US 5,343,606 A · Cross-tie pre-plating system

Abstract

A machine for fastening rail plates to cross-ties, utilizing spikes or the like, and method therefore, is disclosed in the present invention. The preferred apparatus of the present invention teaches a system wherein there is provided a conveyor for conveying a plurality of laterally arranged, juxtaposed ties in bulk, a loader or retriever for loading a single tie upon a template conveyer, and a positioner for positioning the single tie during the pre-plating process. The present invention further includes a template system for securing the cross-tie or tie in place, feeding and positioning the rail-plate in place, feeding, dispensing, and positioning the spikes in place, driving the spikes, and discharging the processed tie, the template system utilizing as a principle motive force the displacement of the template reciprocating drive piston for positioning the template, as well as dispensing and positioning the spikes and plates.

A railroad cross-tie pre-plating apparatus for fastening first and second plates having first and second spike apertures to a cross-tie, comprising:

a central, horizontal conveyor having first and second ends, and a medial area generally therebetween;
a cross-tie dispenser situated in contact with said first end of said central conveyor, said dispenser configured to selectively dispense a single cross-tie onto said central conveyor upon demand;
a pro-plating apparatus juxtaposed said central conveyor, comprising an upper and a lower template, each template having a front side and rear side, and first and second ends, said upper template having disposed thereon vertical manipulation means for lifting or lowering said upper template on demand, said upper template further having formed therein first and second plate cut-outs, said first and second cut-outs arranged to provide the appropriate area for placement of first and second plates, respectively, to a single tie under said upper template, said pre-plating apparatus further comprising:
lateral manipulation means for laterally situating a tie between said upper and lower templates for appropriate positioning under said upper template,
first and second plate conveyors having first and second ends, respectively, said first end of said first plate conveyor near the first plate cut-out of said upper template, said first end of said second plate conveyor situated near said second plate cut-out of said upper template, said plate conveyors configured such that a plate dispensed from said first end of first or second conveyor would land on or near the first or second plate cut-out of said upper template, respectively;
plate dispensing means for dispensing individual plates from said first and second plate conveyors automatically, said plate dispensing means comprising first and second pivotal loading members fitted to said first and second plate conveyors, said pivotal loading members having a front blocking member configured to interface with a first plate, selectively preventing the movement of or dispensing said first plate, said pivotal loading members having a rear blocking member configured to interface with a second plate when said first plate has been dispensed, said plate dispensing means operated by a control rod having first and second ends, said first end connected to a pivotal loading member, said second end connected to said lateral manipulation means;
first and second pairs of spike feeders, each having spike feeder having first and second ends, each one of said spike feeders of said first pair terminating in equal spaced relation about either side of the first plate cut-out of said upper template, each one of said spike feeders of said second pair terminating in equal spaced relation about the second plate cut-out of said upper template, said spike feeders each having a holding means at their respective first ends for holding a dispensed spike,
spike dispensing means for dispensing individual spikes from said spike feeders automatically, said spike dispensing means comprising a pivotal spike loading member fitted to said spike feeders, said pivotal spike loading member having a front blocking member configured to interface with a first spike, selectively preventing the movement of or dispensing of said first spike, said pivotal spike loading members further comprising a rear blocking member configured to interface with a second, following spike when said first spike has been dispensed, said spike dispensing means initiated by a control piece having first and second ends, said first end connected to a pivotal spike loading member, said second end connected to said upper template, such that upward vertical motion of said upper template pivots said pivotal spike loading members such that said front blocking member interfaces with the first spike, and the downward vertical motion of said upper template pivots said pivotal spike loading members such that said front blocking member no longer interfaces with the first spike, dispensing said first spike, and the rear blocking member interfaces with the second, following spike;
spike driving means for driving said spikes through the dispensed plates and into the dispensed tie, said spike driving means further comprising a vertically situated spike manipulation arm template;
first and second pairs of spike manipulation arms for individually positioning each dispensed spike above a respective spike aperture formed in one of said first or second dispensed plates, so that said spike may be driven into the dispensed tie, fastening said plate to the tie, said spike manipulation arms actuated by the vertical movement of said spike driving means via said spike manipulation arm template.

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Cross-tie pre-plating system

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Cross-tie pre-plating system

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Abstract

Claims11