Importance

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Abstract

A rail switch (1), particularly for an overhead conveyor system, adapted to assume at least two switch positions (I, II, III) for selectively connecting a first rail (2) comprising a runway (2a, 2b) for casters (7a, 7b) of conveyor carriages (6) to the free ends of other rails (3, 4, 5). The switch includes a switch portion (10) carrying a corresponding runway (10a, 10b) and having one of its ends connected to the free end of the first rail (2) by a hinge (9) permitting it to be pivoted about a pivot axis (11) so that the opposite free end of the switch portion (10) may be selectively connected to the free ends of the other rails (3, 4, 5). To ensure substantially smooth passage of the casters (7a, 7b) over the hinge (9), the runway adjacent the hinge (9) is formed by mutually overlapping runway surface portions (17a, 17b, 19a, 19b) on the switch portion (10) and on the first rail (2).

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First Claim