Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6595140
-
Patent Number
6,595,140
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, June 5, 200222 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, July 22, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Lang, IV; William F.
- Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 104 16
- 104 2
- 104 171
- 104 172
- 294 555
- 254 131
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A railway tie plate insertion vehicle includes operator's chairs mounted on both sides of the vehicle; with the occupants of each chair being provided with a tie plate insertion wand including controls for movement of the vehicle. A tie magazine deposits a tie plate on the tie upon actuation by the operator when a tie plate has not been previously deposited. A first rail clamp includes a pair of rollers for engaging the rail, attached to the ends of a pair of scissor arms, so that raising the rail draws the scissor arms closer together, increasing the gripping pressure on the rail. A similar rail clamp is located at the rear of the vehicle, which also includes an electrical connection for the operator's wand, thereby permitting tie plate insertion from the rear of the vehicle when obstacles are present along the sides of the vehicle.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for replacing the tie plates of a railway.
2. Description of the Related Art
The rails of a railroad track are usually secured to cross ties by spikes driven into tie plates, with the tie plates located between the rail and the tie, and the head of the spike overlapping the bottom of the rail. The tie plates block lateral movement of the rails, and anchors are attached to the rail on either side of the tie are used to secure the rail against longitudinal movement.
Railroad ties occasionally must be replaced due to wear. After a tie is replaced, tie plates must be provided between the rail and the tie so that the rail may be properly secured to the tie.
Several other references propose various systems for use in replacing tie plates. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,613, issued to J. K. Stewart on Jul. 28, 1981, describes a tie plate conveying and orienting system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,103, issued to F. Allmer on Sep. 13, 1988, describes a rail clamp. The rail clamp includes a pair of line-up wheels for engaging the inside edges of the rails. A pair of pivoting clamping arms, with each clamping arm having a disk rotatably mounted to its end, engages the outside edge of each rail, just below the rail's ball. Movement of the clamping arms is controlled by hydraulic cylinders. Additionally, a stabilizer cylinder connecting a bridge crossing the chassis to the rail lifting assembly may either permit the rail lifting assembly to float to correspond with the rails, or may be locked in position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,614, issued to G. Mohr et al. on Mar. 29, 1988, describes a machine for repairing a railway track. The machine includes a main chassis having various devices for repairing a railway, mounted on a chain drive under a railway vehicle. A counter weight mounted to the chain drive, moving the opposite direction, counters the effects of inertia.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,822, issued to D. J. Cotic on Jul. 24, 1990, describes an apparatus and method for automatically setting rail tie plates. The apparatus includes a frame having a ramp thereon. The ramp stores the tie plates, and includes a control mechanism for releasing them one at a time into a plate pocket. A reciprocated pusher then moves the plate from the plate pocket to its position on the tie.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,412, issued to J. Theurer et al. on Nov. 26, 1991, describes a tie plate-inserting machine. The front of the machine includes a crane broom with a tie plate-collecting magnet. A funnel adjacent to the crane leads to a conveyer, which terminates above a sorting table. A roller conveyer conveys ties from the sorter to a magazine. The magazine moves between a level position for receiving tie plates from the sorting table, and a lower position for dispensing the tie. The machine includes a tie plate-inserting arm slidably supported by a guide rod, for pushing the-tie plates from the magazine to their position below the rail. A lifting roller pivots between a raised position and a lowered position for permitting tie plates to be pushed thereon from the magazine to their final position below the rail.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,461, issued to J. Theurer et al. on Mar. 16, 1993, describes a tie exchange mean for both removing ties and inserting new ties. The tie exchange machine may move longitudinally along a guide track. A scarifier and track-lifting device are included. A mobile tie transporting crane may move towards or away from the tie exchange device, for transporting either new ties to be installed or old ties which have been removed. The tie-depositing device is a vertically adjustable forklift.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,692, issued to H. Madison et al. on Apr. 26, 1994, and assigned to Harsco Corporation, the assignee of the present invention, describes a tie exchanger mounted on a truck. The tie exchanger has a rail clamp table having rail clamps and a boom. The boom includes a tie clamp, and may pivot around the vertical axis to insert ties from either side of the tracks.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,331,899, issued to J. D. Holley on Jul. 26, 1994, describes a tie plate installer and remover using a magnetic wheel to insert or remove a tie plate. The tie plate installer includes a tie magazine from which tie plates are dropped into a shoot leading to the magnetic wheel, which then carries the tie plate to a position on the tie adjacent to its final location under the rail, and finally pushes it under the rail.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,259, issued to J. Theurer et al. on May 30, 1995, describes a ballast stabilizer. The ballast stabilizer has a rail clamp including a roller for engaging the rail's ball, mounted on an arm secured at its other end to a lever. The opposite arm of the lever is secured to a hydraulic cylinder, so that extending the cylinder pushes inward on the clamp arm. A pair of vertical inner wheels are pushed against the gauge side of the rail's ball by hydraulic cylinders. A shaking apparatus vibrates the machine parallel to the ties.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,325, issued to K. E. Glomski et al. on Mar. 3, 1998, describes a tie replacement apparatus including drip elements for holding a tie plate in place while the tie underneath is replaced.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,839,377, issued to D. M. Brenny et al. on Nov. 24, 1998, describes a machine for installing and removing elastic rail clips of the type used for fastening rails to concrete or wooden ties.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,170,401, issued to R. Miller et al. on Jan. 9, 2001, describes a rail vehicle for collection and distribution of railroad cross ties.
When replacing tie plates, it is useful to position the human operator where he may observe the operation, and make corrections as necessary. Additionally, it would be helpful for an operator in this position to be able to control movement of the vehicle to which the tie plate replacement apparatus is secured, thereby permitting rapid progression from one tie plate to the next. Furthermore, it is desirable to have the ability to utilize the tie replacement apparatus from different locations on the vehicle, depending on the nature of the obstacles surrounding the vehicle, for example, platforms, bridges, etc. Accordingly, a railway tie replacement apparatus and method incorporating these features is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a railway tie insertion vehicle. The vehicle includes an operator's chair on either side of the vehicle, with a main rail clamp and tie plate magazine located in close proximity to the operator's chair. A secondary rail clamp is located at the rear of the vehicle. Each operator is provided with a tie plate insertion wand that may be utilized from either the side or the rear of the vehicle, and which includes controls for the vehicle.
The main rail clamps are located between the wheels of the vehicle. The rollers are placed underneath the rails' ball where they roll along the rail until lifting is desired. When raising a rail is desired, lifting the clamp will cause the scissor arms to be drawn together, thereby gripping the rail and lifting it a sufficient distance to permit removal and insertion of the tie plate. Hydraulic cylinders are provided for moving the scissor arms away from the ball when unclamping the rail is desired. Additionally, a stabilizer cylinder connecting the wheel and frame assembly to the rail lifting assembly locks the rail in place laterally as the rail is raised, preventing buckling of the rail. The stabilizer cylinder also permits the operator to move the rail laterally in either direction to correct misalignment of the rail.
A secondary rail clamp, utilizing the same scissors mechanism but without the rollers, is located at the rear of the machine, permitting tie plates to be inserted from inside the tracks when the machine is used next to a platform or on a bridge, where access to the rail from the outside is restricted.
An operator's chair is provided on either side of the vehicle, with each operator also having a tie plate insertion wand with a set of vehicle controls. Each operator has the ability to propel the vehicle, apply the brakes, control the rail clamps, adjust the rail lift on their individual sides, activate the emergency stop and shut-down mechanism, and blow the vehicle's horn. The wand extends from the control box to a position adjacent the rail, wherein it may be used to manually push a tie plate under the rail. The control box attached to the wand is connected to the vehicle or electrical system through quick disconnect electrical connectors permitting it to be moved to the vehicle's rear for use with the secondary clamps.
In general, tie plate will be deposited along the rail in advance of the tie plate replacement operation, so that the operators will not normally need to utilize a tie plate transported on the vehicle. However, in the event that a tie plate is not deposited in the location where it is needed, the vehicle does include a tie plate magazine, holding the tie plates vertically stacked. When a new tie plate is needed, the operator can activate a hydraulic pusher, which pushes the bottom tie plate from the magazine onto a ramp, so that the tie plate will slide down off the vehicle, landing adjacent to the rail.
The operator will control the vehicle from its cab when travelling to and from a work location. During a tie replacement operation the movement of the vehicle can be controlled by the operators on either side of the vehicle. The vehicle will travel along the track, stopping at each location wherein the tie plate must be replaced. The operators will use the scissors clamp to raise the rail, with the stabilizer cylinder plus the rail clamp's location between the wheels of the vehicle preventing buckling of the rail while it is being lifted. The operator will use their wand to manually push the old tie plate out from under the rail. If a new tie plate has been deposited along the rail, the operator will simply use the wand to manually push the new tie plate into place. If not, then the operator will actuate the pusher for the tie magazine, driving a tie from the bottom of the magazine onto the ramp, where it will fall into position adjacent to the rail. The operator may then manually push the new tie into place, just as he would if it had been previously deposited. The operators will then,lower the rail, and move to the next tie replacement location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is an isometric view of a railway tie plate insertion vehicle according to the present invention.
FIG. 2
is a front view of a rail clamp and a pair of tie plate insertion wands, according to the present invention.
FIG. 3
is an isometric view of a rail clamp according to the present invention, illustrating the clamp on one side open, and the clamp on the other side closed.
FIG. 4
is a cross-sectional front view of a rail clamp according to the present invention, illustrating one clamp in its closed position, and a second clamp in its open position.
FIG. 5
is a cross-sectional front view of a tie plate insertion vehicle according to the present invention.
FIG. 6
is a top view of an operator's chair and tie plate magazine for a railway tie plate insertion vehicle according to the present invention.
FIG. 7
is an isometric view of a tie plate insertion wand according to the present invention.
FIG. 8
is an isometric view of a tie plate insertion wand according to the present invention.
FIG. 9
is an isometric view of a tie plate magazine according to the present invention.
FIG. 10
is an isometric view of a tie plate magazine according to the present invention.
Like reference numbers denote like elements throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for installing new railway ties in a railway track.
Referring to
FIGS. 4-5
, a typical railway
10
includes pair of rails
12
supported by ties
14
. The ties
14
are typically imbedded in ballast to prevent their movement. A tie plate
16
fits between the rail
12
and the tie
14
, with a plurality of spikes passing through the tie
14
and tie plate
16
, and having their heads overlap the bottom flange of the rail
12
. The spikes and tie plate
16
thereby secure the rail
12
against transverse movement. A rail anchor
19
fits on either side of the tie
14
, and is generally secured to the gauge side or the rail
12
. The rail anchor
19
prevents longitudinal movement of the rail
12
with respect to the tie
14
. The top surface of the rail
12
forms the rail's ball
20
, which supports the wheels of railway vehicles. Adjacent sections of rail
12
may be joined using joint bars
21
.
During a tie
14
replacement operation, it is necessary to replace the tie plates
16
. The present invention is directed towards the insertion of new tie plates
16
between the rails
12
and ties
14
.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, the vehicle
20
includes a chassis
22
, supported by a plurality of wheels
24
. The front
26
of some preferred embodiments includes a motor
28
for propelling the vehicle
20
. The front
26
may also include a fuel tank, a hydraulic fluid tank, hydraulic fluid pump, and other components necessary to operate the vehicle
20
. The front
26
may also include a ballast plow
29
. The back
30
of the vehicle
20
includes a cab
32
, containing a driver's chair
34
, vehicle controls
36
, and a passenger bench
38
.
The center portion
40
of the vehicle
20
includes a rail clamp assembly
42
, for lifting the rails
12
a sufficient distance to permit insertion of a tie plate
16
, which will typically be approximately one to two inches. The rail clamp assembly
42
is best illustrated in FIG.
2
. The rail clamp assembly includes a crossbeam
44
, secured to the top of the chassis
22
. A hydraulic cylinder
46
depends from each end of the crossbeam
44
. The hydraulic cylinders
46
support a lower crossbeam
48
at their bottom ends. A stabilizer cylinder
50
extends between the chassis
22
and the lower crossbeam
48
, with the cylinder
50
oriented in a substantially horizontal direction, and substantially perpendicular to the rails
12
, although some deviation is permissible. A pair of clamping arms
52
,
54
depend from one end of the lower cross beam
48
, and a mirror image pair of clamping arms
56
,
58
depend from the other end of the lower cross beam
48
. The clamping arms
52
,
54
,
56
,
58
are pivotally mounted to the lower cross beam
48
at pivots
60
,
62
,
64
, and
66
, respectively. The clamping arms
52
,
54
cross over each other, opening and closing with a scissors-like action. Likewise, clamping arms
56
,
58
also cross over each other, opening and closing with a scissors-like action. Each of the clamping arms
52
,
54
,
56
,
58
terminates in a roller
68
, which defines a circumferential channel
70
between a pair of raised edges
72
. The channel
70
and raised edges
72
are dimensioned and configured so that the rollers
68
may engage a rail
12
with theentire roller
68
below the rail's ball
18
(most commonly used), or with the rail's ball
18
within the channel
70
(useful when engaging a rail
12
above the joint bars connecting adjacent rails
12
). Hydraulic cylinders
74
,
76
are connected between the lower cross beam
48
and clamping arms
54
,
56
, respectively, for opening and closing the clamp
42
. A roller
78
is provided between each pair of arms
52
,
54
, and
56
,
58
, where it will sit on top of the rail's ball
18
when the rollers
68
are under the ball
12
.
Referring to
FIGS. 3-4
, some preferred embodiments of the present invention may include a second clamp
80
, located at the back
30
of the vehicle
20
. The second clamp assembly
80
is in many respects similar to the first clamp assembly
42
. The clamp assembly
80
includes a cross beam
82
, which may be raised and lowered using a hydraulic cylinder
84
, connected between the cross beam
82
and the chassis
22
. A pair of clamping arms
86
,
88
depend from one end of the crossbeam
82
, and a mirror image pair of clamping arms
90
,
92
depend from the other end of the cross beam
82
. The clamping arms
86
,
88
,
90
,
92
are pivotally secured to the crossbeam
82
at pivots
94
,
96
,
98
,
100
, respectively. The clamping arms
86
,
88
thereby cross over each other, and will open and close with respect to each other using a scissors-like action. Likewise, the clamping arms
90
,
92
also cross over each other, and will open and close with respect to each other using a scissors-like action. Each clamping arm
86
,
88
,
90
,
92
terminates in a clamping tip
102
, defining a horizontal channel
104
thereon, between a pair of raised edges
106
. The channel
104
and raised edges
106
are dimensioned and configured so that the entire clamping tip
102
may fit below the rail's ball
18
(the normal grasping position), and so that the ball
18
may fit within the channel
104
(when clamping a rail
12
above a joint bar joining adjacent rail sections
12
). A roller
108
also depends from the cross beam
82
, and is dimensioned and configured to engage the top of the rail's ball
18
when the clamping tips
102
are beneath the rail's ball
18
. The clamp assembly
80
also includes a pair of pusher arms
110
,
112
, with one pusher arm
110
located adjacent to the clamping arms
86
,
88
, and the other pusher arm
112
located adjacent to the clamping arms
88
,
90
. The pusher arms
110
,
112
each terminate in a foot
114
dimensioned and configured to engage the top of a tie
14
. The pusher arms
110
,
112
, are mounted for vertical sliding movements with respect to the cross beam
82
, with the position of each pusher arm
110
,
112
controlled by a hydraulic cylinder
116
.
The center portion
40
of the vehicle
20
also includes an operator's chair
118
on either side. Each operator's chair
118
is provided with a tie plate insertion wand
120
. The tie plate insertion wand
120
is best illustrated in
FIGS. 7-8
. The tie plate insertion wand
120
includes a pusher rod
122
having a control box
124
at its upper end and a foot
126
at its lower end, dimensioned and configured to facilitate pushing a tie plate
16
. Many preferred embodiments of the control box
124
include all controls necessary to operate the vehicle
20
, including propelling the vehicle
20
, apply the brakes, activate the emergency stop and shutdown mechanism, blow the vehicle's horn, operating the tie clamp assemblies
42
,
80
, adjust the rail lift on their individual sides, and dispensing a tie plate
16
from a tie plate magazine (described below). A cable
128
, preferably terminating in a quick disconnect
130
, provides for electrical connection between the control box
124
and the vehicle
20
, thereby permitting the transmission of control signals therebetween. The quick disconnect
130
permits the tie plate insertion wand
120
to be moved from the vehicle's central portion
30
, wherein it may be used from an operator seated within the chair
118
, to the back
30
of the vehicle
20
, wherein it may used by someone following the vehicle
20
. The tie plate insertion wand
120
may include handles
132
,
134
,
136
to facilitate manipulation of the tie plate insertion wand.
Referring to
FIGS. 9-10
, the vehicle
20
may also include a tie plate magazine
138
. The tie plate magazine
138
includes four sidewalls
140
,
142
,
144
,
146
, and an angled bottom
148
. A ramp
150
, having approximately the same angle as the bottom
148
, is positioned with its top end directly adjacent to the bottom
148
. The bottom end of the ramp
150
terminates just above the level of the ties
14
. A slot
152
within the sidewall
140
is dimensioned and configured to permit passage of the lower-most tie plate
16
within the magazine
138
from the magazine
138
to the ramp
152
. A tie plate pusher assembly
154
is provided for pushing the lower-most tie plate
16
from the magazine
138
to the ramp
150
. The pusher assembly
154
includes a pusher
156
, and a hydraulic cylinder
158
secured between the pusher
156
and vehicle chassis
22
.
In use, the vehicle
20
will be driven to the railway section upon which repairs are needed, with the work crew riding in the cab
32
. When the work site is reached, two operators will exit the cab
32
, sitting the chairs
118
. They will secure the quick disconnect
130
of their tie plate insertion wands
120
to the mating quick disconnects in the central portion
40
of the vehicle
20
, thereby permitting them to control the vehicle from the chairs
118
instead of the cab
32
. When the operators are using the chairs
118
, the main tie clamp assembly
42
will be utilized, with the secondary tie clamp assembly
80
left in its open and raised travel position. The cylinders
46
will be extended until the rollers
68
are located on either side of the rail
12
, directly beneath the rail's ball
18
of each rail
12
. The hydraulic cylinders
74
,
76
will be extended, thereby securing the clamp assembly
42
in this position. The rollers
68
will permit the clamp assembly
42
to roll along the rails
12
in a clamped but relaxed configuration until a location is reached wherein a tie plate
16
needs to be replaced.
The operators will use the control boxes
124
to drive the vehicle
20
, stopping the vehicle
20
so that its central portion
40
is aligned with the tie
14
for which the tie plate
16
must be replaced. Again using the control boxes
124
, the operators will retract the cylinders
46
, thereby lifting the rails
12
approximately one to two inches above the tie
14
. The scissor arms
52
,
54
,
56
,
58
will be clamped more tightly around the rail
12
through the combination of this lifting motion and their scissoring action. Typically, a new tie plate
16
will previously have been deposited in a location along side that wherein it will be installed. In the event that a tie plate
16
was not previously deposited, the operator on the side of the vehicle
20
wherein the tie plate
16
is missing will utilize his control box
124
to actuate the hydraulic cylinder
158
of the tie plate pusher
154
, thereby dispensing a tie plate
16
from the magazine
138
to the ramp
150
. The tie plate
16
will then descend the ramp
150
under its own weight, thereby being deposited in close proximity to its final desired location under the rail
12
. In either case, the operator will use the tie plate insertion wand
120
to manually push the tie plate
16
into its proper location between the tie
14
and rail
12
. Again using the control box
124
, the operators will extend the cylinders
46
, thereby lowering the rails
12
onto the tie plates
16
. The operators will then drive the vehicle
20
to the next location wherein a tie plate
16
must be replaced.
In some instances, it may be desirable or necessary to insert a tie plate
16
from the gauge side of the rail
12
instead of from the field side. Examples of such situations include locations next to curve blockers or elevated platforms, or possibly on a bridge. Additionally, the secondary clamp assembly
80
provides redundancy in case problems developed with the primary clamp assembly
42
. To use the secondary clamp assembly
80
, the operators will detach the quick disconnect
130
of the tie plate insertion wands
120
from the central portion
40
of the vehicle, connecting them to identical mating quick disconnect portions at the back
30
of the vehicle
20
. Once the vehicle
20
is in a location wherein a tie plate
16
must be replaced, the clamp assembly
80
is lowered until the rollers
108
contact the rail
12
, and then the arms
86
,
88
,
90
,
92
are closed around the rails
12
. The hydraulic cylinders
116
are extended, thereby pushing the arms
110
,
112
downward, raising the clamp assembly
80
, thereby lifting the rails
12
. This lifting action, combined with the scissor mechanism of the arms
86
,
88
,
90
,
92
, tightens the grip of the arms
86
,
88
,
90
,
92
on the rails
12
as the clamp assembly
80
is lifted. As before, the operators will use the tie plate insertion wands
120
to push the tie plates
16
into position between the rails
12
and ties
14
. If a tie plate was not deposited in the proper location prior to commencing this task, a tie could be dispensed from the tie plate magazine
138
, which ideally should be done from the central portion
40
of the vehicle
20
, before the back
30
of the vehicle
20
reaches the exact work location. Once the tie plates
16
are properly positioned, the operators use the control boxes
124
to lower the clamp assembly
80
, and open the clamping arms
86
,
88
,
90
,
92
.
While a specific embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.
Claims
- 1. A railway tie plate insertion vehicle, the vehicle having a chassis defining a front, back, and pair of sides, said vehicle comprising:an operator's chair extending from each of said sides; a tie plate insertion wand, comprising: a pole dimensioned and configured to permit an operator seated in said operator's chair to push a tie plate under a rail; controls for operating said vehicle; and an electrical connection between said controls and said vehicle for transmitting control signals between said controls and said vehicle.
- 2. The vehicle according to claim 1, whereinsaid electrical connection further comprises a quick disconnect, dimensioned and configured for repeated connection to and disconnection from said vehicle.
- 3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said controls of said tie plate insertion wand include at least one control selected from the group consisting of propelling said vehicle, applying brakes of said vehicle, activating an emergency stop mechanism, blowing a horn of said vehicle, operating a rail clamp, and dispensing a tie plate from a tie plate magazine.
- 4. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a first rail clamp comprising a pair of scissor arms, each scissor arm having an end.
- 5. The vehicle according to claim 4, further comprising a roller at the end of each scissor arm, said roller being dimensioned and configured to engage a rail of a railway below a ball of a rail.
- 6. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein said rail clamp further comprises a stabilizer cylinder for maintaining and adjusting a rail's lateral position.
- 7. The vehicle according to claim 4, further comprising a second rail clamp, said second rail clamp having a pair of scissor arms for engaging a rail below a ball of a rail.
- 8. The vehicle according to claim 7, wherein:said first rail clamp is located between said wheels of said vehicle; and said second rail clamp is located at said back of said vehicle.
- 9. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising at least one tie plate magazine.
- 10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said at least one tie plate magazine comprises:a body, including a bottom; a ramp directly below and adjacent to said body, said ramp forming a substantially continuous surface with said bottom, said ramp extending to a position adjacent a rail; and a pusher dimensioned and configured to push a tie plate from said bottom onto said ramp.
- 11. A tie plate insertion wand for use with a tie plate insertion vehicle, the vehicle having a pair of sides, with an operator's chair extending outward from each of said sides, said tie plate insertion wand comprising:a pole dimensioned and configured to permit an operator seated in said operator's chair to push a tie plate under a rail; controls for operating the tie plate insertion vehicle; and an electrical connection between said controls and the vehicle for transmitting control signals between said controls and the vehicle.
- 12. The tie plate insertion wand according to claim 11, whereinsaid electrical connection further comprises a quick disconnect, dimensioned and configured for repeated connection to and disconnection from said vehicle.
- 13. The tie plate insertion wand according to claim 11, wherein said controls of said tie plate insertion wand include at least one control selected from the group consisting of propelling the vehicle, applying brakes of the vehicle, activating an emergency stop mechanism, blowing a horn of the vehicle, operating a rail clamp, and dispensing a tie plate from a tie plate magazine.
US Referenced Citations (17)