Railways – Switches – Having flexible element
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-23
2001-12-25
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Railways
Switches
Having flexible element
C104S130040, C104S096000, C104S130010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332406
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a transfer system for transferring a movable load for an installation conveying the said load and an overhead-cable transportation installation comprising such a system.
The invention applies in particular to conveying installations of the overhead carrier cable type, from which movable loads are suspended, such as seats or cars.
These installations generally comprise at least two end stations, for embarking and/or disembarking, where the loads are uncoupled from the cable, and then conveyed along at least one travel track which guides and supports the loads.
Such end stations can include switching points where the loads are transferred from an arrival track to several possible exit tracks.
For example, the station comprises at least a first exit track for the loads to a first embarking area, and a second exit track to a second embarking area or to an area for storing the loads.
Systems are already known for transferring movable loads to such and such an exit track, in which a straight transfer rail is interposed between the arrival track and the exit tracks and moved in alternation, like railway points, to one or other of the exit tracks, in order to match it with the arrival track.
Such systems have numerous drawbacks.
This is because the transfer rail, which is straight, cannot be adapted to the curvatures of the different exit tracks.
This results in jolts which on the one hand accelerate the wear on the installation, in particular on the travelling tracks and on the loads and their various components, which leads to a rapid deterioration of the installation and impairs the safety thereof, and on the other hand generate noises impairing the comfort of use of the installation.
Transfer systems are also known which comprise at least two transfer rails, one for each exit track, each rail being movable in order to be interposed between the entry track and the exit track corresponding to it.
These systems also have numerous drawbacks. On the one hand, these systems are heavy and bulky, and require voluminous and powerful actuation means.
On the other hand, the travel track is interrupted, at the time of changing rail, between the entry track and the transfer rail: a movable load arriving at the end of the entry track can then tilt into the void, unless a heavy and complex safety system is provided, which gives rise to a massing of the loads on the arrival track and impairs the overall throughput of the installation.
The object of the invention is to mitigate these drawbacks notably by proposing a transfer system which can be changed as required in order to be adapted to different forms of the exit tracks and thus to ensure a continuous transfer, without jolts and without interruption to the movable loads, whilst being reliable and ensuring a high continuous throughput of the installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To this end, and according to a first aspect, the object of the invention is a system of transferring a movable load for an installation for conveying the said load overhead, making it possible to transfer the load from a so-called arrival track, supported by a fixed frame of the installation, where the load is conveyed along a so-called entry conveying track, to at least first and second so-called exit tracks where the load is conveyed respectively on first and second so-called exit conveying paths; this system comprises a section of track which can be adjusted for position where the load is conveyed along a so-called intermediate conveying path, the exit paths having respectively first and second so-called exit radii of curvature; this section comprises a fixed end disposed opposite one end of the arrival track, and a movable end, able to be moved by an actuation device in order to be disposed opposite one end of each exit track, and comprises at least two track segments associated end to end, mounted at least pivoting with respect to each other by means of association means, disposed close to a junction between the segments, so that the entry, intermediate and exit conveying paths form end to end a conveying path whose tangent exhibits continuous variation.
According to one embodiment, the section of track comprises a rail section divided into rail segments, each track segment comprising a rail segment which has a substantially flat bottom and first and second walls substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the bottom.
For example, the first wall is curved, and has a radius of curvature substantially equal to the first exit radius of curvature.
The second wall can also be curved, and can have a radius of curvature substantially equal to the second exit radius of curvature.
According to one embodiment, the association means are removable, so as to enable the track segment to be exchanged.
The association means comprise notably a bearing, such as a roller bearing, able on the one hand to allow the rotation of the track segments with respect to each other and on the other hand to limit the friction between the said track segments during their relative movement.
In addition, the transfer system can comprise a device for adjusting the magnitude of the relative movement of the adjacent segments.
This adjustment device can comprise, alone or in combination:
at least a first pair of pieces forming stops, disposed on each side of the junction between two track segments, a first stop in the first pair being fixed to one of the two track segments on one side of the section, a second stop in the first pair being fixed to the other track segment on the same side of the section as the first stop, opposite the latter with an adjusted separation, the stops being able to come into contact with each other when the movable end is opposite the end of the first exit track; and
at least a second pair of stops, disposed on each side of the junction between two track segments, a first stop in the second pair being fixed to one of the two track segments on one side of the section, a second stop of the second pair being fixed to the other track segment on the same side of the section as the said first stop, opposite the latter with an adjusted separation, the said stops being able to come into contact with each other when the movable end is opposite the end of the second exit track.
For example, the separation between the said stops can be set by means of an adjustment device comprising an adjustable finger mounted on one of the stops in the same pair.
According to one embodiment, the transfer system also comprises means of pushing a middle part of the track section, the said pushing means being able to ensure continuous contact of the pieces in the first pair when the movable end is opposite the end of the first exit track.
For example, the pushing means comprise a spring functioning in compression, associated on the one hand with a fixed frame of the installation, and on the other hand with the said middle part of the track section.
In addition, the transfer system can comprise means of pulling a middle part of the track section, the said pulling means being able to ensure continuous contact of the stops in the second pair when the movable end is opposite the end of the second exit track.
For example, the pulling means comprise a spring operating under traction, associated on the one hand with a fixed frame of the installation and on the other hand with the said middle part of the track section.
According to one embodiment, the pushing means and the pulling means comprise one and the same spring functioning under compression when the movable end is close to the end of the first exit track, and in traction when the movable end is close to the end of the second exit track.
As for the actuation device, this comprises for example a connecting rod associated with the movable section, close to the free end of the latter.
According to one embodiment, means are provided for guiding the relative movement of the segments able to make a predetermined deformation of the movable track section possible.
These guiding means can comprise at least one
Jules Frantz F.
Morano S. Joseph
Parkhurst & Wendel L.L.P.
Pomagalski S.A.
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