Patent ID: 12188185

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept(s) as defined herein.

In the following description and in the figures, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The use of “e.g.,” “etc,” and “or” indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless otherwise noted. The use of “including” means “including, but not limited to,” unless otherwise noted.

FIG.1illustrates a preferred embodiment of a jacking tie2in a closed or resting position. The jacking tie has an elongate body that is formed of an upper section5(also called a track support shell) and a lower section7(also called a lower body shell). The opposing sections or shells house a first hydraulic jack cylinder (shown as9inFIG.2) positioned at or near the first end4of the jacking tie and a second hydraulic jack cylinder (shown as11inFIG.2) positioned at the second end of the jacking tie6, as shown inFIG.2. While the depicted preferred embodiment utilizes hydraulic jack cylinders, alternate jacks can be utilized such as pneumatic, electrical, or mechanical. The first hydraulic jack cylinder is configured to lift the track support shell at the first end of the jacking tie while the second hydraulic jack cylinder is configured to lift the track support shell at the second end. Each hydraulic cylinder is positioned within the jacking tie.

The jacking tie2is configured to be positioned such that it spans beneath adjacent railroad rails of a railroad structure. The jacking tie can be utilized to lift a railroad structure or alternatively an independent section of railroad rail. The track support shell5of the jacking tie and the lower body shell of the jacking tie7are connected in the depicted embodiment via a pivot pin8positioned at or near a longitudinal center of the jacking tie. The pivot pin allows for the pivoting of the track support shell5relative to the lower body shell7. This pivoting action allows each end of the track support shell to be adjusted independently to level the track or alternatively to raise the track by actuating the hydraulic jack cylinders simultaneously or sequentially. Hydraulic lines can be supplied to the jacks through the end doors (or plates) or alternatively through connections through the wall of the body of the jacking tie. Preferably either the track support shell or lower body shell utilizes a slot14that allows for vertical travel of the pivot pin. The vertical slot allows for vertical adjustment of the track support shell relative to the lower body shell, while allowing for pivotal adjustment of the track support shell on the pivot pin.

FIGS.1-8illustrate an embodiment of the invention having an end plate door to prohibit access to the hydraulic jack cylinders. Preferably the end plate door is lockingly attached to the end of the railroad jacking tie.

In preferred operation, a railroad tie is removed from beneath a railroad. The jacking tie is positioned spanning between the two adjacent rails. A hydraulic pump (not shown) is connected and independent circuits through each of the hydraulic lifts. Each lift is then actuated to raise the jacking tie and railroad rail positioned on the tie upward or lowered. In this manner the railroad rail and or structure can be lifted and/or leveled.

In a preferred embodiment the jacking tie is configured to be locked in a lifted position. The hydraulic lines can be disconnected from each of the hydraulic lifts. Preferably the hydraulic line is connected to each hydraulic lift by a quick connect. In a preferred embodiment the quick connect and hydraulic lift are positioned within the railroad tie structure and accessed via the end cavities22at each end of the railroad jacking tie. In a preferred embodiment a bypass valve is provided between the two disconnects for storing the jacking tie in a stored position. The purpose of the bypass valve is to prevent the hydraulic system from pressurizing when the railroad jacking tie is not in use.

FIG.2illustrates a partially exploded view of a jacking tie. The track support shell has been removed from the lower body shell, with the walls of the lower track shell shown transparently to illustrate internal structural baffles20and hydraulic jack cylinders9,11.

FIG.3illustrates the railroad jacking tie having the first end4of the track support shell in a lifted position with the first hydraulic jack cylinder extended. Each of the ends of the jacking tie can be independently actuated by the independently operating the hydraulic jack cylinder positioned associated with the end of the body of the jacking tie. The channel is configured to slide vertically to allow the track support shell to move vertically will remaining in pivotal connection with the lower body shell. Alternatively the channel can be configured in the lower member with the pivot pin configured to slide vertically in the channel. In this manner the track support shell is allowed to lift on each end and pivot to allow each of the opposing ends4,6, to be lifted and lowered independently.

FIG.4illustrates the railroad jacking tie in which both ends4,6have been lifted a similar vertical distance.

FIG.5illustrates a jacking tie in a closed or lowered position. The internal components of the jacking tie, specifically hydraulic jack cylinders9,11and structural baffles20are shown in broken lines to illustrate internal components. The rails34of the railroad track are shown positioned on the track support shell positioned above the hydraulic cylinders9,11. The track support shell is in a lowered position with slot14positioned with the pivot pin at the upper end of the slot.FIG.6illustrates the jacking tie in an extended position with both hydraulic cylinders extended, lifting the track support shell and rails thereon upward. The track pivot pin8is positioned at the lower end of the slot14, illustrating the track support shell is at or near its uppermost travel limitation.

FIG.7illustrates an isometric view of the upper shell of a jacking tie.FIG.8illustrates an isometric view of the lower shell of a jacking tie.

FIGS.9-18illustrate various uses and methodology for utilizing one or more jacking ties.FIG.9illustrates a railroad track in which two jacking ties2are installed. The jacking ties have been substituted for preexisting railroad ties. The preexisting railroad ties32are shown between the installed jacking ties. The orientation of the standard railroad track is shown as having two parallel rails34extending across railroad ties that are generally perpendicular to the rails. The jacking ties would then be utilized to lift the rails34. This will also lift the railroad ties that are positioned near each jacking tie. This allows for the whole of the railroad track to be lifted and leveled.

FIG.10illustrates the positioning of two jacking ties2. The jacking ties are shown with the track support shell5and lower body shell7. A hydraulic cylinder9is shown in each jacking tie. The hydraulic cylinder is configured to lift the track support shell away from the lower body shell effectively lifting the railroad rail34and associated remaining ties32. This allows for ballast to be positioned in the voids beneath and around the lifted ties. The jacking ties can then be removed and ballast positioned in the voids remaining from removal of the jacking ties. Alternatively, the jacking ties can be left beneath the railroad line for future use. The jacking ties can be constructed to lock the hydraulic jacks in an extended position.

FIG.11illustrates the lifted railroad track and rails34ofFIG.10. The hydraulic jacks are shown in an extended position creating voids42in and around the preexisting railroad ties32. The voids are in and around the ballast32that supports the railroad ties and track. The illustrated voids can then be filled with additional ballast or alternatively ballast can be repositioned from other areas.

FIG.12illustrates that after the ballast has been replaced in the voids, the jacking ties can be compressed. This allows for ballast to be positioned in and around the voids created by compression of the jacking ties. New ballast42is shown as shaded. The illustrated rails34and associated track has now been leveled and/or lifted.

FIGS.13and14illustrate a magnified view of the operation of the jacking tie.FIG.13illustrates placement of the jacking tie beneath the rail34. The ballast beneath the rail has been excavated allowing for a void (not shown) into which the jacking tie has been positioned. The jacking tie is typically constructed to be slid into the void created by excavating or removal of the preexisting railroad tie.FIG.14illustrates the jacking tie having a hydraulic cylinder9in the extended position. In the extended position, the track support shell5has been extended away from the lower body shell7. A void40has been created allowing for placement of additional ballast to support the railroad line.

FIGS.15and16illustrate a jacking tie having a hydraulic jack cylinder9in an extended position inFIG.15. Ballast can then be positioned in and around the jacking tie. Alternatively, as ballast is positioned nearby the jacking tie, the cylinder can be compressed or deactivated as shown inFIG.16. The jacking tie is suspended due to its connection to the now supported rail34. Ballast can then be positioned into the voids40.

FIGS.17and18illustrate a compressed hydraulic jack cylinder in the jacking tie subsequently having ballast positioned around the jacking tie.FIG.17illustrates a suspended jacking tie having voids40including a void below the jacking tie.FIG.18illustrates new ballast1positioned in and around the jacking tie. The jacking tie can then be removed, and the void filled with ballast or alternatively the jacking tie can be left in position for future utilization in lifting and or leveling the railroad track.

Still other features and advantages of the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing preferred embodiments of the inventive concept(s), simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out the inventive concept(s). As will be realized, the inventive concept(s) is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the inventive concept(s). Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiments are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature.

While certain exemplary embodiments are shown in the Figures and described in this disclosure, it is to be distinctly understood that the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of this disclosure. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined herein.