Patent Description:
The inventive subject matter relates generally to railroad right-of-way maintenance machinery, and specifically to machinery used for applying anchors to rail ties for securing rail tie plates and rails to the ties.

A railway anchor may clamp onto a rail and be positioned to abut the tie and the tie plate, to resist the movement of the rail relative to the tie. Railway anchors may include different configurations and models of anchors, such as spring-type or drive-on anchors made by different manufacturers, or any other rail fasteners positioned adjacent tie plates and used for retaining tie plates upon the ties.

During the course of railroad maintenance work, existing rail anchors may be removed during the replacement of rail ties, tie plates, and rails, and for other maintenance operations. Once the maintenance is complete, the anchors may need to be reinstalled. Alternatively, the anchors can fail and new anchors need to be installed in their place.

Rail anchors may be installed by railroad maintenance machines that may include a frame or chassis which is either self-propelled or towable along the track, and a workhead that may include an anchor applicator device. Such devices may have a travel position, where the portion of the workhead can be held sufficiently above the track to avoid damage by obstacles including the track itself, and a work position. During operation in the work position, the workheads can move between a loading position for loading the repair part, and a track engaging position for applying the repair part. To avoid damage to the devices, such workheads may be designed for operation so that travel is prohibited when these devices are in the latter two positions, or the devices can automatically rise to the travel position when the railroad maintenance machine begins to move to the next location.

Railroad maintenance machines can be configured for installing certain types of anchors. As anchor geometry changes to improve performance and durability of the anchor, anchor application techniques may need to be changed to accommodate the type of anchor. Thus, a need may exist for an improved rail anchor applicator which may more consistently install anchors to railway tracks. <CIT> describes a railway anchor applicator for applying an anchor to a rail, and includes a frame configured for movement in a specified direction of travel along a track, and a workhead assembly movably mounted on the frame for movement toward and away from the rail. An anchor receiving mechanism is configured for movement between a first position receiving an anchor from an anchor input and a second position placing the anchor away from the anchor input. An anchor positioning mechanism moves between a retracted and extended position for positioning the anchor adjacent to the rail at either the field or gage side of the rail. An anchor clipping mechanism engages the anchor onto the rail by applying pressure on the anchor from the side of the rail and compresses the anchor between components of the anchor clipping mechanism so that compressive forces act on the anchor transversely across the rail.

Provided herein is an anchor clipping mechanism according to claim <NUM>.

Provided herein is a workhead assembly for a railway anchor applicator according to claim <NUM>.

Provided herein is a method of applying a railway anchor to a railway track according to claim <NUM>.

The subject matter may be understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:.

<FIG> is an illustrative view of one example of a railway anchor applicator <NUM>. The railway anchor applicator may be designed for applying railway anchors <NUM> onto railroad rails <NUM> to secure rail tie plates <NUM> and ties <NUM> to the rails. The anchors, the rails, the tie plates and the ties may be collectively referred to as a railroad track <NUM>.

A frame <NUM> may be included on the railway anchor applicator. The frame may be supported on a set of wheels <NUM> such that the frame can be movable along the railroad track, either by being self-propelled by a source of motive power such as an engine <NUM>, or by being towable by another powered vehicle. At or near the rear of the railway anchor applicator, an operator's station <NUM> can be included for housing an operator <NUM> (<FIG>). A bulk storage compartment <NUM> may be located in front of the operator's station in the direction of travel of the railway anchor applicator along the railroad track. Other components of railway maintenance machines can also be incorporated.

For purposes of discussion, the forward direction "F" is towards the direction of travel, and the rearward direction "R" is away from the direction of travel. Also, the gage side or internal side "GG" of the track is between the rails, while the field side or outward side "FD" is outside of each rail. Upwards "U" is away from the ground and downwards "D" is towards the ground. The length of the vehicle is measured along the track, and the width of the vehicle is measured across the track.

Referring now to <FIG> and <FIG>, at least one operator's seat <NUM> may be disposed in the operator's station in operational relationship to an interior work area <NUM> having at least one operator input <NUM> such as a trigger, a switch, a joystick, a button, or any other input mechanism. Extending from the bulk storage compartment (<FIG>) into the station can be a bulk-loading conveyer <NUM> for receiving anchors in the operator's station. The anchors can travel from the bulk storage compartment, up the bulk-loading conveyer, and into the operator's station where the operator can remove the anchors from the conveyer.

In one example, an exterior work area <NUM> may be located between a work frame <NUM> and the operator's station in proximity to one of the two rails of the track. The work frame can include at least one piston rod or shaft <NUM> extending from a fluid power cylinder <NUM> used to selectively position a moving frame <NUM> vertically to the rails over portions of the track needing maintenance. The moving frame can be moved under hydraulic power from the fluid power cylinder within the work frame. Other arrangements are contemplated for controlling movement vertical to the rail. Further, arrangements configured for movement parallel to the rail (forward) "F" and rearward "R" and movement transverse to the rail (gage "GG" to field "FD") are contemplated.

In the railway anchor applicator, the exterior work area may be provided with at least one and/or two workhead assemblies <NUM>. Only one such assembly will be described in detail, since the units can be substantially identical to each other. The workhead assembly can be movably mounted on the work frame for vertical movement toward and away from a tie (upward "U" and downward "D") to adjust the movement of the workhead to a particular height of the rail.

<FIG> is a partial view of one example of the workhead assembly. As seen in <FIG> and <FIG>, the workhead assembly may include an anchor receiving mechanism <NUM>, an anchor positioning mechanism <NUM> and an anchor clipping mechanism <NUM>. In one example, the anchor receiving mechanism may be configured for movement between a first position for receiving at least one anchor from an anchor input <NUM> and a second position for placing the anchor at a location away from the anchor input. In one embodiment, the anchor receiving mechanism pivots the anchor downward "D" towards the rail. The anchor receiving mechanism is depicted in <FIG> in the first position where the anchor can be received from the anchor input.

The anchor positioning mechanism can be configured for movement between a retracted receiving position and an extended position for positioning the anchor adjacent to the rail. The movement of the anchor positioning mechanism can be vertical movement downward "D," as well as rotation about the work frame. In one example, the anchor positioning mechanism can be a hydraulic piston coupled to the anchor receiving mechanism and the frame of the workhead assembly. The retracted receiving position of the anchor positioning mechanism can correspond to the first position, or receiving position of the anchor receiving mechanism. The extended position of the anchor positioning mechanism can correspond to the second position of the anchor receiving mechanism. In the second position, the anchor receiving mechanism may deliver the anchor to the anchor clipping mechanism.

In one example, the anchor clipping mechanism can positively engage the anchor against the rail by imparting pressure on the anchor transversely across the rail. The anchor can be positioned from the gage side "GG" as the anchor clipping mechanism moves underneath the rail towards the field side "FD" of the rail. The anchor can be clipped, or installed, onto the rail by moving the anchor upwards and back towards the gage side "GG" to compress it against the flange of the rail. In one example, the anchor can be clipped onto the rail by moving the anchor in an alternative sequence of directions depending on the shape and construction of the anchor.

Before the workhead assembly installs an anchor to the rail, the anchor may be inserted into the workhead assembly from the anchor input. While the anchor input can be contemplated as any manner of feeding anchors to the workhead assembly, including manual feeding directly to the anchor receiving mechanism, an anchor magazine <NUM> can be provided for each workhead assembly.

<FIG> is a side view of the workhead assembly depicting the anchor receiving mechanism in the second position where the anchor can be placed in proximity to the rail at a location away from the anchor input. The anchor receiving mechanism may be moved to the second position by extension of the anchor positioning mechanism. In the second position, the anchor receiving mechanism may be nested or supported in certain components of the anchor clipping mechanism. In the second position, the anchor may be in contact with the anchor clipping mechanism.

In one example, the anchor clipping mechanism may include an applicator arm <NUM> coupled to an apply lever <NUM> and an apply cam <NUM>. The apply lever may be operably coupled to an actuator <NUM>. The actuator may be a hydraulic piston or other force-producing actuator. The actuator may couple at one end to the apply lever and at another end to a support arm <NUM>. The support arm may be configured to pivotably couple to one end of the actuator. The support arm may be adapted to couple to a support member <NUM> of the moving frame. The support member may be used for reacting forces applied by the actuator. The support member may be a grounded or non-moving component of the moving frame. The support arm may be fixed to the support member to prevent relative motion between the support arm and the support member. In one example, the support arm may be coupled to the apply lever in a way to provide degree of freedom in movement such as rotation about the support member.

In one example, the anchor clipping mechanism may include a rail coupler <NUM> attached to one end of the applicator arm. The rail coupler may be configured to contact the anchor and transmit forces from the anchor clipping mechanism to apply the anchor to the rail. The rail coupler may be integral to the anchor clipping mechanism. The rail coupler can be a separate component fastened to the anchor clipping mechanism and removed or replaced as it is worn or damaged during operation.

In one example, the applicator arm may include an elongated body having a first end prepared for coupling to the rail coupler, a second end adapted to couple to the apply cam, and a middle portion located between the first end and the second. The middle portion may be provided with a first pin <NUM>. The first pin can be pivotably coupled to the apply lever. The applicator arm can couple at the second end to the apply cam through a guide pin <NUM>. In one example, the guide pin can provide a pivoting and sliding interface between the applicator arm and the apply cam. In one example, a cap <NUM> may be coupled over the first pin and the apply lever. The cap may be configured to retain the first pin. In one example, the elongated body may have a clevis opening <NUM> (<FIG>) for receiving the apply lever and the apply cam. The clevis opening can be formed as a slot formed in the elongated body of the applicator arm. The clevis opening may be positioned from the middle portion through the second end. Once assembled, the apply lever and the apply cam can be flanked on each side by the clevis opening.

In one example, the apply lever may be an elongated body having a pivot pin <NUM> arranged on a first end of the elongated body. The apply lever may couple at an opposite end of the elongated body to the applicator arm at the first pin. The apply lever can have a fulcrum <NUM> located on the elongated body between the pivot pin and the first pin. During application of the anchor, the apply lever can transfer force from the actuator through the pivot pin to the first pin on the applicator arm while rotating about the fulcrum.

<FIG> is a partial cross-sectional side-view of the workhead assembly. In one example, the anchor receiving mechanism may be provided with a clamp <NUM>. The clamp may be actuated by a hydraulic means to selectively contact one end of the anchor. When the clamp is clasped to the anchor, the anchor may be securely held within the anchor receiving mechanism. The anchor receiving mechanism may be provided with a plunger <NUM>. The plunger may be adapted to dampen the fall of the anchor from the anchor input into the anchor receiving mechanism. The plunger may also be configured to securely hold the anchor during rotation of the anchor receiving mechanism from the first position to the second position and can stabilize the anchor during application of the anchor to the rail.

In one example, the anchor positioning mechanism may be coupled to a bracket <NUM> extending from a support arm <NUM>. The support arm can be coupled to the support member. The support arm may be adapted to operably couple to the apply cam. In one example, the apply cam can couple to the support arm at a first cam fastening location <NUM>. The apply cam can couple to the support member at a second cam fastening location <NUM> (<FIG>). The first and second cam fastening locations can securely and accurately position the apply cam with respect to the applicator arm. In one example, the apply cam can be provided with a slot <NUM>. The slot can receive the guide pin provided on the applicator arm. In one example, the slot may be an opening formed in the body of the apply cam. The slot may have a length in the transverse direction of the rail and can have a length in the vertical direction. The slot may take the shape of two linear sections, a first section having a length in the vertical direction and a second section having a length in the transverse direction. In one example, the slot may have a curved shape within the vertical and transverse directions.

<FIG> is an in-situ side-view of the workhead assembly and an exemplary railway. During application of a rail anchor, the applicator arm can be positioned underneath the rail through the rotation of the workhead assembly. The applicator arm can move when force is applied from the actuator through the apply lever. The motion of the applicator arm may have a rotation about the first pin followed by a translation of the applicator arm toward the gage side (GG) of the railway. The motion of the applicator arm can correspond to the translation of the guide pin in the slot of the apply cam. In one example, the guide pin can be positioned in the slot near the most vertical location when the anchor is ready for installation onto the rail. As force is applied by the actuator, the apply lever can transfer force to the applicator arm through the first pin. The guide pin can rotate and translate along the slot with the application of force to the applicator arm to thereby move the rail coupler upward and then backward to deposit the anchor onto the rail. Retraction of the applicator arm can then be performed through reversal of the actuator.

<FIG> is a side view of a workhead assembly <NUM> depicting an anchor receiving mechanism <NUM> in a position where the anchor can be placed in proximity to the rail at a location away from the anchor input. In one example, the workhead assembly may be configured to apply a clip type or slip type anchor. The anchor receiving mechanism may be moved to the second position by extension of an anchor positioning mechanism <NUM>. In the second position, the anchor receiving mechanism may be nested or supported in certain components of an anchor clipping mechanism <NUM>. In the second position, the anchor may be in contact with the anchor clipping mechanism.

In one example, the anchor clipping mechanism may include an applicator arm <NUM> coupled to an apply lever <NUM>. The apply lever can be operably coupled to an actuator <NUM>. The actuator may be a hydraulic piston or other force-producing actuator. The actuator can operably couple at one end to the apply lever and at another end to a support arm <NUM>. The support arm can be configured to pivotably couple to one end of the actuator. The support arm can be adapted to couple to a support member <NUM> of the moving frame. The support member may be used for reacting forces applied by the actuator. The support member may be a grounded or non-moving component of the moving frame. The support arm may be fixed to the support member to prevent relative motion between the support arm and the support member. In one example, the support arm may be coupled to the apply lever in a way to provide degree of freedom in movement such as rotation about the support member.

In one example, the applicator arm can be an elongated body having a first end prepared for coupling to the anchor, a second end adapted to couple to the apply lever, and a middle portion located between the first end and the second.

Claim 1:
An anchor clipping mechanism (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to a movable frame (<NUM>) of a railway anchor applicator (<NUM>), the anchor clipping mechanism comprising:
an actuator (<NUM>) configured to couple to the movable frame;
an apply lever (<NUM>) configured to couple to a second end of the actuator, the apply lever having a fulcrum (<NUM>) configured to couple to the moveable frame;
an applicator arm (<NUM>) having an elongated body with a first end, a second end at a distal location, and a middle portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the middle portion is configured to pivotably couple to the apply lever, and a guide pin (<NUM>) is located on the second end; and
characterised by:
an apply cam (<NUM>) configured to couple to the moveable frame, the apply cam having a slot (<NUM>) configured to receive the guide pin, wherein the applicator arm is configured to move in a path based at least in part on a shape of the slot.