Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6622361
-
Patent Number
6,622,361
-
Date Filed
Monday, March 11, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, September 23, 200320 years ago
-
Inventors
-
-
Examiners
- Morano; S. Joseph
- Jules; Frantz F.
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 029 24356
- 029 252
- 029 229
- 029 4266
- 029 225
- 104 13
- 104 2
- 104 172
- 104 71
- 254 28
- 254 18
- 254 22
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A railroad clip removal system for efficiently removing a fastening clip from a receiver bracket of a crosstie. The railroad clip removal system includes a frame structure having a center cutout and a pair of opposing slots, an actuator, a pair of engaging arms pivotally attached to the actuator and slidably positioned within the opposing slots. The engaging arms have a catch portion that engages the fastening slip while the engaging arms simultaneously compress the prongs of the fastening clip thereby removing the fastening clip from the receiver bracket of a crosstie.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable to this application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable to this application.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to railroad clip removers and more specifically it relates to a railroad clip removal system for efficiently removing a fastening clip from a receiver bracket of a crosstie.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Crossties are an essential part of a railroad's structure. A crosstie is basically a transverse beam or rod serving as a support for the rails of a railroad. Crossties have conventionally been constructed of wood wherein a bracket structure is secured to each crosstie adjacent the rail with a spike driven into thereby securing the rail to the crosstie.
However, crossties are seeing heavier and more-frequent train wear than ever before. Wood, the perennial favorite, is seeing more competition from alternative materials, such as concrete, steel and plastic. Railroads are becoming more aware of alternative materials in their search to extend the life of their structures. Concrete crossties are the second most common form of crosstie after wooden crossties. Fastening clips are attached to a receiver bracket formed within or secured to the concrete adjacent to the rail thereby securing the rail in place upon the concrete crosstie. A common type of fastening clip is comprised of a C-shaped structure having a lower U-shaped portion curving upwardly and forwardly into a pair of parallel prongs with a rear slot between. To apply the fastening clip, the user must compress the sides of the prongs together and then insert into the receiver bracket and then release the prongs thereby locking the fastening clip within the receiver bracket and securing the rail to the receiver bracket. To remove the fastening clip, the user must compress the sides of the prongs together and then remove from the receiver bracket.
However, it can be a very time consuming and tedious task to compress the sides of the fastening clips and then remove the fastening clips from the bracket structures of the concrete crossties. Hence, there is a need for an efficient fastening clip removal system.
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for efficiently removing a fastening clip from a receiver bracket of a crosstie. Conventional fastening clip removal systems are difficult to operate and require significant physical exertion.
In these respects, the railroad clip removal system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of efficiently removing a fastening clip from a receiver bracket of a crosstie.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of fastening clip removal devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new railroad clip removal system construction wherein the same can be utilized for efficiently removing a fastening clip from a receiver bracket of a crosstie.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new railroad clip removal system that has many of the advantages of the fastening clip removal devices mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new railroad clip removal system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art fastening clip removal devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a frame structure having a center cutout and a pair of opposing slots, an actuator, a pair of engaging arms pivotally attached to the actuator and slidably positioned within the opposing slots. The engaging arms have a catch portion that engages the fastening slip while the engaging arms simultaneously compress the prongs of the fastening clip thereby removing the fastening clip from the receiver bracket of a crosstie.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a railroad clip removal system that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.
A second object is to provide a railroad clip removal system for efficiently removing a fastening clip from a receiver bracket of a crosstie.
Another object is to provide a railroad clip removal system that does not require significant manual labor.
An additional object is to provide a railroad clip removal system that decreases the amount of time required to remove a fastening clip from a receiver bracket.
A further object is to provide a railroad clip removal system that does not require more than one person to remove a fastening clip.
Another object is to provide a railroad clip removal system that ensures proper removal of the fastening clip from a receiver bracket.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
FIG. 1
is an upper perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a top view of the present invention.
FIG. 3
is a rear view of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a front view of the present invention.
FIG. 5
is a side view of the present invention.
FIG. 6
is a cross sectional view taken along line
6
—
6
of FIG.
2
.
FIG. 7
is a bottom view of the present invention.
FIG. 8
is a bottom view of the present invention with the base plates removed.
FIG. 9
is a bottom view of the present invention positioned about a fastening clip at Stage
1
.
FIG. 10
is a bottom view of the present invention in Stage
2
wherein the fastening clip is simultaneously compressed and slid from the receiver bracket.
FIG. 11
is a bottom view of the present invention in Stage
3
wherein the fastening clip is no longer compressed and fully removed from the receiver bracket.
FIG. 12
a
is a top view of the fastening clip positioned away from the receiver bracket.
FIG. 12
b
is a top view of the fastening clip partially extended into the receiver bracket with the prongs compressed inwardly within the tapered slot of the receiver bracket.
FIG. 12
c
is a top view of the fastening clip fully extended into the receiver bracket with the prongs at their normal state and catchably retained upon the receiver bracket.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,
FIGS. 1 through 12
c
illustrate a railroad clip removal system
10
, which comprises a frame structure having a center cutout and a pair of opposing slots, an actuator
60
, a pair of engaging arms
70
pivotally attached to the actuator
60
and slidably positioned within the opposing slots. The engaging arms
70
have a catch portion
77
that engages the fastening slip while the engaging arms
70
simultaneously compress the prongs of the fastening clip
2
thereby removing the fastening clip
2
from the receiver bracket of a crosstie
19
. As shown in
FIGS. 12
a
-
12
c
, the fastening clip
2
typically includes a rear slot
9
that separates the prongs
4
,
6
.
As shown in
FIGS. 1 through 5
of the drawings, the frame structure is basically comprised of a main member
20
having a cutout extending substantially within for defining the structure of the opposing slots. The cutout within the main member
20
preferably extends from a rear end of the main member
20
toward the opposing front end as best shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings. More particularly, the cutout is comprised of a front section
21
, a pair of opposing first sections
22
, a pair of opposing second sections
24
, a pair of opposing third sections
26
, a pair of opposing fourth sections
28
, and a pair of opposing fifth sections
29
as shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings.
As further shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings, the opposing first sections
22
are tapered inwardly to guide the engaging arms
70
inwardly as they are forced forwardly. The opposing second sections
24
extend from the respective first sections
22
in a substantially parallel manner for maintaining the desire compression force upon the fastening clip
2
while the fastening clip
2
is forced outwardly from the tapered slot of the receiver bracket as shown in
FIG. 10
of the drawings.
As further shown in
FIG. 11
of the drawings, the opposing third sections
26
are tapered outwardly to guide the engaging arms
70
outwardly as they are forced forwardly thereby releasing the compression force from the fastening clip
2
.
FIG. 11
further illustrates the opposing fourth sections
28
that are substantially parallel to one another thereby allowing the engaging arms
70
to extend forwardly in an open position until the fastening clip
2
is removed from the apparatus. The front section
21
of the main member
20
provides for adequate room for the pivoting portion of the engaging arms
70
to operate within.
The first frame
30
and the second frame
40
are attached to opposing upper portions of the main member
20
as shown in
FIGS. 1
,
3
,
4
and
8
of the drawings. The first frame
30
and the second frame
40
each include a first member
32
and a second member
42
respectively that are juxtaposed with the upper surface of the main member
20
to create the upper ceiling of the opposing slots as shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings. A plurality of cross members
38
,
39
are preferably attached between the first frame
30
and the second frame
40
for maintaining the strength and integrity of the frame structure. It can be appreciated that various other frame structures may be utilized to construct the frame of the present invention and the drawings should not limited the scope of protection offered.
A first base plate
54
and a second base plate
56
are attached to the lower surface of the main member
20
opposite of the first member
32
and the second member
42
respectively to form the opposing slots between thereof that slidably receive the engaging arms
70
. A first lower member
50
and a second lower member
52
extend downwardly from the first base plate
54
and the second base plate
56
respectively to form a guide for the fastening clip
2
during removal of the fastening clip
2
from the receiver bracket.
As shown in
FIGS. 8
,
9
,
10
and
11
of the drawings, the engaging arms
70
have an outer perimeter similar in shape to the inner perimeter of the main member
20
defining the opposing slot structures. The engaging arms
70
further each have an inner edge
75
that is substantially straight for engaging and compressing the prongs
4
,
6
of the fastening clip
2
. The engaging arms
70
are pivotally attached to a lower pin
68
that is attached in a vertical manner to a coupler
64
. The actuator
60
is attached between the first frame
30
and the second frame
40
as best shown in
FIG. 2
of the drawings. The shaft
62
of the actuator
60
is attached to the coupler
64
to transfer the force from the actuator
60
to the engaging arms
70
. A pair of upper pins
66
extending substantially horizontally from the coupler
64
are slidably received within a first slot
34
and a second slot
44
within the first frame
30
and the second frame
40
respectively as shown in
FIG. 1
of the drawings. The upper pins
66
provide guidance to the actuator
60
and the engaging arms
70
to ensure proper alignment and transfer of force from the actuator
60
to the engaging arms
70
. The actuator
60
may be comprised of a hydraulic cylinder, electrical actuating device, air pressure actuating device or similar structure commonly utilized for actuators
60
. The actuator
60
may be controlled via any conventional control means commonly utilized for the type of actuator
60
utilized. For example, a valve assembly would be utilized for a hydraulic actuator
60
.
The engaging arms
70
each have end portions
71
opposite of the pivot location with the lower pin
68
as shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings. The end portions
71
are preferably rounded to assist in the guiding of the engaging arms
70
within the opposing slots adjacent the inner portion of the main member
20
. The end portions
71
may have various other shapes and structures than that illustrated in the drawings.
The engaging arms
70
each have a first portion
72
having a corresponding shape with the first section
22
of the main member
20
as shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings. The engaging arms
70
each have a second portion
74
having a corresponding shape with the second section
24
of the main member
20
as shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings. The engaging arms
70
each have a third portion
76
having a corresponding shape with the third section
26
of the main member
20
as shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings. The engaging arms
70
each have a fourth portion
78
having a corresponding shape with the fourth section
28
of the main member
20
as shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings. The engaging arms
70
also each have a fifth portion
79
having a corresponding shape with the fifth section
29
of the main member
20
as shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings. In addition, the engaging arms
70
each have a catch portion
77
that extends inwardly to engage the looped portion of the fastening clip
2
when compressed upon the fastening clip
2
.
In use, the user positions the clip removal system
10
with the engaging arms
70
within the open position about the fastening clip
2
as shown in
FIG. 8
of the drawings. The user then operates the actuator
60
to extend the shaft
62
forwardly thereby causing the engaging arms
70
to move forwardly within the opposing slots. The first portions
72
of the engaging members slidably engage the first sections
22
of the main member
20
thereby causing the rear portions of the engaging arms
70
to pivot inwardly as the engaging arms
70
are moved forwardly. As the engaging arms
70
are pivoted inwardly, the inner edge
75
of the respective engaging arms
70
engages the prongs
4
,
6
of the fastening clip
2
thereby compressing the prongs
4
,
6
to allow removal from the tapered slot of the receiver bracket. As shown in
FIG. 10
of the drawings, the end portion engages and slides upon the second sections
24
of the main member
20
in a substantially straight manner. As the engaging arms
70
are moved forwardly with the end portions
71
engaging the second sections
24
, the catch portion
77
of each of the engaging members catch upon the inner portion of the prongs
4
,
6
directly above the closed lower portion
8
of the fastening clip
2
. After the catch portion
77
of the engaging member engage the fastening clip
2
, the fastening clip
2
is then forced forwardly out of the receiver bracket away from the rail
12
, the lower portion
14
of the rail
12
, and the pad member
16
. The actuator
60
continues moving the engaging arms
70
forwardly with the fastening clip
2
catchably secured within. As the end portions
71
of the engaging arms
70
engages the third sections
26
of the main member
20
, the engaging arms
70
are allowed to pivot outwardly thereby releasing the compression force upon the prongs
4
,
6
of the fastening clip
2
. The engaging arms
70
are pivoted outwardly until no compression force is applied to the prongs
4
,
6
of the fastening clip
2
. The end portions
71
of the engaging members then slide forwardly upon the fourth sections
28
of the main member
20
in a straight manner until the fastener clip is removed from between the engaging arms
70
. The actuator
60
is then controlled to contract the shaft
62
thereby forcing the engaging arms
70
rearwardly within the opposing slots of the frame structure.
As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A railroad clip removal system for removing a fastening clip having a pair of prongs from within a receiver bracket secured to a crosstie, comprising:a frame having a rear cutout and a pair of opposing guide slots adjacent said rear cutout; an actuator secured within said frame; and a pair of engaging arms having a front end and a rear end slidably positioned within said opposing guide slots and mechanically connected to said actuator, wherein said front end of said engaging arms are pivotally attached to one another, wherein said engaging arms each include an inner edge for engaging said prongs of said fastening clip, an outer edge slidably adjacent an inner wall of said guide slots, and a catch portion extending inwardly for engaging said fastening clip during a forward movement of said engaging arms; wherein said inner wall of said guide slots each have a first section, a second section, a third section and a fourth section, wherein said first section is tapered inwardly and wherein said second section is substantially straight extending from said first section.
- 2. The railroad clip removal system of claim 1, wherein said third section extends from said second section tapering outwardly.
- 3. The railroad clip removal system of claim 2, wherein said fourth section extends from said third section in a straight manner.
- 4. The railroad clip removal system of claim 3, wherein said second section and said fourth section are substantially parallel to a line of movement of said actuator.
- 5. The railroad clip removal system of claim 1, wherein said outer edge corresponds in shape to said inner wall of said guide slots.
- 6. The railroad clip removal system of claim 5, wherein said outer edge of said engaging arms is comprised of a first portion, a second portion, a third portion and a fourth portion.
- 7. The railroad clip removal system of claim 6, wherein said first portion is tapered inwardly.
- 8. The railroad clip removal system of claim 7, wherein said second portion is substantially straight.
- 9. The railroad clip removal system of claim 8, wherein said third portion is tapered outwardly.
- 10. The railroad clip removal system of claim 9, wherein said fourth portion is substantially straight.
- 11. The railroad clip removal system of claim 5, wherein said outer edge of said engaging arms is comprised of a first portion, a second portion, a third portion, a fourth portion, and an end portion adjacent said first portion.
- 12. The railroad clip removal system of claim 11, wherein said first portion is tapered inwardly.
- 13. The railroad clip removal system of claim 12, wherein said second portion is substantially straight.
- 14. The railroad clip removal system of claim 13, wherein said third portion is tapered outwardly.
- 15. The railroad clip removal system of claim 14, wherein said fourth portion is substantially straight.
- 16. The railroad clip removal system of claim 15, wherein said end portion is comprised of a curved structure.
- 17. A railroad clip removal system comprising:a frame having a rear cutout and a pair of opposing guide slots adjacent said rear cutout; an actuator secured within said frame; and a pair of engaging arms having a front end and a rear end slidably positioned within said opposing guide slots and mechanically connected to said actuator, wherein said front end of said engaging arms are pivotally attached to one another, wherein said engaging arms each include an inner edge for engaging said prongs of said fastening clip, an outer edge slidably adjacent an inner wall of said guide slots, and a catch portion extending inwardly for engaging said fastening clip during a forward movement of said engaging arms; wherein said frame is comprised of a main member with said rear cutout extending within, a pair of upper frames attached to an upper surface of said main member, and a pair of lower frames attached to a lower surface of said main member thereby defining said guide slots between thereof; wherein said inner wall of said guide slots each have a first section, a second section, a third section and a fourth section, wherein said first section is tapered inwardly and wherein said second section is substantially straight extending from said first section.
- 18. The railroad clip removal system of claim 17, wherein said third section extends from said second section tapering outwardly.
- 19. A railroad clip removal system for removing a fastening clip having a pair of prongs from within a receiver bracket secured to a crosstie, comprising:a frame having a rear cutout and a pair of opposing guide slots adjacent said rear cutout; an actuator secured within said frame; and a pair of engaging arms having a front end and a rear end slidably positioned within said opposing guide slots and mechanically connected to said actuator, wherein said front end of said engaging arms are pivotally attached to one another, wherein said engaging arms each include an inner edge for engaging said prongs of said fastening clip, an outer edge slidably adjacent an inner wall of said guide slots, and a catch portion extending inwardly for engaging said fastening clip during a forward movement of said engaging arms; wherein said inner wall of said guide slots each have a first section and a second section, wherein said first section is tapered inwardly and wherein said second section is substantially straight extending from said first section.
US Referenced Citations (5)
