Apparatus and method for breaking rails

A method of breaking an article, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing:
• (i) a first member having a first jaw on a first end thereof and a mounting attachment on a second end remote from the first jaw for permitting the apparatus to be mounted onto the vehicle arm, the first jaw including an article-supporting surface;
• (ii) a second member pivotally mounted for movement about a first pivot axis, the second member including a second jaw having an article-engaging surface cooperable with the article-supporting surface of the first jaw;
• (iii) the second jaw being movable about the first pivot axis relative to the first jaw between an article receiving position in which the article-supporting surface of the first jaw and the article-engaging surface of the second jaw diverge away from the first pivot axis and an article breaking position in which the article-supporting and article-engaging surfaces diverge toward the first pivot axis;
• (iv) wherein the article-supporting surface of the first jaw is inclined relative to the first pivot axis, whereby, as the first and second jaws move from the article receiving position to the article breaking position, an article located between the first and second jaws will move along the article-supporting surface of the first jaw towards the first pivot axis by the movement of the second jaw against the article relative to the first jaw;
• and
• (v) power means mounted for cooperation with the first and second members for moving the second jaw relative to the first jaw;
• (b) positioning the first and second jaws in the article receiving position;
• (c) orienting the apparatus with respect to the article so that the article extends through the article receiving opening defined by the first and second jaws;
• (d) moving the first and second jaws from the article receiving position into the article breaking position and breaking the article;
• and
• (e) repeating steps (b) through (d).

An apparatus for breaking railway rails, comprising:

• (a) a first member having a first jaw on a first end thereof and a mounting attachment on a second end remote from the first jaw for permitting the apparatus to be mounted onto an arm, the first jaw including a rail-supporting surface;
• (b) a second member pivotally mounted for movement about a first pivot axis, the second member including a second jaw having a rail-engaging surface cooperable with the rail-supporting surface of the first jaw and defining a rail receiving opening therebetween;
• (c) the second jaw being movable about the first pivot axis relative to the first jaw between a rail receiving position in which the rail-supporting surface of the first jaw and the rail-engaging surface of the second jaw diverge away from the first pivot axis and a rail breaking position in which the rail-supporting and rail-engaging surfaces diverge toward the first pivot axis;
• (d) wherein the rail-supporting surface of the first jaw is inclined relative to the first pivot axis, whereby, as the first and second jaws move from the rail receiving position to the rail breaking position, a rail located between the first and second jaws will move along the rail-supporting surface of the first jaw towards the first pivot axis by the movement of the second jaw against the rail relative to the first jaw;
• and
• (e) power means mounted for cooperation with the first and second members for moving the second jaw relative to the first jaw.