Measuring Assembly, Detection Device and Method of Using Same

A measuring assembly for measuring a characteristic of the movement of a first rail relative to a second rail, the measuring assembly comprises:

• a measuring gauge for measuring the characteristic;
• a rail movement detection device to which the measuring gauge is removably secured, the detection device comprises:
• a first subassembly and a second subassembly wherein the first subassembly and second subassembly are slidably interconnected;
• the first subassembly comprises a first rail engagement portion spaced from a first end of the first subassembly;
• the second subassembly comprises a second rail engagement portion spaced from a first end of the second subassembly;
• the measuring gauge being secured between the first end of the first subassembly and the first end of the second subassembly;
• whereupon movement of the first rail engagement portion relative to the second rail engagement portion causes the first end of the first subassembly to move away from the first end of the second subassembly, the characteristic of the movement being measured by the measuring gauge, the movement being provided by the first rail moving towards the second rail.

A detection device for measuring the force between a switch blade of a turnout and a stock rail, the detection device comprises:

• a first subassembly and a second subassembly wherein the first subassembly and second subassembly are interconnected;
• the first subassembly comprises a first rail engagement portion spaced from a first end of the first subassembly;
• the second subassembly comprises a second rail engagement portion spaced from a first end of the second subassembly;
• whereupon movement of the first rail engagement portion towards the second rail engagement portion causes the first end of the first subassembly to move away from the first end of the second subassembly, the movement being provided by the switch blade moving towards the stock rail.

A method of measuring the holding force of a switch blade as the switch blade moves from an open position, wherein the switch blade is spaced from a stock rail, to a closed position, wherein a toe portion of the switch blade is adjacent the stock rail, the method comprises:

• inserting a wedge plate between the switch blade and stock rail a distance from a toe end of the switch blade;
• causing the switch blade to move towards its closed position;
• placing a detection device at a position between the toe end of the switch blade and the wedge plate;
• removing the wedge plate to allow the switch blade to move further towards the closed position;
• measuring characteristics of the movement as transferred through the detection device.

A method of measuring the holding force of a switch blade as the switch blade moves from an open position, wherein the switch blade is spaced from a stock rail, to a closed position, wherein a toe portion of the switch blade is adjacent the stock rail, the method comprises:

• inserting a wedge plate between the switch blade and stock rail a distance from a toe end of the switch blade;
• causing the switch blade to move towards its closed position;
• placing a detection device at a position between the toe end of the switch blade and the wedge plate, wherein independently movable downwardly projecting portions of the detection device are located between the switch blade and the stock rail;
• removing the wedge plate to allow the switch blade to move further towards the closed position;
• reading the force measurements recorded on a measuring gauge located on the detection device, the force being representative of the force causing the switch blade to move towards its closed position.