Mechanism for bending abutting rail section ends at rail joints in the operation of a track working machine

In a mobile track working machine for a track consisting of two rails fastened to ties, each rail having a rail head defining a running face and a vertical plane of symmetry and consisting of track rail sections having abutting ends forming rail joints, the track working machine comprising a frame mounted for mobility on the track:

• a mechanism for bending the track rail section ends, the bending mechanism comprising
• (a) a carrier frame defining a recess and being vertically adjustably mounted on the machine frame above a respective one of the track rails and having respective end regions spaced from each other in the direction of the one track rail,
• (b) a respective hydraulically operable and vertically adjustable thrust element mounted in a respective one of the end regions of the carrier frame for engagement with the running face of the one track rail,
• (c) a rail lifting hook device mounted centrally between the thrust elements on the carrier frame for engagement with the one track rail, the hook device being operable to bend the track rail section ends upon engagement of the thrust elements with the track rail running face and including
• (1) two lifting hooks arranged symmetrically with respect to the vertical plane of symmetry of the one rail,
• (2) a respective pivot having an axis extending in the direction of the one track rail and mounting a respective one of the lifting hooks for pivoting into a rail engaging position wherein the lifting hook subtends the rail head, and
• (3) a respective independent drive linked to each lifting hook at another pivot for pivoting the hook linked thereto,
• (d) an intermediate carrier transversely movably mounted on the carrier frame in said recess,
• (1) the intermediate carrier pivotally supporting the lifting hooks and having a concavely curved underside supported on the carrier frame, and
• (e) a support element arranged between the carrier frame and the concavely curved underside of the intermediate carrier, the support element being of a material which is worn down during use.