US3095174A

US3095174A - Overhead monorail track suspension

Info

Publication number: US3095174A
Application number: US100214A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roy F Dehn; Harry A Cotesworth
Original assignee: Cleveland Crane and Engineering Co
Current assignee: Cleveland Crane and Engineering Co
Priority date: 1961-04-03
Filing date: 1961-04-03
Publication date: 1963-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 1980-06-25

Description

June 25, 1963 R. F. DEHN ETAL 3,095,174

v OVERHEAD MONORAIL TRACK SUSPENSION Filed April s, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l JNVENToRs /Poy F .Of/4N BY HARRY A. Corfswa/wf/ R. F. DEHN ETAL OVERHEAD MONORAIL 'TRACK SUSPENSION June 25, 1963 Filed April 3. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 25, 1963 R. F. DEHN ETAL 3,095,174

OVERHEAD MONORAIL TRACK SUSPENSION Filed April 3. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToRs /Poy F DEH/v BY HARRY/4. Cov-Swann yam-,4 W/W A TToRA/E 7.5

June 25, 1963 R. F. DEHN ETAL 3,095,174

OVERHEAD MONORAIL TRACK SUSPENSION Filed April 3. 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATmR/vfxs United States Patent O OVERHEAD MON GRAL TRACK SUSPENSION Roy F. Denn, Wicklite, and Harry A. Cotesworth, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, assignors to The Cleveland Crane da Engineering Company, Wicklite, Ghio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 3, 196i, Ser. No. 100,214

Claims. (Cl. 248-324) This application is a continuation-in-part of our copending application Serial No. 10,700, tiled on February 24, 1960 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to overhead track suspensions and, more particularly, :to exible monorail track suspensions having a hanger rod extending from a support member to a track member and securing the track member to the Support member in a manner which permits the hanger rod to swing with respect to the support member.

The principal object of 'this invention is the provision of a new and improved ilexible track suspension which may be manufactured more easily and assembled more reliably than the prior ant suspensions.

Another principal object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved flexible track suspension having a longer life than the flexible track suspensions of the pn'or art.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved liexible track suspension having a support member, a track support, a hanger rod extending through an openin-g in each support, an enlargedconvex bearing surface at each end of the hanger rod, `and an annular thrust member 'encircling the hanger rod, interposed between at least one of the enlarged convex bear-ing surfaces and the adjacent support mem-ber, and having a concave bearing surface for receiving the enlarged convex surface and an annular skirt extending into the opening in the support member adjacent the enlarged convex bearing surface to permit free swinging ofthe hanger rod and prevent wear caused by a thrust member jamming against the hanger rod.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved flexible track suspension having a support member, a track support, a hanger rod extending through an opening in each support, an enlarged convex bearing surface at each end of the hanger rod, and an annular thrust member interposed between at least one of the enlarged convex bearing surfaces and the adjacent support member and having a concave 'bearing surface for receiving the enlarged convex surface and a frustoconical surface encircling the hanger rod to provide a larger area of contact between the hanger rod and thrust member than is provided by the prior art, thus eliminating undue stresses which are placed on the hanger rods in the prior art.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved flexible track suspension having a support member, a track support, a hanger rod extending through an opening in each support, an enlarged convex bearing surface at each end of the hanger rod, and an annular thrust bearing encircling the hanger rod, interposed between at least one of the enlarged `convex surfaces and adjacent support member, and being made of a powdered metallurgy material having internal voids which are saturated by a lubricant to prevent galling and rusting of the engaged convex and concave surfaces which would impair free swinging of the hanger rod and shorten the life of the exible suspension.

A further objectof the present inventionV is the provision of a new and improved flexible track suspension having a support member, a track support, `a hanger rod threaded at both ends and extending through openings in the supports, nuts having a convex bearing surface threaded onto the respective ends of the hanger rod, an annular thrust member encircling the hanger rod, interposed between each nut and adjacent support, and having a concave bearing surface for receiving a convex surface and means for securing the nuts in position on the hanger rod, thereby providing a ilexible suspension which Iis more easily manufactured `and more reliably assembled than the prior art suspensions.

A further object of the present invention is the provision sion `of a new and improved exible track suspension having a support member, a track support, a hanger rod having at least one end threaded, with `the threads partially milled, extending through openings in .the support members, and mounted in such a manner to permit the hanger rod lto swing, and a setscrew engaging the milled surface of the hanger rod and securing a portion of the hanger rod mounting to the hanger rod, thus avoiding undue mutilation of the threads ofthe hanger -rod and permitting releveling the track member and re-using the hanger rods.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved annular .thrust member having an opening therethrough, a concave bearing surface on one side adapted to receive an enlarged convex surface of a hanger rod of a track suspension, and an axially extending skirt on the other side adapted to extend into an opening in a support member through which the hanger rod extends to permit free swinging of the hanger rod which would be prevented if the thrust member engaged the hanger rod.

Another yobject of this invention is the provision of a new and improved annular thrust member having a concave bearing surface on one `side adapted to receive an enlarged convex bearing surface -on a Ihanger 4rod of a track suspension and an opening Itherethrough dened by a frusto-conical wall surface having its minimum diameter adjacent the side having the concave bearing surface adapted to engage the hanger rod over a relatively large area, in view of the prior art, to eliminate undue stresses on the hanger rod.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a new and improved larmular thrust member having an annular socket member having 1an opening therethrough and a concave bearing surface ron one side adapted' to receive an enlarged convex bearing surface yof a hanger rod of a track suspension and a shell made of a material different from the material of which .the socket member is made, surrounding the socket member, and having a skirt which is adapted to extend into an opening in a support mem-ber and deformable tabs on the skirt which are adapted to be bent after insertion `of the skirt into the opening to secure the socket in proper position to permit swinging of the hanger rod.

Other objects and advantagesvof the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it relates from the following description of the preferred embodiment which is described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a portion of an overhead track system supported by the track suspension of this invention,

FIG. 2 is a view of the track suspension of FIG. l taken along the line 2 2 thereof,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the suspension of FIGS. l and 2 with portions broken away,

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional View of a modified embodiment of the track suspension FIG. 5 is a side view of shown in FIG. 3,

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the annular thrust member shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of shown in FIG. 5,

of this invention, the annular thrust member the annular thrust member Y FIG. 8 is a view of a portion of the hanger rod of FIG. 4 utilizing a different type of annular thrust member,

FIG. 9 is a side view of the annular thrust member of FIG. 8,

FIG. 10 is a top view of the annular thrust member of FIG. 9, Y

FIG. ill is a bottom View of the annular thrust member of FIG. 9, and

FIG. 12 is a planview of a blank used in the manufacture of the annular thrust member of FIG. 9.'

Referring to the drawings, llFIG. l is a view of an overhead track system'embodying this invention and shows a track member 11 suspended from an overhead support member 12 by a track suspension 10. The support member 1K2 may be a ceiling, a beam, or other structural member of a building.

The track member 11 is of a type well known in the art having an upper transverse flange 14, a lower'ange 15 for supporting the wheels of a carrier or the like, and a weby 16connecting the flanges.

The track suspension 10 comprises a bracket 17, a bracket 18, a hanger rod 20, and

annular thrust members

21, 22. The bracket 17 is substantially U-s'haped, having leg portionsr25, 26 which are secured to the support member 12 by suitable fastening means such as screws 27 and which are joined by a transverse connecting portion 28. The bracket 178 is similar to the bracket 17 and is also substantially U-s'haped, having leg por-

y tions

30, 31. The leg portionsV 3i), 31 are joined by transverse connecting portion 32 and are secured to the upper flange 14 of the track 11 by suitable fastening means such as -bolts 33. Y

The hanger rod 20 has a shank portion 34 on the ends of whichV are enlarged convex bearing

surfaces

35, 36. As shown in FIG. 3, these convex surfaces constitute one Vside of nuts '37 and 39. The brackets 17 and d8 are provided with

openings

38 and 40 in their respective transverse connecting portions 2S and 32.

Tl'ieopeningsV

38 and 40 are considerably larger in diameter than the diameter of the shank 34 of the hanger rod 20, but are of a smaller diameter than the diameters of the

nuts

37, 39. The shank 34 of the hanger rod 20 extends through the

openings

38 and 40.

The

thrust members

21 and 22 are generally angular in shape and each is provided with an opening therethrough designated 41. Each of the

annular thrust members

21, 22 is providedwith an concave bearing surface or seat 42 in one side of their body portions 47. The side of the annular members opposite the side having the concave bearing surface 42 has an annular skirt 43 which has an annularV diameter less than the diameter of the

openings

38 and 40 in the bracket members. This annular skirt is adapted to be inserted in the openings 38 and 4t) in the brackets with the surface 49 of the annular thrust members resting on the transverse connecting

portions

28, 32 in-therespective brackets, and is shown so positioned in FIG. 3. The skirt portions thus properly position the hanger rod 20 for free swinging movement and prevent the thrust members from jamming against the shank 34 of the hanger rod.

Y The enlarged convex bearing'surfaces 35, 36 on

nuts

37, 39 are receivedin the concave bearing surfaces 42 in therannular thrust members. The ends of the shank' 34 are threaded at 4.4, 45 to receive the

nuts

39,37. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3 the nut 37 yis made from round stock while nutr39 is made from hexagonal stock. Off course, either nut37 or 39 may be made from stock having other cross-sectional shapes.

The nut 39 is provided with a setscrew 48 for securing the nut in proper position on the hanger rod. The threads 44 at the endfof the hanger rod which threadedly engage Vnut 39 are partiallyvmilled, thusproviding a flat portion 50 on the end of the hanger rod. 'Ilhe setscrew 48 is tightened against the at 50 and thereby avoids mutilating the threads on the hanger rod. Thus the hanger rod.

4 can be releveled or re-used, which would not be the case if the threads were damaged.

Numerous ways of utilizing and assembling the suspension shown in FIG. 3 would occur to one skilled in the art to which it relates. Preferably, the nut 37 is threaded onto the hanger rod 20. Spring pin 51 is then inserted through an opening in the hanger rod. Nut 37 is then backed up against the pin 51 to properly position the nut 37; '

I'he brackets

17, 18 are properly secured to the support member 112 and track member 1-1. The

annular thrust members

21, 22 are preferably Welded to the brackets before they are secured to the respective support members. The hanger rod is inserted through the openings 41 in the respective annular thrust members and the nut 39 is threaded onto the hanger rod. With the

convex surfaces

35, 36 received in the concave surfaces 42 of the thrust members, setscrew48 is tightened j against at 50 on'the hangerV rod to secure the nut l39 in position on the hanger rod. Spring pin 51 is then inserted through an opening in the lower end of the hanger rod. This pin will `function to hold the nut 39 on the hanger rod in the event the setscrew 48 and nut 39 loosen.

The convex bearing surfaces on the nuts will cooperate with the concave bearing surfaces on the annular thrust members to provide a ball and socket type of swivel-joint. Thus the hanger -rod will be permitted to swing, as shown in the dot-dash lines in FIG. 3, and thus avoid undue bending stresses which would be present if the hanger rod could not swing.

In FIGURE 4 of the dr-awings a modified Vembodiment of the track suspension of this invention is shown in which each of the annular thrust members 57, 58 which are utilized have a concave bearing surface 16?, similar to the `diameter 4thereof is adjacent =the concave bearing surface 69 in the one `side of the annular thrust member 'and the largest `diameterthereof is adjacent the other side of the annular thrust member opposite the concave bearing surface. The frusto-conical surface of the annular thrust members shown in FIG. 4 encircles the4v shank 34 of the hanger rod and is interposed between the convex bearing surfaces 65, -66 and the respective supports 17, 18.

rThe size of the openings through the annular thrust members shown in -FIG. 4 permits swinging movement of the hanger rod, as indicated in the dot-dash lines of FIG. 4. The slope of the `frusto-conical surface is such that the shank 340i the hanger rod 20 contacts the thrust members along a line extending from one edge 67 of the frusto-conical surface to the other edge `68 thereof. Be-

causeV of the extent of the contact between the shankV 34V of the hanger rod and the ifrusto-conical surface theY hanger rod is relieved of concentrated stresses which would be imposed on the shank in the event the shank were limited in itsV swinging movement-by contact with only one edge of an opening such as the edge 70 surrounding the opening in the brackets. The possibility of bending and breaking of a hanger rod due -tosuch stresses is thereby eliminated. Y Y h In the modiedembodiment of FIG. 4 the shank of the hanger rod is provided with a head 71 rather 4than a nut Y 37, as in the embodiment of FIG.' 3. The head on theV hanger rodshank in FIG. 4 is provided with the convex bearing surface 65 which is received in the concave sur-V face 69 of the annular thrust member `57. On the other end of the shank of the hanger rod there is positioned a nut 72 which has the convex bearing surface '66 which engages the concave bearing surface v in the annular secure the nut 72 to the hanger rod. The threads on the hanger rod shown in FIG. 4 may be milled to form a at portion similar to portion 5G of the hanger rod in FIG. 3 to provide Ia at surface against which setscrew 73 could be tightened.

The lower thrust member is secured in position by

machine screws

74, 75 firmly engaged in openings in the leg portions of the ybracket and 4bearing against the body portion 56 of the thrust member 58. The thrust member 58 is thereby prevented from falling from its illustrated position in the event the hanger rod would loosen because of any raising of the rail member. Also, beca-use the annular thrust member is secured in position the likelihood of the thrust .member being broken by lowering of the track member when the thrust member is misaiigned with the opening in the bracket 18 is -avoided.

The

annular thrust members

21, 22, 57, -58 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, are formed of a compressed powdered metallurgy material which includes graphite and internal voids which are saturated with a suitable lubricant. One such material is sold under the name of U.S. Graphite Gramix No. 258. The use of this material assures a reserve of lu-bricant to prevent rusting of the concave and the convex sur-faces. Since the convex surface is preferably steel, the engagement between the convex and the concave surfaces does not cause galling to the degree found in the prior art. These factors add considerably to the life of the hanger rod suspension.

The annular thrust members shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are also beveled at 76 to easily clear the corners of the brackets.

Another modified form of thrust member is illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12. lThis modified thrust member is indicated generally at 30. It comprises a socket S1 having a concave bearing surface 35 for engagement with the convex bearing surface 83 on the Shank 34 of the hanger rod. The socket member may be formed of a metallic or a nonmetallic material, for example, Micarta or graphite.

The socket is provided with an annular opening 84 therethrough which may be defined by the surface of a cylinder as the thrust members of FIG. 3 or may correspond to the opening in the thrust members shown in FIG. 4. It is shown of the latter form in FIGS. 8-12. Surrounding the socket member 81 is an annular shell 82 having a skirt portion 88 which is adapted to be inserted in the opening in the brackets. On the skirt portion SS there is provided deformable tabs 99 which may be bent after the skirt portion 8S is inserted in the bracket to secure the bracket to the socket member. The shell member S2 is made of a material which can be easily welded to the bracket member to secure the socket member and the concave bearing surface 85 in proper position with respect to the convex bearing surface 83 on the shank 34. As shown in FIG. 8, the convex bearing surface is on a head 71 as in FIG. 4, but obviously a nut, as in FIG. 3, may be used to provide the convex bearing surface.

lFIG. 12 is a view of a blank 92 used in the manufacture of a shell S2 for the socket shown in FIG. 8. In its illustrated position the blank may be drawn to form the shell member shown in FIG. 8. The shell then could be rolled as at 93 to secure the socket member therein.

While the hanger rod is secured in upper and

lower brackets

17 and 18, as shown in the accompanying drawings, the hanger rod may extend through an Iaperture in the upper ange 14 of the track member and an aligned aperture in the support member 12. In such a case the

Ibrackets

17, 18 are not used and the upper flange of the track member and the support member function as brackets and thus become support members. In such ya case an enlarged convex surface would be received in the concave surface of a thrust member positioned between the enlarged convex surface and the ange 14 at one end of .the hanger rod, and the enlarged convex `bearing surface at the other end of the hanger rod would -be received in a concave surface of -a thrust member positioned between the convex surface and the support 12.

It can now be seen that the present invention provides a new and improved exible track suspension which may be manufactured more easily and assembled more reliably and which has a longer life .than the flexible track suspensions of the prior art.

While the preferred form of the invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be apparent that the invention is not limited to the construction shown or the uses referred to and it is our intention to cover all adaptations, modifications, and changes which come within the practice of those skilled in the art :to which the invention relates and the scope of the appended claims. f

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A track suspension comprising an overhead support member having an opening therethrough, a track support member having an opening in substantial -alignment with the opening in said overhead support, a hanger rod extending through said openings, a convex bearing surface on at least one end of the hanger rod adjacent one of said support members, an annular thrust member having a circular opening therethrough encircling the hanger rod, said opening through said annular thrust member being of larger diameter than said hanger rod to provide clearance therebetween, a concave bearing surface in one side of the annular thrust member receiving said convex bearing surface, and an annular skirt on the side of said thrust member opposite said one side encircling the hanger rod and extending into sa-id opening in said one of said support members, said annular skirt having an openingV therethrough which has a radius substantially equal to the radius of said opening through said thrust member and the center of which lies on the center line of said opening through said thrust member.

2. A track suspension vcomprising an overhead support member having an opening therethrough, a track support member having an opening in substantial alignment with the opening in said overhead support, a hanger rod extending through said openings, a convex bear-ing surface on at least one end of the hanger rod adjacent one of said support members, an annular thrust member having an opening therethrough encircling the hanger rod, a concave bearing surface on one side of the annular thrust member receiving said convex bearing surface, said opening through said annular thrust member being of larger diameter than said hanger rod and being defined in part by a frusto-conical surface having the minimum diameter adjacent said side of said annular thrust member having said concave bearing surface.

3. A track suspension comprising an overhead support member having an opening therethrough, a track support member having an opening in substantial alignment with the opening in said overhead support, a Ihanger rod extending through said openings, a convex bearing surface on at least one end of said hanger rod adjacent one of said support members, an annular thrust member having a circular opening therethrough encircling the hanger rod, said opening through said annular thrust member being of larger diameter than said hanger rod to provide clearance therebetween, a concave bearing surface on one side of said annular thrust member receiving said convex bearing surface, and an annular skirt on a side of said thrust member opposite said one side encircling the hanger rod and extending into the opening in said one of said support members, said annular skirt having a circular opening therethrough which has a radius substantially equal to the radius of said opening through said thrust member and the center of which lies on the center line of said opening through said thrust member, said thrust member and annular skirt being made of a powdered metallurgy material having internal voids and impregnated with a lubricant.

4. A track suspension comprising an overhead support member having an opening therethrough, a track support member having an opening in substantial alignment With the opening in said overhead support, a hanger rod extending through said openings, Va convex bearing' surface on' at least one end of the hanger rod Yadjacent one of said support members, an annular socket encircling the hanger rod, a concave bearing surface in one side of the annular socket for receiving said convex bearing surface, a shell surrounding saidsocket member and having a skirt portion extending into said opening in said one of said support members, and deformable tab elements on said skirt portion adapted to be bent after said skirt portion is inserted in said opening in said one of said support members to` secure said shell and socket member in position on said support member.

5. An annular thrust member comprising a body portion of a uniform circular cross section; a circular opening extending from one side of said body portion to the other side of said body portion; a concave'bearing surface on said one side of said body portion; and an annular skirt extending from said other side Vof said body portion, with a smaller circular cross sect-ion than said body portion, and having a circular opening therethrough in alignment with -the opening through said body portion, said circular opening through said annular skirt having the same radius as said opening through said body portion and the center thereof lying on the center line of said opening through said body portion.

6. An annular thrust member comprising a body portion having a uniform circular cross section; an opening extending from one side of said body portion to the other side of said body portion, said opening deiined in part by a truste-conical Wall surface having its minimum diameter adjacent said one side of said body portion; a concave bearing surface on said one side of said body portion; land an annular skirt extending from said other side of said body portion of a smaller circular cross section than said body portion and having a frusto-conical wall surface therethrough which is a ycontinuation of the rustoconical surface through s'aidbody portion. Y

7. An annular thrust member comprising a socket baving a uniform circular cross section;.an opening extending from one side of said socket to the other side of said socket; a concave bearing surface on said one side of said socket; -a shell surrounding said socket; an yannular skirt extending from said shell adjacent said other side of said socket and having an opening in alignment with the opening through said socket; and deformable tab elements extending from said skirt adapted to be bent after the skirt has been positioned in an opening in a support member to secure the socket and shell to the support member.

8. A track suspension comprising an overhead support member having an opening therethrough, a track support member having an opening in substantial alignmentY with the opening in said overhead support member, a' hanger rod threaded at both ends extending through said openings, a rst nut having a convex bearing surface on one side threaded onto one end of said hanger rod, a second nut having a lconvex bearing surface on one side threaded onto the `end of said hanger rod opposite said' one end, a pair of annular thrust members having a single radius opening ltherethrough encircling said hanger rod, one of said thrust members interposed between each' of said'nut members and the adjacent support member, a concave bearingl surface on one side of each of said annular thrust members receiving said convex surface on the adjacent nut, and an annular skirt on the side of said4 thrust members opposite Vsaid one side and encircling said hanger rod and extending in-to said opening in said adjacent support member.

References Cited in the le of this patent 2,262,200 Ptak Nov. 11, 1941

Claims

1. A TRACK SUSPENSION COMPRISING AN OVERHEAD SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH, A TRACK SUPPORT MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING IN SUBSTANTIAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE OPENING IN SAID OVERHEAD SUPPORT, A HANGER ROD EXTENDING THROUGH SAID OPENINGS, A CONVEX BEARING SURFACE ON AT LEAST ONE END OF THE HANGER ROD ADJACENT ONE OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS, AN ANNULAR THRUST MEMBER HAVING A CIRCULAR OPENING THERETHROUGH ENCIRCLING THE HANGER ROD, SAID OPENING THROUGH SAID ANNULAR THRUST MEMBER BEING OF LARGER DIAMETER THAN SAID HANGER ROD TO PROVIDE CLEARANCE THEREBETWEEN, A CONCAVE BEARING SURFACE IN ONE SIDE OF THE ANNULAR THRUST MEMBER RECEIVING SAID CONVEX BEARING SURFACE, AND AN ANNULAR SKIRT ON THE SIDE OF SAID THRUST MEMBER OPPOSITE SAID ONE SIDE ENCIRCLING THE HANGER ROD AND EXTENDING INTO SAID OPENING IN SAID ONE OF SAID SUPPORT MEMBERS, SAID ANNULAR SKIRT HAVING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH WHICH HAS A RADIUS SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE RADIUS OF SAID OPENING THROUGH SAID THRUST MEMBER AND THE CENTER OF WHICH LIES ON THE CENTER LINE OF SAID OPENING THROUGH SAID THRUST MEMBER.