US1570035A - Drop track section - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 19,1926.. 1,570,035

E. T. BEN N|NGTON DROP TRACK SECTION Filed Nov. 2s, '1924 nel.

IN ven-rail',

auf

MQW-14.*

Patented Jan. 19, 1926.

EARL T. BEN N INGTON, OF CLEVELAND HEI CRANE & ENGINEERING COMPANY,

OHIO.

GHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVELAND F WICKLIFFE, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF DROP TRACK SECTION.

Application illed November 28, 1924. Serial No. 752,685.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, EARL T. BENNINGTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland Heights, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Drop Track Sections, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a drop track section for overhead carrier tramrail systems which is adapted to receive a carrier from a fixed section of a track and be lowered with the carrier thereon.

p An object of the present invention is to provide improved means for automatically stopping and positioning the drop track section in alignment with the fixed track.

More particularly, the present invention aims to provide in connection with a drop track section, suspended by hoist cables, means for properly positioning the drop track section as it approaches the fixed track and for instantly stopping the drop track section in alignment with the fixedtrack without excessive shock to the hoisting mechanism.

A further object is to provide automatically operated means for blocking the ends of the fixed track adjacent the drop track section whenever the Y drop track section is moved out of alignment with the fixed track to prevent carriers running into the gap formed when the drop track section is lowered, the locking means being moved to inop- 5 erative position when the drop track section is returned into alignment with the fixed track and further to provide automatically operated means on the drop track section for holding a carrier thereon whenever the section is lowered out of alignment with the fixed track, the releasing means on the drop track section being released whenever the track section is returned into alignment With the fixed track.

iVith the above and other objects inview the invention may be said to comprise the device as illustrated .in the accompanying drawing hereinafter described and particularly set forth in the appended claims, together' with such variations and modifications thereof as will be `apparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention appertains.

Reference should be had to the accompanying vdrawings forming a part of this In the accompanying drawings, the invention is illustrated as applied to a monorail track having spaced fixed rail portions 1 and a vertically movable rail. section 2 which is adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge the gap between the fixed rails 1 in order to properly posit-ion the mov` able rail section, the ends 1a of the fixed rails 1 aretapered to engage the tapered ends 2t of the rail 2, the rails 1 being T- shaped in cross-section and therail 2 being in the form of an I-beam of considerably greater height than the rails 1, the rails 1 having base fianges 1b over which the wheels of the carriers run and the rail 2 having base flanges 2b which when the rail 2 is in its uppermost position, align with the flanges lb of the main track so that carriers can run across the drop trackV section. The ends of the fixed track 1 adjacent the gap in which the drop'track section is located, are supported from an overhead frame comprising a pair of spaced channel bars 4 which are arranged back to back and extend across the gap between the fixed track sections 1, the channel bars 4 being suspended by angle suspension bars 5 which ydepend from` an overhead support 6 and the ends of the rails 1 being supported by hanger posts 7 which are secured at their upper ends between the ends of the bars 4 and at their lower ends to the webs of the T-rails l. The drop section V2 is suspended by hoist cables 8 which lextend upwardly from opposite ends thereof over sheaves 9 carried by brackets 10 secured to the supports 6 and thence to suitable winding drums. The hoist cables 8 extend downwardly between the channel bars 4 and associated with the hoist cables are pilot guides which serve to accurately position the drop section 2 in alignment with the fixed track 1. The pilot guides comprise upward- Vly converging socket members 11 secured between the' bars 4 and upwardly extending tapered projections 12 secured to the top of the drop section 2, the cables 8 being secured t0 thepl'ojections 12 and extending upwardly therefrom through the hollow socket members 11 so that as the drop track section elevated by the cables the projections 12 will enter the socket' members 11. The ta pered projections 12 may be provided with external grooves 12" which cooperate with corresponding internal ribs 11 within .the socket members 11. The cooperating pilot guides 11 and 12 serve to accurately position the drop section 2 in alignment with the fixed track 1,1the projections 12 and sockets 1'1 heilig so positioned that when the projections 12 are vin tull engagenient with the sockets 1l the flanges 2" ot` the drop track section align with the flanges 1" ot the fixed `track. The proper positioning ot the drop track section is also facilitated by the tapered ends 1n and 2 ot the fixed track .and drop track section. the inwardly inclined .ends 2 ot the drop track section engaging with the correspondinglj inclined ends 1a of' the fixed track sections to guide the drop .ti-ack section into aligning position.

The socket members 11 form fixed stops which act to instantaneously stop the drop track section in a position in which it aligns the fixed track and, to avoid undue shock to the hoisting mechanism, icsilient connec tions are provided between the hoist cables S andthe drop track section. The tapered projections 12 are hollow and have openings 13 in their upper ends through which the cables S extend, the lower ends of the cables having a sleeve 14 attached thereto upon which are mounted fashcrs 15 which are supported by nuts 1G upon the lower vends ot' the sleeves 1+ and a compressing coil spring 1T being interposed between the washer 15 ot' each of the cables and the upper end of the hollow projection 12. The lower end portions ot the cables and the spring supporting attachment thereon preferably project through openings in the top ot' the section 2 and the web of the T-beain rail section is cut away at 18 to accommodate the lower end ot the cable attachment. The cable operating mechanism is preferably operated by an electric motor which is controlled by a limit switch having an arm 19 carrying a roller 19n supported upon the underside ot the channel bars 4 and positioned to be engaged by the top of the drop section 2 as the drop section approaches its upper limit of movement, the drop section being carried upwardly a short distance after the opening ot the switch by its own momentum. After the drop track section has been brought to a sudden stop by engagement. ot the projections 12 in the socket members 11, the hoisting mechanism will be permitted to have a slight additional movement ly reason of the yielding connection between the lower ends of the cable and the drop track section which will prevent injury to the hoisting mechanism such as might be occasioned by sudden stopping thereof.

lt is desirable that means be provided for preventing carriers from running off the ends of the fixed track section into the opening formed when the drop track section is lowered and to accomplish this result there is a stop member in the form of a T-bar 2() slidably mounted upon the inner tace ot each of the hanger posts 'i'. The base oi each T-bar stop 20 rests against the `face oi the postsl 'T and the bars are guided `for vertical sliding movement by means of guide plat, 21 secured to the posts and overlying the base flanges ot the bars 20. The webs 20 oil" the stop bars 2() project inwardly beyond the ends of the ,fixed rails` lv and are positioned in the path of movement of the drop section lVhen the drop track section is lowered the stop bars 20 are held by gravity in engagement with the tops of the rails 1 and will be engaged by the wheels ot a carrier, thus preventing tbc carrier troni running otlf thc cud ol a track. When the drop track section is elevated the ends thereof', as the .section approaches its up ermost position in alignment with the rails l` engage the projecting webs` 2b of the stop bars 20 and raise the stop bars to a position clear o l: the wheels of carriers traveling on the tracks so that carriers may pass from the fixed track sections 1 to the drop track section.

Means ari` also proviiiled for automatically retaining a carrier upon the drop track section a't'tci' the drop track section has been lowered and this means consists of a pair of pivotcd gravity actuated stop bars 22 at each end ot the section 2. The. bars 22 of each pair are pivoted on longitudinally dis posed pivot pins mounted upon the top of the section 2 and below the pivot. Each of the bars is bent outwardly and downwardly and provided with a widened lower end por tion whichv is normally held by gravitv close to the web of the rail section 23nd iii the path of movement of carrier wheels resting upon the flanges 2*. Above the pivot 22% each ol the arms 22 has an upwardly and outwardly inclined portion 22" which extends to the opposite side of the pivot from the wheel engaging portion 22", the bars of each pair being disposed in crossed relation. As the drop section 2 ap preaches its uppermost position the extending arms 22b ot the pivoted stop bars en gage with the fixed channel bars et and are pushed downwardly with respect to the sec tion 2 causing the wheel blocking portion 22a to swing outwardly far enough to clear the wheels ot the carriers. Then the drop track section lowered out of alignment with the lixcd track the arms 22 are moved out of engagement' with the fixed bars al permitting the blocking portion 22l to swing by gravity into :Wheel blocking position,

jthis movement being assisted by a spring 2i connecting the arms beneath the pivot.

Having describedlmy invention, I claim- 1. In a device of the character described, atrack having a gap therein, a fixed member above the gap, a drop `track section `adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge the gap, and interfitting tapered projections and sockets on the track section and fixed member for aligning the drop track section with the fixed track.

2. In a device of the character described,

a fixed track, a drop track section movable into and out of alignment therewith, fixed tapered socket members above the drop track section, tapered projections on the drop track section adapted to fit in said sockets, and hoist cables passing through said sockets and attached to said projections, said sockets cooperating with the projections to align the drop track section with the fixed track.

In a device of' the character described, a fixed track having a gap therein, a fixed member above the gap, tapered sockets carried bythe fixed member, a drop track s ection adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge the gap and having tapered projections adapted to fit in the sockets, and hoist cables extendingthroiigh the sockets and connected to the projections.

4. In a device of the character described, a fixed track having a gap therein, a drop track rsection adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge saidgap, a fixed stop in thevpath of movement of the drop track section and adapted to stop the samein alignment with the fixed track, and hoisting mechanism having a yieldable connection to the drop track section adapted to absorb the momentum of the hoisting mechanism upon engagement of the drop track section with the fixed stop.

5. In a device of the character described, a fixed track having a gap therein, a drop track section adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge said gap, a fixed stop in position to be engaged by the drop track section in its upward movement, and adapted to stop the same in alignment with the fixed track, and motor operated hoisting mechanism including a suspension cable having a resilient connection to said drop track section adapted to absorb the momentum of the hoistingr mechanism upon engagement of the drop track section with the fixed stop.

6. In a device of the character described` a fixed track, a drop track section adapted when in its uppermost position to align with the fixed track, a rigidly supported member above the drop track section, upwardly tapering socket members fixed to the rigid member, tapering projections fixed to the drop track sectionand projecting upwardly therefrom, said projections being engageable a fixed track having a gap therein, a drop ,Y

track section adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge the gap inthe fixed track, hoisting `means connected to the drop track section, a fixed frame above the gap and extending across the same, posts connecting said frame to the fixed track, vertically slidable stop members for blocking the fixed track mounted on the posts and having parts projecting into the gap and adapted tobe engaged and lifted out of operative position by the drop track section as it approaches its uppermost position, pivoted stop members at the ends of the drop track section which are normally held in blocking position, said pivoted stop members lhaving parts engageable with the fixed frame as the drop track section approaches its uppermost position to shift the same to inoperative position.

8. In a device of the character described, a track having a gap therein, a drop `track section adapted when in its uppermost position .to bridge the gap in tlielfixed track` hoisting means connected to the drop track section, afixed frame above the gap and extending across the same,` posts connecting said frame to the fixed track, vertically slidable stop members for blocking the fixed track mounted on said posts and having portions projecting into the gap and adapted to b e engaged and lifted out of operative position by the Vdrop track section as it approaches its uppermost position.

9. In a device of the character described, a monorail track having a gap therein, a drop track section adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge the gap, a fixed member above the track and extending longitudinally thereof over the gap, hoisting means connected to the drop track section, and a pair of stop members on the drop track section engageable with carrier wheels on opposite sides thereof, said stop members being pivoted to swing about an axis parallel with the track section and having portions below the pivots movable into and out of the path of the carrier wheels and portions above the pivots engageable with the fixed member.

10. In a device of the character described, a inonorail track having aV gap therein, a

drop track section adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge the gap, a pair of stop members on the drop track section pivoted to swing about a pivot parallel with the longitudinal axis of the track section and directly above the same, said members having downwardly extending portions movable toward and from opposite sides of the track section into and out of' the path of the carrier on the said track section, each stop member having a part extending upwardly from the pivot and outwardly from the pivot, the upwardly and downwardly extending portions of' each stop member be ing upon opposite sides of the pivot, a fixed member above the gap in a position to be engaged by the upwardly extending portions of the Stop members to shift the stop members out of carrier engaging position as the drop track section approaches its uppermost position, and means for 'aising and lowcrlng the drop track section.

11. In a device of the character described, a track having a gap therein, a drop track section adapted when in its uppermost posi f tion to bridge the gap` hoisting means for raising and lowering the drop track section, a fixed stop with which the drop track section engages to position the same in alignment with the fixed track, and means for controlling the hoisting means including a limit switch adapted to be opened by the drop track section prior to its engagement with the stop member.

12. In aI device of the character described, a fixed t ack having a gap therein` a drop track section adapted when in its uppermost position to bridge said gap, a fixed stop in the path of movement of the drop track section and adapted to stop the same in alignment with the fixed track, and hoisting mechanism for the drop track section including a suspension cable, an electric motor for driving said mechanism and a limit switch for the motor so positioned as to be actuated by the drop track section prior to the engagement of said section with the fixed stop.

13. In a device of the character described, a fixed track having a gap therein, a drop track section adapted when in its upper most posit-ion to bridge said gap, a fixed stop in the path of movement of the drop track section and adapted to sto i the same in alignment with the fixed track, hoisting mechanism for the drop track section including a suspension cable, an electric motor for driving said mechanism and a limit switch for the motor so positioned as to be actuated by the drop track section prior to the engagement of said section with the fixed stop, and a spring connection between said suspension cable and drop track see tion adapted to absorb thc momentum of the hoisting i'nechanism.

14. In a device of the character described`- a fixed track having a gap therein, a drop track section adapted when in its uppcrmost position to bridge said gap, hoisting mechanism for the drop track section including a suspension cable, and means to operate the cable, and means for limiting swinging movements of the cable comprising a, fixed member over the gap and adjacent thereto, said member having a restricted opening through which thc cable passes.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto afiix my signature.

EARL T` BENNING'ION.

Images