DEVICE FOR APPLYING RAILROAD ANCHORS

Abstract

A device for re-securing or applying railroad anchors for improving the efficiency of a railroad worker. The disclosure provides a means for clearing railroad ballast and driving an anchor spike, in a single combined tool. The disclosure describes a device for applying railroad anchors including a hammer head and a handle. The device for applying railroad anchors includes a hammer head having a first end and a second end. The first end is formed as a sledge hammer for driving railroad anchors. The second end is formed as a railroad spike maul shape for clearing ballast.

Claims

1. A device for applying railroad anchors, the device comprising: a hammer head having; a first end configured as a sledge hammer; a second end configured as a railroad spike maul; and a handle; wherein said hammer head and said handle are in structural and functional combination, and are configured for driving railroad spikes with said first end and clearing railroad ballast with said second end.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said hammer head is composed of steel.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein said handle is composed of fiberglass.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein said handle is composed of wood.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is made of steel.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is between 33 inches and 39 inches.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is at least three feet long.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle is one to four feet long.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle includes a texture for gripping.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said handle includes a rubber sleeve for gripping.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said second end is approximately six inches long.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said second end is circular in shape.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said second end is octagonal in shape.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said second end is decagonal in shape.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said second end is between three inches and six inches long.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said second end is at least six inches long.

17. A railroad anchor maul system comprising: a hammer head having a first end configured as a sledge hammer; and a second end configured to rake track ballast; and a handle; wherein said hammer head and said handle are in structural and functional combination, and are configured as a device for re-securing railroad anchors via clearing railroad ballast with said second end and driving railroad anchor spikes with said first end; wherein said hammer head is composed of steel; wherein said handle is composed of wood; wherein said handle is between 33 inches and 39 inches; wherein said handle includes a texture for gripping; wherein said second end is six inches long; and wherein said second end is circular in shape.

18. The railroad anchor maul system of claim 17, further comprising a set of instructions; and wherein, together, said device for applying railroad anchors and the set of instructions are arranged as a kit.

19. A method for re-securing a railroad anchor, the method comprising the steps of: providing a device for applying railroad anchors, said device including a hammer head having a first end configured as a sledge hammer and a second end configured as a spike maul, said device further including a handle in structural and functional combination with the hammer head; clearing ballast away from a railroad anchor with the second end of the device; and driving said railroad anchor with the first end of the device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, device for applying railroad anchors, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating a device for applying railroad anchors during an in-use condition, showing a clearing use of one end of its head, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the device of FIG. 1 during an in-use condition, showing a driving use of the other end of its head, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a device of FIGS. 1-2, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating multiple variants of the device of FIGS. 1-3, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of use for device for applying railroad anchors of FIGS. 1-4, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] The various embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to tools and more particularly to a device for applying railroad anchors as used to improve the efficiency of a railroad worker.

[0023] Generally speaking, device for applying railroad anchors increases the efficiency of railroad maintenance by combining two functions (and two tools) into a single tool. Here, the first function is clearing ballast, and the second function is driving spike/securing an anchor.

[0024] Referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a device for applying railroad anchors 100 during an in-use condition 150 by user 140 while clearing ballast. In particular, the user 140 of FIGS. 1-4 is shown being used manipulating (in the direction shown) the ballast (stones) that are covering the rail anchor (the stones are removed from beneath the track, used to remove ballast or rock from under the rail, with the narrow spike maul end, while the sledge hammer side applies the anchor). The anchor binds the rail to the tie to stop the rail from growing when it's hot, or shrinking when it's too cold.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 2-3, a device for applying railroad anchors 100 may include a hammer head 112 and a handle 118. The hammer head 112 comprises a first end 114 and a second end 116. The first end 114 may generally be formed as half of a sledge hammer, and a second end 116 may generally be formed as half of a spike maul. Notwithstanding having significantly different halves, the first end 114 and the second end 116 may be sized and weighted such that the hammer head 112 may be balanced about the handle 118. Advantageously, a single user may have the primary hammering utility of the sledge hammer end, combined with the spike maul end, without compromising the integrity of the hammer head 112 as a hammer.

[0026] In the preferred embodiment, the hammer handle 118 may be made of wood. This may provide adequate functionality along with the dual benefit of being lightweight and inexpensive. In alternate embodiments handle 118 material may be comprised of another lightweight material (such as fiberglass), a more durable material (such as steel), a composite/advanced material, or any combination thereof.

[0027] According to one embodiment, hammer handle 118 may be approximately three feet long. In alternate embodiments, hammer handle 118 may be one to four feet long. In yet another embodiment the handle 118 may include a texture for gripping. For example, the handle 118 may include a rubber sleeve for gripping, or as shown a plurality of sections having strategically placed grip surfaces (e.g., for each hand or for each mode of use).

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, various embodiments of the device for applying railroad anchors 100 are shown. As above, the device 100 may comprise a hammer head 112 with a spike maul end (second end 116). While above the spike maul was shown having a round cross-section, the spike maul end may alternately have a cross-section that is circular in shape, as illustrated. In alternate embodiments, the second end 116, 116 can be octagonal or decagonal in shape, respectively. Benefits of the polygonal cross-sections may include providing a sharper edge and improved performance It is understood that additional shapes are contemplated and may include transitionary regions between the first end 114 and the second end 116 second end 116, which may be further modified, for example to interface with handle 118 or to balance each end.

[0029] It should be noted that a device for applying railroad anchors 100 may be arranged as kit comprising the following parts: at least one device for applying railroad anchors 100 and at least one set of user instructions 120 (FIG. 3). The kit has instructions 120 such that functional relationships are detailed in relation to the structure of the invention (such that the invention can be used, maintained, or the like in a preferred manner). Device for applying railroad anchors 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.

[0030] Referring now to FIG. 5 showing flowchart 550 illustrating method of use 500 for device for applying railroad anchors 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIGS. 1-4. As shown, method of use 500 may comprise the steps of: step one 501, obtaining a device for applying railroad anchors 100, step two 502, clearing ballast with the second end 116, and step three 503, driving a railroad anchor with the first end 114.

[0031] It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of step of should not be interpreted as step for, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f). Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.

[0032] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.