Abstract: The invention relates to an outer point lock device for switchpoints, particularly on high-speed railways. This device comprises two point locks (1, 2) associated each with one of the blades (A1, A2) of the switchpoint. Each point lock comprises a box (3) secured to the corresponding stock-rail (C1, C2) and containing two slides (7, 8) parallel to each other. The slides are superposed on each other and slidably guided across the rails. The so-called lock-slide (8) is connected to the respective blade (A1, A2) and carries a lock member (17, 49) to become locked to the box (3) in the closed position of the blade (A1, A2). The lock slide is coupled to the other so-called drive-slide (7) through a coupling device (28, 29; 249, 307) automatically engageable or disengageable as a result of the overlap stroke of the drive-slide (7) with respect to the lock-slide (8). The drive-slides of the two point locks (1, 2) are connected to each other and to a drive or control rod (44).

Abstract: The system includes a motor and stepdown gear unit (17) which drives a central body (22) of a moving equipment longitudinally by means of a ball screw (20) and a nut. The moving equipment includes two slides (24, 25) sandwiching the central body (22). The two slides mesh with a common gear wheel mounted to rotate freely in the central body (22). Each of the slides drives a corresponding control bar (9, 10) connected to an operating rod (7, 8) in turn connected to one of the blades of a railroad switch, with said drive taking place via a vertical cylindrical floating peg (34, 35, 38, 39). The control bars (9, 10) are locked at the ends of the stroke of the central body (22) by respective ones of the floating pegs being positioned in a corresponding locking groove (40 to 43) of a fixed locking plate (30, 31).