US1000136A - Switch for overhead-trolley tracks. - Google Patents

Description

N. WHIOHELLO. SWITCH FOB OVERHEAD TEOLLEY TRACKS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 27, 1911.

1 ,OO(), 1 36. Patented Aug. 8, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH CO, WASHINGTON, D. 5:.

N. WHIUHELLO. SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD TROLLBY TRACKS. APPLICATION FILED r113. 27, 1911.

1,000,1 36. Patented Aug. 8, 191-1.

2 SHBBTSSHEET '2.

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NORMAN WHIOI-IELLO, 0F MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN.

SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD-TROLLEY TRACKS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, NORMAN WVHIOHEL O, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Muskegon, county of Muskegon, State of Michigan, have made a certain new and useful Invention in Switches for Overhead-Trolley Tracks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switches for overhead trolley tracks.

The object of the invention is to provide a switch construction for junctions or turn outs of overhead trolley tracks in which a fixed tongue is employed, which is constantly and fixedly maintained in position for use, and which avoids an open end of track at the junction or turnout.

A further object is to provide a construction of switch of the character and class referred to, which is simple, strong and durable, and wherein provision is made for efliciently bracing and supporting the switch tongue when the load of a trolley passing thereover is imposed thereon.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in the accompanying drawings, and finally pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings,Figure l is a top plan view, of an Lbeam trolley main and branch track showing the application thereto of a switch construction embodying the principles of my invention, the webs of the I-beams being in horizontal section. Fig. 2 is a view in transverse section of an I-beam trolley track showing the application thereto of a trolley, such as is employed in overhead and similar carrier systems. Fig. 3 is a View in side elevation of the end of an Lbeam track showing the application thereto of a switch tongue embodying my invention. Figs. e, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are similar views showing various arrangements for securing and bracing the switch tongue with reference to its associated I-beam. Fig. 9 is a view in transverse section on the line 9, 9, Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 10, is a transverse section on the line 10, 10, Fig. 8, looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 11, is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 12, is a Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 27, 1911.

Patented Aug. s, 1911.

Serial No. 611,120.

transverse section on the line 12, 12, F ig. 7 looking in the direction of the arrows. Figs. 13, let, 15 and 16, are views similar to Fig. 12, showing various methods of securing the switch tongue to the I-beam.

In the usual construction of switches employed in connection with I-beam trolley tracks, to enable a trolley traveling along the track to pass from one line of track to another or branch line, a movable section of track called a tongue is employed at the junction, which is pivoted at one end and is adapted to be rocked or shifted into proper alinement with the main or branch track, as the case may be, to establish continuity of track between adjacent ends of the main and branch track beams to enable the trolley to proceed therealong. This construction is open to several objections. In the first place it is necessary that the pivoted tongue be accurately adjusted into registering relation with the proximate end of the track beam with which it cooperates otherwise a trolley cannot pass thereon. Again, when the pivoted tongue is in registering position with one line of track beams it is out of register with the other or branch track beam thereby leaving at least one open end at the junction, with the result that this open end must be guarded in some manner to prevent a trolley from running off the track at that time.

It is among the special purposes of my invention to avoid these and other objections and to provide a switch construction employing fixed or rigid tongues which are re tained immovably in place at a junction of tracks, the proximate end of each track sec tion at the junction being provided with a rigid or'fixed tongue member, the several tongues occupying permanent relation with respect to each other and soarranged as to enable a trolley to pass from one section of track to another at the junction, merely by being guided or directed in the proper direction.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown various constructions and arrangements of fixed switch tongues and methods of mounting, securing and bracing the same with reference to their associated beam ends.

In Fig. 2, I have shown in transverse section an I-beam, to which is applied an ordinary form of trolley consisting of the side plates 17 suitably bolted or otherwise connected together and carrying the Wheels 18,

which operate upon and along the upper surface of the lower beam flan e on opposite sides of the web 19, of the beam, this being an ordinary arrangement of I-beam track and trolley.

In Fig. 1, I have shown the proximate ends or junction of three track sect-ions P, R, Q, with their associated fixed switch tongues B, C, D, respectively secured to the ends thereof and arranged in cooperative relation to constitute a permanent switch structure between said track sections. The tongue members each comprise a casting presenting an upper flat surface which is of generally triangular outline, and which lies flush with the upper surface of the lower flange of the I-beam to which it is connected. A space 20, is left between the proximate edges of the tongues B, C, and a similar space 21, is left between the proximate edges of tongues B, D, for the purpose of permitting the passage therethrough of the side plates 17, of the trolley while passing from one to another of the track sections.

Since all the switch tongue members at a junction may be of the same construction and secured in the same way to their associated track ends, a description of one will suffice for all.

It will be seen that. each switch tongue is a separate member. This member has a portion 22, which projects or extends beyond the end of the beam to which it is secured, and also a heel portion 23 which extends a desirable distance along and bears against the under surface of the lower flange of the beam. The upper surface of the portion 23 of the tongue is offset from the plane of the upper surface of the portion 22, thereby forming a shoulder, indicated at 24., see Fig. 1, which receives the end of the lower flange 25 of the beam, and enables the upper surface of the portion 22, of the tongue to lie flush with the upper surface of the lower flange 25. The heel portion 23, of the tongue may be secured to the flange 25, of the beam in many different ways. In Figs. 3 and 6 I have shown this fastening in the form of a through bolt 26, and nut 27, but in this case the bolt should be placed on the center line of the beam and the web 19, thereof cut out, as indicated at 28, to accommodate the nut 27, so that the nut will not form an obstruction to or interfere with the passage of the trolley wheels.

In Figs. 4, 5, 7, and S, I have shown the heel 23, of the tongue secured against the under side of the flange 25, by means of cap screws 29. The tongue is also provided with a central support which may be of various forms, and secured in various ways to the beam. As shown in Figs. 3, t and 5, this central support for the tongue is in the form of a bar 30, preferably flat secured at its lower end, as at 31, to the tongue at about the midlength thereof, and having its upper end rounded and threaded to receive a nut 32. In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 9, the supporting bar 33, is preferably flat and provided at each end with a slot to receive a cotter pin or key 34:, at least one of which should preferably be tapered in order to impose an initial tension on the tongue by driving the same home in the slot in the su p p or t.

In practice I prefer to employ a flat supporting bar for the tongue as thereby it may be maintained more nearly within the thickness of the web 19 of the beam, and so offer less obstruction to the travel therepast of the trolley wheels. The upper end of the supporting bar may be secured to any suitable support. In Figs. 3, 6 and 9, I have shown the upper end of said support passing through an opening in an overhanging extension 35, of the upper flange of the track beam, and secured thereto by the nut 32, or the cotter pin or key 34, as above described.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a bracket or plate 36, bolted to the upper flange 37, of the I- beam and having its end overhanging or ex tending beyond the end of the beam, the tongue supporting bar 30, passing through the overhanging end of said bracket.

In Fig. 5, I have shown the upper end of the tongue support secured to an auxiliary supporting beam 38, which, in turn, may rest at one end upon and be bolted to the track beam.

It is obvious that other forms of supports may be employed and other methods of securing the support to the beanr may readily occur to persons familiar with the art, without departure from the broad scope of my invention as defined in the claims.

The weight of the trolley and its load when imposed on the projecting end portion 22 of the switch tongue while passing therealong tends to cause the tongue to fulcrum about its point of connection to its support 30, 33, and consequently to press the heel portion 23, upwardly against the underside of the flange 25, but it is preferable that the tongue be securely fastened to the track beam in such manner as to impose an initial tension on the central support of the tongue. It is also desirable to prevent any lateral movement ofthe switch tongue. To these ends I provide a dowel pin connection l0, between the track beam flange 25, and the tongue at a point near the end of the beam, in addition to the bolt 29.

In some instances it may not be necessary to employ a central support for the tongue extending to the top of the I-beam track. In such case the tongue is attached only to the lower flange 25 of the I-beam as shown in Figs. 7, 11 and 12 to 16, or partly to the flange 25, and partly to the web 19 of the beam, as shown in Figs. 8 and 10. Vhere' the tongue is attached to the lower flange 25 0f the beam, it may be secured in various ways as by means of screws or bolts 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, near the end of the beam in addition to the securing means 29, at the end of the heel portion 23 of the tongue. Where the tongue is also attached to the web 19, of the beam, it may be secured thereto at the end of the beam by rivets or pins 46. In any case the upper surfaces of the flange 25 and the portion 22 of the tongue should be flush with each other, and should present an unobstructed path for the travel therealong of the trolley wheels.

It will be seen that in each of the various forms shown as embodiments of the principles of my invention, the fixed tongue is attached to its associated beam, being so applied thereto as to bear, for a portion of its length, against the underside of the lower or track flange of the beam, and has its working end extending beyond the end of the beam with the surface thereof flush with the track surface of the flange on which the trolley wheels work. It will also be seen that the tongue is supported at about its mid-length at or adjacent the end of the beam, either by being secured at that point to the lower flange of the beam, as at 41, Figs. 7 and 11, or to the web of the beam, as at 46, Figs. 8- and 10, or by means of the supporting bar 30, 33, Figs. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9.

In operation the trolley moves along the track, being propelled therealong by any suitable manner, and by reference to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the trolley can pass from one track section P or Q to the other without obstruction. The side plate 17, on one side passing freely through the space 20, between the switch tongues C, and B. Where it is desired that the trolley pass from one of the track sect-ions P or R, to the other, the other side plate 17 of the trolley passes unobstructedly through the space 21 between the tongues B and D. WVhere the trolley is to pass from track sect-ion P, to track section R, it should be swung or guided in the proper direction for the side plate thereof to enter the slot 21, but the means for accomplishing this forms no part of my present invention. Thus it will be seen that the trolley passes freely through the switch in any direction without the danger of running off an open end of a track section, and without the delay or attention necessary to adjust a movable switch tongue.

Having now set forth the objects and nature of my invention, and various forms of embodiment thereof, what I claim as new and useful, and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,

1. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switch tongue rigidly secured against the underside of the beam, and having a portion extending beyond the end of the beam with a track surface flush with the track surface of the beam.

2. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switch tongue having a heel portion rigidly secured against the underside of the beam, and a portion arranged to extend beyond the end of the beam with a track surface flush with the track surface of the beam, and means for supporting the tongue at or adjacent the end of the beam.

3. In a switch device the combination with a track beam, of a switch tongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, the heel portion off-set from the extension portion and adapted to be applied against the underside of the track beam at its end, and means for rigidly securing the tongue to the beam, the extension portion of the tongue extending beyond the end of the beam and forming a flush continuation of the track surface thereof.

4. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switch tongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, the heel portion off-set from the extension portion and adapted to be applied against the underside of the track beam at its end, means for rigidly securing the heel portion of the tongue to the beam, and means for supporting the tongue at a point adjacent the end of the beam, the extension portion of the tongue projecting beyond the end of the beam and forming a flush continuation of the track surface thereof.

5. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switch tongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, means for rigidly securing the heel portion against the under side of the beam, the extension portion of the tongue projecting beyond the end of the beam and forming a flush continuation thereof, and means at the end of the beam to engage the tongue and cooperating with the rigidly securing means to prevent lateral movement of the tongue.

6. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switch tongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, said heel portion adapted to be applied to the underside of the track beam at its end, and the extension portion projecting beyond the end of the beam and forming a flush continuation of the track surface thereof, means for securing the heel portion of the tongue against the under side of the track beam, a supporting bar connected to the tongue at the end of the beam, and means for supporting said bar.

7. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switch tongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, means for securing the heel portion rigidly against the under side of the track beam, the extension portion of the tongue projecting beyond the end of the beam and forming a flush continuation of the track surface thereof, a bar connected at one end to the tongue at the end of the beam, and means engaging the beam for supporting said bar.

8. In a switch device, the combination with a track beam, of a switch tongue having a heel portion and an extension portion, means for securing the heel portion rigidly against the under side of the track beam, the extension portion of the tongue projecting beyond the end of the track beam, and forming a flush continuation of the track surface thereof, a member resting on the upper edge and extending beyond the end of the track beam, a bar connected at one end to the tongue at the end of the beam, said bar extending through said member, and means for securing said bar thereto.

9. The combination with trolley tracks forming a junction, of a tongue rigidly secured to the proximate end of each track section and respectively forming flush continuations of the track surfaces thereof, the tongue member of one track end being separated from the tongue member of the adjacent track end to form a passage therebetween.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of the subscribing Witnesses, on this 31st day of January NORMAN WHIOHELLO. Witnesses:

, T. C. AKIN,

F. E. MOKEE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

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