Patent ID: 8042473

Claim:
A device for sorting tie plates for placement along a railroad track, the tie plates having a generally rectangular configuration with a width extending between field and gage ends, the device comprising: a frame for supporting said device, said frame adapted for rolling movement along a railroad track; a housing supported by said frame, said housing comprising a wall forming an enclosure, said wall including exterior and interior surfaces, said housing presenting an upper open end; a hub within said housing enclosure, said hub presenting a wall displaced from said interior surface of said housing wall; a bottom wall in said housing, said bottom wall cooperating with said hub wall and said housing interior surface to form a housing track therebetween; means for rotating said track about an axis passing therethrough; an opening in said housing wall and adjacent said track for passage of a tie plate therethrough, said track rotation directing tie plates in said track to said opening in said housing wall; means adjacent said housing wall opening for guiding the tie plates in said housing track through said opening in said housing wall; a hopper above said housing, said hopper feeding tie plates deposited thereon into said upper open end of said housing, said tie plates falling into said rotating track, said rotation of said track urging the tie plates therein into a desired position on said track; means exterior of said housing and adjacent said opening in said housing wall for directing a tie plate discharged from said opening away from said housing.