GB1592040A

GB1592040A - Guide rail assemblies

Info

Publication number: GB1592040A
Application number: GB2403878A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Wampfler GmbH
Current assignee: Wampfler GmbH
Priority date: 1977-09-01
Filing date: 1978-05-30
Publication date: 1981-07-01
Also published as: AU517523B2; FR2401791B1; FR2401791A1; DE2739480C2; DE2739480A1; AU3894278A

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO GUIDE RAIL ASSEMBLIES (71) We, WAMPFLER GmbH, a German Company, of Rheinstrasse 27, D-7858 Weil am Rhein-Märkt, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to a guide rail assembly for transmitting electric current to a trolley or the like which is in gliding contact with said assembly.

A problem confronting prior art devices is the economical construction of a guide rail assembly which is both wear resistant and an acceptable conductor. In a known assembly, an aluminium base is shaped in cross-section in the general form of a double-T, with a U-shaped steel plate being positioned over half of the base. The edges of the U-shaped steel plate engage grooves formed in the double-T-shaped base and are fastened to flanges formed thereon. This assembly is both costly to manufacture and a less-thanadequate conductor of current because of the relatively high contact resistance between the aluminium base and the U-shaped steel plate. Also, knovyrt structures tend to include air gaps between the base and the U-shaped contact plate, wherein moisture may collect, resulting in corrosion of the metals leading to premature failure of the guide rail assembly.

In a further known assembly, an aluminium base plate is metallurgically joined to a steel band arranged at one side of a base plate.

The guide rail is formed by an extrusion process, with the steel band being metallurgically attached during production of the aluminium base. The extrusion process is limited to producing a flat steel band which can not be effectively used with a substantially V-shaped trolley guide rail.

An object of the present invention is to provide a guide rail assembly which eliminates at least substantially the disadvantages of the prior art assemblies.

According to the present invention a rail assembly for guiding and supplying electrical current to a trolley-like vehicle comprises a metallic base including first and second spaced, leg members which are joined by a connecting limb provided with a concave shaped recess, a contact member of convexly curved cross-section conforming to said recess, and deformable lips bounding said recess which when deformed press against the opposed sides of said contact member to maintain it in abutting engagement with the limb.

So that the invention will be more readily understood and optional features thereof made apparent, an exemplary embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which similar elements are referred to and are indicated by similar reference numerals, and in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a base, prior to the insertion of a contact member thereinto; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a contact member; and, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 1, in which the base and contact member are joined to form a complete guide ..rail assembly.

rail assembly.

in Figure 1 there shown a cross-sectional profile and which is formed by an extrusion method which, in itself, plays no part in the present invention. Base 1 may be formed of aluminium and includes a pair of legs 4 and 5 which are joined by a V-shaped, connecting limb 6. Each leg 4 and 5 includes a pair of similar, curved end portions 2 and 2 which extend inwardly towards one another, as shown in Figure 1. Limb 6 includes a centrally disposed V-shaped concave recess bounded by a pair of protruding lips 8.

A convexly curved contact member of V shaped cross section is provided by a springy band 9 (Figure 2). This may be formed from a resileint material such as V4A steel, and the convex V-shape of the band 9 matches the V shaped concave recess 7. During installation, the band 9 is inserted into the recess 7, with the lips 8 contacting the sides 10 of the band 9. The lips 8 are then deformed by means of a suitable tool (not shown) into tight contact with the sides 10.

The deformed lips are indicated at 81 in Figure 3 and function to positively bond the base 1 to the band 9 while preventing the formation of any air gaps from occurring therebetween. Further more, the V-shape of the band 9 combined with the pressing engagment between lips 81 ensures the secure attachment of the band 9 in the recess 7.

The surface 11 of the band 9 in contact with recess 7 should be free of any oxydising or corroding layer prior to the assembly of the guide rail. Both of the contacting surfaces 7 and 11 may be provided with a thin layer of electrolytic paste to ensure a low contact resistance during operation. A trolley assembly (not shown) can be guided between the end portions 3, a wedge-shaped point of the trolley assembly making continuous electrical contact with the V-shaped, wearresistant band 9.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A rail assembly for guiding and supplying electrical current to a trolley-like vehicle, comprising a metallic base including first and second spaced, leg members which are joined by a connecting limb provided with a concave shaped recess, a contact member of convexly curved cross-section conforming to said recess, and deformable lips bounding said recess which when deformed press against the opposed sides of said contact member to maintain it in abutting engagement with the limb.

2. A rail assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which said recess and said contact member are substantially V-shaped.

3. A rail assembly as claimed in claim 2 in which said connecting limb is substantially V-shaped.

4. A rail assembly according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said leg members include curved end portions which extend inwardly towards one another, said end portions being arranged to guide a portion of said trolley extending therebetween.

5. A rail assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said base is formed of a light-weight, metallic material adaptable for transmitting electrical current.

6. A rail assembly according to claim 5, wherein said base is formed of aluminium.

7. A rail guide assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said contact member is formed of a springy, resilient material which is wear-resistant as well as adaptable for transmitting electrical current.

8. A rail assembly according to claim 7, wherein said engaging limb is formed of steel.

9. A rail assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein mutually abutting surfaces of said engaging limb and said contact member are covered with a coating of electrolytic paste for ensuring low contact resistance therebetween.

10. A rail assembly for guiding and supplying electrical current to a trolley-like vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the drawing forming part of this specification.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The deformed lips are indicated at 81 in Figure 3 and function to positively bond the base 1 to the band 9 while preventing the formation of any air gaps from occurring therebetween. Further more, the V-shape of the band 9 combined with the pressing engagment between lips 81 ensures the secure attachment of the band 9 in the recess 7. The surface 11 of the band 9 in contact with recess 7 should be free of any oxydising or corroding layer prior to the assembly of the guide rail. Both of the contacting surfaces 7 and 11 may be provided with a thin layer of electrolytic paste to ensure a low contact resistance during operation. A trolley assembly (not shown) can be guided between the end portions 3, a wedge-shaped point of the trolley assembly making continuous electrical contact with the V-shaped, wearresistant band 9. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A rail assembly for guiding and supplying electrical current to a trolley-like vehicle, comprising a metallic base including first and second spaced, leg members which are joined by a connecting limb provided with a concave shaped recess, a contact member of convexly curved cross-section conforming to said recess, and deformable lips bounding said recess which when deformed press against the opposed sides of said contact member to maintain it in abutting engagement with the limb.