# US 4,393,785 A · Suspended track for monorail suspended trolleys > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,393,785 A - Document ID: US4393785A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/247,524 - Filed: 1981-03-25 - Granted: 1983-07-19 - Earliest claimed: 1980-05-21 - Assignees: Firma R. Stahl GmbH & Co. - Inventors: Franz Hortnagel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4393785A ## CPC - E01B 25/24: Supporting rails; Auxiliary balancing rails; Supports or connections for rails - E01B: PERMANENT WAY; PERMANENT-WAY TOOLS; MACHINES FOR MAKING RAILWAYS OF ALL KINDS (derailing or rerailing blocks on track, track brakes or retarders B61K) ## Abstract To permit attachment of a suspended track without drilling of holes lfor installation and connection to support elements (25), the track has an upper hollow structural section (2), for example in essentially semi-circular shape with depending vertical sections (10), a similar lower hollow structural section (2) joined by a connecting web (3), the sections in the web are unitary, the web being of generally horizontal C-shape in cross section, with a generally vertical back portion (11), mutually converging or approaching forward portions (5) which are bent over themselves to form diverging wing portions (6) leaving a groove-like gap (4) therebetween, the ends (7) of the portions (5) and the diverging wing portions (6). Hanger elements (25) can be longitudinally positioned by clamping the hanger elements against internally positioned clamping bars or plates (27), permitting longitudinal alignment by relative sliding of the clamping bars within the C-shaped chamber. Electrical connection bus ways and the like can be applied at the side opposite the gap by snap clips (22) snapped over the web (3) where it is rounded to form the C-shape. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Suspended track for monorail suspended trolleys having an upper hollow structural section (1); a lower hollow structural sections (2); and a connecting web (3) connecting said upper and lower sections together, adapted to be supported by hanger elements (25) laterally attachable to said web, and further being adapted to support electrical connection tracks, buses or rails (15), said connecting web being a unitary element integral with the upper and lower hollow structural section and defining a central portion, and mutually approaching end portions leaving, between the ends (8) thereof, an open space; and wherein, in accordance with the invention, the central portion of the generally C-cross-sectionally shaped connecting web forms a back portion (11); the end portions of said web extend forwardly from the back portion, converging towards each other and leaving, between the ends (8) thereof, a groove-like open gap (4) which defines said space; and mutually diverging wing portions (6) are provided extending upwardly and downwardly away from said gap (4), said wing portions merging into said upper and lower hollow structural sections (1, 2) and extending to form upper and lower hollow structural portions, respectively, of said sections. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Track according to claim 1, wherein said upper and lower structural portions (1, 2) of said upper and lower hollow sections and said connecting web (3) comprise a unitary cold-rolled formed or shaped profiled rail. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Track according to claim 1, wherein said upper and lower hollow structural sections (1, 2) and said web (3) are a single unitary formed or shaped profiled rail rolled from a single strip of material; and wherein the end portions (7) of the strip of material extend from the upper and lower structural sections, respectively, and are positioned between the mutually converging or approaching forward portions (5) of the generally C-shaped web (3) and the mutually diverging wing portions (6) extending therefrom, said converging forward portions and wing portions extending in parallel direction and forming generally U-folded parallel legs, the end portions (7) of the strip being fitted between said parallel legs (5, 6) and clamped therebetween. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) Track according to claim 3, wherein the ends of said end portions (7) bear against the bottom of the U-shaped converging and diverging portions (5, 6) to provide for force transfer to the bottom (8) of said converging and diverging portions, and to hold said end portions (7) in position and support said end portions (7) against twist. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Track according to claim 1, wherein said web (3) is set back with respect to a projection of the outer edges (10) of said upper and lower hollow structural sections (1, 2). ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) Track according to claim 5, wherein the back portion (11) of said web (3) is placed approximately at a vertical center line extending through said upper and lower hollow structural section. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Track according to claim 1, further including an elongated support body (16) of insulating material carrying electrical connection tracks, buses or rails; and resilient holding clips (22) secured to said elongated insulating support body (16) and having bent portions fitting over the outer surface of the rounded region of the C-shaped web. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) Track according to claim 7, wherein said resilient clips comprise spring sheet metal clips secured to said elongated insulated support body at spaced longitudinal positions at a side thereof opposite that of the electrical connection tracks, buses or rails (15) and shaped to resiliently snap over the rounded portion of the web (3) from the side opposite said groove-like open gap (4). ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Track according to claim 1, in combination with hanger elements (25); wherein said hanger elements include bearing claws (26) fitting between said groove-like gap (4) and supporting the adjacent mutually converging forward portions (5) and said mutually diverging wing portions (6); clamping bars or plates (27) fitting within the space defined by the C-shaped web interiorly of the space and bearing from the inside against said converging forward portions (5); and clamping means (28) clamping said bars or plates against the hanger element (25). ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) Track according to claim 9, wherein said clamping bars or plates (27) are movable and have one dimension which is less than the width of the groove-like gap (4) to permit introduction of said clamping bars or plates (27) through said groove-like open gap for subsequent rotation into clamping position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) Track according to claim 9, wherein the dimensions of said clamping bars or plates are less than the clear transverse distance of said C-shaped web to permit sliding of the clamping bars or plates and the attachment elements longitudinally with respect to the track. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) Track according to claim 9, wherein the hanger element (25) is formed with an abutment portion including said claws, said abutment portion bearing against and supporting the structural sections and said web, and any trolleys thereon, by engagement of said abutment portion with the junction of said converging forward portions and said wing portions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) Track according to claim 9, wherein said clamping means comprises tension bolts (28) clamping the clamping bars or plates (27) against the hanger element, said hanger element. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Track according to claim 1, further including operating or control elements (34) positioned within the chamber defined by the generally C-shaped cross section of the web, and having an extension flag (34) extending outwardly from the groove-like open gap (4). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) Track according to claim 14, wherein said operating control elements are shaped to fit within the chamber defined by the C-shaped cross section of the web and include clamping means (35) positioning said elements in longitudinally defined position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Track according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said structural sections (1, 2) is formed with vertically extending plane side portions (10) projecting beyond the position of said back portion (11) of the web to permit rolling contact with guide rollers or wheels (14) of a trolley, rotating about vertical axes. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) Track according to claim 1, in combination with coupling elements to couple two tracks together in longitudinally abutting alignment, said coupling elements comprising a bearing claw (26) having a longitudinal width spanning the abutment joint (32) of two adjacent tracks, fitting within the groove-like open gap (4) and having portions extending from the outside over said diverging wing portions (6) and abutment shoulders fitting against the bent-over ends (8) formed by adjacent converging portions (5) of the web and the diverging wing portions (6); and clamping bars or plates (27) positioned within the chamber defined by the C-shaped cross section of the web (3) bearing against the converging portions (5) from the inside of said chamber and in clamping connection with said outwardly overlapping portions positioned at both said tracks to connect said tracks together. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) Track according to claim 17, further including connecting pins (33) fitted within the hollow space of at least one of said hollow structural sections (1, 2), and frictionally secured therein. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) Track according to claim 1, wherein the upper and lower hollow structural sections are--in cross section--closed box-like hollow rails. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) Track according to claim 19, wherein the ends of the wing portions have end parts which have a zone which is bent backwardly in the direction of the back portion, and a further zone bent forwardly meeting the wing portions in the region where they, respectively, extend upwardly and downwardly to define said hollow box-like rails between the backwardly bent and forwardly bent zones.