U.S. patent application number 14/378536 was filed with the patent office on 2015-06-18 for arrangement for transfer of a trolley between suspended rails and suspended rail system comprising such an arrangement.
The applicant listed for this patent is HANDICARE AB. Invention is credited to Magnus Brannstrom, Magnus Holmberg.
Application Number | 20150166084 14/378536 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48984534 |
Filed Date | 2015-06-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150166084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brannstrom; Magnus ; et
al. |
June 18, 2015 |
ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSFER OF A TROLLEY BETWEEN SUSPENDED RAILS AND
SUSPENDED RAIL SYSTEM COMPRISING SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT
Abstract
An arrangement for safe transition of a trolley between a first
and a second suspended rail when they are in an end-to-end position
with each other, and for safe operation of the trolley when the
rails are in un-aligned positions relative each other. The
arrangement comprises a liftable first stop member, a liftable
second stop member and two pairs of engaging members. The liftable
stop members are adapted to block the trolley from accidentally
leaving the rails when the rails are in the un-aligned positions,
and to unblock the rails when the rails are in the end-to-end
position. The engaging members of the pairs of engaging members are
arranged to engage with each other when the rails are in the
end-to-end position to lift the stop members, thereby unblocking
the rails in order to allow a transition between the rails.
Inventors: |
Brannstrom; Magnus; (Lulea,
SE) ; Holmberg; Magnus; (Lulea, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HANDICARE AB |
Jarfalla |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
48984534 |
Appl. No.: |
14/378536 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
February 15, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2013/050131 |
371 Date: |
August 13, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
104/102 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B61J 1/00 20130101; B66C
7/14 20130101; A61G 7/1042 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B61J 1/00 20060101
B61J001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 15, 2012 |
SE |
1250127-6 |
Claims
1. An arrangement for safe transition of a trolley between a first
and a second suspended rail when they are in an end-to-end position
with each other, and for safe operation of said trolley when said
rails are in un-aligned positions relative each other, said
arrangement comprising: a liftable first stop member adapted to
block said trolley from accidentally leaving said first rail when
said rails are in said un-aligned positions, and to unblock said
first rail when said rails are in said end-to-end position; a
liftable second stop member adapted to block said trolley from
accidentally leaving said second rail when said rails are in said
un-aligned positions, and to unblock said second rail when said
rails are in said end-to-end position; one pair of engaging members
having a first engaging member adapted to be attached to said first
rail and a second engaging member attached to said second stop
member; one pair of engaging members having a third engaging member
adapted to be attached to said second rail and a fourth engaging
member attached to said first stop member; wherein said engaging
members of said pairs of engaging members are arranged to engage
with each other when said rails are in said end-to-end position to
lift said stop members, thereby unblocking said rails in order to
allow a transition between said rails.
2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said first and
third engaging member each has a guide, and wherein said second and
fourth engaging members each comprise a protruding portion adapted
to run in respective guide, and wherein said guides each comprise
at least one rising portion in order to elevate said protruding
portion to lift said stop members.
3. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said rising
portion of said first engaging member has a rise different than
that of said third engaging member.
4. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said second and
fourth engaging member each has a guide, and wherein said first and
third engaging members each comprise a protruding portion adapted
to run in respective guide, and wherein said guides each comprise
at least one falling portion in order to elevate the second and
fourth engaging members lift said stop members.
5. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said protruding
portion is a wheel portion or a pin portion.
6. The arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said guides are
grooves.
7. A suspended rail system comprising a first suspended rail, a
second suspended rail and an arrangement according to claim 1,
wherein said first engaging member is attached to said first rail,
and said third engaging member is attached to said second rail.
8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said first and third
engaging member each has a guide, wherein said second and fourth
engaging members each comprise a protruding portion adapted to run
in respective guide, wherein said guides each comprise at least one
rising portion in order to elevate said protruding portion to lift
said stop members, and wherein said guide of said first engaging
member and said guide of said third engaging member are vertically
offset relative each other.
9. The system according to claim 7, wherein said second and fourth
engaging member each has a guide, wherein said first and third
engaging members each comprise a protruding portion adapted to run
in respective guide, wherein said guides each comprise at least one
falling portion in order to elevate the second and fourth engaging
members lift said stop members, and wherein said first engaging
member and said third engaging member are offset in a vertical
direction relative each other.
10. The system according to claim 8, wherein said protruding
portions are facing each other.
11. The system according to claim 8, wherein said stop members are
liftable at essentially right angles relative said rails.
12. The system according to claim 8, wherein said stop members
extend into said rails through top portions of said rails.
13. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said protruding
portion is a wheel portion or a pin portion.
14. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said protruding
portion is a wheel portion or a pin portion.
15. The arrangement according to claim 3, wherein said guides are
grooves.
16. The arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said guides are
grooves.
17. The arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said guides are
grooves.
18. A suspended rail system comprising a first suspended rail, a
second suspended rail and an arrangement according to claim 2,
wherein said first engaging member is attached to said first rail,
and said third engaging member is attached to said second rail.
19. A suspended rail system comprising a first suspended rail, a
second suspended rail and an arrangement according to claim 3,
wherein said first engaging member is attached to said first rail,
and said third engaging member is attached to said second rail.
20. A suspended rail system comprising a first suspended rail, a
second suspended rail and an arrangement according to claim 4,
wherein said first engaging member is attached to said first rail,
and said third engaging member is attached to said second rail.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to the field of suspended rail systems
for patient lifts. In particular, the invention relates to a system
for allowing safe transfer of a patient lift trolley between two
suspended rails.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
[0002] Patient lifts which ride on suspended rail systems are
commonly used as an aid for lifting, lowering and moving persons
who need such assistance, for example patients, elderly or disabled
persons. The patient lift is usually coupled to a trolley which
rides in a rail of the suspended rail system. Such suspended rail
systems may comprise primary rails which are non-movable, e.g.
attached to the ceiling, and one or more secondary rails which are
suspended from the primary rails and movable relative these. There
may arise a need to transfer the patient lift from one secondary
rail to another, or between a secondary rail and a fixed rail, or
between any two rails. This type of transfer may be achieved by
positioning the two rails end-to-end and thereafter slide the
trolley from one rail to the other. During normal operation
however, it is desirable for the rails to have stop means to
prevent the patient lift trolley from accidentally leaving the
rail. To avoid time-consuming manual removal of the stop means
during a transfer situation, there has been proposed mechanisms for
automatically releasing the stop means to allow a transfer.
[0003] One such mechanism, called the "Transition gate", is
provided by Prism Medical Ltd. The "Transition gate" comprises
rod-shaped stop members which extend into the rails in the vicinity
of the ends thereof. The stop members are movable at a right angle
relative the length direction of the rails to be able to either
block or allow movement of a trolley through the rail. A wheel
member is coupled to each stop member at a right angle. The wheels
are arranged to interact with guides such that the stop members are
lifted. Transfer of the patient lift trolley between two rails is
possible only at certain positions where a guide is attached to a
primary rail. At this position, the wheel attached to the stop
member of a first rail engages with the guide which is attached to
the primary rail, and the wheel attached to the stop member of the
second rail engages with a guide being attached to the first rail.
Thereby both stop members are lifted and transfer is possible. One
problem with such a mechanism may be that both secondary rails need
to be moved to the predetermined position where a guide is attached
to a primary rail in order to make a transfer possible. Another
problem is that the trolley may accidentally leave one of the
rails, thereby causing an accident, because a stop member may be
lifted without having another rail positioned end-to-end, e.g. when
a rail is positioned such that its stop member wheel engages with a
guide which is attached to a primary rail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
time-efficient and safe arrangement for allowing transition of a
trolley between a first and a second suspended rail, and for
preventing the trolley from accidentally leaving the rails, and at
the same time providing such an arrangement with a simple and
cost-effective construction. A further object of the present
invention is to provide a suspended rail system comprising such an
arrangement.
[0005] These and other objects of the present invention are
achieved by means of an arrangement and a suspended rail system
having the features defined in the independent claims. Embodiments
of the present invention are characterized in the dependent
claims.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided an arrangement for safe transition of a trolley between a
first and a second suspended rail when they are in an end-to-end
position with each other, and for safe operation of the trolley
when the rails are in un-aligned positions relative each other. The
arrangement comprises a liftable or movable first stop member, a
liftable or movable second stop member, and two pairs of engaging
or actuating members.
[0007] The liftable first stop member is adapted to block the
trolley from accidentally leaving the first rail when the rails are
in the un-aligned positions, and to unblock the first rail when the
rails are in the end-to-end position. The liftable second stop
member is adapted to block the trolley from accidentally leaving
the second rail when the rails are in the un-aligned positions, and
to unblock the second rail when the rails are in the end-to-end
position. One pair of engaging members have a first engaging member
adapted to be attached to the first rail and a second engaging
member attached to the second stop member. One pair of engaging
members have a third engaging member adapted to be attached to the
second rail and a fourth engaging member attached to the first stop
member. The engaging members of the pairs of engaging members are
arranged to engage with each other when the rails are in the
end-to-end position to lift the stop members, thereby unblocking
the rails in order to allow a transition between the rails.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a suspended rail system comprising a first suspended rail,
a second suspended rail and an arrangement according to the first
aspect of the invention.
[0009] The invention is based on the insight that safe transition
of a trolley between a first and a second suspended rail may be
achieved by mutual engagement between pairs of engaging members,
where one of the engaging members is attached to one of the rails,
and the other is attached to a stop member of the other rail, to
allow the stop members to be released or lifted when the rails are
at arbitrary absolute positions given that the rails are positioned
end-to-end. The invention is furthermore based on the insight that
by using such a mutual engagement between pairs of engaging
members, the stop members may be released or lifted when, and only
when, the rails are positioned end-to-end.
[0010] In other words, according to the first aspect of the
invention, an arrangement is provided for allowing a transition,
transfer or move of a trolley or patient lift trolley between a
first and a second suspended rail or track when the rails or tracks
are mutually aligned, and for preventing the trolley or patient
lift trolley from accidentally leaving the rails or tracks when
they are not mutually aligned. Put differently, there is provided
an arrangement for enabling a trolley or patient lift trolley to be
transferred or moved between a first and a second suspended rail or
track when one end of the first suspended rail or track is
positioned facing one end of the second suspended rail or track,
and for blocking a trolley or patient lift trolley from leaving the
rails through the one end of the first suspended rail or track
and/or through the one end of the second suspended rail or track
when the one end of the first suspended rail or track is not
positioned facing the one end of the second suspended rail or
track.
[0011] The arrangement comprises a liftable or movable first stop
member, a liftable or movable second stop member, a first pair of
engaging or actuating members and a second pair of engaging or
actuating members. The liftable or movable first stop member is
adapted to partially block the one end of the first rail or track
or extend into the first rail or track when the rails or tracks are
un-aligned or not mutually aligned or when the one end of the first
suspended rail or track is not facing the one end of the second
suspended rail or track. Thereby the trolley or patient lift
trolley is blocked or prevented from leaving the first rail or
track. The liftable or movable first stop member is furthermore
adapted to unblock the first rail or track when the rails are
mutually aligned or when the one end of the first suspended rail or
track is positioned facing the one end of the second suspended rail
or track. In other words, the first stop member is movable between
a blocking position and a non-blocking position, depending on if
the rails or tracks are positioned end-to-end or not.
[0012] The liftable or movable second stop member is adapted to
partially block the one end of the second rail or track or extend
into the second rail or track when the rails or tracks are
un-aligned or not mutually aligned or when the one end of the first
suspended rail or track is not facing the one end of the second
suspended rail or track. Thereby the trolley or patient lift
trolley is blocked or prevented from leaving the second rail or
track. The liftable or movable second stop member is furthermore
adapted to unblock the second rail or track when the rails are
mutually aligned or when the one end of the first suspended rail or
track is positioned facing the one end of the second suspended rail
or track. In other words, the second stop member is movable between
a blocking position and a non-blocking position, depending on if
the rails or tracks are positioned end-to-end or not.
[0013] The first pair of engaging or actuating members comprises a
first engaging or actuating member adapted to be attached or
coupled to the first rail or track and a second engaging or
actuating member attached or coupled to the second stop member. The
second pair of engaging or actuating members comprises a third
engaging or actuating member adapted to be attached or coupled to
the second rail or track and a fourth engaging or actuating member
attached or coupled to the first stop member. The first engaging or
actuating member is arranged to co-operate or engage with the
second engaging or actuating member when the rails are mutually
aligned or when the one end of the first suspended rail or track is
positioned facing the one end of the second suspended rail or
track, thereby unblocking the second rail or track, thereby
enabling the trolley or patient lift trolley to move through the
one end of the second rail or track in order to allow a transition,
transfer or move between the rails.
[0014] The second engaging or actuating member is arranged to
co-operate or engage with the fourth engaging or actuating member
when the rails are mutually aligned or when the one end of the
first suspended rail or track is positioned facing the one end of
the second suspended rail or track, thereby unblocking the first
rail or track, thereby enabling the trolley or patient lift trolley
to move through the one end of the second rail or track in order to
allow a transition, transfer or move between the rails or
tracks.
[0015] It is understood that the stop members are lifted when the
pairs of engaging members engage with each other, and otherwise
remain in non-lifted or blocking positions by gravitational
force.
[0016] In an embodiment of the invention according to the first
and/or second aspects, the first and third engaging member each has
a guide, and the second and fourth engaging members each has a
protruding portion adapted to run in respective guide. Each guide
has at least one rising portion in order to elevate the protruding
portion to lift the stop members. In other words, the protruding
portions of the second and fourth engaging members are adapted to
slide, run or mate with the guides of the first and third engaging
members, respectively. Because each guide has at least one rising
portion, the protruding portions and the thereto attached stop
members are elevated or lifted when the pairs of engaging members
engage or interact with each other.
[0017] In another embodiment of the invention according to the
first and/or second aspects, each guide may furthermore have a
falling portion. The falling portion may be symmetric with the
rising portion. Thereby, the trolley is elevated and lowered in the
same manner independent of the direction of relative movement
between the first and second rail, i.e. independent of from which
side of the engaging member the protruding portion enters the
guide.
[0018] In another embodiment of the invention according to the
first and/or second aspects, the protruding portions of the second
and fourth engaging members may be arranged facing each other. The
rising portion of the first engaging member may have a different
rise than that of the third engaging member. This is advantageous
because collision or interference between the protruding portions
of the second and fourth engaging members may be avoided due to
their different vertical positions because of the different rise of
the rising portions.
[0019] In yet another embodiment of the invention according to the
first and/or second aspects, the guide of the first engaging member
and the guide of the third engaging member may be vertically offset
relative each other when the first and third engaging members are
attached to the first and second rails, respectively. The vertical
offset may be achieved by attaching the identical first and third
engaging members in a vertically offset manner to the first and
second rails, respectively. Alternatively, the first engaging
member may have a guide which is arranged at a vertical position in
the first engaging member which is offset compared to the vertical
position of the guide of the third engaging member. Having such an
offset is advantageous because collision or interference between
the protruding portions may be avoided.
[0020] In yet another embodiment of the invention according to the
first and/or second aspects, the second and fourth engaging member
each has a guide, and the first and third engaging members each
have a protruding portion adapted to run in respective guide. Each
guide has at least one falling portion in order to elevate the
second and fourth engaging members. In other words, the first and
third engaging members, which are adapted to be attached to the
first and second rails, respectively, each have a protruding
portion which consequently is non-movable relative the rails. The
second and fourth engaging members, who are attached to the first
and second stop members, respectively, each has a guide with at
least one falling portion. When the protruding portions enter the
falling portions of the corresponding guides, the second and fourth
engaging members are elevated or lifted. Thereby, the thereto
attached stop members are also elevated or lifted.
[0021] In yet another embodiment of the invention according to the
first and/or second aspects, the first and the third engaging
members may be vertically offset relative each other. Having such
an offset is advantageous because collision or interference between
the protruding portions may be avoided.
[0022] In yet another embodiment of the invention according to the
first and/or second aspects, the protruding portion is a wheel
portion. Thereby, low friction may be achieved when the protruding
portions run in the respective guides. In other embodiments the
protruding portion is a pin portion or a stud portion.
[0023] In yet another embodiment of the invention according to the
first and/or second aspects, the guides may comprise a recess
portion at the apex of the guide such that the protruding portions
are held in position where the stop members are at their most
elevated position.
[0024] In yet another embodiment of the invention according to the
first and/or second aspects, the guides are grooves or comprise
groove portions. The diameters of the wheel portions of the second
and fourth engaging members may essentially equal the widths or
heights of the grooves or groove portions of the first and third
engaging members or the second and fourth engaging members,
respectively. Thereby, the stop members are essentially fixed in a
vertical direction when the wheel portions run in the grooves or
groove portions. The groove or groove portions may be essentially
gaussian-shaped. In another embodiment, the groove or groove
portions may comprise a rising portion and a falling portion. The
rising and/or the falling portion(s) may have a linear, exponential
or logarithmic rise or fall. The groove or groove portions may
furthermore comprise a plane portion or a convex portion between
the rising and the falling portions.
[0025] In yet another embodiment of the invention according to the
first and/or second aspects, the guides may be cams or cam guides,
i.e. guides having rising and falling surfaces on which the
protruding portions are adapted to run. The cam or cam guide may be
essentially gaussian-shaped. The rising and/or the falling surfaces
may have linear, exponential or logarithmic rise or fall. The cam
or cam guide may furthermore comprise a plane surface or a convex
surface between the rising and the falling portions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be
described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings
showing currently preferred embodiments of the invention,
wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system in accordance with an
embodiment according to the second aspect of the invention where
the rails are in un-aligned positions,
[0028] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the system in FIG. 1, where the
rails are in an end-to-end position,
[0029] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the system in FIGS. 1 and 2,
where the rails are in un-aligned positions,
[0030] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a system in accordance with an
embodiment according to the second aspect of the invention where
the rails are in un-aligned positions,
[0031] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the system in FIG. 4, where the
rails are in an end-to-end position,
[0032] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the system in FIGS. 4 and 5,
where the rails are in un-aligned positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] In the following description, an embodiment of the present
invention is described with reference to a suspended rail system
having first and second rails and an arrangement for safe
transition of a trolley between the rails.
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a suspended rail system according to an
embodiment of the invention. A first rail 1 and a second rail 2
being arranged in parallel and having rectangular cross-sections
are shown. In other embodiments, the rails may have a quadratic or
partially curved cross-section. The rails 1, 2 are adapted to allow
a trolley to ride therein. The trolley may be of the type having a
mounting bracket attached to its bottom portion. The mounting
bracket is adapted to have a hook or holder attached thereto such
that a portable patient lift may be suspended therefrom.
Alternatively, a motor device for elevating or lowering the patient
may be coupled to the mounting bracket directly or via a hook or
holder. The rails each have a slit in their bottom surfaces
extending along the length of the rails such that a trolley having
for example a portable patient lift or a motor device coupled
thereto may move or ride in the rail. The first rail 1 has an end
surface 3, and the second rail 2 has an end surface 4. In FIG. 1,
the rails are not mutually aligned or in an end-to-end position,
i.e. the end surfaces 3, 4 are not facing each other.
[0035] On top of the first rail 1, a first engaging member 5 is
attached, and on top of the second rail 2, a third engaging member
6 is attached. The first and second engaging members 5, 6 have
T-shaped cross-sections as seen from above, and have plane front
surfaces 5a, 6a adapted to face each other when the rails 1, 2 are
arranged in an end-to-end position. The front surfaces 5a, 6a are
at right angles with the direction of extension of the rails. The
T-shaped cross-section is chosen to ensure stable attachment
possibilities to the rails and the shape may be chosen in any
appropriate way as realized by the person skilled in the art. The
engaging member 5, 6 each have a groove 5b, 6b cut into the front
surfaces 5a, 6a. The grooves 5b, 6b have a Gaussian-shaped
extension and start and end on either side of respective engaging
members 5, 6. The grooves have a rectangular cross-section with a
depth which is approximately one-third of the width. The groove 6b
has a larger rise than that of the groove 5b.
[0036] The first and second engaging members furthermore each have
a vertical groove 5c, 6c cut into the front surfaces 5a, 6a. The
vertical grooves 5c, 6c are deeper than the Gaussian-shaped grooves
5b, 6b, and extend partially along the height of the first and
second engaging members, leaving a lower portion of the front
surfaces 5a, 6a un-cut.
[0037] A first stop member 7 is arranged to be movable in the
vertical groove 5c and through a hole in a top portion of the first
rail 1. A second stop member 8 is arranged to be movable in the
vertical groove 6c and through a hole in a top portion of the
second rail 2. The stop members are thus arranged to be moved at an
essentially right angle relative the rails. The first and second
stop members 7, 8 have a length such that they extend into the
corresponding rails down to approximately 50% of the height of the
rails when the rails are not arranged end-to-end. The first and
second stop members 7, 8 each have cylinder-shaped bodies. In other
embodiments, the stop members may have for example plate-shaped
bodies or bodies having a rectangular cross-section. A second
engaging member 9 and a fourth engaging member 10 each comprise a
wheel portion attached to a corresponding stop member 7, 8 at right
angles via an axle portion. In other embodiments, the second and
fourth engaging members may comprise a pin or stud portion instead
of the wheel portion. The second and fourth engaging members 9, 10
are pointing in opposite directions, at right angles away from the
front surfaces 5a, 6a of the first and second engaging members. The
axle portions are resting against lower portions of the vertical
grooves 5c, 6c. The stop members 7, 8 will remain in this blocking
position by means of gravitational force as long as the rails are
not arranged end-to-end.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows the same embodiment of the suspended rail
system as in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the rails are mutually aligned or
in an end-to-end position, i.e. the end surfaces 3, 4 are facing
each other. The wheel portions of the second and fourth engaging
portions 9, 10 have previously to arriving at the shown position,
i.e. the highest positions in respective grooves 5b, 6b, run in the
grooves and followed their rise to the present elevated position.
Because the stop members 7, 8 are attached to the second and fourth
engaging members, the stop members are also in elevated positions
and do not extend into the rails 1, 2. Thereby, both rails 1, 2 are
un-blocked and a transfer or transition of a trolley from the first
to the second rail or vice versa is possible. Because of the
different rise of the groove 16b compared to the groove 15b, the
wheels of the second and fourth engaging members are prevented from
colliding.
[0039] FIG. 3 shows the same embodiment of the suspended rail
system as in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 3, the rails are no longer
mutually aligned or in an end-to-end position. The end surfaces 3,
4 are partially overlapping or facing each other, but are not
sufficiently aligned to allow a transfer or transition. The wheel
portions are halfway up the grooves 5b, 6b. Therefore, the stop
members 7, 8 are in a partially elevated position, but extend
sufficiently into the rails 1, 2 in order to block a trolley from
accidentally leaving either of the rails.
[0040] FIG. 4 shows a suspended rail system according to another
embodiment of the invention. The rails 11, 12 are of the same type
described above and as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In FIG. 4, the rails are
not mutually aligned or in an end-to-end position, i.e. the end
surfaces 13, 14 are not facing each other. On top of the first rail
11, a first engaging member 15 is attached, and on top of the
second rail 12, a third engaging member 16 is attached. The first
and second engaging members 15, 16 have T-shaped cross-sections as
seen from above, and have plane front surfaces 15a, 16a which are
adapted to face each other when the rails 11, 12 are arranged in an
end-to-end position. The front surfaces 15a, 16a are at right
angles with the direction of extension of the rails. The T-shaped
cross-section is chosen to ensure stable attachment possibilities
to the rails and the shape may be chosen in any appropriate way as
realized by the person skilled in the art. The engaging members 15,
16 each have a groove 15b, 16b cut into the front surfaces 15a,
16a. The grooves 15b, 16b have a Gaussian-shaped extension and
start and end on either side of respective engaging members 15, 16.
The grooves have a rectangular cross-section with a depth which is
approximately one-third of the width. The groove 16b has the same
shape as the groove 15b, and the grooves are vertically offset
relative each other. The groove 16b is thus offset at a higher
position compared to the groove 15b.
[0041] The first and second engaging members furthermore each have
a vertical groove 15c, 16c cut into the front surfaces 15a, 16a.
The vertical grooves 15c, 16c are deeper than the Gaussian-shaped
grooves 15b, 16b, and extend partially along the height of the
first and second engaging members, leaving a lower portion of the
front surfaces 15a, 16a un-cut.
[0042] A first stop member 17 is arranged to be movable in the
vertical groove 15c and through a hole in a top portion of the
first rail 11. A second stop member 18 is arranged to be movable in
the vertical groove 16c and through a hole in a top portion of the
second rail 12. The stop members are thus arranged to be moved at
an essentially right angle relative the rails. The first and second
stop members 17, 18 have a length such that they extend into the
corresponding rails down to approximately 50% of the height of the
rails when the rails are not arranged end-to-end. The first and
second stop members 17, 18 each have cylinder-shaped bodies. A
second engaging member 19 and a fourth engaging member 110 each
comprise a wheel portion attached to one of the stop members 17, 18
at right angles via axle portions. The second and fourth engaging
members 19, 110 are pointing in opposite directions, away from the
front surfaces 15a, 16a of the first and second engaging members.
The axle portions are resting against lower portions of the
vertical grooves 15c, 16c. The stop members 17, 18 will remain in
this blocking position by means of gravitational force as long as
the rails are not arranged end-to-end.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows the same embodiment of the suspended rail
system as in FIG. 4. In FIG. 5, the rails are mutually aligned or
in an end-to-end position, i.e. the end surfaces 13, 14 are facing
each other. The wheel portions of the second and fourth engaging
portions 19, 110 have previously to arriving at the shown position,
i.e. the highest positions in respective grooves 15b, 16b, run in
the grooves and followed their rise to the present elevated
position. Because the stop members 17, 18 are attached to the
second and fourth engaging members, the stop members are also in
elevated positions and do not extend into the rails 11, 12.
Thereby, both rails 11, 12 are un-blocked and a transfer or
transition of a trolley from the first to the second rail or vice
versa is possible. Because of the vertical offset between the
grooves 15b, 16b, the wheels of the second and fourth engaging
members are prevented from colliding.
[0044] FIG. 6 shows the same embodiment of the suspended rail
system as in FIGS. 4 and 5. In FIG. 6, the rails are no longer
mutually aligned or in an end-to-end position. The end surfaces 13,
14 are partially overlapping or facing each other, but are not
sufficiently aligned to allow a transfer or transition. The wheel
portions are halfway up the grooves 15b, 16b. Therefore, the stop
members 17, 18 are in a partially elevated position, but extend
sufficiently into the rails 11, 12 in order to block a trolley from
accidentally leaving either of the rails.
[0045] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention has
been shown and described, it will be apparent to the person skilled
in the art that a number of changes and modifications, or
alterations of the invention as described herein may be made. In
particular, the first and third engaging members may switch
positions with the second and fourth engaging members, i.e. such
that the second and fourth engaging members are attached to the
first and second rail, respectively, and the first and third
engaging members are attached to the liftable stop members and
movable therewith. The person skilled in the art furthermore
realizes that the exact shape of the engaging members is not
limited to the embodiments shown above. Thus, it is to be
understood that the above description of the invention and the
accompanying drawing is to be regarded as a non-limiting example
thereof and that the scope of the invention is defined in the
appended patent claims.
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