Abstract: A connection system for joining rectangular wall frames fabricated from pairs of rectangular cross section tubular side frame members and rectangular cross section tubular top and bottom frame members utilizes identical connectors, such as a single size machine screw and identical threaded inserts to provide upper and lower interconnections. Three different interconnections can be made using the single size machine screw and insert, the latter inserted into the open upper ends of the rectangular cross section tubular side frame members. Frame closure panels can be attached in a simple and secure manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) which is used to lift and displace the tongue blade (2) of a rail (6), comprising at least two rollers (12, 14) whereby the axes thereof are arranged in an essentially parallel manner in relation to a running rail (4), in order to displace the tongue blade (2) in a transversal manner in relation to the running rail (4), at least two support carrier pins (22, 24) which respectively support a roller (12, 14), and a base body (8) which supports the carrier pins (22, 24). The rollers (12, 14) have a projection which projects in at least one first direction in relation to the base body (8). The inventive device is characterised in that a covering (10) is arranged between at least two adjacent rollers and is oriented towards the first direction and at least partially covers a passage between the at least two adjacent rollers (12, 14).

Abstract: In a railroad switch for use with intersecting railroad rails and having two switch points interconnected by a switch machine between two switch point assemblies and connected thereto by an operating rod at each end of the switch machine, a system for a greaseless switch point assembly having a mounting clip and a pivot pin for connecting each operating rod to its associated switch point, the greaseless switch point assembly having a bushing proximate a part of the pivot pin that fits within an opening in the mounting clip, and an insertion device extending into the opening proximate the bushing.

Abstract: A railroad switch point having fixed rails and switching rails is provided. The switch point includes a first railroad tie having a top side. The switch point also includes a rod positioned at the top side of the first railroad tie. The rod is coupled to the switching rails and is also coupled to a switch actuator. A first rail support is secured to the top side of the first railroad tie for supporting the fixed rails and the switching rails above the rod.

Abstract: In a railroad switch for use with intersecting railroad rails and having two switch points interconnected by a switch machine between two switch point assemblies and connected thereto by an operating rod at each end of the switch machine, a system for a greaseless switch point assembly having a mounting clip and a pivot pin for connecting each operating rod to its associated switch point, the greaseless switch point assembly having a bushing proximate a part of the pivot pin that fits within an opening in the mounting clip, and an insertion device extending into the opening proximate the bushing.

Abstract: A switch machine for railway and tramway switches or the like, having an enclosure for its operating units of the same size as a tie and adapted to be used like a tie, characterized in that the switch machine has a modular construction.

Abstract: An in-tie machine for moving the movable elements of a switching device, such as the switch points of a switch point assembly or the moving V-point of a movable point frog, with a sliding device which selectively engages a control rod with either a fixed seat or a moving seat, to shift the movable elements and lock them in place.

Abstract: A modular tongue switch assembly comprises a tongue pivotally connected to a slide surface, held down by a pivot retainer. The slide surface consists of slide plate sections removably attached to corresponding bed plate sections, which are in turn welded onto a base plate. Floating brace blocks hold a non-integral stock rail in place on the base plate. When the tongue moves, a horizontal lever arm actuates an inner box assembly housed within an outer box and containing the conductor rail, allowing the passing train to maintain contact with the conductor rail, if necessary. A novel rodding and lever arrangement is used.

Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.

Abstract: A switching assembly includes a pair of hollow ties, a pair of supports, and a linkage. The linkage extends generally through the hollow ties, whereby the cribs are generally free of linkage components, and the ballast in the cribs can be compacted with known automated machinery. The linkage includes a number of lugs and a number of rods, with the rods each being formed from standard bar stock and threaded, and with the linkage configuration avoiding the need to custom bend any of the rods. The hollow ties are formed from generally available standard box section steel, as are the supports. The spacing between the hollow ties can be varied in accordance with the pitch of the other rail ties of the railroad switch. Each hollow tie can include a heater. The switching assembly is highly adjustable, which makes it suitable for use in numerous different track configurations.

Abstract: A rail switch is provided having an improved throw rod to enable testing with damaging the switch. The throw rod includes a housing on its length, with a piston and spring located within the housing. A locking pin locks movement of the piston during normal operation, causing the throw rod to act as a solid rod as previously used in the art. The locking pin can be removed during gap testing, to enable a small amount of play in the length of the rod. This eliminates the stress caused on the switch by testing.

Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.

Abstract: A switch machine for a railroad switch provided with two switch points interconnected by transverse bars, including a fixed housing mounted between the switch points; two operating rods extending from the housing to the switch points; a shifting body within the housing, capable of sliding relative to the housing to simultaneously displace the operating rods; a control rod to displace the shifting body between two end stroke points; and engagement device within the housing for selectively engaging the operating rods to the housing at the two end stroke points.

Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.

Abstract: Railway switches are subjected to a high degree of stress due to the influences of weather and as a result of trains traveling over them. This may result in changes in adjustments and settings made at the time of mounting. In order to permit, in particular in the case of hollow sleepers, simple re-adjustment of a drive rod relative to the cam rods, an attachment element can be connected to an attachment flange by a positive lock, formed by various adjustment keys and a main key, and using locking screws in such a way that fine adjustment by appropriately selecting the arrangement of the adjustment keys is possible. Coarse adjustment is made by an asymmetric arrangement of the bore holes for connecting to a drive rod as well as by selecting one of the two bore holes.

Abstract: An improved railroad switch apparatus includes a switch machine, a locking system lug, a detection system lug, a lock rod connecting rod, a point detector connecting rod, and a pair of movable rails. The locking system lug is mounted on a pair of lock rods of a switch machine, and the detection system lug is mounted on a point detector rod of the switch machine. The locking system lug includes a groove that receives the lock rod connecting rod and that permits a slight degree of pivoting therebetween while remaining securely mounted thereto. Similarly, the detection system lug includes a groove that receives the point detector connecting rod and that permits a slight degree of pivoting therebetween while remaining securely mounted thereto. The locking system lug and the detection system lug each include a pair of opposed convex retention surfaces formed on the groove thereof.

Abstract: An improved railroad switch apparatus includes a switch machine, a locking system lug, a detection system lug, a lock rod connecting rod, a point detector connecting rod, and a pair of movable rails. The locking system lug is mounted on a pair of lock rods of a switch machine, and the detection system lug is mounted on a point detector rod of the switch machine. The locking system lug includes a groove that receives the lock rod connecting rod and that permits a slight degree of pivoting therebetween while remaining securely mounted thereto. Similarly, the detection system lug includes a groove that receives the point detector connecting rod and that permits a slight degree of pivoting therebetween while remaining securely mounted thereto. The locking system lug and the detection system lug each include a pair of opposed convex retention surfaces formed on the groove thereof.

Abstract: A railroad switch assembly comprises a basket that directly actuates a torsional assist rod. The basket is located at a lower elevation than the assist rod, preferably in a hollow tie and preferably between the switch machine and the running rail.

Abstract: A track system has sleepers of predetermined width and at a predetermined spacing and a pair of running rails fixed to the sleepers. A switch has inner and outer transversely displaceable tongues engageable with the running rails and a pair of parallel hollow box sleepers of the predetermined width and at the predetermined spacing fixed to the running rails and on which the tongues are transversely displaceable. A drive rod extending transversely in one of the box sleepers is connected to both of the tongues so that a drive connected to the drive rod can transversely shift the tongues. Inner and outer position-monitoring rods extending transversely in the other of the box sleepers are connected to the respective guard rails.

Abstract: In a connecting device for a switch actuator and/or a lock for movable parts of a railway switch or crossing, including a rod assembly, in particular a sliding rod or a locking rod articulately connected with the movable part, the movable part or the rod assembly, in particular the switch tongue (2), is rigidly connected with a strap (4) engaging from behind a pin (5) connected with the rod assembly or the movable part for transmitting tensile forces. Between the rod assembly and the strap (4) or the movable part is arranged at least one elastic compression element, which is compressible by the rod assembly in the abutment position of the movable part on a rigid rail part, the strap (4) being displaceable out of abutment on the pin (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically locking the end positions of movable point sections, with two adjusting rods (12, 14 ), each of which is connected with one of the point sections and which are coupled mechanically with one another, with at least one locking tappet (28) for locking the adjusting rods in each case in one of their end positions and a force limiting device, which cancels the locking, when the force, exerted by the point sections on the adjusting rods, exceeds a certain value, and the force limiting device is formed by a coupling device (30, 32), which yields when stressed and is located between the adjusting rods (12, 14), and by a transfer mechanism (16, 38), which converts the movement of one of the adjusting rods into a movement for unlocking the locking tappet (28).

Abstract: A hollow tie assembly for rodding associated with moveable trackwork (such as in a switch or a moveable point frog) serves the function of a tie, houses and protects throw rods, lock rods and detector rods, is adapted to accommodate North American switch machines, and does not interfere with mechanical tampers. The rodding is housed within two elongated and spaced channels which are held in predetermined spaced relationship. Switch plates straddle the flanges of each channel and the moveable rails or points are mounted on the switch plates. Rod adapters and switch clip provide a sliding connection to the moveable rails or points. The rods are made of insulating material and the switch plates and associated components include insulation to avoid cross conduction between the rails.

Abstract: A device for operating a switch of a railway track including switch blades. The device includes a drive module, a linear operating module coupled to and driven by the drive module for generating a linear movement and at least one locking module interconnected between the linear operating module and the switch blades. The locking module transfers the linear movement from the linear operating module to the switch blades, thereby moving the switch blades across a longitudinal direction of the railway track from a first position to a second position. The at least one locking module also locks the switch blades in the first position or the second position independently of the linear operating module. A girder box forms a sleeper of the railway track for housing the drive module, the linear operating module, and the at least one locking module. The device also includes apparatus for joining the drive module, the linear operating module, and the at least one locking module.

Abstract: Apparatus for operating railroad switches, including operation in the trailing mode, and a switch machine having a throw bar and throw rod for enabling the throwing of switch points into selected positions so as to control the switching of rolling stock. A trailing device, including a trailing rod portion of the throw rod, is coupled to the throw bar, said device including an arrangement responsive to a wrong direction load impressed on said switch points so as to move said throw rod, for enabling non-damaging movement of said throw rod.

Abstract: In a device for locking end positions of movable switch parts, in particular, a switch lock, two relatively movable parts are displaceable into a position non-positive in respect of at least one direction of movement. The relatively movable parts are formed by a tube and a pin axially guided within the tube. In addition, separate locking elements formed by heads of flexible tongues are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for moving a movable switch point a selected distance as a result of the throw of a switch machine. The apparatus includes an operating rod connected to and movable by the switch machine and a switch point adjuster mounted directly to the switch point and movable by the operating rod. The switch point adjuster has an elongated housing with a bore provided therethrough, in which the operating rod is disposed through the housing bore. The switch point adjuster also has first and second adjusting nuts that are adjustably secured to the operating rod on opposed sides of the housing, preferably by mated threading. The operating rod is movable bidirectionally through the housing until one of the adjusting nuts contacts the housing. In this way, lost motion of the switch machine may be compensated for. The adjusting nuts preferably have a head portion and a body portion, in which the head portion has a width greater than the width of the body portion.

Abstract: In a reversing device for movable parts of a railway switch within the deflection area of a railway switch, in particular tongue rails, monorail deflection device or movable stock rails, in which device the movable rails can be caused to contact rigid switch parts, the movable rails are supported in their contacting position by supporting rods extending in the longitudinal direction of the rail the supporting rods are slideably guided on the sleepers or, respectively, base plates in the longitudinal direction of the rails. In this case, the supporting rods are designed as adjusting members for the reversing operation and comprise thrust supports cooperating with thrust supports of the movable rails for shifting the rails. At least one of the mutually cooperating surfaces of the thrust supports of rail and/or of supporting rod is formed of a wedge surface passing over into a supporting surface extending in an essentially parallel relation to the longitudinal direction of the supporting rod.

Abstract: An operating device for a railroad switch, the device comprising a right drive rod (5) connected to a right point blade (1), a left drive rod (6) connected to a left point blade (2), and a moving carriage (7) driven by a motor between a right locking plate (12) and a left locking plate (13). The plate is held in position by a frame (36). The right drive rod (5) is situated between the right locking plate (12) and the carriage (7) and being received in a right groove (14) of the carriage. The left drive rod (6) is situated between the left locking plate (13) and the carriage (7) by being received in a left groove (15) of the carriage. Each drive rod (5, 6) is provided with two floating pegs (8 to 11) extending perpendicularly to the grooves and each is received in a corresponding notch (16 to 19) in the rod.

Abstract: A railroad switch mechanism wherein the switch points of a track switch are moved between normal and release positions by a switch machine connected to the switch points by throw rod, lock rod and detector rod assemblies which are adjusted to have predetermined lengths. The lock or detector rod assemblies have couplings which enable temporary disconnection from the switch points when testing to verify whether the operation of the switch to normal and reverse positions is within an allowable range of variations with respect to the stock rails with which the track switch is associated without affecting the adjustment of the length of the assemblies and requiring long and costly readjustment after the completion of testing.