Method for locking moveable point sections

An apparatus for mechanically locking the end positions of first and second movable point sections, with first and second adjusting rods, with the first adjusting rod connected with the first point section and the second adjusting rod connected with the second point section, and the first and second adjusting rods coupled mechanically with one another, comprising:

• a) at least one locking tappet for locking the adjusting rods in each case in one end position thereof,
• b) a force limiting device, which cancels the locking, when a force, exerted by the point sections on the adjusting rods, exceeds a certain value, the force limiting device including:
• i) at least one coupling device which yields when stressed and is connected for movement with the adjusting rods, and
• ii) a transfer mechanism which converts movement of one of the first and second adjusting rods into a movement for unlocking the at least one locking tappet,
• c) a connecting piece,
• d) the adjusting rods being disposed coaxially to one another and having mutually facing ends supported at the connecting piece, and
• e) wherein:
• i) the at least one locking tappet is held movably at the connecting piece,
• ii) the at least one coupling device includes a first coupling device that acts on the first adjusting rod via the connecting piece and yields only when stressed in one direction and a second coupling device that acts on the second adjusting rod via the connecting piece and yields only when stressed in an opposite direction, and
• iii) the transfer mechanism converts relative movement between the adjusting rods and the connecting piece into the unlocking movement, and
• iv) the at least one coupling device holds the end of a respective adjusting rod non-fixedly in contact with the connecting piece.

An apparatus for mechanically locking the end Positions of first and second movable point sections, with first and second adjusting rods, with the first adjusting rod connected with the first point section and the second adjusting rod connected with the second point section, and the first and second adjusting rods coupled mechanically with one another, comprising:

• a) two locking tappets for locking the adjusting rods in each case in one end position thereof, the two said locking tappets held immovably in the direction of movement of the adjusting rods at a part of the apparatus, said two locking tappets being fastened to the housing and being movable in a direction perpendicular to said direction of movement between a locking position, in which the two locking tappets lock the adjusting rods positively, and an unlocking position, which releases the adjusting rods,
• b) a force limiting device, which cancels the locking, when a force, exerted by the point sections on the adjusting rods, exceeds a certain value, the force limiting device including:
• i) at least one coupling device which yields when stressed and is connected for movement with the adjusting rods, and
• ii) a transfer mechanism which converts movement of one of the first and second adjusting rods into a movement for unlocking the two locking tappets, the transfer mechanism having at least one unlocking ledge which extends parallel to the adjusting rods, is movable in a longitudinal direction thereof over inclined surfaces, and interacts with the locking tappets extending transversely to the locking ledges,
• c) a testing device which scans the position of movable shunt parts, and
• d) the locking tappets extend to the testing device and are held by the testing device in the unlocking position, when the testing device determines that the shunt parts have not been shifted correspondingly to the adjusting rods.

An apparatus for mechanically locking the end positions of first and second movable point sections, with first and second adjusting rods, with the first adjusting rod connected with the first point section and the second adjusting rod connected with the second point section, and the first and second adjusting rods coupled mechanically with one another, comprising:

• a) two locking tappets for locking the adjusting rods in each case in one end position thereof, the two said locking tappets held immovably in the direction of movement of the adjusting rods at a part of the apparatus, said two locking tappets being fastened to the housing and being movable in a direction perpendicular to said direction of movement between a locking position, in which the two locking tappets lock the adjusting rods positively, and an unlocking position, which releases the adjusting rods,
• b) a force limiting device, which cancels the locking, when a force, exerted by the point sections on the adjusting rods, exceeds a certain value, the force limiting device including:
• i) at least one coupling device which yields when stressed and is connected for movement with the adjusting rods, and
• ii) a transfer mechanism which converts movement of one of the adjusting rods into a movement for unlocking the two locking tappets, the transfer mechanism having at least one unlocking ledge which extends parallel to the adjusting rods, is movable in a longitudinal direction thereof over inclined surfaces, and interacts with the locking tappets extending transversely to the locking ledges,
• c) a drivable carriage at which the at least one unlocking ledge is held, and
• d) the adjusting rods, at mutually facing ends, have connecting parts, between which the at least one coupling device is disposed, which yield when stressed in tension and which are engaged with clearance with the drivable carriage.