Patent ID: 8485103

Claim:
An anchor spreader apparatus for moving rail anchors, which are secured to a rail, away from a tie, the anchor spreader apparatus being mounted on a rail vehicle, the anchor spreader apparatus comprising: a mounting member; a rail clamp assembly movably mounted on the mounting member to allow a clamping surface of the rail clamp to move into engagement with the rail; and an anchor-engaging assembly movably mounted on the mounting member to allow an anchor-engaging jaw to move into engagement with a respective rail anchor and to allow the anchor-engaging assembly to move relative to the rail clamp assembly, the anchor-engaging assembly comprising; anchor-engaging arms; a first cylinder positioned proximate to the anchor-engaging arms, the first cylinder causing the anchor-engaging arms to rotate about the rail; a second cylinder connected to the anchor-engaging arms, the second cylinder causing the anchor-engaging arms to move longitudinally to the rail; whereby with the rail clamp assembly properly clamped to the rail, the anchor spreader apparatus is maintained in a proper and controlled position relative to the anchor as the anchor-engaging arms of the anchor-engaging assembly are moved longitudinally along the mounting member.