Switch for suspended track apparatus

Claim 1

A switch for a suspended track transport apparatus which includes tracks for receiving the rollers of trollies and wherein said tracks are fastened by spacer elements to supports, said switch comprising a support structure which includes two support tubes connected together at an angle with each other and a cross brace connected between the two support tubes, at least one fixed track section supported by each of the support tubes at a vertical distance as small as possible, at least one curved movable track section and at least one straight movable track section, a dead space enclosed by sides extending along said two support tubes and said cross brace and having a height which does not exceed the vertical distance from the support tubes to respective fixed track sections supported by respective support tubes, first pivot means located at a first pin at point disposed entirely within said dead space and connected to said straight movable track section for movably supporting the movable straight track section, second pivot means located at a second pivot point disposed entirely within said dead space and connected to said movable curved track section for movably supporting said movable curved track section, lever means disposed entirely within said dead space coupled to said straight movable track section and said curved movable track section and cooperating with said first pivot means and said second pivot means for moving the movable track sections from one switch position in which the trollies may proceed along one path between fixed track sections and another switch position in which the trollies may proceed along another path between fixed track section, and wherein the lever means and the first and second pivot means are disposed so that the lever means engages the movable track sections in the immediate vicinity of the first and second pivot points.