GB2166474A - Sleeper spacing beams - Google Patents

Abstract

A sleeper spacing beam comprises channel section frame members (51) slidably mounting successive pairs of telescopic or pivotal gripper devices (52) for simultaneously picking up or laying down a sequence of rail sleepers. Each device (52) is releasably clamped to the frame member (51). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sleeper spacing beams This invention relates to a rail sleeper spacing beam for use with rail track laying gantries.

It is known to provide a sleeper spacing beam with opposed pairs of sleeper gripping devices regularly spaced along the length of the beam and with each gripping device operated hydraulically. One drawback associated with these known beams is the difficulty of adjusting the fixed spacing between the gripping devices.

In accordance with the present invention a sleeper spacing beam includes means for mounting the opposed pairs of gripper devices such that each device is movable along the length of the beam to regulate the spacing between the successive pairs of devices; and means for releasably locking each device to the beam in the required position.

Each device preferably includes a gripper arm extending outwardly from the beam and movable between an inner sleeper gripping position and an outer pick-up or release position.

In one embodiment of the invention, movement of each gripper arm is a telescopic movement. In one alternative embodiment it is a pivotal movement. In both cases the outward movement to the pick-up or release position is preferably made against a resilient bias.

The gripper devices are preferably mounted for sliding movement either along th underside of the beam or along a vertical side face of the beam.

The invention will be further described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a sleeper spacing beam embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the beam shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view through one pair of opposed gripping arms in th beam of Figs.

1 and 2; Figure 4 illustrates one alternative method of mounting'and actuating the gripper arm; and Figure 5 illustrates an articulated rail pick-up device attached to the beam of Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring to Figs. 1-3, the sleeper spacing beam consists of a welded steel frame 50 comprising two main channel sections 51 with steel bracing tubes 58.

Extending outwardly from opposite sides of the frame 50 are successive pairs of telescopic gripper devices 52 for simultaneously picking up or laying down a sequence of rail sleepers. The position of each pair of devices is adjustable along the beam. The sleepers can be laid in two lots of even numbered or odd numbered sleepers.

Two pairs of hydraulically operated rail grips 55 are also secured to the frame 50 at each end for lifting a track panel. One of the rail grips 55 is illustrated in more detail in Fig. 5.

Articulated joints 56 are provided at each end of the beam for connecting the frame 50 to a portal gantry crane.

One pair of the gripper devices 52 is illustrated in Fig. 3, the other pairs being identical to the illustrated pair.

In Fig. 3, each gripper device includes an inner tube 3 fitted within a hollow piston 4, the piston 4 being slidable within an outer casing 1 against the bias of a compression spring 8.

A pair of opposed L-shaped brackets 10 are secured to the outer casing 1 for slidably locating the device on respective flanges 75 extending outwardly from the base 60 of the respective channel section 51 of the frame 50, the device being thereby slidably disposed beneath the channel section.

The opposed pair of devices 52 are first slewed into position to locate the flanges 75a beneath the retaining arm 62a of the welded bracket 10a, and are then secured in place by tightening the bolt 12 to clamp the retaining arm 62b of the bracket 10b against the flange 75b.

Each piston 4 is driven against its spring 8 by means of a respective cam mechanism 63 releasably clamped on respective shafts 64.

Each shaft 64 is rotated by means of an hydraulically operated torque actuator 65 (Fig.

2). The shafts 64 and actuator 65 control alternate pairs of gripper devices 52 (for, say, the even numbered sleepers) while a second pair of shafts 64a and a corresponding actuator 65a control the interleaved pairs of grippers for the odd numbered sleepers.

the bias of spring 8 and moves the inner tube 3 outwardly to open the gripper arms 6 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 3). The arms return to their inner gripping position under the influence of spring 8 when the hydraulic pressure is released.

Each gripper arm 6 is releasably mounted in one of three alternative positions at the outer end of the inner tube 3, the gripper arm having a short length of tubing 70 extending laterally from the arm and telescoped over the outer end of the tube 3. The amount of overlap is then adjusted by aligning a hole 76 in the inner tube 3 with one of three holes 77 in the tube 70, and then inserting a locating pin 71. This permits adjustment of the gripper arms for different lengths of sleeper.

In the alternative arrangement of Fig. 4, the gripper arms 6 are pivotally mounted for movement against the bias of an extension spring 80. The drawing illustrates the inner gripping position in full outline, and the movement toward the outer pick-up or release position in dashed outline.

The arm 6 pivots about a pin 81 carried by a bracket 82, the bracket 82 being releasably secured to a pair of opposed L-shaped brackets 83a, 83b welded to the vertical side face 84 of the channel section frame member 51.

The opposed retaining arms 84a, 84b of the brackets 83 are spaced apart to provide an effective slot extending the length of the frame member 51, the bracket 82 for mounting the gripper arm being thereby slidable along the frame member if the bolt 85 is loosened. Tightening of the bolt 85 draws the retaining plate 87 against the underside of the retaining arms and thereby clamps the bracket 82 to the member if the bolt 85 is loosened.

Tightening of the bolt 85 draws the retaining plate 87 against the underside of the retaining arms and thereby clamps the bracket 82 to the frame member.

A similar mounting is provided at the bottom of the frame member for a bracket 90 which retains the bottom end of the extension spring 80 and also rotatably mounts a shaft 92 carrying a sector cam 91.

The shaft 92 carrying the sector cam 91 is rotated in response to actuation of an hydraulic actuator 95, and a cam follower roller 96 mounted on the gripper arm 6 is thereby displaced radially outwardly as the cam sector 91 rotates anticlockwise. This moves the gripper arm 6 to its outer pick-up or release position, the return movement to the inner gripping position being under the action of the spring 80 when the hydraulic pressure is released.

The opposite end of the hydraulic actuator is secured to a bracket 98 which is releasably secured to a pair of opposed L-shaped brackets 99a, 99b by a bolt 100 and a clamping plate 101 in a similar manner to the fastening of brackets 80 and 90 to the side face of the frame member. The brackets 99 are welded to a channel section 102 extending the length of the beam so that the position of the actuator can be moved along the length of the beam when adjusting the position of the gripper arms.

An additional novel feature of the beam illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is the articulated mounting of the hydraulically operated rail grip devices 55 which are used when lifting complete track panels.

As shown in Fig. 5, each rail grip device 55 is pivotally mounted for rotation about a shaft 30 so that it can be swung from an operative rail gripping position to an inoperative position, the movement being controlled by an hydraulic actuator 31. The devices are swung out to their inoperative positions to avoid obstructing operation of the sleeper gripper devices, the pivoted mounting substantially reducing the overall weight of the beam compared to a beam in which such devices are lifted vertically into their inoperative positions using C-shaped links between the opposed pairs of the devices.

The above-described hydraulic system could be replaced by any equivalent fluid operated system, such as a pneumatic system.

Claims (11)

1. A sleeper spacing beam for use with track laying gantries, the beam comprising an elongate support member carrying opposed pairs of sleeper gripping devices, each pair of devices being movable along the length of the support member to permit adjustment of the spacing between the successive pairs of devices, and means for releasably locking each device in its required position.

2. A sleeper spacing beam according to claim 1 in which each device includes a gripper arm extending outwardly from the support member and movable between an inner sleeper gripping position and an outer pick-up or release position.

3. A sleeper spacing beam according to claim 2 in which the length of the gripper arm is adjustable.

4. A sleeper spacing beam according to claim 2 or claim 3 in which the gripper arm is resiliently biased toward its inner position.

5. A sleeper spacing beam according to claim 4 further comprising powered actuating means for displacing each gripper arm to its outer position against the resilient bias.

6. A sleeper spacing beam according to claim 5 in which the actuating means simultaneously displaces alternate pairs of gripper arms along the length of the support member.

7. A sleeper spacing beam according to any one of the claims 2 to 6 in which the movement of the gripper arm between its inner and outer positions is a telescopic movement.

8. A sleeper spacing beam according to any one of the claims 2 to 6 in which the movement of the gripper arm between its inner and outer positions is a pivotal movement.

9. A sleeper spacing beam according to any one of the preceding claims in which the devices are mounted for independent sliding movement along the support member.

10. A sleeper spacing beam for use with track laying gantries, the beam comprising an elongate support member carrying opposed pairs of sleeper gripping devices spaced along its length, the member also supporting a rail grip device pivotable between an operative rail gripping position disposed beneath the support member and an inoperative position.

11. A sleeper spacing beam substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.