Patent Application
20050279849
None.
Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to measuring devices and, more particularly, to a spacer for spacing railroad ties.
2. Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 2,556,350 to Tucker et al. discloses a tie plate for railroad tracks. The tie plate includes rail supporting members 16 and 17 and web 18. The web 18 separates or spaces the railroad ties. The tie plate is permanently mounted to the railroad ties. Tucker does not disclose a portable device for temporarily spacing railroad ties during installation.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,857 issued to Soderberg discloses a railroad bridge tie spacer. The bridge tie spacer includes a plurality of spacers that separate and hold the railroad ties in a fixed relationship. The railroad bridge tie spacer is held in a fixed position and can only be used for a limited number of ties. Soderberg does not disclose a portable device for temporarily spacing railroad ties during installation.
There remains a need in the art for a portable device for temporarily spacing railroad ties.
It is in view of the above problems that the present invention was developed. The invention is a railroad tie spacer. The railroad tie spacer includes a handle, a left and right shoe connected to the handle and a support separating the left and right shoes. Each shoe includes a first face, a second face, a third face, and a fourth face. The faces are used to distance and locate railroad ties for installation.
In an alternative embodiment, the railroad tie spacer is adjustable in height and/or width. In other words, the handle includes structure for vertical adjustment, and the faces are horizontally adjustable relative to one another.
Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like elements,
Each shoe 12, 14 includes a lip 30. The lip 30 is placed on top of a railroad tie to locate the railroad tie spacer 10 in a vertical direction. Each shoe 12, 14 also includes a pocket 32. The pocket 32 is used to reduce the weight of a shoe and may be omitted in some embodiments. Additionally, each shoe 12, 14 includes a mounting flange 34. The mounting flange 34 receives and provides support for the handle 20. In the depicted embodiment, the left and right shoes 12, 14 are formed by aluminum castings, and the lip 30, the pocket 32, and the mounting flange 34 are integral portions of the shoe casting.
The left shoe 12 includes a first face 26 and second face 28. The right shoe 14 includes a third face 22 and fourth face 24. The first face and the third face 26, 22 are in the same plane. The second and fourth faces 28, 24 are also in the same plane. Moreover, the faces 22, 26 and 24, 28 are parallel to one another. The first and third faces 26, 22 are dimensioned to be a distance from the second and fourth faces 28, 24 that corresponds to the proper spacing between installed railroad ties. This dimension may be varied to establish any space between ties as they are installed according to a gauge or other rail construction specifications or requirements. A height of the faces 22-28 may also be varied so that the railroad tie spacer 10 rests on the bed or ground between railroad ties when in use or not.
In the depicted embodiment, the handle 20 is formed from tubular aluminum, and has an ergonomic shape. Sides of the handle 20 bow in a first longitudinal direction, and a center of the handle 20 projects in an opposite longitudinal direction, facilitating movement of the railroad tie spacer 10. Additionally, the handle 20 includes a cover 36, for example a foam cover, in the depicted embodiment. In alternative embodiments, the cover 36 may be made of leather or vinyl.
In the depicted embodiment, the support 16 is formed by an aluminum square tube. However, those skilled in the art will understand that other material and other shapes may be used.
Each shoe 112, 114 includes a lip 130, a pocket 132, and a mounting flange 134. The left shoe 112 includes a first face 126 and a second face 128. The right shoe 114 includes a third face 122 and a fourth face 124.
The railroad tie spacer 110 is adjustable in vertical height and horizontal width. In the depicted embodiment, both the handle 120 and the mounting flange 134 include a plurality of vertically spaced holes 150. A user (not shown) aligns the holes 150 and places a pin 152 in the selected hole for a selected height. In this manner, the user can vertically adjust the handle 120 to achieve a comfortable handle position.
Each shoe 112, 114 includes a first member 164a, a second member 166a, a third member 164b, and a fourth member 166b. The members 164, 166 slidingly engage one another such that the width of the shoe may be variable. In other words, the dimension between the first and third faces 126, 122 and the second and fourth faces 128, 124 is adjustable such that the proper spacing between installed railroad ties is achieved. This dimension may be adjusted to establish any space between ties as they are installed according to a gauge or other rail construction specifications or requirements. In the depicted embodiment, each shoe 112, 114 includes a plurality of horizontally spaced holes 160 and pins 162. A user (not shown) moves the first member 164 relative to the second member 166 and aligns the plurality of holes 160. Thereafter, the user places at least two pins 162 in the holes 160 to locate the first and third faces 126, 122 relative to the second and fourth faces 128, 124.
There is also provided a method of assembling the railroad tie spacer. The method includes the steps of: providing a left shoe having a first face and a second face offset from said first face; providing a right shoe having a third face and a fourth face offset from said third face; spacing said first and third faces from said second and fourth faces in a direction parallel to a railroad track in a dimension corresponding to a proper installation space between ties; interconnecting said left shoe and said right shoe with a support; and connecting a handle to said left shoe and to said right shoe. In a first optional step, the method includes the step of manufacturing a plurality of vertically spaced holes in the handle. In a second optional step, the method includes the step of manufacturing a plurality of horizontally spaced holes in each shoe.
In operation, a user grasps the handle 20 and places the second face 28 and fourth face 24 against a railroad tie that is already installed in its proper position. The lip 30 of each shoe 12, 14 sits on top of the railroad tie. Thereafter, the user places a second railroad tie abutting the first face 26 and the third face 22. Then the user secures a next railroad tie in position for installation. The proper spacing between ties is easily maintained without the need for measurement. The user then lifts the railroad tie spacer 10 up above the railroad ties and places the second face 28 and the fourth face 24 against the second railroad tie. Thereafter, the user places a third railroad tie against the first face 26 and the third face 22. The worker then secures the location of the third railroad tie. The user repeats this process until the appropriate number of railroad ties are installed and located into position.
In view of the foregoing, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and attained.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. For example, while the handle is depicted as having an ergonomic shape, other shapes may be used. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
