US1595420A - Railroad tamping - Google Patents

Description

J. F. ROBB RAILROAD TAMPING, TIE REMOVING AND REPLACING MACHINE.

Aug. 10

Filed March 9, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 J. F. ROBB ILROAD TAMPING, TIE REMOVING AND REPLACING MACHINE Aug. 10

Filed March 9, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,420

J. F. ROBB' RAILROAD TAMPING, TIE REMOVING AND REPLACING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1923 8 Sheets-Shet 3 Aug. 10 1926.

J. F. ROBB LROAD TAMPING, TIE REMOVING AND REPLACING MACHINE RAI Filed March 9, 1923 8 Sheet$Sheet 4 N? m w? m N H Wifizess J. F. ROBB RAILROAD TAMPING, TIE REMOVING AND REPLACING MACHINE Aug. 10

Filed March 9. 1925 a sheets-sheet s ELI ' Aug. 10 1926. 7 1,595,420

J. F. ROBB RAILROAD TAMPING TIE REMOVING AND REPLACING MACHINE Filed March 9. 1925 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 WiZheas:

Aug. 10 1926.

J. F. ROBB RAILROAD TAMPINQTIE REMOVING ANDJREPLAGING MACHINES Filed March 9, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet I Ilh Aug. 10 1926. 1,595,420

J. F. ROBB RAILROAD TAMPING, TIE REMOVING AND REPLACING MACHINE Filed March 9, 1923 8 Sheets-Sheet a I Tis. 15..

Wz'iheas Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

UNITE STATES JOHN IE. ROBB, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO.

RAILROAD TAMPING, TIE REMOVING, AND REPLACING MACHINE.

Application filed; March 9, ,1923. Serial No. 623,965.

This invention has to do with railroad construction and repair, and embodies a machine useful in such work.

A costly feature of railroad maintenance is involved in the present methods of re moval and replacement of railroad ties. It is common throughout the country to employ gangsof laborers to remove by painstaking hand labor, ties that have become decayed or otherwise unserviceable, each tie being replaced, and the ties being handled largely individually. The expense of tie removal and replacement upon railroads ranges from a minimum in relation to roadbeds having sand and cinder ballast, to a maximum in reference to railroads utilizing rock ballast. Many millions of dollars are spent yearly in the removals and replacements of railroad ties, and alsoin tamping the ballast of the roadbed, the work on larger railroads involving the handling of millions of ties annually. 1

The intent of my present invention has been to design a machine by which practically all the work of removing and replacing railroad ties may be performed mechanically, and progressively, speaking in relation to the operations which have to be performedupon ties and the ballast in which they are seated, accomplished as the ties are reached in regular order by the machine of the invention; and a further object has been the production of a machine especially adapted for handling the operation of, tamping in'g susceptible of use without the tie handling mechanism.

A main problem treated in the development of my machine has been that of portability .of the machine inthree phases, first, to enable the machine to be very quickly moved to a position over the portion of the roadbed and track where ties are to be removed and replaced, or tamping operations performed; secondly, for facilitating the movement of the machine along the track for'operating upon ties necessary to be removed, in regular order as the machine approaches them; and thirdly, the 'utilization of a construction by which the machine.

may be quickly removed from the track and roadbed, whenever necessary, especially for the purpose of permitting an oncoming train to pass by. I have designed my machine therefore, so that the main mechanisms of which it is comprised are mounted the portability of the ballast, the tamping means be'- upon a main frame carried by endless traction belts or units (caterpillars) by Which the machine may be readily caused to travel over and upon a roadbed of ties, tracks and the usual ballast, transversely of said roadbed. These same endless traction units by which the machine is supported in getting it quickly into position for operating upon the ties of the roadbed, afford the means for removing the machine. from the track and roadbed, with facility, when the portion 'of the trackabove which the machine has been operating must be cleared for the passing of an oncoming train. I have availed of special auxiliary means in conjunction with the endless traction unit supporting devices for my machine, and including wheels adapted to travel upon the railroad track rails, whereby the machine may be raised ofi of the endless traction unit-s, andthe mechanisms carried by the said wheels, the latter adjusted to travel upon the rails after the manner of an ordinary car. The same engine is intended to drive the main endless traction units and the said traction wheels, whichever happens to be operative.

Passing now from the features involving the machine, the various mechanisms employed for the handling of the ballast and the ties in the tie removal and replacement operations, may be generally referred to.

.Ordinarily the proposition of removal of a railroad tie necessitates the removal of the ballast at opposite sides of the tie, the hammering out of the tie itself after'it is detached from the rails by the removal of the usual spikes, the replacement of a fresh tie in lieu of that removed, and the replacement of the ballast and tamping of the latter. In the practical embodiment of my invention I contemplate that all of these operations shall be-performed by mechanisms designed for each particular function, and these mechanisms, furthermore, which may be characterized as the tie removal and replacement mechanisms, are carried by special supporting meansenabling them to be placed in action at will, andin regular order of need, according to the progress of the operations in respect to a particular tie or ties. The said operating mechanisms themselves in certain individual, and in different collective combinations, form features of the present invention. These mechanisms include a ballast digging mechanism,

practice, though they will preferably be used in combinations of two or more such mechanisms. As an additional means for facilitating the removal of ties I may employ, though not necessarily so, a saw mechanism, comprising saws adapted to cut a tie which is being removed into three pieces, including a piece centrally of or be tween the tracks, to be readily raised by a and enabling the end pieces beneath the rails to be quickly hammered out from the track-bed.

Another general feature of construction of the invention may be said to comprise the utilization ,of a prime mover which is common to the machine for purposes of portability, and indirectly common to the various operating mechanisms that operate on the ties and ballast, the majority of the latter mechanisms being actuated by a compressed fluid such as air, the compressing means for which is operated from the engine or prime mover above mentioned.

A. perhaps remotely suggested above, my invention resides also in the special arrangement of the special mechanisms that operate upon the ties and ballast, so that they may do their work in a certain regular order and in a progressive manner in the sense for. instance that while the ballast removing mechanism is removing ballast from one tie, the hammer mechanism. of some other mechanism may be operating upon a tie from the sides of which the ballast has previously been removed. In other words, the operating mechanisms may act simultaneously upon several ties next to others that are being removed from the roadbed and replaced'by fresh ties.

The invention involves a number of other features of detail construction that will appear more fully hereinafter, and reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings for a full understanding of all of the construction of my machine, including such specific parts as have not been referred to particularly in the foregoing outline of the machines construction.

In the said accompanying drawings Figure l is a side elevation of the machine of the invention, showing same elevated from the multiplanes or endless traction units, by which it has been enabled to travel into operatin position over a section of roadbed from which the ties are to be removed.

- frames,

Figure 2 is an end elevation of. the ma- Figure 5 is a sectional view showing more particularly the cutting mechanism for cutting each tie to be removed, into three sections, for facilitating such removal.

Figure 6 is a sectional view showingva little more clearly the grappling device for engaging the middle section of the tie when the cutting mechanism is used, and whereby said section may be readily hoisted by the derrick means shown better in Fig. 1.

Figure 7 is a sectional view thru the machine about where the pounding or hammer mechanism is located, and illustrating the tie removing hammer, as well as the tie inserting hammer.

Figure 8 is a sectional view thru the main illustrating a little more clearly the ballast return chutes which facilitate the replacement of ballast removed from between the ties.

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view somewhat similar to the previous sections, but illustrating the pneumatic tampers for tampering the ballast after it has been replaced.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the grapple which is (co-operative with an old tie for the purpose of removal, as illustrated in Fig. 6, and for cooperating with a fresh tie for facilitating the introduction thereof into the place occupied by a tie removed.

Figure 11 is a sectional view showing more clearly the driving means by which the multiplanes or endless traction units are raised relatively to the mainframe.

Figure 12 is a side view of one of the spike removing implements.

Figure 13 is a front view of the same.

Figure 14 is a sectional view 'showing more clearly the gearing by which the drive is transmitted from the prime mover to the traction wheels when the latter are engaged by the rails and the machine is to travel progressively along the rails.

Figure 15 is a sectional view of a modified form of ballast removing, mechanism which maybe substituted for the construction illustrated in Fig. 4, and particularly adapted for handling sand and cinder ballast.

"they come into play in machine.

Traction mechanism.

The traction mechanisms may be termed as the main traction mechanism on which the machine is supported and moved when vit is not being used for its primary pur poses, and auxiliary traction mechanism by which the machine is supported and operatedwhen it is accomplishing its designed functions of tie removals and replacements.

The main traction mechanism embodies the endless traction units or devices 1, which are mounted for movement upon the opposite side beams 2 of the main frame of the machine, which frame also comprises the transverse or cross beams 3. The units or devices 1 may be of any conventional type, like the well known caterpillars, multiplanes, etc., very commonly in use today. Suitably supported on the -main frame the machine is the engine or prime mover 4:, also of a suitable type arranged to operate the compressor 5, by which a suitable fluid such as air, is compressed and maintained in such condition in the compressed air reservoir 6, all as seen best in Fig. 1. Mounted uponthe frame 23 is a longitudinal shaft 7 the term longitudinal being used in the sense of parallel with the sides or side beams of the main frame aforesaid. The term transverse will later be used in the sense of at right angles to the beams 2 and the traction units 1.

The traction drive shaft 7 just referred to, is geared at one end at 8 to the main power or engine shaft 9. Parallel to the shaft 9 but at the opposite side of the machine, is a traction unit drive shaft 10 suitably connected with the longitudinal shaft 7 by means of any conventional transmission gearing, generally designated 11. At its opposite ends the shaft 10 is connected with the driving sprockets or tumblers of the traction or caterpillar units 1, and in this manner movement is communicated to said traction devices. Different speeds of operation of the traction devices 1 are obtainable by shifting a gear selecting lever 12, forming a part of the transmissionmechanism 11. By the operation of the traction units 1, the machine may be caused to travel up the'side of a railroad bed, either across a ditch or even up an embankment, until it assumes a position over the tracks somewhat. as shown in Fig. 1. Thereupon 1 bring intov play operating means for the auxiliary traction mechanism, which will now be set forth;

Below the main frame 2-3 is the auxiliagy or sub-frame, as it will be called, designated 13. This frame is equipped at its opposite ends which project from the opposite sides of the machine, with track wheels 14. The sub-frame 13'is connected with the main frame by a series of four jacks in the form of screws 15, one series of these jacks being located at each side of the machine externally and internally of the adjacent side beam 2 previously described. At their upper ends the jacks or screws 15 are equipped with sprocket gears 16, and the sprocket gears of each series are connected by a sprocket chain 17. The two series of jacks 15 at opposite sides of the machine are adapted to be driven by suitable gearing designated at 18 and 19, and involving suitable bevel gears meshing with a bevel gear on one of the jacks of each series mentioned, also including clutch levers 20 and 21, one for each of the said gearings 18 and 19. The clutch levers 20 and 21 are connected by a rod 22 so they may be simultaneously shifted from a neutral position,

in one direction to render the gearing and f sprocket mechanisms of ,both1 series operative from the main power shaft 9 to turn the jacks 15 and lower the sub-frame 13 until the wheels 14 engage the track rails A of the roadbed. An operation of the jacks after the engagement of the wheels 1 with the tracks A will ultimately cause a slight elevation of the traction units 1, to raise them into an inoperative position above the rails A. Under these conditions it will be evident that the sub-frame 13 with the wheels 14:, is adapted to support the weight of the mechanisms of the machine when the traction =evices 1 are relieved of such weight, and an operation of the rod 22 to reverse themovement of the clutch levers 20 and 21 will obviously reverse the rotation of the jacks 15 in such a manner that the sub-frame 13 may be raised relatively to the traction devices 1, whereby the latter can support the machine and be susceptible of operation to readily run the machine 01f the roadbed, or on a ain, ments may be.

In order to cause the machine to progress along thetrack when it is in the position of Fig. 1, wherein the traction devices 1 are inactive, and the machine is ready to operate upon the ties and their surrounding ballast, I utilize drive gearing leading from the main power shaft 9 to the axle shaft 23 on which two of the wheels 14 adjacent to one side of the machine are mounted. The axle shaft 23 has a worm gear 24: thereon, see Figs- 1, 3, and 14, and this worm gear engages a worm 25 mounted upon a vertical shaft 26 and fixed to'rotate with the latter. The shaft 26 passes thru a driving gear 27 andiscapable ofslid;

as .the requircreservoir 6.

able movement in said gear. The gear 27 meshes with the corresponding bevel gear 28 driven by a sprocket chain connection 29 leading to a transverse shaft 30 which is geared to a shaft 31, now see Fig. 3, the last mentioned shaft being in turn geared to the main engine or power shaft 9, as shown at 32. The gear at 32 is under the control of a conventional clutch lever 33, and by movement of this lever the shaft 31 may be driven in either of oppositedirections. or remain idle, the frictional movements being adapted to drive the axle shaft 23 one way or other, thus advancing the machine progressively along the track while it is operating upon the ties and ballast. The machine may have to be reversed occasionally, though not often, when a path of exit from the track or roadbed may be at a point in rear of the direc' tion of travel of the machine, rather than in advance. 1

Spike pullers.

As viewed in Fig. 3, the machine is intended to travel in a leftward direction upon the tracks A, and, therefore, I provide in advance of the wheels 14 at suchside of the machine, a pair of spike pullers 34 which embody cylinders best seen in Figures 12 and 13, as pivotally mounted upon brackets 35 so as to have a universal movement, so to speak, by the provision of the yokes 36. The cylinders 34 contain the operating pistons 37 pressed downwards by springs 38, and having the usual piston rods 39. The lower ends of the piston rods are equipped with the spike grappling jaws 40 manipulatable by the handles 41. The pulling devices are raised by the admission of air in the lower ends of the cylinders 34 from an air conduit 42, extending from a pipe 43 that leads to the compressed air A suitable valve handle 44 controls the admission of the compressed air into a particular cylinder 34, and the release of said air beneath the piston 37. The spike pulling action of the implement just set forth is obvious wRhout further description.

Ballast removing mechanism.

This mechanism in one of its embodiments is shown in Fig. 4, and it is notable that I utilize a digger frame 45 which carries a plurality of yieldable diggers or teeth 46 arranged in series both longitudinally of the machine and transversely, if desired. These diggers are spaced at points where the rails A are located, so that in the reciprocating or oscillating movement of the v diggers there is a free space at opposite sides of the rails, between certain series of diggers, preventing other than yielding contact, if any, between the diggers 46 and said rails. -While I have shown a series of diggers or teeth 46 three deep in the transverse direction of the machine, obviously as seen in Fig. 2, a lesser number of these teeth may be employed, and preferably will be, in view of the limited conditions of space between ties. The digger frame 45 is oscillated by means of crank shafts 47 on a supporting frame 48, below which the digger frame is arranged. Bearing arms 49 project vertically from the frame 45 and receive the shafts 47 in suitable bearings therein, said shafts 47 being simultaneously driven by a sprocket chain or equivalent gearing designated 50, said chain engaging sprockets 51 on the several shafts 47. The means for driving the chain comprises the gearing shown best in Fig. 4, embodying a bevel gear 52 meshing with the gear 53 on a vertical shaft 54 equipped wit-h a slip joint 55 permitting the raising and lowering 'of the digger frame 45 out of and into action, respectively, without discontinuing the: drive on the diggers 46, or when they are idle. Shaft 54 has a bevel gear 56 at its upper end meshing with a similar gear 57 on a horizontal shaft 58, see Fig. 16, a shaft 58 is geared to. the main power shaft 9 in an evident manner. To lower and raise the digger frame 45 as required under actual conditions of service, I utilize the motive force of compressed air again by means .of cylinders 59 equipped with piston rods 60 attached at their lower ends to their supporting frame 48. Air

is led from the compressed air tank or reservoir 6 thru a pipe 61 to a horizontal pipe 62, which has communication thru valves 63 with the cylinders 59. Valve levers for the valves 63 are connected together by a rod which is operable by a lever 71, so as to open and close the valves 63 simultaneously. This arrangement enables the raising and lowering of the pistons in the cylinders 59, and the consequent raising and lowering of the frames 48 and 45 and diggers 46.

It is contemplated, of course, that the oscillating movement of the diggers 46 shall be utilized to gradually dig into and shift the ballast, especially rock or gravel ballast, endwise from the space between the ties until said ballast is practically at one side of the roadbed, and a side of a tie substantially entirely exposed. The opposite side of atie will then be similarly exposed by the action of the diggers, whereupon mechanism lli for removing the tie may be brought into play. Such mechanism will now be de- 4 scribed.

Tie removing mec'ham'sm.

I have shown in Fig. 3, and in Figures 2 and 5 especially, certain cutting means for" vcutting or sawlng the t1e to be removed,

. Fig. 2, as comprising into three sections. This mechanism may orv may not be used, but if conditions arefavorable it will be employed. The cutting mechanism comprises an operating shaft 72 which carries two saws or cutters 73 so spaced apart that they will operate slightly spaced from the inner sides of a pair of rails, thereby cutting a tie beneath the rails intothree sections. See Figures and 6. The shaft 7 2 is supported by links 74 suspended from a cross shaft 75 on the sub-frame 13, and also by links 76 supported by slide means on the main frame beams 3. The. slide means employed is utilized for lifting the saws or cutters 73, to operating and non-operating positions respectively, said slide means is best shown in a slide rack 77 mount- :ed on a suitable guide bar 78 on a main frame beam or channel 3. Each slide 77 has an arm 79 connected with the links 76 previously described, so that the slide when forced to the left as shown in Fig. 2, will raise the cutters or saws 7 3, and when moved to the right, will lower said saws, the links 76 and 7 4 forming a sort of toggle arrangement for the purpose. In order that the slides 77 and the parts connected therewith may work in unison, I employ a cross shaft 80 extending across the main frame 2-3, and equip it with spur gears 81 which mesh in racks on the tops of the slides 77. The actuating means for the slides 77 in clude compressed air actuating devices again. These devices consist of cylinders 82 mounted on the beams or channels 3, and having piston rods 83 connected with adjacent ends of the slides 77.

It is, of course, necessary to drive the cutters or saws 73 at high speed, and for this purpose I take off power from the main shaft 9 by means of suitable gearing shown best in Fig. 5, as comprising a worm wheel on said shaft, a worm 84 on a vertical shaft 85, worm gearing 86 and a clutch 87 operable by a clutch lever 88. The shaft will normally remain idle, but will turn when the clutch 87 is. thrown in. Under these conditions motion transmitted to the cutter shaft 72 thru the gears 89, 9.0, shaft 91, gear 92, and gear 93, see Fig. 5. The shaft 91 is hung from a. pivotally moving hanger 96, and when the shaft 72 is raised in relation to the shaft 75, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the gearing between the parts in no way interferes. Likewise the worm sh aft 85 is freely movable thru the worm 84 and the bracket supporting said worm to accommodate for relative movements between the main frame 23 and the sub-frame 13.

\Vhen the cutting mechanism is used, which. will be after the space at opposite sides ofa tie is cleared of the ballast, by

' 1 r. p ewo sly working digg ng mechamsm,

hoisting means 98-,

.Thereafter, certain pounding -moved, as exemplified in Fig.

that the tie removing of the shaft 75 will be the tie having been cut into three pieces, it will be readily seen matter to use the derrick mast and boom seen in Fig.1, with its cable to remove the middle section of the tie as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the hoisting cable means 98 carries a grapple 99 adapted to engage with the tie, and shown best in Fig. 10. This grapple after engaging the middle, now out, section of the tie in the manner of Fig. 6, may elevate this section and swing it off to one side of thetrack and deposit it out of the way. mechanism may-be brought into play to pound out the remaining end sections of the tie being re- 7, and this pounding mechanism will now be described.

97, comprising the Hammer mechanism.

3 and 7, it is notable mechanisms including the cutting means if used, and the pounding mechanism now to be set forth in detail, are located at the central portion of the machine as remotely as possible from the portions of the rails upon which the Referring to Figures 'machine is supported by means of the wheels 1.4. In other Words, the removing mechanism is preferably as far off from the points of application of the weight of the machine on the rails as is practicable, so that said weight will interfere'to the least possible extent with the removal operation. Again referring to Fig. 7, it is notable that the removal of the central portion of the tie by the grapple 99 will permit of the use of a central hammer 100 mounted for sliding movement longitudinally of the machine and carried by a supporting and guide bar 101 on which a hanger 102 directly attached to the hammer 100 is carried. The bar 101 is reciprocative in guides 103 on the sub-frame 13, which supports a. cylinder 104 containing a piston 105 having oppositely extending piston rods 106. .The rods 106 are connected at opposite ends by heads 107 and 108, the latter having anangular shaped hammer arm. 109 pivoted thereto, and carrying the auxiliary hammer 110 By suitable control conduits 111 supplied from the compressed air reservoir 6 thru pipes 112, having branches 113, and a flexible conduit 114 communicating with a valve chamber 115, it is possible to admit air to opposite sides of the piston 105, at opposite ends of the cylinder 104, whereby to reciprocate the piston 105 and cone spondingly ,reciprocate the hammer 100 when it is used, or the hammer 110 when it i s used. Usually the hammer 100 will be used to hammer out a tie, or portions of a tie, from the roadbed. The hammer 110 will be used preferably to hammer into that it will be a simple for one withdrawn from the roadbed. Under these conditions, the hammer 110 will not be of any use at certain times, for which reason it is adjustable and capable of being raised to the position of dotted line position of Fig. 7, and held upraised by a cross pin passing thru openings in the angular arm 109 and the bracket 108.

It is desirable that the hammer be susceptible of a slight raising movement to elevate it out of the way of the rails as the machine is crawling into place above the roadbed, or traveling off of the roadbed. For this purpose, I may cause the hammer 100 to move pivotally slightly relatively to its bar 101, by admission of air into the lower cylinder portion 102 of the hanger 102. Thecylinder portion aforesaid contains the piston rod 118 which directly carries the hammer 100. Admission 'of air to the under side of the piston in the cylinder 102 will raise the hammer 100 in an obvious manner. As seen inFig. 7, a valve lever 116 operable by a handle 117, controls the admission of the compressed fluid to the opposite ends of the cylinder 104 and opposite sides of the piston 105.

The tie, removal of which is effected in the above manner, will be replaced by a fresh tie, and it is required that the ballast at opposite sides of said tie be restored and tamped firmly in place as usual. In Fig. 8 I illustrate inclined chutes 119 at the front and rear portions of the main and auxiliary frames 23,- and 13. It is apparent that ballast shoved to and piled at a side of the roadbed may be readily shoveled-into the chutes 119, which will direct it back to the spaces between'the ties and on opposite sides of the freshly inserted tie. Or it is contemplated to employ ballast elevators of the endless bucket class, leading down from the upper outer ends of the chutes 119, to mechanically elevate the bal last and cause it to be restored to the road ,ed in proper'r-elation to the fresh tie inserted by the machine.

Ballast tampz'ng mechanism.

F ig, 9 best illustrates this mechanism in conjunction with Fig. 3. The tamping devices are of the pneumatic type, and comprising the tampers 120 which are mounted for vertical reciprocation in a carrier 121, there being a battery of these tampers preferably arranged in sort of staggered relations, or not, as desired. It is not beheved necessary to describe these pneumatic tampers. in detail, because they may be of types similar to those at present in use to day, of individual construction. That is to say, the tampers may be reciprocated vertically under the control of suitable valve means admitting a. compressed fluid to opposite ends of a cylinder in which the tamper is mounted. I preferably use a flexible conduit 122 to supply the compressed fluid to .the pipe 123 whichileads to the cylinders which lead to the tampers 120, and passage of the fluid in the conduit is controlled by a valve lever 124 and a hand rod 125 Like- Wise for raising the carrier 121 bodily, whereby to shift the tampers 120 from or to the position of their extreme movements, preparatory to putting them into action, or maintaining them inactive, I employ lifting piston rods 126 working in lifting cylinders 127, to the lower ends of which lead the compressed fluid supply pipe branches 128. The branches 128 lead from a pipe 129 connected by a conduit 130 leading to an air supply pipe 131. The pipe 131 connects with a cross pipe 13.2 that forms a continuation of the compressed fluid branch pipes 113. A valve lever 133 controlled by a hand rod 134 enables a manual control of the admission of motive fluid to the lower ends of the lifting cylinders 127, and the release of such air, whereby the tampers 120 may be reciprocated for their tamping operation, and raised orlowered preliminary to being put out of operation, and made effective, respectively. I

While I use a battery of these tampers 120, I preferably mount the carrier 121 so that it reciprocates longitudinally of the machine, for which purpose, as seen in Fig. 3, I employ a rack 135. The rack 135 is connected with the carrier 121 by means of a link 136. A gear 137 engages the rack 135, and may be suitably driven from the main shaft 9, in a reversible manner to shift the carrier 121 longitudinally of the machine with a back and forth movement, or operated by a hand Wheel137 whereby the various tampers 120 may be caused to act upon the ballast with tamping effect. The tampers 120 are shown in substantially vertical positions 0 as illustrated, but within the purview of the invention, some of them may be mounted at a slight angle to the vertical, so as to effectively perform their tamping function, and especially to crowd the ballast beneath the tie. On reference to Figures 3 and 9, it will be noted that the carrier 121 is not only mounted to move longitudinally of the machine and by being carried by a trolley frame 138 on which it operates longitudinally, but the trolley frame 138 itself is adapted to have a certain amount of movement transversely on the sub-frame 13. At

, its rear end the trolley frame 138 has trolley wheels 139 mounted to travel on the frame 13, and permitting of the necessary transverse movement of the carrier 121 to properly position the tampers over the space between certain ties. As an occasional tie is rather crooked at times, it is contemplated that certain of the tampers 120 may be thrown into and out of action so that 'a.

lesser number of tampers covering a lesser area of tamping effect, may be used at will. Summarizing, the carrier 121 is suscept1ble of vertical movement to raise and lower the shaft 140 being equipped with a suitable op-- 'erating lever and a crank or other arm attached to the link 141. The lever of the shaft 140 may be operable by a rod that.

extends to some point adjacent where the stands or sits on the machine enaoperator 138 by said bling adjustment of the frame operator.

Modifications of structure.

It may be noted that instead of using the diggers 46 for the removal of the ballast, I may mount upon the frame or support 48-, in lieu thereof, an endless bucket excavating device of any well known type, adjustable longitudinally of the machine so that it may be moved over the space between the ties for engaging and elevating the ballast.

I furthermore contemplate the use of another systemof ballast removal. \Vhcre sand and cinder ballast is used, the problem of removing the ballast is more simple than in connection with rock ballasted railroads. Thus it is that for handling sand and cinder ballast I contemplate employing the modification construction of Fi g. 15, wherein is shown ported so as to be raised and lowered above the space between a pair of railroad ties B. In the drawings the ballast is designated at C, and located as usual between and at the ends of the ties B. The head or casing 143 is notched out at two points intermediate its ends, so that it may be lowered over the rails, the notched portions being designated 144. When the head 143 is dropped down upon the ballast between a pair of ties, the notches 144 receiving the rails, a digger or scratcher 145 having teeth 146 is reciprocated in contact with the sand or cinder ballast so as to loosen the latter. A

suction fan 147 is located in a casing 148 on the frame 13 of the machine, and is adapted to draw up thru pipes or conduits 149, the loosened ballast C. The conduits 149. connect the head 143 with the casing 148. and said casing 148 may be formed with downwardly extending discharge branches 150 having gates 151 at theirlower extremities. The gates 151 should preferablyv incline laterally or transversely of'the machine. so that the cont nts of. the casing may be a hollow head 143 suitably sup-- thereby raising dropped into the space between ties for replacing the ballast between renewed ties, or renewed and old ties, preparatory to tamping saidballast in place. Reversal of the operation 'of the suction fan 147 will facilicasing 148 out thru the discharge outlets or branches 150. 1

Miscellaneous features.

It is contemplated that the various lovers 1 tate theforcing of the ballast received in the Y such as are used to operate or control operation of the severalv mechanisms of themachine, shall preferably be grouped adjacent to one another and adjacent to the operating handles of the operating rods,"

such as those seen in Fig. 4, and Fig 5). This provides for a central control by a single operator on the machine, tho preferably two operators will be employed, one in position on action of the ballast digging or removing mechanism, and the hammer, and cutting mechanism, if the latter be used. The other operator will preferably supervise the operation of the ballast replacement in conjunction with a couple hand laborers at the front and rear ends of the machine, if the construction of .Fig. 3 be used, or supervise such ballast replacement by himself if the construction of Fig. 15 be used. The last mentioned operator will also be able to look after the proper control of the tamping mechanism as regards the positioning of the. same by lowering into active position, the controlling of its longitudinal movement, and any lateral 'or transverse adjustment that may be necessary for the reliminary use of said tamping mechanism. Either of these operators may have, the supervision of the-control devices that shift the load of the machine on the main endless the machine to look after the traction units 1, to the track wheels 14. The

General operation of machine.-

VVithout reference to much by way of details, itis notable that when the machine is to be driven into position over the track, one or more ties of which are to be removed, the operator causes the traction units 1 to be driven until the'machine is about in the position of Fig. '1, with the wheels14 in alinement with the tracks A. The devices for lowering the auxiliary frame 13 and its wheels 14, are then brought into action, the traction units 1 to in operativepositions as illustrated in'Fig. 1. The wheels 14 may then be. operated by the driving, mechanism 24, 25. 29, etc., to bring themachine to a position so that the ballastdigging devices are ready to work on the ballast between two of the ties. This ballast having been cleaned out the machine is moved until the ballast removing devices are at the opposite side of the tie which is to be replaced. Then by moving the machine forward a little more, the cutting mechanism may be brought into action if it is going to be used, the tie cut into three pieces, the middle piece raised and thrown to one side of the machine by the derrick 97 and grapple 99, and the end pieces of the tie hammered out by the hammer 100. If the cutting mechanism is not used, the hammer 110 may be employed as a driving hammer acting endwise on the tie,- and the tie thus driven out from beneath the tracks by said hammer 110. Furthermore, a fresh tie may be placed in position with facility by using the driving action of the hammer 110 in such operation. The fresh tie having been put into position, the. ballast may be replaced by the methods described hereinbefore, and the tamping mechanism brought into position over the ballast, so as to firmly tamp the latter into place around the freshly inserted tie. Of course, it is to be understood that where a series of ties .next to one another are to be replaced, the several mechanisms are susceptible of being operated simultaneously, speaking in regard primarily to the ballast digging, ballast replacing, and tamping instrumentalities.

Obviously, my machine may embody all or a lesser number of the mechanisms which I have described. One or more of these mechanisms may be dispensed with in practice if desirable, and the remaining mechanisms will constitute-an effective operating machine for performing certain, at least, of the laborious operations now performed by hand labor. The extreme cost of hand labor when millions of ties are to be replaced each year, is obvious, and the desirability of a machine for the reduction of the tie replacement cost is also self evident. It is I notable that it is desirable to mount the vamechanisms above mentioned,

rious ballast and tie working mechanisms of the machine upon the auxiliary or sub-frame of the machine, because by so doing, the action of lowering said frame to compel an elevation of the main frame, whereby to render the endless traction units 1 inoperative, and lower simultaneously the several to bring them near to their active positions of use.

It will be obvious that the main traction units 1 are virtually main traveling sup ported unit structures, as are the auxiliary wheel traction devices 14. Furthermore, these main and auxiliary traction unit structures act complementary to each other. Obviously and preferably the drive for the wheels 14 will be at a higher gear ratio than for the caterpillars or traction units 1, to facilitate the transportation of the ma chine along the railway track, and change speed mechanism may be employed in this connection so as to enable the machine to progress at a relatively high speed when goin to and"from work.

Vhere the machine is used on electric traction lines, it may be convenient to employ an electric motor for driving the mechanisms of the machine, in which event electric current as power may be availed of by any conventional means for connecting the motor with the trolley wires.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine of the class described, a portable support comprising traction means adapted to travel to and from a position over a railroad track, tie removing means carried by said support comprising devices for cutting the tie into sections, and means for removing the tie when divided into sections.

:2. In a machine of the class described, a portable support comprising traction means, tic removing means carried by said support comprising devices for cutting the tie into sections, means for removing the tie when divided into sections, comprising tie grappling devices, and means to lift said devices after being engaged with the tie.

3. In a machine of the class described, a portable support comprising traction means adapted to travel to and from a position over a railroad track, tie removing means carried by said support comprising devices for cutting the tie into sections, and means for removing the tie when divided into sections, the tie cutting devices compri'sin spaced cutting elements for severing the tie at two different places.

4. In a machine of the class described, a portable support adapted to travel to a position over a railroad track,.means for advancing the support along the track when it has reached said position, tie removing mechanism comprising cutting means for severing a tie into sections, and mechanism for engaging and removing the sections of the tie when severed.

5. In a machine of the class described, a portable support adapted to travel to a position over a railroad track, means for advancing the support along the track when it has reached said position, tie removing mechanism comprising cutting means for severing a tie into sections, and mechanism for engaging and removing the sections of the tie when severed, the cutting means aforesaid embodying spaced cutters adapted to operate adjacent to the inner sides of a pair of rails so that the tie when out will be divided into three sections.

6. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a portable support comprising traction means by which the support may be moved over a railroad track and thereafter advanced along a track, and tie cutting mechanism on said support adapted to be brought into operative relation with respect to the ties by operation of the traction means, and means to operate said cutting mechanism to divide the tie into readily removable pieces.

7. In, a machine of the class described, in combination, a portable support comprising traction means by which the support maybe moved over a railroad track and thereafter advanced along a track, tie cutting mechanism on said support adapted to be brought into operative relation with respect to the ties by operation of the traction means, the said tie cutting mechanism embodying spaced cutting elements for severing the tie at two places to divideit into end sections, and a middle section removable by upward displacement, and means for removing the end sections by endwise displacement.

8. In a machine of the class described, in

combination, a portable support comprising traction means by which the support may be moved over a railroad track and thereafter advanced along a track, tie cutting mechanism on said support adapted to be brought into operative relation with respect to the ties by operation of the traction means, the said tie cutting mechanism embodying spaced cutting elements for severing the tie at two places to divide it into end sections, and a middle section removable by upward displacement, and means for removing the end sections comprising a double acting pounding mechanism.

9. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a portable support comprising tractionmeans by which the support may be moved over a railroad track and thereafter advanced along a track, tie cutting mechanism on said support adaped to be brought into operative relation withrespect to the ties by operation of the traction means, the said tie cutting mechanism embodying spaced cutting elements for severing the tie at two places to divide it into sections, and means for displacing the sections compris-' ing a device for effecting tie replacement action upon a fresh tie.

10. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a portable support comprising traction units for causing travelingmovement of the support to a position over a railroad track," and for then advancing the support along the track, means for operating upon the ties comprising a mechanism for dividing the tie into sections, devices for removing the sections of the tie when the latter is divided into sections, and means for causing related operations of the traction units whereby to bring the tie dividing means into operative relation for action on a tie.

11. A portable machine comprising a frame, and complementary traveling supporting unit structures therefor, and a prime mover to shift the supporting unit structures relatively to cause the frame and its load to be carried by either of said structures, and means to transmit power from the prime mover to drive either of said structures rendered operative as stated for moving the machine, together with road ballast tamping mechanism carried by the frame and operable from said prime mover and adapted to be carried to "operating position by relative movement of said structures.

12. A portable machine comprising a frame, and complementary traveling supporting unit structures therefor aprime mover to shift the supporting'unit structures relatively to cause the frame and its load to be carried by either of said structures, means to transmit power from the prime mover to drive either of said structures rendered operative as stated for moving the machine, and a battery of railroad ballast hampers carried' by the frame and adapted to be carried to operating position by relative movement of said structures.

13. A portable machine comprising a frame, and complementary traveling supporting unit structures therefor, a prime mover to shift the supporting unit structures relatively to cause the frame and its.

load to be carried by either of said structures, means to transmit power from the prime mover to drive either of said structures, and a battery ofrailroad ballast tampers carried by the frame, with means to operate the tampers from the prime mover, and to reciprocate the whole battery of tampers transversely to the track on which the machineoperates. 4

14. A railroad machine such as described comprising, in combination, a frame, roadbed working machinery thereon, a set of caterpillars upon which the above are supported adapted to carry the machine over the track of a railroad, other auxiliary traction means to carry the machine. along the track aforesaid, and means to transfer the load of the machine from the caterpillars to the auxiliary traction means, to pro pel both traction means, and to operate the roadbed workin machinery.

15. A railroa machine such as-described, comprising, in combination, a portable frame, and roadbed working machinery thereon, anism, a tie removing mechanism, and ballast tamping mechanism.

16. A railroad machine such as described, comprising, in combination, a portable frame, and roadbed working machinery including a ballast handling mechtamping mechanism,

thereon, including a ballast handling mecha- IllSIIl, a tie removing mechanism, and ballast tamping mechanism, arranged one behind the other, with means common to the mechanism for operating them, and for propelling the machine.

17. A railroad machine such as described, comprising, in combination, a portable frame, and roadbed working machinery thereon, including a tie removing mechanism, and ballast tamping mechanism, ar-

common to the them individually or collectivel and for propelling the machine in one direction to move the machine over and oil of a track, and in another direction to move the machine along a track so the several mechanisms of the roadbed working machinery may operate upon the track ballast and ties.

18. A railroad machine such as described, comprising, in a portable frame, machinery thereon, a tie removlng and replacing mechanism, ballast supply means to conduct ballast to the roadbed in advance of certain tamping mechanism, and ballast tamping mechanism.

19. A railroad machine such as described, comprising, in combination, a portable frame, and roadbed working machinery thereon including a ballast removing mechanism, a tie removing mechanism, ballast tamping mechanism, and means to operate said mechanism simultaneously so they may act on the difierent parts of the roadbed all at one time.

20. A railroad machine such as described, comprising, in combination, a portable rame, and roadbed working machinery thereon including a ballast removing mechanism, a tie removing mechanism, ballast the portable frame having complementary traction structures either of which is adapted to carry the machine, and means to render one of the structures operative and simultaneously carry the said mechanisms into position for operation.

21. A roadbed machine such as comprising, in combination, frame, and thereon including a ballast removing mechanism, a tie removing mechanism, ballast tamping mechanism, the portable frame having complementary traction structures either of which is adapted to carry the machine, one when the machine is being moved to a position over or from a railroad track, the other when the machine is moving along the track to operateon its roadbed, and means to render the said several mechanisms operative to do their work as an incident to the rendering active of the latter of-the traction structures, and means described, a portable to render either traction structures operative to carry the machine as may be required.

22. In a railroad machine for described, the last handling main traction the purpose combination of a frame, a balmechanism carried thereon, units for the frame by which the machine may be caused to travel to a position over a railway track, auxiliary traction devices for engaging with the railway track to enable the machine to be driven along the track, and means for causing the auxiliary traction devices to be rendered operative and at the same time bringing the handling mechanism into active working relation to the ballast of the railway track, and simultaneously rendering the main trac tion mechanism inactive.

23. In a railroad machine for the purpose described, the combination of a frame, a roadworking mechanism carried thereon, main traction units for the frame by which the machine may be caused to travel to a position over a railway track, auxiliary traction devices for engaging with the railway track to enable the machine to be driven along the track, and means for causing the auxiliary traction devices to be rendered operative and at the same time bringing the roadworking mechanism into active working relation to the ballast of the railway track, and simultaneously rendering the main traction mechanism inactive, together with means for reversing the operation of said parts so that as the main traction mechanism is rendered operative the auxiliary traction mechanism and roadworking mechanism are rendered inactive, together with a power plant having (lliving connection with the said main and auxiliary traction instrumentalities.

24. In a railroadmachine for the purpose described, the combination of a frame, traction mechanism therefor, a tamping.mecl1anism mounted on the main frame, means for moving said roadworking mechanism into a position in which it is adapted to act upon the ballast of a roadbed, and means for operating the roadworking mechanism for tamping action thereof and for shifting said roadworking mechanism bodily in a reciprocative manner.

25. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a traveling support and mechanism on the support for operating on ties, comprising a cutting device for dividing a tie into sections, and means for removing the sections when thus divided.

26. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a traveling support and mechanism on the support for operating on ties, comprising a cutting device for dividing a tie into sections, th sections when thus divided, including grgppling mechanism for effecting vertical means for removing displacement of a section of the tie, and im pacting mechanism for efiecting the displacement of another section of the tie.

27. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a portable support adapted to move to a position over a railroad track, mechanism thereon for operating on a tie when the support reaches such position, and

supporting means for said mechanism adapted to be raised and lowered in order to render operative said means for operating on the tie.

28. In a railroad machine, the comb-inat1on of a frame, main traction units for transporting the frame to a position above a railway track, auxiliary traction units to support the frame and carry it longitudinally of the track, and operating mechanisms on said frame comprismg the following 'in the order named: a ballast removing mechanism, a tie ejecting mechanism, and a 'tamping mechanism, the ejecting mechanism being located about centrally between the main traction units and between the ballast removing and tamping mechanisms, said three operating mechanisms being spaced distances enabling them to operate on ties or ballast between ties all at one time, and means simultaneously to actuate said mechanisms.

30. in a railroad machine, the combina tion of a frame, main traction units for transporting the frame to a position above a railway track, auxiliary traction 'units to sup-port the frame and carry it longitudi' nally of the track, and operating mechanisms on sald frame comprising the followin the order named: spike pulling devices, a ballast removing mechanism, a tie ejecting mechanism, a tamping mechanism, and a tie sawing mechanism intermediate the ballast removing mechanism and the tie ejecting mechanism, said three operating mechanisms being spaced distances enabling them to operate on ties or ballast between ties all at one time, and means simultaneously to actuate said mechanisms;

in a machine of the class described,

in combination, a portable support adapted and means to displace the to move to a position over a railroad track, mechanism thereon for operating on a tie when the support reaches such position, supporting means for said mechanism adapted to be raised and lowered in order to render operative said means for operating on the tie, the mechanism for operating on the said tie comprising spaced cutters to sever the tie at points adjacent the inner sides of the rails of the track, means to remove the center sections of the tie thus severed, and separate means for removing the end sections.

82. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a portable support adapted to moveto a position over a railroad track, mechanism thereon for operating on a tie when the support reaches such position, supporting means for said mechanism adapted to be raised and lowered in order to render operative said means for operating on the tie, the mechanism for operating on the said tie comprising spaced cutters to sever the tie at points adjacent the inner sides of the rails of the track, means to remove the center sections of the tiethus severed, and separate means for removing the end sections, the last mentioned means embodying an impacting mechanism for effecting endwise displacement of the end sections of the tie.

33. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a portable support adapted to moveto a position over a. railroad track, mechanism thereon for operating on a tie when the support reaches such position, supporting means for said mechanism adapte to be raised and lowered inorder to render operative said means for operating on the tie, the mechanism for operating on the said tie-comprising spaced cutters to sever the 'tie at points adjacent the inner sides of the rails of the track, means to remove the center sections of the tie thus severed, and separate means for removing the end sections, the last mentioned means embodying an impacting mechanism for effecting endwise displacement of the end sections of the tie and for'efiecting replacement of a fresh tie in place of the one removed.

ea. In a machine of the class described, a portable traction support adapted to travel over and along a railroad track, means for raising and iowe'ri'ng the support, tie cutting mechanism on the support adapted to be rendered operatve for the cutting of a tie by the raising and lowering means, tie cut by the cutting mechanism substantially as described.

"in testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

DISCLAIMER 1,595,420.J0hn F. Robb, Cleveland Heights, Ohio. RAILROAD TAMPING, TIE REMOVING, AND REPLACING MACHINE. Patent dated August 10, 1926. Disclaimer filed November 19, 1941, by the inventor.

Hereby disclaims the combination claimed in claim 27, except wherein the mechanism for operating on a tie comprises cutting devices adapted to cut downwardly entirely through the body of the tie to sever the latter into separate readily removable sections; and the combination claimed in claim 34 except wherein the tie cutting mechanism is one operative for cutting the tie entirely through the body thereof to sever the latter into separate sections readily removable from beneath the railroad track rails as a result of the cutting of the tie into sections.

[Ofiicial Gazette December 16, 1.941.]

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