US2129552A - Apparatus for heat treating rails - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 6, 1938.

P. HUNTER, .l

APPARATUS FOR HEAT TREATINGRAILS 4 Sheets-Sheet v l Filed May 13, 1937 Sept; 6, 193s.

P. HUNTER, JR

APPARATUS FOR HEAT TREATING RAILS Filed May 13. 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Pme/w fammi/zz -ATTORNEY sept. 6, 193s.

P. HUNTER, JR

APPARATUS FOR HEAT TREATING RAILS Filed May l5, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVE'NTOR` www am@ BY ATTORNEY Sept. 6, 1938. P. HUNTER, JR

APPARATUS RoR HEAT TREATING RAILS Filed May 13, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 AAM h IM fg @e INVENTOR PER/KIZ md? ATTORNEY Patented Sepe e, 193s 'UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE Oxweld Vtion of Delaware Service Company, a www Application May 13, 1937, Serial No. 142,434 15 Claims. (Cl. 288-5) This invention relates to apparatus for heat treating the tread surfaces of rails, especially at 5 hardening tread surface areas with high temperature heating names.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the character speciiied which is easily constructed, of l minimum weight and emcient in operation. Another object is to provide such an improved apparatus having heating units for each rail of a track, so as to avoid the necessity of shifting the entire apparatus in proceeding along va. section of l track which is being heat treated. Other and more specific objects are: to provide such an ap-- paratus in which the heating units are mounted upon an operating structure or supporting frame, said operating structure being pivotally mounted 2 upon a primary frame structure which is adapted to be moved along the track; to provide means for oscillating and adjusting the heating units simultaneously; to provide improved means for controlling the gases supplied to the heating unit; and to provide improved means for moving the apparatus along the track being treated.

The above and other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following description, having reference to the aecompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. l and 2 are respectively front elevational and plan views of one form of apparatus embodying the principles of the present invention;

A Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of a major portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. l;vv

Fig. is a. vertical sectional view of the apparatus, taken along the line 4--4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a ditic view, corresponding approximately to the line 6-6 oi' Fig. 3, and showing particularly the location ot the heating tips with respect to a rail joint; Figs. 'i and 8 are respectively plan and iront elevational views of a modiiied form of primary frame structure upon which the operating structure shown in Fig. 1 may be pivotally mounted; and

Fig. 9 is a plan view, mainly diagrammatic., of

a modified arrangement of the gas controlling devices.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the improved rail heat treating machine comprises a primary frame structure or carriage A and an operating o r secondary frame structure B pivotally mount Y rigid.' construction.

ed thereon. The main frame or carriage A is adapted to rest upon and be moved along rails R of a section oi track, while'the operating structure lB carries a heating unit at each side thereof. a unit Hnbeing located over the left hand rail 5 of the track and a second unit HR located over the right hand rail of the track. yIt will be noted that the operating structure B also carries gaa controlling devices C substantially at the center thereof and located for ready access by the opl0 erator.

It is desired to have the entire apparatus of a light and portable, but nevertheless sturdy and Thus, the carriage A may be composed of suitable'light weight welded tub 15 ing formed into a box-like shape comprising upper and lower transverse horizontally disposed members or braces Il, connected by longitudinal horizontally disposed braces Il and a plurality of vertically disposed braces 12. At each of the four 20 corners of the carriage A shoes or rests i3 are secured by means of bolts il threadedly engaged in the ends of the transverse horizontally disposed braces I8. Said shoes have suitable heat and wear resistant soles or bearing plates I5 at- 25 tached thereto with bolts i6 and completely insulated electrically therefrom as to prevent any improper operation of the track signalling system. Flanges i511 may be provided on the bearing plate at one side of the machine at least 30 so as to aid in positioning 'the heating units Hr. and Ha with respect to the rails iL-eing treated.

It will be observed that the shoes it are of a rigid angular construction and form. an efficient stationary support for the entire machine when 35 performing a heat treating operation. However', in order to allow the machine to be moved from one rail joint to the next, the shoes I3, at the rear of the machine, may be provided with suitable extensions or brackets Il rigidly supported by 40 braces Ila and having bearing portions Il (Figs.

2 and 3) for receiving the axles of flanged wheels I9 on which the entire machine may be wheeled along the track. To facilitate in this operation, angularly disposed handle bars 1l 45 may be welded to the braces ii of the carriage A and strengthened by vertical supports 2| (Fig. 4) and a horizontal brace 22. The ilanged wheels Il and their supporting brackets Il are arranged so that when the machine is resting upon the 50 shoes I3, the wheels i9 will not contact the tread surfaces of the rail (see Fig. 3) By bearing down on the handle bars 2U, however, the apparatus will be fulcrumed upon the rear shoes i3 and bring the wheels I! into contact with the rail. 55

' a general sense, comprises three transverse tubular members or braces 25 which are positioned'at the corners of a triangle and welded or otherwise xedly secured at their opposite ends to end plates 26. 'By means of inwardly extending bosses or lugs 21 provided on the upper corners of the plates 26, the operating structure B is slidably mounted on two shafts 28, one of said shafts being located at each side of the apparatus. The opposite ends of yeach of the shafts 28 are journailed in bearings 29 provided on the upper ends of four vertically disposed supporting arms 30. At its lower end, each of the arms 30 is pivotally attached by means of a pin or bolt 3| to a lug 32 provided on the inner lower corner of the adjacent shoe i3. From the foregoing' it will be apparent that by means of the arms 30 the entire structure B is pivotally mounted for oscillatory' or reciprocatory movement upon theprimary sup'- porting frame' A. Such movement of the operating structure is desired for imparting a corresponding Aoscillatory movement to the heating units Hr. and Ha which, as mentioned above and will be described more particularly hereinafter, are carried on each side of the operating structure B.

In order torimpart an oscillating or reciprocat- -ing movement to the operating structure B a lever 331s pivoted upon a bracket 34 which is secured to one of the handle bars 20.' The forward end of the lever 33 is pivotally connected to one end of a link 35, the other end of which is pivotally secured upon the rearward end of one of the shafts 28. Thus, by moving the lever 33 from side to side the operating structure may be oscillated. It is desirable to limit this movement, however, and for accomplishing this purpose a U-shapedyoke 36 is provided on or formed integrally with the upper end of one of the shoes I3, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The arms of this yoke are positioned on either side of the adjacent supporting arm 30 so that as said arm 3U pivots about its associated pin 3i during the oscillating movement it will be limited in its movement by contact with the arms ofthe yoke. Adjustment of the oscillating movement may be eiected by means of adjusting vscrews 31 provided in the arms of the yoke. By moving4 these screws inwardlyA or outwardly, the effective distance between the arms of the yoke may be varied, thereby varying'the amplitude of the oscillatory movement of the frame B.

The heating units Hr. and HR may be of any suitable construction in which a source of high temperature heat, such as an Oxy-fuel gas flame, an electric arc or the like, is utilized to heat the body of metal being treated. Those shown in the kpresent instance are similar in general construction and operation to the heating unit disclosed in H. S. George application, Serial No. 25,567, filed June 8, 1935. Thus, as shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 5, each of the units Hr. and Ha comprises two heating heads or manifolds 48 and 4I which are adapted to be connected to a convenient source of gaseous fuel by means of hollow tubular connections 42 and 43 respectively. Three nozzles or heating tips 44 are mounted in the underside of each of the manifolds and 4I with two of each group of nozzles disposed adjacent and above the inside edges of the abutting rails R, and the remaining one disposed adjacent and above the outside edge, so that substantially triangular or trapezoidal shaped heat treated areas may be produced in the tread surfaces (see Fig. 6)

One of the heating heads is preferably adjust- .able longitudinally of the rails R with respect to the other, and both of said. heads are vertically adjustable so as to vary or adjust the distance between the ends ofthe nozzles and the tread surfaces of the rails R. To this end the tubular connections 42 'and 43 are clamped between the sections of split holding blocks 45 and 45 respectively, the sections of said blocks being held together by means of thumb screws 41 so as to maintain the heating heads in any adjusted vertical position. 'I'he block 45 is secured to the plate 25 by means of an angular bracket 48 bolted to said plate and welded to said block. However, the block 45 is slidably mounted on guide rods 50 xed in the block 45, and is movable for adjust'- ment on said rods by means of a positioning screw 5I which is threadedly engaged in the block 45 and journalled in a plate or bar 52 connecting the ends of the guide rods.

With the above described construction one of the heating heads may be adjusted longitudinally of the rail with respect to the other. However, rather'than having'to rely upon a positioning of the entire apparatus in order to locate the fixed heating heads properly with respect to the end of a rail joint, it is desirable to make some provision for moving the operating structure B longitudinally with respect to the rails. Accordingly, a shaft 54 having handles 55 at each end thereof is journalled in suitable bearings provided in each of the plates 26 and, as shown in Fig. 3, is located below the shafts 28. Pinions 56 are mounted on opposite ends of the shaft 54 for engagement with suitable rack teeth 51 provided on the lower side of each of the shafts 28. This construction is shown in Figs. 3 and 5, where it will be seen that by turning either of the handles 55 the operating structure'B may be moved along the shafts 28 so that the fixed heating head 40 may be located in the desired position with respect to the end of a rail when starting a heat treating operation.

When the heating units are in operation. the flames issuing from the blowpipe nozzles 44 are reflected back from the tread surface of the rail and cause said nozzles to become overheated. To

lprevent any backring which may'occur as a result of the preignition of the gases before issuing from .the orifices of the nozzles 44, a suitable copper baille plate 58 may be provided between the nozzles of each blowpipe and, as shown in Fig. 3, is adjustably and removably suspended from the guide rods by means oi supporting arms 53. This baille is adapted to increase the circulation of air about the nozzles and remove heat from the region of said nozzles, it preferably being of the type disclosed in the application of H. S. George, led December 24, 1936,' Serial No. 117,506.

Gases maybe supplied to the heating units from any suitable source. For example, oxygen and acetylene cylinders, together with suitable pressure regulators, may be carried on a push car which isl adapted to travel along .the track as the heat treating operations progress. Flexible tub# ing in suiicient lengths is provided to connect such cylinders with the gas controlling devices C Y on the apparatus, an acetylene tube 68 being connected to 'an acetylene inlet 6| and an oxygen tube 62 being connected to an oxygen inlet 63.

Separate gas controls are provided for each of the heating units Hr. and HR, although the gas pressures are regulated at the supply cylinders. Accordingly, as shown in Figs.V 1 and 2, the gases supplied to the heating unit HR are-controlled by an acetylene shut-off valve l64 and an oxygen shut-off valve 65, which are connected to their respective acetylene and oxygen inlets 6i and 63. The two. valves are interconnected for simultaneous actuation by means of a handle 66 and are mounted in a convenient location for ready access bythe operator on the left hand portion of the.

upper side of a rectangular sheet metal housing 61. This housing 61 is in` turn secured' to the 4upper braces 25 of the operating frame structure B by means of brackets 68. A suitable conduit 18 connects the aceytlene shut-oli valve 64 with the lower portion of a mixer 1| carried by a specal supporting bracket 12 which is secured to the braces 25 in any convenient manner. Acetylene passes through this lower portion-of themixer 1I, withoutbeing mixed with any owgen, into a coil 13 comprising an elongated tubular conduit, the opposite end of which is connected to the central or lmixing portion of the mixer 1|. This coil 13 greatly improves the flashback resistance of the heating apparatus andsis disposed inside of the housing 61 in order that it may not become battered or broken during handling df the machine while in operation. Oxygen passes direct- 1y from the valve 65 tothe mixer through a conduit 14 and is there properly 'mixed with the acetylene so that a suitable combustible mixture may be led from the mixer Il to the heating unit HR. For this purpose, a conduit 15 connects the outlet side of the mixer with a Y-iltting or connection 16 from which branch conduits 11 and 18 lead the combustible mixture to the tubular connections 42 and 43 respectively of the heating unit Ha.

Similarly, the gases for the heating unit Hx. are controlled by an acetylene shut-oif valve 88 connected to the inlet 6I and a shut-oil valve 8| connected to the inlet 63, which valves are simultaneously actuated by means of a handle 82. Acetylene passes from the valve 88 through a conduit 83 to the lower portion of a mixer 84 which is supported upon the frame B by a special bracket 84a (Fig. 4). From the mixer the acetylene passes through a coil or elongated conduit 86,

similar to the coil 13, and then back to the mixer.

The coil 85 is disposed in the housing 61 on the side thereof adjacent to the handles 66 and 82 as sho'wn in Fig. 4. Oxygen is led directly to the mixer 84 from the valve 8l by means of a conduit 86, and the combustible mixture passes from the outlet side of the mixer 84 through a conduit 81 to a Y-fitting or connection 88. Branch conduits 98 and 9| lead the combustible mixture from the outlet side of the tting 88 to the tubular connections 42 and 43 respectively of the heating unit From the foregoing it will be noted thatv the handle 82, on the right hand side of the housing 61, controls the gas supply forA the heating unit HL; while the handle 66, on the left hand side of the housing 61, controls the gas supply for the heating unit Ha. Should it be desired to control the gases for the heating units Ha and Hx. from the right and left hand shut-olf valves respectively, the conduits and mixers may be rearranged as shown diagrammatically in Fig. 9, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts shown in.Figs. 1, 2, and 4. It will be noted that the valves 80 and 8|, mounted on the right hand side of the housing 61, lead the acetylene and oxygento the mixer 84 from which the combustible mixture is led to the Y-iitting 88 which, in this instance, is connected to the heating unit Ha; and the valves 64 and 65 control the flow of acetylene and oxygen directly togthe mixer 1|, from which the combustible mixture is led to the Y- connection 16 for the heating unit H1.. This arrangement of the gas controlling devices may be considered preferable to that described above since it tends to avoid any confusion during the operation of the heat treating apparatus. l

For igniting the combustible gas mixture at the nozzles 44,a pilot burner P may be employed. As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 5, such a burner may comprise the end of a metallic tubing 82 which is disposed adjacent the nozzles and supported from the plate 26 by means of a bracket 83. tubing 82 extends upwardly and towards the center of the machine to a push button 84 which isvpart of a partially open'valve connectedto the acetylene inlet 6I by means of a conduit 85.

.Push button 84 is provided for opening the partially open valve further when it is desired to increase the size of the continuously burning pilot flame to ignite the gas at the nozzles 44.

The method of operating the above described heat treating apparatus is substantially as follows: In heat treating tread surface areas at rail joints in a section of track, certain preliminary adjustments are made before vheat treating the iilst rail joint. When the apparatus is placed upon a section of track, the joints of which are to be heat'treated, it -is moved on the wheels I8 and brought to rest with one of the heating units positioned directly over the ilrst rail joint to be treated. Assuming that the iirst olnt to be treated is in the right hand rail R, the entire apparatus is shifted by sliding on the shoes I3 until the flange l5a is in contact with the side of the bolts i6 and thereby allowing the bearing plates lI5 to be adjusted laterally with respect to the rail head. The tips of the nozzles are then correctly positioned for height above the tread surfaces of the rails by `loosening the thumb screws 41 andv raising or lowering the tubular connections 42 and 43. Next, the group of nozzles 44 connected to each of the manifolds 48 and 4l are properly positioned lengthwise of the rail from the extreme end thereof. 'I'his may be accomplished byturning'the handle 55, which moves the entire operating frame B, until the fixed manifold 48 is located the desired distance from the end of tue rail; and then the end of the positioning screw 5l' may be turned, sliding the block 46 along the guide rods 58, to locate the manifold 4l a corresponding distance from the adjacent rail end.

4 In adjusting-'the elevation and position of the nozzles 44 a suitable gage may be employed, i1' desired.

Withv the nozzles properly positioned above the tread surfaces and from the extreme ends of the rails, the screws 31 in the arms of the yoke 36 are initially adjusted. at the first rail joint to limit the oscillatory or reciprocatory movement that can be imparted'to the noznes by' moving the.

' to heat such parts so that uniformity of temperature in the heat treated areas is attained. I

Similar adjustments are then made for the heating unit H1. on the opposite side of themachine, moving the machine to a' rail joint inthe left hand rail R, if necessary.- The valves and pressure regulators for the acetylene and oxygen are then adjusted to deliver said gases' at the proper pressures at the control valves 64, 65,80,v

and 8 I so as to produce flames having the proper rate of heat output and the proper or 'desired Iquality, such as neutral or a slight excess of acetylene. Such adjustments -may be maintained substantially constant throughout the operation of the machine, unless both heating units Ha and Hr. are to be operated simultaneously, when a -readjustment would be required. It

will be apparent that the adjustments of the gas supply at the supply cylinders will not be affected by operation of the control valves through the "handles 66 or 82.

When the above described preliminary'adjustments have b'een made; the pilot burners P are lighted and the apparatus is ready for heat treating the rst rail joint on the right hand rail R. The push button 94 is operated to increase the size of the pilot name and the handle or lever 66 for the valves 64 and 65 is moved to its open pol -be accurately determined, and, at the end of a predetermined length of time, the handle 66 is moved to its closed position. The apparatus is I then raised upon the wheels I9 and moved to the next rail joint in the section of track" being treated. This joint will be located in the left hand rail R so that the heating unit Hx. will be utilized for the next' heat treating operation. However, since the preliminary adiustments have already been made, it is .only necessary to position the nozzles from the extreme ends of the rails by manipulation of the handle 55 and positioning screw 5I. When this has been accomplished the push button 84' for the heating unit Huis depressed and the handle 82 moved to open position to light the nozzles in said unit. Oscil-` lation or reciprocation of this heating unit HL .is effected by thevsame lever 33 and the entire heat, treating operation is otherwise the same as that already described for the heating unit Ha.

In Figs. 'I and 8 there is shown a modied construction for the primary frame structure or disposed members IIO, connected by longitudinal horizontally disposedbraces |'II and a plurality of verticallydisposed braces II2. At each of the four corners of the carriage A' shoes I|3 aresecured by means of bolts |I4 threadedly engaged in the ends of lthe transverse horizontally disposed members IIO. It will be noted that the shoes H3, in the present instance. are not used to form a stationary support for the entire machine, but, on the contrary, are primarily provided for they-purpose of supporting suitable extensions or brackets at each corner of the machine. These brackets'il'l are rigidly s u'pported by means of braces II'Ia and are provided with bearing portions IIB for receiving the axles of flangedwheels I |9 upon which the entire machine is supported and. adapted to be wheeled along the track. The wheels IIS are preferably mounted in roller or ball bearings and,

as shown in Fig. 7, are insulated electricallyfromv the frame of the carriage by suitable insulation ||8a provided about the axles in the bearing portions ||8 so that" any improper operation of the trackl signalling system will be prevented.

To-i'ahllitate the operation of moving the apparatus along the track upon the wheels I I9, -angularly disposed handle bars |20 may be welded to the braces III of thefra'me A' and strengthened/by vertical supports 2| and a horizontal brace |22. spaced arms.. |24 which may be secured to the frame by means of the bolts II4, are provided at each side of the machlnedor lifting the entire apparatus from the track in order to carry from one place .to another.

In order to stop the apparatus in its movement, or lock it in any adjustedposition upon a track, la specialbraking or locking device is lprovided \on the forward -end of the carriage A. One satisfactory form of braking mechanism may comprise a brake lever S'I` pivotally connected by means of a headed pivot pin 98 to each of the forward bearing members IIB. These brakes are resiliently held 'in the position shown in Fig. 8 f by recoiling springs 99 encircling the' headed pivot pins 98, but are adapted to be turned about their pivots and into contact with the adjacent rail so as to stop or hold the apparatus in any adjusted position. Brake shoes 91a are provided on the contactingportions of each brake lever and insulated,v electrically therefrom in any suitable manner. vAn eccentric sprocket |00 is rigidly secured t each brake adjacent the pivot Ithereof and has an operating chain IOI engaging the sprocket teeth. One end ofthis chain is-rigidly connected to the inside or lower edge of the eccentric sprocket |00 in such a manner that when the chain is pulled about the sprocket the brake will be turned about its pivot and into contact with the rail. Thus, the opposite end of each chain |0| is connected through a guide rod |02 and a spring |02a to a roller unit |03 which is adapted to slide along a tubular guide or cross arm |04 extending outwardly from either side of a vertically disposed supporting mem- Handles |23, supported by parallel ber |15. Both the cross arm |04 and the vertically disposed supporting member |n5 are centrally located at the front of the carriage A' and rigidly secured to the-members Il. by means ofa plurality of braces IBG Each of the roller units forms part of a toggle brake actuating mechanism and is pivotally connected to one end of a hook-shaped link |01. 'I'he opposite hooked end of each link |01 is pivoted to one end of a double crank arm or toggle member III which is centrally pivoted to the upper end of the vertically disposed member |05. The crank arm |08 is adapted to be actuated by an elongated handle or lever lil! which is rigidly secured thereto by means of bolts |08a and spaced therefrom by spacing bushings |0911.

In Figs. 'I and 8 the braking mechanism is shown in inoperative position. It will be apparent, however, that when the handle or operating lever |29 is moved substantially 180 in aclockwise direction, the roller units |03 will be moved inwardly along the cross arm |04 so as to rotate the brake levers 91 about their pivots Il and into'flrm and secure contact with the associated rails. It will be noted that when the crank arm |08 and links |01 are in their inop erative position, such parts are in a dead center position; and likewise when the handle |||9 is rotated substantially 180, the parts will-again occupy a substantially dead center position so that the brakes $1 will remain in contactwith the rails without any force being applied to the handle. When it is desired to release the brake, the handle Ill is raised and will spring back into its inoperative position.

Except for the fact that four wheels are provided so that the apparatus may be easilymoved alonga track, and a braking or locking mechanism is provided to hold the carriage in any adjusted position, the heat treating apparatus including the modified carriage A' is entirely-similar to the first described apparatus comprising the primary frame or carriage A and the operating frame structure B. Thus, shafts |28 are provided at each side of the machine for slidably receiving an operating frame structure B, and said shafts |28 vare pivotally supported on the upper ends of four vertically disposed supporting arms |36. Said arms |10 are pivotally mounted like the arms 3l so that the entire operating frame supported on the shafts |28 may be oscillated by means of a lever |33 and link |35.

If desired, a three-sided shield IIS, composed of copper or other suitable material, may be secured to the shoes H3 at each side of the machine, as shown in dot and dash lines in Figs. 'I

and 8. Such a shield will tend to prevent the flames from spreading and thereby protect the operator andparts of the apparatus from the intenseheat produced in the two heating units.

It will be understood that if the apparatus is utilized to treat the tread surfaces of both rails simultaneously, then both heating units may be adjusted simultaneously along the shafts |28 and likewise may be.oscillated or reciprocated over the rail tread surfaces simultaneously by actuation of the lever |33. During such operation the carriage A' may be moved at the desired and predetermined rate of speed by the operator. However, means may be provided for propelling the carriage along the track, if desired. For this purpose a motor properly geared to one of the wheels Il! would be suitable.

Various changes may be made in the construction and certain features thereof may be emeach rail of the track; and means vfor oscillating said pivotally mounted supporting member so that both of said heating units may be oscillated v.simultaneously over their respective rails.

2. Apparatus for heat treating tread surface areas of rails, comprising the combination of a carriage adapted to rest upon and be moved along a track; a supporting member pivotally mounted on said1 carriage; heating units carried by said supporting member, one unit being disposed over each rail of the track; and means for moving said supporting member longitudinally with respect to the rails so as to move both of said heating units simultaneously for adjustment.

f 3. Apparatus for heat treating tread surface areas of rails, comprising the combination of a carriage adapted to rest upon and be moved along a track; a supporting member pivotally mounted on said carriage; heating units carried by said supporting member, one unit being disposed over each rail of the track; means for moving said supporting member longitudinally with respect to the rails so as to move both of said heating units simultaneously for adjustment; and means for oscillating said pivotally mounted supporting member so that both of said heating units may bjscillated simultaneously over their respective r 4. Apparatus for heat treating tread surfacer .said heating units may be reciprocated over the tread surfaces of the rails. x

5. Apparatus for heat treating tread surface areas of rails, comprising the combination of a.

' carriage adapted to rest upon and be moved along a track; an arm pivotally connected to said carriage; a. supporting member pivotally mounted on said arm; heating units carried by said supporting memberwith one unit disposed over each rail of the trackmeans for moving said supporting member longitudinally with respect to the rail so as to locate said heating units properly for starting a heat treating operation; and means for reciprocating. said pivotally mounted supporting member so that said heating units may be lreciprocated over the tread surfaces of the rails.

6. Apparatus for heat treating tread surface areas of rails, comprising the combination of a carriage adapted to rest upon and be moved along a track; an arm pivotally connected to said carriage: a supporting member pivotally mounted on said arm; heating units carried by said supporting member with one unit disposed over each rail of the track; means for reciprocating said pivotally mounted supporting 'member so that Said heating units may be reciprocated over the tread surfaces of the rails; and means cooperatvto said carriage; a supporting frame pivotally ing with said arm forlimiting the reciprocatory movement of said heating units. y

7. Apparatus for heat treating tread surface areas of rails, comprising the combination of a carriage adapted to rest upon and be moved along a track; aplurality of arms pivotally connected mounted on said arms; heating units carried by said supporting frame, one unit being disposed over each rail of the track; and means for oscillating said pivotally mounted supporting frame. so that both of said heating units may be oscillated simultaneously over their respective rails.

8. Apparatus for heat treating tread surface areas of rails, comprising the combination of a carriage adapted to rest upon and be moved along a track, said carriage being substantially rec- .a track, said carriage being substantially rectangular in shape; a vertically disposed supporting arm pivotally connected to each of the four corners of said rectangular carriage; a shaft at each side of-said carriage and journalled at its l ends in the adjacent supporting arms; an operating frame slidably mounted on said shafts; a source of high temperature heat carried by said operating frame and disposed above the tread surface of one of the rails of the track; and means for oscillating said operating frame so as to effect a corresponding movement in the source of high temperature heat.

10. Apparatus for heat treating tread surface areas of rails, comprising the combination of a carriage adapted to rest upon and be moved along a track, said carriage being substantially rectangular in shape; a vertically disposed supporting arm pivotally connected to each of the four corners of said rectangular carriage; a shaft at each side of said carriage and journalled at lts ends in the adjacent supporting arms; an operating frame slidably mounted on said shafts; a source of high temperature heat carried by said operating frame and disposed above the tread surface of one of the rails of the track; means for oscillating said operating frame so as to effect a corresponding movement in thesource of high temperature heat; and means for moving said operating frame along said shafts so as to position said source of heat properly for starting a heat treating operation.

11. Apparatus for heat treating tread surface areas of rails, comprising the combination of 'a carriage adapted to rest upon and be moved along a track; said carriage being substantially rectangular in shape; a vertically disposed supporting arm pivotally connected to eachl of the four corners of said rectangular carriage; a shaft at each side of said carriage and journalledat its ends lin the adjacent supporting arms; an operating frame slidably mounted on said shafts; a source of high temperature heat carried by said` operating frame and disposed above the tread surface of one of the rails of the track; and

means for oscillating said operating frame so as to effect a corresponding movement in the source of high temperature heat, said oscillating means comprising a-lever fulcrumed on the carriage and a link pivotally connected'at one end to said lever and at its other end toone of the vertically disposed arms.

12. Apparatusfor heat treating tread surface areas of rails, comprising -the combination of 'a carriage adapted to rest upon and be moved along a track, said carriage being substantially rectangular in shape; a vertically disposed supporting arm pivotally connected to each of the four corners of said rectangular carriage; a shaft at.

each side of saidcarrliage and journalled at its 'ends in the adjacent supporting arms; an operating frame slidably mounted on said shafts; a source of high temperature heat carried by said operating frame anddisposed above the tread surface of one of the rails ofthe track; means for oscillating said operating frame so as to eiIect a corresponding movement in the source of high temperature heat, said oscillating means comprising a lever fulcrumed on the carriage and a link pivotally connected at one end to said lever and at its other. end to one of the vertically disposed arms; and a yoke mounted onv the carriage and having'arms disposed on either side of one of said vsupporting arms for limiting the oscillatory movement of the 'operatingframa 13. Apparatus for heat treating tread surface areas adjacent the ends of 'rails atv a rail joint,

comprising the combination of a vcarriage adapted to rest uponJand bemoved along a track; a supporting member mounted on said carriage; a heating unit carried by said supporting member and including two sources of vhigh temperature heat, one of said sources being fixedv with respect to said supporting member and the other-of said sources being movable longitudinally of the rail; means for'moving said supporting member longitudinally/ of the rail so as to position said fixed source of heat properlywith respect to the end'of a rail; and meansfor moving said other above the tread surface of a rail; and means forv oscillating said pivotally mounted supporting memberl so -as to effect a corresponding move- .t ment in the source of high temperature heat.

15. Apparatus for heat treating tread surface areas of rails, comprising the combination of a carriage adapted to rest upon and be moved along on said carriage and adapted to be moved longitudinally of the rails with respect to said carriage;

heating means mounted on said operating frame and including an oxy-fuel gas blowpipe disposed over each rail of the track; and gas' controlling means centrally mounted on said operating frame -forready access by the operator.

PERC'IVAL HUNTER, Jn.l v

- a track; an operating frame pivotally mounted' 7

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