US3022745A - Mechanical monorail drop switch - Google Patents
Mechanical monorail drop switch Download PDFInfo
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- US3022745A US3022745A US823056A US82305659A US3022745A US 3022745 A US3022745 A US 3022745A US 823056 A US823056 A US 823056A US 82305659 A US82305659 A US 82305659A US 3022745 A US3022745 A US 3022745A
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- track
- track section
- parts
- alignment
- drum
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- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000000969 carrier Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G9/00—Apparatus for assisting manual handling having suspended load-carriers movable by hand or gravity
- B65G9/008—Rails or switches
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to conveyance systems and more particularly to a mechanical drop switch forming a portion or" a monorail conveyance system.
- Monorail conveyance systems are used in a variety of applications in industry. It is often desirable and necessary to include switching means in the monorail track in order to direct the movement of particular carriers. More particularly, it is often desired to have a single initial trackway which feeds a plurality of trackways. Accordingly, means must be provided for directing the desired carrier into the proper trackway. Therefore, switches of a sort must be utilized. Of course, it is desirable to have the switch construction as simple and reliable as possible so as not to encumberthe monorail system. In view of this, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a novel mechanical drop switch construction for a monorail system which is relatively simple in construction and operation and accordingly inexpensive and maintenance free.
- It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a mechanical monorail drop switch construction which includes a track section adapted to communicate a first and second track part for forming a continuous track length.
- the track section is interposed between the first and second track parts and is normally latched thereto.
- Particular carriers passing along the track length are adapted to engage a releasing lever to unlatch the track section from the first and second track parts.
- a plate is supported above the track section and has an opening therethrough for passing a drum attached to the track sections.
- a spiral key is affixed to the drum and accommodated in a keyway formed in the plate.
- the adjustable means are in the form of stop members which are slidably retained in the drum and extend outwardly therefrom. By positioning the stop members, as desired, they will abut the plate after the desired portion of the key has passed through the keyway.
- the stop means of course should be adjusted so that the track section may turn and move downwardly into alignment with a third track part, below and out of alignment with the first and second track parts.
- FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the drop switch construction interposed between first and second track parts to form a continuous track length.
- the track section is illustrated in dotted lines in its unlatched position in alignment with the third track part;
- FIGURE 2 is an elevational side view of theinvention
- FIGURE 3 is" an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane 33 0f FIGURE 1;
- FIGURE 4 is a sectional view substantiallysimilar to the view illustrated in FIGURE 3 but, however, thei track section is shown in alignment with the third track part;
- FIGURE 5 is an elevational fragmentary view of" the plate illustrating the drum opening and keywayformed therein.
- the numeral It generally represents the drop switch comprising this invention and including a track section 12 adapted to be interposed between a first track part 14 and a second track part 16 to form a continuous track length.
- the switch 10 is designed to allow a carrier 18 to be directed from the first track part 14 to a third track part 20.
- the carrier 18 substantially includes four wheels 22 rotatably mounted in bridging elements 24 between which a downwardly extending supporting rod 26 is secured.
- the wheels 22 are adapted to carry the rod 26 along the track length. if it be desired that the particular carrier 18 be directed from the path defined by the first and second track parts 14 and i6 and the interposed track section 12 to the'third track part 20, an upstanding projection 28 is positioned on the carrier.
- a flat plate 3% is secured to the first and second track parts 14 and 16 above the track section 12.
- Short posts 32, 34 and 36 are secured to the plate 30.
- Supported from the post 3-4 by pivot pin 38 is a releasing lever 44 which extends through opening 42 in the plate 30 into the track section 12.
- the releasing lever 49 is adapted to be abutted by the projection 28 fixed on the carrier 26.
- An arm 44 is pivoted to the releasing lever 46 beneath. the pivot pin 3i; as at 46.
- An arm 48 having an arcuate offset 49 is pivoted to the releasing lever it; above the pivot pin 33 as at 59.
- the arm 44 is pivotally secured to a latch 52 at 54.
- the latch 52 is in turn pivoted to the post 32 at 55 and extends through the opening 58 in plate 3%.
- the latch 52 has a tapered projection at; which extends beneath the upper surface '13 of the track section 12.
- the arm 48 is pivoted to a latch 61 at pivot point 62.
- the latch 61 is pivoted to the post 36 at 64 and also has a tapered projection 66 on the bottom thereof adapted to underlie the upper surface 13 of track section 12. Accordingly, as will be seen in the solid line position of FIGURE 3 the projections 60 and 66 support the track section 12 in alignment with the first and second track par-ts 14 and 16.
- a carrier 18 is supporting a projection 28, the projection 28 will abut the releasing lever 40 to pivot the lever to the dotted 'line' position illustrated in- FIG- URE 3 and accordingly move the arms 44 and &8 respectively to pull the projections 60 and 66 away from the track section 12 to release the track section 12. It will be realized that the carrier 18 upon abutting the releasing lever 461 is fully accommodated by the track section 12. i 4
- the track section 12 has a drum 70 extending upwardly therefrom through air 'opening 72 defined inthe plate 30.
- a spiral key 74 is secured to the cylindrical surface of the drum 70 and extends through a keyway 76 formed in the plate 30 adjacent the opening 72.
- the drum 7% has a pivotally mounted reduced upper portion 78 which is pivotally connected to a beam 80 by bolt 82 extending through a slot 84 formed in the beam.
- the beam 80 is pivoted to a post 86 extending upwardly from the plate 30 at pivot point 88.
- the beam 80 terminally carries a counterweight 90, remote from the drum 70. It will be appreciated that when the projections 66 and 66 are moved away from the track section 12, the track section 12 is in turn free to move from the fixed plate 30. Accordingly, the weight of the carrier 18 on the track section 12 causes the drum to move downwardly through the plate 30. Simultaneously, the key 74 moving through keyway 76 causes the drum 70 to rotate about the vertical axis defined by the reduced upper portion 78 causing track section 12 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrowsin FIGURE 1.
- Diametrically opposite slots 92 are longitudinally formed in the drum 7! and stop members 94 and 96 which may be in the form of bolts project outwardly from the drum.
- the stop members 94 and 96 are adjustably movable in the slots 92 and accordingly, the amount of the spiral key 74 which passes through the keyway 76 is controlled by the setting of the stop members 94 and 96. More particularly, it will be appreciated that when the stop members 94 and 96 are carried down by the drum 70 into abutting relationship with the plate 39, the downward movement and turning movement of the track section 12 is halted.
- the stop members 94 and 96 are adjusted so that the track section 12 moves from its position in alignment with the first and second track parts 14 and 16 and into alignment with the third track part 20 located below and out of alignment with the track parts 14 and 16.
- the carrier 18 being carried by the track section 12 having a forward inertia passes from the track section 12 onto the track part 26 when the track section 12 is carried into alignment therewith.
- the counterweight 96 secured to the beam 89 carries the drum 70 upwardly as the beam 86 pivots about pivot point 88.
- the spiral key 74 passing through the keyway 76 pivots the track section 12 back into alignment with the first and second track parts 14 and 16.
- the tapered projections 66 and 66 allow the track section 12 to move the latch members 52 and 61 away so that the projections 60 and 66 may pass to their dotted line positions illustrated in FIGURE 3 sons to again secure the track section 12 in alignment with the track parts 14 and 16.
- a first shield 100 is arcuate and connects the second track part 16 to the third track part 23 adjacent the forward end of the track section 12 so as to prevent the carrier 18 from passing ofi the track section 12 while the track section 12 is moving between its respective positions between alignment with the second track part 16 and alignment with the third track part 20.
- an L-shaped shield 102 is pivoted to a post 104 at pivot point 106. When the track section 12 is in its normal latched position as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, it engages the shield 102 to move the shield out of blocking relationship relative to the first track part 14. However, when the track section 12 pivots between track part 16 and 20, the shield 102 falls into its vertical position in blocking relationship to the first track part 14.
- the stop members 94 and 96 limit the movement of the track section 12 and should be adjusted correctly so that the track section 12 moves into alignment with the third track part 20.
- the carrier 18 will continue onwardly into the third track part 26.
- the shield 100 prevents the carrier 18 from running oii the track section 12 intermediate its two aligned positions.
- the counterweight 90 returns the track section 12 to its position in alignment with track parts 14 and 16 after the weight of the carrier 18 has been removed from the track section 12.
- the shield 162 is utilized to prevent subsequent carriers from running off the first track part 14 when the track section 12 is not in alignment therewith.
- a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means responsive to movement of a carrier onto said track section for automatically releasing said latch means permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part.
- a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part.
- a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into alignment with said third track part.
- a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into aligmnent with said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supported above said track section and having an opening through which said drum extends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodating said spiral key.
- a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into alignment'with said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supported above said track section and having an opening through which said drum extends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodating said spiral key, a first post fixed to said plate, a beam pivoted to said post, said beam pivotally and terminally connected to said drum, said beam terminally carrying a counter
- a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into alignment with said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supported above said track section and hav ing an opening through which said drum extends,, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodating said spiral key, adjustable stopmeans carried by said drum adapted to abut said plate to stop downward movement of said drum through said opening.
- a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section to alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into alignment with said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supported above said track section and having an opening through which said drum extends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodating said spiral key, said third part positioned below said track length, said spiral key adapted to guide said track section into alignment with said third part.
- a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section to alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into alignment with said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supported above said track section and having an open ing through which said drum extends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodating said spiral key, said third track part positioned below said track length, said spiral key adapted to guide said track section into alignment with said third part, and an arcuate shield sloping
- a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said-releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part, a member supported above said track section, said lever pivoted to said member, a pair of arms pivotally connected to said lever on either side of the pivotal connection between said lever and member, said latch means operably connected to said arms.
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Description
Feb. 27, 1962 J 5 ROBERTS 3,022,745
MECHANICAL MONORAIL DROP SWITCH Filed June 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.
J 5 Robert:
1N VEN TOR.
BY m, 25%;
Feb. 27, 1962 J s ROBERTS 3,022,745
MECHANICAL MONORAIL DROP SWITCH I Filed June 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Shee t 2 Fig. 3
J .S Roberts mvz-mzm.
United dtates intent 3,022,745 MECHANICAL MGNQRAFL DRGP SWHCH J S Roberts, Grove Park Drive, Bristol, Va. Filed June 26, 1959, Ser. No. 823,056 9 Claims. (Cl. 104-99) This invention relates generally to conveyance systems and more particularly to a mechanical drop switch forming a portion or" a monorail conveyance system.
Monorail conveyance systems are used in a variety of applications in industry. It is often desirable and necessary to include switching means in the monorail track in order to direct the movement of particular carriers. More particularly, it is often desired to have a single initial trackway which feeds a plurality of trackways. Accordingly, means must be provided for directing the desired carrier into the proper trackway. Therefore, switches of a sort must be utilized. Of course, it is desirable to have the switch construction as simple and reliable as possible so as not to encumberthe monorail system. In view of this, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a novel mechanical drop switch construction for a monorail system which is relatively simple in construction and operation and accordingly inexpensive and maintenance free.
It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a mechanical monorail drop switch construction which includes a track section adapted to communicate a first and second track part for forming a continuous track length. The track section is interposed between the first and second track parts and is normally latched thereto. Particular carriers passing along the track length are adapted to engage a releasing lever to unlatch the track section from the first and second track parts. A plate is supported above the track section and has an opening therethrough for passing a drum attached to the track sections. A spiral key is affixed to the drum and accommodated in a keyway formed in the plate. Accordingly, when a carrier moving along the continuous track length, abuts the releasing lever to unlatch the track section, it is free to turn and move downwardly as the drum may drop through the opening in the plate, simultaneously being turned by the action of the keyway upon the spiral key. The weight of the carrier on the unlatched. track section aids in carrying the drum downwardly through the opening.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novel mechanical monorail drop switch construction which includes adjustable means for limiting the amount of drop and turn of the track section. The adjustable means are in the form of stop members which are slidably retained in the drum and extend outwardly therefrom. By positioning the stop members, as desired, they will abut the plate after the desired portion of the key has passed through the keyway. The stop means of course should be adjusted so that the track section may turn and move downwardly into alignment with a third track part, below and out of alignment with the first and second track parts.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a mechanical monorail drop switch construction which includes counterweight means for returning the track section to its original position after the carrier has passed.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide shield means for preventing the carrier which has released the latch means from running ofi the track section while it is moving from alignment with the first and second track parts into alignment with the third track part. Also, a shield is provided to prevent subsequent carriers from running off the first track part when the track section is not in alignment therewith.
These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the drop switch construction interposed between first and second track parts to form a continuous track length. The track section is illustrated in dotted lines in its unlatched position in alignment with the third track part;
FIGURE 2 is an elevational side view of theinvention;
FIGURE 3 is" an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane 33 0f FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 4 is a sectional view substantiallysimilar to the view illustrated in FIGURE 3 but, however, thei track section is shown in alignment with the third track part; and
FIGURE 5 is an elevational fragmentary view of" the plate illustrating the drum opening and keywayformed therein.
With continuing reference to the drawings, the numeral It] generally represents the drop switch comprising this invention and includinga track section 12 adapted to be interposed between a first track part 14 and a second track part 16 to form a continuous track length. The switch 10 is designed to allow a carrier 18 to be directed from the first track part 14 to a third track part 20.
The carrier 18 substantially includes four wheels 22 rotatably mounted in bridging elements 24 between which a downwardly extending supporting rod 26 is secured. The wheels 22 are adapted to carry the rod 26 along the track length. if it be desired that the particular carrier 18 be directed from the path defined by the first and second track parts 14 and i6 and the interposed track section 12 to the'third track part 20, an upstanding projection 28 is positioned on the carrier.
A flat plate 3% is secured to the first and second track parts 14 and 16 above the track section 12. Short posts 32, 34 and 36 are secured to the plate 30. Supported from the post 3-4 by pivot pin 38 is a releasing lever 44 which extends through opening 42 in the plate 30 into the track section 12. The releasing lever 49 is adapted to be abutted by the projection 28 fixed on the carrier 26. An arm 44 is pivoted to the releasing lever 46 beneath. the pivot pin 3i; as at 46. An arm 48 having an arcuate offset 49 is pivoted to the releasing lever it; above the pivot pin 33 as at 59. In turn, the arm 44 is pivotally secured to a latch 52 at 54. The latch 52 is in turn pivoted to the post 32 at 55 and extends through the opening 58 in plate 3%. The latch 52 has a tapered projection at; which extends beneath the upper surface '13 of the track section 12. In a, like manner, the arm 48 is pivoted to a latch 61 at pivot point 62. The latch 61 is pivoted to the post 36 at 64 and also has a tapered projection 66 on the bottom thereof adapted to underlie the upper surface 13 of track section 12. Accordingly, as will be seen in the solid line position of FIGURE 3 the projections 60 and 66 support the track section 12 in alignment with the first and second track par- ts 14 and 16.
As noted, it a carrier 18 is supporting a projection 28, the projection 28 will abut the releasing lever 40 to pivot the lever to the dotted 'line' position illustrated in- FIG- URE 3 and accordingly move the arms 44 and &8 respectively to pull the projections 60 and 66 away from the track section 12 to release the track section 12. It will be realized that the carrier 18 upon abutting the releasing lever 461 is fully accommodated by the track section 12. i 4
The track section 12 has a drum 70 extending upwardly therefrom through air 'opening 72 defined inthe plate 30.
A spiral key 74 is secured to the cylindrical surface of the drum 70 and extends through a keyway 76 formed in the plate 30 adjacent the opening 72. The drum 7% has a pivotally mounted reduced upper portion 78 which is pivotally connected to a beam 80 by bolt 82 extending through a slot 84 formed in the beam. The beam 80 is pivoted to a post 86 extending upwardly from the plate 30 at pivot point 88. The beam 80 terminally carries a counterweight 90, remote from the drum 70. It will be appreciated that when the projections 66 and 66 are moved away from the track section 12, the track section 12 is in turn free to move from the fixed plate 30. Accordingly, the weight of the carrier 18 on the track section 12 causes the drum to move downwardly through the plate 30. Simultaneously, the key 74 moving through keyway 76 causes the drum 70 to rotate about the vertical axis defined by the reduced upper portion 78 causing track section 12 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as indicated by the arrowsin FIGURE 1.
Diametrically opposite slots 92 are longitudinally formed in the drum 7! and stop members 94 and 96 which may be in the form of bolts project outwardly from the drum. The stop members 94 and 96 are adjustably movable in the slots 92 and accordingly, the amount of the spiral key 74 which passes through the keyway 76 is controlled by the setting of the stop members 94 and 96. More particularly, it will be appreciated that when the stop members 94 and 96 are carried down by the drum 70 into abutting relationship with the plate 39, the downward movement and turning movement of the track section 12 is halted. The stop members 94 and 96 are adjusted so that the track section 12 moves from its position in alignment with the first and second track parts 14 and 16 and into alignment with the third track part 20 located below and out of alignment with the track parts 14 and 16. The carrier 18 being carried by the track section 12 having a forward inertia passes from the track section 12 onto the track part 26 when the track section 12 is carried into alignment therewith. After the carrier 18 is deposited on the third track part 20, the counterweight 96 secured to the beam 89 carries the drum 70 upwardly as the beam 86 pivots about pivot point 88. Of course, the spiral key 74 passing through the keyway 76 pivots the track section 12 back into alignment with the first and second track parts 14 and 16. The tapered projections 66 and 66 allow the track section 12 to move the latch members 52 and 61 away so that the projections 60 and 66 may pass to their dotted line positions illustrated in FIGURE 3 sons to again secure the track section 12 in alignment with the track parts 14 and 16.
A first shield 100 is arcuate and connects the second track part 16 to the third track part 23 adjacent the forward end of the track section 12 so as to prevent the carrier 18 from passing ofi the track section 12 while the track section 12 is moving between its respective positions between alignment with the second track part 16 and alignment with the third track part 20. In order to prevent subsequent carriers from running off the first track part 14, an L-shaped shield 102 is pivoted to a post 104 at pivot point 106. When the track section 12 is in its normal latched position as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, it engages the shield 102 to move the shield out of blocking relationship relative to the first track part 14. However, when the track section 12 pivots between track part 16 and 20, the shield 102 falls into its vertical position in blocking relationship to the first track part 14.
It is thought that the structural features of the invention should now be well understood. A brief rsum of the operation will hereafter be set forth. When it is desired to direct a particular carrier from the normal continuous track length including first and second parts 14 and 16 and interposed track section 12, a projection 28 is placed on the carrier 18 adapted to abut the release lever 40. Upon pivoting the release lever 49 the latch members 52 and 61 release the track section 12 and the weight of the carrier 18 upon the track section causes the drum 70 to move downwardly through the opening '72 in the plate 30. The spiral key 74 moves through the keyway 76 to rotate the drum 70 and turn the track section 12 affixed thereto. The stop members 94 and 96 limit the movement of the track section 12 and should be adjusted correctly so that the track section 12 moves into alignment with the third track part 20. When the track section 12 is aligned with the third track part 25), the carrier 18 will continue onwardly into the third track part 26. The shield 100 prevents the carrier 18 from running oii the track section 12 intermediate its two aligned positions. The counterweight 90 returns the track section 12 to its position in alignment with track parts 14 and 16 after the weight of the carrier 18 has been removed from the track section 12. The shield 162 is utilized to prevent subsequent carriers from running off the first track part 14 when the track section 12 is not in alignment therewith.
From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction and utilization of the drop switch should be apparent. Further, it should be appreciated that the simplicity of the invention increases the reliability and reduces the expense thereof and accordingly represents a clear patentable advance over the teachings of the prior art.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.
What is claimed as new is as follows:
1. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system, said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a third part constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means responsive to movement of a carrier onto said track section for automatically releasing said latch means permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part.
2. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system, said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a third part constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part.
3. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system, said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a third part constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into alignment with said third track part.
4. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system, said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a third part constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into aligmnent with said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supported above said track section and having an opening through which said drum extends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodating said spiral key.
5. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system, said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a third part constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into alignment'with said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supported above said track section and having an opening through which said drum extends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodating said spiral key, a first post fixed to said plate, a beam pivoted to said post, said beam pivotally and terminally connected to said drum, said beam terminally carrying a counterweight remote from said drum.
6. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system, said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a third part constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into alignment with said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supported above said track section and hav ing an opening through which said drum extends,, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodating said spiral key, adjustable stopmeans carried by said drum adapted to abut said plate to stop downward movement of said drum through said opening.
7. In combination with a track forming a portion ot a monorail system, said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a third part constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section to alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into alignment with said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supported above said track section and having an opening through which said drum extends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodating said spiral key, said third part positioned below said track length, said spiral key adapted to guide said track section into alignment with said third part.
In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system, said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a third part constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section to alignment with said third track part, and control means for directing the movement of said released track section into alignment with said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supported above said track section and having an open ing through which said drum extends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodating said spiral key, said third track part positioned below said track length, said spiral key adapted to guide said track section into alignment with said third part, and an arcuate shield sloping between ends of said second and third track parts to prevent said carrier from leaving said track section while said track section is being moved from in alignment with said second track part and into alignment with said third track part.
9. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system, said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a third part constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including a track section interposed between said first and second parts to form therewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said track section to said first and second parts and releasing means for automatically releasing said latch means, said-releasing means including a lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said track section into alignment with said third track part, a member supported above said track section, said lever pivoted to said member, a pair of arms pivotally connected to said lever on either side of the pivotal connection between said lever and member, said latch means operably connected to said arms.
References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 896,499 Wittoefl t Aug. 18, 1908 1,150,003 Focardi Aug. 10, 1915 1,592,815 Harris July 13, 1926 2,035,355 Weise Mar. 24, 1936 2,407,620 Vinsant Sept. 10, 1946 2,527,244 Culver Oct. 24, 0 2,845,035 Peltier July 29, 1958
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US823056A US3022745A (en) | 1959-06-26 | 1959-06-26 | Mechanical monorail drop switch |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US823056A US3022745A (en) | 1959-06-26 | 1959-06-26 | Mechanical monorail drop switch |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US3022745A true US3022745A (en) | 1962-02-27 |
Family
ID=25237676
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US823056A Expired - Lifetime US3022745A (en) | 1959-06-26 | 1959-06-26 | Mechanical monorail drop switch |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3022745A (en) |
Cited By (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| US3209896A (en) * | 1962-05-01 | 1965-10-05 | J S Roberts | Monorail conveyor systems |
| US3217688A (en) * | 1963-04-22 | 1965-11-16 | Hydro Drive Corp | Marine outdrive |
| US3261301A (en) * | 1963-09-16 | 1966-07-19 | Cincinnati Butchers Supply Co | Rail turning attachment |
| US3535733A (en) * | 1968-08-28 | 1970-10-27 | St John & Co | Unshackling apparatus |
| US20030148724A1 (en) * | 2002-02-04 | 2003-08-07 | Shefet Sarid M. | Automated laterally offset retractable food dislodgement or guiding mechanisms and associated methods and systems |
| US20030146067A1 (en) * | 2002-02-04 | 2003-08-07 | Shefet Sarid M. | Food transport routing systems, devices, and guides for food processing systems and related methods |
| US20030171086A1 (en) * | 2002-03-07 | 2003-09-11 | Shefet Sarid M. | Automated loaders or winders and related systems, devices and methods |
| US20030171084A1 (en) * | 2002-03-07 | 2003-09-11 | Shefet Sarid M. | Automated supply, load and take-away systems and related devices and methods for lengths of elongated product |
| US20030190382A1 (en) * | 2002-04-08 | 2003-10-09 | Shefet Sarid M. | Automated support member positioning and removing systems and related devices and methods |
| US20030194476A1 (en) * | 2002-04-12 | 2003-10-16 | Shefet Sarid M. | Methods, devices, and systems for securing or removing leading edge portions of moving food products |
| US20030232587A1 (en) * | 2002-06-13 | 2003-12-18 | Shefet Sarid M. | Repetitive high-density packing mechanisms for arranging suspended lengths of elongated items in a desired orientation and associated methods |
| US6786813B2 (en) * | 2002-03-07 | 2004-09-07 | Conagra Foods, Inc. | Automated loading devices and associated methods used to straddle load elongated product onto a receiving member |
| US7037186B2 (en) | 2001-03-16 | 2006-05-02 | Metalquimia, S.A. | Machine for tenderising meat morsels |
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| US1150003A (en) * | 1915-05-06 | 1915-08-10 | Garwood Company | Automatic stop for crane-trolleys. |
| US1592815A (en) * | 1926-02-03 | 1926-07-13 | American Monorail Co | Latch for monorail systems |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3209896A (en) * | 1962-05-01 | 1965-10-05 | J S Roberts | Monorail conveyor systems |
| US3217688A (en) * | 1963-04-22 | 1965-11-16 | Hydro Drive Corp | Marine outdrive |
| US3261301A (en) * | 1963-09-16 | 1966-07-19 | Cincinnati Butchers Supply Co | Rail turning attachment |
| US3535733A (en) * | 1968-08-28 | 1970-10-27 | St John & Co | Unshackling apparatus |
| US7037186B2 (en) | 2001-03-16 | 2006-05-02 | Metalquimia, S.A. | Machine for tenderising meat morsels |
| US20070080047A1 (en) * | 2002-02-04 | 2007-04-12 | Conagra Foods, Inc. | Food transport routing systems, devices, and guides for food processing systems and related methods |
| US20030148724A1 (en) * | 2002-02-04 | 2003-08-07 | Shefet Sarid M. | Automated laterally offset retractable food dislodgement or guiding mechanisms and associated methods and systems |
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| US7568971B2 (en) | 2002-02-04 | 2009-08-04 | Conagra Foods Rdm, Inc. | Automated laterally offset retractable food dislodgement or guiding mechanisms and associated methods and systems |
| US7428962B2 (en) | 2002-02-04 | 2008-09-30 | Conagra Foods, Inc. | Food transport routing systems, devices, and guides for food processing systems and related methods |
| US7048622B2 (en) | 2002-02-04 | 2006-05-23 | Conagra Foods, Inc. | Automated laterally offset retractable food dislodgement or guiding mechanisms and associated methods and systems |
| US6793068B2 (en) | 2002-02-04 | 2004-09-21 | Conagra Foods, Inc. | Food transport routing systems, devices, and guides for food processing systems and related methods |
| US20060070852A1 (en) * | 2002-02-04 | 2006-04-06 | Conagra Foods, Inc. | Food transport routing systems, devices, and guides for food processing systems and related methods |
| US7004307B2 (en) | 2002-02-04 | 2006-02-28 | Conagra Foods, Inc. | Food transport routing systems, devices, and guides for food processing systems and related methods |
| US20060288879A1 (en) * | 2002-02-04 | 2006-12-28 | Conagra Foods, Inc. | Automated laterally offset retractable food dislodgement or guiding mechanisms and associated methods and systems |
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| US7390246B2 (en) | 2002-03-07 | 2008-06-24 | Shefet Sarid M | Automated supply, load and take-away systems and related devices and methods for lengths of elongated product |
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| US6786813B2 (en) * | 2002-03-07 | 2004-09-07 | Conagra Foods, Inc. | Automated loading devices and associated methods used to straddle load elongated product onto a receiving member |
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