US3762334A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switching mechanism for monorail conveyors
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-09
•
Granted: 1973-10-02
•
Expires: 1991-08-09
Abstract
Abstract A switch for a monorail system, such as used in factories and the like, to enable a trolley to be moved along the main line of the monorail conveyor or diverted onto a spur or branch track by a switch that is remotely actuated. The switch is so constructed that, when it is moved into place either manually, mechanically or by electric power means, it will remain in this position until it is intentionally moved to another position. The switching mechanism is so constructed that the manual, mechanical or electrically actuated systems may be changed by interchanging the switch actuating element only. When the switch is moved into one position, blockage of the open portion of the switch is provided to prevent trolleys from moving off the ends of the rails of the monorail conveyor system. Provision is made to actuate the system manually to direct a weight over center to hold the switch in a given position, or to actuate the switch mechanism by fluid pressure, which may be either hydraulic or air pressure. Still further provision is made to actuate the switch by electrically actuated mechanism, such as a solenoid.
Inventors
- 👤 W Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:15
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01B; E01B25/00; E01B25/22; E01B25/26; B; B65; B65G; B65G2812/00; B65G2812/02; B65G2812/02009; B65G2812/02019; B65G2812/02069; B65G2812/02079
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
375 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, which switch comprises; a. upstanding lugs mounted on the upper side of the rails of the conveyor system, adjacent the ends of the switch unit, b. a substantially horizontal shaft mounted on said lugs and supported thereby, c. rail support members mounted on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, d. two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, 1. one of the two said switch rails being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch are in a first position, 2. the other of said two switch rails, mounted on said support members, adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyoR system, when said switch rails are in a second position, 3. an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members, e. a fluid powered cylinder connected to said upstanding member, 1. a conduit connected to each end of said fluid powered cylinder, f. a source of fluid under pressure, g. a four-way switching valve connected to each said conduit connected to the respective ends of said fluid powered cylinder and to said source of fluid under pressure, h. said four-way switching valve, when in one position, adapted to direct fluid, under pressure, into one end of said fluid powered cylinder, to move said upright member, said rail support members and the switching rails connected thereto about the axis of said shaft to one position, with the fluid from the opposite end of the cylinder being directed outward through the other of said conduits and through said four-way valve, and 1. said four-way switching valve, when in a second position, adapted to direct fluid, under pressure, to the opposite end of said fluid powered cylinder to move said upright member, said rail support members and the switching rails connected thereto about the axis of said shaft to a second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
375 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, which switch comprises; a. upstanding lugs mounted on the upper side of the rails of the conveyor system, adjacent the ends of the switch unit, b. a substantially horizontal shaft mounted on said lugs and supported thereby, c. rail support members mounted on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, d. two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, 1. one of the two said switch rails being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch are in a first position, 2. the other of said two switch rails, mounted on said support members, adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyoR system, when said switch rails are in a second position, 3. an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members, e. a fluid powered cylinder connected to said upstanding member, 1. a conduit connected to each end of said fluid powered cylinder, f. a source of fluid under pressure, g. a four-way switching valve connected to each said conduit connected to the respective ends of said fluid powered cylinder and to said source of fluid under pressure, h. said four-way switching valve, when in one position, adapted to direct fluid, under pressure, into one end of said fluid powered cylinder, to move said upright member, said rail support members and the switching rails connected thereto about the axis of said shaft to one position, with the fluid from the opposite end of the cylinder being directed outward through the other of said conduits and through said four-way valve, and 1. said four-way switching valve, when in a second position, adapted to direct fluid, under pressure, to the opposite end of said fluid powered cylinder to move said upright member, said rail support members and the switching rails connected thereto about the axis of said shaft to a second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
the other of said two switch rails, mounted on said support members, adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyoR system, when said switch rails are in a second position,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
the other of said two switch rails, mounted on said support members, adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyoR system, when said switch rails are in a second position,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
pivot means interconnecting said apertured ear and said apertured, upstanding support member to permit pivotal action of said fluid powered cylinder, b. a piston rod extending outwardly from the opposite end of said fluid powered cylinder,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
pivot means interconnecting said apertured ear and said apertured, upstanding support member to permit pivotal action of said fluid powered cylinder, b. a piston rod extending outwardly from the opposite end of said fluid powered cylinder,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
pivot means pivotally connecting said apertured clevis to said upstanding, apertured member, c. when fluid is directed, under pressure, into one end of said cylinder, the piston rod is moved in one direction, with fluid within said fluid powered cylinder being discharged out of the opposIte end of said cylinder,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
pivot means pivotally connecting said apertured clevis to said upstanding, apertured member, c. when fluid is directed, under pressure, into one end of said cylinder, the piston rod is moved in one direction, with fluid within said fluid powered cylinder being discharged out of the opposIte end of said cylinder,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said fluid powered cylinder is an elongated, transverse tubular member mounted on and secured to said upstanding member, b. a piston fitted within said cylinder and movable from one end thereof to the opposite end thereof, by fluid pressure,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
when said piston is moved to the opposite end of said elongated, tubular member by fluid pressure, the center of gravity will shift to disconnect the first switch rail from the conveyor rail and move the other of the switch rails to a position to connect with a second of said conveyor rails.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
when said piston is moved to the opposite end of said elongated, tubular member by fluid pressure, the center of gravity will shift to disconnect the first switch rail from the conveyor rail and move the other of the switch rails to a position to connect with a second of said conveyor rails.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
the armature of said solenoid-armature combination having an apertured extremity,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
10 words
the armature of said solenoid-armature combination having an apertured extremity,
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
the other of the two said switch rails, mounted on said support members, being adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in a second position,
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
the other of the two said switch rails, mounted on said support members, being adapted to register with another of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in a second position,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members, e. a solenoid-armature combination,
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members, e. a solenoid-armature combination,
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
pivot means pivotally connecting said upstanding, apertured member and said apertured extremity of said armature,
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
pivot means pivotally connecting said upstanding, apertured member and said apertured extremity of said armature,
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, as defined in claim 2; wherein a. said fluid powered cylinder has an apertured plate secured thereto to detachably connect said cylinder with said upstanding, apertured member on one of said support members to enable the fluid powered bylinder to be quickly removed and replaced.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members, e. a fluid powered cylinder connected to said upstanding member,
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
an upstanding, apertured member mounted on one of said rail support members connected to said shaft for movement about the axis thereof with said rail support members, e. a fluid powered cylinder connected to said upstanding member,
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
49 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for a movement therealong, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. said fluid powered cylinder has an apertured ear on one end thereof,
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
an upstanding, apertured solenoid mounting means mounted on said conveyor rail,
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
11 words
an upstanding, apertured solenoid mounting means mounted on said conveyor rail,
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
105 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, which switch comprises; a. upstanding lugs mounted on the upper side of the rails of the conveyor system, adjacent the ends of the switch unit, b. a substantially horizontal shaft mounted on said lugs and supported thereby, c. rail support members mounted on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, d. two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft,
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
105 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor rail system, which conveyor rail system is supported on a structure, the rails of which system receive trolleys thereon for movement therealong, which switch comprises; a. upstanding lugs mounted on the upper side of the rails of the conveyor system, adjacent the ends of the switch unit, b. a substantially horizontal shaft mounted on said lugs and supported thereby, c. rail support members mounted on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, d. two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft,
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
pivot means pivotally connecting said apertured ear on said solenoid of said solenoid-armature combination with said upstanding, apertured solenoid mounting means, f. electrical conductors connected to a source of electrical power, g. said electrical conductors leading to said solenoid of said solenoid-armature combination,
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
pivot means pivotally connecting said apertured ear on said solenoid of said solenoid-armature combination with said upstanding, apertured solenoid mounting means, f. electrical conductors connected to a source of electrical power, g. said electrical conductors leading to said solenoid of said solenoid-armature combination,
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |