Patent ID: 6651353
Filing Date: 2003-11-25
Classification: B25B,E01B,Y10T

Abstract:
A rail alignment system for selectively aligning an end section of a first rail with an end section of a second rail, the rail alignment system comprising:a first rail alignment tool for adjusting the vertical and lateral position of the end section of the first rail, the first rail alignment tool comprising: a first base member adapted to be coupled to a first cross tie disposed beneath the first rail; a means for coupling the first base member to the first cross tie; a first carriage assembly slidingly coupled to the first base member, such that the first carriage assembly slides in a direction generally transverse to the first rail; a means for coupling the first carriage assembly to the first rail; a means for adjusting the vertical position of the first carriage assembly relative to the first cross tie; and a means for adjusting the lateral position of the first carriage assembly relative to the first cross tie; and a second rail alignment tool for adjusting the vertical and lateral position of the end section of the second rail, the second rail alignment tool comprising: a second base member adapted to be coupled to a second cross tie disposed beneath the second rail; a means for coupling the second base member to the second cross tie; a second carriage assembly slidingly coupled to the second base member, such that the second carriage assembly slides in a direction generally transverse to the second rail; a means for coupling the second carriage assembly to the second rail; a means for adjusting the vertical position of the second carriage assembly relative to the cross tie; and a means for adjusting the lateral position of the second carriage assembly relative to the cross tie; wherein the end section of the first rail is selectively aligned by adjustment of the means for adjusting the vertical position of the first carriage assembly and the means for adjusting the lateral position of the first carriage assembly, and the end section of the second rail is selectively aligned by adjustment of the means for adjusting the vertical position of the second carriage assembly and the means for adjusting the lateral position of the second carriage assembly.