GB2166475A

GB2166475A - Sleeper spacing beams

Info

Publication number: GB2166475A
Application number: GB08427672A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jean Francois Carre
Original assignee: Geismar SAS
Current assignee: Geismar SAS
Priority date: 1984-11-01
Filing date: 1984-11-01
Publication date: 1986-05-08
Also published as: GB8427672D0

Abstract

A sleeper spacing beam (70) has opposed pairs of hooks (71) for picking up a sequence of sleepers at a uniform predetermined spacing. The hooks are linked to respective slidable runners (52) by chains (51), the runners being slidably mounted one behind the other along a track extending the length of the beam (70). The runners (52) are interconnected by lost-motion couplings in the form of slotted links (56) so that the runners are movable between a bunched position and a spread open position along the beam. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sleeper spacing beams Sleeper spacing beams are used with rail track gantries for simultaneously lifting or laying a sequence of sleepers and maintaining a fixed spacing between them.

A problem which arises when laying or relaying rail track is that of lifting sleepers which are bunched on a rail wagon and then laying the sleepers at a different, wider spacing.

Sleeper spacing beams are known which permit adjustment of the spacing between individual sleeper pick-up devices carried by the beam, but the adjustment mechanisms are generally complicated and unsatisfactory.

According to the present invention an improved adjustment mechanism includes a succession of discrete carrier elements for the sleeper pick-up devices, the elements being mounted one behind the other for movement along the sleeper beam, and being movable between a bunched position providing a first predetermined uniform spacing for the pick-up devices, and an open extended position providing a second predetermined uniform spacing, the second spacing being greater than the first spacing.

The carrier elements are preferably linked to one another by lost motion couplings such that motion is transmitted from one element to the next only when the respective elements have moved a predetermined distance apart.

Accordingly, when motion is imparted to an end one of the elements, the elements are progressively moved apart while the distance moved by each element progressively decreases as the distance of the respective elements from the said end increases.

The carrier elements may comprise runners slidable along a predetermined track, at least one of the end runners being engaged with a powered or manually operated drive means.

The lost motion couplings may comprise slotted links between the successive runners, the opposed ends of each runner having respective pins engaged in the elongate slots.

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of a sleeper beam embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view; Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of Fig. 1 with the carrier elements in their expanded position; Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the Fig. 2; Figure 5 is a section on line C-C in Fig. 2; and Figure 6 is a section on line D-D in Fig. 2.

Referring to these drawings, the illustrated sleeper spacing beam comprises a welded steel frame 70 equipped with opposed pairs of hooks 71 for picking up a sequence of sleepers at a uniform, predetermined spacing.

Each hook 71 is linked to a respective slidable runner 52 by a bifurcated chain 51, the runners 52 each having three brackets 50 for attachment of the chains 51 so that a single runner supports two hooks 71. The runners 52 are slidably mounted one behind the other along a track 53 extending the length of the beam 70.

As best illustrated in Fig. 3, the runners 52 are interconnected by slotted links 56, the runners including pins 54 which engage in the respective slots 55 of the interconnecting links.

Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a hydraulically operated actuator 59 for transmitting motion to the pair of runners 52a at one end of the track 53, the actuator including an hydraulically driven piston 58 coupled to the runners by a central articulated joint including a vertical pin 60 transmitting forward and reverse movement to a horizontal shaft 61 engaged in respective holes or notches of the respective runners 52a on each side of the central pivot joint.

A corresponding mechanism is used for transmitting motion to corresponding end runners at the other end of the beam.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the runners 52 are shown in a bunched position in which adjacent ends of the runners abut one another and the pins 54 are disposed at the centre of the respective slots 55 in the links 56. Fig. 3 on the other hand shows the runners fully extended with the pins 54 disposed at opposite ends of the slots.

In operation, actuation of the hydraulic piston 58 will move the end runners 52a through a predetermined distance and, because of the lost motion between each successive pair of runners 52, there will be a progressively increasing delay before the motion is transmitted to the successive pairs. Accordingly, the total distance moved by each pair of runners will progressively decrease as the distance from the end runner 52a increases.

When all the links 56 are fully extended, there will again be a uniform spacing between the runners.

In this manner sleepers bunched on a rail wagon can be picked up by the beam with the runners bunched together. The beam is then transported to the required location along the rail track and the piston 58 is extended so that the runners and the suspended sleepers are spread out evenly with a uniform spacing between the successive sleepers before laying the sleepers along the track.

1. A sleeper spacing beam for use in laying rail track, the beam comprising a plurality of sleeper pick-up devices carried by respective carrier elements disposed one behind the other along an elongate support member, the carrier elements being movable between a first

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Sleeper spacing beams Sleeper spacing beams are used with rail track gantries for simultaneously lifting or laying a sequence of sleepers and maintaining a fixed spacing between them. A problem which arises when laying or relaying rail track is that of lifting sleepers which are bunched on a rail wagon and then laying the sleepers at a different, wider spacing. Sleeper spacing beams are known which permit adjustment of the spacing between individual sleeper pick-up devices carried by the beam, but the adjustment mechanisms are generally complicated and unsatisfactory. According to the present invention an improved adjustment mechanism includes a succession of discrete carrier elements for the sleeper pick-up devices, the elements being mounted one behind the other for movement along the sleeper beam, and being movable between a bunched position providing a first predetermined uniform spacing for the pick-up devices, and an open extended position providing a second predetermined uniform spacing, the second spacing being greater than the first spacing. The carrier elements are preferably linked to one another by lost motion couplings such that motion is transmitted from one element to the next only when the respective elements have moved a predetermined distance apart. Accordingly, when motion is imparted to an end one of the elements, the elements are progressively moved apart while the distance moved by each element progressively decreases as the distance of the respective elements from the said end increases. The carrier elements may comprise runners slidable along a predetermined track, at least one of the end runners being engaged with a powered or manually operated drive means. The lost motion couplings may comprise slotted links between the successive runners, the opposed ends of each runner having respective pins engaged in the elongate slots. The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of a sleeper beam embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view; Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of Fig. 1 with the carrier elements in their expanded position; Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the Fig. 2; Figure 5 is a section on line C-C in Fig. 2; and Figure 6 is a section on line D-D in Fig. 2. Referring to these drawings, the illustrated sleeper spacing beam comprises a welded steel frame 70 equipped with opposed pairs of hooks 71 for picking up a sequence of sleepers at a uniform, predetermined spacing. Each hook 71 is linked to a respective slidable runner 52 by a bifurcated chain 51, the runners 52 each having three brackets 50 for attachment of the chains 51 so that a single runner supports two hooks 71. The runners 52 are slidably mounted one behind the other along a track 53 extending the length of the beam 70. As best illustrated in Fig. 3, the runners 52 are interconnected by slotted links 56, the runners including pins 54 which engage in the respective slots 55 of the interconnecting links. Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6 illustrate a hydraulically operated actuator 59 for transmitting motion to the pair of runners 52a at one end of the track 53, the actuator including an hydraulically driven piston 58 coupled to the runners by a central articulated joint including a vertical pin 60 transmitting forward and reverse movement to a horizontal shaft 61 engaged in respective holes or notches of the respective runners 52a on each side of the central pivot joint. A corresponding mechanism is used for transmitting motion to corresponding end runners at the other end of the beam. In Figs. 1 and 2 the runners 52 are shown in a bunched position in which adjacent ends of the runners abut one another and the pins 54 are disposed at the centre of the respective slots 55 in the links 56. Fig. 3 on the other hand shows the runners fully extended with the pins 54 disposed at opposite ends of the slots. In operation, actuation of the hydraulic piston 58 will move the end runners 52a through a predetermined distance and, because of the lost motion between each successive pair of runners 52, there will be a progressively increasing delay before the motion is transmitted to the successive pairs. Accordingly, the total distance moved by each pair of runners will progressively decrease as the distance from the end runner 52a increases. When all the links 56 are fully extended, there will again be a uniform spacing between the runners. In this manner sleepers bunched on a rail wagon can be picked up by the beam with the runners bunched together. The beam is then transported to the required location along the rail track and the piston 58 is extended so that the runners and the suspended sleepers are spread out evenly with a uniform spacing between the successive sleepers before laying the sleepers along the track. CLAIMS

1. A sleeper spacing beam for use in laying rail track, the beam comprising a plurality of sleeper pick-up devices carried by respective carrier elements disposed one behind the other along an elongate support member, the carrier elements being movable between a first bunched position and a second spread open position.

2. A sleeper spacing beam according to claim 1 in which the carrier elements are linked to one another by lost-motion couplings.

3. A sleeper spacing beam according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the carrier elements comprise runners slidably mounted on the elongate support member.

4. A sleeper spacing beam according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising drive means for driving at least one of the carrier elements along the support member.

5. A sleeper spacing beam according to claim 2 in which the lost-motion couplings comprise slotted links between the successive carrier elements, the opposed ends of each element having respective pins engaged in the slots.

6. A method of laying sleepers along a rail track, the method comprising positioning a sleeper spacing beam carrying sleeper pick-up devices at a first location along the track, positioning a rail wagon carrying a sequence of sleepers beneath the beam, bunching the pickup devices together and attaching them to respective sleepers, transferring the beam to a second location along the track, and then spreading the pick-up devices apart before releasing the sleepers on to the track.

7. A sleeper spacing beam substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.