Railway track sleeper squaring device and self-propelled machine which comprises this device

Abstract

The purpose of the invention is a railway track (3) sleeper (2) squaring device and the machine which carries this device. The device comprises a first and a second positioning element (1) adapted to be located between pairs of sleepers (2) and for locating at opposite ends of the sleepers (2) and parallel to the direction of the railway track (3) where these positioning elements (1) can be extended in that direction with the first and second positioning element (1) being configured such that on extending them simultaneously to a pre-set value they push the sleepers (2) so as to produce squaring of these sleepers (2).

Claims

1. A railway track sleeper squaring device, characterised in that it comprises: at least a first and second positioning element adapted to be located between two consecutive sleepers and adapted to be located at opposite ends of the sleepers and parallel to the direction of the railway track, where these positioning elements can be extended in this direction; a frame joined to the first and to the second positioning element; a first and a second stops joined to the frame, where each stop comprises a first part and a second part arranged facing the first and the second positioning element, being configured in such a way that in use the first and second stops are located on the external face of the two end sleepers to be positioned and where at least one of the first or second stops can be extended in the direction parallel to the track; and where the first and the second positioning element and the stop that can be extended are configured such that in their simultaneous extension to a pre-set value, they push the sleepers so as to square them.

2. A railway track sleeper squaring device, according to claim 1, characterised in that the railway track sleeper squaring device comprises a first and a second set of positioning elements designed to be located at opposite ends of the sleepers such that the positioning elements in this first and second set are equidistant from each other and aligned.

3. A railway track sleeper squaring device, according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame comprises extensions joined at their top ends to this frame and at their bottom ends to the ends of the positioning element such that in the extended position of this positioning element, the bottom ends are designed to be located between the positioning element and the sleepers.

4. A railway track sleeper squaring device, according to claim 3, characterised in that the extensions comprise a shock absorbing element in their face facing the sleepers.

5. A railway track sleeper squaring device, according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame can be raised such that the frame is adapted such that when the frame is lowered the positioning elements are inserted between the sleepers.

6. A railway track sleeper squaring device, according to claim 1, characterised in that the railway track sleeper squaring device comprises a second frame which comprises means for support on the tracks and is arranged connected to the first frame such that the first frame can be raised with respect to the second.

7. A railway track sleeper squaring device, according to claim 6, characterised in that the means of support of the second frame on the tracks are wheels.

8. A railway track sleeper squaring device, according to claim 6, characterised in that the second frame comprises guides for moving the first frame.

9. A railway track sleeper squaring device, according to claim 6, characterised in that the second frame comprises means for coupling the second frame to a self-propelled machine that can be moved around the vicinity of the track.

10. A railway track sleeper squaring device, according claim 1, characterised in that the positioning elements comprise hydraulic cylinders.

11. A self-propelled machine that comprises: a main body; wheels that enable it to travel; a mobile arm; and characterised in that the self-propelled machine comprises additionally the squaring device according claim 1, joined to the mobile arm by means of its frame.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) To complete the description and in order to provide a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. These drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate embodiment examples of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example embodiment of a squaring unit.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a front view of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a side view of the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(5) The figures represent an example embodiment that has a first and a second set of positioning elements (1); the first set of positioning elements (1) has five positioning elements (1) located at the ends of six beams (2) which are arranged aligned and equidistant and the second set has another five positioning elements (1) arranged at the opposite ends of these beams (2). In this way, six sleepers (2) can be squared in a single operation.

(6) The positioning elements (1) are located parallel to the direction of the railway track (3), i.e. perpendicular to the sleepers (2) and can be extended in that direction. More specifically, the positioning elements (1) included in the example embodiment comprise hydraulic cylinders.

(7) The frame (4) shown in the figures can be raised such that the positioning elements (1) are inserted between the sleepers (2) by raising and lowering it. Other configurations would be possible, for example, that the positioning elements (1) are inserted in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleepers (2) by means of articulated arms.

(8) More specifically, in the example embodiment shown in the figures, the device comprises a first frame (4) to which the positioning elements (1) are joined and a second frame (5) which comprises means for support on the rails (3) and which is arranged connected to the first frame (4) such that the first frame (4) can be raised relative to the second frame (5) as the second frame (5) comprises guides (13) for raising and lowering the first frame (4). In the example embodiment shown, the means for supporting the second frame (5) on the tracks (3) are wheels (12), which enables the device to be moved along the track (3).

(9) Also represented in the figures are the first (6) and second stops (7) joined to the first frame (4). Each stop (6, 7) comprises a first part (8) and a second part (9) arranged facing the first and second set of positioning elements (1). The stops (6, 7) are located on the outside face of the end sleepers (20, 21).

(10) In the squaring operation, one of the stops (6) is located in contact with the first sleeper (20). To do this, this first sleeper (20) must be aligned manually, as it is the reference for locating the device which is the purpose of the invention. The other stop (7) can be extended and in the example embodiment comprises a hydraulic cylinder. The manual alignment of the first sleeper (20) is performed solely with the first group of six sleepers (2), as in subsequent phases the last sleeper (21) will be the first sleeper (20) in the following phase.

(11) The positioning elements (1) are arranged joined to the first frame (4) by means of two extensions (10) joined at their top ends to that frame (4) and at their bottom ends to the ends of the positioning elements (1), such that in the extended position of these positioning elements (1), this bottom end is located between the positioning elements (1) and the sleepers (2).

(12) In order to cause the minimum possible damage to the sleepers (2), the extensions (10) comprise a shock absorbing element (11) on their face facing the sleepers (2), which can also be made available on the internal face of the stops (6, 7).

(13) Also represented in the figures attached is the hydraulic facility (14) that enables the extension and retraction of the hydraulic cylinders.

(14) The device also has an additional support element (15) which provides the assembly with stability.

(15) The example embodiment is also characterised in that the second frame (5) comprises means for coupling (30) it to a self-propelled machine that also has a hydraulic or pneumatic system that supplies the hydraulic (14) or pneumatic system referred to above. The self-propelled machine can be any machine capable of moving in the vicinity of the track (3) and, therefore, there is no need for a device which necessarily needs to move along the track (3), which makes squaring operations more difficult and causes delays in them.