Abstract:
A method and system are provided for opening and securing a railroad frog. The system is provided with a body member and a plurality of attachment members, which are selectively securable with the body member. The attachment members are structurally configured to secure to different structural features along spring wing rails and fixed structures positioned opposite the spring wing rail. Manual actuation of a tensioning mechanism that is coupled with the body member advances opposing first and second attachment members toward one another, moving the spring wing rail into an open position. Wedge members, coated in a non-slip material are provided as an additional means for securing the spring wing rail in an open position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to maintenance equipment used on railroads and more particularly to a device for manually opening and securing a railroad frog. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Railroad frogs are installed at the intersections of two running rails to permit the flanges of railroad car wheels to pass from one of the rails to the next. The frog supports the car wheels as they pass over the missing rail tread surface between the throat and the fixed point of the frog, providing flangeways through which the flanges of the car wheels are allowed to pass. A standard railroad frog typically includes a frog fixed point or “v-point” that is supported by a base plate. A laterally movable spring wing rail is positioned on the base plate along one side of the v-point. A fixed wing rail is also secured to the base plate, on the opposite side of the v-point. A plurality of holddown subassemblies are coupled with the spring wing rail and the base plate, allowing lateral movement of the spring wing rail while prohibiting vertical movement. One or more supplementary compression spring closer elements, such as springs or shock assemblies are, coupled with the spring wing rail and urge the spring wing rail into a closed position. The spring wing rail is forced into an open position by the wheels of a car passing through the frog. 
   Railroad frogs are not provided with mechanisms that selectively open and secure the spring wing rail. This is problematic in a number of different situations. First, railroad frogs require periodic maintenance and cleaning. In order to properly clean or maintain the frog an individual must be able to selectively open and close the spring wing rail. Railroad frogs also pose a potentially hazardous situation to smaller, lightweight rail cars when they attempt to pass through the frogs. Various types of maintenance equipment, such as ballast regulators, handcars, spikers, track cars, rail grinders, and the like are oftentimes too light to force the spring wing rail into an open position when they attempt to pass through the frog. Accordingly, when such cars approach the frog at a slow rate of speed, they are stopped, preventing its passage through the frog. However, when such cars approach the frog at a higher rate of speed, the car is frequently tipped or derailed, causing serious injuries to its occupants and damage to the car and the rails. 
   The prior art is nearly devoid of systems or methods for securing railroad frogs in an open position for any purpose. The typical method of opening a spring wing rail of a frog is to provide one individual with an elongated lining bar or jack and a second individual with a plurality of wedges, typically made of wood. The first individual inserts one end of the lining bar or jack between the spring wing rail and the v-point and slowly pries the spring wing rail into an open position. The second individual then places the wedges in the gap formed between the spring wing rail and the v-point. However this method is difficult and quite dangerous. The risk of injury to either individual is substantial. Moreover, the wooden wedges frequently fail and are rarely reusable. 
   Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for opening and securing railroad frogs that may be safely and efficiently implemented by a single person. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a device for opening a railroad frog, where the railroad frog is provided with a frog fixed point, a laterally movable spring wing rail and a fixed wing rail. The device is generally comprised of a body member having first and second end portions. A first attachment member is operatively coupled with a first end portion of the body member and is shaped to releasably engage a portion of the spring wing rail. A second attachment member is operatively coupled with the second end portion of the body member and is shaped to releasably engage an anchoring member that is secured in a fixed position, spaced-apart from the spring wing rail. A tensioning mechanism is operatively coupled with the body member for selectively moving the first and second attachment members toward one another. Where the first attachment member is coupled to a portion of the spring wing rail and the second attachment member is coupled with the anchoring member, advancement of the first and second attachment members toward one another moves the spring wing rail into an open position. 
   The first attachment member is provided in different embodiments, enabling the device to be coupled with various structures that may be found along the spring wing rail, such as threaded bolts, shock mounts, and other common structural features. Likewise, the second attachment member is provided in various different structural embodiments that enable it to be coupled with various anchoring members, such as rails that are positioned opposite the spring wing rail, shock mounting brackets, and the like. The versatility of the various attachment member embodiments permit them to be interchanged with one another and incorporated in different pairings to fit virtually any railroad frog configuration encountered in the field. 
   The tensioning means is provided in various embodiments to enable a user to manually engage the device and draw the first and second attachment members toward one another. In one preferred embodiment, a lever manually actuates a pawl that incrementally advances along a ratchet assembly that is coupled with the body member. Actuation of the tensioning means rotates the body member, which is threadably coupled with at least one of the first and second attachment members, advancing the attachment members toward one another. 
   A plurality of wedge members are provided that may be disposed between a spring wing rail and the frog v-point once the spring wing rail is moved into an open position. A friction-enhancing material is disposed along the exterior surface of the wedge members to resist unintentional slipping between the wedge members and the rails. The wedge members provide additional security for ensuring that the spring wing rail is secured in an open position. 
   It is therefore a principle object of the present invention to provide a method and system for opening and securing a railroad frog. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manually opening a railroad frog, using a device that may be operated by a single person. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for opening and securing a railroad frog that is provided with a plurality of different attachments, enabling the device to be used with various railroad frogs having different structural features. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device for manually opening and securing a railroad frog that is sufficiently compact and lightweight so that the device may be easily and conveniently transported and used by a single individual. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a method and system for opening and securing a railroad frog that requires no structural alteration of the railroad frog or the adjacent rail components. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for safely opening and securing a railroad frog in a manner that permits the frog to be serviced and/or cleaned without first removing the device from the frog. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those having skill in the art. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of an intersection of two running rails, comprising a commonly structured railroad frog; 
       FIG. 2  is a partially exploded, isometric view of the railroad frog opening and securing device of the present invention and some of the preferred structural embodiments thereof; 
       FIG. 3  is an isometric view of one preferred embodiment of the railroad frog opening and securing device of the present invention as the same could be coupled with a railroad frog; 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of the railroad frog opening and securing device depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of the railroad frog opening and securing device of the present invention as it could be coupled with a railroad frog; and 
       FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of still another embodiment of the railroad frog opening and closing device of the present invention as the same could be coupled with a railroad frog. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments, reference is made to accompanying  FIGS. 1-6 , which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, however, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
   The system  10  for use in opening and securing a railroad frog is generally provided with a body member  12 , having a first end portion  14  and a second end portion  16 . In one preferred embodiment, the body member  12  is provided in the form of a generally rigid, elongated bar. However, several other structures may be substituted for the elongated bar without departing from the scope of the present invention. Some of these other structures are discussed in greater detail herein below. A first attachment member is coupled with the first end portion  14  of the body member  12 . Likewise, a second attachment member is coupled with the second end portion  16  of the body member  12 . Numerous different structural configurations are contemplated for use as the first and second attachment members. It will be important, however, that the first attachment member be shaped to releasably engage at least a portion of the frog spring wing rail  18 , such as a shock mount  20 , a threaded end portion of a bolt  22  that extends outwardly from the spring wing rail  18 , or another structural feature of the spring wing rail  18 . For example, where a frog was originally configured to have a shock  24  extending between a shock mount  20  and a shock bracket  26 , the first attachment member could be releasably coupled with an opening formed within the shock mount  20 . A shackle  28  or other similar structural member such as an open link, D-ring, or the like, will be well suited for engagement at one end with the shock mount  20  and at its opposite end to the body member  12 . An example of this arrangement is depicted in  FIG. 4 , wherein the pin of the shackle  28  is disposed through the shackle and is threadably secured thereto to prevent the unintentional release of the shackle  28  from the frog. 
   In another embodiment, the first attachment member could be shaped to have a nut  30 , or other similar, hollow, threaded structure, that may be threadably joined with a bolt  22  that extends outwardly from the spring wing rail  18 , such as that depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In another embodiment, the first attachment member may be provided in the form of a hook  32 , or other similar, angular structure. The hook  32  is well suited for engagement within an aperture in a shock mount  20  or engagement around at least a portion of a structural feature of the spring wing rail  18 . 
   It will be important that the second attachment member be shaped to releasably engage an anchoring member that is secured in a fixed position, spaced-apart from the spring wing rail  18 . One example of such an anchoring member is the shock bracket  26  depicted in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , which is typically secured to the frog base plate  34 . Much like the shock mount  20 , a typical shock bracket  26  will have an aperture formed therethrough. Accordingly, as with the first attachment member, a shackle  28  or other similarly configured structure is well suited for engagement with the aperture of the shock bracket  26 . 
   Another structure that is well suited to serve as the anchoring member will be an opposing rail  36  or a rigid guard rail  38 , positioned opposite the spring wing rail  18 . Where these rail members are to be used as the anchoring member, a hook  32  or other angular structural member is well suited for engagement around a flange or other similar structural feature of the opposing rail  36  or the guard rail  38 . A length of chain  40  may be used to couple an anchor engaging hook  32  with an attachment member hook  42 , positioned adjacent the body member  12 . The attachment member hook  32  can be provided in the form of other angular structures, D-rings, and other known linking devices. In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a length of the chain  40  or any structurally sound cord-like member could be used to extend from the attachment member hook  42 , around one of the opposing rail  36  or guard rail  38 , and then attached to itself using the hook  32  or linked directly to the attachment hook  42  without the use of hook  32 . 
   A tensioning means is operatively coupled with the body member  12  in a manner that selectively moves the first and second attachment members toward one another when the tensioning means is actuated. In one preferred embodiment, the tensioning member is comprised of a lever arm  44 , a pawl  46  and a ratchet assembly  48 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the lever arm  44  may be coupled with the tensioning means in a manner that permits the lever arm to be pivoted into a storage position that is generally parallel to the body member  12  and pivoted upwardly into a position for use that will be generally perpendicular to the body member  12 . Irrespective of its positioning, lever arm  44  is coupled with the pawl  46 , which is selectively engageable with the ratchet assembly  48 . The ratchet assembly  48  should be secured with the body member  12 , or an associated structure, in a manner that causes the body member  12  to rotate when the lever arm  44  is actuated. In one preferred embodiment, at least one of the first or second end portions of the body member  12  is shaped to threadably receive a portion of the first or second attachment member. One example of this is depicted in  FIG. 4 , where a nut  50  is secured to the second end portion  16  of the body member  12 . It can now be seen that rotation of the body member  12  and its associated nut  50  will advance the body member  12  upwardly along the threaded shaft extending outwardly from one end of the shackle  28 . This motion will draw the first and second attachment members toward one another, moving the spring wing rail  18  into an open position, as depicted in  FIG. 4 . Where only one attachment member is threadably secured with the body member  12 , it is contemplated that the opposite attachment member will be coupled with the body member  12  using a swivel or other such structure that permits free rotation of the attachment member with the body member  12 . However, in a preferred embodiment, the opposing attachment member is also threadably secured with the body member  12 , so that rotation of the body member  12  draws the first and second attachment members inwardly toward one another in a simultaneous fashion. 
   It is contemplated that other tensioning means could be employed with the present invention. For example, the body member  12  could be provided in the form of an elongated, flexible member, such as a chain or cord. In that situation, the tensioning means could be provided in the form of a simple winch assembly that is manually cranked to draw one end of the chain or cord member, attached to an attachment member, inwardly toward the opposite end of the body member  12  and its associated attachment member. Likewise, the tensioning means and the body member  12  could be provided in virtually any shape and constructed from a wide range of flexible, semi-rigid and rigid materials. Electric and manual versions of each different embodiment of tensioning means are contemplated. 
   The system  10  is preferably provided in a compact, lightweight and modular fashion that permits a single user to transport and use the same. In use, the system  10  will be adapted for the specific structural configuration of the railroad frog to be opened. For example,  FIG. 3  depicts a railroad frog that is missing a shock  24  that extends between a shock mount  20  and a shock bracket  26 . An individual may simply secure an appropriate first attachment member, such as a shackle  28 , to the first end portion  14  of the body member  12 . An appropriate second attachment member, such as a shackle  28 , is coupled with the second end portion  16  of the body member  12 . The positions of the first and second attachment members with respect to the body member  12  are adjusted until the first and second attachment members are easily coupled with the shock mount  20  and shock bracket  26 . Once the system  10  is secured in position, the tensioning means is simply actuated to advance the first and second attachment members toward one another, drawing the spring wing rail  18  into an open position. It will now be apparent that the use of a pawl  46  and ratchet assembly  48  provide a safe and incremental manner of opening the spring wing rail  18  that also resists its unintentional closure when the lever arm  44  is released. Accordingly, once the spring wing rail  18  is sufficiently spaced apart from the v-point  52 , the system  10  may simply be left in place to secure the spring wing rail  18  in its open position. Crews may then safely service or clean the frog without removing the system  10 . It should be clear that, when the frog has been serviced, releasing the pawl  46  will permit the first and second attachment members to advance away from one another and permit the spring wing rail  18  to move into a closed position. 
   There may be instances where the individual finds that the shock  24  is retained in its shock mount  20  and shock bracket  26  or that one of the shock mount  20  of shock bracket  26  is damaged or missing. In these instances, the different embodiments of attachment members may be used to accommodate available anchoring members and structural features along the spring wing rail  18 .  FIG. 5 , for example, depicts one attachment member that uses a nut  30 , disposed at one end of a threaded bolt member, to engage the threaded end of a bolt  22 , which protruded outwardly from the spring wing rail  18 .  FIG. 6  depicts an example where the second attachment member is provided in the form of an attachment member hook  42 , which may be coupled to the second end portion  16  of the body member  12  using a threaded eye bolt  54 . The attachment member hook  42  is secured to a length of chain  40  and possibly a hook  32 , which is operatively coupled to an opposing rail member in a manner similar to that described previously herein. Each of the attachment members are interchangeable with one another and may be provided in countless different pairings in order to accommodate the structural nature of the railroad frog presented. 
   As an added measure of security when securing the spring wing rail  18  in an open position, one or more blocks or wedges  56 , such as those depicted in  FIG. 2 , may be releasably disposed between the spring wing rail  18  and the v-point  22 . A rigid and durable material, such as steel and the like, should be used to fabricate the wedges  56 . However, it will be preferred that a friction enhancing material be disposed on the exterior surfaces of the wedges  56  that are positioned adjacent the rail members. The material selected may be of an advanced compound, such as those used for many spray-in truck bed liners, or may simply be a natural or synthetic rubber compound, adhesive, or the like. Regardless of the selected material, it should have characteristics that inhibit slipping between the wedges  56  and the rails. 
   In the drawings and in the specification, there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and although specific items are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and proportion of parts, as well as a substitution of equivalents, are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims. 
   Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.