US 12,084,816 B2
Method and apparatus for retrieving and placing tie plates
Fred S. Sperling, Canton, OH (US); and Chad H. Sperling, Canton, OH (US)
Assigned to Sperling Railway Services, Inc., Canton, OH (US)
Filed by Sperling Railway Services, Inc., Canton, OH (US)
Filed on Nov. 23, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/101,805.
Application 17/101,805 is a continuation in part of application No. 16/169,407, filed on Oct. 24, 2018, granted, now 11,015,298.
Prior Publication US 2021/0087753 A1, Mar. 25, 2021
Int. Cl. E01B 29/32 (2006.01)
CPC E01B 29/32 (2013.01) 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
providing a singulating system comprising a front chute; a singulating frame; a pickup assembly operably engaged with the singulating frame; a magnetic roller of the pickup assembly; and a roller belt of the pickup assembly wrapped, at least in part, around the magnetic roller;
collecting, by a front chute, one or more articles;
picking up, by the magnetic roller and the roller belt of the pickup assembly, the one or more articles from the front chute;
performing a first movement of the pickup assembly;
performing a second movement of the pickup assembly that is different from the first movement;
performing a third movement of the pickup assembly that is different from the first movement and the second movement; and
transferring the one or more articles to a different location.