US3878792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Switching mechanism for monorail conveyors
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-08-09
•
Granted: 1975-04-22
•
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 conveyor monorail 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
- 👤 Walter F Larson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 04:58
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01B; E01B25/00; E01B25/22; E01B25/24; B; B61; B61L; B61L23/00; B61L23/002; B61L23/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
an elongated tubular member, having at least partially closed ends, mounted on and secured to said support member near the upper end thereof, to support said elongated tubular member transversely of said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, which elongated tubular member extends outwardly on each side of said shaft, f. an elongated weight positioned in said elongated tubular member and being slidable longitudinally therein, over the center of gravity, to one end of said tubular member to hold said switch in this position until the tubular member is moved, and g. mechanical actuator means fixedly connected to each end of said elongated, tubular member to selectively move said elongated, tubular member through an arc about the axis of said horizontal shaft to slide said weight therein over the center of gravity to the opposite end of said tubular member to hold said switch in fixed relation with respect to said conveyor system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
an elongated tubular member, having at least partially closed ends, mounted on and secured to said support member near the upper end thereof, to support said elongated tubular member transversely of said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, which elongated tubular member extends outwardly on each side of said shaft, f. an elongated weight positioned in said elongated tubular member and being slidable longitudinally therein, over the center of gravity, to one end of said tubular member to hold said switch in this position until the tubular member is moved, and g. mechanical actuator means fixedly connected to each end of said elongated, tubular member to selectively move said elongated, tubular member through an arc about the axis of said horizontal shaft to slide said weight therein over the center of gravity to the opposite end of said tubular member to hold said switch in fixed relation with respect to said conveyor system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
one of said switch rails being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in one position,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
one of said switch rails being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in one position,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 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 on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, d. at least two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft,
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 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 on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, d. at least two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
348 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 on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, d. at least two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, 1. one of said switch rails being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in one position, 2. another of said switch rails, mounted on said support members, being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in another position, e. a support, for an elongated tubular member, mounted on and secured to said shaft, and movable therewith, which support extends upwardly from said shaft, 1. an elongated tubular member, having at least partially closed ends, mounted on and secured to said support member near the upper end thereof, to support said elongated tubular member transversely of said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, which elongated tubular member extends outwardly on each side of said shaft, f. an elongated weight positioned in said elongated tubular member and being slidable longitudinally therein, over the center of gravity, to one end of said tubular member to hold said switch in this position until the tubular member is moved, and g. mechanical actuator means fixedly connected to each end of said elongated, tubular member to selectively move said elongated, tubular member through an arc about the axis of said horizontal shaft to slide said weight therein over the center of gravity to the opposite end of said tubular member to hold said switch in fixed relation with respect to said conveyor system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
348 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 on and secured to said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, d. at least two switch rails mounted on said rail support members for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, 1. one of said switch rails being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in one position, 2. another of said switch rails, mounted on said support members, being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in another position, e. a support, for an elongated tubular member, mounted on and secured to said shaft, and movable therewith, which support extends upwardly from said shaft, 1. an elongated tubular member, having at least partially closed ends, mounted on and secured to said support member near the upper end thereof, to support said elongated tubular member transversely of said shaft for arcuate movement about the axis of said shaft, which elongated tubular member extends outwardly on each side of said shaft, f. an elongated weight positioned in said elongated tubular member and being slidable longitudinally therein, over the center of gravity, to one end of said tubular member to hold said switch in this position until the tubular member is moved, and g. mechanical actuator means fixedly connected to each end of said elongated, tubular member to selectively move said elongated, tubular member through an arc about the axis of said horizontal shaft to slide said weight therein over the center of gravity to the opposite end of said tubular member to hold said switch in fixed relation with respect to said conveyor system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor system, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. an eye is secured to each end of said elongated tubular member, and b. said mechanical actuator means connected to each said eye on each end of said elongated, tubular member is a flexible rope-like member, which rope-like member extends to a place accessible to an operator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
another of said switch rails, mounted on said support members, being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in another position, e. a support, for an elongated tubular member, mounted on and secured to said shaft, and movable therewith, which support extends upwardly from said shaft,
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
another of said switch rails, mounted on said support members, being adapted to register with one of the rails of the conveyor system, when said switch rails are in another position, e. a support, for an elongated tubular member, mounted on and secured to said shaft, and movable therewith, which support extends upwardly from said shaft,
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor system, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. one of said support members of each switch has an upstanding end portion thereon, and b. said elongated, tubular member on each switch being detachably connected, intermediate the ends of said tubular member, to the upstanding end portion of said support member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
64 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor system, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. resilient bumpers on each end of said elongated weight, which elongated weight is slidably positioned within said elongated tubular member, and b. said resilient bumpers adapted to engage the respective ends of said elongated tubular member when the ends of the tubular members are lowered to a predetermined position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
90 words
A composite, self-contained switch for a conveyor system, as defined in claim 1; wherein a. an end of said support member is movable about the axis of said horizontal shaft to move into blocking relation with respect to the open end of the rail of the switch, when said switch is in one position, and b. said support member is movable about the axis of said horizontal shaft, in the opposite direction, to block the open end of the other of said rails, when the switch is in another position.
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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) | 1978-04-21 | 1978-10-21 | 1979-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-21 | 1982-10-21 | 1983-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-21 | 1986-10-21 | 1987-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |