Automatic rail fastener applicator

A railway maintenance machine for movement along a railroad track for performing at least one maintenance task thereon, the machine having an automatic rail fastener applicator for mounting to the machine for applying fasteners to railroad track support members, said support members having predrilled holes for accommodating the fasteners, said machine comprising:

• retaining means connected to said machine for receiving and orienting at least one of the fasteners for application to a selected track support member;
• drive means for sequentially engaging one of the oriented rail fasteners, for lowering the engaged fastener to close proximity with the rail support member, for locating the fastener into one of the predrilled holes and for axially rotating the fastener to secure the fastener to the rail support member;
• said retaining means includes at least one gripping member configured to retain the fastener as it is engaged by the drive means and as the fastener is axially rotated, and to movably disengage from, and release the fastener as said drive means drives the fastener into the rail support member;
• said drive means including an extension member depending from a drive unit and disposed relative to said retaining means for engaging the at least one fastener, and said retaining means including a support member defining a throughbore for slidably accommodating said extension member;
• and
• said extension member having a configuration being dimensioned to engage said retaining means so that upward vertical movement of said extension member will cause said retaining means to also move vertically away from the rail support member.

An automatic fastener applicator for securing fasteners to rail support members of a railroad track, said support members having predrilled holes for accommodating the fasteners, said applicator comprising:

• retaining means for receiving and orienting at least one of the fasteners for application to the track support members;
• drive means for automatically engaging at least one of the oriented fasteners, for lowering the engaged fastener to close proximity with a selected rail support member, for locating the fastener into one of the predrilled holes and for rotating the engaged fastener axially for engagement upon the selected rail support member;
• said retaining means including at least one gripping member configured to retain the fastener upon engagement by the drive means and as the fastener is axially rotated, and to movably disengage from, and release the fastener as said drive means drives the fastener into the rail support member;
• said drive means includes an extension member depending from a drive unit and disposed relative to said retaining means for engaging the at least one fastener, and said retaining means includes a bracket for accommodating said at least one gripping member, said bracket defining a throughbore for slidably accommodating said extension member, said extension member being permitted a specified amount of radial deflection by said throughbore for locating the fastener relative to the track support member;
• and
• said extension member has a socket secured at a lower end thereof, said socket being dimensioned to engage said bracket so that upward vertical movement of said extension member will cause said retaining means to also move vertically.