GB714598A - Improvements in or relating to devices for moving or controlling the movement of rail wagons and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

714,598. Vehicle movers. STRACHAN & HENSHAW, Ltd. Sept. 10, 1952 [Sept. 18, 1951; Oct. 23, 1951], Nos. 21905/51 and 24785/51. Class 79(1) [Also in Groups XXX, XXXII and XXXIV] A device for moving or controlling the movement, for example down an incline, of rail wagons and the like, comprises a vehicle adapted to run on a track disposed between the usual track rails for a rail wagon or the like, and one or more retractable wheels or rollers mounted on the vehicle and adapted to be projected and retracted laterally so as, when projected, to engage a wagon wheel when the vehicle is caused, or the wagon wheel allowed, to move on its track, means being provided to propel or haul the vehicle on its track such that projection of the wheels or rollers is effected when the vehicle is propelled or hauled in one direction and retraction is effected when the vehicle is propelled or hauled in the opposite direction. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a low vehicle 11 which will pass below the axle 16 of a wagon 15, is provided with skids 12 at each side for sliding on track rails 13 disposed between the usual track rails 14 for the wagon 15. The vehicle 11 has a slidable draw bar 18 secured by shackle means 21 to an endless chain 22 which runs under the vehicle to chain pulleys. The movement of the draw bar relative to the vehicle 11 is limited by stops 26, 27 on the draw bar and guides 19, 28 on the vehicle, and a latch mechanism 42' is provided to lock the draw bar to the vehicle in its extreme relative positions. The draw bar carries a pair of pivotally-mounted yokes 29 connected by toothed rack bars 31 which mesh with quadrants 33 pivotally mounted in the vehicle 11. Arms 35 projecting from the quadrants have roller assemblies 36 mounted on their outer ends. When the chain 22 is pulled forwardly the quadrants move angularly so that the roller assemblies 36 project through orifices 37 from the sides of the vehicle. When the chain is pulled rearwardly the roller assemblies are withdrawn so that the arms 35 lie longitudinally of the vehicle. Each roller assembly comprises three rollers 38, 39, 40 freely rotatable on their axes and when the assembly is projected the rollers 38. 39 run on the top of the track rails 14 and the roller 40 is in position to engage the tread of the wagon wheel 41, on further hauling on the chain 22. The rollers apply equal pressure to the wheel treads on both sides of the rail wagon, even though the wagon is being propelled around a curved track and this is due to the arrangement of the yokes, rack bars and quadrants. In a further arrangement shown in Fig. 7 the draw bar 18 has a toothed rack 52 on each side, the racks engaging pinions 54 carried by a yoke 53 which is pivotally connected at 55 to the vehicle 11. The pinions 54 are engaged by the quadrants 33 of the roller assemblies 36.