Device for the vertical and lateral displacement of railway track

Abstract

Apparatus for the vertical and lateral movement of a section of railway track. Gripping members are operated to grip the two lines of rails. The gripping members are mounted on at least one support frame connected by articulated connecting members to the chassis of a track maintenance vehicle movable on the track. The support frame is movable both vertically and laterally relative to the vehicle under the action of lifting members or lining members, to move said track section and to bring it into a predetermined reference position. The apparatus comprises in combination vertical and lateral support members connected to the support frame to guide the same and supported on at least one line of rails and guidance and control members for moving each gripping member relative to the support frame in directing both vertical and transverse to the track.

What I claim as my invention is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for the vertical and lateral movement of a section of railway track wherein gripping members operated so as to be able to grip the two lines of rails are mounted on at least one support frame connected by articulated connecting members to a chassis movable on the track, which support frame is movable both vertically and laterally relative to said chassis under the action of lifting members or lining members, in order to move said track section and to bring it into a predetermined reference position.Iadd., .Iaddend.characterized in that said gripping members are provided for each side of the track and are .Iadd.transversely .Iaddend.displaceable, substantially in a straight line .[., transversely in relation to the support frame.]. .Iadd.along said support frame; .Iaddend.and in that rail engaging means, for each side of the track, are mounted on the support frame and are operable to engage the track so as to face the gripping members for the same side of the track. 
     
     
       2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which said gripping members are also vertically displaceable in a straight line relative to said support frame. 
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that each gripping member of a line of rails is height-adjustably mounted on an intermediate chassis which is itself displaceably mounted on said support frame in a plane parallel to the plane of the track and transversely thereto. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the control of the vertical displacement of a gripping member relative to its intermediate chassis is obtained by a device comprising multiple spacer blocks interchangeable as desired by means of a pre-selection control member. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the support frame extends at least over the entire width of the railway track and supports the gripping .[.and supporting.]. members .Iadd.and the rail engaging means .Iaddend.of two lines of rails of said track. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the articulated connecting members connecting the support frame to the chassis of the vehicle comprise control members for moving said support frame longitudinally to the track or rotating the same in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said track. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the articulated connecting members connecting the support frame to the chassis of the vehicle comprise at least one guidance member for preventing said support frame turning on itself about its longitudinal axis. 
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that .[.the vertical and lateral support members of.]. .Iadd.said rail engaging means on .Iaddend.the support frame are mounted on at least one axle parallel to said support frame, said axle being displaceable along its axis by means of .Iadd.control means including .Iaddend.at least one control member which is extensibly connected to the support frame so as to be supported against the side of the head of one or other line of rails. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the control means for displacing .[.the axle of the vertical and lateral support members of the support frame produce.]. .Iadd.said rail engaging means include means for producing .Iaddend.a force which is .[.at least.]. equal to half that of the lining members which move said support frame. 
     
     
       10. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the axle upon which .[.are.]. .Iadd.is .Iaddend.mounted .[.the vertical and lateral support members of the support frame.]. .Iadd.said rail engaging means .Iaddend.is height-adjustably mounted on and relative to said support frame. 
     
     
       11. Apparatus for the vertical and lateral movement of a section of railway track wherein gripping members operated so as to be able to grip the two lines of rails are mounted on at least one support frame connected by articulated connecting members to a chassis movable on the track, which support frame is movable both vertically and laterally relative to said chassis under the action of lifting members or lining members, in order to move said track section and to bring it into a predetermined reference position.Iadd., .Iaddend.characterized in that said gripping members are provided for each side of the track and are .Iadd.transversely .Iaddend.displaceable, in a straight line, .[.both vertically and transversely.]. .Iadd.along the support frame and vertically displaceable .Iaddend.in relation to the support frame; and .[.in that.]. .Iadd.rail engaging means comprising .Iaddend.single .[.flanged .]. .Iadd.flange .Iaddend.wheels, for each side of the track, are mounted on the support frame and rest, in operative position, vertically and horizontally on the rails, the single flanges of the said flanged wheels being located so as to face the gripping members for the same side of the track.