate distributor of claim 6 further comprising a second sensor which is operably connected to said magnet.

### Claim 14

A method of distributing tie plates, comprising the steps of:
moving a tie plate to a first stop position;
moving said tie plate from said first stop position to a second stop position within a distribution zone;
actuating an actuator to move said tie plate out of said second stop position by moving at least one support at said second stop position;
biasing said at least one support of said second stop position back to a first condition independent of said actuator; and,
moving said tie plate on to a railroad tie.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 further comprising sensing a position of the tie plate.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 further comprising manually actuating one of said actuator or a magnet.

### Claim 17 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14 further comprising releasing said tie plate on to said railroad tie.