US552140A - Switch for packing-houses - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. R. PBRRIN.

SWITCH FOR PACKING HOUSES.

No. 552,140. Patented Dec. 31, 1895.

(No Model.) 2-Sheets-.Sheet 2.

I 'W. R. PERRIN.

SWITCH FOR'PAGKING'HOUSES. 4 No. 552,140. Patented Dec. 31, 1895.

\VILLIAM R. PERRIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH FOR PACKING-HOUSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,140, dated December 31, 1895.

' Application filed July 8, 1895. Serial No. 555,273. (No model To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM R. PERRIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Switches for Packing-Houses, &c., of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toimprovements in switches for packing houses and similar places.

The object of the invention is to simplify and make more economical the construction of such switches while maintaining their efficiency.

The invention consists substantially in the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, described in the subjoined specification, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the several figures of the drawings like letters refer to similar parts, in which-- Figure 1 illustrates the device in side elevation. Fig. 2 illustrates the switch in plan view in line with a right-hand branch rail. Fig. 3 illustrates a similar View with the switch in line with a left-hand branch rail. Fig. 4 illustrates a longitudinal vertical .section taken on the line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 illustrates a vertical cross-section taken on the line a a, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 illustrates a vertical section taken through the line 0 c, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 illustrates a similar View taken on the line 6 e, Fig. 1.

In packing-houses and similar places it is customary to provide a main way or rail acting as a support or guide for the movable hook which carries the meat, and, also a series of branch rails or guideways which may be put into connection with the main rail or way by means of a movable switch, and the present invention makes use of such wellknown apparatus as has just been specified, these various rails being shown in the drawings and designated, the main rail by the letter B, and the branch rails by the letters 0 C-that is, the branch rail to the right is designated by the letter O, and the one to the left by C. These several rails are suitably supported by brackets, such as A.

A movable hook is secured to the movable hanger shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 6 of the drawings, in the upper portion of which is journaled a sheave, which rides upon the various rails to the rail of the switch. This hanger for the hook is designated by the let ter D.

The switch as a whole is designated by the letter S; but additional letters will be used to refer to specific parts of said switch. The bracket which supports the end of the main rail 13, adjacent to the pivot of the switch, is provided at its lower end with a longitudinal extension at each side thereof, and in each extension there is a hole through which it is designed to pass the bolt which forms the pivot of the switch. This is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The purpose of having a hole for each side is to allow the switch to be reversed, or, in other words, to be pivoted at either side of the bracket, ac cording as the situation in the particular packing-house demands. In the drawings this plate forming the extension is designated by the letter E. Pivotal" bolts are shown arranged in each hole. Of course, the end of the bracket is formed with a corresponding hole for the passage of the bolt, and the bolt is secured in the hole by an ordinary nut or other well-known fastening device.

The body of the switch is formed of one piece of metal and the two lateral ledges F F and upwardly-extending runs G G, which ledges and runs are well illustrated in Fig. f the drawings.

lhe supporting rail of the switch is designated by the letter II, and is detachably secured by bolts or other suitable devices to one of the side rails G G of said switch. Secured to the switch is a lock or bolt, (designated in the drawings by the letter K,) and the pre ferred construction of which is best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, although, of course, said construction may be widely varied by any one skilled in the art. As shown in the drawings, this look or bolt consists of a plate secured'to the under side of the main body of the switch, with a downwardly-projecting manipulatinghandle L, and securing and guiding bolts d, which bolts slide freely in a longitudinal slot formed in the said niain bodyof the switch. By grasping the handle L the sliding plate which forms the lock or bolt may be moved out of or into engagement with the keeper, which will be directly described.

The free end of the main body of the switch has a projecting edge, which is designated in the drawings by the letter M, which, in conjunction with the keepers, supports the free end of the switch.

The preferred arrangement of branches and main rail in connection with the switch is shown. in the drawings, and consists of two branches 0 O suitably supported by brackets, upon the lower end of which brackets are formed the keepers N N. These keepers are arranged a proper distance from each other, and together with the intervening distance are a little wider than the forward end of the switch, and have formed in them a ledge for guiding and supporting the edge of such switch before mentioned, which ledge may be uncovered or, preferably, as shown in the drawings, covered so as to constitute a groove.

The lock orbolt of the switch may, as shown in Fig. 2, be of approximately the same width as the space between the keepers, so that when such bolt is slid between the keepers, it being on a lower level than the edge or groove thereof, abuts against the sides of such keepers and thereby maintains the switch firmly and accurately in working position, as is well shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings. Again, when the switch is swung to bring its rail in line with the branch rail 0, (which may be effected by sliding back the lock or bolt,) and said bolt is pushed forward beyond the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, it abuts against the outside of the keeper for the branch rail 0, and thereby maintains said branch rail in line with the rail of the switch.

In packing-houses and similar places vast numbers of switches must be used, and it therefore becomes highly important to make them of such construction that they will be at once simple and economical, and it is believed that the present switch most excellently fulfills these requirements, while at the same time answering all the functions of a most effective device.

Many variations and modifications may be made in the details of the construction illustrated and described without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I therefore do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise construction indicated.

\Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. The combination with a main rail and a supporting bracket having extensions, of a switch having a switch rail, and devices for securing such switch rail to either side of the switch, and means for securing the switch to either extension of the bracket; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with a main rail, a bracket for supporting the same, having an extension at each side, of a switch provided with ledges at each side, and a switch rail adapted to be connected to the switch on either side thereof, and suitable devices forsecuring the switch rail in place and for securing the switch to an extension of the bracket; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a main guide rail and a bracket for supporting the same, provided with two extensions on opposite sides thereof, of a switch having ledges on two sides and two vertical runs, said two runs and ledges formed integrally therewith, a switch rail, and means for connecting the same to the switch on either side thereof, and devices for securing the switch to an extension of the bracket; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of a main rail and branch rails, of a pivoted intermediate switch and movable locking devices, adapted to engage between the branch rails or at the side of one of said branch rails; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination of a main rail, branch rails and an intermediate pivoted switch, and a sliding locking plate secured to such switch and adapted to fit between the branch rails, as and for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination of a main rail and branch rails, with keepers secured to the branch rails, provided with supporting ledges, and a pivoted switch intermediate the main rail and the branch rail and having an extending edge, adapted to be guided by and supported upon the ledge of the keepers; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with a main rail, and

'vice secured thereto, and arranged to fit between the keepers and to hold the switch in line with one branch rail, or abut against the outer edge of one of the keepers to hold the switch in line with the other branch rail; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 3d day of July, 1895.

WVILLIAM R. PERRIN. Attest:

FRANK T. BROWN, M. I. CAVANAG-H.

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