AU708334B3 - Measuring device (assisted by laser pointer) - Google Patents

Description

Application No. 89500/98 of 26 th October, 1998 Receipt No. S090558

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION PETTY PATENT MEASURING DEVICE Assisted by LASER POINTER, For RAILWAY TRACK MAINTENANCE EXAMINATION SYSTEM.

The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

The MEASURING DEVICE. Assisted by laser pointer For Railway Track Maintenance Examination Railway tracks develop problems, the same as roads get potholes and wash aways.

Any straight railway track should be flat, level and smooth along its length and both rails of each track should be level so the trains run smoothly over them. However the action of the train going along the tracks and applying its brakes, pushes the rails in the direction the train is going. The rails also expand in the hot sun and shrink in the cold of night causing the rails to bend and buckle.

To stop the trains coming off the tracks these bends and buckles have to be found and fixed. To identify where these movements occur, When the railway track is first laid, 2 punch marks are put on the outside top of each rail every 500 Meters by tensioning a string line between 2 fixed poles on the outside of the tracks and where the string passes over the rail the punch marks are made. The distance these punch marks move in a given periodalert the maintenance staff of where'the problems are developing in the railway tracks.

This invention firstly, replaces the age-old method of using string lines to assess the rail movement. Secondly it accurately measures the actual problems and exact location instantly.

This invention relates to a compact four piece hand held measuring device used in conjunction with a small laser pointer, The beam of which replaces string lines and plumb bobs, currently in use, which tend to produce inaccurate readings in strong winds or if insufficient tension applied to the string lines.

This invention provides a safer more accurate way of carrying out track examinations and measurements in a more cost effective and time saving manner.

Application No. 89500/98 by D. Major Description of Invention: The main measuring beam can be made ofany suitable material. Consisting of a rectangular block or channel up to 280 mm long, 30 mm high, and thick enough to allow the positioning shaft to pass through its centre from top to bottom at right angles to its length.

With a restrictive mechanism (rubber washer) on the shaft, to prevent the shaft free-falling through the beam. On one face of the beam (30 X 280 mm) there is two measuring tapes or rulers, which start in the centre of the beam and measure outward to the ends (maximum 130 mm. Each way), with an allowance of half the thickness of the laser pointer (with bracket) between the end of the beam and the last measuring mark of the ruler or tape. (Fig. 1.) The positioning shaft is a straight metal rod (preferably steel) about 6 mm diameter and about 500 mm long. The sides flattened on one end 18 mm down, or a 20 mm ring inserted loosely through a 2 mm hole near the end of the shaft, so it can be held between two fingers to hang vertically and the other end pointed like a pencil. This shaft is inserted point first 15 through the top centre of the measuring beam passing through a restricting device (rubber washer) and out through the bottom of the measuring beam. (Fig. 1.) The combined parts must be balanced to hang vertically when held by the top of the positioning shaft or by the ring and can still be used advantageously without the laser pointer by using them in conjunction with the string line but not as cost effective or as accurate.

The Support Bracket for the laser pointer is a piece of metal angle, one side is 20 mm longer than the laser pointer (approximately 85 mm.) the other side of the angle is 24 mm.

The later side of the angle is 2 mm. Wider than the length of the laser pointer. The longer side of the angle tapers in sharply and equally to 40 mm. wide, 25 mm. From the bend of the anglk to the end of that side of the angle. The laser pointer, when positioned on the inside of the angle, resting on side has level adjusting shims near the nose of the laser pointer to ensure the laser beam remains parallel to side The securing clamp for the laser pointer in this position also acts as the on off switch, and is attached to side Consisting of a small piece of metal or other suitable substance secured to side at one end by a spring loaded nut and bolt or other suitable device which will secure the laser pointer in place and activate its on off switch. (Fig. 2.) Application No. 89500/98 by D. Major How the Invention is used: When a train travels along the railway tracks at high speed then applies its brakes the railway track is pushed in a longitudinal direction. To measure this movement a string line is tensioned between 2 steel posts on the outside of each set of tracks and where the string line passes over the rail 2 punch marks are made on the side of the rail originally. This action is repeated every 500 meters on every rail of every track. It is then checked periodically for any longitudinal movement. This movement is called rail -CREEP.

Currently when measuring the longitudinal movement of railway track, A piece of string is tensioned between two support posts outside each side of the track. A plumb bob is then placed adjacent to this string line falling vertically to the outside of the rail the measurement from the point of the plumb bob to the punch marks is then measured and recorded. The string line can not be tied off in case a train comes, In which case the string line has to be removed until the train has passed then reset and start all.over again. This procedure is done every 500 meters, and before you leave to the next position, time is wasted rolling up the string lines. (See Fig. 3 With this invention you use a small hand-spring clamp to attach the laser support bracket and laser pointer to one post aiming the laser at the other post. Place the pointed end of the positioning shaft at the punch marks hold vertical, adjust the horizontal measuring beam to the height of the laser beam and record the reading on the rule shown by the laser beam. Unclamp laser pointer and bracket and move on to the next 500 m position. If a train were to come the delay is reduced from 2 minutes to 10 seconds, and there is no string to roll up and no worry with strong winds causing false readings.

Application No. 89500/98 by D. Major 4.

The same as roads have potholes in them, Railway lines have dips or bog holes. Road workers fill potholes with tar. Railway workers put jacks under the tracks lift them to the correct level and pack ballast underneath the sleepers which hold the railway track in the correct position so the rail is smooth along its length. This is called TOP LEVEL.

When currently measuring a dip in the top level of a rail, an employee will place their head on the rail and shout instructions to other staff members to mark the lowest parts of the rail. (by line of sight) The amount of dip is only guesswork, the jack points are then calculated and the rail adjusted and packed.

With this invention you just place the support bracket with laser pointer secured on side on top of the rail pointed along it in the direction of the dip, hold the measuring beam vertical on top of the rail and as you move away towards the dip the amount of dip is recorded accurately and faster. (See Fig. 4 All components must be a matching set to obtain correct readings.

Description of Drawings:- Fig. 1 -The Measuring Device 1 Highlighting the measuring tape or ruler on the measuring beam.

2 The positioning shaft passing through the beam.

Fig. 2 -The Laser Support Bracket 3 The longer side of the Bracket.

4 The securing clamp for the laser pointer (also on off switch).

5 The level adjusting shims on side Fig. 3 Diagram of the string line tensioned across the railway tracks or laser beam to measure any longitudinal movement of the rails, projecting to the inset showing the location of the punch marks on the rail and position of measuring device: 6 Indicates the string line or laser beam.

7 Indicates the rail of the railway track.

8 Indicates the location ofthe punch mnrk and posnition nfthe meaureing dvice.

Fig. 4 Diagram of measuring a dip in TOP LEVEL using the Measuring Device. The laser pointer on the support bracket.

11 The measuring beam vertical on the deepest part of the dip in rail Top Level.

(Components must be a matching set for correct results.) Application No. 89500/98 by D. Major

Claims (1)

1. A hand held measuring device, composed of a measuring beam with a ruler or measuring tape starting at its centre and measuring outward to each end on its largest side with an adjustable positioning shaft insertable through the top centre of the measuring beam at right angles, then through a restricting device to fix the shaft in position in relation to the measuring beam, and out the bottom with a separate specifically designed matching laser support bracket having a laser pointer and a small hand spring clamp, which ensures the measurement from the base of the bracket to the laser light beam is the same as the measurement from the end of the measuring beam to the last measuring mark of the ruler or tape on the measuring beam to produce a correct reading to measure the stress movement of railway lines caused by the passage of trains and prevailing weather conditions. Application No. 89500/98 by D. Major 26 th October 1998