Patent ID: 9404225
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: B61D,E01B,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A rail loading and unloading apparatus comprising: a first drive unit that drives a first rail along the apparatus; a second drive unit that drives a second rail along the apparatus; a drill carriage disposed in a stowed position beneath a surface of the apparatus and between the first and second drive units, the drill carriage including, a lift that moves the drill carriage vertically from the stowed position to an operational position above the surface of the apparatus for performance of a drilling operation and returns the drill carriage to the stowed position upon completion of the drilling operation, a support member that supports adjacent ends of the first and second rails during the drilling operation, at least a pair of drill units operable to perform the drilling operation to substantially simultaneously drill a hole in a web of each of the first and second rails, and a clamping assembly on said drill carriage configured to hold a first end of the first rail and a second end of the second rail in an abutting relationship during the drilling operation performed by the drill units; and a platform disposed over the drill carriage when in the stowed position, forming a portion of the surface, and configured to support an operator thereon.