Title of Invention

METHOD FOR REPLACING OLD SLEEPERS OF A RAILWAY TRACK BY NEW SLEEPERS

Abstract A method for replacing old sleepers (6) of a track (8) by new sleeper (11), wherein rails (7) which have been detached from the old sleepers (6) are spread apart laterally and a ballast formation (27) is created before laying down the new sleepers (11), characterized in that in a sleeper end region (25), adjoining the old sleepers (6) in the longitudinal direction of the sleepers, of a ballast bed (33), ballast (26) is picked up for creating a bed recess (31), the ballast is stored intermediately and, after the new sleepers (11) have been laid down, discharge for ballasting the same, and that parallel thereto, prior to the laying of the new sleepers (11) surplus ballast (26) is ploughed into the bd recess (31) for producing the ballast formation (27).
Full Text FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT 1970 (39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10, and rule 13)
1. TITLE OF INVENTION
METHOD FOR REPLACING OLD SLEEPERS OF A RAILWAY TRACK BY NEW SLEEPERS
2. APPLICANT(S)
a) Name : FRANZ PLASSER BAHNBAUMASCHINEN-INDUSTRIEGESELLSCHAFT
MBH
b) Nationality : AUSTRIAN Company
c) Address : PATENTABTEILUNG,
JOHANNESGASSE 3, A-1010 WIEN, AUSTRIA
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed : -

The invention relates to a method for replacing old sleepers of a track by new sleepers, wherein rails which have been detached from the old sleepers are spread apart laterally and a ballast formation is created before laying down the new sleepers.
Machines of this type for renewing the sleepers and/or the rails of a track are known, for example, from EP 1 195 468 A1 or US 5 664 498.
The object of the present invention lies in providing a method of the specified kind with which a simplified exchange of sleepers is possible.
According to the invention, this object is achieved with a method of the kind mentioned at the beginning by means of the features cited in the characterizing clause of claim 1.
Owing to the formation of a bed recess, it is possible to carry out in a structurally very simple manner a removal of ballast situated above the ballast formation. Furthermore, it is possible thereby to reduce the distance between the two devices for sleeper removal and sleeper laying and thus also the length of the machine frame as required for bridging the construction gap.
Additional advantages of the invention become apparent from the drawing.
The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments represented in the drawing in which
Fig. 1 shows a side view of a machine for exchanging damaged sleepers, and Fig. 2 shows a simplified cross-section of a ballast bed.
A machine 1 comprises a machine frame 3, supported at the ends on on-track undercarriages 2 during working operations, and is mobile by means of a motive drive 4 in a working direction 5 on a track 8 formed by old sleepers 6, or new sleepers 11, and rails 7.
2

Approximately centrally between the two on-track undercarriages 2 placed at the ends, a device 10 for picking up the old sleepers 6 as well a device 9 for laying down the new sleepers 11 are provided. Said new sleepers 11 are received by a vertical conveyor 12 from a conveyor belt 13 and placed on a ballast formation 27 of a ballast bed 33. Located between the two devices 9 and 10 is a ballast plough 29 which is vertically adjustable by drives and V-shaped when seen in top view.
A vertically and transversely adjustable endless shoulder chain 14 is connected to the machine frame 3 in front of the device 10 for picking up the old sleepers 6, with regard to the working direction 5. The shoulder chain 14 is rotatable by means of a drive 30 in a plane which extends perpendicularly to the plane of the ballast formation 27 and in the longitudinal direction of the machine.
Associated with a discharge opening 15 of the shoulder chain 14 is a conveyor belt 16 having a discharge end 17. The latter is situated above a ballast hopper 18 - positioned between the rear on-track undercarriage 2 and the device 9 for laying down the new sleepers 11 - which comprises a discharge arrangement 19. The latter is in the shape of a discharge conveyor belt 20, having a discharge end 21, which is fastened to the ballast hopper 18 for rotation about a vertical axis. Vertically and transversely adjustable rail guides 22 are located between the two on-track undercarriages 2 arranged at the ends. A control device 24 is associated with a work cabin 23.
The method of renewing sleepers will be described in more detail below.
At the start of working operations, the two rails 7 detached from the old sleepers 6 are spread apart from one another, with the aid of the rail guides 22, to a distance exceeding the sleeper length. With the machine 1 advancing in the working direction 5, ballast 26 present in a sleeper end region 25 (see Fig. 2) is picked up by lowering the shoulder chain 14 and discharged via the conveyor belt 16 into the ballast hopper 18. In the process, a bed recess 31 is created by the picking-up of ballast.
3

By means of the device 10 following behind, the old sleepers 6 are gripped and laid upon a conveyor belt 32 for being transported away. Thereafter, surplus ballast 26 is ploughed or shifted by means of the ballast plough 29 in the direction towards the bed recess 31, thus creating the ballast formation 27. Immediately following this, the new sleepers 11 are laid down by means of the device 9. In further sequence, the spread-apart rails 7 are brought together again to gauge width and laid upon the new sleepers 11. Immediately in front of the rear on-track undercarriage 2, stored ballast 26 is discharged via the discharge conveyor belt 20 in order to fill up cribs located between the new sleepers 11.
Within the scope of the invention, it is possible to either employ two shoulder chains 14, lying opposite one another in the transverse direction of the machine, or also only one shoulder chain 14.
4

WE CLAIM :
1. A method for replacing old sleepers (6) of a track (8) by new sleepers (11), wherein rails (7) which have been detached from the old sleepers (6) are spread apart laterally and a ballast formation (27) is created before laying down the new sleepers (11), characterized in that in a sleeper end region (25), adjoining the old sleepers (6) in the longitudinal direction of the sleepers, of a ballast bed (33), ballast (26) is picked up for creating a bed recess (31), the ballast is stored intermediately and, after the new sleepers (11) have been laid down, discharged for ballasting the same, and that parallel thereto, prior to the laying of the new sleepers (11), surplus ballast (26) is ploughed into the bed recess (31) for producing the ballast formation (27).
5
Dated this 15th day of December, 2006


ABSTRACT
A method for replacing old sleepers (6) of a track (8) by new sleepers (11), wherein rails (7) which have been detached from the old sleepers (6) are spread apart laterally and a ballast formation (27) is created before laying down the new sleepers (11), characterized in that in a sleeper end region (25), adjoining the old sleepers (6) in the longitudinal direction of the sleepers, of a ballast bed (33), ballast (26) is picked up for creating a bed recess (31), the ballast is stored intermediately and, after the new sleepers (11) have been laid down, discharged for ballasting the same, and that parallel thereto, prior to the laying of the new sleepers (11), surplus ballast (26) is ploughed into the bed recess (31) for producing the ballast formation (27).
To,
The Controller of Patents
The Patent Office
Mumbai.
6

Documents:

1563-MUMNP-2006-ABSTRACT 5-8-2008.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-abstract(15-12-2006).doc

1563-mumnp-2006-abstract(15-12-2006).pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-abstract.doc

1563-mumnp-2006-abstract.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-cancelled pages(15-12-2006).pdf

1563-MUMNP-2006-CLAIMS 5-8-2008.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-claims(granted)-(15-12-2006).doc

1563-mumnp-2006-claims(granted)-(15-12-2006).pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-claims.doc

1563-mumnp-2006-claims.pdf

1563-MUMNP-2006-CORRESPONDENCE 5-8-2008.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-correspondence(05-08-2008).pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-correspondence(ipo)-(24-12-2008).pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-correspondence-others.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-correspondence-received.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-description (complete).pdf

1563-MUMNP-2006-DESCRIPTION(COMPLETE) 5-8-2008.pdf

1563-MUMNP-2006-DRAWING 5-8-2008.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-drawing(15-12-2006).pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-drawings.pdf

1563-MUMNP-2006-FORM 1 5-8-2008.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form 1(18-12-2006).pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form 18(18-12-2006).pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form 2 5-8-2008.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form 2(granted)-(15-12-2006).doc

1563-mumnp-2006-form 2(granted)-(15-12-2006).pdf

1563-MUMNP-2006-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE) 5-8-2008.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form 26(18-12-2006).pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form 3(18-12-2006).pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form 5(18-12-2006).pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form-1.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form-18.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form-2.doc

1563-mumnp-2006-form-2.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form-26.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form-3.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form-5.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form-pct-ib-304.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-form-pct-isa-210(18-12-2006).pdf

1563-MUMNP-2006-OTHER DOCUMENT 5-8-2008.pdf

1563-MUMNP-2006-PCT-ISA-237 5-8-2008.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-pct-search report.pdf

1563-mumnp-2006-power of attorney(01-03-2007).pdf

abstract1.jpg


Patent Number 227097
Indian Patent Application Number 1563/MUMNP/2006
PG Journal Number 10/2009
Publication Date 06-Mar-2009
Grant Date 01-Jan-2009
Date of Filing 18-Dec-2006
Name of Patentee FRANZ PLASSER BAHNBAUMASCHINEN-INDUSTRIEGESELLSCHAFT MBH
Applicant Address PATENTABTEILUNG JOHANNESGASSE 3, A-1010 WIEN,
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 THEURER JOSEF JOHANNESGASSE 3, A-1010 WIEN
2 BRUNNINGER MANFRED A-4203 ALTENBERG AUSTRIA
PCT International Classification Number E01B29/06
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP05/052284
PCT International Filing date 2005-05-18
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 GM 511/2004 2004-07-19 Austria