# US 11,898,311 B2 · Railroad tie plate distribution apparatus and method therefore

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- Number: US 11,898,311 B2
- Document ID: US11898311B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/701,564
- Filed: 2022-03-22
- Published: 2022-07-07
- Granted: 2024-02-13
- 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/US11898311B2

## 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 distribution zone;
a conveyor having a first end and a second end, wherein said distribution zone is located near said second end;
said conveyor capable of moving a tie plate from said first end to said distribution zone;
an actuator positioned near said distribution zone which moves said tie plate from said distribution zone past a stop and on to a railroad tie or ballast; and,
said stop comprising at least one support and being biased independently of said actuator.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tie plate distributor of claim 1, said at least one support moving between an open position and a closed position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The tie plate distributor of claim 2, said at least one support comprising a first support and a second support.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The tie plate distributor of claim 2 further comprising a biasing spring which biases said at least one support.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The tie plate distributor of claim 2, said moving being a pivoting movement.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tie plate distributor of claim 1, further comprising a conveyor stop which limits stops a plurality of tie plates on said conveyor and allows only one said tie plate into said distribution zone.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The tie plate distributor of claim 7, said magnet retaining said tie plate on said actuator and releasing said tie plate when said tie plate passes by said at least one support.

### Claim 9

A method of distributing tie plates, comprising the steps of:
providing a tie plate distributor for operation along a railroad;
providing a first stop between a conveyor and a distribution zone;
providing a second stop at said distribution zone, said second stop being movable between a first position and a second position;
providing an actuator near said distribution zone;
moving one tie plate of said tie plates from said distribution zone to said railroad.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising actuating one or both of said one tie plate or said second stop to perform said moving.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a biasing force on said second stop to retain the second stop in a normally closed position.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9 further comprising providing said conveyor and said tie plates on said conveyor.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, locating said distribution zone at an end of said conveyor.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further comprising providing a magnet on said actuator.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, further comprising releasing said one tie plate from said actuator when said one tie plate is past said second stop.

### Claim 16

A method of distributing tie plates, comprising the steps of:
providing a conveyor capable of moving a plurality of tie plates from a first end to a second end;
providing a distribution zone near said second end of said conveyor;
providing a stop at said distribution zone;
biasing said stop to one position;
providing an actuator near the stop to move one tie plate of said plurality of tie plates;
moving said one tie plate from said distribution zone.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, said biasing being by one of a spring, electrical actuator, pneumatic actuator, or a hydraulic actuator.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, said actuator moving said one tie plate through said distribution zone.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, providing a magnet on said actuator.