Abstract: An end plating machine for a wood tie having opposite ends comprising a frame including horizontally spaced-apart first and second end frames with the frame including tie in-feed and out-feed portions. First and second tie dampers are positioned adjacent the first and second end frames for clamping the ends of a tie positioned therebetween. First and second power rams are mounted on the first and second end frames, respectively, for driving an end plate into the ends of the tie while the tie is being clamped by the first and second tie clampers. First and second end plate hoppers are positioned on the first end frame and third and fourth end plates hoppers are positioned on the second end frame. A movable shuttle plate is provided on each of the end frames as is a plate transporter.

Abstract: An end plating machine for a wood tie having opposite ends comprising a frame including horizontally spaced-apart first and second end frames with the frame including tie in-feed and out-feed portions. A conveyor is provided for positioning a tie between the end frames. First and second tie clampers are positioned adjacent the first and second end frames for clamping the ends of a tie positioned therebetween. First and second power rams are mounted on the first and second end frames, respectively, for driving an end plate into the ends of the tie while the tie is being clamped by the first and second tie clampers. First and second end plate hoppers are positioned on the first and second end frames, respectively, for supporting a plurality of end plates therein.

Abstract: In an end plating machine for a wood tie having opposite ends comprising a frame including horizontally spaced-apart first and second end frames with the frame including tie in-feed and out-feed portions; a conveyor is provided for positioning a tie between the end frames. First and second tie dampers are positioned adjacent the first and second end frames for clamping the ends of a tie positioned therebetween. First and second power rams are mounted on the first and second end frames, respectively, for driving an end plate into the ends of the tie while the tie is being clamped by the first and second tie clampers. First and second end plate hoppers are positioned on the first and second end frames, respectively, for supporting a plurality of end plates therein.

Abstract: An end plating machine for a wood tie having opposite ends comprising a frame including horizontally spaced-apart first and second end frames with the frame including tie in-feed and out-feed portions. A conveyor is provided for positioning a tie between the end frames. First and second tie clampers are positioned adjacent the first and second end frames for clamping the ends of a tie positioned therebetween. First and second power rams are mounted on the first and second end frames, respectively, for driving an end plate into the ends of the tie while the tie is being clamped by the first and second tie clampers. First and second end plate hoppers are positioned on the first and second end frames, respectively, for supporting a plurality of end plates therein.

Abstract: An end plating machine for a wood tie having opposite ends comprising a frame including horizontally spaced-apart first and second end frames with the frame including tie in-feed and out-feed portions. A conveyor is provided for positioning a tie between the end frames. First and second tie clampers are positioned adjacent the first and second end frames for clamping the ends of a tie positioned therebetween. First and second power rams are mounted on the first and second end frames, respectively, for driving an end plate into the ends of the tie while the tie is being clamped by the first and second tie clampers. First and second end plate hoppers are positioned on the first and second end frames, respectively, for supporting a plurality of end plates therein.

Abstract: A nail end plate for wooden ties comprising a metal plate having a plurality of elongated teeth struck therefrom to create an opening in the plate. Each of the teeth are struck out less than 90.degree. from the plate. The teeth are generally V-shaped in transverse cross-section. The openings are arranged in a plurality of alternating first and second rows. The openings in each of the first rows comprise a plurality of pairs of first and second openings with the openings in the second rows comprising a plurality of third and fourth openings. The first openings in the first row are longitudinally aligned with each other. The second openings in the first row are also longitudinally aligned with each other but are transversely off-set with respect to the first opening. The third openings in the second row are longitudinally aligned with each other.

Abstract: An end plating machine capable of forcing end plates into the ends of a pair of ties having various lengths. The machine includes spaced apart tie staging chambers and an end plating ram which may be selectively positioned between tie ends of the ties in the staging chambers to force tie end plates into the ties.

Abstract: A toggle tie plate rail fastening system is described for securing rails to wood cross-ties. A wear plate is secured to the upper surface of each of the cross-ties adjacent each end thereof. Each of the wear plates has a plurality of tubular toggles secured thereto which extend downwardly therefrom and which are received by openings formed in the cross-tie. A tie plate is positioned on each of the wear plates and has a rail supported thereon held thereto by a pair of hold-down plates. Bolt members extend downwardly through the hold-down plates and the tie plates and are received by the toggle members. Tightening of the bolts causes the toggles to compress and to move in to gripping engagement with the cross-tie.

Abstract: A tie plate rail fastening system for securing rails to wood cross-ties is described comprising a wear plate positioned on the upper surface of each of the cross-ties adjacent the ends thereof. The wear plate has a plurality of teeth extending downwardly therefrom which are embedded in the tie to bond the wear plate to the tie. Each of the wear plates has a plurality of tubular members which extend downwardly therefrom and which are received by openings in the cross-tie. Various embodiments are illustrated and described for securing the tubular members to the cross-ties.

Abstract: A tie plate rail fastening system for securing rails to wood cross-ties is described comprising a wear plate positioned on the upper surface of each of the cross-ties adjacent the ends thereof. The wear plate has a plurality of teeth extending downwardly therefrom which are embedded in the tie to bond the wear plate to the tie. Each of the wear plates has a plurality of tubular members which extend downwardly therefrom and which are received by openings in the cross-tie. Various embodiments are illustrated and described for securing the tubular members to the cross-ties.

Abstract: A tie plate rail fastening system for securing rails to wood cross-ties is described comprising a wear plate positioned on the upper surface of each of the cross-ties adjacent the ends thereof. The wear plate has a plurality of teeth extending downwardly therefrom which are embedded in the tie to bond the wear plate to the tie. Each of the wear plates has a plurality of tubular members which extend downwardly therefrom and which are received by openings in the cross-tie. Various embodiments are illustrated and described for securing the tubular members to the cross-ties.

Abstract: A toggle tie plate rail fastening system is described for securing rails to wood cross-ties. A wear plate is secured to the upper surface of each of the cross-ties adjacent each end thereof. Each of the wear plates has a plurality of tubular toggles secured thereto which extend downwardly therefrom and which are received by openings formed in the cross-tie. A tie plate is positioned on each of the wear plates and has a rail supported thereon held thereto by a pair of hold-down plates. Bolt members extend downwardly through the hold-down plates and the tie plates and are received by the toggle members. Tightening of the bolts causes the toggles to compress and to move into gripping engagement with the cross-tie.

Abstract: An end plating machine comprising a frame having an in-feed portion at one side thereof and an out-feed portion at the other side thereof. A stationary platen is provided at opposite ends of the frame below the in-feed and out-feed portions adapted to support the ends of a cross-tie delivered thereto. A conveyor delivers the cross-ties to the in-feed portion whereupon a tie transporter assembly moves the tie from the in-feed portion and delivers the tie to a tie elevator assembly which lowers the tie onto the stationary platens. A robotic claw assembly is provided above the stationary platen for squeezing the ends of the tie to close cracks therein. Each of the robotic claws are operated by a single hydraulic cylinder. When the ends of the tie are squeezed together by the robotic claws, a hydraulic ram at opposite ends of the tie drives nail plates into the ends of the tie.

Abstract: An end plating machine comprising a frame having an in-feed portion at one side thereof and an out-feed portion at the other side thereof. A stationary platen is provided at opposite ends of the frame below the in-feed and out-feed portions adapted to support the ends of a cross-tie delivered thereto. A conveyor delivers the cross-ties to the in-feed portion whereupon a tie transporter assembly moves the tie from the in-feed portion and delivers the tie to a tie elevator assembly which lowers the tie onto the stationary platens. A robotic claw assembly is provided above the stationary platen for squeezing the ends of the tie to close cracks therein. Each pair of robotic claws is operated by a single hydraulic cylinder. When the ends of the tie are squeezed together by the robotic claws, a hydraulic ram at opposite ends of the tie drives nail plates into the ends of the tie.

Abstract: A portable cross tie end plating machine adapted to drive a nail plate into one end of a tie. The machine is designed to end plate one end of the tie at a time after the end of the tie has been squeezed together to close the cracks therein. The tie is fed onto an infeed table on the machine and is then moved onto a pair of tie transporter arms which lower the tie downwardly into the machine onto stationary platens. A pair of movable platens squeeze one end of the tie together and a nail plate is then driven into the end of the tie by a hydraulic ram. After the nail plate has been driven into the end of the tie, the transporter arms lift the tie upwardly out of the machine and deposit the tie on the outfeed table. The machine is designed to accommodate ties up to eighteen feet in length and to accommmodate ties having various dimensions.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning and holding on an elongate bed pieces of a floor truss of the type comprising a pair of generally parallel spaced-apart wood chord members and a series of relatively flat metal web members having connector portions with teeth struck therefrom to be pressed into the wood chord members for rigidly interconnecting them.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressing nailing plates or the like into opposite ends of elongate members, such as railroad ties, thereby to end-plate the ties. The apparatus comprises a press and apparatus for conveying the ties forwardly one after another in generally horizontal position with the ties extending transversely with respect to the direction of conveyance to a first station, and for feeding the ties one at a time from the first station to a second station where each tie is end-plated. The conveying apparatus, which comprises a series of walking beam units, is also operable to discharge a tie from the second station after it has been end-plated.

Abstract: Apparatus for pressing nailing plates or the like into opposite ends of elongate members, such as wooden railroad ties, thereby to end-plate the ties. The apparatus comprises a press having upper and lower platens engageable with the top and bottom faces of a tie adjacent the ends thereof. The lower platens are movable through an upstroke for raising the tie while generally horizontal from a lowered position to an elevated position and for pressing the tie against the upper platens thereby to apply a vertical compressing force to the tie adjacent the ends thereof, and a downstroke for lowering the tie. Side platens are engageable with opposite side faces of the tie adjacent the ends thereof when the tie is in its elevated position. The side platens are movable toward and away from one another whereby a horizontal compressing force can be applied to and removed from the opposite side faces of the tie adjacent the ends thereof.