Abstract
A spike setting tool with an improved ram-rod structure may feature a pronged fork at a distal end to hold spikes in place while the user actuates a ram-rod to set the spikes. A magnet may also be provided to aid in the picking up of spikes for setting in the fork.
Claims
1. A spike setting tool comprising: a cylindrical ram-rod with two ends, encompassed by a tubular casing; two prongs extending downward from the tubular casing, said prongs bending to extend in a forward direction to form two tines of a fork interface; a support block rearward of the fork interface on the casing; a magnet located on a lower surface of the support block so that it is behind the fork interface.
2. The spike setting tool of claim 1, the cylindrical ram rod further comprising a hardened head.
3. The spike setting tool of claim 1, the support block holding the magnet at about a 45 angle to the tubular casing.
4. The spike setting tool of claim 1, the two prongs being bent at about a 90 angle and a portion of which resides under the tubular casing.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a spike setting tool.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a partial bottom perspective view of the spike setting tool of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the spike setting tool, taken along line III-Ill of FIG. 2.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an individual using the spike setting tool of FIG. 1 to pick up a spike.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the head of the spike setting tool of FIG. 4.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the individual of FIG. 4 setting the picked-up spike in the spike setting tool.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view of the head of the spike setting tool of FIG. 6.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the individual of FIG. 6, engaging in a driving operation by preparing to drive the spike into a railroad tie.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the individual of FIG. 8, executing the driving operation by driving the spike into the railroad tie.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the spike and railroad tie of FIG. 9, after the driving operation of FIGS. 8 and 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0020] With reference now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the spike setting tool is herein described. It should be noted that the articles a, an, and the, as used in this specification, include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the spike setting tool 10 has two main components: a ram-rod 110 and a containment pipe 120. The ram-rod 110 may be as simple as a steel rod with or without a slightly larger head 115. In the preferred embodiment, this steel rod could be (2.2 cm) standard stock cold rolled steel and the head a slightly larger 1 rod that are welded together, though they may be of the same diameter as is shown in the figures. Head 115 and rod 110 may also have the same diameter and have any ratio of length of one to the other so long as the head 115 is adequate for its purpose and the rod 110 may be used to sufficiently actuate the head 115. Ideally, the head 115 should be hard surfaced or treated in any way that would make it impact resistant. The dual construction of the rod 110 and head 115 allows for an effective tool to be made at a lesser cost. For the described ram-rod 110, the containment pipe 120 may be a 1 (2.5 cm) inner diameter iron pipe with a top nut 122 secured thereon. At the bottom of the pipe 120, by head 115, a fork interface (shown best in FIG. 3) 125 may be constructed using two smaller rods 126 fastened on either side of the iron pipe 120 as tines. Each tine 126 could be about 5/16 (0.8 cm) in diameter and 3 (7.6 cm) long, spaced about (1.9 cm) apart and bent at a right angle. Each tine 126 may be reinforced by a gusset 124, with both tines 126 and gussets 124 welded directly to the containment pipe 120 and each other. Overall, the length of the ram-rod 110 should be about 45 (114.3), including the head 115, while the pipe 120 should be about 36 (91.5 cm) with the tines 126 extending so their top edge is about (1.2 cm) beneath the bottom edge of the pipe 120. These measurements and dimensions detailed above should create an efficient tool for use with what are now considered standard railroad spikes in the United States at the time of filing and for use by average to larger-sized men. It should be readily understood that the dimensions may be altered to create different sized tools to receive different sized spikes or accommodate differently sized individuals.
[0022] A magnet 130 may be added to the tool for added utility and convenience. A mounting block 128 may be provided opposite the fork interface 125 and serve as a mount for magnet 130. Ideally, magnet 130 would be mounted slightly above and behind the fork interface 125 and angled back at about a 45 angle from the containment pipe 20. Any attachment method may be used, but the simplest would probably utilizing a bolt 132 to secure the magnet 130 to the block. Ideally, a 70 lb force (311.4 N) magnet or similar would be used.
[0023] In use, a single operator 140 may walk along a rail and use the magnet 130 to pick up a useful spike 150 (FIGS. 4 and 5). The magnet 130 should have adequate strength to hold the spike 150, but not so much that the operator cannot remove it from the magnet 130. After removing the spike 150 from magnet 130, the operator 140 sets the spike 150 in the fork interface 125 (FIGS. 6 and 7), between the tines 126 so that the head of the spike 155 rests underneath the head of ram-rod 110. The spike 150 is then in a generally straight orientation with respect to the tool and pointing downwards. The operator 140 then positions the spike 150 into one of the pre-formed holes 165 in the rail 160 and then actuates the ram-rod 110 until the spike 150 is set in the hole (FIGS. 8 and 9). The operator 140 then unhooks the fork interface 125 from the spike head 155 and moves to the next hole. This leaves the spike 150 ready for final hammering to finish the job. (FIG. 10). It should be remembered that the purpose of the tool is only to set spikes into the rail, not fully hammer them into position.
[0024] Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be made and still the result will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended or should be inferred.
