Abstract:
A device for lubricating a track or a rail that is adapted to be mounted tog wheeled vehicle. The device includes a frame member adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and an arm pivotally attached to the frame member. A roller, which is adapted to ride on the rail, mounts to the arm. A lubricating nozzle is secured to the arm.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a device for lubricating railroad rails which is mountable to a track vehicle. 
     2) Description of the Prior Art 
     It has long been the practice to apply grease, friction modifying materials or similar gel-like lubricants to the sides of rails at curves, switches and other parts of the railroad track. Such materials are applied to the sides of the rail to reduce the friction which occurs as the flanges of the train&#39;s wheels contact the sides of the rail. Lubricants and/or friction controlling gels are also applied to the top of the rail. The friction reduction results in reduction of wear of both the rail and the wheels and reduces fuel consumption of the locomotion of the train and reduces squealing noises. 
     Devices for lubricating rails are already known, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,814. Typically, these devices for lubricating rails are mounted on a track vehicle, such as a pickup truck equipped with additional flanged wheels. The lubricating nozzle of the device is secured to a rail gear mounted to a truck body. 
     As shown in FIG. 1A, preferably, devices for lubricating rails should direct lubricants  1  and  2  along a straight line at a constant fixed distance as measured from a head of a rail  3  and along a straight line at the top of the head. However, due to the suspension of the track vehicle and the varying weight of the vehicle due to varying loads, the positions of the lubricants  1 ′ and  2 ′ vary on the rail  3 ′ as shown in FIG.  1 B. These varying positions of the lubricants can cause excessive waste, inefficient lubricant use and locomotion traction problems if the lubricant is mistakenly placed on the top of the rails. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for lubricating a rail that can accurately apply lubricant and/or friction modifying material to a rail. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a device for lubricating a rail that includes a mounting frame, a first support frame, a roller and a lubricating nozzle. The first support frame includes a first end and a second end. The second end is pivotally secured to the mounting frame. The roller is rotatably secured to the first end of the first support frame and is adapted to ride on a rail. The roller is adapted to rotate about a first axis relative to the first support frame. The lubricating nozzle is mounted to the first support frame for directing lubricant toward a rail. 
     The device for lubricating a rail can further include a biasing member having two ends, one end mounted to the mounting frame and the other end mounted to the support frame. The biasing member assists in maintaining the support frame in a first position and a second position. The first position maintains the roller in an engaged position with a rail and the second position maintains the roller in a disengaged position. The biasing member can include a gas charged chamber and a piston slidably received by the chamber, where the piston is biased relative to the chamber. 
     The roller can include a tapered surface defining a recess adapted to receive a portion of the rail. The tapered surface can include a first tapered surface spaced apart from a second tapered surface. The first tapered surface may be dissimilar from the second surface. 
     Preferably, the first tapered surface and the second tapered surface are frusto-conical shaped and have differing base diameters. More preferably, the roller is made of an electrically insulating material. 
     Preferably, the first support frame is pivotally secured to the mounting frame and pivots about a second axis parallel to the first axis. Alternatively, the first support frame may be secured to the mounting frame to pivot about a second axis which is not parallel to the first axis. The mounting frame can include a pivot bracket pivotably secured to a mounting bracket frame. The second end of the first support frame is pivotably secured to the pivot bracket. The pivot bracket in the first support frame pivots about a second axis relative to the mounting bracket frame and the first support frame pivots about a third axis relative to the pivot bracket, wherein the first axis and third axis are parallel to each other and the second axis is not parallel to the first axis and the third 
     A stop may be secured to one of the mounting bracket frames and the pivot bracket. The stop is adapted to contact the other of the pivot bracket and the mounting bracket frame to limit pivotal movement of the pivot bracket relative to the mounting bracket frame. The stop is adjustable to limit pivotal movement of the pivot bracket relative to the mounting bracket frame. The stop may be a threaded member threadably received by the pivot bracket. 
     The present invention may also include a second lubricating nozzle mounted to the first support frame for directing a lubricant toward a rail. One of the nozzles is arranged to direct lubricant toward the top portion of the rail and the other of the lubricating nozzles arranged to direct a lubricant toward a side portion or gage face of the rail. Preferably, the first support frame includes two spaced apart arms wherein the roller is positioned between the arms. The present invention may further include a centering spring having two ends, one end secured to the mounting bracket frame and the other end mounted to the pivot bracket. The centering spring may be a torsional spring. 
     The present invention may further include a bumper to which the mounting frame is secured. A second mounting frame may be secured to the bumper. A second support frame is secured to the second mounting frame. A roller is rotatably secured to the second support frame and a lubricating nozzle is mounted to the second support frame for directing lubricant toward a rail, wherein the mounting frames are spaced apart from each other. 
     The present invention is also a combination that includes the above-described device for lubricating the rail and a wheeled vehicle having a bumper, wherein the device for lubricating the rail is mounted to the bumper. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a rail with a lubricant applied to a rail in a uniform manner; 
     FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a rail with a lubricant applied to the rail in a non-uniform manner; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevation of a device for lubricating a rail made in accordance with the present invention, which is attached to a pickup truck; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of the device for lubricating a rail made in accordance with the present invention, which is attached to a bumper of the pickup truck shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an elevation of the bumper shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the device for lubricating a rail shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 6 is an elevation of the device shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a nozzle shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another nozzle shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 9 is an elevation of the nozzles shown in FIGS. 7 and 8; 
     FIG. 10 is an elevation of a roller of the device for lubricating a rail shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of a mounting bracket frame made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a side elevation of the mounting bracket frame shown in FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is an end elevation of the mounting bracket frame shown in FIGS. 11 and 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a plan view of a pivot bracket frame of the device for lubricating a rail shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 15 is a side elevation of the pivot bracket shown in FIG. 14; 
     FIG. 16 is an end elevation view of the pivot bracket shown in FIGS. 14 and 15; 
     FIG. 17 is an elevation of the device for lubricating a rail in a first or engaged position; 
     FIG. 18 is an elevation view of the device for lubricating a rail in a second or intermediate position; 
     FIG. 19 is an elevation of the device for lubricating a rail in a third or disengaged position; 
     FIGS. 19A-19D show another embodiment of the present invention that includes a flanged wheel and tension spring; 
     FIG. 20 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a rail lubricator made in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 21 is an elevation of the rail lubricator shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 22 is an elevation of the rail lubricator shown in FIG. 20 engaged with a rail; 
     FIG. 23 is a top plan view of a portion of the rail lubricator shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 24 is an elevation of the portion of the rail lubricator shown in FIG. 23; 
     FIG. 25 is an elevation of a mounting channel of the rail lubricator shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 26 is a top plan view of another embodiment; and 
     FIG. 27 is an elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  26 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 2 shows a pickup truck  4  engaged with rails  3  (of which only one rail  3  is shown) via rail gears  5 . Rail gears  5  are known in the art and include, respectively, arms  6  and guide wheels  7  pivotally secured thereto. The arms  6  are secured to the pickup truck  4 . The pickup truck  4  also includes a friction modifier supply  8 , which supplies a friction modifying material to two spaced apart rail lubricators  10  or devices for lubricating rails, made in accordance with the present invention. Each rail lubricator  10  is secured to a bumper  12  of the pickup truck  4 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the rail lubricators  10  are spaced apart a distance X and engage respective spaced apart rails  3 . The rail lubricators  10  are secured by fasteners to the bumper  12 . The fasteners, such as threaded bolts and nuts, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, pass through respective slots  14  as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 5-9, each rail lubricator  10  includes a frame or support frame  16  that is made up of two spaced apart parallel arms  18  and  20  secured to each other through a cross member  22 . A roller  24 , as shown in FIGS. 5,  6  and  10 , is rotatably secured to the arms  18  and  20  through a shaft  26  and bearings  28  positioned at a first end  30  of the rail lubricator frame  16 . The roller  24  is adapted to rotate about an axis  31  relative to the frame  16  and is positioned between the arms  18  and  20 . 
     A nozzle assembly  32  is also secured to the first end  30  of the frame  16 . The nozzle assembly  32  is adapted to direct friction modifying materials toward a respective rail  3 . The nozzle assembly  32  includes a bracket  33  secured to the frame  16  at arms  18  and  20 . Nozzles  34  and  36  are secured to the bracket  33  and are adapted to direct friction modifying material to the top portion of the rail and side portion of the rail, respectively. Each nozzle  34  and  36  includes adjustment brackets  37 A and  37 B that are secured to the bracket  33  via threaded bolts. Slots are defined in brackets  37 A and  37 B for adjustment of the nozzles  34  and  36  relative to each other. A pin  38  is removably received by the shaft  26  to enable removal of the roller  24  from the frame  16 . Specifically, the pin  38  can be removed from the frame to permit removal of the shaft  26  from the frame  16 , thereby permitting the roller  24  to be removed from the frame  16 . Hoses  40  are secured to nozzles  34  and  36  for supplying the nozzles with friction modifying material. By friction modifying material, it is meant to include both friction increasing material or friction reducing material. Further, it is to be understood that different types of friction modifying materials can be supplied to each nozzle  34  and  36 . 
     A second end  41  of the frame  16  is pivotably secured to a pivot frame or mounting frame  42 . As shown in FIGS. 11-16, the pivot frame  42  includes a mounting bracket frame  44  and a pivot bracket  46  pivotally mounted to the mounting bracket frame  44 . The pivot bracket  46 , as shown in FIGS. 14-16, includes plates  48  and  50  secured to side plates  52  and  54 . Plates  48  and  50  and side plates  52  and  54  are secured to a backplate  56 . Two oppositely positioned stops  58  and  60 , which are threaded fasteners, are threadably secured to the backplate  56 . 
     The mounting bracket frame  44 , as shown in FIGS. 11-13, includes an upper plate  62  spaced apart from a lower plate  64 , which are secured to a rear plate  66 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a shaft  68  extending along a Y-axis, passes through the plates  48 ,  50 ,  54  and  64 . Bearings  70  and  72  pivotally receive the shaft  68  and are secured to plates  48  and  50  and include lips  73 A and  73 B. A hair pin  71  removably secures the shaft  68  in place. The bearings  70  and  72  are made of an electrically insulating material. In this arrangement, the pivot bracket  46  and mounting bracket frame  44  can pivot relative to each other about the Y-axis. Tabs T are provided at the second end  41  of the frame  16  on respective arms  18  and  20 . A pivot pin  74  passes through the tabs T and the plates  52  and  54 . Specifically, bearings  76  and  78  are received by plates  52  and  54  and the pivot pin  74  passes through the bearings  76  and  78 . This arrangement permits the frame  16  to pivot about a Z-axis passing through the pivot pin  74  relative to the pivot frame  42 , which is parallel to the axis  31 . The Z-axis and the axis  31  are perpendicular and not parallel to the Y-axis. Hairpins  80  and  92  are received by the pivot pin  74  to permit removal of the pivot pin  74  from the pivot frame  42 . Preferably, the bearings  76  and  78  are made of an electrically insulating material to electrically insulate the pivot frame  16  from the mounting bracket frame  46 . 
     Lock pins  81  and  82  are provided and removably securable to tabs provided on plates  52  and  54 . The tabs are positioned at the end of the lanyard  90 . Bolts pass through tabs and holes defined in plates  52  and  54 . The bolts are secured with flat washers, lock washers and nuts. The lock pins  81  and  82  are adapted to be removed from the tabs defined on plates  52  and  54 , so that holes  83 A and  83 B provided in the arms  18  and  20 , can be aligned with respective holes defined in the tabs of plates  52  and  54  and the lock pins  81  and  82  can be passed through the holes  83 A and  83 B and those provided in the tabs of plates  52  and  54  to maintain the frame  16  in a disengaged position as shown in FIG.  19 . 
     Gas springs or biasing members  84  and  86  are secured between the opposite ends of respective arms  18  and  20 . Opposite ends of the gas springs  84  and  86  are pivotally secured to the plates  52  and  54  and arms  18  and  20 . Each of the gas springs  84  and  86  includes a piston slidably received by a gas charged chamber, which are well known in the art. The piston is biased relative to the chamber. Each gas spring  84  and  86  also includes ball members  88  defined on the chamber and piston which are received by respective receiving members  89  to permit the pivotal movement. Each of the lock pins  81  and  82  are also secured to the respective plates  52  and  54  through a lanyard  90 . Preferably, handles  110  are secured to arms  18  and  20 . 
     Referring back to FIG. 10, preferably the roller  24  is made of an electrically insulating material such as uhmw polyethylene. The roller  24  includes a roller surface  94  that includes a first tapered surface  96  spaced apart from a second tapered surface  98 . A cylindrical surface  100  is positioned between the first tapered surface  96  and the second tapered surface  98 . A recess  102  is defined between the first tapered surface  96 , the second tapered surface  98  and the cylindrical surface  100 . The roller  24  is adapted to contact the top portion  3 A of the rail  3  on the first tapered surface  96  and second tapered surface  98  within the recess  102 . The tapered surfaces  96  and  98  permit alignment of the roller  24  with the rail  3 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 10, the tapered surfaces  96  and  98  are dissimilar. Specifically, the tapered surfaces  96  and  98  are frusto-conical in shape having the same interior smaller diameters d and d′ but differing larger exterior base diameters D and D′. Preferably, the larger base diameter tapered surface D′ is positioned along the inner surfaces I of the rail  3 . The roller  24  also includes cylindrical portions C and C′ which are positioned adjacent tapered portions  96  and  98 . 
     The operation of the rail lubricator device  10  will now be discussed. First, the bumper  12  is secured to the pickup truck  4 . Two rail lubricators  10  are spaced apart and secured to the bumper (preferably at the rear of the pickup truck  4 ) through bolts passing through the rear plate  66  of the mounting bracket frame  44  and the slots  14  and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The rail lubricators  10  can be slightly adjusted on the bumper  12  through tolerances of the respective slots  14  so that the rollers  24  are positioned directly above respective rails  3 . Once the rail lubricators  10  are secured to the bumper  12  via the bolts, then a rail lubricator arrangement  200  is formed. 
     The gas springs  84  and  86  are configured so as to apply pushing force P against the arms  18  and  20 , as shown in FIG.  6 . This will cause the frames  16  to be pushed downwardly toward the rail  3 , as shown in FIG. 17, in a first or engaged position  104 . In the first or engaged position  104 , the rollers  24  engage with the rail  3  and the gas springs  84  and  86  apply a downward force P against the frame  16  so as to maintain the rollers  24  in engagement with the rails. The rail lubricators  10  can then be activated by applying pressure, via a pump to the friction modifier supply  8  so as to supply friction modifying material to nozzles  34  and  36 , whereby friction modifying material can be applied to the top or side of the rail  3  or both. The gas springs  84  and  86  also assist in maintaining the rollers  24  in engagement should rollers  24  engage a bump or inconsistency on the rail  3 . Further, the pivot frame  42  permits the frame  16  to rotate about the shaft  68  (and the Y-axis) so as to permit the roller  24  to turn as the track weaves and bends. 
     After lubrication is complete, an operator may grab the handles  110  and pivot the frames  16  about the pivot pin  74  (and about the Z-axis) to first a second or intermediate position  106  and then to a third or disengaged position  108 , which is a position disengaged from the rail, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, respectively. Due to the arrangement of the gas springs  84  and  86  known as an over the center arrangement, the frame  16  is maintained in the disengaged position  108  because the gas springs  84  and  86  again apply a pushing force P toward the frame  16 . The pickup truck  4  can now continue either on the rails  3  or on the road without the lubricators  10  engaged with the rails  3 . This arrangement will prolong the life of the rollers  24 . Further, preferably, the frame  16  maintains the disengaged position  108  by placing the lock pins  81  and  82  through the holes  83 A and  83 B and the holes defined in the tabs of plates  52  and  54 . When the lubricators  10  are to be engaged with the rails  3 , then the lock pins  81  and  82  are removed and the operator moves the frame  16  from the disengaged third position  108  to the first position  104  via the handles  110 . 
     The present invention results in lubricant applied accurately to the rails  3 . The use of the gas springs permits proper engagement of the rollers  24  with the rails  3  and applies a pushing force P against the frames  16  so as to maintain the rollers  24  engagement with the rails  3 . Further, the arrangement of the gas springs  84  and  86  permit the frame to be maintained in a disengaged position  108  as well as the engaged position  104 . Finally, the pivot frame  42  permits the frames  16  to pivot when the pickup truck  4  makes turns on the rails  3  resulting in improved performance of the lubricators  10  and results in minimum wear of the rollers  24 . Alternatively, extension springs can be provided in lieu of the gas springs  84  and  86 . 
     An optional centering spring such as a torsional spring S, shown in phantom, may be provided and have one end secured between the face plate  48  and another end secured to the upper plate  62  so that the pivot bracket  46  can be maintained in a central or straight position as shown in FIG.  5 . In this manner, a rotational force or torsional force will be applied to the pivot bracket  46 , and in turn the frame  16 , should the pivot bracket  46  pivot or move from the central or straight position. This will minimize the tendency of the roller  24  to leave the rails  3  due to sharp turns of the rails  3 . Alternatively, a standard flanged rail wheel can be provided in lieu of the roller  24  and an extension spring Q, shown in phantom in FIG. 5, can be provided secured to plates  56  and  66  so as to abut the flange against the rail  3 . FIGS. 19A-19C show such a flanged wheel F and FIG. 19D shows the extension spring Q. Finally, the stops  58  and  60  are threaded members, which are threadably adjustable to limit the pivotable movement of the pivot bracket  46  relative to the mounting bracket frame  44 . Should the pivot bracket  46  rotate above a fixed value, the stops  58  and  60  will contact rear plate  64  preventing additional rotation about the shaft  68 . Alternatively, the stops  58  and  60  could be provided on the rear plate  64  to contact the pivot bracket  46  to limit rotation. 
     FIGS. 20-25 show a second embodiment of rail lubricator  200  made in accordance with the present invention. The rail lubricator  200  is similar to the rail lubricator  10 , except for the below noted differences. Like reference numerals will be used for like parts. Handles  210  are positioned closer to the first end  30  of the frame  16  of the rail lubricator  200  than the rail lubricator  10 . 
     The rail lubricator  200  includes a nozzle assembly  220  that differs from the nozzle assembly  32  of the rail lubricator  10 . Specifically, the nozzle assembly  220  includes two extension channels  222  extending forwardly from the arms  18  and  20 . A bar stock  224  is secured to the channels  222 . A clamp mounting channel  226  is secured to the bar stock  224 . A nozzle clamp  228  is slidably received by the clamp mounting channel  226 . Such an arrangement is manufactured by Stauff Corporation of 7WM Demerest Pl., Waldick, N.J. 07463, U.S.A. A nozzle  230  is secured to the nozzle clamp  228 . The position of the nozzle  230  relative to the rail  3  is adjusted by sliding the nozzle clamp  228  in the mounting channel  226 . 
     A further difference between the rail lubricator  200  and rail lubricator  10  is the inclusion of a stiffening brace  232  secured to the arms  18  and  20 . Furthermore, tabs T are eliminated in the rail lubricator  200 . 
     FIGS. 26 and 27 show another arrangement of a rail lubricator  300  that incorporates the features of the rail lubricator  200  except that it can swivel about the Y-axis with the lubricator in a horizontal position, such as shown in FIG. 27, and moved in a stowed position, substantially parallel to a tail gate or bumper of a vehicle. In this arrangement, the bumper  12  extends along an axis A and the frame  16  is adapted to be pivoted about the second end so that the frame  16  extends along an axis B parallel to the axis A. The bumper  12  extends along so that the frame  16  is in a stowed position. A removable pin P is provided for coacting with the mounting frame  46  and the frame  16  to maintain the frame  16  in the stowed position. 
     Having described the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that it may otherwise be embodied within the scope of the appended claims.