Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1 157318
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention.
This invention relates to improvements in a
method and apparatus for removing individual railway
ties from a railroad track system without disturbing
adjacent or other components of the system. The method
and apparatus accomplish the desired end of removing a
complete tie with a minimum of disturbance to the
right-of-way, the track line or the ballast adjacent the
tie as well as allowing removal of the tie from either
end with a minimum side clearance requirement.
2. Description of the Prior Art.
Typical examples of prior art may be seen in
United States Letters Patents Numbers 3,496,883,
3,881,422, 3,948, 185 and 4,047,280. On one hand, these
patents illustrate a system that requires the actual
cutting away of the wood on the top part of a tie so
that it may be withdrawn from one side or the other or,
on the other hand, illustrate the use of a vibratory
element to displace, by compaction, material from or
under a tie to allow the tie to drop down underneath the
rails so that it may be withdrawn from either side. The
difficulty with the brute force cutting concept ou~ht be
readily apparent to those skilled in the art and is
believed to have fallen into disuse by the industry with
which my invention is concerned. The use of a vibratory
force either to displace ballast to one side or in a
downward direction is also believed to be incongruent
1157318
with the principles of ballast beds for railway track
systems. The use of the vibratory technique tends to
compact the ballast in the very area in which it is
desired to maintain the proper ballast density or
distribution and relationship. Further, where a
vibrating probe is to be inserted completely under the
length of a tie to be removed, the difficulties of
working between adjacent railway lines and on narrow
right-of-ways is believed to be readily apparent as well
as the clear, inherent difficulties of physically ~oving
a vibrating probe completely underneath a tie to
displace ballast with a V-shaped tip.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The method and apparatus of my invention permits a
fast and efficient mode of operation to accomplish the
longstanding problem of removing defective ties from a
railway track system in such a manner that there will be
a minimum effect on the condition of the ballast
surrounding the defective tie and the other components
of a railroad right-of-way system. My method and
apparatus further provides a dramatic increase in the
efficiency and speed of operation for the removal of
defective ties.
The method of my invention may be carried out by
engaging the top and one side edge of a defective tie
while it is in position in a railway track system and
then applying appropriately disposed and configured
rotatable scarifying means downwardly and underneath a
tie in a direction toward the side restraining means to
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provide a "shearing`' and "pumping" action to displace
ballast from underneath the tie in a direction lateral
to the longitudinal axis of the tie and without any
further compaction of the ballast material, into a crib
adjacent the tie, and then exerting a downward force to
place the tie in a lowered position underneath the level
of the botto~ of the rails of the track system and
removing the tie by gripping either end and withdrawin~
the tie laterally of the railroad track system with a
sweeping motion.
The apparatus for performing the method of my ~.
invention consists of a vertically moveable work head
that extends across the width of a railway track system
from which defective ties are to be removed and which
includes a plurality of downwardly extending tie
engaging and restraining portions at one side of the
lower end and a plurality of rotatable scarifying means
along the other side of the lower end and an
intermediate lower portion that may rest upon the top
surface of a tie to be removed. The work head is
disposed for vertical reciprocation on a moveable
vehicle and may be lowered as the vehicle is moving so
that the tie engaging and restraining members may ride
up against the side of a tie to be removed to effect a
straightening operation in the case of skewed ties, at
which point the vehicle is stopped and the scarifying
means, each provided with a configuration that will
coact with the ballast underneath the tie and the lower
surface of the tie, when rotated, to "pump" ballast out
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from underneath the tie to allow the tie to be lowered
when a suitable downward force is applied through the
work head. Articulated tie withdrawing booms, having
~suitable tie gripping means, are provided for
withdrawing the lowered tie from either end and are
designed to be operated with a sweeping action for
minimum side extension when a tie is withdrawn.
In one illustrated embodiment of my invention, the
method and apparatus contemplate the removal of
laterally spaced "pockets" of ballast material from
underneath the tie by the use of the laterally rotatable
scarifying implements spaced at appropriate locations
along the length of a tie.
The scarifier implements may also be configured to
distribute "shearing" type displacemcnt forces on the
ballast to be removed upon insertion underneath a tie
and to withdraw ballast in the opposite direction upon
withdrawal from underneath a tie. In either case, a
non-compacting removal of the ballast is effected.
These and other advantages and objects of my
invention will become apparent from a consideration of
the appended specification, claims and drawings.
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~ `IGURES 1 ancl 2 are side elevational views of my
apparatus illustratinc3 the tie removing mechanism in two of
the phases of operation;
FIGURE 3 is a top plan ~iew of the apparatus shown
on Figures 1 and 2;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the section
line 4--4 on Figure l;
~ IGURE S is an enlarged sectional view taken along
section line 5--5 on Figure 2;
~O FIGURES 6, 7, and 8 are fragmentary views of portions
of the apparatus of my invention in different phases of operation;
FIGURES 9, 10, 11 and 12 are further enlarged frag-
mentary views of portions of the apparatus of my invention
showing the operation thereof;
FIGURE 13 is a sectional view of a defective tie of
the type that is to be removed through the application of the
method and apparatus of my .invention; and,
FIGURE 14 is a sectional view taken along section line
14--14 on Figure 12.
~0 DESCRIPTION OF T~IE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
.. . . _
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to
Fiyures 1, 2, 3 and 5, there is sllown a tie extracting apparatus
indicated generally by reference character 10. The system is
used to practice my method of removiny defective ties from a
track system comprisecl of rails 84, ties 80, bearing plates 81,
rail ancllor~; ~32, alld spi ke ~i 8 3.
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T:ie extracting machine 10 includ~s a generally longi-
tudinally extending main frame 11 ti~at is supported at its
forward end 12 by a railroad truck 13 and includes a source of
power for propulsion and operation of the various elements of
my invention, 14; and, at its rear end 15, by truck 16. An
operator's console 17 is shown pivotally disposed on a pivot
pin 18 so that an operator may operate the tie extracting
apparatus from either side of tie extractor machine 10.
At this point, it may be noted that for all essential
factors, the apparatus of my invention is substantially
symmetrical about its longitudinal axis and reference characters
are applied to elements lying basically on the left side of
Figure 5 as well as those shown in elevation on Figures 1 and 2.
A work head 20, having a box-like frame 29, is shown
suspended from tubes 21 and 22 that are journaled in suitable
bearings therefor as indicated by reference characters 23 and
24, respectively. It may be seen that work head 20 and all
apparatus carried thereby may therefore be renoved in a vertical
direction to accomplish the several functions to be described
ao below, by the conjoint operation of hydraulic cylinders 25 and
26, each having piston rod members 27 and 28, respectively,
connected to suitable upwardly extending connecting member 29A
on the top of frame 29. Piston rod member 28 is shown connected
to member 29A through pin 28 disposed in sole 28A. The
relative disposition of the corresponding connections from
frame 29 to cylinder 25 are not shown in full outline as their
location and configuration may easily be determined by one
skilled in the art to which this invention pertains.
Three ripper teeth elements 34, 35 and 36 are non-
~O rotatably disposed on shaft 32 by suitable keys (not shown) or
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the like, so that ripper teeth 34, 35 and 36 will be
operable in unison as shaft 32 is caused to rotate about
its axis. Shaft 32 is operatively connected to hydraulic
cylinder 37 through piston 38 connected to ripper tooth 35
through suitable connecting means, 39. Shaft 32 is
disposed in suitable journals provided in the downwardly
depending portion 30 of frame 29. Cylinder 37 is also
connected to frame 30 through suitable means (not shown).
Proceeding to the le~t uortion of Fig. 5 ot the
drawings, an extractor frame 40 is shown as including a
ripper tooth frame 41 disposed on the outer extremity of
an inner-boom 64 on telescoping boom assembly 61 through
appropriately disposed holes 42 in ripper tooth frame 41
and holes 43 in extractor frame 40 for rotation on pin
44. It should be noted that extractor frame 40 is, for
all practical purposes, fixedly disposed on the end of
inner-boom 64 on telescoping boom 61. Ripper tooth
frame 41 may be rotated about the axis of pin 41 through
the operation of tilt cylinder 45 that is shown
rotatably disposed on extractor frame 40 through
appropriate hole 46 and a pin 47. Tilt cylinder 45
includes a piston rod 48 that is connected to a pin 50
extending through appropriately disposed holes 49, on
ripper tooth frame 41. A plurality of journals 51 are
disposed in downwardly extending appendages on ripper
tooth frame 41. A shaft 52, having ripper teeth 53, 54
and 55 non-rotatably disposed thereon, is shown
extending through journals 51 on the lower portion of
ripper tooth frame 41.
Each of the ripper tooth members is shown having
outwardly extending wedge portions 53A and a clamp tooth
portion 53B for purposes to be explained below. As
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shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the axis of rot~tion oE
shaft 52 is coinciclent with the axis of rotation of
shaft 32 when the apparatus is in the illustrated mode
of scarifying the ballast underneath and surrounding a
tie. Shaft 52 may be caused to rotate through the
operation of hydraulic cylinder 56 that is rotatably
disposed on ripper tooth frame 41 through pin 57
extending through holes 58. Cylinder 56 further
includes a piston rod 59 that is shown connected to
ripper tooth 54 through a connection indicated by
reference character 60.
The leftwardly extending telescoping boom 61 is shown
as comprising an outer member 62, a middle member 63, and an
inner m~mber 64. Thc outer mem~er is rotatably journaled by
a pin 66 disposed in appropriately disposed holes in frame 29
through a pin member 66. The top left end section of the
outer portion 62 of boom 61 is sllowll having an upwardly extend-
ing portion 68 including suitable holes 69 and 70. A boom
extension cylinder 71 is shown connect~d to upper extension
2n 68 on outer boom 62 through pin 72 and includes a piston rod
73 that is connected to extractor frame 40 through pin 51.
tilt cylinder 74 for boom 71 is ]ikewise connected to upwardly
extending portion 29A of frame 29 I hrough appropriately dis-
posed holes 75 an~ a pin 76. Boom tilt cylinder 74 is shown
ha~ing a piston rod 77 connected to a pin 78 ~xtending through
appropriately disposed holes 69 in upwardly exter.ding portion
68 of outer ~oom 62. It may thus ~ seen that ripper tooth
frame 41 m~y he reci~rocate~ along tlle lon~itudillal axis of
boom 51 ~nd ;~ be tilte(3 along an a~is perpendicular to the
l^n~Jitudin21 a:;is o~ boom 61 ancL further that i)oom 61 may be
tilted or rotat~(3 abollt its ri~ht cn~ along th-~ transv~rse axis
esta~)iisL-~ed b! L~in 65.
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Throughout the several views of the illustrated embodi-
ment, it may be seen that a track system is comprised of ties
80, bearing plates 81, rail anchors 82, spikes 83, rails 84
having flanges 86 and head portions 85. The ties are shown
generally immersed in a volume of ballast indicated by reference
character 88 and, as may best be seen from Figure 13 of the
drawings, certain voids or pockets are created and these are
illustrated by reference character 89.
With further specific reference to Figures 1, 2, 9, 10,
11, 12 and 14, the ripper teeth utilized on the ripper tooth
frame 41 attached to extractor frame 40 and thereby to the end
of inner boom 64 are shown as having a wedge-like protrusion
53B that is adapted to engage and hold a tie 80 intermediate stop
member 79 depending downwardly from the lower portion of ripper
tooth frame 41 so as to releasably clamp tie 80 therebetween.
Referring to Figure 13, recessed volumes 81A in the
top surface of tie 80 are shown in exaggerated di.mension to
illustrate the difficulty created by the plate cuts created by
the movement of traffic over the track system which necessitates
the application of the principles of my invention to the facile
removal of defective individual ties.
1~57318
It may now be apparent to those skilled in the art
to which this invention pertains, that the operation of
the tie extractor apparatus 10 is essentially of two
phases; the first involving the lateral scarifying or,
otherwise, displacement of ballast material from beneath
the tie to be removed; and the second consisting of the
withdrawal of the tie from either side of the track
system by further operation of the extractor apparatus
10 after the tie has been lowered sufficiently so that
the bearing plate cuts existing in a typical tie will
sufficiently clear the lower surface of the flange of
the rails so as not to disturb the position of the rails
with respect to the remainder of the track system.
The first phase of operation contemplates a
simultaneous partial rotation of all of the ripper teeth
assemblies on the tie extractor frames 41 and work head
frame 29 with substantially coincident axes so that, as
the rippers are rotated into operative ballast
displacing position beneath the tie, they will be
operative in a substantially uniform position with
respect to the tie to laterally displace the ballast
material into an adjacent crib of the track system. For
this purpose, it may be noted that the axis of rotation
of the ripper teeth on shaft 52 in ripper teeth frame ~1
is displaced from the longitudinal axis of boom assembly
61 as may be seen in Figs. 1 and 2 and from this, those
skilled in the art will realize that the same offset
relationship will obtain or be present with respect to
the extractor frame and ripper tooth frame disposed on
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1~ 57318
the outer end of the other telescoping boom assembly to
which like re~erence numerals may be applied for the
purpose of operation.
The second mode o~ operation contemplates that the
ripper teeth assemblies disposed on the lower end of
work head 20 are rotated out of engagement Witil the tie,
as in the retracted position illustrated on Figs. 1 or
9, and one or the other of the extractor frame
assemblies will also be retracted while the other
extractor frame assembly will be retained in a firm
clamping engagement with one end of a tie 80 as shown on
Figs. 2 and 12.
OPER~TI~N
Tie extractor apparatus 10 is intended to be
self-propelled and, for reasons of simplicity, the
driving mechanism typically connected to power plant 14,
is not shown. Power plant 14 also typically includes a
suitable hydraulic pump system that is connected to all
of the operating cylinders of the apparatus through
suitable valves positioned at the operator console 17
and to the individual cylinders through suitable
hydraulic tubing.
In a typical extraction of a defective tie, the
apparatus is positioned over the tie as indicated in
Fig. 3 of the drawings so that the longitudinal central
axis of the tie is disposed alonq a line extending
laterally of the track system and is substantially
between journals 23 and 24 for work head tubes 21 and 22
and the axis of shafts 52 in ripper teeth frame 41 will
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likewise be coincident with the axis of shaft 32 in the
ripper tooth assembly disposed on the lower end of work
head 20. It will be assumed that the spikes and anchors
for rail 80 have previously been extracted from an
effective tie, 80, and work head 20 may now be lowered
to a position with the lower end resting adjacent or on
the top surface o~ the tie. It may also be noted that
with the apparatus in its lowered position adjacent the
top surface of a tie, 80, stop members 79 extending
downwardly from work head 20 and from ripper tooth
frames ~1 will be coincidentally disposed along one top
side of tie 80 to position or maintain the position of
tie 80 with its longitudinal axis substantially,
perpendicularly lateral to the track system so as to
prevent movement of tie 80 during the subsequent
scarifying operation of displacing the ballast from
underneath the tie into the adjacent crih of the track
system.
The operator may then energize hydraulic cylinders
37 and 56 to cause all of the ripper teeth to rotate
about the axis of shafts 32 and 52 as shown in Figs. 2,
9 and 10 to effect a lateral displacement of the ballast
adjacent and underneath a tie, 80, as the ripper teeth
proceed to the position illustrated in Fig. 10. The
operator may then apply the entire weight of work head
20, by suitable operation of cylinders 25 and 26, to the
top of tie 80 and actuate hydraulic cylinders 37 and 56
in reverse to withdraw the ripper teeth in each of the
assemblies as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 to thereby
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create a plurality of lon~itu~inally spaced-apart
pockets, 89, underneath tie 80 as shown in Fig. 13. As
the ripper teeth are withdrawn through the conjoint
action of the wedge or barb-like protrusions on the
lower surfaces of the ripper teeth and the additional
weight of the work head on top of the tie, further
ballast material is removed to enlarge the relative size
of pockets 89 underneath tie 80. It may be noted that
the forward immersion of the respective ripper teeth
about their axes of rotation to a position underneath
tie 80 will result in a pumping action in the chamber
defined by the undersurface of tie 80 and the ballast
bed below, to effect a shearing, loosening and ejection
of the bal~ast material without resulting in additional
compaction of the adjacent ballast material so as to
retain the desired ballast bed density for proper
operation of the track system. A typical lateral
ballast removal operation results in a lowering of the
level of a tie to approximately two inches below the
level of tracks 84 in the track system and is considered
to be a reasonably operative standard for the apparatus
of my invention.
It may be noted that the lateral displacement of the
ballast material adjacent to and underneath tie 80, in
the manner presented, provides for the lateral movement
or flow of ballast material, in the present embodiment,
in both directions, which does not tend to compact or
increase the density of the remaining adjacent ballast
material that is left in place. The non-vibratory
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1 157318
pumping action, including the shearing forces exerted by
the ripper teeth upon immersed movement through the
ballast adjacent to and underneath the tie, is believed
to contribute substantially to the improved results that
are obtained upon subsequent replacement of the tie and
adjacent ballast.
Once the tie has been lowered, it may then be
extracted by clamping one or the other of extractor
frames 40 on the end of extendible booms 61 (as
illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8) by clampiny the tie with
ripper teeth 53, 54 and 55. The conjoint operation of
wedge 53B and stop 79 and extending the boom outwardly
through suitable operator control of cylinder 62 will
complete the removal of a defective tie 80. Under
certain circumstances, such as tie removal along a track
system having limited side clearance, it may be
desirable to release the tie during the process of
extraction and move the end of boom 61 to a position
intermediate the ends of the tie.
As shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, extendible booms
61 may be stored in a retracted storage position for
transport to other locations. This is provided by means
of the suitable outwardly extending projections 90 on
portion 29A of frame 29 and complementary configured
projections 91 disposed on extractor frames 40 on
telescoping booms 61.
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1 157318
SUPPLEMENTARY DISCLOSURE
In a second embodiment of my invention, the laterally
rotatable ballast "pumping" scarifier implements are
adjustably moveably disposed on the bottom of the work
head for movement longitudinally of the tie to provide for
the removal of ballast material from underneath the entire
length of the tie to be removed.
This second embodiment is illustrated in Figures 15 to
23 in which:
Fig. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a
second embodiment of my apparatus;
Fig. 16 is a rear elevational view (partly in section)
of the apparatus shown in Fig. 15;
Fig. 17 is an enlarged side elevational view of a
portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 15;
Fig. 18 is a rear elevational view (partly in section)
of the apparatus shown in Fig. 17;
Fig. 19 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the
apparatus shown in Fig. 15;
2~ Figs. 20 and 21 are enlarged fragmentary front
elevational views of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 15
shown in two different positions of operation; and
Figs. 22 and 23 are enlarged fragmentary sectional
views of a further portion of the apparatus of Fig. 15
shown in two different positions of operation.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
In the second embodiment of my invention, as
illustrated in Figs. 15-23, inclusive, like reference
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characters have been applied to like elements an(l it may
be noted that a basic similarity is present in
connection with the overall configuration of the tie
extractor insofar as the main frame and transport
elements are concerned.
Referring to the drawings, a tie extractor apparatus
is indicated generally by reference character 100 and
includes a longitudinally extending main frame lll that
is provided at its rear end 112 with a railroad truck
113. It is to be understood that the other end of main
frame 111 is likewise suitably supported and that a
source of motive power is disposed on one or the other
of the ends of tie extractor apparatus 100 and that the
source of motive power may include suitable means for
providing hydraulic fluid under pressure to be applied,
through suitable valve means ~not shown), under the
control of an operator for actuation of the various
elements of the invention shown in the drawings and ~`
described below.
A work head 120 is shown vertically reciprocably
disposed in a vertically oriented journal 12G extending
through a horizontal portion of main frame lll. Work
head 120 is shown configured to have a generally
inverted T shape having a main vertical portion 121
reciprocally disposed in main frame journal 126 and a
generally horizontally disposed lower horizontal portion
129. Right and left side structural members
interconnect the top end of vertical portion 121 to the
laterally spaced top portions of lower horizontal member
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11~73~8
129. The right side includes a vertical mernber 122 and
a slanting member 123 and the left side includes
vertical member 124 and a slanting member 125. Right
and left lift cylinders 133 and 134 are shown having
their top ends disposed adjacent journal 126 in the
horizontal portion of main frame 111 through appropriate
means (not shown) and each has a downwardly depending
piston that is shown, in the case of piston 135 on
cylinder 133, in the fragmentary sectional outline on
Fig. 16. The conjoint operation of cylinders 133 and
134 will serve to vertically position work head 120 with
respect to the horizontal portion of main frame 111.
The vertical portion of T shaped work head 120 is
shown having a surface layer of suitable plastic
material, 132, such as Teflon, disposed on the four
surfaces for reciprocation within journal 126 on main
frame 111. Similarly, the horizontal outward portions
of lower horizontal member 129 on work head 120 are
provided with surface mounted areas of similar suitable
plastic shown as right areas 130 and left areas 131.
Vertical section 121 and horizontal section 129 on work
head 120 may be suitably attached at the center of
horizontal section 129 by welding or the like.
Right and left ripper, or scarifier, slide frame
members 140 and 141 are shown reciprocably disposed for
horizontal movement on lower horizontal member 129 on
work head 120. In view of the symmetry exhibited by the
illustrated configuration, the right ripper slide frame
140 will be described in detail only. Ripper slide
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1157318
frame 140 is shown having a downwardly depending lower
end 142 which is, in essence, bifurcated to provide for
the rotatable mounting of outer ripper 145 and inner
ripper 155. The outermost portion of lower end 142 is
provided with a tie stop 143 and is configured to
receive a shaft 144 upon which is mounted a ripper, or
scarifier 145, having a body portion 148 and a leading
edge 149, of suitable blunt shape. Ripper 145 may be
rotatably operated through operation of cylinder 146,
having a piston 147, as illustrated in Figs. 122 and
123. The other end of section 142 on right ripper slide
frame 140 is shown having a tie stop 153 and also
rotatably carries a shaft 154 upon which is mounted a
further ripper, or scarifier, 155. Ripper 155 may
similarly be operated through the con]oint action of a
cylinder (not shown) mounted similarly to that shown for
ripper 145 and which is connected thereto through a
piston 157, as shown on Fig. 20 of the drawings.
A cylinder 150 and piston 151 are shown connected
intermediate the center portion of lower horizontal
section 129 on work head 120 and right ripper slide
frame 140 for effecting the horizontal reciprocal
movement that is illustrated in Figs. 20 and 21. As
will be referred to below in connection with the
operation of the second embodiment of my invention, it
may be seen that a plurality of ripper teeth are
essentially simultaneously laterally rotatable and
longitudinally moveable ~nderneath the lower surface of
a tie.
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1 1S7318
A pair of swingably rotatable and longitudinally
extendible extractor booms are disposed to be operable
adjacent each end of lower horizontal portion 129 of
work head 120. ln view of the symmetry exhibited by the
illustrated apparatus, the right extractor boom is
identified by reference character 160 and will be
described in detail with the understallding that one
skilled in the art may easily determine the relationship
between the elements of the similarly constructed left
boom.
Referring to Figs. 16, 17r 18 and 19, it will be
seen that extractor boom 160 is provided with a top
portion 161, that is swingably rotatably disposed on a
pin 162 extending through right side slant frame 123 on
work head 120, and further includes a lower section 163,
longitudinally, slideably disposed within top section
161 for reciprocation therein as will be described below.
A swing cylinder 164 is shown connected to section
129 on work head 120 through a pin 155 and includes a
piston 166 having an outer end connected to top portion
161 on extractor boom 160 through pin 167. An cxtractor
boom extension cylinder 168 is shown connected at its
upper end to top section 161 through a pin 169 and
includes a piston 170 connected to lower section 163
through pin 171. Lower section 163 of extractor boom
160 is provided with a surface of suitable plastic, 172,
for purposes as described above.
Referring to Fig. 17 of the drawings, a pair of tie
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1157318
clamp arms 173 and 182 are shown rotatably disposed on
pins 174 and 183 that extend through the lower end 1.63
of extractor boom 160. Tie clamp arm 173 is rotatable
about pin 174 through operation of cylinder 175 having
one end disposed on a pin 176, and including a piston
177 connected to pin 178. A generally cylindrical tie
connector means 179 is shown disposed on the lower
extremity of tie clamp arm 173 for clamping, rotatable
engagement with the side of a tie 80. Similarly, tie
clamp arm 182 is rotatably operable about pin 183
through operation of cylinder 184, having one end
disposed on a pin 185, and including a piston 186
connected to tie clamp arm 182 through pin 187. A
similarly cylindrically shaped tie connector 188 is
shown disposed on the lower extremity of tie clamp arm
182 for rotatably engaging the other side of a tie 80.
It may thus be seen that tie extractor booms 160 are
provided with means to rotatably engage and clamp on to
the end of a tie to be removed at their lower end, are
longitudinally extendible, laterally outwardly swingable
about pivot pin 162 on work head 20 and vertically
reciprocable, to provide a multiplicity of motions that
may be combined thcough the efforts of an operator to
withdraw a tie from either end from under a track system
to provide a program of operation that requires a
minimum amount of side clearance adjacent the track
system.
OPERATION OF THE SECOND EMBODIMENT
Having determined the existence of one or more
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1 1~73~8
defective ties in a track system, the apparatus oE tie
extractor 100, normally self-propelled (not shown), is
moved along the track right-of-way and, as the lower
portion of work head 20 approaches a tie to be removed,
work head 20 is lowered to a position whereat its lower
extremity is adjacent the top surface of the tie and
stop members 1~13 and 153 are caused to engage one side
of the tie to be removed. With the tie in a position
substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the track system, tie extractor 100 is stopped. At this
time, rippers 145 and 155 are in a retracted position as
shown in Fig. 22 and extractor booms 160 are disposed in
an outward position which may be that illustrated in
Fig. 19, without the presence of tie 80. It may also be
noted, as was the case with the first described
embodiment, that a tie, 80, is restrained by stops 143
and 153 on the lower surface of right and left ripper
slide members 140 and 141.
The operator, through appropriate valving means ~not
shown), may then proceed to apply hydraulic fluid uncler
pressure to the cylinders, such as 146, attached to each
o the ripper teeth 145 and 155 to cause rotation from
the initial position shown in Fig. 22 to the final
position shown in Fig. 23 to effect a pumping action of
the ballast disposed underneath the tie forwardly and
upwardly to the next adjacent crib, in which stop
members 143 and 153 are in engagement with the other
side of tie 80, without compacting the adjacent ballast
material that is not displaced. With ripper teeth 145
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11S7318
and 155 in the immersed position of Fig. 23, the
operator may then apply hydraulic fluid under pressure
to cylinder 150 to cause movement of ripper slide frames
140 and 141 from the position shown in Fig. 20,
outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 21 to effect a
side-wise displacement of material longitudinal of tie
80 that may be present underneath rails 84, again
without exerting any substantial compacting force os~ the
adjacent ballast material underneath and surrounding tie
80. Following this, the operator may again move ripper
teeth slides 140 and 141 to the center position of Fig.
20, cause a retraction of ripper teeth 145 and 155 and
then complete a further cycle of rotation of ripper
teeth 145 and 155 to complete the removal of the ballast
from underneath tie 80. With ripper teeth 145 and 155
in the retracted position of Fig. 22, the operator may
then energize lift cylinders 133 and 134 to exert a
further downward force on the top surface of tie 80 to
cause it to assume a lowered position underneath rails
84.
At this time in the cycle of operation, cylinders
164 and 168 may be energized to position tie cla~p arms
173 and 182 over the end of a tie 80 in the relationship
illustrated in Fig. 19, and hydraulic fluid is applied
to cylinders 175 and 184 to complete the clamping action
of tie 80 intermediate the cylindrical tie connector
members 179 and 188 on tie clamp arms 173 and 182 to
rotatably clamp the end of tie 80 therebetween. Further
suitable energization of cylinders 164 and 168, under
- 21 -
~t ~
1157318
the guidance of the operator, serves to move the clamped
end of tie 80 outwardly and upwardly to withdraw the tie
from under the right-of-way system including tracks 84.
It may be noted and understood that ripper teeth 34,
35, 36, 53, 55, 145 and 155 are provided with an outer
peripheral cylindrical shape that is concentric with the
axes of the shafts upon which they are mounted for
rotation with respect to work heads 20 and 120. This
provides a shearing action on the ballast underneath tie
80 with respect to the ballast bed underneath the outer
peripheral surface of the ripper teeth as they are
rotated to perform their pumping action to displace the
ballast from underneath and adjacent tie 80 to an
adjacent crib in the track system. The leading edge of
the ripper teeth may preferably be configured to present
a relatively blunt cross-section, at least in the area
adjacent the outer peripheral portion that travels in a
position adjacent the ballast bed underneath the ripper
tooth.
