Hand throw mechanism for in-tie switch machine

Abstract

A hand throw mechanism for an in-tie switch machine having a drive element which serves to move switch points from a first end point to a second end point. The mechanism includes an elongated hand throw arm having a first coupling element that includes a first lower mating surface and a first upper mating surface. The mechanism also includes a gear set having an output shaft for moving the drive element. The gear set additionally includes a second coupling element having a second lower mating surface for engaging the first upper mating surface and a second upper mating surface for engaging the first lower mating surface to thus couple the first and second coupling elements. Rotation of the hand throw arm through an angle of approximately 180 degrees then causes rotation of the output shaft to thus move the driving element and ultimately the switch points. The mechanism also includes a thrust element having a raised portion wherein rotation of the thrust element urges the raised portion against the first coupling element to separate the first and second coupling elements and disengage the throw arm.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to a hand throw mechanism for an in-tie switch machine, and more particularly, to a hand throw mechanism for an in-tie switch machine which includes couplings for engaging a hand throw arm with a gear set adapted to move a drive element in the in-tie switch machine.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Railroad networks frequently include track switches which are used to direct trains between one of two possible destination tracks. A track switch includes a pair of switching rails, commonly referred to as switch points, which are linked to each other and are moveable between two end positions. This enables alignment of the switch points to allow continued movement on the current track when in one end position and allows movement to another stationary track when in the other end position.[0003]A motorized switch machine is frequently used to move the switch points between the normal and reverse positions. With a conventional switch machin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Enables rapid and efficient manual operation of switch points with minimal effort, reducing operator time and improving access by allowing 180-degree rotation of the hand throw arm to move switch points between positions, while also providing a power control mechanism for motorized operation.

Problems solved by technology

This is a disadvantage when performing tamping operations on a railroad track.

However, machine tamping cannot be performed around the area of a conventional switch machine since access to the track ballast is obstructed by the various switch machine components located between and around the railroad ties.

Such hand crank mechanisms, however, are small and require that an operator rotate the hand crank numerous times in order to move the switch points to a desired end position.

In some cases, up to one hundred turns or more of the hand crank are required to move the switch points from one position to another, thus requiring a substantial amount of time and effort on the part of an operator.

This is undesirable during normal train operation which requires that the switch points be quickly moved so that the train is not stopped for a significant amount of time.

As such, hand cranks found on in-tie switch machines are suitable for performing installation and maintenance procedures associated with the switch machine but are not suitable for moving the switch points from one position to another during normal operations.

Further, the hand crank and cut off switch may be located in areas of an in-tie switch machine that provide limited access for the operator thus making operation of the hand crank and cut off switch difficult.

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