Automatic device for the change of rail Subject matter of the invention

The present patent application has as objective the registration of an automatic device for the change of rail, incorporating outstanding innovations and advantages in comparison to the already existing devices.

In particular, the invention corresponds to the field of the automatic devices for the change of rail and particularly overhead rails.

Background to the invention

The aerial conveyor mechanisms moving along overhead rails are widely know. Also, devices to permit the corresponding changes of rail and switch blades are also known. The known devices are characterised by its high cost and complexity due to the fact that they imply the use of "smart tracks" which distribute the conveyor mechanisms in one or another direction.

An additional disadvantage deriving from the existing devices of this type is the reduction in the flow speed and the necessary separation between the rail cars to make the change, subsequently reducing the profitability, speed and flow.

Moreover, the applicant does not know the existence of any previous devices for the change of rail having all of the technical, operative and structural characteristics which will be described in this application. Description of the invention

The invention has been developed with the aim to provide an automatic device for the change of rail to solve the above stated disadvantages, contributing at the same time other additional advantages which will be obvious from the following description.

Thus, it is an objective of this invention to provide an automatic device for the change of rail, particularly for overhead rails supported in the air, which is characterised for comprising a moveable frame linearly displaceable along a support which includes two rolling assemblies, arranged in parallel on each side of the rail when in use, being each of said rolling assemblies articulated to the support, in which at least one of the rolling assemblies is articulated with rotating capacity, so that it is capable of swivelling in respect to the point of articulation, the support being articulated with rotating capacity in the moving frame for which reason it is capable to rotate in respect to said moveable frame.

Thanks to these characteristics, an automatic device for the change of rail is obtained which permits an unlimited number of changes of rail in both directions. Moreover, it is not necessary to provide a complete "smart track", because the change of rail is carried out from the same conveyor, so that a conventional rail may be used. Other additional advantages of the present device consist in that it does not reduce the flow speed of the operation and it does not need to increase the distance which separates the rail cars when making a change of rail, such operation being carried out during the travel of the transporter.

Preferably, said support has an horizontal groove which determines the linear displacement of the moveable frame and some orifices at both sides of said groove in which the roller assemblies are articulated.

Said moveable frame has an elongated bar in which end a roller protrudes, having the capacity to move along said groove. According to a preferred embodiment, each of said roller assemblies has at least two roller elements in opposition to each other, being said roller elements joined by means of a shaft, an arm being provided to associate said shaft and the support. Each of the roller elements has a wheel with a protruding rim in the border close to the shaft and a chamfered section in the border separate from the shaft. As to said arm, it is to be mentioned that it has in one end a ring like expansion through which passes said shaft. Additionally, one element has been provided to connect in an articulated form each of said arms.

Another objective of the present invention consists in providing a conveyor having guiding means which may travel along an overhead rail, which is characterised by comprising an automated device for the change of the rail according to the invention.

Other features and advantages of the automatic device for the change of rail which is the object of the present invention will be obvious from the description of a preferred, although not exclusive, embodiment of the invention shown as a non limitative example in the appended drawings in which:

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 . A view of an operation sequence of the automatic device for the change of rail according to the invention.

Description of a preferred embodiment As is to be seen in figure 1 , an automatic device for the change of rail has been shown, particularly for overhead rails supported in the air generally indicated with the reference numeral 1 , according to the present invention. Various arrows have been included to indicate the direction of the movement in each case to facilitate the understanding of the invention.

In figure 1 a the automatic device for the change of rail 1 has been shown in a first stage of the operating sequence. It may be observed that the device comprises a moveable frame 2 which may be linearly displaced by means of a support 3 including two roller assemblies A, B arranged in parallel, one in each of the sides of the rail 4a, 4b in an operating condition, being each of the rolling assemblies A, B articulated to the support 3.

Preferably, both roller assemblies A, B are articulated with rotation capacity, so that they are able to swivel in respect to the articulation point 6, being the support 3 articulated with rotation capacity on the moveable frame 2, for which reason it is capable to rotate in respect to said moveable frame 2.

As may be seen in figure 1 a said support 3 has an horizontal groove 5 which determines the linear displacement of the moveable frame 2, having as well orifices 13 at both sides of said groove 5 in which the roller assemblies A, B articulate.

It is also to be seen that said moveable frame 2 has an elongated rod at which end preferably a roller 7 protrudes with capacity to travel along said groove 5. In the enclosed drawings said elongated rod has been shown only in part. Each of said roller assemblies A,B have preferably two wheels 8 opposed to each other, being connected said wheels 8 by means of a shaft 10 (represented in dash lines to facilitate the understanding) and having an arm 9 which associates said shaft 10 and the support 3. Each of the wheels 8 has a protruding rim 1 1 in the border which is in the vicinity of the shaft 10 and a chamfered section 14 in the border which is separated from shaft 10.

Advantageously, said arm 9 has in one of its ends a ring like expansion through which said shaft 10 passes. Additionally, an element 12 has been provided to unite in an articulated form each of the arms 9.

The operating sequence of the rail change starts with a lineal displacement of the moveable frame 2 along the horizontal groove 5 as shown in figure 1 b. At the same time the roller assembly A rotates in respect to the support 3 according to the illustrated arrow. It has to be pointed out that the roller assembly B supports the conveyor (not shown) thanks to the rail 4b to which the transporter has to be transferred along a parallel run, so that the wheels 8 of the roller assembly B displace along the two rails 4a and 4b.

Subsequently, the automatic device for the change of rail 1 continues its operation as derived from figure 1 c, in which the arrows illustrate again the directions of movement. The chamfer 14 in the external border of the wheel 8 facilitates its introduction within the rail 4b.

Finally in figure 1 d the automatic device for the change of rail 1 is shown after completing the operation of the rail change. Given that the roller assembly A moves, already along the rail 4b the presence of the rail 4a is no longer necessary, so that it the collaboration of rail 4a which may be finished off.

The novel and advantageous configuration of the automatic device for the change of rail 1 according to the invention, permits to change the position of a roller assembly articulated with rotating capacity in respect to the position of another roller assembly, with the possibility to be located both on the left side or on the right side in respect of the "fixed" roller assembly. Accordingly, a conveyor equipped with the described device has a capacity to change the rail in a fast, simple and completely automatic way, without the need to create rail junctions and maximizing the operating flow. The automatic device for the change of rail 1 is preferably aimed for its application to an overhead load conveyor, although other applications of the invention are not to be discarded, for example the transport of persons.

5 The driving of the various elements which have been herein described is carried out by actuators, motors and processing units available on the market for which reason they will not be dealt with in more detail.

The details, forms, sizes and the rest of auxiliary elements as well as the material i o used for the manufacture of the automatic device for the change of rail of the present invention may be conveniently substituted by other technically equivalent elements not departing from the essential characteristics of the invention nor from the scope of the same as defined in the following claims.