The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 05, 2013
Filed:
Dec. 18, 2009
Mark Plyler, Notasulga, AL (US);
Andy Loftis, Pike Road, AL (US);
Dennis Grantham, Elmore, AL (US);
Gary Gibson, Montgomery, AL (US);
Mark Plyler, Notasulga, AL (US);
Andy Loftis, Pike Road, AL (US);
Dennis Grantham, Elmore, AL (US);
Gary Gibson, Montgomery, AL (US);
Progress Rail Services Corp, Albertville, AL (US);
Abstract
A machine for collecting tie plates strewn along a rail bed includes a frame adapted for travel along a railroad in a forward direction. A pickup drum having magnetic properties is rotatably supported by the frame and extends over a bed portion of the railroad. A top drum is mounted at a location that is higher and forward of the pickup drum and rotates parallel to the pickup drum. An endless conveyor circulates around the pickup and top drums, and a separation drum is disposed between the pickup drum and the top drum along an ascending portion of the endless conveyor. The separation drum includes a magnetized rim that can lift ferrous objects but not tie plates from the endless conveyor.