Tie plate centering and inserting machine

A method of centering a tie plate relative to a tie using a tie plate inserter assembly, comprising the steps of:

• a) locating a frame of the tie plate inserter assembly relative to the tie and the tie plate, the tie plate inserter assembly comprising a centerline and first sides on opposite sides of the centerline;
• b) clamping a tie clamp assembly to a tie using a tie self-centering mechanism, the tie clamp assembly being located on the first side of the centerline of the frame;
• and
• c) clamping a tie plate clamp assembly to a tie plate using a tie plate self-centering mechanism to center the tie plate relative to the tie, the tie plate assembly being located on the second side of the centerline of the frame;
• d) relatively moving a first clamp plate and a second clamp plate of the tie clamp assembly towards one another to position the tie at the centerline of the frame;
• and
• e) relatively moving a third clamp plate and a fourth clamp plate of the tie plate clamp assembly towards one another to position the tie plate at the centerline of the tie;
• determining a position of the tie plate relative to the tie using at least one sensor;
• returning the tie plate clamp assembly to an opened position based on readings of the at least one sensor;
• and then
• moving the third clamp plate and the fourth clamp plate towards one another to clamp the tie plate at the centerline of the frame.

A machine for centering a plurality of tie plates relative to a plurality of ties, the machine comprising

• a chassis configured to be supported on opposed rails by wheels and having first and second sides;
• a first tie plate inserter assembly supported on the first side of the chassis;
• the first tie plate inserter assembly including:
• a. a first support frame having first and second sides located and a centerline extending through the center of the first support frame from the first side to the second side;
• b. a first tie clamp assembly which is located on the first side of the first support frame and which includes a first tie self-centering mechanism that selectively engages a tie;
• and
• c. a first tie plate clamp assembly which is located on the second side of the first support frame and which includes a first tie plate self-centering mechanism that selectively engages a first tie plate and centers the first tie plate about the tie:
• wherein the first the plate clamp assembly has a first set of first and second apposed clamp plates are movable, elative to one another, between:
• an open position in which at least one of the first set of opposed clamp plates is spaced from the first the plate;
• and
• a closed position in which both clamps of the first set of opposed clamp plates are secured against the first the plate;
• and
• wherein the first tie clamp assembly has a second set of first and second opposed clamp plates that are movable, relative to one another, between:
• an open position in which at least one of the clamps of the second set of opposed clamp plates is spaced from the tie;
• and
• a closed position in which both clamps of the second set of opposed clamp plates are secured against the tie;
• wherein each clamp of the second set of opposed clamp plates comprise:
• a top portion;
• a first tapered edge extending downwardly;
• and
• a second tapered edge extending downwardly towards the first tapered edge;
• wherein the first and second tapered edge meet to form a wedge configured to engage the tie.