CZ20001442A3 - Switch box for railway, tramway or similar switches - Google Patents

Abstract

A switch box for railway, tram or similar switches comprises a drive unit for adjusting the movement of the tongues (Al, Al', A2, A2') formed by a drive motor (M), a threaded rod (3), a coupling (4), bevel gears (5, 5', 5"'), an output shaft (5") and a crank (6). It further comprises at least one group of linear transmission of the driving movement of the tongues (Al, AlA2, A2'), which is formed by a first driving slide (12), a carriage (20), a transmission rod (21) and a swing lever (24) and also comprises movable means for securing the tongues (Al, Al', A2, A2') in their respective closed positions, formed by a swing lever (24) and a connecting tooth (124). Said groups are located in a switch box (1) which has substantially the dimensions and shape of a sleeper and which is fixed to the track in place of a sleeper and with the function of a sleeper. The switch box (1) is provided with movable means for securing the tongues (A1, A1', A2, A2') in their respective closed positions, which are formed by lateral guide walls (23), a swing lever (24) and a connecting tooth (124). Said movable means are associated with the respective tongue (A1, A2) and are arranged inside the switch box (1) in the region of the respective tongue, being automatically brought into an active blocking position when the corresponding tongue (A1, A2') reaches the closed position, while being automatically disengaged when the switch box (1) is activated in order to move the tongue into the closed position with the opposite tongue (A2', A1).

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a switch box for railway, tram or similar switches, comprising a group generating movement for adjusting the switch tongues, and at least one group for linear transmission of the operational movement of the tongues, further movable means for securing the tongues in their respective closed positions, said groups being located in a box which has essentially the dimensions and shape of a sleeper, and which is attached to the track at the location of the sleeper and with the function of a sleeper.

State of the art

Switch boxes of this type are currently already known.

From the patent document WO 94/27853 a switch box of this type is known, in which however only the working groups, i.e. the group of linear transmission of the operating movement and the group of securing the tongues in the closed positions are located inside the box. On the central slide, the drive rods for operating the tongues are located in the box, which are located outside this box. The group for securing the tongues in the closed position acts on the slide and not on the tongues, and no means are arranged here for enabling the tongues to be knocked out, i.e. for disconnecting these tongues from the securing means • · to · · to · · · as a result of the action of a predetermined force acting on the tongues in the direction of their adjustment.

Another switch box of the type described above in the introduction is known from US Patent No. 4,093,163. In this case, the connecting rods for the tongues are also located in a box which has the shape of a sleeper, but no means for switching the blocking and no means for knocking out are provided.

The essence of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to develop a switch box for railway, tram or similar switches of the type described above in the introduction, in such a way that the switch box in question is provided with means capable of guaranteeing one, more, or all of the blocking or securing, blocking switching and/or knocking out functions of conventional switch boxes, all elements being mobile and, with the exception of the tongues, integrated inside the sleeper-shaped box, this switch box being made with an extremely simple structure and with reduced dimensions in order to ensure the storage of all groups in a limited available volume and in order to ensure safe and reliable operation.

In particular, the object of the present invention is to create a switch box in which the movable means for securing the tongues in the corresponding closed position would be provided with both a linear transmission unit for the operating movement and direct control of the respective tongues, in order to achieve maximum operational reliability and safety of the switch box.

• · · · · · · · · · • · tt · tttttt · ·· • · tttttt ······· tttt ······ ··· ······ ·· * · *

The subject of the present invention also has a further purpose, which consists in creating a switch box of the type described above in the introduction, which can be used with several modifications also for switches of the so-called English type.

The above-mentioned objects have been achieved with the help of the subject matter of the present invention by developing a switch box of the type described above in the introduction, that is, a switch box for railway, tram or similar switches has been developed, comprising a drive unit for the adjusting movement of the switch tongues and at least one group for the linear transmission of the drive movement to the tongues, movable means for locking the tongues in their respective closed position, said groups being housed in a box which has substantially the same dimensions and shape as a sleeper, and which is attached to the track at the same place and with the same function as the sleeper.

The switch box is provided with movable means for locking the tongues in their respective closing position, said means being associated with their respective tongue and arranged inside the box in the region of the tongue itself, being automatically brought into the active locking position after the respective tongue reaches the closing position, and being automatically disengaged when the switch box is put into operation to move the tongue into the closing position with the opposite tongue.

The switch box has linear transmission means, consisting of a carriage, a slide or the like, which are displaced transversely to the track, in particular perpendicular to the track in two directions between the end stroke positions of the group for converting rotary movement into linear movement, to which a transmission rod for each or more tongues is connected, at least said opposite tongues being connected to a lever, • · • · · · /1 _— · · 4 9 4 4 9 ···· i 4 · · · · · ······· ·

Advantageously, the tongue connecting levers corresponding to the transmission rods form said movable locking means for the tongues.

In a preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the present invention, the transmission rods for driving the tongue movement are carried by at least one driving slide and movable blocking means arranged in the two end stroke positions of the driving slide except for the end of the stroke stops.

Transmissions rods can be with advantage released from mechanical pressure connection with actuators skid through action of external force for relocation languages. Relevant end of lifting sensors are with advantage arranged for each of the languages for gear rods and for

slideway drivers.

Levers are preferably arranged at least for connecting the outer tongues to the respective transmission rod, said levers constituting said movable locking means for the tongues.

In one preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the present invention, said coupling levers are pivotable and are provided with a side tooth at the end opposite to their center of rotation, each lever being connected to the respective tongue by a joint which allows the levers to rotate about a perpendicular axis, preferably by a ball or similar joint, each coupling lever engaging with a fixed stop in the region of the tongues. • · · ♦ • · position of movement out from the associated rail.

The means for controlling the angular movement of the coupling levers are preferably formed by grooves or shaped grooves which form a control path formed in the transmission rods and with which at least one projection protruding from the front side of the coupling levers engages.

The pivot axis of the connecting levers is preferably arranged in the region of the means connecting the pivot lever to the respective tongue, the connecting lever extending beyond the tongue in the direction of the associated rail inside the lateral guides oriented in the direction of movement of the transmission rods, said rod being substantially vertical and the connecting levers resting on the associated ends of the transmission rods.

According to another advantageous feature of the present invention, the coupling levers move alternately from the engagement position with fixed stops to the disengagement position by means of relative movement with respect to the movement of the transmission rods, in particular in the initial or final stroke, driving the same transmission rods.

»· · · · ·

A particularly advantageous form of construction of the subject matter of the present invention exhibits the following combination of features:

- the transmission rods are provided with a cranked groove in which at least one drive pin of the corresponding coupling levers engages in a sliding manner, each cranked slot or groove having a section which is parallel to the main longitudinal axis of the transmission rods and which is arranged laterally offset along the side of said main longitudinal axis, said section extending towards the free end of the transmission rods with an inclined section which essentially ends in the region of the main longitudinal axis of the transmission rods, or in any case in an intermediate region of the transverse dimension of said transmission rods, stop means with which the lateral teeth of the coupling levers engage, means limiting the oscillation in the direction of engagement with the associated stops of the coupling levers in that part of the stroke in which the coupling levers are carried by the transmission rods, the position and shape of the groove as well as the projection of the teeth of the transmission levers and the shape and position of the means for engaging the levers and the means for driving the stroke are such that in such a way that the lateral teeth of the connecting rods during the initial range of the drive stroke limit the swing of the transmission rods move relative to the connecting levers, if the connecting lever, which is in the engagement position and which is connected to the tongue, closed in the starting position, is brought into the disengagement position by means of a stop, while the lever in the disengagement position, which is connected to the tongue to be brought into the closing position, is limited with respect to its angular displacement by means of said limiting means in such a way that the attachment, projecting from said connecting levers in the region of the tooth and engaging in the angled groove, moves into position at an intermediate point of the inclined section of said slots or grooves, wherein the inclined wall, rotated in the direction of movement of the tongues of each groove, is connected to the tongue, which must be brought into the closing position by means of the lateral teeth guide, engagement surfaces for driving the same corresponding coupling lever together with the rod, and when in the tongue closing position, the coupling lever is released from the means limiting the angular movement, so that it swings further and is brought into the engagement position with the corresponding fixed stop.

The means limiting the swing of the coupling levers and the engagement stops of the coupling lever teeth are preferably formed by an assembly of side guide walls of the transmission rods and the coupling levers, said walls being arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, by end faces opposite the central axis of the track of one of said side guide walls, said end faces being arranged in such a position that when the coupling lever tooth has just passed, the tongue is in the closed position, while the side guide wall, directed in the direction of the side tooth of the corresponding coupling lever, forms a single sliding and limiting wall in the position in which the attachment of the coupling lever

9 9 9

99999 9 9 is substantially located in the central region of the inclined branch of the corresponding drive groove of the transmission rod.

Each transmission rod is preferably provided with a second groove which is substantially parallel and coincident with the main longitudinal axis and in which a pin corresponding to a connecting lever or the like is accommodated, which is movable along a rectilinear slot or groove and which, with respect to the angular displacement of the connecting lever, is coaxial with the means of the connecting lever with a tongue, for example with a connection of at least a rotary type.

According to another feature of the subject matter of the present invention, the transmission rods are connected to a common rod-carrying carriage, mounted in a movable manner substantially perpendicular to the axis of the track, said rod-carrying carriage being permanently connected to the driving slide, while the transmission rods are connected to the rod-carrying carriage by means of movable coupling means which pass into a disengaged position from the rod-carrying carriage and from the driving slide if the resistance to the displacement of the tongues exceeds a certain predetermined torque, or if a force is applied in the direction of movement directly to the tongues, the same transmission rods being displaced relative to the rod-carrying carriage against a predetermined torque connecting the transmission rods to the rod-carrying carriage.

The transmission rods are preferably connected to the rod-carrying carriage by means of a central rod having rollers rotating in the sliding direction of the central rod, the transmission rods are mounted in a spring-biased manner so as to be movable laterally relative to the sliding direction of the transmission rods against a predetermined spring bias, each roller engaging an inclined plane arranged in the roller walls of the rod-carrying carriage, two inclined planes being arranged with respect to the sliding direction of the rod-carrying carriage and with slopes which are symmetrically opposite to each other, at least one corresponding roller being arranged for each inclined plane on each of the two opposite roller walls for the rollers, connected to the transmission rods and to a common central connecting rod.

The sled for supporting the rod is preferably arranged on the upper guide of the slide drive and has two opposite side walls, oriented in the sliding direction of the transmission rods, on whose walls are arranged two projections in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid, which face each other, and whose inclined sides form inclined planes, engaging with the rollers of the central rod, at whose two opposite ends two transmission rods are connected.

The central connecting rod to the transmission rods preferably has two rollers for each rolling wall of the rod-carrying carriage, these rollers being supported at their respective ends by a supporting spring, and the two supporting springs being fastened to each other on two longitudinal sides of the central connecting rod in relation to the outer sides of said springs, the length of the supporting springs being such that in the engagement state of the central rod with the rod-carrying carriage and with the driving slide, the rollers are at the outer end of the corresponding inclined plane.

In combination with the above, the subject matter of the present invention then envisages that movable locking means are arranged for the driving slide at the two ends of the lifting positions of closing one or the other tongue.

The said movable locking means of the slide drive preferably consist of pivoting means for disconnecting φφ φ φ φ · φ φφφ φ φ · ♦ * φ φ φ φ ♦ 9 9

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Φ» of a locking tooth, resiliently pressed in a stable manner in the direction of engagement into one or more notches, spaced along the longitudinal side of the driving slide.

The means for disengaging the drive slide from the locking means in the end-stroke position of the drive are preferably directly controlled by means connecting the drive slide to the linear drive actuator during the stroke range, the means connected to the linear actuators performing a relative unnecessary movement with respect to the drive slide before achieving mechanical engagement of driving or pressing with said drive slide, said means for connecting the linear actuators to the drive slide being provided with rocker lever control means, the means for engaging the locking tooth in the corresponding notch of the same drive slide being represented by connecting means which move together with the same drive slide during the final range of the actuation stroke.

The switch box according to the subject of the present invention is further characterized in that there is arranged a swing support consisting of at least one lever, swinging about an axis transverse to the movement of the driving slide and which lies parallel to said movement, said swing axis being fixed with respect to the driving slide and forming at one end of the swing lever means for pressing against the locking tooth of the driving slide for moving this driving slide alternately into the engagement position and into the disengagement position with one of the notches in the cooperating walls of the driving slide, while another part of the swing lever on the opposite side of the axis of the center of rotation is shaped in the form of a control cam which engages with at least one roller which is movable together.

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11' with the aforementioned means connecting the driving slide to the linear actuator.

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The means for connecting the driving slide to the linear actuator are preferably represented by a slide that can slide between two opposite ends of the stroke stops, spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the unnecessary movement necessary to drive the rocker lever into the engagement position and disengage the locking tooth with one of the notches in the driving slide, corresponding to the position of the end of the stroke of the driving slide, said slide being dynamically connected to the linear actuator and being provided with at least one roller engaging with a cam track profiled on the corresponding branch of the rocker lever.

The swing support is preferably represented by two levers which are integral with each other and merge together, each of which lies along the lateral longitudinal sides of the driving slide, said swing levers being mounted on the same axis of rotation in the lateral supports and forming a swing support of a bridge construction type, over and under which at least one section of the driving slide passes with a length which substantially corresponds to the triggering stroke, while the slide, associated with the linear trigger, is provided with a roller for each swing support lever, and is movable between two ends of the lifting walls which are transverse to the lifting of the driving slide, face each other and are spaced apart by a distance which corresponds to the stroke of the control rollers for disconnecting the driving slide from the locking tooth.

The cam-shaped control track on the rocker arm levers is preferably arranged on the lower end side of the rocker arm, while the rollers connected to the slide are rotatable around the

9 ·· ··

9 9 9 9 9 9

9 9 9 · 9 9 9 • 9 9999 9 9 9 99 · • · · · · 9 9

9 99 99 horizontal and coaxial axes and are supported on vertical sides, parallel to the lowering stroke of the same slide.

The linear actuator is preferably formed by a threaded rod, driven in rotation by a threaded nut, the slider being formed by a threaded nut and a driving slide of the threaded nut.

The rocker arm is preferably permanently spring-biased against the rollers of the slide by means of resilient means which press the locking tooth on the drive slide against the slide, and which are of such dimensions that they project laterally outwardly at least on one side, but preferably on both sides, from the walls of the drive slide and press the rocker support against said projecting sections or sections of the tooth.

The switch box according to the present invention is preferably provided with position sensors for each tongue, sensors for the two end positions of the travel of the transmission rods, and position sensors for the slide drive, said sensors being formed by limit switches.

The position sensors for the tongues are preferably arranged on the side of the rails, opposite the associated tongues, and are controlled by means of a small rod which passes through the rail and which acts directly or via a transmission mechanism on the switch button.

The limit switches associated with the transmission rods and the slide actuator are preferably formed by slides which are connected to the same through grooves in the corresponding walls of the switch box and which act on the corresponding switches directly or via transmission mechanisms.

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The slides are preferably provided with surfaces for activating the switch buttons of the switches, which have the shape of inclined guide surfaces.

The slides can advantageously be formed by a rack segment acting on rollers with a head side provided with an external set of teeth, and the other opposite head side provided with an axial profile or at least one axial tooth, with lateral inclined guide surfaces through which said rollers act on the switch buttons of the switches, one roller being arranged for each limit switch.

The position sensors of at least the transmission rods and the slide actuators are preferably arranged in one or more small boxes arranged in the central region of the box between the two rails.

The switch box according to the present invention is preferably provided with movable means for firmly connecting the transmission rods or the central connecting rod to the driving slide, thereby forming a non-pushing type switch.

Said means are preferably formed by a pin which can be manually inserted and removed.

The said means for firmly connecting the transmission rods to the drive of the slide can also advantageously be formed by at least one pin, which can be moved alternately into the active position and into the inactive position, in particular by means of electromagnetic actuators.

Means suitable for locking the transmission rods or the center rod on the drive with a slide may advantageously be — 14 • Φ φφ φφ φφ ·· φφφφ φφφφ

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ΦΦΦΦ ΦΦ ΦΦ · ·· ·· of such a type that they are capable of allowing relative movement of a limited and predetermined amplitude of the said two parts with respect to each other.

The pin engages in two positions of closing the tongues respectively in a groove, elongated in the direction of movement of the transmission rods and made in the central rod connecting the transmission rods, said grooves having a predetermined length.

Electromagnetic means or mechanical means are associated with the pin for raising or lowering the pin to an active or inactive position for locking the transmission rods to the drive slide due to activation of said drive slide and due to reaching the end of the stroke position of the drive slide.

Said means for raising and lowering are preferably of the mechanical type and are formed by cam tracks carried by the driving slide and integrally movable with said driving slide, said cam tracks engaging with control rollers at the free end of the pin.

The switch box according to the invention is preferably arranged in connection with the adjustment of only two tongues, each of these two tongues being provided with movable locking means in the closed position with the associated rail.

The switch box according to the invention can also be advantageously arranged in connection with the adjustment of four or more points in a so-called English type switch, where the points are connected in pairs to the rail track and are activated together, a single driving slide and a single rod-carrying carriage being arranged for all four »15 ·· toto ** • to·· ·· ··· toto • toto* · · · ··· • to·· ·« ·* · · to ··· • to·· ·

The position sensors of the inner tongues are preferably housed in a small central box for the position sensors of the transmission rods and for the driving sliders, or in a small central box.

Overview of images in drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with examples of its specific embodiment, the description of which will be given with reference to the attached drawings, where:

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of a so-called English type intersection switch which is provided with a switch box according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of the switch box according to point 1, the section being taken in a vertical plane transverse to the track;

Fig. 3 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of a section in a vertical plane according to Fig. 1, in the region of one tongue and one rail;

Fig. 4 shows a detail of the driving slide and the movable locking means of this driving slide in the locked position before the adjustment begins;

«φ φφ φφφ φφ φφ φφφφ φφφ φφφφ • Φ φ φ φφφ φ φφ φ • φ φφφ φ φφφ* φ · · φ φ φφφ φφ » φφφφ

ΦΦΦΦΦΦ φφ φ ·· ·· Fig. 5 shows a detail of the driving slide and the movable locking means of this driving slide in the unlocked position before the start of the adjustment;

Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the slide and the movable locking means of Fig. 4, the section being taken along line VI-VI of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the slide and the movable locking means of Fig. 4, the section being taken along line VII-VII of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a transmission carriage for supporting the rod in a closed adjustment position with a guide integral with the drive slide;

Fig. 9 shows, on an enlarged scale, a side elevational view in section of the rod-carrying sled and the drive slide;

Fig. 10 shows a side sectional view of the rod support sled and the drive slide;

Fig. 11 shows, on an enlarged scale, a partial view of the switch according to Fig. 1, showing only the area of the two outer tongues and the locking means corresponding to these tongues;

Figures 12 to 14 show some stages of the disengagement of the slide actuator and the rod-carrying slide under conditions of ejection and/or obstruction of the tongue after reaching the correct closing position;

Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 show the means for fastening the rails to the switch box;

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9« 99 9 9* *· • 99» 999 999 9

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99 99 9 9999 • 999 99 99 9 99 99 Fig. 17 to Fig. 20 show various views and various sectional views of the switch box for the tongue position sensors, the rod-carrying sled and the drive slide, as well as means for transforming the switch box from the knock-out type to the non-knock-out type.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

The illustrations according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show a crossing switch of the so-called English type, equipped with four tongues.

In such an English-type switch, two track tracks are arranged with rails B1, B1' and B2, B2', which respectively cooperate with tongues A1, A1' and A2, A2'. In the switch box 1 _f which has a shape and dimensions which essentially correspond to the shape and dimensions of the sleeper, means for moving or adjusting tongues A1, A1' and A2, A2' are accommodated. This sleeper-shaped switch box 1 is provided with laterally expanding ribs 101 (see Fig. 15 and Fig. 16) which engage with the rail clamps or clamps 2 of rails B1, B1' and B2, B2'. These rail clamps or clamps 2 are provided with a head 102, intended to cover the rail foot of rails B1, B1' ^and B2, B2', while the remaining part consists of an end part, which is clamped by means of screws to the ribs 101.

In accordance with one preferred embodiment, one or both of the contact surfaces of the rail clamp or clamp 2 and the ribs 101, lying opposite each other, can be provided with teeth or, more preferably, serrations, which are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the track. This allows both a better positioning of the relative position of the two parts to be achieved, as well as a better grip with respect to

4 « 4 • · • 4

444« ·· for mutual displacement between rib 101 and rail clamp or clamp 2·

The switch box 21 in the form of a sleeper lies itself for a certain length also on the outside of the track, essentially in a length corresponding to the dimensions of the sleepers, and in one of the said external spaces at the end of the switch box 21 a drive motor is accommodated, which is generally an electric motor, indicated by the reference number M. This motor M drives, by means of rotation of the transmission bevel gears 5 and 5', a threaded rod 3 which is connected to the output shaft 5'' of the transmission by means of a clutch £ which may be of any suitable type, including a type which disengages under conditions of tension which are greater than a preset torque, or it may be a slip-on type clutch.

It is advantageously possible, as shown on an enlarged scale in the illustration according to Fig. 3, in combination with the drive motor M to arrange means for manual control, which may consist of a crank 6, provided with a shaft 106, at the end of which a bevel gear 206 is arranged, which meshes with the bevel gear 5''', which also rotates together with the output shaft 5/' of the transmission, which is coaxial with the bevel gear 5', connected to the drive motor M.

These two bevel gears 5' and 5''' are coaxial and have different diameters in order to provide the appropriate gear ratios suitable for drive by the drive motor 2 ^and manual drive using the crank 6. This crank 6 can be inserted into the engagement position with the bevel gear 5''' of the transmission through an opening 1_ in the form of a rotating support sleeve in the switch box 2, which is provided with a cap 107.

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on the threaded rod 3, which can move freely in the axial direction

The threaded nut 8 is mounted in such a way that it can move between two opposite ends of the lifting stop walls J9, which are arranged at the end of the first driving slide 12. This driving slide 12 can slide in two directions in the longitudinal direction of the threaded rod 2 P° of the bottom of the switch box 1 thanks to the wheels 13.

The threaded nut ý is connected in a non-rotatable and mutually translatable manner by means of a radial key or spring 10 to a slide 11, which is then movable relative to a drive slide 12 between the two ends of the lifting stop walls 9 (see Fig. 7 and Fig. 8).

The free movement of the threaded nut between the two ends of the lifting stop walls 9 is secondary to the total movement necessary to adjust the tongues between the two closing positions of the tongues A1, A2 and A1', A2 ' to the respective corresponding rail B1, B2 and B1', B2' . Therefore, at the beginning of each phase of putting the switch into operation, the threaded nut y and the slide 11 perform a certain unused lifting movement. This movement is used for putting into operation in the sense of disconnecting the locking means of the first driving slide 12.

The driving slide 12 is provided with wheels 13 and has a recess 112 in the central region of the bottom, provided with two notches 212, engaging with the locking teeth 14. These locking teeth 14 are supported by spring-biased means 15, which firmly press them into the engaging position in the notches 212, while they protrude outward on at least one side of the driving slide 12 at least in the region of the notches 212, preferably on both sides of the driving slide 12.

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The slide 11 has, in a position protruding from the sides, a respective one roller 111 from a pair of coaxial rollers 111. These rollers 111 engage with a cam track 116 formed by suitable profiling of the longitudinal end edge, for example the lower edge, of two levers 16, pivoting relative to each other and perfectly aligned, converging and symmetrical, and are supported on the same shaft 316, which is supported by two fixed elements 616, located on two sides of the drive slide 12, between which the said drive slide 12 can pass freely during its movement.

Two rocker arms 16 lie behind the pivot shaft 316 towards the central region of the drive slide 12. These two rocker arms 16 lie along two sides of the drive slide 12 upwards towards the region of the slide 11 and the threaded nut 8. On the opposite side from the threaded nut 8, the rocker arms 16 end with a push head 416 which engages with a section of the locking tooth 14 of the drive slide 12 which projects outwardly from its sides.

This is done in such a way that in the end-of-stroke position of the driving slide 12, the rollers 111 of the slide 11, connected to the threaded nut £3, engage with the recessed area of the profiled edge of the lower end of the swinging levers 16, while the opposite end of the push tooth is lifted from the locking tooth and can penetrate into the notch 212 of the driving slide 12 due to the spring load.

As a result of the movement of the driving slide 12 in the opposite direction, the threaded nut 8 and with it the slide 11 perform a certain unused unnecessary movement, that is, relative to the same driving slide 12, and the rollers of the slide 11 come into engagement with the protruding area of the profiled lower front edge of the swing levers 16. Under these conditions, the push ends of the swing levers

• · · · · · · • · · · · · · · • · · · · · · — οι _ ·· · ··· ···· * 21 · · · · · · · · · · levers 16 engage with the tooth and push it out of the notch 212 against the action of the spring.

In this way, the drive slide 12 is released with respect to its linear movement even before the lifting nut 8) and the slide 11 stop against the end of the lifting stop wall 9, that is, before the drive slide 12 begins to be driven or pushed. The leaf spring connected to the tooth not only holds the tooth in its engagement position in the notch 212, but also presses the pivot lever 16 against the rollers 111 due to the spring preload.

The illustrations in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show the initial stage of the unlocking path of the slide 12 driver by means of the threaded nut 8^ and the slide 11.

In Fig. 4, the slide has reached the end of the stroke position, corresponding to movement to the left in the direction of arrow F1. By changing the direction of movement of the slide, indicated by arrow F2, the first unused unnecessary movement of the threaded nut and slide 11 occurs until they stop against the stroke stop wall 9. During this movement, the rollers 111 come into contact with the protruding area of the profiled lower guide

margins 216 swinging lever 16, while pushing head 416 works on blocking tooth 14 and they push her out from notch 212, so drivers slide 12 can freely

slip when the threaded nut 8 and the slide 11 stop at the end of the lifting stop wall 9.

Therefore, further displacement of the threaded nut <3 along the threaded rod 2 causes the drive slide 12 to move in the direction of arrow F2.

22·«·· ··

····· it · · · it· ··· ·· it ··

The end of the stroke positions of the driving slide 12 is defined by a fixed stop 60 which is integral with the bottom of the switch box and through which an axial extension 412 of the driving slide 12 passes, provided with an extended striker 512 on the extension at its free end. At the two ends of the stroke positions, one of the two surfaces of the end stroke stop wall 9 comes into contact with the extended striker 512 on the axial extension 412 and at the front end of the respective driving slide 12 to which said axial extension 412 is attached.

On the drive slide 12, in an overlapping position, there is an integral drive guide 19 for the rod-carrying sled 18, which is integral with the displacement of the drive slide 12 due to a vertical pin or other fixed connection 618 and slides along the longitudinal side walls of the drive guide 19 in the switch box 2 with the help of rollers 218.

The rod carriage 18 has a tubular structure, with its side walls having a planar form in the form of isosceles trapezoids, forming at the opposite ends of each side wall 318 of the rod carriage 18 inclined surfaces 518 in a direction oppositely symmetrical to each other, which converge towards the central region of the rod carriage 18. In the central region of the rod carriage 18, the rod carriage 18 is provided on the lower and upper sides with a double sliding guide, i.e. on both sides or on one side 418, for example, with longitudinal central grooves or half-grooves, in which the ends of the central rod 120 are accommodated.

This central rod 120 is connected to the rod support carriage 18 by means of a pair of support springs 220. Each of said two support springs 220 is connected by a reverse • · * · • · · · · · · φ φφφ φ ·· · • ······ ·· · β φ φ φφφφ

Φ· φ ·· ·· side and in a symmetrical position with another support spring 220 to the center rod 120, and in a top plan view it has essentially the shape of the letter "X" when cut vertically in half through the center rod 120.

Each of the free ends of the support springs 220 is provided with a roller 320. The support springs 220 are dimensioned in such a way that each roller 320 engages with an inclined surface 518 of the rod support carriage 18. In particular, the rollers 320 at the ends of each support spring 220 engage, for each support spring 220, with an inclined surface 518 at the ends of that side of the rod support carriage 18 toward which the support spring 220 faces.

The central rod 120 is attached to the support springs 220 essentially on a single sheet, in particular in line with this sheet or more precisely with the tangential band of the support springs 220 to said central rod 120 by means of a locking clamp or clamp 420.

The central rod 120 is connected at both its ends by means of joints 22 to the transmission rods 21, which extend to the area below the corresponding rails B1, B1' and B2, B2'. The end 121 of each transmission rod 21 has a plate shape in the horizontal direction and slides between two side guide walls 23. At the ends 121 of the transmission rods 21, a first longitudinal groove 221 is made on the upper surface, which has a certain predetermined length, and which is closer to the joint 22 with the central rod 120 of the rod support carriage 18, and at a predetermined distance from this first longitudinal groove 221, in the end area, a second bent longitudinal groove 321.

·· ·· • · • ·

The first longitudinal groove 221 is rectilinear, with its axis parallel and converging with the central longitudinal axis of the respective transmission rod 21. The second groove 321 forms an obtuse angle, with its branch parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the corresponding transmission rod 21, but laterally offset from this transmission rod 21, essentially in a size corresponding to the length of the connecting tooth 124 of the swing lever 24, with its transversely bent branch essentially ending in the central region of the transmission rod 21. The length of the projection of the second groove 321 into the longitudinal axis of the corresponding transmission rod 21 is essentially the same as the total length of the first longitudinal groove 221.

At the end 121 of each transmission rod 21 there is a rocker arm 24 which is bent at its end relative to the free end of the transmission rod 21 to form a connecting tooth 124. Two transverse pins 224 and 324 extend from the lower support surface of the rocker arm 24 in a position corresponding to the grooves 221 and 321, and engage with the corresponding grooves 221 and 321 at the ends 121 of the transmission rods 21.

A pin 224 is arranged at the respective end of the swing arms 24 facing the rod-carrying carriage 18, while a second pin 324 is arranged in an aligned position with the first pin 224 relative to the longitudinal axis of the longer branch of the swing arms 24 and in the region of its bend. The distance between these two pins 224 and 324 essentially corresponds to the distance of the projections onto the longitudinal axis of the gear levers 21 of the ends on the same side of the grooves 221 and 321, in such a way that if the pin 224 abuts against one of the ends of the groove 221, then the pin 324 abuts against the end on the same side of the bent groove 321, which in this case has the function of a guide for the pin 324 and defines the angular displacement in the horizontal plane of the swing lever 24, the path of which is sufficient to bring the lever 24 alternately into the position in engagement with the tooth 124 on the front end of the front wall of the side guide 23 and into the disengaged position due to the relative displacement between the gear rod 21 and the swing lever 24.

In a coaxial position with respect to the locking pin 224 in the longitudinal groove 221 of the transmission rod 21, a lateral extension extends from the upper side of each rocker arm 24, connected to the blade, which is formed by a screw 424 with a head 524 in the shape of a spherical coupling seat for a spherical attachment 25 of the spherical coupling type, which is integral with the tongue Al, Al' and A2, A2 ', in such a way that the rocker arm 24 is connected to the corresponding tongue Al, Al' and A2, A2 ' in a rotatable manner at least about a common axis with the pin 224 of the rocker arm 24.

The ball attachment 25 of the ball coupling type extends from a small arm 125, fixed to the tongue A1, A1' and A2, A2', and in particular to the longitudinal side surface of the tongue A1, A1' and A2, A2'.

With reference to the illustrations in Fig. 1 to Fig. 14, the function that the above-mentioned construction enables to be performed will be described below.

Operation under normal conditions

The threaded rod 3 is put into operation either by means of the motor M or by means of the crank 6, in order to achieve the displacement of the tongues from one initial position of closure of one of the said tongues, which closely abuts the corresponding rail in the closed position of the tongue opposite the associated rail, at the beginning of the path of the threaded nut 8_ and the slide 11 associated therewith relative to the driving slide 12 (see Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) the rollers 11 activate the swing levers 16 so as to release the driving slide 12 from the locking tooth 14.

4 • 4

4 *26

After reaching the end of the stroke stop 2 ^on the side facing the direction of travel of the drive slide 12, the drive slide 12 begins to move and carries with it the rod-carrying carriage 18 together with the central rod 120 and thus also together with the transmission rod 21. In the initial starting position, the pins 224 and 324 of the swing levers 24, connected to the tongues, first stop at the ends of the respective grooves 221 and 321 on the front side with respect to the direction of movement of the transmission rods 21. Therefore, in the initial phase of movement and adjustment of the transmission rods 21, the transmission rod 21, associated with the closed tongue in the starting position, then performs a relative movement with respect to the tongue and the connected swing lever 24. This relative movement is such that it brings the swing lever 24, associated with the tongue in the closed position in the starting state, into the disengaged position from the edges of the side guide wall 23, while on the opposite side the guide rod performs a relative movement such that the pivot lever 24, associated with one or more tongues to be brought into the closed position, assumes a slightly inclined position and substantially rests on the inner surface of the associated side guide wall 23.

Having reached this position, the pins 324 of all the swinging levers 24, connected to the respective tongues A1 and A1', have reached a substantially intermediate position between the end of the inclined branch and the end in the bent region of the corresponding grooves 321. The swinging levers 24 are held in this position by the action of the side guide walls 23, along which they slide during their further movement, during which the arms 24 and with them also the tongues are driven together with the transmission rods 21.

The tongues reach the closed position and at the same time the locking tooth 124 of the connecting swing lever 24 passes beyond the rear edge of the front side of the side guide wall 23 with respect to the direction of translational movement of the transmission rods 21, while the next

The translational movement of the transmission rods 21 defines the subsequent swing, in particular of the swing lever 24 associated with the tongue, which has been brought into the closed position, into the engagement position behind the front edge of the side guide walls 23.

The swing lever of the tongue, which has passed into a position outwards from the associated rail, is subsequently brought into a central position with respect to the side guide walls 23. In this way, the tongue is locked in this position in the closed position.

Upon reaching the closing position opposite to the initial position, the rollers 111 of the slide 11, associated with the threaded nut 8, reach the new recessed part of the control cam 216, formed by the profiling of the rocker arms 16, which are supported rigidly on the lateral support 616 through which the drive slide 12 passes, so that the locking tooth 14 of the drive slide 12 penetrates the corresponding notch 212 and locks it in the closing position that has just been reached.

As regards the English type crossing switch shown in the figures of the drawings, which is provided with two pairs of tongues A1, A1' and A2 and A2', if the tongues of these two pairs must assume closed positions, when they are closed to each other for each pair, then a single driving slide 12 with a single sled 20 is sufficient to support the rod for all four tongues.

Apart from the fact that four tongues are arranged, the English-type crossing switch differs from a conventional switch in that it is not possible to arrange specific means for the tongues A2 and A1' in the central region of the switch for locking them in a given position. Therefore, in these conditions, when tongue A1 of the pair is to assume a closed position together with tongue A2 of the other pair, this tongue is firmly closed.

* 28

ΦΦ φφ · * · · « φ φφ φ φ φ φ φ φφφ φ φφφφ • φ φ φφ · together by means of a rod 26, while the locking means which form the connecting rocker lever 24 are arranged only on the outside of the track and in connection with the tongue A1. The same identical construction is also made for the tongues A1' and A2', which together occupy a closing position with respect to the respective rail.

From the above description it is quite clear that the construction of a switch for traditional switching with only two tongues is completely identical to the English type switch from which it is derived by simply omitting the rods 26 and the inner tongues A2 and A1'.

With particular reference to the illustrations of Fig. 12 and Fig. 14, the respective construction of the rod-carrying carriage 18 makes the switch of the so-called knock-out type. This means that the switch can be activated by a train suddenly arriving from the opposite direction to that of the arrow T of Fig. 1 and from the wrong track, which will act with its wheels on the unblocked points.

Under these conditions, the train wheels exert a shifting force in the direction of closing the tongue, which is not locked to the relevant rail, and if the switch is not compliant with this force, it will be damaged or, in certain cases, the train will derail.

Thanks to the connecting support springs 220 and the slide 18 for supporting the rod, when an adjusting force is exerted on the unlocked tongue in the direction of its closure to the respective rail, and when this force is greater than the biasing force of one of the support springs 220, then the rollers of the rear branch of the two opposing support springs 220 slide on the inclined surfaces 518, pass them and compress the two associated branches.

-29- • it · ♦ this • · • · • · • · · that · • it· · • # it · this this this « < » ·»·*· • · · · • ·· * ·· ·· it ·· « • ·· · • it ·· · • this · this ·· supporting springs 220 against each other, so central rod 120 and relevant gear rods 21 I am released from the drivetrain slide 12 and they can . move in the direction of force, exported

language.

The connecting rocker arm mechanism 24, which is completely independent of one of the drive slides, operates in a manner analogous to that described above.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the inclined surfaces have a length such that the sliding of the rollers from one end to the other corresponds substantially to the length of the section of the cranked groove 321 of the transmission rods, which is straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the transmission rods, so that, as is apparent from the illustration of Fig. 13, if the rollers remain on the inclined surfaces 518 and do not extend into the intermediate region of the side walls of the rod support carriage 18, then the rocker arms with the locked tongues do not move to the disengaged position. This allows the transmission mechanism to absorb the slight mechanical stresses exerted on the tongues without causing them to leave the switch position.

The rod support carriage 18, integral with the drive slides 12, makes it possible to prevent the application of tension to the drive motor M in the event that an obstacle comes between the tongue and the corresponding rail during the closing phase. If, for example, a stone or other obstacle prevents the rail from assuming the final closing position, the drive slide can in any case be brought to the end of stroke position with the central rod 120 of the rod support carriage 18 being disconnected, which is analogous to the procedure described in the pushing phase.

With reference to the illustrations of Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 and Fig. 17 and Fig. 19, the switch box is provided with sensors for

9 9

9 9 9 • 9 99999

9 9

9

9

9 9 9 9 9 tongues, center bars

120 and the slide position sensing actuators 12.

For the outer tongues of the English-type turnout shown, as well as for the tongues of a conventional turnout, the position sensors consist of limit switches 30 housed in small boxes 31 which are attached to the outer wall of the rail. These switches 30 are operated by means of small rods 32 which pass transversely across the rails, extending into the interior of the rail against which the respective side of the tongue rests.

In the English type switch and in the conventional switch, the center rod end stroke sensors 120 and the slide actuators 12 are located in a small box 35 at the top of the switch box in the center section of the rail or rails B1, B1' and B2, B2'.

In the figures according to Fig. 17 and Fig. 19 hybrid forms of embodiment of the small box 35 are shown, whereby the mutual combination of all functions here can be carried out both for an English-type turnout and for a conventional turnout. In fact, as is clear from the figure according to Fig. 1, if an English-type turnout is provided with two small boxes 35, the means shown in the figures according to Fig. 17 and Fig. 19 can be placed in said two small boxes 35.

Through a groove 36 in the bottom of the small box 35, a slide 37 projects into the inside of the small box 35, which is supported by a rod-carrying slide 18, which is tubular and integral with the drive slide 12. Said groove 36 has a length that substantially corresponds to the path of the drive slide 12, and is oriented in the direction of movement of the drive slide 12.

·· 9 • » · ♦ 9 9 9 • 99999

9 ·

9

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• · ♦ ’ ♦ · · «

The slider 37 cooperates with two limit switches 38 and 38', which are located in the end sections of the groove 36 at such a distance and in such a position that corresponds to the stroke of the driver of the slide 12, and at the end of the stroke position. The slider 37 operates thanks to the inclined guide surfaces 137 on the switch buttons 138 of the switches 38 and 38'.

The position sensors of the central rod 120 are made in a similar manner. A groove 36, oriented in the direction of the displacement movement of the transmission rod 21 and having a length corresponding to the stroke of this transmission rod 21, is made in the bottom of the small box 35 in correspondence with the central rods 120. Through this groove 36, a small section of the rack 39 projects into the interior of the small box 35, which engages with toothed rollers 140 associated with each of the two limit switches 40, which are arranged at suitable distances and in suitable positions, which are analogous to the positions described for the drive of the slide 12 in the section of the ends of the groove 36.

The toothed rollers 140 are provided with axial toothing 240 on the side facing the switches 40, said toothing 240 extending over a certain angular amplitude and connected by inclined sides 340 to the remaining section of the front edge of the toothed roller 140. The axial toothing 240 switches the button of the switch 40 and in accordance with the position of the roller determined by the rack 39, the button 440 will be pressed or not. The passage of the rack 39 over the toothed rollers 140 therefore defines the position signal of the center rod 120.

The central small box, belonging to a conventional switch, is equipped with the same identical sensors for the slide actuator 12 and for the central rod 120.

»32 • · · * tt tttt · tttt · tttt tttt tttttt tttttt· tttt tttt · • · · · • tttttt · • tt tttttttt · tt tttttt · ♦ ♦ ♦ • tt « · ♦ • · · tttt ·

In addition, position sensors for the inner tongues A2 and A1' are arranged in the central small box 35 of the English-type switch. In this case, with particular reference to the illustrations of Fig. 9, Fig. 17 and Fig. 19, a small control rod 41 is arranged here analogously for one of the outer rails A1 and A2 with a line, passing from side to side over the associated rail B1' and B2.

The protruding end on the side of the opposite rail acts, thanks to the pressure plate 141, on another small rod 42, which is supported slidingly in the wall of the small box 35, and which projects into the interior of this small box 35, where it acts on an intermediate point of the transverse swing lever 43, the free end of which creates pressure on the button controlling the limit sensor 40.

In the small box 35, intended for an English-type switch, only the position sensor of the second inner tongue A1', which is made similarly as described above, can be stored, or rather, the position sensors for the driving slide 12 and for the center rod 120 can also be stored, which are made similarly as described above, in which case the slide 37 and the rack 39 are associated with other parts, integral with the driving slide 12 and the center rod 120.

With reference to the illustrations of Fig. 8, Fig. 17 and Fig. 20, in accordance with a further advantageous embodiment, it is possible to arrange means by which it is possible to press the rod-carrying carriage 18 and consequently the driving slide 12 firmly and movably against the central rod 120, thereby enabling and disabling the operation of the turnout. This can be achieved in particular thanks to the transverse vertical pin 50, which fits into the corresponding holes or seats on the central rod 120.

φφ φφ φ φ « · φ φ φ · φ φ φ φ φ φ φ · φφ *· •Φ * • 33

ΦΦ ♦ φ φ φ φ φ · φ φ φφφφ φφ φ φ φ φ φφφ < φ φφφφφ * φφφ φφ *

Said pin 50 may be inserted manually, so as to prevent the switch from tilting unless it is manually operated, or it may be regulated in two positions automatically, for example by means of an electromagnet 51, the actuation or deactivation of which brings the pin 50 into a position engaging or not engaging the central rod 120. This may also be done in a different manner and using other actuation means.

The above sign can also be implemented without distinction and without significant variations or modifications both in the English-type turnout shown as an example and in the conventional turnout with two tongues.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the pin 50 then engages with grooves 52 in the central rod 120, the length of which is such as to allow a certain relative movement between the central rod 120 and the rod-carrying carriage 18 within predetermined limits. This in particular allows the rod-carrying carriage 18 and the slide actuators 12 to always reach the end position of the stroke when the motor M is switched off, even if an obstacle is placed between the tongue and the closing rail, thereby preventing the tongue from being blocked in the end position of the stroke against the rail.

The grooves 52 are of such a length that the relative movement between the center rod 120 and the rod carriage 18, which occurs in the above case against the action of the support springs 220, always keeps the support spring rollers within the range of the inclined surfaces 518 of the rod carriage 18. As a result, the center rod 120 can perform a small relative movement with respect to the rod carriage 18 and the driving slide 12, but it can never be disengaged, as is the case in Fig. 14, where the switch is of the push-out type.

• 9

9

9

9

9 9 9

9999 9 9

9 *

The pin 50 can be simply engaged or alternatively engaged and disengaged based on commands from the solenoid 51.

In order to enable the switch to be activated even when the pin is not automatically operated in the active or inactive position, mechanical means may also be provided which automatically move the pin 50 into the active position upon activation of the switch. In the present exemplary embodiment, lifting means are provided for this purpose, associated with the rod-carrying carriage 18, said means consisting of inclined planes 154 of a cam track 54 which cooperates with a roller 53 rotatably arranged on an axis which is transverse to the direction of travel of the central rod 120 and which is laterally offset in alignment with said inclined planes 154 at the free end of the pin 50.

By activating the rod support carriage 18 before the pin 50 reaches the respective end of the associated groove 52 in the center rod 120, the roller 53 on the pin 50 engages the inclined plane 154 of the cam track 54 carried by the rod support carriage 18, causing it to be raised to a position where it does not engage the respective groove 52 in the center rod 120, so that the center rod 120 can move freely with the rod support carriage 18.

After reaching the end position of the adjustment stroke, the opposite inclined plane or interruption of the cam path returns the pin 50 to the engagement position with another groove 52 in the center rod 120, thereby re-establishing the ejection conditions.

Claims (38)

PATENTED CLAIMS (Al, Al', 18, 120, languages, languages 1. A switch box for railway, tramway or similar switches, containing a drive unit (M, 3, 4, 5, 5', 5'', 5''', 6) for adjusting movement of tongues A2, A2') switches and at least one group (12, 21, 24) for the linear transmission of the driving movement to the movable means (24, 124) for locking in their respective closed position, said groups being housed in a housing (1) which has substantially the same dimensions and shape as the sleeper and which is fixed to the track at the same place and with the same function as the tongues, characterized in that it has means (23, 24, 124) for locking the tongues A2, A2') in their respective closing position, the sleeper, movable (Al, Al', said means are associated with their respective tongue (Al, A2') and arranged inside the housing (1) in the region of the tongue itself (Al, A2'), being automatically brought into the active blocking position after the respective tongue (Al, A2') reaches the closing position, and being automatically disengaged at the moment when the switch housing is put into operation for the closing position with the tongue being moved opposite to the tongue (A2', Al). 2. A switch box according to claim 1, characterized in that it has linear transmission means (12), consisting of a carriage, a slide or the like, which are displaced transversely to the track, in particular perpendicularly to the track in two directions between the end lifting positions of the group (M, 3, 4, 5, 5', 5'', 5''', 6) for converting rotary motion into linear motion, to which a transmission rod (21) is connected for each or more tongues (A1, A1', A2, A2'), at least said opposite tongues (A1, A2') being connected to a lever (24) connected to the respective ΦΦ φφ φ φ · · • · φ • · · φφφ φφφφ φφ 36 by the transmission rod (21) through the corresponding movable means (21, 121, 321, 23, 124, 224, 324), φφφ φ · · · φφφφ φφφφ φ φ φφφφ * φ · · · φ φ φ φφφφ φφ φφ blocking tongue (Al, A2') in closed position. 3. Turnout wardrobe according to claim 2 characteristic with by the transmission rods (21) propulsive movement of languages (Al, Al ', A2, A2') are carried at least one driving slide (12) and movable blocking means (8, 9, 11, 15, 16, 216, 212), arranged in two end stroke positions of the driving slide (12) except for the end of the stroke stops (60, 412, 512). 4. A switch box according to claim 3, characterized in that the transmission rods (21) can be released from the mechanical pressure connection with the driving slide (12) by means of the application of an external force for moving the tongues (A1, A1', A2, A2'). 5. A switch box according to claim 3, characterized in that a respective end of the lift sensors (3, 31, 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40) is arranged for each of the tongues (A1, A1', A2, A2') for the transmission rods (20, 21) and for the driving slide (12). 6. Turnout wardrobe according to claim 2 characteristic with three m , that levers (24) I am arranged at least prc and connection external languages (Al, A2') to the relevant transfer rod (21), said levers represent the above movable blocking resources for languages (Al, A2'). 7. Turnout wardrobe according to claim 6 characteristic with three m , that mentioned conjunction The levers (24) are pivotable and are equipped with a side tooth (124) on 4· 44 » 4 *37 44 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4444 4 4 4 44 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ends opposite their center of rotation, each lever (24) being connected to the respective tongue (A1, A2') by means of a joint (424, 525, 25) which allows the levers (24) to rotate about a perpendicular axis, preferably by means of a ball joint or the like, each connecting lever (24) engaging a fixed stop (23) in the region of the tongues (A1, A2'), means (224, 324, 221, 321) being arranged between each connecting lever (24) and the transmission rod (21) for controlling the angular position of the same lever (24) so that during the activation of the switch the connecting lever (24) or at least the connecting lever (24), engaging the tongue (A1) in the closed position under starting conditions, is brought into the uncoupled position by means of the fixed stops (23) before the tongues (A1, Al', A2, A2'), and then, when one of the tongues (A2 ^Z ) reaches the closing position, the corresponding connecting lever (24) is angularly displaced into a position of engagement with the end tooth (124) behind the corresponding fixed stop (23) with respect to the direction of movement of the tongue (A1), closed in a position of movement outward from the associated rail (B1). 8. A switch box according to claim 7, characterized in that the means for controlling the angular movement of the coupling levers are formed by grooves or shaped grooves (321) which create a control path formed in the transmission rods (21, 121) and with which at least one projection (324) protruding from the front side of the coupling levers (24) engages. 9. A switch box according to claim 7, characterized in that the pivot axis is arranged in the region of the means connecting the pivot lever (24) to the respective tongue (A1, A2'), the connecting lever (24) extending beyond the tongue (A1, A2') in the direction of the associated rail (B1, B2') inside the side guides (23) oriented in the direction of movement * and ** in** 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 9 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 9 4 4 44 944 4 4444 9 9 44 9 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 9 4444 44 44 4 44 4 *9 transmission rods (21), said rod being substantially vertical and the connecting levers resting on the associated ends of the transmission rods (21). 10. A switch box according to claim 7, characterized in that the coupling levers (24) move alternately from the engagement position with the fixed stops (23) to the disengagement position by means of relative movement with respect to the movement of the transmission rods (21), in particular in the initial or final stroke, driving the same transmission rods (21). 11. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has the following combination of features: - the transmission rods (21) are provided with a bent groove (321), in which at least one drive pin (324) of the corresponding connecting lever (24), which is parallel to the transmission rods (21), engages in a sliding manner, or groove (324) has section, with the main longitudinal axis and which is arranged sideways mentioned main longitudinal axis, spreads towards freedom the ends of the transmission rods (21) with an inclined section which essentially ends in the region of the main longitudinal axis or in any case of the transmission rods (21) in an intermediate region of the transverse dimension of said transmission rods (21), stop means (23) with which the lateral teeth (124) of the connecting levers (24) engage, • Φ φ Φ φ φ • φ φ φ » φ φφφφ φ« φ Φ * φ Φ φ 4 ΦΦΦΦ Φ · Φ 4 φφ ΦΦΦΦΦΦΦ ·Φ · φ Φ Φ · · Φ < ΦΦ · Φ· ·· means (23) limiting the swing in the direction of engagement with associated stops (23) of the connecting levers (24) in that part of the stroke in which the connecting levers are located. carried by the transmission rods (21), the position and shape of the groove (324Ϊ of the tooth (124) of the transmission levers means (230) for projection position (124) as well as (24) and the shape and engagement of the lateral teeth of the coupling levers (24) and the means (23) for limiting the oscillation during the drive stroke are dimensioned and arranged in such a way that in the initial range of the drive stroke the transmission rods (21) move relative to the coupling levers (24) if the coupling lever (24) which is in the engagement position and which is connected to the tongue (A1) closed in the starting position is brought into the disengagement position by means of the stop (23), while the lever (24) in the disengagement position which is (A2') to be brought into is limited with respect by means of (23) in such a way that the extension (324) projecting from said coupling levers (24) in the region of the tooth (124) and engaging in the angled groove (321), is moved to a position at an intermediate point of the inclined section of said slots or grooves (321), whereby the inclined wall, rotated in the direction of movement of the tongues (A1, A2') of each groove (321), is connected to the tongue (A2'), which must be brought into its closing position by means of lateral guides, for driving the same corresponding angular displacement of the limiting means to its closing position of the engagement surface of the connecting lever (24) together with the rod (21), and when »· φ φ φ »40 is in the closing position of the tongue (Α2'), the connecting lever (24) is released from the means (23) limiting the angular movement, so that it swings further and is brought into the engagement position with the corresponding fixed stop (23). «Φ «φ • φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ · * • · · φφφφ φ φ φ φ φ φ · φ φ «φφφ φφφ • Φ φ φφ φφ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ φ · φ · φ φ φ φ φφ φφ claim means, engagement stops are formed is the tongue wall (23) 12. A switch box according to the invention, characterized in that the limiting swing of the connecting levers (24), the teeth (124) of the connecting levers (24) by means of an assembly of side guide walls (23) of the transmission rods (21) and the connecting levers (24), said walls (23) being arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, by means of end faces opposite to the central axis of the track of one of said side guide walls (23), said end faces being arranged in such a position that when the tooth (124) of the connecting levers (24) has just passed, (A2') in the closed position, while the side facing in the direction of the side corresponding to the connecting lever (24), forms one sliding and limiting wall in a position in which the extension (324) of the connecting lever (24) is substantially located in the central region of the inclined branch of the corresponding drive groove (324) of the transmission rod (21). guide bar (124) 13. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that each transmission rod (21) is provided with a second groove (221) which is substantially parallel and coincident with the main longitudinal axis and in which a pin (224) corresponding to a coupling lever (24) or the like is accommodated, which is movable along a rectilinear slot or groove (221) and which, with respect to the angular displacement of the coupling lever (24), is coaxial with the means (424, 524, 25) of the coupling lever (24) with a tongue (A1, A2'), for example with a connection of at least a rotary type. ·· ·· ·* · ·* • ;: : :::. : .. • « ... ··«·»·· ·· • .« ·· · .·· >>.·»· ·· · ·· · 14. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission rods (24) are connected (120, 220, 320, 518) to a common rod-carrying carriage (18) mounted in a movably manner substantially perpendicular to the track axis, said rod-carrying carriage (18) being permanently connected to the drive slide (12), while the transmission rods (21) are connected to the rod-carrying carriage (18) by means of movable connecting means (220, 320, 218, 518) which pass into a disengaged position from the rod-carrying carriage (18) and from the drive slide (12) if the resistance to the displacement of the tongues (A1, A1', A2, A2') exceeds a certain predetermined torque, or if a force is applied in the direction of movement directly to the tongues (A1, A1', A2, A2'), the same transmission rods (21) being displaced relative to the rod-carrying carriage (18) against a predetermined torque connecting the transmission rods (21) to the rod support carriage. 15. A switch box according to claim 14, wherein the transmission rods (21) are connected to the rod-carrying carriage (18) by means of a central rod (120) having rollers (320) rotating in the sliding direction of the central rod (120), the transmission rods (21) being mounted in a spring-biased manner (220) so as to be movable laterally relative to the sliding direction of the transmission rods (21) against a predetermined spring biasing force, each roller (320) engaging an inclined plane (518) arranged in the walls of the rollers (218) on the rod-carrying carriage (18), the two inclined planes (518) being arranged with respect to the sliding direction of the rod-carrying carriage (18) and with slopes which are symmetrically opposite to each other on each of the two opposite roller walls. (218) for rollers (320), at least one corresponding roller (320) is arranged for each inclined plane (518), connected to the transmission rods (21) and to a common central connecting rod (210). 16. A switch box according to claims 4 or 15, characterized in that the carriage (18) for supporting the rod is arranged on the upper guide (19) of the driving slide (12) and has two opposite side walls, oriented in the sliding direction of the transmission rods (21), on whose walls two projections (218) in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid are arranged, which face each other, and whose inclined sides form inclined planes (518), engaging with the rollers (320) of the central rod (120), at whose two opposite ends two transmission rods (21) are connected. 17. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims 14 to 16, characterised in that the central connecting rod to the transmission rods (21) has two rollers (320) for each rolling wall of the rod-carrying carriage (18), said rollers (320) being supported at their respective ends by a supporting spring (220), and the two supporting springs (220) being fastened to each other on two longitudinal sides of the central connecting rod (120) in relation to the outer sides of said springs (220), the length of the supporting springs (220) being such that in the state of engagement of the central rod (120) with the rod-carrying carriage (18) and with the driving slide (12), the rollers are at the outer end of the corresponding inclined plane (518). 18. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that movable locking means (3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 212, 14, 15, 16) are arranged for the driving slide (12) at the two ends of the lifting positions of closing one or the other tongue (A1, A1', A2, A2'). •»43 • · · · · • ····'·· ·· · • · * · · · · • · · · · · 19. A switch box according to claim 18, characterized in that said movable locking means of the driving slide consist of pivoting means (16) for disengaging a locking tooth (14), resiliently pressed in a stable manner (15) in the direction of engagement into one or more notches, arranged along the longitudinal side of the driving slide (12). 20. A switch box according to claim 18 or 19, characterised in that the means for disconnecting the driving slide (12) from the locking means (14) in the end-stroke position of the drive are directly controlled by means (3, 8, 9) connecting the driving slide (12) to the linear drive actuator (3, 8) during the stroke range in which the means (8, 9) connected to the linear actuators (3, 8) perform a relative unnecessary movement with respect to the driving slide (12) before achieving mechanical engagement of driving or pressing with said driving slide (12), said means for connecting the linear actuators to the driving slide (12) being provided with control means (11, 111) of the rocker arm (16), the means for engaging the locking tooth (14) in the corresponding notch (212) of the same the driving slide (12) is represented by connecting means (8, 9, 1, 111) which during the final range of the lowering stroke move together with the same driving slide (12). 21. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims 18 to 20, characterised in that a pivoting support is provided, consisting of at least one lever (16), pivotable about an axis (316) transverse to the movement of the driving slide (12) and which lies parallel to said movement, said pivoting axis (316) being fixed with respect to the driving slide (12) and forming at one end of the pivoting lever means for pressing against a locking tooth of the driving slide (12) for moving said driving slide (12) alternately into an engagement position and into a disengagement position with one of the notches (212) in the cooperating walls of the driving slide (12), while the other part of the pivoting lever on the opposite side of the axis of the centre of rotation (316) is shaped in the form of a control cam. (216) which engages at least one movable roller (111) which is with said means (8, 9) connecting the driving slide (12) to the linear actuator 22. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims 18 to 21, characterised in that the means for connecting the driving slide (12) to the linear actuator are represented by a slide (8, 10, 11) which can slide between two opposite ends of the stroke stops (103), spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the unnecessary movement necessary to drive the rocker arm (16) into the engagement position and disengage the locking tooth (14) with one of the notches (212) in the driving slide (12), corresponding to the end position of the stroke of the driving slide (12), said slide (8, 10, 11) being dynamically connected to the linear actuator (3, 8) and provided with at least one roller (111) engaging with a cam track (116) profiled on the corresponding branch of the rocker arm. (16). 23. A switch characterized by two boxes according to claim 21, wherein the swing support is provided by levers (16) which are integral with each other and merge together, each of which lies along the lateral longitudinal sides of the driving slide (12), said swing levers (16) being mounted on the same axis (316) of rotation. 45’ in the side supports (616) and form a swinging support of a bridge construction type, over which and under which at least one section of the driving slide (12) passes, of a length substantially corresponding to the lowering stroke, while • · · · ft · · 4 • · · 4 • · · 4 I · · · · · the slide (8, 10, 11) associated with the linear actuator (3, 8), is provided with a roller (11) for each lever (16) of the swing support, and is movable between two ends of the lifting walls (9), which are transverse to the stroke of the driving slide (12), face each other and are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the stroke of the control rollers (111) for disconnecting the driving slide (12) from the locking tooth (14). 24. A switch box characterized in that the cam (116) on the rocker arm (16) is arranged on the lower end side of the rocker arm, while the rollers (111) connected to the slide (8, 10, 11) are rotatable about a horizontal and coaxial axis and are supported on vertical sides parallel to the lowering stroke of the same slide (8, 10, 11). claim control path in 25. The switch box of the preceding claims according to one or more, characterized in that the linear actuator is formed by a threaded rod (3), driven by rotation by means of a threaded nut (8), the slider being formed by the threaded nut (8) and the driving slide (11) of the threaded nut (8). 26. A switch box according to claim 21, characterised in that the swing lever (16) is constantly spring-biased against the rollers (111) of the slide (8, 10, 11) by means of elastic means (15) which press the locking tooth (14) against the driving slide (12) and which have such dimensions that they project laterally outwards on at least one side, but preferably on both sides, from the walls of the driving slide (12) and press the swing support (16) against said projecting sections or sections of the tooth (14). 27. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with position sensors (30, 31, 32, 35, 41, 42, 43) for each tongue (A1, A1', A2, A2'), sensors (39, 40) for two end positions of the stroke of the transmission rods (21), and position sensors (37, 38) of the slide drive (12), said sensors being formed by limit switches (30, 38, 40). 28. A switch box according to claim 27, characterized in that the position sensors for the tongues (A1, A1', A2, A2') are arranged on the side of the rails (B1, BΓ, B2, B2'), opposite the associated tongues (A1, A1', A2, A2'), and are controlled by means of a small rod (32, 41) which passes through the rail (B1, B1', B2, B2'), and which acts directly or via a gear. mechanism (43) on the button switches (30) . 29. Switch box according to claim 27 or 28 mark taking thus that the limit switches, associated to the gear rods and to drivers sliding (12), are formed by slides (37, 39) which are connected to the same through grooves (36) in the corresponding walls of the switch box (1), and which act on the corresponding switches (38, 40) directly or via transmission mechanisms (137, 138, 140, 240, 340, 440). 30. A switch box according to claim 29, characterized in that the slides (37) are provided with surfaces for activating the switch buttons (138) of the switches (38), surfaces (137). which have the shape of inclined guides 31. A switch box characterized by being formed by a rack segment according to claim 29 in that the slides are 39), which act on rollers with a head side provided with an external set of teeth (140), and the other opposite head side provided with an axial profile or at least one axial tooth (240), with lateral inclined guide surfaces through which said rollers act on the switch buttons (40), one roller being arranged for each limit switch (40). 32. A switch cabinet according to claim 27, characterized in that the position sensors of at least the transmission rods (21) and the slide actuators (12) are arranged in one or more small cabinets (35) arranged in the central region of the cabinet between two rails (B1, B1', B2, B2'). 33. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with movable means (50) for firmly connecting the transmission rods (21) or the central connecting rod (120) to the driving slide (12), thereby forming a non-pushing type switch. 34. A switch box according to claim 33, characterized in that said means are formed by a pin (5) which can be manually inserted and removed. 35. A switch box according to claim 33, characterized in that: 999999 99 9 * 48 • · · 9 9 9 99 the means (50) for firmly connecting the transmission rods (21) to the driving slide (12) are formed by at least one pin which can be moved by means of actuators (51) alternately to the active connection position and to the inactive position, in particular by means of electromagnetic actuators. 36. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims 33 to 35, characterised in that the means suitable for locking the transmission rods (21) or the central rod (12) on the driving slide (12) are of such a type as to allow a relative movement of a limited and predetermined amplitude (52) of said two parts with respect to each other. 37. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims 33 to 36, characterized in that the pin (50) engages in two tongue closure positions respectively in a groove (52), elongated in the direction of movement of the transmission rods (21) and made in the central rod (120), connecting the transmission rods (21), said grooves (52) having a predetermined length. 38. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims 33 to 37, characterized in that electromagnetic means (51) or mechanical means (53, 54) are associated with the pin (50) for raising or lowering the pin (50) into an active or inactive position for blocking the transmission rods (21) to the driving slide (12) as a result of activation of said driving slide (12) and as a result of reaching the end of the lifting position of the driving slide (12). 39. A switch box according to claim 38, characterized in that said means for raising and lowering are of the mechanical type and are formed by cam tracks (54, 154) carried by the driving slide (12) and integrally movable with said driving slide (12), said cam tracks (54, 154) engaging with control rollers (53) at the free end of the pin (50). 40. A switch box according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged in connection with the adjustment of only two tongues, each of these two tongues being provided with movable locking means in the closed position with the associated rail. 41. Turnout wardrobe according to one or more from the previous claims 1 until 40 characterizing is being said thus that is arranged in connection with the adjustment of four or more tongues (Al, Al', A2, A2') in a so-called English type switch, where the tongues (Al, Al', A2, A2') are connected in pairs to the rails (Bl, Bl', B2, B2') of the track and are activated together, a single driving slide (12) and a single carriage (18) are provided for carrying a rod for all four tongues (Al, Al', A2, A2'), only the outer tongues (Al, A2') being provided with movable locking means in the closed position to the respective rail (Bl, B2'), and the inner tongues (Al, A2') being locked in the closed position by means of a fixed connection (55), for example a connecting rod with the outer tongue (Al, A2'), which assumes the closed position together with the inner tongue (A2, Al'). 42. A switch box according to claim 41, characterized in that the position sensors (30) of the inner tongues (A1', A2) are housed in a small central box (35) for the position sensors (38, 40)