Apparatus for removing flash from resistance butt-weld joints in rails

An apparatus for removing flash from resistance butt-weld in rails, the rails having a plane of symmetry, a top portion, a foot, and side surfaces interconnecting the top portion and the foot, the apparatus comprising:

• a base split along the plane of symmetry of the rail and having the form of a claw clamp with two grips for engaging the rail;
• clamping cylinder mounted on said base substantially on the plane of symmetry thereof and comprising a housing, a piston movably mounted in the housing, and a rod fixedly connected with the piston;
• an upper cutter whose cutting edge is shaped in conformity with the shape of the top portion of the rail head, said upper cutter being kinematically linked with said clamping cylinder;
• two side cutters whose cutting edges are shaped in conformity with the shape of the side surfaces and foot of the rail;
• said side cutters being adapted to be hingedly connected with said upper cutter and being adapted to be coupled with the grips of said claw clamp so that, with the latter closed, the cutting edges of said side cutters jointly with the cutting edge of said upper cutter form a closed outline embracing the cross-sectional perimeter of the rail;
• two first hinge joints for hingedly connecting said upper cutter with said side cutters;
• two second hinge joints, each of which couples one of said side cutters with a respective grip so that said side cutters can move parallel to the plane of symmetry of said closed outline;
• clearance take-up mechanism providing for the displacement of said upper and side cutters along the plane of symmetry of said closed outline into engagement with the underside of the rail foot and kinematically linking said upper cutter with the rod of said clamping cylinder;
• said clearance take-up mechanism comprises a pull member connected with said upper cutter.