US3722422A

US3722422A - Rail anchor applicator

Info

Publication number: US3722422A
Application number: US00874498A
Authority: US
Inventors: A Chandre; D Moericke
Original assignee: Rex Chainbelt Inc
Current assignee: Oak Industries Inc; Rex Chainbelt Inc
Priority date: 1969-11-06
Filing date: 1969-11-06
Publication date: 1973-03-27
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-27

Abstract

A method of and rail anchor applicator for practicing the method of applying either one or two rail anchors to a rail with the anchors abutting the sides of a tie. The applicator includes magazines for holding rail anchors and positive feed means for delivering the anchors from the magazines and holding them for removal by the anchor applying means. Anchor applying shoes are adapted to remove the anchors from the feed means and apply them to a rail against opposite sides of a tie in a continuous operation. The anchors are applied and fully seated on the rail base in one operation with a minimum of ballast disturbance and a minimum of preliminary ballast excavation.

Description

United States Patent 1 Chandre et a1.

[ RAIL ANCHOR APPLICATOR Mar. 27, 1973 Primary ExaminerDrayton E. Hoffman Assistant Examiner-Richard A. Bertsch Attomey-Parker, Carter & Markey ABSTRACT A method of and rail anchor applicator for practicing the method of applying either one or two rail anchors to a rail with the anchors abutting the sides of a tie. The applicator includes magazines for holding rail anchors and positive feed means for delivering the anchors from the magazines and holding them for removal by the anchor applying means. Anchor applying shoes are adapted to remove the anchors from the feed means and apply them to a rail against opposite sides of a tie in a continuous operation. The anchors are applied and fully seated on the rail base in one operation with a minimum of ballast disturbance and a minimum of preliminary ballast excavation.

13 Claims, 21 Drawing Figures RAIL ANCHOR APPLICATOR SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with a method of applying one or more rail anchors to a rail and a rail anchor applicator for performing this method and more specifically with an applicator which automatically applies, attaches, and fully seats the anchors on the rail in a continuous operation.

A primary object is a rail anchor applicator or applying machine constructed to apply rail anchors in one 'unitary operation thereby avoiding prepositioning the anchors.

Another object is a machine of the above type which requires a minimum of preliminary ballast excavacation.

Another object is a rail anchor applicator which causes a minimum of ballast disturbance as anchors are being applied.

Another object is a rail anchor applying machine which is constructed to move the anchors through a path that causes a minimum of ballast disturbance.

Another object is a rail anchor applicator having positive feed means for supplying anchors upon demand to an anchor attachment mechanism.

Another object is a rail anchor applicator having a feed means which positively holds the rail anchors until they are removed by the anchor attachment means.

'Another object is a rail anchor applicator in which the attachment mechanism holds the rail anchors in a I Another object is a rail anchor applicator which automatically provides a backing force against the rail as the anchors are applied to a rail.

Another object is a rail anchor feed mechanism which isself clearing in the event of jamming;

Another object is a rail anchor feed mechanism having a shock absorber mounting. I

Another'object is a rail anchor feed mechanism that may be'easily modified to handle various types of rail anchors. I g a Another object isfan. applicator which positions the anchors firmly against the sides of a tie prior to the anchors being attached to the base of the rail.

Another object isa rail anchor applicator in which the tooling that applies the anchorsiis constructed and mounted soas to be easily and quickly changed so that the machine will accommodate different anchors without any great delay or expense.

Another object "is a simplified control for a rail anchor applying machine so that the operator has a single lever control of the anchor. applying mechanism.

Another objectis to'olingffor a rail anchor applicator which does not require that the ballast be excavated from under .the base of the rail prior to applying anchors. r v

Another object is a control system for an anchor applying machine of the above type in which the operators control isarranged to simulate the movement of the tooling a Another object is a rail anchor applying machine which will automatically compensate or adjust or accommodate itself to different widths of ties without requiring any physical adjustment of the machine itself.

Other objects may befound in the following specification, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a rail anchor applying machine embodying the novel featuresof this invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial end elevational view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial side elevational view of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the rail anchor applicator in its anchor loading position;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the rail anchor applicator applying an anchor to a rail;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the rail anchor magazine and feeding mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a partial end elevational view of the magazine and feeding mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view taken along line: 9-9 of FIG. 6 on an enlarged scale and showing a modified form of rail anchor magazine;

FIG. 10 is a partial side elevational view of a rail anchor holding mechanism;

' FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 10;

FIG. I2 is a partial top plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 10; q I FIG. 13 is a partial top plan view of the rail anchor applicator mechanism; I

FIG. 14 is a partial end elevational view of the mechanism of FIG. 13 on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged detail of the mechanism of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a partial front elevational view of the rail anchor applicator mechanism of this invention;

;FIG. ,17 is a top plan view of the rail anchor shoe of i this invention holding a railanchor;

FIG. 18 is a partial side elevationalview ofthe sho of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view showing the engagement of the rail anchor shoe with the rail anchor holding mechanism;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of a part of the hydraulic circuitry of the rail anchor applicator of this I invention; and FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of the path followed by the rail anchor applicator operating lever.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT wheels 271are attached to the ends of each shaft. The

wheels are adapted to ride onrails 29 which are set on tie plates 31 attached to ties 33 in a conventional manner.

A sprocket 35 is fixed on each shaft 27. The sprockets each receive a chain (not shown) which connects to a mechanical or hydraulic transmission (not shown) driven by a diesel or gasoline engine 37 which is supported on channels 39 mounted on the frame 21. A platform 41 is also mounted on the frame 21 and a chair 43 is supported on the platform. Posts 45 mounted on the frame 21 support a roof 47.

A rail anchor storage bin 48 may be mounted on outboard legs 49 and shorter inboard legs 51 (FIG. 3). The legs 51 attach to the top of an inverted U-shaped support 52 which is mounted on the frame 21. The inboard wall 53 of the rail anchor storage bin is shorter in height than the other walls of the bin and the side walls 55 are cut away adjacent the front wall 53 to allow access to the rail anchors stored in the bin.

A crane 57 is mounted on the frame 21 and is equipped with a hand lever operated winch 59. This crane has an arm 61 which may be swung over the rail anchor storage bin 48 for lifting containers of rail anchors from the right-of-way and dumping the anchors into the bin.

Hydraulic and fuel

oil storage tanks

63 and 65 are located on the frame 21 outboard of the operator's chair. A conventional hydraulically operated turntable 67 for lifting the machine on and off the tracks is provided.

One of the pair of rail anchor feeding mechanisms is shown in detail in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. The other feeding mechanism may be identical except that it is oriented to face in the opposite direction. For brevity, only the rail anchor feeding mechanism shown on the left in FIG. 1 will be discussed in detail. The feeding mechanism includes a magazine which is a flat, metal plate 79 inclined to the vertical. Rail anchors 81 are positioned on this plate by one of the machine operators in the manner shown in FIG. 7. The plate has a step 83 located at the upper edge of the lower end thereof. A notched portion 85 is cut out of the lower edge of this plate below the step.

Positioned at the lower end of the magazine plate 79 is a gate 87 mounted on a pivot pin 89 which is supported on a bracket 91. The gate includes an anchor support plate 93 and an anchor stop plate 95. The anchor support plate is notched at 97 to mate with the notched portion 85 of the magazine plate 79 in the manner shown in FIG. 6. Each magazine plate 79 is welded or otherwise secured to a three sides bracket 99 which is bolted to an angle iron 100, one for each magazine. Each angle iron is welded to a block 101 which can pivot about rod 102. Rod 102 is joumaled in block 103 which is welded to a vertical angle iron 104. The angle iron 104 forms one leg of the inverted U- shaped support 52.

A bent arm 105 is secured in a tubular member 106 which in turn is connected to a rod 107. The rod 107 is fastened to block l09 which is welded to an outer edge of the anchor stop plate 95. As can be best seen in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the bent arm 105 extends over the top of the magazine plate 79 to engage and hold the rail anchors 81 positioned on the magazine plate. This arm has an end portion 110 which extends downwardly along the side of the plate 79. The end is particularly useful with the modified form of magazine shown in FIG. 9 in which an auxiliary plate 111 is attached to the plate 79 by means of hangers 112 which fit into rectangular slots 113 formed in the plate 79. The modified plate 111 has a rod shaped guide surface 114. This modified form of magazine may be used with rail anchors of the Woodings or Unit type.

A discharge chute 115 is provided for each magazine. Each chute may be rectangular in cross section and defines a generally L-shaped path. Each chute is connected at its upper end to angle irons 100. Near their lower ends, the chutes are supported on the frame 21 and are attached thereto by flexible spring biased connections 1 19. It will be noted that each chute is free to pivot somewhat about rod 102 at its upper end separately from the other chute. And each chute has its own independent spring mounting 119 toward the lower end. Thus, in use, if either chute is contacted or struck in use by any moving object, for example the rail anchor applying tools to be described in detail later, it may flex or yield or give independently of the other. The spring mounting 119 may be positioned between brackets 120 to properly guide the lower portion of the chute' and hold it in place during any such movement. Each chute has a top opening 121, an intermediate access opening 123 and a bottom or discharge opening 125. The bottom opening is closed by doors 131 which will be described in detail later. The top opening 121 of each chute may have a deflector 132, shown in FIG. 7, for example, at the upper end of the chute which insures that the anchor goes down the chute in the proper orientation or disposition and prevents the anchor from getting stuck sideways in the chute or bouncing around excessively. With certain types of anchors, such a deflector may not be necessary and it will by noted that it has been removably mounted on the chute.

A gate actuating arm 133 is pivotally mounted on the top of each chute at 135. A spring biased rod 137 mounted on the chute l 15 urges the actuating arm in a downwardly direction. A follower arm 139 is pivotally connected at one end to the actuating arm and at its other end to a stub arm 141 which is fastened to the gate 87 to bring about pivotal movement of the gate about the pivot pin 89 upon movement of the actuating arm 133. I

The doors 131 closing the bottom of the chute 115 are shown in detail in FIGS. 10, 11, 12 and 19. Each door is connected to the side of the chute 115 by a pivotal connection 151. A spring 153 extending between the doors at the top thereof biases the doors toward each other. Each door includes an end member 155 located at the outer end thereof. Each end member has a straight vertical inner wall 157 and a vertical beveled outer wall 159. A sloping anchor support sur- 187. The bearing blocks are guided in slots 189 formed in brackets 191 attached to the frame 21 of the machine. A spring biased plate 193 with stub shaft 194 urges the shaft 185 in the direction of the hooklike ends of the elongated arms. A plate 195 is attached to the arms 181 and extends from the shaft 185 to terminate in contact with channel member 199 which extends between the arms. A second channel member 201 extends parallel to and oppositely facing to the channel member 199. An upstanding plate 203 connects to the inner webs of the channel members and a piston rod 205 is pivotally connected to this plate. The piston rod extends from a hydraulic cylinder 207 which is pivotally connected at its upper end to a vertically slidable support 209. The slidable support is mounted between channel members 211 which extend between and are connected to the vertical legs of the inverted U- shaped support 52. Bolts 213 extend into the channel members 211 to guide and limit the movement of the hydraulic cylinder support 209.

The elongated arms 181 also have upwardly extending hooklike ends'225 which are connected to a shaft 227 extending therebetween. Pivotally mounted on this shaft and located between the arms 181 are guide support arms 229. Piston rods 231 are pivotally connected to the lower portion of the guide support arms 229.

These piston rods extend from hydraulic cylinders 233 which are pivotally connected at 234 to the arms 181. The arms 229 are attached to and support guide member 235. The guide member 235 has a downwardly facing groove 239 of rectangular cross section formed therein. Plate 241 and plate 243 overlap portions of the groove and are bolted to the guide member 235. Brackets 245 are attached to slides 247 which move in the groove 239. A hydraulic cylinder 249 is connected to the outside of one of the brackets 245 and a piston rod 251 extends through this bracket to connect to the other bracket 245. Slots 253 are formed in the outer edges of the slides 247 to receive and engage stop pins 255 mounted in the guide member 235.

Attached to each bracket 245 is a rail anchor applicator or so-called tooling 257. It will be noted in FIG. 16 that the applicators are right and lefthand or mirror images of each other. Each tool has spaced

upper fingers

259 and 261 and a lower outboard finger 263 which is adapted to fit under one side and contact the lower surface of the railanehor top plate for a substantial extent, as at 263a, w th the side surface of the lower finger 263 contacting the side of the flange of the rail anchor as at 263b for a substantial distance. A de tent 265 pivoted at 266 between the upper fingers of the tooling is positioned between the upper fingers and has a serrated lower surface 2660. A spring 267 in a cage or retainer 268 which straddles the detent 265 and is mounted on the tops of the upper fingers engages the detent 265 and biases it in a downward direction, as in FIG. 18. Each shoe has a rear stop wall 269 and a lower inclined wall 271. It will be noted that the rear of each tool is provided with a bifurcation straddling the bracket 245 with removable pins 272 holding the tooling in place. The object of this is that when the machine is used with a different rail anchor, the tooling may be quickly and easily changed without having to dismantle a substantial part or any major components of the unit.

An adjustable rail height gauge mechanism 281, shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, includes a bolt 283 which threads through a block 285. The bolt has a head 287 covered with a disc 289 of resilient material which contacts the top of the rail. The bolt is secured in position relative to the block by a nut 291. The block is fastened between a pair of brackets 293 which in turn are fastened to an angle iron 295 extending between and fastened to the arms 181.

The hydraulic system for operating the rail anchor applicator of this invention is shown schematically in FIG. 20. This system includes a reservoir 311 and a pump 313 which draws hydraulic fluid from the reservoir and supplies it to the

hydraulic cylinders

207, 233 and 249. The flow of hydraulic fluid between the pump and the cylinders is controlled by a directional control valve 315. This valve may be of the conventional sliding spool type and is operated by a control lever 317 which moves the spool against a spring 319. The lever 317 is manipulated by an operator through a backward C-shaped path 321 (FIG. 21) to move the valve 315 and thereby operate the rail anchor applicator.

A conduit 323 extends between the directional control valve 315 and the piston side of the hydraulic cylinder 207 which moves the elongated arms 181. A conduit 325 extends from the rod side of the cylinder 207 back to the directional control valve. A holding valve 327 is positioned in the

conduits

323 and 325 between the control valve 315 and the cylinder 207. A pilot pressure operated valve 329 is located in the conduit 323 between the control valve 315 and the piston side of the cylinder 207. A pressure operated sequence valve 331 is located in the conduit 325 between the rod side of the cylinder 207 and the control valve 315.

A conduit 333 connects to the conduit 323 and runs to the piston side of the hydraulic cylinders 233 which move the guide support arms 229. A pressure operated sequence valve 335 and a flow regulator valve 337 are positioned in series in this conduit.

A conduit 339 connects to conduit 333 between the sequence valve 335 and the flow regulator valve 337 and leads to the rod side of the rail anchor shoe cylinder 249. Positioned in this conduit are a cam operated valve 341 and a pilot pressure operated valve 343. The cam operated valve 341 is actuated by a cam 345 which is carried on piston rod 231 of one of the cylinders 233 with the cam 345 engaging a cam follower 347 attached to the valve. A conduit 349 leads from the piston side of the cylinder 249 back to the conduit 325. A conduit 351 leads from the rod sides of the cylinders 233 and connects to the conduit 349. A conduit 353 connects to the conduit 351 and leads to the conduit 349. A pressure operated sequence valve 355 is positioned in the conduit 353. A regenerative circuit 357 connects the piston and rod sides of the cylinders 233.

The pilot pressure operated

valves

329 and 343 are connected through a pilot pressure conduit 359 to a pump 361. A relief valve 362 is provided for the pump. The flow of pilot fluid between the pump, the reservoir 311 and the pilot fluid line 359 is controlled by cam operated valve 363 having a cam follower 365 which is operated by the operation of the lever 317.

' While the description has been phrased in terms of a particular rail anchor and the drawings show tooling which concerns itself primarily with and includes a showing of a particular rail anchor, commonly known as a Fair" anchor, it should be understood that certain aspects or features of the invention are not limited to any particular type, style or description of anchor but will be applicable to a large number of different anchors now on the market. This is not to say, however, that certain features or aspects of the machine and the invention embodied in it are not more applicable to one type of anchor than another. But in a sense the invention should be considered broadly in most respects, without regard to the details of any particular type of anchor.

The use, operation and function of this invention are as follows:

The rail anchor applicator of this invention is shown, for purposes of illustration, for use with rail anchors of the type known as the Fair rail anchor. A rail anchor 81 of this type (FIG. 18) is generally J-shaped having a pointed crest 301 on the curved portion of the J. The anchor also has a laterally extending base 303 also of J shape along the inner portion thereof and an outstanding flange 304 with the base engaging the base of the rail in the manner shown in FIG. 5. This applicator may be adapted for use with other types of rail anchors and the magazine modification shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings is specifically adapted for use with other types of rail anchors. Therefore, it should be understood that the method of this invention should not be limited to the use of a single type of rail anchor or to the specific embodiment of the apparatus shown herein.

Rail anchors are usually applied on each side of a tie 33 and this applicator is designed for simultaneous installation of two such anchors in this manner, although it may be used to apply one at a time. However, if it is desired to only install a single anchor on one side of a tie, this can easily be accomplished by not supplying a rail anchor to one of the applicator shoes or tools. A supply of rail anchors is loaded in the hopper 48 shown in FIG. 1 through use of the crane 57 One of the operators takes the anchors from the bin 48 and hangs them on the magazine plates 79 in the manner shown in FIG. 7. The anchors will slide downwardly towards the bottom of the magazines until they are engaged and stopped by the bent arms 105 which are mounted on the gates 87. g

In initially loading a magazine, one anchor is allowed past the bent arm 105 to position itself on the anchor support plate 93 of the gate 87. It should be noted that the top of this gate is lower than the top of the magazine plate 79 to allow the anchor to clear the bent arm 105. When the actuating arm 133 of the rail anchor feed mechanism is moved downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 4 to the position of FIG. 5, the gate 87 will pivot about its pivot rod 89 to dump an anchor 81 into its rail anchor supply chute 115. As the gate rotates in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bent arm 105 will be moved clear of the top of the magazine plate 79 allowing the anchors 81 to slide down the magazine to a position just above the step 83. When in this position, the anchors will engage and be stopped by the edge of the anchor support plate 93. The spacing between the bent arm and the edge of the anchor support plate is such that only one anchor will move into position downwardly of the bent arm. Upon return of the gate to the position shown in FIG. 4, the bent arm will return to its anchor blocking position while the anchor located on the magazine downwardly of the bent arm will drop onto the step 83 and slide into position on the anchor support plate 93 where it is engaged and stopped by the anchor stop plate 95. Thus, during each complete movement of the gate only one rail anchor will be fed onto the gate.

After leaving the gate 87, the rail anchor slides down the chute 115, turns the corner in the chute and reaches the bottom of the chute oriented in the manner shown in FIG. 10. The anchor comes to rest with the curved portion of the base 303 engaging the stop walls 157 of the gates 131. The sloping support surfaces 161 on the doors engage the undersides of the base 303. The floor 163 supports the end of the anchors flange 304 with the rest of the flange 304 positioned in the space between the gates. The gates are held in contact with the anchor by the spring 153.

When one of the anchor applicator shoes 257 is moved into contact with the gates in the manner shown in FIG. 19, the cammed surface of the finger 263 of the applicator shoe engages the beveled surface 159 of one of the gates to spread the gates apart. Then, the detent 265 rides over the peak or point 301 of the rail anchor. Since the tooling will tend to push the anchor to the left in FIG. 10, stop 165 will engage the left end of the anchor to prevent it from getting away. The detent 265 rides over the point 301 until the curve of the flange engages the stop wall 302. The lower finger 263 in the meantime is sliding under the base 303 of the anchor and both the top and side surfaces of the finger are firmly engaging the bottom surface of the base 303 and the side surface of the flange 304. Thus the anchor is firmly held by the tooling in a three point suspension, first, the point 301 by the detent finger 265; second, the rear wall 302 engaging the curved flange; and, third, the double wall contact of the lower finger 263 under the base 303 and against the side of the flange 304 of the anchor. As the tooling withdraws from between the gates, the spring detent 267 holds the point 301 so that the anchor comes out with the tooling. After the tooling and anchor depart, the doors move back to the FIG. 12 position in readiness for another anchor to come down the chute.

The tooling removes the rail anchor from between the doors 131 when the apparatus is in the position shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. As the applicator moves to the anchor applying position, which is shown in FIG. 5, the horizontally extending shaft 227 connect ing the arms 181 is lowered by cylinder 207 allowing the rail anchor feed actuating arms 133 to be moved downwardly by the spring mechanisms 137. As these arms move downwardly, the push rods 139 are actuated to operate the gates 87 to supply rail anchors to the rail anchor chutes in the manner previously described.

The actual application of the anchors to the rail takes urging the hooks 183 of the arms 181 outwardly and away from the rail. As the arms and shoes move down towards the rail and tie, the rail height gauge 281 contacts the top of the rail 29 limiting downward movement of the arms 181. It is not necessary to adjust the amount of extension of piston rod 205 from the hydraulic cylinder 207 for each adjustment of the gauge 281, because of the floating connection of the hydraulic cylinder 207 to the channel irons 211 at 209. Due to this floating connection, continued extension of the rod 205 will merely result in movement of the pivotal connection 209 of the hydraulic cylinder upwardly along the guide bolts 203 thus averting over pressure in the cylinder and over stressing of the arms 181.

When the adjustable gauge 281 contacts the rail, the curved ends 183 of the arms will be positioned slightly outwardly of the rail 29 and below the base flange of the rail. The applicator shoes will be aligned with the base flange of the rail. The hydraulic cylinder 249 will slide the applicator shoes towards each other in the guide member 235 to position the rail anchors 81 against the sides'of the tie 33. Further extension of piston rod 231 will move the applicator shoes 257 into the position shown in FIG. in which the rail anchors will be snapped over the base flange of the rail. It should be noted in FIG. 5 that the rail anchors will be moved along the path, designated A, which is more or less arcuate about the pivot 227 inward and toward the base of the rail and involving a minimum of excursion into the ballast. It will be noted that the tooling does not project below the rail anchor itself to any perceptible degree so it is only the physical dimensions of the rail anchor itself which determine the amount of ballast which will have to be disturbed. The path of movement, shown in this case as more or less arcuate, insures that neither the tooling nor the rail anchor itself will disturb the ballast to any perceptible extent. And this path also insures that the ballast does not have to be preliminarily excavated before the anchor can be inserted and attached to the rail base. Note that the pivot point 227 is more or less directly above the rail. This means that the low point of path A occurs at approximately the same time that the rail anchor is being applied to the rail base. As the applicator shoes attach the rail anchors to the rail, the curved ends 183 of the arms1 81 will be moved toward the shoes and into contact with the rail by the hydraulic cylinder 233 acting against the arms 181 and compressing the spring means 193.

Upon removal of the applicator shoes from the rail to the position shown in FIG. 4, the detents 265 of the shoes will be forced upwardly, releasing the anchors and leaving them attached to the rail. The operator is then ready to move the machine to the next tie where the foregoing operation may be repeated.

The flexible mounting of the rail anchor chutes 115 compensates for any overtravel of the shoes 257 when they engage the doors 131 to pick up the rail anchors 81. Excess force applied by the shoes will merely cause the chute to pivot about rod 102 and thereby compress the spring of its flexible mounting means 119. Upon withdrawal of the shoes, the chute will be returned to its normal position by the flexible mounting means. The flexible mounting permits the shoes to be used to jar the discharge chutes to assist in clearing a chute in the event an anchor becomes stuck.

The operation of the rail anchor applicator is controlled by manipulation of the control lever 317 along its backward C-shaped path 321. To start a cycle of operation, the control lever 317 is located in position 1 in the upper left hand corner of the backward C-shaped path, as viewed in FIG. 21. When the handle is moved to position 1, the spool of valve 315 will be moved so that hydraulic fluid will be directed from the pump 313 into the conduit 323. The pilot flluid valve 363 will be cammed to its reservoir 311 blocking position allowing pilot hydraulic fluid from pump 361 to close the

valves

329 and 343. The closing of

valves

329 and 343 will prevent the flow of hydraulic fluid to or from

cylinders

207 and 249.

The hydraulic fluid delivered into conduit 323 will move into conduit 333 and upon a build up of pressure will open the pressure operated sequence valve 335. Upon opening of the sequence valve 335, hydraulic fluid will pass through the fluid regulator valve 337 and enter. the piston sides of the hydraulic cylinders 233. The rods 231 of these cylinders will be extended in the manner shown in FIG. 4, moving the anchor applicator shoes 257 into contact with the gates 131 to pick up rail anchors 81. Although the cam operated valve 341 will open upon extension of the piston rods 231, no fluid will pass to the shoe cylinder 249 because the valve 343 is closed. Therefore, the rail anchor applicator shoes 257 will remain spaced apart at their maximum spacing, as shown in FIG. 16.

To apply the rail anchors 81 being held in the shoes 257 to the rail, the operator will move the operating lever 317 to position 2 in the path 32]. Movement of the operating lever will move the spool valve 315 through its neutral position for directing hydraulic fluid from the pump 313 into the conduit 325. With the control lever 317 in this position, the pilot fluid valve 363 will remain cammed in its reservoir closing position, thereby maintaining

valves

329 and 343 in their closed positions. Because the sequence valve 331 is closed, the hydraulic fluid will travel from the conduit 325, into the conduit 351 and into the rod sides of the hydraulic cylinders 233, causing the cylinder rods 231 to retract. Retraction of these cylinder. rods will move the rail anchor shoes 257 out of the rail anchor holding gates 131.

Upon complete retraction of the piston rods 231, the operating lever 317 is moved to position 3 in path 321. In the movement of the lever 317 from position 2 to position 3, the spool of valve 315 remains in its lowered position, but the cam valve 363 is moved from its reservoir blocking position to its reservoir opening position thereby eliminating pilot pressure in the conduit 359 and opening the

valves

329 and 343.

The operating lever 317 is then moved to position 4 in the path 321. Movement of the lever 317 to this position moves the spool of valve 315 to its uppermost position. Hydraulic fluid is directed from the pump 313 into the conduit 323, through the open valve 329, through the holding valve 327 and into the piston side of the hydraulic cylinder 207. The piston rod of this cylinder is extended and the elongated arms 181 are moved downwardly.

The holding valve 327 controls the flow of hydraulic fluid out of the hydraulic cylinder 207 to prevent the fluid from escaping from the rod side faster than it is supplied to the piston side by the pump 313. If this occurred, the weight of the piston, its rod and the elongated arms 181 would, in effect, cause the piston to run away from the pump.

When the piston rod of cylinder 207 is fully extended, the hydraulic pressure will build up in conduit 323 and upon reaching a set pressure, will open sequence valve 335. Upon opening of sequence valve 335, hydraulic fluid will flow through the regulator valve 337 to the piston sides of hydraulic cylinders 233, moving the piston rods 231 to their extended positions. As the piston rods 231 extend out of the hydraulic cylinders 233, the cam 345 will move relative to the cam follower 347, moving the valve 341 to its open position. The opening of valve 341 will direct the flow of hydraulic fluid through conduit 339 and valve 343 to the rod side of hydraulic cylinder 249, moving the piston rod 251 to its retracted position. Thus, as the piston rods 231 move the shoes 257 carrying the rail anchors 81 into the rail engaging position, the piston rod 251 of the cylinder 249 is moving the shoes 257 together to a position where the rail anchors will contact the sides of a tie 33. Because of the coordination of movement of the

piston rods

231 and 251, the rail anchors will be attached to the rail right after they engage the sides of a tie 33.

After the rail anchors 81 are attached to the rail, the operating lever 317 is returned to position 3 on path 321. The spool of valve 315 is moved to its lower position in which hydraulic fluid from the pump 313 is directed into conduit 325. The hydraulic fluid passes from conduit 325, into conduit 351 and to the rod sides of hydraulic cylinders 233, bringing about the retraction of piston rods 231 and the removal of shoes 257 from the rail. When the piston rods 231 have fully retracted, pressure will increase in conduit 351 until the pressure operated sequence valve 331 is opened. Upon opening of valve 331, hydraulic fluid will pass through the conduit 325 to the rod side of the hydraulic cylinder 207, bringing about retraction of the piston rod of this cylinder. Retraction of the piston rod will lift the elongated arms 181. When the piston rod of hydraulic cylinder 207 is fully retracted, hydraulic pressure will increase in the

conduits

325 and 351 until the pressure operated sequence valve 355 is opened.

When sequence valve 355 is opened, hydraulic fluid will be directed to the piston side of the hydraulic cylinder 249, extending piston rod 251. Extension of piston rod 251 will spread the shoes 257 apart to their maximum position shown in FIG. 16. It should be noted that because of the arrangement of the sequence valves that the shoes 257 will not spread apart until the piston rod of cylinder 207 is fully retracted and the arms 181 are in their uppermost position.

Movement of the operating lever 317 to position 2 of the operating path 321 will move the cam operated valve 363 to the pilot pressure on position thereby closing

valves

329 and 343. The lever 317 is then ready to be moved back to position 1 for another cycle of operation.

The cam 345, or whatever mechanism is used to perform this function, may be adjustably mounted on piston rod 231'so that the proper sequencing and timing of the various movements may be properly coordinated. it is preferred that the tooling move down from the FIG. 4 position with the tools spread as in FIG. 16. This should then be followed by a closing movement of the tools until the rail anchors, held in the tools, contact opposite sides of the tie 33. A mild squeeze should be applied so that the rail anchors are snug against the sides of the tie. Then cylinder 233 should move the rail anchors further along are A until they are snapped on and fully seated on the rail base. During at least the last portion of movement along are A the anchor should be infirm but easy contact with the side of the ties so that they will be snug but will not resist further inward movement. Ballast conditions may determine whether the rail anchors contact the sides of the ties earlier or later along arc A. But it should be prior to the rail anchor contacting the rail base, in any event. Proper positioning of the cam 345, shown schematically in FIG. 20, will accomplish this. This precise sequence of movement is important so that, first, the rail anchors will be in firm contact with the sides of the tie; second, nothing excessive so that they dont resist inward movement; and, third, so that as they are applied theyremain in firm contact with the sides of the tie.

Whereas various parts and features have been shown in particular locations and with particular arrangements, it should be understood that the invention is not restricted in this respect. For example, while the engine 37 has been shown in a particular location and oriented in a particular direction, it should be understood that this is of no particular concern and it might be changed to accommodate another arrangement. Likewise, the location and orientation of the fuel tank 65 is flexible and it might be otherwise. In one model now currently under development, the operator seat 43 has been moved tov the far left in FIG. 2 so that the operator is closer to and has a better view of the anchors being applied. While the winch 59 has been shown as a handoperated unit, it should be understood that it could be ing structure'and hopper arrangement may not be necessary or desirable, and that entire arrangement may be removed without changing or altering the basics of the rail anchor applying principles centered around the tooling. in such a situation one man must walk along beside the machine and drop rail anchors, one at a time, into the entry ports 123 so that they will slide down in between the doors 131.

The machine has the advantage that the anchors are picked up'and applied all in one motion. There is no necessity for one machine to pre-position the anchors on the rail base and another machine to drive them home. Further, the anchors are moved in flush and tight against opposite sides of the tie. Also, the machine can be used to apply one rail anchor at a time, in which case that rail anchor would be moved in tight and snug against the side of the tie. The so-called side squeeze mechanism which moves either one or two rail anchors in tight against the side of a tie automatically accommodates itself to various widths of ties. And there is no need to adjust the machine when the tie widths change. The machine can be used either in a rail gang or a tie gang. There is a minimum of a ballast disturbance factor and the tooling is designed to hold the anchor on the outside so that the ballast disturbance is determined strictly by the dimensions of the rail anchor itself and not the tooling. And a minimum, if any, ballast needs to be excavated ahead of time. The single lever control for the operator as explained in connection with FIGS. and 21 has the advantage that the lever movement simulates or duplicates the movement of the tooling back and forth between anchor loading and anchor applying position. This means the control is the essence of simplicity and requires a minimum of operator education and experience.

The tooling itself can be quickly and easily changed as explained in connection with the removable pins 272 when a different anchor is to be applied. In this connection, the doors 131 at the bottom of the chute might also need to be changed for different anchors. And it will be noted the doors are also quickly and easily removable.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

ll. A rail anchor applicator including a rail anchor feeding means for supplying a rail anchor to and holding said rail anchor in a predetermined position, and a rail anchor attachment means adapted to remove a rail anchor from said feeding means and to fully apply it to a rail in one motion, a pair of doors for stopping and holding anchors in the predetermined position, a spring biasing said doors toward a closed position, and means on the doors to engage and support a rail anchor deposited therein when said doors are in their closed positions, said doors being formed and adapted to receive said rail anchor attachment means and to release said rail anchor to said rail anchor attachment means.

2. In a machine for applying rail anchors to the rails of railroad track, including a frame adapted to be moved along the railroad track, a feeding mechanism on the frame for supplying rail anchors, one at a time, to a loading position, and means for grasping the anchor in the loading position and moving it through a generally arcuate path toward the rail about a center generally above the rail so that the bottom of the arcuate path will coincide generally with the rail base to fully apply the anchor to the rail base with a minimum of ballast disturbance in one motion, the grasping means including tooling which automatically engages and picks up rail anchors from the feeding mechanism and is constructed and arranged so that it does not extend below the rail anchor when it is applied to the rail base.

3. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the loading position is generally above the rail and further characterized in that the grasping means grasps the anchor in the above rail loading position, lowers it to a position to one side of the rail and thereafter applies it in a generally arcuate path of movement down by the rail base.

4. The structure of claim 2 further characterized in that the grasping means for applying the rail anchor to the rail base is yieldably connected to the frame so that any reactive thrust occasioned by the rail anchor applying feature will not tend to derail or damage the machine.

5. Tooling for applying rail anchors to the base of the rail in railroad track, the rail anchor being of the socalled Fair type which is generally T-shaped in cross section and has an elongated leg that fits under the rail base with a hooked portion at one end to fit around one edge of the rail base, the T-shaped cross section being composed of a crosspiece base with an outstanding flange and the hooked portion having an upper point, the tooling including a pair of spaced apart upper fingers adapted to straddle the upper point of the hooked portion, a detent between the fingers to releasably engage the point, a rear abutting surface adapted to engage and position the outstanding flange of the anchor at the curved hooked portion, and a lower offset guiding finger adapted to fit on one side of the rail anchor in firm engagement with the lower surface of the crosspiece base and the side surface of the flange, the fingers, rear abutting surface and offset guiding fingers all being rigidly interconnected.

6. The structure of claim 5 further characterized by and including means for detachably connecting the tooling to an operating mechanism of an automatic rail anchor applying machine.

7. The structure of claim 5 further characterized in that the lower offset guiding finger is dimensioned so that it does not extend below the flange of the rail anchors elongated leg thereby reducing ballast disturbance.

8. Tooling for applying rail anchors to the base of the rail in railroad track, the rail anchor being of the socalled Fair type which is generally T-shaped in crosssection and has an elongated leg that fits under the rail base with a hooked portion at one end to fit around one edge of the rail base, the T-shaped cross-section being composed of a crosspiece base with an outstanding flange and the hooked portion having an upper point, the tooling including at least one [lower offset, generally horizontal guiding finger adapted to fit on one side of the rail anchor in firm engagement with the lower surface of the crosspiece base, a rear generally vertical abutting surface adapted to engage and position the outstanding flange of the anchor at the curved hooked portion, spaced generally parallel, generally vertical stabilizing surfaces adapted to fit on each side of the outstanding flange, and a detent on top to releasably engage the point, the guiding finger, vertical abutting surface and stabilizing surfaces all being rigidly interconnected.

9. The structure of claim 8 further characterized in that the stabilizing surfaces include a pair of spaced apart upper fingers adapted to straddle the upper point of the hooked portion.

10. In a machine for applying rail anchors to the rails of railroad track, a frame adapted to be moved along the railroad track, a chute on the frame for guiding anchors by gravity to a supply station at the lower end of the chute, a gate on the chute at the supply station constructed to yieldably and releasably hold a rail anchor in predetermined position, an anchor attaching mechanism on the frame constructed to enter the gate to pick up a rail anchor at the supply station and to apply it to the base of the rail, and means causing the gate to automatically open and release an anchor positioned in the supply station in response to entrance of the anchor attaching mechanism into the gate.

11. The structure of claim further characterized in that the gate includes a pair of pivoted doors with camming surfaces on the front thereof responsive to entrance of the attaching means and constructed to pivot apart allowing the attaching means to engage and pick up the rail anchor positioned between the doors.

12. In a machine for applying rail anchors to the base flange of railroad track, a device for grasping rail anchors and applying them in a lateral motion to the rail base, a hydraulic circuit for moving the device through a predetermined coordinate of movements, including means for moving the device from an elevated position down to a position adjacent the edge of the rail base offset laterally somewhat to one side, means for moving the device longitudinally until the rail anchor engages the side of a tie, and automatic means for moving the device laterally inwardly to apply the rail anchor to the rail base in response to a predetermined amount of longitudinal pressure between the anchor and side of the tie and for maintaining such pressure therebetween during the lateral movement resulting in the rail anchor being in firm contact with the side of the tie after it is applied to the rail base.

13. The structure of claim 12 further characterized by and including a single handle control constructed to be moved through a predetermined path in controlling and operating the hydraulic circuit which simulates the path of movement of the device when it is applying rail anchors to the rail base.

Claims

1. A rail anchor applicator including a rail anchor feeding means for supplying a rail anchor to and holding said rail anchor in a predetermined position, and a rail anchor attachment means adapted to remove a rail anchor from said feeding means and to fully apply it to a rail in one motion, a pair of doors for stopping and holding anchors in the predetermined position, a spring biasing said doors toward a closed position, and means on the doors to engage and support a rail anchor deposited therein when said doors are in their closed positions, said doors being formed and adapted to receive said rail anchor attachment means and to release said rail anchor to said rail anchor attachment means.

5. Tooling for applying rail anchors to the base of the rail in railroad track, the rail anchor being of the so-called ''''Fair'''' type which is generally T-shaped in cross section and has an elongated leg that fits under the rail base with a hooked portion at one end to fit around one edge of the rail base, the T-shaped cross section being composed of a crosspiece base with an outstanding flange and the hooked portion having an upper point, the tooling including a pair of spaced apart upper fingers adapted to straddle the upper point of the hooked portion, a detent between the fingers to releasably engage the point, a rear abutting surface adapted to engage and position the outstanding flange of the anchor at the curved hooked portion, and a lower offset guiding finger adapted to fit on one side of the rail anchor in firm engagement with the lower surface of the crosspiece base and the side surface of the flange, the fingers, rear abutting surface and offset guiding fingers all being rigidly interconnected.

7. The structure of claim 5 further characterized in that the lower offset guiding finger is dimensioned so that it does not extend below the flange of the rail anchor''s elongated leg thereby reducing ballast disturbance.

8. Tooling for applying rail anchors to the base of the rail in railroad track, the rail anchor being of the so-called Fair type which is generally T-shaped in cross-section and has an elongated leg that fits under the rail base with a hooked portion at one end to fit around one edge of the rail base, the T-shaped cross-section being composed of a crosspiece base with an outstanding flange and the hooked portion having an upper point, the tooling including at least one lower offset, generally horizontal guiding finger adapted to fit on one side of the rail anchor in firm engagement with the lower surface of the crosspiece base, a rear generally vertical abutting surface adapted to engage and position the outstanding flange of the anchor at the curved hooked portion, spaced generally parallel, generally vertical stabilizing surfaces adapted to fit on each side of the outstanding flange, and a detent on top to releasably engage the point, the guiding finger, vertical abutting surface and stabilizing surfaces all being rigidly interconnected.

11. The structure of claim 10 further characterized in that the gate includes a pair of pivoted doors with camming surfaces on the front thereof responsive to entrance of the attaching means and constructed to pivot apart allowing the attaching means to engage and pick up the rail anchor positioned between the doors.