US2416241A - Ballast router - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 18, 1947. Q STRATTQN 2,416,241

BALLAST ROUTER Filed Sept. 8, 1944 ZShee-ts-Sheet 1 FIG. I

FIG. 2

INVENTOR. Lloyd 0. Straitan A ttomey.

Feb.- 18, 1947. L. o, STR ON 2,416,241;

BALLAST ROUTER Filed Sept. 8, 1944 2 Sheecs-Sheet 2 13 10 I0 35 1a A FIG. 3

' INVENTOR. Lloyd 0. Stratgfon 'fMW Attorney Patented Feb. 18, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BALLAST ROUTER Lloyd 0. Stratton, Denver, Colo.

Application September 8, 1944, Serial No. 553,273

11 Claims. 1

This invention relates to means and devices employable in the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of railroad trackage, and has an obiect to provide a rail-supported, powered unit advantageously operable .to excavate and rout out ballast from between adjacent track ties or sleepers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rail-supported, powered ballast router susceptible of convenient operation to lower the surface level of ballast relative to and below the top surface level of adjacent track ties.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rail-supported, powered, unitary ballast router operatively adjustable for ready adaptation to the varying field conditions encountered.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rail-supported, powered ballast router unit particularly adapted to facilitate rail reseating operations.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rail-supported, powered ballast router whereof the excavating assembly is adapted for angular adjustment about either or both of a pair of perpendicularly-related axes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rail-supported, powered ballast router equipped with means operable to sweep rail-seat portions 3; adjacent ties clear of ballast, dirt, and the A further object of the invention is to provide a railroad track ballast router that is structurally and operatively simple, compact, convenient, to handle, move, and use, fully adaptable to all exigencies of field conditions, positive and emcient in operation, and economical in use.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of elements hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of the invention as assembled, positioned, and arranged for practical use, the broken line showing of the view illustrating an alternative operative position of certain elements of the assembly. Figure 2 is an end elevation of the showing of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus shown in the preceding views. Figure 4 is a fragmentary, detail section, on an enlarged scale, taken substantially on the indicated line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Railroads, as commonly constructed, comprise a base grade whereof the top surface is laterally sloped from the longitudinal median line to an accepted standard for drainage purposes, a ballast topping carried by said base grade and conforming with certain standards of thickness, width, and lateral slope, wooden ties or sleepers transversely of and uniformly spaced along said ballast topping, said ties or sleepers either resting on the ballast upper surface or being embedded to greater or less extent, therein, metallic rails engaged in paired, parallel relation acrossand secured to the top surfaces of said ties or sleepers, and usually metallic wear or rail seat plates operatively between the rail base and each associated tie. Roads so constructed require frequent and repetitious attention to maintain them in repair and in condition for service, certain of which attentions involve rail removal and replacement, rail substitution, and rail reseating, with consequent removal, replacement, and substitution of ties and rehabilitation of the tie portion engaged by the railbase or wear plate. To accomplish many of the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation operations performed on railroad trackage, it, is necessary to dig away and remove the ballast from between adjacent ties or sleepers and thereby lower the ballast surface level below the top surface of the adjacent ties, the depth of ballast removal varying according to the nature and requirements of the particular operation to be performed. Such ballast removal is a slow, laborious, and expensive matter when, as heretofore, manually accomplished, and the instant invention is directed to the provision of powered means adapted to efficiently and economically rout, excavate, slope, and move ballast to the desired degree relative to and from between railroad ties.

In the construction of the improvement as shown, the numeral Ill designatesa rigid, elongated frame, formed from any suitable material in any desired manner for operative relation with and support by a pair of flanged, rail-engageable wheels ll rotatably associated with said frame in spaced, .tandem relation for simultaneous engagement with and travel along a single rail. Centrally and on one side of the frame Ill, a transverse, skeleton frame I! fixedly projects from and in substantially perpendicular relation with said frame ill to define a plan above and in approximate parallelism with that containing the axes of the wheels ll, said frame I! being thus disposed to normally overlie and extend laterally of the railroad trackage when said wheels II are operatively engaged with one rail of such trackage, in the manner clearly shown in the i said sleeve.

3 drawings. A relatively shorter, transverse frame l3 fixedly extends from and in perpendicular relation with a midportion of the frame ID in a direction opposed to that of the frame l2, and said frame l3 serves as a base and support for a prime mover l4, suchas an internal combustion engine, or the like, thereto secured with its main, or power-delivery, shaft preferably parallel with the length of the frame I and in such laterallyoflset relation with said frame It as to function as a counterbalance, at least in part, for the weight of the frame l2 and elements associated therewith.

The transverse frame l2 has an extension from the frame l0 equal to or preferably somewhat greater than the width or gauge of the rail track so as to dispose its free end above and inwardly adjacent the tie ends remote from the rail wherewith the wheels I I engage, and a suitable manipulating handle I5 is fixed to, and preferably in upwardly and longitudinally-outwardly spaced relation with, said free end of the frame l2 in position for use by an operator standing on the grade shoulder at one side of the track. As will be app rent, the handle l5 provides convenient means for manual altitudinal adjustment of the frame l2 free end relative to the track, through rocking of the frame assembly about the line of engagement 'of the wheels I l with their supporting rail, and for moving the assembly longitudinally of the track through rolling travel of said wheels ll along their engaged rail.

The free end of the frame [2 operatively positions and supports the excavating head or router of the apparatus, for which purpose a bracket I6 is fixed to and in upstanding relation with said frame free end and is formed with an inwardlyopening terminal yoke at its upper end wherein is embraced a lug l1 fixed to and extending radially from and adjacent the upper end of a cylindrical sleeve I 8. A hinge pin l9 engages in registering holes formed through the bracket l6 terminal yoke and lug I1 and thereby serves to mount the sleeve l8 on, in laterally-ofl'set, depending relation with the upper end of, and for oscillation of its axis through an arc in a plane perpendicular to that of the frame l2 toward and away from said bracket IS, a second radial lug 20 projecting from and adjacent the lower end of the sleeve II in coplanar relation with the lug l1 and engaging between spaced elements of the bracket l6 serving to guide and position said sleeve relative to the frame l2 and bracket it throughout the oscillatory. range of The sleeve l8 telescopically receives and rotatively mounts a cylindrical stem 2|. rising centrally of and from a yoked frame 22, said stem extending upwardly through and beyond the upper end of said sleeve to fixed connection with a cap 23 arranged to bear against the upper sleeve end and limit axial displacement of saidstem relative to the sleeve.

The yoked frame 22' diverges outwardly and downwardly from the lower end of the stem 2| and is then extended longitudinally of, beneath, and substantially parallel with the frame I 2 to provide journal bearings wherein the axes of a pair of like chain sprockets 24 are operatively,

received to mount said sprockets in spaced, tandem relation on opposite sides of the projected stem axis for rotation in a plane containing said stem axis and normally perpendicular to that of the wheels H. An endles chain 25, or equivalent element, operatively engages with and connects between the sprockets 24 for disp sition 911 ment with the ties, and said chain operatively carries, in suitably-spaced sequence, a plurality of lugs, hooks, fingers, shoes, or like excavating elements, 26 arranged to project outwardly from said chain and to move therewith, and of such specific form, size, and construction as may be,

deemed best suited to a particular use, but in no event having a dimension laterally of the mounting chain greater than the minimum spacing between adjacent track ties. The sprockets 24 and chain 25 may be operatively associated in driven relation with the prime mover M through any arrangement of means suited to the purpose of steadily actuating the lower run of said chain in a direction away from the rail supporting the wheels I I, a simple and convenient such arrangement being illustrated as consisting of a belt pulley 21 fixed to a projecting end of the inner sprocket axi just outside the frame 22, a jackshaft 28 joumaled diametrically of the cap 23 in parallel relation with the sprocket axes, a smaller belt pulley 29 fixed to one end of the jack-shaft 28 in driving association through a belt 30 with the pulley 21, and a larger belt pulley 3| fixed to the other end of the said jack-shaft in driven association through a belt 32 with a power takeoff pulley 33 on the main shaft of the prime mover. When equipped with V-belts and grooved pulleys, the drive shown and above described is operatively efllcient throughout the adjustability range of the excavating head assembly.

It should be clear from the showing Of the drawings and the foregoing description that the excavating head assembly is associated with its mounting and supporting frame assembly for at least limited oscillation about two perpendicularly-related axes, that of the sleeve 18 and that of the pin l9, .so that the lower run of the chain 25 can be operatively adjusted, within the limits of the structure, to vary the bottom slope of the trench excavated thereby and to align with and completely excavate alongside of a given tie, whether or not the latter is actually at right angles with the rails. The excavated trench bottom slope is usually standard for a series of similar consecutive operations and usually requires little variation in adjustment, it being convenient to provide an arm 34 fixed to and extending radially from a lower portion of the sleeve l8 within the frame l2 and toward the frame It, and an adjusting screw 35 carried by a cross-member of the frame l2 and operatively engaging with the end of the arm 34 remote from the sleeve l8, whereby the excavating assembly may be adjusted and held relative to the axis of the pin l9. Alignment of the excavating head in parallel with the ties is frequently required, and for such purpose a tiller arm 36 is fixed at one end to the cap 23 and extends therefrom into convenient position for manipulation by the operator tending the handle I 5.

The improved apparatus is particularly and primarily adapted for use in connection with railroad track repair, maintenance, and rehabilitation operations wherein one rail of a track pair is temporarily removed from position, in which case the wheels ll of the apparatus are engaged with the remaining rail, as shown in the drawlugs, and the excavating head is thereby positioned to engage between adjacent ties of the track and excavate the ballast from between the tie portions remote from the remaining rail and particularly from the track portion normally traversed by the removed rail. The spacing between the axes of the sprockets 24 may be varied in the manufacture of the apparatus to provide such length of chain lower run as may be desired, it being operatively entirely feasible to provide an excavating head length such as will trench between the ties from adjacent the retained rail through and beyond the ballast shoulder.

It is desirable, particularly prior to adzing or other resurfacing of the rail seat portions of the tie upper surfaces, that all dirt, gravel, and rock be cleared from the tie upper surface portions to be worked, and it is convenient to providesweeping means for such purpose in powered association with the router. As shown, a bracket 31 is arranged for selectively alternative mounting on and against either side member of the frame l2 adjacent and somewhat inwardly from the frame free end, which bracket operatively mounts and supports a shaft 38 for rotation and limited axial reciprocation in substantial axial parallelism with the sleev I8. A rotary brush 39, of any suitable specific design and construction, is fixed to and for rotation with the lower end of the shaft 38 to direct the sweeping elements of said brush operatively against the tie upper surface at the corresponding side of the frame i2, and the upper end of said shaft fixedly engages with a belt pulley 40 wherethrough power may be applied to rotate said shaft and brush. To operatively transmit power from the prime mover l4 for rotation of a brush 39 on either side of the frame l2, or on both sides of said frame, a jack-shaft 4| is rotatably journaled on and transversely of said frame adjacent and parallel with the frame l0, said jack-shaft 4i carrying a pulley 42 fixed thereto in position to engage with and be rotated by th belt 32 and being equipped with like pulleys 43 on its outer ends for connection, by means of a belt or belts 44, with the pulley or pulleys 40 of the sweeping unit or units.

The functioning and operative adaptability of the apparatus in use should be apparent from the drawings and foregoing description, it being obvious that the unit may be transported conveniently on a. flat-bed rail car or by means of a wheeled dolly engageable under and for elevated support of the unit excavating head. At the site where the work is to be done and after a rail has been removed, the wheels ll of the unit are engaged with the remaining rail as shown in the drawings and, with the prime mover l4 operating, the unit is then ready and in position for use to trench and excavate ballast cleanly from between adjacent tie portions whereon the removed rail rested, the unit being moved and manipulated by means of the handle l5 to regulate the width and depth of excavation, and the excavating head being angularly adjusted by means of the tiller 36, while the sweeping means operates simultaneously at either or both sides of the excavating head to clean and thereby condition rail seat portions of the ties for such subsequent operations thereon as may be desired.

Since many changes, variations, and modifications in the specific form, construction, and arrangement of the elements shown and described may be had without departing from the spirit of the invention, I wish to be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than by any details of the illustrative showing and foregoing description.

I claim as my invention:

1. A ballast router comprising a wheeled frame engageable with and for travel along a single rail, an excavating head supported for limited adjustment about perpendicularly-related axes from and in laterally offset relation with said frame, and a prime mover carried by said frame in actuating relation with the excavating elements of said head.

2. A ballast router comprising a wheeled frame engageable with and for travel along a single rail, a prime mover carried by said frame, a frame extension fixed to and projecting laterally from one side of said wheeled frame, an excavating head supported for limited adjustment about perpendicularly-related axes from and in depending relation beneath the free end portion of said extension, and means operatively connecting the excavating elements of said head in driven relation with said prime mover.

3. A ballast router comprising a wheeled frame engageable with and for travel along a single rail, a prime mover carried by said frame, a frame extension fixed to and projecting laterally from one side of said wheeled frame, a mounting sleeve hinged to the free end portion of said extension for limited oscillation of its axis toward and away from said wheeled frame in a plane perpendicular to said frame, a stem rotatably engaging within said sleeve, an excavating assembly carried by the lower end of said stem beneath said extension, and means operatively connecting the excavating elements of said assembly in driven relation with said prime mover.

4. A ballast router comprising a wheeled frame engageable with and for travel along a single rail, a, prime mover carried by said frame, a frame extension fixed to and projecting laterally from one side of said wheeled frame, a bracket upstanding from th free end portion of said extension, a mounting sleeve hinged to the upper end of said bracket for oscillation of its axis towar and away from said wheeled frame in a plane perpendicular to said frame, a stem rotatably engaging and held against relative axial displacement within said sleeve, an excavating assembly carried by the lower end of said stem beneath said extension, and means operatively connecting the excavating elements of said assembly in driven relation with said prime mover.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said excavating assembly comprises a frame portion fixed to said stem and extending oppositely therefrom longitudinally of and beneath the frame extension, a chain sprocket journaled for rotation in and adjacent each end of said frame portion, an endless chain operatively about and connecting between said sprockets, and excavating lugs carried by and projecting outwardly from said chain.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said excavating assembly comprises a frame portion fixed to said stem and extending oppositely therefrom longitudinally of and beneath the frame extension, a pair of chain sprockets rotatably carried by said frame portion in spaced, tandem relation and defining a plane containing the stem axis, an endless chain operatively about and connecting between said sprockets, and excavating lugs fixedly spaced along and projecting outwardly from said chain.

'7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said excavating assembly includes a rotatable sprocket disposed with its axis substantially parallel with that of the prime mover main shaft, and said driving connections comprise 7 by the upper end of the stem in parallel relation with the sprocket axis, pulleys on the opposite ends of said Jack-shaft, and endless belts connecting the prime mover pulley with one of the Jack-shaft pulleys and the sprocket pulley with the other of the Jack-shaft pulleys.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said stem is fixedly associated with means manually operable to rotatably and angularly adjust said stem within and relative to its mounting sleeve for corresponding angular adjustment of the excavating assembly.

9. A ballast router comprising a wheeled frame engageable with and for travel along a single rail, an excavating head supported from and in laterally offset relation with said frame, a rotatable brush independently adjacent and altitudinally floatable relative to said head, and a prime mover carried by said frame in simultaneously actuating relation with said brush and the excavating elements of said head. I

'10. A ballast router comprising a wheeled frame engageable with and for travel along a single rail, a prime mover carried by said frame, a frame extension fixed to and projecting laterally from one side of said wheeled frame, an excavating head supported from and in depending relation beneath the free end portion of said extension, a brush rotatably carried by said frame extension adjacent and altitudinally float able relative to said head, and means operatively extension, a bracket interchangeably mounted on either side of said frame extension adjacent said head, a :brush mounted for rotation and altitudinal adjustment in said bracket, and means operatively connecting said brush and the excavating elements of said head in simultaneously driven relation with said prime mover.

' LLOYD O. S'I'RA'I'ION.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oi? record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,468,528 Vena Sept. 18, 1923 1,469,464 Ursino Oct. 2, 1923 2,207,854 Foreman et al. July 16, 1940 2,254,742 Humphrey Sept. 2, 1941 1,820,636 Talboys Aug. 25, 1931 2,336,652 Talboys Dec. 14, 1943

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