GB756742A - Improvements in or relating to track switching devices - Google Patents

Abstract

756,742. Track switching device. CLARKE ELLARD ENGINEERING CO., Ltd. July 13, 1954 [July 13, 1953], No. 19365/53. Classes 104 (1) and 104 (2). A track switching device having a movable track section supported on wheels running in paths in which gaps are provided for the purpose of lowering the track section on to a firm support when it arrives at a position of alignment with a track along which a load is to run has the movable track section carried on a number of wheels which are spaced apart in the direction of the wheel path and which support the section through the intermediary of a rocker pivoted to the section which lowers the latter on to the firm support by a rocking movement when the first wheel falls into the gap. The Figures show the application to an overhead conveyer system in which trolleys run on the lower flanges of I-section track members. The track section 1 pivoted at one end to the main track 3 is movable between tracks 5, 6 by means of rollers 8, 9 running on a plate 4 and attached to a rocker plate 10 pivoted at 11 to a bracket 7 mounted at the other end of the section 1. Two holes 16, 17 are cut in the plate 4 adjacent the tracks 5, 6 and the arrangement is such that when the section 1 is aligned with the track 5 or 6 the roller 8 or 9 falls into the hole 16 or 17 and so lowers the bracket 7 on to the plate 4 whereby section 1 is firmly supported in position against accidental movement. The track section 1 is moved from one position to the other by wires or pull-strings 12, 13 attached to the top of the rocker plate 10. The wire 13 on being pulled to move the track section to the right of Fig. 3 tilts the rocker plate 10 about the roller 9 so as to lift the roller 8 out of the hole 16 and to lift the bracket 7 clear of the plate 4. Both rollers 8, 9 support the track section 1 as they are moved over the plate 4 until the roller 9 falls into the hole 17 and the bracket 7 is lowered on to the plate 4 and supports the track section 1 in alignment with the track 6. The track section 1 is pivoted about pins 18, 19 the upper pin 18 of which bears on a ball bearing 20 and the lower pin 19 loosely engages a hole to allow a small tilting movement when the bracket 7 is lifted clear of the plate 4. Baffle plates 21, 22 supported by stays 23, 24 are carried by the track section 1 to enable the open track 5 or 6 to be blocked when the track section 1 is aligned with the track 6 or 5. A modification is described for use with a threeway switch, Fig. 4 (not shown), in which three holes are provided in the plate 4 and three rollers are mounted on the rocker plate 10.