GB2101057A - Connecting lengths of track - Google Patents

Abstract

A resilient joining piece 5 for connecting two individual lengths of track 1 (e.g. for a mobile gas cutting and welding machine) includes a base 6 and opposed side walls 7. A portion at least of each side wall 7 overlies the base 6 and defines with the base 6 a space for accepting resiliently a side edge 4 of a track 1. The resilient joining piece 5 permits relative movement of the individual track lengths in a vertical plane but prevents or inhibits movement in any other plane and applies a small force for restraining longitudinal separation of the individual track lengths. Since the track lengths need not be machined, joining is simpler and cheaper. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved joining piece The present invention relates to joining pieces and in particular, to joining pieces for releasably interconnecting two individual adjacent lengths of track intended to support mobile equipment such as a mobile gas cutting and welding machine.

Mobile gas cutting and welding machines usually run on a rail and frequently the rail is a one-piece aluminium extrusion of the required length, for example, 4 metres. The packaging and handling of a 4 metre length of track can create problems. Furthermore, if a different length of track is required for a particular job, then a new length must be ordered from the track supplier.

In an effort to overcome the difficulties of packaging and handling, it has been known to take two individual lengths of track and machine their adjacent ends to produce a dovetail joint. However, this system of joining two individual lengths of track to create a track of a required length is expensive since it requires the accurate machining of the adjacent track ends. Furthermore, in view of the inherent lack of flatness in each track length, as the mobile gas cutting and welding machine passes from one length of track to the other there is a tendency for one end of one length of track to lift or drop relative to the adjacent end of the other length of track.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a resilient joining piece for releasably interconnecting two individual adjacent lengths of track which seeks to avoid or minimises the disadvantages mentioned above.

According to one aspect of the present invention a resilient joining piece for releasably interconnecting two individual adjacent lengths of track has a base and opposed side walls, a portion at least of each side wall overlying the base and defining therewith a space for receiving resiliently a side of a track.

The resilient joining piece defined above has the advantage that it is economic to manufacture, and although it prevents relative lateral movement of the track lengths and applies a small force to restrain separation, it is sufficiently flexible to permit a limited degree of relative movement between the track lengths in a vertical plane.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a track for supporting mobile equipment comprises two individual adjacent lengths releasably interconnected by a resilient joining piece having a base and opposed side walls, a portion at least of each side wall overlying the base and defining therewith a space for receiving resiliently a side of a track.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a track; Figure 2 is an end view of the track of Fig.

1; Figure 3 is a plan view of a resilient joining piece; and Figure 4 is an end view of the resilient joining piece of Fig. 3.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, mobile equipment, for example, a mobile gas cutting and welding machine usually runs on a track 1.

The drive wheels of the machine are supported on upper surfaces 2 whilst a jockey wheel runs along a central groove 3. Along each side of the track 1 are formed further surfaces 4, the use of which will be described later. The track has a substantially uniform cross-section and is made from an aluminium extrusion which can be cut to any required length.

Referring also to Figs. 3 and 4, a resilient joining piece 5 for releasably interconnecting two adjacent lengths of track 1 is made from sheet stainless steel of between 0.010 and 0.014 inches thickness, preferably 0.012 inches thickness.

The piece 5 is generally of open channel shape having a base 6 and opposed side walls 7. Each side wall 7 has a generally S-shape as viewed in transverse cross-section with a portion 8 overlying the base 6 to define with it a space 9 for resiliently receiving a side of a track 1.

In use, the piece 5 accepts at one end 10, an end of a portion of a first length of track 1 and at its opposite end 11, a portion of a second length of track 1. In effect, the portions 8 are clipped over the track ends so that they resiliently bear on the surfaces 4 of the adjacent portions of the track lengths 1.

When so assembled and in use, even if the track lengths are not perfectly flat, which is usually the case, the joining piece 5 will permit of a certain flexibility of the joint in the vertical plane without the joint being broken.

The piece 5 prevents movement of the track lengths relative to each other in the lateral plane and also has a small force to prevent or inhibit longitudinal separation.

It will be seen that there is no matching required on either track length which makes joining of two track lengths a simple and economic procedure.

The piece 5 is preferably made of stainless steel since this avoids the necessity of any heat treatment of the joining piece 5 which might cause distortion of the piece 5.

The particular transverse cross-section configuration of the side walls 7 can be modified, provided always that at least a portion of the sidewall overlies the base 6 so that an edge of the track can be resiliently received between base 6 and said overlying portion.

Although reference has been made through out the specification to a mobile gas cutting and welding machine, the piece 5 could be used to releasably interconnect individual lengths of track for supporting and guiding other types of mobile equipment such as arc welding heads or X-ray heads.

Claims (7)

1. A resilient joining piece for releasably interconnecting two individual adjacent lengths of track, the joining piece having a base and opposed side walls, a portion at least of each side wall overlying the base and defining therewith a space for receiving resiliently a side of a track.

2. A resilient joining piece as claimed in claim 1, in which the joining piece is made from stainless steel.

3. A resilient joining piece as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the joining piece is made from sheet stainless steel of from 0.010 to 0.014 inches thickness.

4. A resilient joining piece as claimed in claim 3, in which the joining piece is made from sheet stainless steel of 0.012 inches thickness.

5. A track for supporting mobile equipment, the track comprising two adjacent individual lengths releasably interconnected by a resilient joining piece, the joining piece having a base and opposed side walls, a portion at least of each side wall overlying the base and defining therewith a space receiving resiliently a side of a track.

6. A resilient joining piece constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawings.

7. A track for supporting mobile equipment constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.