WO2007071931A1

WO2007071931A1 - Railway rail clip installation tool

Info

Publication number: WO2007071931A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/004666
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leslie Makeman
Original assignee: Pandrol Limited
Priority date: 2005-12-22
Filing date: 2006-12-14
Publication date: 2007-06-28
Also published as: GB2433537B; GB2433537A; GB0526234D0

Abstract

A railway rail clip installation tool (1) for driving a railway rail clip (15) onto a railway rail (10), having manually-actuable clip driving means (30) for driving the clip (15) laterally with respect to the rail (10), comprises sleeper lifting means (4) for lifting a railway sleeper (14) underlying the rail (10) to a desired height relative to the rail (10) so as to facilitate driving of the rail clip (15) onto the rail (10). Alternatively, or preferably in addition, the tool (1) comprises a reaction frame (2), shaped and located so as to act on the head (11) of the rail (1) whilst the clip (15) is driven, and adjustment means (250, 251) for adjusting the frame (2) for use with rails (10) of different sizes.

Description

RAILWAY RAIL CLIP INSTALLATION TOOL

The present invention relates to a railway rail clip installation tool. EP0619852B discloses a railway rail fastening clip which is driven laterally onto a railway rail. The clip may be held within a rail clip¹ "anchoring device secured to a rail foundation, such as a railway sleeper or tie, in a pre-assembly position in which the clip is retained by the anchoring device but does not bear on the rail. One of the advantages of such clips is that the clips, pre-loaded into the anchoring devices, can .^'be driven easily into engagement with the rail by automatic clip installation machines. Nonetheless, it is sometimes de-sirable or necessary to drive the clip onto the rail using a hand held tool, for example during maintenance or installation of short sections of track. Previously, a hand tool which reacts off the anchoring device itself has been used for this purpose. Occasionally, difficulties are experienced when driving clips using such a toόl-where one or more of the sleepers to which the anchoring devices are attached lies at a lower level than those around it. In these circumstances, the sleeper must be lifted to the correct height by someone using a lifting tool which engages the anchoring device on one side of the rail, whilst another person uses a conventional installation tool to drive the clip into the anchoring device on the other side of the rail. Although one would expect to have to do this on no more than 25% of the sleepers in the sleeper section undergoing installation, and a much lower percentage on track that is being maintained, it is nevertheless a time- consuming, and manpower-consuming, process. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a rail clip installation hand tool which overcomes these problems .

According to an embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a railway rail clip installation tool for driving a railway rail clip onto a railway rail, the tool comprising manually-actuable clip driving means for driving the clip laterally with respect to the rail, wherein the tool further comprises sleeper lifting means for lifting a railway sleeper underlying the rail to a desired height relative to the rail so as to facilitate driving of the rail clip onto the rail. Such a tool allows a single operator, using just one tool, to carry out lifting of the sleeper and driving of the clip. Preferably, the lifting means are actuable by foot, leaving the operator' s hands free to actuate the clip driving means .

In a preferred embodiment, the sleeper can be held in a lifted position by the tool whilst the clip is driven onto the rail, making the job less, time-consuming. Desirably, the actions of driving the clip and lifting the sleeper can be carried out by one person, reducing the manpower required for the job.

Preferably, the lifting' means are operable to act on the sleeper by applying a force indirectly to a rail clip anchoring device secured to the sleeper. More preferably, the lifting means are operable to act upon the rail clip to be driven onto the rail when it is located partially within the anchoring device. In such circumstances, the lifting means are desirably operable to act upon a heel portion of the rail clip.

The sleeper lifting means may comprise a first lever. In this case, the driving means may comprise a second lever. Preferably, the pivot point of the first lever is located on the second lever.

A preferred embodiment of the invention further comprises a reaction frame. When the driving means comprise a second lever, the pivot point of the second lever is located on the reaction frame .

The reaction frame is desirably shaped and located so as to act on the head of the rail. In this case the reaction frame preferably comprises adjustment means for adjusting the tool for use with rails of different sizes and a reaction portion shaped so as to fit over the head of a rail of a maximum size, the adjustment means preferably comprising a securing member, which can be brought to bear on the rail head to adjust the fit of the reaction portion thereon if the rail is less than the maximum size. Desirably, the reaction portion comprises two spaced-apart reaction members and a cross member connecting the two reaction members, the said securing member being supported on the said cross member. Preferably, each of the said reaction members has a cut-out portion sized to accommodate the head of a rail of the maximum size. The securing member may comprise an adjustable bolt.

According to an embodiment of a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a railway rail clip installation tool for driving a railway rail clip onto a railway rail, the tool comprising manually-actuable clip driving means for driving the clip laterally with respect to the rail, wherein the tool further comprises a reaction frame, shaped and located so as to act on the head of the rail whilst the clip is driven, and adjustment means for adjusting the frame for use with rails of different sizes. Preferably, the reaction frame comprises a reaction portion shaped so as to fit over the head of a rail of a maximum size and the adjustment means comprise a securing member which can be brought to bear on the rail head to adjust the fit of the reaction portion thereon if the rail is less than the maximum size.

Desirably, the reaction portion comprises two spaced- apart reaction members and a cross member connecting the two reaction members, the said securing, member being supported on the said cross member. Preferably, each of the said reaction members has a cut-out portion sized to accommodate the head of a rail of the maximum size.

The said securing member may comprise an adjustable bolt. Reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, ,in which: -

Figure 1 shows a hand tool embodying the present invention. Figure IA showing a perspective view, Figure IB showing a side view and Figure 1C showing a front view; Figure 2 shows a reaction frame of the hand tool of

Figure 1, Figure 2A showing a perspective view, Figure 2B showing a front view, Figure 2C showing a side view and Figure 2D showing a plan view;

Figure 3 shows a sleeper lifter of the hand tool of Figure 1, Figure 3A showing a perspective view of the sleeper lifter, Figures 3B and 3C showing respective side and front views of an arm portion of the sleeper lifter and Figures 3D, 3E and 3F showing respective plan, side and front views of the sleeper lifter; and Figures 4A to 4E illustrate a method of using the hand tool of Figure 1.

A hand tool 1 embodying the present invention comprises a reaction frame 2, a handle 3 having at one end a clip driving portion 30, and a sleeper lifter 4. The reaction frame 2 comprises a reaction portion 20 and connection members 28 by which the portion 20 is connected to the handle 3 at a pivot 35. The reaction portion 20 comprises two spaced-apart reaction members 22 connected by cross member 220 and rod 200, each reaction member 22 having a cut-out portion 23 shaped so as to fit the maximum size of rail head 11 with which the tool 1 is intended to be used. Adjustment for use with heads 11 smaller than the maximum size is achieved by use of adjustment means 25, comprising a nut 250 and bolt 251, supported between the two reaction members 22 on the cross member 220 such that the head of the^" bolt 251 can brought to bear on the rail head 11 so that the reaction portion 20 fits securely thereon. Sleeper lifter 4 is attached at pivot point 45 to the handle 3, near the end of the handle 3 having the clip driving portion 30. The sleeper lifter 4 comprises a lifter paddle 40, having on ,either side, close to its remote end, indents 401 shaped so as to receive heel portions of a railway rail fastening clip of the type described in EP0619852B. _/The sleeper lifter 4 further comprises a pivot portion 45 at which the sleeper lifter 4 is pivotally connected to the handle 3 and a lifter arm 48. In the present embodiment,, the lifter arm 48 comprises a metal rod bent round and connected at each end to the lifter paddle 40, rather than a solid member, so as to reduce the weight of the tool 1. When the sleeper lifter 4 is not in use, it is secured, by means of a pin 36 in mounting 37 and stop 38 which engage the lifter arm 48, against the handle 3.

Use of the hand tool by an operator to lift a sleeper and install a rail clip of the kind disclosed in EP0619852B will now be described with reference to Figures 4A to 4E. The operator firstly drops the reaction portion 20 of the reaction frame 2 over the rail head 11 of the rail 10 such that the rail head 11 is engaged by the cut-out portions 23 of reaction members 22. The operator then adjusts the fit of the reaction portion 20 on the rail head 11 using the nut 250 and bolt 251 (Figure^' 4A - note this Figure incorrectly shows the clip already installed on the rail) . The location of the handle 3 relative to the reaction portion 20 will already have been adjusted, if necessary, for the size of the rail 10, using removable pin 26 and holes 27, so that when the reaction portion 20 is in place on the rail head 11 the clip driving portion 30 of the handle 3 may be brought to bear on the heel portions 150 of the rail clip 15 (Figure 4B) . Rotation of the handle 3 away from the rail head ,11 causes the clip 15 to be driven partially into the anchoring device 16. If the sleeper 14 is at the correct height with respect to the rail 10, i.e. abutting the underside of the rail foot 12, the operator may continue to rotate the handle 3 away from the rail head 11 so as to drive the clip 15 further into the anchoring device 16 and on to the rail foot 12. However, if the sleeper 14 is not at the correct height, the operator must first lift the sleeper 14 before the clip 15 can be driven fully onto the rail foot 12. To do so, the operator releases the pin 36 holding the.' lifter arm 48, which is then rotated or dropped down until the lifter paddle 40 is located beneath the heel portions 150 of the clip 15 (Figure 4C) . The operator then applies force to the lifter arm 48, using his/her foot to depress the lifter arm 48 and raise the lifter paddle 40 _j into contact with the heel portions 150 of the rail clip 15. A lifting force is thereby applied to the clip 15 and the anchoring device 16 in which it is located, and hence also to the sleeper 14 to which the anchoring device lβ'i^'s secured, until the sleeper 14 is brought into contact with the underside of the rail foot 12 (Figure 4D) . Maintaining this force on the lifter arm 48 so as to keep the sleeper 14 in contact with the underside of the rail foot 12, the handle 3 is then rotated further away from the rail -head 11 so as to complete driving of the clip into the 'anchoring device 16 and onto the rail foot 12 (Figure 4E) . The tool 1

then be removed from the rail 10.

Claims

1. A railway rail clip installation tool (1) for driving a railway rail clip (15) onto a railway rail (10), the tool (1) comprising manually-actuable clip driving means (30) for driving the clip laterally with respect to the rail, wherein the tool (1) further comprises sleeper lifting means (4) for lifting a railway sleeper (14) underlying the rail to a desired height relative to the rail so as to facilitate driving of the rail clip onto the rail.

2. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting means (4) are actuable by foot.

3. A tool as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the sleeper (14) can be held in a lifted position by the tool (1) whilst the clip (15) is driven onto the rail (10) .

4. A tool as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the actions of driving the clip (15) and lifting the sleeper (14) can be carried out by one person.

5. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lifting means (4) are operable to act on the sleeper (14) by applying a force indirectly to a rail clip anchoring device (16) secured to the sleeper (14).

6. A tool as claimed in claim 5, wherein the lifting means (4) are operable to act upon the rail clip (15) to be driven onto the rail (10) when it is located partially within the said anchoring device (16) .

7. A tool as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lifting means (4) are operable to act upon a heel portion (150) of the said rail clip (15) .

8. A tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said lifting means (4) comprise a first lever (48) .

9. A tool as claimed' in claim 8, wherein the said driving means (30) comprise a second lever (3) .

10. A tool as claimed in claim 9, wherein the pivot point (45) of the said first lever (48) is located on the said second lever (3) .

11. A tool as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a reaction frame (2) .

12. A tool as claimed in claim 11, when read as appended to claim 9 or 10, wherein the pivot point (35) of the second lever (3) is located on the said reaction frame (2).

13. A tool as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the said reaction frame (2) is shaped and located so as to act on the head (11) of the rail (10) .

14. A tool as claimed in claim 13, wherein the reaction frame (2) comprises adjustment means (25) for adjusting the tool (1) for use with rails (10,) of different sizes.

15. A tool as claimed in claim 14, wherein the reaction frame (2) comprises a reaction portion (20) shaped so as to fit over the head (11) of a rail (10) of a maximum size and the adjustment means (25) comprise a securing member (251) which can be brought to bear on the rail head (11) to adjust the fit of the reaction portion (20) thereon if the rail (10) is less than the maximum size.

16. A tool as claimed in claim 15, wherein the reaction portion (20) comprises two spaced-apart reaction members (22) and a cross member (220) connecting the two reaction members (22) , the said securing member (251) being supported on the said cross member (220) .

17. A tool as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of the said reaction members (22) has a cut-out portion (23) sized to accommodate the head (11) of a rail (10) of the maximum size.

18. A tool as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein the said securing member comprises an adjustable bolt (251) .

19. A railway rail clip installation tool (1) for driving a railway rail clip (15) onto a railway rail (10) , the tool

(1) comprising manually-actuable clip driving means (30) for driving the clip laterally with respect to the rail, wherein the tool (1) further comprises a reaction frame (2), shaped and located so as to act on the head (11) of the rail whilst the clip is driven, and adjustment means (25) for adjusting the frame for use with rails of different sizes.

20. A tool as claimed in claim 19, wherein the reaction frame (2) comprises a reaction portion (20) shaped so as to fit over the head (11) of a rail (10) of a maximum size and the adjustment means (25) comprise a securing member (251) which can be brought to bear on the rail head to adjust the fit of the reaction portion thereon if the rail is less than the maximum size.

21. A tool as claimed in claim 20, wherein the reaction portion (20) comprises two spaced-apart reaction members (22) and a cross member (220) connecting the two reaction members (22) , the said securing member (251) being supported on the said cross member (220) .

22. A tool as claimed in claim 21, wherein each of the said reaction members (22) has a cut-out portion (23) sized to accommodate the head of a rail of the maximum size.

23. A tool as claimed in claim 20, 21 or 22, wherein the said securing member comprises an adjustable bolt (251) .