Apparatus for Applying a Pumpable Material to a Rail Head

Abstract

An applicator assembly for delivery of a pumpable material to a top surface of a rail head of rail includes an applicator body having an orifice for delivery of the pumpable material to the top surface of the rail. The body is resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move from a raised position, in which the orifice is positioned for delivering the pumpable material to the top surface of the rail head, to a depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel. The applicator body thereafter is adapted to return to the raised position.

1 . An applicator assembly for delivery of a pumpable material to a top surface of a rail head of rail, the assembly comprising:
 an applicator body having an orifice for delivery of said pumpable material to the top surface of the rail, said body being resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move from a raised position, in which the orifice is positioned for delivering said pumpable material to the top surface of the rail head, to a depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel, the applicator body thereafter being adapted to return to said raised position.   
   
   
       2 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 1  further comprising a spring resiliently urging the applicator body to the raised position, the spring being resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move to the depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel, the applicator body thereafter being adapted to return to said raised position under the bias of the spring. 
   
   
       3 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said applicator body comprises an elongate applicator bar having a plurality of orifices spaced at intervals along the bar. 
   
   
       4 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 3  in combination with a distribution valve having a plurality of outlets, and a plurality of auxiliary conduits connected to the distribution valve outlets for delivering the pumpable material from the distribution valve to the orifices, wherein each distribution valve outlet is dedicated solely to only one of the orifices via one of the auxiliary conduits. 
   
   
       5 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the distribution valve is operable to distribute substantially the same amount of pumpable material through each of the outlets regardless of any pressure differential between the outlets. 
   
   
       6 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 3  comprising a base and a guide connecting the base and the applicator bar for guiding the applicator bar between said raised and depressed positions. 
   
   
       7 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 6  wherein the spring comprises a coil compression spring disposed around the guide between the base and the applicator bar. 
   
   
       8 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 1  in combination with a securing device for securing the applicator assembly to the rail. 
   
   
       9 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the applicator body is adjustable relative to said securing device to vary the height of said orifice relative to the top surface of the rail head. 
   
   
       10 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 9  further comprising a mount for mounting the base on said securing device, said base being adjustable relative to the mount to vary the height of said orifice relative to the top surface of the rail head. 
   
   
       11 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein said applicator assembly is connected to said securing device for movement between a working position in which the applicator body is closely adjacent the rail head and a rail-service position in which the applicator body is remote from the rail head. 
   
   
       12 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 11  further comprising a releasable locking mechanism for locking said applicator assembly in said working position, said locking mechanism being releasable to permit movement of the applicator assembly between said working and rail-servicing positions. 
   
   
       13 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 11  wherein applicator assembly is connected to the securing device for pivotal movement between said working and rail-service positions. 
   
   
       14 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said orifice has an inlet and an outlet, said outlet being recessed below a top surface of the applicator body. 
   
   
       15 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 14  further comprising a discrete recess in at least a top surface of the applicator body communicating with the outlet of the orifice. 
   
   
       16 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the recess extends through an inboard face of the applicator body adjacent the rail during use. 
   
   
       17 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the recess flares outward from the outlet of the orifice. 
   
   
       18 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the orifice decreases in diameter from its outlet toward its inlet. 
   
   
       19 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said securing device comprises a clamp for clamping the applicator assembly to a lower flange of the rail. 
   
   
       20 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 1  in combination with a securing device for securing the applicator assembly to the rail, the applicator assembly further comprising
 a base,   a guide connecting the base and the applicator body for guiding the applicator body between said raised and depressed positions,   a coil compression spring disposed around the guide between the base and the applicator body for resiliently urging the applicator body to said raised position, the spring being resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move to said depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel, the applicator body thereafter being adapted to return to said raised position under the bias of the spring, and   a mount for mounting the base, spring and applicator body on said securing device, said applicator body being adjustable up and down relative to the mount to vary the height of said orifice relative to the top surface of the rail head.   
   
   
       21 . An applicator assembly as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said mount is pivoted on said securing device. 
   
   
       22 . Apparatus for delivery of a pumpable material to a rail head of rail, said apparatus comprising:
 an applicator assembly for delivery of the pumpable material to a top surface of the rail head;   a securing device for securing the applicator assembly to the rail;   said applicator assembly including
 an applicator body having an orifice for delivery of said pumpable material to the top surface of the rail, 
 a spring resiliently urging the applicator body to a raised position in which the orifice is positioned for delivering said pumpable material to the top surface of the rail head, 
 the spring being resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move to a depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel, the applicator body thereafter being adapted to return to said raised position under the bias of the spring. 
   
   
   
       23 . Apparatus for delivery of a pumpable material to a rail head of rail, said apparatus comprising:
 an applicator assembly for delivery of the pumpable material to a top surface of the rail head,   said applicator assembly including
 an applicator body having an orifice for delivery of said pumpable material to the top surface of the rail, 
 a spring resiliently urging the applicator body to a raised position in which the orifice is positioned for delivering said pumpable material to the top surface of the rail head, 
 the spring being resiliently yieldable to permit the applicator body to move to a depressed position in the event the applicator is contacted by a train wheel, the applicator body thereafter being adapted to return to said raised position under the bias of the spring. 
   
   
   
       24 . Apparatus for delivering a pumpable material to a rail head of a metal rail, said apparatus comprising:
 an applicator assembly; and   a securing device for securing the applicator assembly to said rail;   said applicator assembly comprising an applicator body having a plurality of orifices for delivery of said pumpable material to the rail head, and a mount mounting the applicator body for movement between a working position in which the applicator body is closely adjacent the rail head for delivery of said pumpable material to the rail head and a rail-service position in which the applicator body is remote from the rail head.   
   
   
       25 . Apparatus as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said mount is attached to the securing device for pivotal movement between said working and rail-service positions.