ZA201007970B

ZA201007970B - Device and method for removal of a fist clamp

Info

Publication number: ZA201007970B
Application number: ZA2010/07970A
Authority: ZA
Inventors: Joe Pretorius; Nico Pretorius
Original assignee: Lennings Rail Services A Div Of Aveng (Africa) Ltd
Priority date: 2009-11-26
Filing date: 2010-11-08
Publication date: 2011-07-27

Description

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QP DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOVAL OF A FIST CLAMP

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of railway tracks when attempting for a removal of a fist pin.

Technical field of the invention a.

This invention relates to a device for removal of a fist clamp, more particularly a device for removal of a fist clamp being arranged so as to hold a rail segment on a sleeper of a railway track. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of removal of a fist clamp.

Background of the Invention

Railway tracks are well known in the art as structures for supporting and guiding rail bound vehicles like trains. Generally, a railway track includes a pair of parallel steel rails which are mounted on laterally arranged sleepers The sleepers rest on a ballast bed which is usually formed from crushed stones. A material used to make a certain type of sleepers is either timber or concrete.

Adjacent sections of the steel rails are either welded together so as to form continues tracks or jointed together using suitable plates. The rails are commonly manufactured in a hot roll process and formed as an |-beam. The rails are attached to the sleepers using a rail fastening system which includes clamps, base plates or chairs, for example.

The above-mentioned configurations of railway tracks usually vary between different countries or railway operators, although the general concept is substantially the same. Usually, the precise configuration of a railway track

H2010/,,, 0 ® depends on the desired speed of the vehicle using the tracks and on the payload transported over the tracks.

The inventor is aware of prior art clamps which can be used to firmly fix a rail member of a railway track to a sleeper. For example, a so-called fist clamp can be used which is formed as a loop underneath the rail so as to enclose the lower side of the rail and to engage into a pair of pins attached the sleeper. This type of clamp usually features a closed section engaging at one side of the rail member and a jaw engaging with the opposite side of the rail member. The jaw is thereby formed by the end stubs of the clamp. In summary, the fist clamp is spring biased onto the rail member against removal. The pair of pins thereby secures the fist clamp into position.

In the prior art it is known that this configuration allows a firm fixing of the rails to the sleepers, removal of the clamp for maintenance purpose can become rather cumbersome. For example, the prising of clamps usually requires a time and labour expensive job to be performed before the rails can be removed. This becomes even more complicated when large sections of a railway track are to be : replaced with new rails or to be rerouted.

The inventor has therefore identified a need to overcome the disadvantages associated with existing fist clamps.

Objects of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for removal of a fist clamp or a method of removal of a fist clamp, which respectively overcome, at least partly, the above identified disadvantages in order to facilitate the removal of fist clamps.

C It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device for removal of a fist clamp and a method of removal of a fist clamp which are both novel and involve an inventive step.

Summary of the Invention

Thus, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a device for removal of a fist clamp which includes: a frame member for holding a set of wheels, the set of wheels being capable of moving along a railway track; a tool member being attached to the frame member and arranged such that at least one tool tip of the tool member is capable of moving from a first position into a second position for prising a fist clamp of the railway track.

The tool member may comprise two tool tips being arranged on opposite sides of the frame member.

Each tool tip may engage with a respective fist clamp on a corresponding side of the railway track.

The fist clamp may comprise a closed section engaging at one side of a rail member of the rail way track and a jaw engaging with the opposite side of the rail member of the rail way track.

The tool tip may engage with the jaw of fist clamp. The tool tip may urge the jaw of the fist clamp away from the rail member The tool tip may lift the jaw laterally. The tool tip may lift the jaw upwardly.

The jaw of the fist clamp may be arranged on a side which is located between the rail members.

® The tool tip may be located on a pivotal arm.

The pivotal arm may be connected to hydraulic urging means.

The hydraulic urging means may include a pressure cylinder being located on the frame member. The hydraulic urging means may be capable of moving the tool tip from the first position into the second position.

The set of wheels of the frame member may include two wheels on each side of the railway track.

The tool tip may be positioned within a channel of the rail member formed between the foot and the crown. The tool tip may be positioned so as to allow the device to travel along the railway track. The tool tip may be positioned within the channel both in the first position and in the second position. The tool tip may be positioned within the channel at a tolerance being between 1 mm and 5 mm.

The tool tip may have a length in the direction of the rails being smaller than a distance between two adjacent fist clamps on neighbouring sleepers.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method for removal of a fist clamp which includes the steps of: - providing a frame member for holding a set of wheels, the set of wheels being capable of moving along a railway track; - providing a tool member being attached to the frame member and arranged such that at least one tool tip of the tool member is capable of moving from a first position into a second position; - positioning the tool member adjacent to a fist clamp; and - prising the fist clamp of the railway track.

® The tool member may be provided with two tool tips being arranged on opposite sides of the frame member.

Prising the fist clamp of the railway track may include engaging each tool tip with a respective fist clamp on a corresponding side of the railway track.

Prising the fist clamp of the railway track may include engaging the tool tip with the jaw of fist clamp. Prising the fist clamp of the railway track may include urging the jaw of the fist clamp away from the rail member.

Urging the jaw may include lifting the jaw laterally. Urging the jaw may include lifting the jaw upwardly.

Prising the fist clamp of the railway track may include providing the tool tip on a pivotal arm, the pivotal arm being connected to hydraulic urging means.

Positioning the tool tip may be performed such that the tool tip is located within a channel of the rail member formed between the foot and the crown.

Positioning the tool tip may allow the device to travel along the railway track.

Removal of the device may be performed with the fist clamp still in place.

Removal of the device may be facilitated by providing the tool tip with a length in the direction of the rails being smaller than a distance between two adjacent fist clamps on neighbouring sleepers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the following drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a device for removal of a fist clamp according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the device for removal of a fist clamp according to Figure 1; and

Figure 3 shows a top view of the device for removal of a fist clamp according to Figure 1 or Figure 2.

Detailed Description with Reference to the Drawings

With reference to the accompanying drawings, a device for removal of a fist clamp, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts, unless otherwise indicated. /

Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the device 10 for removal of a fist clamp according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As depicted in Figure 1, the device 10 for removal of a fist clamp is placed on a railway track 12. The railway track 12 includes a pair of parallel steel rails or rail members 14 which are mounted on laterally arranged sleepers 16. The sleepers 16 rest on a ballast bed (not shown in Figures 1 to 3). A material used to make a certain type of sleepers 16 is concrete, for example.

The rail members 14 are formed as an |-beam. Accordingly, the rail members 14 form a channel 18 on each side of the rail member 14. The channel 18 is formed between the foot 20 and the crown 22 of the rail member 14.

® The rail members 14 are attached to the sleepers using a rail fastening system which includes a fist clamp 24. The fist clamp 24 includes a closed section 28 engaging at outer side of a rail member 14 of the railway track 12 and a jaw 26 engaging with the opposite side of the rail member 14 of the railway ‘ track 12. The fist clamp 24 is spring biased onto the rail member 14 against removal. A pair of pins 25 thereby secures the fist clamp 24 into position.

The device 10 for removal of the fist clamp 24 further includes a frame member 30 for holding a set of wheels 32. The set of wheels are capable of moving along the railway track 12. The set of wheels 32 of the frame member 30 includes two wheels on each side of the railway track 12.

Further, a tool member 40 is being attached to the frame member 30 and arranged such that on both sides of the railway rack 12, a respective tool tip 42 of the tool member 40 is capable of moving from a first position into a second position for prising the fist clamp 24.

Accordingly, the tool member 40 includes two tool tips 42 being arranged on opposite sides of the frame member 30. Each tool tip 42 engages with a respective fist clamp 24 on a corresponding side of the railway track 12.

As shown in the Figures, the tool tip 42 engages with the jaw 26 of fist clamp 24. The tool tip 42 therefore urges the jaw 26 of the fist clamp 24 away from the rail member 14. The tool tip 42 lifts the jaw laterally or upwardly.

In order to be capable of moving from the first position into the second position, the tool tip 42 is located on a pivotal arm 44. Further, the pivotal arm 44 can be connected to hydraulic urging means. The hydraulic urging means includes a pressure cylinder 46 being located on the frame member 30. The hydraulic urging means is be capable of moving the tool tip 42 from the first position into the second position.

® The tool tip 42 can be positioned within the channel 18 of the rail member 14 formed between the foot 20 and the crown 22. The tool tip 42 is positioned so as to allow the device 10 to travel along the railway track. The tool tip 42 is positioned within the channel 18 both in the first position and in the second position. The tool tip 42 should be positioned within the channel at a tolerance being between 1 mm and 5 mm.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the device 10 for removal of the fist clamp 24 according to Figure 1.

As depicted in Figure 2, the tool tip 42 has a length 44 in the direction of the rails being smaller than a distance between two adjacent fist clamps on neighbouring sleepers. This allows removing or inserting the device 10 into the railway track 12 even with the fist clamp 24 still in place.

Figure 3 shows a top view of the device 10 for removal of the fist clamp 24 according to Figure 1 or Figure 2.

A method for removal of a fist clamp which includes the steps of providing a device 10 with a frame member 30 for holding a set of wheels 32, the set of wheels 32 being capable of moving along a railway track 12, providing a tool member 40 being attached to the frame member 30 and arranged such that at least one tool tip 42 of the tool member 40 is capable of moving from a first position into a second position, positioning the tool member 40 adjacent to a fist clamp 24, and prising the fist clamp 24 of the railway track12. Conducting these steps is apparent when considering the drawings together with the above description of the device 10.

Although certain embodiments only have been described herein, it will be readily apparent to any person skilled in the art that other modifications and/or

® variations of the invention are possible.

Such modifications and/or variations are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as herein described and/or exemplified.

Claims

@ Claims o.

1. A device for removal of a fist clamp which includes: a frame member for holding a set of wheels, the set of wheels being capable of moving along a railway track; a tool member being attached to the frame member and arranged such that at least one tool tip of the tool member is capable of moving from a first position into a second position for prising a fist clamp of the raiiway track.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool member includes two tool tips arranged on opposite sides of the frame member.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each tool tip engages with a respective fist clamp on a corresponding side of the railway track.

4, A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool tip engages with a jaw of the fist clamp so that the tool tip urges the jaw of the fist clamp away from the rail member.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tool tip lifts the jaw laterally and/or upwardly.

6. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool tip is located on a pivotal arm.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pivotal arm is connected to hydraulic urging means.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the hydraulic urging means includes a pressure cylinder located on the frame member.

C 9. A device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the hydraulic urging means is capable of moving the tool tip from the first position into the second position.

10. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in use, the tool tip is positioned within a channel of the rail member formed between the foot and the crown so as to allow the device to travel along the railway track.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tool tip is positioned within the channel both in the first position and in the second position.

12. A device as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the tool tip is positioned within the channel at a tolerance being between 1 mm and 5 mm.

13. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tool tip has a length in the direction of the rails smaller than a distance between two adjacent fist clamps on neighbouring sleepers.

14. A method for removal of a fist clamp which includes the steps of: - providing a frame member for holding a set of wheels, the set of wheels being capable of moving along a railway track; - providing a tool member attached to the frame member and arranged such that at least one tool tip of the tool member is capable of moving from a first position into a second position; - positioning the tool member adjacent to a fist clamp; and - prising the fist clamp of the railway track.

15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the tool member is provided with two tool tips arranged on opposite sides of the frame member.

® 16. A method as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15, which method includes prising the fist clamp off the railway track by engaging each tool tip with a respective fist clamp on a corresponding side of the railway track.

17. A method as claimed in claim 16, wherein prising the fist clamp off the railway track includes engaging the tool tip with the jaw of fist clamp.

18. A method as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein prising the fist clamp off the railway track includes urging the jaw of the fist clamp away from the rail member.

19. A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein urging the jaw includes lifting the jaw laterally and/or upwardly.

20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein prising the fist clamp off the railway track includes providing the tool tip on a pivotal arm, the pivotal arm being connected to hydraulic urging means.

21. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein positioning the tool tip is performed such that the tool tip is located within a channel of the rail member formed between the foot and the crown.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein positioning the tool tip allows the device to travel along the railway track.

23. A method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein removal of the device is performed with the fist clamp still in place.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein removal of the device is facilitated by providing the tool tip with a length in the direction of the rails being

® smaller than a distance between two adjacent fist clamps on neighbouring sleepers.

25. A device for removal of a fist clamp as claimed in claim 1, substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the Figures.

26. A method removal of a fist clamp as claimed in claim 14, substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the Figures.

27. A new device removal of a fist clamp or a new method removal of a fist clamp substantially as hereinbefore described. DATED THIS 8TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2010. N & HAHN INC Agent for Applicant Ee - To Than Ra ADg Maret Fr. PAu rs Op Cou Rep / . a. Lap) An 14 Sg barre / & dy NG opi. / ay