US1832811A - Handle for ballast tampers - Google Patents

Description

NOV. 17, 1931. J JOWE-T-T' 1,832,811

HANDLE FOR BALLAST TAMPERS Filed- May 2. 1929 INVENTOR. Jam 6 H rlbw'elt HA5 A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orrics JAMES H. JO'WETT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO INGERSOLL-RANI) COliIPANY, 0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY HANDLE FOR BALLAST TAMTPERS Application filed May 2, 1929. Serial No. 359,807.

This invention relates to ballast tampers, but more particularly to a handle for machines of this type.

An object of the invention is to equip a tamper with a plurality of grip members so arranged as to enable an operator to assume different positions While supporting and guiding the tamper. This is desirable, particularly during prolonged tamping operations in which, when an operator is compelled to assume only one position for holding the tamper during long periods, he becomes more readily fatigued and as a result the maximum efficiency of which a tamper of this type is capable will not be obtained.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a handle of T-shape which is preferably secured to the rearwardmost grip portion so that, for certain tamping opera tions, the tamper may be guided entirely from its rearward extremity. This arrangement will enable the operator, under certain circumstances, to assume an upright position instead of the steeping position which he is compelled to assume when supporting and guiding the tamper by means of the usual grip portions wherewith tools of this type are equipped.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the drawings illustrating one form which the invention may assume in practice and a practical application thereof,

Figure l is a longitudinal elevation of a ballast tamper equipped with a handle constructed in accordance with the practice of the invention, Figure 2 is an enlarged detail in elevation partly in section of the rearward portion of a handle extension and the grip members, and

Figure 3 is a transverse view taken through Figure 2 on the line 33 looking in the di rection indicated by the arrows.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the ballast tamper is designated generally by A and comprises the usual cylinder B having front and back heads C and D respectively.

The front and back heads are shown secured to the cylinder B by neans of bolts E, and working implement in the form of a tamping bar F extends into the front head C to receive the blows of the percussive element, such as a hammer piston (not shown) encased by the cylinder B.

The pressure fluid utilized for actuating the tamper may be conveyed from a suitable source of supply (not shown) by a supply line G connected to the cylinder B and having a throttle valve H for controlling the admission cf pressure fluid into the cylinder. The exhaust fluid from the cylinder flows through an exhaust port J located in this instance at a point near the forward end of the cylinder.

In accordance with the usual practice, the back head D is provided with a handle extension K having a pair of grip portions L and O spaced relatively to each other along the length of the extension, the grip portion L being located near the back head D and the grip portion 0 at the rearward extremity of the handle extension K. Both grip portions L and 0 may be hollow and are of such width as to accommodate only one hand and the grip portion 0 is conveniently curved to correspond to the natural curvature of the palm of a hand. Although this arrangement of the grip portions is in many respects advantageous it affords little in the way of variety of positions which an operator may assume in manipulating the tamper. As a 'matter of fact, in prior structures he is limited to only one and that a stooping position which obviously may not be maintained for extended periods of time without interspersions of periods for relaxation. In certain kinds of work employing hand held tools these interruptions in the work may not be objectionable. When tamping ballast under ties of existing tracks, however, and particularly those where the trains are scheduled to run at close intervals it is essential that the tamper be capable of being operated for extended periods of time without causing undue fatigue to the operator.

In furtherance of this end the present invention aims to provide the ballast tamper with a plurality of grip portions suitably arranged to enable the tamper to be supported as heretofore as the exigencies of the work may require or to enable an operator to assume an upright position for performing such work as drawing the ballast material to the side of the tie and from which position itmay afterwards he tamped beneath the tie. The handle extension K is accordingly provided with two grip members P disposed at the opposite ends of the grip portion 0. The grip members P are preferably of flexible material, such as rubber, and have bores Q therethrough to receive a bolt R- which also extends through the hollow grip portion 0.

The bolt R maintains the grip members P rigid and is threaded at one end for the reception of a nut S whereby the members P may be clamped securely in position. Preferably washers T are interposed between the nut S, the head of the bolt R and the grip members P to distribute the pressure of the nut over substantial area of the ends of the grip members.

Means are n'ovided for maintainin the l 2: grip members P in substantially the same transverse plane as the grip portion 0 and also to act as abutments for the innermost ends of' the grip members P. These means are in the form of washers U having bores V to receive the bolt R. The washers U are interposed between the ends of the grip portion O and the adjacent ends of the grip mem ers P and have plane surfaces U to act as seats for the grip members P. On one side of the we 1 rs U are tapered lugs N which extend imo the ends of the grip portion 0 and cooperate therewith to centralize the bolt R and th is also the grip members P with the ends or the grip portion O.

The present invention is particularly applicable to existing ballast tampers and may be readily applied thereto without necessitating any changes in the tamper as originally constructed, it being merely necessary to place a grip member P and a washer U on the bolt R and then insert the bolt in the grip portion O. The other washer U and grip member P may then be disposed on the projecting end of the bolt and the nut S may be threaded on the bolt to clamp the members P to the grip portion 0.

I claim:

1. In a ballast tamper, the combination'of a casing and a handle extension therefor having rearward and forward hollow grip portions each adapted to accommodate only one hand, flexible grip members on opposite sides of the rearward grip portion to enable the tamper to be supported and guided from only the rearward extremity of the handle extension, a bolt extending through the grip members and the rearward grip portion, vashers on the bolt interposed between the rearward grip portion and the grip members to act as abutments for the grip members, and

tapered lugs on the washers extending into the grip portion to hold the members in transverse alignment with the said rearward grip portion.

2. In a device of the character described, a curved hollow grip portion,.a bolt in the grip portion projecting beyond the ends thereof, resilient grip members on the projecting ends of the bolt, a washer between each grip member and the grip portion having a plane face to act as an abutment for the resilient grip member, and a tapered lug on the other face of the Washer entering the hollow grip portion to maintain the bolt in aligned position with respect thereto.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification.

JAMES H. JOWETT.

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