Abstract:
A track/right of way maintenance and repair system including a loader car, implement car and refuse car for removal, pickup and transport of debris found along a railroad track. The loader car is hydraulically powered along the track and includes a hydraulic rotatable and pivotal segmented boom for releasably collecting debris, utilizing various implements as stored in the implement car. An operator cab is rotatable with the boom to allow for unobstructed viewing and is pivotal between functional and reduced profile positions to allow the loader car to pass underneath bridges, viaducts or the like. A hydraulic reservoir enables the system to be self powered including hydraulic motor propulsion, boom rotation, boom pivot and braking, cab tilt and implement power. The system allows for an efficient, contemporaneous debris removal, storage and transport to a dump site by one crew.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a railroad track and right of way maintenance and repair system, and more particularly, to a self-propelled vehicle capable of presenting a plurality of boom releasable implements for debris removal, pickup and transport along the rail tracks and right of way for dumping at a remote location.  
         [0002]     Various devices have been proposed for maintaining and repairing a railroad track and its right of way including devices having rail cleaning nozzles, leaf removal nozzles, spray nozzles and the like. These devices were either coupled to the train itself or were designed to move along the rails.  
         [0003]     Deficiencies were inherent with such devices as they were incapable of performing the multiplicity of track maintenance and repair tasks needed to be performed by various independent implements. Thus, such devices did not effectively address the removal, pickup and transport of the various types of debris found along and aside the tracks, inclusive of discarded ties, spikes, weeds, brush etc.  
         [0004]     In response thereto, a track/right of way maintenance and repair system presents a self-propelled loader car with a boom thereon, the boom being pivotable and rotatable to a plurality of positions along and aside the track. An implement car coupled to the loader car, stores a plurality of implements for transport, with each implement being releasably attached to the boom according to the job at hand, such as a grappler/claw, brush-cutter, backhoe, and magnet for metal debris pickup. A refuse car is coupled to the loader car for debris storage, transport and deposit. The loader car contains a hydraulic system for a plurality of functions e.g., cab propulsion, braking, boom manipulation, cab tilt and implement power.  
         [0005]     It is therefore a general object of this invention to provide self propelled track/right of way maintenance and repair system which can perform a multiplicity of debris removal tasks as well as debris pickup and transport.  
         [0006]     A further object of this invention is to provide a system, as aforesaid, which presents a self-propelled loader car having a universal boom assembly.  
         [0007]     Another object of this invention is to provide a system, as aforesaid, having an implement car and/or a refuse car, coupled to the self-propelled loader car.  
         [0008]     A further object of this invention is to provide a system, as aforesaid, which has a hydraulic system for powering the various functions associated with the loader, implement and refuse cars.  
         [0009]     A more particular object of this invention is to provide a system, as aforesaid, wherein the boom is rotatable and/or pivotable relative to the track to enhance debris removal and pickup therealong.  
         [0010]     Another object of this invention is to provide a boom, as aforesaid, wherein the refuse car is moveable between debris loading and refuse dumping positions.  
         [0011]     A particular object of this invention is to provide an operator cab on the loader car which is moveable through normal operating and transport profiles to enable the loader car to pass under bridges, viaducts or the like.  
         [0012]     Another object of this invention is to provide a hydraulic braking system for the various cars which will engage the brakes upon a loss of hydraulic power.  
         [0013]     Another particular object of this invention is to provide a boom assembly which provides hydraulic and/or electric power to the implements to be attached thereto.  
         [0014]     Other advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, a now preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the loader car and implement car of the track/right of way maintenance and repair system, the bed of the implement car being removed to enhance illustration;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a partial view of the loader car frame with the wheel axle assembly exploded therefrom, the cab and boom assemblies being removed therefrom to enhance illustration;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a partial view of the implement car with a portion of the axle assembly exploded therefrom;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is another perspective view of the frame of the loader car with the cab and boom assemblies being removed to enhance illustration;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a view showing one form of the hydraulic motor and chain drive assembly for propelling the loader car;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view showing the hydraulic motor and chain drive assemblies in a preferred medial location on the loader car;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a side view showing the  FIG. 5A  loader car on an enlarged scale;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is a front view primarily showing the hydraulic propulsion system for the loader car;  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is a top view showing the  FIG. 5A  loader car on an enlarged scale;  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a view showing a portion of the turntable assembly for rotating the cab of the loader car and the pivotal mounting structure for the boom assembly;  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic view of a portion of one form of the hydraulic system for loader car propulsion;  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  is a diagrammatic layout of one form of the hydraulic system;  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the jib of the boom assembly.  
         [0028]      FIG. 13  is a view showing the grappler implement for attachment to the jib assembly;  
         [0029]      FIG. 14  is a series of diagrammatic views showing the dumping actions of the refuse car;  
         [0030]      FIG. 15  is a view showing the support frame for the operator cab;  
         [0031]      FIG. 16  is a fragmentary front view of the operator cab;  
         [0032]      FIG. 17  is a fragmentary side view of the operator cab; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 18  is an exploded view of a swing arm assembly of a braking system;  
         [0034]      FIG. 19  is an exploded view of the brake spring barrel of a braking system;  
         [0035]      FIG. 20  is an exploded view of the brake pad hanger assembly of a braking system.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]     Turning more particularly to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates the loader car  1000  and the coupled  1100  implement  2000  of the new preferred embodiment of the track/right of way maintenance and repair system.  FIG. 14  diagrammatically illustrates the refuse car  3000  which is coupled to the opposed end of the loader car  1000 .  
         [0037]     The loader car  1000  includes a main frame  200  designed to support a cab supporting platform  350  mounted to a turntable  300 . Mounted atop the turntable  300  is a pivotable boom assembly  400 . Operator control of the turntable  300  and boom assembly  400  pivots and rotates the boom assembly  400  relative to the frame  200 . A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic motor  902  for propelling the loader car  1000  via a chain drive assembly  904  ( FIG. 5 ) as well as various lines, valves, controls and the like to rotate the turntable  300 , pivot the boom assembly  400 , rotate and tilt the cab  500 , operate the braking systems of the various cars  1000 ,  2000 ,  3000  and power the selectable implements releasably connected to the boom assembly  400  e.g., the grappler  1400  ( FIG. 13 ).  
         [0038]     The frame  200  includes an assembly of support beams and struts which present a generally rectangular frame moveable by a wheel axle assembly  250  ( FIG. 2 ). Assembly  250  includes wheels  260  at the axle  262  ends which are spaced to engage the track rails. Front and rear brake assemblies  600  as to be subsequently described as provided.  
         [0039]     Attached to the frame  200  in front of turntable  300  is the hydraulic motor  902  assembly for loader car  1000  propulsion. (It is noted that this assembly is preferably mounted to the frame  200  location as shown in FIGS.  5 A,  6 - 9  as opposed to the rear side mount  9001  shown in  FIGS. 1, 4 ). The assembly  902  includes a motor housing mounting plate  901  with cover  911  for the hydraulic motor  902 . One form of the drive train is as shown in  FIG. 5  wherein motor  902  presents a shaft  903  for engaging an upper sprocket  904 . A triple chain  905  is wound about the upper  904  and lower  906  sprockets. The sprocket  906  presents a key  907  which engages to spline  265  along the axle  262  ( FIG. 7 ). As shown in  FIG. 2 a  spline shaft  263  and hub axle adapter  265  may be used in the  FIG. 1  side mount version. Accordingly, hydraulic operation of motor  902  rotates sprocket  904  which chain drives the sprocket  906  and axle  262  coupled thereto.  
         [0040]     One form of the fluid flow for the motor  902  operation as shown in  FIGS. 10 , in which hydraulic lines  907 , 909  are directed to motor  902  according to the direction of propulsion such lines extending from a fluid manifold  910 ′.  FIG. 11  further shows a drive block  910  which directs pressurized fluid lines  907 ′,  909 ′ to motor  902 . Fluid overflow is directed to reservoir  952  via line  915 . It is understood that various flow connections may be used to direct flow to motor  902  according to whether a forward or reverse direction is required.  
         [0041]     Mounted atop the frame  200  is a turntable assembly  300  for rotation of the cab assembly  500  and boom assembly  400  attached thereto. A pair of side riser plates  280  is attached to the frame  200  with horizontal support structure  282  extending therebetween. Atop structure  282  is a mounting plate  284  having a riser ring  286  thereon ( FIG. 2 ). Atop ring  286  is mounted a lower bearing plate  288 , with a lower filler plate  290  and stop plate  291  presenting an annular channel therein ( FIG. 8 ).  
         [0042]     As shown in  FIG. 9  the turntable assembly further presents a plate  302  mounted atop lower bearing plate  288 . The turntable presents a depending wall  292  with a toothed  305  aperture  304  therein. Upon placement of plate  302  atop plate  288 , teeth  305  are spaced from teeth  295  which surround the circumference of lower plate  288 . Atop the bearing turntable plate  302  is a boom mounting structure including a pair of vertical sidewalls  306 ,  308  with a vertical wall  307  extending therebetween.  
         [0043]     The base plate  302  includes an aperture  310  for extension of a swing motor  320  driven gear box  312  therethrough such that the splined shaft  314  meshes with the spaced apart teeth  295 ,  305 . Gear box  312  is driven by a hydraulic motor  320  coupled to the hydraulic system. Thus, the riser  292 /plate  302  combination rotates relative to the lower bearing plate  288  upon delivery of fluid to motor  320 . The delivery and return of hydraulic fluid via hydraulic lines, relative to motor  320 , is left to the discretion of those skilled in the art ranging between a simple direct delivery system and lines  919 ,  921  directed to the swing motor  920  from an upstream manifold  925  provided with pressurized fluid via line  930  ( FIG. 11 ).  
         [0044]     Attached to the vertical walls  306 ,  308  on base plate  302  by welding or bolts is a horizontal platform  350  for supporting the hydraulic tank  952  and cab assembly  500  thereon. The hydraulic tank  952  and cab assembly  500  further function as a counterweight to the weight of the boom assembly  400  as subsequentially described. Accordingly, as the turntable  300  rotates, the platform  350  and structure thereon will travel with the turntable  300 .  
         [0045]     The cab assembly  500  includes a rectangular frame  510  secured to a raised corner of platform  350  ( FIG. 15 ). The frame includes a pair of sidewalls  512 , front wall  514  and rear wall  516 . A hinge  518  attached to sidewall  512  supports a piston/cylinder  520  with the piston free end  522  attached to a bracket  524  extending from a front wall strut  534  of the main cab ( FIG. 17 ).  
         [0046]     Further attached to the sidewalls  512  are a pair of brackets  526  for the ends of a pivot rod  528  which extends through the bottom of slats  532  of the cab at the lower front edge  532  thereof.  
         [0047]     The cab  500  has a bottom wall adapted to rest atop the cab frame  510 . The front wall of cab  500  comprises the plurality of spaced vertical slats  532  which allows unimpaired vision but preclude large pieces of debris from entering the cab  500 . The cab  500  includes a seat for the operator as well as operator controls for the various hydraulic systems e.g., shown in  FIG. 11 . The hydraulic system  900  includes means for extension and extraction of the piston  920 . One form is as shown in  FIG. 11  via lines  925 ,  927 . As the piston arm  920  is retracted the cab is forwardly rotated about the rod  528  at its front edge  532 . This tilting action presents a lower cab profile to allow the loader car to pass underneath bridges, viaducts, etc. during transport.  
         [0048]     Attached to the turntable assembly  300  is boom assembly  400  including the main boom arm  420  and jib  450 . The end of the main boom  420  is pivotally attached about pin  307  extending between the vertical sidewalls  306 ,  308  of the head assembly. Extending between the sidewalls  306 ,  308  and main boom arm  420  is a first piston/cylinder combination  922  for regulating the pivotal movement of the main boom arm  420 . One end of the piston/cylinder  922  is attached between sidewalls  306 ,  308  by means of pin  309  extending through bracket  310 . The opposed end of piston end is attached between depending walls  421  of the main boom  420 .  
         [0049]     Pivotally attached to the end of the main boom arm  420  about pin  452  is the jib  450  ( FIG. 12 ). A lift piston/cylinder  952  combination extends between the main boom arm  420  and jib  450  to regulate pivotal movement therebetween. The end of jib  450  presents ears  460  for attachment to an implement upon extension of one or more mounting pins/nut combinations  462 ,  463  between the jib ears  460  and complimentary ears  1460  found on the selected implement such as the ears  1460  shown on the grappler assembly  1400  in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0050]     Extending along the main boom  420  and jib  450  are a serious of hydraulic inlet  970  and return hoses  972  which present releasable couplings  973  so as to communicate with upstream hydraulic fluid hoses in communication with the reservoir  952 . Couplings  974  at the opposed hose end connect with complementary hoses associated with the implement mounted at the end of the jib  450 . These hoses provide hydraulic flow to the pistol/cylinder combinations  1420  shown in  FIG. 14  so as to operate the grapple arms  1440 . Additionally, such lines  970 , 972  can communicate with similar piston/cylinder combinations or hydraulic motors found in other implements so as to operate the same.  
         [0051]     Also, as shown, in  FIG. 12 , an electrical line  480  may be extended from an onboard generator on the frame  200  along the main boom  420  and jib  450  so as to deliver current used for energization of a selected implement, e.g., a magnet assembly which is one implement that can be stored in the implement car  2000  and selectably mounted to the end of the jib  450 .  
         [0052]     In use, the various implements are stored in the implement car  2000  awaiting a releasable attachment to the end of the jib  450 . (It is noted that the railroad tie floor of the implement car  2000  has been omitted for purposes of illustration but comprises a series of railroad ties extending between the side rails  2100 ).  
         [0053]     Operation of the hydraulic system  900  enables the operator to rotate the turntable  300  and operate piston/cylinder combinations  922 , 952  so as to place the end of the jib  450  approximate the end of the selected implement such as the shown grappler assembly  1400 . Upon attachment of the implement thereto, such as by extension of the pin through the ears  1460  of the grappler and the jib ears  460  the appropriate hydraulic lines  970 ,  972  are connected to the piston/cylinder combinations of the implement to as to provide hydraulic flow thereto. (In some cases the lines may be connected to a hydraulic motor found in the implement or the electric line  480  needs to be connected such as to a magnet assembly). The operator then rotates the turntable  300  and pivot the boom head assembly  400  so as to place the implement at an appropriate position along or aside the track so as to collect the desired refuse or otherwise power the implement e.g., as a brush cutter or back hoe. Upon powering the hydraulic motor  902 , the loader car  1000  with the implement  2000  and refuse car  3000  coupled thereto, can be moved up and down along the track so that a plurality of appropriate implements can perform their functions along the length of track which is to be maintained. The operator can then manipulate the turntable and boom assemblies so as to deposit the grappled debris in the refuse car  3000 . Ultimately, as diagrammatically shown in  FIG. 14 , the refuse car  3000  can be hydraulically tilted by operator controlled piston/cylinder combinations  990  so as to dump the collected refuse at the appropriate refuse site. As such, one crew can perform a plurality of functions which eliminates the need for one crew to remove the debris from along the rail, e.g. brush, and a second crew to return later to pickup and cart away the brush debris.  
         [0054]     Various forms of the hydraulic system  900  can be designed so as to deliver and return hydraulic fluid to the various hydraulic motors and/or hydraulic piston/cylinder combinations. As shown in  FIG. 11  the system may include hydraulic pumps  935  to deliver pressurized fluid to manifolds  910 ,  914 ,  915 . Thus, the operator can selectably deliver fluid for the implement, e.g., the grappler, the turntable  300 , main boom  420 , jib  450 , the braking systems  600  and the drive motor  902 . It is understood that those skilled in the art can arrive at various fluid flow layouts to provide fluid delivery and control of fluid to the above assemblies. Thus, the invention is adapted for use with various hydraulic flow designs.  
         [0055]     Hydraulically controlled braking assemblies  600  are associated with the wheels of cars  1000 ,  2000 ,  3000 , as shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  and  FIGS. 18-20 . Included therein are hydraulic brake cylinders  610  which are coupled to a spring barrel assembly  620  as shown in  FIG. 19 . This assembly  620  includes a tube  622  supported by plate  624  and a guide shaft plate  626 . Within the tube  622  is a spring  609  shaft  628  with one end coupled to the brake cylinder  610  and the other end coupled to the swing arm assembly  660 ′ ( FIG. 18 ).  
         [0056]     The swing arm assemblies  660  are supported by channels  662  connected to frame  200  and includes a swing arm housing  661  pivotally mounted to channel  662  by pivot bracket  663 . A linkage rod  666  passes through housing  661 . One end of arm  666  is pivotally connected to housing by the pivot lug assembly  669 . Likewise arm  666  presents a bracket assembly  668  for connection to the brake support structure  692 .  
         [0057]     Bracket  668  is connected to support structure  692  having struts  694  extending to a brake support beam  698 . At the end of beam  698  are mounted the brake hanger assemblies  699  including pads  697  as shown in  FIG. 20 .  
         [0058]     In operation a hydraulic fluid delivered to cylinder  610  moves the shaft  628  which is coupled to the swing arm assembly  660 . This movement is transferred along linkage rod  666  and ultimately to beam  698  so as to direct the brake hanger assemblies  999  against the wheels  260 .  
         [0059]     As a fail safe, the absence of hydraulic fluid within brake cylinder  610  allows the spring  609  to return to its normal position. This spring action will likewise move the shaft  628 , swing arm assemblies  660  and ultimately the brake assemblies  990  linked thereto against the wheels  260 .  
         [0060]     Again it is understood that such hydraulic brakes are operator controlled one such form being showing in the  FIG. 11  layout at  960 .  
         [0061]     Although a now preferred embodiment of the invention has above been shown it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof. 
        Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as follows: