US2222356A - Monorail switch - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 19, 1940. R. E. NELLES MONORAIL SWITCH Filed Feb. 28, 19 39 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Nov. 19, 1940 UNITED STATES MONOR-AIL SWITCH Russell E. Nelles, South Orange, N. J assignor to The Union Manufacturing Company, New Britain, C'onn., a corporation of Connecticut Application February 28, 1939, Serial No. 258,983

18 Claims.

My invention relates to the class of apparatus that is employed for guiding load carrying trolleys from one monorail track to another as from a main trackto a switch track, and an object of my invention, among others, is to provide a structure for such purpose that shall be simple in construction, having a minimum number of working parts, that shall occupy a comparatively small space, that may be operated with comparative ease, and that generally shall be particularly efiicient in the results obtained by its use.

One form of an apparatus embodying my invention and in the construction and use of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may

m be attained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a top plan view of my improved monorail switch.

Figure 2 is a View in front elevation.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section on a plane denoted by the dotted line 3-3 of Fig. 4.

Figure 4 is a similar view on a plane denoted by the dotted line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Figure 5 is an isometric perspective view of a fragment of the switch.

Figure 6 is an isometric perspective view on enlarged scale of the complete switch structure.

In the accompanying drawings the numeral 8 denotes the outer part of the main supporting 30 frame of my improved switchv that is of substantially parti-circular form, constructed preferably of angle-iron of any suitable shape and comprises a vertical part 9 and a horizontal flange l9 constituting a track for a pivoted switch supporting member to be hereinafter described. This frame 8 may be supported in any desired manner, as by means of suspension rods or other suitable devices common to structures of this kind in a manner that will be readily understood 40 by those skilled in the art and for which reason said rods are not illustrated in the drawings herein. This main supporting frame also includes a cross bar I I preferably of angle-iron extending across the parti-circular portion of the frame at 45 about the termination thereof, as shown in Fig. 4

of the drawings, this cross bar being secured in any suitable manner, as by welding or otherwise, to the flange ll] of the frame member 8. A yoke I2 is also included in the main frame structure and is also preferably composed of angle-iron and as herein shown comprises two pieces of L-shape backed together and secured at the flat surfaces thereof. The branches I3 of the yoke are secured in any suitable manner to the cross bar II intermediate its ends and to the frame member 8 at '24 rotatably mounted on journals 25 securedto about the center of the curve thereon. The cross bar I I of the yoke islocated above the members 8 and II sufficiently to permit movement of, the switch. member hereinafter mentioned underneath said cross bar, as shown in Fig. 6. The r ends of the branches I3 of .the yoke are forked to receive the ends of the stems of trunk line rails I and I5 extending in line with eachother but spaced apart as shown in Fig. 3. Hangers I] are secured to and extend downwardly from the cross bar i l and the ends of the frame member 8, the ends of these hangers being forked to receive the stems of rails of spur tracks I8 which'are secured in any suitable manner in said forks, bolts being shown herein for such purpose.

The switching member or inner switch frame of the switch comprises a pivotally mounted supporting bar I9 and a curved swinging support at opposite ends of the section with a tie bar 2| connecting said supporting bar and swinging support. A pivot plate 22 is secured in any suitable manner, as by welding or otherwise, to the cross bar I l and projects from said bar between the supporting bar 59 and the tie bar 2!, a king bolt 23 extending through said tie bar, pivot plate, and supporting bar I9, as shown in Fig. 5, thereby affording a pivotal support for the switching member. The swinging support 2i! is curved, preferably on the arc of a circle, and has wheels and extending through a vertical flange of the J swinging support 20.

The wheels 24 roll along the horizontal flange ID of the main supporting frame, as shown in Fig. 6. Hangers 26 are secured to'and depend from the supporting bar I9 and similar hangers 21 are secured to and project downwardlyfrom the swinging support 2!], said hangers being forked at their lower ends to receive the stems 28 of inverted T-shaped switch tongues 29 and 340 30, said hangers and 21 supporting opposite ends of said tongues, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The switch tongue 29 is straight to connect the trunk line tracks 55 and I6, and the switch tongues 36 are curved to connect a trunk line track with the curved spur tracks It. The horizontal flange on each side of each of said tracks and tongues provides a support for a trolley (not shown) carrying a load to travel alongsaid tracks and tongues from the trunk I5 to the trunk I6 or to either of the curved spur tracks I8 in a manner that will be readily understood and for which reason a showing of said trolley is omitted herein, it being sufficient to state that it is provided with hoisting means for supporting and above set out.

carrying a load. The pivoted switch frame may be rotated from one position to another as by means of a switch actuating cord (not shown) attached to said frame and hanging in an accessible position for operation by a person standing on the floor or ground underneath the switch in a manner that will be readily understood, or

any other desired means for operating the switch frame may be employed.

When the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 6 the trolley may travel from the trunk line track 15 along the switch tongue 29 to the trunk line track l6, and when swung to other positions the trolley may travel from the trunk line track along one of the curved switch tongues 30 to one of the spur tracks l8, this condition being shown in Fig. 1. The pivoted switch frame may be locked in any of its positions in any suitable manner common to suspended switch apparatus, such locking devices constituting no part of my present invention and therefore only a meagre showing being illustrated herein and comprising a locking bolt 3i, in this case carried by the pivoted frame, but which may be equally well located on the stationary frame structure, such bolt to be operated in any desired manner as by va flexiblemember depending into an accessible position for manual operation, a spring common ,to such structures and therefore not shown herein, moving the bolt in one direction, as for locking,

and the flexible member moving the bolt in an foppositedirectiomas for unlocking the switch.

While I have illustrated and described herein a single tie bar 2| for connecting the bar l9 and swinging support 20, I contemplate that the structure need not be confined to a single connecting member, but that a plurality of conmeeting members may be employed if desired and that these may be arranged in any suitable manner."

I also contemplate various arrangements of the switch tongues 29 and 30, all of which tongues maybe employed or some of which may be omitted to suit any particular demands. For instance,

referring to'Fig. 4, the tongue 30 on the left may be omitted, thereby providing what is known in the trade as a 2-way right-hand switch comprising the straight tongue 29 and the other curved tongue 30, the latter located on the right; by

omitting the tongue 30 on the right a 2-way left-hand switch will be created comprising the straight tongue 29 and the curved tongue 30 on the left; by omitting the straight tongue 29 a 2-way Y-type of switch will be provided, and the complete arrangement shown in Fig. 4 embodyinglthe three tongues will constitute a'3-way switch. In any of these arrangements the supporting frame would of course be curtailed to omit portions not required and thereby limit the size of the structure, which is a desirable feature.

1 In order to retain the switch tongues 30 in horizontal alignment with the curved spur tracks "l8 a supporting plate 32 is secured in any suitable'manner to the ends of the spur tracks and as shown particularly in Fig. 6 of the drawings. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I have described the principles of operation of my invention, together with the device which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the device shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means and applied to uses other than those I claim:

1. A multiple tongue monorail switch including 'an outer main supporting frame and an inner tongue supporting frame both located in the same plane, said inner tongue supporting frame being pivotally attached to and encompased by said outer main supporting frame, a plurality of switchtongues suspended from said inner tongue supporting frame and all located in the same plane below the plane of said inner tongue supporting frame, a trunk line rail positioned to deliver a trolley to each of said tongues, the pivot for said inner tongue supporting frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues, and a plurality of rails each positioned to receive a trolley from one of said switch tongues only.

2. A multiple tongue monorail switch including an outer main supporting frame and an inner tonguesupporting frame both located in the same plane, said inner tongue supporting frame being pivotally attached to and encompassed by said outer main supporting frame, a straight switch tongue carried by said tongue supporting frame, a curved switch tongue carried by said tongue supporting frame, both of said switch tongues being suspended "from and located in a plane under said tongue supporting frame, the pivot for said inner tongue supporting frame being located directly over one end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one 'end of one of said tongues, a main trunk rail positioned to register with said switch tongues, a second main trunk rail positioned to register with said straight tongue, anda spur track positioned to register with said curved'tongue,

3. A monorail switch including an outer supporting frame and anjnner switch frame both located in the same plane, said inner switch supportingv frame being pivotally attached to and encompassed by said outer supporting frame, switchtongues suspended from and carried by said inner switchframe, all in the same plane below the plane of said inner switch frame, and the pivot for said inner switch frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivotfor the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues, a plurality, of tracks having their ends supported by said outer supporting frame below the plane thereof and in position to register with said switch tongues, and a main trunk rail having its end supported by said outer supporting frame below the plane thereof and in position. .to be registered with any of said switch tongues.

4. A monorail switch including an outer supporting frame and an inner switch frame both located in th'esame plane, said inner switch supporting-frame being pivotally attached to and encompassed by said outer supporting frame, a

tongues, and a main trunk rail having its end positionedto be registered with each of said switch tongues.

5. An outer supporting frame having a path of particular form and an inner switchframe, both located in the same plane, said inner switch frame being pivotally attached to and encompassed by said outer supporting frame, rollers on said inner switch frame positioned for support by and to travel on said parti-circular path, switch tongues carried by said inner switch frame, all in the same plane below the plane of said inner switch frame and the pivot for said inner switch frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues, a plurality of tracks each having an end positioned for registry with one of said switch tongues, and a main trunk rail having an end positioned to be registered with each of said switch tongues.

6. A 3-way monorail switch including an outer supporting frame composed of a parti-eircular outer member having its free ends connected by a cross member, a hanger depending from the center of said cross member, a trunk line having one end supported by said hanger, a hanger depending from the center of said parti-circular outer member, a second trunk line rail having its end supported by said last mentioned hanger, a hanger depending from each free end of said parti-circular outer member, a curved spur rail having one end supported by each of said last mentioned hangers, an inner switch tongue supporting frame located in the plane of said outer supporting frame and encompassed thereby and comprising a parti-circular swinging support, a pivotally mounted bar andmeans for connecting said swinging support and said bar, a pivot for pivotally connecting said bar to said cross member, rollers for moving said swinging support on a flange of said parti-circular outer frame member, and switch tongues suspended from said inner tongue supporting frame in the same horizontal plane as said trunk lines and said spur rails in position to register with said trunk lines and spur rails, all of said rails and switch tongues being located in the same plane below the plane of said outer and inner supporting frames and said pivot being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues.

7. A 2-way left-hand monorail switch including an outer main supporting frame, an inner tongue supporting frame pivotally attached to said outer main supporting frame in the plane thereof and encompassed thereby, hangers depending from both of said frames, a straight switch tongue carried by hangers depending from said inner tongue supporting frame, a curved switch tongue carried by hangers depending from said inner tongue supporting frame and on the left-hand side of said straight tongue and trunk line, and spur tracks supported by hangers depending from said outer main supporting frame, said tongues and tracks being all located be low the plane of said supporting frames, the pivot for said inner tongue supporting frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues.

8. A 2-way right-hand monorail switch includ ing an outer main supporting frame, an inner tongue supporting frame pivotally attached to and encompassed by said outer main supporting frame in the plane thereof, hangers depending from both of said frames, a straight switch tongue carried by hangers depending from said inner tongue supporting frame, a curved switch tongue carried by hangers depending from said inner tongue supporting frame and on the righthand side of said straight tongue, and trunk line and spur tracks supported by hangers depending from said outer main supporting frame all in the same plane below the plane of said supporting frames, the pivot for said inner tongue supporting frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues.

9. A 2-way monorail switch including an outer main supporting frame, an inner tongue supporting frame pivotally attached to and encompassed by said outer main supporting frame in the plane thereof, hangers depending from both of said frames, switch tongues curved to the right and to the left and carried by hangers depending from said inner tongue supportingframe, and trunk line and spur tracks supported by hangers depending from said outer main supporting frame all in the same plane below the plane of said supporting frames, the pivot for said inner tongue supporting frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues.

10. A multiple tongue monorail switch including an outer main supporting frame and an inner swinging tongue supporting frame pivotally attached to and encompassed by said outer main supporting frame in the plane thereof, hangers for the tongue structure at one end of one ofsaid tongues, a main trunk line positioned 00- register with all of said tongues, a second main trunk line positioned to register with said straight switch tongue, and spur tracks positioned to register with said curved switch tongues, all in thesame plane below the plane of said supporting frames.

11. A monorail switch comprising an outer supporting frame including a rim of parti-circular form and a cross bar uniting branches of said rim, an inner switch frame pivotally attached to said cross bar and including a support of parti-circular form located in the plane of and encompassed by said outer supporting frame, rollers attached to said support to travel on the rim of the outer supporting frame, hangers depending from said inner switch frame at each end thereof, switch tongues supported by said hangers, the pivot for said inner switch frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues, a trunk track having its end supported by said supporting frame inv position for registry with all of said switch tongues, and a plurality of tracks each having its end supported by said supporting frame in position for registry with one of said switch tongues.

12. A monorail switch comprising an outer supporting frame including a rim of parti-circular form and a cross bar uniting branches of said rim, a pivot plate secured to said cross :bar, an inner switch frame including a tie bar pivotally attached to said plate and a swinging support of parti-circular form arranged to travel on a track on said rim, hangers depending from said inner switch frame, switch tongues supported by said hangers, the pivot for said inner switch frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues, a plurality of tracks having their ends positioned for registry with said switch tongues, and a trunk track having its end positioned for registry with said switch tongues.

13. A monorail switch comprising an outer supporting frame including a rim of parti-circular form and a crossbar, a pivot plate projecting from said cross bar, an inner switch frame including a supporting .bar pivotally attached to said pivot plate, a tie bar extending from said supporting bar and a swinging support secured to said tie bar, rollers attached to said swinging support to travel on a track on said rim, hangers depending from said swinging support and from said cross bar, switch tongues supported by said hangers, the pivot for said inner switch frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues, a plurality of tracks each having its end positioned for registry with one of said switch tongues, and a trunk track having its end positioned for registry with any of said switch tongues.

14. A monorail switch including an outer supporting frame, an inner switch frame pivotally attached to said outer supporting frame, a plurality of tongues including a curved switch tongue carried by said inner switch frame, the pivot for said inner switch frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, whereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues, a trunk line rail positioned for registry with all of said tongues, a spur track curved to conform to the curve of said curved switch tongue to receivea trolley therefrom, and another. track to receive a trolley from another of said tongues.

15. A monorail switch including an outer particircular supporting frame, an inner switch frame pivotally attached to said outer supporting frame, said pivot being co-incident with the radial center of the arc of said supporting frame, switch tongues carried by said inner switch frame, the

,pivot for said inner switch frame being also located directly over the end of one of said tongues,

thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue 'struc ture at one end of one of said tongues, a main trunk line positioned for registry with each of said tongues in a switching movement of said inner switch frame, and a plurality of tracks each positioned for registry with a definite one of said tongues in such switching movement.

16. A multiple tongue monorail switch including an outer parti-circular main supporting frame, an inner switch frame pivotally attached to said outer supporting frame at the radial center of the latter, a plurality of switch tongues carried by said inner switch frame, one of said tongues being curved on .an arc the radial center of which bears a definite relation to said pivot to effect proper positioning of the curved tongue for registry with another track by switching movement of said inner switch frame, the pivot for said inner switch frame being located directly over the end of one of said tongues, thereby constituting a pivot for the tongue structure at one end of one of said tongues, and a plurality of tracks each positioned to register with a definite one of said tongues by said switching movement.

7 17. An outer supporting frame of parti-circular form, an inner segmental frame pivotally attached to said outer supporting frame at a point co-incident with the radial center of the particircular portion of said outer supporting frame, a plurality of spur tracks with their ends positioned adjacent the outer supporting frame at the pivot side thereof, a straight trunk line rail with its end positioned adjacent the edge of the outer supporting frame at that side opposite the pivot side of said outer frame, and a plurality of switch tongues supported by said inner segmental frame, each of said tongues being adapted to register with said straight trunk line rail and also with a definite one of said spur tracks in a switching movement of said inner segmental frame.

18. An outer supporting frame of parti-circular form, an inner segmental frame pivotally attached to said supporting frame at a po nt coincident with the radial center of the parti-cir- .cular portion of the outer supporting frame, a

spur track and a trunk line rail having their ends positioned adjacent the outer supporting frame at the pivot side thereof, a straight trunk line track with its end positioned adjacent the outer supporting frame at that side opposite the pivot side thereof, a straight tongue and a curved tongue secured to the inner segmental frame to provide through travel of a trolley on said trunk lines and straight tongue or from a trunk line over the curved tongue on to the spur track.

' RUSSELL E. NELLES.

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