Abstract:
A snow removal apparatus having a frame, a first snow removal device, and a second snow removal device. The first snow removal device is operably mounted to the frame for removing snow from a front end of the frame. The second snow removal device is operably mounted to the frame for removing snow from a region lateral to a front end of the frame. The first snow removal device and the second snow removal device enable snow to be removed from a width that is wider than a width of the frame.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a snow removal apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a snow removal apparatus for removing snow from train tracks.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    In many climates, snow accumulates on train tracks. This snow impedes the ability of trains to move along the train tracks. When only a relatively small amount of snow has accumulated on the train tracks, it is possible to remove the snow from the train tracks with a plow. As the level of snow increases, it becomes impossible for the train to have sufficient power to push the snow off the train tracks with the plow.  
           [0003]    To overcome this limitation and enable trains to continue operating, two-stage snow blowers have been attached to the front of trains. The first stage collects the snow and the second stage propels the snow away from the train tracks. The snow blower extends across the width of the train and thereby enables the snow to be cleared from the train tracks.  
           [0004]    Examples of two-stage snow removal devices are found in Schmidt, U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,663; Schmidt, U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,320; and Gruber, U.S. Pat. No. 4,829,684.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention is a snow removal apparatus for removing snow from train tracks that includes a first snow blowing device and a second snow blowing device. The first snow blower element is mounted to a front portion of a train car to clear snow from in front of the train car. The second snow blowing device is operably connected to the train car so that the second snow blowing device can clear snow from a region that is adjacent to the train car. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a side view of a snow removal apparatus according to the present invention.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a top view of the snow removal apparatus with a second snow removal apparatus in a retracted position.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a top view of the snow removal apparatus with the second snow removal apparatus in an extended position.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is a side view of the snow removal apparatus with the second snow removal apparatus in an extended position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0010]    The present invention is a snow removal apparatus as most clearly illustrated at  10  in FIG. 1. The snow removal apparatus  10  generally includes at least one train car  20 , a first snow removal apparatus  22  and a second snow removal apparatus  24 . The first and second snow removal apparatus  22 ,  24  are mounted to the at least one train car  20  to clear snow from a width that is considerably wider than the width of the at least one train car  20 .  
         [0011]    The snow removal apparatus  10  of the present invention thereby provides the ability to clear snow from a path that is wider than the train. The snow removal apparatus  10  thereby reduces the time needed to remove snow from train tracks. The snow removal apparatus  10  also minimizes the potential that snow will be swept back over the train tracks after the train passes over the train tracks, which thereby reduces the frequency that the snow removal device  10  must be used on a specified length of train track.  
         [0012]    The at least one train car  20  preferably includes a first train car  20   a  and a second train car  20   b.  The at least one train car  20  may also include a third train car  20   c,  which provides an enclosed region for persons operating the snow blowing apparatus  10  to rest, such as a conventional caboose. Each of the train cars  20   a,    20   b  have a frame and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to the frame.  
         [0013]    The first train car  20   a  preferably includes a motor (not shown) that enables the snow removal apparatus  10  to move along the train tracks under its own power. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that it is also possible to use the snow removal apparatus  10  with a conventional locomotive or other powered rail cars (not shown).  
         [0014]    The first snow blowing device  22  is preferably attached to the front of the first train car  20   a.  The first snow blowing device  22  preferably includes a two-stage configuration with a first stage that collects snow and conveys the snow to a second stage. The second stage conveys or blows the snow away from the train. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of snow blowing devices can be used with the concepts of the present invention.  
         [0015]    The second snow blowing device  24  is preferably mounted to the second train car  20   b  with an arm  30 . The arm  30  may include a structure that merely supports the second snow blowing device  24 . Alternatively, the arm  30  may include the ability to convey snow away from the second snow blowing device  24 . In this configuration, the arm  30  preferably has a structure that is similar to the arms used with railroad-mounted trench diggers, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,898, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0016]    The arm  30  has a first arm portion  32  and a second arm portion  34 . The first arm portion  32  and the second arm portion  34  intersect proximate to a pivot axis  36  at which the arm  30  is pivotally attached to the second train car  20   b,  as most clearly illustrated in FIG. 4. The first arm portion  32  is also vertically pivotable to raise and lower the height of the second snow blowing device  24 , as most clearly illustrated in FIG. 3. A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of techniques may be used to control the rotation and pivoting of the arm  30 .  
         [0017]    The second snow blowing device  24  is pivotally attached to the arm  30  so that the second snow blowing device  24  can be rotated horizontally and vertically with respect to the arm  30 . Movement in these directions enables the second snow blowing device  24  to be oriented towards the front of the snow removal apparatus  10  at various angular orientations of the arm  30  with respect to the second train car  20   b.    
         [0018]    The second snow blowing device  24  may have a configuration that is substantially similar to the configuration of the first snow blowing device  22 , which includes a conventional two-stage snow blower where the first stage collects and conveys the snow to a second stage. The second stage propels or blows the snow away from the snow blower.  
         [0019]    While not necessary, wheels or other similar devices may be mounted on the second snow blowing device  24  to support a portion of the weight of the second snow blowing device  24 . For example, the wheels may be configured to roll along train tracks that are adjacent to train tracks upon which the snow removal apparatus  10  is located.  
         [0020]    Alternatively, the second snow blowing device  24  is operably connected to a conveying system that is included in typical ditcher devices. Snow would then be collected with the second snow blower element  24  and then conveyed along the first arm portion  32  and the second arm portion before being discharged from the snow removal apparatus  10 .  
         [0021]    In operation, the snow removal apparatus  10  is moved under its own power to a location where snow has accumulated on train tracks in a retracted configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The first snow blowing device  22  is activated to begin clearing snow from the train tracks. Next, the arm  30  is rotated so that the second snow blower element  24  is positioned adjacent to the second rail car  20   b,  as illustrated in FIG. 4. The arm  30  is then raised or lowered so that the second snow blowing device  24  is positioned proximate a ground surface. The second snow blowing device  24  is then activated to begin clearing snow from a region adjacent the train tracks or from a second set of train tracks that are located in proximity to the first train tracks.  
         [0022]    The snow removal apparatus  10  is then moved along the train track as the first snow blowing device  22  and the second snow blowing device  24  are operating to clear snow. By using the snow removal apparatus of the present invention, the time it takes to clear snow from train tracks is greatly reduced when compared with snow removal devices that are only able to clear snow from a single set of train tracks.  
         [0023]    The concepts of the present invention are also suited for use in applications other than trains. For example, the snow removal apparatus can be used with wheeled or track-mounted vehicles.  
         [0024]    The concepts of the present invention are further suited for use with alternative snow removal mechanisms such as snow plows.  
         [0025]    It is contemplated that features disclosed in this application, as well as those described in the above applications incorporated by reference, can be mixed and