US459437A - bouchard - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

J. BOUCHARD. SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD TRACKS. No. 459,437. Patented Sept. 15,1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BOUOHARD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JONATHAN o. ARMOUR, or sAME PLACE.

SWITCH FOR OVERHEAD TRACKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,437, dated September 15, 1891. Application filed March 16 1891. I Serial No. 385,245. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN BOUCHARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switches for Overhead Tracks, which is fully set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents an elevation of a section of track embodying my invention; Fig. 2, a plan section of the same,-taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3, a cross-section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4, a detail crosssection taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, an elevation of the switch-lever detached, with the handle broken away; and Fig. 6, a detail plan section taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

This invention relates to switches for overhead or suspended tracks of any description; but the improvement is more particularly de signed for butchers tracks, such as are used in large slaughtering-houses, in which it is desired to connect a single line of track with any one of a series of other tracks running in different directions. A structure of this description is shown and described in my prior Letters Patent No. 399,008, dated March 5,- 1889; and the present invention is in the nature of an improvement upon the structure there shown. It will not be necessary to describe in detail all parts of the structure, for in all general features reference may be made to my said prior patent.

In the drawings, A represents a main or single track suspended from the ceiling by hangers a, and B 0 two separate tracks coming in toward the-track A from difierent directions and supported at their terminals by similar hangers b c. The switch-rail D is pivoted to the foot of the hanger a, and swings horizontally from said pivot as a center, so as to connect at its other end with either of the rails B or C. At the pivoted end of this switch-rail there is on one side a projecting lug d, which serves as a stop by abutting against the vertical edge of the hanger when the switch-rail is swung to connect with the rail 0.

An angle-iron bracket E is fastened to the side of the rail near its movable end and is provided with a slot, 6 cut in its horizontal member.

A connecting-link F is pivoted atone end to the foot of the hanger c and at the other end is connected to the bracket by means of a pin f passing through the slot in the bracket. This swinging link, therefore, provides a support and guide for this end of the switch-rail.

A link G connects the bracket to a hand-lever H, being pivoted at its respective ends to these parts, thus providing for the swinging of the switch-rail by means of the lever. The construction and mounting of this lever is somewhat peculiar and will now be explained. The hanger c is provided with a lug 0', projecting outward from its side and located near its upper end. On this lug is mounted a circular disk I, being fixed on the outer face of the lug, and this disk is provided on the under side with two peripheral notches 'i and on the upper side with one broad peripheral notch 41'. The lever H is provided at its pivotal end with a ring it, which is adapted to embrace and inclose the disk I, and the lever is pivoted to said disk by means of a screw pin or bolt h. Thelever extends a little beyond its pivot and at its extremity just within the ring is provided with an inwardly projecting lug h .When mounted on the disk, as described, this lever is arranged to depend therefrom, so as to bring the handle within easy reach of an attendant standing on the floor, and in this position the end lug h lies in the broad upper notch z" of the disk and obviously will serve as a stop to limit the throw of the lever. A spring-catch is also provided to engage with the lower notches 'i of the disk. This consists of a sliding catch-rod J, arranged alongside the lever and pivoted at its outer end to a spring-latch K, while its inner end passes through an aperture 77. in the ring in a posi tion to engage with one of the said'notches. The spring-latch K is of ordinary construction, being of bell-crank form and pivoted to the side of the handle by one of its arms,

while the other embraces the handle and is provided with a retracting-spring k, as seen in Fig. 3 of the drawings. It will be seen from this description that the vibration of the lever will throw the switch-rail as desired; that thrown with a sudden jerk. This requires,

very strong devices for the purpose, and also such as will operate to adjust the switch-rail with absolute certainty. These advantages are obtained by my improvement as herein described and shown.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In overhead tracks, the main and branch rails, in combination with the switch-rail D, slotted bracket E, link F, lever H, and link G, substantially as described.

2. The lever H, provided with a ring it, the

.fiXed disk I, on which the lever-ringis mounted, the switch-rail D,and the link G, connecting' said lever to the rail, substantially as de scribed.

3. The fixed disk I, provided with notch i,

in combination with the lever H, provided with ring 72., arranged to inclose said disk, and a lug 7L2, fitting said notch, the switch-rail D, and connecting link G, substantially as described.

4. The fixed disk I, provided with notches 2', in combination with the lever H, provided with inclosing ring h, the spring-latch J, the switch-railD, and connecting-link G, substantially as described.

JOHN BOUCHARD. Witnesses:

SMITH OoLLINs, L. W. KERNEY.

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