Patent Publication Number: US-2022213653-A1

Title: Railroad tie plate distribution apparatus and method therefore

Description:
CLAIM TO PRIORITY 
     This continuation patent application claims priority to and benefit of, under 35 U.S.C. § 120, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. Nor 16/433,720, filed Jun. 6, 2019 and titled “Railroad Tie Plate Distribution Apparatus and Method Therefore”, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 62/685,050, filed Jun. 14, 2018 also titled “Railroad Tie Plate Distribution Apparatus and Method Therefore”, all of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Present embodiments relate to a railroad tie plate distribution apparatus and method therefore. More specifically, but without limitation, present embodiments relate to a tie plate distribution apparatus which may be used in manual or automatic distribution modes in order to place tie plates on a railroad tie in a spaced apart sequence as the apparatus moves over a track. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Railroad tracks generally consist of two parallel steel rails, which are laid on railroad ties. Railroad ties are normally laid on a bed of coarse stone known as ballast, which combines resilience, some amount of flexibility, and good drainage characteristics. Railroad ties spread the load from the rails over the ground and also serve to hold the rails a fixed distance apart. The railroad ties are generally spaced apart a distance of about twenty-two inches on center although the distance may vary. On an upper surface of the railroad tie, is a tie plate or base plate. The tie plate connects the rail and the tie. Fasteners, such as spikes, screws or the like are often driven through a hole in the tie plate to hold the rail. Alternatively the rails may be clipped to the tie plates. 
     The steel rails can carry heavier loads than any other material. The rails generally have a foot, a web extending upwardly from the foot and a head. Additionally, the rails are spaced apart a preselected distance corresponding to wheel spacing of trains. The preselected distance between rails is known in the art as the gauge distance. 
     Construction and repair of existing railroad tracks requires distribution of tie plates at locations where railroad ties are positioned. The maintenance and repair of tie plates is labor intensive and the weight and forces of the work can result in numerous injuries including but not limited to back injuries and crushed appendages. 
     It would be desirable to automate the distribution process in a way to reduce the number of injuries. Further, it would be desirable to reduce the number of workers needed to position the tie plates where needed. Still further it would be desirable to accurately position the tie plates in order to decrease the amount of manual labor necessary for positioning or placement of the tie plates on the railroad ties. 
     The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention is to be bound. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present application discloses one or more of the features recited in the appended claims and/or the following features which alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter. 
     The instant tie plate distribution system deposits tie plates on railroad ties in an automated fashion by sequentially staging the tie plates and depositing them in a desired location along the railroad track. The tie plates are staged and moved to a distribution zone which moves the tie plates to a position above the railroad ties and deposits them on the railroad ties. This deposit may occur by sensing the tie or manually actuating the tie plate when ready. 
     According to some embodiments, a tie plate distributor comprises a conveyor having a first end and a second end, a stop near a second end of the conveyor, the stop being movable to allow advancing of a tie plate in a distribution zone. A second stop may be disposed in the distribution zone, the second stop biased to a blocking position. An actuator may engage a tie plate and force the tie plate past the second stop. 
     According to some optional embodiments, the following options may be used either individually with the previous embodiments, or in combination with one another and the previous embodiments. The distribution zone may have a frame. The second stop may be a first support and a second support. The second stop may be pivotal for movement from a first position to a second position, wherein one of the first and second positions is the blocking position. The tie plate distributor may further comprise a spring disposed between a fixed position and the second stop. The tie plate distributor may further comprise an optional magnet disposed on the actuator, the magnet retaining or releasing the tie plate. The actuator may push the tie plate and the tie plate may push the second stop open. The magnet may be one of a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The magnet may retain the tie plate at a third stop and releases the tie plate on to a railroad tie. The tie plate distributor may also comprise a gripping device at an end of the actuator. The tie plate distributor may further comprise a sensor which is operably connected to one of the actuator or the magnet. The tie plate distributor may further comprise a manual switch to actuate at least one of the actuator or the magnet. The tie plate distributor further comprises a second sensor which is operably connected to the magnet. 
     According to some embodiments, a method of distributing tie plates comprises the steps of moving a tie plate to a first stop position, moving the tie plate from the first stop position to a second stop position within a distribution zone, actuating an actuator to move the tie plate out of the second stop position and through a second stop, biasing the second stop back to its first position independent of the actuator, and, moving the tie plate on to a railroad tie. 
     According to some optional embodiments, the following optional steps may be used either individually with the previous method, or in combination with one another and the previous embodiments. The method may further comprise sensing a position of the railroad tie plate. The method may further comprise manually actuating one of the actuator or a magnet. The method may further comprise releasing the tie plate on to the railroad tie. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. All of the above outlined features are to be understood as exemplary only and many more features and objectives of the various embodiments may be gleaned from the disclosure herein. Therefore, no limiting interpretation of this summary is to be understood without further reading of the entire specification, claims and drawings, included herewith. A more extensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention is provided in the following written description of various embodiments of the invention, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and defined in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the embodiments may be better understood, embodiments of a tie plate distribution apparatus and method therefore will now be described by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit the scope of the claims as other embodiments of a tie plate distribution apparatus will become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon reading the instant description. Non-limiting examples of the present embodiments are shown in figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a tie plate distributor which may be mounted on powered vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of a tie plate distributor which may be mounted to a rail car vehicle; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the tie plate distributor positioned on a railroad track system; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of a tie plate distributor with the conveyor removed, wherein the second stop is disposed in a first position; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the tie plate distributor with the conveyor removed, wherein the second stop is disposed in a second position; 
         FIG. 6  is a flow chart for a method of operation of the tie plate distributor; 
         FIG. 7  is a first sequence view of the operation of the tie plate distributor; 
         FIG. 8  is a second sequence view of the operation of the tie plate distributor; and, 
         FIG. 9  is a third sequence view of the operation of the tie plate distributor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood that the tie plate distribution apparatus and method therefore is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The described embodiments are capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
     Furthermore, and as described in subsequent paragraphs, the specific mechanical configurations illustrated in the drawings are intended to exemplify embodiments of the invention and that other alternative mechanical configurations are possible. 
     Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, there are shown in  FIGS. 1-9  various aspects of a tie plate distribution apparatus and method thereof 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a side view of a tie plate distributor  12  is depicted. A carrier vehicle  10  is partially shown located on a railroad track  14  of a railroad track system. Beneath the railroad track  14 , a ballast  16  provides a substrate upon which a plurality of railroad ties  18  are disposed. The ballast  16  may be formed of rocks or other material which provides a stable base and allows for proper drainage. Further, the ballast  16  may have an upper elevation which raises the railroad to a height out of known flood plains. The railroad ties  18  are generally positioned about twenty-two inches (22″) apart, as is known in the art however, alternative spacing may be utilized depending on the railroad operator and/or other factors. The railroad ties  18  are generally rectangular having a square cross-section as shown in  FIG. 1 . Disposed on an upper surface of each railroad tie  18  are a plurality of tie plates  20  ( FIG. 3 ). The tie plates  20  are anchored to the railroad tie  18  and provide a place for positioning of the railroad track  14 . Although a single track  14  is shown in the side view, as one skilled in the art will understand that in some embodiments, two tracks are laid in parallel fashion and spaced apart at a preselected gauge distance providing the railroad track system. Also, in other embodiments, a single track may be utilized with a custom machine having supports of, for example, tracks or wheels on the side opposite the rail. 
     There is also shown in one embodiment, a tie plate distributor  12 , for sequentially unloading railroad tie plates  20  ( FIG. 3 ) from a suitable tie plate carrier, such as the railroad track mounted truck  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or a modified rail car  28  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The tie plate distributor  12  may be used with or on, either of the powered vehicle  26  or the rail car  28 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the tie plate distributor  12  is adapted to deposit the plates  20  along a railroad tracks  14  of the railroad system. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to deposit one of the plates  20  along a centerline of the railroad track system on the railroad ties  18 . In some other embodiments, it may be desirable to position the tie plates  20  on the railroad ties  18  near ends of the ties  18 , or on the ballast  16  near ends of the railroad ties  18 , if necessary. Conventionally, a straight portion of the railroad track  14  will have cross-ties  18  laid on longitudinal centerlines which are about twenty-two inches (22″) apart, as measured along railroad track  14 . As the tie plates  20  are deposited, one or more workmen who follow behind the distributor  12  may replace old tie plates on each individual tie  18  after the old railroad track  14  have been removed with the new tie plates  20 , preparatory to placement of new rails or replacement of old railroad track  14  on the newly placed tie plates. 
     The tie plate distributor apparatus  12  includes a first, tie plate loading end portion, which is mounted on the bed of the truck  26 , for example, and a second, tie plate unloading end portion which is supported on railroad wheels  42 , as best shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 . The tie plate loading end portion of the apparatus  12  can include a conventional motorized endless belt conveyor, generally designated  30 , for transporting the plates  20  rearwardly (from right to left, as viewed) from a front and mid-portion to a rear portion of the truck bed  27 . The conveyor  30  can be positioned at a convenient height above the truck bed  27  so that one or, perhaps, two workers standing on opposite sides of the conveyor  30 , can readily pick up the tie plates  20  from storage along each side of the truck bed  27 , place them on the moving belt conveyor  30  and, preferably, orient them for disposition on the railroad ties  18 . Further, it should be understood that a hopper, conveyor or other mechanical or electromechanical device may be used to deliver the tie plates to the conveyor  30  or to the tie plate distributor  12 . 
     A drive motor (not shown) for the belt conveyor  30  can be of the usual 12 vdc electric type so as to be energized by an engine driven electrical system of the truck  26 . But, in order to avoid overtaxing a battery of the truck  26 , it is also possible in some embodiments to use a separate gasoline powered motor/generator set to power a 120 vac drive motor of the belt conveyor  30 . Where the rail car  28  of  FIG. 2  is used for carrying the loading end portion of the apparatus  12 , a suitable gasoline powered motor/generator set, can also be used as a satisfactory energy source for the drive motor of the conveyor  30 . 
     The belt conveyor  30  delivers the tie plates  20  onto a first, upper input end  34  of a diagonally downwardly and rearwardly sloping gravity feed, roller conveyor, generally designated  36 . The slope of the conveyor  36  is suitable at about 10 to 40 degrees from horizontal, and in some embodiments, 20 to 30 degrees, however other ranges may be utilized. The conveyor  36  includes a series of parallel and closely spaced apart cylindrically shaped rollers  31  ( FIG. 3 ) of conventional type which are freely rotatable about their longitudinal axes, as for example, on conventional bearings. The rollers  31  are suitably journaled in opposing and parallel extending side beams or rails  39 , which may be angle irons or channel beams for non-limiting example. The tie plates  20  thus are conveyed by gravity along the rollers  31  until intercepted by a device such as, for example, an inflatable pneumatic tire  40 . The tire  40  is mounted above a central part of several of the rollers  31  and may be connected by a gear chain to an axle of the railroad wheels  42  for rotation as a function of rotation of the railroad wheels  42 . In some embodiments, other configurations such as a motor—electric or hydraulic—may be used to rotate the tire  40  and advance the tie plates  20  on the conveyor  36 . 
     In the alternative, an inclined chute with a metal base could be substituted in place of the roller conveyor  36  provided it is operatively inclined at a sufficient angle to assure that the tie plates  20  placed on an upper input end thereof will readily slide downwardly along the base for individual capture by the tire  40  and subsequent release to the track bed. Clearly, the angle of incline in such a chute would need to be greater than that of the conveyor  36 . In other embodiments a vibratory feeder may also be used instead of the roller conveyor or chute. As used herein, the term conveyor may include, but is not limited to, any of these examples of structures which move tie plates—roller conveyor, powered conveyor, belt conveyor, chute, vibratory feeder, or the like. 
     The tire  40  rotates with the railroad wheels  42  but in an angular direction which is opposite that of the rollers  31  when transporting the tie plates  20  thereon. As the tie plates  20  are gravity fed down the rollers  31 , a tread of the tire  40  engages and bears downwardly on one of the plates  20  at a time, thus pinning or capturing that plate  20  against the underlying rollers  31 . Upon initial engagement of the tire  40  with a given one of the plates  20 , the tire  40  must rotate some preselected distance on its axle each time the railroad wheels  42  move the desired tie plate drop distance, i.e. every eleven inches in the present example, along the railroad tracks  14  where the tie plates  20  are to be replaced under both of the railroad tracks  14  or every twenty two inches where the tie plates  20  under only one of the railroad tracks  14  are to be replaced. In this way, a different one of the tie plates  20  will pass completely under and become released from contact with the tire  40  each time the wheels  42  have moved eleven or twenty-two inches (22″) along the railroad tracks  14 , as the particular case requires. 
     After release of each of the plates  20  by the tire  40 , the plate  20  freely gravitates off of a lower output end of the conveyor  36  for disposition along a centerline of the railroad tracks  14 . It is recommend that a discharge end of the conveyor  36  be positioned at a height of about 3-4 inches above the track bed such that the plates  20  will not flip over or bounce out of the alignment as shown ( FIG. 3 ). Accordingly, once the apparatus  12  is indexed so as to drop one of the plates  20 , either on one of the ties  18 , or mid-way between two adjacent ties, and the tire  40  is adjusted to make one full rotation while the wheels  42  are traveling a desired plate drop distance along the railroad tracks  14  the plates  20  will thereafter be discharged with the desired spacing. The apparatus  12  will deposit all other ones of the plates  20  at the desired locations and with the desired spacing. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the plates  20  gravitating down the conveyor  36  will usually back up in front of the tire  40 , one next to another, depending on how rapidly such plates are loaded onto the belt conveyor  30  and how rapidly the belt conveyor  30  is moving to discharge them onto the conveyor  36 . 
     It may be necessary to adjust the speed of travel of the belt conveyor  30  to synchronize closer to the speed of rotation of the tire  40 , and, hence, the speed of rotation of the wheels  42  in order to prevent the plates  20  from backing up along the conveyor  36  in front of the tire all the way to the input end  34 . A back-up of, say, about four of the plates  20  in front of the tire  40  at all times should assure even spacing between the plates being deposited along the railroad track  14 . Of course, sometimes the back-up might grow to seven or eight of the tie plates  20  while at other times the back-up might drop as low as two or three. A visual inspection of the back-up by workers standing in the bed of the truck  26  will readily determine whether their rate of loading the tie plates  20  on the belt conveyor  30  is too great or too small or whether the speed of the belt conveyor  30  or, for that matter, the speed of the truck  26  along the railroad track  14  should be increased or decreased. In many cases, merely reducing the rate at which the tie plates  20  are being placed on the conveyor  30  by the workman will prevent back up of the plates behind the tire  40  from becoming too great. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of the second, lower end of the tie plate distributor  12  is depicted. The distributor  12  includes the conveyor  36  wherein the tie plates  20  are sequentially positioned for delivery to a distribution zone  52 . The tie plates  20  are shown with long axis oriented in a lateral manner, extending between the railroad tracks  14 . In other embodiments, however, the tie plates may also be oriented in longitudinal direction, extending parallel to the railroad track  14  direction. Other delivery structures may also be utilized. 
     At the second, lower end of the rails  39  is a frame  50  which at least partially defines the distribution zone  52 . The frame  50  may be defined in the instant embodiments by a plurality of structures  55 , which may be for example tubes or other structures arranged in a manner to allow for receipt of the tie plates  20  into the distribution zone  52 . The frame  50  may also be defined by a box-like structure which is fully or partially enclosing the lower area of the distributor. The frame  50  may form an enclosed area or an area which is open for monitoring of the tie plates moving through. A first stop  54  is moveable between a first position and a second position wherein one of the first and second positions allows feeding of a single tie plate into the distribution zone  52  and wherein the other of the first and second positions of the first stop  54  inhibits further movement of tie plates  20  from the tie plate distributor  12  into the distribution zone  52 . 
     The stop  54  may be defined by various structures moved to block the pathway of movement of the tie plates  20  along the conveyor  30  and the distribution zone  52 . In the instant embodiment, the stop  54  is defined as a plate which moves to allow tie plates  20  to move into the distribution zone  52  or blocks movement thereof. 
     Adjacent to the first stop  54  is an actuator  60 . In the instant embodiments, the actuator  60  pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or some other type of other driven actuator which provides movement. The actuator  60  is connected to the stop  54  in order to raise or lower the first stop  54 . The actuator  60  provides linear movement which likewise creates linear movement for the first stop  54 . 
     Also, within the distribution zone  52  and as the actuator  60  moves down, a tie plate located in the distribution zone  52  is forced outwardly from the distribution zone  52 . According to the instant embodiment, the movement of the actuator  60  causes the tie plate within the distribution zone  52  to move downward from within the frame  50  and within the area generally created by the plurality of structures  55 . 
     To the rear of the frame  50  is at least one spring  62 . The springs  62  are connected at one end to a fixed location of the frame  50  and at a second end to a second stop  70  ( FIG. 4 ). When the actuator  60  and the tie plate  20  in the distribution zone  52  is forced downwardly through the second stop  70  and beneath the frame  50  onto the railroad tie  18  or to an optional third stop  82  ( FIG. 8 ), generally defined as a limit position of the actuator  60  and may be defined by, non-limiting example, a magnet  80  ( FIGS. 7-9 ) which retains the tie plate until releasing or depositing on an adjacent railroad tie  18 . 
     The distribution zone  52  functions as a gate assembly to control the discharge of tie plates to the railroad ties  18 . The tie plate distributor  12  and specifically the components in the distribution zone  52  discharges the tie plates  20  from the conveyor  36  onto the railroad ties  18  beneath the second end of the conveyor  36  as the conveyor  30  moves along the railroad tracks  14 . The gate function may work in combination with a sensor assembly  65 . The sensor assembly  65  detects in-service tie plates  20 , ties  18 , or the absence of ballast material  16  indicating a servicing location, as the feed conveyor  30  moves along the railroad track  14 . Alternatively, the sensor assembly  65  may function by detecting an edge of a railroad tie  18 . When the sensor assembly  65  detects an in-service tie plate  20  (not yet removed from the railroad tie) or an edge of the railroad tie  18 , the actuator  60  is signaled and operates to function in one of the following manners. In some embodiments, the actuator  60  may move a plunger from a first position, for example where the first stop  54  is in a blocking position, to a raised or unblocking position. In this unblocking position, one of the tie plates  20  of the conveyor  36  may advance into the distribution zone  52 . Next the actuator  60  may move back to the blocking position and in doing so, may force a tie plate  20  which, moved into the distribution zone  52 , out of the distribution zone for subsequent discharge on to the detected railroad tie or an adjacent tie. The detected tie or adjacent tie may be dependent on the spacing and/or timing associated with and/or between a discharge location and the sensor location, as well as the speed of the movement of the tie plate distributor  12 . 
     In other embodiments, the sensor  64  may be used to signal the down stroke which forces the tie plate in the distribution zone out toward the railroad tie  18 . Various configurations may be used to detect a portion of the railroad track system and subsequently create a motion of the actuator  60 . Additionally, one skilled in the art will recognize that additional sensors may be utilized to direct different portions of the actuation process. For example, one sensor may be used to cause a first actuation of the actuator  60 , and a second sensor used to cause a second actuation, instead of one sensor actuating a cycle of actuator movements. 
     The ejection may be signaled by the sensor assembly  65 . The sensor assembly  65  comprises a housing  68  wherein a sensor  64  is positioned. The sensor  64  is in electronic communication with a controller  66  which receives signals from the sensor  64  and directs the gate assembly or distribution zone  52  to actuate. The sensor assembly  65  may be located at various locations along the feed conveyor  30 . As depicted the sensor assembly  65  is adjacent the output end of the feed conveyor  30  near the distribution zone  52 , however, the sensor assembly  65  or at least the sensor  64  and housing  68  may be positioned forward of a release point so that when an in-service tie plate  20  is detected a replacement tie plate  20  may be deposited from the feed conveyor  30  onto or adjacent a tie  18 . In other words, the distance between the sensor assembly  65  and the release point may be substantially equal to the distance between two adjacent ties  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a rear perspective view of the frame  50  is depicted. The frame  50  is shown having a plurality of structures  55  which, in some embodiments, may be defined by tubes. The structures may be arranged in vertical and/or horizontal orientations to provide a base which defines the distribution zone  52 . From this perspective, the tie plates  20  are delivered from the opposite side of the frame  50  then is depicted. The frame  50  may also be formed of various other structures such as plates, channels or stock materials, any of which may be utilized to mount the actuator  60 . 
     The actuator  60  may be oriented in various manners in order to force a tie plate  20  from the distribution zone  52 . The instant embodiment utilizes a linear actuator  60  which is oriented vertically and may include a plunger which moves downwardly from the structure of the actuator  60  which is depicted. Accordingly, the plunger of the actuator  60  may move downwardly forcing a tie plate  20  to move from a lower area of the frame  50 . Various types of actuators may be utilized, including pneumatic, hydraulic, electric, or other devices. Additionally, actuators which may rotate to provide a linear motion may also be utilized. Still further, while the actuator  60  is mounted in a vertical orientation, the actuator  60  may be mounted in a horizontal fashion to actuate and place the tie plates  20  horizontally rather than vertically onto the railroad ties  18 . 
     Still further, extending upwardly from the frame  50  is a spring mount  58 . The spring mount  58  may have multiple apertures  59  to which a fastener may be positioned to adjust spring tension of the springs  62 . At the lower end of the springs  62  is the second stop  70 . The second stop  70  may be defined by first and second supports  72 , according to non-limiting, illustrative embodiments. The supports  72  may be formed of plates, stock, or other structural shapes which support a tie plate  20  in the distribution zone  52  before the tie plate is discharged therefrom. The frame  50  further comprises pivots  74  to which the supports  72  are connected and defining the second stops  70 . The lower ends of the springs  62  are connected to the second stop  70  so that the second stop  70  is biased in one direction, for example the supporting direction, but may be rotated downwardly to a non-supporting position as the tie plates  20  are pushed downwardly by the actuator  60 . Once the tie plate  20  clears the edges of the second stop  70 , specifically the edges of the supports  72 , the spring biasing force pulls the supports  72  upwardly to a supporting position again. 
     It should also be understood that variations in the second stop  70  may be provided. For example, while the instant embodiment provides the two supports  72  at lateral sides of the distribution zone  52 , it is also possible to move the supports to either or both of the forward and rearward ends of the distribution zone  52 . Further, while two supports  72  are provided to define the second stop  70 , a single stop may be provided. Still further while the term support is utilized, it should also be clear that support should not be limited to support from beneath the tie plate in the distribution zone  52 . Instead the tie plate may be supported from any of various sides. 
     It should also be understood that while the biasing force is provided by the springs  62 , other devices may be used to provide the biasing or movement of the second stop  70 . For example, pneumatic, hydraulic or electric actuators may be used to create movement. Further, such alternatives may be actuated in a manner so not to interfere with actuation of the actuator  60 . While the depicted embodiment utilizes passive second stop  70  and only moves when acted upon, alternate embodiments may be active so that the second stop moves when signaled rather than forced. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , such motion is shown. The one support  72 , defining one of the second stop  70 , is shown pivoted downwardly. In this position, the tie plate  20  has moved or is moving from the distribution zone  52  downwardly toward a railroad tie  18 . As is also shown in this view, the spring  62  is extended depicting that the spring is stretched from its normal position due to the movement of the tie plate  20  past the second stop  70 . Various structures may be used to connect the spring  62  and the second stop  70 . In the depicted embodiment, a fastener is utilized. The second stop  70  moves upon force applied when the tie plate is moved through this area. Without a tie plate in position, according to some embodiments, the actuator  60  does not control movement of the second stop  70 . Thus, further, according to some embodiments, the sensor or manual actuation of the actuator  60  does not control the movement of the stop  70 . Instead, a tie plate  20  must be present to cause movement of the second stop  70 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a flow chart is provided to describe an illustrative, non-limiting process. The process  200  begins with the tie plate distributor on rail tracks  14  by sensing an edge of a railroad tie  18 , or other portion of the railroad track system at step  210 . When the railroad tie  18  or other portion of the system is sensed. In some embodiments, the system may be manually actuated by a worker who actuates a switch or button periodically when the distributor is in the desired position. Stiff further, in other embodiments, the system may be actuated with a mechanical switch which engages a portion of the railroad track system, such as the railroad tie. Any of these steps may occur, or combinations thereof, may be utilized. 
     According to a next step  212 , the sensing of the railroad tie for example, causes an actuation of the actuator  60 , by way of a signal for example. The actuator  60  may be moved from a first position, for example a blocking position, to a second position, for example an unblocking position, so that a tie plate  20  may move from the conveyor  36 . 
     In the next step  214 , a tie plate  20  is moved from a tie plate advances from the conveyor  36  into the distribution zone  52  defined within the frame  50  of the tie plate distributor  12 . Once the tie plate  20  moves therein, the actuator  60  is actuated again at step  216  from the second position to the first blocking position, by actuating in the second direction. It should be understood to one skilled in the art that the actuator being moved refers to the plunger portion of the actuator  60  being actuated relative to the remainder of the actuator. 
     Once the tie plate  20  is in the distribution zone  52 , the actuator  60  pushes the tie plate through the second stop  70  at step  218  as the actuator  60  moves to or through the first blocking position. 
     Optionally, at step  220 , the actuator  60  may be moved in the first direction to the stop position or alternatively, the actuator  60  may remain in its current position which also stops movement of tie plates  20  into the distribution zone  52 . 
     According to some other optional embodiments, when the tie plate is forced through the second step  218 , it may be desirable retain control of the tie plate before placing such on the railroad tie  18 , or other desired location. One manner of retaining such control is to provide a magnet at the end of the actuator plunger, so that the tie plate is retained thereon. In this optional embodiment, the tie plate may be retained by the magnet until the tie plate is positioned over the desired location, for example of the railroad tie. Then, according to step  222 , the magnet may release the retained tie plate. This may be done by sensor, switch or manually for example by a worker actuating a switch or button. This step is shown in broken line and broken box as it is an optional step. In other embodiments, the magnet may alternatively be some other retaining structure such as a gripper which has the capability of holding the tie plate until signaled to release the tie plate  20  on to the desired location, for example the railroad tie  18 . Likewise, the process  200  may continue in a variety of way by returning to the step  210  so that the next sequenced tie plate may be moved into the distribution zone  52  and the method  200  continue. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 7-9 , an additional component of the tie plate distributor  12  is provided an optional magnet  80  may be utilized on the actuator  60 , for example the plunger or piston portion thereof, to retain tie plates up to a desired position. The magnet  80  may be one or more magnets and may be a permanent magnet or may be powered electromagnet, as shown in the figures having a wire extending from the magnet  80 . The magnet  80  may be operably connected to the sensor  60  or may be connected to an additional sensor which only services the magnet. Alternatively, in some embodiments a worker may follow the tie plate distributor  12  and actuate a switch or button when the magnet is to be de-powered and release the tie plate being held in position. Again however, the magnet  80 , or other gripping device, is optional and therefore may or may not be utilized. 
     With reference still to  FIGS. 7-9 , a sequence of views is shown depicting the operation of the tie plate distributor  12 . With reference first to  FIG. 7 , a tie plate  20  is shown within the distribution zone  52 , defined by the plurality of structures  55 . The tie plate  20  is past the first stop position on the opposite side of stop  54  and is engaging the second stop  70 . The actuator was previously in an upper position to allow the tie plate  20  move into the depicted position. At the time of the process, the stop  54  is moving down to block any further tie plates from moving into the distribution zone. Further, the magnet  80  is shown engaging the tie plate  20 . 
     Further, the second stops  70  are in a blocking position so that the tie plate  20  cannot move downward. As previously discussed, tie plates  20  may be directed in various directions and according to the depicted embodiment, the downward direction is the direction that tie plates are moved out of the distribution zone  52 . Other directions may be used, and likewise, other directions for the blocking direction may be utilized as alternatives to the bottom supporting position of the second stop  70 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the actuator  60  is moved downwardly from  FIG. 7 , as indicated by the double line downward arrow. In the instant embodiment, the actuator  60  has actuated to push the tie plate  20  downward. As this occurs, the tie plate is forced downward and causes the second stop  70 , embodied in non-limiting fashion by the supports  72 , to rotate toward an unblocking position. 
     As the tie plate  20  continues moving, the tie plate eventually disengages the second stop  70 , so that the biasing force of the springs  62  will begin moving the second stop  70  to its position shown in  FIG. 8 . This position is an optional third stop  82 , if an optional magnet  80  is used and the tie plate  20  is held in a position by a magnet  80  before release. 
     In the depicted position, the tie plate  20  may fall toward the railroad track system, for example the railroad tie  18 . However, in other optional embodiments, including one where the magnet  80  is utilized, the tie plate  20  may be retained or held until the distribution zone is in a desired position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the tie plate  20  is pushed through the second stop  70  and is falling. In this example, if the optional magnet  80  is used, the magnet  80  has released the tie plate  20 . Also, the second stop  70  is retracted to a position shown in  FIG. 7 , so that the tie plate  20  may be received therein. 
     With the second stop  70  retracted, the actuator  60  can subsequently lift to allow a next sequential tie plate  20  to move into the distribution zone  52  of the tie plate distributor  12 . 
     While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the invent of embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure. 
     All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms. The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. 
     Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law. 
     As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc. 
     It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited. 
     In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures. 
     The foregoing description of methods and embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claims appended hereto.