Patent Publication Number: US-11661708-B2

Title: Railroad spike remover

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/734,125, entitled “Railroad Spike Remover,” filed Jan. 3, 2020, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/175,900, entitled “Railroad Spike Remover,” filed Jun. 7, 2016 (which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,597,828 on Mar. 24, 2020), and also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/788,925, filed Jan. 6, 2019, the content of all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The field of invention for this disclosure relates to a portable railroad spike remover. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Removing railroad spikes from a rail tie has not changed much over time. Railroad spikes are often removed from a rail tie manually using a crowbar. A railroad spike may need as much as 5,000 pounds of vertical force to remove a spike embedded in a rail tie. A portable device to easily remove the railroad spikes would be a great improvement. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention and various features of it. This summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but it simply provides a general overview and context for the more detailed description that follows. 
     The present disclosure provides an apparatus for removing railroad spikes from a rail tie that is portable and easy to use. 
     According to one aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for removing a railroad spike from a rail tie comprises: a main housing that includes an upper housing and a lower housing, wherein the upper housing includes a bearing housing that contains one or more bearings; a drive shaft connected to the main housing and a mounting flange, the drive shaft extending through the one or more bearings and an opening in the bearing housing; and a plurality of standoffs with a first end and a second end, with the first end of the plurality of standoffs connected to the mounting flange and the second end of the plurality of standoffs connected to a clevis pivot plate with a clevis fastener that is connected to a claw assembly extractor. The claw assembly extractor may include a pair of jaw members that are pivotally connected to each other by a pivoting pin and a rotating pin. Each jaw member may include a lower end and a pair of upper members interlocked with each other. The lower end may be configured to contact and secure a railroad spike and the pair of upper members may be pivotally connected to the clevis fastener with the rotating pin. When the drive shaft is rotated, the claw assembly extractor and the mounting flange may move inside the main housing in a vertical direction to extract the railroad spike from the rail tie. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for removing a railroad spike from a rail tie comprises: a main housing that includes an upper housing and a lower housing, wherein the upper housing includes a bearing housing that contains one or more bearings; a drive shaft connected to the main housing and a mounting flange, the drive shaft extending through the one or more bearings and an opening in the bearing housing; a T-handle assembly to hold a battery-operated drill-type tool that connects to the drive shaft, wherein the T-handle assembly includes one or more fastening straps and one or more side plates to connect the T-handle assembly to the main housing; and a plurality of standoffs with a first end and a second end, with the first end of the plurality of standoffs connected to the mounting flange and the second end of the plurality of standoffs connected to a clevis pivot plate with a clevis fastener that is connected to a claw assembly extractor. The claw assembly extractor may include a pair of jaw members that are pivotally connected to each other by a pivoting pin and a rotating pin. Each jaw member may include a lower end and a pair of upper members interlocked with each other. The lower ends may be configured to contact and secure a railroad spike and the pair of upper members may be pivotally connected to the clevis fastener with the rotating pin. The claw assembly extractor may include a friction assembly that includes a spring and one or more friction caps to keep the jaws in an open position as the jaws are moved from an up position to a home position after a railroad spike has been pulled. When the drive shaft is rotated, the claw assembly extractor and the mounting flange moves inside the main housing in a vertical direction to extract the railroad spike from the rail tie. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, the rail spike remover may include a rail spike driver for driving the railroad spike into the rail tie. The rail spike driver may be interchangeable with the claw assembly extractor by removing the clevis pivot plate and attaching the rail spike driver to the plurality of standoffs. 
     According to yet another aspect of the disclosure the rail spike remover may include a rectangular leveling block located on a side of a bottom footer of the lower housing of the main housing, wherein the leveling block is utilized to level the main housing and the rail spike remover when removing railroad spike. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which: 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a top front perspective view of an example embodiment of a rail spike remover according to one or more aspects described herein; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a front view of the example embodiment of the rail spike remover of  FIG.  1   , 
         FIG.  3    illustrates a top view of the example embodiment of the rail spike remover of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example embodiment of the rail spike remover of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a perspective view of an extractor from the example embodiment of the rail spike remover of  FIG.  1    with other components removed; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a top view of the extractor of  FIG.  5   ; 
         FIG.  7    illustrates a top view of an alternate embodiment of the extractor of the rail spike remover of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a front view of an extractor tooth from the extractor of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the extractor tooth of  FIG.  7   ; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the extractor of the rail spike remover of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an internal side perspective view of the extractor and rail spike remover of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates a close-up view of a bottom portion of the extractor and rail spike remover of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  13    illustrates a close-up view of the extractor and rail spike remover of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  14    illustrates a side perspective view of the extractor of the rail spike remover of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIGS.  15 A- 15 D  illustrate the interchangeability of the extractors  140  and  340  for the railroad spike remover  100 ; 
         FIGS.  16 A and  16 B  illustrate perspective views of an alternate embodiment of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  1  and  10   ; 
         FIG.  17 A  illustrates a cross-sectional view along A-A of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B ; 
         FIG.  17 B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of detail B of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B ; 
         FIG.  17 C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of detail C of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B ; 
         FIG.  17 D  illustrates a cross-sectional view of detail D of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B ; 
         FIGS.  18 A- 18 C  illustrate perspective views of an upper housing of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B ; 
         FIGS.  19 A and  19 B  illustrate perspective views of a lower housing assembly of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B ; 
         FIGS.  20 A- 20 C  illustrate perspective views of a T-handle assembly of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B ; 
         FIGS.  21 A and  21 B  illustrate perspective views of a drill guard assembly for the T-handle assembly of  FIGS.  20 A- 20 C ; 
         FIG.  22    illustrates a schematic view illustrating the interchangeability of a rail spike driver with the extractor or claw assembly extractor of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  1 ,  10 ,  16 A, and  16 B ; and 
         FIG.  23    illustrates a schematic view of a leveling block for use with the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  1 ,  10 ,  16 A, and  16 B . 
     
    
    
     Further, it is to be understood that the drawings may represent the scale of different components of one single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to that particular scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description of various example structures according to the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or the orientation during typical use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three-dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention. Also, the reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     The following terms are used in this specification, and unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, these terms have the meanings provided below. 
     “Plurality,” as used herein, indicates any number greater than one, either disjunctively or conjunctively, as necessary, up to an infinite number. 
     “Connected,” as used herein, indicates that components may be connected directly being physically contacting each other or connected indirectly where the components are connected indirectly where the components do not physically contact, but have one or more intermediate components positioned between them. 
     “Integral joining technique” or means a technique for joining two pieces so that the two pieces effectively become a single, integral piece, including, but not limited to, irreversible joining techniques, such as adhesively joining, cementing, welding, brazing, soldering, or the like, where separation of the joined pieces cannot be accomplished without structural damage thereto. Pieces joined with such a technique are described as “integrally joined.” 
     In the following description of the various embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, various embodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. 
     In general, as described above, aspects of this invention relate to an apparatus to remove railroad spikes from a rail tie comprising a main column, a drive shaft and an extractor. More detailed descriptions of aspects of this invention follow. 
     One aspect of this invention relates to a portable railroad spike remover  100 , as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 4   . Specifically,  FIG.  1    illustrates a top front perspective view of an example embodiment of a railroad spike remover  100 .  FIG.  2    illustrates a front view of the railroad spike remover  100 .  FIG.  3    illustrates a top view of the railroad spike remover  100 .  FIG.  4    illustrates a cross-sectional view of the railroad spike remover  100 . The railroad spike remover  100  may comprise a main column  102 , a bearing housing  110 , a plurality of standoffs  170 , a mounting flange  134 , an extractor  140 , and a drive shaft  120 . The main column  102  may have a first end  104 , a second end  106  opposite the first end  104 , and a center section  108  positioned between the two ends. The bearing housing  110  may be connected to the first end  104  of the main column  102  and have an opening  112  for inserting the drive shaft  120 . The drive shaft  120  may also extend through a bearing  114  secured in the bearing housing  110  by a cap plate  116 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the drive shaft  120  may have a first end  122  and a second end  124  opposite the first end  122 . Near the first end  122 , the drive shaft  120  may extend through an opening in the bearing  114 , through an opening  112  in the bearing housing  110 , and through an opening in the cap plate  116 . Near the second end  124 , the drive shaft  120  may connect to the mounting flange  134 . The drive shaft  120  may be secured to the mounting flange  134  using a nut  137 . 
     The plurality of standoffs  170  may connect to the mounting flange  134  at one end and to the extractor  140  at the opposite end. Alternatively, the drive shaft  120  may connect directly to the extractor  140  without the need for the mounting flange  134  and the plurality of standoffs  170 . The extractor  140  may engage and grip the railroad spike  10  to secure it. Once the extractor  140  secures the railroad spike  10 , a user may engage the first end  122  of the drive shaft  120  with a tool to provide torque to the drive shaft  120 . As the drive shaft  120  is rotated, the mounting flange  134  and the extractor  140  may move inside the column in a vertical direction to extract the railroad spike  10  from a rail tie. As the extractor  140  moves up within the main column  102 , the railroad spike  10  is removed from the rail tie. 
     The main column  102  may have a plurality of substantially vertical side walls that are open at both ends  104 ,  106 . The main column may have a height of approximately 32 inches or within a range of 24 to 40 inches or any height. As shown in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS.  1 - 9   , the main column  102  may generally have a square cross-sectional shape. However, the main column may have any geometric cross-sectional shape, such as circular, triangular, such that the main column  102  may have any number of side walls. For example as shown in  FIGS.  1  and  3   , the main column  102  may have four side walls, but may have 3 side walls, 5 side walls, 6 side walls or any number of side walls. The side walls may have a thickness of approximately 0.188 inches or within a range of 0.125 inches to 0.25 inches, or within a range of 0.06 inches to 0.375 inches. Each side wall may have a width of approximately 4 inches or within a range of 3 inches to 5 inches, or within a range of 2 inches to 6 inches. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , at least one side wall of the main column  102  may have an aperture  109  that extends from the second end  106  to a portion of the height of the main column  102 . For example, the aperture  109  may have a height of approximately 20 percent of the height of the main column  102  or the aperture  109  may have a height that is within a range of 12 percent to 37 percent of the height of the main column. The aperture  109  may have an elongated shape and may have a height of approximately 7 inches or may be within a range of 5 inches to 9 inches. In addition, the aperture  109  may have a width of approximately 1.5 inches or within a range of 1.0 inch to 2.5 inches. The aperture  109  may align with the opening  147  of the extractor  140  to allow the railroad spike remover  100  to slide into position to engage the railroad spike  10  with the extractor  140 . 
     The bearing housing  110  may be integrally joined to the first end  104  of the main column  102 . Alternatively, the bearing housing  110  and main column  102  may be formed as a single piece. As previously discussed, the bearing housing  110  may have an opening  112 . The opening  112  may be located in the geometric center of the bearing housing  110  and may have a cylindrical shape to allow the drive shaft  120  to extend through the bearing housing  110 . The opening  112  may be through both ends of the bearing housing  110 . In addition, the bearing housing  110  may have a cavity  113  that is concentric with the opening  112 . The cavity  113  may be sized to contain the bearing  114  and have a cylindrical shape that is open at one end with a surface at the opposite end to engage one end of the bearing  114 . The bearing housing  110  may also have a plurality of holes around the perimeter of the housing. The plurality of holes may be threaded to releasably connect the cap plate  116 . The bearing  114  may be a roller bearing or bushing that enables the drive shaft  120  to rotate freely when the bearing  114  is installed onto the drive shaft  120  and into the bearing housing  110 . 
     The drive shaft  120  may have a first end  122  and a second end  124  and may be partially threaded. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the drive shaft  120  may have a plurality of distinct diameter regions. For example, the drive shaft  120  may have a first region  128  with a first diameter  129  corresponding to the threaded region, a second region  130  having a second diameter  131  with a smooth surface, and a third region  132  which may have a third diameter  133 . The first diameter  129  may be greater than both the second diameter  131  and the third diameter  133 . The first diameter  129  may be approximately 1 inch or within a range of 0.75 inches and 1.5 inches or within a range of 0.5 inches to 2.0 inches. The threaded portion (first region  128 ) may be ACME threads or other similar threads. Alternatively, the drive shaft  120  may have two distinct diameter regions or four distinct diameter regions. 
     The first end  122  may have a drive element  127  to allow a user to engage the drive shaft  120  with a rotating tool, such as a torque wrench  20  or similar device to rotate the drive shaft  120 . As shown in  FIG.  3   , the drive element  127  may have a hexagonal shape to be engaged by a standard hexagonal socket. The standard hexagonal socket may be a 0.5 inches or larger. Preferably, the torque wrench  20  has a length of 18 inches or longer. A battery-operated drill-type apparatus or an air hammer attached to a pneumatic supply could be utilized as the rotating tool in lieu of the torque wrench  20 , thereby engaging the drive shaft  120  and rotating the drive shaft  120  to move the drive shaft  120  up and down. 
     As discussed the drive shaft  120  may connect to the mounting flange  134 . The mounting flange  134  may have a centrally located aperture  136  to connect the drive shaft  120 . The mounting flange  134  may be connected to the drive shaft in a plurality of ways. For example, the aperture  136  may be threaded to directly engage the drive shaft  120 , or alternatively as shown in  FIG.  4   , a nut  137  may be connected to the aperture  136  of the mounting flange  134  where the drive shaft  120  may connect to the mounting flange  134  with the nut  137  positioned between the mounting flange  134  and the drive shaft  120 . The nut  137  may be integrally joined to the mounting flange  134  or some may be connected using an anti-rotation element to prevent the nut  137  from rotating in relation to the mounting flange  134  when the drive shaft  120  is rotated, such as a set screw. The mounting flange  134  may also have a plurality of mounting holes positioned around the perimeter to allow for easy connection to the plurality of standoffs  170 . The mounting flange  134  may be releasably connected to the standoffs  170  or the drive shaft  120  to allow any repairs that may be required. 
     The plurality of standoffs  170  may be hollow tubes that connect at a first end to a mounting flange  134  and a second end of connected to an extractor  140 . Each standoff  170  may have internal threads such that they may be releasably connected using a threaded fastener. Alternatively, the plurality of standoffs  170  may be integrally joined to the either the mounting flange  134  or extractor  140  or both. 
     Each standoff  170  may be approximately 7 inches long or within a range of 5 inches to 9 inches or within a range of 3 inches to 12 inches. Each of the standoffs  170  may be the same length, but depending on the shape of the either the mounting flange  134  or extractor  140 , each of the standoffs  170  may have different lengths. 
     As discussed above, the plurality of standoffs  170  connect to an extractor  140 . As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the extractor  140  may comprise a metallic plate with a top surface  141 , a bottom surface  142 , and a plurality of side surfaces  143 ,  144 ,  145 ,  146 . The extractor  140  may further comprise an opening  147  through the top and bottom surface and extending through at least one side surface. The opening may further include an upper portion  148  and a lower portion  149 . The lower portion  149  of the opening may have a plurality of tapered side walls  150 ,  151  and a first rounded rear wall  152 . The plurality of tapered side walls  150 ,  151  may be vertically oriented and taper toward one another. The upper portion  148  of the opening may have vertically oriented side walls  153 ,  154 , and a second rounded rear wall  155 , wherein the width of the upper portion  148  is larger than the width of the lower portion  149 . The first rounded rear wall  152  and the second rounded rear wall  155  may be concentric. The extractor  140  may have a plurality of holes  158  to releasably connect the extractor  140  to the plurality of standoffs  170 . The plurality of holes  158  may be positioned near the side surfaces  143 ,  144 ,  145 ,  146  of the extractor  140  and extend through the top surface  141  and bottom surface  142 . The plurality of holes  158  may be threaded or clearance holes for a threaded fastener. Alternatively, as discussed above, the extractor  140  may be integrally joined to the standoffs  170 . Additionally, as discussed above, the extractor  140  may be connected directly to the drive shaft  120 . 
       FIGS.  7 - 9    show an alternate embodiment for the extractor  140 . For the embodiment of  FIGS.  7 - 9   , the features of the extractor  240  are referred to using similar reference numerals under the “2XX” series of reference numerals, rather than “1XX” as used in the embodiment of  FIGS.  5  and  6   . Accordingly, certain features of the extractor  240  that were already described above with respect to the extractor  140  of  FIGS.  5 - 6    may be described in lesser detail, or may not be described at all. 
     The extractor  240  may have the similar exterior shape as extractor  140  to fit within the main column  102  with a top surface  241 , a bottom surface  242 , and a plurality of side surfaces  243 ,  244 ,  245 ,  246 . An opening  247  may extend through at least two side surfaces and the bottom surface  242 . The opening  247  may include a first guide rail  248 , a second guide rail  249 , a first side wall  250  adjacent the first guide rail, a second side wall  251  adjacent the second guide rail, and an upper surface  252  connecting the first guide rail  248  to the second guide rail  249 . The upper surface  252  of the opening may be rounded and exposed to the exterior. The opening  247  may have a first end  253  and a second end  254 , wherein a first height  255  at the first end  253  may be defined as a distance perpendicular from the bottom surface  242  of the extractor  240  to the furthest extent of the upper surface  252  and the second end  254  may have a second height  256  defined from the bottom surface  242  to the furthest extent of the second end  254  of the upper surface  252 . The bottom surface  242  may further include an angled region  257 , such that the angled region  257  angles upward toward the first end  253  of the opening  247 . 
     Additionally, the top surfaces of the first guide rail  248  and the second guide rail  249  may be coplanar surfaces. The first guide rail  248  may have a height at the first end  253  of the opening  247  defined as a perpendicular distance from the bottom surface  242  of the extractor  240  to the furthest extent of the first end  253  of the first guide rail  248 . Similarly, the second end  254  may have a second height defined as a perpendicular distance from the bottom surface  242  to the furthest extent of the second end  254  of the first guide rail  248 , wherein the first height is smaller than the second height. The guide rails  248 ,  249  may be linear surfaces and angle in a direction away from the bottom surface  242 . Thus, the opening  247  may be larger at the first end  253  than at the second end  254 . 
     The first side wall  250  adjacent the first guide rail  248  and the second side wall  251  adjacent the second guide rail  249  are parallel. Alternatively, the first side wall  250  adjacent the first guide rail  248  and the second side wall  251  adjacent the second guide rail  249  are angled toward one another. Also, similar to the extractor  140 , the extractor  240  may have a plurality of holes  258  to connect the extractor  240  to the plurality of standoffs  170 . 
     The various components for the railroad spike remover  100 , such as the main column  102 , the bearing housing  110 , the drive shaft  120 , the mounting flange  134 , the plurality of standoffs  170 , and the extractor  140 ,  240  may be made of a metallic material, preferably a steel alloy. Alternatively, the components may be made of other metallic materials such as iron, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, or a titanium alloy. 
     The railroad spike remover  100  may be portable for a single user to move and operate. Thus, the railroad spike remover  100  may have a weight of less than 50 pounds. In other embodiments of this invention, the railroad spike remover  100  and  500  may have a weight of less than 30 pounds. 
     To operate the railroad spike remover  100 , a user may position the railroad spike remover  100  near a railroad spike  10  and then slide the opening  147  of the extractor  140  onto the top of the railroad spike  10  such that the railroad spike  10  is secured in extractor  140 . The user may then position the railroad spike remover  100  over the railroad spike  10 . The user then engages the drive element  127  with the torque wrench  20  and rotates the drive shaft  120  to raise the mounting flange  134  and the extractor  140 . As the drive shaft  120  is turned, the extractor  140 , along with the railroad spike  10 , raises into the main column  102  until the railroad spike  10  is released from the rail tie. Then, the user may reverse the drive shaft  120  to lower the mounting flange  134  and the extractor  140  to allow the railroad spike remover  100  to be ready to remove another railroad spike  10 . As was discussed above, a battery-operated drill-type apparatus or an air hammer attached to a pneumatic supply could be utilized in lieu of the torque wrench, thereby engaging the drive shaft  120  and rotating the drive shaft to move the drive shaft  120  up and down. 
       FIGS.  10 - 14    show an alternate embodiment for the extractor  140 ,  240 . For the embodiment of  FIGS.  10 - 14   , in the place of the extractor  140 ,  240 , the railroad spike remover  100  may include an extractor  340  with moving jaws  342  that are frictionally delayed. The features of the extractor  340  are referred to using similar reference numerals under the “3XX” series of reference numerals, rather than “1XX” as used in the embodiment of  FIGS.  5  and  6   . Accordingly, certain features of the extractor  340  that were already described above with respect to the extractor  140  of  FIGS.  5 - 6    may be described in lesser detail, or may not be described at all. The extractor  340  may be used with similar features of the railroad spike remover  100  already described above. 7  FIG.  10    illustrates a side perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the extractor of the rail spike remover of  FIG.  1   .  FIG.  11    illustrates an internal side perspective view of the extractor and rail spike remover of  FIG.  10   .  FIG.  12    illustrates a close-up view of a bottom portion of the extractor and rail spike remover of  FIG.  10   .  FIG.  13    illustrates a close-up view of the extractor and rail spike remover of  FIG.  10   .  FIG.  14    illustrates a side perspective view of the extractor of the rail spike remover of  FIG.  10   . 
     As discussed above, the plurality of standoffs  170  connect to an extractor  340 . As shown in  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the extractor  340  may comprise a claw assembly extractor. Generally, the claw assembly extractor  340  may be designed to open, close, and grab with the drive shaft  120  movement the railroad spike at a force as high as 19,000 pounds. The claw assembly extractor  340  may include a pair of jaws  342  that are pivotally connected to each other by a pivoting pin  344  and a rotating pin  346 . The lower ends  348  of the jaws  342  are configured to contact and grab the railroad spike  10 . The upper members  350  of the jaws  342  are pivotally connected to the mounting flange  134  with the rotating pin  346  or the pivoting pin  344  as illustrated in  FIG.  15 A . When the drive shaft  120  is pulled upward, the jaws  342  move towards a grabbing position to grab onto the railroad spike  10 . 
     The extractor  340  and claw assembly extractor includes the two jaws  342 , a pivoting pin  344 , the two upper members  350 , spacer caps, a rotating pin  346 , and a friction assembly. The friction assembly generally includes a spring and friction caps. The jaws  342  and upper members  350  form a moveable parallelogram assembly. The jaws  342  each have a pivot hole  352  which the pivot pin  344  is located in. The jaws  342  also each have a rotating section  354  which the rotating pin  346  is located in. The upper members  350  of the jaws  342  are pivotally connected to the jaws  342  by their rotating sections  354  and the rotating pins  346 . The upper members  350  of the jaws  342  may be also pivotally connected to the mounting flange  134  and drive shaft  120  by the pivoting pin  346 . 
     The friction assembly functions for keeping the jaws  342  in an open position as the jaws  342  are moved from the up position to the home position after a spike  10  has been pulled. Initially, a user places the railroad spike remover  100  over the spike  10  with the jaws  342  in the open position. When the user begins movement of the railroad spike remover  100 , the drive shaft  120  is moved upward, pulling the upper members  350  upward and rotated pulling the upper members  350  of the jaws  342  towards each other. The friction assembly keeps the centers of the jaws  342  fixed relative to the main column  102  such that the jaws  342  only initially rotate and do not translate relative to the main column  102 . Thus, the lower ends  348  of the jaws  342  are able to rotate under the head of the spike  10 . Then the jaws  342  are stopped by the spike  10  from further rotation, the upward movement of the drive shaft  120  overcomes the frictional forces of the friction assembly and the jaws  342  translate upward along the interior of the main column  102  pulling the spike  10  with it. When the user releases the movement of the railroad spike remover  100 , the drive shaft  120  is moved downward back towards its home position. The friction assembly initially holds the center of the jaws  342  fixed relative to the main column  102  such that the jaws  342  only initially rotate and translate to move the jaws  342  to an open position. As the jaws  342  are opened, the spike  10  is able to be released. The jaws  342  stop rotating and start translating down the main column  102  when the back surfaces of the jaws  342  lower ends contact the opposite interior sides of the main column  102 . The lower ends  348  of the jaws  342  substantially block an area between the main column  102  and the back surfaces to prevent the spike  10  from entering this area. After the jaws  342  open the downward movement of the drive shaft moves the jaws  342  downward back to their home position while maintaining the jaws  342  in their open position along this home returning movement. 
     The claw assembly extractor and the jaws  342  includes a frictionally-delayed movement that includes pivoting claws  348  with arms or upper members  350  that frictionally contact each other and/or the main column  102  when opening and closing the jaws  342 . The frictionally-delayed moving jaws functions as a means for keeping the jaws in an open position as the jaws  342  are moved from the up position to the home positions after a spike  10  has been pulled. 
     Additionally,  FIGS.  15 A- 15 D  illustrate the interchangeability of the extractors  140  and  340  for the railroad spike remover  100 .  FIG.  15 A  illustrates fastening the mounting flange  134  to the top end of the main column  104  and the bearing housing  110  with the bolts and the standoffs  170 .  FIG.  15 B  illustrates sliding the standoffs  170  (or long bolts) into the extractor  140  (or claw) and then sliding the sleeves onto the standoffs  170  (or long bolts).  FIG.  15 C  illustrates the use of spacers installed onto the extractor  140  (or claw) as needed, which will adjust the stroke of the railroad spike remover  100  from 4.5 to 6.5 inches.  FIG.  15 D  illustrates sliding the extractor assembly (or claw assembly) into the main column  102  and tightening the four standoffs  170  (or long bolts) into the mounting flange  134 . 
       FIGS.  16 A- 20 C  show an alternate embodiment for a rail spike remover  500 . The features of the rail spike remover  500  are referred to using similar reference numerals under the “5XX” series of reference numerals, rather than “1XX” or “3XX” as used in the embodiments of  FIGS.  1  and  10   . Accordingly, certain features of the rail spike remover  500  that were already described above with respect to the rail spike remover  100  of  FIGS.  1 - 9    or the rail spike remover  300  of  FIGS.  10 - 15 D  may be described in lesser detail, or may not be described at all. The rail spike remover  500  may be used with similar features of the railroad spike remover  100 ,  300  already described above.  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B  illustrate perspective views of an alternate embodiment of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  1  and  10   .  FIG.  17 A  illustrates a cross-sectional view along A-A of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B .  FIG.  17 B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of detail B of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B .  FIG.  17 C  illustrates a cross-sectional view of detail C of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B .  FIG.  17 D  illustrates a cross-sectional view of detail D of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B .  FIGS.  18 A- 18 C  illustrate perspective views of an upper housing of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B .  FIGS.  19 A and  19 B  illustrate perspective views of a lower housing assembly of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B .  FIGS.  20 A- 20 C  illustrate perspective views of a T-handle assembly of the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  16 A and  16 B . 
     The railroad spike remover  500  may comprise a main housing  502 , a bearing housing  510 , a plurality of standoffs  570 , a mounting flange  534 , an extractor  540 , and a drive shaft  520  attached to a T-handle assembly  580  with a battery-operated drill-type tool  582 . The main housing  502  may have an upper housing  504  and a lower assembly housing  506 . The bearing housing  510  may be connected to the upper housing  504  and have an opening  512  for inserting the drive shaft  520 . The drive shaft  520  may also extend through one or more bearings  514  secured in the bearing housing  510  by a cap plate  516 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  17 A , the drive shaft  520  may have a first end  522  and a second end  524  opposite the first end  522 . Near the first end  522 , the drive shaft  520  may extend through an opening in the bearing  514 , through an opening  512  in the bearing housing  510 , and through an opening in the cap plate  516 . As further illustrated in  FIG.  17 C , near the second end  524 , the drive shaft  520  may connect to the mounting flange  534 . The drive shaft  520  may be secured to the mounting flange  534  using a nut  537 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  17 C and  17 D , the plurality of standoffs  570  may connect to the mounting flange  534  at one end and to a clevis pivot plate  572  on the other end. The clevis pivot plate  572  may be attached to a clevis fastener  574  which may then be connected to the extractor  540  or the claw assembly extractor  540 . 
     As further illustrated in  FIG.  17 D , the extractor  540  comprises a claw assembly extractor  540 . Generally, the claw assembly extractor  540  may be designed to open, close, and grab with the drive shaft  520  movement the railroad spike at a force as high as 19,000 pounds. As described above and illustrated for the extractor  340  and  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the claw assembly extractor  540  may include a pair of jaws  542  that are pivotally connected to each other by a pivoting pin  544  and a rotating pin  546 . The lower ends  548  of the jaws  542  are configured to contact and grab the railroad spike  10 . The upper members  550  of the jaws  542  are pivotally connected to the clevis fastener  574  with the rotating pin  546  or the pivoting pin  544  as illustrated in  FIG.  17 D . When the drive shaft  520  is pulled upward, the jaws  542  move towards a grabbing position to grab onto the railroad spike  10 . 
     The claw assembly extractor  540  includes the two jaws  542 , a pivoting pin  544 , the two upper members  550 , spacer caps, a rotating pin  546 , and a friction assembly. The friction assembly generally includes a spring and friction caps. The jaws  542  and upper members  550  form a moveable parallelogram assembly. The jaws  542  each have a pivot hole  552  which the pivot pin  544  is located in. The jaws  542  also each have a rotating section  554  which the rotating pin  546  is located in. The upper members  550  of the jaws  542  are pivotally connected to the jaws  542  by their rotating sections  554  and the rotating pins  546 . The upper members  550  of the jaws  542  may be also pivotally connected to the clevis fastener  574  and the clevis pivot plate  572  by the pivoting pin  546 . 
     The friction assembly functions for keeping the jaws  542  in an open position as the jaws  342  are moved from the up position to the home position after a spike  10  has been pulled. Initially, a user places the railroad spike remover  100  over the spike  10  with the jaws  542  in an open position. When the user begins rotation of the drive shaft  520  of the railroad spike remover  500 , the drive shaft  520  is moved upward, pulling the upper members  550  upward and rotated pulling the upper members  550  of the jaws  542  towards each other. The friction assembly keeps the centers of the jaws  542  fixed relative to the main housing  502  such that the jaws  542  only initially rotate and do not translate relative to the main housing  502 . Thus, the lower ends  548  of the jaws  542  are able to rotate under the head of the spike  10 . Then the jaws  542  are stopped by the spike  10  from further rotation and the upward movement of the drive shaft  520  overcomes the frictional forces of the friction assembly and the jaws  542  translate upward along the interior of the main housing  502  pulling the spike  10  with it. When the user releases the movement of the railroad spike remover  100  and rotates the drive shaft  520  downward, the drive shaft  520  is moved downward back towards its home position. The friction assembly initially holds the center of the jaws  542  fixed relative to the main housing  502  such that the jaws  542  only initially rotate and translate to move the jaws  542  to an open position. As the jaws  542  are opened, the spike  10  is able to be released. The jaws  542  stop rotating and start translating down the main housing  502  when the back surfaces of the jaws  542  lower ends contact the opposite interior sides of the main housing  502 . The lower ends  548  of the jaws  542  substantially block an area between the main housing  502  and the back surfaces to prevent the spike  10  from entering this area. After the jaws  542  open the downward movement of the drive shaft  520  moves the jaws  542  downward back to their home position while maintaining the jaws  542  in their open position along this home returning movement. 
     The claw assembly extractor  540  and the jaws  542  includes a frictionally-delayed movement that includes pivoting claws  548  with arms or upper members  550  that frictionally contact each other and/or the main housing  502  when opening and closing the jaws  542 . The frictionally-delayed moving jaws  542  function as a means for keeping the jaws  542  in an open position as the jaws  542  are moved from the up position to the home positions after a spike  10  has been pulled. 
     The main housing  502  may include both an upper housing  504  and a lower assembly housing  506 . As illustrated in  FIGS.  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  19 A, and  19 B , the upper housing  504  and the lower assembly housing  506  may include a plurality of substantially vertical side walls. The main housing  502  may have a height of approximately 24 inches or within a range of 16 to 40 inches or any height. The upper housing  504  may have a height of approximately 10 inches or within a range of 6 to 18 inches or any height. The lower assembly housing  506  may have a height of approximately 14 inches or with a range of 10 to 22 inches or any height. As shown in the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS.  16 A- 20 C , the main housing  502 , the upper housing  504 , and the lower assembly housing  506  may generally have a square cross-sectional shape. For example as shown in  FIGS.  16 A- 20 C , the main housing  502 , the upper housing  504 , and the lower assembly housing  506  may have four side walls. Each side wall may have a width of approximately 3.5 inches or within a range of 3 inches to 4 inches, or within a range of 2 inches to 6 inches. Additionally, the upper housing  504  may include a housing handle  508  attached to the upper housing  504 . The lower housing assembly  506  may also include a housing handle without departing from the invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  16 A,  16 B,  20 A,  20 B, and  20 C , a T-handle assembly  580  with a battery-operated drill-type tool  582  may be connected to the drive shaft  520  to rotate the drive shaft  520 . The first end  522  of the drive shaft  520  may have a drive element  527  to allow a user to engage the drive shaft  520  with the T-handle assembly  580  and the battery-operated drill-type tool  582 , such as a high-impact torque wrench or similar device to rotate the drive shaft  520 . The battery-operated drill-type tool  582  may include a rechargeable battery pack  583 . The drive element  527  may have a hexagonal shape to be engaged by a standard hexagonal high impact socket  592  on the T-handle assembly  580 . The standard hexagonal socket may be 0.5 inches or larger. A battery-operated drill-type apparatus or an air hammer attached to a pneumatic supply could be utilized as the rotating tool, thereby engaging the drive shaft  520  and rotating the drive shaft  520  to move the drive shaft  520  up and down. The T-handle assembly  580  may also allow the battery-operated drill-type tool  582  to be easily removed by a user and removed for storage. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  20 A,  20 B, and  20 C , the T-handle assembly  580  may include a drill face plate  596  to hold the battery-operated drill-type tool  582 . The drill face plate  596  may be connected to a handle plate  594  extending perpendicular to the drill face plate  596 . A handle  586  may be extend perpendicular and be connected to the handle plate  594 . A handle grip  588  may surround the handle  586  and may be made of a foam material. One or more fastening straps  590  and one or more side plates  584  may be utilized to connect the T-handle assembly  580  to the main housing  502  and specifically to the upper housing  504 . The one or more fastening strips  590  may be designed to be quick-connect straps to quickly disconnect the battery-operated drill-type tool  582  from the main housing  502  and upper housing  504  of the railroad spike remover  500 . The one or more side plates may extend from and connect to the drill face plate  596 . The one or more straps  590  may surround and secure the battery-operated drill-type tool  582  to the drill face plate  596 , thereby securing the T-handle assembly  580  to the main housing  502 . Additionally, the battery-operated drill-type tool  582  may be attached to an impact socket  592  which then connects to the drive element  527  of the drive shaft  520 . The battery-operated drill-type tool  582  may be other similar tools, such as electronic, pneumatic, or other such drill-type tools that will perform similar functionality as a battery-operated drill-type tool  582 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIGS.  21 A and  21 B , the T-handle assembly  580  may include a drill guard structure  598 . The drill guard structure  598  may be connected to the T-handle assembly  580  and provide a guard for the battery-operated drill-type tool  582 . The drill guard structure  598  may include a case over the battery-operated drill-type tool  582  while allowing the user to hole the battery-operated drill-type tool  582 . The drill guard structure  598  may include side panels that extend the length of the battery-operated drill-type tool  582  and a back panel that covers the battery area. The drill guard structure  598  may also include front panels that cover the rotating section of the battery-operated drill-type tool  582 . 
     The plurality of standoffs  570  may be hollow tubes that connect at a first end to a mounting flange  534  and a second end of connected to a clevis pivot plate  572 . The clevis pivot plate  572  may be attached to a clevis fastener  574  which is then connected to the claw assembly extractor  540 . Each standoff  570  may have internal threads such that they may be releasably connected using a threaded fastener on the clevis pivot plate  572 . Alternatively, the plurality of standoffs  570  may be integrally joined to the either the mounting flange  534  or the clevis pivot plate  572  or both. Each standoff  570  may be approximately 7 inches long or within a range of 5 inches to 9 inches or within a range of 3 inches to 12 inches. Each of the standoffs  570  may be the same length, but depending on the shape of the either the mounting flange  534 , the clevis pivot plate  572 , or the extractor  540 , each of the standoffs  570  may have different lengths. 
     The various components for the railroad spike remover  500 , such as the main housing  502 , the bearing housing  510 , the drive shaft  520 , the mounting flange  534 , the plurality of standoffs  570 , the T-handle assembly  580 , and the claw assembly extractor  540  may be made of a metallic material, preferably a steel alloy. Alternatively, the components may be made of other metallic materials such as iron, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, or a titanium alloy. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG.  22   , the rail spike remover  100 ,  500  may include a quick attachment that allows the rail spike remover to be either a spike puller or a spike driver. The rail spike remover  100 ,  500  may also include rail spike driver  180  that can be interchangeable with any of the extractor  140 , extractor  340 , or the claw assembly extractor  540 . For example, the rail spike driver  180  may be quickly interchanged with the claw assembly extractor  540  by removing the clevis pivot plate  572  and attaching the rail spike driver  180  to the plurality of standoffs  570 . Additionally, and similarly, the rail spike driver  180  may be interchanged with extractor  140  and the extractor  340 . The rail spike driver  180  may be utilized. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG.  23   , the rail spike remover  100 ,  500  may include a leveling block  190  for use with the rail spike remover of  FIGS.  1 ,  10 ,  16 A, and  16 B . The leveling block  190  may be located on one side of the bottom footer of the second end  106  of the main column  102  or the lower assembly housing  506  of the main housing  502  of the rail spike remover  100 ,  500 . As illustrated in  FIG.  23   , the leveling block  190  may be rectangular in shape. The leveling block  190  may be utilized to help level the rail spike remover  100 ,  500  when removing railroad spikes. Additionally, the leveling block  190  may be utilized to help remove the rails flanged angle when pulling railroad spikes. 
     CONCLUSION 
     While the invention has been described in detail in terms of specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and methods.