APPARATUS FOR LOCKING A SWITCH MACHINE

Abstract

An apparatus is provided to lock a switch machine in a fully thrown position. The apparatus may include a housing, a lever, and a switch throw mechanism. The switch throw mechanism may be at least partially housed in the housing. The switch throw mechanism may include a rod having a distal portion and a bracket attached to the distal portion. The lever may be pivotally coupled to the switch throw mechanism to laterally move the rod and the bracket from a first member position to a second member position based on the lever pivoting from a first lever position to a second lever position. The bracket located in the second member position and the lever located in the second lever position may lock the rod in the second member position.

Claims

1. A switch machine, comprising: a housing; a lever; and a switch throw mechanism at least partially housed in the housing, wherein the switch throw mechanism comprises a rod having a distal portion and a bracket attached to the distal portion, wherein the lever is pivotally coupled to the switch throw mechanism to laterally move the rod and the bracket from a first member position to a second member position based on the lever pivoting from a first lever position to a second lever position, and wherein the bracket located in the second member position and the lever located in the second lever position locks the rod in the second member position.

2. The switch machine of claim 1, wherein an interference between the lever and the bracket while the lever pivots from the first lever position to the second lever position indicates a malfunction of the switch throw mechanism.

3. The switch machine of claim 2, wherein the interference prevents the lever from pivoting to the second lever position.

4. The switch machine of claim 1, wherein the rod is a first rod, wherein the switch throw mechanism further comprises a second rod having a distal portion and a sensor attached to the distal portion, wherein the switch throw mechanism is further configured to laterally move the second rod and the sensor from the first member position to the second member position based on the lever pivoting from the first lever position to the second lever position, and wherein the sensor is configured to determine that the first rod is locked in the second member position based on the second rod being in the second member position.

5. The switch machine of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the rod comprises first serrations, wherein the bracket comprises second serrations, and wherein an interaction between the first and second serrations positionally stabilizes the bracket attached to the distal portion of the rod.

6. The switch machine of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the rod comprises at least one through hole, wherein the bracket comprises at least one through slot, and wherein the at least one through slot positionally adjusts the bracket with respect to the at least one through hole.

7. The switch machine of claim 1, wherein the bracket is a rectangular bracket, an L-shaped bracket, or a U-shaped bracket.

8. A vehicle system, comprising: a first path; a second path; a switch movable between a first position and a second position, wherein, in the first position, the switch guides a vehicle along the first path, and wherein, in the second position, the switch guides a vehicle along the second path; and a switch machine operable to move the switch between the first position and the second position, the switch machine comprising: a housing; a lever; and a switch throw mechanism at least partially housed in the housing, wherein the switch throw mechanism comprises a rod having a distal portion and a bracket attached to the distal portion, wherein the lever is pivotally coupled to the switch throw mechanism to laterally move the rod and the bracket from a first member position to a second member position based on the lever pivoting from a first lever position to a second lever position, and wherein the bracket located in the second member position and the lever located in the second lever position locks the rod in the second member position, and wherein the bracket located in the second member position and the lever located in the second lever position corresponds to the switch in the second position.

9. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein an interference between the lever and the bracket while the lever pivots from the first lever position to the second lever position indicates a malfunction of the switch throw mechanism, and wherein the interference indicates the switch has not completely moved from the first position to the second position.

10. The vehicle system of claim 9, wherein the interference prevents the lever from pivoting to the second lever position, and wherein the interference prevents the switch from completely moving from the first position to the second position.

11. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the rod is a first rod, wherein the switch throw mechanism further comprises a second rod having a distal portion and a sensor attached to the distal portion, wherein the switch throw mechanism is further configured to laterally move the second rod and the sensor from the first member position to the second member position based on the lever pivoting from the first lever position to the second lever position, wherein the sensor is configured to determine that the first rod is locked in the second member position based on the second rod being in the second member position, and wherein the sensor is configured to determine that the switch is in the second position based on the second rod being in the second member position.

12. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the distal portion of the rod comprises first serrations, wherein the bracket comprises second serrations, and wherein an interaction between the first and second serrations positionally stabilizes the bracket attached to the distal portion of the rod.

13. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the distal portion of the rod comprises at least one through hole, wherein the bracket comprises at least one through slot, and wherein the at least one through slot positionally adjusts the bracket with respect to the at least one through hole.

14. The vehicle system of claim 8, wherein the bracket is a rectangular bracket, an L-shaped bracket, or a U-shaped bracket.

15. A method of using a switch machine operable to move a switch between a first position and a second position, the method comprising: pivoting a lever of the switch machine about an axis from a first lever position to a second lever position, wherein the first lever position corresponds to the switch in the first position, and wherein the second lever position corresponds to the switch in the second position; and translating a rod of the switch machine along a direction parallel to the axis from a first member position to a second member position based on pivoting the lever from the first lever position to the second lever position, wherein the first member position corresponds to the switch in the first position, and wherein the second member position corresponds to the switch in the second position.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising locking the switch in the second position based on a locking engagement between the lever in the second lever position and the rod in the second member position.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining a malfunction of the switch machine based on an interference between the lever and the rod while pivoting the lever from the first lever position to the second lever position.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising determining whether the switch has completely moved from the first position to the second position based on a sensed parameter.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing an indicator to indicate whether the switch has completely moved from the first position to the second position based on the determination.

20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: pivoting the lever of the switch machine about the axis from the second lever position to the first lever position; and translating the rod of the switch machine along the direction parallel to the axis from the second member position to the first member position based on pivoting the lever from the second lever position to the first lever position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The subject matter may be understood from reading the following description of non-limiting examples, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates an example switch machine in an unthrown position;

[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates an example switch machine in a fully thrown, locked position;

[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates an example switch machine in a malfunction position;

[0012] FIGS. 4A-C illustrate an example locking rod, an example bracket, and an example assembly including the locking rod and the bracket for use with a switch machine, respectively; and

[0013] FIGS. 5A-C illustrate example locking mechanisms including an example L-shaped bracket, an example U-shaped bracket, and an example rectangular-shaped bracket, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Embodiments of the subject matter described herein relate to an apparatus for locking a switch machine. As previously discussed, switch machines designed for manual switching currently do not include a mechanism for locking in a fully thrown position. As a result, a switch machine and, specifically, a set of switch points that is in the fully thrown position is susceptible to becoming dislodged such that the switch machine is no longer in the fully thrown position. A switch machine that becomes dislodged and is no longer in the fully thrown position poses a substantial risk for derailment for any vehicle traveling along a guided path for which the switch machine is located.

[0015] Additionally, as previously discussed, switch machines designed for manual switching currently do not provide a visual indication to a user to inform the user as to whether or not a set of switch points has been successfully moved from an unthrown position to a fully thrown position. In other words, unless the user manually checks the set of switch points to be moved by the switch machine after manual switching, the user is unable to verify if the switch machine has successfully moved the set of switch points from the unthrown position to the fully thrown position. Such a verification is important as malfunctions, or failures, associated with the switch machine and/or the set of switch points may cause the set of switch points to remain in the unthrown position despite the switch machine being thrown, or switched. As such, in the event of a malfunction, or failure, associated with a switch machine and/or a set of switch points, a user may throw, or switch, a switch machine, but a vehicle traveling along the guided path may not be directed correctly due to the malfunction, or failure.

[0016] Accordingly, embodiments of an apparatus as set forth herein may be configured for locking a switch machine in the fully thrown position and/or for providing a visual indication to a user to inform the user as to whether or not a set of switch points (e.g., of a railroad switch for changing the path of a rail vehicle from one set of rail tracks to another) has been successfully moved from an unthrown position to a fully thrown position.

[0017] Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates an example switch machine 100 in an unthrown position. The example switch machine may include a housing 102, which may partially house a switch throw mechanism. The example switch machine may further include a lever 104, which may be pivotally coupled to the switch throw mechanism. In one example, the switch throw mechanism may be responsible for moving a set of switch points from an unthrown position to a fully thrown position, and vice versa, based on the lever pivoting from a first lever position (FIG. 1) to a second lever position (FIG. 2), and vice versa. The example switch machine and, specifically, the switch throw mechanism may further include a locking rod 106, also referred to herein as a rod or a first rod, which may include a distal portion and a bracket 108 attached thereto. The example switch machine and, specifically, the switch throw mechanism may even further include a point detector rod 110, also referred to herein as a second rod.

[0018] Since the lever may be pivotally coupled to the switch throw mechanism, the locking rod, the bracket, and the point detector rod may move laterally from a first member position (FIG. 1) to a second member position (FIG. 2) based on the lever pivoting from the first lever position to the second lever position, and further based on the set of switch points successfully moving from the unthrown position to the fully thrown position. Similarly, the locking rod, the bracket, and the point detector rod may move laterally from the second member position to the first member position based on the lever pivoting from the second lever position to the first lever position, and further based on the set of switch points successfully moving from the fully thrown position to the unthrown position. For example, the lever may be operably coupled to the set of switch points via a first elongate connector, and the set of switch points may be operably coupled to the locking rod via a second elongate connector, such that normal operation of the lever causes the set of switch points to move which in turn causes the locking rod to move. Additionally, the set of switch points may be operably coupled to the point detector rod via the second elongate connector, or, alternatively, a third elongate connector, such that normal operation of the lever causes the set of switch points to move which in turn causes the point detector rod to move.

[0019] With continued reference to the switch machine and the switch throw mechanism shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 illustrates an example switch machine 200 in a fully thrown, locked position. Similar to FIG. 1, the example switch machine may include a housing 202, which may partially house the switch throw mechanism. The example switch machine may further include a lever 204, which may be pivotally coupled to the switch throw mechanism. The example switch machine and, specifically, the switch throw mechanism may further include a locking rod 206, also referred to herein as a rod or a first rod, which may include a distal portion and a bracket 208 attached thereto. The example switch machine and, specifically, the switch throw mechanism may even further include a point detector rod 210, also referred to herein as a second rod.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the lever has pivoted from the first lever position (FIG. 1) to the second lever position (FIG. 2), and, as a result, the locking rod, the bracket, and the point detector rod have moved laterally from the first member position (FIG. 1) to the second member position (FIG. 2). As further shown in FIG. 2, the locking rod and the bracket located in the second member position and the lever located in the second lever position provide a locking mechanism to lock the locking rod in the second member position. In other words, an interaction between the bracket located in the second member position and the lever located in the second lever position prevents the locking rod and the bracket from moving laterally from the second member position to the first member position without a user pivoting the lever from the second lever position to the first lever position.

[0021] In addition to providing a locking mechanism to lock the locking rod in the second member position, the locking rod and the bracket located in the second member position and the lever located in the second lever position further provides a visual indication that the switch throw mechanism has successfully moved a set of switch points from an unthrown position to a fully thrown position.

[0022] With continued reference to the switch machines and the switch throw mechanisms shown in FIGS. 1-2, FIG. 3 illustrates an example switch machine 300 in a malfunction position. Similar to FIGS. 1-2, the example switch machine may include a housing 302, which may partially house the switch throw mechanism. The example switch machine may further include a lever 304, which may be pivotally coupled to the switch throw mechanism. The example switch machine and, specifically, the switch throw mechanism may further include a locking rod 306, also referred to herein as a rod or a first rod, which may include a distal portion and a bracket 308 attached thereto. The example switch machine and, specifically, the switch throw mechanism may even further include a point detector rod 310, also referred to herein as a second rod.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, a user has attempted to pivot the lever from the first lever position (FIG. 1) to the second lever position (FIG. 2). However, as a result of a malfunction, or failure, of the switch machine and/or the set of switch points, the set of switch points have not moved from an unthrown position to a fully thrown position, and thus the locking rod and the bracket have not moved from the first member position (FIG. 1) to the second member position (FIG. 2). As a result, the bracket interferes with the lever and blocks, or prevents, the lever from pivoting to the second lever position and simultaneously provides a visual indication to the user that the switch machine and/or the set of switch points has malfunctioned, or failed, and that the set of switch points have not moved from the unthrown position to the fully thrown position despite an attempt to pivot the lever from the first lever position to the second lever position.

[0024] With continued reference to each of FIGS. 1-3, the point detector rod may include a sensor to determine a location, a movement, etc. of the point detector rod to determine if the point detector rod has moved from the first member position to the second member position, and thus if the set of switch points has moved from the unthrown position to the fully thrown position. The sensor may include a global positioning system (GPS) sensor to detect when the point detector rod has moved to the second member position or an odometer sensor to detect when the point detector rod has moved the distance necessary to reach the second member position, among others. The example switch machines, or the switch throw mechanisms, of FIGS. 1-3 may further include a visual indicator configured to communicate with the sensor. In one example, the example switch machines, or the switch throw mechanisms, of FIGS. 1-3 may further include a light that is configured to illuminate based on the sensor determining that the point detector rod has moved from the first member position to the second member position, and thus that the set of switch points have successfully moved from the unthrown position to the fully thrown position. As a result, the switch machines, or the switch throw mechanisms, of FIGS. 1-3 may provide an additional visual indicator to inform the user as to whether or not the set of switch points have been successfully moved from an unthrown position to a fully thrown position.

[0025] FIGS. 4A-C illustrate an example locking rod 402, an example bracket 408, and an example assembly 400 including the locking rod and the bracket for use with a switch machine, respectively. FIG. 4A illustrates the example locking rod, which may include a distal portion 403. The example locking rod may further include at least one through hole 404 and first serrations 406. FIG. 4B illustrates the example bracket, which may include at least one through slot 410 and second serrations 412. FIG. 4C illustrates the example assembly, which may include the locking rod and the bracket, where the bracket is attached to the distal portion of the locking rod. The example assembly may further include an attachment plate 414 and at least one fastener 416 configured to attach the bracket to the distal portion of the locking rod via the at least one through hole, the at least one through slot, and the attachment plate.

[0026] With continued reference to FIGS. 4A-C, the first serrations of the distal portion of the locking rod and the second serrations of the bracket positionally stabilize the bracket attached to the distal portion of the locking road. Furthermore, the at least one through slot of the bracket provides positional adjustability such that the bracket may be attached at different positions on the distal portion of the locking rod. This may be desirable as different switch machines often require different throw distances, which is the distance that the set of switch points must travel from the unthrown position to the fully thrown position. In other words, the at least one through slot provides positional adjustability such that the same locking rod and bracket may be used for different switch machines requiring different throw distances.

[0027] FIGS. 5A-C illustrate example locking mechanisms 500A-C including an example L-shaped bracket 506a, an example U-shaped bracket 506b, and an example rectangular-shaped bracket 506c, respectively. In one example, FIG. 5A illustrates an example locking mechanism, which may include the L-shaped bracket attached to the locking rod 502 to lock the locking rod in the second member position (FIG. 2) based on the lever 504 having pivoted to the second lever position (FIG. 2). In another example, FIG. 5B illustrates an example locking mechanism which may include the U-shaped bracket attached to the locking rod to lock the locking rod in the second member position based on the lever having pivoted to the second lever position. In yet another example, FIG. 5C illustrates an example locking mechanism which may include the rectangular-shaped bracket attached to the locking rod to lock the locking rod in the second member position based on the lever having pivoted to the second lever position. In any example, the L-shaped bracket, the U-shaped bracket, and the rectangular-shaped bracket may prevent the locking rod from moving laterally in the +x direction from the second member position to the first member position. Accordingly, the L-shaped bracket, the U-shaped bracket, and the rectangular-shaped bracket as described herein provide a mechanism for locking a switch machine, or a switch throw mechanism, and thus a set of switch points in the fully thrown position.

[0028] Although the L-shaped bracket, the U-shaped bracket, and the rectangular-shaped bracket have been described with reference to FIGS. 5A-C, these brackets may be implemented into the switch machines, or the switch throw mechanisms, of FIGS. 1-3. Additionally, although not shown, the L-shaped bracket, the U-shaped bracket, and the rectangular-shaped bracket as described herein may be attached to the locking rod as described with reference to FIGS. 4A-C. In other words, although not shown, the L-shaped bracket, the U-shaped bracket, and the rectangular-shaped bracket as described herein may include at least one through slot configured to align with at least one through hole of the distal portion of the locking rod. Additionally, as described with reference to FIGS. 4A-C, an attachment plate and at least one fastener may attach the L-shaped bracket, the U-shaped bracket, and the rectangular-shaped bracket to the distal portion of the locking rod.

[0029] Although the present disclosure describes an L-shaped bracket, a U-shaped bracket, and a rectangular-shaped bracket, the disclosure encompasses any shaped bracket that may provide the locking mechanism described herein. Additionally, any shaped bracket may include at least one through slot configured to align with at least one through hole of the distal portion of the locking rod and may be attached to the distal portion of the locking rod via an attachment plate and at least one fastener.

[0030] This written description uses examples to disclose and to enable a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art to make and practice the subject matter disclosed herein, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. Aspects from the various embodiments described, as well as other known equivalents for each such aspects, can be mixed and matched by one of ordinary skill in the art to construct additional embodiments and techniques in accordance with principles of this application.