Patent Publication Number: US-7721373-B1

Title: Railroad flangeway cleaner system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not applicable to this application. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable to this application. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to cleaning devices and more specifically it relates to a railroad flangeway cleaner system for efficiently clearing debris and other foreign material from a railroad flangeway or other similar channel. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
   Cleaning devices have been in use for years. Typically, cleaning devices include many various apparatuses (i.e. brooms, shovels, automatic sweepers, etc.). Railroad flangeways are generally channels in-between the rails of the railroad track and the road. The flangeways are generally located where the road crosses the railroad tracks. These channels are generally of a small width (i.e. 2-3 inches) and small depth (i.e. 2-3 inches). Over time the flangeways can fill up with many types of debris (i.e. sand, snow, small rocks, etc.). Clogged flangeways can be a leading cause of train derailments, among other things. 
   Flangeways are generally too small to accommodate many types of automatic sweepers, which usually leave the flangeway to be cleaned out with a broom or other manually operated device. Cleaning the numerous flangeways out manually, with a broom or other manual operated device, can be very tedious. The cost of labor for cleaning the flangeways out can also be an overly expensive and unnecessary expense. 
   While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for efficiently clearing debris and other foreign material from a railroad flangeway or other similar channel. Cleaning out railroad flangeways with manually operated devices (i.e. broom, shovel, etc.) can be very time consuming and overall miserable work. 
   In these respects, the railroad flangeway cleaner system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of efficiently clearing debris and other foreign material from a railroad flangeway or other similar channel. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of cleaning devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new railroad flangeway cleaner system construction wherein the same can be utilized for efficiently clearing debris and other foreign material from a railroad flangeway or other similar channel. 
   The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new railroad flangeway cleaner system that has many of the advantages of the cleaning devices heretofore and many novel features that result in a new railroad flangeway cleaner system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art cleaning devices, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
   To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a frame for traveling along a channel, a drive unit attached to the frame and a cleaning device rotated by the drive unit, wherein the cleaning device clears the channel of debris. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a railroad flangeway cleaner system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
   A second object is to provide a railroad flangeway cleaner system for efficiently clearing debris and other foreign material from a railroad flangeway or other similar channel. 
   Another object is to provide a railroad flangeway cleaner system that may be adjusted vertically to clean different depths. 
   An additional object is to provide a railroad flangeway cleaner system that is adjustable in overall length. 
   A further object is to provide a railroad flangeway cleaner system that is powered by hydraulics. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
   To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an upper perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded upper perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view of the present invention in use. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an opposite side view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an opposite side view of the present invention vertically adjusted. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A. Overview 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 7  illustrate a railroad flangeway cleaner system  10 , which comprises a frame  20  for traveling along a channel, a drive unit  50  attached to the frame  20  and a cleaning device  54  rotated by the drive unit  50 , wherein the cleaning device  54  clears the channel of debris. 
   B. Frame 
   The frame  20  is preferably comprised of a tubular square structure and configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The frame  20  preferably includes a support member  22 . The support member  22  preferably extends longitudinally across the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10 . Attached to the support member  22  on the rear of the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  is preferably a vertical member  26 . The vertical member  26  preferably extends upward and perpendicular to the support member  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . 
   The frame  20  also preferably includes a cross member  28  that extends from an upper end of the vertical member  26  to the far end of the support member  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . This is for added support to the frame  20  while using the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10 . At the front of the support member  22  and at the furthest point from the vertical member  26 , the frame  20  preferably includes a first adjustment member  24 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . 
   C. First Adjustment Member 
   The first adjustment member  24  preferably has a smaller perimeter than the support member  22  and is able to slide inside of the support member  22  for adjustment. The first adjustment member  24  is locked in a desired position by a first fastener  29 . The first fastener  29  is preferably comprised of a bolt structure and configuration. The first fastener  29  preferably locks the first adjustment member  24  in place by threadably screwing through the support member  22  and tightly against the first adjustment member  24 . The first adjustment member  24  is able to longitudinally slide in and out of the support member  22  to better accommodate various flangeway  16  or channel lengths and road conditions. 
   Near the opposite end of the first adjustment member  24 , away from the support member  22 , there is preferably a guide member  70 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The guide member  70  preferably includes a first member  72  and a second member  74 . The first member  72  and the second member  74  are preferably of a substantially similar structure and configuration, as shown in  FIG. 7 . The first member  72  and the second member  74  also preferably mirror each other. 
   A spindle  76  preferably runs through a bearing near an end of the first adjustment member  24 , furthest from the support member  22 . The spindle  76  preferably connects the first adjustment member  24  to the first member  72 , the second member  74  and at least one spacer  71 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   At least one spacer  71  preferably fits in-between the first member  72  and the second member  74 . The spacers  71  are preferably an adequate width so that the first member  72  and the second member  74  are able to follow along the inner edges of the flangeway  16  or channel, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The guide member  70  preferably directs the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  along the flangeway  16  or channel. 
   D. Second Adjustment Member 
   Near the vertical member  26 , the frame  20  preferably includes a second adjustment member  60 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . The second adjustment member  60  preferably adjusts vertically or latitudinally. The second adjustment member  60  preferably slides through a bracket  64 . The bracket  64  is preferably attached to the rear of the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  and to a lower end of the vertical member  26 . Adjusting the second adjustment member  60  subsequently adjusts the depth of cleaning device  54  in the channel or flangeway  16 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
   The bracket  64  is preferably comprised of a square tubular structure and configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The perimeter of the bracket  64  is preferably greater than the perimeter of the second adjustment member  60 . The second adjustment member  60  is locked at a desired height through the use of a second fastener  62 . The second fastener  62  is preferably comprised of a bolt structure and configuration. The second fastener  62  preferably locks the second adjustment member  60  in place by threadably screwing the second fastener  62  through the bracket  64  and tightly against the second adjustment member  60 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . 
   At the vertically lowest end of the second adjustment member  60 , there is preferably a roller  68 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . The roller  68  is preferably of a cylindrical structure and configuration. The roller  68  preferably rolls along a top of the flangeway  16  or channel. The roller  68  keeps the cleaning device  54  at a constant height with respect to the flangeway  16  or channel. A housing  66  preferably surrounds the upper half of the roller  68 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The housing  66  supports the roller  68  and is attached to a lower end of the second adjustment member  60 . 
   E. Handles 
   A handle  30  preferably attaches at the uppermost end of the vertical member  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The handles  30  are preferably of a size and shape to be comfortably grasped by an operator while an operator is walking along a road surface  14  with the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10 . 
   A control unit  40  is preferably attached to one end of the handles  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The control unit  40  preferably receives a plurality of hydraulic hoses  44 . The plurality of hydraulic hoses  44  preferably supply a power source to the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10 . 
   The control unit  40  also outputs a plurality of hydraulic hoses  44 . The hydraulic hoses  44  outputted from the control unit  40  are preferably received by the drive unit  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  7 . The hydraulic hoses  44  received by the drive unit  50  are preferably engaged when a trigger  42  is engaged. 
   The trigger  42  is also preferably connected to the control unit  40 . The trigger  42  is preferably positioned on the handle nearest the control unit  40 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The trigger  42  preferably functions as a standard trigger  42 . The trigger  42  signals the drive unit  50  of the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  when to start the cleaning device  54 . 
   F. Drive Unit 
   The drive unit  50  is preferably comprised of a motor structure and configuration. The drive unit  50  is also preferably hydraulically driven. The drive unit  50  is preferably attached to the support member  22  of the frame  20 . The drive unit  50  rotates a cleaning device  54  through the use of a spindle  76 . 
   The cleaning device  54  is preferably comprised of a stiff bristle structure and configuration, as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 . The cleaning device  54  preferably includes a first blade  56  and a second blade  57 . The first blade  56  and the second blade  57  are preferably of a substantially similar structure. The first blade  56  and the second blade  57  are preferably positioned on opposite sides of the cleaning device  54  and are also rotated by the drive unit  50  through the use of the spindle  76 . 
   The first blade  56  and the second blade  57  rotate around with the cleaning device  54  and serve to remove large objects (i.e. rocks) from the flangeway  16  or channel. The overall width of the cleaning device  54  is less than the width of the flangeway  16  or channel. 
   An upper half of the cleaning device  54  is preferably surround by a shroud  52 . The shroud  52  is preferably attached to the support member  22  directly across from the drive unit  50 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 through 7 . The shroud  52  serves to protect an operator from debris and rocks that the cleaning device  54  kicks up from the flangeway  16  or channel. A front of the shroud  52  preferably includes a guard  59 . The guard  59  is preferably of a mud flap structure and configuration. The guard  59  serves to further protect surrounding objects from debris and rocks that the cleaning device  54  kicks up during use. 
   G. In Use 
   In use, the operator first hauls the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  to the desired flangeway  16  or channel that is desired to be cleaned. The hydraulic hoses  44  are then connected to the control unit  40  from a hydraulic power source. The hydraulic hoses  44  running from the control unit  40  to the drive unit  50  are also checked to make sure that they are properly connected. The second adjustment member  60  is then adjusted so that the bottom of the roller  68  is at a lower vertical position than the cleaning device  54 . 
   The railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  is then rolled over to the flangeway  16  or channel to be cleaned. The roller  68  is positioned on the edge of the flangeway  16  or channel, with the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  oriented towards the longitudinal center of the flangeway  16  or channel. The cleaning device  54  is positioned over the flangeway  16 , while the guide member  70  is positioned in the flangeway  16  or channel, so as to guide the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  straight through the flangeway  16  or channel. The first adjustment member  24  is then adjusted to a desired length. Then the second adjustment member  60  is adjusted so the cleaning device  54  is at a desired depth in the flangeway  16  or channel. 
   The railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  is now ready for operation. The operator stands behind the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  and firmly grasps the handles  30 . The operator then engages the trigger  42 , activating the cleaning device  54 . The operator pushes the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  across the flangeway  16  or channel, while walking on the road surface  14 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . When the flangeway  16  or channel is cleaned of debris, the operator disengages the trigger  42  and removes the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  form the flangeway  16  or channel. The railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  may then be disconnected from the hydraulic power source and the railroad flangeway cleaner system  10  may be hauled to a different flangeway  16  or channel that is desired to be cleaned. The above process is simply repeated for other flangeways  16  or channels. 
   What has been described and illustrated herein is a preferred embodiment of the invention along with some of its variations. The terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is intended to be defined by the following claims (and their equivalents) in which all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless otherwise indicated. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.