US3823455A

US3823455A - Rail polishing machine

Info

Publication number: US3823455A
Application number: US00305153A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ilrath W Mc; F Holstein
Original assignee: Racine Railroad Products Inc
Current assignee: Racine Railroad Products Inc
Priority date: 1972-11-09
Filing date: 1972-11-09
Publication date: 1974-07-16
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-16

Abstract

Apparatus for preparing the junction of two rails on a railroad right-of-way for application of a bonded rail joint or a welded joint. The apparatus includes a frame mounting flanged wheels for movement along a railroad right-of-way and a vertically movable carrier mounting opposed pairs of rotary abrading devices which are adapted to abrade and clean the underside of the head of the rail, the web and the upper surface of the foot of the rail. A vehicle defined by the frame also includes a source of bottled gas for fueling a burner customarily used in the process of applying bonded rail joints as well as an auxiliary abrading device for use in deburring rail ends, etc.

Description

[111 f ,3,823,455 [45] July 16, 1974 United States Patent [191 VMcllrath et al.

RAIL POLISHING MACHINE [75] Inventors: William P. Mcllrath; Frederick W.

Holstein, both of Racine, Wis Primary Examiner- Omen M. SlllPSCl'l Assistant Examiner-Robert C. Watson [73] Asslgnee: Racine Railroad Products, Inc.,

Attorney, Agent, or Frm-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen,

Racine, Wis.

Nov. 9, 1972 Appl. No.: 305,153

Stellman 8; McCord [22] Filed:

all l www? llllllllllllllllllllll moval of burrs at the rail ends l RAIL POLISHING MACHINE BACKGROUND-F THE INVENTION Joints between rails on a railroad rightof-way have historically posed a number of well-known problems. Many such problems have been eliminated with the introduction and large scale use of continuous, welded rails but, as a result, problems with insulated rail joints have increased due to the larger expansion and compression forces present with the continuous rails.

In an effort to solve the problems associated with conventional insulated joints in welded rail rights-`ofway, considerable efforts were expended in developing rail joints that would be bonded to the rails so as to in effect make the joint continuous with the welded rail and eliminate the gap expansion and contraction thereat.

Suchefforts have developed to the point where completely practical bonded rail joints are in existence but,

as is thecase wherever dissimilar materials are to be bonded together, considerable preparation of the surfaces of the elements to be bonded is necessary to insure a good joint. And, due to the extremely greatforces developed through thermal expansion on railroad rights-of-way as ,well as the forces present in the rail when trains are passing thereover, particularly during acceleration or deceleration, considerable preparation is required at the junction of two rails on a railroad right-of-way prior to the application of a bonded rail joint to insure that the same will not fail.

Typically, the junction of two rails is solvent cleaned, abraded toremove alll oxide, and heated prior to the application of a bonded. rail joint. Additionally, other operations may be required as, for example, the reprior to the installation of a rail end post, etc.

SUMMARY OF TI-lE INVENTION lt is the principal object of the invention toprovide new and improved apparatus adapted for preparing the junction of two rails for the application of a bonded rail joint. More particularly, it is anobject of the invention to provide such an apparatus that is adapted to travel on a railroad right-of-way and mounts equipment and a power source therefor for simply and economically conducting the various steps preliminary to the application of a bonded rail joint. 4 t

The exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing object by a construction including a frame journaling flanged wheels for moving a frame along a railroad right-of-way. The frame includes` a pair of upright members located over one of the rails of the underlying right-of-way and the same mounts a generally horizontally extending cross member for slidable movement thereon. Means are also provided for raising and lowering the cross member and coase adjustment means are provided for adjusting the lowermost position of the cross member.

The cross member pivotally mounts the upper ends of four elongated elements. Each elongated element, in turn, at its lower end, mounts a hydraulic motor which, in turn, drives a rotary 'abrading disc. Means are-also provided on the cross member for spreading the opposed ones of the elongated members so that the abrading means can be moved apart sufficient to allow them to pass about the head of a rail into an abrading position. Fine adjustment means are included for adjusting the position of the abrading means.

According to the preferred embodiment, the abrading'means includes a hub mounting a plurality of radially extending flaps each having an abrasive surface thereon. Two of the abrading means are generally cylindrical in shape while the other two are each configured as opposedfrustoms of cones with the sides an gularly related so that one will abrade the upper surface 'of a rail foot while the other will abrade the adjacent portion ofthe rail web. Preferably, the respective mo tors for driving the abraders drive the same in such a way as to balance out frictional forces existing therebei tween and the rail that would tend to move the vehicle away from the joint being worked upon.

The frame also includes a bottled gas mounting device and the apparatus contemplates the use of a flexible conduit alongfwith a heating device having opposed burners and adapted to be located on opposite sides of a rail for heating a rail joint.

The frame also mounts a hydraulic motor and a boom l or a flexible shaft being driven bythe same. An abrading disc may be associated with the flexible shaft or boom and may be used for grinding off burrs or the Other objects and advantages will become apparent with the accompanying drawings. j

`DESCRIPTION .OF T I-IE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is aperspective view of an apparatus for prefrom the following specification taken in conjunction t paring the junction of two rails for the application of a bonded rail joint; t s

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of theapparatus with parts shown in section;

FIG. 3 is avertical section taken approximatelyalong the line 3--3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a boom mounted abrading tool.

`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMEN'I` An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for preparing the junction of two rails for the application of a rail joint is illustrated in FIG. 1 and is seen to include a'fr'ame, generally designated 10, journaling a plurality of flanged wheels l2 which may be located on underlying rails 14 of a railroad right-of-way so as to define a vehicle movable on the railroad rightofway. On the frame l0 is a source of power, generally designated 16, which typically will be an internal combustion engine driving a hydraulic pump to provide a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure. `Suitable means may be associated with such a pump and the wheels 12 for selectively moving the vehicle on the right-of-way.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, one side of the frame 10 includes a cutout area 18 which is flanked on both sides by ,upright frame members 20. The frame members 20 are located so as to be generally in a vertical plane encompassing the subjacent rail 14 and slidably sides of the rail.

A fixed cross member 26 extends between the uprights 20 and mounts a hydraulic cylinder 28 having a piston rod 30 which extends through a suitable opening in the cross member 26 to be pivotally connected by a pin 32 to a tongue 34 secured to the upper side of the movable cross member 22. Thus, by selective actuation of the hydraulic cylinder 28, the cross member 22, and thus the abrading means 24, can be selectively raised or lowered on the frame 10,

The frame also includes-a U-shaped member 36 which is inverted and has projecting upwardly from its lbight an apertured tongue 38. Rigidifying frame members 40 connect portions of the bight of the U-shaped member 36 to the cross member 36 with the result that a structure is provided whereby the entire vehicle may be lifted off the right-of-way by other equipment as, for example, a crane.

The vehicle also includes an H-shaped member including spaced feet 42 located below the frame 10. The H-shaped frame is suitably connected to a hydraulic cylinder 44. which may be operated to drive the H- shapedr'nember downwardly into engagement with the bed of the railroad right-of-way to elevate the vehicle above the rails. Thereafter, the vehicle may be pivoted about a vertical pivot axis coextensive with the longitudinal axis of the piston of the cylinder 44 to be turned 180 on the right-of-way for reversal purposes or 90 for removal of the vehicle from the right-of-way entirely,

One end of the frame 10 mounts a hydraulic motor 50 which may be operated by a hydraulic fluid under pressure received from the pump associated with the power source 10. The output shaft (not shown) of the hydraulic motor 50 mounts a sheave 52 about which is trained a belt 54. The belt 54 also is trained about a sheave 56 on one end of a flexible shaft 58. The end of the flexible shaft 58mounting the sheave 56 is held in the location shown by an upright post 60 secured to the j frame by any suitable means and a collar 62 about the shaft 58. The opposite endof the flexible shaft 58 mounts a chuck 64 which is adapted to receive rotatable abrading'means such as the disc 66. The purpose of the shaft 58 is to provide a randomlymovable abrading means that can be used to deburr rail ends or the like. For flexibility, different types of the disc 66 may be employed and to this end, one of the uprights 20 may be provided with a plurality of upwardly extending pipes 68 for receiving the shaft associated with the desired one of the discs 66 to serve as a holder therefor.

Finally, for Aselective energization of the motor 50, there may be provided a hydraulic valve having an operator 70 and arranged in an appropriate hydraulic circuit.

ln lieu of the foregoing structure, a boom mounted abrader, generally designated 71, to be described may be employed.

The end of the frame 10 opposite the motor 50 includes mounting means 72 for bottled gas canisters 74. The mounting means 72 may be in the form of flexible metal straps having a toggle latch'or the like and may be secured to the adjacent upright 20.

The apparatus includes a flexible gas conduit 76 which may be associated with either oneof the canisters 74 as well as a heating unit, generally designated 78. Thus, bottled gas from the canister 74, after being passed through a suitable regulator (not shown), may

be directed to the heater 78 where it may be burned for the purpose of heating the junction of two rails p rior to the application of a bonded rail joint. i'

To this end, the heater 78 is provided with four elongated burners 80 (only three of which are shown) and located in pairs spaced a distance sufficient so that they may be located on opposite sides of a rail as illustrated in FIG. 1. The heater 78 may also be provided with a handle 82 for manipulating the heater as desired.

With reference now to FIGS. 1l and 2, the cross member 22 and the appurtenances thereto are described in greater detail. ln particular, opposite ends of the cross member 22 terminate in vertically extending plates 90 which, in turn, are secured to the bases of respective vertically oriented channels 92. The legs of the channels 92 extend toward adjacent ones of the upright frame members 20 and partially embrace the sides thereof to serve generally as guide means for the cross member 22. For smooth sliding movement, within the interior of each of the channels 92, is a pair ofshafts 94 which are vertically spacedwith respect to each other and each of which mounts a roller 96 which engages inwardly facing sides of the corresponding upright frame member 20.

The outermost leg of each channel 92 includes a tongue 100 which projects toward the front or the rear of the vehicle as the case may be and which mounts a rotatable locking means, generally designated 102, having a manually operable handle 104. Each locking means 102 cooperates with a vertically extending slot 106 in a corresponding one of the upright frame members 20 so that the cross member 22 may be selectively locked at a desired location within the range of movement provided as determined by the length of the slots 106. The locking means 102 may be formed of any suitable screw-operated type of lock and a number of elcments suitable for the purpose as will be immediately apparent to those skilled in the art. i

The lower end of each channelv 92 is closed by a generally horizontally extending stop plate 108 which is employed to determine the lowermost position that the cross member 22 may assume on the vehicle. More particularly, each stop plate 108 may engage the head 110 of a bolt 112 which is threadedly received in anut 114 secured to a tongue 116 which extends inwardly from a corresponding one of the upright frame members 20. By rotating the head of the bolt 112 within the fixed nut 114,v the vertical position of the head may be adjusted and thus, the lowermost position of the cross member 22 may be adjusted. As will be seen, this adjustment provides a coarse adjustment for the location of the abrading means 24, which, it will be recalled, are l carried by the crossmember 22.

With reference specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the abrading means 24 will not be described in greater detail. More particularly, the abrading means comprise four

rotary abrading tools

1210, 122, 124 and 126. As viewed in FIG. 2, the abrading

tools

120 and 122 are on the outboard side of the rail 14 while the

abrading tools

124 and 126 are on the inboard side thereof. It should also be noted that the

abrading tools

120 and 126 have identical surface configurations while the

abrading tools

122 and 124 have identical abrading surfaces butdifferent from the abrading surfaces of the

tools

120 and 126.

Each abrading tool includes a central hub 128 which is secured to the output shaft of a rotary hydraulic vwith an arm 170.

`motor as will be described in greater detail by any sen curing means as, for example, a nut 130 and accompal nying lock washer 132.

' drical in nature and, as viewed in FIG. 3, are positioned so as to abrade the upper portion of the web 140 of a rail 14 as well as the undersurface 142 of the head' 144 of the rail 14. Tothis end, the upper portion of the cy lindrical surface of the

abrading tools

120 and 126 may be curved slightly as at 146 to insure contact'at the junction of the web 140 and the underside 142 of the head 144 without causing excessive wear of the abrad ing tool. Alternately separate abrading wheels may be used, one under the head and one on the web.

The abrading

tools

122 and 124 are adapted to engage the lower portion of the web 140 of the rail 14 as well as the upper surface 148 of the foot 150 of the rail 14. To this end, the abrading tools 122 are formed to have a surface defined by'two frusto cones located base to base. The lowermost of the frustocones is inverted and includes a relatively shallow conical surface 152 for engaging the upper surface 148 of the foot 150 of a rail 14 while the other ofthe frusto cones has a relatively steep surface 154 for engaging the lower portion of the web 140. As withthe abrading

tools

120 and 126, a curved surface 156 may be provided at the intersection of the two frusto-conical surfaces '2and 154 to preclude excessive wear ofthe abrading tools where Each of the abrading tools'120, 122, '124 and 126 is driven by a respective hydraulic motor 160. Each hydraulic motor 160 ismounted on the upper side of a rectangular housing 162which journals an extension shaft 164 by means of suitable bearings and which in turn is connected to the hub 128 of the `corresponding one of the abrading tools. Each housing 162 in turn is adjustably mounted on a depending arm movably affixed to the'cross member 22. Specifically, the housing 162 associated with the tool 120 visfixed to an arm 164, the tool 122 associated with an arm 166, the tool 124 associated with an arm 168, and the tool 126 associated Each ofthe arms 164-170, inclusive, is formed of a channeland the

arms

164 and 166 are located on the outboard side of the cross member 22. The channel defining the arm 164 opens inwardly while the channel forming the arm 166 opens outwardly. The

arms

168 and 170 are located on the inboard side of the cross member 22 and the channel definingxthe arm` 168 opens inwardly while the channel defining the arm 170 opens outwardly.'

To mount the arms on the cross member, the latter is provided with four pairs of lugs 172, two pairs on each side thereof. As best seen in FIG.`3, the lugs 172` include aligned apertures 174 which in turn receive pivot pins 176 which impale respective ones of sleeves 178 affixed to the upper ends of corresponding ones of lthey engage the junction of the web 140 and the foot 4 6 i the arms. Thus, the various arms are all pivotally affixed to the crossA member 22 with thefresult thatthe associated tools 1Z0-126 are mounted for pivotal movement toward and away from an underlying rail 14. An

examination of FIG. 3 will also indicate that the location of the pivot axes defined by the pins 176, the ar- ;rangement ofthe arms, and the locations of the hydraulic motors 160 and work tools associated therewith is such that gravity will normally bias the associated tool into engagement with the underlying rail 14. As will be seen,.means are provided for pivoting the tools between such position and a spread position allowing the tools to be raised without interfering with the rail.

Since the frictional contact between the abrading tools and the rails could tend to move the vehicle along the right-of-way, it is preferred that the direction of rotation of the

tools

120 and 126 be: identical and that the direction of the

tools

122 and 124 be identical. .Thisarrangement will produce counterbalancing frictional forces with the result that little or no moving force will be generated. This permits the vehicle to be easily moved through its conventional driving system to and fro on a railroad right-of-way on both sides of a rail joint to completely abrade the area to receive a bonded rail joint without requiring substantial'driving force to overcome the friction developed'by contact between the tools and the rails. 4

Since, if but one of the tools is urged against the rail with too much force, the nature of the tools is such that excessive wear thereof will occur, stop means areprovided for limiting movement of the tools towards the railuln particular, the cross member 22 mounts a pair of depending

posts

180 and 182. The post 182 is seen in substantial detail in FIG. 3 andis associated with stop means as will be described. lt isto be specifically understood that the stop means: associated with the post 180 are generallyidentical thereto'.

The lower end of the post 182 mounts a channel 184 which is somewhat elongated in 'a direction parallel to the length-of the rails 14 on which the vehicle may travel. The upstanding legs of the channel 184 serve as stops for movement limiting purposes.-

ln addition, one of the legs of the channel of each of 186 which threadedly receives a threaded shaft 188 terminating in a transverse handle 190. By advancing the threaded shaft 188 into the nut186, the tool will be moved away from the rail while opposite rotation of the threaded shaft 188 will allow the tool to move closer to the rail. For locking purposes, a nut" 192 is also impaled on each of the threaded shafts 188 exterior of the nut 186 vand is provided with gripping portions 194. Once the proper position of the threaded shaft 188 has been determined, it may be locked in place by bringing the nut 192 into tight engagement with the nut 186.

As mentioned previously, the cylinder `128 is emi ployed `for the purpose of elevating the cross member 22 to thereby raise the abrading means 24 substantially above the underlying rail 14 so that the vehicle may freely travel down a railroad i'ightofway. Because in the work performing position of the tools the latter are not free to move directly upwardly by reason of the presence ofthe head 144 of the rail 14, means are provided for pivoting the arms in such a way as to move the tools out from such underlying relationshipso that the cross member 22 may be elevated by the cylinder 28'.

Specifically, each of the posts E80 and l82 mounts first and second double acting,

hydraulic cylinders

200 and 202. The

cylinders

200 and 202 are oppositely directed so that their respective pistons 204 and 206 extend in opposite directions and are pivotally connected to the posts by pivots 207. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the piston 204 may be extended to the right and in the direction of the arm 170 while the piston 206 may be extended toward the left and in the direction ofthe arm 166.

Each of the arms mounts a pivot block 210 having a pivotal connection 211 to the piston of the corresponding cylinder. Thus, when the piston of the corresponding cylinder is extended, it will pivot the associated arm in a direction away from the rail so that the entire assemblage can be moved upwardly without interference between the tools and the underside of the head of the rail 144, while when retracted, it will bring the corresponding tool into abrading contact with the rail.

The apparatus'is generally completed by the provision of fine position adjusting means for determining `the lowermost position that the cross member 22 may assume. However, the nature of such an adjustment is such that the position of all four abrading tools is simultaneously controlledfln order to provide a fine adjustment, individual adjusting means are provided on each of the arms so that each abrading tool may be adjusted relative to the others. One such fine adjusting means is provided on each of the arms and since one is identical to the remainder, only one will be described.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the bight of each channel defining an arm is provided with four generally vertically elongated slots 220 through which bolts 222 affixed to the corresponding housing 162 extend. By reason of the elongation of the slots 220, it will be appreciated that each housing 162 can be moved upwardly or downwardly on the end of the associated arm. To hold each housing 162 in place, each bolt receives anut 224 and associated lock washer 226.

The uppermost ones of the bolts 224 pass through apertures 228 of approximately equal size in a downturned leg of a channel 230 before receiving the nuts 224. The horizontal leg of the'channel 230 includes an aperture (not shown) through which a bolt 232 extends upwardly to pass through an aperture (not shown) in a channel 234 affixed to the inner side of the base of the channel defining the corresponding arm. Above the channel 234 is an adjustment nut 236. As a result, by advancing the nut 236 one way or the other on the bolt 232, the channel 230 may be moved upwardly or downwardly thereby moving the corresponding housing 162, and thus the corresponding tool, to the desired position of adjustment at which time the nuts 224 may be tightened to fixedly secure the housing 162 to the corresponding arm in a desired position of adjustment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the boom-mounted abrader 7l will be described in greater detail. As mentioned previously, the same may be employed in lieu of the flexible shaft 58 or, if desired, in addition thereto.

Referring specifically to FIG. l, one end of the frame mounts a vertically-extending pivot pin 250 which rotatably impales a sleeve 252. An outwardly-extending tongue (not shown) on the sleeve 252 mounts a horizontally-extending pivot pin 254 which is pivotally secured to the lower end of an elongated boom 256.

Thus, the boom 256 is capable of essentially universal movement relative to the frame.

The upper end ofthe boom mounts abrading apparatus, generally designated 258, and which is shown in greater detail in F IG. 4. In particular, a hydraulic motor 260 is mounted within a channel-shaped frame 262 and has a rotary output shaft extending therethrough to receive an abrading wheel 264. A sleeve 266 extending about the output shaft of the motor 260 and fixed to the frame 262 mounts a guard 268 having a handle 270 secured thereto. The handle 270 may be appropriately manually manipulated to properly locate the abrading tool 258, as will be seen.

Extending oppositely from the sleeve 266 of the handle 270 is an S-shaped arm 272 terminating in a pivot block 274. An L-shaped link 276 is pivotally secured to the block 274 by a pivot pin 278 and, on its-upper arm, mounts a weight 280. By a suitable arrangement including a thumb screw 282, the location of the weight 280 on the upper arm of the L-shaped arm 276 may be adjusted. The lower arm of the L-shaped member 276 is threaded to adjustably receive a rotatable guide wheel 284. As can be seen from FIG.,4, the arrangement is such that the weight 280 biases the guide wheel 284 toward the abrading wheel 264. This insures that the necessary abrading force is'applied to the wheel 264 when against'a rail, which force is ultimately determined by the location of the weight 280 on the upper arm of the L-shaped link 276.

The frame 262 is secured to the'boorn 256 by. means including a threaded shaft 286. The lower end of the shaft 286 extends through an aperture (not shown) in the upper side of the frame 262 and receives a pin 288 thereunder. Sandwiching the upper portion of the channel frame 262 and about the shaft 286 are a pair of washers 290 and there is further provided a threaded hand wheel 292 inabutment with the upper one of the washers 290.

The shaft 286 is also passed through a nut 294 and a lower washer 296 through the outboard end of the boom 256 to receive an upper washer 298 and a further hand wheel 300.

The assemblage is completed by any suitable means,

such as a chain (not shown) extending between the.l

boom and the frame, for limiting the downward movement of the boom 256 about the pivot pin 254.

lt will be appreciated that the-angular position of the motor 260, and thus wheels 264 and 284, relative to the boom 256 may be adjusted by loosening the hand wheel 292 and rotating the channel frame 262 to the desired position whereupon appropriate holding and clamping force may be reapplied by tightening the hand wheel 292. Similarly, the vertical attitude of the motor 260 and thus the abrading wheel 264 relative to the boom may be adjusted by similar manipulation of the nut 294 and the hand wheel 300.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the invention provides a vehicle capableof performing substantially all the various'functions required in the application of bonded rail joints to rail ends or the formation of a welded joint.

We claim:

il. Apparatus for preparing the junction of two rails on a railroad right-of-way for application of a bonded rail joint or a welded joint comprising: a frame adapted to be moved along a railroad right-of-way; carrier means mounted on said frame for vertical movement thereon; means for moving said carrier means vertically on said frame; means for selectively adjusting the lowermost position ofsaid carrier means on said frame; at least a pair of opposed abrading means, each adapted to abrade a respective side of a rail, secured to said carrier means for movement therewith; and means for selectively moving the abrading means of said pair towards and away from each other in a generally horizontal direction whereby said carrier means may be vertically'moved to selectively position said abrading means at a desired position adjacent an underlying rail on a railroad right-of-way and whereby said abrading means moving means can be selectively operated to` clear the head of a rail on a'railroad right-of-way.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein two said pairs of said abrading means are mounted on said carrier means, two of said abrading means being configured and structured to abrade a portion of the web and the foot of a rail, the other two of said abrading means being configured to abrade the web of a rail adjacent the head thereof.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each said abrading means comprises a rotatable member mounting a plurality of generally radially extending, flexible, abrading flaps. I

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 whereineach of said abrading means isrotated by a hydraulic motor,

each of said hydraulic motors being mounted on one end of an elongated member, the opposite end of each said elongated member being pivotally connected to said carrier means for rotation about a generally horizontal axis; and wherein said abrading means moving means comprises a hydraulic cylinder having opposed extendable elements interposed between the elongated members of each said pair of abrading means; and means providing a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including means on said frame formounting a bottled gas canister; said apparatus further including a flexible gas conduit adapted to be associated with a bottled gas canister, and elongated, opposed burner means associated with said conduit and adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of a rail for heating the same.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame includes a pair of upstanding members generally aligned with a pair of said wheels adapted to engage the same rail of a railroad right-of-way, and wherein said carrier means includes a cross member interposed between said upstanding members and slidably movable means; and wherein said abrading means moving means includes two extendable elements mounted on said carrier means and interposed between said elon gated members and operable to engage the same to rotate each elongated member about its pivotal connection to said carrier means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each of said abrading means includes a rotatable hub and a plurality of generally radially extending flaps provided with an abrasive surface mounted thereon for rotation therewith, one of said abrading means being generally cylindrical in configuration and adapted to abrade the web of the rail adjacent the head thereof, the other of said abrading means being configured generallyv as a pair of opposed frusto-conical surfaces, one of said surfaces being angled so as to engage substantially the entially the part of a rail'flange adjacent the foot of a rail.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein two of said pair of abrading means are provided, the cylindrical ones of said abrading means in each pair'being located on opposite sides of a rail and the frusto-conical ones of said abrading means in each pair being located on opposite sides of a rail and wherein said motor means for each of said abrading `means drive each of said abrading means in directions effective to offset frictional forces tending to move said frame along the railroad right-of-way on which it may travel.

9. Apparatus according toclaim 2 further including a boom substantially universally-connected to said frame; and auxiliary abrading means secured to said boom for movement therewith; means for adjusting the attitude of said auxiliary abrading means with respect to said boom; and means for adjusting the angular relation of said auxiliary abrading means with respect to t means for rotating said abrading wheel, a guide wheel,

and means for biasing said guide wheel toward said abrading wheel.

' l ik it

Claims

1. Apparatus for preparing the junction of two rails on a railroad right-of-way for application of a bonded rail joint or a welded joint comprising: a frame adapted to be moved along a railroad right-of-way; carrier means mounted on said frame for vertical movement thereon; means for moving said carrier means vertically on said frame; means for selectively adjusting the lowermost position of said carrier means on said frame; at least a pair of opposed abrading means, each adapted to abrade a respective side of a rail, secured to said carrier means for movement therewith; and means for selectively moving the abrading means of said pair towards and away from each other in a generally horizontal direction whereby said carrier means may be vertically moved to selectively position said abrading means at a desired position adjacent an underlying rail on a railroad rightof-way and whereby said abrading means moving means can be selectively operated to clear the head of a rail on a railroad right-of-way.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each said abrading means comprises a rotatable member mounting a plurality of generally radially extending, flexible, abrading flaps.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein each of said abrading means is rotated by a hydraulic motor, each of said hydraulic motors being mounted on one end of an elongated member, the opposite end of each said elongated member being pivotally connected to said carrier means for rotation about a generally horizontal axis; and wherein said abrading means moving means comprises a hydraulic cylinder having opposed extendable elements interposed between the elongated members of each said pair of abrading means; and means providing a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including means on said frame for mounting a bottled gas canister; said apparatus further including a flexible gas conduit adapted to be associated with a bottled gas canister, and elongated, opposed burner means associated with said conduit and adapted to be disposed on opposite sides of a rail for heating the same.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said frame includes a pair of upstanding members generally aligned with a pair of said wheels adapted to engage the same rail of a railroad right-of-way, and wherein said carrier means includes a cross member interposed between said upstanding members and slidably movable thereon, said abrading means comprising a pair of opposed rotatable members, each driven by a respective motor, and a pair of elongated members each having one end secured to a respective one of said motors and the opposite end pivotally secured to said carrier means; and wherein said abrading means moving means includes two extendable elements mounted on said carrier means and interposed between said elongated members and operable to engage the same to rotate each elongated member about its pivotal connection to said carrier means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each of said abrading means includes a rotatable hub and a plurality of generally radially extending flaps provided with an abrasive surface mounted thereon for rotation therewith, one of said abrading means being generally cylindrical in configuration and adapted to abrade the web of the rail adjacent the head thereof, the other of said abrading means being configured generally as a pair of opposed frusto-conical surfaces, one of said surfaces being angled so as to engage substantially tHe entirety of the upper surface of a foot of a rail, the other of said surfaces being angled so as to engage substantially the part of a rail flange adjacent the foot of a rail.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein two of said pair of abrading means are provided, the cylindrical ones of said abrading means in each pair being located on opposite sides of a rail and the frusto-conical ones of said abrading means in each pair being located on opposite sides of a rail and wherein said motor means for each of said abrading means drive each of said abrading means in directions effective to offset frictional forces tending to move said frame along the railroad right-of-way on which it may travel.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 further including a boom substantially universally-connected to said frame; and auxiliary abrading means secured to said boom for movement therewith; means for adjusting the attitude of said auxiliary abrading means with respect to said boom; and means for adjusting the angular relation of said auxiliary abrading means with respect to said boom.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said auxiliary abrading means includes a rotary abrading wheel, means for rotating said abrading wheel, a guide wheel, and means for biasing said guide wheel toward said abrading wheel.